Breast milk supply can be affected by this, but most of the time the mom didn't need to stop initially.
Research by the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that approximately all medications are compatible with breastfeeding.
Due to the fact that most medication pamphlets do NOT provide us with information on whether the medicine is suitable while breastfeeding or not.
For instance, inserting Panadol. Other scientific names might be given to Panadol. Read the full summary of the drug. As you can see here, Panadol is safe to use while breastfeeding as only a very small amount passes through breast milk.
You can also check other medications as well, such as antibiotics. While breastfeeding, you will find that the effects are only short-term and do not have any significant long-term impact.
I hope this was helpful!
To watch the full video, click on this link.
Mirna Sabbagh, an adult and child dietitian, nutritionist, and lactation consultant. She also has several digital courses: Pregnancy Nutrition Course, breastfeeding course, starting solids 6-12 months course, and also the Feed with Confidence course that you can sign up for from the comfort of your home.
The courses are pre-recorded. As soon as you make the course purchase, you will receive a link to watch the course from your phone or laptop.
You can also e-mail Mirna for questions at info@mirnaelsabbagh.com
]]>Making sure you’re following all the right steps and being up to date with all these new recommendations can be stressful, it’s only natural to worry about your baby’s health.
But don't worry we’re here to break it down and give you the facts, so let's take a look at pregnancy and breastfeeding in the context of Covid-19.
alt text: a newborn baby being prepped for breastfeeding
When compared to non-pregnant people, mothers on-the-way have a higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19. However, there’s no need to panic: your baby will likely not be infected if you are. According to recent data, only 2.6% of newborns were infected with Covid-19 when their mothers were identified as carriers of the virus a week before delivery.
However, even if your baby tests positive for Covid-19 after birth, the CDC has assured that almost all the recorded cases had mild or no symptoms and have recovered well.
Breastfeeding is highly important especially in the first 6 months after your baby's arrival since it helps lower the risk for respiratory tract infections, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease, according to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
During Covid-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that mothers who suspect having Covid-19 should still breastfeed if they feel well enough to do so. The reason is that when a mom gets Covid-19 as she lactates, her body starts producing immune factors (antibodies) that are found in her milk to help protect the baby.
This helps the baby's immune system fight the disease if they ever get infected with Covid-19.
Preliminary studies and clinical trials by the CDC have shown that it is acceptable to take the Covid-19 vaccine while pregnant, as it is unlikely to pose any risk to pregnant women. However, these are not final recommendations as there is currently limited data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines to pregnant people, and more data is yet to be released.
What does ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) have to say about that: “ACOG recommends that pregnant individuals have access to COVID-19 vaccines.”
As for lactating women, there is no sufficient data present on the effects of the vaccine on breastfeeding moms or their babies. However, WHO declares that since the vaccine has no live viruses for all vaccines, there is absolutely no risk of vaccinated moms infecting their breastfed babies. Instead, it could serve in transferring antibodies to the baby through the mom’s milk.
Here are what the officials say about vaccination:
Find below quote directly from WHO by Dr Soumya Swaminathan:
“So, women who have given birth and who are breastfeeding their babies can take the vaccine, should take the vaccine when it becomes available to them. There is no risk at all because all the vaccines that are being used presently, none of them have the live virus in it. And so there's no risk of transmission through the breast milk. In fact, the antibodies that the mother has can go through the breast milk to the baby and may only serve maybe to protect the baby a little bit. But there's absolutely no harm. It's very safe. And so women who are breastfeeding can definitely take the vaccines that are currently available.”
What does ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) have to say about that: ACOG recommends “COVID-19 vaccines should be offered to lactating individuals similar to non-lactating individuals.”
Consequently, if you're pregnant or lactating, it is recommended to have a conversation with your healthcare provider since the science is not conclusive yet.
UNICEF advises pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to:
The CDC also recommends washing your hands with soap and water for twenty seconds before breastfeeding or pumping milk, even when you don't have Covid-19.
And always remember, you should be the one wearing a mask, children younger than two years old should NEVER wear a mask.
I hope this was helpful!
Important notice: this article was reviewed on the 13th of July 2021. Please make sure to be updated with your local health authorities and pediatrician for any new information about Covid-19 and pregnancy. This is purely for educational purposes and not meant to be taken as strict medical advice. We recommend you check in with your health care professional or doctor before taking any medical action.
Mirna is no longer doing consultations. Her online courses and webinars cover 95% of parents' common concerns.
References:
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/bfm.2011.9996
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/129/3/e827
https://www.unicef.org/eap/breastfeeding-during-covid-19
https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/breastfeeding-and-covid-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnant-people.html
]]>However, you might have several questions regarding its schemes, routines and proper techniques.
Today I will clarify several ambiguous conceptions and answer your frequently asked questions about pumping
To watch my full video, click on this link.
This question reminds me of when I used to breastfeed, and was not planning on going back to work. Accordingly, I assumed that I don’t need a pump. However, I was WRONG.
Despite not going back to work, you still need to have pumped milk in case you needed to go out or were busy.
Breastfeeding is a commitment, and could be done exclusively until the age of 2 years as recommended by WHO. It has endless benefits for the baby’s immunity, IQ, and safety against several diseases like heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.
Therefore, the best alternative to help you get back to your life while maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your baby is pumping!
