Lactation Supplements

[jhonrock10]

4 Comfortable Positions for Lactating Mothers

Breastfeeding is a commitment, a pledge taken by the mother to feed the baby from her body. A mother might have to feed the baby 8-10 times a day and in between a few pumping sessions also. It's very important that the mother places herself in a comfortable and relaxing position for nursing her baby as it can take anywhere between 15-25 mins per session. Whether she chooses to nurse her baby on a chair, sofa, bed or couch just be sure that everything she needs, like lactation supplements, book, mobile, remote or towel are all at arm’s length, her back is well supported and her shoulders aren’t slouching. If her position is not comfortable than lower back pains, bad posture and fatigue will be the adverse effects of this negligence.

Things That Can Make Nursing a Breeze

A nursing mother should always place herself in a comfortable, supporting and relaxing chair or sofa that doesn’t make the whole sitting idly ordeal more gruesome. She should also have a spare nursing pillow or cushion for the times when she needs to change her position and needs extra support or to prop up on it. She should keep a few things to gobble in her reach as breastfeeding can be very draining and you might need to feed often. Lactation supplements are the best way to increase milk supply as well as keep you full with the best kind of nutrients.

Other than these things also pay heed to the things that you might need during the session and getting up in between a session can make both of you disturbed. Keep a water bottle, cleaning wipes, nipple pads, burp cloths, chargers, nightlight and other things you want near, in case the baby slept but still feeds and now you are bound to sit. There are also some breastfeeding positions that can make you comfortable and the baby can have a good latch, let’s look at them so that you can have the most smooth and easy experience while nursing your child.

Breastfeeding Positions for Comfort and Success

Breastfeeding takes practice and repetition to master, it is very important that the mother is nursing her baby in a position that she is comfortable in and the baby also successfully gets his fill. There are few positions that most nursing mothers use, let’s have a look at them so that you can know the way to nail them and what are the benefits of each position.

The Cradle Hold

This is the first position that often mothers try when commencing their breastfeeding journey. Cradle hold position is simple, allows the mother to stay alert and lets the baby suckle better. The correct way of cradle hold is to rest your baby’s head on the crook of your arm with the nose of the baby facing the nipple. Set your hand till the baby’s bottom to prop him up, support him from under and set him in a firm position. Slightly tilt the baby so that his belly is facing your belly, after that place the forefinger on the top of the breast and other fingers at the bottom to position it in the mouth of the baby.

Cross-Cradle Hold

This hold is a diversion of the cradle cross for mothers who are left handers or if they get tired with supporting the baby’s weight on one hand for a long time. In this hold, the position of the hands change, this time the baby doesn’t rest on the crook of the arm, instead it rests on the forearm itself, and the hand of the same arm holds the head and props it to reach the breasts. You can position your breasts from the other hand in the same way as mentioned for the cradle hold. This hold allows a better view of the baby to the mother hence better latch.

Clutch Hold

Clutch hold or football hold is best suited for mothers who have had a C-section, who have big heavy breasts or for babies who are weak, under-weight and need support. This hold allows the babies to drain breasts easily which means that the mothers will have a good let down reflex thus increasing milk supply. For this hold, support your baby towards your breasts with your arm and your hands securing the neck. Tuck the body, feet and hands of the baby under your arms and lift him to nurse.

Side-Lying Hold

This position is best for mothers who are still healing from their C-section, are too tired to sit up for long hours and would like to rest while feeding. In this position, both the mother and the baby lay side by side to each other. The nose of the baby should be facing opposite to the mother’s nipple. Mothers can support their baby’s back with their arm or roll a blanket at the back and lift the breast with their hand.

Ending Lines

The comfort of the mother and satisfaction of the baby are the only two parameters for a good comfortable breastfeeding position. A good latch can increase milk supply which is only possible with a position both the mother and baby are comfortable.

[jhonrock10]

Essential Products You Need When Breastfeeding Your Baby

Breastfeeding the baby in the most natural, intimate and heart-felt thing ever. One doesn’t need anything more than breasts and the baby. Millions of mothers around the globe have been doing it, are doing and will be doing it. But it's not always easy to nurse your baby exclusively and a little help never hurts anyone right? I’m talking about physical support rendered by family members, partners and friends and also the breastfeeding accessories and essential products that can make the life of the mother a tad bit easier, simpler and comfortable. There are many products in the market that claim to be life-saving, game-changing and life-altering but they are what we call clickbait and nothing more than that.

