Breastfeeding: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know and More
Ranked #8,946 in Family, #313,361 overall
Learn all about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding twins, breastfeeding benefits, breastfeeding videos, how to get correct latch, it's all here.
I hope you will find this lens useful and enjoy your stay.
Breastfeeding Diet | Breastfeeding Help | Breastfeeding Clothes | Breastfeeding Video ~ It's all here
- Breastfeeding Stories ~ My Breastfeeding Story ~ Making the Breastfeeding Choice
- Breastfeeding Help ~ Information for all your breastfeeding questions
- Breastfeeding Help | Breastfeeding Tips | Stop Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding Diet ~ What should a Breastfeeding Mom eat?
- Breastfeeding Videos ~ the Clutch Hold
- Breastfed Babies Breastfeed Their Babies!
- Top 10 Breastfeeding Benefits
- Breastfeeding Videos ~ The first Latch
- Breastfeeding Video
- Dr Jack Newman helps new mom get a good latch for breastfeeding
- Top 10 Breastfeeding Benefits
- Fun Breastfeeding Items
- Breastfeeding Videos
- Should you schedule your breastfeeding?
- Breastfeeding Questions | Breastfeeding Tips | Breastfeeding Help | How to Stop Breastfeeding
- Why doesn't a woman stay a breastfeeding mom longer?
- Breastfeeding Tops | Breastfeeding Clothes | Breastfeeding Bras
- Breastfeeding Twins | Breastfeeding Tips
- Medela Breast Pumps ~ The best breast pump
- Breast Compression breastfeeding video
- Alcohol and Breastfeeding ~ Can you combine Breastfeeding and Alcohol?
- Breastfeeding Video ~ How to get a correct latch on
- Be a proud breastfeeding mom!! Wear Your Pride
- Do you feel comfortable breastfeeding in public?
- Breastfeeding clothes | Breastfeeding Clothing | Breastfeeding in Public
- Save and Share!
- Breastfeeding Pics
- If you liked this breastfeeding lens . . .
- Breastfeeding Guestbook
- More Baby Sites You Might Like
Breastfeeding Stories ~ My Breastfeeding Story ~ Making the Breastfeeding Choice
When I was trying to get pregnant I wasn't sure if I would breastfeed or not. I wasn't sure if I would be able to handle it, how it felt, the responsibility, everything about it.Once I got pregnant and did some research I realized how beneficial it was not only for her, but for me and I knew it was the only option for me.

Our birth was not as smooth and easy as we had planned. We had some complications that led to me being unable to nurse Hanna the first night and landed us in the NICU for a week.
The nurses in the NICU, although nice, put a lot of pressure on this new nursing relationship Hanna and I were forming. There was a lot of pressure on me to have a "good feeding" so they could decrease the IV fluids she was on.
Around every turn, behind my back and in front of my face they nurses were trying to supplement with formula. I was well informed and refused to allow it.
By the third day we were allowed to "room in" with Hanna in a regular room in the post pardum ward. This is where our true relationship began. With just her and me, no nurses looking over our shoulder, grabbing my boob, no well meaning "lactation consultants" telling me I wasn't doing it right.
Once we figured out what and how to do it, our nursing just took off. I'm so glad I stuck to it, and figured it out. It would have been so easy with the stress, and confusion to just say "go ahead and give her the formula". I was able to be strong for both of us and stick with our plan, and I'm proud of myself and her everyday.
Hanna and I now nurse on cue. I don't know how long she nurses, I'm not sure how many times a day I nurse her, but when she's hungry she lets me know. When she's full she lets me know and thats working for us. She's growing like a weed. I am so grateful that I had the information and was able to be assertive in an overwhelming situation, because our nursing time is the most sacred time of the day. Looking into her big eyes I can just hear her say thank you mom.
Breastfeeding Help ~ Information for all your breastfeeding questions
Breastfeeding Help | Breastfeeding Tips | Stop Breastfeeding
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: Seventh Revised Edition (La Leche League International Book)
Amazon Price: $13.00 (as of 12/06/2009)![]()
All parents want the best for their babies, and there's no doubt about the fact that human milk is the ideal food for human babies. What's the secret of successful breastfeeding? For almost fifty years mothers who have been in touch with La Leche League have found the kind of information and support they needed to breastfeed their babies.
