Breastfeeding is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as the exclusive source of nutrition for feeding young infants for the first six months of life. Data suggest that not only are there psychological benefits from its use, but nutritional, gastrointestinal, and host defense benefits as well. Some women are unable or unwilling to breastfeed and there is nothing wrong with that. However, a woman who desires to breastfeed should know how to access all of the resources available that can help support her efforts.

Influenza is a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract. It is especially risky in pregnant women and increases the risk of premature delivery, abortion, and stillbirth. Pregnant women are also at an increased risk of complications from the virus. These complications include pneumonia followed by ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) requiring hospitalization and mechanical ventilation.

When faced with a health concern, the first place that many people go is the internet. Although having medical advice at your fingertips is convenient, your search bar may not be the best bet for obtaining accurate information. A study done on the validity of information found online regarding Lyme disease showed that many websites, claiming to be leaders in information regarding Lyme disease, were providing inaccurate information, especially about breastfeeding while infected with Lyme disease.

The amount of a drug that is excreted into breastmilk depends on a number of kinetic factors. Using these kinetic terms, one can frequently estimate the probability that a medications will enter will, but the only true test is the research studies published in the literature. With these in hand we can frequently estimate the absolute dosage an infant will receive from his/her mother's milk.

There are basically two reasons that a mother's milk is red. Sometimes a small rupture in a blood capillary in the nipple or the breast may turn milk pink. The second reason is a bacterium called Serratia marsescens.

A recent study estimated that 1 in 5 Americans are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in a handful of foods (e.g. fatty fish or cod liver oil). Vitamin D is also produced in the body after sun exposure and can be obtained from supplements and food additives.

Migraines frequently affect women during their childbearing years. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, women need to be cautious about the medications they are using to treat their migraines. A variety of safe and effective treatment options remain available to manage this condition.