Breastfeeding is a healthy choice for new mothers and it helps to provide your baby with the important nutrients she needs for healthy growth and development. Some women may find their milk supply lacking, or have problems with breastfeeding, and...
The need to pay close attention to your diet does not end with pregnancy if you plan on breast-feeding your child. While the general tenets of healthy eating apply, such as a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fat and...
Diet and nutrition are crucial to your unborn baby's growth and development. Not eating enough high quality food during pregnancy can lead to health risks for you and the fetus. According to Dr. William Sears, a pediatrician and author of more...
Lactation is the process of producing breast milk to feed a baby. Hormones produced during pregnancy prepare the body to lactate once the baby is born. The Women's Guide to the University of Chicago notes that lactating women need 500 extra...
Pregnancy and lactation require you to increase the amount of certain vitamins that you consume. Your growing baby will take the vitamins it needs from your body, which may leave you deficient. During breast feeding, your baby will get what she...
Once you've established breastfeeding with your newborn baby, your next course of action may be to try to lose some of the lingering baby weight. A healthy pregnancy may cause you to gain anywhere from 25 to 35 pounds; while some of that will come...
Babies weigh approximately 8 lbs. at birth on average, but the average mother gains around 30 lbs. After the baby makes its grand entrance into the world, that leaves the mother with quite a bit of weight to take off. Going slowly and steadily is...
Breastfeeding is the natural way to nourish a baby. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding is best for both babies and mothers. Breast milk provides a baby with antibodies that protect from various diseases. Benefits for a...
Fenugreek powder is derived from grinding the seeds of the fenugreek plant, which is an erect herb that grows in southern Europe and Asia, according to Purdue University's horticulture department. It is one of the oldest cultivated medical plants,...
Black catechu is an herb generally used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, diarrhea and gastrointestinal disorders. Allina Hospitals and Clinics list additional uses for black catechu as mouthwash for oral and throat-related...
Your milk glands, also known as mammary glands, are located in your breasts and produce milk to support the early growth and development of your child. The National Women's Health Information Center reports that breast milk contains important...
A menstrual cycle consists of several phases during each month. The final phase of the cycle is a menstrual period. The menstrual period, also referred to as menstruation, is the shedding of the lining in the uterus. Amenorrhea is the absence of...
Alfalfa is a perennial, flowering plant that produces roots growing up to 30 feet into the earth. Its flowers, leaves and seeds have been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries, both as a general health tonic and to treat several...
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it is not stored by the body and needs to be replenished frequently in order to provide optimal health benefit. Like any dietary supplement, excessive doses of vitamin C can cause unpleasant...
As nipple piercing grows in popularity, more women with pierced nipples will experience pregnancy and lactation. Women with pierced nipples who want to breastfeed typically have the same opportunities and expected chances of success as women who...
Pyridoxine, also called vitamin B-6, is a nutrient your body needs to convert the food you consume each day into energy your cells can use. Although a pyridoxine deficiency is rare, insufficient supplies of this nutrient may lead to nervousness,...
Commonly, hair loss is associated with middle-aged men, yet hair loss also affects women. Vitamins and minerals are needed by the body for proper functioning, including hair growth. Iron is one of the essential nutrients your body needs. A...
Shatavari, scientifically known as Asparagus racemosus, has been used for generations as a natural medicine. Shatavari is commonly used in Ayurveda, an Indian holistic healing discipline, but increasingly the medicinal properties of the plant are...
Breast pain is a common problem for many women, though men can also experience breast pain and tenderness. Women with painful breasts may notice pain feels cyclical, or occurs during the same time each month, and can occur in one or both breasts....
Headaches are common health problems but not always a sign of serious illness. They can occur unexpectedly and interfere with daily life. Headaches vary greatly in pain location, intensity and frequency. If headaches occur three or more times per...
Pregnancy places heavy physiological demands on a woman's body, so it is important to get adequate nutrition for the health of the growing fetus. Folate requirements increase by 50 percent during pregnancy. Inadequate intakes of folate are...
Nails are made of many layers dead keratin protein cells, which are similar to hair and skin cells. The hard part of the nail, called the nail plate, protects the sensitive skin underneath, called the nail bed. The material that makes up the nail...
Your pituitary gland, a small, hormone-secreting gland located along the base of your brain, controls a number of physiological processes. The hormones secreted by the gland regulate growth and sexual maturity, blood pressure, metabolism,...
Borago officinalis, commonly referred to as borage, is an annual plant found throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. The flowers have historically been consumed as a food, while the leaves and seeds have been used medicinally since the Middle...
When you look at vitamin charts, you often find liver as a good source of a number of different nutrients, including iron, folate and vitamin A. While liver may be a nutrient-rich food, its high vitamin A content can be toxic to certain...
Protein is a macronutrient, or one needed in the diet in large quantities. According to the Institute of Medicine, 10 to 35 percent of a person's total calories should come from protein. This nutrient serves many functions in the human body. The...
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, plays an important role in a variety of bodily functions, like nerve transmission and energy production. Although most people obtain enough B6 from dietary sources, your doctor might recommend a supplement if...
Boneless skinless chicken breasts are a convenient and healthy choice for meals. Chicken breasts are an affordable and practical way to add protein to your meals without adding significant amounts of fat. Baking can produce a flavorful and moist...
Sunflower seeds make a very healthy snack because they taste great and are packed with protein, monounsaturated fats, and all sorts of vitamins and minerals, including zinc. Those who need more of this important mineral can easily add sunflower...
