Autism spectrum disorders are an ever increasing problem in the developed world, being the most prevalent developmental disorders by far. Currently more than 1 in 200 children are believed to be afflicted, and this could mean as many as 1 in 100 boys, as they are more widely affected than girls. The numbers continue to rise and actual figures for those affected may be much higher than what is reported as there is a general feeling that many pediatricians continue to miss telltale signs of autism spectrum disorders.

For a long time, research efforts have concentrated on finding genetic clues to the origins of autism. The general view within the medical community has been that the condition is entirely predetermined by a child’s genes and there is nothing that can currently be done about it medically with regards to treatment. Over recent years however, a considerable amount of evidence has started to pile up suggesting that environmental triggers probably play a major role in autistic spectrum disorders.

An increasing number of people, including individuals and families affected by the conditions and many medical professionals, feel that the correlation between increases in autism and the increasing presence of chemicals and other pollutants in the environment is too strong to ignore. Babies and young children are exposed to a terrifying array of chemicals including ingredients in household cleaning products and personal care products, soft plastics in toys that are known to end up in children’s body’s, as well as such controversial substances as thimerosal, the mercury containing preservative used in some vaccinations. A child’s vulnerable body also has to deal with an added assault from vaccinations themselves, as well as many pharmaceutical drugs such as antibiotics that tend to be given too freely.

Perhaps even more frightening is the fact that a child in the 21st century is exposed to a wide variety of synthetic chemical toxins before it is even born through contamination of its mother’s body. Organizations such as National Geographic, Environmental Defence in Canada, and The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in the UK have all funded investigations that have revealed that everybody in the developed world is carrying a cocktail of the chemicals around with them in their bodies. Environmental Defence recently tested four prominent Canadian politicians for the presence of residues from 103 different chemical pollutants. The group included Health Minister Tony Clement. The results showed that around 50 pollutants were present in each of the politicians. Amongst the chemicals detected was arsenic, the toxic heavy metal, organophosphate pesticides whose residues persist on our food and in the water supply, as well as various flame retardant chemicals used in a multitude of products from computers to soft furnishings. Many of the chemicals detected are known neurotoxins that likely pose a risk to a child’s delicate developing brain. Environmental Defence had previous tested a much larger number of ordinary Canadians and detected a large number of chemical pollutants in everybody involved. It seems nobody can escape in the modern world.

Thankfully things are starting to change and the link between environmental triggers and autism is beginning to get the attention it needs. There is a growing consensus that autism spectrum disorders are likely to result from interplay between genetic susceptibilities and exposures to environmental triggers such as those we’ve discussed. This new realization is being helped in no small part by advocate groups such as the Autism Society of America (ASA) who are doing much to raise awareness of the issue. The ASA recently launched a major initiative aimed at raising awareness of the role environmental triggers play in the development of autistic disorders. The campaign includes a special issue of their magazine, the Autism Advocate, as well as a new website section devoted to the subject.

Let’s take a closer look at specific environmental triggers that may play a role in autistic spectrum disorders:

Heavy Metals
These highly toxic heavy metals include mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. A number of researchers have found that autistic children tend to have more of these substances in their body than healthy children. The most common of these tends to be mercury. This metal is a known neurotoxin and could be especially damaging to the sensitive brains of young children. Mercury can also disrupt the function of various enzyme systems and damage cell membranes and many proteins involved in all bodily functions. Recent research studies have concluded that the exposure of children to low levels of mercury during critical stages of development is associated with neurological disorders, including ADHD, learning difficulties, and speech delays. Mercury is a by-product of many industries and often ends up in rivers, lakes and oceans. The mercury then accumulates in the food chain so that large predatory fish such as tuna often contain high concentrations. Contamination of water and food supplies is now a major source of mercury and may pose a risk to the health of children. Equally, or perhaps more, frightening is the fact that mercury has been routinely added to childhood vaccinations in the form of the preservative thimerosal. This substance is approximately 50% mercury. An article published in the journal Neurotoxicology by The Coalition for Safe Minds in 2001 reported on the finding that a child given a regular vaccination schedule in the US, using thimerosal containing vaccines, would have a blood level of mercury that is higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) own safe upper limit. Other studies have found that low concentrations of thimerosal trigger an immune response and the production of antibodies in autistic children. This sets the scene for autoimmune reactions if thimerosal is bound to the body’s tissues. Some research and anecdotal reports suggest that therapies to remove heavy metals from the body, known as chelation therapies, are effective in treating the symptoms of autism.

Chemical Exposure
Over the past few decades a number of hazardous chemicals such as lead, asbestos, and organochlorine based insecticides have all disappeared from common use in developed nations. In contrast other supposedly safer alternatives, such as organophosphate pesticides, have become more widespread in the environment. The Autism Research Unit at the University of Sunderland in the UK has published extensively on a potential connection between these organophosphate pesticides and autism. They note that autistic individuals show increased levels of IAG, a chemical which is only produced as a result of the incorrect metabolism of the amino acid tryptophan. This amino acid is the starting point for the production of the important neurotransmitter serotonin which is essential for regulating mood and other brain functions. The researchers believe that organophosphate pesticides may be causing the elevated IAG and the resulting serotonin dysfunction. Organophosphates had their birth as chemical warfare agents, so called ‘nerve gases’. They fulfilled this function because of their ability to cause paralysis by inhibiting certain enzyme systems. Even modern organophosphate pesticides tend to be fairly unspecific in their action so have the unfortunate ability to compromise various other enzyme systems as well, including those that metabolize tryptophan to produce serotonin. This could account for the symptoms of autism and other developmental disorders. Additionally, high levels of organophosphate compounds in the environment could reportedly result in increased permeability of the intestines, so called ‘leaky gut syndrome’ as well as blood-brain barrier. This could result in partially digested food molecules passing into the bloodstream and causing the production of antibodies. This would lead to allergic and autoimmune reactions which are a common feature of autism. These molecules would also play havoc with brain function directly as they could more easily pass through the weakened blood-brain barrier. Organophosphate pesticides are by no means the only potential chemical triggers of autism, but they are certainly a leading candidate. As mentioned previously, everyday items such as consumer electronic products are also a major worry due to their content of chemicals such as flame retardants.