First of all, you have to know that pumps generally come in 2 types, manual and electric.
However, the manual one takes more time and effort to give you the needed results and quantities.
Therefore, I recommend the electric pump, which comes in 3 types:
However, to avoid extra spending and get the optimal solution, I recommend double electrical especially if you’re a working mom.
Tip: A pump extracts more effectively when plugged into the electricity socket rather than batteries.
Yes, it’s essential to have a proper sized flange, so that the nipple is not touching the corners, and pumping is performed without any pain. If your nipple is not contracting well, try a bigger sized flange.
You can add pumped milk from 2 sessions together, but make sure the temperature of both of them is similar. Therefore, put the newly pumped milk in the fridge until its temperature is close to that of the old one, and mix them together afterward.
After mixing, you can add the milk into freezing bags. However, make sure the milk is in 100-120ml batches, since your baby might not need more than this amount, and you’ll have to throw away the left-over defrosted milk.
Tip: Never re-freeze defrosted milk. Also, never defrost at room temperature for more than 2 hours, since it may lead to increased bacteria in the milk and may cause poisoning.
Most moms face this and it’s totally normal! Therefore, let your baby breastfeed from the breast with less milk to induce milk formation, then move to the breast with more milk.
Tip: Moms have the highest amount of milk in the morning (5-6 am), and fewer milk amounts after 5 pm.
Of course! You can breastfeed from one side. Moms’ bodies are made to feed on one breast, and even feed 2-3 babies.
Tip: When you pump, always label your milk with the date and use the old ones first.
However, if you’re planning on pumping alone, pump 6-8 times per day and your milk formation will increase over the weeks. Give your body the needed time, and it will all be okay.
Eventually, never underestimate the importance of pumping in increasing your milk formation, and aiding you in busy times.
Want more tips for breastfeeding and pumping?
You can get access to my breastfeeding course on the following link.
I hope this was helpful!
Mirna Sabbagh, an adult and child dietitian, nutritionist, and lactation consultant. She also has several digital courses: Pregnancy Nutrition Course, breastfeeding course, starting solids 6-12 months course, and also child nutrition for all children including picky eaters, that you can sign up for from the comfort of your home.
The courses are pre-recorded. As soon as you make the course purchase, you will receive a link to watch the course from your phone or laptop.
You can also e-mail Mirna for questions on info@mirnaelsabbagh.com
Mirna is no longer doing consultations. Her online courses and webinars cover 95% of parents common concerns.
]]>Inverted nipples are when the nipple retracts inwards from the level of the areola instead of pointing outwards, making them look more like a dimple on the breast.
But don’t worry! If you have an inverted nipple you’re not alone!
Inverted nipples don’t commonly cause breastfeeding difficulties as long as your baby latches over the entire areola.
However, some breastfeeding challenges may occur depending on the degree of inversion (slight-moderate-severe), and on other latching problems like tongue or lip tie. This may lead to difficulties in latching or a weak suck.
If you’re facing breastfeeding complications, here are few tips to help your nipple erect:
Try breastfeeding directly after birth, every 2-3 hours.
This will help your baby get used to nurse from you as your breasts will be softer, and will help you produce milk more easily. Also, this induces your baby’s ability to know your breasts’ type and latch on your inverted nipple, practice more skin-to-skin contact, and enhance your breastfeeding experience.
If your baby is having difficulty latching, try nipple stimulation by pinching gently around the areola before breastfeeding. This will help trigger your milk flow and nipple eversion.
Also, try compressing for a couple of minutes, preferably with a cold cloth or ice, to help your nipple erect.
Apply a breast pump before breastfeeding. This is a convenient option for moms with extreme flatness or inversion. It will bring the nipple out a little bit. You can also try a nipple suction divide.
Nipple shield is another option when moms can’t seem to find a good alternative. It is a silicon flexible piece that you can wear over your nipple
They are designed to create a larger target for babies to latch on, and can help maintain attachment as you breastfeed.
Eventually, don’t panic, having inverted nipples is a often a controllable issue!
Remember, breasts and nipples are not the same for every mom, and are perfectly normal the way they are.
Also read this article about latching. If your baby is not able to latch, but you are able to pump then I encourage you to exclusively pump for your baby. Read this article about developing milk supply.
Want more tips for breastfeeding and positioning?
You can get access to my breastfeeding course on the following link
https://www.mirnaelsabbagh.com/collections/frontpage/products/breastfeeding-course
I hope this was helpful!
Mirna Sabbagh, an adult and child dietitian, nutritionist, and lactation consultant. She also has several digital courses: Pregnancy Nutrition Course, breastfeeding course, starting solids 6-12 months course, and also child nutrition for all children including picky eaters, that you can sign up for from the comfort of your home.
The courses are pre-recorded. As soon as you make the course purchase, you will receive a link to watch the course from your phone or laptop.
You can also e-mail Mirna for questions on info@mirnaelsabbagh.com
Mirna is no longer doing consultations. Her online courses and webinars cover 95% of parents common concerns.
]]>But nothing comes easy right?
Some moms face complications while breastfeeding, where their baby won’t latch. I know, it’s both frustrating and confusing.
