True or false?
Nursing moms need to avoid “gassy” foods.
Nursing moms must never drink alcohol, caffeinated or carbonated beverages.
Nursing moms have to stay away from spicy foods.
Nursing moms should cut out dairy products and peanuts to avoid allergies.

Would you be surprised to learn that all the above statements are false? Let’s take down these common myths about breastfeeding women and diet, one by one.

For years, breastfeeding women have been warned that so called “gassy” foods like beans, cabbage, onions, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables would cause their babies to have painful gas. Not only does this statement needlessly restrict a new mom’s diet, it also decries a lack of understanding about the simple mechanics of lactation.

While some of these foods may cause gas in the mother, it is because of undigested carbohydrates (otherwise known as fiber!) in her digestive tract. These carbohydrates cannot pass through the mother’s milk ducts and get into her milk, so it’s actually impossible for these foods to cause gas in a baby, unless he is allergic to that food, which is extremely rare for these types of foods (the common allergens are by far eggs, dairy, soy and wheat). Gassiness and fussiness may be related to strong milk ejection reflex (also called the “letdown”) in the mother. Baby struggles to handle the flow of milk and so swallows a lot of air. Thorough burping may help, as well as wearing a baby upright in a sling during and after feedings.

Obviously it wouldn’t be appropriate for breastfeeding moms to drink large amounts of alcohol, primarily because it would impair her ability to care for her child properly. However, a glass of wine with dinner is not going to harm the breastfed infant. In the same vein, most babies are not bothered when mom drinks a cup or two of a caffeinated drink. Watch the baby for signs of irritability, and cut back if you think baby is sensitive to the caffeine in your milk. Since the bubbles that make carbonated drinks fizzy also cannot pass through to her milk, carbonated drinks (while not particularly healthful) won’t harm the breastfed infant. Mothers can’t make fizzy milk!

The third piece of advice, to avoid spicy foods, seems patently ridiculous when given some thought. How many millions of women the world over, eat many spicy foods as the bulk of their diet? Do they have fussy babies who suffer from painful gas? The evidence doesn’t support that. In fact the truth may actually be the opposite! More than one study has shown that babies actually preferred the taste of garlic in their mother’s milk and suckled longer, taking in more milk. There is simply no evidence that a nursing mom must eat a bland diet.

What about dairy products, peanuts and other common allergens? Many breastfeeding experts believe that nursing moms should not needlessly restrict their diets. Life with a new infant is challenging enough. Learning to breastfeed and recuperating from birth can be stressful. Why add to that by telling mothers to make radical changes? The one scenario that may support mom adopting a strict allergy free diet would be if she has a strong family history of food allergy and if her baby is showing signs of allergy, including excema, extreme fussiness, vomiting, slimy (mucusy), bloody or foamy stools, and other symptoms. Keeping a detailed food diary may be the best course of action to help her decipher what foods may be causing her infant trouble.

One final note: Although postpartum mothers are often told to keep taking prenatal vitamins after their babies are born, these can and do sometimes cause uncomfortable symptoms in nursing babies. This is often due to the iron content in the supplement, which causes pain in the infant. If your baby seems to be in pain, try dropping the vitamins for a week and see if that makes a difference.

The bottom line is, breastfeeding mothers should continue eating the same healthy diet focusing on a wide variety of whole foods that they enjoy, just as they did while they were pregnant. Listening to your body and eating and drinking to hunger and thirst will ensure new moms get the nutrition they need in order to care for themselves and their infants.

A plugged duct is literally that – a milk duct in the breast that becomes “stuck” with milk. It is not being drained properly due to: an ill fitting (too tight or underwire) bra; not nursing often enough; a baby who is not sucking well at the breast; not varying the position of the baby while feeding; baby carriers that put pressure on the breasts; even the mother’s sleeping position.

It may present as a hard, red sore spot on the breast, or mom may not have any external symptoms. She may just have discomfort in an area of her breast. She may also notice a white dot on the end of her nipple with what looks like thickened or hardened milk or a small pimple.

To prevent plugged ducts, it’s important to make sure baby is latching on to the breast well and mom is not uncomfortable during feedings. There shouldn’t be anything pinching or pressuring her breast. Nursing frequently to “empty” the breast well (since the nursing breast is never truly empty) is important to avoid mom getting overly full. Nursing moms should avoid sleeping on their stomachs or in another position that squeezes the breast for a long period of time if they have frequent plugged ducts. The same would be true of underwire bras. Some moms just can’t use them.

