Breast milk is actually the only food your baby will need until 4 months of age, although most babies do well on breast milk alone for 6 months or better.  There is really no advantage to  adding other foods or milks before 4 – 6 months, except under unusual circumstances.

Water
Breast milk is over 90% water.  Even in the hottest days of summer, a baby won’t require any extra water.  If a baby isn’t feeding well, they still don’t require any extra water – although they will need the breast feeding problems to be fixed.

Vitamin D
Although breast milk doesn’t contain much vitamin D, it does have a little.  The baby will store up vitamin D during pregnancy, and remain healthy without any vitamin D supplementation, unless you yourself had a problem with vitamin D deficiency
when pregnant.

Exposure to the outside will give your baby vitamin D, even in winter and when the sky is
covered.  An hour or more exposure during the week will give your baby more than enough vitamin D.

Iron
Breast milk contains less iron than formulas do, especially those that are iron enriched.  Iron will give the baby added protection against infections, as many bacteria need iron in order to multiply.

The iron found in breast milk is utilized well by the baby, while not being available to bacteria.  The introduction of iron should never be delayed beyond the age of 6 months.

Breast milk is the best that your can feed your baby, as it provides everything he will need for probably the first 6 months.  After the first 6 months, you can introduce solid foods to your baby if he is taking an interest to them.

Almost all mothers who breast feed go through a period of questioning whether or not their supply of milk is adequate.  Some mothers simply aren’t able to produce enough milk to meet the needs of her baby.  According to many experts, true insufficiencies of milk are very rare.

A lot of women think their milk supply is low when it actually isn’t.  Thinking this can happen if you lose the feeling of fullness in your breasts or if the milk stops leaking from your nipples. Babies that go through growth spurts may want more milk than usual, and these more frequent feedings may leave your breasts less than full.

Causes of it
A mother’s milk supply may diminish for a brief period of time if she isn’t feeding her baby
often enough due to nipple pain, or a poor latch on technique.  Illnesses or estrogen containing birth control pills may also affect the production of milk.

What you should do
The best way to handle a low supply of breast milk is through a doctor’s care.  You should make sure that your baby gets frequent feedings and that nothing is wrong with your nipples or your milk ducts.  Doctors are the best ones to ask, as they can run tests to see if everything is fine within your body.

A low supply of breast milk can affect your baby, although it’s more of a mental condition
than anything else.  If your baby isn’t gaining any weight or if he is losing weight, you
should call a doctor immediately.  Improved techniques for breast feeding will normally
help, although in some cases weight gain or weight loss will indicate a serious concern.

In most cases, you can still nurse with a temporary decrease in milk supply, although
frequent breast feeding is the key to boosting your production of milk.

Once you’ve reached the third trimester, you’ll probably start stocking up on nursing bras, breast pads, and loose button down shirts for the coming months ahead.  While getting ready to breast feed, you can also create your personal area, a custom designed breast feeding area for yourself.

Your nursing area should reflect your personality. If you like a loud, yet friendly surrounding, you should consider setting in a corner of the living room or family room.  Keep an extra chair or two near you so family members or even friends can keep you company.

If you prefer peace and quiet, a cozy study or empty guest room would be ideal.  You can close the door, dim the lights down, then take a few deep, calming breaths while you breast feed.

Your own chair
No matter if it’s a glider, overstuffed recliner, or desk chair with wheels, you should make sure your nursing chair is very comfortable.  You’ll be sitting in the chair for hours each day, so you’ll want it to be very comfortable.  You shouldalways look for one that offers back and shoulder support, along with arm rests.

Support underfoot
You can use a footstool, low coffee table or a stack of pillows to elevate your feet as you breast feed.  If you raise your legs and feet to bring your baby to your breast, you’ll avoid possible backache.

Pillows and more pillows
Your neck, arms, feet, and back will need as  much support as you can give, so don’t hesitate to surround your body with pillows.  If you lay a pillow across your lap for your baby to lay on, he’ll be very comfortable and that much closer to your nipple.  For extra comfort, you can even purchase a specially made nursing pillow that will encircle your waist.

Table for one
You should always keep a small table or stand within arm’s length of your breast feeding chair. What you use should be big enough to hold a coaster and glass of liquid.  Some women prefer to drink through a straw, while others prefer to drink from the glass.

You’ll also want to keep healthy snacks on hand as well, such as fresh fruit, nuts, or crackers and peanut butter to help you replace the  energy you use while you breast feed.

Distractions
If your baby is a slow eater or has a really big appetite, you may want to keep yourself busy while he feeds.  You can fill the shelves of a nearby cupboard or bookcase with your favorite books or crossword puzzles to occupy yourself until your baby is full.  You should also keep a phone nearby as well so that you can talk to family or friends to pass the time.

It will reduce constipation, leg cramps, bloating, and swelling. As well, it will prepare your body for the work of labor and delivery, and give you a head start in getting back in shape after the baby is born.

Before you begin an exercise program, talk to your doctor or midwife to confirm that you dont have any health conditions that may limit your activity. Dont hesitate to ask about specific exercises or sports that you like to do. Follow these tips for a safe and healthy exercise during pregnancy:

Start your workout with slow, low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, or yoga.

Exercise with the goal of reaching and keeping a safe fitness level. Pregnancy is not the time to bulk up muscles or shed excess pounds.

Dont exercise vigorously when youre ill or if its hot or humid outside. Wear comfortable clothing and drink plenty of water.

Begin every workout with at least five minutes of stretching and end your workout with a cool down period. Slow walking or riding a stationary bike are good ways to cool down.

Get up slowly after sitting or lying on the floor to prevent feeling dizzy or faint. After 20 weeks of pregnancy, dont do any exercises on your back. This can cut down the blood flow to your baby.

Dont overdo it. If you cant talk at a normal level during your workout, ease up and slow down. You should feel energized after a workout not exhausted.

Reduce your workout level during the last few months of pregnancy. Exercise will be more difficult as your baby grows.

Work your deep abdominals

Strong abdominals will also help you to maintain good posture. Before starting this exercise, though, you need to know what youre working and why. The deep abdominals refer to the transverse abdominal muscles, which come around from your back and act like a corset. Its these muscles that will help to give your stomach a flatter appearance after the baby is born.

Even though youre not directly working the rectus abdominals (the muscles that run down the front of your abdomen) as you would when you do a sit-up (which shouldn’t be attempted during pregnancy), dont worry; this exercise still works these muscles. When theyre strong they also contribute to core stability and good posture.

Breathe in and as you breathe out again, pull in your pelvic floor and the deep abdominal muscles. Lift the baby up and in towards your spine, drawing the navel to the back, then lift your pelvic floor muscles to deepen the contraction. Hold this position.

You can do this exercise standing or on all fours. If youre standing, check your posture. If youre on all fours, make sure your hands are in line with your shoulders and your hips are in line with your knees. In both cases, make sure you have a natural curve in your back. You may need to tilt the pelvis to align your back correctly.

Advanced versions of this exercise that you can do after the birth include the plank. Ask an instructor to show you how to do these exercises.

Julian Hall of http://www.giftbabies.co.uk – The Baby Gifts Company – The Most Unique, Innovative Gift Ideas for Babies, Christening Gifts, Newborn Gifts, Personalised Gifts, Organic Clothing, Nappies, New Baby Gifts

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