The post How to Handle Holiday Travel with Infants appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>By Erica Weber
Going on holiday with an infant? Erica, who has visited 38 countries with her younger daughter shares 20 awesome tips!
…
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 10 diapers and wipes, 9 poop explosions, 8 oz of breast milk, 7 hrs of travel, 6 impending germy relatives, 5 pieces of baby gear, 4 overexcited grandparents, 3 modes of transportation, 2 nervous parents and a crying baby in an airplane.
Worried about taking planes, trains or automobiles for the first time with your new ornament in tow for the holidays? With these tips, you’ll be flying high with your infant and only worrying about the unidentifiable ingredients in your Aunt’s holiday cake. At 15 months old our little one has been on 85+ flights so I think it’s safe to say we’ve had some experience!
- Extra Extra Extra – read all about it, diaper days are here to stay! Regardless of the length of flight, I bring 1.5 days worth of diapers and wipes in my carry-on baby bag. Is it overkill? If everything goes to plan then yes. But if you get stranded somewhere, heavily delayed, or snowed in by a poopocalypse then you’ll happily take cover under your pile of diapers. I usually say minimize everything, but when it comes to diapers, the more the merrier in my book to avoid the shit hitting the airplane fan (literally).
- Bring more pads than the NFL starting lineup – pads in your carry-on for here, there and everywhere are necessary for a new moms lady bits…because postpartum is gross.
- Outfits galore for your baby Zsa Zsa Gabor – bring multiple extra outfits for the baby (aka more than just 1) and throw in an additional shirt for you and your partner as well.
- BYOB = Bring Your Own Bibs – dress the baby in a bib so you only have to change that, instead of their entire outfit every time they spit up. And, needless to say, bring lots of extras to keep switching out wet ones for dry ones.
- Baby toiletries bag – plan for any scenario by packing a solid baby toiletries bag in your carry-on with all your essentials to treat that nasally baby on the go. Check our Baby Travel Toiletries post to point you in the right direction.
- Pick your seat wisely to avoid the baby getting Julia Gulia’d by a drink cart – a window or middle seat is best for whoever is holding the baby, then choose an aisle seat for the diaper changing pit crew for easy bathroom access. Tip: Choose a window and aisle seat in the hopes of the middle seat remaining empty; worst case scenario one of you moves over or you can make someone awkwardly sit in between you and pass the baby over their lap.
- You’re going to an airport, not the Arctic Circle – don’t go all Joey Tribiani and dress the baby in everything they own. Put them in a max of 2 layers and bring a blanket in your baby bag in case it’s cold on the airplane.
- Leisure suits are back – fly babies in zippered jammies such as Carter’s 1-Piece Snug Fit Cotton PJs and avoid buttons or snaps like you dodge your Grandmother’s lipstick layered kisses.
- Easy access – we’re not talking about your lingerie here (I think that’s how we got ourselves into this situation!). Breastfeeding moms are best in easy access attire such as Rosie Pope’s Seamless Nursing Cami with padded shelf bra beneath a comfy sweater, and like your lingerie, no bra is required.
- Time is on your side, until it screws you – pack a few days ahead of time, leave for the airport earlier than you would have pre-baby, and assume things will take you more time than usual as you fumble through your first airport attempts with a baby.
- Check yo self before you wreck yo self – being a former carry-on only traveler, it took some time to adjust to the checked baggage stage of life, but it’s by far the way to go when traveling with a baby. Free hands, full checked bags can’t lose, so ditch those bags as early as possible (curbside even) and leave that valuable hand space ready for your baby.
- Give your baby gear abandonment issues – check the car seat, and even the stroller, at the check-in counter and just wear the baby on you, or use a travel friendly stroller like the Babyzen Yoyo to minimize your life. Car seats and strollers are free checked baggage on almost all airlines, so don’t worry about the cost.
- The welcomed kind of preemie – TSA Precheck is the golden ticket to make you fly through security without removing your computer or shoes so you can focus on the baby.
- Like with losing your virginity, it’s best to set expectations – tell the flight attendant it’s your first flight. They are magical keepers of all things baby travel wisdom.