Some of the products just make breastfeeding less complicated and more comfortable. Some products like best supplements for lactation make the quality and flow of milk better and trust me you’ll need things that you never imagined you would even think about buying. Breastfeeding runs into a plethora of problems like leaky breast, tired back, sore nipples due poor latch or uncomfortable clothing. But new moms are lucky as they get a wide variety of products to choose from which can make their journey very easy, so let’s check out these products one by one so that you can ultimately decide if you need them in your life or you can do without them.

1.    Breast Pump

Now any nursing mother can vouch for the importance of a breast pump. This product is a true lifesaver and helps in multiple ways. Breast pumps basically remove breast milk from the mother’s breasts but that act can make the life of the mother easier in many ways. Firstly, the removed milk can be stored in bottles for the baby to drink when the mother is away. Secondly it saves the mother from breast engorgement, clogged ducts, mastitis and shoulder and neck pain due to breast heaviness. Lastly but not the least, it is also a milk supply booster, when the previous milk is removed the mother’s brain gets to fill the breast again which increases milk supply.

2.    Nipple Cream, Ointment and Lotion

Sore, cracked, dry or even bleeding nipples are part and parcel of this whole motherhood thing. But having a quick fix healing cream, ointment or lotion is always great. As you know, even if you have cracked, sore or even bleeding nipple you have to nurse your baby because not nursing the baby will make matters even worse with engorgement, mastitis or clogging of milk ducts. So, find yourself a lanolin-based nipple cream or any natural cream but do keep them handy.  

3.    Breastfeeding Pillow

A big, fluffy, soft and comfortable breastfeeding pillow has various benefits. Firstly, it can relieve the mother from actually holding the baby in her arms the entire nursing time, she can just lay the little one on the breastfeeding pillow and prop it up with the arm or legs. This pillow is especially great for moms with large breasts, moms who are nursing twins, moms who have a C-section or for just any tired, drained mom. Nursing pillows can reduce the strain on the neck, back, arms and shoulder and make the nursing easy. Breastfeeding pillows can be used to support the baby or support the mother's own body.

4.    A Good, Supporting Nursing Bra

During your breastfeeding journey, you’ll feel sometimes your breast is extra firm, sometimes very soft, sometimes extremely sensitive and sometimes heavy. For all these varying possibilities, every nursing mother needs a support of a good bra. A good nursing bra will help in preventing leaks, will support your breast and the best part is that they are designed in a way that provides easy access to the breast without bunching of the fabric on top of the breasts. Just be mindful that the nursing bra is the right size, nothing too tight or you’ll have plugged milk ducts and nothing to lose that your breast sag and lose shape.

5.    Nursing Pads

Nursing pads are disc-shaped pads that are placed inside the nursing bra to prevent any unwanted and unexpected leakage to cause any embarrassing situation. Most mothers at one point of the time or other come across the situation where their breasts start to leak, ruining their clothes and making them self-conscious. Nursing bras and nursing pads are a winning combination which will make the mothers less cognizant and more productive. Usually, leaky breasts are a problem of initial days but for some it can last the entire breastfeeding process.

Ending Lines

Breastfeeding is a huge commitment in itself, making it easy for the mothers is an absolute duty of every member of the family. So, make sure you provide the mother with all the above mentioned things or at least make her aware of the options out there so that she can make her life easier.

[jhonrock10]

Mommy Thumb- What is it and How to Avoid It?

Being a new mom means that you have to be very hands on and pragmatic with your baby. Picking, holding, playing, carrying and changing the baby involves a lot of hand and wrist movement which can lead to De Quervain’s tenosynovitis more commonly known as Mommy Thumb. Women who are in their 30s to 50s are more susceptible to this condition, as nearly half the people suffering from it are women, thus the name mommy thumb. Although anyone with repetitive movement and strain on this part can be at risk of this condition. New moms have so much on their plate already, like breastfeeding the baby, pumping, sourcing best lactation cookies, balancing work and mom life and a lot more that having this issue can be a serious hindrance in their daily routine and a real pain in the neck, I mean thumb.

What is Mommy Thumb?

