Ask Amma

Posts Tagged ‘breastfeeding’

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Going to work … baby’s gotta eat!

In How on 7 February 2014 at 4:56 am

How do I get our baby to eat solids? I have resumed going to my office a few months ago and my wife plans to do so in one month. Till now, she has been breastfeeding exclusively. I will then be responsible for some of the feeding and I need a strategy pronto! – Baba of a 5 month-old son in Siliguri

If your wife is breastfeeding, she is already introducing your son to the taste of solids, and by cooking you help to feed both of them. In fact, the foundation for healthy eating is breastfeeding. Not merely because it nourishes baby physically, emotionally and intellectually but because it serves as a safety net while growing children explore the world of solids and explore the world. Regarding how to offer solids, please see: How Children Learn to Eat and Introducing Foods.

In principle, the pace of eating solids need not change for baby when mother goes to the office, provided she knows her rights. Read the rest of this entry »

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Resources for Continuum Learning

In What on 28 January 2014 at 4:31 am

Work with the fundamentals of lifelong learning from birth

Aravinda's avatarJivanshala

How do we set the foundation for lifelong learning?  In the early months and years of life, these five resources will help you practice continuum learning with your little ones.  Follow-Up to Attachment Parenting and Continuum Learning.  Scroll down for summary table of  Resources and Skills Learned.

1. Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding helps children learn a vital skill that they need all their lives:  how to eat.

Children’s first introduction to the flavors and feelings of food comes through breastfeeding.  As they gradually increase the variety and quantity of the food they eat, nursing serves as a safety net, allowing them freedom to try foods without any obligation to eat a given quantity by a given time.  Breastfeeding babies have time to acquire taste for a healthy variety of foods, while assured nutrition through mother’s diet.  Nursing also provides antibodies that help little ones as they explore the wider world and…

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Pro-breastfeeding pediatrician?

In Questions on 28 January 2014 at 3:22 am

Do you know of a pro-breastfeeding pediatrician in the Juhu or Andheri area?  I have recently moved to Mumbai from Hyderabad and took my son to a very experienced pediatrician here who recommended clear soups to be started for my four month-old baby as he is a little underweight. I am of the opinion that solids be initiated after six months and that too in little quantities, more for taste rather than a substantial form of nutrition. I have no problem nursing and would like to nurse my second child as much as I have nursed my first born.

Most pediatricians advise supplementing with formula which I do not want to do. Please help.

– Mamma of a 4 month-old and a 2 year-old in Mumbai

Read the rest of this entry »

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Nursing Break: Fair Labor Standards Act

In News & Notes on 14 November 2013 at 8:01 pm

Breastfeeding in progressFrom the U.S. Department of Labor
Fact Sheet #73: Break Time for Nursing Mothers under the FLSA
Wage and Hour Division (WHD) | (Revised August 2013) (PDF)

This fact sheet provides general information on the break time requirement for nursing mothers in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”), which took effect when the PPACA was signed into law on March 23, 2010 (P.L. 111-148). This law amended Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Read the rest of this entry »

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Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

In News & Notes on 14 November 2013 at 8:00 pm
Many women in India are unaware of their rights under the Article 42 of the Indian Constitution and under the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961.

Recognizing the time required for breastfeeding, the Act provides for two nursing breaks for every nursing mother until her child is 15 months old.  This is in addition to the normal lunch break and other breaks that all workers get.  Every woman should defend her right to nursing breaks and see that employers follow the law protecting breastfeeding mothers and children. Read the rest of this entry »

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How to boost immunity

In How on 30 October 2013 at 10:25 pm

Our son is falling sick often. Last week he had another virus attack and this time it was foot, hand and mouth disease. He is doing a lot better now. But has lost some weight.  We feel it is certainly to do with his immunity, that he is falling sick so often.  How can we boost his immunity?

Parents of a 1 year old near Baltimore

Immunity depends on individual as well as community factors.  The example of Roseto* suggests that in a close-knit community, one is less prone to illness.  Although most discussions of health and immunity focus on tangibles, such as food, exercise, sleep, hygiene, environment and safety, intangibles play as much a role or more in keeping our immune system strong.   Read the rest of this entry »


Nursing Kurta

In What on 30 October 2013 at 10:20 pm

Visit the shops and you will find nursing nighties.  What about nursing kurtas?  Nursing nighties are all well and good when you are nursing at night or if you are one of those who wears nighties in the daytime*.  But that is not me!  (Even if the Firstpost has “hailed” the nightie as “India’s National Dress.”)

Nursing at home. No need to go inside when visitors arrive.
Nursing in the office.
Nursing in the great outdoors

You are of course free to nurse your baby anytime, anywhere and in any wear.  No special clothing is required to nurse your baby.   Read the rest of this entry »

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Nursing in the sling

In How on 30 October 2013 at 10:10 pm

Nursing is a wonderful thing and a lovely little verb as well, referring to the action both of the baby and the mother, or as the International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization might say, it is the action of the motherbaby[1].

Nursing in sling. Image: Shutterstock

Nursing in sling. Image: Shutterstock

Some motherbabies nurse soon after birth and with no apparent learning curve.  Others take more time.  Some mothers donate milk to others who struggle with supply.

Two practices that make nursing easier are:
1.  Nursing while lying down / dozing off.
2.  Nursing in the sling.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Animal milk for children?

In Yes / No on 19 September 2013 at 4:00 pm

Is animal milk (cow or buffalo) essential for a child’s growth?

– Mamma of 2-year old from Hyderabad

Well, of course it depends on whose child it is!  I am sure the zebra, elephant, deer and cow below would each tell you with full confidence that her milk was essential for her child’s growth!

Baby Elephant Nursing from Mama From: http://keaphotography.photoshelter.com/image/I0000Hv7IWNG.N5U
Baby Zebra Nursing
Doe, a deer … nursing her fawn From: http://lilian-thewondersofnature.blogspot.com/2009_09_29_archive.html
Calf feeds from cow. Like all mammals, cows lactate to feed their young. From http://www.uproar.org.au/dairy/

Read the rest of this entry »

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Ups and downs, even upside down!

In Field Notes on 9 August 2013 at 6:39 pm

Heartfelt salute to Chetana Amma, who valiantly trooped through serious difficulties to breastfeed her daughter!  Three years later, they are still going strong!  Chetana reflects on the ups and downs.  Her story will offer inspiration and comfort to many who seek support in times of difficulty.

Chetana Disha KarthikUPDATE:  Chetana’s story with pictures appears in The Alternative.    And it all started from her blog,  Ups and downs, even upside down!.

I was fast asleep. Something mushy and soft was pressing against my face. I tried to brush it away. Then realized that it was D’s stomach. Her head was on my chest, blissfully breastfeeding upside down. I then flipped her, snuggled close and went right back to sleep.

Read on ….