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What Happens When Breastfeeding isn't an Option

Breastfeeding your child is a joyful experience that most expecting moms look forward to. However, it is an unfortunate fact that due to various reasons, this isn’t always possible. Some mothers are unable to produce enough breastmilk due to hypoplasia, which occurs when the glands in the breast are underdeveloped. Other reasons for not being able to breastfeed include postpartum depression or a previous breast reduction surgery which can negatively impact milk production. Whatever the reason might be, new moms should rest assured that not being able to breastfeed is not the end of the world.


Baby Formula Nutrition

When you can’t breastfeed, you must invest in a good quality baby formula. Good brands like Alula offer infant to toddler formulas that provide complete nutrition for your baby, so you won’t need to worry about your child’s growth and development. While doctors do recommend breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for your newborn baby, you don’t need to be concerned about their health in the slightest – a good formula will take care of the job, and some even provide extra vitamins and minerals which otherwise may need to be supplemented

Pumping and Supplementing

If you are able to express milk and it’s just not quite enough, you can always consider pumping and supplementing your breastmilk with formula. A good breast pump is going to be a great investment in this case, and you can express and store your milk during bottle-feeding periods. Do some research on the best way to go about this combination method. 


Consider Donated Breast Milk

If your heart is set on breastmilk for your little one or formula isn’t going to cut it, but you can’t express yourself, using donated breastmilk is another option you could think about. Research shows that donated breast milk from another woman can nourish your baby just as well as your own. You can check in with your hospital if this is available or otherwise check in with a milk bank in your area. However, keep in mind that this method may be less accessible since premature babies and babies with certain medical conditions are prioritized by these institutions. 

Don’t Be Hard on Yourself

Many moms who can’t express enough milk to feed their babies feel that they are failing them. This is never the case! Keep in mind that there are many mothers out there facing the same problem as you, and many healthy, happy children who were raised on formula. You can still create a strong emotional bond with your baby while bottle-feeding, too, so don’t be distressed about missing that skin-on-skin contact. This can still be generated by holding and cuddling your baby close while feeding them.

If this is a problem that you’re struggling with, don’t forget to reach out for support from your partner, friends and family, and a mental healthcare professional if that’s what you need. Postpartum depression is common after giving birth, and struggling with meeting your baby’s needs could contribute to this. Make sure that you’re providing not only for the baby’s needs but your own too. 

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Great Advice for Brand-New Moms

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Last week, after being pregnant for nine long months, you delivered the most beautiful baby you’ve ever seen.

First of all, major congratulations are in order here. Becoming a mommy is something to celebrate, and your precious infant will change your life in many marvelous ways.

Second, let’s talk about some tips and advice that can help you as a new mom and make the next several months not seem as out of control:

Get Sleep Whenever You Can

Growing a brand-new human being and giving birth is hard work. Now, you have an adorable infant who is probably not sleeping for extended periods and you are understandably exhausted. If a friend or relative offers to watch your baby so you can nap during the afternoon, by all means take him or her up on the offer. And when your little one naps, try to lie down at the same time and get some much-needed rest. Eventually, your bundle of joy will sleep through the night and you'll get more snooze, too. But, for now, take every opportunity you can to sleep.
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Treat Yourself to Some Fun New Clothes

Your baby has probably gotten the lion’s share of new outfits, and that’s totally understandable. But don’t forget to treat yourself to some new clothes as well. Anything from some comfortable-yet-stylish new T-shirts and capri pants to a little black dress will be a much-deserved reward and help you to feel your best, so you can, in turn, care for your family best. Even if you don’t plan on going out for a night on the town anytime soon, seeing that hot little number hanging in your closet can be a fun little pick-me-up.

Try to Get Out of the House Every Day

Taking care of a new baby is often a rewarding experience, but you might also feel like you have a touch of cabin fever. Indeed, getting out of the house once a day will do wonders for your sanity and will also get you a much-needed change of scenery. If it's a nice day outside, put your infant in his or her stroller and go for a walk around the block, or bundle him or her into the car seat and go for a drive around the neighborhood.

Moreover, you can certainly head to the drive-thru coffee shop for an iced tea and muffin, run a few quick errands, or go to the drive-up ATM to get cash to buy the next round of diapers. Your daily field trips don’t have to be major excursions by any means, but you'll likely be amazed at how refreshed you feel after seeing the sky and clouds and breathing in some fresh air.

