MyMedExpert Health Articles

Caffeine can enter the breast milk of nursing mothers (IFIC August 2002).  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP 2002), “Caffeine tends to build up in babies’ systems because their bodies cannot get rid of it very easily. A morning cup of coffee is not likely to harm your baby, but too much caffeine can cause problems such as poor sleeping, nervousness, irritability, and poor feeding. Try using decaffeinated coffee and tea and avoid colas and other carbonated drinks that have added caffeine.” OTIS (OTIS 2001) states that, “women should remain well hydrated with water, juice and milk while breastfeeding.”

If you have any specific question, you can ask the doctors at www.mymedexpert.com

In certain situations, health care providers may advise a woman not to breastfeed:

• A woman with certain health conditions, such as HIV or active tuberculosis, should not breastfeed because she risks giving the infection to her infant through her breast milk.
• Women who actively use drugs or do not control their alcohol intake, or who have a history of these situations, may also be advised not to breastfeed.
• Certain medicines, including some mood stabilizers and migraine medicines, can also pass through the breast milk and cause harm to the infant.
• Women with certain chronic illnesses may be advised not to breastfeed, or to take special steps to ensure their own health while breastfeeding. For example, women who have diabetes may need to eat slightly more food while they breastfeed, to prevent their blood sugar levels from dropping.
• Women who have had breast surgery in the past may face some difficulties in breastfeeding.

Please note: engorgement, hardening of the breast, “breast abscess,” fever, and use of pain medications or antibiotics are NOT reasons to stop breastfeeding. In fact, in some cases—such as breast abscess or breast hardening—emptying of the breast helps to relieve the problem.

If a mother stops breastfeeding before the child is a year old, then she should feed her infant iron-fortified, commercially available formula. Health care providers advise women not to give their infants cow’s milk until the child is at least a year old.

If you have any health conditions, or you are taking any medications or over-the-counter supplements, you should discuss breastfeeding with your health care provider.

If you have any specific question, you can ask the doctors at www.mymedexpert.com

Even though breastfeeding is a natural process, it’s not always easy. Many health care providers suggest that women work with a lactation counselor (also known as lactation consultant) or lactation specialist to learn how to breastfeed and what is involved with breastfeeding. Many health centers, clinics, and hospitals have lactation counselors on staff. Ask your health care provider for more information about getting help with breastfeeding. Even with help, though, some women still have trouble breastfeeding or cannot breastfeed.

If you have any specific question, you can ask the doctors at www.mymedexpert.com

Breastfeeding, also called nursing, can be an easy and inexpensive way for a mother to feed her child.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement on Breastfeeding, women who don’t have health problems should exclusively breastfeed their infants for at least the first six months of life.  The AAP suggests that women try to breastfeed for the first 12 months of life because of the benefits to both the mother and baby.

If you have any specific question, you can ask the doctors at www.mymedexpert.com

Treat injuries with “R.I.C.E.”
If your child receives a soft tissue injury, commonly known as a sprain or a strain, or a bone injury, the best immediate treatment is easy to remember. “RICE” (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) the injury. Get professional treatment if any injury is severe. A severe injury means having an obvious fracture or dislocation of a joint, prolonged swelling, or prolonged or severe pain.

Rest
Reduce or stop using the injured area for 48 hours. If you have a leg injury, you may need to stay off of it completely.

Ice
Put an ice pack on the injured area for 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times per day. Use a cold pack, ice bag, or a plastic bag filled with crushed ice that has been wrapped in a towel.

Compression
Compression of an injured ankle, knee, or wrist may help reduce the swelling. These include bandages such as elastic wraps, special boots, air casts and splints. Ask your doctor which one is best.

Elevation
Keep the injured area elevated above the level of the heart. Use a pillow to help elevate an injured limb.

If you have any specific question, you can ask the doctors at www.mymedexpert.com