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The
Nursing Mother's Companion, 5th Edition
A guide to help new mothers
prevent or solve common and rare breast-feeding issues. Topics covered
include breast care, concerns for the mother and infant, nursing positions,
survival guides from the first week through the twelfth month, special
babies, diaper rash, and more. |
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| Our
pages are created to provide medically accurate information that is intended
to complement, not replace or substitute in any way the services of your
physician. Any application of the recommendations set forth in the
following pages is at the reader's discretion and sole risk. Before undergoing
medical treatment, you should consult with your doctor, who can best assess
your individual needs, symptoms and treatment. |
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Breast
Feeding
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| Breast milk is the best
choice for your baby. Aside from promoting maternal infant bonding, better
mouth and jaw development, breast fed infants have stronger immune systems
than bottle fed babies because breast milk contains antibodies created
in the mother's system and passed through breast milk into the baby's system,
offering temporary protection against common infections, including intestinal
and ear infections. |
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| Breast feeding also reduces
the incidence of food allergies in later life, as well as many other health
benefits for both, your baby and you. |
| Oxytocin
& Prolactin |
| During
the breast feeding you will be calm and more relax. Your brain will produce
chemicals that will calm you, give you a feeling of well-being and promote
maternal behavior. Your baby's sucking stimulates nerve endings in the
areolae, which send messages to hypothalamus and pituitary gland (in your
brain), causing them to start releasing two breast feeding hormones; oxytocin
and prolactin, that will begin to calm and relax you. |
| Don't
forget to take care of yourself: |
 Get
plenty of rest and drink at least eight (8 oz) glasses of water, milk or
juice a day at periodic intervals. |
| Avoid
alcohol and caffeine, both of which can dehydrate you. Excessive caffeine
consumption by the mother can also cause irritability, sleeplessness, nervousness
and increased feeding in the breastfed infant. Moderate use (one to two
cups per day) usually produces no effect. |
| Nursing
uses up extra calories, and most mothers find that they lose weight
faster (without special dieting) than formula feeding moms. |
| Did
you know? |
| Breast milk consumption
has been linked to a decreased risk for several infant conditions including
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). |
| The sucking technique required
of the infant encourages the proper development of both the teeth and other
speech organs. |
| Frequent and exclusive breastfeeding
delays the return of menstruation and fertility (this is known as lactational
amenorrhea) allowing for improved iron stores and the possibility of natural
child spacing. |
| Breastfeeding mothers experience
improved bone re-mineralization postpartum, and a reduced risk for both
ovarian and pre-menopausal breast cancer. |
| Breastfeeding can also allow
the mother to return to her pre-pregnant weight as the fat stores accumulated
during pregnancy are utilized in milk production. |
| Browse
Health Pages: |
| Alcoholism
& Treatments |
| How
to Cut Down Drinking |
| Use
Drinking Diary |
| Protect
Your Health |
| Health
Pages |
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