But let me tell you, you will get through this. Getting your baby to nurse again is not an impossible task, but it needs patience, persistence and some help! And if your baby doesn't latch, remember you can still give them 100% from your milk which is all that matters. Your baby can depend 100% on pumped milk, or even breastfeed 100% from one breast or the other. It is beautiful how the human body works.
Here are the top 7 tips to help your baby latch:
Adjust your nursing positions in order to find the one that best suits your baby.
Generally, laying down, leaning back or lying on your side helps minimizing distractions and induce your baby’s ability to breastfeed. Experiment each position to identify the one that comforts your baby and helps him/her latch.
You might be surprised to know many kids don't breastfeed because the milk supply is too quick! Breastfeeding while laid back can really help in this case as it slows down the flow.
2. Minimize distractions
Babies get distracted very quickly. Try breastfeeding in a quiet, dim room to soothe your baby’s mood. You would be surprised how much it helps!
One of the reasons your baby might refuse to eat is having a small amount of milk. Therefore, try pumping to help maintain/increase your milk supply. If your milk supply is too low, read this article on how to increase it.
Additionally, pumping helps you preserve your milk production while your baby is not benefiting from your milk.
Another smart move to get your baby to nurse when they’re sleepy or drowsy is to try breastfeeding your baby before they take their nap or just as they wake up.
Babies might show less reluctance when they are not fully awake.
Skin contact is KEY. It connects a mom and her baby and helps them better understand their needs. Therefore, provide lots of skin contact as you nurse, lay your baby on your chest, carry him/her all day, or sleep near your baby.
This will induce and renew your baby’s need to breastfeed. Also offer them the bottle while they are on your breast to build trust and closeness.
Try emptying out slightly before breastfeeding through pumping out a little bit or hand expression.
Eventually, be patient, and keep on trying smartly. Don’t panic, your baby just needs some time! If your nipple is inverted, read about it on the "Inverted Nipples Article".
DON’T FORCE IT. This will lead to your baby associating breastfeeding with unpleasantness.
When your baby is not nursing, they actually “can’t” nurse. Therefore, make sure you accompany your baby gently until they latch again.
Don’t starve your baby to feed, and if your baby is upset, take a break then try again after they calm down.
Please please do not give up on breastfeeding without discussing with a lactation consultant. She will be able to help you identify the problem and solution.
It could be that your baby has a tongue tie or maybe he needs support through a "Supplemental Nursing System" both of which can be tricky to maneuver but are solutions. In addition, you can try breastfeeding with a "nipple shield" which gives the baby the texture of the bottle and may be easier for your baby to feed with. They might be inconvenient and "might" slightly affect milk supply but they can be a great temporary solution. Some women are able to breastfeed with them 100% exclusively.
Please talk to a lactation consultant you trust.
Finally, remember. Breastfeeding doesn't look the same for everyone. Your baby is 100% capable of breastfeeding 100% from one breast! Even if they don't you can pump from one and breastfeed from the other.
Want more tips for breastfeeding and positioning?
You can get access to my breastfeeding course on the following link.
I hope this was helpful!
Mirna Sabbagh, an adult and child dietitian, nutritionist, and lactation consultant. She also has several digital courses: Pregnancy Nutrition Course, breastfeeding course, starting solids 6-12 months course, and also child nutrition for all children including picky eaters, that you can sign up for from the comfort of your home.
The courses are pre-recorded. As soon as you make the course purchase, you will receive a link to watch the course from your phone or laptop.
You can also e-mail Mirna for questions on info@mirnaelsabbagh.com
Mirna is no longer doing consultations. Her online courses and webinars cover 95% of parents common concerns.
]]>I’ve heard this tons of times from busy moms who have to bottle feed their child as they go back to work.
This problem is characterized by the baby turning away from the bottle, refusing to suck, pushing the bottle away, or crying as the bottle comes closer to them.
If you’re facing obstacles bottle-feeding your baby, rest relaxed knowing that 25% of moms report similar problems.
So don’t worry, I got you covered. Today I present you with the best ways to help your child accept bottle-feeding:
One of the most effective ways is to prepare your child for bottle-feeding before you actually go back to work is to allow a trusted person to help you as you bottle-feed your baby. Seek help from your partner, family, or helper during this transitioning period.
Make sure not to force the bottle, but instead to propose it every once in a while until your baby finally accepts it. Also, seek a calm and soothing atmosphere to encourage your baby to eat.
Bottles and their nipples can come in different sizes and shapes based on several brands. Bottles can be angled, have drop inserts or have vents. Nipples also can differ in size and flows.
Therefore, you have to try different options to find the bottle-nipple combination that best suits your baby’s pace and preference.
I personally recommend “Phillips Avent” and “Nuk” bottles as they were the best for my baby.
As your baby is changing their feeding style, they might experience discomfort with their feeding position.
Accordingly, try having different techniques and positions to figure out the most proper one for your baby, and give your baby enough time to adjust to each one.
Some proposed positions include reclining the baby within your arms, positioning them on a pillow, or sitting them on your lap.
Babies generally link breastfeeding with their moms, which may confuse them when she offers a bottle instead. Consequently, babies will refuse to take the bottle from their mom.
Therefore, having someone else give the baby their bottle would help your baby accept it faster, and he/she will associate bottle-feeding with this person.
It is helpful to have your baby’s father, caretaker, grandparent or nurse to bottle-feed them.
