All About Breastfeeding

We have moved

2010-08-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

Announcement

We have moved to our new Word Press site.

http://www.aabreastfeedinghelpinaz.com/

Also visit our my web site:

http://aabreastfeeding.com

See you there

Lori

Prescription Milk: Trailer

2010-08-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

We need to combine the advanced medical technology with the human technology and have both work together to save the lives of babies born prematurely. Feeding premature babies donated human milk is life saving.

The latest statistics show that 1 in 8 babies are born prematurely. This equals about 500,000 babies a year, with 40% of the babies not making it through their first year of life.

Liquid Gold - another lovely name for human milk. Mothers donate their liquid gold, their milk because they know that without the immune factors and antibodies provided from their milk, babies will die. WE need for mothers to donate their milk and we need for hospitals and insurance companies to support these efforts.

Feel free to share this video.

Moms sharing breast milk - Channel 12 Interview

2010-08-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

I was recently interviewed on Channel 12 News in Phoenix, Arizona.

HUMAN MILK FOR HUMAN BABIES! This is what I would have liked the headlines to say!

The interview lasted close to 30 minutes and below is the final piece. One of these days I will have an opportunity for a full half hour interview and it will all be shown. There was so much more that we talked about and more info I wanted to share.

We talked about local mothers sharing their breastmilk with others and all of the emotions surrounding it as well as the health issues too. There was a discussion about how milk sharing or direct breastfeeding of other babies was very common for many years and why and how things have changed.

Heather and I also talked a bit more about the details regarding friends, family and the mainstream public about this subject and the fact that it is not for everyone. Also discussed was how some families make the decisions as they weigh the health benefits of breastmilk sharing and risks of formula feeding. What is often not talked about is the fact that infant formula is not a guaranteed safe product as there has been many recalls. Infant formula is also not a product that has been approved by the FDA. Interestingly enough, when I talk about these facts, most people have no idea that formula has ever been recalled and are shocked to find this out.

We think it is important to mention this fact as parents weigh their options. We also talked about, that in terms of options, it would be great if all mothers had access to donated milk from the milk banks as their first option. However, this needs a physicians prescription and is very costly and therefore, prohibitive to most families.

I had hoped that also as a part of this interview, was a lot more info on the safety of Human Milk Banks as this would be so educational for the public. It would also have been great to have highlighted some of the few hospitals that are currently using donated milk from the milk banks to feed their most ill babies in the NICU. There are many studies on the amazing health benefits of this. Hospitals that are feeding their very ill babies donated milk from the human milk banks are seeing huge health benefits. Their babies are having less health issues, decreased death rate, gaining weight easier and are discharged earlier that their formula fed ill babies.

For more information on the services that I provide please take a look at my website

Click here for article and video:

Moms sharing breast milk

Nursing mother kicked out of McDonald's

2010-08-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Clarissa Bradford was told to leave a Phoenix McDonald's Wednesday night because she was breastfeeding her 6 month old baby. When the assistant manager told her to leave, Clarissa responded by stating that by Arizona law she was allowed to breastfeed her baby anywhere she wanted to. The assistant manager did not listen or care what she had to say and proceeded to insist that she leave. Below is her story.

Interestingly enough, my daughter Carly, has several friends visiting her and they are all staying at my home. The girls are in the young 20's and are from Scotland, England and New Zealand. When talking about this story, none of the girls could really believe it is true. They have never heard of, first of all needing such laws to protect breastfeeding, and second it never occured to them that breastfeeding in public was something people would object to.

When asked about the laws in their country and about public views on nursing in public, they say they are not absolutely sure of the law, but they do know that nursing in public is not something that is talked about in a negative way. Actually they all said that it was a very normal thing to see. Most moms nurse discreetly, some using a coverup of some sort and others not needing to. In a good way, it is such a non-issue in their countries that they feel there really is not much to talk about.

