[charleen2008]

The following is a glossary of terms used on the BF vs FF IV debate board as well as on the IV BF support boards that I have been working on for the last few months. I realize that many of the regulars here likely are already familiar with most or all the terms in this glossary but there may be lurkers and such who would benefit from it. I have made every effort to correct any typos or misspellings though please feel free to let me know of any you catch. Also, please feel free to correct any errors you feel I made in how I defined each termed. I have posted this as three separate posts as well as in the form of an attachment in PDF format.

Glossary of breastfeeding terms A-H:

American Academy of Pediatrics: A United States medical organization the develops standards for pediatric care and who's membership is open to qualified pediatricians.

Australian Breastfeeding Association: A breastfeeding support organization in Australia, essentially very similar to LLL.

Adoptive breastfeeding: The breastfeeding an adopted baby by way of induced lactation (see also Induced lactation).

Attachment parenting (AP): A parenting philosophy based on the principles of the attachment theory in developmental psychology in which parents, by way of sensitive and emotionally available parenting, strive to form a secure attachment style to their child which fosters the child's socio-emotional development and well being. Some people misinterpret it as involving a long list of requirements for one to qualify as attachment parents. Generally, AP involves extended breastfeeding, child-led weaning, baby-wearing, co-sleeping, and non-violent discipline (i.e not spanking), but one does not need to practice all those things are due them 100% of the time to practice AP, especially if one has medical or logistical reasons for not doing certain AP practices. Like all parenting philosophies, AP is controversial, partly due to the fact that has yet to adequately evaluated scientifically.

Babywearing: The practice of wearing or carrying a baby or child on oneself via a sling or other form of carrier.

Babywise: See On Becoming Babywise.

Baby-led weaning: A method of introducing solid food to a baby's diet, where, rather then starting with pureed baby foods, you start with finger foods that the baby is capable of self-feeding themselves with. With baby-led weaning, you only introduce solids when the baby shows an interest in and demonstrates the capability to pick up foods and feed themselves. This method is in contrast to the more typical method of solids introduction (aka weaning in British English) wherein you start with purees that are fed to the baby via a spoon, then move to finger-foods later on.

Bed sharing: Sleeping with a baby in the one's own bed as apposed to a having the baby sleep in a bassinet or crib/cot. The term bed sharing is synonymous with co-sleeping as the later term is most commonly used today. (see also co-sleeping)

Bottle feeding: Feeding a baby either infant formula or breastmilk via a baby bottle. Due to the fact that most often it's formula that is feed via a bottle, the term bottle feeding by itself is often assumed by many to be synonymous with formula feeding so you may need to be specific when referring to bottle feeding breastmilk.

Breast pump: A device for drawing milk from a woman's breast by suction. A breast pump is one of two ways to extract milk from the breast for feeding a baby via a bottle or other means (other then suckling at the breast), the other being hand expression. Modern versions come in both manual hand-operated and electrical models.

Breast shells: A hollow plastic disks worn inside a bra to protect one's nipple from becoming flattened. and to help correct problems with inverted nipples.

Breastfeeding advocate: Anyone who advocates breastfeeding as the best way to feed babies in general. Please not that there are many different types of breastfeeding advocates from the who recommend breastfeeding only when specifically asked to those that think every women who can breastfeed should be forced to BF whether they like or not. The majority of advocates do not fall on the extreme side contrary to what many formula defenders might claim.

Breastfeeding bully: A derogatory term directed at breastfeeding advocates and support persons (such as lactation consultants, lactation maternity nurses, and doctors) who are judge to be too extreme in the promotion of breastfeeding and method of breastfeeding support. Often characterized as being unwilling to accept a new mom's decision when she says she is going to formula feed or plans give up on breastfeeding or switch to formula. True breastfeeding bullies represent a small number of all advocates and support persons.

Breastfeeding Nazi: An extremely derogatory term for a breastfeeding advocate. Many breastfeeding advocates as well as many Jews object to the term due to the fact that the Nazi's murdered over 7 million Jews and others in concentration camps (among other atrocities) while even the most extreme breastfeeding advocate has done nothing even close to that. Defenders of the term claim they are simply referring to the “a person with extreme authoritarian views” definition common today though many critics argue that this general use of the term nazi argue that it downplays the Nazi's atrocities or extremely exaggerates the wrongdoing of the authoritarian types it's directed at such as in the case of “breastfeeding nazi”, the extreme breastfeeding advocates. It is banned from use as a label for anyone or any group on iVillage message boards, though discussions about the term itself is permissible as part of the breastfeeding vs formula feeding debate.

Breastfeeding/Nursing: Refers to a baby suckling at the breast. Some people use the term to refer to both suckling at the breast and feeding breastmilk from a bottle though many object to this usage due to the possible confusion it can create. Some people say “breastfeeding (at the breast)” when referring solely to suckling at the breast to avoid possible confusion.
Exclusive Pumping: When a lactating mother is not feeding a baby at the breast at all but instead pumping breastmilk for every feed to be fed via a baby bottle.

Breastmilk bank: A place that accepts and stores donations of breastmilk by lactating mothers for use in feeding baby's who have a medical need for expressed breastmilk. They require that the lactating mother's who donate meet certain qualifications and they screen the breastmilk for diseases and such. Breastmilk from a breastmilk bank is typically very expensive per ounce.

Breastmilk feeding: Refers to feeding breastmilk, either directly via the breast or via a bottle. This term is used to avoid confusion with the terms breastfeeding and bottle feeding which are usually assumed to refer only to direct breastfeeding or feeding of formula via a bottle.

Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS): Canada's version of the AAP (see also American Association of Pediatric).

Child-led weaning: A method of weaning where the breastfeeding child is allowed to decide how long to breastfeed for and thus when they are ready to fully wean, as opposed to the mother deciding when to wean (mother-led/parent-lead weaning). Generally all children with rare exception will self-wean somewhere between the ages of 18 months and 7 years old if allowed to. Please note that some people do not consider any sort of restriction placed on what times of day, how often per day, or how long per session the child can nurse to be true child-led weaning while others still consider it child-led weaning so long as it's the child that decides when to give up the last nursing session and not the parent, even if the parent restricts the child's nursing otherwise.

Cleft lip. A congenital split in the upper lip on one or both sides of the center, often associated with a cleft palate. Breastfeeding can be difficult or impossible with a baby with cleft lip.

Cleft palate. A congenital split in the the roof of the mouth. Breastfeeding can be difficult or impossible with a baby with cleft palate.

Clogged or plugged duct: A blockage in a milk duct due a backup of excess breastmilk. Can be the result of improper feeding technique resulting in poor milk extraction, abrupt weaning, and extreme stress hindering letdown. If not properly dealt with through frequent nursing on the affected breast, massaging the plug, addressing the cause, applying heat, etc. then it can turn in mastitis.

