BSN, RN, IBCLC
Yinés Garcia-Taylor is an international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), registered nurse (RN), mother, and founder of Prenatal Yini; a private in-home and virtual lactation consulting service.In her ten years of experience, she has been supporting breastfeeding families in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Through private virtual lactation consultations, she empowers breastfeeding families worldwide.Yinés has earned a bachelor’s degree in International Business from St. Peter’s University and a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Felician University. Before becoming an IBCLC, she worked as a maternal & child health RN in public health settings. She continues her education with GOLD lactation conferences and master classes such as Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad Master Class.Yinés is fluent in Spanish. Her mission is to empower moms/families around the world to achieve their breastfeeding goals through quality prenatal education and comprehensive postpartum support.
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Giving birth to the child and caring for them can be physically exhausting. In addition, due to constant sleep deprivation for the initial few weeks or months of an infant’s life, it is not unusual for mothers to fall asleep while breastfeeding. During breastfeeding, the body releases oxytocin. It is a hormone that plays an important role in inducing sleepiness during breastfeeding as it can make one feel calm and relaxed. Continue reading this post as we talk about the reasons, possible risks, and ways to prevent mothers from falling asleep during breastfeeding. [mj-toc] Does Breastfeeding Make You Sleepy? Breastfeeding may not directly make you fall asleep, but the reasons associated with breastfeeding might make a nursing mother experience drowsiness. The following are the common reasons for mothers of breastfed babies to fall asleep while breastfeeding. 1. Tiredness [caption id="attachment_889215" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Newborn babies usually feed every two to three hours or 8-12 times in 24 hours (1)....
Breastfeeding is like a workout for babies, and just like adults sweat when they exercise, babies sweat while breastfeeding. Sweating or perspiration is the body’s way of keeping itself cool by sending excess heat out of the body. Sweating may happen anywhere on the body, but it is most common on the head, scalp, under the arms, on palms, and the soles of feet (1). Read this post as we explain the causes, management, and signs you need to see a doctor if you notice your baby sweating more than usual when they breastfeed. [mj-toc] Do Babies Sweat When Feeding? Some babies sweat while breastfeeding. If the baby’s body temperature rises due to some reason, then the [simple_tooltip text="sweat glands" tooltip="Small, tubular structures on the skin that produce sweat and regulate body temperatures" ] release sweat. Certain health conditions might also cause sweating while breastfeeding. Not all babies sweat while breastfeeding. Read on to know more about the likely causes....
Breastfeeding during chickenpox is not always contraindicated; you may continue to breastfeed, covering the vesicles (blisters) on the breast and other areas to minimize the spread of the virus. However, it is recommended not to breastfeed if you have vesicles on the [simple_tooltip text="areola" tooltip="The dark skin that encircles the nipple in the breast" ] where the baby's mouth can touch. Nursing moms who contract chickenpox five days prior or two days after delivery need immediate medical care to avoid infecting the newborn (1). You may also wear a mask to prevent spread from sneezing and coughs and maintain hand hygiene. In addition, seek help from a medical professional to know alternate infant feeding options. Read on to know more about the causes, symptoms, tests, infection prevention, and treatments for chickenpox in breastfeeding mothers. [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Breastfeed When Having Chickenpox? Breastfeeding is usually avoided if the mother develops chickenpox less than five days before or two days...
For women prone to acne, it is not uncommon to experience breakouts during and after pregnancy. In this post, we talk about acne and breastfeeding. Acne occurs when dead skin and oil block the hair follicles. Bacterial growth multiplies in the blockage, leading to pimples or acne. While acne most commonly occurs on the face, it may also occur on the neck, chest, back, and arms (1). While over-the-counter (OTC) acne medicines may be working well for you, you may want to be doubly sure regarding their safety while using them during breastfeeding. Read on as we talk about the causes, home remedies, and safe treatment options for acne when breastfeeding. [mj-toc] Can Breastfeeding Cause Acne? A rise in serum androgen levels in pregnancy leads to increased [simple_tooltip text="sebum" tooltip="A oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands, which acts as a lubricant and protects the skin." ] production and hence causes acne (2). This continues after delivery too. After delivery, it...
While it is common for women to experience heartburn during pregnancy, some may continue to experience heartburn when breastfeeding as well. Also known as [simple_tooltip text="acid reflux" tooltip="A digestive disorder in which stomach acid comes back up the food pipe, causing a burning sensation in the chest." ], pyrosis, or cardialgia, it is characterized by a burning sensation felt in the center of the chest. It happens due to the reflux of stomach acids into the [simple_tooltip text="oral cavity" tooltip="The area of the mouth, including the lips, cheeks, gums, and tongue." ] from the lower end of the esophagus ( food pipe), leading to an unpleasant taste and discomfort (1) (2). It may help to know that simple changes in diet and lifestyle can manage or reduce heartburn symptoms. However, you may even consult your doctor if you have any doubts. Read this post as we talk about the causes, symptoms, prevention, and management of heartburn during pregnancy. [mj-toc] Does...