Comments are welcome. My personal comment on this issue continues to be: "is this really happening in this day and age? In America? It just can't be."

Nursing mother kicked out of McDonald's

Breastfeeding is NOT suppose to hurt - Part 2

2010-08-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

During childbirth, the pains we feel from contractions do hurt and yet this is pain with a purpose. The work of labor is to cause the uterine muscle to go through changes that create the stretching of the uterine muscles... all to help bring your baby down and out into your arms. This labor period is a relatively short period of time and we can help ourselves tremendously to get through this period. Learning and practicing relaxation techniques, trusting birth and choosing the right careproviders are all part of the ingredients to help you have a safe birth as planned.

So, while pain during childbirth is expected and we can work through it, pain during breastfeeding signals us that something is wrong and we should not have to use techniques to help us get through the pain each and every time you breastfeed. So, what do we do as new mothers when there are people around us who say that newborn breastfeeding pain is normal? My first thought is: Normal for who? And why? And for how long? And just because that was there experience, does not mean it has to be your experience also.

So, here's the thing. My peer lactation consultants and I are pretty intense about teaching mothers that this should not be hurting. Why? Because frequently this means breastfeeding failure. You just discontinue offering your milk altogether, whether it be from the direct breast or from a bottle. Or you decide to exclusively pump and bottlefeed.

What is wrong with this picture? Well, it does not matter so much what I or someone else wants. What is wrong with this picture is that this is not what you had wanted.
You looked forward to the experience of holding your baby against your body, having them latch on and seeing them drink your milk,, directly from you. I strongly encourage mothers who are in this position to seek help from an experienced IBCLC. At least until you can get help, be sure to keep up your milk production with regular pumping and be sure to feed your baby as frequently as he/she desires, which is usually 8 - 10 feedings a day.

If the pump you are using is anything less than a hospital grade pump and you are finding that you are not making enough to keep up with your baby, I would encourage you to switch pumps, at least just temporarily, until you can get breastfeeding going well.

As lactation specialists, our mantra is:

1. Feed the baby ( even if it means temporarily with a bottle)
2. Protect the milk production ( regular and frequent milk removal)

As long as you are doing numbers 1 & 2, there is always lots of opportunity to work on your breastfeeding challenges, solve your issues and begin breastfeeding in comfort.

Breastfeeding.......is NOT suppose to hurt

2010-08-11T00:35:00.001-07:00

That is right! Breastfeeding is not suppose to hurt. Breastfeeding your baby can sometimes be tiring for some mothers in the early days, but it is not suppose to hurt. So, why do so many mothers spend weeks on end enduring significant pain before they either get help or give up? Why? Well, I am frequently told that because they have read or been told that it can be quite painful for the first 2-4 weeks, mothers think this is normal. They suffer needlessly, just waiting for their pain to get better. Certainly for some mothers, their pain becomes less and less as the weeks go on. For other mothers, they may give up because the pain is so bad. And others gratefully receive help from an experienced lactation consultant.

There are a few important facts about early breastfeeding that I work hard to let all mothers know and learn.

#1. Breastfeeding is not suppose to hurt.
#2. If it is hurting, something is not right.
#3. If something is not right and you don't know what to do to fix it, get help.
#4. Getting help from an expert is a lot less expensive than the alternative... especially in the long run.
#5. When you put your baby to the breast, it should elicit a strong feeling of love and comfort and relaxation.

More on this in my next post.

Lori

World Breastfeeding Week Tribute

2010-08-07T17:29:00.000-07:00

World Breastfeeding Week highlights the role of health professionals

2010-08-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

Please watch this video which discusses the Ten Steps to Healthy Breastfeeding.
All parents to be should be made aware of this information as they go through the process of choosing where they would like to give birth and who they would like to participate in the healthcare of their babies.

1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.

2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.

3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.

4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within a half-hour of birth.

5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they should be separated from their infants.

6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated.

