With a spoon, scoop out some of the avocado so it's a tad bigger than your egg and yolk. Place in a muffin pan to keep the avocado stable while cooking.
Crack your egg and add it to the inside of your avocado. Sprinkle a little cheese on top with a pinch of salt. Top with cooked bacon.
Cook for 14-16 minutes. sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Notes
TIPS FOR BAKED EGGS IN AVOCADO
Make sure your avocados are room temperature and not refrigerated.
Scoop out about 1-1.5 tablespoons of avocado to create enough room for your egg. But scoop wide versus deep. If you scoop deep, it will take longer for the egg to cook.
Use large eggs. Extra large or jumbo will be too big for the avocado.
Keep the avocados upright and level by using a small baking dish, ramekins, or even a muffin tray.
There are two ways to insert the egg. You can either gently crack the egg and let any whites overflow into your baking dish (it’ll happen). Or, you can crack the egg into a small bowl, then use a spoon to transfer the yolk into the avocado first and add just enough egg white to fit the cavity. Either way works.
1/2cubevegetable stockorganic, low or no sodium cube
1pinchsalt and pepperoptional
150gcheddar cheeseoptional
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180c / 350f and line a muffin tin with 12 muffin cases.
Gently whisk the eggs in a large bowl and stir in the milk and melted butter. Mix in the grated cheese(optional), spring onion, baby spinach and diced pepper.
Finally, add in the flour, salt and pepper (if using) and crumble in the stock cube and mix just enough until all the ingredients have combined.
Divide the mixture between the 12 muffin cases and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until cooked through (a skewer stuck into the middle should come out dry).
These muffins can be frozen once they have cooled completely. To defrost simply leave out for a few hours or overnight.
SUPERFOOD: AvocadoEggs combined with avocado are an excellent anti-aging remedy. This food combination contains vitamin C which promotes the synthesis of collagen and vitamin A, in the form of retinol and beta-carotene, which protects the skin from oxidative stress damage.Avocados, full of healthy fats and fiber, are a great addition to your diet while breastfeeding. The fat in avocados help you and your baby absorb fat-soluble vitamins and can also be beneficial to your baby's developing brain health.
Cut the avocado into strips about 13mm thick. Place in shallow bowl and toss to coat with the flour.
Whisk milk and potato flakes in a small shallow bowl. Stir together the bread crumbs, garlic powder and salt in a separate small shallow bowl
Dredge the flour-dusted avocado in the milk mixture and then in the bread crumbs, pressing the avocado into the bread crumbs to coat each slice completely.
Place the avocado slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, spray with cooking spray and bake for 15 minutes or until fries are golden brown.
Notes
Eggs combined with avocado are an excellent anti-aging remedy. This food combination contains vitamin C which promotes the synthesis of collagen and vitamin A, in the form of retinol and beta-carotene, which protects the skin from oxidative stress damage. Avocados, full of healthy fats and fiber, are a great addition to your diet while breastfeeding. The fat in avocados help you and your baby absorb fat-soluble vitamins and can also be beneficial to your baby's developing brain health.
You know that breastfeeding your infant provides an opportunity for bonding while providing health benefits for your child. However, it can be daunting to find out that you’ll have to breastfeed two infants at the same time! Just take a deep breath, because it is possible to breastfeed twins, without either baby suffering from sharing their mother’s milk. Here are some tips that can help you to breastfeed your twins!
Set Up One or More Comfortable Nursing Stations – Twins often require more time to feed than a single child. Therefore it is essential to sit up one or more comfortable areas where you can sit or lie comfortably when breastfeeding your infants.
Breast Feed on Cue Not on Schedule- When feeding twins you shouldn’t rush to get them on a feeding schedule. Instead, you need to feed your babies on demand or cue. Keep in mind that twins are often born prematurely and therefore eat smaller amounts, but need to eat more often than most full-term infants. In addition, twins, even identical twins, are individuals and therefore may not want or need to eat at the same time. By feeding your baby as they demand food you can better meet their individual needs.
