Common Breastfeeding Problems

Common Breastfeeding Problems

Common Breastfeeding Problems

by Wendi Blaire, author of “Hello Milk, Bye Bye Milk”

Breastfeeding-related discomfort is common and easily solved. Here are the common breastfeeding problems, their causes, and their methods of treatment.

 Nipple soreness – This is usually caused by the condition of your nipple (too moist or too dry) and the improper positioning of your baby while you are breastfeeding him. To soothe dry nipples, use olive oil or lanolin ointments. When your baby begins to teethe, he may chew on your nipple, so provide him with something to chew on before you breastfeed.

 Breast engorgement – This is a common and painful condition for breastfeeding and weaning mothers. The buildup of milk and blood constricts the blood vessels inside the breast. What you can do if you are suffering from breast engorgement is to simply relax in a comfortable position and use a warm water bottle or a heating pad to soothe the sore breast. To avoid breast fullness, you may want to breastfeed more frequently.

 Mastitis. Breast infection or mastitis can present itself with symptoms ranging from fever, muscle soreness, and breast tenderness. Mastitis may be a result of physical exhaustion, emotional stress, skipped feedings, plugged milk ducts, severe breast engorgement, cracked nipples, and improper choice of bra. A tight maternity bra encourages infection. Mastitis can be treated by natural remedies like warm compresses, rest, and switching to an appropriate maternity bra. Antibiotics must be your last resort. Take note that even with mastitis, you can safely breastfeed your baby. In fact, breastfeeding can help clear the problem.

 Thrush. Caused by the yeast Candida albicans, thrush is a rare yeast infection which usually results during or after a course of antibiotics. So, skip antibiotics if you can and resort to other treatment methods that do not alter the balance of microbial flora in your body. The symptoms of thrush are redness in the nipples, breast discomfort, and redness in your baby’s mouth. Antifungal medication prescribed by a healthcare provider is used to treat thrush. But you can opt for natural ways to eliminate it – probiotics, for example. Yogurt intake counters yeast and restores the bacteria-yeast balance in your body.

Wendi Blaire is the author of “Hello Milk, Bye-Bye Milk: An Expert Mom's Ultimate Guide to Breastfeeding and Weaning.” To learn more about weaning, go to http://www.weaningbreastfeeding.com/ To check out Wendi Blaire’s book, visit http://www.byebyebreastfeeding.com

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Playtime is learning time

Playtime is learning time

Having a growing infant is fun and exciting and there’s so much joy of having a baby learn new skills and says and imitates sounds and sometimes words. Parents love this stage of their children where they can see some progress on their kid’s development. Parents have learned that the best way for children to learn new things is through playing, so lots of parents spends a lot of money on educational toys but does not really know the best toy they can give their child is themselves.

Nothing is more important for a child than spending quality time with their parents. Of course it is important that your kids have toys they can play and explore with. But having parents there to play with them is even better.

When you have a new born baby in your home the best way you can help your baby to enhance his is her motor skills and senses is to play with her. The first few weeks of your baby in your home is mostly spent sleeping enjoy the awake moments of your child by holding him or her into you or playing with her or his body this is a good exercise for them as well.

As the child grows more active playing is needed and more toys are needed to help them develop proper physical skills and intellectual. As your child grows it also means their energy is growing too. That also means more playtime with mommy and daddy, either at home or outdoor.

I f you have a playground or simple play set in your backyard this means outside playtime anytime. Even a simple 10 minutes swinging on a toddler swing or a couple of turns in the slide can help your child get rid of that excess energy.

Playing also helps build brain power to your kids, meaning they learn faster through fun activities, make every learning process for your kids a playing time, this will help you both relax and concentrate more and at the same time have a wonderful enjoyable time.

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Toddler and daily bath routines

Toddler and daily bath routines

Bath time is great way to spend some playtime with your baby. For new moms giving a new born baby a bath id a bit scary at first, but when you have developed a routine with your child everything will normally be in place and you will develop your routine with your child. Baby tubs are one of the important baby items to have in your home. It will both make bath time easier for you both.

Choosing the right bath tub for your baby can be difficult there are lots of different kinds of baby tubs in the market. The best choice would be picking a bath tub set where it includes supporter for infants and even bath ring for supporting your baby while sitting in the tub. Also make sure that the tub has non slippery materials on it for your baby’s safety. Baby tubs are very useful in your daily bath routines. So choose one that you can use in a longer period of time. Quality and safety is also a major factor of choosing baby tubs.

When you are giving your baby a bath there are things you need to prepare first. Before undressing your baby make sure the water is you baby tub is t he right temperature, test it with your elbow. And prepare the essentials such as baby shampoo and bath oils; get the toys floating for an inviting and fun event for your toddler.

If your toddler cannot support her or his own body yet get a baby bath ring or seat for her or him so you can use both hands when bathing your child. Some tubs come with a whole infant and toddler seats or bath ring to make bathing process a lot easier and fun for both mommy and baby.

