The Breast Feeding Quandry

Today’s modern woman is not the same as the woman of the fifties, forties and prior. Today’s woman, thanks to the feminist movement and a broadening ideal of what a woman’s role is in society, has brought women into the workforce in a big way.

Not only that, many women now hold high power positions, and women are a staple at any company, regardless what type of work it is.

This is a stark contrast to women before the feminist movement, before suffrage, and before we were liberated from the restraints of the philosophy that women were the caretakers, the child bearers and the housewives.

Well, while this phenomenon is obviously a great thing, it also has placed additional pressures on women. Why? Because women have multiple responsibilities not only on the job now, but also at home.

One of the evolving ideas is that all women breast feed their children. This is far from what is actually happening today, as women not only are not always able to do this because of a job or other obligations, but also because women have more choices that closely mimic the idea of breast feeding.

There are better formulas, and better bottles, and the idea of bottle feeding is much more readily accepted as “the norm”. However, there are still staunch proponents of breast feeding who insist that breast feeding results in many additional benefits for your infant. Too many to ignore easily, so they say.

The belief and subsequent scientific backing is that breast feeding an infant, even if it is only for a short period of time, results in a stronger immune system and immune response in the baby. And there is a very solid, logical reason for this strengthened immune response that makes sense.

Because the mother’s antibodies are present in her breast milk, the infant instantly gains the advantage of having these preformed antibodies. In essence, breast feeding is thought to give a baby’s immune system a “jump start” and get them ahead of the game from the beginning.

They hence (theoretically) have a more keen ability to fend off illness and disease from the start. Seems like a pretty compelling reason to breast feed, at least for a little while if possible, right? However, the answer is never that cut and dry for new moms.

Many new mothers are physically unable to produce milk, and there are some conditions that make it extremely painful for mothers to breast feed, or that make it impossible to breast feed the infant if the infant has allergies, since anything the mother eats will be transferred through her milk to her baby. Of course there are numerous other factors that enter in, but they are too numerous to mention here!

The strengthened immune system and improved immune response is, of course, a huge argument for breast feeding, but there may be another major argument for breast feeding as well. There have been studies that strongly suggest breast feeding a baby can improve its IQ (Intelligence Quotient).

While the exact reason for this unknown, it is thought that it allows for a more ideal development of the brain, since breast milk contains several nutrients that are not typically “whole” in formulas, and it is in fact, considered a “whole food” or “whole nutrient” in itself.

There also may be a psychological link to a superior IQ development, as infants that breast feed are thought to perhaps form a tighter bond with their mothers, and develop a higher sense of security, which could transfer to a higher IQ.

How To Breast Feed An Adopted Baby

Breastfeeding has been proven to be the best thing you can do for your newborn baby. This is because the baby can be provided nutrients and vitamins in perfect quantity from a mother without even going to formula. The body was built to produce this milk and often time’s mothers never use it. The breast milk is much more nutritious for your new born baby than formula. So what happens when you are looking to breast feed an adopted baby?

How Do I Breast Feed An Adopted Baby?

In order to breast feed adopted baby, you will need to prepare your body. Being that a woman is well equipped for the necessary feedings of a baby; the woman does not have to be in uterus. This means that even though the woman has not had a baby, she can still produce milk. This is done in steps.

1.The woman has to show her body that there is a need for milk. In other words, a woman has to stimulate her body. This is first done by pumping the breasts with a breast pump.

2.Next, the woman can wear breast shells about five times a day to help produce Oxytocin. This is one hormone that is needed to produce the flow of breast milk in order to breastfeed. This is a very common approach when looking to breast feed adopted baby.

3.Nest, you can purchase a supplemental nursing system. This is where you hang a milk holder around your neck with two small tubes that connect to your nipple. This is where the baby gets the formula from. This also helps stimulate your nipples because the baby will actually be sucking on your nipple. The more you do this, you will be able to breast feed adopted baby just as you were able to if you just had the baby. It is very important that you use paper tape to tape the tubes to your nipples. You will be very glad you did because other tape will hurt when taking the tape off.

4.Remember that to breast feed adopted baby requires frequent feeding. This is due to telling your body that you need to make more milk. Typically, your body will not be able to make enough for the whole nursing time. This is why they make supplemental nursing systems.

5.Surround yourself with people who support your decision. Induced lactation is not that recognized and choosing to breast feed adopted baby is a beautiful choice. The more you surround yourself with people, who love and support you, the easier it will be. It is also important for those times when you will get frustrated and think about giving up. It will be frustrating; however, it is important and should be resumed.

There are many other aspects to consider when you are looking to breast feed adopted baby. Although many people do not know it exists, you can be part of a growing number of people that breast feed adopted baby.

Important: Breast Feeding Advice

When it comes to breast feeding advice, there is good breast feeding advice and there is some bad feeding advice. A new mother is not going to be able to tell the difference between the good and bad, so this article is here to dispel any bad advice that may be given.

Unfortunately, many people are constantly taking the bad breast feeding advice because it is given by reliable sources. Most of the time it is friends and family and sometimes even nurses. Surely you would think they know what they are talking about. The truth is they may want to give good advice and not know it is wrong.

The first bit of breast feeding advice falls into the category on when your baby is full. Many new mothers are told to watch the clock. To many people, it is all about watching the clock and at a certain time, stop feeding the baby.

Believe it or not, you will know when the baby is done because they will do one of two things. They will either stop nursing or turn away from the breast, or, they will fall asleep. A baby’s body is preprogrammed to tell it when it has enough of something and when it needs more. If you are on a times schedule, you could be denying your baby nutritional values. So, watching the clock is no good breast feeding advice.

Many people also come across the advice to not nurse less than every three hours. This is horrible advice. Although many people’s intentions are good, their advice is not.

A baby should be eating roughly every two hours. This not only keeps the baby full but ensures they are getting the vitamins and nutrients they need. Of course, the baby will go through growing spurts and also those times that they will eat less. It is best to reply on the baby’s body to tell it what the baby needs. The only time feeding should be a concern is when there is a drastic change or the baby is not eating at all.

Another misconception when it comes to breast feeding advice is the notion that you have to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding. This is not the case by any means. The only thing that a mother should be doing is putting Lansinoh cream on their nipples.

This cream should be applied directly on the nipple. This does not have to be rubbed off before breast feeding either. Your breasts and nipples were specifically made for breast feeding. It is natural and there is no other substitution needed. Use a warm wash cloth with water and without soap to clean your breast.

Give your babies cereal in a bottle so they will sleep better through the night is another bad breast feeding advice that is heard. A baby, when breast feeding, will need no other food supply for the first six months of their life. Breast milk is the best thing for a newborn and will supply them with what they need. Find out more about breast feeding tips in the links provided.

How do babies get more breast milk as they grow?

I know about increasing breast milk supply, but what I wonder is how do the babies get more milk as they get older? Do they start drinking longer? Does more milk come out at a time? With nipples on bottles, there are more and/or larger holes – is that how it works with the breast?
I am exclusively breast feeding my 2 month old daughter and am just curious. Thanks!