Start Nursing Only One Baby at a Time- It often takes time for an infant to learn to latch onto the breast properly. Therefore it is essential that you only feed one infant at a time until you are sure that one infant is latching onto the breast properly before trying to breastfeed both infants at once. If possible, have someone to offer support during the first three or four months that can offer to hold the other twin and comfort them while you feed the other infant. This will allow you to concentrate on each individual infant while feeding your child.
Breast Feed or Pump to Encourage More Milk Production- If you are having difficulty producing enough milk to breastfeed exclusively, you still need to breastfeed or pump 8 times during a twenty-four hour period. Make sure that pump or breastfeed during the night to help keep up your milk supply and encourage more milk to flow.
If Supplemental Feedings are Needed Alternate Between Infants- If you find that you need to supplement feedings to supply both babies with enough milk to stay healthy then alternate those supplemental feeding between infants, breastfeeding one infant one time and the other twin the next so that both babies get the benefits only breast milk can supply.
Get Additional Support For the First Few Weeks or Months- Raising twins especially during the first few weeks or months can be physically and mentally draining. Having additional help and support during the first few weeks or months can result in your getting more rest and feeling more relaxed. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be for you to care for your baby and the easier it will be when feeding time comes. The support you get can be help with housework or someone to watch the babies while you get short naps. They may simply be someone who sits with you when you are feeding and encourages you while keeping you company.
Should I follow a rigid or flexible nursing schedule?
For the first few weeks, infants need to breastfeed eight to 12 times per day. That breaks down to about once every two to three hours, day and night. Each session should last about 20 to 30 minutes—but wait for each baby to signal he or she’s done before calling it quits (the suck-swallow pattern will slow down to about four sucks to one swallow). A flexible schedule is best, and feeding your babies at the same time is the most economical use of your precious time. However, babies are individuals, so one twin may want to nurse every three hours, and the other, every two hours. Some mothers find that letting the hungrier baby dictate the time of the next feed for both works best. Some mothers nurse on demand during the day and follow a schedule at night.
How can I hold two babies to nurse at the same time?
Use rolled-up towels or a nursing pillow to support your babies. You can buy nursing pillows designed specifically for breastfeeding twins.
With the help of a pillow, you can vary your nursing positions. For example, you can rotate from the cradle hold (across your chest) to the football hold (along your side), or you can use a combination of the two. It’s a good idea to alternate breasts with every feeding, especially if one twin is a stronger feeder. If it’s hard to keep track of who was on each breast last, try alternating breasts every 24 hours instead of after each feed. Switching back and forth regularly helps produce equal amounts of milk in both breasts and lessens the chance of blocked milk ducts. Alternating breasts also helps your babies’ eyes get equal exercise and stimulation.
If you have preemies, and one has to stay in the hospital longer than the other, you can simultaneously breastfeed on one side and pump on the other to keep up your milk supply.
Can I produce enough milk to nourish more than one baby?
The law of supply and demand applies to nursing mothers of twins and multiples. If you breastfeed when your babies want to eat, you can trust your body to supply enough milk. A low milk supply can almost always be corrected by nursing more often. If your babies aren’t emptying your breasts, you may need to pump.
Keep lots of water nearby, have a Lactation cookie and Muffin. The oxytocin your body releases when you nurse can make you very thirsty while lactation muffin and lactation cookies will help boost your milk supply.
What if I bond with one baby more than the other?
This can happen, especially if one of your babies has to stay in the hospital longer than the other. You’ve had more time to get to know the at-home baby, and you’ve developed a stronger attachment to that twin. Or, if you have one sickly baby, you may find you’re giving that baby more attention. The important thing is to be aware of your feelings and work to give your babies equal love and attention. Happily, breastfeeding brings you in close contact with both babies and can help speed up the attachment process.
