Laktkursi - Articles

Dummies and Pacifiers: Should you pack one in your hospital bag?

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 09:17:00 +0000

Whether you call it a dummy, a pacifier, or even a soother, the question remains the same: "Should you take it to the labour ward or not?" This is a dilemma faced by many parents.

If you aren’t planning to exclusively bottle-feed and formula-feed from birth and your baby is born on time, then my answer is 'no' .

Not only is a dummy unnecessary for a newborn in the first few days, but it can also affect the establishment of breastfeeding and lactation.

It’s called a 'dummy' because it mimics the real thing. It was invented as a substitute for the breast, not the other way round. It is empty; the baby will suck on it and receive no milk. When sucking on a dummy, the baby experiences a false sense of fullness at a hormonal level. experiences a false sense of fullness at the hormonal level. This is crucial to ensure the baby gets enough calories, has energy, keeps weight loss within normal limits after birth, and starts gaining weight as quickly as possible after the ‘milk comes in’.

Lately, I’ve been seeing many sleepy babies during my consultations. For them, it’s particularly important that whenever they are sucking, they are sucking at the breast and getting milk.

Breast milk:

will help to pass meconium,
will help reduce the severity of physiological jaundice,
provides the energy to suckle more and for longer,
stimulates the breast. This means that milk will ‘come in’ faster/on time, and greater potential for milk production will be established.
And babies learn to breastfeed in the first few days. It is important for them to learn to latch on correctly and effectively, and to practise suckling. A pacifier, whatever its shape or material, does not provide the same sucking technique. A shallow latch and ineffective sucking 'learned' from a dummy can then be transferred to breastfeeding. This can then lead to painful breastfeeding and sore nipples.
In the long term, ineffective suckling leads to poorer emptying of the breast and reduced milk production.
There is also a risk of the baby refusing the breast if bottle and pacifier are introduced too early.

Once breastfeeding is well-established, birth weight has been regained, and weight gain is optimal, you can then consider introducing a dummy.I’m always against blind fanaticism. As well as its impact on breastfeeding, dummies carry various risks and potential negative effects, but there are families for whom this parenting tool may be necessary. I am all for informed choice.

Where can I find the latest scientifically proven recommendations on pacifier use?
How long should it be used for?
How should it be used correctly?
How can I avoid a difficult weaning process?
How can I wean my baby off the dummy gently?

You can get clarity on all these points during our mini-consultations. In just 30 minutes, you’ll receive comprehensive guidance tailored to your specific needs.

And if you’re preparing for motherhood, why not book an antenatal consultation? We’ll discuss much more than just dummies — from what to expect in those first few days to baby care and how to avoid the most common breastfeeding challenges.

Navigating motherhood with confidence, together.

Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova

Does eating butter before bed improve children's sleep?

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 19:53:00 +0000

I came across the ‘butter before bed’ trend on social media: giving butter to babies before bedtime to help them sleep better.

At first, I thought, "Why haven't I heard about this before?" Then I started to have doubts. I'm always wary of super-methods and easy solutions to complex problems. Because I know that humans are complex, and simple solutions often don't take into account the complexity of the situation.

So I decided to look for scientific articles or any reliable evidence of the effectiveness and, most importantly, the safety of this method. And... unfortunately, I couldn't find any.

There is no scientific evidence of the effectiveness of this method.
The possible negative impact on the baby's body of consuming such a large amount of butter, a source of saturated fat, before bedtime have also not been studied.

What else should be taken into account:

The number of times a child wakes up at night is affected by a large number of factors. And it's not just hunger.

These can be physiological, medical reasons, teething, heat, colds, age, growth spurts, lactation crisis, activities and stress during the day, separation from mom during the day, nutrition during the day, screen time (especially before bed) and sweets in the diet, iron deficiency, and much more.

In addition, the ability to sleep for long periods at night and to fall asleep if wake up gradually develops and is linked to brain development. This brain development cannot be skipped. It is also linked to age and individual characteristics of babies. Children differ in how often they wake up at night, but all babies tend to wake up at night, especially in the first year of life.

