While most new mamas love breastfeeding time with their new little one, most also look forward to the day their partner can take part in feeding the baby, too (usually late at night so mom can get a little sleep!) So naturally a burning question on many new parents’ minds is: When is it okay to give my baby a bottle? Most experts agree that if things are going well with breastfeeding, and there is no indication or medical reason that your baby needs to be supplemented or fed with a bottle, it is in your breastfeeding and baby’s best interest to hold off for approximately 3 to 4 weeks before introducing bottle feeding. By following this general guideline, you will have well established your breastfeeding routine. After about a month, you will have let the baby dictate your milk supply before introducing something new. However, if you wait too long—usually more than 6 weeks—there is a risk that your baby may refuse the bottle. To feed your baby via a bottle, parents can use either expressed

Oh, the joys of pregnancy! As soon as you announce your pregnancy, everyone under the sun, from your mother-in-law to your massage therapist, starts to pepper you with advice. A lot of is helpful, but some of it is downright wrong, especially as it relates to what to eat to fuel your growing baby. Here’s a no-nonsense list of foods that are packed with the essential nutrients your little one needs for healthy growth and development. Time to eat up momma!

Avocado

If you've been plagued by leg cramps during your pregnancy, it's time to get more avocado. Half of this creamy, delicious fruit contains 345mg of potassium, 114 calories, and nearly 5g of fiber. A lack of potassium can cause leg muscles to cramp. During pregnancy you need 4700mg daily of the mineral, which sounds like a shocking amount, but most fruits and vegetables contain at least some potassium. If you’re breastfeeding, that amount jumps to 5100mg per day, so it’s smart to get used to packing lots of this important electrolyte

photo courtesy of Lindsey Shipley/Lactation Link

Your body is your baby's first home, and this relationship doesn’t need to end just because he’s out of the womb. Now out in the world, your babe wants to spend all of his time on top of your body. This is where he first learns about scent, touch, sight, hearing, taste and trust, along with many other things. Skin to skin, also known as Kangaroo Care, is a way to maintain that unique closeness you and baby shared when he was in your womb. Kangaroo care refers to the practice of holding your diapered babe—be he premature, full term or anytime during infancy—against your bare chest, with either a shirt or a blanket around the baby’s back to keep him warm. This snuggling of the infant against the body makes like a kangaroo’s pouch—hence the name, Kangaroo Care. Kangaroo Care can begin in most cases immediately after birth and can continue as long as you want to practice. There is no age at which skin to skin is no longer recommended. Skin

While some women never experience nipple pain when breastfeeding, for many new mothers nipple soreness in the first few days is very common.  In fact, sore nipples are the number one reason most women give up on breastfeeding.  It’s really a shameful statistic, since, for most women, the pain and tenderness is only temporary and usually lessens after a matter of days. In the first few days of breastfeeding, tender and sore nipples are to be expected.  However, cracked and bleeding nipple conditions that last longer than a week should send a signal to new mothers that something more is going on, and it may be time to seek professional help. When a baby first latches on, there may be some level of pain. I always tell my clients to count to 30 and see if the pain level abates.  If her pain doesn’t lessen up, it probably means they baby has not latched on or positioned properly.  The solution is simple:  try to take her off and latch her back on again.  Your nipple should look