Breastfeeding

Benefits

Best for baby...Breast milk is proven to be nutritionally superior to formula. Science can absolutely not duplicate something that is manufactured by God. As the baby grows older, breast milk is specifically tailored for their changing needs. No formula can come close to that! Plus, it carries immunities that can't be manufactured in a lab. Bonding... Breastfeeding cultivates a special closeness with baby. There is nothing like cozying up with my 9 month old and watching her eagerness to be nourished and comforted at the breast. It's Free! It burns calories... About 500 per day, so you will definitely melt away that baby weight. Reduces your risk of breast cancer. Convenience...no bottles and it's already warm!

Proper nutrition for mom

Calcium and Protein... To get adequate levels of calcium, make sure to include dairy products, such as skim milk, yogurt and cheese in your diet and/or green vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach. Good sources of protein include, unsalted nuts, beans, fish, lean poultry and eggs. H2O...Make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Prenatal Vitamin ... Continue to take one daily.

Potential Problems

Lack of milk...The big key here is nursing often and for long periods of time. The more the baby nurses, the more milk you will produce. If you are unable to nurse for any reason, make sure to pump every couple of hours, especially in the first couple of months when your milk production is not yet fully established. Don't give up; it is very unlikely that your body can't produce milk. Engorged breasts...Make sure your bra is supportive and not too tight. Make sure the baby is eating often, so some pressure is relieved. Ice packs are helpful for pain. Sore nipples...You can use Lanolin creams to alleviate dryness and ice packs for pain, but for the most part it just takes time. After a month or so, the nipples become calloused, in a sense, and nursing is no longer painful at all. Clogged duct...You will notice an area of particular engorgement and it will be sensitive to the touch. Use warm, wet towels to massage the area where there is pain and to "rub out" the area where your milk duct is clogged. Repeat several times until it is unclogged. If problem persists more than 2 days, call your doctor. Unexpected letdown reflex...For the first two or three months, it is common for your milk to "let down" at random times. Your body will regulate after a few months and you won't experience this anymore. In the mean time, get a few sets of washable nursing pads, so you won't have embarrassing spots on your clothes. Fussy baby... The baby may be reacting to something in your diet. Keep a diary of foods you eat and fussy times and see if you can find any correlations.