Health Tips

Every baby has the right of mother’s breast milk for at least six months after birth, which helps baby in his\her growth. You may feed your baby up to one year. After one year baby’s body wants some other nutrients. It may be harmful for mothers. Commonly mother’s also wants to stop breastfeeding when baby becomes one year old.
But this is not an easy job to discontinue breastfeeding. Some times if you stop breastfeeding early or late of baby’s requirement it should be unfavorable for baby health.
You can consult to your doctor when and how you stop breastfeeding a baby.
Most doctors and medical association agree to the fact that when your baby becomes six month old you should decide to weather you want to stop breastfeeding.

If a mother decides to stop breastfeeding of a baby quickly it will be difficult for baby and mother can have some physical and mental problems. You should reduce to feed baby gradually. After six months baby can eat baby food and this will help you to stop breastfeeding. Some babies after the age of one year they eat natural food like dal and rice. Now mother can feed the baby only at nigh his will help in reducing breastfeeding. His will gradually reduces as baby grows up.

Breast-feeding is a learned art — but it's worth the effort. Consider these tips to get off to a good start.

You know the benefits of breast-feeding. Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients for your baby. It's easier to digest than is commercial formula, and the antibodies in breast milk will boost your baby's immune system. Breast-feeding may even help you lose weight after the baby is born.

But breast-feeding isn't always easy. You may need more practice — and patience — than you might have imagined. Here's help getting off to a good start.

Ask for help — right away

Reading about breast-feeding is one thing. Doing it on your own is something else. The first few times you breast-feed your baby — starting as soon after delivery as possible — ask for help. The maternity nurses or the hospital's lactation consultant can help you position the baby and make sure he or she is latching on correctly. Your doctor, your baby's doctor or your childbirth educator may be able to help, too. Learning correct technique from the very beginning can help you avoid trouble later on

you avoid trouble later on.

Feed your baby often

For the first few weeks, most newborns breast-feed every two to three hours around-the-clock. It's intense. But frequent breast-feeding sessions help stimulate your breasts to produce milk. And the sooner you begin each feeding, the less likely you'll need to soothe a frantic baby. Watch for early signs of hunger, such as stirring and stretching, sucking motions and lip movements. Fussing and crying are later cues.

Get comfortable

Don't bend over or lean forward to bring your breast to your baby. Instead, cradle your baby close to your breast. Sit in a chair that offers good arm and back support. Support yourself with pillows if needed. Or lie on your side with your baby on his or her side, facing you.

When you're settled, tickle your baby's lower lip with your nipple. Make sure your baby's mouth is open wide and he or she takes in part of the darker area around the nipple (areola). Your nipple should be far back in the baby's mouth, and the baby's tongue should be cupped under your breast. Listen for a rhythmic sucking and swallowing pattern.

If you need to remove the baby from your breast, first release the suction by inserting your finger into the corner of your baby's mouth.

Let your baby set the pace

Let your baby nurse from the first breast thoroughly, until the breast feels soft — often about 15 minutes. Then try burping the baby. After that, offer the second breast. If your baby's still hungry, he or she will latch on. If not, simply start the next breast-feeding session with the second breast. If your baby consistently nurses on only one breast at a feeding during the first few weeks, pump the other breast to relieve pressure and protect your milk supply.

If your baby pauses during breast-feeding sessions to gaze at you or look around the room, enjoy the moment. Consider it an opportunity to slow down and bond with your baby.

Hold off on a pacifier — at first

Some babies are happiest when they're sucking on something. Enter pacifiers — but there's a caveat. Giving your baby a pacifier too soon may interfere with breast-feeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to introduce a pacifier until a baby is 1 month old and breast-feeding is well established.

Gauge your success

When your baby is latched on successfully, you'll feel a gentle pulling sensation on your breast — rather than a pinching or biting sensation on your nipple. Your breasts may feel firm or full before the feeding, and softer or emptier afterward. Look for your baby to gain weight steadily, produce six to eight wet diapers a day and be content between feedings. Your baby's stools will become yellow, seedy and loose.

Take care of your nipples

After each feeding, it's OK to let the milk dry naturally on your nipple. If you're in a hurry, gently pat your nipple dry. To keep your nipples dry between feedings, change bra pads often.

When you bathe, keep soap, shampoo and other cleansers away from your nipples. If your nipples are dry or cracked, try an ointment containing lanolin. Rubbing olive oil or expressed milk on your nipples may help, too.

Think privacy

Many breast-feeding moms wear loose tops that can be partially unbuttoned — from the bottom up — for feedings. You can also use a receiving blanket to cover yourself and your baby while you're breast-feeding. If you'd like more privacy, ask someone to hold a baby blanket or stand in front of you while you get the baby settled.

