Colostrum

After you give birth, your breasts will make a thick, yellowish substance called colostrum, which is full of nutrients to help babies build their immune systems. After two to three days, this liquid becomes thinner and whiter. Your breasts may become fuller and harder after a few days too.¹

Sore Nipples

Your nipples may be sore, extra sensitive, and cracked during the first few weeks of breastfeeding. If the soreness or pain is intense, talk with your doctor or a lactation consultant.

Number of Feedings Per Day

Newborn babies should breastfeed eight to 12 times per day for about the first month and seven to nine times a day from 1 month to 2 months. Initially, the time between feedings is whenever baby is hungry, or every 1 1/2 to three hours. As they grow, babies develop more predictable schedules.

One Breast or Two?

After baby finishes the first breast, it’s okay to offer the second one. Your baby will know when she’s full or wants more.

Duration of Nursing

Typically, newborns will nurse up to 20 minutes, some longer, on one or both breasts. But once your bundle of joy gets the hang of it, it could take as little as five to 10 minutes on each side.²

Getting it Right

Most new moms worry that baby isn’t getting a good “latch” and getting enough to eat. It just takes some practice. Here are some signs to help you know if baby is getting a good latch.³

Try different holding positions with baby’s chest against your body to help baby find his or her way.

• A good latch will feel comfortable.
• Baby’s chest rests against your body so he doesn’t have to turn his head.
• Your areola should be barely visible.
• Baby’s mouth will be filled with breast.
• Baby’s tongue will cup under the breast.
• You’ll hear or see baby swallow.
• Baby’s ears will “wiggle” a little.
• Baby’s lips will turn outward, not inward.
• Baby’s chin will touch your breast.

It’s understandable to have questions about breastfeeding your newborn, especially if you are a first-time mom. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor if there seems to be a cause for concern.

Take one more concern off your plate by incorporating Prenate^® Restore into your daily routine. This prescription vitamin covers your recommended daily nutrient intake, while helping your baby grow and restoring your health.

Prenate^® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate^® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

The post Is this Normal? Breastfeeding Edition. appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Water

Staying hydrated is a must if you’re a breastfeeding mom. If you get too little liquid, your milk production can slow down. There is no better way to get the liquid your body needs than drinking water. Experts recommend drinking about 128 ounces, or 16 eight-ounce glasses, each day.

Protein

A steady supply of milk requires lots of protein-rich foods. It’s so essential, in fact, that new mamas should make sure to add 25 grams of protein to their daily intake while breastfeeding. Here are some yummy ways to get it:

• Meat, fish, and chicken
• Eggs
• Cheese and yogurt
• Nuts
• Legumes

Iron

During pregnancy, your body used up much of its iron supply. While you are breastfeeding, it’s recommended you get 9 milligrams of iron each day. Here are some iron-rich foods that can help you get there.

• Red meat, chicken, and fish
• Leafy green veggies
• Legumes
• Nuts and dried fruit
• Whole grain breads and cereals

Calcium

Getting the right amount of calcium is crucial to you as a new mom to meet the increased demands on your body. The lack of calcium now can weaken your bones later. The recommended daily allowance while nursing is 1,300 milligrams. You can find calcium in:

• Milk
• Yogurt
• Hard cheeses
• Calcium-fortified orange juice
• Calcium-fortified tofu

Vitamin C

As a nursing mom, you need even more vitamin C than you did while pregnant. Experts recommend getting 120 milligrams per day. These foods are great sources of vitamin C:

• Citrus fruits
• Broccoli
• Cantaloupe
• Potatoes
• Bell peppers
• Tomato
• Cauliflower

Folate and Folic Acid

While nursing, you can easily deplete your supply of folate. You can get this essential B vitamin naturally in a wide variety of foods, including:

• Spinach, asparagus, brussels sprouts, avocados, and broccoli
• Beans, peas, chickpeas, peanuts, and kidney beans
• Breakfast cereals, white rice, enriched spaghetti, and white bread
• Oranges, orange juice, bananas, and cantaloupe
• Beef, halibut, crab, and chicken

Vitamins

Sometimes breastfeeding moms need extra help getting the essential vitamins and minerals their bodies need. A good multivitamin can help fill the gaps with much-needed nutrients. Prenate^® Restore is an option for helping moms replenish nutrients lost during breastfeeding. Learn more about Prenate^® Restore here.