Vaccinations
Probably the most controversial subject regarding environmental triggers and autism is the role of vaccinations. Aside from the thimerosal issue it has been suggested that multiple vaccinations early in life may cause unhealthy changes in the immune systems of susceptible children. A high prevalence of allergies, autoimmune disease, and gut infections in autistic children would seem to lend weight to this idea. It’s worth noting that in the natural order of things, infectious agents must enter the body through the mucous membranes of the intestines or lungs which have a high concentration of specialized immune cells designed to be the body’s first line of defense. Injecting people with infectious agents in vaccines bypasses this vital first step of the immune response. Some highly qualified individuals have postulated that vaccines inherently cause a shift to a Th2 immune response in susceptible individuals of any age. The Th2 response is associated with allergies and autoimmunity. The most controversial aspect of the already controversial subject of vaccinations is undoubtedly the combined Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. In 1998 research published by Dr. Andrew Wakefield in the UK sent the media into a frenzy. Dr. Wakefield was studying the connection between gut disorders and autism in a group of children that presented with both. He unexpectedly found traces of viruses from the MMR vaccine in the children’s intestinal tissue in areas of inflammation. The parents also reported that problems had started around the time the children had received the MMR vaccine. This led to the assertion that the MMR vaccine had caused the autism and gut problems. The debate has raged ever since over whether MMR vaccines do actually play a role in autism and opinions have become polarized. Since the publishing of Dr. Wakefield’s paper researchers have attempted to validate or refute the connection. Whilst some have said there is no connection at all, some researchers have noted that autistic children with gut problems that became ill after receiving the MMR vaccine show unique biochemical abnormalities. They suggest that these children may represent a subset of autism that differs from the classical diagnosis.

Intestinal Yeast/Candida
In health, the human intestines contain many billions of bacteria, yeasts, and other micro-organisms. These micro-organisms perform many important functions such as regulating immune-function and preventing infection. They live symbiotically with the human host and the competition for space ensures that no single type of organism becomes dominant. Unfortunately, factors such as antibiotic use and lack of breastfeeding can compromise the gut flora and allow organisms such as Candida Albicans to become the predominant species. This yeast can become parasitic when it is allowed to increase in numbers. It produces many toxic substances as a result of its metabolism, the main ones being ethanol (drinking alcohol) and acetaldehyde, an even more toxic chemical formed when ethanol is broken down in the human body. We all know the effects of drinking alcoholic beverages, imagine how a baby or small child would be affected if constantly exposed to ethanol and acetaldehyde being produced in its intestines by yeast such as Candida. This is not the end of the story either as Candida species produce dozens of other potentially toxic substances in addition to these two. In relation to autism, a number of researchers report detecting high levels of yeast metabolites in the blood and urine of autistic children. Dr. Shaw of The Great Plains Laboratory, formerly a medical director at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), reports that he routinely finds high levels of tartaric acid in the urine of children with autism and that the most likely source is intestinal yeast overgrowth. He states that when treated with Nystatin, an antifungal drug that is not absorbed from the intestines, the children show remarkable improvements in their condition. Critics suggest that tartaric acid is not a reliable marker for yeast infection. This issue may be resolved in future when autistic children are tested for an accepted definitive marker such as the ’sugar alcohol’, D- arabinitol.

Gluten and Casein
There is a theory for the causation of autism known as the ‘opioid excess theory’. What this says is that various peptides (chains of amino acids) from incompletely digested foods, particularly gluten from wheat and other grains, and casein from milk products, are able to enter the bloodstream as a result of poor digestion and leaky gut syndrome. Once in the bloodstream a proportion of these peptides are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain. If the barrier has been weakened by organophosphate pesticides or other chemical agents then a higher proportion of peptides will be able to penetrate. In the brain these peptides are able to interfere with normal brain function. The name of the theory comes from the startling fact that gluten, casein, and other peptides actually mimic the opioids(morphine-like chemicals). These peptides act likes the bodies own natural opioids (such as the enkephalins or endorphins) and cause various behavioral changes. Gluten and casein don’t usually directly act as neurotransmitters, such as serotonin or dopamine, but their opioid activity often causes changes in the function of these important neurotransmitters, usually in a negative fashion.

Conclusion
As you can see there is ample evidence that environmental triggers play a central role in the autistic spectrum disorders. A lot more research is needed and the new awareness initiatives discussed should help with reaching this goal.

On a final note, although the information presented here may be worrying, it should be seen as good news for those affected by autism. The involvement of environmental triggers in the condition provides a great opportunity for effective therapies to be used to correct the biological dysfunction they cause. With such treatments, hopes of leading a normal life are much improved.

by Matthew Hogg
About the Author:

Matthew has suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS and environmental illness for 15 years after being diagnosed at age 11. Having learned much about these illnesses through personal experience and research, he decided to share this knowledge by setting up The Environmental Illness Resource - www.ei-resource.org

© Matthew Hogg. This article may be freely used so long as author bio remains.

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Are you one of the increasing numbers of women experiencing unbearable nipple pain because of breastfeeding? Did you know that 83% of new mothers experience varying degrees of nipple pain and trauma as well as other lactation problems? Don’t worry, you are not alone. These problems are thought to be due to the teaching of incorrect breastfeeding methods.

Basically, current teaching involves the mother or others thrusting the baby onto her breast and this is completely unnatural, resulting in the baby being rammed to the breast by the base of the head, neck or shoulder, preventing the baby from vacuuming correctly and causing the nipple to be crushed between baby’s tongue and the hard palate. This is not your fault. It seems that, for all its good intentions, our modern approach has overcomplicated the breastfeeding process and unnecessarily interfered with what should be for most mothers and babies a relatively simple and completely instinctual process. To ‘unlearn’ this unnatural method, especially with the first and early breastfeeds after birthing, it is suggested that mothers need to first understand a few key points about their newborn. Remember, healthy babies are not as helpless as you may think - they are programmed to survive. They are already skilled at drinking the surrounding water before birth.

Within minutes of birth the healthy newborn instinctively seeks, attaches and vacuums to the mother’s nipple and breast in a natural, harmonious way which allows it to leisurely draw colostrum - the first, super-concentrated form of milk that mothers produce. The act of breastfeeding, when done correctly, is also critical in stimulating maternal hormones and milk volume over those vital first 72 hours.

