2torial #0617:
Learn2 Breast-feed Your Baby (continued)

Take care of yourself

In a way, you're still eating for two, so what's safe to eat now? And what about your own health issues?

Diet. A well-balanced diet with about 500 extra calories a day, plus plenty of water (about 2 quarts or 2 liters a day) will help keep you both in good health. Continue taking any prenatal vitamin supplements, and ask your doctor about iron and calcium supplements.

Some babies have allergic reactions to certain foods in their mothers' diets, like spicy or gas-inducing foods or dairy products. Symptoms of allergies can include fussiness, diarrhea, rash, gas, and, sometimes, more frequent nursing. If these symptoms appear within a few hours each time you eat a certain food, stop eating it. Wait 2 weeks, then reintroduce the food to see if your baby reacts.

Medications and illness. Certain medications should not be taken while nursing, so consult your doctor about what's safe. However, if you get a cold or flu, continuing to breast-feed can protect your baby from getting sick, too, since you'll be passing antibodies to him or her through your breast milk.

Breast-feeding–related problems. Sore nipples and engorgement are the most common health issues affecting breast-feeding mothers, and both can be treated at home without interrupting breast-feeding. To avoid these problems:

• Feed the baby on demand (that is, whenever he or she wants to be fed).

• Don't give the baby any water or formula supplements unless it's medically necessary.

• If you miss a feeding, express your milk manually or with a breast pump.

• Don't use soap on your breasts when you bathe. Warm water will remove milk residue.

• Air-dry your nipples after each nursing, and lubricate them with breast milk or a natural lubricant like purified lanolin (Note: some babies may be allergic to lanolin). Avoid any other skin lotion. Also remember that your Montgomery glands will provide natural lubrication--so give nature a chance.

• Make sure your bra is dry, and change your nursing pads often if your breasts tend to leak.

• When your breasts are engorged, take warm baths or apply warm, wet compresses to them to relieve the pain; ask your doctor to recommend an over-the-counter pain medication.

• When you wean the baby, do so gradually so your milk production tapers off.

Blocked ducts, cracked nipples, and mastitis are more likely if your latch-ons aren't good or if you don't nurse or express milk regularly. If any of these these occur--especially mastitis--seek medical help.

As you launch into the first weeks of new motherhood, try to concentrate on caring for yourself and your baby. If you pay attention to both your needs and don't hesitate to ask for help from your breast-feeding counselor, pediatrician, or family, you should do just fine.

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