Feel Free to Ignore Well-Meaning Advice

There's nothing like a brand-new baby to bring out the advice machines in everyone. Everyone from your mom, mother-in-law, best friends with kids, neighbors, aunts, uncles, neighbors and the nice older gal in line ahead of you at the supermarket will have plenty of well-meaning words of wisdom for you.

While you might appreciate some of the tips, you're also welcome to skip as much of it as you wish. Let your motherly instinct kick in, and if your mom says it’s okay to let your baby “cry it out” at nap-time and you'd prefer to hold your infant until he or she nods off, then, by all means, do so. Smile and thank people for their advice, and then do what feels correct to you: the one who knows her baby best.
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You’ve Got This!

Being a new mom involves feeling all sorts of emotions, oftentimes all at once. But by remembering to sleep whenever possible, get out of the house for a short period of time every day and treat yourself to some new clothes, you'll know you have what it takes to be an amazing mom. And, all this should help you navigate the first few crazy months with your newborn feeling less chaotic.

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Not Done This Before? Here's What You Need For Your Baby Nursery

Pregnancy can be the most incredible experience of your life. Or it might be your worst! Either way, you will soon have a beautiful little person to adore and nurture. The nesting phase of pregnancy turns up at different times for everyone. But when you feel that urge to get up and knock together some flat-packed furniture, you’ll know you’re there. So what does a newborn baby actually need for their bedroom or nursery? Here are some of the things you’ll need to consider:

Sleeping
A newborn baby can sleep almost anywhere that is same, warm, and enclosed to prevent falling. Some cultures choose a box like a drawer. Others offer their babies the floor with a cushion nest. You may be rushing out to buy a big cot. Perhaps it converts overtime to become a toddler bed. Consider also getting a Moses basket and a rocking frame. These are really portable so you can move your sleeping baby around the house with you. Best of all, they can be placed next to your bed, so you don’t have to get up to give him a feed in the night.
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Changing
All you really need is a wipe-down mat to pop the baby on while you clean him up and dress him again. But after a caesarean or a particularly painful birth, getting down on your knees on the floor is no fun. Instead, try a baby changing station. This is a cabinet on lockable casters that can be moved around the nursery as you need. The top of it is the right size and shape for your changing mat to sit upon. Then you can change your baby without needing to kneel or bend over. Inside the cabinet is ample storage for nappies, sacks, wipes, and powder. 
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Feeding
Breastfeeding is not easy for you and bubba to master. Nor does it feel natural for many women. The important thing to do is to get yourself comfortable. When your tummy has gone, you’ll find you need to lift the baby up to your chest. And if your baby struggles to feed, you could be there for over an hour seven or eight times a day. You can try a baby sling, or a nursing pillow to leave your arms free for caressing your bubba, or changing the channel on the TV! Make sure you have a comfortable seat. You might enjoy a recliner so you can put your feet up. Why not get a rocker so you can soothe little one to sleep?

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Playing
All babies, toddlers, and children need plenty of toys. They help your baby to learn more about taste, touch, smell, sound, and everything else in the world around them. Some will be used as comforters. Others will be used as amusing ways to wind you up! But all of them will be of value to your child’s physical, emotional and mental development. You might start with a comforter teddy bear and a cot mobile.

Having a baby will keep you busy for years. It’s important to get the nursery ready ahead of the birth for your own comfort and peace of mind. Get some help with the heavy bits, though!
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Halo SleepSack Swaddle Giveaway

**Contest Closed**
Winner is #17 Shelly- Congratulations!

I received this sweet little 2-in-1 wearable blanket/swaddle blanket from a mom blog gift that came to me in the mail. I don't have a little newborn to use it on so I decided it would be great to give it away to someone who can use it. It's cream in color and is made of a fleece material in newborn size. It's perfect for the cooler weather that is coming (if it has not already gotten to your neck of the woods). I loved using a swaddle blanket with William when he was teeny tiny.

If you would like to win this please leave a relevant comment to this post.
If you would like an additional entry you can "like" Momfiles on Facebook .

Follow Momfiles on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway (once daily): Enter @momfiles to win a Halo SleepSack Swaddle Blanket http://blog.momfiles.com/2010/10/halo-sleepsack-swaddle-giveaway.html #giveaway

Be sure to leave an individual comment per entry method.

Contest is open to US Residents only. Please leave your email address if you do not have a Blogger profile. Contest ends on October 20, 2010 at 9:00 pm EST. Good luck!

Shelly, Mom Files
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