While fish oils such as cod liver oil have been associated with many health benefits, you may be concerned about taking supplements during your pregnancy. While, as with any dietary supplement, side effects are associated with cod liver oil, the...
Healthy eating does not end after a pregnancy. Lactating women must also follow a healthy eating plan to ensure they can produce enough milk to provide their growing newborn with the nutrients he needs to survive. While there are generally fewer...
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, carefully consider everything you eat and drink due to potential side effects for the baby, including any herbs you may be taking. Herbs have acted as natural remedies for a variety of ailments for centuries,...
Breastfeeding is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but you do need to pay attention to your diet and signs from your body to keep yourself and your unborn child healthy. Breast and nipple sensitivity affect some pregnant women, making...
The World Health Organization recommends that women breastfeed their children for at least two years. Some women become pregnant again and choose to continue to breastfeed during their pregnancy and beyond. While women who have healthy pregnancies...
Unfortunately, the hormonal changes that cause swollen breasts during pregnancy affect all women, whether you are breastfeeding or not. These changes are most pronounced at the beginning of your pregnancy, although breasts may be swollen or sore...
Breastfeeding is healthy for both mom and baby, but when there's a new bun in the oven, you may wonder whether or not it is still safe for you to continue nursing your baby. For most women, it's perfectly safe to continue breastfeeding during part...
The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond, but when a twin pregnancy comes into the picture, things can get complicated. Your toddler no longer requires breast milk for sustenance, but it does provide...
AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a serious medical condition with no cure. AIDS results from infection with human immunodeficiency virus or HIV, according to MayoClinic.com. HIV spreads through unprotected sex with an infected...
Most women gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. A lot of women lose most of that baby weight by around six months after giving birth. The hardest weight to lose after having a baby is usually the belly fat. There are some simple yet not commonly...
In most situations, tandem nursing -- continuing to breastfeed one child while pregnant with another -- can be safe and healthy for the mother, baby and older child, before and after delivery. Ask your doctor, midwife, nutritionist or lactation...
If you get pregnant soon after having a baby, it's possible you might still be breastfeeding your baby. Though it is generally safe to continue breastfeeding while you are pregnant, some consequences can make it difficult for you to continue.
Becoming pregnant can pose many challenges while you’re caring for your baby or toddler, but it is possible to look out for everyone’s interests at the same time. Most women will be able to continue to breast-feed while pregnant, but...
When you find out that you are pregnant while still breastfeeding a baby or young child, you might receive conflicting information about the safety of continuing to breastfeed. Like many pregnancy decisions, nursing during pregnancy is one that...
Generations ago, women commonly continued to nurse an older baby or toddler while pregnant with another child. This practice has a long safety record and rarely causes preterm labor; however, pregnancy does alter the quality and quantity of your...
During your pregnancy, you're probably doing everything you can to stay healthy for your unborn baby. Because your behaviors and well-being can directly affect your baby's development, it's important to maintain good nutrition, follow your...
A positive pregnancy test doesn't mean you have to stop nursing your current baby or toddler. Many women choose to continue providing the best nutrition available to their older child while simultaneously preparing for the arrival of a new baby....
Women who are pregnant and breastfeeding require additional amounts of certain nutrients. Most health care practitioners recommend taking prenatal vitamins or multivitamins during pregnancy and while breastfeeding to meet your nutritional needs...
If you become pregnant before your baby is weaned completely, in most cases you can continue to breastfeed during the new pregnancy. Although breastfeeding is possible and even beneficial when pregnant with another baby, it may come with a...
While breastfeeding is sometimes touted as nature's birth control, it's not really a reliable way to prevent pregnancy. Fluctuating hormones while you breastfeed can make family planning confusing and difficult to predict. If you have gotten...
You might have heard that certain foods will affect your breast milk, which might make you question everything you eat. Cranberries are rich in vitamins and packed with antioxidants. Although some foods might irritate your baby, it's not likely...
Breastfeeding can be a special time of bonding, but because babies have very demanding feeding schedules, mothers are often left feeling tired and sore. Although a woman's body prepares instinctively for breastfeeding during pregnancy,...
During breastfeeding, you need to be careful about what you eat and drink. There are two reasons for this: You need good nutrition in order to ensure that you can make quality milk, and you need to avoid potentially harmful compounds that you...
Breast milk provides the best nourishment for babies, and the benefits don't stop after infancy. The longer a child breastfeeds, the longer he gets the immune protection and brain-boosting benefits that his mother's milk provides. But mothers who...
Carrying and delivering a baby can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a woman's life, but it can also cause negative side effects like excessive weight gain. Shedding those pounds after pregnancy can seem like an impossible task, but it...
While breast milk is best for your baby's nutrition and development, the nipple stimulation that naturally occurs when breastfeeding can have effects on your own body. Your nipples are covered in nerves that respond to the natural and gentle touch...
During pregnancy, you are your growing baby's only source of nutrients. Eating a healthy and balanced diet and getting adequate prenatal care will help to ensure that your unborn baby gets all that he needs to develop as he should. Conversely, an...
A vitamin B12 deficiency in infants is rare, but may sometimes be seen in breastfed babies of strict vegetarian mothers. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is only found in meat and other animal products. Most babies have a sufficient supply as...
Preparing for the demands of motherhood requires making healthy choices early in pregnancy. Women who are in good health and have supportive resources are more likely to have have strong pregnancies and are better equipped to care for their...