- Neck and arms need love too – bring a travel pillow that you’d normally use for your neck and wedge it under your arm to comfortably hold the baby on an airplane armrest.
- Use boob, bottle or beer to pop it like it’s hot on takeoff and landing – keep those jaws moving and decrease ear discomfort for all ages during times of pressure changes in the cabin. Beer is obviously for the oversized children we call our partners.
- Don’t poke the bear – if your baby falls asleep before takeoff or landing, do not wake them up to feed them for ear pressure issues. Letting them sleep through those moments is just as effective.
- Replace toys with the original FaceTime – since we’re talking 0-6 months of age here, your baby requires little to no toys for a flight. For 0-3 months toys are just extra things to fumble and drop, and your newborn doesn’t need them at all. For 3-6 months bring one or two teethers with clippable straps. In general, use your face to entertain them, and they’ll find it hysterical. Can you blame them?!
- Strap ons for the win – don’t ever let that pacifier hit the germ infested airplane floor. Strap it to your babe or to yourself and bring extras along with sanitizing wipes. Pretend like you’re playing the “hot lava” game we played as kids using the airplane floor as the no-fly zone.
- Be mindful about germs – bring a nursing cover even if you’re not breast feeding so the baby can eat, sleep and be protected by strange coughs from seat 3E.
Like bees, babies can smell fear, so CHILL OUT! Traveling with an infant is really no different than going out on the town with them, so stop worrying yourself sick about a few hours on public transportation – it’ll be totally fine if you are prepared and stay calm. Just avoid getting snowed in with no supplies or leaking like Edward Snowden by taking the advice above. So fly yourself towards some family babysitting and have Happy Holidays, from our family to yours!
Follow Erica on Instagram @theworldwidewebers . She Blogs at www.theworldwidewebers.com
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]]>The post 3 Tips to Teach Your Child To Read appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>
By: ChildrenLearning
Learning to read at a young age is important for the development of the child. It helps them develop a better understanding of their surroundings, allows them to gather information from printed materials, and provides them with a wonderful source of entertainment when they read stories and rhymes. Children develop at different rates, and some children will develop reading skills quicker than other children; however, what’s important is that as the parent, you are keenly aware of your child’s maturity and reading level to provide them with appropriate books and activities to help them improve.
As parents, you are the most important teacher for your children. You will introduce your child to books and reading. Below we have some tips to help you teach your child to read.
Teach Your Child How to Read Tip #1
Teach your child alphabet letters and sounds at the same time. Studies have shown that children learn best when they are taught the letter names and letter sounds at the same time. In one study, 58 preschool children were randomly assigned to receive instructions in letter names and sounds, letter sound only, or numbers (control group). The results of this study are consistent with past research results in that it found children receiving letter name and sound instruction were most likely to learn the sounds of letters whose names included cues to their sounds. [1]
When teaching your child the letter sounds, have them slowly trace the letter, while saying the sound of the letter at the same time. For example, if you were teaching your child the letter “A”, you would say:
“The letter A makes the /A/ (ah) sound.”
Then have your child say the /A/ sound while tracing the letter with his or her index finger.
Teaching a Child How to Read Tip #2
When teaching your child to read, always emphasize with them that the proper reading order should be from left to right, and top to bottom. To adults, this may seem so basic that anyone should know it. However, our children are not born with the knowledge that printed text should be read from left to right and top to bottom, and this is why you’ll sometimes see children reading from right to left instead – because they were never explicitly taught to read from left to right. When teaching your child how to read, always emphasize this point with them.
Teach Your Child How to Read Tip #3
Teach final consonant blends first. Teaching words such as “at” and “and” can lead your child directly to learning words that rhyme with these. For example, for “at”, you can have:
Lat
Pat
Mat
Cat
Sat
Bat
Spat
Chat
For “and”, you can have these rhyming words:
Sand
Band
Land
Hand
Stand
Bland
Brand
Grand
and so on…
You can start teaching blends once your child has learned the sounds of some consonants and short vowel sounds. You don’t need to wait until your child has mastered the sounds of all the letters before teaching blends.