Co-sleeping: In current modern usage it general refers to the practice of sleeping in the same bed with one's infant. Originally it referred to any sleeping arrangement where mom and baby slept in the same room but not necessarily in the same bed such with room-sharing, though this broader usage is rare today. (see also bed-sharing and room-sharing).

Colic: A severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen of babies caused by intestinal gas or obstruction in the intestines and suffered especially by babies. It generally includes long bouts of intense crying and according to research tends to be more common and more intense in formula-fed babies.

Colostrum: The first stage of breastmilk that appears typically during the third trimester of pregnancy and lasts for about 3-5 days following the birth. It is typically yellowish or creamy in color and is highly concentrated in terms protein, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and immunoglobulins, a type of anti-body. Babies generally need very little colostrum due to it's high concentration and the glass marble sized stomach of newborns.

Comfort nursing: When a baby is latched on to the breast, not for nutritional purposes, but merely for the comfort of suckling at the breast. Babies are capable of using a different suckling technique when comfort suckling such that they don't draw milk from the breast in the way they normally would when suckling to eat. It is what a pacifier/dummy is intended to simulate, thus comfort nursing is not “using mom as a pacifier”, at least no in the sense of using mom as if her breast was a rubber or plastic nipple for a baby to suck on.

Combo-feeding: Feeding of both breastmilk and formula to a baby at the same time. This can be by offering bottles of combined breastmilk/formula at every feed, supplementing formula bottles after some or all breastfeedings, or breastfeeding/bottle feeding expressed breastmilk for some or most feeds and feeding only formula for other feeds.

Cross-nursing: A practice where one mother breastfeeds the baby of another mother, usually a sister, cousin, or close friend and generally only on a temporarily basis. Unlike wet nursing, the arrangement is generally does not involve a regular long term arrangement to nurse another's baby but rather only occasional or one time nursing under special or emergency circumstances. Cross-nursing moms may agree that they should nurse each others babies (as apposed to offering a bottle) when babysitting them or that in an emergency situations cross-nursing is acceptable.

Cup feeding: Feeding a baby via cup instead of a bottle. Cup feeding is one one way to avoid the risk of nipple confusion with infants who need to be supplemented with formula or expressed breastmilk. In significantly older babies, a sippy cup or beaker (British English) may be used instead of introducing or bottle or as a way to wean off the bottle.

Discrete breastfeeding/nursing: A term that has no single agreed upon meaning but generally describes nursing in public that does not show more of the breast or nearby skin then the user of the term feels is appropriate. To some, discrete nursing means not breastfeeding with an entire breast or nipple exposed or mostly exposed, while others define it either as not exposing any of the breast including cleavage and upper breast or even not breastfeeding in public without a cover over the baby and breast.

Don't offer, don't refuse: A toddler/preschooler weaning method where you don't ever offer to breastfeed but also don't refuse to breastfeed if your child asks for it. LLL is a proponent of the “Don't offer, don't refuse” weaning method, in cases where the parents wishes to encourage the child to wean.

Dr. Thomas Hale: A medical researcher at the Texas Tech University School of Medicine At Amarillo, who is considered one of the preeminent researchers on the subject of the safety and capability of medications while breastfeeding. He publishes the regularly updated reference book “Medications and Mother's Milk” which list many medications and tells you how safe and compatible they are to use while breastfeeding. He also operates a website infantrisk.com that provides additional information not included in the latest addition of his book. He is considered a prominent source for info and whether a medication is safe to use while breastfeeding.

Dummy: A British English term for a pacifier.

Early weaning: A vague term that that has different meanings both in the UK and the US. In the UK it refers to introducing solids to a baby's diet earlier then is generally recommended, say earlier then 4-6 months old. In the U.S. It usually refers to weaning completely from the breast earlier then when the parent had originally wanted or earlier then is generally recommended by major health organizations like the AAP. Thus depending on the context it could refer to either one of two scenarios. 1) A mother who was forced to wean (whether by medical necessity or due to lack of good breastfeeding support) or who unintentionally weaned earlier then they had originally planned. 2) A mother who weans by choice earlier then is generally recommended, say under a year, a year being the minimum recommended breastfeeding duration by the AAP. In both the British and U.S. senses of the term, “early weaning” can be controversial due to controversy over when weaning (in both senses) should occur.

Exclusive pumping: When a nursing mother is not nursing here baby directly at the breast but instead only pumps expressed breast milk to be fed to her baby via a bottle. A mother may end up exclusively pumping by choice or by necessity. When it's a choice, it may be because she has psychologically issues with breastfeeding directly or because she feels it's more convenient for her or her family to exclusively pump instead. When it's not be choice, it's generally because the baby refuses to latch or can't latch or suckle due to medical issues, or because she can't be with the baby to directly nurse so she must send EBM to the baby instead. Some mothers who started out exclusively pumping for whatever reason, manage to transition the baby to nursing at the breast at some point.

Expressed-breastmilk: Breastmilk expressed via a pump or hand-expression from the breast to be fed via a bottle, cup, tube, or other method usually at a later time. A mother may choose to or need to express either because they want other such as DH to be able to do some feedings using a bottle, they need to return to work and want their babies daytime caregiver to be able to do bottle feedings of EBM rather then formula, or because the cannot currently feed the baby at the breast for some reason. Some mothers choose, solely by choice , to exclusively pump and feed BM in a bottle and never feed at the breast. (see also Breast pump, Exclusive pumping , Pumping, and Hand-expression).

Elimination diet: A special type of diet where foods a nursing baby is allergic too are removed from the mother's diet. Since foods that mother eats are passed through her to her breastmilk, if her baby is suspected of having a reaction to some food the mother is eating, the solution is to illuminate the possible food(s) from her diet, usually by removing possible culprits one by one until the reaction stops.

Engorgement: When the breast become full with breastmilk. This is common when a mother's transitional milk comes in but normally goes away on it's own in short time. Extreme engorgement can cause soreness and make nursing difficult though there are ways to relieve engorgement such manual expression or hot compresses. An extended period of engorgement can be one indication of a breastmilk oversupply.

Exclusive breastfeeding/nursing: To feed a baby only by the breast such that the baby is only getting breastmilk and not supplemental formula or solid foods. It is recommended by the AAP to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, with breastmilk and solids after that till at least one year.

Failure to thrive: Failure to thrive is a label applied to babies whose current weight or rate of weight gain is significantly below that of other babies of similar age and sex. It's important to keep in mind that breastfed babies typically follow a different growth pattern the first year then formula-fed babies and thus a “failure to thrive” diagnosis in a breastfed baby should not be based on how they chart in growth chart and especially not how they chart on the older CDC growth charts that were based largely on formula-fed babies (use the newer WHO charts based solely on breastfed babies).

A feed: In British English, the term “a feed” is often used to refer to a feeding at the breast or via a bottle such as “I just gave my baby a feed and now he needs to be burped”.

Finger feeding: A alternative infant feeding method that involves a baby suckling on person's finger with a feeding tube attached to it, which is closer to suckling on a nipple then suckling on a baby bottle nipple. It is used to avoid nipple confusion and teach a baby how to suckle when they refuse to latch or suckling poorly.

