IBCLC, BAMS, MHA, IYCF, CCE
Dr. Priya Shashank is a lactation consultant and childbirth educator, striving to bring about a change in the way childbirth and breastfeeding are perceived in India. She works with expecting couples to educate them about childbirth and the initial days with the baby, and helps new moms and babies settle down into breastfeeding routine comfortably.Working from Ludhiana in Punjab, Dr. Shashank has 17 years of experience and is now associated with the Army Wives Welfare Organisation. She previously worked at O.P. Jindal Institute of Cancer Care & Research.Dr. Shashank takes up classes in lactation, breastfeeding, antenatal classes, preconception counselling, pregnancy Yoga, among others. She is a member of CAPPA and Lamaze International, US. After doing her BAMS from theMSM Institute of Ayurveda, she became a Certified Child Birth Educator from CAPPA.
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母乳喂养是一个natural instinct for all moms, and most women enjoy interacting with their babies while doing so. However, if you have a fever or sore throat while breastfeeding, you may be concerned about feeding your little one. This is a genuine concern since infections can transfer from a mother to an infant. You may be amazed to know that sickness is the best time to continue breastfeeding. Antibodies created by the mother's body in response to illness can be passed on to the baby, preventing sickness in the infant. Even if the baby does get sick, the illness will not be severe since they would have already received antibodies from the breast milk (1). Keep reading to learn more about sore throats and breastfeeding, as well as some useful home remedies to help you feel better. [mj-toc] Causes Of Sore Throat [caption id="attachment_882427" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: iStock[/caption] A sore throat is a pain or irritation in the throat,...
Amoxicillin, also spelled as Amoxycillin, is an antibiotic made from penicillin. It is either used alone or in combination with clavulanic acid and is taken in various forms, including tablets, powder, and syrup. The World Health Organization has categorized it as an important medicine. Amoxicillin is mainly prescribed for treating infections, such as strep throat, [simple_tooltip text="pharyngitis" tooltip="An inflammation in the pharynx (back of the throat) characterized by pain and swallowing problem " ], and [simple_tooltip text="tonsillitis" tooltip="An inflammation of the tonsils, oval-shaped tissue pads on either side of the back of the throat" ], caused by the streptococcus bacteria and other bacterial infections such as pneumonia and UTI. However, it can also be used to relieve symptoms of various maternal health conditions, ranging from skin infections to urinary tract infections. In breastfeeding mothers, amoxicillin is also prescribed for [simple_tooltip text="mastitis" tooltip="Inflammation of the breast tissue, which can be pain-inducing" ](1). But since the medicine passes through the bloodstream into...
您可能会注意到,宝宝很容易入睡after they are breastfed. This is particularly true for newborns. But, if your baby falls asleep while breastfeeding, you may worry that they have not consumed enough milk. It is normal for babies to doze off while nursing in the warm comfort of your arms, but you may be advised to look for ways to keep your little one awake to ensure a complete feed. This post discusses whether it is safe for babies to sleep while breastfeeding, why that happens, and what can be done to keep them from dozing off. [mj-toc] Why Do Babies Fall Asleep While Breastfeeding? Babies, especially newborns, fall asleep while breastfeeding due to a full stomach. Studies have shown that an increase in the hormone called cholecystokinin controls the feeling of satiety and induces drowsiness (1) in infants. The baby may doze off during nursing due to a poor latch. It means that he falls...
When nursing, you should consume a well-balanced diet comprising various healthy foods. However, you should also know about the foods to avoid when breastfeeding. According to the CDC, 83.2% of infants were reported to be breastfed at some point in time through their infancy. A healthy diet during nursing nourishes the mother and guarantees adequate lactation and nutrition to the infant. Studies suggest that maternal nutritional conditions may have an impact on breast milk (1). Therefore, it's important to know what foods and beverages you should restrict or avoid when nursing to ensure that nothing hazardous enters your baby's system through breast milk. Read on as we tell you which foods you should avoid or limit during breastfeeding. [mj-toc] Foods To Avoid Or Limit When Breastfeeding 1. Alcohol [caption id="attachment_888822" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Experts recommend avoiding alcohol during breastfeeding as it hampers the let-down reflex and milk production by altering milk-producing hormones (2). Also, it can disrupt the baby’s...
A baby’s birth opens the horizons for overwhelming responsibilities such as taking care of and feeding a newborn. However, the stress of it all could lead to mental health issues in new moms. In such scenarios, some women may resort to medications such as Zoloft while breastfeeding to help deal with their condition. Zoloft is an anti-depression drug known for treating mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. When taken in a prescribed manner, this medication helps control depressive symptoms and mood disorders and aids in returning to one’s everyday lifestyle. However, not all drugs are safe to use without consulting a doctor when breastfeeding. If you have concerns about taking Zoloft when breastfeeding, read on to understand the safety concerns and other details regarding consuming this medication while breastfeeding. [mj-toc] What Is Zoloft (Sertraline)? Zoloft (Sertraline) falls under the group of Selective [simple_tooltip text="Serotonin" tooltip="A molecule secreted in the brain that transports messages from nerve cells and helps...
Many women have postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety after giving birth. While it’s simple to take a prescription medicine such as Alprazolam (or Xanax) to calm your anxiety, you might be wondering, “is Xanax safe while breastfeeding?” These drugs can pass through the breast milk and reach your baby in very small doses, which was determined in the study conducted by Oo et al. The researchers looked at the levels of maternal Alprazolam in the breast milk of mothers who received a daily dose of 0.5mg of the drug. The study revealed that the half-life of Alprazolam in breast milk is 14.5 hours. Therefore, it is necessary to consult your obstetrician to determine safety aspects of the drug while breastfeeding. [mj-toc] What is Xanax? Xanax (a brand name of the generic drug alprazolam) is a commonly prescribed drug used as an anxiety medication and to treat panic disordersi. It belongs to the benzodiazepines drug class that includes drugs known to...
Prednisone is an [simple_tooltip text="immunosuppressant" tooltip="Drugs that reduce and control the body’s immune response and prevent it from attacking its cells or tissues." ] drug used to treat various ailments. However, it's uncertain whether you can take Prednisone while breastfeeding. Usually, if you have a fever or upset stomach, you might wait for these conditions to resolve on their own because taking medications while breastfeeding is not recommended. However, if you have a painful immune system-related disease during lactation, you may wonder about the use of Prednisone. The National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry in the United States investigated 124 nursing mothers with transplants for 48 months and found no evidence of Prednisone harming the newborn. Is this proof that Prednisone is safe to take during lactation? This post provides an answer to this query and discusses the drug's effects on lactating mothers. [mj-toc] What Is Prednisone? Prednisone is a [simple_tooltip text="glucocorticoid" tooltip="A class of steroid hormones responsible for essential body functions,...
During breastfeeding, most of us are in a dilemma regarding what foods are safe and unsafe for nursing mothers. Including honey while breastfeeding is one such topic of discussion. Although babies who are less than a year old are not given honey directly as it might increase the chances of infant botulism, it is safe to be consumed by the mother. Honey contains high levels of [simple_tooltip text="fructose" tooltip="A sweetener naturally present in fruits, honey, and vegetables." ] and glucose, important for giving stamina to the breastfeeding mother. It is also known to be rich in [simple_tooltip text="antioxidants" tooltip="Substances that may prevent or slow down some types of cell damage caused due to harmful molecules called free radicals." ] and antibacterial properties that help in strengthening the immune system. Read about the safety of having honey while breastfeeding, its benefits, and possible side effects. [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Have Honey While Breastfeeding? [caption id="attachment_890050" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Yes,...