FitSugar

How'd These Celebs Lose Their Baby Weight?

FitSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:30:00 -0700

It amazes me how celebrity moms have not only lost all their baby weight and look as amazing as they did pre-pregnancy, but they do it in a few months or less. Part of the reason is the enormous professional pressures they must feel to look good, but they also have access to the best trainers and personal chefs, and time to work out. Many celeb moms have also attributed the loss of baby weight to breastfeeding. For most women, breastfeeding alone isn't some easy fix - losing the 40 to 60 pounds gained while pregnant is a combination of breastfeeding, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. Take this little quiz to see how these celeb moms slimmed down after baby.

Question 1 of 8

Can you guess which celeb lost 60 pounds after having twins, without exercise?

Naomi Watts's Secret to Losing the Baby Weight

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

It amazes me how celebs like Tori Spelling, Jessica Alba, and Christina Aguilera have slimmed down so quickly after having their babies. Another new mom, Naomi Watts, can join that list too. The 40-year-old actress is already close to her pre-baby figure since giving birth to her second just about a month ago. She owes it all to breastfeeding. Naomi explained to People magazine that her son is "sucking it all out of me, it seems. And when the baby comes out, it's a lot of weight right there."

While it's true that breastfeeding does burn up a lot of calories, solely nursing to lose baby weight isn't the magic pill. It's a combination of that, eating right, and exercising that can help a new mom shrink down to the size she was before becoming pregnant. It is good to remember that some women just lose baby weight more easily than others; I think genes play a role in this process.

Source

Breastfed Women Have Lower Risk of Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Breastfeeding just got a little better. Recently, we learned that adults who were breastfed as infants have lower BMIs and HDL cholesterol levels, which can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. That's not the only benefit of breastfeeding. New studies show that adult women who were breastfed as infants may have a 17 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer, as compared to women who were not breastfed. The only hitch is that this doesn't hold true for first-born women - the decreased risk of developing breast cancer was found with women who had three or more older siblings. The benefits of breastfeeding keep expanding.

This study brings up more questions to consider, like does the age of the mother or how long the infant was breastfed have any impact on the risk of breast cancer? I'm sure more studies on this subject will be completed in the not-too-distant future, since breastfeeding is such a hot topic now. It is good for the baby and the mom.

So I'm curious, were you breastfed when you were a baby? Also, if you're a mom, did you breastfeed your babies? If you're planning on being a mom in the future, have you thought about breastfeeding? Share your thoughts about all this mama business below.

Source

Breastfeeding Is Good for Your Baby's Future

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:30:00 -0800

When I was born, breastfeeding wasn't so common. Many new moms weren't encouraged to do so, and they often felt more than a little shy about the practice (even in this day and age many people get offended when they see a mom breastfeeding in public). Too bad that back then they didn't know the health benefits of breastfeeding.

Not only does breast milk offer excellent nutrition and help protect babies from infections, but a new study shows that babies who were nursed as infants have a lower body-mass index (BMI) and a higher level of HDL cholesterol (the good kind).

What's so great about that? Lower BMI and high HDL help to protect against cardiovascular disease. This study discovered that those who were breastfed as infants were 55 percent more likely to have high levels of HDL cholesterol than those who were bottle-fed.

Also, adults in the study who were breastfed had an average BMI of 26.1. Those who were bottle-fed had an average BMI of 26.9. If your BMI is higher than 25, you are considered overweight and at risk for heart problems. Although there wasn't a huge difference in the BMI numbers, even a slight reduction in BMI can greatly reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.

Well now I'm even happier that I chose to breastfeed my girls.

Source

Celeb Mom Slim Down Secrets: Debra Messing

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Debra Messing was definitely very thin during her Will & Grace days but, like almost every woman on the planet, Debra gained a bit of weight during her pregnancy. This then turned her very slim frame into the frame of a pregnant woman. No shocker there, the real secret is how she lost all the weight.

According to AOL, Debra credits losing her baby weight to breastfeeding as well as hitting the gym with trainer Gunnar Peterson.

