Bringing In and Maintaining Your Milk Supply

So we are now just past six weeks and our little guy is just under 12 pounds, so he is getting bigger and happier. My wife asked me to do check to see how to increase her milk supply. Here is what I found:

Ameda

• When do you start? If you can, start pumping within the first six hours after your baby’s birth. As soon as possible, pump at least 8-10 times every 24 hours. This is how many times each day your baby would be breastfeeding. In general, the more times each day you pump, the more milk you make. The reverse is true, too. The less you pump, the less milk you make.
• Until your milk "comes in" on Day 3 or 4, pump at least 10-15 minutes per breast.
• Pump at least once during the night. Don’t go longer than about 5 hours between pumpings. (Full breasts make milk slower.)

Maintaining your Breastmilk Supply
Suggestions for maintaining and improving your milk supply.

• Get enough rest and eat regularly.
• Drink plenty of water, herbal teas, and other liquids throughout the day.
• Drinks that increase milk supply:
• Fennel, fenugreek (in a tea or capsule form). Mother’s milk tea (Traditional Medicinals or Yogi brands).
  Teas made from nettles and raspberry leaf
• Dark/stout beers, especially Guinness.
• Amazake rice shakes in almond and hazelnut flavors (available in the refrigerated section at the Coop and Back to the Land).
• The book Wise Woman Herbal recommends the following herbal infusions: comfrey, alfafa, red clover, and borage leaves.
• Barley water (prepared by soaking 1/2 cup pearled barley in 3cups cold water overnight or boiling 25 minutes, then pour 1 cup boiling barley water over 1 tsp fennel seeds which you steep no longer than 30 minutes.

Foods that increase milk supply:

• Helpful foods include beets, leafy greens, shrimp, oatmeal, whole grains, brown basmati rice, and black sesame seeds.
• According to the book Wise Woman Herbal, other good foods include apricots, asparagus, green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, pecans, parsley, watercress, and dandelion leaves.
  

Things that decrease milk supply:

• Mint tea – if you are an herbal tea drinker, make sure none of your tea has mint in it.
• Sage
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol (with the exception of dark/stout beers).
• Stress/Worrying about your milk supply!

What are some other suggestions that you may have tried or have heard about?

Avoiding Constipation While You Are Pregnant

I got my weekly email from Parenting Weekly. This week focused on constipation and pregnancy. Below you will find some of the tips that they offer.

Constipation is, unfortunately, a common problem for pregnant women. Here are some ways to avoid this painful and frustrating situation:

• Drink more fluid than normal. Carry water bottles with you and try to consume at least 10 to 12 glasses of water every day.
• Reduce or eliminate caffeine consumption. Caffeine acts as a diuretic and eliminates much of the water you need for smooth digestion.
• Stay active by walking at least 20 minutes each day.
• Gradually add fiber-rich foods, which act as a natural laxative, to your diet.

Do you have any other suggestions that may work?

Taming Heartburn

The information below is from Pregnancy Weekly. They send out information each week. On the topic what have you tried to avoid or cure heartburn? I guess that we are trying to be proactive before this happens. We do have some time before the third trimester.

Heartburn is a common complaint from pregnant women (especially during the third trimester) even those who have never experienced it before. Heartburn and indigestion are caused by your growing baby putting pressure on your intestines and stomach, causing the contents to be pushed back up into your esophagus. Here are some ways to quell the burn:

• Eat small meals throughout the day instead of three larger meals
• Eat slowly and chew well
• Avoid lying down after eating
• Wear loose clothing, especially around your waist, to reduce pressure on your stomach
• Avoid spicy or fatty foods
• Bake or broil your food instead of frying it
• Avoid carbonated sodas and caffeinated beverages

If you do experience heartburn try the following natural remedies:

• Eat yogurt or drink a glass of milk
• Add a tablespoon of honey in a cup of warm milk

Diet and Pregnancy

I have read, in a number of places, how important it is to have a good diet during pregnancy. We have not visited a dietitian by I am interested in what a good diet would entail. I noticed that we have an eating plan on the fridge, but have not been following it at all. Below you will find two online sources of information on this topic and I then leave you with a question.