The question is whether a couple of tablespoons of butter can solve such a complex issue as sleep. The answer is probably “no”.

But let's assume that it helps someone. Then the question is about the safety of this method.

Fats are important for the development of a child's body. Fats can be saturated, unsaturated, or trans fats. Trans fats should be avoided, and unsaturated fats are preferable to saturated fats. Although both types of fats are important in the diet, they should be consumed in certain proportions. Unsaturated fats should predominate.

Butter is a source of saturated fat. Moderate amounts of butter used as an additive can supplement the diet. However, feeding spoonfuls of pure butter, especially to children who have not yet reached the age of complementary feeding, is cause for concern.

The baby may choke.
The portion of butter may be too large for their age.
Butter may replace breastfeeding or formula feeding.

Would I recommend giving butter at night if there were questions about sleep or weaning during a consultation? No. I only share verified information. We often discuss the baby's diet during consultations on weaning. But this is only one element of many approaches.

Butter is yet another attempt to improve sleep for sleep-deprived and tired parents. It is like continuing the trend of using flakes, cereals, rice, porridge before bedtime or adding them to milk at night. Research and time have proven their ineffectiveness.

I know that sleep deprivation can sometimes cause despair in parents. But I urge you not to give in to easy, untested solutions.

My work is based on a holistic approach. Sleep, development and nutrition are inseparable.

And remember, you can always write to me. Sometimes one conversation can solve everything!

Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova

Breastfeeding a second baby

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:48:00 +0000

Today we will discuss what to expect when breastfeeding a second baby.

First, a fact that inspires:

With each new pregnancy and lactation, the structure of the breast develops more and more, so often with the next baby there is more milk. At the same time, it is worth, of course, taking into account other factors that can make these changes less obvious.

Therefore, if you have encountered any difficulties with feeding and challenges related to milk supply, it does not necessarily mean that you will experience the same with your second child.

If the mum has experienced and knows that she has flat or inverted nipples, and this was an obstacle last time, it is also worth discussing this issue with a consultant before giving birth. In many cases, there are solutions available during pregnancy, as well as special recommendations for feeding in such cases. Knowing and applying them from the first day after giving birth can significantly improve the breastfeeding experience.

It is also worth keeping in mind that each child is unique. And the breastfeeding experience with each will be unique. Each child's temperament may be different, and the needs for duration, frequency of feedings, and volume of milk as well.

There are cases when breastfeeding with previous children proceeded smoothly, but with the 2nd, 3rd, 4th baby the mother encountered pitfalls, for example, a tongue-tie. Despite having more experience, don't be shy about asking for help. When becoming a mother for the second time, a woman is often more relaxed and knows a lot about development and upbringing. But it is perfectly normal to ask for advice.

If pregnancies are closely spaced and the older child is still breastfeeding, then it is possible to continue feeding him during pregnancy and maintain tandem feeding after the birth of the younger child. Three rules are important to consider here:

The youngest always takes priority.
It is necessary to consult with a doctor about the fact that there are no risks of premature birth and other risks.
If the eldest is not yet a year old, then it should be taken into account that in the second half of pregnancy the amount of milk may decrease, and the weight gain of the older baby should be monitored.

With a second child, things will definitely be different. Although you will have more experience and confidence, both children will require attention. Therefore, by preparing a support team and assigning roles in advance, the postpartum period will be more peaceful.

And if you have a question that you want to figure out, you can take advantage of a mini-consultation.

See you at the consultation!

Your lactation consultant,

Aleksandra Nekrasova

Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova

Postpartum hair loss

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 14:27:00 +0000

Hair loss or thinner hair after childbirth is experienced by many women. So far, few studies have been conducted on this topic.

The main cause of this phenomenon is considered to be hormonal changes during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Hair grows in several phases. Changes in the hormonal background during pregnancy affect the phases of hair growth. The growth phase of the follicles are longer and the resting phase is delayed. This slows down hair loss during pregnancy. As a result, less hair falls out during pregnancy.

