Early skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her newborn can help establish successful breastfeeding.
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Several Iowa groups focusing on maternal and infant health are coming together on Tuesday, January 30 for the inaugural Maternal and Infant Health Day at the Iowa Capitol.
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It's not uncommon for babies to experiment with biting while breastfeeding, and although it can be a surprising and sometimes uncomfortable experience for mothers, it's essential to approach this phase with understanding and patience.
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As we welcome you and your precious little one into the world of parenthood, we'd like to share some insights about pacifiers and how they can impact the early days of breastfeeding.
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Thrush is a fungal infection that can affect both the nursing mother’s nipples and baby’s mouth. It is caused by the yeast, Candida albicans, and can be passed back and forth between mom and baby during breastfeeding.
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Introducing baby to bottle feeding can be a delicate process, and it's essential to do it in a way that minimizes confusion and ensures a smooth transition. Here are some steps to help you introduce a bottle to your breastfed baby.
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Introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby can be a significant milestone, but timing is crucial to ensure a smooth transition. The ideal time to introduce a bottle varies from one baby to another, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
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What is colostrum? You may have heard the word colostrum used in conversations about nursing. Colostrum is the word we use for the very first milk produced by mammals, including humans, during late pregnancy and the early days after giving birth.
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Breast milk has so many important and specialized nutrients for baby. It’s important to know how long expressed milk can be stored in the fridge or freezer, and how to properly warm stored milk to preserve those nutrients.
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There are a handful of options when it comes to storing breast milk. Whether you’re looking to use glass, plastic, or breast milk storage bags, it’s important to know what type of container to look for, and how much milk to store in each.
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Are you dealing with sore or cracked nipples when you are nursing baby? Are you asking if this is normal? Sore nipples, especially in those early days of nursing, is a common complaint but is not normal.
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Engorgement occurs when there is more milk volume occurring on days 2-5, and typically lasts 12-48 hours, longer if not treated appropriately. During this time, breasts may feel larger, heavy, and warm.
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There can be a lot of confusion about best practice for nursing newborn babies. Here is a quick Q&A from Des Moines Midwife Collective Midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Caitlin Hainley.
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Many pumps come with generic flanges which are ill-fitted for their individual users. Flange fitting is an important part of ensuring a comfortable pumping experience that maximizes milk output.
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Did you know the food choices of breastfeeding and pumping moms have the potential to influence their baby's future eating habits? Studies show that the flavors of foods that moms eat can be found in their breast milk.
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During the first week of life, healthy babies should nurse when showing signs of hunger, which usually occurs 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
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The perception of inadequate milk production or inadequate milk intake is the most common reason for discontinuing breastfeeding.
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One of the most common questions we hear is, “How can I tell if my baby is getting enough?” As a new parent, it can be so hard to gauge how much our infants are taking in at the breast.
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One of the many amazing attributes of breastfeeding is how it boosts infant immunity. Breastmilk has a high level of antibodies which protect infants against illness by neutralizing viral and bacterial agents.
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There are many reasons why a prenatal lactation appointment can be helpful. As with any big life change that we have yet to experience, it’s tough to know what we don’t know.
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