The Frugal Baby » Breastfeeding

Frugal Nursing Pads

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:13:52 +0000

If you breastfeed and you want to go out in public or keep your bed dry at night, you are almost certainly going to need nursing pads. When it comes to nursing pads, you have two options: disposable or washable. Undoubtedly, the frugal side of you is screaming, “washable!” while the busy mom side of you is pleading, “disposable!” The good news is, you can save a lot of money on either option. Here’s how:

Disposable Nursing Pads

The Cost

Frugal Makeover

If you want to use disposable nursing pads, these can easily cost you between $5 and $16 or more per month, depending upon how often you use them and how leaky your breasts are. Keep in mind that if there are 60 pads in the package, you are only getting 30 uses from them because you will use two with every use. This can get costly. I personally love Lansinoh nursing pads. They are thin, absorbent, and soft. Before I became a frugal mom, I swore by these pads. Now, I’m saving money but I am, admittedly, sacrificing a little bit of quality.

Now, for the frugal side of disposable. Many women successfully use pantyliners cut in half with one half in each bra cup. The pantyliners are thin, absorbent, and adhesive — ideal traits in a nursing pad. While a package of 60 nursing pads might cost $8, a package of 60 pantyliners will run closer to $4. Best of all, 60 pantyliners equal 60 pairs since you will cut them in half. One drawback to this method is that pantyliners might not be as breathable as the materials used in nursing pads. With that in mind, only use pantyliners when you go out or be sure to change them often.

Washable Nursing Pads

The Cost

Frugal Makeover

Washable nursing pads are usually made from 100% cotton or wool. They are simply multi-layered fabric discs that can be tucked into a bra cup. Depending upon the brand and the quality of the pad, they can be purchased for as little as $4 to as much as $25 for a pair.

If you own a needle and thread and know how to make a simple stitch, you can make your own nursing pads essentially for free by reusing materials that you already have. First, choose your material. Old T-shirts, flannel receiving blankets, or cloth diapers all work great. Next, using a disposable pad as your guide, cut eight circles from your fabric. If you don’t have a disposable pad handy, just measure out a 4 to 4 ½ inch circle (this is a typical dimension) they can be made larger or smaller according to your preference). For each pad, layer four circles and stitch around the edges. There you have it — free nursing pads! Just remember to omit the fabric softener when washing nursing pads or cloth diapers as this will reduce their absorbency.

Breastfeeding Problems and Solutions

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:12:58 +0000

You have probably heard the adage, “breast is best.” I would like to suggest that the following is more accurate: “Breast is best, but easier said than done.” While there is no question that breastfeeding provides the best possible start for your baby and is the most frugal option for you, it also comes with its share of difficulties. Before you throw in the towel, though, check out these common breastfeeding problems and how to solve them.

Lack of Milk

Especially in the beginning, milk production may be slow or seemingly non-existent. This can lead some mothers to believe that they are not producing enough milk for their babies.

The Solution:

1. Give it Time – For the first few days after giving birth, you may only be producing colostrum for your baby. It can take up to a week before your milk comes in. Fortunately, colostrum is all your baby needs in those first few days.

2. Keep Nursing – The only way to increase milk production is by nursing more. The more you nurse your baby, the more milk you will make. It is very rare for a mother to be unable to make enough milk for her baby. Realize that if you skip nursing sessions to supplement with formula, you are giving your body the message that you need less milk.

3. Try Pumping – If you think you might not be producing any milk, try pumping your breasts. Understand, though, that a pump will usually not express as much milk as a baby would. So any little bit in the pump is an indication that you are, indeed, making milk.

Soreness

When you begin to breastfeed, all of the pulling, sucking, and tugging at your nipples will leave them sore, chapped, and possibly even cracked. If you are especially sensitive, this can become almost unbearable.

The Solution:

1. Check Baby’s Latch – If baby isn’t latched on correctly, you could be left in a lot of pain. In a correct latch, baby will have the entire areola in his mouth and the tips of both his chin and his nose will touch the breast.

2. Ointment – Apply a lanolin cream to chapped and cracked nipples.

3. Patience – Just like a child’s barefeet in the summer, your nipples will toughen up over time. After the first couple of weeks, breastfeeding should become painless.

Time Consumption

A single breastfeeding session can last 30 to 45 minutes or more and most babies nurse 8 – 12 times per day. This can add up to a lot of time spent nursing.

The Solution:

1. Avoid Nursing at Nap Time – A sleepy baby is a slow nurser and will nod off while eating. This can greatly extend the length of the breastfeeding session. Feed baby while he is still alert and if he does drift off to sleep, try to wake him.

2. Patience – In time, baby will need fewer feedings to sustain him. Additionally, as his sucking skills improve, it should take less time for him to drain the breast.

Going Back to Work

If you are a working mom, breastfeeding presents a whole new set of challenges. How do you feed your baby while you are away?

The Solution:

1. Pump – You will have to pump throughout the day in order to both keep up your supply and express enough to leave with your baby.

2. Have Lunch with Baby – If possible, visit your baby on your lunch breaks and feed your baby then. It will reduce the number of pumpings you do, as well as be a nice break during the day for you both.

Breastfeeding may not be easy, but it is definitely rewarding. There is no better way to bond with your baby or to give him a nutritional head start. When you consider, too, that you will save nearly $1,800 over formula feeding, you’ve got some added incentive. Keep at it, stay patient, and good luck!

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:13:17 +0000

It almost goes without saying that breastmilk provides optimal nutrition for your baby and it seems that most moms are aware of that. According to the CDC, nearly 75% of mothers start out breastfeeding their newborns. And even though the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the baby’s first year, just over 40% are still breastfeeding at six months and only 16% make it all the way to the one year mark. Of the moms who do breastfeed at any point in their child’s infancy, many of them do not do it exclusively.

Before you join the ranks of the majority who feed or supplement with formula, consider the benefits of breastfeeding:

Breastmilk is the perfect food for baby. It has the right amount of nutrients and babies rarely, if ever, have trouble digesting it.
Studies show that breastfed babies are generally healthier and are better protected against things like ear infections, obesity, and even SIDS.
Children who were breastfed as babies reportedly score higher on IQ tests.
Breastmilk is always ready and at the right temperature.
Breastfeeding provides intimate bonding time between a mother and her baby.
Breastfeeding also has health benefits for mom, reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Breastfeeding can burn as much as 500 calories a day, helping new moms to shed any excess baby weight.
And if all of that isn’t enough, breastmilk is free!