Cafe Diamond - Bollywood Actress, Marathi Songs

Because more and more women are choosing to breast
feed their babies, more and more are also finding
that they enjoy it enough to continue longer than
the first few months they planned on.  Breast
feeding to 3 - 4 years of age is common in much
of the world recently, and is still common in
many societies for toddlers to be breast fed.

Because mothers and babies often enjoy to breast
feed, you shouldn’t stop it.  After six months,
many think that breast milk loses it’s value -
which isn’t true.  Even after six months, it
still contains protein, fat, and other important
nutrients which babies and children need.

The fact is, immune factors in breast milk will
protect the baby against infections.  Breast
milk also contains factors that will help the
immune system mature, and other organs to develop
and mature as well.

It’s been shown and proven in the past that
children in daycare who are still breast feeding
have far less severe infections than the
children that aren’t breast feeding.  The mother
will lose less work time if she chooses to
continue nursing her baby once she is back to
work.

If you have thought about breast feeding your
baby once he gets passed 6 months of age, you
have made a wise decision.  Although many feel
that it isn’t necessary, breast milk will always
help babies and toddlers.  Breast milk is the
best milk you can give to your baby.

No matter what others may tell you, breast feeding
only needs to be stopped when you and the baby
agree on it.  You don’t have to stop when someone
else wants you to - you should only stop when
you feel that it’s the right time.

If you’ve every been pregnant or if you are pregnant
now, you’ve probably noticed a metamorphisis in your
bra cups.  The physical changes (tender, swollen
breasts) may be one of the earliest clues that you
have conceived.  Many experts believe that the color
change in the areola may also be helpful when it
comes to breast feeding.

What’s going on
Perhaps what’s even more remarkable than visible
changes is the extensive changes that are taking
place inside of your breasts.  The developing
placenta stimulates the release of estrogen and
progesterone, which will in turn stimulate the
complex biological system that helps to make lactation
possible.

Before you get pregnant, a combination of supportive
tissue, milk glands, and fat make up the larger
portions of your breats.  The fact is, your newly
swollen breasts have been preparing for your
pregnancy since you were in your mother’s womb!

When you were born, your main milk ducts had already
formed.  Your mammary glands stayed quiet until
you reached puberty, when a flood of the female
hormone estrogen caused them to grow and also to
swell.  During pregnancy, those glands will kick
into high gear.

Before your baby arrives, glandular tissue has
replaced a majority of the fat cells and accounts
for your bigger than before breasts.  Each breast
may actually get as much as 1 1/2 pounds heavier
than before!

Nestled among the fatty cells and glandular tissue
is an intricate network of channels or canals known
as the milk ducts.  The pregnancy hormones will
cause these ducts to increase in both number and
size, with the ducts branching off into smaller
canals near the chest wall known as ductules.

At the end of each duct is a cluster of smaller
sacs known as alveoli.  The cluster of alveoli is
known as a lobule, while a cluster of lobule is
known as a lobe.  Each breast will contain around
15 - 20 lobes, with one milk duct for every lobe.

The milk is produced inside of the alveoli, which
is surrounded by tiny muscles that squeeze the
glands and help to push the milk out into the
ductules.  Those ductules will lead to a bigger
duct that widens into a milk pool directly below
the areola.

The milk pools will act as resevoirs that hold the
milk until your baby sucks it through the tiny
openings in your nipples.

Mother Nature is so smart that your milk duct
system will become fully developed around the time
of your second trimester, so you can properly
breast feed your baby even if he or she arrives
earlier than you are anticipating.

Once you’ve given birth, breast feeding is the single
most important thing you can do to protect your baby
and help to promote good health.  Best of all, breast
feeding is free.

Along with saving you money on HMR (Human Milk
Replacement), breast feeding can also help you to
keep your medical bills down.  Babies that are fed
with formula get sicker more often and more seriously
than babies that are breast fed  They also have more
ear infections, respiratory infections, and other
problems.

This can be even more true if your family has had a
history of allergies.  When a baby is breast fed, the
antibodies pass on from the mother to the baby,
helping to protect against illness and allergies.  As
the baby’s system matures, his body will begin to
make it’s own antibodies, and he’ll be more equipped
to handle sensitivities of food.

Sucking on the breast will also help with the
development or jaw alignment and the development of
the cheekbone.  For this very reason, there is less
of the need for costly orthodontic work when the
child gets older.

Unlike formula, breast milk is always ready, always
available, convenient, and always the right temperature
for feeding.  Plus, it contains all of the vitamins
and minerals your growing baby needs, saving you a
lot of money.

Breast feeding also offers many benefits for the mom
as well.  The baby sucking at the breast will cause
contractions right after birth, leading to less
bleeding for the mom, and helping her uterus to it’s
shape before pregnancy much faster.

Breast feeding will also burn calories, so a mom can
lose weight much faster than if she fed her baby with
a bottle.  Breast feeding will also create a special
bond with the mother and the baby - which is one
thing formula simpy cannot do.

Sometimes, a baby that is breast fed may suddenly
decide to refuse breast feeding.  The baby will
pull away from the breast, then toss his head from
side to side.  This can happen at anytime, so there
really is no way to predict it happening.

Reasons why
Refusal to feed from the breast could occur when the
baby is in pain. Normally, this can be due to an
ear infection, sore head from vacuum delivery,
thrush in the baby’s mouth, or teething.

