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Posted by admin in Attachment Parenting, Babies 0-6 months, Breastfeeding, General, How to, Pregnancy on August 7th, 2021
Many women decide during pregnancy they want to breastfeed their babies when they are born. While breastfeeding is perfectly natural it still takes some getting used to and there are many (common) concerns Mums have when they begin their breastfeeding journey. Questions like “How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?”, “Will it hurt?” and “Where can I get help if I need it?” are very common themes. We’ve set out 10 tips and tricks for Mums who are planning on breastfeeding, a little guide if you like to answer the most commonly asked questions and hopefully answer any questions you may have.
Learn the signs that your baby is getting enough milk Some good signs that your baby is getting enough milk are:
Posted by admin in Attachment Parenting, Breastfeeding, How to, Maternal Health, Pregnancy, Safety on September 11th, 2018
Mastitis is a painful breast condition that occurs in breastfeeding mothers and is generally the result of a blocked milk duct that hasn’t cleared or can sometimes be caused by a knock or bump to the breast. What happens is milk within the duct gets blocked up and is eventually forced into nearby breast tissue, causing the tissue to become red, hot, painful and inflamed. The inflammation is called mastitis and although infection is generally the partner of mastitis, it is not always present in every case.
Early symptoms of mastitis can give you shivers and aches, a temperature and sometimes there is red welts or streaks on the affected breast. Some mothers can get mastitis quite out of the blue with no previous duct blockage or issues.
The affected breast is generally quite sore like it is with a blocked duct, only worse. It is usually swollen and hot, and red and painful to touch and move. The skin on the breast may appear shiny and striped with red streaks. You will probably feel quite ill as if you are getting a flu and it is quite common for the ill feeling to come on very quickly.
Firstly – please see your health care professional and then start treatment as soon as you feel a lump or sore spot in your breast.
Drain the breast often – but do so gently.
This is not the time to stop breastfeeding. More than anything else, to get rid of the mastitis your breasts need to be kept as empty as possible and your baby’s feeding at the breast is the best way to do this. Your milk is not infected in any way and it is perfectly safe for your baby to drink.
When you have mastitis, it is recommended that you feed more often than usual, starting every feed on the sore breast first and let your baby suck long enough on this side to make sure that it is being drained well.
Getting rest when you have mastitis is vital to your recover. So stayin bed if you can, or at least put your feet up for most of the day. If you can go to bed for a day or two then take your baby with you and set yourself up with nappy supplies and enough food and drinks so you don’t have to get up and down. If you have other children and can’t go to bed then setting up a daybed on the couch in the living room might suit.
There are a range of things you can do to help relieve mastitis:
Tips to try and prevent mastitis occuring (or reoccuring):
Posted by admin in Attachment Parenting, Babies 0-6 months, Breastfeeding, Safety, Sleep on January 23rd, 2017
Scientists have identified a possible biological cause for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) that was never known before. There has been a recent breakthrough in research into SIDS with results that could help prevent even more of these tragic deaths. SIDS is defined as the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy infant under 12 months of age. There has been extensive research and awareness campaigns conducted around the world over the last 20 years that have resulted in an 80% reduction in SIDS deaths. However, last year there were still 113 infant and newborn SIDS deaths. The aim is for that number to be 0.
Scientists at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, have discovered that babies who die from SIDS are deficient in a protein called Orexin. This protein is responsible for regulating sleep arousal in babies and adults. A cohort study of more than 27 SIDS cases and 19 controls found the level of Orexin was 20 per cent lower in the brains of those babies who had died from SIDS. What this means is that the message to wake up may not be getting through to babies’ brains.
Associate Professor Alexandra Martiniuk from The George Institute for Global Health at the University of Sydney says that the study found it was the Orexin deficiency along with environmental factors that resulted in the deaths. She stated that in most cases of SIDS related deaths, the baby was found either face down or with their head between the mattress and something else. The conclusions were that in most cases Orexin deficiency along with other factors resulted in the deaths. The discovery of this protein deficiency may be able to help health professionals identify babies at greater risk of SIDS. They hope to have a screening test within 10 years.
What the researchers and SIDS experts do emphasize is the need for all parents and carers to follow safe sleep practice guidelines. This is still considered the best method of preventing SIDS. The research may also have significant implications for how parents choose sleeping arrangements for their baby. Many parents are choosing co-sleeping arrangements these days with very positive outcomes. Research into these practices has found that when babies are in the same room as parents then the parent often wakes up when there is an adverse event. However, it is still recommended that babies under 3 months sleep on their own surface.