Learning to read is a long process, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult process. Broken down into intuitive and logical steps, a child as young as two years old can learn to read, and older children can accomplish even more.
Notes:
1. J Exp Child Psychol. 2010 Apr;105(4):324-44. Epub 2010 Jan 25.
Learning letter names and sounds: effects of instruction, letter type, and phonological processing skill.
Piasta SB, Wagner RK.
Preschool Language and Literacy Lab, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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]]>The post The Ultimate Fashion Gift Guide For Christmas 2019 appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>- Kate Spade New York Ruffle Dress (Baby Girls)
2. Kate Spade New York Carolyn Dress (Baby Girls)
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Black Friday sale has arrived in the form of huge discounts from Polo Ralph Lauren
DON’T MISS: AMAZING BLACK FRIDAY DEALS IN MATERNITY & BABY
BEST BLACK FRIDAY DEALS IN FAMILY & HOME
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]]>The post Safety Warning: 10 Infant deaths linked to Fisher- Price Rock ‘n Play. appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>Infants who can roll over by themselves should not be put in a Rock ‘n Play sleeper.
Fisher-Price and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned parents and caregivers about the toymaker’s Rock ‘n Play Sleeper, which they said is linked to 10 infant deaths.
In conclusion, the deaths occurred when the infants, who were 3 months or older rolled over in the device while unrestrained.
All 10 children were older than 3 months old. This is typically when infants are able to roll themselves from their backs to their stomachs. Also, to sides and vice versa.
Davis said the commission is currently investigating the product.
“If it turns out that it needs to be recalled, we will move forward with that,” Davis told CNN.
“Because deaths continue to occur, [the Consumer Product Safety Commission] is recommending consumers stop the use of the product by three months of age, or as soon as an infant exhibits rollover capabilities,” the statement said. “CPSC has previously warned consumers to use restraints in infant inclined sleep products.”
Chuck Scothon, general manager at Fisher-Price, issued a statement Friday. He warned and noted the sleeper meets all “applicable safety standards.”
On the whole, the issue, the company said, is that the sleeper is only meant for infants 3 months and younger. Once infants reach 3 months of age, they tend to be able to roll over on their own.
The company also said that its instructions warn parents. Not use the sleeper with babies who can sit or pull themselves up independently.
Fisher-Price reminded parents to always use the restraint in the sleeper. Also, place babies on their backs and never add extra padding.
“A child fatality is an unimaginable tragedy,” Scothon said.
“Fisher-Price and every one of our employees takes the responsibility of being part of your family seriously. Also, we are committed to earning that trust every day,” he added.
The statement doesn’t mention a product recall.
April 11, 2019 – RECALL UPDATE:
The U. S. Consumer Safety Commission and Fisher-Price took the advice of the American Academy of Paediatrics. They have issued a recall of 4.7 million Rock ‘n Play sleepers.
Stop using the Rock ‘n Play sleepers immediately. Call 1-866-812-6518 or contact Fisher-Price for a refund or voucher.
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]]>The post Plane Forced To Turn Around – Mom Forgot Her Baby! appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>Plane Forced To Turn Around:
Postpartum Depression? A Plane Forced To Turn Around after takeoff when a passenger allegedly realized she’d left her baby at the airport.
The Saudi Airlines flight had left Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and was bound for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The woman had the startling realization that her child was still in the terminal’s boarding area.
The audio captures the pilot asking air traffic controllers for permission to return to the airport.
In the baffling clip, the pilot is heard asking air traffic controllers: “May God be with us. Can we come back or what?”
“This flight is requesting to come back…a passenger forgot her baby in the waiting area, the poor thing.”
Stunned, air traffic control asks the pilot to confirm the story.
He replies: “We told you, a passenger left her baby in the terminal and refuses to continue the flight.”
Moreover, the operator says: “Okay, head back to the gate. This is totally a new one for us!”
The Telegraph reported that mother and child were eventually reunited.
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]]>The post When To Call the Doctor For Your Newborn appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>When To Call the Doctor For Your Newborn?
When To Call the Doctor For Your Newborn ( or go to the ER ) By Dr. Cathryn.