Prenate^® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate^® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

The post The Importance of Proper Nutrition While Breastfeeding appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

While every new mom’s experience will be different, having the right breastfeeding resources and guidance can be helpful to both mothers and babies. In today’s post we’ll review the basic benefits of breastfeeding and highlight some essentials that can make it easier.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Babies

Nutrition

Breastmilk provides essential nutrients needed to promote your baby’s growth and development. As your baby grows, your breastmilk actually changes to adapt to his or her changing nutritional needs.¹

Easier Digestion

Breastmilk is easier to digest than formula, making it easier for your baby’s body to process. It is a more efficient form of nutrition for your growing baby.¹

Protection from Illnesses

Breastmilk contains antibodies that help protect your baby from certain illnesses, such as ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses and allergies.² Research has shown that the longer your baby breastfeeds, the greater the benefits are to his or her health.² Even a difference of a few months can make a big difference. In one study, researchers found that babies had a higher risk of developing respiratory infections such as pneumonia if they were exclusively breastfed for four months as compared to six months.2 Breastmilk can also help reduce the risk of several short-term and long-term health problems that preterm babies face.¹

Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

SIDS is the unexpected death of an infant in which the cause is unknown. It is sometimes called “crib death” or “cot death” because it most often occurs during sleep.² Research has found that breastfed infants have a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).¹

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom

Breastfeeding doesn’t just help protect and strengthen babies; it can also provide health benefits to mothers as well.

Breastfeeding triggers the release of a hormone called oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract, helping it return to its normal size more quickly after giving birth. This hormone may also help reduce the amount of bleeding moms experience after birth.¹

Breastfeeding can also make it easier for moms to lose the weight gained during pregnancy and may reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.¹

Breastfeeding Must-Haves

To help make breastfeeding easier, we’ve compiled a list of must-haves for new moms. Having access to these items and resources should help make breastfeeding more enjoyable for you and your baby:

• Lactation consultant at birth
• Burping cloths
• Nipple cream
• Nursing bra
• Nursing cover
• Nursing pads
• Breast pump
• Breastmilk storage items, such as bottles and bags

Working with a Lactation Consultant

Because breastfeeding can be so beneficial to moms and babies, it’s important to use the valuable resources and insight a lactation consultant can provide. When working with your lactation consultant, be sure to communicate any concerns or difficulties you’re experiencing. Your lactation consultant can help you find a technique that works best for your situation, whether you’re experiencing discomfort, low milk supply, oversupply, latching issues or challenges nursing multiples. Some lactation consultants may even be available to provide worksite or in-home lactation support after your hospital stay. This can be a highly valuable resource for new moms, as post-discharge outpatient lactation visits have been shown to increase breastfeeding initiation and intensity.³

Vitamins for Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding moms need to keep their own nutrition in in mind too. Prenate^® Restore is a once-daily vitamin for breastfeeding mothers that’s designed to support the nutritional needs of moms and their babies. Prenate^® Restore includes nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, DHA and probiotics that help infants achieve optimal growth and promote brain, immune system and gut development.^4-6 Prenate^® Restore is also appropriate during pregnancy, which means that expecting moms can start supplementation with Prenate^® Restore before the arrival of their baby and continue taking it through delivery and postpartum. Talk to your doctor to see if Prenate^® Restore is right for you.

The post Breastfeeding Essentials appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), nearly 40 percent of new mothers don’t attend even one postpartum doctor’s visit.¹ The transition from postpartum care to well-woman care is crucial for the ongoing health and well-being of a new mother.

