Breastfeeding, though it is the natural way to feed your baby, and mothers have been doing it since the dawn of time, can prove difficult for many mothers. Even if you have no problem with painful nipples, the task of maintaining your breast milk supply can seem to be a full time job all by itself. Though one of the best remedies is simply to drink more water, you can only drink so much. Here are a few more things you can try.
1. Indian food and oatmeal.
Indian food is great, it contains many naturally healthy herbs and spices, such as garlic, ginger, fennel and cumin. The most effective one of these specifically for breast milk production is called "fenugreek". You can pick up fenugreek tea at your local health food store, but I have seen it be much more effective when combined with protein and carbohydrate rich meals which feature a range of beneficial ingredients. I would caution that you may want to ask for or prepare "mildly spicy" Indian food, because too much heat can make your breast milk taste funny to your baby. Oatmeal is a well-balanced meal to start your day. It is loaded with carbohydrates and protein, and is also relaxing and soothing. When you have a well stocked supply of protein, carbohydrates to burn while converting the protein to milk, and are relaxed enough that your body is not using the carbohydrates to fuel your activities, it is a perfect recipe for milk production.
2. Pumping the left overs.
After your baby is finished eating, use a pump, or a hand-expressing method, to drain all the excess milk from your milk ducts. Whenever your body has to reabsorb more than a few drops of breast milk, it tries to make less the next time. But when your breasts are continuously drained completely dry, your body tries to produce more for the next feeding. You can save the milk to use at night feedings, if your baby will take breast milk through a bottle, or freeze it to use for things like mixing with cereal when your baby is older. To hand express your milk, place your index or middle finger just outside one side of your areola, and your thumb in a similar position exactly across the nipple from your finger. Press your entire hand close to your body causing your breast to flatten against your rib cage slightly. Now gently bring your thumb and finger closer together, almost as if you were trying to pinch your areola. As you do this, you should see a stream of milk squirt out. Hold a bottle over your nipple to collect the milk, repeat compressions until there is no more milk.
3. Yoga and meditation.
I think it is very helpful for a new mother to take an hour or so for herself each day to drain stress from her body. You may be tempted to just sleep if your baby is giving you a break for a bit, and while there is nothing wrong with sleep, conscious relaxation can be even more beneficial in terms of milk production. While you sleep, you process stresses by replaying parts of them in dreams, and quite often this can be quite stressful in its own right. However, if you take some time to do some deep breathing exercises, and focus on being calm and relaxed, tension can drain away much more efficiently. The sleep you will have after a good yoga routine, or a soothing meditation session is much deeper, and restful than regular sleep. This relaxed, mellow mode is perfect for milk production. Your subconscious doesn't have anything to worry about processing, except for protein, nutrients and carbohydrates into milk.
4. Breast massage.
From just below your collar bones to the bottom of your breast, there are milk ducts. Some times some of these get "lazy" or "forgetful" and begin producing less milk. A quick little massage consisting of small circular rubbing motions by your fingers slowly covering each breast from top to bottom and from one side to the other side (as if you were doing your monthly self exam), is a great way to remind those ducts to get back to work. You can also use tapping motions and brisk full-hand rubbing. Basically, you just want to stimulate the nerves in the deeper tissue of your breast. You might also try draping a warm towel over your breasts between feedings to increase circulation and stimulate production.
5. Family bed.
Having your baby near you is always a great idea for stimulating milk production, but sleeping with your baby is especially effective. There is some conflicting data about the overall safety of sleeping in the same bed with your baby, but the majority of the reliable sources say it is safe, and there is no question that it is great for milk production. The reason is that your baby can eat easily and often throughout the night, but you do not have to rouse fully to feed him. So you get more rest, your baby gets plenty of food, your milk gets drained more efficiently, and you have more energy to produce more! It is a great tactic to give your milk production a real boost.
Do not give up hope if you have to constantly struggle with low milk levels, after a few weeks it usually picks up quite well. If you are still concerned though, talking to a lactation consultant can really help you pinpoint the best way for you personally to increase your milk production. It often may seem like your baby is not getting much to eat at all, when they are really eating plenty. Also, in worst case scenarios, your doctor can prescribe an injection to help stimulate your milk production. There are some nasty side effects to that injection, so I do not recommend that new moms rush out and ask for it, but if all else is not working, it can usually do the trick. If you have found these tips helpful, please forward them to any new or expecting parents you might know. As always questions, comments and suggestions are always welcome. Happy parenting!