An excellent method for addressing both issues is by using a co-sleeper bassinet. A cosleeper is a baby bed that can securely attach to the parents bed, meaning both parent and baby have their own sleep surface but baby is easily accessible for nighttime cuddles, feeds and settling and can wake and see and smell his or her parents.
As a former Neonatal ICU nurse specialist, I am particularly focused on the health and safety of vulnerable babies. While it is great to have a test to see which babies will be most vulnerable to SIDS, its vitally important to continue safe sleeping practices. Those guidelines are listed by www.rednose.com.au and recommended by all medical experts and midwives. They include:
Emma Hutton RN Post Grad. Cert. NICU
Owner Rock-A-Bye Baby Hire (North Branch)
www.rockabyebabyhire.com.au
Posted by admin in Attachment Parenting, Babies 0-6 months, Breastfeeding, How to, Safety, Sleep on July 17th, 2015
When you are becoming a parent you’ll often find yourself bombarded with lots of information – some helpful, some not so much so. One of the things as a parent you will need to learn about are how to put your baby to bed safely. SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is a genuine concern for all parents and at present the cause of SIDS remains unknown.
For some time there was a theory that there may be a link between SIDS events and the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) which can be present in baby’s bed mattresses. SIDS and Kids has reviewed the research to date and has found that there is no evidence to show that there is an increased risk of SIDS for babies who sleep on the back and on a firm, clean, well fitting mattress that is in good condition. There is no reason for you to buy a brand new mattress for every baby if the mattress you have or are hiring is clean, firm, it fits the bed its being used in well without any gaps it is perfectly safe.
A complete copy of the Information Statement can be found by following this link to the SIDS and Kids Website.
Posted by admin in Attachment Parenting, Babies 0-6 months, Babies 6 months - 4 years, Breastfeeding, General, Pregnancy on June 12th, 2015
There’s many reasons why mothers might express their breastmilk to feed their babies.
Some are short term issues that need to be overcome such as having to take a medication that is incompatible with breastfeeding;
or to manage breast engorgement or allow sore or damaged nipples to heal. Sometimes using an electric breastpump such as a Medela Symphony is recommended as a way of increasing a mother’s milk supply.
For some mums expressing is a longer-term plan for managing times when you can’t physically be with your baby – perhaps you’re going back to work or study or your baby is in hospital still and you need to pump and feed that way.
For occasional short term separations (such as a weekly evening out), hand expression or a manual pump may be all you need.
But if you’re going to be expressing most of your baby’s feeds then you’d be best to consider a hospital grade breastpump like the Medela Symphony. These generally aren’t available as retail items due to their very high price tag (in the thousands) so its definately an item that you’d hire rather than buy.
Hospital grade breast pumps are extremely powerful, long-lasting, super efficient at extracting breastmilk yet very gentle and comfortable to use. Most importantly, the Medela Symphony has been designed to be able to be safely and hygienically used by multiple users.
When you hire you have a “single user sterile pumping kit” that contains all the parts that come into contact with you, your breast, your milk and your baby so hiring is quite safe.
Posted by admin in Babies 0-6 months, Breastfeeding, General on June 19th, 2014
Yep you read it right. The winner of this comp will pay just $1 for a Mimijumi Very Hungry baby bottle.
Mothers, Nurses, Doctors, Lactation Experts and Industrial Designers have come together to create the perfect feeding bottle.
With natural colours, textures and forms, the Mimijumi Very Hungry feeding bottle provides the perfect complement to breastfeeding and the best possible transition to bottle feeding. The innovative nipple design on the Mimijumi Very Hungry feeding bottle replicates a mother’s breast, creating the most natural feeding and latching experience for a happier and healthier bottle fed baby. Functioning like a breast, the non-free-flow nipple design means your baby has to actually latch onto the nipple and suck in order to produce the milk. These elements combined replicates breastfeeding and provides the most natural bottle feeding experience possible.
The Very Hungry feeding bottle is easy to open and clean, and is top rack dishwasher safe. Our unique integrated venting system means it is anti-colic and anti gas, and our bottles have a skid-free base for those hard one-handed refills. The Very Hungry mimijumi feeding bottle and parts are produced in Austria with the highest quality standards to protect your baby, and all bottles are BPA Free, Latex Free, EA Free, totally toxin free and exceed all Australian safety standards. The Very Hungry feeding bottle is the Next Breast Thing.
All bottles come standard with a Flow Rate 1 Nipple.
Comment on our post telling us in 20 words or less why you’d like to win the Mimijumi Very Hungry Baby Bottle and like our page on Facebook and you’re done.