Mommy thumb is a condition in which the mother (in most cases) experiences discomfort at the bony, bumpy part of the hand where the thumb meets the wrist. In early stages it can only be a slight uneasiness but when aggravated it can become inflamed even snap out of place. This basically happens due to the strangulation of tendons, which are the string that hold the bones and muscles together, on the thumb side of the hand. When these tendons are strained and inflamed due to constant pressure on them from the wrong angle, it can lead to severe pain and even losing sensation in that part of the hand. Mommy Thumb is also known as baby wrist and cradle thumb.

Common Causes of Mommy Thumb

Mommy thumb is basically a kind of repetitive strain injury (RSI), which is caused due to over usage of thumb muscles. An injury, a jerk or just over flexing of these muscles and tendons can cause tiny tears, these tears, if ignored can be very painful. Mommy thumb can be triggered not only by handling the baby, it can also be put into motion with repetitive movement like gardening, typing, painting, writing, playing tennis, lifting or carrying things at a wrong angle.

Nursing mothers can be quite vulnerable to it as they have to constantly position their breasts in order to nurse the baby. Having the best lactation cookies and significantly increasing milk supply, so a mother has to either nurse the baby or pump it, both of which can strain the thumb even more. New mothers are more prone to this condition 3-6 weeks after the arrival of their bundle of joy. In this time, the hormones and fluid imbalances that started with the pregnancy and swelling, over exertion can put additional pressure on muscles of the thumb. If you have a chronic joint condition then you’re even more vulnerable to mommy thumb.

Measures to Avoid or Lessen the Impact of Mommy Thumb

Prevention is better than cure for sure but in case of mummy thumb you won’t be able to predict if you’ll have it or not. You can’t avoid it or steer clear of it but you can surely adopt ways that will keep it at bay or may even heal if the tears are just minor and nothing too inflamed or strained.

1.      Try Different Lifting Positions

One of the best ways to prevent mummy thumb is to break the habit and give some break to the tendons. New mothers can try out different positions to lift, carry and hold their babies. Instead of lifting the baby in a position that puts pressure on the wrists and thumbs opt for scooping the baby from the bottom and cradling from the nape of the neck. Try to distribute the pressure on different parts of the body and don’t give in to the crying and screaming of the baby, take your time, make the best choice.

2.      Give your Wrist and thumb some Rest

I know you must be thinking that I have no experience of being a mother to a new born thus suggesting giving rest to the wrists. But trust me, speaking with experience, you need to take care of yourself otherwise you’ll become this unhappy person, no one wants to be around, not even yourself. Twist your wrists, flex them, go for manicures and massages, and feel good so that you’re able to bring the same energy home. If you are starting to feel discomfort in wrists then give in cold press with ice or frozen vegetables, it will reduce inflammation.

3.      Use a Splint

Using a splint is also a great option especially if you have started to feel the strain in your thumb down to your wrists. It helps immobilize the thumb and restricts its movement. Having a splint will also be a good reminder for the mother to not strain this area. A splint also helps in reducing the tearing and decreasing the inflammation.

Takeaway

If you want to know whether you have a mommy thumb or not, try the Finkelstein stretch. Mommy thumb is a common condition in new mothers but if you’re mindful of it then you might be able to duck it.

[jhonrock10]

Reasons why Social Support is essential for New Mothers

Bringing a new life into the world is really blissful yet overwhelming especially for new mothers. Every woman has her own set of insecurities, fears, disappointments and experiences in life that all come together in the postpartum time. A new mother will sometimes feel sad, lonely, tearful, joyous, angry or exhausted, which is totally normal as a child is a full-time responsibility which can be very draining. There are a ton of things that mother’s mind is always thinking about-pumping, milk supply supplements, poop, shower, vaccination, cooking, cleaning and even about some uninterrupted nap time. All this is completely normal, absolutely understandable and logical. Raising a child is a full time responsibility and to do this job while taking care of your mental and physical state is a tough nut to crack, especially all on your own.

I can’t emphasize enough on the importance of a strong, close-knit and dependable support system for every woman stepping into motherhood. There have been various studies done, which provide strong proof of the positive effects of social support on the physical and emotional health of a mother. An emotionally and physically strong person can only raise a healthy and normal child, if her health is compromised then our future generations are in jeopardy. Postpartum depression is real, palpable and extremely draining, so it’s absolutely important that during this phase, the mother feels loved, secured, understood and well taken care of.