The use of dummies, teats or nipple shields may also
contribute to refusal.  Some babies actually find
it difficult to feed from the breast and bottle as
the sucking action is very different.  Some become
confused, therefore it’s always best to avoid using
any type of teats or dummies.

Sometimes, the milk just takes bitter.  This can
be due to antibiotics, if you starting or in the
middle of your period, or nipple creams.  If the
milk tastes bitter, your baby will normally not
want to feed.

Solving the problems
First, you should always try to identify what may
have caused the breast refusal then begin to treat
the cause.  Always remain patient and gentle with
your baby.  Be sure to hold your baby next to you,
skin to skin, so that he can take the breast when
he wants to, so that he begins to realize that
breast feeding is both enjoyable and comfortable.

Older babies may suddenly take shorter and fewer
breast feeds, although this can be normal with
some babies.  Therefore, it’s always best not to
try and make the baby feed longer, but instead let
the baby decide how often and also how long each
individual feeding will last.

For many years, scientists have been playing out
the ingredients that make breast milk the perfect
food for babies.  They’ve discovered to day over
200 close compounds to fight infection, help the
immune system mature, aid in digestion, and support
brain growth - nature made properties that science
simply cannot copy.

The important long term benefits of breast feeding
include reduced risk of asthma, allergies, obesity,
and some forms of childhood cancer.  The more that
scientists continue to learn, the better breast
milk looks.

In addition to making your baby healthier, breast
feeding may also make him smarter.  Many studies
have proved that breast fed babies tend to be
more smarter than babies who were fed with formula
or other methods.  Breast feeding does help with
nutrients and the support of brain growth, which
is something every mother should think about.

The benefits for the nursing mom are just as
good as they are for the baby.  The hormones that
are released during breast feeding will curb
blood loss post delivery and help to shrink the
uterus back to it’s normal size.

Long term, the breast feeding mom will have a
lower risk for premenopausal breast cancer,
which is the kind that strikes before the age
of 50.  The benefits will begin to show with
three to six months of breast feeding and increase
the longer that breast feeding continues.

By now, you should realize that breast milk is
one power packed liquid.  It offers more for your
baby than formula, or any other scientific
creation for that matter.  As you begin to plan
for the future of your baby, make a commitment
to breast feeding him for as long as you possibly
can - as it will do both your bodies good.

Babies that are breast fed are very portable and
easy to comfort no matter where your schedule has
you going.  Many women however, worry about
breast feeding in public.  The worry of nursing
in a public place is normally worse than the
actual experience and often times the only people
who notice you feeding are the other mothers who
are doing the same thing.

Many women find ways to breast feed discreetly.
You can ask your partner or even a friend to
stand in front of you while you lift your shirt
from the waist.  When you breast feed, the baby’s
body will cover most of your upper body and you
can pull your shirt down to her face to cover
the tops of your breast.  Some mothers prefer to
put a light blanket over their shoulders as a
type of cover.

When you are visiting someone else’s home, you
may feel more comfortable either leaving the
room or turning away from people when you first
put the baby to your breast.  If you would like
more privacy, breast feed in an empty room, car,
or public restroom.

A lot of restrooms are becoming more baby
friendly and they even have a seperate are with
a changing table and a chair.  Several shopping
malls now offer special mother’s rooms where
the mom can breast feed her baby in privacy,
which will help sensitive babies who are too
distracted by feeding to nurse well in public.
It won’t take long at all though, before your
baby will learn to breast feed without any fuss
at all.

An alternative way is expressing or pumping
your milk at home and then offer it in a bottle
while in public.  Keep in mind, offering
bottles with artificial nipples in the first
few weeks can and probably will interfere with
breast feeding.

When breast feeding in public, you should always
use what works best for you.  During the first
few weeks, it will take some getting used to,
as it will be as new for you as it is for the
baby.  With some time, you’ll have no problems
at all.

If you don’t feel comfortable breast feeding in
a certain location, then you shouldn’t.  You
should feel a certain level of comfort when you
feed, as the baby can tell when you aren’t
comfortable doing something.  If you show your
baby that you aren’t nervous - you and your
baby will be just fine.

Many women find that they can eat whatever they may like during breast feeding.  Even though it’s true that some stongly favored foods can change the taste of your milk, many babies seem to enjoy the varieties of breast milk flavors.  Occasionally, your baby may get cranky at the breast after you eat certain foods.  If you notice this happening, simply avoid that particular food.

The most common offenders duing breast feeding include chocolate, spices, citrus fruits, garlic, chili, lime, gassy vegetables, and fruits with laxative type effects, such as prunes and cherries.

You can have a cup or two of coffee a day, although too much caffeine can interfere with your baby’s sleep and even make him or her cranky.  Keep in mind, caffeine is found in many soda’s, tea, and even over the counter type medicine as well.

It’s okay to have an alcoholic beverage every now and the, although having more than one drink can increase your blood alcohol level, putting the alcohol into your breast milk.

If you are planning to have more than one drink at a time, it’s best to wait two hours or more per drink before you resume any type of nursing or breast feeding.  There is no need to pump and dump unless your breasts are full and its time to feed your baby.  While breast feeding, any type of heavy drinking should be avoided.

Before you actually omit any foods from your diet, you should talk to your doctor.  If you avoid certain foods and it causes a nutritional imbalance, you may need to see a nutritionist for advice on taking other foods or getting nutritional supplements.