In this newly revised edition of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, you will learn:
==> How human milk offers lifetime benefits for your baby
==> How to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy
==>How to exercise and lose weight safely while nursing
==>How to find time for yourself while meeting baby
needs
==> How to increase your milk supply by using herbs and medications
==> How to be sure your baby is getting enough to eat
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding was the first book of its kind, written for mothers by mothers. Over the years, more than two million mothers have turned to it for information and inspiration
Breastfeeding Diet ~ What should a Breastfeeding Mom eat?
It's a frequently asked question ~ what kind of breastfeeding diet should I be following?A breastfeeding mom can produce from 23-27 ounces of breastmilk each day for her baby. This milk contains at least 330mg of Calcium. This milk production burns at least 500 calories a day.
Now before you get all excited and think you are going to lose scads of weight being a breastfeeding mom, let's look at what you need to do to keep yourself and your baby healthy.
The quality of your breastmilk will probably not be affected ~ unless you are starving yourself. However, much like when you were pregnant, the body puts milk production as priority number 1.
So if you are not eating enough or healthy enough it will be your health that suffers. Anyone with a new baby can tell you that you need all the health and energy you can get to take care of that new bundle of joy.
So what should you be eating for your breastfeeding diet?
Increase your water
Are you tired of hearing it yet? Well water is a key ingredient to milk production. In fact, a portion of your water intake goes directly to milk production. You really should increase your water intake to about 2.5 to 3 quartz a day.
Increase your calories
Now I'm not talking about binging on candy bars here. You need to increase your daily calories to about 2500. If you plan on being a breastfeeding mom for more than three months you can increase your calories to about 2800.
Eat more often
Make sure to break your calories up into smaller meals throughout the day. You should be trying to eat 5 to 6 small meals a day. These small meals should consist of a portion of protein and some healthy carbohydrates. So you might have a low fat cheese stick and an orange, or a chicken breast and pasta. This helps keep your blood sugar level and gives you energy and nutrients throughout the day.
Eat more protien
I'm not suggesting the Atkins diet here, but you should strive for 1g of protein for each pound you weigh.
You can get this protein from fish, chicken, lean beef, eggs and even soy.
Eat more folic acid.
Just as folic acid was important during pregnancy for the development of your baby, it continues to be important in a breastfeeding diet.
You can find folic acid in these foods ~ asparagus, cabbage, corn, chick peas and spinach.
Eat more eggs.
Dr. Bradley recommends 2 eggs every day during pregnancy. I would continue to follow that advice. Eggs are rich in zinc and the yolks contain so many nutrients it is unreal. You can also increase your zinc by eating meat, whole flour and oats.
Veggies for Vitamin A.
Don't worry about getting a vitamin A supplement. Just make sure you are eating plenty of veggies like carrots. You can also get vitamin A from fish, and even butter.
There is often concern about how the foods we eat affect our baby, and many moms restrict their diets to keep from upsetting a baby's system. It really is not much fun to not be able to eat delicious foods.
Go ahead and eat a wide variety of foods, just keep a close eye on your little one. If you see them beginning to act differently, or showing signs of being gassy or not feeling well, just remove the food from your diet that you think may have caused the issue.
I hope this helps you as a breastfeeding mom develop a delicious and healthy breastfeeding diet for you and your baby.
Breastfeeding Videos ~ the Clutch Hold
Breastfeeding - Clutch Hold
curated content from YouTube

Breastfed Babies Breastfeed Their Babies!
Top 10 Breastfeeding Benefits
For Baby
- Breastfeeding limits the likelihood of allergies, eczema and asthma, can lessen their severity, and sometimes even prevent them.
- Breastfeeding protects infants from many illnesses. Breast milk contains macrophages - living white blood cells that engulf and destroy harmful bacteria.
- Breast milk can prevent stomach discomfort, colic, constipation and diarrhea, because it is easier to digest for infants.
- Breastfeeding provides the warmth, sweet taste and tender closeness that helps your baby develop a sense of comfort and trust
- Breastfeeding helps children develop and use their orofacial muscles. The increased strength that develops from sucking fosters good jaw development and promotes good speech capabilities.
- Breast milk is always available at the right temperature and in the right quantity, and there is no possibility of overfeeding through breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding will cause less spitting up and a sweeter smelling stool.