Reasons Why Social Support is Essential for New Mothers

Speaking generally, if someone knows that they have a strong backing and support system which will help them through all thick and thin then dealing with unfavorable conditions and difficult times becomes far easier, right? Same is the case with new mothers, post-delivery they’re at their most vulnerable stage in life, going through a myriad of feelings which sometimes make them cry out loud and other times makes them smile, kiss and hug her child till her heart swells with love. A good and robust support system can make any mom go through these difficult times like a breeze but if alone, it can have a profound effect on the mental and physical health of the mother.

Every mother should work on building a dependable, steadfast and reliable support system before entering the world of motherhood. This effort of hers will pay off big time in her initial months when she’s at her most vulnerable. She must knit a support system consisting of family, friends, colleagues, neighbors and other new moms so that you have a bunch of people that you can confide in, trust with your baby, call them when you need something, seek advice and reassurance.

New moms often spend most of their time, energy and money on stocking up supplies, beautifully decorating the nurseries, having every possible toy for the little one but not investing in her own self-care. I think this is due to the fact that it’s culturally stemmed in us to think of the baby before ourselves. But as proven by various extensive studies, every new mom whether it’s her first time or the third time must work on building a support system that backs her up whenever the need arrives.

A new mother can need support in any way or form she didn’t even know she would. These things can be planned and prepared for with proper advice and guidance. New parents shouldn’t just assume they would get the necessary help from siblings, parents or friends. Multi layered, extensive planning with knowing who to call upon in the time of a specific need is what should be the proper way of getting support. Just like we rely on different people for different kinds of needs, new mothers also need to assign and ascribe people for various kinds of needs.  People who live nearby can be helpful in cooking, taking care of the baby, chatting or spending relaxing time with and people who live far away can be of great help when all you want is someone to listen and not annihilate your feelings.

Mothers need support, advice and reassurance especially when they are breastfeeding the little one. Although breastfeeding itself is a great postpartum buster, it has its own set of challenges. Sometimes mothers need help in choosing the best breastfeeding supplements to use as a milk supply booster. Sometimes she can’t decide between an electric pump and hand pump, other times the confusion is between the kind of nursing gear like blankets, bras, pillows or position. Having a support community with people who deeply understand what exactly you are feeling and also have other moms in the same situation makes it quite easy for the new mom to stay connected and reminded that she is not alone.

Last Lines

For new mothers, the more support is the better. Be it any kind of support, new mothers need to feel supported, backed and assisted in order to feel confident as a mother.

[jhonrock10]

Changing Breasts Size- During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Getting pregnant and deciding to nurse the baby are some life changing decisions of any woman’s life so it’s bound to have some lasting effects on the woman’s body as well, especially breasts. Becoming parents changes the perspective of life making everything shift so don’t be surprised to know that you might never get your pre-pregnancy breasts post-breastfeeding the baby. Breasts can go through a spectrum of changes, some effects can last for lifetime and some effects are just for the time being. Sometimes the effects are dramatic and other times some minor differences in appearance. Women who have low milk supply can benefit from lactation drinks and boost their milk supply but the breast can feel fuller, tender and larger so the changes are literally constant.

Changes in breasts can be accounted for by various factors like hormones, weight gain, genetics or milk supply. All these factors come together to determine the changes in the breasts during pregnancy, breastfeeding and after weaning off the baby. Some women don’t really have any noteworthy differences in their breasts and that’s nothing to be worried about.  On the other hand, if the mother notices any unusual changes or symptoms like pain, engorgement, fever or lump in the breasts then she must consult a doctor. As soon as the mother conceives a child it’s not just the body who gets to work, the breasts also gear up for the most important job- feeding the little one. So keep on reading in order to get an outlook of the journey your breasts are going to embark.

Changes in Breasts during Pregnancy

Your breast starts to change right from the time you conceive. The breasts display the same symptoms as it does in premenstrual syndrome like soreness and tenderness of breasts upon touch. During the course of the first trimester the veins in your breasts become more visible, bluer is color and larger in size. Darkening of the areola is also a way the breasts change during this time. Small bumps known as Montgomery tubercles may also appear on the area surrounding the nipple, as they help lubricate the pathways and also have antiseptic qualities that in future will support nursing.