Do I ever get a break?
You don’t have to be on the job at all times. In fact, you shouldn’t be. Sleep when the babies sleep if you can. Call in your support teams when you’re feeling frazzled, beginning with your mate. Let him take over while you take off, even if it’s for only 15 or 20 minutes. Get out of the hearing range of the babies by going for a walk, taking a hot bath, or reading a magazine in another room. Once your feeding routine is well established, enjoy a night out with your partner or a friend. Remember, you had a life before you became a parent. It’s time to continue where you left off.
Following these tips and those from your doctor or lactation specialist can make breastfeeding your twins more successful and enjoyable for both you and your twin infants.
Ouch! Breathe. It’s not that painful… but when the baby starts to latch, OUCH! Many mummies, including myself, have had the experience of having sore nipples while breastfeeding. It is a frequent complaint from mummies, and some assume it’s an inevitable part of the nursing experience. But lactation experts agree that pain is a sign that something isn’t right.
It is common to feel some discomfort when the baby first latches on, especially in the first days after birth before the milk has come in. This type of soreness will usually ease up after the first few sucks, especially after the milk lets down and flows freely.
Babies are born with a strong sucking reflex, but they have to learn the mechanics of breastfeeding. At the same time, you are learning the mechanics of positioning, supporting the breast, etc. While some babies seem to come into the world knowing just how to breastfeed correctly, more often it is a learning process for both of you.
Nipple soreness will usually begin during the first few days of nursing, will peak on the fourth or fifth day, and then ease off each day after that. Soreness should lessen greatly on days 7-10, and by the time the baby is 2 weeks old, nursing should be pain-free.
What are the causes of sore nipples?
Difficulty latching on
This is by far the most common cause of sore nipples. A good latch should feel like tugging and pulling but not painful. A poor latch from a baby is when the baby has to pull or suck your nipple hard into her mouth. Your nipple is then too far forward in the baby’s mouth and it pinches your nipple against her hard palate, causing pain.
For breastfeeding to be comfortable, your baby needs to have the entire nipple and part of the breast in his mouth. The nipple needs to be near the back of her mouth where the palate is soft. This good latch is more likely to happen if the baby latches on with his head tipped back so that her chin is pressed into the mother’s breast and her nose is away from the breast. Of course, every baby and every breast is a little different, so you may need to adjust the positioning to find what works best for both of you. If your baby doesn’t gape to take in your breast, don’t pull your nipple out. Instead, break the suction by gently inserting your finger into the corner of her mouth and above her tongue. Take her from your breast and start again.
Tongue-tie
If your baby has a tongue-tie, her tongue will be attached to the bottom of her mouth. If she can’t move her tongue much, she may not be able to draw full feeds from your breast. The signs will be that she can’t latch on well to your breast and keeps slipping off. She will be feeding often, but not putting on enough weight. See a doctor to check for treatment recommendations.
Adjust without unlatching If your baby latches on, and it hurts, you’ll know something is wrong. Sometimes mothers are advised to stick a finger in the baby’s mouth, unlatch him, and start over. The problem with this approach is that it’s very frustrating for the baby: every time he starts nursing, he’s taken off the breast. Some get so frustrated they refuse to nurse or begin clamping down on the nipple. It also puts you at the risk of more nipple damage if the baby latches on incorrectly repeatedly.
What you can do is to adjust when the baby is latching,
Wait for the baby to open its mouth by tickling the baby nose with your nipple.
Count to 10 for the baby to readjust.
If you still feel tight and the position is wrong, flange the baby’s upper and lower lips out and hold the baby’s jaw for about 10 sec.
Holding down the jaw for about 10 seconds is to make sure the baby’s jaw is in the position and doesn’t go back up.
Feed as soon as you spot a hungry cue A very hungry baby isn’t going to have much patience and may try to grab at your nipple, causing more pain. Feeding the baby as soon as he seems hungry will make it easier to work on getting a good latch every time.
