Breast milk is a baby’s first food, so shouldn’t we know what’s in it? Surprisingly, we don’t know as much as we probably should. We know more about the contents of wine, coffee and tomatoes than we do about breast milk. For example, we only recently discovered that when a baby’s saliva is … [Read more...]
“I’m Sick. Can I Still Breastfeed?”
February 3, 2017 By
It’s almost always okay (and actually beneficial) to continue breastfeeding while you’re sick. In some instances, you may want to take a brief break or “pump and dump,” but those situations are rare and should be discussed with your doctor. Your body has an amazing capacity to transfer antibodies … [Read more...]
Why Pediatricians Recommend Breastfeeding 6 Months or Longer
December 12, 2016 By
Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience for both a new mom and baby, but it can also be difficult. Many new moms fear they aren’t producing enough milk or experience common, often painful, issues like mastitis or thrush, which leaves them wondering if it’s truly worth the effort. The American … [Read more...]
Common Breastfeeding Problem #3: “How do I know if I have a plugged duct or mastitis?”
August 19, 2016 By
If you’re in the throes of breastfeeding, you may find yourself dealing with a plugged duct. Plugged ducts are very common among breastfeeding moms, especially if your baby is not latching well or if you’ve recently decreased feedings because you’ve gone back to work. When you have a plugged … [Read more...]
Warm Hugs: Benefits of Skin-to-Skin Contact in Postpartum Care
August 5, 2016 By
Nothing calms you down better than a hug from your mom. Several research studies have shown that newborns need skin-to-skin contact (or “kangaroo care”) to truly thrive, particularly right after birth. That initial parent-child connection is even vital to a child’s future development. What … [Read more...]
Understanding the Apgar Score
July 7, 2016 By
Just after a baby is born, a doctor, midwife or nurse performs a quick test on the newborn and gives he or she an Apgar score. The test is typically completed one minute after birth and again five minutes later. The goal is to evaluate the baby’s health and determine if he or she requires any … [Read more...]
What is Umbilical Cord Prolapse?
June 27, 2016 By
Umbilical cord prolapse occurs when the umbilical cord falls through the cervix to the birth canal before the baby does. This complication can occur both during pregnancy and during labor, potentially causing a serious threat to the baby. The umbilical cord is the baby’s lifeline, so when … [Read more...]
Common Breastfeeding Problem #2: “It’s so painful!”
May 30, 2016 By
Women who don’t have a close friend or relative to talk to about breastfeeding often aren’t aware of some of the common issues that arise at the beginning and throughout baby’s first year. In our first common breastfeeding problems blog, we talked about low milk production. (Read more about how … [Read more...]
Common Breastfeeding Problems: “I’m not producing enough milk”
May 10, 2016 By
Breastfeeding is a natural thing, so it should come easy, right? It’s not as easy as you might think. The CDC stated in their 2014 Breastfeeding Report Card that “Of infants born in 2011, 49% were breastfeeding at 6 months and 27% at 12 months.” Why the big drop in numbers? There are a variety … [Read more...]
Should Pregnant Women Get the Flu Shot? Absolutely
December 1, 2015 By
Pregnant women are often discouraged from many things, such as eating too much, exercising too hard, or drinking and smoking. However, there is one thing that is not discouraged: getting a flu shot – no matter which trimester you are in. The CDC states: “Flu is more likely to cause severe … [Read more...]
