Breast-feeding and baby growth

 How many new mothers give up breast-feeding because they are told that their baby is not "thriving" - solely on the grounds that their babies' weight gain does not fit the weight charts?

I am the mother of four children, three of whom are now grown up, and the last is 14 years old.  All were breastfed, the first for nine months, the second for one year, the third for eighteen months and the last into toddlerhood.  All were bigger than average at birth:  the eldest - my only daughter - was 8lbs, my eldest son 8lbs 4oz, the middle son a whopping 9lbs 4oz, and the last 9lbs.  I was looked after by my local GP practice and registered with the child health clinic.  I was supposed to attend weekly for the first few months for weighing the child as well as for the routine vaccinations.  The babies' weight gains were plotted on charts at the clinic and I was given charts to keep track of their weight gain.

At the start, all four were on or close to the 90th percentile,  being rather big babies.  Between three to six months all steadily gained weight,  but gradually crossed the percentile lines reaching about the 50 percentile about the middle of the first year.  Despite steady weight gain, by their first birthdays,  all four had moved off the chart and were now apparently lighter than 90% of babies. 

This was scary stuff.  With my older children, I quickly stopped attending the child health clinic except for the immunisation days.  Although the babies were weighed at the same time, the child health team were too busy to give much thought to whether or not the baby was making expected progress.   In any case the babies were well and looked bright eyed and lively and I wasn't grumbling or looking tired and stressed.   In this way we stayed below the child health team radar.

Moreover, our visits to the doctor were very rare.  In the first ten years of my children's lives we had a total of three prescriptions for antibiotics, across all four of them, for a middle ear infection, impetigo and a chest infection.  My eldest son has never had antibiotics or any illness other than an occasional cold, and my daughter was late into her teens before she needed to be treated for tonsillitis. 

I was lucky not to have been pestered by the child health clinic for neglecting my babies as the charts clearly showed that their weight growth was much slower than the average.  Yet despite this my daughter is now 5ft 8ins, a full inch and a half taller than me.  My eldest son is six foot tall, my middle son - the heaviest as a baby- is 6 ft 2 ins, and my youngest is growing like a weed.  All are lean and in fact my middle son who is a keen rugby player, weighs 200lbs , and only maintains this weight by daily weight-lifting.  He loses weight quickly as soon as his training slacks off.  It seems that my children's slow start as babies has not resulted in stunted growth in adulthood!

It seems clear to me that the "growth charts" are based on average weight gain of "formula fed" babies and that breast fed babies do not grow in the same way in the first year of life.  In fact a breast fed baby cannot take more than it needs and as long as the milk supply is adequate, the baby is suckling properly and fed regularly,  the supply will exactly match the baby's requirements for optimum growth.  

Childhood obesity is now recognised as a serious health issue as the numbers of fat children are increasing across the developed world.  It seems entirely probable that the problem begins with excess weight gain in the first year of life, particularly as it is in this time that the fat cells are laid down.  A child who stays lean in its first year has much less chance of becoming a fat child later.   

If you are breastfeeding, and you and your baby are well and happy, forget the growth charts.  Weigh every month and if your baby is gaining weight then don't allow the comparison with some notional average gain deter you from feeding your baby yourself.  You will know if your baby is not "thriving" - it will be miserable and wakeful and look poorly.  In those circumstances you may need to reconsider your feeding regime and to seek proper advice. 

Breastfeeding Problems, How To Increase Breast Milk Supply and Breastfeed Successfully

Breastfeeding is the most wonderful thing in a young mother’s life. If you are pregnant you may think that breastfeeding is natural by itself, not very difficult, definitely not impossible, and the most important, very healthy. You also know all about benefits of breastfeeding and different positions. You are prepared and ready for that special task.

But, if you are already a mother, either very young, either experienced one, you know very well that most woman have breastfeeding problems and are forced to switch to bottle feeding. You are also aware of breastfeeding benefits, but at the same time feel that breastfeeding problems, especially low milk supply, are difficult to overcome.