Debra Messing's weakness for sugary breakfast cereals and fast-food burgers during her pregnancy contributed to a weight gain of 60 pounds. Breastfeeding her son Roman helped the typically slender star shed some weight. To take off the rest, she hired Hollywood fitness trainer Gunnar Peterson who designed an exercise routine incorporating resistance training.

Maybe you don't have the cash to hire a celebrity trainer but I've got a cardio workout from Gunnar himself, maybe even one that Debra had to do. So check it out here.

Source

Angie Unhappy with "Thin" Accusations, Blames Breastfeeding

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:30:00 -0700

We were all happy to hear that Katherine Heigl rejects Hollywood's pressure to be thin. Now Angelina Jolie is speaking about being thin in Hollywood as well, but as a mother.

Aside from dealing with the painful loss of her mom, Angelina attributes some of her weight loss to being a mom dealing with breastfeeding.

Jolie sparked concern among fans earlier this year when her already thin frame grew even smaller and the veins on her arms started protruding. But she insists that vanity is not to blame for her shrinking figure.

"I have four kids and I finished breastfeeding – it's been hard to get my nutrition back on track. Instead of people saying I look like a person dealing with something emotionally, they assume it's because I want to fit into skinny jeans." She added, "Someone saying to me that I'm thin is not a compliment.”

Weight control after giving birth is difficult for all women (even Angelina Jolie), but especially for those breastfeeding. So for tips on breastfeeding and nutrition, read more

Staying on top of your nutrition while breastfeeding can ultimately help keep you on track after breastfeeding as well. To ensure keeping a grip on you and your baby's nutrition, try these tips from WebMD:

Complex carbohydrates are among the best foods you can eat while breastfeeding. "If you look at the Weight Watcher's diet for lactation, it's all about complex carb loading. It's one of the most successful long-term lactation weight loss programs for women. It helps them lose weight without sacrificing milk production," says Linda M. Hanna, IBCLC, program coordinator for Lactation and Prenatal Education Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
In addition, Hanna says it's also important to get enough protein and fat in your diet. Aim for at least three to five servings (1 ounce each) of fat a day. These could be vegetable oils, butter, or even mayonnaise. This, she says, will help your body to make a good supply of the super-fatty and satisfying "hind" milk that is expressed during the later half of each feeding, Hanna says.
"In the end we are talking about eating a balanced diet, with complex carbohydrates, protein, and fats, and with as little sugar and sugary snacks as possible," says Hanna.
Among the most important nutrients you need while breastfeeding is calcium -- a minimum of 1,000 mg daily is a must. While dairy foods are a great source, you don't have to drink milk to make milk. To meet your calcium needs, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests five daily servings of any calcium-rich food, including low-fat yogurt and cheese, as well as nondairy foods such as salmon, broccoli, sesame seeds, tofu, and kale.

Bauer-Griffin and Source

Breastfeeding - Health And Other Factors

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:50 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Breastfeeding - Health And Other Factors

Breastfeeding is often an enjoyable and rewarding experience for mothers. A breastfeeding mother must continue to take care of her baby and herself, as she did during her pregnancy.

Mom's Nutrition

In general, lactating women should get nutrients from a well-balanced, varied diet, rather than from vitamin and mineral supplements. Eat generous amounts of fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, calcium-rich dairy products, and protein-rich foods (meats, fish, and legumes). Make sure you are getting enough calories.

Breastfeeding Daily Food Guide

Milk, Yogurt and Cheese - Eat at least 4 servings
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs and Nuts - Eat at least 3 servings
Vegetables - Eat at least 3 to 5 servings
Fruits - Eat 2 to 4 servings; Choose two foods high in Vitamin C and Folic Acid, and one food high in Vitamin A
Bread, Cereal, Rice and Pasta - Eat about 6 to 11 servings
Fats, Oils, and Sweets - Go Easy!

This is just a general guideline, and you may need to eat more than this based on your size and activity level.

Drink Fluids

Nursing mothers need enough fluids to stay hydrated -- most experts recommend drinking enough fluids to satisfy thirst. Eight 8-ounce servings (64 ounces) of fluid such as water, milk, juice, or soup is a good goal.

