Reasons for Mother Not to Breastfeed

A few viruses are known to pass through breast milk. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is one of them. If the mother is HIV positive, she should not breastfeed. If she has HIV and wants to breastfeed, you can get breast milk for your baby from a milk bank. Sometimes babies can be born with a condition called galactosemia, in which they can’t tolerate breast milk. This is because their bodies can’t break down the sugar galactose.

Babies with classic galactosemia may have liver problems, malnutrition, or mental retardation. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, since both human and animal milk contain the sugar lactose that splits into galactose and glucose, babies with classic galactosemia must be fed a special diet that is free of lactose and galactose.

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, mothers who have active, untreated TB (tuberculosis) or who are receiving any type of chemotherapy drugs should not breastfeed.

If your spouse is breastfeeding, she should not take illegal drugs. Some drugs, such as cocaine and PCP, can affect the baby and cause serious side effects. Other drugs, such as heroin and marijuana can cause irritability, poor sleeping patterns, tremors, and vomiting. Babies can become addicted to these drugs. If you smoke tobacco, it is best for the mother and the baby if she tries to quit as soon as possible. If she can’t quit, it is still better to breastfeed. She also should avoid drinking alcohol. An occasional drink is ok, but she should avoid breastfeeding for two hours after the drink.

Sometimes a baby may have a reaction to something the mother has eaten, but this doesn’t mean your baby is allergic to her milk. Usually, if the mother has eaten a food throughout pregnancy, the baby has already become used to the flavor of this food. If your spouse stops eating whatever is bothering the baby, the problem usually goes away on its own. Some women think that when they are sick, they should not breastfeed. But, most common illnesses, such as colds, flu, or diarrhea, can’t be passed through breast milk.

In fact, if your spouse is sick, her breast milk will have antibodies in it. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, these antibodies will help protect your baby from getting the same sickness.

Avoid Making Mealtime a Battleground

Battles over food often occur when parents are too concerned about what, how much and when their children eat. Avoid making mealtime a battleground. Your baby is testing his independence. This means that he’ll try to do things his way-not yours. Relax and accept your baby’s unusual food choices. As he matures, your baby will follow your lead more easily.

• Don’t insist on eating foods in a certain order. Resist saying dessert is a treat for “plate cleaners” only. This power struggle makes dessert more desirable to your 11-month-old.

• Instead, serve a nutritious and balanced meal. Let your baby eat it in whatever order he chooses.

• Don’t restrict food combination. If your baby wants to dip his toast in pudding or mix his spinach with rice, let him. He’s trying out new tastes. He’s eating nutritious food. Try to respect his harmless investigation.

• Don’t force your baby to eat. For example, carrots are an important part of a baby’s diet. But even a healthy food like a carrot is not worth a battle. Offer him a choice of healthy foods. Follow his cues about when he has had enough.

Eating too little?

Do you think your baby is not eating enough? Relax. Offer nutritious foods at regular times in a pleasant atmosphere. No baby will starve himself! To reassure yourself, check these points.

• Look at his growth. Check the growth chart at his next visit with the doctor. Is the upward curve on the weight and height chart steady? If so, he’s eating enough.

• Look at his energy level. Is he moving around all day? Does he sleep well and wake happy? Is he interested in new things? If he’s active, he’s eating enough.

• Look at his milk intake. Is he breastfeeding eagerly or drinking 24 to 32 ounces of formula a day? If so, most of his nutritional needs are being met.

Using a cup

Weaning is a gradual process. It moves babies from a bottle or breastfeeding to drinking from a cup. For bottle-fed babies, weaning to a cup usually happens around a baby’s first birthday.

Now that your baby is feeding himself, it’s a good time to offer a cup with his meals. Using a cup with two handles will improve your baby’s coordination skills. Gradually substitute a cup for the bottle at the noon meal. Once your baby adjusts to that, do the same at the morning meal.

The evening bottle will probably be the last to go. Your baby is used to the bedtime bottle as a comfortable, secure ritual. Try substituting water in the bottle for the formula. Then just offer your baby a cup of water before bed. If you continue to hold and cuddle at bedtime, weaning will go more smoothly.

Feeding Your Two Month Old Baby

Breastfeeding is healthy for you and your baby. Here are some reasons why breastfeeding is best:

• Breast milk can help protect your baby against illness. It can protect her from allergies. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it’s good for babies to be breastfed for the first year of life.

