Getting Ready to Breastfeed

Mentally
Be prepared for the amount of time that breastfeeding will take, but be assured that it's time well spent. (A newborn may feed every two to three hours, and each feeding can take up to 40 to 50 minutes or as little as 10 - 15 minutes per side.)

Your baby will benefit from this bonding time as much as from the perfect balance of nutrients he gets for his growing body.

Be proud of your changing body and the fact that you're able to produce food for your baby.

Breast care
Wash your breasts as you normally would during your regular shower or bath, using a mild, nondrying soap.

Use pure lanolin (Lansinoh) instead of scented lotions if you develop sore or cracked nipples once you begin breastfeeding.

If you have inverted nipples, contact a lactation consultant through your physician. Experts there can remedy the problem or provide suggestions to help you overcome any difficulties.

Back care
When you breastfeed, sit in a chair that provides good back support and has arm rests so you can comfortably sit up straight. For added comfort, elevate your feet on a footstool and use a Nursing Pillow. You can also use a nursing pillow which will bring your baby closer to you. I used this after my c-section, and it was a Godsend! It has now become Christian's favorite pillow!

Tone your back with upper-body bends, gentle forward bends, back presses and trunk twists. (Before beginning any exercise program, check with your doctor.) As your baby grows bigger, you'll find that carrying him will require strong and flexible back muscles.

Wear a nursing bra that provides plenty of support and is comfortable. While some may seem a little pricey, remember, it is the support that is needed! My bra size went from 38DD to 42DD, and that support is needed. Also, the right nursing bra can make all the difference in the world in helping when trying to nurse discreetly! ;)

Nutritionally
A lactating mom needs about 500 more calories per day than a nonlactating mom. That's even more calories than you needed during your pregnancy!

Eat a balanced diet from all of the food groups and make your calories count by eating high-quality, nutrient-rich foods. You need plenty of nutrients to help your body repair muscle and tissue, keep your skin healthy, strengthen your immune system, and maintain your energy.

Eat well to stay healthy. During lactation, your body first uses whatever nutrients are necessary to make breastmilk. So even if your diet isn't perfect, your breastmilk still will be completely nutritious. Although your baby will get a balanced diet even if you don't, she needs more than nutrients. She needs a healthy mom, too.

Don't worry about losing weight. Most breastfeeding moms' bodies don't allow them to lose those last 10 to 15 pounds because these fat stores are needed for nursing. Instead, concentrate on eating right and getting enough exercise to help you slowly get back to your prepregnancy weight.

Good-eating tip
A breastfeeding mom needs 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium each day. The obvious sources are milk (300 mg per cup) and cheese (150 to 200 mg per ounce, except for cream cheese and cottage cheese), but for a little variety, try these ideas:

Thicken soups and sauces with evaporated skim milk. It has more than twice the calcium of regular skim milk.

Add several tablespoons of nonfat dry milk powder to skim milk to increase the calcium content without increasing the fat. Each tablespoon adds 50 mg of calcium. Also add nonfat dry milk powder to soups, fruit smoothies, puddings and hot cereals.

Dark green leafy vegetables

Stack crackers with canned salmon with bones (2 ounces of salmon contain 150 mg of calcium).

Sip a 6-ounce glass of calcium-enriched orange juice (200 mg of calcium).

I purchased this book while I was pregnant, and I got some VERY good ideas, tips and selective menus. The Meat and Potatoes of Breastfeeding. It also made it easier on my husband to help him prepare meals for me in the beginning, when I was devastated by ALL DAY morning sickness - and towards the end of my pregnancy, when the LAST I thing wanted to do was cook anybody's dinner - even for myself!

Breastfeeding for the First Time

For those of you who are planning to breastfeed for the first time, or may have already started, and are storing breastmilk, I thought the following information would be helpful.

Mature milk

15 degrees C (59-60 degrees F) --24 hrs
19-22 degrees C (66-71.6 degrees F) -- 10 hrs
25 degrees C (79 degrees F) -- 4-8 hrs
refrigerated 0-4 degrees C (32-39 degrees F) -- 8 days

Frozen milk

Freezer compartment located inside a refrigerator -- 2 weeks
(very few 'modern' household fridge/freezers are like this)

Separate door refrigerator/freezer -- 3 or 4 months
(temperature varies because the door opens frequently) (This is the more common type)

• Separate deep freeze at constant -19 degrees C (0 degrees F) 6 months or longer

Thawed milk
If milk has been frozen and thawed, it can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours for later use. It should not be refrozen. It is not known whether milk that is left in the bottle after a feeding can be safely kept until the next feeding or if it should be discarded.

