Neo Natal Care - Breastfeeding

Breast Feeding Tips And Advice For You

2008-01-30T22:50:00.000-08:00

If you are a first time mother, these Breast feeding tips will be very useful to you.

Join a Breast Feeding Class

The benefits of breast feeding classes are that, you can have all your questions answered by experts. Your doctor or your midwife could suggest a class to you. You will be charged a small fee and you can ask questions such as, how to hold the baby while breast-feeding and when and for how long should you breast feed.

A Lactation Consultant

A Lactation consultant advises you on breast feeding. Your doctor or midwife can put you through to a reputed lactation consultant. You could even call your lactation consultant and get your doubts cleared over the phone.

Your Mother’s Breast feeding Advice is the Best

The ideal person to learn breast feeding from is your mother. She has that vital requirement- experience, and the important thing is that, you both are close. Even your sister or a friend is fine, somebody with whom you feel comfortable.

Here Are Some Breast Feeding Tips on a Nursing Mother’s Essential ‘Tools’

A breast-feeding pump- A nursing mother must keep a breast-feeding pump with her. She can use this to collect milk and freeze it for future use. You can also use the pump in a private space in your office, if your breasts leak.

A nursing Cover- A nursing cover is used when you want to breast feed your baby in public. You may want to use a shawl that covers your breasts while you feed.

Lanolin ointment-You need this to apply on your breasts because of the soreness after breast-feeding.

Nursing bras- Wear these nursing bras to help you stay comfortable.

Finally, our advice is that, you read good books and interesting health magazines that tell you how to breast feed your baby and provide you with further breast feeding tips. Remember, the more well read you are about these matters, the better it is for you. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Pregnancy Labor Stage

2008-01-30T22:46:00.000-08:00

We all know that the process of childbirth is called labor. But do we also know that labor is divided into three stages? Pregnancy labor stage one is when the neck of the mother’s uterus dilates from being closed to opening about four inches. Pregnancy labor stage two is when, with the mother’s help, the infant is pushed out of the uterus through the pelvis and the vagina, and the baby and is born. Stage three is when the placenta is delivered.

The First Stage Of Labor

The first stage of labor begins when the mother experiences early labor pains. These false labor pains or contractions are not as painful as the ones that are there when the actual contractions of labor begin. Real labor pains or contractions occur at regular intervals. You will know that you are going into the first stage of labor if you get pain in the small of your back. The pain is also felt around the stomach and pubic region. Your contractions occur at a regular frequency of 20 to 30 minutes. This is the time when you should go to the hospital. The other indication that you may be going into labor is if your ‘water breaks’ and a clear fluid is released. The painful contractions will increase in frequency as labor progresses.

The Second Stage Of Labor

In the second stage, you actively participate in pushing and delivering the baby. By now the frequency of the contractions is one minute. You push to ensure that the baby comes out safe. It is a good time for the father to be around to talk and provide support while you are giving birth. Soon the baby is delivered and you can hold the baby in your arms for the first time. This is a moment of sheer joy.

The Third Stage Of Labor

At this stage, the placenta is delivered. This is the third and last pregnancy labor stage.

Isn’t it beautiful to see how your little one comes into this world and learns to take its first breath outside your womb? For more information visit pregnancy period.

Meditation During Pregnancy- Strengthening And Refreshing The Mind

2008-01-30T22:44:00.000-08:00

Some Time and Space for Your Self

Every one needs some time and space for themselves, especially pregnant mothers. You may eat healthy food and have a well balanced nutritious diet to sustain you through your pregnancy. You may have a good exercise regimen to help your body stay fit. But the mind also needs revitalizing and rejuvenation. Meditation during pregnancy does this for the mind. It de-stresses the mind, and gives you peace and quiet. It also teaches you to endure pain which is inevitable during labor.

Why Meditate During Pregnancy

If the mother is in turmoil and her emotions are topsy-turvy or she suffers from depression during pregnancy, it is may affect the baby too. The baby may be born with an unhappy disposition. That is why meditation during pregnancy is considered important.

How To Start

To start, you may want to enlist your self in a meditation class for beginners or meditate on your own. If you go to a class, you will interact with other moms and share their experiences too. There will be an instructor who will guide you through the right techniques of meditation. Soon you can do these on your own.

If You Decide To Meditate On Your Own

If however you decide not to enlist in a class but to meditate at home, here are a few pointers. Find yourself a place that is quiet and peaceful. Do not allow any one to disturb you while meditating. Close your eyes and focus on a particular object, it could be anything that gives you peace of mind. Many people prefer to focus on a picture of their God or place of worship.

Two Forms of Meditation

Reiki and Vipasana are two forms of meditation. Choose your form of meditation. Choose any form that makes you feel good about yourself. Getting a good Vipasana or Reiki Instructor to guide you in the beginning is a good idea. You can read more about the benefits of meditation during pregnancy in health and fitness books, good magazines or even on the net.

Is Your Exercise Routine In The Third Trimester Designed To Prepare You For Child Birth?

