There is something instinctive about seeing a newborn baby, with his soft skin, and wanting to pick him up and cuddle him. Follow your instinct because cuddling with your baby has a range of benefits. A newborn adjusting to life outside the room enjoys cuddling as a comfort measure. An infant bonds with his parents through cuddling.

It may come as no surprise to parents, but cuddling your baby provides them with social benefits for years afterwards, according to scientists.

They found a clear link between love and attention in the early years and healthy emotional responses in later life.
Even if they are then smothered with love as toddlers, it can be very difficult to repair the damage.Children who have been deprived of physical contact as babies have lower levels of social-bonding hormones, the researchers found.

The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, looked at hormones called oxytocin and arginine vasopressin.

Both play a role in response to stress and social bonding, with levels typically rising after the subject has been comforted with human contact.

Cuddle me, I love you……

There are many ways to cuddle your baby.  First and foremost holding and loving your baby is most important. Swaddling, bathing, massaging, rocking while singing lullabies, and anything that is interactive with your baby that consists of soothing human touch and connection.

Breastfeeding is like a hike through the woods: Natural, but not always simple. In fact, it can be challenging, breathtaking, and full of the unexpected.

The hormones can be intense

Oxytocin:

This powerful hormone is responsible for breast milk “letting down,” or moving to the front of the breasts. And it also happens to be the same chemical released in the brain when a person falls in love, says Laura Viehmann, assistant professor of pediatrics at Brown University and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatricians. No wonder you couldn’t care less about all that spit-up and poop! You’re too busy swooning.

Breastfeeding helps (some) women lose their pregnancy weight

The nursing weight-loss plan doesn’t work for everyone. Some moms find their metabolism slowing to a frustrating crawl. “I nursed my son for 27 months
In fact, in a poll of BabyCenter moms, 40 percent say breastfeeding didn’t help them drop pounds while 60 percent say it did. Interesting….. and it didn’t help me lose weight. Then I lost 15 pounds within about two weeks after weaning,” one mom reports.

Your breast milk is perfectly tailored to your baby

Imagine if every single time you were hungry, you were served a delectable, satisfying meal that contained the perfect balance of electrolytes, fats, and nutrients for your body at that particular time. Amazingly, your breast milk gives your baby exactly what she needs immunologically as well.  The components of the milk shift so that it always complements whatever antibodies the baby is low on at that particular time. This is why breastfeeding can actually keep your baby from getting sick. Welcome to your baby’s world!

Nursing Pillows help make this experience a more relaxed and comfortable one!

This has been an ongoing controversy for as long as I can remember. I think that the extent of the argument plays a role in what it means to “breastfeed in public.” I have seen moms in various places such as restaurants or malls simply whip it out for all to see with no thought whatsoever. Then I have seen other moms struggle to use a blanket to at least cover up and show some decency, keeping in mind this doesn’t always work. Then there are the moms who try so very hard to put their babies underneath their shirts to hide everything possible – and trust me, this just doesn’t work either.

I must say that for the moms who are not willing to hide their food source body parts, this is most definitely inappropriate not only to yourself, your baby, and possible siblings, but also to people who are around, especially those who also have children present. There are a lot of moms that would beg to differ on this opinion since they believe “all natural” is the way to go, and it’s how children learn the meaning of life. Okay, I believe that this is a little to far, but if you are one of those moms, then I can’t stop you and you are entitled to your opinion on the matter.

I don’t have a problem with breastfeeding in public as long as some sort of secure nursing cover is present. This is what I used while nursing my babies and the nice thing about those nursing covers is that they are so discreet and it almost looks like you don’t have a baby under there, but are just covering yourself up with a blanket because you are cold. I had someone comment on that.

What do you think?  Is it appropriate to breastfeed in public whether you are just whipping it out for all to see or using a blanket or nursing cover? Please share your thoughts and opinions, we would love to hear from you.

Image c/o Testing It Up

Preemies are so extra sweet and extra special, but there may be many concerns that arise for you as the parent.  One of those many concerns may be how much your preemie should be fed.  Some new moms still choose to breastfeed their babies even though they feel it may not be enough or may be too much.  Some mothers choose to simply bottle feed their preemies, but how much should a little one like a preemie consume in one feeding?  Here are some tips that I have found to be helpful and hopefully you also will find them helpful as you transition at home with your preemie.

Tips on how to bottle feed your preemie

You have probably figured out by now that bottle feeding is a major challenge for preemies because of the strength and energy that it takes.  Follow these tips suggested by Stacy Connerty over at eHow.com:

- Only begin feeding when you see signs that your little one is actually hungry.  When you see signs such as sucking their fingers, crying, etc., be sure to have the bottle handy to begin feeding your preemie.