6 Proven Steps To Get Your Baby Crawling In No Time

Step 1: Place your baby on his/her stomach on a carpet on the floor.

Step 2: Gently hold Baby by the elbows and draw both elbows towards Baby's body as if Baby wants to lie on his/her elbows. Continue to provide support.

Step 3: Measure, or try to get some measure of the distance between the floor and Baby's upper body in the supported position.

Step 4: Get a roller with approximately the same diameter as you've just measured. Rollers are soft cylindrical shaped toys... preferably solid. You do get inflatable ones, but solid ones normally last much longer and can also be a valuable aid to get Baby to sit and walk. The roller will be placed underneath Baby's upper body for support. It's important that you don't buy the roller too big. Baby's elbows must still reach the floor when lying on the roller.

Step 5: Put the roller underneath Baby's upper body... arms hanging over the front of the roller. This supported position also allow Baby to lift his/her head and discover the surroundings.

Step 6: Get down on the floor directly in front of Baby, face towards Baby. Now, let Baby look at your face while you talk to, amuse and encourage Baby

Baby Home Proof

The first twelve months of a baby's life is an exciting time for parents who will witness their baby's first smile, first laugh and even its first steps. The next twelve months can be equally exciting, but also dangerous if safety isn't foremost in the parent's minds. The national S.A.F.E. (Smoke Alarms For Every) Home Foundation, Inc. offers the following checklist to help "baby proof" your home.
1. Are matches and cigarette lighters kept out of children's reach or in a childproof container?
2. Do family members have a rule never to hold a small child while handling hot liquids, such as a cup of coffee or a pot of hot water?
3. Are hot liquids placed out of child's reach? Remember that young children will pull a tablecloth off a table.
4. Are small children not allowed to play in the kitchen? Not only could they burn themselves on a hot stove, but also an adult could fall over them while removing a pan, and carrying hot food from the stove.
5. Are electrical outlet covers on all unused outlets?
6. Are electric cords in good condition and out of reach of children, especially in the teething stage?
7. Do family members know never to leave a small child unattended in the bathtub. Not only could this create a drowning problem, but a potential scald burn also.
8. Have you installed door stops and safety knobs to prevent children from opening forbidden doors? Remember to also use adaptable latches and locks for medicine cabinets and cabinets containing cleaners or other poisonous substances.

Bringing Baby Home First Four Month Postpartum

Learn to Cut Corners. Let the dishes accumulate in the sink and leave the carpets unvacuumed for as long as possible. Give yourself permission to set aside as much time as possible for rest and relaxation. After all, your top priorities at this stage in your life should be taking care of your baby and yourself!
1. Stay Connected Keep in touch with the other new parents you met at prenatal class, and take advantage of the opportunity to compare notes on your babies' sleeping, eating, and crying patterns.
2. Accept the Realities of Parenting a Newborn. You might not be happy about the fact that you haven't had a decent night's sleep since before your baby's arrival, but you'll do yourself and your baby a favour if you learn to accept the fact that your life is going to be topsy-turvy for at least the foreseeable future. Rather than trying to force your new baby into adopting sleeping patterns for which he or she simply isn't ready, focus your energies on enjoying this special time in your lives.
3. Get out of the House. Nothing can add to your stress level more than being housebound day after day with a new baby - particularly if he or she is fussy! Whether you decide to take the baby for a brisk winter walk or for a leisurely stroll through the mall, it's important to do whatever it takes to avoid getting cabin fever.
4. Don't Worry About Spoiling Your Baby. Ignore any well-meaning relatives who warn you against the evils of "spoiling" your baby. It simply isn't possible to spoil a newborn. Responding quickly to his cries simply teaches him to trust the world around him - something that will ultimately lead to a much happier baby! In fact, a study at Johns Hopkins University during the early 1970s revealed that those babies whose cries were responded to quickly cried less at age one than those babies whose cries were not responded to quite so promptly.
5. Discover Your Baby's Likes - and Dislikes. If your baby tends to be fussy at a particular time of the day, try to discover what works best to soothe her. Since no two babies are exactly alike, you'll be engaged in some heavy-duty detective work until you discover the techniques that work best for your baby. Accept Any And All Offers Of Help. This is no time to be a martyr! If friends and family members express a willingness to pitch in, take them up on their offers to help. Put them to work taking care of domestic chores like cooking and cleaning so that you will have more time to relax and enjoy your new baby.

Baby food information

You may like to replace breast milk or formula milk with whole milk, when the child is one year old. Low fat or skim milk is not good for children as they need fat for growth.