Pregnancy Diet and Nutrition by Gloria Tsang R.D.

BBC Parenting Diet and Health

What type of diet do you suggest?

Shirley Temple Anyone?

Hello there, I am the mother of 1new baby. I have a funny to tell about my husband who has been so gracious and eager to help me out. We were out with friends during a mini getaway. While everyone was ordering a beverage, I asked for a Shirley Temple. My husband kind of gave a funny look, and then flagged our waitress down. He looked slightly distressed and asked her for a non alcoholic version of the Shirley Temple. We, the table, had a good little chuckle as we then realized that my husband did not know that Shirley Temple's have been famous for their lack of alcohol, and their"virgin" appeal. We had a good laugh, and it remains as one of our lessons to laugh and live over.

Looking for some great non alcoholic drinks, check out this link. Do you have any other great drinks that an expecting mother may enjoy? Make sure to leave us a comment with your suggestions.

Travel and Pregnancy

Travel during pregnancy is something that needs to be planned for and not taken for granted. This past weekend we went on a trip. It was a lot of fun but it is important to make sure there is plenty of food available. I sure have learned this in a hurry. As for the trip itself, it is important to make sure that you communicate the expectations for the trip with everyone involved. The expecting mother to be will more than likely be very tired. This needs to be taken into consideration. I sure know that I learned a lot this past weekend. Make sure to comment on any good travel stories during pregnancy that you have had.

Here are some other tips Internet sites or articles on this topic:

Suite 101: Travel During Pregnancy by Kelby Carr

• Safety Tips
• Making Travel Comfortable During Pregnancy

About: Pregnancy & Childbirth: Tips for Travel During Pregnancy by Robin Elise Weiss

• Five Tips to Remember
  

Nutrition and Pregnancy Week by Week

I got the feedback below about a similar situation that I talked about yesterday.

"Be cautious when dealing with food and pregnancy. The best advice is to assume nothing and nod agreeably to your lovely spouse. Remember sudden movement can be perceived as insincerity. I remember buying my pregnant wife food...thinking I was sensitive to her needs. It turned out by the 9th month of pregnancy in reality she did not appreciate the food I was buying. Let's just say I had a lot of making up...sucking up to do."

Sincerely,
I feel your struggle

I think that I know where this is coming from, even though the post was anonymous. We need to go out for those Thai Fresh Rolls.

I found a great website today that shows what is happening each month of pregnancy developed by WebMed. The area of the website is Pregnancy Week by Week. This is sure interesting for a rookie like me.

Whats for Supper?

Well today my wife was not sure what she wanted for supper. She told me she had no idea what she wanted and whatever I suggested she did not want (Canada Food Guide). This got here a little frustrated. We finally decided to make grilled cheese sandwiches but I needed to stop at the store and buy margarine. I then asked her what else I should pick up (cheese slices, fruit, tooth paste and margarine). I went to the store and knew I was missing something. It was the margarine. This was what I had been looking for in the first place. How silly was I and my wife was very hungry and had to leave. She decided that cream of wheat would be what I should make for her but I only had 15 minutes. All was going well until I added the pinch of salt. Oops.... I added well over a teaspoon as I poured it out of the box. No problem I thought I will pretend that it tasted fine, well this did not work as planned as my wife, with here increased sense of taste (and smell, that is another story), did not buy into my story. She told me it tasted salty and I told her to add lots of brown sugar, as it would then taste better. All in all she did not get a chance to eat. She had to run out of the house for an appointment but when she came back I made her some cheese toast. Funny how things turn out. Mental note to self to keep a list, as I was told that I could not be forgetful during this time unless I was pregnant. She sure had a laugh when I confessed about the salt.