If you notice symptoms of a plugged duct, take action immediately. This condition can frequently lead to mastitis, which can make a mom feel as if she’s been hit by a truck! Some steps to take to treat a plugged duct:

* Nurse frequently.
* Before nursing, use warm compresses to soften the breast. During the feeding, try gentle massage (starting at the top of the chest above the sore area and moving down towards the nipple).
* Change the position of the baby so that his/her chin is pointing towards the sore spot. This might take some flexibility! The reason for this is because the baby’s suck is strongest at that point and can drain the plugged duct more effectively.
* Get in the shower and let the hot water run down the chest. Repeat the massage. This one step has been a lifesaver for moms who are in pain with a plugged duct. Often it will open up and mom will notice thickened milk or even “crystals” coming from her nipple. This is a good thing. This thickened milk will not harm the baby either.
* Tylenol and Motrin are safe for nursing moms to use if the pain is bad.
* Get lots of rest. The best course of action is to take baby to bed immediately and encourage him/her to nurse frequently. Take naps and spend the majority of the day in bed if at all possible.

These tips will usually mean the problem will resolve in a day or two, maybe sooner. If you develop fever and chills and the plugged duct doesn’t resolve, it may have turned into mastitis. Mastitis feels like the flu, but it’s not life threatening, neither is weaning necessary or even recommended since it would only make the problem worse.

The same tips listed above will help mastitis. In addition, you can call your Doctor and ask for antibiotics, which may be helpful if you have been exposed to some other illness. For some reason, if other family members are ill with a cold or flu or other infection, the nursing mom will sometimes come down with mastitis. This is especially true if she has been doing too much and denying herself proper rest.

Plugged ducts and mastitis don’t need to be the end of the nursing experience. With the right information and support, it’s just a stepping stone.

The mainstream media such as television, magazines, and the Internet all feature countless advertisements in which companies push their ‘miracle pills’ that help to naturally promote breast growth. These pills generally consist of a mixture of all-natural herbs that form a concoction to spark growth. However, the problem is, some brands work while others do not. Below are a few brands that have shown the potential to generate growth in the discontented woman’s breast size.

Bloussant

A breast enhancement pill known as Bloussant uses the following ingredients to achieve results:

Watercress (Leaf)
Blessed Thistle (Leaf)
Dandelion (Root)
Saw Palmetto Extract (Leaf)
Fennel Seed (Fruit)
Don Quai (Leaf)
Damiana (Leaf)
Black Cohosh (Alternative to Hormone)
Wild Yam (Root)

The blend attempts to re-active the breast tissues such as prostaglandin by creating a “second puberty.” While this is not a fully appropriate term to use, the prostaglandin generally shuts off after puberty and continues its dormancy unless re-stimulated by Bloussant. It generally takes one to three months to see any visible change, but at the end, average results range from one half to two full cup sizes. Continued use has resulted in as much as a three-cup increase. The company claims that the only known side effects are some minor allergic reactions, but generally research on these pills shows that rarer, more severe risks exist.

Natural Curves

Natural Curves contain the following ingredients blended into their pill:

Bioperine
Panax Ginseng
Soy Isoflavones
Fenugreek Seed (Seed)
Black Cohosh (Seed)
Fennel Seed (Seed)
Chasteberry Root (Root)
Saw Palmetto (Berry)
Damiana (Leaf)
Dong Quai (Root)
Dandelion (Root)
Blessed Thistle (Leaf)
Kava Kava (Root)
Wild Yam (Root)
Mother’s Wart (Leaf)

Like Bloussant, these ingredients can create results in as little as thirty days. The company claims its product as the most potent and least expensive formula on the market today. They assert the same side effects as Bloussant, but the same disclaimer as above applies.

NewBust Breast Enhancement

All of these pills follow the same pattern as you probably have noticed. As such, here are the ingredients that result in this particular blend of breast enhancement:

Althea Root
Hops
Wild Yam
Fennel Seed
Saw Palmetto
Don Quai
Damiana
Foenugreek Seed
Blessed Thistle
Violet

In addition to the increase in breast size, NewBust also declares the following benefits that result in using their product: A revitalized sex drive, more beautiful hair and nails, feeling of satisfaction in fitness, positive frame of mind, improved skin, fewer menopausal symptoms, and relief from occasional vaginal dryness. They do not list any side effects, and coupling that with all of the benefits they claim, be cautious of using this product without further research.

