How to Tell If You Have Low-Quality Breast Milk

Breastfeeding moms sometimes worry about the quality of their breast milk. Fortunately, the milk you make for your baby is almost always nutritionally ideal for your child. Even severely malnourished mothers produce great breast milk, because the body takes nutrients from the mother's own body to supply the baby.

Bridget Coila
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Breastfeeding & Nipple Stimulation

While breast milk is best for your baby's nutrition and development, the nipple stimulation that naturally occurs when breastfeeding can have effects on your own body. Your nipples are covered in nerves that respond to the natural and gentle touch of your baby.

Kay Ireland
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Lysine & Breastfeeding

Lysine, an essential amino acid, is found in protein-rich foods and dietary supplements. Although your body needs lysine, it is unable to produce it and must obtain the amino acid through dietary sources.

Adrienne Weeks
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Spirulina & Breastfeeding

Spirulina, a blue-green algae supplement, is sold by health and natural food stores as a potential treatment for various health conditions including heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes. The supplement also reportedly boosts immunity and enhances mental health.

Adrienne Weeks
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Do Breasts Regain Firmness After Breast-feeding?

When you breast-feed your baby, you can feel confident that you're giving your baby the best possible food. You might not be as confident about the changes in your body during the months or years while you are breast-feeding.

Bridget Coila
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Soy Protein & Breast-feeding

Women who use soy protein when breast-feeding may do so not only to increase their general protein intake, but also to reap the health benefits soy offers. While many women need not worry when including soy in their diets, some babies suffer from soy allergies.

Erica Jacques
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The Best Protein Supplements While Breast-feeding

Protein is important for breast-feeding women. They need more protein than the average woman in order to support the needs of their bodies as well as those of their rapidly developing infants. While women can generally get enough protein in their diets to support lactation, some women may need a little extra help.

Erica Jacques
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How to Wean From Breastfeeding to Whole Milk

Weaning from the breast is a different process for every child. Some babies wean themselves without any struggles before they've turned 1 year old; others show no signs of stopping even at age 2 or 3.

Kristen Fisher
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Can You Eat Certain Foods to Decrease Breast Milk?

Some moms produce more breast milk than their baby needs, which is called hyperlactation. Hyperlactation can be uncomfortable for you, causing engorged breasts, plugged milk ducts and even mastitis. It can also lead to feeding problems for your baby and either low or high weight gain.

Michelle Fisk
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Should Nursing Moms Eat Shellfish?

Breastfeeding gives your baby the best start, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. While you don't have to watch your diet as closely as when you were pregnant, you still need to pay attention to what you put in your mouth, as long as you're nursing your little one.

Sara Ipatenco
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Bikram Yoga & Breastfeeding

Bikram yoga is a series of 26 hatha yoga postures developed by yogi Bikram Choudhury. It is designed to be performed in a room heated anywhere from 80 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lucy Burns
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Breast-feeding & Tylenol With Codeine

Breast-feeding mothers aren’t immune from pain. But if you’ve had a cesarean section or need to take pain medication for any reason, you may hesitate out of concern for its effect on your nursing infant. Both acetaminophen, the generic name for Tylenol, and codeine are usually considered compatible.

Sharon Perkins
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