Ask Anne… Answer: Getting an older baby to take a bottle can be challenging. Babies often get pretty set in their ways after the early weeks of nursing, and may decide that milk is supposed to come out of breasts, not bottles, and they just won’t accept a substitute for the real thing. Will he take juice from a bottle? …
Read More »Anne Smith, IBCLC
Older Sister Still Wants To Nurse
Ask Anne… Question: My daughter is 2 1/2 and usually only asks to nurse at bedtime. Sometimes I don’t mind, but other times I feel resentful because I have just finished nursing my one year old son and I feel like she’s manipulating me. I like the closeness with her, but at times I feel so touched out and would …
Read More »Will I be able to nurse my baby with breast implants?
Ask Anne… Question: I am expecting my first child. Is there any way of telling if I will be able to nurse my baby with breast implants – or is it a wait and see? Answer: Any woman who has had breast, chest, or cardiac surgery should check with her surgeon to see if any functional breast tissue was affected …
Read More »Can I give formula during the day and breastfeed only at night?
Ask Anne… Question: I started back to work this week, and I am giving formula during the day and breastfeeding only at night. How much benefit is my baby losing? Answer: Your baby will continue to get the benefits of breastfeeding for as long as he nurses. Any amount of breast milk is beneficial, and your baby will continue to receive …
Read More »When Breastfeeding Doesn’t Work Out
During her pregnancy, every mom thinks about how she will feed her baby when he arrives. Moms know that breast milk is the best choice. Most of them know that doctors are now recommending exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding for a year or more. Most moms want to breastfeed, and try to nurse. In the …
Read More »Nursing During Pregnancy and Tandem Nursing
The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends exclusively breastfeeding your baby for the first six months of life, with no solids or supplements, and continuing to nurse throughout the first year of life and beyond. During the period of exclusive breastfeeding, it is very unlikely that you will become pregnant. However, as more and more mothers recognize the advantages of …
Read More »Lactation Suppression
Once your milk supply is established, weaning abruptly causes certain physical changes. Your breasts will continue to produce milk for a while, and if some isn’t removed, you may become engorged, and possibly develop mastitis. You will also experience a sudden drop in prolaction levels, which may add to your feelings of depression. Here are some suggestions that may minimize your …
Read More »Flat or Inverted Nipples
Mother’s nipples come in many shapes and sizes. While most nipples protrude and are easy for baby to grasp, there are some variations in size and shape that make it difficult for them to nurse successfully. In order for a baby to nurse effectively, he must be able to grasp the nipple and stretch it forward and upward against the …
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