Health Tips

After pregnancy and after delivery every woman wants to back in shape. This is a normal thinking but do you know that you don’t need to do something extra, actually while breast feeding you burn around 500 calories. It is also very important that what you should eat and what not to eat, because during breast feeding its effect on your baby what you eat, so avoid junk food and outing that time. Vogue or one time diet like cabbage soup are not good at any cost and specially when your body dealing with hormonal, metabolic and caloric necessities of pregnancy and post pregnancy. It depends on you if you want your baby most healthy milk then you has to take better nutrition.

Dont smoke remember dont somke because all things you do effect on your baby health and you are a smoker than it effect to your baby.

Whilst breast cancer most commonly occurs in women over the age of 50, it is sadly also the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women under age of 35.
The Risk Factors:
Having children at a younger age (under 30) lowers the risk. The more children, the less risky it gets.
Breastfeeding helps protect against the disease. As longer you breastfeed, the better.
Taking the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy causes a small increase in risk.
Being overweight (especially after menopause) increases the risk.
Women with a strong family history of breast cancer may have an increased risk. A small number are at especially high risk because of the faulty genes they may have inherited.
Regularly drinking more than 1 unit of alcohol per day slightly increases the risk.
Having a previous diagnosis increases the risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast.
Having certain benign breast conditions such as atypical hyperplasia, can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

If you are planning for bottle-feed for your breast-feeding child, then keep this point to avoid troubles and also to keep your baby healthy. Always remember to clean the bottle in boiled water as it contains breed germs which might ill your child. Decide the perfect time to introduce bottle feeding as if it introduced earlier baby may chances to quit breast feeding and if it is late then baby might denied quitting breast feeding.
Finally when you decided to bottle feed your baby you may choose breast milk or artificial milk also known as formula. Expressing milk may you feel boring, you can use your hand or breast pump. When you expressed the milk, store it in a clean with boiled water bottles. You might to express numerous times to store enough milk to feed your baby. Formula milk is dehydrated cow’s milk which is developed as per the babies’ requirements. Soya based formula is mostly recommended by doctors. Follow the instruction given to prepare the formula milk. Prepare the perfect formula milk because is it remains dilute they may your baby didn’t have his daily requirement of calories and if it remains thick it may raise problem like dehydration.
Wash the nipple and bottle with boiled water as milk contain bacteria easily in it. Before giving formula milk remembers formula milk increases the chances of infection and illness. It is recommended to give breast milk in the starting months which is 8 months from the day of birth. Baby doesn’t require water or fruit juice until he/she starts solid food as it increases the chance to get infected as this reduces effectiveness of breast milk working to protect your baby with. Scientist still didn’t find the way to produce artificial breast milk.
You may also continue Breast feeding along with bottle feeding it is called mixed feeding. But introduce bottle feeding after breast feeding.

Returning to work after maternity leave? Here's what to do before you go back to work — and how to stay connected once you're on the job again.

Are you dreading the day your maternity leave ends? Don't despair. Working mothers face many challenges, but you can prepare for the demands with careful planning.

Before you return to work

While you're still on maternity leave, set yourself up for a successful return to work.

• Let go of the guilt. Returning to work often poses emotional conflicts for new mothers. But working outside the home doesn't make you a bad mother. And it's OK to look forward to the challenges and interactions of your job. Remind yourself that you're doing what's best for you and your family, and then move on.
• Find dependable child care. Consider local child care providers and facilities or make other arrangements for child care, perhaps even before the baby is born. Look for a safe, stimulating environment and qualified caregivers. Trust your instincts when interviewing potential caregivers.

• Talk to your boss. Clarify your job duties and schedule so you'll know what's expected of you after your maternity leave. You might ask about flexible hours, telecommuting or working part time.

  If you're planning to continue breast-feeding after returning to work, ask your employer to help you find a private room for pumping. Consider buying or renting an electric breast pump that allows you to pump both breasts at once. If timing is a concern, offer alternatives — pumping during your breaks or working from home to make up for the lost time, for example.

• Set a return-to-work date. If you can, go back to work late in the week. That'll make your first week back to work a short one.