- Breast fed babies tend to be slimmer babies with a lower chance of being an overweight adult
- Breastfeeding babies tends to make happy and well attached babies.
- Breast milk is so perfect in its composition, that there are over 100 elements that scientists can not even identify, much less replicate. Natures Best is Breast!
Breastfeeding Videos ~ The first Latch
First Latch 1 of 3
curated content from YouTube
Breastfeeding Video
If you liked the first latch breastfeeding video you can get Dr. Jack Newman's entire breastfeeding video here.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byDr Jack Newman helps new mom get a good latch for breastfeeding
If you think about it, and put your own hand on the back of your head now and push... what happens? Your head moves down, your mouth closes and your throat is constricted. This is not gong to help you open your mouth really wide and swallow well. :-)
Baby's head actually needs to move back and up, not forward and down. The positioning of the baby (presenting the baby to the breast) and the calm and confident way the mother is holding and supporting the baby along her body and on the shoulders and base of the neck, is allowing this baby to 'gape' without any stress.
If you ever see a breastfeeding video (especially on YouTube, where formula manufacturers place videos to lure you to their formula sites) where the baby is having its mouth forced open, or where the baby has a hand on the back of its head, being 'pushed' onto the breast - be aware this is not Good Practice - and may ruin your breastfeeding relationship for a while, until baby recovers from being forced.
Dr Jack discusses this so clearly in this video, that the conversation is just as valuable as seeing that powerful little mouth work that breast tissue and get loadsamilk!
What he's saying, and showing, makes good sense. Mothers need to be confident and supported and relaxed, and babies need to be with their mothers. A good milk supply comes from letting the baby have as much access to the breast as possible in the vital first few weeks. Taking baby off the breast, sticking a dummy or pacifier in its mouth when it cries, scheduling feeds for set times and for set amounts of time, having one bottle of top up formula to keep Grandmother happy... all these things can compromise your milk supply in the first few weeks. So be aware of the effect of such interventions, and use them wisely.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/ind...
It's hard being a new Mum, and you often feel you 'have to get on' and do other things in those first few weeks. But resting and letting baby breastfeed as much as you can, and getting others to do housework and laundry and bring you nice things to eat...is what 'support' is all about! (Not having people saying "He's not feeding again!?! Why don't you give him formula is he's so hungry?" or "Well if you let me bottle feed her, I can take her off your hands and you get some sleep." Advice like this is a poke in the eye with a blunt stick!)
Second Latch 2 of 3
curated content from YouTube
Top 10 Breastfeeding Benefits
For Mom
- Breastfeeding saves you time. Your body is made to produce what your baby needs, and you can feed your baby without any preparation
- Breastfeeding is convenient and easy. You can do it whenever your baby becomes hungry, and without purchasing any special equipment or supplies.
- Long term breastfeeding appears to offer protection against some women's cancers
- Breastfeeding is good for the environment as well as the baby. It is the Natural process!
- Breastfeeding saves you money. Without needing supplies or formula, and with less sick baby Doctor's appointments, savings can be substantial.
- Breastfeeding allows mom to get more rest. She will sit down every 3 hours for at least a half hour, and less time will be spent feeding during the night since bottles do not need to be prepared.
- Breastfeeding helps mothers to lose any extra weight they might have added during pregnancy
- Breastfeeding can delay the return of fertility.
- With breastfeeding, your baby's sucking causes the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size sooner.
- Breastfeeding allows frequent opportunities for cozy cuddling and nurturing your baby.
Fun Breastfeeding Items
- Breastfeeding Magnets and Dolls
- Baby Milk Action on-line Virtual Shop. Materials and publications infant feeding and merchandise to promote the Nestlé boycott and support the baby milk campaign.
Should you schedule your breastfeeding?
or just nurse on demand?
Here's a great video that answers this question.
Breastfeeding Video - Breastfeeding Tips On Scheduling
This video answers the question: "How often should I breastfeed my baby?" For more information go to: http://www.breastfeedingbasics.info/blog http://www.breastfeedingbasics.info
curated content from YouTube
Breastfeeding Questions | Breastfeeding Tips | Breastfeeding Help | How to Stop Breastfeeding
Check out the store, I'm sure I have what you are looking for.
- Breastfeeding Superstore
- Find everything you need to have a positive breastfeeding experience and more
Why doesn't a woman stay a breastfeeding mom longer?