New guidelines published by ACOG highlight the importance of new mothers having postpartum consultations with their health care providers.¹ Many doctors recommend a checkup at six weeks postpartum, but if you have other health issues or had difficulties during pregnancy or labor and delivery, your doctor may want more extensive follow-up.

In this post we’ll explore the areas of mental and physical health that are important to monitor postpartum, according to ACOG.

Physical Recovery from Labor and Delivery

It’s normal to feel tired after giving birth and while taking care of a new baby. Your doctor may ask questions about the quality of your sleep and how you feel you are recovering from labor and delivery. At postpartum care visits your doctor can help identify any physical issues you may be experiencing post-labor.

Pelvic Floor and Vaginal Health

Your doctor will monitor your healing by checking your cesarean section incision or by checking your vagina and perineum for tears. He or she will also check your uterus to confirm that it has contracted.²

While urinary incontinence is common right after childbirth², be sure to talk with your doctor if you have special concerns or if this condition is not improving with time. Some pelvic floor exercises or stimulation devices may help alleviate incontinence without the use of prescription medicine.

Nutrition and Dietary Needs for Breastfeeding

Healing from labor and delivery and recovering from pregnancy put extra demands on your body. Breastfeeding requires even more energy and calories. Support your health and your baby’s development by talking with your doctor about ensuring you get the proper nutrients through diet and from supplements.

The nutrition required in the third trimester is similar to postpartum for mothers who breastfeed. You still need 1,000 mg of folate, extra vitamin D, and calcium.¹ New moms may also want to supplement with biotin to support healthy hair and nail growth.²

Prenate^® Restore is a prenatal vitamin with probiotics as well as folate, vitamin D and calcium. It is designed for postpartum and breastfeeding but also is appropriate to take during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about choosing a supplement that’s right for you and your baby during this important time.

Mental Health (Mood and Emotions)

Postpartum depression affects one in seven women who give birth.² It’s likely that your doctor has a lot of experience with the issue. Be honest about how you feel and try to give your medical practitioner an accurate picture of your mental and emotional health.

If you are struggling with your new role as a mom, feeling run down, or have specific concerns about your mood and emotions, speak to your physician. Your doctor can determine whether your struggles are mental or physical and suggest ways to help you cope.

Lifestyle and Relationship Adjustments

Asking for help from family and friends during your first weeks at home with your baby is one way to deal with the extra stress and fatigue associated with the postpartum period.

Enlist the support of others to help you make lifestyle adjustments. Discuss any difficulties you may be having in relationships or as you make important changes to your day-to-day life.

As a new mom, you should receive ongoing postpartum care, according to ACOG, not just a single evaluation by a doctor six to 12 weeks after your baby is born. This is especially important for women who have chronic medical issues. Their postpartum care plan should include other medical professionals who can monitor chronic health issues after the postpartum period.²

Getting adequate postpartum medical care is essential to the health of every new mom and her baby. ACOG recommends putting a postpartum care plan in place before giving birth.²

The Prenate^® Family of vitamins provides nutritional support for women in every stage of pregnancy, from pre-conception through postpartum and breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor about whether a prescription vitamin may be right for you.

The post Addressing the Need for Postpartum Care appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

When your new bundle of joy arrives, the real work begins. The hours, days and weeks following delivery bring a whole new set of challenges and milestones.