When your baby feels sleepy, they’re less reluctant to bottles than when they’re awake and alert. Therefore, if your baby is getting ready to get into some sleep or has just woke up from their nap, it’s a good idea to bottle-feed them.
A common mistake moms do is wait until their baby is so hungry to bottle-feed them thinking they’ll accept the bottle this way. In fact, this will only lead to a more upset crying baby.
Your hungry baby is seeking to be fed, and is not ready to adjust to new feeding habits. These new skills need time, patience and effort to be learned.
Therefore, try bottle-feeding when your baby is in between feedings, and when he/she is not very hungry.
Another efficient method to help your baby accept the bottle faster is inserting breastfeeding as they’re transitioning to bottle-feeding. This includes breastfeeding for 5-6 minutes first then offering them the bottle. This reduces their confusion level, and helps them better accept being bottle-fed.
Eventually, be patient, and don’t panic! Your baby might be reluctant at first, but after several tries they will accept the bottle.
Want more tips for breastfeeding and positioning?
You can get access to my breastfeeding course on the following link!
I hope this was helpful!
Mirna Sabbagh, an adult and child dietitian, nutritionist, and lactation consultant. She also has several digital courses: Pregnancy Nutrition Course, breastfeeding course, starting solids 6-12 months course, and also child nutrition for all children including picky eaters, that you can sign up for from the comfort of your home.
The courses are pre-recorded. As soon as you make the course purchase, you will receive a link to watch the course from your phone or laptop.
You can also e-mail Mirna for questions on info@mirnaelsabbagh.com
]]>Today I will clear up maliciously spread information about weight and breastfeeding, and provide the accurate input on this important topic.
To watch my full video, click on this Link
Truth is: Eating more in general and during pregnancy will not increase your milk supply. In fact, overweight moms tend to produce fewer amounts of milk!
Mothers that are considered obese have a higher risk of producing inadequate milk supply.
So what’s the rule here?
The answer is:
As long as you’re having a normal weight and following a healthy diet your milk supply will be more than enough!
Also, having more fats does not mean producing denser milk. In fact, studies show that all mothers generally contain similar amounts of fats. However, you can control a tiny bit of the "type of fat in your diet" by picking healthier foods like olive oil and avocado instead saturated fats like butter.
Eventually, the most effective factor on your milk supply is the frequency of your breastfeeding after delivery.
Therefore, as long as you’re having a healthy lifestyle, kick-off all the false breastfeeding misconceptions!
I hope this was helpful!
Mirna Sabbagh, an adult and child dietitian, nutritionist, and lactation consultant. She also has several digital courses: Pregnancy Nutrition Course, breastfeeding course, starting solids 6-12 months course, and also child nutrition for all children including picky eaters, that you can sign up for from the comfort of your home.
The courses are pre-recorded. As soon as you make the course purchase, you will receive a link to watch the course from your phone or laptop.
You can also e-mail Mirna for questions on info@mirnaelsabbagh.com
Mirna is no longer doing consultations. Her online courses and webinars cover 95% of parents common concerns.
]]>Today, I will be clarifying 3 major misconceptions about pumping, and explaining their facts.
To watch my full video, click on this Link.
Does pumping reduce milk’s amount? NO.
In fact, it may help in increasing or maintaining adequate milk supply, especially if your baby’s breastfeeding frequency is decreasing.
Let’s say you’re breastfeeding 10 times per day consistently for 3 weeks. Then, you decide to pump for an extra (11th) time. Initially, the pumped milk will be of a small amount, but will gradually increase if you keep on pumping for that 11th time for a week. Pumping in this case is stimulating your body to produce more milk. Therefore, pumping won’t affect your milk production amount as long as it’s an extra time over your regular breastfeeding.
However, if in the same case you decided to breastfeed 9 times and keep the 10th for pumping, pumping won’t extract milk like a baby does, and will naturally produce fewer milk amounts. So if you are replacing breastfeeding with a pumping session, it may decrease your milk supply a little bit. However, this is NOT the case if the pumping session is a bonus session.
Also, in case you decided to pump 2/10 of the breastfeeding times, then your body’s milk supply will decrease, which is totally normal. Therefore, I recommend pumping 3 times for every 2 breastfeeding substitutes to get adequate amounts of milk.
Bottom line is to rely mainly on breastfeeding, and to pump milk in an extra amount than your regular breastfeeding frequency. Bonus pumping sessions are awesome and recommended if you want to build a freezer stash.
Fact: Some mothers rely solely on pumping rather than breastfeeding, and are able to produce the same efficient amounts of milk for their babies.
In terms of proteins, carbs, fats, and immunological components, pumped milk is GOLD.
The only difference is that during breastfeeding a baby is able to take your bacteria, and the mother’s body can identify viruses to create their specific antibodies, thus boosting the baby’s immunity. However, this is not a huge difference nor a deal-breaker, pumped milk is still very beneficial and effective.
Now you might ask: "But what if I’m a working mom who needs to pump milk and put it in a fridge overnight, will the pumped milk's nutritional value decrease over days?"
The answer is:
Yes, but this happens in tiny quantities. Even if you put your milk in a freezer for up to 3 months, it will still be beneficial for your baby at all ages.
Therefore, in all cases, pumped milk is much better than formula.
Pumping generally causes stimulation at the surface of your breasts but will not cause flabbiness or change in shape. This misconception is denied by several researches and articles.