Results from Baby Talk study
- Nursing problems
45% of moms quit becuase they had trouble breastfeeding - Negative Public opinions
57% of Americans disapprove of women breastfeeding in public.
72% think it's inappropriate to show a woman breastfeeding on TV - Time Commitment
46% of moms didn't realize how much time nursing requires. - Perfectionism
47% of moms felt like they were cheating if they supplemented with formula - Work Hassles
90% of working moms quit nursing before 6 months.
Breastfeeding Twins | Breastfeeding Tips
Mommy's Minute - Breastfeeding Twins
Get tips on how to make breastfeeding your twins an easy and pleasant experience. Visit www.ThePregnancyShow.com
curated content from YouTube
Medela Breast Pumps ~ The best breast pump
If you are breastfeeding twins or planning on working and breastfeeding you will need a breastpump. Medela breat pumps are the best breast pump.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byBreast Compression breastfeeding video
to help with flow
This is what your milk ducts look like, and where they are in the breast:
Breast compression, as Dr Jack Newman explains clearly here, can help when you have a struggling baby who is upset milk isn't coming out fast enough. It's a way of using the milk production system in the breast, to encourage faster flow just when you need it.
Not every mother will need to use breast compressions, but it is a useful tool in the toolbox. It is important to squeeze down gently, in a massage motion, as opposed to a pinch. Restricting the milk ducts, with too tight a bra, or restrictive closing, or pinching them hard, can cause plugged ducts, which are painful, and can lead to mastitis, an infection.
This is an excellent handout that explains breast compressions
Breast Compressions
curated content from YouTube
Alcohol and Breastfeeding ~ Can you combine Breastfeeding and Alcohol?
It's a good question and the answer is. . . it depends.
Current research says that occasional use of alcohol (1-2 drinks) is not harmful to the nursing baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs classifies alcohol (ethanol) as a "Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding." In plain English, what they recommend is 'if you are sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to breastfeed'.
So exactly how much are you allowed to drink? Current medical experts recommend that a breastfeeding mother should not drink more than 1-2 units of alcohol per week. A breastfeeding mother should also avoid breastfeeding 2-3 hours after drinking alcohol. Less than 2% of alcohol consumed reaches her breast milk.
There are some myths about alcohol and breastfeeding. The first being, that you can get rid of the alcohol in your breast milk by first expressing and then feeding baby later. There is no need to pump & dump milk after drinking alcohol, other than for mom's comfort -- pumping & dumping does not speed the elimination of alcohol from the milk. Another myth sometimes espoused is that drinking will increase your milk supply. This is not true; in fact, it has been shown to reduce the amount of milk produced.
If you do drink alcohol while you are breastfeeding your baby you should bear in mind the amount you drink and the age of the infant.
A newborn has a very immature liver, so even small amounts of alcohol would be more taxing to her system. Up until around 3 months of age, infants detoxify alcohol at around half the rate of an adult. An older baby or toddler can metabolize the alcohol more quickly.
Here are some of the effects that drinking has on breastfeeding;
* 2+ drinks may inhibit let-down(Coiro et al 1992; Cobo 1974).
* One study showed changes in the infant's sleep-wake patterning after short-term exposure to small amounts of alcohol in breastmilk -- infants whose mothers were light drinkers slept less (Mennella & Gerrish 1998).
* Daily consumption of alcohol has been shown in the research to increase the risk for slow weight gain in the infant.
* Daily consumption of alcohol (1+ drinks daily) has been associated with a decrease in gross motor development (Little et al 1989).
It is especially important that women don't mix alcohol and breastfeeding during the baby's first 6 weeks of life.
A baby gets so much protection against infection from drinking its mother's milk. If a mother must drink alcohol, it is best to drink after the baby has been breastfed.
Breastfeeding Video ~ How to get a correct latch on
Nursing shouldn't hurt. Correct Latch on is key.
curated content from YouTube
Be a proud breastfeeding mom!! Wear Your Pride
Do you feel comfortable breastfeeding in public?
The problems are not only in America it seems.
curated content from YouTube
Breastfeeding clothes | Breastfeeding Clothing | Breastfeeding in Public
I know when you are breastfeeding in public some women want to be a little more modest. Here are a variety of breastfeeding covers. They will allow you to breastfeed your baby in public, and maintain your privacy.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byIf you liked this breastfeeding lens . . .