It may be hard to imagine life with a new baby, but now is the time to ask your doctor some essential questions about the postpartum stages and breastfeeding.¹

Here are a few that every expecting mom should ask:

1.Will I be able to hold my baby immediately after delivery?
2. How soon after delivery will I be able to breastfeed my baby?
3. Will a lactation specialist be available if I ask for support?
4. How long do you think it will take after delivery before I can resume normal activities?
5. What’s normal regarding the “baby blues” and how will I know if it’s time to ask for help?
6. What medications should I avoid while breastfeeding?
7. Are there any foods that I should cut from my diet while I’m breastfeeding?
8. What physical postpartum problems should I watch for in the weeks following delivery?
9. How will I know if my baby isn’t getting enough milk through breastfeeding alone?
10. If I need a C-section, what should I expect for my recovery?
11. When do you recommend my first postpartum visit?
12. What form of birth control should I use postpartum?
13. What kinds of breastfeeding support and resources are available to me after I leave the hospital?
14. Can I choose the pediatrician who will take care of my child while we are in the hospital?
15. Will records about my pregnancy and delivery automatically transfer to my primary caregiver after my postpartum visit?
16. What should I know about expressing milk and storing it?
17. What should I expect regarding weight loss during the first weeks delivering my baby?
18. Do you recommend any physical activity restrictions after giving birth?
19. What is your advice about nutrition if I breastfeed my baby?
20. How can I reach you if I have questions while I’m at the hospital?

Start with these questions and add any others that come up between visits to your doctor, which will be weekly during the last month of your pregnancy.

This is an exciting time. It can be difficult to comprehend all the changes that will happen over the next few months. Bringing a written list of questions to your doctor and taking notes about their answers is one of the best ways you can collect high-quality and accurate information about your specific situation.

As you transition from your last trimester of pregnancy to the postpartum and breastfeeding stages, your nutritional needs may change. Be sure to talk with your doctor about how best to support those needs with vitamins for breastfeeding. Ask if the Prenate^® Vitamin Family, specially formulated for pregnancy and beyond, may be right for you.

The post 20 Must-Ask Questions about Breastfeeding and Postpartum for Your Doctor appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends that mothers breastfeed for the first six months of their babies’ lives.² In fact, AAP says that moms should ideally feed their babies nothing but breast milk during this time.

After the six-month mark, the AAP says moms should introduce solid foods to their babies while continuing to breastfeed. The AAP indicates that breastfeeding is fine if both mom and baby want to continue after the age of one year.²

Benefits for Baby

Ailments and diseases are less common in babies who are breastfed for at least six months. In the case of celiac disease, babies who were breastfed at the time that gluten was introduced to their diets had a 52 percent reduction in risk of developing the disease.³

A lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is one of the most important benefits of breastfeeding.⁴ Infants that breastfeed exclusively past the six-month mark also have a lower rate of respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, when compared with infants who breastfed exclusively for only four to six months.⁵

Mothers who extend breastfeeding also protect their babies against gastrointestinal tract infections. Breastfed babies have a 64 percent reduction in reported nonspecific gastrointestinal tract infections as compared to formula-fed babies. This protective benefit extends two months past weaning.⁶

For babies, breastfeeding may be an important indicator of future mental health. Breastfeeding throughout the first year of life was found to be a supporting factor in better mental health through age 14, according to one study.¹⁰ The study showed that the longer a child could breastfeed, the more profound this effect was on his or her future mental health.

Studies also have shown a link between breastfeeding and a reduced risk in obesity later in life. The prevention of obesity throughout life is important, and researchers believe that behaviors that affect obesity begin during infancy. Breastfed infants self-regulate their intake during feeding, which supports their ability to develop self-regulating cues that govern their food intake later in life. Infants who only nurse from the breast have better self-regulation past the age of six months and a lower rate of excessive weight gain.7

Benefits for Mom

New mothers may feel that they are irritable, easily distracted, or lacking energy. They may also find that changing hormones cause fatigue and make their adjustment to motherhood more difficult. Oxytocin is a hormone released by lactating mothers during breastfeeding.⁸ Its natural calming effect is of great benefit to new moms. Breastfeeding mothers also get the benefit of the important milk-producing hormone prolactin during the entire time that they breastfeed.⁹

Mothers who breastfeed also enjoy the benefits of an increased metabolic rate. Those benefits are most profound when women choose to breastfeed until their babies are between nine months and 24 months old.11 Another benefit is that the hormones released in the body during breastfeeding also help to reduce the uterus to its pre-pregnancy size.

