As a new parent, you may have noticed that your baby becomes fussy and irritable in the evening. This can be a frustrating experience, especially if you're already exhausted from a long day of taking care of your little one. But don't worry, you're not alone!Many babies experience fussy evenings, and there are things you can do to help ease your baby's discomfort.

Breastfeeding is a remarkable process that provides numerous benefits to both the mother and the baby. Here are some amazing facts that you may not have known about breastfeeding:

Caffeine appears within 15 minutes in your Breastmilk and it reaches maximum concentration in one hour. Only 1.5-3.2 % reaches the baby. Therefore moderate amount of caffeine is safe. That is about 200mg per day which is equivalent to 2/3 cups of tea or coffee.

Does breastfeeding or pumping cause saggy breast? Many women are reluctant to breastfeed  as they believe this to be true but can take comfort that it is only a myth. Research has shown that breastfeeding/or pumping doesn’t cause breast to sag (breast ptosis is the medical term). Rather its pregnancy that can contribute to breast feeling saggy and deflated

Most women would describe breastfeeding as relaxing calming and enjoyable. However some mothers experience negative feelings during letdown. This is D-MER known as Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex. It may affect 9.1 % of breastfeeding women. These negative emotions develop before letdown ( milk ejection reflex ) and last for a few minutes . Women that are expressing may also experience D-MER.

A baby that has been breastfeeding / chestfeeding well suddenly refuses to nurse .It may last for a couple of days or a week and it is usually temporary. Nursing strike happens so suddenly and most parents are frightened and upset with the refusal to feed . Babies are usually  unhappy fussy and upset by not feeding

Relactation is restarting #breastfeeding again after you have stopped .It is the process of stimulating your breast to make #breastmilk again. Even if you have weaned for several weeks or months it is possible to bring back your #breastmilk supply.

BLOCKED or PLUGGED ducts not clearing? During breastfeeding the breastmilk flows through the milk ducts to the nipple .If these milk ducts become blocked or breastmilk has problems going through the ducts  it forms a clog and this is known as a Blocked or Plugged duct

EXPRESSED BREASTMILK SMELL ODD? A soapy smell or taste?Breastmilk contains an enzyme called lipase it helps to break down fats for the baby to easily digest. Some mothers have an excess of the enzyme lipase which causes breakdown of fats soon after it is expressed. This causes the breastmilk to have soapy smell or taste.The breastmilk is not harmful.

The most difficult times faced by many parents with a newborn are the night time feedings. Many struggle with sleep deprivation coupled with the endless cycle of feeding day and night. Some mothers are already exhausted during pregnancy and post-delivery.Sleep deprivation is a part of motherhood. Our babies are birthed so immature they require this constant twenty four hour care and feeding to survive. Understanding the importance of night time nursing may help you cope with this.It is perfectly normal for baby to want night time nursing. Newborns are not able to distinguish between night and day and their own circadian cycle does not kick in until three months of age. It is perfectly normal for your baby to need night time feeds (though less frequently) through the first year and even beyond.

Many mums are exhausted after the birth of their newborn and the constant needs of a baby. Many mums wake up in the early days feeling as though they have not slept at all. Sleep deprivation is real and is one of most difficult adjustments for many parents.

As an Irish father I had never had much to do with breastfeeding until my wife Mary decided to breastfeed. Both our mums and older sisters had all followed the traditional Irish method of bottle feeding for various reasons .When Mary became pregnant for the first time, there was a bit of fuss made with them donating bottles/sterilisers/other pieces of equipment and a discussion was had on which formula to try.

Hand Expression means using your hand to compress your breast so that the breastmilk comes out, and then collecting it in a clean container. It is a skill all mothers should learn. If you are pregnant it is a useful technique to learn before the baby arrives as it gives you confidence and familiarises you with your breast. Discuss with your health care provider first for more information.It takes a little time and practice to learn so do not worry if it is tricky in the beginning. Once the skill is learned it is easy, convenient and best of all only your hands are required.

Breastfeeding has huge benefits for both mum and baby, but it does take time and practice to get established. Getting off to the best possible start can play a key part in your breastfeeding journey.