Forced-weaning: Forcing a child to wean completely from breastfeeding before the child is ready or willing to do so on their own. Sometimes it may be by necessary due to a medical issue that makes continued breastfeeding unsafe or due to an unavoidable long separation from the mother. Sometimes though it's done simply because the mother no longer wishes to breastfeed any longer, gentle weaning is not working, and delaying complete weaning is not an option they are willing to consider.

Foremilk: The more more watery lower fat milk that comes out first from the breast during a feed, which is followed by the hindmilk, which is much higher in fat. (see also Hindmilk and Foremilk/hind-milk imbalance.

Foremilk/hind-milk imbalance: A common result of breastmilk oversupply, where the baby is getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk at every feed. The problems that can result from it include excess gas, green frothy poo, slow weight gain, and more frequent then normal feeding frequency. (see also Oversupply, Foremilk, and Hind-milk )

Formula: Short for infant/baby formula.The term by itself generally refers only to modern commercial cows milk or soy based formula and excludes homemade formula recipes that where once popular.

Formula defender: A person who actively and regularly defends the feeding of babies formula. Typically, they defend the right of a mother to feed a baby infant formula by solely choice, reminds others that some mothers have no choice but to feed their baby formula, and defends formula as being an acceptable food substance for most babies to be fed. Some formula defenders argue that modern formula is good enough, close enough to, or equal to breastmilk health-wise, disputing the scientific evidence that suggest otherwise. They may argue that bottle-feeding can be superior to breastfeeding in many circumstances but generally do not argue modern formula is superior heath-wise to breastmilk, something only a minority of formula feeding advocates do. (See Formula-feeding advocate).

Formula-feeding advocate: One who does not merely defend formula-feeding but argues that either formula is superior to breastmilk health-wise in most cases, despite scientific evidence to the contrary, and/or that bottle-feeding is superior to breastfeeding in general.They actively advocate that most others moms should formula-feed/bottle-feed due to a belief that modern formula is equal to or close enough to breastmilk and that bottle-feeding formula is otherwise superior in other respects to the act of breastfeeding. A minority of them argue that modern formula is superior to breastmilk in general or that while breastmilk under ideal conditions may be superior, in practice it's more often not due to believing such myths as a fast food diet, pollution/contaminants, etc. make breastmilk in practice for most moms inferior or harmful to the baby. They should not be confused with a formula feeding defender, who merely defends formula feeding but does not actively advocate that most mothers should formula feed. (See Formula defender).

Formula fascist: A derogatory term for extreme formula advocates who are consider to be holding very extreme anti-breastfeeding views. Like the term Breastfeeding Nazi, it's use as a label for anyone is not allowed on iVillage message boards.

Formula feeding: The feeding of infant formula to a baby, typically via a baby bottle though it can through other means too such as via cup or tube feeding .

Full-term breastfeeding/nursing: A term some breastfeeding advocates and supporters have proposed as an alternative to the term “extend breastfeeding” due to concerns that latter portrays breastfeeding a toddler as beyond the norm. There is some disagreement among breastfeeding advocates as to whether “full-term breastfeeding” really is a better alternative or not. Some people object to the term because they feel it could make mothers whose child wean earlier then they desired feel bad and that it seems to imply rigid length of time for “proper breastfeeding duration”.

Galactagogue: A food or drug that promotes or increases the production of a mother's milk.

There are a number of food items, herbal substances, as well as a few prescription drugs that are known to increase a mother's milk supply. Some examples include Fenugreek (a herb also used in south Asian cooking), the drugs Reglan and Domperidone.

Galactosemia: A rare genetic metabolic disorder that affects an individual's ability to metabolize galactose, a type of sugar, properly. Babies with classic Galactosemia cannot be breastfed at all and have to be fed a lactose-free formula such as soy formula. Babies with Duarte Galactosemia often can be breastfed fully but some may only be able to be partly breastfeed.

Hale: See Dr. Thomas Hale.

Hand-expression: The expressing of breastmilk using only one's hands as opposed to using a breast pump.

Hands-free pumping: The ability to pump without having to hold the pump horns onto the breast usually by a special garment the holds the horns in place while pumping though a standard bra can be adapted for this purpose. There are models of pumps and pump accessory kits sold as hand-free pumping kits.

Hind-milk: The more fat-rich milk that comes out of the breast after the foremilk.

Human milk fortifier: A special type of premie formula, that is added to breastmilk to increase the caloric content when feeding certain premature babies. Some controversial exists within the medical community as to when it's necessarily to use it.

(Continued in next post)

[charleen2008]

The following is a glossary of terms used on the BF vs FF IV debate board as well as on the IV BF support boards that I have been working on for the last few months. I realize that many of the regulars here likely are already familiar with most or all the terms in this glossary but there may be lurkers and such who would benefit from it. I have made every effort to correct any typos or misspellings though please feel free to let me know of any you catch. Also, please feel free to correct any errors you feel I made in how I defined each termed. I have posted this as three separate posts as well as in the form of an attachment in PDF format.

Glossary of breastfeeding terms A-H:

American Academy of Pediatrics: A United States medical organization the develops standards for pediatric care and who's membership is open to qualified pediatricians.

Australian Breastfeeding Association: A breastfeeding support organization in Australia, essentially very similar to LLL.

Adoptive breastfeeding: The breastfeeding an adopted baby by way of induced lactation (see also Induced lactation).

Attachment parenting (AP): A parenting philosophy based on the principles of the attachment theory in developmental psychology in which parents, by way of sensitive and emotionally available parenting, strive to form a secure attachment style to their child which fosters the child's socio-emotional development and well being. Some people misinterpret it as involving a long list of requirements for one to qualify as attachment parents. Generally, AP involves extended breastfeeding, child-led weaning, baby-wearing, co-sleeping, and non-violent discipline (i.e not spanking), but one does not need to practice all those things are due them 100% of the time to practice AP, especially if one has medical or logistical reasons for not doing certain AP practices. Like all parenting philosophies, AP is controversial, partly due to the fact that has yet to adequately evaluated scientifically.

Babywearing: The practice of wearing or carrying a baby or child on oneself via a sling or other form of carrier.

Babywise: See On Becoming Babywise.

Baby-led weaning: A method of introducing solid food to a baby's diet, where, rather then starting with pureed baby foods, you start with finger foods that the baby is capable of self-feeding themselves with. With baby-led weaning, you only introduce solids when the baby shows an interest in and demonstrates the capability to pick up foods and feed themselves. This method is in contrast to the more typical method of solids introduction (aka weaning in British English) wherein you start with purees that are fed to the baby via a spoon, then move to finger-foods later on.

Bed sharing: Sleeping with a baby in the one's own bed as apposed to a having the baby sleep in a bassinet or crib/cot. The term bed sharing is synonymous with co-sleeping as the later term is most commonly used today. (see also co-sleeping)

Bottle feeding: Feeding a baby either infant formula or breastmilk via a baby bottle. Due to the fact that most often it's formula that is feed via a bottle, the term bottle feeding by itself is often assumed by many to be synonymous with formula feeding so you may need to be specific when referring to bottle feeding breastmilk.

