Getting Started with Breastfeeding
By Donna Murray, About.com Guide
- Preparing to Breastfeed
- Common Breastfeeding Questions
- Breastfeeding Supplies and Accessories
- How Does Breastfeeding Work?
Preparing to Breastfeed
What should you know about breastfeeding before your baby arrives? Here is some information on how you can mentally prepare for the experience.
- How to Prepare for Breastfeeding
- The Pros and Cons of Breastfeeding
- The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Your Baby
- The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mothers
- The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Dads and Partners
- My Top 9 Nursing Pillow Picks
- Nursing Footstools
- Breast Milk Bags and Containers
- Nursing Pads
- Top 5 Sexiest Nursing Bras
- Melissa's Top 5 Nursing Bra Picks
- Different Kinds of Breastfeeding-Friendly Caregivers
- Breast Self-Assessment and Evaluation
Common Breastfeeding Questions
Nursing mothers often have concerns about how breastfeeding will affect their lifestyle. Here are answers to some of the common questions you may have.
- A Breastfeeding Diet: What Foods Should I Eat?
- What Foods Should I Limit?
- Do I Need To Take Vitamins?
- How Much Water Should I Drink?
- How Many Calories Do I Need Each Day?
- Can I Eat Junk Food?
- Can I Drink Coffee?
- Can My Baby Have A Reaction To The Foods That I Eat?
- Can I Exercise If I Am Breastfeeding?
- Will Breastfeeding Affect My Sex Life?
- Can I Drink Alcohol?
- Can I Smoke?
- A Breastfeeding Diet: What Foods Should I Eat?
- What Foods Should I Limit?
- Do I Need To Take Vitamins?
- How Much Water Should I Drink?
- How Many Calories Do I Need Each Day?
- Can I Eat Junk Food?
- Can I Drink Coffee?
- Can My Baby Have A Reaction To The Foods That I Eat?
Breastfeeding Supplies and Accessories
What do you need to breastfeed besides your breasts and the baby? Breastfeeding supplies and accessories: nursing pillows, footstools, breast pads, breast milk storage supplies, cover-ups, nursing bras, breast pumps, nursing teas, galactagogues.
- Nursing Pillows
- Nursing Footstools
- Nursing Teas: Herbal Teas To Increase Milk Supply
- Galactagogues: To Help Increase Milk Supply
- Breast Milk Storage Options
- Breast Milk Storage Bags
- Plastic Breast Milk Storage Bottles
- Glass Containers For Breast Milk Storage
- Breast Milk Trays
- Nursing Pads: Disposable, Reusable, Silicone and Hydrogel Breast Pads
- Disposable Nursing Pads
- Reusable or Washable Nursing Pads
- Nursing Supplementer Devices
How Does Breastfeeding Work?
The dynamics of breastfeeding can be intimidating at first. But with a detailed explanation of the functions of the lactating breast, you'll feel comfortable and ready to feed.
- What is Breast Milk?
- The Colors Of Breast Milk
- The Let-Down Reflex
- The Common Problems of Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding Basics
- The Content and Composition of Breast Milk
- What Are the Vitamins in Breast Milk?
- What Are the Proteins in Breast Milk?
- What is Colostrum?
- What is Hindmilk?
- What is Foremilk?
- What is Mature Milk?
- Top 10 Myths About Breastfeeding
- Does Breastfeeding Cause Sagging Breasts?
- The Difference Between "Nutritive" and "Non-Nutritive" Sucking
- Can My Breasts Be Too Big Or Too Small To Breastfeed?
- Breastfeeding Multiples
Once Your Baby Arrives
Your baby is here, and your life has become a bit hectic! Here are some guidelines on taking care of yourself, in addition to properly positioning and latching your baby -- making breastfeeding a positive, comfortable process for you.
- The First Breast Feeding
- Newborn Feeding Schedule
- Newborn Urination and Wet Diapers
- Baby Poop
- Latching On
- Cross-Cradle Position
- Side-Lying Position
- Football Hold
- Cradle Hold
- Spitting Up
- Breastfeeding After Cesarean Section
- When To Alternate Breasts
- The Colors of Breast Milk
- Things To Do While You're Breastfeeding
- Exercise and Breastfeeding
- Burping Your Baby
- Interesting Uses for Breast Milk
- VIDEO: Latching On and Breastfeeding Your Baby
- VIDEO: Breastfeeding Positions
- VIDEO: How To Breastfeed
Stages of Breastfeeding
Just when you think you're in a nice groove with your baby's patterns, things change. Here is what to expect from the different stages your baby encounters.
- The First Breast Feeding
- What to Expect from Breastfeeding in the First 24 Hours
- First Three Days of Breastfeeding
- The First 2 Weeks
- Height, Weight and Growth Spurts
- Nursing Through Teething
- Breastfeeding and Biting
- Feeding Your 8 to 12 Month Old
- Breastfeeding Beyond One Year
- Breastfeeding While Pregnant and Tandem Nursing
- Alternate Feeding Methods
- Nursing Supplementer Device
- Formula Supplementation
- Weaning From the Breast
- Infant Digestion
- Infant Urination
- Baby Poop
- Is It Okay If My Baby Breastfeeds for Comfort?
Dads, Partners, Family and Friends
Dads, partners, family and friends can get involved with breastfeeding. Learn more about bonding, helping out, the benefits, sex for partners, and how to support the nursing mother.
