Top 10 Tips For Breastfeeding

Top 10 Tips For Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding a baby can be a rewarding experience, and one that gives your child the absolute best start in life. By following these top 10 tips for breastfeeding, you can ensure a healthy start that will give your child a lifetime of benefits.

1. Before you have your baby, learn about breastfeeding positions, proper latching, and what to expect. The confidence you'll gain from your early preparation will make everything go smoother once your baby is born.

2. Enlist the support of family and friends. Consider joining a local breastfeeding support group, such as La Leche League, if there are meetings in your area.

3. Start breastfeeding as early as possible. If you can get your baby to latch on within the first hour after birth, it will be easier to establish the breastfeeding relationship.

4. Feed your baby whenever you notice signs of hunger. These can include rooting behaviors and putting the hands in the mouth. Avoid scheduling feedings and watch the baby's signs instead.

5. Bring the baby to you, not the other way around. Avoid leaning forward and shoving your breast into the baby's mouth. Instead, bring the baby up and toward the breast.

6. If anything hurts, get help as soon as possible. Contact a lactation consultant or one of the nurses at the hospital where you gave birth to help you set things right. If you wait, you might end up with nipple sores that make breastfeeding more difficult.

7. Make breastfeeding a priority. Let your doctor know how important it is to you, and don't let hospital staff, friends, or family members give the baby formula without your consent.

8. If you plan to return to work soon after your baby is born, invest in a high-quality pump and learn how to use it while you are still at home with your baby.

9. Keep track of your baby's diaper contents. This is the most reliable way to see if the baby is getting enough milk, since the amount you pump, how long your baby spends nursing each day and how full your breasts feel can be unreliable as indicators.

10. Keep in mind that your baby is an individual. If your breastfed baby is not growing as fast as your friend's baby or eating more times a day than your sister's infant did, this doesn't mean that there is a problem. All babies are different, and if yours is healthy and happy, then the breastfeeding relationship is working just fine.

For more tips check out the medical books at Elsevier Health. One of the best which is related to this subject is 100 Q & A About Breastfeeding.

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How to Keep Your Baby Healthy

How to Keep Your Baby Healthy

Having a healthy baby is the most wonderful gift any parent can wish for, and keeping baby healthy, especially in those newborn days, is a source of worry for new mums and dads. Those first few weeks, before you begin to understand the non-verbal cues your baby gives you, can be fraught with frustration as you wonder what crying might indicate, or if he or she is sleeping too much or not enough. Is she simply wet, hungry, in need of a nap? Could it be something more dire? Luckily, you don’t need to take nursing courses in order to know when to react and what to do.

It’s difficult to know, as a brand-new parent, when to call the doctor. The general rule to follow is if baby is running a fever, crying inconsolably, listless, or anytime you sense something is even a bit “off”, check with your pediatrician. Your physician won’t mind and is probably used to new parent woes. Keeping baby healthy begins with a good doctor/patient relationship.

There are also a few preventative tips you can follow. First and foremost, always wash your hands. This is just a good habit to get into for everyone who comes into contact with the baby. Thoroughly washing your hands will serve to keep you and the rest of your family relatively cold and flu free, or limit your exposure significantly. Hand sanitizer is a good substitute when soap and water are not available. Do this each and every time you handle your newborn.

Don’t expose your baby to secondhand smoke. Studies show secondhand smoke increases upper respiratory viruses in babies, as well as children and adults. Ask smokers to take it outside. Keep disinfectant wipes with you at all times when you leave home. Wipe down any surface which may come into contact with your baby. Invest in a shopping cart seat cover. Other children have been in that same seat. Don’t neglect disinfecting all areas of the shopping cart. Remember babies love to put their mouths on everything!

In cooler weather, keep a hat on your baby. A good deal of your body heat is lost through your head and a chill can reduce immunity, even if minimally. Keep up with your baby’s immunization schedule. Immunizations don’t just keep baby well, they protect the rest of the family from common, yet deadly, diseases and illnesses. Finally, breast is best, so if you are able, breastfeed your baby to help build immunities. If you are unable to breastfeed your baby, discuss what formulas are best for your infant with your pediatrician.


Keeping your baby healthy is a joint effort between you and your baby’s doctor. Remember that your pediatrician is your greatest ally and the best advocate for your baby’s health. Make sure you are timely about keeping those well-baby check ups and never feel that you are “bothering” your pediatrician with off-hour concerns. If he or she is a caring, understanding and experienced professional, then he or she will understand your trepidation and prefer that you err on the side of caution.