It never ceases to amaze me as I watch a newborn’s survival instincts in action - minutes after birth, if gently placed skin-to-skin with the mother, facing the breast, the baby’s ‘rooting reflex’ will kick in. This is where they use their senses - smell, taste, sight and touch - in order to locate the nipple. The baby will eventually draw the breast and nipple comfortably into their mouth, perfectly and gently molding the nipple and breast tissue inside the oral cavity.

When a mother is focused on her baby, the “love” hormones present just after birth are primed, and without interruption the mother gently guides her baby so that nose, cheeks and chin touch her breast symmetrically. Once the baby is swallowing symmetry can be fine tuned by slight, gentle movements, improving extension of the tongue, preventing gums pinching and painful ridging of the nipple. Given that it sounds so simple, you might wonder why you weren’t told this beforehand. This has to do with our modern tendency to overcomplicate many natural life events.

Western expertise assumes that newborns do not know how to feed, whereas in fact they have a pre-programmed instinct for it. Your baby already understands what it has to do to feed and the mother’s role is simply to gently guide the baby into the right comfortable position for easy access. Natural breastfeeding allows evolved behaviors to have their play. The baby draws intermittently, swallowing in harmony with the pulsating ejections, taking in breast milk until they reach satisfaction. The baby will then generally stay nurtured in its mother’s arms for a while until the important emotional and psychological part of the feed is completed.

The baby always knows how long to feed for satisfaction and emotion. Therefore, timing feeds interrupts this cycle. As a guide it is suggested that the young baby takes approximately one hour, including a rest in between each breast for digestion and a nappy/diaper change. The very first feed may take up to three hours changing from breast to breast until satisfaction with small amounts of colostrum is achieved.

A baby will feed from the first breast until relaxed and sleepy, and then continues nurturing until slipping off. Afterwards the baby rests and digests, lying stretched out, slightly inclined, in order to help with self burping and the transfer of pre-digested milk into the intestine. When ready for the second breast, the baby communicates with its arms and legs, and rooting begins again until the baby increasingly vocalizes. The feed continues from the second breast until the baby is relaxed and comes off again.

It’s wise to hold the baby upright for a while until the stomach has time to settle. By this stage pre-digested milk from the first breast has transferred to the intestine, allowing milk from the second breast to refill the stomach. Time and patience minimize gastro-intestinal problems like reflux and colic, which encourages relaxed and healthy sleeping. Healthy mothers and infants should be able to breastfeed in an essentially painless and low fuss way. Nipple damage, she says, should not be the norm, but a rarity. So relax all you frustrated mothers - there is an alternative to the pain and anguish of incorrect breastfeeding methods.

by Robyn Thompson
About the Author: For more information on Robyn’s incredible breastfeeding breakthroughs, and a host of breastfeeding tips, visit http://www.benefitofbreastfeeding.com/a1.html . For a limited time Robyn is offering a free ebook, ‘20 tips to pain-free breastfeeding’. You can also find out more about her instructional breastfeeding video.

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Although medical views on breastfeeding tend to change like trends over the years, a new mom simply has to weigh pro against con in deciding if breastfeeding is the right choice for herself, her family and her new baby. Every mom and every situation is different. In this article, we’ll put together some thoughts that might assist in making such a decision, but remember, it’s very personal and you shouldn’t let anyone influence you to do something you really don’t feel is right for you. An unhappy breastfeeding mom is soon bound to find the reason why breastfeeding just isn’t possible for her, and there can be a lot of guilt attached to that kind of negative decision making. So ultimately, when people are putting pressure on you one way or another, try to gently remind them that you’ve weighed all the facts about breastfeeding and have decided the best option for you.

A few positive benefits of breastfeeding your baby:

1.) It’s medically agreed that the fluid colostrum, secreted from the post-partum breast before the milk comes in, is a high-density brain food for baby which builds immunities naturally. Its typical during this time for older generations, extended family and even some doctors to tell the new mother that she’s not producing enough milk to feed her baby and to advise bottle/formula feeding. They often attribute every little whimper from the newborn as a cry for being hungry. This is very worrisome for a sometimes anxious new mom and most often, it’s simply not true. The fact is, this status of the breast providing little or not so noticeable quantities of clear fluid during nursing can safely remain for several days. It is the act of sucking on the breast that causes the milk to come. A relaxed you and your baby will make it happen with a little persistence. In the meantime, you can rest assured your baby is being fed a miraculous substance that he/she’ll get only once in a lifetime.

2.) No muss, little fuss. No heating, washing, or carrying bottles. No measuring and mixing formulas. No watching and worrying about ounces taken in by baby. No accidentally too hot or too cold temperatures of the formula. When your baby is hungry, all you have to do is think of her/him and your milk will come down the breast, ready to feed. Perfect amount, perfect temperature. No danger of bottle tooth decay. No high fat cow’s milk, no allergic reactions, no lactate or soy intolerances, all of which can contribute later to child obesity and complicate other illnesses. Your breastmilk is perfectly designed for your baby, will change as your baby’s needs change, adding nutrients, having thirst quenching qualities or hunger satisfying qualities as needed. In addition, breastfeeding is all natural, and waste-free, therefore a completely environmentally friendly process.

3.) The perfect food provided by breastfeeding also produces less smelly diapers. Yes, soiled diapers are unpleasant when compared to flowers, but comparing formula fed and breastfeed babies’ dirty diapers, the smell of breastfed babies excretions, both diapers and spit up residue are significantly less offensive to the nose than that of formula fed babies. Breastmilk contains the exact right nutrients for your baby. Unlike any other food on earth, breastmilk guards the newborn against stomach bacteria, aids in digestion and allows for fulfillment of your baby’s potential in optimal physical and mental development. Babies who are breastfed have been shown to have higher IQs than formula fed babies. Breastfed babies also have the emotional advantage of skin-to-skin contact with mother, which enhances bonding and is not the usual practice of bottle fed babies.

4.) Breastfeeding mom’s recuperate from childbirth faster. Carrying your baby to term and the process of giving birth has likely left your body retaining fluid, and the uterus stretched out. Don’t be alarmed at the menstrual like flow and cramps you’ll experience during the first couple of weeks while you breastfeed. The very act of breastfeeding causes the repeated release of a chemical in your body called oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract back to its pre-pregnancy size and prevents hemorrhaging in the first 48 hours after giving birth. Sustained and exclusive breastfeeding is also an effective birth control method.