There is a NEW post from NAOMI up today (9/5/14)! Check it out HERE.
Showing posts with label milk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label milk. Show all posts
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
5 tips for introducing solids to your baby.
Just when you have gotten good at figuring out how much and how often your baby needs to nurse or have a bottle, it is time to introduce solids. This doesn't mean the end of nursing and bottle feeding, your baby will continue to receive the bulk of their nourishment from the breast and/or bottle for quite a while yet. Whether you decide to introduce early (4 to 5 months) or wait as long as possible (1 year) the time will come (usually at about 6 or 8 months), when you will just have a feeling that it is the right time for you and your baby to take this big step. However, as soon as you make the decision, you may find yourself faced with a long list of questions, like: what food to give first and why, how long to wait in between introducing each food, what you should be watching out for, what to do if a food is rejected and what you can do to help avoid picky eating behaviors. Well, I may not have all of the answers you are looking for, but I do have a few tried and true tips that can make the whole process a lot easier.
1. Start bland, don't stay bland.
Nearly every pediatrician will recommend that you begin by introducing things like powdered rice or oat cereal prepared with breast milk or formula, because these grains are easy on the stomach, and the fluids will help maintain the flavor profiles that your baby is used to. You should consult your pediatrician at every step of introducing solids, since they will most likely be up to date on any new information about foods to avoid or to be extra cautious about giving based on any risks of E-Coli or other risk factors you might be unaware of. Which food to introduce after your baby is consistently taking the cereal is the cause for quite a bit of debate, I personally think that spices should come next. The benefits of introducing spices early on is that you will be able to pinpoint spice sensitivities more easily during the first few weeks of introducing solid food, and as you introduce more foods you will have the freedom to add a touch of seasoning to help keep your babies palette open and flexible, which can head off picky eating later on. Spices such as cumin, fennel, nutmeg and ginger are great because they soothe digestion as well as add a beautiful flavor to many fruits and veggies. Also, garlic, mint, and turmeric can help boost immunity and thyme and fennel can help sooth gas and relieve constipation. Another great benefit of including spices in your baby's food is that they almost all contain B vitamin complexes (that are associated with maintaining a positive mood) and calcium, fiber and iron (which we are always trying to get more of into our kids diets). Some major spices to steer clear of are cinnamon and celery which are both higher than average allergy risks (fresh celery is not as high a risk as the powdered spice version is), salt, and any hot spices, such as black pepper, cayenne and jalapenos.
2. Keep a log.
Tracking your baby's new foods is ultra-important, since introducing new foods properly is easier than you'd think to get confused about. Each new spice or food should be introduced, then given to your little taste-tester a few more times over the next three days. After the initial introduction, the new food can be mixed with the foods which your baby has already been introduced to during the three day waiting period (of course spices would be mixed with food on their very first introduction as well). Keeping track of what was given and when is crucial to this process, because if at any point your baby has a reaction, it will be simple for you to pin point the culprit and steer clear of it. Also, if your baby has a dangerous allergic reaction requiring hospitalization, the information about exactly what he has been eating will prove invaluable.
3. Watch for food sensitivities.
Food sensitivities are basically allergies that are mild and will most likely be outgrown. However sometimes these sensitivities can develop into serious, even life-threatening, allergies, so watching out for them and keeping track of them is a very good idea. Most food sensitivities will show up as hive-like bumps on your baby's face. Sometimes, however, the reaction might be stronger. It is not uncommon for babies with strong food sensitivities or allergies to projectile vomit, have acidic diarrhea and intense abdominal cramping and gas. Egg, Milk, Peanut, Tree nut, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy are the 8 most common food allergies, which is good to keep in mind not only while introducing foods, but while breastfeeding. None of these foods should be given to a baby who is under the age of one, unless you are directed to by your pediatrician. Now, There are soy, and milk based formulas, which are formulated to be gentle, but if you do try one of these be on the lookout for increased gas, cramping, diarrhea and spit-up. Any of these symptoms, if severe, could be an indication that your little snapdragon is allergic to the formula you are using.
4. Use your own favorite foods as blueprint.
If you love mashed potatoes, apples, asparagus or yams, introduce these foods first. If you were eating the foods that you are introducing to your baby while you were breastfeeding, it makes it considerably more likely that your sweet pea will be keen on trying them. It is important to keep the associations that your baby forms with the experience of trying new foods positive, and anything you can do to minimize the number of things that your baby needs to adjust to at each turn, the better. For example, if you love peas, and were eating peas fairly regularly while pregnant, they would be a food that your baby will very likely enjoy, and after experiencing that enjoyment she will be more receptive to new foods in the future.
