New moms who have particular difficulty breastfeeding may be at greater risk of postpartum depression, a new study suggests. The findings, reported in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, do not prove that breastfeeding problems are the cause of depression symptoms. But researchers say that new mothers and their doctors should be aware that the two can go hand in hand.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Breastfeeding babies do not need extra water, though formula-fed babies often do
Your breastmilk contains enough water for your baby, even in hot, dry climates. Formula contains higher concentrations of salts and minerals than breastmilk does, so that extra water is often necessary for the kidneys to excrete the extra salt. Also, because of less efficient metabolism, formula-fed infants lose more water. In breastfed babies, not only is extra water unnecessary, giving bottles of water to quench baby's thirst may also lessen the desire to breastfeed. This will interfere with the balance between mother's milk supply and baby's demand. Bottles of water are also likely to cause nipple confusion. A baby who is too warm or thirsty, but not hungry, can satisfy his need for more water by feeding more frequently and just enough to get the watery foremilk, but not necessarily the creamier hindmilk. Breastfeeding babies are great self-thirst-quenchers.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Breastfeeding probably doesn't stave off multiple sclerosis relapse
Breastfeeding is often encouraged for women with multiple sclerosis. It's not only good nutrition for the baby, studies have suggested it may protect the mother against a relapse of the disease. A study published Wednesday casts doubt on that assertion, however. Researchers followed 298 women with multiple sclerosis for one year after delivery. About one-third of the women breast-fed their babies for at least two months and the remaining did not breastfeed or only did so for a very short time. Researchers found no protective effect for breastfeeding. It did not worsen the relapse rate, either. They did find that women who had relapses during pregnancy were more than twice as likely to have a relapse in the postpartum period compared with women who remained healthy during pregnancy. It could be that those women are more likely to breastfeed their babies.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Breastfeeding in public given thought following bus incident in Michigan
As the Detroit Free Press reports, a 32-year old mother was nursing her two-week-old son on a SMART bus when the bus driver ordered her to cover up or to get off the bus. Moon argues that the baby was in a football wrap and that not much was being exposed. She also refused to get off the bus until her child was finished breastfeeding. As a result, mall security officers boarded the bus at the next stop and began questioning Moon. Under state law concerning breastfeeding, Moon cannot be charged with public indecency. A law that, apparently, the bus driver was unaware of. The SMART authorities have said that they will remind drivers that breastfeeding is allowed on buses.
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