Milk production can take up to 500 calories a day, which assists new moms in more rapid and steady weight loss than formula feeding moms. Women who breastfeed their children are at significantly less risk for breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, as are, amazingly enough, their breastfed children.

Negative aspects of breastfeeding your baby and some solutions:

1.) There is an initial period of time when your nipples can be very tender and sometimes even painful. As your baby’s sucking toughens up your nipples, you may also find that your nipples actually crack and bleed. Just as your nipples begin to heal, its time for the next feeding and these wounds can be re-opened and painful. This is a natural process and you don’t need to worry about baby getting a little bit of blood during nursing sessions as your nipples heal. Remember, not long before this, you shared a bloodstream. But this is a very challenging time for mother as she may be insecure about breastfeeding and now have excruciating pain during the process. On the other hand, this is a short lived problem for mothers who really want to breastfeed, so hang in there if it happens to you. The nipples will heal and the breastmilk will aid in this. The baby will learn how to suck with your helpful free hand guiding the nipple toward proper positioning, and breastfeeding will soon be a joy for moms who can withstand this temporary difficultly. Most hospitals offer nursing assistance or some sort of counseling to get you started in helping baby suckle properly. Contact your local La Leche League. There are also many breastfeeding manuals you can read for perfecting this art.

2.) When mom is breastfeeding, dads may feel a little left out of the process. Dad will not be able to enjoy the strong and effortless bonding that occurs during feeding time. So, breastfed baby’s daddy will need to make an extra effort to find other ways to bond with newborn. Daddy can lay quietly next to breastfeeding baby and mom, stroking and encouraging them both. Daddy can take baby immediately after baby is finished feeding, to burp, interact and cuddle or play. For the working mom who uses a breast pump and saves her milk for supplemental bottle use (recommended only for older babies, not newborns learning how to breastfeed), Daddy can feed baby this ultra-healthy substance himself. Remember, quite often breastfeeding itself takes place in the life of a baby and a family for only a matter of months. Soon, baby will be taking solids as well, which Daddy can provide.

3.) Mom must take all the night time feeding responsibility, this is true. But Daddy can pitch in during these early months by taking the baby from sleepy mom after the feeding and rocking, diapering or comforting as needed. Here’s a good place to remind all those conscientious parents who are advised never to bring baby to the spousal bed. Yet, there is no easier way to cope with sleep deprivation than to bring the infant to the family bed, nuzzle him to the breast and go blissfully back to sleep. Watchful Dad can then enjoy the pleasure of being close during this process or take fulfilled baby back to the crib, making night feedings a family effort. Don’t be shy. Don’t leave this all up to Mom. This is Daddy’s lovely baby too and no one is more creative than a loving, attentive Daddy, singling out the needs of his new baby and his breastfeeding wife.

4.) Restriction of certain foods and medicines must be taken into account when breastfeeding. While foods like peanut butter and broccoli may cause gassiness in babies and for some breastfeeding mom’s should be avoided, for other breastfeeding mothers, these foods may cause no problems for baby. Substances like caffeine and alcohol can be hidden in even some over the counter medications so be mindful, these are not good for baby. Certain foods can also alter the taste of the breastmilk and may cause the baby to fuss, so breastfeeding mom’s should remain sensitive to diet at all times while breastfeeding. In addition, of course all medicines and alcohol will have the potential to penetrate into the breastmilk, so moms who have to take certain medicines for their own health should always consult their physicians about how this will effect a decision to breastfeed.

Some parents may be concerned that breastfeeding can become too restrictive in terms of being able to leave their baby with relatives or sitters to get out for a night or go back to work. Consider breast pump options as a possible solution when you are ready to become more independent of the exclusive breastfeeding. Carefully and patiently introduce bottles containing the familiar ‘breast food of health’ can give mom more freedom to get away, especially when baby is getting older.

In conclusion, there are certainly many other factors that weigh in on making this decision for you and your baby. It’s important to do your own research, know the facts and myths of breastfeeding before you take mis-informed advice out of guilt or obligation. Everyone will offer an opinion, but in the end, its you and your family that will carry out and live with the decision whether or not to breastfeed, so make it a comfortable one that you and your spouse have seriously contemplated and feel sure its the right choice for you.

Author: H D Adkins

Article written April 2007 by HD Adkins for Organic Baby Store - HerSweetBaby.com.

About the author:
H D Adkins is a content writer for hersweetbaby.com.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/goetter/1353787707/

If you are a first time mother, you will most likely have some apprehension about breastfeeding in public unless you grew up on a hippie commune. The biggest hurdle first time mothers face is the decision to breastfeed in the first place. This can be daunting in the face of formula advertisements and samples, ignorant relatives who think breastfeeding is sinful or well meaning friends who shoo you to the bathroom to nurse. Learning how to be discreet from the get go can help ease you into your breastfeeding relationship so outside influences do not cause you undue stress, force you to hide or worse yet, wean too soon.

Have you ever wondered how you are going to be able to go out with your baby because he needs to feed so often? Do you carefully plan when and where you go so there’s somewhere convenient you can feed your baby? Have you ever sat in a cold, smelly public bathroom wishing your baby would hurry up and finish feeding so you could get out of there?

Once you’ve got the hang of breastfeeding/ nursing at home you may wonder how to breastfeed discreetly in public. This is actually much easier than you may think. It is perfectly possible to breastfeed so discreetly that no one will even know that your baby is feeding. It’s also possible to breastfeed ‘on the go’, so you don’t need to find somewhere private to sit and you can keep yourself and your baby covered so that no one can see anything. I’ve found that the key to discreet breastfeeding is to have the right ‘tools’ to do the job.

Useful tools to help you breastfeed your baby discreetly

Attitude
The most important part of successfully breastfeeding in public is attitude. When you know you are giving your baby the best start in life you can breastfeed with confidence. However, although you know you’re doing the right thing for you and your baby not everyone sees it like that. We all know that many people are uncomfortable with seeing mothers breastfeeding their babies and so I believe it is worth learning how to do it discreetly to minimize other people’s discomfort when in public.

Breastfeeding and Nursing Bras
Many maternity bras can be used for breastfeeding, however sizing is very important when you are breastfeeding. It’s not unusual to experience quite significant changes after giving birth when your milk comes in, and for some time afterwards, for as long as you breastfeed. So be prepared to go through several sizes during this time.