5. Experiment with texture.
Some foods when pureed will be fairly thick, like mashed potatoes, and some will be quite watery, like pears. That is why when you are first offering your baby cereal, you should experiment with the texture to find the consistency your baby seems to like best. Many babies find a slightly thicker consistency (like the consistency of toothpaste) easier to manage, while some prefer a more soupy style that they can practically drink. The reason you'll want to know your baby's preferred consistency is so you can thicken up those pears with some rice cereal, or you can add some breast milk or formula to the mashed potatoes if he rejects them the first time. Sometimes a new flavor can be quite overwhelming on its own, if you can adjust the texture so that it is more familiar you increase your chances that your sweet little goober-cluster will chow down with enthusiasm.
Though this milestone will mark an end of a special time for you and your baby, it is also the first step into the wide and amazing world of delicious dining discoveries. Try to remember that your baby isn't "spitting it out", the first few times his food comes right back out, but the sucking motion automatically pushes his tongue forward, and until your yummy little peach-bottom figures out the oral gymnastics required for moving solids through his mouth, quite a bit of each new spoon full is bound to get shoved right back out. It won't take long before your baby learns to clamp his jaw shut at the approach of any undesirable food items, but even then, if there is no evidence of food sensitivity, reintroduce any rejected foods after a few weeks (One very gross but effective technique for introducing solids is described here). This is a fun and exciting time for your baby, try to have fun and allow yourself to go on the journey of discovery with him. If you have found these tips helpful, please pass them on to any new or expecting parents you know, and remember, questions and comments are always welcome. Happy parenting!
1. Start bland, don't stay bland.
Nearly every pediatrician will recommend that you begin by introducing things like powdered rice or oat cereal prepared with breast milk or formula, because these grains are easy on the stomach, and the fluids will help maintain the flavor profiles that your baby is used to. You should consult your pediatrician at every step of introducing solids, since they will most likely be up to date on any new information about foods to avoid or to be extra cautious about giving based on any risks of E-Coli or other risk factors you might be unaware of. Which food to introduce after your baby is consistently taking the cereal is the cause for quite a bit of debate, I personally think that spices should come next. The benefits of introducing spices early on is that you will be able to pinpoint spice sensitivities more easily during the first few weeks of introducing solid food, and as you introduce more foods you will have the freedom to add a touch of seasoning to help keep your babies palette open and flexible, which can head off picky eating later on. Spices such as cumin, fennel, nutmeg and ginger are great because they soothe digestion as well as add a beautiful flavor to many fruits and veggies. Also, garlic, mint, and turmeric can help boost immunity and thyme and fennel can help sooth gas and relieve constipation. Another great benefit of including spices in your baby's food is that they almost all contain B vitamin complexes (that are associated with maintaining a positive mood) and calcium, fiber and iron (which we are always trying to get more of into our kids diets). Some major spices to steer clear of are cinnamon and celery which are both higher than average allergy risks (fresh celery is not as high a risk as the powdered spice version is), salt, and any hot spices, such as black pepper, cayenne and jalapenos.
2. Keep a log.
Tracking your baby's new foods is ultra-important, since introducing new foods properly is easier than you'd think to get confused about. Each new spice or food should be introduced, then given to your little taste-tester a few more times over the next three days. After the initial introduction, the new food can be mixed with the foods which your baby has already been introduced to during the three day waiting period (of course spices would be mixed with food on their very first introduction as well). Keeping track of what was given and when is crucial to this process, because if at any point your baby has a reaction, it will be simple for you to pin point the culprit and steer clear of it. Also, if your baby has a dangerous allergic reaction requiring hospitalization, the information about exactly what he has been eating will prove invaluable.