Eventually, if you’re a working mom, who needs to travel, go out, or do any other activity, PUMPING is your best option.
Remember, your pumped milk has nutritional values that can’t even be made in laboratories!
I hope this was helpful!
Mirna Sabbagh, an adult and child dietitian, nutritionist, and lactation consultant. She also has several digital courses: Pregnancy Nutrition Course, breastfeeding course, starting solids 6-12 months course, and also child nutrition for all children including picky eaters, that you can sign up for from the comfort of your home.
The courses are pre-recorded. As soon as you make the course purchase, you will receive a link to watch the course from your phone or laptop.
You can also e-mail Mirna for questions on info@mirnaelsabbagh.com
Mirna is no longer doing consultations. Her online courses and webinars cover 95% of parents common concerns.
]]>Today I will be answering this question and addressing proper breastfeeding tips for your baby.
To watch my full video, click on this Link.
Even though most websites say a baby's mouth should cover the aerola. let's go over some facts.
1. A baby should open his/her mouth wide.
2. The baby can be covering the mom's aerola if the mother's aerola is small.
However, not every mother's aerola is small. Each woman has a different size aerola. Let’s think of it logically, if a baby’s mouth is relatively small in size, whereas a mom’s aerola can come in several sizes, each based on cultures, origins and body types how can this suggestion actually work?
Given this, you can realize that not all babies are able to open their mouths enough to cover the entire aerola, which is totally NORMAL. In fact, the baby’s ability to cover the aerola has no effect on the baby’s ability to suck milk or health.
How can you know if your baby is breastfeeding properly?
Well you don’t have to worry as long as:
Eventually, don’t trust everything you read online, don’t try to push your aerola into the baby’s mouth, and follow only professional guidelines for breastfeeding!
You can find breastfeeding and proper positioning tips and more in my FREE breastfeeding course, check it out NOW.
I hope this was helpful!
Mirna Sabbagh, an adult and child dietitian, nutritionist, and lactation consultant. She also has several digital courses: Pregnancy Nutrition Course, breastfeeding course, starting solids 6-12 months course, and also child nutrition for all children including picky eaters, that you can sign up for from the comfort of your home.
The courses are pre-recorded. As soon as you make the course purchase, you will receive a link to watch the course from your phone or laptop.
You can also e-mail Mirna for questions on info@mirnaelsabbagh.com
Mirna is no longer doing consultations. Her online courses and webinars cover 95% of parents common concerns.
]]>The pre-breastfeeding stage is generally a confusing time for moms who don’t know how to induce their milk supply.
Today I’ll be giving you the proper ways to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding and to avoid sore breasts.
The correct answer is: there’s no way at all!
Why? Because you shouldn’t feel breast pain in the first place.
The only way to avoid soreness or blood presence is by breastfeeding your baby is the right method. Positioning is very important while breastfeeding. Make sure you’re not leaning forward, that your baby has their mouth open enough (140 degrees), and is not covering the nipple.
Keep in mind that unlike you usually hear, breast soreness is NOT NORMAL, and facing these symptoms means there’s a problem that should be solved.
The general time frame between your delivery and the presence of white milk is about 3-6 days. But that does not mean that you should replace your milk with formula until the sixth day.
Your yellow milk “colostrum” is VERY IMPORTANT. In fact, scientists have been trying and paying billions to create something similar to colostrum, but they always fail. Colostrum helps in boosting your child’s immune system and creates a protective cover for your baby’s stomach that helps diminish allergies and infections.
On the other hand, if you give your child formula instead of colostrum, your natural milk supply might be late, and with fewer production amounts. That’s because your body is formed to supply milk according to your child’s needs, and breastfeeding the colostrum in the first week after delivery is the main indicator for your body.
It is recommended that you feed your baby in the first hours directly after delivery, in a 1-2 hours’ frequency, and to follow the skin-to-skin guidelines. Also, make sure your doctor is a natural breastfeeding advocate. These tips also apply to women who had a cesarean delivery, even if your milk takes longer to come.
The bottom line is unless your child is losing weight in an abnormal range (7-10% of birth weight), feed them your colostrum and not a formula!
Eventually, don’t worry, trust your body, and follow only professional guidelines for breastfeeding!
You can find these breastfeeding tips and more in my FREE breastfeeding course, try in NOW.
I hope this was helpful!
Mirna Sabbagh, an adult and child dietitian, nutritionist, and lactation consultant. She also has several digital courses: Pregnancy Nutrition Course, breastfeeding course, starting solids 6-12 months course, and also child nutrition for all children including picky eaters, that you can sign up for from the comfort of your home.
The courses are pre-recorded. As soon as you make the course purchase, you will receive a link to watch the course from your phone or laptop.
You can also e-mail Mirna for questions on info@mirnaelsabbagh.com
Mirna is no longer doing consultations. Her online courses and webinars cover 95% of parents common concerns.
]]>To further discuss the importance of breastfeeding and child nutrition, I had an interview with Rym Saidi, where we explained many important titles.
For my full interview with Rym Saidi, click on this Link
I’m a nutritionist, a Mom of Kareem, and a breastfeeding specialist.