Mom's Foods

Breastfeeding mothers can safely eat any foods they like. Some foods may flavor the breast milk, but babies rarely react to this. If your baby is fussy after you eat a certain food, try avoiding that food for a while, then try it again later to see if it is a problem.

Don't limit your diet excessively. Make sure you are getting enough nutrition for yourself and your baby. If you become overly concerned about foods or spices causing problems, try to remember that entire countries and cultures have diets that contain foods that are extremely spicy. In these cultures, the mothers nurse their infants without problems.

It is possible that some highly allergenic foods (strawberries, peanuts) may be passed into breast milk, increasing the risk of a later food allergy in the baby. If there is a strong history of food allergies in your family, discuss this with your pediatrician.

Caffeine, Alcohol, and Smoking

A nursing mother can safely consume moderate amounts of caffeine (equal to 1 to 2 cups of coffee per day) without causing harm to her baby. But any more caffeine than that may cause agitation and difficulty sleeping for your baby.

Since alcohol has been found in human milk and can interfere with the milk ejection reflex, it’s better not to drink alcohol and nurse your baby at the same time. It takes about 3 hours to clear the alcohol from a single drink (1 oz of liquor, 12 oz of beer or 5 oz of wine) from your system. So if you have a glass of wine with dinner, you can give your baby pumped milk for the next feeding and then you can resume breastfeeding safely. You don’t need to pump and dump your milk to get rid of the alcohol – it naturally clears from your breast milk as it’s cleared from your bloodstream.

If you are a smoker, this is a great time to quit for yourself and for your baby. Nicotine and other chemicals from cigarettes are found in breastmilk. If you are unable to quit, try to limit the number of cigarettes as much as possible, change to a brand with low nicotine, and visit your doctor regularly. If you can’t quit, it’s worth knowing that one large study suggests moms who smoke and breastfeed have healthier babies than moms who pump and bottle feed.

Drugs In Human Milk

Many medications (prescription and over-the-counter medications) will pass into the mother's milk. Most of them are safe, but check with your pediatrician before taking any medications. Do NOT stop taking any prescribed medication without speaking first to your doctor.

The American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Drugs releases a periodic statement with a list of drugs and their compatibility with breastfeeding. Your obstetrician and pediatrician are both likely to be familiar with this publication and can answer your concerns about breastfeeding while taking medications.

Lactation Amenorrhea

Most breastfeeding women do not have normal menstrual periods in the first few months after their baby is born. This is called lactation amenorrhea. Although the risk of pregnancy is less for a woman who is breastfeeding and hasn’t yet gotten her period, pregnancy CAN occur during this time. Breastfeeding should not be used for contraception, since failure is likely.

Birth Control

Birth control choice should be discussed with your health care provider. Barrier methods (condom, diaphragm), progesterone contraceptives (oral or injectable), and IUDs have all been shown to be safe and effective. Progesterone contraception is generally not started until the milk supply is established, usually at 4 weeks postpartum.

Estrogen-containing birth control methods are not recommended for breastfeeding women, because they may affect milk supply.

Getting Pregnant

Women can get pregnant while they breastfeed, although some women will find that their menstrual periods don't return while they are nursing. This is due to hormonal changes, which suppress ovulation. However, it is impossible to predict when ovulation and menstruation will resume. In fact, some women ovulate and conceive again before their period resumes.

Working Outside The Home

Mothers face unique obstacles in maintaining adequate milk supply once they return to work. With planning, commitment, and skilled use of a breast pump, breastfeeding mothers can maintain their milk supply and continue breastfeeding after returning to work.

A maternity leave is helpful for establishing your milk supply and breastfeeding skills before returning to work. Start stock-piling milk a few weeks before you go back to work, and store it in the freezer. Most women find they aren’t able to pump as much as their baby needs in the first week back at work, and having extra milk in the freezer helps ease the transition.

Before your first day back, scout out places where you can pump at work. An ideal work place would provide a private room for breastfeeding moms, with a comfortable chair and an electric breast pump for use by all nursing mothers. If you have your own office and can close the door, it’s often easiest to pump there – just close the door and let your colleagues know to knock before they come in. If you don’t have that kind of privacy, see if you can borrow a colleague’s office, or find an unused conference room or office. If all else fails, you can resort to a folding chair in a bathroom stall, but explore other options first.