3. Watch for food sensitivities.
Food sensitivities are basically allergies that are mild and will most likely be outgrown. However sometimes these sensitivities can develop into serious, even life-threatening, allergies, so watching out for them and keeping track of them is a very good idea. Most food sensitivities will show up as hive-like bumps on your baby's face. Sometimes, however, the reaction might be stronger. It is not uncommon for babies with strong food sensitivities or allergies to projectile vomit, have acidic diarrhea and intense abdominal cramping and gas. Egg, Milk, Peanut, Tree nut, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy are the 8 most common food allergies, which is good to keep in mind not only while introducing foods, but while breastfeeding. None of these foods should be given to a baby who is under the age of one, unless you are directed to by your pediatrician. Now, There are soy, and milk based formulas, which are formulated to be gentle, but if you do try one of these be on the lookout for increased gas, cramping, diarrhea and spit-up. Any of these symptoms, if severe, could be an indication that your little snapdragon is allergic to the formula you are using.
4. Use your own favorite foods as blueprint.
If you love mashed potatoes, apples, asparagus or yams, introduce these foods first. If you were eating the foods that you are introducing to your baby while you were breastfeeding, it makes it considerably more likely that your sweet pea will be keen on trying them. It is important to keep the associations that your baby forms with the experience of trying new foods positive, and anything you can do to minimize the number of things that your baby needs to adjust to at each turn, the better. For example, if you love peas, and were eating peas fairly regularly while pregnant, they would be a food that your baby will very likely enjoy, and after experiencing that enjoyment she will be more receptive to new foods in the future.
5. Experiment with texture.
Some foods when pureed will be fairly thick, like mashed potatoes, and some will be quite watery, like pears. That is why when you are first offering your baby cereal, you should experiment with the texture to find the consistency your baby seems to like best. Many babies find a slightly thicker consistency (like the consistency of toothpaste) easier to manage, while some prefer a more soupy style that they can practically drink. The reason you'll want to know your baby's preferred consistency is so you can thicken up those pears with some rice cereal, or you can add some breast milk or formula to the mashed potatoes if he rejects them the first time. Sometimes a new flavor can be quite overwhelming on its own, if you can adjust the texture so that it is more familiar you increase your chances that your sweet little goober-cluster will chow down with enthusiasm.
Though this milestone will mark an end of a special time for you and your baby, it is also the first step into the wide and amazing world of delicious dining discoveries. Try to remember that your baby isn't "spitting it out", the first few times his food comes right back out, but the sucking motion automatically pushes his tongue forward, and until your yummy little peach-bottom figures out the oral gymnastics required for moving solids through his mouth, quite a bit of each new spoon full is bound to get shoved right back out. It won't take long before your baby learns to clamp his jaw shut at the approach of any undesirable food items, but even then, if there is no evidence of food sensitivity, reintroduce any rejected foods after a few weeks (One very gross but effective technique for introducing solids is described here). This is a fun and exciting time for your baby, try to have fun and allow yourself to go on the journey of discovery with him. If you have found these tips helpful, please pass them on to any new or expecting parents you know, and remember, questions and comments are always welcome. Happy parenting!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
5 tips for pain-free breastfeeding.
Imagine that you had a personal chef who could make you the perfect food, specifically formulated to your own chemical balance and physical needs. Breastfeeding is like this for your baby. The milk you naturally produce is the perfect food for your yummy little gummy worm. The vast majority of mothers are physically able to breastfeed their babies, yet some find it extraordinarily difficult and painful. Quite often the task of breastfeeding can be eased with just one or two basic techniques. Though milk production is often one of the most basic concerns a breastfeeding mother has, in this collection of tips I am focusing more directly on ways to make breastfeeding easier and more comfortable over all. These 5 tips are designed to be most helpful to breastfeeding mothers who are having a hard time with chapped nipples, getting a good latch, releasing a good latch and making the overall experience of breastfeeding more enjoyable.
1. Make your baby a nice breast sandwich.
If your nipples are getting chapped, it is most likely a latching issue. Getting enough of your breast into your baby's mouth so that they can form a good latch is a tricky maneuver. The best way I found was to compress (or pinch, really) my breast between my first two fingers just outside my areola, while pressing my entire breast in toward my chest. This made my nipple and areola somewhat flatter, like a sandwich, and it was easier for me to get more breast into my son's mouth, which made it easier for him to latch on. This tip is especially helpful for mothers who have been overly compensated with volume in the chest area.2. Give your baby a little cheek tickle.
Of course it doesn't matter how compact and accessible your breast is if your baby doesn't open her mouth wide enough to get more than a nibble. Luckily nature has given babies an instinct to help them open their mouths nice and wide. If you touch your baby's cheek lightly with your nipple, your baby should turn her head toward your breast with her mouth wide open. This opening will only last a second, so be quick about shoving your breast as far in there as you can get it. Don't worry about filling your baby's mouth too full with nature's bounty, she can always self correct after she finds a good latch.3. Try different nursing positions.