And as a rule, a few months after childbirth a woman begins to notice an increase in hair loss. Many women are scared. It's the hair that falls out that didn't fall out during pregnancy. Because after giving birth, the hair that was in a longer growth phase during pregnancy begins to fall out. Often, the beginning of this process is observed a few weeks or months after giving birth, and this process lasts for several months. The good news is that this is a passing process that can go away on its own by 6-12 months after delivery.

It's also possible that the season can also have an impact. For instance, there is more hair loss in autumn and spring.

Emotional and physiological stress, which may accompany childbirth and the postpartum period, is also mentioned as a cause.

A balanced and varied diet and choosing the right shampoo can have a beneficial effect on the quality of hair during this period.

However, if you have any doubts or questions, or if hair loss continues for a longer period, consult a doctor. Because there are other reasons that can contribute to more severe hair loss. The doctor will be able to advise you on the necessary tests, diagnostics and solutions.

Pregnancy and the postnatal period bring changes in a woman's body. Knowing about them will help you to live this period with more confidence and peace of mind. Subscribe to my Facebook and Instagram pages to learn more!

Have you experienced increased hair loss after childbirth? Share your story in the comments!

Sources:

American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss in new moms. Available on aad.org (last view 03.06.2025).

Ekmekci, 2014. The changes in the hair cycle during gestation and the post-partum period.

Lynfield, 1960. Effect of pregnancy on the human hair cycle.

Malkud, 2015. Telogen effluvium: a review.

Mirallas & Grimalt, 2016. The postpartum telogen effluvium fallacy.

Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova

Juices in children's diet

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 18:38:00 +0000

In caring for the baby, thinking that it will be better and healthier, many parents offer juices to their babies. And often at a very young age. The benefits of juices are controversial. Let's look at the recommendations.

The American Paediatric Association recommends:

Avoid juices in complementary foods for children under 12 months of age.

ESPGHAN* agrees.

Fruit juice has no nutritional value for infants under 1 year of age.
Fruit juice has no nutritional value compared to whole fruit for infants and children and does not play an essential role in a healthy balanced diet for children.
No juice, even freshly squeezed juice, compares to fruit. Juice loses fibre when it is squeezed. You may drink more juice than you eat fruit. Thereby gaining more calories.
Manufactured juices often contain preservatives, added sugars. And as we remember, it is not recommended to consume added sugars before the age of 2.
Excessive juice consumption in children increases the risk of diarrhea, meteorism and tooth caries, as well as malnutrition or overnutrition and consequent overweight. Juices can also influence children's food preferences.

If you offer juices to your child, follow these guidelines:

Avoid unpasteurised juices. They may contain pathogens.
Choose 100% juices, not juice drinks.
Give juice in 1 serving.
Do not give juice at bedtime or at night.
Prefer regular glasses and cups to bottles and sippy cup.
From 1 to 3 years of age, the recommended amount of juice per day is no more than 120 ml.
At the age of 4 to 6 years - no more than 120-180 ml per day.
Children from 7 to 18 years of age are recommended not to drink more than 1 cup or 280 ml of juice per day.

A balanced and varied diet can provide children over 1 year of age with all the vitamins and micronutrients they need. If you suspect deficiencies, however, you should first of all consult your doctor.

Offering fruit instead of juices is always a good idea!

And if you want to learn how to establish healthy eating habits during a consultation on introducing complementary foods, contact me!

* ESPGHAN: European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

Sources:

Fewtrell, 2017. Complementary feeding: a position paper by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) Committee on Nutrition.

Fidler Mis, 2017. Sugar in infants, children and adolescents: a position paper of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Committee on Nutrition.

Heyman & Abrams, 2017. Fruit juice in infants, children, and adolescents: current recommendations.

King, 2017. The ESPGHAN complementary feeding position paper 2017.

Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova

How much touch does an infant need?

