Top Breastfeeding Tips

These helpful tips from the Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia will go a long way towards giving you and your baby an enjoyable breastfeeding experience.

Remember The Golden Rule Of Breastfeeding - Supply Equals Demand
It helps to keep in mind that your breasts are not containers, but a "factory" where the greater the demand for the product, the more there is produced.

The more milk your baby takes, the more milk you will make. Unrestricted breastfeeding is the key to a good milk supply and may also prevent many breastfeeding problems.

Good Positioning And Attachment Are The Keys To Effective Breastfeeding
Babies breastfeed, not "nipplefeed". Your baby must have a good mouthful of breast tissue and he must be positioned so that your breast isn't pulled out of shape (and out of his mouth).

In order to get that good mouthful, your baby needs to open his mouth wide and then be held close to your body, chest to chest, chin to breast.

The Let-down Reflex Ensures Your Baby Receives Your Milk
Your baby's suckling at your breast sends nerve impulses to your brain, causing the release of prolactin and oxytocin. These hormones are involved in the production of milk and in releasing the milk from the "storage" areas in your breasts, letting it down to the nipples.

Often you will know your milk has let down by feeling a tingling sensation or a feeling of breast fullness or milk leaking from the other breast. Occasionally this is painful, especially if your breasts are very full.

You will notice that your baby's sucking action changes from a suck/suck/suck to a suck/swallow/suck/swallow rhythm as the let-down provides a rush of milk for him.

This let-down needs to occur for your baby to get all the milk available in your breasts.

Breastmilk Is Easily And Rapidly Digested, So Breastfed Babies Feed Frequently
Your baby takes different amounts from feed to feed. The composition of your milk varies in its balance of fat and water content. Each baby has a different feeding pattern.

Your baby may need to feed as many as 10 to 15 times or as few as 6 to 8 times in 24 hours.

Some babies feed quickly, others slowly; some feed in spurts, some space feeds out; some want one breast each feed, others want both. All these patterns are fine.

However your baby feeds, your breastmilk is nutritionally unique with just the right amount and types of protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and nutrients.

Delaying Or Restricting Breastfeeds Leads To More Problems
Putting off your baby's feeds, or trying to ration feeds, leads to a cycle of problems. Your breasts will become engorged and painful, so your baby will find it hard to attach at the next feed.

This may lead to a blocked duct or cracked nipple and then to mastitis . This may mean you dread each breastfeed, feed even less often and your milk supply will gradually be affected.

Have Faith In Your Body And Surround Yourself With Positive Support
Your body has nurtured your baby throughout your pregnancy and will continue to do so during lactation.

You and your baby learn to breastfeed together. Trust your baby to know how much breastmilk he needs - you will get to know your baby's cues.

You can learn a lot from experienced breastfeeding mothers and the right information and encouragement can make a real difference.

Accept All Offers Of Help
Only you can breastfeed your baby - anyone can help you with housework or shopping. Rest and find time for yourself when your baby is sleeping.

Most of all, enjoy this precious time nurturing your baby. You are providing him with the healthiest future you can.

Baby proofing your home

Kitchen:

If the layout of your kitchen allows it, erect a barrier across your kitchen's doorway to prevent your child entering while you cook.
Ensure that all pot handles and cords don't overhang the benches and stove avoiding the possibility of your child pulling something down on top of her.
Use a stove/hot plate guard.
Don't use a table cloth with young children - one tug and the entire contents of the table can be on the floor and all over them.
Keep detergents and cleaning substances out of reach of your child.
Never store poisons in food containers.
Place child-proof locks on all cupboards and drawers that are in reach of your child.

Laundry:

If you use a nappy bucket, ensure that it is always closed securely as is stored out of reach of your child.
Store all detergents and bleaches in a locked cupboard that is out of reach of your child.
Make sure that all buckets are left empty.

Bathroom:

The bathroom is one of the most dangerous rooms in the house, so never let your child 'play' in there and always supervise her when she is in there.
Young children can drown in a small amount of water.
Always start running a bath by turning on the cold tap first and then adding the hot water to it - your child can easily be scalded by hot water.
Make sure that the running water in your bathroom cannot exceed 50 degrees.
Keep all electrical appliances out of the bathroom to avoid possible electrocution.
Although baby ramps and seats are designed to keep your baby safe in the bath, always supervise as it is possible that she could slide out or tip over.
When you are bathing your young child, ensure that you have everything you need in the bathroom with you before you start.
Always store medications in a locked child-proof cupboard that is out of reach.