Most of us have burned on our brain one specific visual image of breastfeeding. The mother holding her baby in her arms across her chest in a horizontal position with the baby's belly button facing up, and the head turned into the breast, rests in the crook of the mothers elbow. This is commonly referred to as the "Cradle Hold" and is the image most mothers reflect on when they first imagine breastfeeding. However, what this image doesn't reflect is that for babies with reflux this position would be difficult, and probably painful. For babies with gas, this position is less than ideal, and that mother's arm is gonna fall off if she holds her baby like that for every feeding. There are several different styles of nursing position, and most rely on some sort of nursing-pillow support. The most similar variation is the "Cradle Crossover Hold" in which the mother holds her breast with the hand and arm that she had been using to "cradle" the baby, and uses the other arm to hold the baby belly-to-belly with her hand supporting the head while nursing. There is also the "Football Hold" which is most commonly used to tandem feed twins, but which some single babies find more comfortable as well, where the baby is tucked next to the mother under her arm and she uses the same arm to hold the baby's head to the breast. There are several official positions like these that are easy to find illustrated online, but you should not feel restricted to these exact positions. My son's favorite nursing position as he got larger was vertically belly-to-belly while straddling my thigh. I supported his head and neck from behind though he was pretty good at holding his head up by the time we found this position. I don't think this is an "official" nursing position, but I like to refer to it as the "Koala Hold".4. Use your little finger to help release a good latch.
Another source of nipple chaffing comes from improper latch-release techniques. Once your darling little rose bud gets a good latch, it can feel like he is vacuum-sealed to your breast. If you need to interrupt a feeding for some reason (like running to the restroom or answering the door), if you need to disengage your baby after you know that your milk is gone or if your baby has fallen asleep at the breast, it can be hard to figure out how to remove him gently. If you simply pull him away until the latch is broken, it will be traumatic to your nipple, and perhaps to your baby's delicate mucus membranes as well. I've seen some mothers even try to pry their baby's jaws apart by pulling on their forehead and chin, it did not look comfortable for the baby and I do not recommend it. Instead, try inserting your littlest finger into the corner of your baby's mouth and pressing into your nipple just enough to let air in. This gently breaks the seal without causing either of you any undue stress or discomfort. It seems simple, but it can really help reduce nipple irritation and pain.
Another source of nipple chaffing comes from improper latch-release techniques. Once your darling little rose bud gets a good latch, it can feel like he is vacuum-sealed to your breast. If you need to interrupt a feeding for some reason (like running to the restroom or answering the door), if you need to disengage your baby after you know that your milk is gone or if your baby has fallen asleep at the breast, it can be hard to figure out how to remove him gently. If you simply pull him away until the latch is broken, it will be traumatic to your nipple, and perhaps to your baby's delicate mucus membranes as well. I've seen some mothers even try to pry their baby's jaws apart by pulling on their forehead and chin, it did not look comfortable for the baby and I do not recommend it. Instead, try inserting your littlest finger into the corner of your baby's mouth and pressing into your nipple just enough to let air in. This gently breaks the seal without causing either of you any undue stress or discomfort. It seems simple, but it can really help reduce nipple irritation and pain.
5. Give your baby a little mouth-wash.
Though some nipple irritation is caused by improper latching and releasing, less commonly it could be a sign of thrush (a yeast infection). A yeast infection of your nipple is caused by the growth of yeast in your baby's mouth, due to high sugar content and an imbalance of healthy bacteria. The most important thing you can do to help prevent this from happening is to take a clean, damp baby washcloth and wrap it tightly around your finger and rub it over your baby's cheeks, gums and tongue after every breastfeeding session. Keeping a spray-bottle filled with very weak chamomile tea and a pile of clean wash clothes near where you usually breastfeed will make it easier to remember to do this after every time you nurse. If your adorable little smoochy-face develops an infection in spite your best efforts, some things you can try to help resolve the infection quickly are: eating some unsweetened yogurt ever day for a few days, cutting sugar out of your diet for a few days and replacing the weak chamomile tea in the spray bottle with a very weak mixture of baking soda and water (1/4 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 & 1/2 cup warm water). I also would wash your baby's mouth out before naps and before night-time sleep as well as after breast feeding.
