Writer & Lactation Consultant
Nursing is nursing, whether your baby is drowning in milk, or just lightly sucking. It’s nursing, whether your child does it because he wants a meal, an appetizer, a snack, or dessert. It’s nursing, whether your child is hungry, starving, thirsty, tired, or just wants …
Besides nipple pain, low milk supply is probably the biggest concern mothers have while breastfeeding. It is also one of the more common reasons cited by mothers for premature weaning. First, it’s important to know that virtually all mothers—if given the right information and education—can …
How long to nurse your baby or toddler is a very personal, individual decision. And it’s a choice only you can make—not your friends, your breastfeeding helpers, your mother, or your partner. You know yourself and your child. You know your day-to-day life. You know …
There is no wrong way to position your baby at the breast. As long as your body and breasts stay comfortable and your baby is getting enough milk, there’s nothing you need to change. Humans have been breastfeeding since the dawn of time, and it …
I have listened to mothers weep over how difficult breastfeeding is, or how much they hate it, dread it, want it to end. I have helped mothers get through to the other side of breastfeeding, which usually includes varying amounts of pleasure and love. But I have …
1. We’ve all had days when we wanted to give up. 2. There are breastfeeding helpers out there who won’t judge you. Keep looking till you find one who makes you feel safe and supported. 3. Breastfeeding isn’t all or nothing. 4. Breastfeeding looks different for …
Many mothers start off thinking of breastfeeding simply as a feeding method. In those first few weeks, they want to be sure they are doing it right—and, of course, that their baby is getting enough to eat. Sometimes the technicalities of nursing can wear a …
Scenario 1: Your eight-month-old seems to be teething. He bit you while nursing and you screamed at the top of your lungs (ouch!). Now your baby cries when he comes to your breast, and refuses to nurse. Scenario 2: Your four-month-old had a cold last …
I have been helping women breastfeed their babies for six years, and have been nursing my own children for over eight years, but I am still floored when I hear some of the things women are told about breastfeeding—from their doctors, midwives, friends, grandmothers, Dr. Google, …
As soon as I got out of bed, my older son started playfully pummeling me, socking me right in the ribs. And just when I sat down to drink my tea, the two-year-old decided to marathon-nurse for 30 minutes. My tea got cold. Then, as …