Nursing bras are designed to offer easy access so you can feed your baby quickly, easily and discreetly. You may also use pads, which help absorb excess milk. Some bras have clips or clasps that allow access to one side at a time, while others are simply moved aside. Which styles you choose will be largely a matter of preference and may depend upon other factors such as your bra size. For discreet breastfeeding a bra that allows you to quickly and easily open and close each side, preferably with one hand works best.

Breastfeeding / Nursing clothing
If you want to discreetly feed your baby in a sling or just while you’re sitting in a public place it helps to be able to do it with as little skin showing as possible. When you are feeding your baby and no skin is showing most people will not be aware that that is what you are doing. They will probably just see you holding a sleeping baby in your arms.

Nursing or breastfeeding clothes are specially designed clothes that have concealed openings, or that can be moved up, down, or to the side to give you easy access so that you can quickly feed your baby with a minimum amount of fuss or disruption. Breastfeeding when wearing clothes like this helps you to feel less exposed, not to mention it keeps you warm in cold weather! It also reduces the amount of unwanted attention you may receive in public, as it is very hard to tell that your baby is feeding.

Breastfeeding clothes can help you feed your baby quickly, easily and discreetly. It may be helpful to remember that there is nothing dirty or shameful about feeding your child. When you are breastfeeding, your child’s head will totally cover your breast. Nobody will see anything. The problem arises because ignorant people have a problem with the act of breastfeeding in public not the fact that they saw exposed breast. It is sad that women are so embarrassed of the act of breastfeeding that they feel compelled to hide.

Baby slings and wraps
There are many reasons for carrying your baby in a sling. One of the most useful is that you soon learn your baby’s cues so when you’re carrying her in the sling and she’s hungry you can feed her immediately. What this means is that your baby will rarely cry when she’s hungry, simply because she doesn’t need to. You can give her what she needs without having to stop what you’re doing in order to find somewhere convenient to feed her. So if you’re in the supermarket and she wants to feed, you can do it. Not only is this convenient for you, but it’s very discreet, because nobody else can see what your baby is doing!

How discreet depends on the type of sling or carrier you have and the position you use to feed your baby in. Cradle hold is the most commonly used position for feeding. This position works well in pouches, ring slings and wraps. Most of the time it’s hard to tell what the baby is doing, however, open tails on ring slings provide extra cover for even more privacy.

The snuggle hold or tummy-to-tummy position can also be used for breastfeeding, however, this tends to be a little less discreet. This position is commonly used with other soft fabric carriers like Mei Tais as well as with pouches, ring slings and wraps. Most mothers find it quite difficult to breastfeed in rigid or structured carriers, as they are generally not very adjustable.

As babies start getting more interested in what’s happening around them they can get easily distracted which can make it quite difficult to feed your baby in public at this stage. Discreet breastfeeding becomes almost impossible as he may stop and start at every sound or passer-by. To help prevent this, feeding your baby in a sling means you can protect him from outside distractions, especially if you use the tail of a ring sling to cover him completely. You can also more easily hold him in position by using the sling in addition to your arms.

Another option to ensure your baby feeds discreetly at this stage is to walk around with him feeding in the sling. No one will be able to tell your baby is feeding and he’ll likely be soothed by the familiar rhythm of your movement, losing interest in outside distractions.

For successful discreet breastfeeding it’s important to choose a sling that allows you to easily hold or switch your baby into a natural feeding position with the minimum amount of fuss as well as offering ample cover-up.

Breastfeeding / nursing necklaces
Some mothers find that their baby’s hands can wander while they’re feeding, so it can
be helpful to wear a specially designed nursing necklace. You can then redirect your baby so that she can play with the necklace instead of doing things like playing with your clothes, which may draw attention to the fact that you are breastfeeding. Nursing necklaces can help keep your baby’s attention focused so you can continue to breastfeed discreetly.

Practice
With practice you will find you can quickly and easily breastfeed your baby discreetly, anytime, anywhere. It’s like breastfeeding itself, or using a baby sling - practice at home first, watch yourself in a mirror and you’ll soon see how difficult it is to see that your baby is breastfeeding.

If you are at all nervous about breastfeeding/nursing in public, then I hope these tips will help support you with your decision to breastfeed your baby so that you can do it both discreetly and with confidence.

Good luck!!! Please remember to keep at it. Do not let a few naysayers ruin the bond or nutrition between you and your child. You may be unsure of yourself while your baby is a newborn but six months or a year down the road you will realize that the vast majority of total strangers are very supportive and happy to see you nursing. The rest of them usually think your baby is sleeping. You can’t get the time back so nurse proud and nurse long! You can do it!

Author: Karen Hunt
About the author: The author is mother of 2 and founder of natya BABYSLINGS, the stylish UK made baby sling. http://www.natyababyslings.com/

Buy the: Arabella Nursing Privacy Drape - Breast-Feeding

Image Source: The International Women’s Day Demostration in Valencia Spain, March 8, 2008

Child obesity levels are on the increase in America and many other countries around the world. As well as having social and psychological consequences, children that are overweight often develop potentially dangerous health problems that can affect them for the rest of their lives.

This article discusses the reason for the rise in childhood obesity and its consequences, offers some eating and exercise tips to help children lose weight, and finally discusses what we as parents can do to help our kids.

What constitutes being overweight for children?
A child with a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for their age and sex is considered overweight. BMI uses height and weight measurements to estimate how much body fat a person has, and parents who suspect that their child may be overweight can check with their family doctor or pediatrician who can calculate their child’s BMI using a special BMI calculator designed for children.

Why childhood obesity is increasing
Put simply, the major cause of childhood obesity is our modern lifestyle. Children today eat more and exercise less than any other generation before them and the result is that children are getting heavier and unhealthier. The characteristics of our modern lifestyle that contributes most to the problem of childhood obesity include:

• Advances in technology designed to make life easier and more entertaining.
• Unprecedented access to cheap, high-calorie, high-fat food (i.e. junk and fast food).
• Modern leisure activities such as playing computer games and watching TV.
• Exposure to increasing amounts of marketing for fast and snack foods.
• High density living with fewer parks and play areas for kids.
• Poor lifestyle habits being passed on from one generation to the next.

Let’s have a look at some of the things that can be done if your children are overweight or obese.

Eating Tips to Prevent Obesity in Children
Children who are brought up on constant diets of snack and junk food will grow into adults with ingrained bad eating habits and are destined to suffer from weight problems, even if they
somehow manage to avoid doing so as children.