2008-01-30T22:39:00.000-08:00

Exercise Is Good For You

The loss of flexibility and weight gain during the third trimester of pregnancy means that, surprisingly, exercise is good for you during this time. Low impact workouts can work wonders for a mother to be and provide the required relief from aches and pains.

You Require a Special Exercise Regimen during the Third Trimester

You require special exercises during the third trimester pregnancy, designed specifically according to your needs. If you have not been much of an exerciser pre pregnancy or been a couch potato, now is not the time to start vigorous exercise. Do some mild forms of exercise that relax you and rejuvenate your body.

Should you be Swimming In the Third Trimester?

Walking is a great exercise during pregnancy. You may want to swim during this stage of pregnancy to experience weightlessness in the water and the relaxation it makes you feel, but ask your doctor or your fitness trainer as to which strokes are safe and which are unsafe you and the child inside you.

The super benefit of Endorphins and Exercise

Did you know that, when you exercise, your body releases a hormone called endorphin, which helps you feel happy and relaxed? So keep away from that depression, by getting your trainer to suggest a great exercise routine for your third trimester.

The Benefits of Yoga and Breathing Exercises during This Stage

Your doctor or fitness instructor may suggest Yoga, which is great for you and your baby. Yoga is a great way to stretch your tired muscles, however, do not overstretch your body at this stage, as it can cause untold harm to the baby inside you. In addition, breathing exercises offer a great form of relaxation.

Exercises You must Avoid during the Third Trimester

Just make sure that you avoid any exercise that makes you breathless during the third trimester. Avoid exercise that may cause you abdominal injury. Completely avoid any strenuous exercises and jerky movements, get up slowly while exercising.

Stop Breastfeeding by Slowly Weaning Your Baby

2007-12-04T05:24:00.000-08:00

Stop Breast feeding-Weaning the Baby

While different cultures suggest different times to stop breast-feeding, the World Health Organization recommends nursing your infant for at least two years after pregnancy. It is said that a mother should breast feed the baby for as long as you can feed it.

A Baby Feels Good While Breast Feeding

According to anthropologists, a child stops breast-feeding any where between two and half years to seven years. It is quite understandable that a mother will meet with resistance, if she tries weaning before this age.

Research shows that a baby feels good while breast-feeding. The heart rate drops, stress levels, and blood pressure drop as well. A baby likes the taste of the milk and cuddling up to its mom.

You should not consider stopping breast-feeding too early, because the benefits of breast-feeding are many. In fact, if you have a breast problem, talk to your lactation consultant or to a medical specialist.

If You Must Wean Your Baby

If you must wean your baby, preferably do it slowly. You may want to get back to work as soon as possible. So stop breast milk slowly, while encouraging the baby to drink formula bottle milk. Observe the baby for any allergic reaction to the formula milk. There are also fewer chances of you suffering engorgement of breasts when you wean slowly. The other advantages are that, immunity levels in the breast milk increase during slow weaning and give the baby protection against infection.

How to Wean Your Baby

Substitute a day breast feed with a formula feed. If the baby does not develop an allergic reaction, after a few days, you can also substitute the evening feeds with a formula feed.

You can also start weaning by breastfeeding just enough to make you stay comfortable. You may need a supportive bra and a milk pain reliever.

You can decrease milk supply by drinking sage tea at least thrice a day for a week.

You can also stop breast feeding and feed your baby formula milk while you pump milk from your breasts to maintain the milk supply, and at the same time observe whether your baby has taken to formula feeding.

You will do well to wean your baby away slowly. Your breast may appear full for five to ten days after complete weaning, but unless you develop mastitis, you should not be concerned.

Sometimes, when you stop breast-feeding and start formula feeding, your baby may show a negative reaction in the form of a lot of crying, increased spitting or vomiting, watery stools, body rashes, and redness around the rectum.

You should wean away your baby slowly and stop breast-feeding. Read more about this in health magazines and books, to help you get more information about how and when to stop breast-feeding.

Neo Natal Care - Right Breastfeeding Position

2007-12-04T04:37:00.001-08:00

Some Useful Positions for Breast-feeding

You are in the nursing stage. You are worried that your baby does not get enough nourishment, because you are unsure of the right positions for breast-feeding. Sometimes, your baby cries a lot and you are wondering if you hold your baby in the right position for breast-feeding.

Well, here is some help on how to hold your baby the right way during breast-feeding, so that you are comfortable and your baby can have a proper feed too.

The Cradle Hold

The cradle hold is the most common position of all. Sit with the baby in your lap and put the baby’s head in the crook of your elbow. Put your baby’s chest against your chest, so it does not have to turn to latch on to your breast.

Cross Cradle Hold

In the cross cradle hold, you keep the baby’s head in your hand. This is a position that first time mothers often use as they learn to breast feed. It helps maintain a good control of the baby’s head, as it suckles on your breast.

Reclining Position

The reclining position is a good night time position. The baby lies on its side, facing you as you lie on your side too. The baby’s head is at your breast. Make sure that the baby in this position is able to breathe from its nose. You can both go to sleep while feeding in this position. Do not forget to feed the baby from both your breasts or you may have a plugged duct in the other breast.