Breastfeeding Babies with Hypoglycemia

If you've been told that your newborn baby has hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or is at risk of developing this condition, you should also know that there are ways that breastfeeding can help the situation.

Low blood sugar occurs when the body's demand for glucose (a simple sugar) is greater than its supply. Infants get glucose from the lactose (milk sugar) that is in milk and colostrum. Some infants have greater difficulty maintaining an adequate blood sugar than others. While an occasional dip in blood sugar is harmless, prolonged periods of low blood sugar can damage the central nervous system.

Babies at risk for developing hypoglycemia include: preterm or post-term babies, infants of diabetic mothers, babies of mothers who were given a large dose of glucose solution intravenously during labor, infants who are either small or large for gestational age, and infants who experience respiratory distress, breathing difficulties, or who are the product of a complicated delivery.

Adoption and Breastfeeding

What do I need to know?
You may be surprised to learn that you don't have to give birth to nurse a baby — you can breastfeed an adopted baby. But only half of all adopting mothers who attempt to breastfeed will make any milk at all and few will produce enough to fully satisfy their babies.

It's the suckling of a child that triggers milk production, not an automatic physiological reaction that begins during pregnancy. Hormones drive the production of breast milk. Prolactin, a hormone created by the pituitary gland, makes breast milk, and if you stimulate the breast enough to increase prolactin levels, you will get milk.

Breastfeeding a Premature Baby

What do I need to know?
Breastfeeding is great for all newborns, but it's even more important if your baby arrives early. That's because your body will automatically produce milk that's specially designed to nourish your premature baby, with extra calories, vitamins, and protein. What's more, the live cells in breast milk that protect babies from infection can be even more important for premature babies: Preemies face a higher risk of infection because their immune systems are particularly immature. You will find artificial formulas and supplements made just for preemies, but they can't provide the antibodies and other protective factors that are in your breast milk and are so beneficial to a fragile premature infant.

Breastfeeding Babies with Jaundice

Jaundice tends to be more common in breastfed babies and to last a bit longer. In most cases, it's harmless, but jaundice phobia on the part of parents and healthcare providers often creates obstacles to successful breastfeeding. Here's some background on jaundice and ways to minimize interference with breastfeeding.

Fathers and Breastfeeding

Most expectant fathers know that breastfeeding is the best way to feed a baby. Breast milk contains the perfect blend of nutrients, and breastfed babies enjoy a host of benefits — from a reduced risk for obesity and allergies to increased intelligence.

Plus, breastfeeding is free, requires no preparation or cleanup, and is a great way for a mother to bond with her baby. And breastfed babies' poop smells a lot better than the stuff produced by formula-fed babies.

Even so, a lot of new fathers find their feelings about breastfeeding change after the baby comes. It's not that dads don't support breastfeeding and its benefits — it's just that the whole experience makes them feel a little left out.