To help you get your children eating as healthy as possible, here are some common and practical eating tips that anyone can implement:

• Be a role model and set a good example for your children by eating healthier yourself.
• Use your authority to control what food is purchased and cooked in the home.
• Do not put your child on a restrictive diet without expert medical advice.
• Encourage your children to lead healthy lives and don’t just focus on weight loss.
• Encourage your kids to eat healthy food by making sure it is tasty, well prepared, and easily available at home.
• Don’t bring “problem” foods home, like chocolate, potato chips, ice cream, candy, cakes and fizzy drinks.
• Prepare meals with your children - kids often enjoy cooking and as well as having fun, they can learn about healthy cooking and food preparation.
• Don’t force children to finish their food if they are full, they’ll eat more than they need to
  and will adopt the ‘clean plate’ eating philosophy for life.
• Be aware of “emotional overeating” and try to address the cause of any stress and tension in your child’s life.
• Don’t use food as a bribe or reward.

If you need more tips or you’re still not sure what and how much to feed your children to ensure that they develop good eating habits and grow up as healthy and happy as possible, seek professional advice from a registered dietitian or nutritionist.

Exercise tips to prevent or reverse childhood obesity
As well as doing whatever we can to make sure our children are eating healthy foods, it’s just as important to also make sure they are getting enough exercise and developing a love of being
active.

If you want to help your child avoid becoming overweight, or if you already have a child who is overweight, the following tips may be useful:

• Make exercise as fun as possible and don’t call the activities your children engage in “exercise” which has the wrong connotations for children.
• Try to help your child get at least thirty to sixty minutes of “exercise” broken downinto ten or fifteen minute segments.
• Be a role model by being active yourself and engage your children in activities like walking, hiking, tennis, swimming, basketball, or bike riding.
• Make fitness a family affair.
• Let children set the pace and intervals of family walks, bike rides, etc.
• Encourage your children to play sports without being pushy.

How parents can help their kids
Although it’s easy to blame the growth of childhood obesity on our modern lifestyle, many parents of overweight children need to recognize the significant role they’ve played in making their children that way if things are going to change.

Remember, most children with poor exercise and eating habits have learned those habits from their parents. Here are five of the most important things a parent can do to help their children avoid or reverse childhood obesity:

• Be a role model - eat healthy food and be active yourself and your children are likely to follow your lead.
• Help your kids to develop basic fitness skills by helping them to enjoy swimming, walking, cycling, running, dancing, hiking, skating, etc.
• Fill your cupboard and fridge with healthy foods and drink and limit the amount of snack and junk foods your children eat.
• Spend quality time with your children and have fun with them away from the TV and computer.
• Make small changes first and build on them over time - radical change is unlikely to be accepted and adopted long-term so take small but progressive steps forward.

Author: Scott Haywood
About the author: Scott Haywood is the editor of Australia’s leading weightloss and healthy lifestyle website.
Weightloss.com.au is a free weight loss resource that has healthy recipes, weight loss product reviews, a weight loss business directory and a very popular weight loss forum

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Are you currently pregnant and discouraged about getting back into shape after having your baby? Or maybe you’re a new Mom who is exhausted and getting to the gym is the last thing on your mind! Either way, I hope the following tips help you lose that baby weight.

I don’t have any fancy initials behind my name, I’m just a Mom of 4 kids. I’ve been able to get into my favorite Gap jeans fairly quickly after my babies, and I’ve observed that women who do the same have a few things in common. Here are my tips for losing the weight postpartum:

1) Don’t use pregnancy as an excuse to binge.
Pregnancy is the time to get strict about nutrition. Eating junk food will produce a small baby and a big Momma. Make your pregnancy a time to turn over a new leaf if you are a junk food junkie. You’ll be developing habits that will serve you well as you teach your children about nutrition.

At the same time, don’t obsess about weight gain. I gained between 35-50 pounds for each of my pregnancies, and still didn’t have trouble getting back into my old clothes within a few months postpartum. Focus on good nutrition, stay as active as you can, and you won’t go wrong.

2) Breastfeed your baby.
Breastfeeding burns around 500-700 calories a day. Wow- that’s not bad for sitting around relaxing on the couch! Your body puts on 9 pounds during your pregnancy specifically for the purpose of lactation. The extra weight is laid down on your thighs to make sure you will have enough fat to burn to make milk for baby. Call it “famine insurance” if you will. If you don’t breastfeed, guess what? That 9 pounds stays.

Several studies show that nursing Moms return to their pre-pregnancy weight more quickly. Nursing also helps your uterus contract back to its pre-pregnancy size faster. Plus you’ll have a nicer décolletage to boot!

3) Talk a walk every day
Walking is probably the perfect exercise for new Moms. It’s not stressful on your joints (which are still loosey-goosey from the pregnancy hormones for a while after you give birth). It’s free and doesn’t require a babysitter or any special equipment. It gets you out in the sun, which helps regulates your sleep/wake cycle, causing you and baby to sleep better at night and possibly helping prevent postpartum depression. And you can do it with a friend. If you’re sleep deprived and can’t bear the thoughts of exercise, call up a buddy and make a date with her to walk several mornings a week. Then you can treat yourselves to Starbucks and gossip afterwards.

4) “Wear” your baby
In addition to the many other benefits, using a baby sling or other soft cloth carrier and wearing your baby will burn lots of calories during the day as you do your household chores or care for other children. It also makes it easier for you to be active. You’ll be less tempted to sit around. Throwing on a sling and sitting baby inside it is much easier than lugging out and setting up a heavy stroller.

5) Curb those cravings
Postpartum Moms have cravings for several reasons. One is because serotonin levels are dropping, leading to cravings for sugar. Substitute snacking with another, health producing activity, like getting together with your buddy and going for a walk.

Another cause of cravings may be low blood sugar due to inadequate nutrition (eating too infrequently or eating too much refined sugar). Keep your blood sugar in control by eating frequent small meals that are balanced in nutrients. Keep snacks handy that you can grab quickly before you feed the baby. You need fats, protein and complex carbohydrates. Things like dried fruit and nuts, granola, full fat yogurt (buy the plain kind and mix in all-fruit jelly. Most yogurt has way too much sugar otherwise), kefir, vegetables sliced ahead of time and served with dips, hummus, whole grain pita bread, fruit smoothies, etc will keep your blood sugar constant and provide good nutrition. And keep taking your prenatal multivitamin to help prevent deficiencies that may cause cravings.