• It’s best for mom. Many breastfeeding mothers lose the weight they gained while pregnant faster than mothers who do not breastfeed.

• It creates a bond between mother and baby. You can learn your baby’s signals faster.

• Breast milk is easier to digest than formula and you don’t have to prepare bottles or formula. Breast milk is always ready. Babies do not become constipated from breast milk.

Each baby has her own feeding schedule. Some babies need to nurse more often than others do. In general, nursing babies need to be fed at least eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period. That means feedings every two to three hours. If your baby has not fed for several hours and then dozes off after only a few minutes of nursing, gently wake her to encourage her to continue nursing. Try to help your baby feed until your breasts are emptied of milk or at least 15 minutes from each breast.

If you have any questions or problems with breastfeeding, talk to your doctor, nurse or WIC breastfeeding counselor. To learn more about breastfeeding, you may call La Leche League at 1-800-LALECHE or visit their Web site at http://www.lalecheleague.org/.

Follow your baby’s lead. Babies tend to get as much milk as they need when you let them nurse when they want and for as long as they want. The more your baby nurses, the more milk you will produce. Your milk supply will keep up with your baby’s demand.

How do you know when your baby is hungry? Here are some hunger signs to be aware of:

Early hunger signs:

• Head moves toward voice, mouth opens
• Lips smack, tongue reaches outward
• Hands move “randomly”
• Fists find mouth
• Infant begins fussing

Late hunger signs:

• Brow furrows
• Mouth widens, head moves quickly from side to side
• Fists clench, seeking the mouth
• Baby cries

Start breastfeeding

We at GreatDad.com are big believers in breastfeeding and strongly urge you to do all you can to support mom. The first meals, especially, can be a challenge as milk may not come in right away. The baby may not know what to do and the mom, if she has not breastfed before, may be equally lost.

Here is a simple beginner’s guide to breastfeeding:

• The mother usually holds the breast with the thumb on top and the other fingers below the breast. The areola, the circle of dark skin around the nipple should be free to enter the baby’s mouth.
• Holding the breast, the mother encourages the baby to suckle by touching the nipple to the baby’s lips. Once the baby’s jaw is around the nipple, she needs to hold the baby close to her. This will squeeze the breast and enable the baby to start suckling.
• The areola should be completely inside the baby’s mouth. The baby’s lips should pout out over the breast, rather than be pulled in. If the baby is correctly latched on and drinking, swallowing sounds will be audible.
• In case of any concerns regarding the baby’s breathing, the mother may press down on the breast near the baby’s nose to facilitate easy breathing.
• Whichever position the mother chooses, she should ensure that there is no strain to the baby’s head or neck.

Tips on Bottle Feeding

If you bottle feed your baby, ask your doctor what kind of formula is best for her.

There are three ways formula is sold:

• Powdered formula is the cheapest. You have to mix the powder with sterilized water.
• Concentrated formula is a liquid, but it is thick and must be mixed with sterilized water. It costs more than powdered formula.
• Ready-to-feed formula comes already mixed with water. It costs the most but is the easiest to use.
  

Follow formula mixing instructions carefully. There is a date on the formula. Don’t use the formula after this date. The formula will not be safe to give to your baby after this date.

Wash reusable bottles made of plastic or glass. Also wash all equipment used to prepare formula. Use hot soapy water. Rinse the bottles in clean tap water. Then boil them five minutes in a covered pot or sterilizer.

To prepare formula, boil water for five minutes and cool it before mixing it with powdered or concentrated formula. If you are using bottles with disposable liners, throw away the liner after use. Store prepared formula in the refrigerator and use it within 48 hours.
Heat a bottle of formula by running hot water over it. Never heat formula in the microwave. It can get too hot. Check the temperature by shaking a few drops on your wrist. When it feels warm (not hot) on your wrist, it is cool enough to give to your baby.

When feeding your baby, hold her head a little higher than her tummy. Hold the bottom of the bottle up so that the nipple stays full of formula. This way, your baby doesn’t swallow air and spit up. Never prop the bottle, because your baby could choke. Always hold your baby while you feed her. Throw out any formula left in the bottle after a feeding.

Feeding time is more than just satisfying your baby’s hunger. It is also a time to bond with and get to know your infant. Dad, grandparents and other family members can bond too by feeding and cuddling the baby.