Use your milk to heal cracked, bleeding or blistered nipples Express a little milk onto the nipple and let it air-dry there. Apply an ice pack just before you feed the baby to temporarily numb the nipple as you latch the baby on. One piece of good news: breastfeeding nipples generally heal very quickly once the cause of the damage (such as a latch problem) is resolved.
Thrush
If your nipples are sore after a spell of pain-free feeding, and you feel burning, shooting or stabbing pains in your breasts, you may have thrush on your nipples. Thrush is a fungal infection that sets in when organisms that naturally exist in your body spread out of control.
Your doctor can prescribe an antifungal treatment for you and your baby. If you have thrush on your nipples, it will also be in your baby’s mouth, whether or not you can see it. You’ll both need to be treated at the same time, so you don’t keep passing the infection between you.
Dermatitis or eczema
If your nipples are inflamed and itchy it may be a sign of dermatitis or eczema. This can be caused by creams, lotions or soaps that irritate your skin. Swimming in chlorinated swimming pool water can also sometimes cause sore, itchy nipples. Wash your breasts with plain water alone, and see your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve.
Teething
If your baby has tender gums due to teething, she may change the way she feeds. If her tongue isn’t down and forward enough to take in a big mouthful of breast, she may end up biting your nipple. Help your baby to gape and keep her tongue forward by touching her lips to your nipple and then moving her quickly onto your breast as she responds. Older babies sometimes keep their mouths open but pull their tongues back after they have gaped, so you’ll have to move fast.
Breastfeeding during pregnancy
Your nipples may be tender if you are breastfeeding and pregnant again. Your nipples may only feel tender in the early days of your pregnancy, or they may only feel sore towards the end of your third trimester. If your nipples get really sore, you can try using a purified lanolin ointment or cream to soothe them.
Soreness from your bra or breast pads
If your nursing bra is too tight, it will put pressure on your already sore nipples. Some breast pad traps air and often will cause your nipple’s condition to worsen. Choose breast pads from natural materials which will help your skin breathe.
How to make yourself feel better
Have a towel on standby
Once the baby is done nursing you will want to gently dry your breast of any leftover milk. Gently clean the nipple and dry it. Breast milk is a great healer but it’s best to keep it dry to keep any form of bacterial away.
Air your nipple
Bring down your bra flap, use a nipple shell or even using a hairdryer on a low setting after each feed.
Apply modified anhydrous lanolin
After nursing, apply lanolin cream to help ease off some of the soreness. Surface dampness can contribute to soreness and cracking if the nipple remains moist after nursing, the same way your chapped lips get worse if you lick them. Applying lanolin can help keep the skin soft and pliable, which helps breaks in the skin heal without forming a hard scab which will break open each time the baby-nurses. Don’t use soap on your nipples as it can dry the skin. Bathing with clear water is all you need to keep your nipples clean.
Use Nipple Butter
Nipple butter helps keep your nipples soft and supple. It also helps to moisturise and heal your sore nipples. It’s completely safe for the baby, so keep it with you at all times.
Breast Pads
Some breast pads and plastic linings in bras don’t let your skin breathe and they trap the moisture. Choose pads made from natural materials. I like to use disposable ones as I feel that they are cleaner and I can just change and feel fresh at any time of the day. Be sure to put a couple of sets of breast pads in your diaper bag and you can change your breast pads on the go!
Nursing bra
Getting a comfortable bra will help you improve your breastfeeding experience. If your nursing bra is too tight, it will put pressure on your nipples and cause pain. Try wearing a bigger bra.
Gel Pads
Have one set in the fridge! So that after an intensive feeding, you can put them on for some cooling relief it brings!
Don’t Give Up
I promise it will get better! It’s about learning together with your baby. Before you know it, you will be feeding like a pro! It always makes me sad when mothers quit nursing because of soreness. The long-term benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the short-term pain. It really is worth hanging in there – ask any nursing mother, and she’ll tell you she’s glad she didn’t give up when the going got rough.