- Give your preemie a brief taste of the formula or breast milk by putting a drop on your finger and placing it in her little mouth. Hopefully this will jumpstart her urge to feed.

- Try as much as possible to keep any air out of the bottle. We know this can be the cause of major gas in preemies and newborns.  Consider purchasing bottles that prevent gas.

- Burp your preemie as often as possible and allow her to rest in between feedings.

- Watch for signs that your little one is finished feeding.  Usually a good sign is a baby falling a sleep while feeding.

Every baby is different and only you as the parent know your baby better than anyone else.  Take the time to observe your baby’s every physical sign.  This will be helpful in determining what your preemie needs.

Source: eHow

Image: Preemie Prints

Although simple in shape and design, nursing pillows are an important part to the success and comfort of breastfeeding. Friends and family may have recommendations, but ultimately, you’ll need a pillow that fits you and your needs. Keep our simple tips in mind when choosing a nursing pillow for you and your newborn.

A nursing pillow is important for the following reasons: It allows a comfortable position for the baby to nurse, prevents back pain in the mother and ultimately, encourages breastfeeding.

There are different types of nursing pillows on the market. One of the most popular is the U-shaped pillow that fits around the mother’s waist and puts baby in an optimal position. Moms love these pillows because they’re soft, portable and include washable slipcovers. And, these pillows double up for tummy time for baby.

Another option is a sturdy foam pillow that offers a more customized feel. These pillows form to the baby’s body and create a supportive place for baby to nurse. The advantage is that babies can be placed in a variety of positions, which is especially beneficial during the newborn stage. Included are straps that secure the pillow to the mother’s waist.

If you’re someone who is on-the-go a lot, you may benefit from an inflatable nursing pillow that has a removable cover and straps to secure the pillow. These portable pillows are especially useful, as they contain quick inflatable pumps and back-support pillows.

Image: womenhealthtips.net

All while carrying your precious baby in your belly, you have been advised and encouraged about breastfeeding.  Because it sounds wonderful and the benefits are amazing, you make the decision to do it before your baby is even born.  This is great news.  Of course it is easier said than done for a lot of new moms.  I remember being on board with the decision, thinking it was going to be a breeze and absolute bliss.  Boy was I wrong!

The first few days of breastfeeding I became so discouraged I wanted to give up.  My milk wasn’t coming in as fast as I would have liked it to and my sweet baby wasn’t latching on very easily.  I felt alone and like I couldn’t do it and just thought it would be easier to simply bottle feed.  A friend of mine who nursed 4 of her children gave me endless tips and encouragement.  Finally, it became very easy and was a joy.  The key is to not give up.  Here are some of those tips that I learned and used on all my babies:

Breastfeeding Tips

• It’s important to make yourself as comfortable as possible before breastfeeding.  If you are uncomfortable, then it will become difficult to achieve the proper milk flow and your baby will sense you are not comfortable and will also become uncomfortable.
• After you achieve your comfortable place of nursing, make sure your baby is latching on correctly.  You want his mouth to be completely covering the nipple and areola.  If you hear a gulping sound, it is working swimmingly!
• Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration.  I learned that water helps with your milk supply!
• Refrain from pacifiers or bottles for at least the first month of breastfeeding.  You want your newborn or preemie to adjust to one nipple – your own.
• There are special lotions you can apply to your nipples since they can become cracked, raw and sometimes bleed.  Taking care of yourself will help everything become easier than you could have imagined.
• Hang in there for at least 6 weeks.  If it doesn’t become better after those six weeks, consider another method, but at least try pumping before giving up altogether.

After breastfeeding became easy for the first three months, I was very frustrated! Why?  My sweet babies, all three of them (different ages), decided to completely stop at three months.  Strange isn’t it?  They preferred bottles after that, so I pumped my milk for 6 months and gave it to them in the bottle.  At least they were still getting the best milk a mom could ever give them, mother’s milk! 

So, hang in there!  You can do it!  You are never alone in the breastfeeding world.  You can always talk to a friend or a family member who is experienced or search for online support groups.  There are even books that make it so much easier.

If you have any breastfeeding tips that worked for you that you would like to share, we would love to hear from you!

Image: Wikimedia Commons

OK, so your little one came a bit earlier expected, and she is now out of the NICU. What now?

Temperature is key. Your baby is out in normal air temperature, but that doesn’t mean that she is safe. the temperature of a preemie can dip, and you could even think your thermometer is broken. It is important to learn to take your baby’s rectal temperature right. In the first 2 weeks, check baby’s temp about every 6 hours just to be safe. The best way to protect is to wrap your preemie in layers.

