“I took my pumped breastmilk out of the freezer and smelled it – it’s gone sour! It smells bad, and I think it’s gone off. I have a lot of frozen milk, will the rest be all the same? What should I do with it?” This is a question we receive frequently, and that causes a lot of concern. Because in these cases, the smell of the breastmilk is really unpleasant. So today, we explain what causes this change in…
The last trimester of pregnancy has arrived, and this can raise new questions about this process. Let’s go over some of the most frequently asked questions in the third trimester of pregnancy: How will I know if I’m in labor? It is very common to be afraid of not knowing what the signs of the onset of labor are. As in any other natural process, your body usually sends signals that indicate that a change is coming. When labor is…
There are several reasons why you may have to be away from your baby for a few days. These may be desired or undesired reasons, but if you are breastfeeding, you will probably have questions about what will happen with you, with the baby, and with breastfeeding. We get asked this topic often, so we have gathered the most frequently asked questions and answers in this article. How will my baby be doing when I’m gone? Knowing what will happen…
When a baby does not gain weight correctly or is never satisfied, no matter how often the mother is breastfeeding, fear creeps up: Is my milk good quality? Does it lack any nutrients? We are all used to checking the quality of the food we buy. In fact, advertising emphasizes this and reminds us that it is very important, when selecting a product, to be aware that there are different levels of quality. In addition, each brand reinforces the idea…
Many parents are worried about the appearance, smell, texture, and quantity of their baby’s poop and pee. But babies’ bowel movements are also an excellent way to assess breastmilk intake in exclusively breastfed babies. The first stools are called meconium, the remains of amniotic fluid that your baby has swallowed while in your womb. Meconium is black and gluey to sticky and is passed during your baby’s first three days. On the first day, it is usual to have two…
During the postpartum period, you might have a special craving for sweets and wonder: can I eat chocolate while breastfeeding? If you have just given birth, someone might have gifted you a box of chocolates or some other type of chocolate, or you feel a strong desire to eat them now, even if you have never had a sweet tooth before. Does it have any effect on the baby? You may have heard that chocolate contains something called theobromine, which…
You will know when the time has come, and you are ready to start with the weaning process. But it is interesting to know that there are certain “opportunity windows”, which are the moments when it is easier to wean your baby from breastfeeding. These are the periods of time when the baby’s development can make the weaning process easier. Did you know them? Weaning is a process that can be complex and requires information and support. This is why…
It’s International IBCLC Day on Wednesday, 1st of March! There are currently 33,492 IBCLCs in 125 countries, according to the IBLCE, the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. So today, we will explain what an IBCLC is and how to become one. We know this is not a universally known figure in healthcare and many people wonder what these letters mean. So we wanted to dedicate this article to answering your questions on what an IBCLC is and how to…
Every mother-to-be wonders at some point during pregnancy whether her nipples will be suitable for breastfeeding her baby. Nipples come in all shapes and sizes; in general, all of them are ideal for breastfeeding. Babies do not extract breastmilk by squeezing the nipple; they must latch on and suck the nipple and a good portion of the areola simultaneously because this is the only way to get the milk out. What is the purpose of the nipple? Given all nipples…
Many publications, such as Caroline Criado Perez’s book “Invisible Women” confirm a gender bias in medicine*. In this case, the bias is profound because there is no scientific evidence related to breastfeeding agitation and aversion. Clearly, no one cares to thoroughly investigate why mothers start to feel rejection towards their babies when breastfeeding. The reasons for the rise of these feelings have not yet been understood, so we can only guess at the possible causes of this unpleasant situation. We…