Why does breastfeeding make you hungry and put on weight?
Why is breastfeeding making you ravenous?! Of course breastfeeding burns lots of calories, but some breastfeeding women are left feeling frustrated because they are constantly starving whilst putting on weight. There are actually complex hormonal and physiological reasons for breastfeeding making you so hungry. •Increased Energy Expenditure: Producing breast milk requires a significant amount of […]
Is a low milk supply common?
A true low milk supply is rare and affects 0.5%-4% of women. Usually a low milk supply is caused by events that occur during and after the birth and can be improved with good lactation support. BUT for a small minority of women, it may be difficult or impossible for them to produce enough milk […]
Why do babies have nursing strikes?
A nursing strike is a temporary refusal by a breastfeeding infant to breastfeed. It occurs when a baby who has been breastfeeding suddenly refuses to nurse at the breast. Nursing strikes can be distressing for both the baby and the breastfeeding parent. They can last for a few hours, several days, or even longer, depending […]
Should you introduce a bottle so dad can bond with baby?
For millions of years breastfed babies have bonded with other family members other than the breastfeeding parent – partners, grandmas aunties etc. Some women in my clinic have recently asked me about introducing a bottle so that their partner can bond with baby. Feeding a baby is certainly not the only way a parent can […]
How do you breastfeed while baby wearing?
Baby wearing can be such a parenting life saver. I’m not saying prams don’t have their place but having your baby close can calm your baby, reduce the amount they cry and most importantly keep your hands free so you can drink a coffee and scroll through Instagram simultaneously. And did you know…you can breastfeed […]
Does your diet affect the fat in your breastmilk?
Recently I’ve found that women in my clinic are anxious that if they don’t eat lots of fatty foods they will have low fat milk. Your diet does NOT affect the amount of fat in your milk. There is NO evidence that some parents make skimmed breastmilk – please don’t let anyone blame you for […]
Will a lactation cookie increase your milk supply?
Lactation cookies…. What do I think about these? A massive waste of money. Don’t get me wrong, I love cookies! And please eat as many as cookies as you like while you’re breastfeeding. The problem I have with lactation cookies is that they are ridiculously overpriced (they are essentially made of oats and some added […]
Does your baby prefer one breast?
This is a common concern amongst new parents….But why!? •Each breast can hold a different volume of milk, have a different letdown and the milk can even have different flavours! Babies will usually prefer the side with more milk and a faster letdown. •Some babies are born with tension in their neck and shoulders from […]
Why do some babies need to breastfeed more often than others?
Have you ever wondered why some babies feed really regularly while others go much longer between feeds? Human milk is made and stored in the glandular tissue of the breast- in the lobes and ducts. The number of lobes and ducts between women varies MASSIVELY. Some women only have 3 while others have 20. This […]
Can you breastfeed while you walk?
While some of you may prefer to stop for breastfeeding breaks while out and about, it is perfectly possible to breastfeed while on the go! 2. Breastfeeding friendly clothes 3. Breastfeed in a sling It is also perfectly possible and acceptable to breastfeed holding your baby while walking – some women find it uncomfortable but […]