Fri, 02 May 2025 11:58:00 +0000

The first physical contact, skin-to-skin contact, takes place immediately after birth, when the newborn baby is placed on the mother's stomach. This is the most important skin-to-skin contact for the baby. I will tell you about the ‘golden hour’ and the importance of the very first skin-to-skin contact in detail later.

Next comes breastfeeding. And it is a very tactile process. Caring for a child is accompanied by touch: carrying, rocking, dressing, bathing. In the first year of life, children perceive the world through sensations, and the role of tactile touch and skin-to-skin contact is huge:

When babies are born, their brain is little structured. With experience, sensory stimulation and developing motor skills, the brain becomes more structured. Neurons, nerve cells connect into pathways, into ‘tracks’. That is, with every touch, every smile, every interaction, the brain develops.
Helps the baby to adapt better to the environment.
It has a beneficial effect on the process of breastfeeding, both on the side of the mother and the baby.
Triggers instinctive interaction between baby and mum.
Allows the baby's skin to be colonised with ‘friendly’ bacteria from mum's skin.
Reducing the risk of infections.
Releases a range of hormones that are beneficial to mum and baby.
Is a great way to form attachment.
Helps parents to be more responsive to their baby's needs.
Babies who are carried a lot in their arms cry less.
Better weight gain.
Further beneficial effects on stress regulation, emotional, motor and cognitive development.
Reduces pain in mum and baby.
Helps with baby's body self-regulation (breathing, heartbeat, temperature regulation, increased blood flow in baby's skin).

As the child grows older, there will be body and contact play, reading books when the child is near or sitting in your arms, cuddles, massages. The need for touch is still present in older children.

And I would say this need does not disappear in adulthood. Remember yourself in strong emotions, sadness, grief, longing and how it becomes easier when someone will stay with us and hug us.

When hugging, the hormone oxytocin is released (it is also important for lactation). And oxytocin isn't "a friend" of the stress hormone cortisol. Either one or the other dominates in the body. So cuddling reduces stress regardless of age. And for babies, whose self-regulation of emotions and nervous system are not yet so developed, this is even more important.

And touch is one of the languages of love. This is how people perceive that they are heard, loved, understood and that they are important. We are different. Some are more tactile, some less. But one thing is clear: touch plays an important role in our lives. And for babies, it is even more important, and there should be a lot of it. For a sense of security, for the development of the nervous system and regulation of the body, for the formation of relationships, and yes, for a more successful establishment of the breastfeeding process.

You can find out even more evidence-based information about successful breastfeeding start and the first weeks with infant during the 1.5-hour online consultation for parents-to-be.

A great opportunity to prepare for the baby's arrival or to give as a gift to parents-to-be!

Sources:

Brimdyr. 2023. Skin-to-skin contact after birth: developing a research and practice guideline.

Föhe, 2000. Skin-to-skin contact improves gas exchange in premature infants.

Gray, 2000. Skin-to-skin contact is analgesic in healthy newborns.

Handlin, 2009. Effects of sucking and skin-to-skin contact on maternal ACTH and cortisol levels during the second day postpartum-influence of epidural analgesia and oxytocin in the perinatal period.

Karimi, 2019. The effect of mother-infant skin to skin contact on success and duration of first breastfeeding: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ludington-Hoe, 2015. Skin-to-Skin Contact: A Comforting Place With Comfort Food.

Moore, 2012. Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants.

Moore, 2016. Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants.

Safari, 2018. The effect of mother and newborn early skin-to-skin contact on initiation of breastfeeding, newborn temperature and duration of third stage of labor.

Uvnäs-Moberg & Prime, 2013. Oxytocin effects in mothers and infants during breastfeeding.

Uvnäs-Moberg, 2015. Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory stimulation.

Vittner, 2018. Increase in oxytocin from skin-to-skin contact enhances development of parent-infant relationship.

Widström, 2019. Skin‐to‐skin contact the first hour after birth, underlying implications and clinical practice.

World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund, 2009. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: Revised, updated, and expanded for integrated care.

Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova

The breastfeeding paradox in preterm infants

Fri, 02 May 2025 11:42:00 +0000

There is a lactation conference going on right now that I try not to miss. The first presentation at the conference was about premature babies and the importance of supporting lactation from the very first day. It inspired me to write this article.

Although the first weeks and months with a premature baby are a big challenge, lactation can be maintained with the support and help available, thereby laying the best start.

And to overcome this challenge. you need the support of loved ones, a team of specialists and motivation. That is why today I'm going to talk about the "b reastfeeding paradox" in premature babies.

"The Breastfeeding Paradox" reflects the results of observations:

Breast milk promotes neurocognitive development of premature babies, despite initially possibly slower weight gain.
Breastfeeding also promotes muscle gain. And not only the weight gain itself is important, but also the quality of weight gain.
Breast milk of women who gave birth prematurely also contains a higher content of many components.

That is why I believe in the power of mother's milk. And if possible, then first choice is always mother's breast milk (breastfeeding or expressed), second choice is donor milk (milk donated by other nursing mothers, which is usually available at the Milk Bank and has passed the necessary tests), third choice is infant formula.

I also believe in the power of mums. If you are willing and able, you can become a milk donor for babies, most often those born prematurely or with chronic illnesses, for whom every drop of breast milk is of great value and essential to their health.

For prematurely born babies, mother's breast milk is especially important and the help of a lactation consultant is usually needed to maintain lactation. To make an appointment for consultation, please write!

Sources:

Bauer & Gerss, 2011. Longitudinal analysis of macronutrients and minerals in human milk produced by mothers of preterm infants.

Castellote, 2011. Premature delivery influences the immunological composition of colostrum and transitional and mature human milk.

Gianni, 2023. The "Breastfeeding Paradox" as a Guide for the Assessment of Premature Infants Growth: It Is More Than Just Weigh-Ins.

Roze, 2012. The apparent breastfeeding paradox in very preterm infants: relationship between breast feeding, early weight gain and neurodevelopment based on results from two cohorts, EPIPAGE and LIFT.

Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova

Weaning or stopping breastfeeding

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 14:47:00 +0000

Many mums wonder how to wean their baby from the breast. Often there is little information available about the gentle, gradual process of stopping breastfeeding. Therefore, only stressful and harsh advice comes to mind, both for the mother and the baby.

Breastfeeding is not only about nutrition, but also about relationships, about calming the still maturing nervous system, pain relief during teething and the basis for overcoming a growth spurt, during mastering a new skill or overcoming a challenge like a cold or a new event in life (adapting to kindergarten, the arrival of a younger child in the family, moving, mother returning to work).

If we look at breastfeeding from this point of view, we will understand that often, for a calmer and more harmonious end to breastfeeding, it may be useful for us to consider the age stage of the child's development, his needs and capabilities at this age, as well as to prepare a basis in the form of proper nutrition and the introduction of other methods of putting the baby to sleep and calming him down.

It is important for us to replace breastfeeding with something else, without depriving the baby of what is important and necessary. Children, even after the end of breastfeeding, continue to need our attention, care and comfort, because this is what will fill them up so that a little later, they can become adults, independent individuals.

Usually, before starting a consultation on the issue of stopping breastfeeding, we consider the specifics of the situation and develop an individual plan. Consultations on weaning usually require the most individual approach. Everyone has their own path and their own story.

During the consultation, we consider:

the age and developmental needs of the child, as well as the individual characteristics of the child's temperament and sensitivity.
the family's capabilities and factors that may affect weaning (stress, the beginning of new stages in the child's life, new skills, nutrition (complementary feeding or main food).
exercises and games that can develop self-regulation of emotions and provide sensory load, which can help reduce the number of nursing times.
development of self-regulation of emotions in the child.
nutrition, especially in cases when the baby has a reduced interest in main food.

We discuss the approximate possible time for weaning.

I can help with both sudden weaning and a more gradual weaning. Usually in the case of gradual weaning it can take 2-3 months. Some babies go faster than that, some take a little longer. It depends on the baby's sensitivity, the number of feedings and other factors.