For efficiency, your best bet is to get a double electric pump. These are more expensive, but they allow you to pump both breasts in 10 to 20 minutes, allowing you to get back to work – and, ultimately, home to your baby – much more quickly!

To simplify your life, buy several sets of pump parts and bring them to work in plastic bags. That way, you won’t have to wash and dry pump parts during the day.

Maintaining Your Milk Supply

Here are some tips which have worked well with many breastfeeding mothers who work an 8-hour day outside the home:

If you plan to return to work, introduce your baby to bottle-feeding several weeks before you go back to work. This allows plenty of time to establish good feeding habits. Starting bottle-feeds before 2 weeks of age often results in nipple confusion -- the baby has difficulty changing between the different sucking patterns required for the different types of feeding.
Two weeks before you return to work, buy or rent an efficient and comfortable breast pump and start building up a supply of frozen milk. If the day you return to work arrives and you don't have a freezer full of breast milk, one bottle of formula fed to your baby will be an adequate supplement. After returning to work, express milk 2 or 3 times a day, every 2 to 3 hours to continue exclusively breastfeeding. If you can only get one break a day and you are unable to pump a full day's allotment in one pumping, a supplemental bottle of formula may be needed. Be aware, however, that feeding formula decreases the need for breast milk, and your milk supply will decrease accordingly.
If your baby is sleeping through the night, consider pumping before you go to bed at night. It’s a good time to watch your favorite TV show and stockpile some extra milk.
Nurse your baby immediately before leaving in the morning and immediately upon return from work in late afternoon. Many mothers find that their babies nurse more frequently in the evenings on days they work. Feed on-demand when you are with your baby.
If possible, arrange to nurse your baby at lunch time.
Try to breastfeed exclusively when you are with your baby (evenings, nighttime, weekends).
Delegate and share household responsibilities with other members of the family.

Breast Pumps

There are a number of breast pumps on the market, with varying degrees of comfort, efficiency, and cost. Most require time to develop the skills to use them. Pumps may be hand-operated (manual), battery, or electrically-operated.

The most dependable, efficient, and comfortable pumps are electric, have intermittent action (creates and releases suction automatically), pump both breasts at once, and require minimal training.

When you start using a pump, remember that this is not a “no pain, no gain” situation. If you’ve adjusted the pump setting so that you are in pain, you won’t get more milk – you will just get bruised nipples!

Your local lactation consultant can help you make realistic plans and guide you to a supportive breast pump supplier. A listing of lactation consultants is available at www.breastfeeding.com.

Review Date:
1/2/2007
Reviewed By:
Douglas A. Levine, MD, Gynecology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Pregnancy Center Links

Breastfeeding vs. Bottle Feeding

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:54 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Breastfeeding vs. Bottle Feeding

Choosing how and what to feed your baby is a personal decision that deserves careful and thorough consideration. Breastfeeding is the natural nutritional source for infants less than one year of age.

Most health care professionals recommend breastfeeding for your baby's first year (including the American Academy of Pediatricians and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners).

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the first 6 months of life. It contains appropriate amounts of carbohydrate, protein, and fat, and provides digestive enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and hormones that infants require. Breast milk also contains antibodies from the mother that can help the baby resist infections.

Experts agree that breastfeeding your baby for any length of time, regardless of how short, is of benefit to you and your baby.

You can provide your baby with breast milk by either breastfeeding or by feeding your baby breast milk from a bottle.

Breastfeeding your baby (directly from the breast):

Can only be done by you
Can be done exclusively or can be supplemented with bottle feedings

Feeding your baby breast milk (which has been expressed):

Can be given with a bottle (by you or others)
Requires regular pumping of milk from your breasts
Requires appropriate handling and storage of milk
Requires appropriate preparation of bottles and nipples

Most doctors advise strictly breastfeeding for the first couple of weeks, until breastfeeding is firmly established, rather than switching back and forth to a bottle. This recommendation is based on the possibility of nipple confusion, which can cause sucking and feeding problems for infants who are switched between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. After two months of age, most babies adapt to bottle nipples easily.