Because your preemie is not fully developed like she should be at her age, you may need to wake her up every 4 or 5 hours (especially during the night) to feed her.

Mother’s breast milk is full of vitamins, extra calories and nutrients that are imperative to your baby’s growth in the first few months. This is especially true for babies who come early. Premature babies have a higher risk of becoming sick because their immune systems are somewhat underdeveloped in the beginning.

Monitor your preemie at all times. If you have any strange feeling that something is not right, contact your pediatrician immediately.

Image c/o BumpBabyandBeyond.com

Whether you are weaning your baby off of breast milk or just simply searching for the right baby formula to supplement with breast milk, which brand is the best and most gentle on your baby’s digestive system?

Because there are so many types of baby formulas out there, I have narrowed down the list to the top 5 baby formula brands that are on the market today.

Top 5 Formula Brands

Enfamil Premium Lipil- This is by far the best brand on the market, though it’s the priciest. It’s the only formula that actually promotes growth and development. It also supports eye and brain development and supports the immune system. It’s the closest formula to resemble mother’s breast milk because it contains DHA and ARA.

Similac Advance Early Shield- This particular formula has prebiotics to aid in proper digestion. It also helps build immunity.

Nestle Good Start- This formula contains comfort proteins also known as whey proteins. It is very gentle on a baby’s digestive system.

Parent’s Choice Milk Infant Formula- This is a Walmart brand and is the closet to the Enfamil brand.

Bright Beginnings Milk Based Infant Formula- This formula contains vegetarian blends and nutrition levels which are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

It’s best to consult your baby’s pediatrician before deciding on the best formula for your baby’s health and well being. Remember, breast milk is the best milk that your baby could ever consume so consider this before shopping for baby formula. If you are unable to nurse at this time for whatever reason, hopefully this list of baby formulas will give you a head start in searching for the proper nutrition for your sweet baby.

Do you give your baby formula or do you nurse? Maybe both? Please feel free to share your experiences with us.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Sources: Enfamil, Similac, Brightbeginnings, Parent Choice Formula

A simple question without simple answers

For some mothers, getting the baby to start breastfeeding was an enormous challenge. They spent so much time reading about breastfeeding, researching ways to get a fussy baby to take to the breast, and consulting lactation specialists that the idea of weaning the baby seems almost unimaginable.

However, weaning is something that must take place for every breastfed child, so the real question is when should you start to wean?

Experts politely disagree

Experts disagree about the ideal time to stop breastfeeding and some researchers even encourage parents to continue breastfeeding as long as the child and mother are both willing and able to do so.

Generally, leaders in this field agree that, if at all possible, it is ideal for the baby to consume only breast milk for the first six months of his or her life. The American Association of Pediatricians encourages mothers to continue breastfeeding along with supplementary foods for another six months, which would mean weaning your infant at 1 year.

However, the World Health Organization doubles this time period in their recommendations, telling mothers to continue breastfeeding for two years if they are able to do so.

Trust your mother’s intuition

So when should you wean your baby from breastfeeding? Only you can make the right choice for your baby and for yourself. If you have to return to work sooner than six months, you may want to consider pumping and storing your breast milk during the day and breastfeeding at night. If this is not possible, make adjustments that work for you.

A real health risk for new mothers

During your pregnancy, your doctor probably warned you about additional precautions you should take against certain illnesses that pregnant women are more susceptible to getting than other adults are.

For example, pregnant women are encouraged to get a flu shot because of the severe complications that can arise when a pregnant woman and her developing child get the flu.

While breastfeeding, you should also be careful of certain threats to your health, as you are more prone to certain things than you were before. Staph infections are one of these things, as women who are breastfeeding are more likely to get this type of infection than most other healthy adults.

What is staph?

Staph infections are a type of bacterial infection that results from a fairly common type of bacteria, staphylococcus aureas. Staph infections can have very mild side effects but they can also develop into severe medical complications.

Preventing staph infections while breastfeeding

As staph bacteria can be found on the skin of about one in four healthy adults, the best way to prevent staph infections is to keep those bacteria from getting into open wounds and killing it whenever possible. Good hygiene is the best defense against bacteria infections of this nature.

Steps you should take to minimize the likelihood of a staph infection while breastfeeding include:

• Frequent hand washing with an anti-bacterial soap
• Sterilize all breast pumping equipment regularly
• Clean and bandage any wounds properly to prevent contamination
• Change bras regularly, especially if your nipples are sore and chaffed