Congratulations on your new baby! It’s such an exciting, overwhelming, confusing, joyous, and scary time. The first few weeks can be particularly challenging. All of a sudden you’re totally responsible for another human being—and you may not have any previous experience with babies or any friends or family nearby to guide you.
My goal is to help make the beginning of this journey easier for you. Babies are strange little creatures and they’re not always easy to read. Many new parents feel hesitant about calling their doctor and wonder whether they’re over-reacting. So, I’ve put together a list of a few common newborn problems that require a call or visit your healthcare provider in the first month of life. It will help you for knowing When To Call the Doctor For Your Newborn.
FEVER: Newborn babies may get a fever as the first and the only sign of a serious infection. Call your baby’s doctor immediately or better yet, go to the Emergency Room, if your new baby is younger than 1 month old and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. This isn’t a situation to watch and see whether the fever goes away on its own.
JAUNDICE: Yellowing of the skin and eyes is very common in the first few days of a new baby’s life. For most babies, jaundice will go away on its own. However, some new babies will require treatment in the hospital. You should see your baby’s health-care provider if your little one appears more jaundiced or feedings aren’t going well. Also, watch for signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet diapers, or urates in the diaper. (Urates are a red-orange stain found in your baby’s diaper that may be caused by dehydration).
BREASTFEEDING YOUR NEWBORN: WHAT TO EXPECT
VOMITING: Many babies spit up. But it’s important to be able to differentiate between vomit and spit-up because vomiting needs a trip to the hospital, while spit-up can be discussed with your doctor. How can you tell the difference? Spit-up effortlessly spills out of the mouth, is typically a small amount, and sometimes comes up with a burp. While vomiting is more forceful and is a larger amount. If your baby’s vomit is consistently forceful or dark green in color or spit-up is copious, you should take your little guy to the hospital. If you’re not sure whether your baby is spitting-up or vomiting, err on the side of safety, and have your baby seen by a doctor.
INS & OUTS: Since your baby can’t tell you how she’s feeling, you’ll partly need to depend on wet and poopy diapers to guide you about her hydration and nutrition.
Urine output—-In the early days, a baby typically has one wet diaper for each day of life. In other words, 1 wet diaper on day one, 2 on day two, and so on… Once your milk comes in, you can expect approximately 5 – 6 wet diapers in a day.
Poopy diapers—- Newborn poop comes in a variety of colors and consistency. Pooping is also a reflection of your baby’s wellbeing. First comes meconium, the black tarry stool that filled your baby’s intestine when in utero. Next comes a transitional stool, which is a dark green, yellow, yellow-green, loose, and possibly seedy stool. Then within a few days comes a mustard-like color, watery, or seedy stool for breast-fed babies. A bottle-fed baby’s poop can have a more brownish colored stool that is soft but formed.
So here’s the deal. There’s a lot of variation of normal newborn poop! So, what’s average? In the first few weeks of life, a breastfed baby may have 1 – 10 bowel movements per day with the average being 5. A bottle-fed baby will typically have 2 bowel movements a day, but this number may also vary.
When should you contact your physician regarding your baby’s Ins & Outs in the first month of life? (It’s important to realize we are talking about the first month of life—as your baby’s digestive system is changing quickly and what’s considered normal will change after this time).
Call your doctor if:
1️⃣ your baby has urates in several diapers
2️⃣your little one isn’t having adequate urine output.
3️⃣your newborn isn’t having a daily BM in the first few weeks of life.
4️⃣ stools are white or light-colored stool (especially if your baby is jaundiced, as this may reflect liver problems)
Other reasons to see your doctor would include non-stop crying, feeding problems, sleeping more than usual, breathing rapidly, and anything that makes you feel worried.
Finally, if anything about your baby’s condition is making you feel uncomfortable, please see your healthcare provider. Trust your instincts—they’re typically right!
MUST-READ : Seven Secrets Every Woman Must Know Before Giving Birth
Medical Disclaimer. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.