Breastfeeding is a natural function but is not necessarily a natural instinct for mothers. It’s a little like learning to ride a bike. During the first few weeks, you and your baby may struggle, and occasionally crash and burn. And then one day, you’ll start peddling, and ride for miles -- it will be so easy you won’t understand why you were ever having so much trouble. Keep in mind that most mothers need information about how to feed their babies. Mothers also need support, encouragement, and assistance after birth to enjoy feeding and caring for their babies.

Advantages Of Breastfeeding

Research indicates that breastfed babies may have less frequent:

Ear infections
Stomach or intestinal infections
Digestive problems, such as constipation or diarrhea
Skin diseases (infantile eczema)
Allergy problems (infantile allergies)
Hospitalizations in the first year of life

In addition, breastfed babies may have less risk of becoming overweight or developing high blood pressure, diabetes, iron-deficiency anemia, and tooth decay.

Moms who breastfeed their babies may enjoy:

No bottle cleaning
No formula preparation
Lower cost
Easier weight loss
Less post-partum bleeding
Enhancement of the unique bond between mother and child
A reduced risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer

Moms who breastfeed their babies should:

Understand that ANY medications you take may enter the breast milk and affect your baby (check with your doctor or lactation consultant about which are safe, and do not stop any prescribed medication without discussing with your health care provider first)
Maintain adequate nutrition
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, every day
Get plenty of rest
Take good care of her nipples and breasts
Relax and enjoy the experience

Possible Problems

If you run into any problems, contact a lactation consultant. Moms who breastfeed may experience:

Nipple soreness
Breast engorgement
Leaking breasts
Let-down reflex (other than during breastfeeding)
Difficulty knowing how much milk the baby is drinking

Moms who breastfeed their babies may feel confused by lack of experience, or may be ashamed to ask for help. However, most problems can be easily managed with guidance from a lactation consultant.

Cow's milk by itself is not an adequate source of complete nutrition for infants. Commercially prepared formulas for bottle-feeding are adequate sources of nutrition for babies that do not breastfeed.

Other Factors

Some circumstances can change your plans to breastfeed. How and what your baby eats may ultimately depend on the infant's physical condition and your health after birth. However, with help from a consultant, most babies -- even premature babies -- can breastfeed.

Some babies are unable to adequately breast feed due to:

Premature birth
Small size
Weak physical condition
Difficulty sucking
Birth defects of the mouth (cleft lip or cleft palate)

See a lactation consultant if you have a breast infection or breast abscess, breast cancer or other cancer, previous surgery or radiation treatment, or inadequate milk supply (uncommon).

Some mothers are advised NOT to breastfeed due to health problems such as:

Active, untreated tuberculosis
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection or AIDS
Active herpes lesions on the breast
Severe malnutrition
Hepatitis infection
Use of street drugs or uncontrolled alcohol use

Resources For Information, Questions, or Problems

Health care professionals such as physicians, dietitians, nurses, and nurse-midwives can answer questions about breastfeeding and bottle feeding. As mentioned, breastfeeding is not necessarily "second nature" to either the mother or baby. Many women are greatly helped by advice and tips from others, especially during the first days and weeks after the baby's birth.

One excellent source is La Leche League International. They can be reached at 800-LALECHE and www.lalecheleague.org. They can answer many of your questions about how to hold the baby, what to expect, and challenges you may encounter.

Lactation counselors are specially trained in breastfeeding strategies. They can help you understand the entire process of breastfeeding. One quick consultation is all that most healthy moms and babies need. A trained counselor can detect special situations that may require more time or visits.

Review Date:
1/2/2007
Reviewed By:
Douglas A. Levine, MD, Gynecology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Pregnancy Center Links

Breastfeeding mothers - self-care

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:56:45 -0700

Illustrations

Breast feeding

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Breastfeeding is often an enjoyable and rewarding experience for mothers. A breastfeeding mother must continue to take care of her baby and herself, as she did during her pregnancy.