Prenate^® Restore is a once-daily vitamin for breastfeeding mothers that’s designed to support the nutritional needs of moms and their babies. Prenate^® Restore includes nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, DHA and probiotics that help infants achieve optimal growth and promote brain, immune system and gut development.^12-14 Prenate^® Restore is also appropriate during pregnancy, which means that expecting moms can start supplementation with Prenate^® Restore before the arrival of their baby and continue taking it through delivery and postpartum. Talk to your doctor to see if Prenate^® Restore is right for you.

The post Physical and Mental Benefits of Extended Breastfeeding appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Congratulations on your new arrival! You are probably experiencing overwhelming feelings of wonder and joy with the arrival of your newborn. This is a very special time in both of your lives. Like most mothers, you’ll probably spend hours bonding with your baby, especially in the weeks and months after delivery. You’ll also begin to establish a routine that works for everyone. But even as you dedicate yourself to caring for your baby, be sure to take time to care for your own health and wellness.

In the weeks following pregnancy, your body will begin to heal from delivery and adjust to life after pregnancy. If you had a cesarean section, it may take four to six weeks for you to feel like yourself again. As soon as your doctor allows, you should try to find ways to make exercise part of your routine.

Even though you are no longer pregnant, following a balanced diet post-pregnancy will have positive benefits for both you and your baby. Try to follow a diet with plenty of whole grains, dairy, veggies, fruit and lean protein. If you choose to breastfeed, following a balanced diet will have a positive effect on your baby’s health.

Moms who breastfeed need increased nutritional intake to restore their nutritional reserves and support infant growth.^1,2 During this time, nutrients are preferentially partitioned to mammary glands at the expense of maternal reserves. If you are breastfeeding your baby, be sure to focus on obtaining essential nutrients that will support his or her development and your recovery from delivery.

Key Nutrients During Postpartum & Breastfeeding:

• Probiotics – Probiotics support gastrointestinal and immune health in both you and your baby. For babies, probiotics create an environment that supports their immune response to allergens.³ Probiotics also colonize the gut and keep bacteria in balance in babies, which can prevent diarrhea and protect them from pathogens.^3-5 For moms, probiotics reduce intestinal gas and incidences of diarrhea.^6.7 Moms also experience the benefit that probiotics provide in keeping good and bad bacteria in balance in their guts.
• Iron – Iron-deficiency anemia is a common condition that many women develop during pregnancy. In addition, your body lost blood during your baby’s delivery. Post- pregnancy, consume iron through diet and supplements to help restore your iron levels and start to build reserves.
• DHA – Women lose 50 percent of omega-3 stores during pregnancy. For moms, DHA reduces the risk of postpartum depression and improves sleep patterns.^8-11 For babies, DHA improves cognitive and immune development, motor skills and inflammatory responses.^12-15
• Calcium – Bone mass is lost during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It takes longer to build up levels of this mineral in the body. Once a woman is pregnant, her baby will draw calcium from her bones if her diet does not include enough calcium to meet her baby’s needs.¹⁶

Vitamins for Breastfeeding & Postpartum

While a balanced diet is preferred, some women may have trouble meeting their daily recommended intakes for certain vitamins and minerals. The Prenate^® Vitamin Family offers a line of prenatal vitamins that are designed to carry moms and babies through preconception to pregnancy and into the weeks and months after delivery. One vitamin in our family, Prenate^® Restore, is specifically formulated to fit the needs of postpartum and breastfeeding moms and their babies.

Prenate^® Restore is our only vitamin that contains probiotics and other key nutrients needed during postpartum and breastfeeding. It is a once-a-day, lactose-free, and gluten-free softgel that supports expecting mothers during pregnancy, postpartum, and while breastfeeding. When taken by a breastfeeding mother, Prenate^® Restore also can help promote her baby’s brain, immune system, gut development and optimal physical growth.^17-19

The Prenate^® Vitamin Family helps support expecting moms with robust doses of key nutrients. Talk to your doctor to see if a Prenate^® prenatal vitamin may be right for you to help fill nutritional gaps.