Is it really the truth that some women cannot breastfeed or they give up too early?

My breastfeeding story

When I was 8 months pregnant I started reading about breastfeeding. I also took a course about breastfeeding to hear some practical tips and advice from experienced moms in order to avoid breastfeeding problems.

My wish was to breastfeed at least a year and a half. Longer breastfeeding was also an option if that suited me and my baby.

But, when I gave birth to my daughter things started going in the opposite direction to the one I wanted. My baby was relatively small (something over 3kg) and wasn’t very interested in active sucking. I wanted rooming-in arrangement, to have her beside me all the time but that didn't prevent my breastfeeding problems. When we came home, the situation didn’t improve much. She would suck two or three times and "fall a sleep".

My family concluded that she was hungry, I had low milk supply and I should start bottle feeding. I struggled for two weeks and finally gave her the milk formula, because I didn’t want her to be hungry and crying all the time.

But, I decided to overcome my breastfeeding problems and do whatever it takes to reduce bottle feeding and increase breastfeeding.

In order to start increasing milk supply I breastfed her on demand, which in my case meant she was on my breasts all the time. Sometimes I would let her breastfeed every 15 minutes, sometimes she would breastfeed for two hours and sleep in my lap.

After two months, my breastfeeding problems seem to be over. Milk supply increased but I stated experiencing problems with my breasts. My milk ducts were plugged almost all the time, every few days in different place. But I was so happy and proud, because I started to breastfeed her exclusively after two months.

I still breastfeed her and she is 14 months old now. It looks like I will reach those 18 months that I originally wished. The moments when I breastfeed her are very special to us and I just don’t want to give them up yet!

How to Breastfeed Successfully
Increasing breast milk supply. One among many breastfeeding problems is low milk supply. If you don’t have any milk during the first day, try expressing milk manually or using the breast pump. That might increase lactation and ease your breastfeeding broblems. Even if it’s only a drop or two, it’s enough during the first few days. Simulate baby’s sucking (it’s good to do it every time while expressing milk), press quickly three or four times and after that pres slowly and let go after several seconds. Even if you have rooming-in, that doesn’t necessarily mean you baby will increase milk supply. Your baby might be small, sleepy or just lazy for breastfeeding, so it’s good to help the milk production with expressing milk from time to time.
Breastfeed on demand. Let your baby breastfeed whenever it asks. Even if it’s every half an hour, do it. It’s very hard and exhausting, but this could be the only way to increase the milk supply and solve your breastfeeding problems. Even if you baby ate all the milk, let it suck as long as it wants, because sucking itself has a positive influence on milk supply. It’s worth spending most of your time breastfeeding during first months and being nothing but mom, because after a short time you will enjoy breastfeeding endlessly and have enough time to rest.
Expressing milk after feeding. Sometimes, you baby will not eat the entire milk, and some of it may be left in your breasts. This is why it’s good to express the remaining milk and that way increase milk production for the next feeding.
Breastfeed more in the afternoon and evening. When the day is coming to an end, most women are experiencing breastfeeding broblems, such as low milk supply. The baby asks for even more time on your breasts and sleeps shorter intervals than during the first part of the day. This is normal, because milk supply decreases when the day goes by. Let your baby spend as much time breastfeed as you can handle and don’t reach for the bottle. More frequent breastfeeding in the evening will keep your milk supply at the satisfactory level.
Breastfeed while you sleep. Milk production is the highest during night hours, because prolactin rises during the night. Prolactin is a hormone responsible for milk production in breastfeeding moms. The more you breastfeed during the night, the more milk you’ll have in general. Similar affect has a daily nap. Use daily naps to have some rest, cuddle with your baby and increase your milk supply at the same time.




Breastfeeding benefits
Child’s immunity. Breastfeeding is mainly recommended because it increases baby immune system. It’s well known that children who were breastfed during first year have better immune systems. The reason for this is that mother’s milk contains antibodies, which protect the young child’s immune system. When mother is sick, it is also recommended to breastfeed, because she will give her antibodies to her child and protect it from the same illness.
Losing weight. Mother who breastfeed lose weight quickly than the mother who don’t. Breastfeeding causes a uterine shrinking. That’s why breastfeeding moms look thinner and go back to their previous weight quicker.
Bonding with child. Breastfeeding is the most beautiful time you can spend with your baby during first months. You will be calmed, because your baby will be peaceful and content. Your child will be close to you and feel your warmth and closeness. And, that’s one of the most important things a baby need to experience and one of the benefits of breastfeeding.
Great sleeping association. Little babies need associations for falling asleep. A newborn associates food with sleeping and falls a sleep right after eating, sometimes during eating. A few months old baby associates sleeping with breastfeeding, sucking, carrying or swinging. Breastfeeding is great sleeping association, so don’t hurry to wean your baby from breastfeeding.
Putting to sleep takes a few minutes. When your baby is over six months old, it is well aware of its environment. It sees and hears everything. It could be a challenge to put it a sleep without breastfeeding or soother. In that case, some carrying will be necessary, which can sometimes take over half an hour. Putting to sleep during breastfeeding is quicker and baby is a sleep within several minutes. This kind of sleeping won’t last forever, you child will grow up in no time, so why spend your evenings fighting over sleeping, when you and your child can spend a peaceful time together at the end of the day and then have some relaxing time for yourself.
Stressful periods are easier to handle. If you and your baby are going through some rough period (a women coming back to work, child being ill or in hospital), it could be handled much easily if you breastfeed. Your child will use those moments to recover from stressful periods and be less prone to possible illnesses or negative reactions.
Breastfeeding time could be used for relaxing. If your baby eats for an hour or longer, or even had short naps in your lap, you can spend this time doing something relaxing. You will probably want to use the time when you don’t have to take care of your baby differently, for example have shower, do some housework or spend some time with your partner. But, you can use this extra time of peace to read a book or watch your favorite TV show or a movie, which you couldn’t do if you bottle fed your baby.
Breastfeeding is natural contraception. While you breastfeed, especially during the night, you are not likely to have ovulation and get your period. If you’re not planning another child right now, you don’t have to worry much about getting pregnant (if you’re not unlucky to conceive during the ovulation before your first period, which is always a possibility).


Breastfeeding Tips
Massage your breasts daily. To avoid most common breastfeeding problems, such as mastitis or plugged ducts massage your breasts on daily basis. It good to do it during your morning shower. Take some of your shower gel (generally there is no need to use shower gel on breast area, plain water is enough) and massage your breasts all over. Spend more time on the area with previous inflammatory processes. This should help at least decrease the number of inflammatory processes, if not eliminate them completely.
Plugged milk ducts. Another very usual breastfeeding problem is having plugged milk ducts and hard bumps in your breast. If you start experiencing this problem, it’s good to put some cold compress on your breast. If you don’t have any compress a frozen peas can help. Take the peas from its original package and put some of it in the small plastic bag (depending on the size of your breast). The bag will cover the breast naturally and reduce the inflammation a bit. But, if you plan to breastfeed, have a worm shower, massage the breast and let the baby eat. Let you baby breastfeed more often than usual. You can do this a few times a day, until the bump is gone. Usually, it takes a few days for the bump to disappear completely.
Help your baby eat. If your milk doesn’t flow smoothly, it would be a good idea to squeeze your breasts easily during breastfeeding, to help the milk flow through the ducts. That way your baby will get more milk out of your breasts and more will be produced for the next breastfeeding.
Adjust easily to development jump. There are some special periods in your baby’s development, called development jump. During those periods your baby grows much faster than usual, and thus needs a lot more milk to be full. Don’t misunderstand those periods with sudden low milk supply. Instead, let your baby breastfeed as often as you can or breastfeed on demand and you will increase lactation. In a day or two everything will be back to normal and your baby will have its usual eating intervals. If you breastfeed on demand during those periods, you baby will naturally influence on increasing milk supply and prevent possible breastfeeding problems. Development jump happens at two and six weeks and three and six months.
Drink breastfeeding tea and juice. It is not recommended to give your babyanything besides milk until it is six months old. But, if you notice your baby has cramps or some digestive problems, you can take special tea, which can help you baby. Usually, it’s fennel, anise and/or cumin tea. And to stay in a better state, it’s good to take some breastfeeding juice on daily basis. Your baby takes vitamins and minerals from your body, so it’s necessary to compensate them. Those juices have special combination of minerals and vitamins that a breastfeeding woman needs, such as folic acid, calcium, iron, C and B vitamin, zinc, biotin and so on.