Alternative Names

Breast pump information; Nursing mothers - self-care

Recommendations

In general, lactating women should get nutrients from a well-balanced, varied diet, rather than from vitamin and mineral supplements. Eat generous amounts of fruits and vegetables, whole and grain breads and cereals, calcium-rich dairy products, and protein-rich foods (meats, fish, and legumes). Make sure you are getting enough calories.

BREASTFEEDING DAILY FOOD GUIDE

Milk, yogurt, and cheese -- eat at least 4 servings
Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts -- at least 3 servings
Vegetables -- at least 3 to 5 servings
Fruits -- eat 2 to 4 servings (choose two foods high in vitamin C and folic acid, and one food high in vitamin A)
Bread, cereal, rice, and pasta -- at about 6 to 11 servings
Fats, oils, and sweets -- go easy!

This is just a guide. You may need to eat more than this based on your size and activity level.

DRINK FLUIDS

FOODS

It is possible that some highly allergenic foods (strawberries, peanuts) may be passed into breast milk, increasing the risk of a later food allergy in the baby. If this is a concern, discuss food allergies with your pediatrician.

CAFFEINE, ALCOHOL, AND SMOKING

Since alcohol has been found in human milk and can interfere with the milk ejection reflex, avoid alcohol while breastfeeding. An occasional drink, not exceeding two ounces of alcohol, may be safe, but you should consult your health care provider about the associated risks.

DRUGS IN HUMAN MILK

Many medications (prescription and over-the-counter medications) will pass into the mother's milk. Check with your physician before taking any medications. Do NOT stop taking any prescribed medication without speaking first to your doctor.

LACTATION AMENORRHEA

Most breastfeeding women do not have normal menstrual periods (lactation amenorrhea). Although the risk of pregnancy is less for a woman experiencing lactation amenorrhea, pregnancy CAN occur during this time. Breastfeeding should not be used for contraception, since failure is likely.

BIRTH CONTROL

Estrogen-containing birth control pills are not recommended for breastfeeding women, because they may affect milk supply.

WORKING OUTSIDE THE HOME

A maternity leave is helpful for establishing your milk supply and breastfeeding skills before returning to work. An ideal work place would provide a private room for breastfeeding moms, with a comfortable chair and an electric breast pump for use by all nursing mothers.

However, many moms have had success using a hand breast pump and a bathroom stall for privacy. Many women prefer the speed of the electric breast pump. Hospital-quality pumps are available for rent through medical supply stores. Personal, portable models are available for purchase.

MAINTAINING YOUR MILK SUPPLY

Here are some tips that have worked well for many breastfeeding mothers who work fulltime outside the home:

If you plan to return to work, introduce your baby to bottle-feeding at 3 to 4 weeks of age. This allows plenty of time to establish good feeding habits. Starting bottle-feeds before 2 weeks of age often results in nipple confusion -- the baby has difficulty changing between the different sucking patterns required for the different types of feeding.
Two weeks before you return to work, buy or rent an efficient and comfortable breast pump and start building up a supply of frozen milk. If the day you return to work arrives and you don't have a freezer full of breast milk, one bottle of formula fed to your baby will be an adequate supplement. After returning to work, express milk 2 or 3 times a day, every 2 to 3 hours to continue exclusively breastfeeding. If you can only get one break a day and you are unable to pump a full day's allotment in one pumping, a supplemental bottle of formula may be needed. Be aware, however, that feeding formula decreases the need for breast milk, and your milk supply will decrease accordingly.
Nurse your baby immediately before leaving in the morning and immediately upon return from work in late afternoon. Many mothers find that their babies nurse more frequently in the evenings on days they work. Feed on-demand when you are with your baby.
If possible, arrange to nurse your baby at lunch time.
Try to breastfeed exclusively when you are with your baby (evenings, nighttime, weekends).
Delegate and share household responsibilities with other members of the family.

BREAST PUMPS

The most dependable, efficient, and comfortable pumps are electric, have intermittent action (creates and releases suction automatically), and require minimal training.

Your local lactation consultant can help you make realistic plans and guide you to a supportive breast pump supplier.