Although I’m a nutritionist for all ages, I’m most passionate about child nutrition. I believe that child nutrition is a very crucial one as it is the foundation of a child’s health for the rest of their lives. Today we have billions of children with obesity problems, diabetes, low immunity, and many other problems. However, we can avoid all these if a mother focused on a healthy pregnancy, breastfeeding, and her child’s nutrition. Studies show that the first 1000 days of a child’s life starting from pregnancy, build up for your child’s future health. Also, you have the ability to avoid and turn off your child’s hereditary genes (like diabetes) by following healthy and accurate nutrition!
You can even set up for the right digestive system functioning through nutrition. 80% of a person’s immunity is present in their stomach and intestines! Therefore, food quality and style are VERY important for your child’s health and immunity. This is most important for babies in their first 3 months as they have no independent immune system. Instead they perceive their mother’s immunity through breastfeeding! Therefore, if you are highly immune against viruses (Corona Virus for example) your baby will share the same immunity with you. Whereas if you are giving your baby formula, he/she will be more prone to viruses. That is why babies who take their mother’s milk are less subjected to the stomach and ear inflammations, constipation and diarrhea, and even Sids.
Logically, a formula is made of cow’s milk, which is totally strange for humans’ bodies in general, and babies’ bodies in specific. Baby’s bodies find a hard time digesting the formula, as it’s a foreign substance for them. Unlike it’s falsely spread by propaganda and society, the formula is NOT better for a baby. Breastfeeding is the best nutritional source for your baby, and it has all of the minerals and nutrients they need for healthy growth. Besides, don’t panic if your milk is light, as long as your child’s weight and body is healthy, it’s all fine!
Remember that no rule applies to everyone, and each person has got their own case. However, in all cases, breastfeeding is the most recommended option.
Should a mother keep on breastfeeding if she has the Coronavirus?
The answer is: Of course! Studies by WHO showed that a mother should keep on breastfeeding even if she has the Coronavirus since she can’t transmit this virus through her milk. Instead, she could transmit her immunity against this virus to her baby. However, a mother should make sure to wear a mask and preserve high hygiene to avoid infecting her child.
A mother’s milk has antimicrobial properties that naturally help a baby’s immune system. Moreover, a mother’s body can sense if the baby has certain viruses or bacteria through the baby’s saliva, and therefore creates antibodies for the baby’s immunity. Let’s say a mother is breastfeeding her baby at the nursery, her body would grasp all the present bacteria and viruses present in that space, create their specific antibodies, and transmit these antibodies for her baby through her milk.
The official recommendation by WHO is that breastfeeding should exclusively be in the first 6 months. However, new claims say that exclusive breastfeeding should be in the first months, then you’re allowed to add some soft solid food after that time. So, the range is between 4-6 months. But that doesn’t mean breastfeeding should stop after that time. American Academic Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding up to one year of age, and WHO recommends it up to 2 years. I personally recommend it for up to 2 years as long as mothers can breastfeed. Breastfeeding is a nutritious, free, and natural medicine for your child with no side effects!
Hormones change during pregnancy, and a woman might not be able to breastfeed anymore, so what’s recommended?
The answer is: In Theory, a mother can keep on breastfeeding while being pregnant as long as she has no medical problems. If a woman has a high-risk pregnancy, which means having delicate conditions like age factors and miscarriage history, it might be recommended to stop breastfeeding. Also, due to hormonal change, the milk’s taste changes and the baby himself might not want to breastfeed anymore, or the mother might sense something is unconformable while breastfeeding. So basically, it differs between one mother and another. Remember that as moms we can’t do everything at once, so just try to give the best of your present capacity. Ten months is more than enough for your baby’s health if you can’t breastfeed him/her anymore. Frankly, in the Middle East, less than 15% of mothers are able to breastfeed until 6 months of age.
Sadly, No.
In western countries breastfeeding culture is more widely spread, where it is recommended to maintain a child’s health, high IQ, and productivity. Lancet-one of the biggest medical journals in the world- says that if 80% of mothers rely on breastfeeding, the world would save up to 13 billion dollars per year.
In the Arab world, very few hospitals encourage breastfeeding and tend to give formula instead. However, if you give your baby formula, you are restricting your milk supply and production.
Also, claims that say that your body form will change or you’ll gain weight during breastfeeding are all wrong! You only gain weight during pregnancy. In fact, thanks to breastfeeding you’ll have less flabbiness in the breast area.
Usually, a mother’s body produces milk based on her baby’s need. So whether you feed your child 2 or 10 times a day, your body will produce milk accordingly. The same applies to pumping, as it stimulates more milk production and I totally recommend it. However, a pump still is not as efficient as natural breastfeeding in terms of quantity (1000 ml naturally Vs. 800 ml with pumping).
You might ask: What if a mother is breastfeeding and pumping simultaneously to store the extra milk? What will the amount of milk supply be?
The answer is: Let’s say you produced 1000 ml today naturally and you need to pump an extra 200 ml for storage. The first time you’ll pump won’t work. However, if you pump every day at the same time, your body will produce up to 200 ml after a week.
Extra Tips:
Yes. We have an irrational fear in the Middle East that breastfeeding would make a baby refuse to have milk from the bottle later on. That’s totally untrue. In fact, a baby gets used to any method given. Therefore, even if your baby rejects bottles at first, he/she will accept it with time.
However, make sure to not give your baby milk from a bottle before 2 months of age, as it may cause nipple confusion.