Winner will be chosen at random and notified via our Blog and Facebook Page.
https://www.facebook.com/Rockabyebabyequipmenthire
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Posted by admin in Babies 0-6 months, Babies 6 months - 4 years, Breastfeeding, General, How to on May 15th, 2014
We’re really excited to have been accepted as a stockist of the MIMIJUMI BABY BOTTLES.
Developed by a comprehensive team of Mothers, Nurses, Doctors, Lactation Experts and Industrial Designers finally its here – the perfect baby bottle. With natural colours, textures and forms, Mimijumi baby bottles provide the perfect complement to breastfeeding and the best possible transition to bottle feeding. The innovative nipple design on Mimijumi baby bottles replicate a mother’s breast all the way down to pores on the skin, creating the most natural feeding and latching experience for a happier and healthier bottle fed baby.Functioning like a breast, the non-free-flow nipple design means your baby has to actually latch onto the nipple and suckle in order to produce the milk, just like they do at the breast. These elements combined replicate the breastfeeding experience and provide the most natural bottle feeding experience possible.
Mimijumi baby bottles are easy to open and clean, and are top rack dishwasher safe. Our unique integrated venting system means it is anti-colic and anti gas, and our bottles have a skid-free base for those hard one-handed refills. All Mimijumi baby bottles and parts are produced in Austria with the highest quality standards to protect your baby, and all bottles and parts are BPA Free, Latex Free, EA Free, totally toxin free and exceed all Australian safety standards. Coming in 2 sizes, The Very Hungry Baby Bottle and Not So Hungry Baby Bottle, Mimijumi baby bottles are the Next Breast Thing.
Posted by admin in Babies 6 months - 4 years, Breastfeeding, How to on April 7th, 2014
Starting your baby on solids is fun, interesting, sometimes frustrating, sometimes challenging but pretty much always messy!
Current recommendations are to start solids some time after your baby turns 6 months old. Prior to this, the baby’s digestive system is just unable to cope with other foods and their kidneys cannot process salt well. Research suggests that babies who start solids after 6 months are less likely to be intolerant or develop allergies to foods and are less likely to develop obesity and its related health concerns later in life.
Sometimes it is tempting to begin solids in the belief that this may assist your baby in sleeping through the night. It has been researched and found that babies will not automatically sleep for longer periods after being given solids (or formula for that matter).
Babies have a natural tongue-thrust reflex that means their tongue will push out against anything going in. This does disappear by about 6 months of age, enabling babies to accept and swallow solid foods.
Trying to take food from you, chewing on everything she gets her hands on, staring while you eat or appearing unsatisfied after feeds aren’t necessarily signs that your baby is ready for solids. These are all natural, developmentally appropriate behaviours that aren’t particularly related to food.
If your baby is over 6 months and does appear to be unsatisfied, even after days and nights of more frequent feedings, you may like to start considering adding solids to her diet.
Always offer the breast before solids, thus ensuring that she is getting her most important food. This will also help to avoid decreasing your supply. If you do find this is the case, you can just offer more breast, less solids for a few days to boost your supply again. Start with one “meal” per day and you can gradually build from there.
This can get pretty messy so you may like to choose where you feed wisely – if you’re not keen on scrubbing floors, its a good idea to lay down some newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to catch the inevitable spills and dribbles that will occur.
Introduce one food at a time, and space the introduction of new foods to be able to isolate reactions if they occur.
Some babies prefer to feed themselves and can be given their own spoon or if they prefer offer them finger foods they can hang onto and eat themselves.
You may at this time like to start offering a small drink of water to your baby with these meals. If your baby is still able to have as many breastfeeds as she wants, she will get sufficient fluid from your breastmilk so don’t worry if she’s not interested in water at this point.
For some babies it can be a quick transition, others are slower to taking any real interest in solids. Take your time, be guided by your baby and her appetite and try and avoid letting food become a battle.
Bon appetit!
Posted by admin in Breastfeeding, General, How to on November 14th, 2013
I just had a lovely customer who has hired a Medela Symphony to express breastmilk at home call and ask how to clean her kit. So I explained it all on the phone and though to myself – I should probably do a factsheet so that other customers can print it out and have a read of it when they want to clean their kits too. So here’s how.
Cleaning your kit properly is very important to maintain the health and hygiene of your milk and to keep baby safe.
When you first get your kit you must clean the kit before you use it. It is sterile but its always safer to give it a good clean first.
Please note – word to the wise here – your kit isn’t dishwasher safe and the dishwasher isn’t clean enough so handwashing is a necessity.