Breastfeeding & Nutrition

Most of what you'll find here will be either about breastfeeding or formula feeding, though you may see other topics discussed as well (like solid foods, etc.). While you may see more on breastfeeding than formula, it is not to belittle formula feeding mothers. I do not feel that formula is "poison" - I've breastfed my son and now I formula feed him. And while I heavily encourage breastfeeding, I know that, despite some women's best efforts, they can't. No matter how hard they may have tried, it just didn't work out. Breastfeeding, like labor, doesn't always go as planned, despite your best intentions. I also do not feel, in any way, that a mother who chooses to formula feed is being lazy...because lets face it, I was the lazy one here...I rolled over in bed at 3am and got to feed my baby instead of having to drag myself out of bed, go make a bottle, come back upstairs and keep myself fully awake while feeding my son. Nope...most times I feel right back asleep while feeding him, and he fell asleep while eating. Now that I formula feed and have to get up occasionally...I feel bad for the mom's who've had to do it every few hours. I also, in no way, feel that if you've formula fed, you don't love your child as much. That's just nonsense. Remember, being a mother is much, much more than what you decided to feed your child!


General: 

• How Much Milk a Baby Needs (5 days - 6 weeks)

Breastfeeding:

 Check out this awesome PSA: Breastfeeding Doesn't Suck!

 

• Myths About Labor Medications and Breastfeeding
• Is Breast the Best?
• Preparing for Breastfeeding While Pregnant
• Women who Can't or Shouldn't Breastfeed
• What You May Experience During Your 1st Week of Breastfeeding (Info on engorgement, late onset of milk production, sore nipples, leaking, let-down, latch, fatigue, and depression)
• What Your Baby May Experience During Your 1st Week of Breastfeeding (Info on the sleepy baby, bm's, jaundice, latch, refusal to feed, night waking, underfeeding, and weight loss)
• Comfort Measures and Treatments for Sore Nipples
• The Premature Baby and Breast Milk
• Keeping Your Milk Supply Up
• Baby Friendly USA
• Breastfeeding Report Card Stats 2010

Breastfeeding Clothing and Supply Resources: 

• La Leche League International 
• Nursing Mothers Counsel
• International Lactation Consultant Association
• Breastfeeding National Network (Medela, Inc.)
• Motherwear - Nursing Clothing/Bras
• Bosom Buddies, Inc. - Nursing Gear
• Jeunique
• Supplementation Devices

Formula Feeding: 
(Just click on the title)

• Formula Feeding Benefits
• Formula Feeding

Baby Food: 
(Just click on the title)

• Preparing Your Own Baby Food    

Other Resources: 

• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) - to contact your local WIC office, look for a listing in your phone book or contact your county or community health department.