Breastfeeding a baby takes a great deal of time and commitment. During the first few months of life, the mother must be readily available to feed her infant. Each nursing session can last 20 minutes or more. It is for these reasons that some...
While some women find breast-feeding to be a calming, natural and positive experience, others struggle with the pain and sensitivity that can often accompany providing nourishment for your baby. Nipple sensitivity can range from mild discomfort to...
Nursing is an important bonding experience between mother and child that also provides health benefits for both. Producing breastmilk requires a lot of calories each day, so make sure you eat and drink enough so your body can make high-quality milk.
Many women are eager to get back to their pre-pregnancy size and shape after giving birth but at the same time want to provide their child with the best possible nutrition through breastfeeding. Bodybuilding or regular weight training is safe for...
Fenugreek is an herb--commonly available in seed form--used both for cooking and medicinal purposes. One of the traditional medical uses for the seeds is to stimulate milk production in nursing mothers, according to the National Center for...
Newborns are notorious for spitting up, and usually, regular spitting up is normal. However, in some cases, spitting up can be a sign of reflux, which results in gastric acid flowing up from the stomach through the esophagus. Reflux can occur in...
Reflux is the abbreviated term for gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The American Academy of Pediatrics defines reflux as a weakness of the lower portion of the esophagus, which allows stomach contents to enter and burn the lining. In...
Ambien, generic name zolpidem, is a prescription sleep aid. Doctors prescribe Ambien for short-term use only, as it may contribute to depression, anxiety and dependency over the long-term. A lactating mother must also consider how the medication...
Red blood cells help provide oxygen to the body tissues. Their deficiency leads to a condition called anemia that is characterized by fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain and problems in concentration and thinking. Chronic...
Green tea is revered by many people for its many reputed health benefits. While considered one of the healthier teas you can drink, green tea is not always the best choice when it comes to breastfeeding. Green tea is safe in small quantities, but...
A lump in the breast alarms most women under normal circumstances. Breastfeeding mothers have added cause for concern, as they may wonder how a lump could affect their babies. In most cases, however, a lump in a lactating breast is not too serious...
A breast lump alarms most women under normal circumstances, but breastfeeding mothers might also worry about how the lump could affect their babies. While many women immediately fear breast cancer, they should rest assured that it is extremely...
Breastfeeding not only nourishes your baby, but also helps you burn a significant number of calories. This means that you might be able to eat more while you are breastfeeding and still lose those pregnancy pounds. Consult your doctor if you have...
Breastfeeding is the optimal form of nutrition for infants as long as the mother follows an appropriate diet. The American Dietetic Association recommends exclusively breastfeeding an infant for the first 6 months of life and breastfeeding with...
Deciding between formula feeding and breast-feeding is one of the first choices you will have to make on your baby’s behalf. Although breast-feeding may not be an option for all women, most pediatric health experts believe that human milk...
When you take your baby in for a checkup, the nurse or doctor will weigh her and plot the results on a chart containing average baby weights. Based on this chart, the doctor will be able to tell you whether her weight is normal and healthy based...
Breastfeeding mothers need plenty of vitamins and minerals in their diet in order to give their rapidly developing babies all the nutrition they need. While many women can get enough nutrition from their diet alone, others continue to take...
Whether her congestion results from seasonal allergies or a cold, a breastfeeding mother may wonder what she can do to help herself without hurting her baby. She should seek treatment while the discharge remains clear in color, as yellow or green...
Almost 750,000 teens become pregnant each year in the United States, estimates The Guttmacher Institute. Fifty-nine percent of those pregnancies result in birth. Some teen moms are often left with little support from friends, family and the father...
Magnesium stearate, a compound of magnesium salts and stearic acid, often appears as an inactive ingredient in medications and supplements. Although the FDA reports that magnesium stearate is generally recognized as safe, some natural healers and...
Obesity affects children of all ages and is detected even in babies at 6 months old. In the past, pediatricians did not focus on obesity in babies and rarely recorded such conditions in their monitoring. Now that the obesity epidemic continues to...
There are a wide variety of government resources available for single pregnant mothers who meet certain income guidelines. State and Federal resources provide everything from healthcare and food supplements to nutritional counseling and other...
Many mothers choose to nurse their babies because breastfeeding has several benefits. The Natural Resources Defense Council explains that it provides superior nutrition and helps infants resist illness when they are young and later in life. The...
A healthy diet is so important during the special nine months of pregnancy. In fact, it's important to live a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet even before you are pregnant. Eating the right diet that is rich in important vitamins and...
Poor positioning and an improper latch from your breastfeeding baby are the usual causes of cracked nipples. On top of the pain caused by the cracking, bleeding is a possible side effect. Self-care methods help the cracks heal and the pain...
Breastfeeding after a C-section can be challenging, and trying to nurse two babies at once can be even more overwhelming. Not only do you need to make sure both babies get enough to eat, but you also need to keep pressure off your abdomen so your...
As mothers and health experts learn about the nutritional benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby, health-care centers offer more support and encouragement for nursing mothers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Breastfeeding Report...
For most pregnant teens, a healthy diet includes more --- but not too many more --- calories. Ask your doctor or other health worker what she recommends for you and your baby.
Two different people can be on a 2,000 calorie diet that is healthy for weight maintenance, but require different amounts of vitamins because of their gender, age and other factors. Use established recommendations, such as the Dietary Reference...