As I move into the second trimester, the breasts will start to feel fuller and heavier as the milk ducts have started to develop. This would be a great time to invest in a larger bra as it will be your new best friend for the next couple of years. Around the 22nd to 25th week, the breast gets to work and starts producing the colostrum. Most of this milk will be reabsorbed by the body but you might encounter some leakage. Make sure you don’t rub your breast the wrong way (pun intended) otherwise it can increase milk supply or even lead you to premature labor.

In the last few weeks of the pregnancy, the child is now fully developed and almost ready to come out. So the breasts know that their part is soon to start which results in even heavier and pronounced breasts. Your areola will become darker, the shape of the breasts may also change significantly. As the whole body is being stretched, the breasts will also feel the pull and start to feel itchy or dry, so make sure to moisturize them to avoid stretch marks.

Changes in Breasts during Breastfeeding and After Weaning

Your breasts will continue to change while you’re nursing and may never be the same as before even after you wean off the baby, but trust me it’s all worth it. The most common thing to get used to as soon as possible is leaky breasts. Your breasts can start to leak when they’re too full, when the baby is hungry, when you’re really emotional or just out of nowhere! Breast engorgement is another thing that is part and parcel of breastfeeding the baby. It is a very painful place to be in, as breast engorgement can lead to mastitis and other complications. To avoid this, make sure to nurse the baby on demand and frequently pump the milk to make your breast feel normal and lighter.

If you feel that you need to increase milk supply to fulfil the need for the baby then try lactation cookies. But if you feel that your breasts are becoming smaller on some days and bigger on others, then it is just the milk production that is causing it. Finally when you decide to give up breastfeeding the baby, it may be after a week, a month or a year, the breast will start to come back to its pre-pregnancy days but they might never be the same.

Conclusion

Breast changes are attributed to various factors, if your breasts don’t feel the same as before, there might be some fat on them, they might also feel saggy or tender or have permanent stretch marks on them. But if you feel continuous pain or tenderness upon touch, please see a doctor as soon as possible.

[jhonrock10]

Barriers Women Face While Breastfeeding at Workplace

Despite the fact that people are well-aware of the importance of breastmilk, there are still many social, cultural and professional barriers that nursing mothers have to break or succumb to everyday. One of the biggest reasons nursing mothers fail to even reach the “exclusive breastfeeding for six months mark” is they have to return to work after a mere 6-8 weeks or otherwise face consequences like losing the job or staying unpaid for the time. In fact, the statistics clearly indicate the downfall in the number of nursing mothers who are heading back to work. The figures are so unacceptably low that indicates something very wrong that needs immediate attention and reforming.

We have been successful in creating amazing products like breast milk supplements, electric breasts pumps, nursing bras, clothes, blankets and have even invented ways like SNS for mothers who can’t feed at all. But now the burning issue that collectively needs our attention as a society is making a working mothers journey smoother and convenient so that she can juggle between motherhood and work without giving up on either. In order to solve a problem, we first need to acknowledge there’s one, right?

So, in this article we will address the many obstacles that working-nursing mothers face day-to-day and how we can amend our ways in what little ways we can, so that she can provide for her baby and also work to support her family.  

Obstacle #1 Little to No Time for Expressing the Milk

Taking care of a newborn baby is a 24hr job, add breastfeeding and job to the mix and the whole experience becomes overwhelming, draining and honestly pretty challenging. The number one problem that most nursing mothers face in their job timing is not having enough time to fully express the milk. This leads to several problems like breast engorgement, reduced milk production, sore nipples and insufficient milk supply for the baby at home. Although mothers can increase milk supply by taking breast milk supplements, it's better to have a natural production of milk.

Sometimes the nature of the job is too demanding or work schedules are so tight that mothers can hardly fit in the expressing time. Mothers need to take this to their bosses and come to a settlement about having time for expressing milk other than the usual lunch breaks. In order to efficiently express milk at work, make sure you practice it at home so that it is swift and easy.

Obstacle #2 Unsupportive Work Environment

The next obstacle faced by nursing mothers at a workplace is unsupportive bosses or work environments. It’s not essential that your workplace has a special room where you can express your breastmilk with privacy and convenience. Most of the time, the spare room is used by all the co-workers, so it's not possible to express milk there. Mothers need to make the bosses aware of her needs and requirements in order to get what she wants from her workplace. Communication with confidence is the key to your success and it will also pave the way for other mothers as well.