Once you're back at work

When you go back to work, expect ups and downs as you become more adept at managing multiple demands. These tips can help:

• Get organized. Make a daily to-do list. You might divide the list into tasks for work and tasks for home, or tasks for you and tasks for your partner. Identify what you need to do, what can wait — and what you can skip entirely.
• Stay connected. Plan a daily phone call to your baby's caregiver to find out how your baby's doing. Place a favorite photo of your baby on your desk or in your work area. Set aside time after work to reconnect with your baby.
• Make backup plans. Know what you'll do if your baby is sick or your baby's caregiver is unavailable on a workday — whether it's taking a sick day yourself or calling a friend or loved one to care for your baby.

• Honor your commitment to breast-feeding. Bring your breast pump, containers for expressed milk, an insulated bag and ice packs to work. Keep a stash of breast pads and extra blouses handy, in case your breasts leak.

  If you can't express milk at work, breast-feed your baby or pump just before you go to work and as soon as you return home. You could also pump between feedings on weekends for extra breast milk to be used while you're working.

• Seek support. Don't try to do everything yourself. Accept help from your partner, loved ones and friends. Speak up if you're feeling guilty, sad or overwhelmed. If you're having trouble pumping milk at work or nursing your baby at home, contact a lactation consultant from a local hospital or clinic.
• Nurture your own well-being. Relax in the tub after you put the baby to bed, or unwind with a favorite book or soft music. Cut down on any unnecessary commitments. Pick a reasonable bedtime, and stick with it. On weekends, sleep when your baby sleeps.

Above all, maintain a positive attitude. Tell your baby how excited you are to see him or her at the end of the day. Your baby may not understand your words, but he or she will pick up on your emotions.

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.

If you're breast-feeding your baby, a breast pump may offer welcome flexibility. But how do you know which type of pump is best? Ask yourself these questions.

Breast-feeding is a round-the-clock commitment. That's why many breast-feeding mothers consider breast pumps as important as car seats and baby wipes.

Whether you're going back to work or simply want the flexibility a breast pump can offer, you'll have many choices. Some breast pumps are hand-operated, and others run on electricity. The designs also vary. Some models attach to only one breast. Others let you express milk from both breasts at once.

• How often will you use the breast pump? If you'll be away from the baby only occasionally, a simple hand pump may be all you need. These pumps are small and inexpensive. You simply squeeze the handle to express the milk. If you're returning to work full time or you're planning to be away from your baby for more than a few hours a day, you may want to invest in an electric pump. Electric pumps stimulate the breasts more effectively than do hand pumps. This helps empty your breasts and protect your milk supply.
• Will you need to pump as quickly as possible? A typical pumping session lasts about 10 to 15 minutes per breast. If you'll be pumping at work or in other time-crunched situations, you may want to invest in an electric breast pump that allows you to pump both breasts at once. Double breast pumps help stimulate milk production while cutting pumping time in half.
• How much can you afford to spend on the pump? You can buy breast pumps from medical supply stores and most drug and baby stores. Manual models cost less than $50. Electric pumps that include a carrying case and insulated section for storing milk may cost more than $200. Some hospitals rent hospital-grade breast pumps, although the equipment that attaches your breast to the pump must be purchased. Some health insurance plans cover the cost of buying or renting a breast pump. Because there's a small risk of contamination, borrowing a breast pump or buying a used pump isn't recommended.
• Is the pump easy to assemble? If the breast pump is difficult to assemble, take apart or clean, it's bound to be frustrating — which may reduce your enthusiasm for pumping. Make sure you can remove any parts of the pump that come in contact with your skin or milk for cleaning after use.
• Is the suction adjustable? What's comfortable for one woman may be uncomfortable for another. Choose a pump that allows you to control the degree of suction. Some manual models allow you to adjust the position of the pump handle.
• Is the pump heavy? If you'll be toting the pump to work every day or traveling with the pump, look for a lightweight model. Some breast pumps come in a carrying case with an insulated section for storing expressed milk.
• Is the pump noisy? Some electric models are quieter than others. If it's important to be discreet, make sure the pump's noise level is acceptable.
• Are the breast shields the correct size? Every pump has a shield to place over your breast. If you're concerned that the standard breast shield is too small, check with individual manufacturers about other options. If you want to pump both breasts at once, make sure the pump is equipped with two breast shields.
• What if the electricity fails? An electric pump needs to be plugged in. If an outlet isn't accessible or the power fails, you'll need a rechargeable battery pack. In case of emergency, you may want to keep a manual pump handy.