Nipples are designed to become erect through stimulation, be it a combination of prolactin / oxytocin hormonal response, nerve stimulation, such as when hot water from the shower hits the back where the nerves are located, or physical stimulation, such as a baby suckling or a breast pump suction.
Mother's nipples are unique, as they are accompanied by other connective tissues in the breast that signal both the production and the release of milk to breastfeed. That's right, breastfeeding is not all about suction, but the actual stimulation of nipples and milk ducts to contract out breast milk.
Information gets passed down from generations of family, friends, and healthcare providers, but we all know things can be subject to becoming outdated or put in a different perspective. The idea of “correlation not equating to causation” can be applied in many scenarios, especially when it comes to pregnancy and especially breastfeeding. Breastfeeding, pumping, and the whole process of lactation is not relatively complicated, but we have a lot of confusing tips and rules that can actually make things a lot harder than they need to be.
While it is common for the baby to want to feed frequently, cluster feed, and sometimes faster weight gain more early-on compared to formula feeding, feeding directly from the breast is a scenario that does not contribute to overfeeding or obesity.
Are you breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed? There’s a lot to learn when it comes to infant feeding, lactation, and breastmilk itself! Did you know — human breastmilk is a living, fluctuating substance made up of several “ingredients." Learn more about what makes breastmilk composition so special in this blog!
Nipple shields were once thought of as a quick fix for breastfeeding pain, under the guise of pain being a normal thing to expect and work through when you breastfeed. Now we know there can actually be issues stemming from the use of nipple shields, especially if using without the guidance and follow up of a breastfeeding professional, an IBCLC.
For some new moms, supplementation is a temporary chapter to fill in a gap in caloric needs, while others may need to supplement their breast milk supply the duration of their time lactating. And that is ok!
One of the major questions from new moms, especially breastfeeding moms, is what their diet should look like in postpartum and how to ensure they have a healthy diet to provide the best for what their baby needs. A well-rounded diet rich in nutrition is a priority when breastfeeding. While many assume it has to do with their milk supply, milk production, and milk composition, evidence suggests that nutrition has more to do with the health status of the lactating mother in many ways.
Are you planning to breast pump and nervous about comfort? Well, if a task can be done comfortably and almost effortlessly, it’s going to feel less like a task, not to mention, easier to stick to a goal for duration. So let’s discuss ways to best accomplish positioning and techniques to improve pumping!
Let’s discuss breastfeeding both comfortably and effectively after having a cesarean section. We know it’s important to bond with your little one, but it’s equally important to take care of your cesarean birth recovery and postpartum journey with comfortable positions, breastfeeding concerns, breast pumps, and when to reach out to a lactation consultant for breastfeeding help.
Let’s talk about positions! Positioning refers to how we hold the baby while nursing, but it can also mean different positions while bottle feeding and pumping. Contrary to popular belief, while breastfeeding is a natural phenomenon, positioning is part of why breastfeeding is very much a learned behavior and technique.