These are three of the top natural breast enhancers on the market. All have a track record of providing results in growing breast size for unsatisfied females. However, further research on the ingredients put into the pills would be a good idea. A check with your doctor would help you to decide if any of these products are right for you.

Many women feel insecure about the small size of their breasts. The situation is made worse by the male-dominated culture whereby many women are judged by only looks and not their personalities. But thank goodness, many methods exist that allow women to seek relief from the harsh judgment of the vain male. Besides push-up bras and cosmetic surgery, natural breast enhancement pills have flooded the market in recent years. These promise safe, authentic growth in the size of a woman’s breasts.

The woman with small breasts who takes the pill orally may wonder, “Does the pill work?” and “Are there any problems or side-effects with taking the natural enhancement pills?” Many of the companies that produce these pills claim that their products are “herbal” and “all-natural,” thus, do not have any risks or side effects.

Much to the disappointment of the engrossed consumer, more research is needed to determine the extent of the side effects of the breast enhancement pills. But, the fact that the responsibility should be on the companies to field these research studies, should generate some uncertainty among would-be buyers. At present, the only known risks are actually associated with the ingredients in the pills.

For instance, most of the breast enhancement pills on the market use an artificial form of the hormone estrogen. In the past, high levels of estrogen have been infamous catalysts in causing breast cancer. Thus, a common concern about these pills is that they may some day result in breast cancer to the person taking them.

Other harms with breast enhancement pills include: acne, potential to affect fetuses or infants, (though no cases have been reported, but pill users are fore-warned of this potential side-effect), increased production of fat cells, development of hyper-pigmentation (which is increase in melanin causing the darkening of skin or nails), exacerbation and causation of fibrocystosis (growths on the breast(s) and endometrioses (resulting in endometrium-like growths around the uterus). The latter risk displays itself more obviously in women who showcase a history of either disease.

By taking all of this into contemplation, it becomes apparent that you should take a very huge amount of salt when taking these pills orally. And with the limited number of testimonials to the effectiveness of these breast enhancers (while the internet is filled with innumerable stories of women who feel cheated after they have invested hundreds of dollars, only to see no results), one has to wonder whether using them actually has any advantage. You should also note that while these documented side effects are rare, and the pills have not been properly studied, more risks could very well exist. Your best bet: Accept yourself for who you are and love the body that God gave to you. These pills possess limited effectiveness and harmful and unknown side effects. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself “is it worth all the trouble and money spent on breast enhancement products?” You have to decide for yourself in this matter.

The formula for losing body fat applies to you just as it does to a professional bodybuilder, but the pros take it much further than most typical bodybuilders ever do. To lose body fat, take in fewer calories than you burn. If you have more energy going in than going out, an energy surplus, you’ll gain weight. If you have more energy going out than in, you have an energy deficit, you’ll lose weight because you’ll force your body to draw on its energy stores—body fat.

Many diets and diet and exercise plans can produce the energy deficit required for fat loss, but some are better than others. A healthful and practical diet and exercise strategy can be sustained over the long term without any loss of muscle. The next 14 tips will provide many facts and tips you can use to help you devise such a strategy.

1) Don’t confuse weight loss with fat loss. You want fat loss, not just weight loss.

2) Most men store their fat around their waists, and most women store around their hips and thighs. It’s a gender issue.

3) Body fat can’t be melted away through plastic wraps, saunas or steam baths. It can’t be rubbed away through massage or vibrating and rubbing machines. Nor can it be dissolved by a dietary supplement.

4) Sweating—whether through saunas, special bands, belts or wrappings—doesn’t produce fat loss. It produces water loss, which you regain through fluid intake.

5) No matter how many sit-ups, crunches, twists or whatever else you do, you won’t whittle away fat from your waist. You achieve fat reduction internally, and only if you’re in sufficient energy deficit for a sufficient period. The body sheds fat overall, not just one area, from some places more than others—or not at all. The only way to spot reduce fat is through surgery, which ahs dangers and isn’t a long term cure.

6) To avoid muscle loss while you strip off body fat, you must lose fat slowly and avoid overtraining. Make one pound a week the maximum rate of weight loss.