Breast pump: A device for drawing milk from a woman's breast by suction. A breast pump is one of two ways to extract milk from the breast for feeding a baby via a bottle or other means (other then suckling at the breast), the other being hand expression. Modern versions come in both manual hand-operated and electrical models.

Breast shells: A hollow plastic disks worn inside a bra to protect one's nipple from becoming flattened. and to help correct problems with inverted nipples.

Breastfeeding advocate: Anyone who advocates breastfeeding as the best way to feed babies in general. Please not that there are many different types of breastfeeding advocates from the who recommend breastfeeding only when specifically asked to those that think every women who can breastfeed should be forced to BF whether they like or not. The majority of advocates do not fall on the extreme side contrary to what many formula defenders might claim.

Breastfeeding bully: A derogatory term directed at breastfeeding advocates and support persons (such as lactation consultants, lactation maternity nurses, and doctors) who are judge to be too extreme in the promotion of breastfeeding and method of breastfeeding support. Often characterized as being unwilling to accept a new mom's decision when she says she is going to formula feed or plans give up on breastfeeding or switch to formula. True breastfeeding bullies represent a small number of all advocates and support persons.

Breastfeeding Nazi: An extremely derogatory term for a breastfeeding advocate. Many breastfeeding advocates as well as many Jews object to the term due to the fact that the Nazi's murdered over 7 million Jews and others in concentration camps (among other atrocities) while even the most extreme breastfeeding advocate has done nothing even close to that. Defenders of the term claim they are simply referring to the “a person with extreme authoritarian views” definition common today though many critics argue that this general use of the term nazi argue that it downplays the Nazi's atrocities or extremely exaggerates the wrongdoing of the authoritarian types it's directed at such as in the case of “breastfeeding nazi”, the extreme breastfeeding advocates. It is banned from use as a label for anyone or any group on iVillage message boards, though discussions about the term itself is permissible as part of the breastfeeding vs formula feeding debate.

Breastfeeding/Nursing: Refers to a baby suckling at the breast. Some people use the term to refer to both suckling at the breast and feeding breastmilk from a bottle though many object to this usage due to the possible confusion it can create. Some people say “breastfeeding (at the breast)” when referring solely to suckling at the breast to avoid possible confusion.
Exclusive Pumping: When a lactating mother is not feeding a baby at the breast at all but instead pumping breastmilk for every feed to be fed via a baby bottle.

Breastmilk bank: A place that accepts and stores donations of breastmilk by lactating mothers for use in feeding baby's who have a medical need for expressed breastmilk. They require that the lactating mother's who donate meet certain qualifications and they screen the breastmilk for diseases and such. Breastmilk from a breastmilk bank is typically very expensive per ounce.

Breastmilk feeding: Refers to feeding breastmilk, either directly via the breast or via a bottle. This term is used to avoid confusion with the terms breastfeeding and bottle feeding which are usually assumed to refer only to direct breastfeeding or feeding of formula via a bottle.

Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS): Canada's version of the AAP (see also American Association of Pediatric).

Child-led weaning: A method of weaning where the breastfeeding child is allowed to decide how long to breastfeed for and thus when they are ready to fully wean, as opposed to the mother deciding when to wean (mother-led/parent-lead weaning). Generally all children with rare exception will self-wean somewhere between the ages of 18 months and 7 years old if allowed to. Please note that some people do not consider any sort of restriction placed on what times of day, how often per day, or how long per session the child can nurse to be true child-led weaning while others still consider it child-led weaning so long as it's the child that decides when to give up the last nursing session and not the parent, even if the parent restricts the child's nursing otherwise.

Cleft lip. A congenital split in the upper lip on one or both sides of the center, often associated with a cleft palate. Breastfeeding can be difficult or impossible with a baby with cleft lip.

Cleft palate. A congenital split in the the roof of the mouth. Breastfeeding can be difficult or impossible with a baby with cleft palate.

Clogged or plugged duct: A blockage in a milk duct due a backup of excess breastmilk. Can be the result of improper feeding technique resulting in poor milk extraction, abrupt weaning, and extreme stress hindering letdown. If not properly dealt with through frequent nursing on the affected breast, massaging the plug, addressing the cause, applying heat, etc. then it can turn in mastitis.

Co-sleeping: In current modern usage it general refers to the practice of sleeping in the same bed with one's infant. Originally it referred to any sleeping arrangement where mom and baby slept in the same room but not necessarily in the same bed such with room-sharing, though this broader usage is rare today. (see also bed-sharing and room-sharing).

Colic: A severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen of babies caused by intestinal gas or obstruction in the intestines and suffered especially by babies. It generally includes long bouts of intense crying and according to research tends to be more common and more intense in formula-fed babies.

Colostrum: The first stage of breastmilk that appears typically during the third trimester of pregnancy and lasts for about 3-5 days following the birth. It is typically yellowish or creamy in color and is highly concentrated in terms protein, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and immunoglobulins, a type of anti-body. Babies generally need very little colostrum due to it's high concentration and the glass marble sized stomach of newborns.

Comfort nursing: When a baby is latched on to the breast, not for nutritional purposes, but merely for the comfort of suckling at the breast. Babies are capable of using a different suckling technique when comfort suckling such that they don't draw milk from the breast in the way they normally would when suckling to eat. It is what a pacifier/dummy is intended to simulate, thus comfort nursing is not “using mom as a pacifier”, at least no in the sense of using mom as if her breast was a rubber or plastic nipple for a baby to suck on.

Combo-feeding: Feeding of both breastmilk and formula to a baby at the same time. This can be by offering bottles of combined breastmilk/formula at every feed, supplementing formula bottles after some or all breastfeedings, or breastfeeding/bottle feeding expressed breastmilk for some or most feeds and feeding only formula for other feeds.

Cross-nursing: A practice where one mother breastfeeds the baby of another mother, usually a sister, cousin, or close friend and generally only on a temporarily basis. Unlike wet nursing, the arrangement is generally does not involve a regular long term arrangement to nurse another's baby but rather only occasional or one time nursing under special or emergency circumstances. Cross-nursing moms may agree that they should nurse each others babies (as apposed to offering a bottle) when babysitting them or that in an emergency situations cross-nursing is acceptable.

Cup feeding: Feeding a baby via cup instead of a bottle. Cup feeding is one one way to avoid the risk of nipple confusion with infants who need to be supplemented with formula or expressed breastmilk. In significantly older babies, a sippy cup or beaker (British English) may be used instead of introducing or bottle or as a way to wean off the bottle.

Discrete breastfeeding/nursing: A term that has no single agreed upon meaning but generally describes nursing in public that does not show more of the breast or nearby skin then the user of the term feels is appropriate. To some, discrete nursing means not breastfeeding with an entire breast or nipple exposed or mostly exposed, while others define it either as not exposing any of the breast including cleavage and upper breast or even not breastfeeding in public without a cover over the baby and breast.