Obstacle #3 Ignorant Coworkers

Not all coworkers or colleagues will understand your struggles, those frequent breaks and extra time off from work. They might even make things difficult for you in jealousy or advise you to quit the job or breastfeed unaware of the importance of it. Make sure to address and answer their question rather than getting uncomfortable or awkward about them. Be confident as you’re doing the toughest job in the world along with what they’re doing, so kudos to you! Don’t try to ignore those sly remarks, intrusive stares and snide comments, face them with confidence!

Obstacle #4 Maintaining your Mental and Physical Health

Many mothers forget to put themselves on priority and tend to make these sacrifices that take a toll on their mental and physical health without much acknowledgement. Bringing up a baby, working a job and taking care of the home is no easy feat. So, pat your back, don’t be too hard on yourself and let go of perfection. The most important thing is that you feel happy, accomplished and content at the end of the day, so don’t let anyone make you feel any less. Just discipline yourself, write down your goals and work on accomplishing them. Don’t be the people’s pleaser. Stay confident, positive and take good care of yourself as so many things are dependent on you and you should be proud of that.

Ending Lines

It can be extremely difficult, demanding and daunting to work three times as you did before. But with adequate planning, practice and communication skills, you can work it all out. just be sure to express what you truly feel without worrying about the reaction or consequences.

[jhonrock10]

How We Can Socially Support Frist-Time Mothers

Becoming a mom is a life-altering event in a woman’s life, it can be daunting, exciting, nerve-wrecking and the most beautiful experience all at one time. New moms and especially first-time moms go through a range of emotions, feelings and changes that can’t be simply put in words. The body is constantly changing with the demands of the baby and the mind is dealing with worries, insecurities, postpartum depression along with fatigue and anger. It’s a lot to take in that too all alone. I think first time mothers must be supported by friends, family, spouse, employer and relatives in every way- physically, emotionally, financially (if needed) and most importantly socially. Give them valuable support by offering them amazing products like lactation treats rather than criticizing them.

Telling others about your vulnerable position is a tough job but it gets even tougher after the baby when you look up to people all the time. Sometimes you need assistance in carrying the baby, passing the bottles, cleaning the baby or even in dealing with postpartum depression. It might feel to some first-time mothers that they’re a burden now, asking for help all the time but bringing up a child alone can take a toll on your mental, physical and emotional health. so don’t be shy or hesitant next time you feel you need a hand, just ask for it, it's perfectly fine.

After speaking to many new moms and parents, we have gathered together a list of ways in which you can garner social support from friends, family, relatives, co-workers or even your employer.

1.      Arrange a Meal Service Template

It's fairly common among families and friends to take charge of the regular supply of meals for a household welcoming a new born but that hardly lasts for a week or 10 days. A better way to supply meals for a longer time and with a variety of options is by arranging a meal train. Online websites like Meal Train or Take Them A Meal allow you to create a calendar and schedule home-cooked meals from friends and family members to take up to the household where it’s needed. With just a few clicks you can set it up and other people can also help. What’s even more amazing is that it can be used for a lot more things like babysitting or doctor appointments.

2.      Get their Groceries

If you have planned a trip to the grocery store, make sure to ask the new mommy if she wants anything from the grocery store, or if has a list to tackle. Bring her groceries and arrange them for her. If she says she is too overwhelmed to cook food at home for the first time, you can always grab some healthy snacks for her which both the new parents can depend on. Be sure to sneak in some of the comforting snacks and desserts as well which will make their day end better like Hostess cupcakes, Doritos, Tostitos dips, dessert cups or other enjoyable goodness out there. You can also add some delicious lactation treats that can be a great milk supply booster.

3.      Volunteer to Babysit the Child

Sometimes the new mother needs to break the cycle of monotony and just chill, relax and unwind by doing things that she enjoys. You can volunteer as a babysitter for the new born child so that the parents can go on a date night, movie night or just hang out with friends. This small break can help revitalize the mind of the mom, make her fresh and ready to take on her responsibility with a positive frame of mind. Even if the parents or the mom decides to stay at home you can hold the baby, take care of him/her, attend to the needs so that the mom can take a nap, shower or catch up on her favorite season.