6) Avoid excessive caffeine

Drinking too much caffeine leads to insulin surges which cause your blood sugar to drop. When this happens most people head straight for the refined carbs to quicky bring their blood sugar back up. That’s no good.

7) Get enough rest

Easier said than done for a new Mom, to be sure! But if at all possible, nap with your baby. When you are terribly sleep deprived, you tend to gain weight. Consider bringing baby to bed with you if you are nursing. You will sleep better, baby will sleep better, and Daddy will sleep better (making it more likely that he will take baby for a walk and let you nap some afternoons!). Women all over the world have been doing it for thousands of years. As long as you are not morbidly obese, using sleeping pills or inebriated, cosleeping is safe.

Focus on good nutrition

This is also a challenge for a new, stressed out Mom. Check out books like “The One Armed Cook” for ideas on how to prepare healthy meals with a baby in arms. Visit a La Leche League meeting and ask other Moms how they manage to eat well with kids in the kitchen. Some Moms who were former junk food junkies have done well with the following technique. Before feeding themselves a particular food, they ask: “Would I feed this to my baby?” If the answer is no, they don’t eat it.

9) And lastly, give it time

Be realistic- don’t expect yourself to be back into your favorite jeans within a few weeks of delivery. In the meantime, appreciate your new, womanly curves (especially the cleavage that breastfeeding gives you!). I noticed that my clothing style changes somewhat after I have a baby. My normal tailored, classic look gives way to a soft, feminine style that flatters my postpartum body more.

Rejoice in your body that can do such awesome things as give birth and nourish a new life! Likely, your partner is much more forgiving of your changing body than you are. Just the other day as I was feeling embarrassed about my still stretched-out postpartum belly, my husband commented on how sexy my belly was, “because that’s where my babies grew”.

Enjoy your new baby!

Author: Carrie Lauth
For more articles for Moms who want to take care of their health naturally, visit http://www.NaturalMomsHealth.com/. For free whole food recipes each month, sign up for the newsletter at http://www.NaturalMomsRecipes.com

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The decision of how to feed your baby is a very personal one. The benefits of breast-feeding are numerous and significant, but many women still choose not to for reasons all their own. Before you decide how to feed you child, take a few moments to study up on breastfeeding, then armed with information, making your choice should be easier.

Breastfeeding has two stages, colustrum and regular milk. Colustrum is the very first milk produced. It occurs during the first two to three days, and is a thick, whitish liquid. Colustrum is exactly what a new baby needs. It is low in fat and high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies. It is also extremely easy for the newborn’s system to digest. One of the first things that the colustrum does is produce a laxative effect. It helps the baby to pass the meconium, which are thick and tarry. It also helps to clear excess bilirubin and prevent jaundice. So, if a baby is born with jaundice, the best thing is to nurse. Colustrum also carries an extremely high number of both antibodies and leukocytes (protective white cells), and helps the baby’s immature immune system fight off diseases, viruses, and bacteria. In effect, colustrum super-charges the baby’s system and helps prepare him for life outside the womb.

By the third or fourth day after birth, the second stage of breastfeeding occurs. This is when the regular milk comes in. This milk is much thinner, but contains all the nutrition a baby needs to grow and thrive. Just as colustrum did, the regular breast milk carries much-needed antibodies to the baby’s system. Antibodies are molecules made by your immune system that help to fight off illness. Breast milk contains all of the antibodies that the mother’s body has created. As new germs are introduced into the baby’s environment, the mother’s body begins preparing antibodies to ward off those germs. These new antibodies are then passed through the breast milk to help the baby fight off the new threat. Now, this doesn’t mean that breastfed babies never get sick, but research has shown that they do typically recover more quickly than a formula-fed baby.

There are additional benefits to breastfeeding other than just the antibodies. It has been shown that breastfeeding offers protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, allergies, intestinal disorders, colds, viruses, staph, strep, e-coli infections, diabetes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, childhood cancers, meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, salmonella, and SIDS. Breastfeeding also offers lifetime protection from Chrohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, some lymphomas, insulin dependent diabetes, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.

Breastfeeding also offers benefits to the mother. Long-term breastfeeding, for a cumulative total of two years or more, has been shown to reduce a mother’s chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding also helps the mother to lose weight more quickly after having a baby. Because many women do not get their periods back until they stop nursing, breastfeeding also helps to naturally space out children. But, it is important to note that one should never rely solely on breastfeeding for birth control.

These are just a few of the amazing things that breast milk can do for a baby. You would think that with all this research, the decision to breast-feed would be a “no-brainer”. Unfortunately, one of the biggest deciding factors of whether a woman decides to breastfeed is the reaction of family members. Oftentimes the husband is uninformed on the benefits of breastfeeding, and pushes the woman to wean to formula. Many mothers and grandmothers don’t support the breastfeeding woman because “that wasn’t how it was done in their day.” Many women receive dirty looks or harsh comments for discretely nursing in public. All of these factors push a new mother towards formula, despite the amazing health benefits of nursing.

The decision to breast-feed is yours. Take at least as much time to learn about breastfeeding as you did when you picked out your babies crib; more if you can spare it. Arm yourself with knowledge and then make a decision. Only you can decide if breastfeeding is right for you family.

Kathleen Frassrand is a firm believer in helping women find the answers they need to make the best decisions for themselves. For more pregnancy information, be sure to visit: http://www.pregnancy.info-for-you-online.com

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By and large, a plant based diet is absolutely perfect for children and adults. It is contains the nutrition and fiber that your body requires without the cruelty and health problems associated with an animal based diet.

Children do have unique dietary needs however, and many experts strongly advise against a strict vegan diet for children. There are many nutrients, such as A, D and the B vitamins, that are essential to proper growth and development, that are difficult if not impossible to get from a plant based diet alone.

That said, children can eat a cruelty free diet of organic eggs and organic, raw dairy and still receive the majority of necessary fatty acids and nutrition their bodies require. If you add on cod liver oil and let your kids get plenty of sunshine, they are on the road to excellent health.