Don't offer, don't refuse: A toddler/preschooler weaning method where you don't ever offer to breastfeed but also don't refuse to breastfeed if your child asks for it. LLL is a proponent of the “Don't offer, don't refuse” weaning method, in cases where the parents wishes to encourage the child to wean.

Dr. Thomas Hale: A medical researcher at the Texas Tech University School of Medicine At Amarillo, who is considered one of the preeminent researchers on the subject of the safety and capability of medications while breastfeeding. He publishes the regularly updated reference book “Medications and Mother's Milk” which list many medications and tells you how safe and compatible they are to use while breastfeeding. He also operates a website infantrisk.com that provides additional information not included in the latest addition of his book. He is considered a prominent source for info and whether a medication is safe to use while breastfeeding.

Dummy: A British English term for a pacifier.

Early weaning: A vague term that that has different meanings both in the UK and the US. In the UK it refers to introducing solids to a baby's diet earlier then is generally recommended, say earlier then 4-6 months old. In the U.S. It usually refers to weaning completely from the breast earlier then when the parent had originally wanted or earlier then is generally recommended by major health organizations like the AAP. Thus depending on the context it could refer to either one of two scenarios. 1) A mother who was forced to wean (whether by medical necessity or due to lack of good breastfeeding support) or who unintentionally weaned earlier then they had originally planned. 2) A mother who weans by choice earlier then is generally recommended, say under a year, a year being the minimum recommended breastfeeding duration by the AAP. In both the British and U.S. senses of the term, “early weaning” can be controversial due to controversy over when weaning (in both senses) should occur.

Exclusive pumping: When a nursing mother is not nursing here baby directly at the breast but instead only pumps expressed breast milk to be fed to her baby via a bottle. A mother may end up exclusively pumping by choice or by necessity. When it's a choice, it may be because she has psychologically issues with breastfeeding directly or because she feels it's more convenient for her or her family to exclusively pump instead. When it's not be choice, it's generally because the baby refuses to latch or can't latch or suckle due to medical issues, or because she can't be with the baby to directly nurse so she must send EBM to the baby instead. Some mothers who started out exclusively pumping for whatever reason, manage to transition the baby to nursing at the breast at some point.

Expressed-breastmilk: Breastmilk expressed via a pump or hand-expression from the breast to be fed via a bottle, cup, tube, or other method usually at a later time. A mother may choose to or need to express either because they want other such as DH to be able to do some feedings using a bottle, they need to return to work and want their babies daytime caregiver to be able to do bottle feedings of EBM rather then formula, or because the cannot currently feed the baby at the breast for some reason. Some mothers choose, solely by choice , to exclusively pump and feed BM in a bottle and never feed at the breast. (see also Breast pump, Exclusive pumping , Pumping, and Hand-expression).

Elimination diet: A special type of diet where foods a nursing baby is allergic too are removed from the mother's diet. Since foods that mother eats are passed through her to her breastmilk, if her baby is suspected of having a reaction to some food the mother is eating, the solution is to illuminate the possible food(s) from her diet, usually by removing possible culprits one by one until the reaction stops.

Engorgement: When the breast become full with breastmilk. This is common when a mother's transitional milk comes in but normally goes away on it's own in short time. Extreme engorgement can cause soreness and make nursing difficult though there are ways to relieve engorgement such manual expression or hot compresses. An extended period of engorgement can be one indication of a breastmilk oversupply.

Exclusive breastfeeding/nursing: To feed a baby only by the breast such that the baby is only getting breastmilk and not supplemental formula or solid foods. It is recommended by the AAP to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, with breastmilk and solids after that till at least one year.

Failure to thrive: Failure to thrive is a label applied to babies whose current weight or rate of weight gain is significantly below that of other babies of similar age and sex. It's important to keep in mind that breastfed babies typically follow a different growth pattern the first year then formula-fed babies and thus a “failure to thrive” diagnosis in a breastfed baby should not be based on how they chart in growth chart and especially not how they chart on the older CDC growth charts that were based largely on formula-fed babies (use the newer WHO charts based solely on breastfed babies).

A feed: In British English, the term “a feed” is often used to refer to a feeding at the breast or via a bottle such as “I just gave my baby a feed and now he needs to be burped”.

Finger feeding: A alternative infant feeding method that involves a baby suckling on person's finger with a feeding tube attached to it, which is closer to suckling on a nipple then suckling on a baby bottle nipple. It is used to avoid nipple confusion and teach a baby how to suckle when they refuse to latch or suckling poorly.

Forced-weaning: Forcing a child to wean completely from breastfeeding before the child is ready or willing to do so on their own. Sometimes it may be by necessary due to a medical issue that makes continued breastfeeding unsafe or due to an unavoidable long separation from the mother. Sometimes though it's done simply because the mother no longer wishes to breastfeed any longer, gentle weaning is not working, and delaying complete weaning is not an option they are willing to consider.

Foremilk: The more more watery lower fat milk that comes out first from the breast during a feed, which is followed by the hindmilk, which is much higher in fat. (see also Hindmilk and Foremilk/hind-milk imbalance.

Foremilk/hind-milk imbalance: A common result of breastmilk oversupply, where the baby is getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk at every feed. The problems that can result from it include excess gas, green frothy poo, slow weight gain, and more frequent then normal feeding frequency. (see also Oversupply, Foremilk, and Hind-milk )

Formula: Short for infant/baby formula.The term by itself generally refers only to modern commercial cows milk or soy based formula and excludes homemade formula recipes that where once popular.

Formula defender: A person who actively and regularly defends the feeding of babies formula. Typically, they defend the right of a mother to feed a baby infant formula by solely choice, reminds others that some mothers have no choice but to feed their baby formula, and defends formula as being an acceptable food substance for most babies to be fed. Some formula defenders argue that modern formula is good enough, close enough to, or equal to breastmilk health-wise, disputing the scientific evidence that suggest otherwise. They may argue that bottle-feeding can be superior to breastfeeding in many circumstances but generally do not argue modern formula is superior heath-wise to breastmilk, something only a minority of formula feeding advocates do. (See Formula-feeding advocate).

Formula-feeding advocate: One who does not merely defend formula-feeding but argues that either formula is superior to breastmilk health-wise in most cases, despite scientific evidence to the contrary, and/or that bottle-feeding is superior to breastfeeding in general.They actively advocate that most others moms should formula-feed/bottle-feed due to a belief that modern formula is equal to or close enough to breastmilk and that bottle-feeding formula is otherwise superior in other respects to the act of breastfeeding. A minority of them argue that modern formula is superior to breastmilk in general or that while breastmilk under ideal conditions may be superior, in practice it's more often not due to believing such myths as a fast food diet, pollution/contaminants, etc. make breastmilk in practice for most moms inferior or harmful to the baby. They should not be confused with a formula feeding defender, who merely defends formula feeding but does not actively advocate that most mothers should formula feed. (See Formula defender).