About the Author: Dr. Cathryn is a consulting and general pediatrician for more than 30 years. Her work has been featured in NY Times, LA Times, Washington Post, Globe & Mail, Dear Abby, Parents, Todays Parent, Canadian Living, etc. She’s also the mother of four successful and lovely young adults, and one wildly playful puppy (who’s causing her more grief than her children ever did). Find more of her @healthiest_baby
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]]>Nanny Convicted of Murder For Force-feeding A Baby To Death:
A Maryland Nanny Convicted of Murder after prosecutors successfully argued. She poured almost 8 ounces of formula down a baby girl’s throat in less than 30 seconds. Essentially drowning her.
Oluremi Adeleye, 73, from Maryland, was convicted Monday. After a judge found her guilty of child abuse and second-degree murder over Enita Salubi’s death in 2016.
Footage from a nanny camera showed 8 month-old Enita pulling on the nanny’s dress and patting her leg as she lay on the couch.
Prosecutors said that Adeleye then poured nearly eight ounces (0.25 liters) of milk down Enita’s throat in less than 30 seconds.
The footage showed Adeleye picked up Enita after she fell to the floor and tried to give her another bottle.
The baby eventually went limp.
Family warns of “dry drowning” after 4-year-old’s death
Adeleye, a mother of five and grandmother of 10, declined a trial by jury. She opted to have a judge weigh her case.
When she testified in her own defense, Adeleye said she didn’t mean to hurt the child.
Adeleye said she was merely trying to ensure that the baby didn’t go hungry. Contended it is customary in her home country of Nigeria to force children to eat.
“I did what I needed to do to make sure the baby had food in the stomach”. She testified through an interpreter.
In announcing the conviction, the judge noted that Adeleye lied to homicide detectives. During a recorded interview about how she fed the child. Adeleye at first denied removing the lid of the bottle to feed the baby. Then later admitted to unscrewing the cap. After a detective told her there was a video of the incident, testimony showed. The lying “demonstrates a consciousness of guilt,” the judge said. He also mentioned that the nanny’s actions were “cruel and inhumane.”
Baby Died After Contracting Herpes Virus From “A Kiss Of Death”
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]]>The post Baby Died After Contracting Herpes Virus From Kiss appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>Baby Died After Contracting Herpes Virus From Kiss:
A newborn baby died after catching herpes from a ‘kiss of death’, her heartbroken mother has revealed.
The parents of a newborn baby who died just eight days after her birth are warning others. About the potential dangers of allowing family and friends to touch and kiss infants.
Aliza Rose Friend was just eight days old when she passed away after developing neonatal herpes. Her mother Abigail says Aliza was healthy for the first 36 hours of her life before she developed a fever.
4D ULTRASOUND CAPTURES TWIN BABIES KISSING INSIDE MOM’S WOMB
The newborn baby began to deteriorate as the disease quickly “ate her lungs and brain”. Leaving her struggling to breathe and suffering multiple seizures.
The DailyMail reports that the baby was soon declared brain dead. Doctors turned off her life-support while her mother sang ‘you are my sunshine’
HSV-1 typically causes cold sores or small blisters on the mouth, eye, or lips, which can lead to severe infections or even death in newborns due to their undeveloped immune systems. According to the New York State Department of Health, about 70 percent of U.S. adults are infected with HSV-1 and can shed virus in their saliva at any time, even if they don’t show symptoms. The virus can be transferred to newborns from close contact with someone who is shedding HSV-1 or has an active outbreak.
Her mother Abigail Rose Friend was told by doctors her daughter caught the infection after being kissed by a carrier or touched by unwashed, contaminated hands. Due to her having many visitors, it is unclear who passed the virus on.
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]]>The post 6 Ways To Prepare Your Child For A New Sibling appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>Prepare Your Child For A New Sibling:
6 Ways To Prepare Your Child For A New Sibling By Tanya Mayer.
Prepare Your Child For A New Sibling – The internet is full of funny gender revealing videos. Also, the older siblings reacting to the news smiling. Or most often than not, crying. It all seems pretty funny from an adult perspective. But if you’d rather your child accepted the news about the upcoming baby with calmness. We have prepared some useful pieces of advice. So you’ll know exactly what to do before the new family member’s arrival, and in the period afterward too. Therefore, here are some tips on how to help your kids deal with one of the biggest surprises in their little lives.
Start early
The sooner, the better. Of course, you’re not expected to say it bluntly and openly the moment the stick shows the result, but it is advisable to inform the older child as early as possible. There are several fairly good reasons for it. First of all, the safety of the baby. If you are experiencing nausea or your son or daughter loves surprising you with sudden jumps while you’re resting, it would be best to share the news on time and while well-prepared, instead of declaring it in a form of an abrupt exclamation.
Secondly, you will greatly reduce the child’s anxiety. Your kids will surely notice that something funny is going on, which will leave them confused and stressed. The atmosphere in the home is bound to change, so share the wonderful news timely.
Do not sugar-coat it
Naturally, you are going to present the upcoming huge change in your lives as the most wonderful thing that could happen to your family. However, the challenge would be to remain positive and smiling while still trying to explain all the little things which will require extra effort because a baby is a lot of work. That may surprise younger children, while the older ones will have to be persuaded that the baby won’t disturb their routine too much.
Get them involved
Try to involve your child in the preparations for the baby’s arrival. You know there are so many things to be done, so show that you value their opinion,
Some siblings give suggestions for the baby’s name, or choose the color of the nursery walls, or more interestingly, the baby’s toys. They can help to pick the clothes, and not to mention the diaper situation. Also, it could be a good idea to take them to one of your regular check-ups to hear the baby’s heartbeat. Young or old, they are bound to be both stunned and amazed.
A CALIFONIA MOM DELIVERED A 13.5 POUND BABY — VAGINALLY
Set special time
This will turn into an excellent comforting technique and a major stress relief once the little, noisy and extremely demanding bundle of joy crosses your threshold. If you haven’t got one already, set a ritual for yourself and your little boy/girl. You should have something to do that is only yours. Some time that belongs to only the two of you. “Nothing will change between us” is what most parents say to comfort the older brother or sister, but once they see you preoccupied with diapers, feeding, and so on, they are rather left disappointed, and a bit heartbroken, too.
With that in mind, you will keep having your ritual in exactly the same way as before, so the child can be rest assured your feelings haven’t changed one bit. Remember, it’s actions, not words that kids remember.
First contact
As for the first meeting between the big brother/sister and the baby, it would be best to have one more close family member present. He or she should hold the baby, while you’re giving plenty of cuddles to the older one at the moment they’re meeting the baby for the first time. It will immediately create a positive association.
Sibling classes
Depending on where you live, your area may even have some sibling classes organized at the local hospital. They can be really helpful in the whole process.
We all know that love only multiplies with new family members, but the older child may not be so sure about it, especially if this is their first time to welcome a brother or sister. However, with a bit of patience, you will help them eliminate stress and rejoice at the baby’s arrival.
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About the Author:
Tanya Mayer is a writer and mother of two, currently based in NYC.
Find more of Tanya here!
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]]>Breastfeeding Your Newborn:
Breastfeeding Your Newborn: What To Expect, By Miri Sais.
As a birth attendant, I’ve spent over 20 years helping women learn about breastfeeding. The truth of breastfeeding is vast. It’s impossible to brief in one, or even two, articles. It does not simply latch on, latch off. It is a science and an art. One that requires true dedication and patience. That said, never is it something you should fear. There is nothing of breastfeeding that lacks explanation, and once you have the fundamentals you’re already on the right path.
The base fundamentals of breastfeeding are universal, it is important to remember that every mother and child situation is different.
The Three Stages of Breast Milk
To understand breastfeeding you must first understand breastmilk; which “comes in” three stages. Which are colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk.
Colostrum:
This thick yellow (sometimes clear) substance comes in first. Commonly, the production of colostrum starts half or third into pregnancy. Like most good things colostrum comes in a small dosage. At most, babies only get 1-2 tablespoons of colostrum per feeding. Still, even a few drops of this miracle liquid is more than enough. This mighty mountain does everything, from supplying immune-building antibodies, to help a baby adjust to life outside of the womb by regulating bodily fluids.
Transitional milk:
Days after giving birth your milk will turn white. Easily explained, transitional milk is the combination, and this transition, of colostrum to mature milk. Its main purpose is gradually preparing your baby for mature milk.