Lounge and dining room:

Put a safety guard around any heaters or open fireplaces you may have.
Cover all unused power points.
Make sure that all shelving is secured to a wall or is stable.
Ensure that any equipment - TV, DVD player, stereo - is stored in a safe and appropriate manner; all cords are tucked away, remote controls are stored out of reach, the cabinet is stable and not top-heavy.
Store your child's toys in an accessible and safe place that she can get to without needing your help.

Stairs, balconies and verandahs:

You must have a railing on stairs, balconies or verandahs that are higher than 600mm.
The balustrade on stairs must be at least 865 mm high, unless the drop is greater than 3 metres and then it needs to be 1050mm high; on a verandah or balcony they should be at least 1000 mm high.
If you have a high balustrade, you should also have a lower handrail that your child can use.
The gaps between the rails below the balustrade should be no more than 100 mm.
Place lockable gates at the top and bottom of staircases to avoid the possibility of you child falling on the stairs unsupervised.
Stairs should have a non-slip surface.

Echuca Baby Shop

Echuca Baby Shop

Echuca Baby Shop is an information website which will help you find everything you need for your Beautiful Baby in the Echuca Region and i have a few tips as well.

Boutique Baby Shop

Your One Stop Kids Shop - 217 Pakenham St, Echuca - 03 54825179

Big Chain Store's

Big W - Crn Maude & Annesley St, Echuca - 03 54800644

Target Country - Crn Packenham & Nish St, Echuca - 03 54806533

Online Book Shop

One of Australia's Largest Online Book Stores - I have purchased some great Baby Books and Children Books - Free Delivery Throughout Australia - Highly Recommend!

Type in "Kids Books" in the search box below to see there range.

Baby Cot Safety

I have gathered some useful information to help ensure that your baby sleeps safe and sound.

Cots have been associated with fatal injuries in children under 12 months old. Young babies are vulnerable to suffocating or choking, and toddlers are at risk of injury from falling while trying to climb out of the cot.

In Australia each year doctors treat 6,500 injuries from nursery furniture in children up to four years of age. This includes 540 hospital admissions, with most admissions in the under-one-year age group. They are startling statistics. Faulty cots cause more injuries than any other type of nursery furniture. This is why it is of most importance that your cot is safe.

So read on as i have compiled some helpful information and tips to assist you before buying/using a baby cot that is right for you and your baby:

Select a baby cot that complies with the mandatory safety standard based on the Australian standard for household cots AS/NZS 2172. Look for a label or sticker that says the cot complies with the mandatory standard. If there isn’t one, ask the retailer. If the retailer cannot verify that it complies, do not buy it. All cots sold, even second-hand ones, must comply with this standard.

Check that bars, panels, mattress base and drop sides are firmly attached.

Take a tape measure with you when you go shopping so you can check the size of gaps and openings:

The mattress must fit snugly to within 25mm of sides and ends.

With the mattress base set in the lower position, the cot sides or end need to be at least 500mm higher than the mattress.

The spacing between the bars or panels in the cot sides and ends needs to be between 50mm and 85mm. Gaps wider than 85mm can trap a child’s head. If the bars or panels are made from flexible material, the maximum spacing between the bars or panels should be less than 8.5mm.

Check that there are no spaces between 30mm and 5mmm that could trap your child’s arms or legs.

Check that there are no small holes or openings between 0.5cm and 1.2cm wide that small fingers can be caught in.

Check there are no fittings (including bolts, knobs and corner posts) that might catch onto your child’s clothing and cause distress or strangulation.

Other Points to consider in the nursery are:

Is the cot clear of curtain or blind cords as they are a strangulation hazard.

Is the cot clear of heaters stoves and power points.

Make sure the space above the cot is free of objects such as pictures or mirrors which could fall onto your child.

Set the mattress base to the lowest position before your baby can sit up.

Remove climbing aids (such as a large toy) from the cot once your child can stand.

Make sure the cot has no more than two legs with castors or that at least one pair of castors has brakes that work.

Regularly check that nuts and bolts are tight as per the maintenance instructions supplied with the cot.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully (and keep them somewhere safe).

Second-hand and heirloom cots can be a hazard to children because:

• The spacing between the bars may be too wide and trap a child’s head or may be too narrow and trap a child’s arms or legs.

• The corner posts of the cot may be higher than the sides and ends creating a strangulation hazard if clothes get caught on it.

• The catches on the side of the cot may be easy for a child to undo.

• Older cots may be painted with lead paint that children might chew on and swallow when they are teething.

Remember

Do not use U or V shaped pillows for children under two years old. It is safer not to use a pillow at all for children under two.

Do not allow small objects that could cause your child to choke to be placed in the cot, or anywhere accessible to your child.

Never use electric blankets or hot water bottles for babies or young children.

Do not leave mobiles or toys with stretch/elastic cords in cots.