A recent article found on www.PCRM.org states that:

“Children raised on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes grow up to be slimmer and healthier and even live longer than their meat-eating friends. It is much easier to build a nutritious diet from plant foods than from animal products, which contain saturated fat, cholesterol, and other substances that growing children can do without. As for essential nutrients, plant foods are the preferred source because they provide sufficient energy and protein packaged with other health-promoting nutrients such as fiber, antioxidant vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.”

Click here to read the full article

Sheryl’s comment

This is a great article which explains how children can receive all the necessary nutrition they need from a vegetarian diet but they are also learning healthy tastes and habits at a critical stage that sets the stage for the healthiest life possible.

The article also includes menu suggestions and dietary recommendations by age. Its a great read.
Additional resources: vrg.org
Image Souurce: http://flickr.com/photos/guccibear2005/1970572578/

Incorrect Breastfeeding Advice Results In Fussy, Uncomfortable Babies
This past month, I have had quite a few frantic calls from stressed out moms who have fussy babies and are hoping that The Calm Baby Cookbook could help. After a short conversation, their problem was easily diagnosed over the phone. These women were experiencing problems with breastfeeding because of well meaning, but totally incorrect advice from prenatal instructors and support people in their lives.

The problematic advice is one that many of us have heard already. “You must feed the baby for 10 minutes on one side and then switch to the other side and feed for another 10 minutes.” This advice is absolutely incorrect and contributes to so many breastfeeding problems for new moms. The result is a gassy, fussy baby who cannot be easily comforted. The underlying problem is what is called a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance.

Many people (health care practitioners and prenatal instructors included!) do not know that breastmilk changes throughout the breastfeeding session. For the first part of a feed, breastmilk contains more water and more sugar. It rehydrates the baby quickly and helps to fill the baby’s stomach. Towards the end of a feed, breastmilk changes to contain more fat. The fatty part of the milk is very important as it helps a baby to digest breastmilk more easily and it helps a baby to feel full and satisfied at the end of the feed. The fatty part of breastmilk offers so many benefits to a baby: it contributes to nerve and brain development, it acts as a laxative and so much more.

If a woman switches sides before the baby is able to get the hindmilk, the result is a fussy, gassy baby who has green, explosive, frothy stools. This baby has lots of cramping and is so uncomfortable that she cries soon after a feed and cannot be consoled. The closest way for an adult to understand this discomfort is that it mimics quite well the feelings of lactose intolerance.

A baby who is able to feed on one side until the breast completely drains will usually fall asleep at the end of the feed and will slide off the breast, full and completely satisfied. It can be quite difficult to wake a baby after she is able to get her hindmilk from the feeding session and most babies are simply put to bed. Getting to the hindmilk is like having rich cheesecake at the end of a good meal. You feel relaxed and ready to go to bed. The same is for a baby after a good feed off of one breast.

If you have been breastfeeding your baby and switching breasts often, you can certainly change the way that you feed your baby so that she can get the hindmilk. It will take a few days (possibly up to a week) for your breasts to become used to this new feeding pattern, so you’ll need to be patient. Breastmilk is produced from direct stimulation to nerve endings in your areola as your baby feeds. Because your breasts are being stimulated with each feed, they are accustomed to making lots of milk (possibly too much milk).

If your breasts are making lots and lots of milk, you will need to feed on one breast for many complete feeds to help your baby get a good feed on your hindmilk (anywhere from 2 to 5 feeds). Your breast should be soft at the end of the feed. If it still feels full, have the baby feed on that breast again. As you are feeding from the same breast often, the unused breast will become full of milk. Simply pump the side that is full FOR COMFORT ONLY: just enough so that you can feel comfortable without draining the breast. Again, breast milk is produced from direct sucking at the breast, whether from your baby or a breast pump. If you completely drain the second breast by pumping, you will make too much milk and it will be harder for your baby to get to the hindmilk. Your breasts will not be able to adapt to this new method of breastfeeding, and you will continue to have feeding difficulties.

Once the first breast has been drained, start with the second breast. You may have to feed for quite a few (2-5) complete feedings on the second side as well until the baby can drain the breast and it feels soft at the end of the feed. You may need to pump the first breast for comfort as well. Eventually, you will have one breast ready for a feed, the baby will be able to drain it completely, and fall off the breast fast asleep, full and completely satisfied.

Once your milk starts to regulate, you’ll notice that: * The breast that feeds the baby will be soft at the end of the feed. * Your second breast will be slightly full and preparing itself for the next feed. * Your baby will be satisfied at the end of the feed. She will start to sleep better - deeper and longer.

If you and your baby are experiencing a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance, relax and know that this can be remedied easily over time. Many medical professionals who do not know or understand what a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance is, will tell you that “you are not producing good milk” or that “you are not producing the right kind of milk” or that “your baby is allergic to your milk.” And then they will ask you to feed your baby a hypo-allergenic formula “to let everything settle down.” Most women give up on breastfeeding at that point, especially since they have just been told that their body is incapable of feeding their child.

I am constantly amazed at how quick some professionals are to dismiss a woman’s body as being inferior instead of recognizing that she has been given incorrect information on how to feed her child. Please know that many health care professionals or prenatal instructors do not understand breastfeeding or how it works and that you cannot assume that they do. Ask them about their breastfeeding training and experience. If they have not taken courses in breastfeeding, they are not qualified to offer advice or help you with your problems. Medical doctors are not taught about breastfeeding, or if they are, it is for 2 hours at some point in their school curriculum.

If you need help, see a lactation consultant as soon as you are having problems with your latch. You can also contact someone in La Leche League - an organization of breastfeeding mothers who are more than willing to help you with your breastfeeding difficulties as they are personally experienced in feeding their own children. (You can find them listed in your local white pages or you can visit www.lalecheleague.org to find help close to you.) The La Leche League has a wonderful book called The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. You will find it in any bookstore. You can also contact your local midwife; she will know of qualified people in your community who can help.

After your breastmilk regulates, if your baby is still fussy, especially between 5:30 and 11:30 at night, you may want to look at the foods that you are eating. Some foods that breastfeeding mother eat can irritate a baby’s digestive system and cause fussiness and crying. You can find out more by visiting drmelaniebee.org

Dr. Melanie Beingessner is a chiropractor, a breastfeeding counselor, a certified infant massage instructor and the mother of three fabulous kids. She is the author of The Calm Baby Cookbook, written to help breastfeeding moms calm their fussy babies by changing their diets. Her website offers information on pregnancy and breastfeeding and can be found at www.drmelaniebee.org

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