Your body will keep on naturally producing milk, so all you have to do is to eat healthy meals that include all your needed nutrients and minerals.
However, some moms avoid breastfeeding because they want to lose the extra weight and that’s wrong. A mother’s body loses around 7-8 Kg in the first month after delivery. Afterward a mother can lose around 2-3 Kg per month by following a diet without affecting her milk quality. But that does not mean you should follow a Low-carb or a Keto diet, instead, a calorie-restricted diet that includes all types of food is the right one for you.
Fun fact: By breastfeeding, you burn around 500 calories per day. That is a greater calorie burn than a leg day at the gym (around 400 calories).
Marketing plays a huge role in affecting your baby’s food choice and it is not always right. Many products like rice cereal include many types of sugars and ingredients that are not beneficial. Products that are present in the babies’ aisle or pharmacies does not mean they are good for your baby. Always read the ingredients.
A baby after 6 months needs homemade food like vegetables, meat, fruits, eggs, fish, and any other healthy meals. Giving your baby all types of food at this age will avoid having picky eaters later. Also maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your baby can help them maintain that same style as they grow up.
However, avoid salt, sugar, honey, and fresh dairy products.
Note: Claims that say eggs, fish, and other food are not good for the baby at 6 months of age are untrue.
The first 2 months of breastfeeding is a sensitive time for breastfeeding and milk formation.
Therefore, fasting could be done under certain conditions:
True. A baby’s digestive system can take yogurt at the age of 6 months. If your baby had constipation after taking yogurt you should wait until 9 months to give him/her again. Also, don’t give your baby too much yogurt before 1 year of age since it is high in calcium and might affect your baby’s iron absorption.
ALL types of vegetables are highly recommended. If you are worried about them causing gases to your baby, let me tell you that all healthy food causes gases since they’re rich in fibers. Fibers are very important for your baby for strengthening the immune system and fighting diseases.
It’s worth noting here that gases aren’t transmitted through breastfeeding since they’re not substances in the bloodstream. However, caffeine or one of the dairy products can be transmitted and your baby might have stomach ache, colic, vomiting or even losing weight. If your baby suffers from these symptoms, try restricting your most recent dairy product intake, or any type of food that you think might be the reason. You should see the changes afterwards.
Tips:
Well, some studies show that they might decrease the milk quantity. However, don’t stress over this matter! Over-stressing and mental pressure will affect your milk quantity more than these foods can. Studies show that if you watch babies’ videos while breastfeeding you’ll produce more milk, while if you watch stressful scenes it will affect your milk flow.
Some vomiting is natural and inevitable for babies. However, in some other cases the reasons could be:
During Breastfeeding:
With Formula:
Note: In extreme cases, some babies are Lactose intolerant and they can have neither their mother’s milk nor a normal formula. In this case, there’s a special type of milk for your baby.
Formulas are basically used as the main alternative to the mother’s milk, to supply your baby with the needed vitamins and minerals they need as they grow before the age of one. After that age, a formula is not needed. Normal cows or coconut milk can be given for calcium and vitamin intake.
This is a very controversial topic that has no specific answer! Cows’ milk now has changed due to the hormones and antibiotics the cows take.
However, in my personal opinion, everything should be given inefficient and in small amounts. It’s not black or white! Therefore, giving your baby all types of milk in small quantities should be great.
Tips:
Generally, there are eight allergens for humans that include milk, nuts, seafood, eggs, and others. Seafood can usually be given at the age of 6 months like any other type of food. However, start with small quantities to make sure your baby doesn’t have a bad reaction to them.
If your child has a seafood allergy, it will appear later on as they grow. In this case, you have to stop seafood for about 2 months to relax your child’s gut, then give it to your child again to make sure an allergy exists.
Mothers, especially in the Middle East, tend to give their babies solid food at the age of 1. This affects the baby’s ability to chew correctly. A mother should start giving his/her baby-soft solid food at the age of 8-9 months (fork mashed food, thin striped food, or fruits like mango…). Besides, don’t panic if your baby is gagging! That’s a very normal reaction for new sensations.
Your only worry should be if your baby is choking. I advise all parents to take choking classes. However, don’t be afraid to give your child solid food, it’s actually better for them.
Tips:
This happens for a lot of reasons:
Tip: It is recommended to not give your baby many alternatives to meals. This leads to higher chances of having a picky eater.
Constipation may be caused by:
We hope this information was helpful!
To view my full interview with Rym Saidi about Breastfeeding and Child nutrition, click on this link
Mirna Sabbagh, an adult and child dietitian, nutritionist, and lactation consultant. She also has several digital courses: Pregnancy Nutrition Course, breastfeeding course, starting solids 6-12 months course, and also child nutrition for all children including picky eaters, that you can sign up for from the comfort of your home.
The courses are pre-recorded. As soon as you make the course purchase, you will receive a link to watch the course from your phone or laptop.
You can also e-mail Mirna for questions on info@mirnaelsabbagh.com
Mirna is no longer doing consultations. Her online courses and webinars cover 95% of parents common concerns.
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My son stopped breastfeeding a few days after his 2nd birthday. He had already skipped a few days without breastfeeding all by himself. So when he asked to breastfeed afterwards randomly, I offered him a different source of milk instead. Then 1 day passed, 2 days, 10 days, and now almost 2 months passed. My son has officially weaned. Here are the things that have happened since my son weaned.