The post Prenatal Vitamins for Each Stage of Pregnancy: Postpartum & Breastfeeding appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Soon after a baby is born, millions of microbes move in and establish themselves on the skin and in the gut and other organs. These microbes, which are microscopic organisms, come in the form of bacteria, viruses, fungi and more. Creating a diverse and healthy balance of microbes is essential to building the immune system and maintaining good health.

As a baby grows and is exposed to the world outside the womb, there is a balancing act that occurs in the gut. Good microbes help keep bad microbes in check. Recent research shows that a newborn may even temporarily suppress his or her immune system to open a window for good microbes to move in and establish themselves in the gut.¹

The success of good microbes and the balance between good and bad microbes is essential in building a healthy immune system. Breastmilk naturally contains sugars that help feed the good microbes in a baby’s gut.²

This means that a mothers’ breastmilk is key in building a baby’s immune system. In fact, studies show that a number of disease and health conditions occur less frequently in babies who are breastfed. Those include:

• Asthma and respiratory tract infections³
• Allergies³
• Autoimmune conditions³
• Prolonged or acute diarrhea or other gastrointestinal diseases³

Probiotics Support a Healthy Gut & Immune System

Like breastmilk, probiotics also help build and maintain optimal gastrointestinal and immune health in both babies and their mothers.⁴ Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that are the “good” kind of microbes.

Probiotics protect babies from diarrhea causing pathogens.^5,6,7 Probiotics also create an anti-inflammatory environment that benefits the immune system and allergy health.⁶

For mothers, probiotics reduce intestinal gas and incidences of diarrhea.^8,9 Probiotics also help keep a mom’s gut microbes in balance and boost her immune system.⁵

The probiotics in Prenate^® Restore may help build a balanced and healthy gut as well as boost the immune system.

Vitamins for Breastfeeding Moms

Breastfeeding mothers who take a vitamin with probiotics can help themselves and their babies, as such vitamins can build a healthy gut and boost the immune system. Prenate^® Restore is a once-daily vitamin for breastfeeding that’s designed to support the nutritional needs of moms and their babies. Prenate^® Restore includes nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, DHA and probiotics that help infants achieve optimal growth and promote brain, immune system and gut development.^10-12 Prenate^® Restore is also appropriate for women to take during pregnancy, which means that expecting mothers can start supplementation with Prenate^® Restore before the arrival of their babies and continue taking it through delivery and postpartum. Talk to your doctor to see if Prenate^® Restore is right for you.

The post Breastmilk and Probiotics Help Build Healthy Babies appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

Many women who breastfeed start out with the intention of breastfeeding exclusively for six months. They know and understand the health benefits of breastfeeding for babies and set breastfeeding goals. Unfortunately, breast pain causes many women to wean their babies earlier than intended.

Sources of Pain from Breastfeeding

There are several conditions that can cause pain for mothers who breastfeed. These range from minor chaffing to potentially serious infections. Here are possible reasons for breast pain during lactation:

• Nipple Chafing and Cracking – This is commonly reported by new mothers. When a baby does not have a strong latch, breastfeeding can be painful and result in chafed or cracked skin on the nipples, and even bleeding.
• Engorgement¹ – A woman’s breasts become engorged when they contain too much milk. This can occur as her milk comes in, usually in the first few days after she delivers her baby. Engorgement is also common if a breastfeeding routine is interrupted or suddenly stops. In these instances, breasts become full and swollen, and feel hard and lumpy to the touch. This condition can be very painful. Unfortunately, engorged breasts are difficult for babies to latch on to properly. This means that the baby may not get enough milk and the mother’s milk glands may not empty completely. The poor latch also can cause nipple chafing and cracking, which can cause mom to breastfeed less often. Without treatment, this can create a cycle that makes the condition worse and ultimately causes the mother to give up on breastfeeding. In addition, severe engorgement can lead to blocked milk ducts or mastitis.
• Plugged Ducts² – Breast milk flows from mammary glands through ducts in the breast and out through the nipple. It is not uncommon for one of these ducts to become blocked, which leads to inflammation. Many times, a tender, sore lump will appear on the breast with the blocked duct.
• Mastitis³ – Mastitis is a condition in which a woman’s breast tissue becomes inflamed or infected. It occurs most commonly in breastfeeding women and is caused by bacteria that enter the breast through a cracked or sore nipple. Pain, swelling, and redness of the breast are signs of mastitis. Often these symptoms are accompanied by red streaks, drainage of pus from the breast, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpit. Flu-like symptoms are also common, including fever, chills, and fatigue.

Breastfeeding Support & Pain Management

If a mother and baby are able to achieve a good latch early, exclusive breastfeeding is more likely to last longer.⁴ It is important for women who have breastfeeding goals to establish a supportive network of healthcare providers and lactation consultants prior to or soon after delivery. This network can serve as a resource for advice and possible therapies to help with any pain management from breastfeeding.

The best way to get ahead of any difficulties with breastfeeding is to learn how to help a baby achieve a strong and proper latch as the likelihood of weaning increases the longer pain persists.⁴ If you find yourself wanting to delay feedings for your baby, get help from a lactation consultant. Delaying feedings can cause more pain.

These tips can help prevent and treat common soreness and chaffing issues:

• Try changing breastfeeding positions so that you aren’t always putting pressure on the
  same areas of the breast.⁵
• After feedings, express a few drops of milk and massage it onto your nipples after
  cleaning your hands. Breastmilk has natural health and soothing properties.⁵
• Avoid bras or other clothing that are too tight; purchase a bra or two that is supportive
  and comfortable.⁵
• Change nursing pads often and keep nipples dry after feedings.⁵
• Talk to your doctor before using any creams, gels, or ointments. They have may chemicals or astringents that could cause more harm than good for you and your baby.⁵
• Ask your doctor about pain relievers that are safe during breastfeeding.⁵

If pain escalates to a more serious condition, such as engorgement or blocked ducts, try softening the breast by applying a warm compress before feeding sessions. A cold compress, applied for 15 minutes each hour after breastfeeding, can help reduce swelling. Expressing milk more often, either from feeding or by using a breast pump, can alleviate pain related to engorgement. For plugged ducts, more frequent breastfeeding can help loosen the plug and keep milk moving freely. Treatment for breast infections or mastitis usually involves antibiotics.

A study in 2015 found that therapeutic massage helped women find immediate relief from pain associated with breastfeeding.⁴ In a follow-up survey, 92% of the women in the study reported a reduction in pain and 43% reported pain resolution.⁴ Lactation consultants can help train mothers on the proper breast massage techniques to perform at home.

Vitamins for Breastfeeding Moms

Getting proper rest and nutrition is also an important part of breastfeeding success. A plugged duct or infection can be a sign that a mother is doing too much and is overly tired.⁴ Resting with your feet up can help speed healing.

Breastfeeding takes a lot out of mothers. Women who breastfeed their babies need increased nutritional intake to restore their reserves and support infant growth. Certain nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, and DHA, are especially important during this critical stage of a baby’s development.

Prenate^® Restore is a once-daily vitamin for breastfeeding that’s designed to support the
nutritional needs of moms and their babies. Prenate^® Restore includes nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, DHA and probiotics that help infants achieve optimal growth and promote brain, immune system, and gut development.^6-8 Prenate^® Restore is also appropriate for women to take during pregnancy, which means that expecting mothers can start supplementation with Prenate^® Restore before the arrival of their baby and continue taking it through delivery and postpartum. Talk to your doctor to see if Prenate^® Restore is right for you.

The post Managing Pain From Breastfeeding appeared first on Prenate Vitamin Family.

