Barb's Daily Dose

Booby Blunders - Fit Pregnancy

Another Great Article from Fit Pregnancy

Booby Blunders - Fit Pregnancy.

Refusing to Breast Feed on Both Sides

I heard from a friend with a 3 month old, who found that her darling little boy suddenly refuses to nurse on the right side. It seemed to happen overnight.  Suddenly he'd cry and arch his back, spitting out the right nipple, even if he was hungry.  When he was sleepy, he would start on either side without problem, and take both sides without any fussiness.  

The Case for Pacifiers

In my experience, some babies are like Hoover vacuum cleaners, they  will suck on anything and everything. Research has shown that some babies need between 2-4 extra hours each day for "non-nutritive" sucking.  In other words, some babies like to work their mouths even when not eating. It's pleasurable and helps them feel good.  

Hunger Strikes

What do you do when you have a baby who refuses to eat or drink anything except breast milk directly from the source? If the baby is younger than 6 weeks, you'll have a better chance at helping them get used to a bottle.  If they are older than 7 or 8 weeks, this may be a big challenge that can reduce everyone in the family to tears. Here's a few hints that might help:

Introducing a Bottle

One of my patients came in the other day, breathless with worry about returning to work and trying to pump enough milk for her baby.  She's going back in March, so has some time.  Her baby is 4 weeks old. Her timing is perfect.

Maybe you have to return to work and have to pump your breast milk for your baby. Maybe you need to supplement with formula. Maybe formula is the best choice. Whatever the circumstances, the vast majority of moms need to be able to give their baby nourishment from a bottle at some point in the first year.  How do you get a baby to take a bottle?

Avoiding Nipple Confusion: Finding The Magic Window

Do you remember learning in Biology class about the scientist, Konrad Lorenz, who taught baby ducks to follow him around as if he were their mother. He found that there are critical windows when you can imprint  behavior in ducks.  OK, I'm not saying that your baby is a duck, but what most lactation consultants and pediatric nurses know is that you can imprint feeding flexibility in your newborn also during a "Magic  Window".