Review Date: 10/19/2007

Reviewed By: Deirdre O’Reilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_002454

Breastfeeding

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:56:40 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
Recommendations

Illustrations

Breast feeding

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Breastfeeding is giving human breast milk to infants to meet their nutritional needs.

Alternative Names

Nursing; Lactation

Recommendations

Choosing how and what to feed your baby is a personal decision that deserves careful and thorough consideration. Breast milk is the natural nutritional source for infants less than one year of age.

Most health care professionals (including the American Academy of Pediatricians and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners) recommend breastfeeding for your baby's first year.

Experts agree that breastfeeding your baby for any length of time, regardless of how short, is of benefit to you and your baby.

You can provide your baby with breast milk directly by breastfeeding or by feeding your baby breast milk from a bottle.

Breastfeeding your baby (directly from your breast) can only be done by you. It can be done exclusively or can be supplemented with bottle feedings.

Breast milk feedings with a bottle:

Can be given with a bottle by you or others
Requires regular pumping of milk from your breasts
Requires appropriate handling and storage of milk
Requires appropriate preparation of bottles and nipples

Most doctors advise strictly breastfeeding for the first couple of weeks, until breastfeeding is firmly established, rather than switching back and forth to a bottle. This recommendation is based on the possibility of nipple confusion, which can cause sucking and feeding problems for infants who are switched between breastfeeding and bottle feeding. After the infant is 2 months of age, most adapt to bottle nipples easily.

Breastfeeding is a natural function, but is not necessarily a natural instinct for mothers. Most mothers need information about how to feed their babies. Mothers also need support, encouragement, and assistance after birth to enjoy feeding and caring for their babies.

ADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING

Research shows that breastfed babies may have less frequent:

Ear infections
Stomach or intestinal infections
Low iron levels in the blood (iron-deficiency anemia)
Skin diseases (infantile eczema)
Infant allergies

Breastfed babies may have less risk of developing:

Digestive problems such as constipation or diarrhea
Obesity or becoming overweight
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Tooth decay

Moms who breastfeed their babies enjoy:

No bottle cleaning
No formula preparation
Lower cost
Easier weight loss
Less postpartum bleeding
Enhancement of the unique bond between mother and child

Moms who breastfeed their babies should:

Understand that ANY medications you take may enter the breast milk and affect your baby (check with your physician or lactation consultant about which are safe, and do not stop any prescribed medication without discussing with your provider first)
Maintain adequate nutrition
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, every day
Get plenty of rest
Take good care of your nipples and breasts
Relax and enjoy the experience

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS

If you run into any problems, contact a lactation consultant. Moms who breastfeed may experience:

Nipple soreness
Breast engorgement
Leaking breasts
Let-down reflex (other than during breastfeeding)
Difficulty knowing how much milk the baby is drinking
Not enough milk for the baby's needs

Moms who breastfeed their babies may feel confused by lack of experience or support, afraid or ashamed to ask for help for such a "natural" activity.

Most problems can be easily managed with guidance from a lactation consultant.

Cow's milk by itself is not an adequate source of complete nutrition for infants. Commercially prepared formulas for bottle feeding are excellent sources of nutrition for babies who do not breastfeed.

OTHER FACTORS

Some babies are unable to adequately breastfeed due to:

Premature birth
Small size
Weak physical condition
Difficulty sucking
Birth defects of the mouth (cleft lip or cleft palate)
Digestive problems ( galactosemia)

See a lactation consultant if you have a breast infection or breast abscess, breast cancer or other cancer, previous surgery or radiation treatment, or inadequate milk supply (uncommon).

Some mothers are advised NOT to breastfeed due to health problems such as:

Serious illnesses (heart disease or cancer, for example)
Nephritis
Active, untreated tuberculosis
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection or AIDS
Active herpes lesions on the breast
Severe malnutrition

RESOURCES

See breastfeeding tips for ways to overcome common problems. Health care professionals, such as physicians, dietitians, nurses, and nurse-midwives, can help answer your questions.

An excellent resource is the La Leche League International -- www.lalecheleague.org.