Although mother nature had made it a point to have babies and breasts work on the principle of supply and demand, many breastfeeding moms still worry about their milk supply. Some mummies however despite their best efforts, experience issues with low supply. Period when babies is experiencing growth spurt will certainly add-on to the stress to most mummies worrying about their supply.
Pumping often does help with the increase of milk supply as they stimulate the brain to “produce more milk” however, despite regular pumping session, many mummies make not see results as quickly as they had hoped. There is another way of pumping that might help this group of mummies – Power Pumping.
What is Power Pumping
Power pumping is basically mimicking the frequent feeding of a baby experiencing a growth spurt. The longer and more vigorous suckling motion during these times helps trigger the release of prolactin from the pituitary gland which will then translate it into “baby needs more milk, please produce more!” message to the brain. Power pumping which are also sometimes called cluster pumping is a routine of pumping in a series of 10 minute sessions – 10 minutes pumping, 10 minutes off – over the course of 1 hour, 1-3 sessions each day.
Using this routine alone or in combination with other measures to increase supply – latching/pumping more often, use of galactagogues etc may slowly build up milk supply over time. Many mummies may find that the milk they collect at first to be very little during these sessions but their supply catches up with the baby’s demand after some time. So, how much milk you collect is not so much of an importance during such sessions.
You may not see much milk during the actual power pumping routine but that’s okay, it’s all about the supply and demand and this is stimulating your breasts to make more milk. This routine not meant to replace your normal pumping routine; rather, it’s designed to enhance your milk supply within an established routine. For example if your normal pumping routine is at 12 pm and 3pm, you can add a power pumping routine at around 1.30pm.
When can I see result
Some mummies see results as soon as the next 48 hours while others take as long as a week to see the increase in supply. Do not be dishearten if yours takes a little longer. Perseverance and determination is the key to a successful breastfeeding journey.
Tips on Power Pumping
Pumping milk can cause a lot of stress and boredom, but the good news is that you can perform Power Pumping at any time, such as when your baby is sleeping. I personally enjoy following this routine.By now all mummies who are pumping and latching will know that the main key to make the session better is to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible.
Here are some tips that could help you through these routines.
Using a breast pump – hand expressing / manual pump is a no go as this requires 1 hour of constant pumping. Do use an electric pump as they are generally more effective, especially where the pump is designed to mimic the suction of a baby. if you can, buy a hands free pumping bra or bra clip it will really help too.
Keep a stopwatch / set alarm in your phone – to keep track of the time
Have a cup of water nearby – Key of producing milk is drinking water isn’t it?
Make yourself very comfortable – sit at your favourite sofa/ couch as you will be in the same position for quite some time
Set yourself up with some entertainment. – My favourite method is pumping when I’m watching korean drama. I pump when the show is on and rest when commercial is on. But a book or simply using your phone might do the trick too.
Latch one one side pump on the other – Research shows that the best way to boost supply is to nurse at the breast often.
Pumping During Night Feeds
Another frequent questions that mummies ask is if they should pump during the night feeds.
As prolactin levels are at the highest during night and pumping routine at night-time will help push prolactin level up, pumping around the clock is certainly good if you can do it. But another key to higher milk production is getting enough rest. Getting adequate sleep is important to your overall health and well-being.
So, the trick is to be flexible in balancing the two. Sleep at every opportunity in the daytime, and if it is time to pump but you have a chance to take a nap and really need it, choose the nap instead of pumping.
If possible, aim to include at least one pumping session during the night in your plan. If you didn’t plan for a night-time session but happen to wake up in the middle of the night, take advantage of the opportunity. Additionally, even if nothing else is accomplished, the calming effects of oxytocin released during pumping may help you fall back asleep after you’re done.