Ginger is a common condiment known for its distinctive flavor and fragrance. Naturopathy uses it to treat and manage ailments, such as [simple_tooltip text="migraine" tooltip="A headache with strong pounding pain or a pulsing sensation." ], nausea, colds, and constipation (1). You may consider using ginger when breastfeeding for its purported [simple_tooltip text="galactagogue" tooltip="Chemicals used to initiate, maintain, and promote milk production." ]effects. However, the research studies show mixed results. Several ginger-based dietary and herbal supplements are available over-the-counter as liquid extracts, teas, candies, and tablets. If you wish to try them for lactation-related purposes, consulting an expert is necessary. Read on as we tell you more about the safety of ginger for breastfeeding mothers, its effect on breast milk supply and flavor, its possible health benefits, side effects, and ways to consume it safely. [mj-toc] Is Ginger Safe When Breastfeeding? [caption id="attachment_888320" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] According to the US Food And Drug Administration (USFDA), using ginger as a spice...
When you\'re breastfeeding, you should keep eating healthy. This is because the food you eat can alter the supply and composition of your breast milk and aid your recovery after birth. It is considered healthy to consume flaxseed while breastfeeding. Flaxseed is also known as linseed and is high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and bioactive plant components. This post discusses the safety of flaxseed during breastfeeding, its health advantages, and incorporating it into your diet. [mj-toc] Is Flaxseed Safe For Breastfeeding Mothers? [caption id="attachment_890248" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Consumption of flaxseed is well-tolerated in adults. Its safety and efficacy during lactation are not well researched (1), but it is considered safe to have them in small quantities. Consult a healthcare provider to know the amount of flaxseed you can consume. Medical consultation is important if you are considering dietary supplements or herbal supplements containing flaxseed oil. Can Flaxseed Increase Breast Milk Supply? There is an anecdotal belief that omega-3...
Oats is a healthy cereal known for its high nutritional profile (1). Owing to the abundant health benefits of oatmeal for breastfeeding moms, many are keen to include it in their breastfeeding diets. This is also because oats are believed to have lactogenic properties that may increase breast milk production in nursing moms. Oats is also a widely used breakfast dish and a supplement for other dishes. This post tells you the details about the [simple_tooltip text="galactagogue" tooltip="Substance that increases milk production" ] properties of oats and the potential benefits of consuming oats while breastfeeding. [mj-toc] Does Oatmeal Increase Breast Milk Supply? [caption id="attachment_890900" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Traditionally, oatmeal is used as a galactagogue in many cultures. Lactation experts believe that oats may increase the production of the oxytocin hormone, which can help increase breast milk production (2). However, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to prove that oats can increase breast milk supply. The belief of oats being...
You may often notice that your baby cries while breastfeeding. Babies may cry when breastfed for various reasons, ranging from simple distractions to a significant feeding problem. While occasional weeping during nursing is normal, persistent crying and reluctance to breastfeed may necessitate medical treatment or a consultation with a lactation consultant-IBCLC (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners). Read on to learn why newborns cry during breastfeeding and ways to avoid it. [mj-toc] Causes Of Crying In Babies While Breastfeeding The following factors or situations may make babies fussy or cry during breastfeeding (1). 1. Overactive letdown Sometimes, if the mother has an overactive or forceful letdown of breast milk, the baby may tend to bite the breast or cry since they cannot swallow too much milk. An overactive letdown may cause colic symptoms for the baby. Hyperactive milk ejection reflex and oversupply may cause gagging or choking while breastfeeding, making your baby cry while nursing. [mj_protip type="Quick tip" title="Quick tip"]When...
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), you may start bottle feeding the baby after exclusive breastfeeding of six months (1). While some may keep transitioning between bottle feeding and breastfeeding, others may depend on the bottle solely. This can be due to factors like inadequate breast milk, personal choice, or any other underlying condition. Before introducing the bottle to your baby, you need to know the position and hold for safe and easy feeding. In addition, the bottle needs to be checked and sterilized thoroughly before giving it to the baby. This post will tell you about all the requirements and steps to be followed while bottle-feeding your baby. [mj-toc]How To Bottle-Feed A Baby? Bottle-feeding is the process of giving expressed breast milk, donated breast milk, and/or formula milk to an infant, through a bottle. Though both bottle and breast feedings involve correct positioning and effective latching, some babies might take more time getting used to the bottle...