From latching issues to supply problems, thrush to mastitis, breastfeeding issues are common among new moms! Our expert resolves your more pressing (and painful!) breastfeeding challenges.

A guide to appropriate weight-gain and what to look for if you suspect failure-to-thrive: Weight Gain: Birth ? 2 weeks of age  Regain birth weight plus some 2 weeks ? 3 months of age  Two pounds per month or one ounce per day 4 ? 6 months of age  One pound per month or one-half ounce per day (should double birth weight by 6 months) One year of age  2.5 to 3 times her birth weight Failure to Thrive: There is a difference bet...

Check your nipples often (at least every two to three months) for these signs of wear and tear:

It is important to observe proper breast feeding techniques. These techniques are meant to let you make the most of breastfeeding and contribute to a healthy development for your baby.

The best nipple is one that seems to fit comfortably in your baby's mouth. That said, there are literally dozens of nipples available and choosing the right one can be maddening. Most full term babies will accept whichever nipple they're offered if they're hungry, so I wouldn't worry too much about this. The three basic types of nipple you can choose from are "orthodontic," meaning the nipple is flattened to look (and presumably feel) more like your breast; "angled" meaning the nipple is slanted so it automatically tilts into your baby's mouth, and "vented," which means the nipple has a tiny hole in it to let air into the bottle while your baby sucks milk out (presumably to prevent gas-producing bubbles).

Forget that old advice about "gently rubbing your nipples with a towel." If you really want to feel ready to nurse, here's what to do. And if you really want to be an informed mom, subscribe to our free, daily pregnancy newsletter for the latest and best preggo info out there.

Ultimately your baby will decide which bottle you use. The first test is to see which nipple he'll take most easily. Once you determine that, you can select the bottles and bottle accessories you need.

My baby has white patches on the insides of her cheeks. What could this be?
It could be a common and harmless yeast infection known as thrush. Thrush looks like cottage cheese or milk curds on the sides, roof, and sometimes the tongue of a baby's mouth. It's most common in babies 2 months and younger, but it can appear in older babies, too

Pacifiers come in a variety of colors, designs, and nipple shapes. If you're just starting out, you'll want to pick up a couple of different styles — maybe one with the standard round nipple and one of the "orthodontic" shapes, which have a round top and a flat bottom — to see whether your baby has any preference. You'll find them in two sizes, one for babies up to 6 months of age and another for those 6 months and older.

We?ve all heard the debate. Breast Feeding vs Formula. But why do most people say breast feeding is the best for your baby? Because this natural mother?s milk is genetically the best food for your baby. This is the way GOD designed for things to work.