7. Practice rooming- in - allow mothers and infants to remain together - 24 hours a day.

8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.

9. Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants.

10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.

Breastfeeding is ...beautiful

2010-08-07T16:57:00.000-07:00

Another nice video to share in honor World Breastfeeding Week

Official Keep Austin Breastfeeding Flash Mob 2010

2010-08-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

I love the power and energy of moms. This video brings a whole new level to Flash Dance/Flash Moms. Check out this video and see if it motivates you to get something going in your neck of the woods to celebrate breastfeeding. Send me your video and I will be happy to post in on the All About Breastfeeding Blog.

Happy World Breastfeeding Week

2010-08-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy this video in honor of World Breastfeeding Week.

GREAT NEW PRODUCT

2010-07-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

Based on all the babies I see in their car seats with their heads lopsided, I know that it is a much needed item. I spent some time chatting with the developors of SnugZee and here is what I learned:

How is SnugZee Different?

1. The rainbow shaped pillows that are currently available on the market are placed behind your baby's head. This works against supporting your baby's head in an upright position by forcing her head down and forward and consequently contributes to the floppy-head dilema. Any device that goes in between baby and car seat may compromise the effectiveness of the harness system in the event of a crash.

2. SnugZee works to stabilize your baby's head by providing sufficient support on either side.

3. The "other" double-pillow model has dimensions of 8" x 7" and obstructs your baby's view of the world around him while directly interfering with his ability to self-soothe.

4. SnugZee pillow support dimensions: 4" x 3"

5. The "other" strap cover pads are 5.8" long which force your baby's chest buckle too low to perform as it was designed to in the event of a crash.

6. SnugZee strap cover pads are 3" long and allow your baby to remain properly restrained, comfortably.

Breastfed babies and the heat

2010-07-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

I frequently get asked if there is a need for breastfed babies to be given water during the heat of the summer.

Breastfed babies do not need water - keep in mind that breastmilk is 88% water. Even in the first few days after birth, before mom's milk has "come in", colostrum is all that is needed to keep baby well hydrated (assuming baby is nursing effectively). Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Supplements (water, glucose water, formula, and other fluids) should not be given to breastfeeding newborn infants unless ordered by a physician when a medical indication exists... During the first 6 months of age, even in hot climates, water and juice are unnecessary for breastfed infants and may introduce contaminants or allergens."

In addition, breastfed babies do not require water when it is very hot outside, assuming baby is allowed to nurse as needed. Baby can get all the liquids needed via breastmilk. A number of studies have determined that an exclusively breastfed baby does not need extra water - these studies have been done in various locations (both humid and dry) at temperatures ranging from 22-41°C (71.6-105.8°F) and 9-96% relative humidity

Giving babies water is not be good for them. If you replace nourishing milk with water, your baby will miss out on nutrients he needs and it may upset his feeding habits.

Breastmilk has antibodies which protect your baby against infection, so missing out on milk may make him more likely to become unwell.

Breastfed babies do not need extra water, even in hot weather. Studies in hot climates have shown that babies who are allowed to breastfeed whenever they want do not become dehydrated.

When it's hot, babies tend feed more often, for short periods of time. This way they get extra foremilk, which is thinner and more refreshing than the fat-rich hindmilk, which comes at the end of a feed. Letting your baby have as many extra feeds as he wishes when it is hot means that he will get plenty of water.

Here is a list of common risk factors associated with water supplementation of newborns und 6 weeks of age:

•Water supplements are associated with increased bilirubin levels in jaundiced newborns.
•Too much water can lead to a serious condition called oral water intoxication.
•Water supplements fill baby up without adding calories, so water supplements can result in weight loss (or insufficient weight gain) for the baby.
•Babies who get water supplements are less interested in nursing. If baby is not nursing as often as he should, it will take longer for mom's milk to come in and can delay or prevent mom from establishing an optimum milk supply.

For babies past the newborn stage

•Too much water can interfere with breastfeeding because it fills baby up so that he nurses less. Babies need the nutrition and calories in breastmilk to grow - water has none of these.
•Breastmilk has all the water your baby needs, even in very hot weather.
•When your 4-6 month old baby is learning to use a cup, giving him a few sips of water a couple of times a day (no more than 2 ounces per 24 hours) is fine and fun.
•Once baby starts solids, you might want to give him a few sips of expressed milk or water with his solids - some babies need this to prevent constipation.

Please feel free to share this post with anyone who has questions or concerns about water supplements for the breastfed baby.

STAY COOL

Lori

Breastfeeding and Risk for Fever after Immunization

2010-06-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

This is taken from the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Published online May 17, 2010

A study just published in Pediatrics looked at the incidence of fever after immunizations among babies who were exclusively breastfed, partially breastfed, and formula fed.

In a sample of 450 babies, they found that fever was reported for 25% of the exclusively breastfed babies, 31% for the partially breastfed babies, and 53% for the formula fed babies. So not breastfeeding roughly doubled the incidence of fever compared to exclusively breastfed babies.

Why would this be? The authors note that different responses to viruses among breastfed and not-breastfed babies. They also note that it could be that babies' feed more frequently for comfort after an immunization, thereby taking in more calories in the post-immunization period - a pattern which does not occur with formula fed babies. Reduced caloric intake is associated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory factors.

Ahhhhhhhhh Cool Air

2010-06-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who has inquired about the comfort level in my home. Lots of freon was added and 3 days later the a/c is still working... and working well. So, is it a leak??? or not?? That is the question. For right now, I am riding it out and enjoying 3 days in a row of cool air. This has not happened in a while and I am happy with RIGHT NOW!

The fact that my office is now comfortable will be very good news for those moms who would like to come in for a sleepy wrap demo or a bra fitting... or anything else you might be interested in.

Enjoy this poem I found while surfing the internet:

Mother's Love

These are the days
of laughter and love
smiling faced cherubim
sent from above
snuggled at my breast
full of warmth and rest
brings meaning and purpose
fulfilling destiny
creating, nurturing
the solar plexus
of radiant energy
transformed
in your smile

~ Charisse Goodyear

Business, Heat and The Air Conditioner

2010-06-10T22:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, so it has been a week since I have blogged. The temperatures here in Phoenix Arizona have risen to the triple digits. And yes, it is a dry heat. And when it is 90 and 95 and 98, it is really not so bad. In fact, I like the weather at 95. Something shifts in a BIG way once it turns over to triple digits..... the heat is definitely on and there is usually no turning back. Which means triple digits for months at a time.

Which is fine,,, as long as one has air conditioning. Air in their car and their home and their office - and all is fine with their world. My issue? The air conditioning in my home has had a major breakdown and as Murphy's Law would have it, this will be a very difficult job to fix. Apparently, the unit does have a leak. And yes, apparently, this leak is a very sneaky one, hiding in an unknown place. So, while this is being worked on,,,, my business is booming!

I am thrilled to be so busy and am enjoying the work that I do and the families that I meet. I have had the privilege of working with pregnant and new mothers, as well as helping some grandmothers choose just the right gift for their pregnant daughters and daughter-in-laws. The greatest pleasure I have is to meet all the new babies and hold them in my arms. Pity my first baby on a Monday morning after not having held a baby all weekend. I basically think the baby is mine and will stay with me....but don't worry, I do give them back after a few minutes. I can't really be holding the baby when I am trying to help the mommy with breastfeeding!!

As a lactation consultant, I offer private consultations so I can work with mom and baby and help make breastfeeding a more pleasurable experience for those who have been having challenges. Consults take place in either my home office or the mothers home. I love having the balance of being at home and working and yet, at the same time, packing up my car with all my consult stuff and traveling to mothers homes.

Perhaps it is the heat these last few weeks, but home consults have been booming! I enjoy this because it does change things up for me, and I love visiting mothers in their own place as I really get an idea of the space they are using to breastfeed their babies. Looking at all their decorations and the babies rooms is also a lot of fun.

My air conditioner will get fixed - real soon, I hope. The temperatures will continue to rise - whether we like it or not. And with all the fabulous mom to mom referrals I have been getting, my business will begin to build. I will continue to blog and hope to get back on track with daily postings. I also hope that this week some of the very pregnant moms I have seen in the last few weeks, finally give birth to their babies as all have been desperate in this heat and are very ready to finally meet their babies. Congratulations all!

Human Milk Banking

2010-06-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

Would you like to know:

How do I become a milk donor?
How do I order human donor milk?
What is a donor milk bank?
How does a donor milk bank operate?
Where is the donor milk used?
Why use donor milk?

"Experts recommend breastfeeding exclusively for six months and the introduction of age appropriate foods with breastmilk to remain in the diet for two years and beyone. When maternal milk is inadequate or lacking particularly for high risk or premature infants pasateurized donor milk is the best option. Donor milk banking plays an important role in meeting these recommendations. "

The above excerpt is taken from the Human Milk Banking of North America website. Please follow the link below for their website.

http://www.aabreastfeeding.com/My%20Favorite%20Links/my-favorite-links.htm

Pregnant? And Breastfeeding?

2010-05-31T15:11:00.000-07:00

You are pregnant... and happy about it....... but.... ooops.... you are still breastfeeding your 15 month old baby. Now what should you do? Well, how you proceed depends entirely up to you, your health and of course, your 15 month old baby will have a say in this also!

If you are experiencing a normal pregnancy with no known health issues, you will be happy to know that there is no evidence stating that you need to wean. Your unborn baby will not be deprived of vital nutrients during the pregnancy while you continue to breastfeed your 15 month old. During pregnancy, mothers have contractions not just caused by breastfeeding, but also by sexual activity, and both are normal.

Some mothers and babies will remain totally comfortable breastfeeding during a pregnancy. Others will experience symptoms that are perhaps slightly annoying and others might have sensations that are just too painful to continue. Nipple sensitivity is fairly common and for some mothers it is just a general soreness that is no big deal. Other mothers describe painful nipples that are enough to motivate them to wean.

It is common for the milk production to decrease during the early part of the second trimester. For some babies, they are quite tenacious and just go for it anyway. Other babies become annoyed, impatient and lose interest and this causes them to wean. The milk also tends to change its "flavor", perhaps because of hormonal changes. When this happens, some babies are again, quite tenacious and just carry on and others are just done, done, done as they do not like this change in flavor. Sometimes when babies wean themselves during pregnancy, we are not sure exactly why. Was it the low or almost no supply? Was it the taste of the milk? Were they having difficulties finding a comfy spot on their mommies lap? Or did they just naturally get distracted with their daily life and self wean?

Most important news is that unless there is a very specific documented reason for doing so, there is no reason to purposefully wean, just because you are pregnant. Speak with your healthcare provider about this. If the advise is to wean, you might consider asking for the research stating the need to. For reasons that might be different than anything I mentioned or out of the ordinary, you are welcome to send me an email with the information as I love to learn new information to be able to share with my clients and readers.

Medela Symphony Breastpump

2010-05-28T13:02:00.000-07:00

I just received a new shipment of brand new Medela Symphony hospital grade breastpump. These are great pumps to rent if:

1. You did not want to purchase a pump.
2. You are looking for THE most comfortable pump on the market today.
3. You are trying to help build your milk supply - this is the pump for you.
4. You are having problems breastfeeding and need to replace the baby at breast, this pump can do that for you.
5. You are having pain during breastfeeding and it hurts to use your pump with cracked and bleeding or sore nipples, engorgement, plugged ducts or mastitis - this is the pump for you.

Check out this link

for more info on pump and prices. Call 623-362-2511 or email Lori at aabreastfeeding@hotmail.com for shipping prices.

