Worldwide, more than 15 million babies are born prematurely each year. In the US, that number is close to 500,000. Due to the increased incidence of multiple births resulting from fertility treatments, as well as medical technology that has increased the survival rates for extremely preterm babies, the numbers are rising. Between 5% and 18% of babies worldwide are born …

We’ve all heard that breast is best for our babies, but the reality of breastfeeding can be much more difficult than this pithy expression can overcome. When I got pregnant, there was no question that I was going to breastfeed. I didn’t know quite what the experience would be like, but the reality was nothing at all like what I …

Ask Anne… Question: My baby is a month old and my nipples are  so sore that I want to stop nursing and switch from breast milk to formula.  How do I keep myself from becoming engorged or getting mastitis when I wean? Answer: Before beginning the weaning process, I would really want to find out why you’re still having problems with …

Ask Anne… Question: How long do you need to nurse in order for your baby to receive the brain-growth and immunological benefits of breast milk? And, though I’m sure it varies widely from mom to mom, how seldom can you nurse and still maintain a milk supply? Is it possible to maintain a steady-state of milk, or does the supply gradually, …

Ask Anne… Question: I’m nursing my 3 month old and haven’t had any nipple soreness since the first few days after she was born. However, for the past week  my right nipple has been very sore. At the end of every feeding, the tissue at the center of my nipple is white. There isn’t any pus or discharge, but it is very painful.  …

Ask Anne… I am currently trying to relactate. I work full time Monday thru Friday from 8-5, and my job doesn’t allow me much time to pump. I hand express whenever I can, and then I try to latch her on as soon as I get home. The problem is that she gets really mad when not much milk comes …

Dear Mama, One day, you will tell me not to cry over spilled milk. And I will tell you that you’re silly because I’ve seen and heard you cry over spilled milk many times before, mama. I saw you cry the night I was born prematurely; too soon for this already harsh world. With your hands tightly clenched, you held …

Ask Anne… Question: I went back to work when my baby boy was 3 months old. He  is now 6 months old, and just starting to eat solid food. He  still nurses several times a day, especially at night. I’ve been pumping at work twice a day to maintain my milk supply, and so far, I haven’t had to supplement with formula. …