Mary Ausman

Boob Scoop: Many moms worry about their baby using the breast as a pacifier. While a pacifier is a good option, some babies refuse it or prefer the breast. Not only is this not a bad thing, it is perfectly normal and great way to comfort your baby. Sucking is a big part of a baby’s development and so they will find a way to fulfill that need, whether it’s at the breast, with a pacifier or by sucking their thumb. Using the breast as a pacifier also has some added perks including: helping to delay the return of your period, never needing sterilization and helping to maintain milk production. In the end, what works for you and your baby is the way to go. Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com) http://yummymummystore.com/blog

Boob Scoop: When introducing solid foods close to or after the 6 month mark, as is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, it's suggested to breastfeed first then offer the solid food. Approaching the introduction of solid foods in this manner will help maintain a mother's milk supply and reinforce the catchy nutritional statement that solids before age one are mainly for fun. Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com) http://yummymummystore.com/blog

Boob Scoop: With the Fall and the season of light pretty scarfs approaching in New York, nursing in public can be made much easier. Although you are allowed to breastfeed wherever you have the right to be, some moms feel more comfortable providing some cover to the top of their breast. This is when a light scarf, draped around your neck, can come in handy to provide some cover while allowing you to show off your style ;) Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com) http://yummymummystore.com/blog

Boob Scoop: Minimize the time you allocate for pumping at work by having extra flanges and bottles so that you don't have to head to a sink after each pumping session. Also, since breastmilk lasts up to 6 hrs at room temperature, you can use the same flanges and bottles for two consecutive pumping sessions. So, if you pump at 9am and again at 12pm, only 3 hrs will have passed which meets the 6 hr room temperature recommendation. At the end of your work day, bring everything home and wash all your pump accessories. Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com) http://yummymummystore.com/blog/

Boob Scoop: While it might not be as much fun to talk about as all the cute things your baby is doing, Thrush, which is a fungal infection affecting your breasts and your baby's mouth is more common than you think and an important condition for new moms to know about. Thrush can cause painful tenderness on the nipples and can be passed back and forth from you to your baby if not treated in time. Two great natural therapies for thrush, which have been used successfully by mothers over the years, are oil of oregano and garlic. For topical use, place two drops of oil of oregano in a teaspoon of olive oil and rub on your nipples and your baby's diaper or mouth, where thrush is normally present. To use garlic, chop up 4-5 cloves a day, air out for 20 minutes, and swallow as pills or sprinkle over a favorite salad. (Airing out garlic helps to bring out its antimicrobial powers). Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)/

Boob Scoop: When booking a flight and traveling with your nursing baby, try to reserve bulkhead seats for a more comfortable flight. These are the seats located where the airline separates its sections (i.e. business, economy) and typically allow for more legroom, which can make it more comfortable to nurse. If these seats are not available, sitting by a window is another good option. Window seats offer a nice view while you relax and sit back to breastfeed. Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com) http://yummymummystore.com/blog/

The best time to introduce your baby to a bottle is during the daytime, not the evening. With fussiness and cluster feeding likely to peak during the evening hours, trying a new method of feeding in the evening may not go as smoothly as it might earlier in the day. Once your baby is more comfortable drinking from the bottle, you will figure out what time works best for you and your baby.

Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

Boob Scoop: After about the first month of breastfeeding, it can sometimes be tricky to differentiate between a hungry baby and one that has just discovered his hands or is using them for soothing. When in doubt, it never hurts to put your baby to the breast. Breastmilk is always changing in composition and volume throughout the day and these important changes eliminate the concern of overfeeding. If your baby is breastfeeding for soothing you will notice suckling at the breast. If your baby is hungry, you will hear him make "eh" sounds or notice the deep swallows that accompany a feeding. In either situation, your baby will likely be happy to breastfeed since nursing will have met his need to soothe or feed.

Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

Boob Scoop: When it comes to breastfed babies, gaining too quickly is generally not a concern since breastmilk is intended for their growing bodies. Breastfed babies tend to gain more quickly in the first three months (4 - 8 oz per wk) and then begin to lean out as they become more mobile. By the end of the first year, most have tripled or are close to tripling their birth weight. After year one, weight gain slows down but remains steady.

Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)