General Breast Feeding Tips

Breastfeeding is said to provide protection from illnesses like rubella, chicken pox, bronchitis, and polio. Breast-fed children also have fewer, less severe allergies, better jaw and tooth development, and are less likely to suffer from respitory and gastronomical infections. All that for your baby! And for Mom, there is evidence that breast feeding lowers the chances of breast cancer and heart disease!

Step 1: WAYS OF EXPRESSING MILK..!

Manual Pumps:

These are non-electric and work by squeezing a handle to create suction. This is the cheapest but least comfortable way to go. It is also the least efficient, producing "the occasional bottle" after an hour or so of  work.

Mini-Electrics:

This battery operated alternative can express a significant amount of milk in about twenty minutes. But a key issue here is to look for how well it reproduces the sucking action of your child. Most work at a level of 10-15 cycles per minute, compared to a child's pace of about 50 cpm.

Dual-Electrics:

Also battery operated, these pump both breasts at once in about twenty minutes.

Piston Electric Pumps:

In just ten minutes, you can pump both breast! And some can be so comfortable you wonder if they're even working! Working mothers are best served by renting one of these while breastfeeding.

Step 2: BREAST AND NIPPLE CARE..!

To avoid the pain of your baby's powerful grip, never pull him or her away unless he or she is taking a break. Otherwise, use your finger to gently release the pressure and break the suction between nipple and baby's lips.

A little preventative care can help your nipples adapt to your baby's specific demands on them. Soap will wash away the natural lubricants from your nipples, as will forceful towel-drying. Try splashing with warm water and letting them air dry. If you're in a hurry, an electric hair dryer, carefully set and properly distanced, will do. Never cover your nipples with anything that will prevent them from receiving enough air. Always consult a doctor for serious problems.

[ Car Seat Types and Uses ] [ Car Seat Safety Tips ] [ Crib Design and Accessories ] [ Crib Mattress and Bedding ] [ Toy Safety ] [ Keeping Kids Safe From Home Falls ] [ Baby Proofing Your Home ] [ How to Prevent Poisonings in Your Home ] [ General Breast Feeding Tips ] [ How to Collect, Store, and Freeze Breastmilk ]