Formula fascist: A derogatory term for extreme formula advocates who are consider to be holding very extreme anti-breastfeeding views. Like the term Breastfeeding Nazi, it's use as a label for anyone is not allowed on iVillage message boards.

Formula feeding: The feeding of infant formula to a baby, typically via a baby bottle though it can through other means too such as via cup or tube feeding .

Full-term breastfeeding/nursing: A term some breastfeeding advocates and supporters have proposed as an alternative to the term “extend breastfeeding” due to concerns that latter portrays breastfeeding a toddler as beyond the norm. There is some disagreement among breastfeeding advocates as to whether “full-term breastfeeding” really is a better alternative or not. Some people object to the term because they feel it could make mothers whose child wean earlier then they desired feel bad and that it seems to imply rigid length of time for “proper breastfeeding duration”.

Galactagogue: A food or drug that promotes or increases the production of a mother's milk.

There are a number of food items, herbal substances, as well as a few prescription drugs that are known to increase a mother's milk supply. Some examples include Fenugreek (a herb also used in south Asian cooking), the drugs Reglan and Domperidone.

Galactosemia: A rare genetic metabolic disorder that affects an individual's ability to metabolize galactose, a type of sugar, properly. Babies with classic Galactosemia cannot be breastfed at all and have to be fed a lactose-free formula such as soy formula. Babies with Duarte Galactosemia often can be breastfed fully but some may only be able to be partly breastfeed.

Hale: See Dr. Thomas Hale.

Hand-expression: The expressing of breastmilk using only one's hands as opposed to using a breast pump.

Hands-free pumping: The ability to pump without having to hold the pump horns onto the breast usually by a special garment the holds the horns in place while pumping though a standard bra can be adapted for this purpose. There are models of pumps and pump accessory kits sold as hand-free pumping kits.

Hind-milk: The more fat-rich milk that comes out of the breast after the foremilk.

Human milk fortifier: A special type of premie formula, that is added to breastmilk to increase the caloric content when feeding certain premature babies. Some controversial exists within the medical community as to when it's necessarily to use it.

(Continued in next post)

[charleen2008]

Glossary of breastfeeding terms I-P:

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC): Indicates a lactation consultant who has passed IBLCE certification program and thus identifies them as a knowledgeable and experienced member of the maternal-child health team who has specialized skills in breastfeeding management and care. The IBLCE certification program offers the only credential in lactation consulting and is available globally. IBCLCs have passed a rigorous examination that demonstrates the ability to provide competent, comprehensive lactation and breastfeeding care. Note that anyone can call themselves a lactation consultant and some even obtain a certificate that indicate completion of some sort of course in breastfeeding support, but unless they are certified as IBCLC's then you don't know exactly how much training they have had if any, except unless they are also an LLL leader, since LLL does have it's own strict qualifications for becoming an LLL leader.

Induced lactation: Manually inducing lactation through various means as apposed having lactation occur naturally as a part of pregnancy. If can usually be done via nipple stimulation alone using a breast pump but often various medications that help with inducing lactation are used in addition to make the process easier. Induced lactation in how a adoptive mother is able to breastfeed as well as when one's child is born by a surrogate mother.

Insufficient glandular tissue (of the Breast): Lack of breast tissue caused by inadequate or poor development  of the lactating structure in the breast. Can be unilateral, bilateral or may affect only one portion of the breast. Some mothers with insufficient glandular tissue may be able to at least partially breastfeed while others will produce little or no milk at all and must feed formula or donated breastmilk.

Inverted nipples: Nipples that protrude inwards and can make it difficult for a baby to latch thus making breastfeeding more difficult. There are a number of solutions to correct inverted nipples such as breast shells (see also Breast shells).
Jaundice/Hyperbilirubinemia: In the context of breastfeeding/formula feeding it refers to neonatal/ newborn jaundice, is a common medical condition where the infant's skin and whites of the eyes become yellow due to excess bilirubin in the blood. If the level of bilirubin becomes too high it can cause severe medical issues and even death for the infant. Physiological (normal) jaundice is the most common type of neonatal jaundice and in breastfed babies, so long as the baby nursing frequently and getting sufficient colostrum that is usually all that is need in mild to moderate cases as colostrum is very effective at removing the bilirubin via the baby's poop. More severe cases often require the use of a special phototherapy lights to bring down the bilirubin level.

Lactation: The secretion of milk by the mammary gland of the female breast.

Lactation aid: A device for supplementing a breastfed baby at the breast with formula or expressed breastmilk. It involves a bottle or bag with a tube that is attached the nipple area of the breast so as the baby suckles from the breast, they also get supplemental formula or expressed breastmilk at the same time. The name “Supplemental Nursing System“ (SNS) is often used as a synonym for lactation aid, though it actually refers to brand of lactation aid made by Medela, a major manufacturer of breast pumps.

Lactation consultant (LC): A person who provides instruction and support for breastfeeding mothers include instruction on proper breastfeeding technique and practice as well as advice on resolving breastfeeding issues. Note that only IBCLC's currently meet rigorous standards, as other LC's may either have taken only a brief course in breastfeeding support or have no formal training whatsoever. Since anyone may call themselves an LC, you should look for one certified as an IBCLC when seeking out an LC. Some LLL leaders also work as LC's as there day job, though all LLL leaders due meet LLL leadership requirements which certifies that they are capable of providing basic breastfeeding support.

Lactivism: Refers to the practice of promoting breastfeeding with that engage in such promotion are known as lactivists.

Lactaid: A brand of lactation aid similar to the Medela Supplemental Nursing System (SNS). (see also Lactation Aid and Supplemental Nursing System).

Lactmed: A database run by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that list all available data on the safety of breastfeeding while on various medications.

Lacto-fascist: A derogatory term for a breastfeeding advocate or supporter (such as LC or LLL leader) who is considered too extreme or cruel in there degree of advocacy or method of support. It is also a controversial term for much the same reasons breastfeeding nazi is and is also banned from use as a label for anyone on all iVillage message boards.

Lactose Intolerance: Also called lactase deficiency, it is the inability to digest and metabolize a sugar found in milk. It is caused by a lack of the enzyme lactase in the digestive system, required to break down lactose. There are several forms of lactose intolerance but the form that can prevent breastfeeding outright is congenital lactose intolerance, very rare genetic condition that prevents a newborn from digest lactose properly and is very serious. More commonly though, a cows milk protein allergy may be misdiagnosed as congenital lactose intolerance and the mother told she must wean to lactose-free formula when in reality, such a mom only needs to remove dairy from her diet so that milk proteins are no longer passed on the baby via her breastmilk.

Latch: The way the baby mouth is attached to the breast during breastfeeding.

Letdown: The release of milk from the breast in a nursing mother. Extreme stress can make letdown more difficult. Sometimes letdown can triggered even when a baby is not at the breast such as upon hearing a baby's cry.