While many women have the best intentions of breastfeeding their babies exclusively for the first six months, returning to the workforce can create obstacles.

If a mother and baby are able to achieve a good latch early, exclusive breastfeeding is more likely to last longer (in some circumstances). But in the United States, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) only allows working mothers up to 12 weeks of job protection due to pregnancy or after the birth of a child. While some employers are able to provide a paid leave of absence during this period, many others do not. This means that working mothers who need the income from their jobs may feel pressured to return to work sooner.

If you are a new mother who plans to return to work, you may feel overwhelmed by the challenge of continuing to provide breast milk for your baby while meeting the demands of your job. Here are some tips to help you stick with breastfeeding.

State Your Intentions and Talk It Out

It’s essential to talk to your employer before your baby arrives about your intentions to return to work and continue to breastfeed. Give your employer a proposed schedule and make a case why your request should be supported. Many businesses have learned to support nursing mothers at work because of the long-term benefits of their decision: lower health care costs, lower absenteeism (since babies are healthier), lower turnover rates, and higher employee productivity and loyalty.1 The Office of Women’s Health provides online resources on how businesses can support breastfeeding mothers:
• The Business Case for Breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding Solutions By Industry

Schedule It Out

If you’re not able to bring your baby to work, pumping can be an alternative that ensures he or she continues to receive the health benefits of your breastmilk. Find a lactation consultant who can help you work out a pumping schedule that’s tailored to your work schedule. Map out when to start collecting milk after your baby is born, and the ideal times for both feedings and pumping to keep your milk supply balanced.

Keep A Record

Keep a log of how many milk removals you do in a day, including nursing and pumping. Track the amount of milk pumped to find the “magic number” of feedings and pumping that keep your supply steady. This can help prevent a dip in milk production when you do go back to work.

Get Properly Fitted

If you are just beginning to learn about breastfeeding, you may not know that every breast pump is created the same. Each model can be very different from one another. One of the biggest differences in pumps is in the design of their breast shields. Having a properly fitted breast shield will improve comfort and pumping efficiency. If a breast shield is too large or too small it can cause pain and reduce the amount of milk you can pump. Keep in mind that your breasts may change over the months that you breastfeed. A lactation consultant can help you get fitted for the correct-size breast shield. You can also check the website of your breast pump’s manufacturers for a fit guide.

In addition to fit, the pressure and strength of puns vary. Look into your options for renting hospital-grade pumps. They tend to work better and get milk established quicker than the weaker store-bought machines.

Vitamins for Breastfeeding Moms

Women who breastfeed their babies need increased nutritional intake to restore their reserves and support infant growth. Certain nutrients are especially important during this critical stage of development.

• Calcium and Vitamin D – Because babies have high needs for vitamin D, their mothers often experience loss of bone mass while breastfeeding.² Calcium and vitamin D work hand-in-hand to help keep a mother’s bones strong while their baby’s bones and teeth are developing.²
• Probiotics – Probiotics help regulate the microbes in the gut, and support gastrointestinal and immune health in mothers and babies.
• DHA – Up to 50 percent of omega-3 stores are lost in pregnancy, and six months are needed to restore them postpartum.³ DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that can help reduce the risk of postpartum depression and improve infant sleep.^4-7 For babies, DHA may improve cognitive and motor skills.3-10 Plus, DHA aids in immune development and re- duces inflammatory responses.^3,8-10

Prenate^® Restore is a once-daily vitamin for breastfeeding that’s designed to support the nutri- tional needs of moms and their babies. Prenate^® Restore includes nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, DHA and probiotics that help infants achieve optimal growth and promote brain, immune system and gut development.^11-13 Prenate^® Restore is also appropriate during pregnancy, which means that expecting moms can start supplementation with Prenate^® Restore before the arrival of their baby and continue taking it through delivery and postpartum. Talk to your doctor to see if Prenate^® Restore is right for you.

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