1. Your child should be given fruits, vegetables, breads, grains, and the dairy products to ensure all nutrients.

2. Give to eat them 4-5 times throughout the day, because toddlers and small children can not eat much at a time. Follow the principles of the Food Guide Pyramid, portions and number of servings are less for children. Opened baby food containers should be covered and stored in a refrigerator for not more than two days.

3. Give only one new food at a time and watch for any allergic reactions.

Avoid foods such as nuts, popcorn, potato chips, corn, grapes, raisins, etc. These foods may choke the baby.

4. Do not give sweets or sweetened beverages as they contribute to tooth decay.

5. Do not give soft drinks, coffee, tea, and chocolate. Do not give any vitamin supplements. A child´s diet may be deficient in calcium, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and folic acid. Healthy children should get all their nutrients from foods. Standard pediatric multi-vitamins may be given if your pediatrician recommends it. Do not feed solids in a bottle. Avoid giving bottle with milk or fruit juice to the baby lying in bed. This can develop nursing bottle mouth that may result in tooth decay.

First Foods For Babies

Rice Cereal:

Combine 1 teaspoon of rice cereal with enough breastmilk or formula or boiled water to produce a thick consistency.
Oatmeal:

Combine 1 tablespoon rolled oats and 1 tablespoon cold water. Stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons hoit water. Bring to a boil, stirring, and then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 minute. Puree' with enough breastmilk or formula to produce the consistency you require.
Poached/Boiled Fruit:

Peel, core and slice 1 apple, peach or pear and put in a small pan with 2 tablesppons water. bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until soft and pulpy, adding more water as required. Puree' with a little boiled water to make 1/2 cup of fruit.
Rice Cereal and Poached Fruit:

Combine 1 teaspoon rice cereal with 1 teaspoon of poached/boiled fruit or mashed banana. Add enough breastmilk, formula or boiled water to produce a soft but not runny, cereal.
Baby Cereal With Fruit And Yogurt:

For older babies, mix together baby cereal, poached fruit, baby yogurt and breastmilk, formula or boiled water to produce the desired consistency.

Baby Care Washing Tips

1. One tip that seems obvious but is often ignored ? the manufacturers washing instructions that you will find in the garment labels. Manufacturers of fabric spend vast amounts of money to find out what are the best washing conditions for their goods. So always try and wash as instructed, it does help clothes last longer.
2. Use a fabric protector to spray collars, cuffs and knees of garments, any spills will form into beads and can be easily wiped clean.
3. Get grimy soiled socks clean by soaking them in a water and washing soda solution before washing.
4. White cotton socks can be revitalised by boiling them in water with a slice of lemon.
5. Instead of bleach add vinegar to the water as an alternative.
6. Sneakers can be kept looking new by spraying them with starch before wearing them for the first time ? this will stop dirt from getting embedded.
7. A soap filled scouring pad is great for sneakers or any fabric shoes.
8. Rub white shoes with a raw potato cut in half, or alcohol, before cleaning. Keep them white by spraying with hairspray ? This prevents the polish from coming off and keeps them looking new.

Baby Clothes - Hints and Tips Maximizing Wear

1. Sleep suit getting too short? ? For comfort cut off the feet and you will get another month s wear, at least.
2. Add another tier to a tiered skirt, by using identical or contrasting material.
3. Trousers or jeans that have become too short, or worn at the knees ? can be cut down and made into shorts for the summer.
4. Make summer pyjamas by cutting off the arms and legs of a pair of winter pyjamas.
5. Don't throw away an expensive jacket if your child has out grown it ? remove the sleeves and turn it into a smart waistcoat for your child.
6. When you've let down a pair of jeans or dungarees, you can normally see a white line where the fabric has been creased. Make it less noticeable by blending it into the fabric by running a dark blue crayon along the line. A fountain pen or indelible marker also works.

Baby Clothes Hints and Tips (Buying)

Baby clothes are really expensive, and because your child grows so fast in the first couple of years, these clothes are going to have a very short life. To maximise the wear we need to look at how we take care of them, how we can get wear from them, for longer and how we might save money, if we buy the right things initially.

1. The first thing to remember when buying children's clothing is, they must be comfortable to wear, easy to put on and above all else, washable.
2. Buy clothes with elasticated waistbands and trousers or skirts with shoulder straps. This makes letting down or adjusting easier.
3. Buy socks without shaped heels they can then grow with your child. Try to stick to one or two colors and brands ? this way you will always have a replacement if you lose one.
4. Put extra buttons on dungaree, skirt or dress straps ? This way you can lengthen them as your child grows.
5. Always try to buy natural fibres, rather than man made .The man made fibres don't breathe as well as natural fibres and this can cause your child to get too hot, especially in summer.