Le Leche League (LLL): A breastfeeding support organization started in the late 1950's, near Chicago, Illinois, which eventually spread internationally by the early 1960's. Operates in support groups in many countries with a notable exception of most of Australia which is served by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (See ABA). It is free for a mother to attend a LLL group meeting but memberships in LLL are also available which provide special benefits. All Leaders of LLL groups must meet certain qualifications such as having breastfeed at least one child for at least year, agreeing with the LLL philosophy, have reading certain LLL material, and working alongside a current leader for a year.

Manual expression: A method of of expressing milk from the breast using only one's hands rather then by means of a breast pump. It can be useful in an emergency situation to relieve engorgement or to express milk when one has no access to a breast pump.

Mastitis: An inflammation of the mammary glands of a woman's breast typically due to a bacterial infection. It often requires antibiotics to treat it and it can lead to an abscess that requires surgery to drain, especially if the mother does treat it early enough and does not properly clear milk from the breast by breastfeeding through the bout of mastitis.

Mature milk: The form of breastmilk that comes in around two weeks, after the transitional milk, and is 90% water and 10% carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. There are two subtypes of mature milk: foremilk and hind-milk (see separate entries for foremilk and hind-milk).

Medications and Mother's Milk: See Dr. Thomas Hale.

Militant/extremist/extreme/fanatical/radical/zealot breastfeeding advocate: These are all adjectives that used to describe breastfeeding advocates who's approach to breastfeeding advocacy is thought to be too extreme or fanatical. Some of the characteristics typically assigned to militant breastfeeding advocate include accosting formula feeding mothers in public or elsewhere, not recognize formula as valid feeding choice ever or only in the most limited circumstances, advocating formula be banned, and suggesting formula feeders are all just selfish, ignorant, dumb, etc.. These adjectives are generally considered less controversial then “breastfeeding nazi”, “lacto-fascist”, and other more similar extreme labels for certain breastfeeding advocates, and thus considered acceptable for use on iVillage message boards. (See also Breastfeeding nazi and Lacto-fascist)

Milk bleb/blister: A milk bleb or blister is condition where a tiny bit of skin overgrows a milk duct and causes milk to back up. It can be painful but is treatable, if it does not clear up on it's own.

Milk protein allergy: An allergy where the babies reacts to milk proteins found in cow's milk comes from dairy products in the a nursing mom's diet that are passed on through her breastmilk or through the feeding of cow's milk based formula. In breastfed babies, it is sometimes wrongly diagnosed as lactose intolerance or or an allergy to the mothers milk in and of itself and thus moms are sometimes told wean in cases where simply removing diary from their diet would solve the issue. In formula-fed babies, either soy formula is used or special hypoallergenic formula is used to deal with cow milk protein allergies.

Mixed-feeding: Usually refers to the feeding of solids to a baby in addition to breastmilk or formula. Most health groups recommend this take place no earlier then 6 months old. The term is also sometimes used as a synonym for combo-feeding.

Mother-to-mother breastmilk donation: A form of breastmilk sharing that does not involve a breastmilk bank but rather informal arrangements between lactating mothers and a mother (or father) who wishes or needs to feed their baby breastmilk rather then formula. The exact specifics of the arrangement may very such the donee agreeing to pay for the cost of shipping and the donor agreeing to have the milk tested for disease and such. There are websites such as Milkshare, that help mothers looking to for donated EBM to connect with lactating mothers looking to donate. Be aware that there is a lot of controversy over how safe breastmilk obtained through mother-to-mother can be. Some moms believe the risk of worth it due to the high cost banked breastmilk, the limited number of breastmilk banks, and the limited supply of breastmilk at each bank. Even in cases where a mother may be able to use formula from a medical standpoint, some believe that the avoiding significant risks of formula justifies using mother-to-mother donated EBM, regardless of the risks.

National Childbirth Trust (NCT): A UK charity that provides information on pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting including promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

National Health Service (NHS): The name of the publicly funded healthcare system in England. Two others publicly funded healthcare systems in the UK also use the name “National Health Service” in their name, NHS Scotland and NHS Wales, though they are not referred to simply as NHS. NHS is one of the two main medical organizations putting out breastfeeding advice and guidelines along with the NCT (see also National Childbirth Trust).

Natural weaning: An alternative term for child-led weaning used by LLL and some LC's and other breastfeeding supporters who argue that the term child-led weaning implies the child is solely in charge of weaning without any input by the mother where as natural weaning better emphasis that the fact that weaning is a mutual process between mother and child.

Night weaning: Weaning a baby from the breast during the overnight hours while still continuing to breastfeed at others times of day.

Nipple confusion: A problem that can occur after giving a breastfed baby a bottle in the early weeks where the baby begins to prefer the bottle over the breast due to differences in the suckling technique and ease of feeding between them. It of particular concern in the first 3 weeks after birth when breastfeeding is being established and though not all babies will suffer nipple confusion if given a bottle before 3 there is no way to know ahead of time which babies are susceptible.

Nipple shield: A flexible silicone nipple that is worn over the mom's nipple during a feeding. It is used in cases where the baby is refusing to latch, is suffering from nipple confusions, or where the mother is experiencing painful cracked and bleeding nipples.
Nursing in public: Breastfeeding while in a public place such out on a street, in a park, in a store or restaurant, etc. Some people object to it as incident, something they feel is only to be done in private. Others are OK with it if done “discretely” though there is no agreement on exactly what “discrete” breastfed entails though the use of cover over the baby and the breast while feeding of some sort is often mentioned as requirement. Many U.S. States and Western countries provide exemption for publicly nursing mothers from charges of indecency and may also prohibit others from harassment or
discrimination.

Nursing Strike: When a baby (under a year old) refuses to breastfeed (and is not in the process of being weaned) is referred to as going on a "nursing strike." rather then self-weaning. Many confuse a nursing strike with self-weaning though breastfeeding experts consider it extremely rare for a baby to self-wean under the age of one (or 18 months in the view of some experts). Generally caused by something being wrong with the baby such as illness, teething, or something that scared the baby off breastfeeding such as mother yelling due bitting of her nipple. (see also Self-weaning).

On Becoming Babywise: Commonly referred to just as Babywise, it's a very controversial parenting book by Gerry Ezzo and Dr. Robert Bucknam that become notorious in the breastfeeding support community for it's dangerous advice regarding breastfeeding. In early editions it recommend very strict breastfeeding schedules of every 4 hours from the very beginning, something know to cause milk supply issues. As a result, many breastfed mothers who followed the book where experiencing problems with their child not getting enough breastmilk and suffering dangerous weight loss. While the strict breastfeeding scheduling advice of the early editions was modified in later editions to be less strict, critics argue they did not adequately address the issue properly. The book is also controversial for it's harsh criticism of attachment parenting, it's recommendations regarding physical punishment of babies, and it's approach to CIO, among many other things.