4.      Join Support Groups Online

If you’re a mom that lives far away from close friends and family members even then you’re not in it alone. There are plenty of online apps, websites, groups and sessions that can help with lifting your new-mom-load. Through these apps and online support groups you get connected with volunteers who offer help to look after your baby or household for just a minimum of cash. This helps in two ways- you don’t feel like you’re taking any favours from others or being a burden on them and you also get a little social interaction with people.

5.      Confine in your Partner

The best kind of support and understanding can only come from the partner or spouse. New mothers need to communicate what they’re going through or where they need assistance with their partners. Don’t jump the gun or start with an argument, instead wait for a time when both of you’re relaxed and free, this will make the conversation more fruitful.

Ending Lines

We all are trained to be self-reliant, so it makes us socially awkward to ask help from others even if we have reached our breaking point. It's our responsibility as humans to help others and attend to their needs in times like these when a new baby has arrived.  Try starting with these points or switch it as per the situation.  

[jhonrock10]

How to Increase Breast Milk Supply Using Prescription Drugs?

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition and nourishment for the baby and it’s recommended by WHO to nurse the baby exclusively for at least the first 6 months and after that up to 2 years with other foods. From 76% mothers who initially started to nurse their babies were down to only 23% after the 6-month mark. That’s a drastic drop in numbers and one of the biggest reasons why mothers don’t breastfeed their baby is the condition known as Perceived Insufficient milk supply. In this condition mother constantly thinks that her milk supply is not good enough for the baby to completely sustain on it hence they start formula milk.

Most of the time a mother’s milk supply is just fine but even if she does have a low supply of milk, it can be easily boosted by pumping, frequent feedings, lactating cookies , emergency brownies, milk supply supplements and even by prescription drugs. Although there are no specific drugs designed for boosting the milk supply, there are certain drugs that are made for other purposes but can be used to increase milk supply as well. Let’s know more about these prescription drugs, how they work, what side effects they have and by which name we can find them on the market.

How does Prescription Drugs Boost Milk Supply?

The breast milk is produced when the hormone prolactin is present in appropriate levels. When the mother has an imbalance in the levels of the prolactin, low milk supply occurs. Prolactin levels are regulated by dopamine, a inhibitor that makes sure that enough milk is produced not more and not less. The prescription drugs block the dopamine which eventually results in a boosted milk supply. Always use these drugs under the strict regulation of your doctor. You can use them to initiate, establish and boost milk supply.

Common Prescription Drugs Used for Increasing Milk Supply

There are three most common and known prescription drugs used as galactagogues- domperidone (Motilium), metoclopramide (Reglan) and sulpiride (Dolmatil, Sulpitil, Sulparex or Eglonyl).

Domperidone (Motilium)

Domperidone is a drug that is used in the treatment of gastric problems. It’s used in Canada and other parts of the world but not in the USA as the FDA hasn’t approved of it yet. This drug has fewer harmful side effects on the nursing mothers and the baby than its other counterparts we will just talk about. This drug is also safe for long-term usage and side effects like headache, dry mouth and stomach cramps are also rare. FDA hasn’t approved of this drug for any condition as reports of grave heart problems and sudden death have been linked with the usage of this drug when given intravenously. So, if you’re in the USA then the domperidone is illegal to use, sell and import.

Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Metoclopramide is a drug that is prescribed for the treatment of stomach conditions like reflux, nausea, retching or bad burps. This medicine is also most commonly prescribed for increasing the milk supply of breastfeeding mothers. The results of this medicine are almost immediate but will last only till continuous use of it. When you stop taking the medicine the supply diminishes again. Metoclopramide does in fact travel through the milk and reaches the baby but there hasn’t been any evidence indicating any harmful effects.

The most common side effects of this medicine are restlessness, drowsiness and headaches. Less common but definitely severe side effects include, depression and tardive dyskinesia, which doesn’t even completely subside after the discontinuation of the medicine. So, don’t take this medicine in high doses for longer than 12 weeks.

Sulpiride (Dolmatil, Sulpitil, Sulparex or Eglonyl)

Sulpiride is a drug that is used for the treatment of depression, psychotic disorders and other mental conditions. It is used in countries like Zimbabwe, South Africa and Chile. This drug also helps increase the prolactin levels in the body thus increasing milk supply, but its not at all recommended as it has very bad side effects like heavy drowsiness, memory loss and others.

Why would you need to have these Drugs?