7) Train as if your priority is to build muscle. Keep your routines short, hard and focused on the basic exercises. Train with progressive poundages is possible, although that may not be possible on a fat loss program if you’ve already trained for a long time. At minimum, maintain your current strength and muscle mass as you strip off body fat.

The more food you can eat and still lose body fat, the easier it will be for you to sustain the plan because you won’t suffer the deprivation that most people feel when they diet. To be able to have a satisfying calorie intake, increase your calorie output. The more energy you burn through exercise and general activity, the more food you can have and still be in a calorie deficit.

9) The simplest, most practical, cheapest, low-intensity exercise is walking. If you walk for an hour each day on top of your usual activities, you’ll use up an additional 400 calories, depending on your pace.

10) If you prefer to use an elliptical or cross trainer or a rower, climber or stationary cycle instead of walking, that’s fine. Still, you can walk outdoors anywhere, without special equipment. For the alternatives you need equipment and a gym, unless you have your own gear at home.

11) Each mile covered by foot, whether you walk at a snail’s pace or run it as fast as you can, burns about 100 calories. Of course, the faster you cover a given distance, the more quickly you’ll burn the 100 or so calories. The quicker you cover it, of course, the more it will tire you. While it’s easy to walk at a leisurely pace, it’s a rigorous workout to run. Which are you more likely to do on a daily basis?

12) If you get a home treadmill, you can make walking even more comfortable and convenient. You can walk while watching TV, listening to music, or holding a conversation. You also have climate control and other advantages over walking outdoors. You can do some of your walking outdoors and some of it indoors, depending on your preference and the weather.

13) Analyze how many caloires you’re currently taking in each day. Maintain a food journal for a week of your normal food and drink consumption. Write down everything you eat and drink and the precise quantities for accuracy. And also be honest with yourself.

14) Use a printed calorie counter to find the calorie value of what you eat and drink. Compute the total number of calories you take in over the seven days, and then divide the total by seven to produce your daily average calorie intake.

You are bombarded each day with advertisements all over television and the Internet: “Increase Bust Size!” “Grow Cup Sizes Naturally! Look Voluptuous and Sexy!” The inventors of these natural herbal breast enhancement pills make big promises, touting unprecedented results. But do any of these companies highlight products that really work? If so, how can you tell which pills are genuine and which will not make any difference and are worthless? Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to instantly tell the difference, but requires research involving the scrutiny of user reviews and testimonials

Historically, it has been proven that these breast enhancement pills can somehow increase bust size marginally. But there are also a lot of scams on the market. So, once you find a highly regarded company with an excess of positive feedbacks, you have narrowed down your choices. For the most part, these pills have no risks, but the very uncommon side-effects pose many unwanted and often life-threatening results.

The trouble with these pills (aside from the obvious: Too many of the breast enhancers on the market cannot fulfill the promises made in their advertisement) lies in the fact that these are products made by companies that are unknown and unheard of. As such, they lack the thorough guidelines and testing mandated by the Federal Drug Administration or abbreviated as FDA. The fact that the breast enhancement pills are composed mainly of natural herbs, safety risks are still kept at a minimum. Nonetheless, one must proceed with caution, because these pills possess the same certification as a pill bought on the street.

Do not worry, because while the pills feature the same lack of authentication as back-alley products, enough people have consumed their products to the point that any harmful side effects would be made public. The disadvantage is that there have been a few risks, but they have been kept at a minimum. Consequences include altered skin pigmentation, exacerbation of fibrocystosis and endometriosis, health risks for fetuses and breast-fed infants, and the worst-case scenario, a highly increased risk (to a potential development) of breast cancer. When breast cancer develops, this would normally be terminal and fatally destructive due to the intake of breast enhancements pills.

The use of natural herbal breast enhancement pills still poses a complicated issue. On the one hand, these pills have shown the ability to provide results for women who are at their wits end when it comes to increasing bust size. On the other hand, there are many mass-produced pills that flood the market with empty promises, making it somewhat hard to find a trustworthy supplier. The breast enhancers also pose the potential for some fairly damaging side-effects. Yes, these consequences are few and far between, but should one develop any of them, life-altering (and possibly life-ending) changes are in store. In a nutshell, these pills can be safe and effective in certain instances, but, as with all unproven products, research must be obtained and prudence practiced. Only you can decide if the product is for you.