Make healthy lifestyle choices

Your lifestyle choices are just as important when you're breast-feeding as they were when you were pregnant.

• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Rest as much as possible.
• Only take medication with your doctor's OK.
• Don't smoke.

Also beware of caffeine and alcohol. Too much caffeine can make your baby irritable and interfere with your baby's sleep. If you choose to have an occasional alcoholic drink, avoid breast-feeding for two hours afterward.

Give it time

If breast-feeding is tougher than you expected, try not to get discouraged. It's OK to have a slow start. As you and your baby get to know each other, breast-feeding will begin to feel more natural.

Pumping milk while you're away from your baby can help you continue breast-feeding for as long as possible. Here's help maintaining your milk supply.

Breast-feeding is based on supply and demand. The more you breast-feed your baby, the more milk your breasts will produce. The same goes for pumping milk while you're away from your baby.

Tips for pumping success

Pumping milk while you're away from your baby can help you continue breast-feeding for as long as possible. Here are some suggestions to keep your milk supply on track.

• Relax. Stress can hinder your body's natural ability to release breast milk. Find a quiet place to pump. It may help to massage your breasts or use warm compresses. You may want to think about your baby, look at a picture of your baby or listen to relaxing music.
• Pump often. The more you pump, the more milk you'll produce — especially if you're using a high-quality pump. If you're working full time, try to pump for 15 minutes every few hours during the workday.
• Pump both breasts simultaneously. Pumping both breasts at once will save you plenty of time. It may also increase your body's production of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production.
• When you're with your baby, breast-feed on demand. The more you breast-feed your baby when you're together, the greater your supply will be when you pump. Try more-frequent evening, early morning or weekend feedings. Pumping after a breast-feeding session can help boost milk supply, too — even if you pump but no milk is produced.
• Avoid or limit formula feedings. Formula feedings will reduce your baby's demand for breast milk, which will lower your milk production. Remember, the more you breast-feed your baby or pump while you're apart, the more milk you'll produce. It also helps to pump extra milk — either after or between breast-feeding sessions — and freeze it for future use.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Water, juice and milk can help you stay hydrated, which promotes milk production. But limit soda, coffee and other caffeinated drinks. Too much caffeine can make your baby irritable and interfere with your baby's sleep. If you choose to have an occasional alcoholic drink, avoid breast-feeding for two hours afterward.
• Don't smoke. Aside from the well-known dangers of smoking, smoking can reduce your milk supply — and the nicotine in your breast milk may change the taste of the milk and interfere with your baby's sleep. If you smoke, ask your doctor for options to help you quit. In the meantime, avoid smoking just before or during a feeding.
• Consider your birth control options. Birth control pills that contain estrogen may interfere with milk production. While you're breast-feeding, you may want to use condoms or other forms of birth control. Ask your doctor about the options.
• Take good care of yourself. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Get some exercise every day. Sleep when the baby sleeps — and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Not necessarily. Organic baby food can limit your baby's exposure to pesticides and other potential contaminants in foods. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says organic foods are no safer or more nutritious than other foods. Also, organic baby food can be considerably more expensive than traditional baby food.

Organic foods are produced without conventional pesticides, antibiotics or growth hormones. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides organic seals for products that contain various percentages of organic ingredients. But the USDA makes no claims or guarantees that organic foods are safer or more nutritious than non-organic foods.

So is organic baby food worth the extra expense? It's up to you. Some parents prefer organic baby food because it's environmentally friendly. Others feel that it's healthier or simply tastes better. But what's most important is a balanced diet. Offering your child healthy foods from the beginning — whether they're organic or not — will set the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating.

How long are mothers encouraged to breast-feed?

Breast-feeding for at least four months helps boost your baby's immune system. Breast-feeding throughout the first year is ideal. Most breast-feeding mothers in my practice wean their babies between ages 9 and 15 months

What factors can promote successful breast-feeding?

Taking good care of yourself can go a long way toward promoting successful breast-feeding. Eat healthy foods, drink plenty of fluids and rest as much as possible. To boost your confidence, learn as much as you can about breast-feeding. Keep the environment calm and relaxed. Look to your partner and other loved ones for support. If things aren't going well, ask for help. Friends who've successfully breast-fed may be a good source of information. Lactation consultants are available at many hospitals and clinics. Your baby's doctor can help, too.

Is it risky not to breast-feed?

Breast milk is the best food for babies — but risk is a relative term. Although breast-feeding your baby is certainly beneficial, proper nourishment is absolutely necessary. If breast-feeding isn't working for you despite your best attempts to succeed, your baby may not receive adequate hydration or nutrition. In this case, sticking with it for your baby's sake may pose serious risks.