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Breastfeeding Guestbook
Glad you stopped by
Glad you stopped by and please feel free to sign the guestbook, and answer this question if it feels good for you: What is the best thing about your breastfeeding experiences. I would love to hear stories of your own breastfeeding experiences. If you have any resources that I am missing please feel free to let me know and I will add them as well.

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- thrivingmom thrivingmom Jul 23, 2009 @ 8:07 am
- Very informative. I've lensrolled you to my "Is Breastfeeding Right for Me" lens.
Two other great benefits to breastfeeding: 1) it decreases baby's chance of developing cancer later in life and 2) it decreases baby's chance of ever developing diabetes.
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- Ange_Maz Ange_Maz Mar 2, 2009 @ 9:19 am
- Fantastic lens Jackie! Tons of information!
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- AliDover AliDover Nov 24, 2008 @ 8:49 am
- Thank you for a wonderful lens on this very important subject!
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- dlcummings dlcummings Nov 17, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
- Nice lens a lot of info. gave it 5 stars.
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- lilbabycakes lilbabycakes Aug 13, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
- Wow, what a great lens. You have so much information about breastfeeding! The title of your lens hit the nail right on the head. Looking forward to reading more from you, thanks!
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- DiMcDonald DiMcDonald Apr 12, 2008 @ 8:07 pm
- Fantastic lens Jackie.so much incredible information. Gave it 5 stars.
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- maryaspinwall maryaspinwall Mar 4, 2008 @ 12:35 pm
- Hi Jackie Lee Thanks for this lens - this information is just so important. I breastfed both my children until they were 18 months old and they are great adverts for it. I really feel it is the single most important thing you can do to enhance your child's health and wellbeing. I am a homeopath and I just put up my first lens today on homeopathic medicines to support breastfeeding http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/workshop/nursingbaby I hope you will visit if you get the chance.
Wishing you well Mary
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- reneeholiday reneeholiday Feb 4, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
- Wow... Fantastic lens! I just started w/Squidoo today. But this lens is a great model!
And what a small world! I am in Fort Lauderdale. I'd love to get in contact with you. Are you involved in any local meetups and/or yahoogroups?
cheers! renee
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- safewell safewell Nov 26, 2007 @ 2:32 am
- Hi Jackie,
You have a great lens here for moms! As a breastfeeding mommy myself, I remember when I could not find any help or support! I think this info is great, esecially for women new to breastfeeding!
Keep up the good work!
Tara
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- crunchymom76 crunchymom76 Sep 2, 2007 @ 9:35 pm
- Awesome info. :) Haven't talked to you in forever. Hope you're doing well!
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- BabyFirstYear BabyFirstYear Jul 20, 2007 @ 5:12 am
- I am happy have landed in this great lense, you're really great lensemaster, this breastfeeding information really helpful to me. thanks for the share
Goonie
Baby First Year
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- crunchymom76 crunchymom76 May 2, 2007 @ 7:54 am
- Hi! Great to see you here. :)
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- momof7 momof7 Feb 21, 2007 @ 8:43 am
- Great lens, JackieLee, and thanks for joining the Breastfeeding Support (Squidoo Group). You put a lot of time into this lens and it shows. I know you are thinking of that breastfeeding mother out there, who is feeling isolated, or has a question, and turns to the internet for answers. Good job!
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- missmicky missmicky Dec 14, 2006 @ 10:08 pm
- Great Lens! I like your lens on baby wearing too! Come visit mine on African-American Breastfeeding! Keep up the good work! - Micky
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- anndouglas anndouglas Oct 1, 2006 @ 11:38 am
- This is a terrific lens! I'm so glad I found it today. I'll be adding it to a couple of my lenses over the next few days.
- Ann
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- Jo_Bradshaw Jo_Bradshaw Aug 15, 2006 @ 7:06 pm
- Hi Jackie
Wow, you are an inspiration, getting through that difficult birth and still persisting with the nursing. We all know it's the most natural amazing thing on earth; we just have to convince everyone else! Good stuff.
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by JackieLee
Hi! I am Jackie Lee. I am a breastfeeding, baby wearing, co sleeping, cloth diapering Mama! I get great joy from helping other moms get involved in th...
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