We take into account the comfort of the mother and the reduction of the risk of lactostasis for the breasts. During the consultation, it is important to take into account the emotional and physical state of the mum, her needs and possibilities.

You will receive recommendations:

on how to reorganise feedings.
on introducing bedtime rituals.
on finding other ways to soothe the baby.

Preparing for life without breastfeeding: nutrition, meeting the baby's needs in other ways, sleep, putting to bed, changes in the mother's mood and emotional state in the first days after stopping breastfeeding, changes in the breast that occur when stopping breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is not all or nothing. I also help with stopping 1 feeding or reducing the number of feedings without stopping the lactation completely.

Completion of breastfeeding is a transition to a new stage of the relationship between mother and baby. Both mother and baby need to prepare for this. Once prepared, the adaptation to life without breastfeeding and the process of weaning will be more relaxed.

If you do not know where to start and what to do, or you feel that you need support in weaning, write!

You can choose:

A mini consultation of up to 20 minutes, during which we can discuss the elimination of one feeding or reduction of nighttime nursing times, or introducing a bedtime ritual.

A consultation lasting up to 1.5 hours, where we will look at your situation in detail and draw up an individual plan. Sometimes I break this counselling into several parts, more often two. And when you have reached a certain stage, we meet again and discuss the next steps to complete your breastfeeding or achieve your goal.

Consultation with follow-up until the full completion of breastfeeding. Not only do we create a personalised plan, but in addition to counselling I am in constant contact with you and we adjust the plan if necessary, you get support and answers to your questions.

Don't miss the opportunity to benefit from the experience and expertise of a specialist for a more peaceful end of a breastfeeding journey!

Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova

Breastfeeding and dental caries

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 17:52:00 +0000

Today we will discuss one of the myths about breastfeeding. You have probably heard that night feedings cause tooth decay. No, that is wrong.

A number of studies have not found any effect of night breastfeeding and breastfeeding at all on tooth decay.

Here are some more statements about dental health in children:

Breast milk contains antimicrobial components.
Lactose, the main carbohydrate in breast milk, is broken down into galactose and glucose in the intestinal tract (not in the mouth cavity).
It is worth considering the method of feeding the baby (with breast milk, formula feeding, mixed feeding, breastfeeding or with bottle).

The health of a child's teeth can also be affected by:

genetics;
mother's diet during pregnancy;
baby's early nutrition (complementary feeding, presence of sweets in the diet, presence of a number of vitamin, macro- and microelement deficiencies);
maintaining dental hygiene in the child.

And remember that breastfed children can also get caries. Therefore, it is worth evaluating the diet and not forgetting to brush your teeth!

Sources:

Abbasoglu, 2014. Early childhood caries is associated with genetic variants in enamel formation and immune response genes.

Alaluusua, 1990. Prevalence of caries and salivary levels of mutans streptococci in 5-year-old children in relation to duration of breast feeding.
Arishi, 2023. Impact of breastfeeding and other early-life factors on the development of the oral microbiome.
Ballard & Morrow, 2013. Human milk composition: nutrients and bioactive factors.
Erickson & Mazhari. Investigation of the role of human breast milk in caries development.
Evans, 2013. Dietary intake and severe early childhood caries in low-income, young children.
Lavigne, 2013. Breastfeeding and dental caries looking at the evidence.
Shkembi & Huppertz, 2023. Impact of dairy products and plant-based alternatives on dental health: food matrix effects.
Vitiello, 2024. Non-cariogenic effect of milk and dairy products on oral health in children and adolescents: a scoping review.

Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova

Baby stool color: when to see the doctor

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 17:44:00 +0000

I recently encountered a change in the colour of the baby's stools at a breastfeeding consultation, which required medical advice. I will tell you about three colours that all parents of babies should be aware of.

Consult a doctor if you see the following three colors of baby stool:

Black (except for the first days after birth, when black meconium is normal).
White (or grey).
Red (completely or with streaks and specks).

The causes may vary, but always consult a doctor in these cases.

Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova