8 terms
- Circadian rhythmThe circadian rhythm is the body's internal 24-hour biological clock that regulates cycles of wakefulness and sleep in response to environmental lig…
- Clogged ductsA clogged duct (blocked duct) is a localised blockage in a milk-carrying channel of the breast, causing a small tender lump that can lead to mastiti…
- Cluster feedingCluster feeding is a normal pattern in which a baby breastfeeds very frequently over a concentrated period, most commonly in the evenings.
- Co-sleepingCo-sleeping is when a parent or carer sleeps with a baby on a bed, sofa, or chair, and is associated with increased SIDS risk in certain circumstanc…
- ColostrumColostrum is the thick, golden first milk produced by the breasts in the first days after birth, rich in antibodies and perfectly matched to a newbo…
- Colostrum harvestingColostrum harvesting is the practice of hand expressing and storing colostrum during the final weeks of pregnancy for use after birth if needed.
- Consolidated sleepConsolidated sleep is a stretch of largely uninterrupted sleep joined across several sleep cycles into one continuous period, rather than broken int…
- Contact napA contact nap is a daytime sleep a baby takes while held by a parent or carer — in arms, a sling, or on the chest — rather than in a separate sleep …
4 terms
- Desired wake time (DWT)Desired wake time (DWT) is the time a family would like their child to wake and start the day, used as a reference point in sleep coaching.
- Dramatic wake upA dramatic wake-up is a sleep-coaching technique in which a caregiver clearly signals the start of the day to help reinforce a child's body clock an…
- DuckbillA duckbill is a flat, slit-shaped breast-pump valve that opens and closes as the pump cycles, controlling milk flow and maintaining suction.
- Dummy (pacifier)A dummy (also called a pacifier or soother) is a teat given to a baby for sucking, and research suggests its use during sleep may reduce the risk of…
3 terms
- Early wake-upAn early wake-up is when a child wakes ready to start the day earlier than wanted — generally an hour or more before the desired wake time, or befor…
- Engorged breastsEngorged breasts are breasts that have become overly full, hard, tight, and painful due to an accumulation of milk and increased blood and fluid, co…
- Exclusive breastfeedingExclusive breastfeeding means feeding a baby only breastmilk, with no other food or drink, for the first six months of life, as recommended by the W…
3 terms
- False startA false start is when a baby wakes fully 20–45 minutes after being put down for the night, shortly after completing the first sleep cycle, and is un…
- FlangeA flange is the funnel-shaped part of a breast pump that fits over the nipple and areola to form a seal so the pump can draw out milk.
- Foremilk and hindmilkForemilk and hindmilk are terms describing the lower-fat milk available at the start of a breastfeed and the progressively higher-fat milk as the br…
2 terms
- Hand expressingHand expressing is a manual technique for removing breastmilk using the hands rather than a pump, used in early days, antenatally, and when equipmen…
- High lipaseHigh lipase refers to elevated lipase enzyme activity in breastmilk that breaks down fats during storage, causing expressed milk to develop a soapy …
3 terms
- LatchLatch (or attachment) is the way a baby takes the breast into their mouth to feed; a good latch allows effective milk transfer and helps prevent sor…
- Let-down reflexThe let-down reflex (milk ejection reflex) is the physiological process by which the hormone oxytocin causes muscles in the breast to contract and p…
- Low milk supplyLow milk supply is a condition in which a breastfeeding mother produces insufficient milk to meet her baby's needs, though true low supply is less c…
3 terms
- MastitisMastitis is inflammation of the breast that makes it swollen, hot and painful, and is most common in people who are breastfeeding.
- MelatoninMelatonin is a hormone produced naturally by the body each evening that signals to the brain that it is time to sleep, rising through the night and …
- Milk blebA milk bleb is a small white, yellow, or pale-pink spot on the nipple caused by a blocked nipple pore, which can produce localised stinging pain dur…
4 terms
- Nap rescueA nap rescue is any method used to help a baby fall back to sleep when a daytime nap is failing — such as a car, stroller, or contact nap — to prote…
- Nap transitionA nap transition is the process by which a baby or toddler drops one of their regular daytime naps as their overall sleep needs and awake capacity i…
- Night wakingNight waking is the normal pattern by which infants and young children wake briefly or fully during the night, typically between sleep cycles, and i…
- Nipple shieldA nipple shield is a thin, flexible silicone cover placed over the nipple and areola during breastfeeding to help babies who are having difficulty l…
3 terms
- OverheatingOverheating during sleep is a recognised risk factor for SIDS; official guidance recommends a room temperature of 16–20°C and checking a baby's ches…
- OversupplyOversupply (hyperlactation) is a condition in which a breastfeeding mother produces significantly more milk than her baby requires, potentially caus…
- OvertirednessOvertiredness (or being overtired) in infants describes a state in which a baby has remained awake beyond their optimal awake period, making it hard…
2 terms
- Paced bottle feedingPaced bottle feeding is a technique that slows milk flow during bottle feeds, letting the baby control the pace and take breaks in a way that mirror…
- Power pumpingPower pumping is an expressing technique that mimics cluster feeding by alternating short pumping sessions with rest periods over approximately one …
5 terms
- Reassure and comfort (R&C)Reassure and comfort (R&C) is a gentle sleep-coaching approach in which a caregiver reassures a child that it is safe to fall asleep, both at bedtim…
- Responsive feedingResponsive feeding is feeding a baby in response to their hunger and satiety cues rather than to a fixed schedule, supporting both nutritional needs…
- Restorative sleepRestorative sleep is deep, good-quality sleep that supports the body's physical and mental recovery.
- Reverse cyclingReverse cycling is a pattern in which an infant takes most of their milk or calories during the night and feeds less during the day, often in respon…
- Room sharingRoom sharing is when a baby sleeps in the same room as a parent or carer but in their own separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket.
12 terms
- SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby aged up to 12 months old, where no cause is found after investigation.
- Safe sleepSafe sleep (or “safer sleep”) is a set of evidence-based practices that lower a baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sleep acciden…
- Self-settlingSelf-settling (also called self-soothing) is the ability of a baby to fall asleep independently at the start of sleep or after waking between sleep …
- Skin-to-skinSkin-to-skin contact is the practice of holding a newborn directly against a caregiver's bare chest, recommended immediately after birth to support …
- Sleep associations or sleep propsSleep associations (or sleep props) are the conditions a baby links with falling asleep, such as rocking or feeding — some are helpful, and some can…
- Sleep cycleA sleep cycle is one complete sequence of sleep stages — from light active sleep through deep quiet sleep — lasting approximately 90 minutes in adul…
- Sleep hygieneSleep hygiene is the set of habits and conditions that support healthy, consistent sleep — such as a regular bedtime routine and a dark, calm sleep …
- Sleep latencySleep latency is the length of time it takes to fall asleep after lying down to sleep.
- Sleep reboundSleep rebound is the body's tendency to sleep longer or more deeply than usual after a period of sleep deprivation.
- Sleep regressionA sleep regression is a period when a baby or toddler who has previously slept well begins waking more frequently or resisting sleep, often linked t…
- SupplementingSupplementing is the practice of giving a breastfed baby additional milk — expressed breastmilk, donor milk, or infant formula — when breastfeeding …
- SwaddlingSwaddling is the practice of wrapping a baby snugly in a lightweight blanket or cloth, which requires specific safety precautions to avoid overheati…
4 terms
- The fourth trimesterThe fourth trimester is a term used to describe the first three months of a baby's life outside the womb, during which the infant continues rapid de…
- The golden hourThe golden hour refers to the first uninterrupted hour after birth during which immediate skin-to-skin contact and the first breastfeed are supporte…
- Thrush (breastfeeding)Thrush in breastfeeding is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans affecting the nipples or breasts, which can cause burning nipple pain and c…
- Tongue tieTongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition present from birth in which the strip of skin connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the m…
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