Thrush is a fungus that can cause symptoms in both mum and baby.  It thrives in dark moist environments and can affect nipples and milk ducts.

Mother's Symptoms

• Intense nipple or breast pain (not linked to a poor latch or positioning)
• Itchy or burning nipple
• Pink, red, shiny, flaky or rashy patches around the nipple area
• Cracked nipples
• Shooting pains during or after feeding
• Vaginal yeast infection
• Recent use of antibiotics may also be an indicator.

In recent years the Dept of Health guidelines on weaning babies have changed from 4 months to 6 months. Yet mums are still weaning their babies earlier than recommended.  There is a huge pressure on mums to move their baby onto the next stage as quickly as possible. With the mother in law, friends and even some health professionals pushing for early weaning it can be really hard for mums to hold back and wait yet evidence shows that babies that wait to around 6 months to wean are better able to cope with solid foods and progress quicker.  Weaning can be an exciting time as baby explores taste and textures for the first time and mum takes many a photo of yogurt covered, orange stained faces for future embarrassment.  But only if baby is ready.

Expressing milk can be hard work so every drop is precious.  Follow these guidelines for safe storing of your breastmilk:

• Breastmilk can be kept at room temperature for up to 4 hours.
• You can store breastmilk in the fridge for up to 5 days (at 0-4°c).  Put it at the top back where its coldest.
• In the freezer breastmilk will keep for up to 6 months and in an ice box at the top of the fridge for 2 weeks.
• Breastmilk should be defrosted in the fridge and once thawed use it straight away and never refreeze. (DofH current guidelines)

So we've all heard the phrase "Breast is Best" and it seems obvious, to me anyway, that human milk is  designed for human babies.  But do you know why it's the superior choice?  The list of benefits for babies, mums and society as a whole is huge...

Benefits for Baby

Breastmilk is a living substance that continually changes to meet the demands of a growing baby.  It has all the nutrients a baby needs in the right quantities for each stage of development.  Because its a living substance it is packed full of antibodies which protect against infections and inhibit harmful bacteria and viruses. Breastfed babies have fewer allegies, less ear infections, less gastointestinal (tummy) bugs, and less respiratory infections than babies given artificial milk.