Oversupply: A conditions where a lactating mother's breast produces more milk then her baby or babies needs. It can lead to problems such overactive letdown and a foremilk/hind-milk imbalance (see Overactive letdown and a Foremilk/hind-milk imbalance).

Overactive letdown: A condition where the milk flows from a lactating breast to fast for the baby to properly handle the flow. Generally the result of a case of oversupply (see Oversupply).

Oxytocin: A hormone released by the pituitary gland that causes increased contraction of the uterus during labor and stimulates the ejection of milk into the ducts of the breasts.

Mother-led/parent-led weaning: Any method of weaning a child from breastfeeding where a mother takes steps to encourage their child to fully wean from the breast earlier then the child would otherwise if left to decide completely on their own. Sometimes it involves forced weaning cold-turkey due to medical reasons or because the mother simply can't stand breastfeeding a moment longer though that is generally not recommended if possible (see note at Child-led weaning for definition issues between this and child-led weaning.).

Partial weaning: Replacing some a baby's feedings at the breast with formula feeds but not completely stopping breastfeeding and switching to formula. If formula is introduced in place of some feeds then one is a form of combo-feeding. In some cases, increased solids and/or cows milk (for babies over a year old) may be introduced in place of breastfeed.

Plugged duct: See Clogged duct.

Premie: Short for premature baby.

Prolactin: A hormone released from the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates milk production after childbirth. Some medical conditions can interfere with prolactin production and thus make breastfeeding difficult or impossible.

Pump: To express breastmilk using a breast pump.

Pump-and-dump: The practice of pumping breastmilk that you then dump down the drain. This is done as a way to maintain your supply if you can't breastfeed for period of time due to a medication you must take is unsafe to use while breastfeeding but for where you wish to ensure your supply does not decrease due or that you suffer engorgement due to a missed feeding. Contrary to popular belief, pumping and dumping is generally not required when nursing mom's have consumed an alcoholic beverage as alcohol will dissipate from breastmilk just as it does from your system, simply by the passage of time thus simply holding off on breastfeeding for a couple of hours after each drink is sufficient. 

(Continued in next post)

[charleen2008]

Gklossary of breastfeeding terms R-Z

Ready-to-feed: A method of packaging infant formula, where the formula is packaged in individual disposable baby bottles ready to feed a baby without any preparation required ahead of time as apposed to the more popular choice of using cans of either powdered or concentrated formula that have to be mixed with water prior to feeding. While convenient, it also much more expensive then powdered or concentrated formula. It does though come with less risk of contamination then powdered formula which not generally considered sterile.

Relactation: The practice of using techniques for manually induced lactation in order to bring back the milk supply of a mother of a baby who's supply has dried up.

Room sharing: The practice of having a baby sleep in the same room as the parents but in a separate bassinet or crib/cot rather then in the same bed as them, which is know as co-sleeping and bed-sharing. (see also Co-sleeping and Bed sharing).

Self-weaning: When a nursing child decides, generally without much or any pushing from others, they no longer need and wish to breastfeeding any longer. It is rare for a baby to self-wean prior to a year. With rare exception, all children will generally self -wean between 2-7 years of age, unless the mother forces or encourages weaning earlier then then that. The concept of self-weaning plays a key role in the practice of child led-weaning. (see also Child-led weaning).

Sling: A type of pouch for carrying a baby as part of the practice of baby-wearing. They are often used in the early months by baby-wearers to facilitate hands-free breastfeeding (see also Baby-wearing).

Suckle/suckling: In general it means to feed a baby from the breast. More specifically, it refers to the sucking method a baby uses while breastfeeding. Suckling involves involves an extension and retraction of the tongue with liquid being obtained with a rhythmic licking motion of the tongue combined with the jaw opening and closing. A baby who is nursing is sometimes know as a suckling, though it's less common to refer to them as such these days.

Supplemental Nursing System (SNS): A brand of lactation aid made by Medela. The name Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) is often used at generic term for lactation aids in general despite being a specific brand name,

Tandem nursing: The practice of nursing two babies or children at the same time. It can refer either to nursing twins at the same time, one on each breast, or it can refer to nursing a baby and toddler/preschooler at the same time.

Teat: A British English term for a baby bottle nipple.

Thrush: An infection of the mother's breast(s) and often also the mouth and throat of the baby by a yeast-like fungus. It often cause a painful burning of the nipple and makes breastfeeding painful but can be treated either by herbal remedies , prescription drugs, or a combination of both. It will be passed back and forth between mother and baby unless both are properly treated for it.

Tongue-tie: A malformation of the tongue due to a too short frenulum which can make breastfeeding very difficult or impossible. A simple outpatient procedure (when done early on) know as frenulum clipping will resolve the issue.

Tube feeding: Feeding a baby via a feeding tube either inserted into the stomach via nasal passage (for short term use) or via a hole made the abdominal wall (for long term use).. Also known as gavage or enteral feeding. With infants, it used with those that have problems feeding from the breast or a bottle such as very early premature babies or babies with conditions that interfere with normal swallowing of food.

Transitional milk: The milk that comes in around 3-5 days after birth following the production colostrum, and last about 2 weeks, until the transition to mature milk.

Weaning: The term weaning has slightly different meanings depending on whether your speaking British English or American English. In the original sense of weaning, and the meaning still used in British English speaking countries, it refers to accustoming a child, typically a baby, to foods others then breastmilk or formula. In that sense it essentially refers to the introduction of solids. In American English the term is mostly used to refer to the process of completely stopping breastfeeding of a baby or child (unless it's specified that it's formula or the bottle from which the baby or child is being weaned from). Thus when an American or Canadian mom talks about weaning their baby they generally mean they are try to get the baby or child to completely stop breastfeeding while the British/Australian/New Zealander mom is simply talking about introducing solid foods.

Wet nurse: A women who breastfeeds another's woman's baby, especially one who does it for pay or on a voluntary but regular basis. Once a common as form of employment as well as an informal practice prior to the invention of formula, they have largely disappeared in the modern era. Like mother-to-mother breastmilk donation, the practice is controversial and considered by many either too risky health-wise or too intimate of an act that allow another mom to due with their child. Voluntarily nursing another mothers baby on occasion rather then regularly or for pay is generally referred to as cross-nursing these days. (See also Cross-nursing)

Whipping it out: Refers to the alleged practice of some public breastfeeders where they supposedly whip out a breast to nurse in public such that it is, if only briefly, completely exposed for anyone to see. Many public breastfeeding defenders argue this rarely if ever happens and that most cases of supposed “whipping out of the breast” actually involve less exposure of the breast then some skimpy tops.

World Health Organization (WHO): An agency of the United Nations (UN) that works to promote health and control communicable disease. One of the things the do is promote breastfeeding around the world. Contrary to popular belief, there recommendations regarding breastfeeding duration do not apply solely to developing countries even though they primarily focus on such countries. There recommendations and research on infant feeding have influenced health groups such as the AAP and NHS.

[witch_power]

a bump for the newbies!

[charleen2008]

bump again!