Though some nipple irritation is caused by improper latching and releasing, less commonly it could be a sign of thrush (a yeast infection). A yeast infection of your nipple is caused by the growth of yeast in your baby's mouth, due to high sugar content and an imbalance of healthy bacteria. The most important thing you can do to help prevent this from happening is to take a clean, damp baby washcloth and wrap it tightly around your finger and rub it over your baby's cheeks, gums and tongue after every breastfeeding session. Keeping a spray-bottle filled with very weak chamomile tea and a pile of clean wash clothes near where you usually breastfeed will make it easier to remember to do this after every time you nurse. If your adorable little smoochy-face develops an infection in spite your best efforts, some things you can try to help resolve the infection quickly are: eating some unsweetened yogurt ever day for a few days, cutting sugar out of your diet for a few days and replacing the weak chamomile tea in the spray bottle with a very weak mixture of baking soda and water (1/4 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 & 1/2 cup warm water). I also would wash your baby's mouth out before naps and before night-time sleep as well as after breast feeding.
Trick: Vary your diet while tracking your baby's gas.
This trick doesn't have so much to do with your comfort while breastfeeding as it does with your baby's long-term potential to resist becoming a picky eater. The flavors of the food you eat while breastfeeding come through your breast milk in a very diluted form. Fostering a familiarity with many different flavor profiles while your baby is experiencing her first relationship with food fosters a flavour flexibility which can come in very handy later in life. I especially recommend eating as many different types of vegetables as possible, because they are traditionally the most resisted food group for children. You should be sure to keep a log of the foods you eat each day, and the times that your baby expresses discomfort and excess gas, because this will help you eliminate foods that are causing your baby discomfort more quickly.
Trick: For Chapped nipples use bag balm.
Your baby cannot eat this substance, so you might want to take some time off of the breast for one or two feedings. Pump enough milk to keep your baby fed for about 24 hours, and slather on the bag balm. It is sticky and can be staining, so I recommend for mothers to use breast pads to shield the balm-covered nipples while they heal, and wear a soft sleeping-bra to keep the pads in place. In about 12-18 hours you should see a significant decrease in the irritation, and you may be able to begin breastfeeding again. Be sure to thoroughly clean your nipples before returning to breastfeeding with your baby. Many mothers also recommend lanolin, since it is something your baby could ingest small amounts of with no ill effects. I did not find that it was effective for me, but it is another remedy you might want to try.
Breast feeding is a special and magical bonding time for mothers and babies, especially if there is less discomfort and anxiety involved in the experience. Hopefully these tips will help keep your nipples pain-free and your breastfeeding experience a positive one (for one more great tip for better breastfeeding look here). If you have found these tips to be helpful, please forward them to any new or expecting parents you might know. I also love, and respond quickly to, questions and comments. Happy parenting!
This trick doesn't have so much to do with your comfort while breastfeeding as it does with your baby's long-term potential to resist becoming a picky eater. The flavors of the food you eat while breastfeeding come through your breast milk in a very diluted form. Fostering a familiarity with many different flavor profiles while your baby is experiencing her first relationship with food fosters a flavour flexibility which can come in very handy later in life. I especially recommend eating as many different types of vegetables as possible, because they are traditionally the most resisted food group for children. You should be sure to keep a log of the foods you eat each day, and the times that your baby expresses discomfort and excess gas, because this will help you eliminate foods that are causing your baby discomfort more quickly.
Trick: For Chapped nipples use bag balm.
Your baby cannot eat this substance, so you might want to take some time off of the breast for one or two feedings. Pump enough milk to keep your baby fed for about 24 hours, and slather on the bag balm. It is sticky and can be staining, so I recommend for mothers to use breast pads to shield the balm-covered nipples while they heal, and wear a soft sleeping-bra to keep the pads in place. In about 12-18 hours you should see a significant decrease in the irritation, and you may be able to begin breastfeeding again. Be sure to thoroughly clean your nipples before returning to breastfeeding with your baby. Many mothers also recommend lanolin, since it is something your baby could ingest small amounts of with no ill effects. I did not find that it was effective for me, but it is another remedy you might want to try.
Breast feeding is a special and magical bonding time for mothers and babies, especially if there is less discomfort and anxiety involved in the experience. Hopefully these tips will help keep your nipples pain-free and your breastfeeding experience a positive one (for one more great tip for better breastfeeding look here). If you have found these tips to be helpful, please forward them to any new or expecting parents you might know. I also love, and respond quickly to, questions and comments. Happy parenting!
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