Most breastfeeding problems can be solved. My breastfeeding story ended up in success. If you are persistent enough, you can increase lactation and minimize the difficulties of low milk supply. Breastfeeding benefits are numerous and if you enjoy doing it as much as your baby does, that’s the best thing you can give your child during the first year of its life.

Lose Baby Fat

Lose Baby Fat

Now you have that wonderful baby girl or boy! You are floating on a cloud! But, wait a minute! You question yourself why you still look like you are 4 months pregnant. What in the earth is going on? Don’t be too concerned it is natural. Continue reading for some good tips on losing that baby fat.

Tips to Lose Baby Fat:

One of the most natural, relaxed, and quickest methods to lose pregnancy weight, is to breastfeed. Mother Nature will help you get back into shape rapidly. By breastfeeding, you help your uterus to contract. This helps to get you back to normal rapidly. An extra advantage is that you also burn an extra 500-800 calories a day when you breastfeed. I don’t need to include that breastfeeding is wonderful for your baby, and provides many health benefits, as well as bonding you and your child together.

You need to eat right for you and your baby!

You will also need to consume the correct diet. Focus on lean proteins (such as cheeses, and lean meats), and loads of veggies, and fruits. All of the fiber and protein, in these foods; helps to jump start your metabolism, and curb cravings. Don’t just drink the juice from fruits, eat the whole fruit. The fiber in whole fruits helps to give you that ‘full’ feeling. Stay away from chocolate, it contains caffeine which not good for you, or your baby. Eat little helpings frequently. Keep healthy foods about to snack on.

Drink a good deal of water, at a minimum drink 8-10 glasses per day. It keeps you satisfied, and cleanses your body of pollutants.

Exercising can be Fun!

Before you start an exercise program, verify with your physician to make sure you are ready.

 Once your doctor clears you to begin, start out slow. Warm up doing stretches. Doing your exercises after a feeding may be better for you. Your baby will undoubtedly be napping, and your breasts will feel less full.

You can start your workouts many various ways. Walking is wonderful. You can start out slowly, and raise your interval and pace. Push your baby in a stroller, and you will get some resistive training too. Take the baby out at times, and hold them to afford you with some weight training. If you think about it, you are providing yourself with a complete workout, just by taking a walk with your baby! Don’t even think of it as a workout. Just relish this time with your baby! Also, others will usually interrupt you to marvel at your new baby. How pleasurable is that?

Look for Suppport

It may take a while to drop your baby fat, so don’t be disheartened. It’s always simple to put weight on, and hard to take it off.

Explore support groups in your area. I’m sure that there are many new mothers looking for some company on those walks. Start your own support group. You can impart new ideas, and get into shape at the same time. Include those you love. Ask them to eat healthy foods, and exercise with you. You will make some fresh acquaintances, and involve your family as well.

Start slow, but keep going. Remember, it took you nine months to bear your baby; it will take you a while to get into shape. Be tolerant, but keep going. Very soon, you will have the body that you long for.