Mature milk:
After several weeks you will arrive at your final stage. Mature milk is explained in two parts: foremilk and hindmilk. Over the course of every breastfeeding session, mature milk will change from thin and watery, foremilk, to thick and creamy, hindmilk. Foremilk comes first, low in fat but high in volume and nutrition. However, the more your baby eats the volume lessens, and fat gains, this change is called “hindmilk”.
It is important to note, foremilk and hindmilk are NOT two different types of breastmilk. Rather they are two combining qualities. Neither being more important than the other. Both are key to happy healthy babies. So please do not be confused by hindmilk being fattier. Foremilk is just as vital as it is packed with brain-building nutrients.
Now that you have an idea of how breastmilk works, it’s important to know what steps to take.
Engorgement & Breast Fullness
During the transitional stage you will notice your breast starting to enlarge, likely they will feel a bit tender, and perhaps a bit swollen. This is perfectly normal. Your body is filling your breast with milk.
Not to be confused with engorgement, which is what happens when your body produces too much milk. Instead of tender, when engorged your breast becomes painfully hard. Long term engorgement can lead to severe problems, you can even catch fevers and infection. Engorgement can lead to Mastitis. Please take preventative measures to avoid this.
Gratefully, there are ways to both prevent and treat engorgement:
To Prevent
Do not delay. Make sure you feed your baby when he/she is hungry. Or else your milk supply will just continue to grow.
No rushing. When feeding makes sure your baby has reached his/her fullness before unlatching.
Wear a bra. This is 100% vital, you must wear a supportive bra.
Make sure to rotate each session (keep in mind the hindmilk can be lost in too much rotation. this is where the art of breastfeeding comes in)
To Treat
Massage your breast: a gentle massage before and during breastfeeding will help decrease pain and better your milk flow.
Apply heat: A warm shower or applying a warm rag to your breast before feeding should better your milk flow.
Cold cabbage: To decrease pain and internal swelling, wrap your breast in cold cabbage leaves.
HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES AFTER PREGNANCY
Latching
A proper latch encompasses the entire nipple and some of the areola (the darker area of your breast around your nipple). The exact amount of your areola that the baby should have a latch on, differs for different size breasts and areola. One inch or more of your areola should be in your baby’s mouth to make a good latch.
Here are some ways to identify poor vs proper latch:
Poor Latch
The mouth is barely open
Tongue behind lower gums
Lips are curled in
Chin barely brushes breast
Proper latch
Chin touches breast
The tongue is over the lower gums
Lips are curled out, slightly like a fish
The mouth is opened wide like a yawn
Nutrition
The beauty of breastmilk is it takes all the nutrition from the mother’s food and delivers it to the baby. However, eating food lacking nutrition means breastmilk is lacking viable substance. When nutrition is lacking often babies won’t even want to breastfeed. Which can lead to the baby staying up at night. Breastfeeding is an investment of dedication and nutritional education. I assure you it is worth it and the effects are generational longevity.
You are building strong bones (which don’t stop growing until the age of 21) along with an intelligent brain. Not only for your child but for your grandchildren and their grandchildren. By breastfeeding your child you literally blaze a trail for strong generations to come.
There’s no cheat sheet or shortcut to breastfeeding. It is the first food and one of the first forms of love you’ll share with your child. So cherish each moment and know your bond is stronger with each session.
FEVER AFTER BREASTFEEDING, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION
About the Author :
Miri Sais is a Traditional Birth Attendant, Prodigy Entrepreneur, and a Certified Market Garden Trainer. She is 2nd generation home birthing babies.
Miri has helped hundreds of families in her 20+ years as a birth attendant and doula and has personally ushered the births of hundreds of healthy babies into the world. She has also guided countless human beings to heal from emotional pain, grief, miscarriage, inner stress, and trauma, tap into their strength and power, live fully and live vibrantly, and reclaim their radiance, joyfulness, calm and overall sense of well-being. She teaches empowered birth which has the ability to heal the soul and awaken the most enlightened version of ourselves. Find more of her on www.Mirisais.com, on her Facebook page, and on her Instagram page.
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