Breastfeeding is not just a feeding method. It is also a soft parenting tool. It is a great way to soothe your son or daughter if they have hit their head or hurt themselves or just had a random tantrum. In those first 2 weeks after he weaned I did not know how to deal with any of the above issues. I had to regroup my mind and find ways to soothe him other than breastfeeding. As you can imagine, there was a lot of nagging.
I wasn’t totally surprised that I did not get engorged given our breastfeeding frequency had gone down to once or twice a day and sometimes none. I did expect a little bit, but it didn’t happen.
This is so weird. I am a breastfeeding specialist and I am still surprised that 2 months later, if I try to hand express I get milk immediately. I kind of feel like the milk will never stop. My badge of honor for 2 years breastfeeding. Who knows let’s see when it will stop.
A lot. It was a strong winter in Lebanon and he got sick more than usual. I thought about trying to breastfeed a few times so he can get better faster. I knew it would confuse him but I figured health comes first. I felt lots of regret about weaning him when I saw him sick and felt I could have helped him and didn’t.
So I succumbed 3 weeks later and I decided that’s it. I am just going to offer to feed him again. I did. He looked at me and said “Ohh, I feed” excitedly he then opened his mouth. Then didn’t do anything. He didn’t breastfeed. So I hand expressed a small amount of milk so he can see the milk or smell it. Then he said “No! Scared!” His dad and I died laughing. He got scared of seeing the milk out of the breast. Regret out the window.
All throughout breastfeeding I never thought to take a picture. Especially when he was a baby because I used to think I will be breastfeeding for so long there’s no need. Then 1 year and 2 years passed and it became so natural that I forgot it should be photographed. Once we stopped I remembered that I do not have a photograph. However, I know that I will never, as long as I live forget the look in his eyes as he looks up into my eyes and breastfeeds. I will never forget how he would turn my face so I’d look in his eyes while breastfeeding. I’ll never forget the breastfeeding gymnastics.
Sometimes I miss it, especially when I see breastfeeding moms. I know that it was the right time for me and him though. Missing breastfeeding makes me think that the next baby, I might breastfeed even longer.
Weaning made me appreciate the magic of breastfeeding even more. Ever since my son stopped breastfeeding, he hugs me all the time. He asks to be carried all the time. He asks for kisses all the time. I am not complaining, I absolutely love it. I just can’t help but think those brief breastfeeding minutes used to give him all the hugs and cuddles that he needs.
]]>My son stopped breastfeeding a few days after his 2nd birthday. He had already skipped a few days without breastfeeding all by himself. So when he asked to breastfeed afterwards randomly, I offered him a different source of milk instead. Then 1 day passed, 2 days, 10 days, and now almost 2 months passed. My son has officially weaned. Here are the things that have happened since my son weaned.
Breastfeeding is not just a feeding method. It is also a soft parenting tool. It is a great way to soothe your son or daughter if they have hit their head or hurt themselves or just had a random tantrum. In those first 2 weeks after he weaned I did not know how to deal with any of the above issues. I had to regroup my mind and find ways to soothe him other than breastfeeding. As you can imagine, there was a lot of nagging.
I wasn’t totally surprised that I did not get engorged given our breastfeeding frequency had gone down to once or twice a day and sometimes none. I did expect a little bit, but it didn’t happen.
This is so weird. I am a breastfeeding specialist and I am still surprised that 2 months later, if I try to hand express I get milk immediately. I kind of feel like the milk will never stop. My badge of honor for 2 years breastfeeding. Who knows let’s see when it will stop.
A lot. It was a strong winter in Lebanon and he got sick more than usual. I thought about trying to breastfeed a few times so he can get better faster. I knew it would confuse him but I figured health comes first. I felt lots of regret about weaning him when I saw him sick and felt I could have helped him and didn’t.
So I succumbed 3 weeks later and I decided that’s it. I am just going to offer to feed him again. I did. He looked at me and said “Ohh, I feed” excitedly he then opened his mouth. Then didn’t do anything. He didn’t breastfeed. So I hand expressed a small amount of milk so he can see the milk or smell it. Then he said “No! Scared!” His dad and I died laughing. He got scared of seeing the milk out of the breast. Regret out the window.
All throughout breastfeeding I never thought to take a picture. Especially when he was a baby because I used to think I will be breastfeeding for so long there’s no need. Then 1 year and 2 years passed and it became so natural that I forgot it should be photographed. Once we stopped I remembered that I do not have a photograph. However, I know that I will never, as long as I live forget the look in his eyes as he looks up into my eyes and breastfeeds. I will never forget how he would turn my face so I’d look in his eyes while breastfeeding. I’ll never forget the breastfeeding gymnastics.
Sometimes I miss it, especially when I see breastfeeding moms. I know that it was the right time for me and him though. Missing breastfeeding makes me think that the next baby, I might breastfeed even longer.
Weaning made me appreciate the magic of breastfeeding even more. Ever since my son stopped breastfeeding, he hugs me all the time. He asks to be carried all the time. He asks for kisses all the time. I am not complaining, I absolutely love it. I just can’t help but think those brief breastfeeding minutes used to give him all the hugs and cuddles that he needs.
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