From Bottle to Breast

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From Bottle to Breast

Many planned or unplanned circumstances can lead a family to choose to bottle feed their newborn. Whether the baby is provided expressed breastmilk through indirect breastfeeding or provided formula, some infants will begin to prefer a bottle. Though some babies have no problem taking a bottle then gladly returning to the breast, there are some who may not be as accepting of direct breastfeeding after having been bottle fed.  For these babies, there are a few things to consider.

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Alternate Therapies: Chiropractic and Cranial-Sacral Therapy

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Alternate Therapies: Chiropractic and Cranial-Sacral Therapy

Have you ever heard about chiropractic adjustments for newborns, and wondered how that works? Aurelie Petitclerc, pediatric chiropractic and cranial-sacral therapist, has written this lovely guest post explaining the why, when, and how of pediatric adjustments for you!

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Baseball and Breastfeeding: 5 Insights from an Unexpected Overnight

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Baseball and Breastfeeding: 5 Insights from an Unexpected Overnight

On this Valentine's Day, let's take a trip to the baseball diamond and think about how important your relationship with your partner is!

"Your relationship existed prior to the birth of your baby. Your time together will probably look different, but it is so important. Ignoring this relationship will make communication and parenting more challenging. Your breastfed baby absolutely needs you. But your partner does, too—and you need your partner!"

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The Infamous Growth Spurt: Five Tips for Survival

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Growth spurts are inevitable in the first year of baby’s life. Did you know that babies typically triple their birth weight by 12 months of age? Just think if you had to triple your weight — you’d be eating a lot!

Typically, babies hit growth spurts around 6-7 days, 2-3 weeks, and 6-8 weeks. Sometimes they will have another few throughout the rest of the first year. How do you identify a growth spurt? You are usually blindsided by a sudden change in your feeding routine and baby’s behavior! Some signs of a growth spurt may be:

  1. increased feeding frequency
  2. longer time breastfeeding
  3. fussy or agitated behavior at the breast or between feedings
  4. more irritability when hungry
  5. an increased desire to be held

These changes in feeding routine and behavior usually last about 3-5 days. Your baby is using this time to communicate with your breast, since they stimulate an increase in your supply by feeding more frequently. If your baby is going through a growth spurt, here are a few tips to help you through it:

  1. Get out of the house! Take a walk, run an errand, or walk through Target.
  2. Find a new TV series. Poll your friends for the latest favorite Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime series and set up camp on the couch! Grab some snacks, a few bottles of water, latch on your baby, and enjoy. When will you ever have permission for days of TV binge watching?
  3. Wear your baby. Grab your favorite sling or carrier. Sometimes baby will give you a little break if they stay close. Also, many moms have found comfortable breastfeeding positions while babywearing!
  4. Try breast compressions. These can be helpful when baby is irritable at the breast or cluster feeding.
  5. Break out the nipple cream. You may not have needed nipple cream since the first few day postpartum but with increased feeding frequency some moms find applying nipple cream very soothing.

Hang in there, momma! This, too, shall pass.

Signs of a growth spurt can also be symptoms of other issues like low milk supply or poor milk transfer. If you are concerned or unsure, search out the help of a skilled IBCLC.

6 Amazing Reasons Your Newborn Wants to be Held

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6 Amazing Reasons Your Newborn Wants to be Held

I think we sometimes forget that human babies take the longest of all mammals to transition and grow to maturity. Many common newborn behaviors may be considered signs that your baby is spoiled, colicky or gassy, or that mom doesn’t have enough milk, because surely baby can’t still be hungry!

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Take Off the Gloves: It's Not The Boob Bashers Vs. The Lactation Snobs

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Take Off the Gloves: It's Not The Boob Bashers Vs. The Lactation Snobs

Technology has enabled us to share our opinions with virtually the whole world.   Perhaps two of the hottest topics of discussion among women of childbearing age all over the world are how you feed your baby and breastfeeding in public.  These may be as common as such topics as your due date, your baby's gender, and whether or not you will have an epidural.  Moms flock to Facebook pages and groups seeking advice on all their parenting decisions from pregnancy to preschool and beyond.  Unfortunately, there will always be those who seem to cast judgment on moms who choose options that are different from their own.  Often, instead of encountering support, moms come across discouraging comments leaving them confused and unsure of their choices.

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