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Play gym - Colors and lights for your baby

Play gym - Colors and lights for your baby

When decorating a nursery room for you little angel consider the color and lights that you expose to your little child. Colors and lights can be exciting for a baby but think about the first few weeks of your child’s life. It will be mostly spent on sleeping, so most of the time your child will be in her crib. Make the crib a soothing and relaxing place to be for your baby, make the colors light and less shapes and abstract objects on the baby beddings, and if you choose to have a musical mobile hanging over her head, choose one that has soothing tones and melodies to help her calm down and be ready to get some sleep. Don’t choose too much color and heavy lights on the musical mobile.

Going light colored on the baby crib will help your child sleep more calmly because at the few days of your child’s life colors do make a big difference, they haven’t develop their sight that much yet so when stimulating your child you can offer more bright colors such as red, blue green and yellow which is mostly found on baby toys. This will help practice your baby’s sight and for lights and sounds this will also help develop your baby’s brain.

When your baby is out of the crib try placing her on a baby play gym. Most play gyms have great infant toys on them and designs and styles also colors and shapes to help the baby’s development. Bu tin the first few days of your baby toys will not be appreciated that much instead it is your comfort and the warmth of your touch that a new born needs. So play with your baby at early age by singing to her, talking to her and caress her whenever you get the chance.

When you angel is a months old you can start buying things to her that can help her stimulate her brain cells and encourage her to touching and exploring things. The best first toy you can give your child is a rattle or baby play gym which have all the toys needed for a 3 months old baby. You can wait till later to buy the other educational toys for your child when you see how she grows and develop yo9u can buy the toys according to her skills.

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Cut down on diapers with potty chair

Cut down on diapers with potty chair

Your child has grown has develop new skills and wants to learn and do things on her own like potty training on his or her potty chair.

You child becomes more aware of her body and have develop new skills and is learning a lot of things form her environment and from their parents and other family members. Toddler stage is a learning stage this is a good stage to teach your child different things like cleaning after her clutter and even going to the toilet.

Kids love to spend time on playing and learning. Most kids at the age of 2 are already ready to be potty trained; make it a fun and exciting thing for her to learn to go to the toilet herself. You can buy a potty chair for your child to make it easier for her. Make sure though before you encourage your child to drop the diapers and use a potty chair is that she has shown some interest on it herself or else it will be a hard time for you as a parent to teach a child without the child’s interest.

The advisable age is from 24 months old or even younger it really does depend on your child’s interest and development. If your child is 3 years old and above and still not potty trained don’t panic, instead find tips and advice how to start a potty training with your kids. The first advice would be is get a potty chair.

Make it fun and rewarding for your child if she does goes to toilet and sits on her potty hair to pee. You can buy different kinds of potty chairs for your potty training with your kids. You can either have one that you can attach on your toilet seat with non-slippery stairs and handles on the side to make sure your baby won’t lose her balance.

Lot of potty chairs is fun and colorful that makes it inviting for your kids. Some comes with lights and other functions. Try browsing potty chairs that Fisher Price offers, they have wide range of potty chairs to choose from, they even have portable potty chair, really cool and easy and hygienic to use.

If you have a child who is especially fond of music you can also have a musical potty chair for your little one, making it more inviting and fun for your child to use. You have so many options for choosing you child’s potty chair. It’ll be more encouraging for her or him if you let your child choose the potty chair she likes.

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Potty training at the right time

Potty training at the right time

Potty training regression can be stressful for your child; any changes in the daily routine can be stressful. If you are planning to get rid of the diaper make sure that your child has shown any interest herself. Or else it would be a stressful change for both of you. Few reasons your child get upset by small changes like potty training is because small changes make them feel uncomfortable and stressed. They are very dependent of your daily routine and feel safe around this.

When you are considering potty training your child you must identify the signs of interest. It does not help getting tips from family and friends because kids are different their method might have helped them potty trained their child but that doesn’t mean the same method will work for your child.

Of course there’s nothing wrong in getting some few tips and advices on how to potty train your child. But make sure your child is ready for it and that you are having fun trying out new things together like potty training. One of the most advisable things to do is take out your child shopping for a potty chair. Let your child pick the potty chair that catches her or his attention this way your child is more comfortable and excited to give it a try when you get home.

There are large selections on potty chairs; there are ones that you can attach to your toilet seat in your bathroom, or the ones with lights and different kinds of features and functions. No matter what type of potty chair your child wants always keep in mind that if your child has shown great interest on dropping the diaper and have observed you and other members on the family when going to the toilet.

This is the typical signs a child is ready for diaper free days:

· Your child stays dry for hours.

· Your child wants to be changed right away when wetting her or his diaper

· They will tell you when they have pooped in their diaper

· They ask questions about going to the toilet and such

Make your potty training a structured program, by letting your child understand what is going to happen. Potty training can be often times scary so make it fun as possible for both of you. Make it rewarding for your child as well if he or she went to use her or his potty chair by herself.

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