Most of the time, a mother can easily increase her milk supply with lactating cookies, milk supply supplements, breast milk drinks, treats and other galactagogues like fennel seeds, milk thistle and oatmeal. But sometimes the doctors do recommend these drugs, this is the case when you want to nurse an adopted baby, you have weaned your child off from the breastfeed but want to give it another chance or you genuinely have a very low supply of breast milk and need a boost of drugs.

A Word from Us

Every drug has some kind of a side effect, so all the mothers out there, who are worried their milk supply is enough please do consult your doctor before starting or even considering any of the drugs mentioned enough.

[jhonrock10]

Breastfeeding and Insufficient Glandular Tissue-All you Need to Know

Breastfeeding is the most natural and undoubtedly the best way to nourish the baby. The amazing qualities that mother’s milk possesses are hard to find in any formula milk powder. In fact, no formula milk company claims their product to be an alternative to mother’s milk. Every mother is naturally equipped to nourish, feed and produce milk for her child as per the demand barring a few obstacles that can be dealt with easily by taking the best lactation cookies from Milky Mama.  But in a very rarest of rare cases, some women aren’t just physically able to produce milk for their baby despite putting every effort they can. I say rarest of rare because it's pretty unlikely to happen in women but some women do have Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT) also known as Mammary hypoplasia.

What is Insufficient Glandular Tissue?

Mammary hypoplasia is simply a condition in which the woman is unable to produce sufficient or no milk for her child. When the mother was in her teenage years, she didn’t develop proper mammary glands that led to this condition. Her breasts can be large or small, but it doesn’t have any effect on the production of the milk. The size of the breast doesn’t determine how much milk a woman can produce. How big the size of the breast generally tells the fatty tissue in the breast- the larger the breasts the fattier tissue and the smaller the breast the lesser the fatty tissue. The production of the milk stems from glandular tissue and nothing else.

Signs that Indicate IGT

There are many physical signs that can be good indicators of insufficient glandular tissue in women. When diagnosing a woman for mammary hypoplasia pay heed to the shape of the breasts, the placement of the breasts and symmetry of the breasts. With much research done on this issue, almost all the women had the same features in their breasts who were suffering from IGT. The first sign is the abnormally spaced breasts, the distance between each breast is more than 2-5 inches! The other sign to look out for is the asymmetry of the breasts, one breast is significantly larger than the other. It's no small difference that can be written off, it's notable and quite prominent. Women with IGT also have tubular shaped breasts meaning empty sacked shaped breasts in appearance that strongly indicates something is wrong.

Other than the physical signs, there are a few more things that can further cement the fact that the woman does have IGT. During the pregnancy period the whole-body changes and adjusts to the new life growing inside and so does the breasts as they kick start the milk making. But mothers who have IGT will find little to no change in their breasts. This is mainly because the boob fairy didn’t bless her with liquid gold that is the mother’s milk. Another sign to look out for IGT in women is the unusually large and huge disproportionate areola, which sometimes feel like it was attached later on. It doesn’t seem to be a part of the natural breast structure.  The strange thing is that some mothers who have one or more than one physical sign matching the above are fully capable of nursing and producing sufficient milk for their little one.

Is Nursing a Possibility for Hypoplastic Breasts?

Yes! Even if a woman has IGT she can still nurse her baby. This basically depends on how underdeveloped the mammary gland is, even if it’s slightly developed the woman will be able to nurse her child with help from formula milk and other substitutes. If the mothers want to know how to increase milk supply in the most natural and effective way then she can try the best lactation cookies, drinks and supplements from Milky Mama and see a boost in milk supply. Sometimes one breast isn’t developed with the mammary gland but the other one is perfectly well, even then the mother can nurse her child effectively. In such cases the mother needs to nurse the baby more often so that the supply of milk remains steady. Make sure that her latching and positioning of the baby is good, taking herbal supplements that naturally boosts milk supply is a great addition to the diet.

For mothers who have no development of this tissue can still feel the closeness and bonding with the child by using the Supplemental Nursing System (SNS). This is done by putting the milk in a container which can hang by the neck of the mother or she can hold it. A thin tube is attached to the breasts which goes into the mouth of the baby when he/she sucks the breasts and the other end of the tube is placed in the milk container.

Ending Lines

IGT is a condition that certain women are born with and there is nothing much that can be done for it. You can only say for sure that the breast tissue is underdeveloped when the woman becomes pregnant or wants to nurse the baby.