NURSING BRAS

How and when do I start
The protection against allergies and diseases that breast milk is
providing is very important immediately after birth; it will also prevent
low blood sugar level for the baby.
Usually, babies are very hungry and alert after they are born and it
is important to hold baby skin to skin on your chest or tummy.
The first breastfeeding can take place after 30-60 minutes from birth
and usually takes a while to adjust for you and for the baby.
This early stage of breastfeeding will help the baby to adjust better
for the next times.

What accessories are needed for breastfeeding
Nursing bra – Make sure you purchase the most comfortable nursing
bra so feeding your baby your own home, in a social
event or even out in the street is easy endeavor. A nursing bra that gives your tender breasts great, soft support, easy access to your breasts, and
coverage is ideal. There many bra styles and options available. A nursing bra that ensures that you look and feel like the you before baby most women are happiest with. So, look for a style you loved with your pre-baby breasts. However, if you are looking to flaunt your new curves, there are enough sexy and enhancing nursing bras styles, too. You may find that the shape of your breasts have changed so dramatically that the styles that made your breasts look great before don't produce the same flattering effect now. Try on some different cup shapes you may have steered clear of before.
Soft nursing pads – Helps to keep your skin dry between breastfeeding.
Nipple cream – Helps protect sore nipples from drying out. Baby sucking has the same affect on nipples as licking does on the lips. So, nipple cream serves as a kind of chapstick for the nipples.

How do I hold the baby the right way
First of all, the mother should be sitting in the most comfortable way for
her in a way that the back and the arms are supported. The baby should
be lying with the stomach against his mother’s stomach with his head
leaning a little bit backwards so his nose won’t touch the breast and he
will be able to breathe freely. Also make sure that the baby suckles
the whole nipple with its brown circle in his mouth so he can create
vacuum and eat properly, otherwise the breast won’t be empty and
the nipples will sore. 

How often should I breastfeed my baby
You should breastfeed your baby every 1.5-3 hours. The baby is very alert
and crying when he is hungry, you can avoid the crying by noticing the
baby’s signs: the baby may put his hands in his mouth and make suckling
motions, flexing arms and legs and rub his face to your breasts.

How do I know if the baby is getting enough milk
Each baby is different, some babies need to be fed many times a day
and need more physical contact than others. As a mother it is important
to make sure that your baby is taking the same amount of nappies a day
(approximately 6-8) and gaining weight properly (about 100-200g a week).

Why is it healthy for me to breastfeed my baby
There are many healthy benefits you get from breastfeeding:

1. It helps your uterus to return to its normal size more quickly after birth.
2. You burn more calories that help you get back to your weight before
   the pregnancy.
3. Delays the return of your monthly period.
4. It strengthening your bones and protect you from fractions in older age.
5. Reduces the risk of breast cancer as well as other types of cancer.

The greatest benefit you get is that breastfeeding helps to create a special
bond between you and your newborn baby.

Diet While Breastfeeding
While breastfeeding you should eat about 500 calories more than your usual diet. There are some ingredients that are important for your health as well as for
your baby that you should be eating while nursing and some that are
recommended to avoid.
After birth your body looses a lot of the vitamins, iron and calcium and in
order to complete them you need to have a balanced diet that includes the following:
whole-grain cereals, breads, meats or beans, fruits, Vegetables, milk and dairy products.
You will also have to drink a lot of water.
It is highly recommended to have at least 5 servings a day of dairy products –
that should give you all the calcium your body need. (In case you don’t feel that you getting enough calcium – talk to your doctor about taking extra calcium)
While breastfeeding your body looses a lot of fluids – so make sure you drink enough!

If you dieting to loose weight:
-It is recommended to start dieting after 2 months from birth.
-Make sure you eat at least 1500-1800 calories per day.
-Decrease your calories slowly; otherwise you will loose milk supply, and keep
weight loss at no more than 1.5 pound   per week.

If you feel that your baby is bothered by something check what you ate before
breastfeeding your baby and consider avoiding that in the future.
Also alcohol, caffeine and drugs can get in to the milk – try to limit your self.
***Smoke can get in to your milk and can cause you to make less milk –
It might be a good time to quit!!

Exercise and Breastfeeding
There is much research that talks about whether exercise has any effect on your milk or not but non have made any breakthrough with their results except the fact that it is healthy to exercise just not over exhaust yourself.

1. Make sure you wear a good supportive Nursing bra with pads when exercise.
2. Take a shower after exercising - your body is sweaty and salty
   and it may bother your baby while you breastfeeding.
3. If you use to lift weights - take it slowly after birth.
4. Keep yourself hydrated.

Back to work
It is not an easy decision about when you should get back to work;
still it needs to be done. So here are a few tips for the new moms:

• Try to work part-time or flexible hours in the beginning so that
  your baby (And you!) gets used to the separation. Being apart for long time can cause anxiety in both of you. Ease into a full schedule over the course of a few weeks.
• Get a regular babysitter or family member to care for baby while your away.
• Work out a regular feeding schedule for the sitter based on your breastfeeding schedule.
• Practice expressing or pumping milk before going back to work. Pumping milk is a way of collecting breastmilk in a sterile container with an electric or manual maching. Expressing milk is an alternative method which is done by hand. There are many ways to do it, but many wmoen make the mistake of squezzing the nipple at first. That won't produce results. The best way is to press the pockets behind the nipple under the areola the pinkish area surrounding your nipple. If you will be at work for a full working day, practice hand expression on your breaks. Bring a cooler or insulated lunch bag if there is a fridge available. This way you will have a fresh supply for the sitter and stimulate milk production, so your supply will not diminish.
• It is recommended to wear your Nursing Bra to work so it will hold
  Nursing Pads in place. Leakage is common in the beginning stages of breastfeeding. Once your body adjusts to the new pattern of feeding it will occur less often.
• Don't be embarassed. Bodily functions are usually a taboo subject in regular day-to-day interactions. At work, it not unusual to feel little freakish about breastfeeding at first. However, you may find more approval and support at work than you might have thought. Other mothers will have had similar experiences. Bachelors are most likely to be put by the idea, but more and more married men with childen express surprising approval of your choice to breastfeed. Of course, discretion is always best.