Great Deal for a Photo Session

2010-05-27T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is a GREAT deal for a photo session with an amazing photographer. Just go to her website and check out her work. Hurry as the deal is over soon.

http://www.thisislifephotography.com

Here's the deal:

$79 ($490 value, $411 savings, 84% off!)
Portrait Session
2-5x7s
2-8x10s
50% off additional prints

-Once 10 people sign up, the deal is on!
-You have until this Saturday, May 29th at midnight to sign up.
-Make sure you tell all of your family and friends! Spread the word!
-This is a HUGE savings off of our normal prices and THIS OFFER WILL NOT REPEAT! Take advantage of the savings now and use it later!
-Restrictions apply, contact us for details.
-Limit 1 per household, although multiple sessions may be purchased as gifts.

A substance in human milk can kill cancer cells

2010-05-18T00:11:00.000-07:00

Substance in Breast Milk Kills Cancer Cells, Study Suggests
ScienceDaily (Apr. 23, 2010) — A substance found in breast milk can kill cancer cells, reveal studies carried out by researchers at Lund University and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Although the special substance, known as HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumour cells), was discovered in breast milk several years ago, it is only now that it has been possible to test it on humans. Patients with cancer of the bladder who were treated with the substance excreted dead cancer cells in their urine after each treatment, which has given rise to hopes that it can be developed into medication for cancer care in the future.

Discovered by chance

HAMLET was discovered by chance when researchers were studying the antibacterial properties of breast milk. Further studies showed that HAMLET comprises a protein and a fatty acid that are both found naturally in breast milk. So far, however, it has not been proven that the HAMLET complex is spontaneously formed in the milk. It is speculated, however, that HAMLET can form in the acidic environment of the babies´ stomachs. Laboratory experiments have shown that HAMLET kills 40 different types of cancer, and the researchers are now going on to study its effect on skin cancer, tumours in the mucous membranes and brain tumours. Importantly, HAMLET kills only cancer cells and does not affect healthy cells.

Studying the integration of the substance

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg are focusing on how HAMLET can be taken up into tumour cells. The researchers, Roger Karlsson, Maja Puchades and Ingela Lanekoff, are attempting to gain an in-depth understanding of how the substance interacts with cell membranes, and their findings were recently published in the journal PLoS One.

Federal Health Reform and Nursing Mothers

2010-05-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

On March 23rd, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, H.R. 3590. Follow the link below to learn more about what this means to employers and employees with regards to an employer being required to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breastmilk for her baby.

Also included in the link is information about breastfeeding and the law for the state of Arizona as well as laws in other states. breastfeeding and the law

A gradual return to work for the breastfeeding mother

2010-05-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

Mothers can prepare to return to work by being organized and planning a gradual transition back to work. Ideally, new mothers need at least 6-12 weeks of maternity leave to recover from childbirth and to establish a good milk supply. When a woman is not able to take this time, employer support can help her transition back to work so she can maintain her milk supply. This gradual easing back into the workplace allows time for her to adjust to her body’s changing needs.

Transition options include:

■ Part-time employment or telecommuting for a few weeks before resuming full-time work;
■ Working longer hours 4 days of the week and taking off in the middle of the work week to allow a day to rebuild milk supply by being with the baby;
■ Returning to work on a Thursday or Friday to allow for the quick weekend to rebuild milk supply before facing an entire week of separation from the baby; or
■ Job-sharing, which research shows can be highly effective for both employees and the employer.

Time to Express Milk:

Many employers are surprised to discover that the amount of time a woman needs to express milk is usually handled easily during the regular allowable break times. Women typically require two to three pumping sessions of around 15 minutes each, not counting time to go to and from the lactation room. As the baby grows and becomes older, pumping sessions often become less frequent. Women should discuss with their supervisors whether the current break schedule is sufficient. Employer flexibility, which allows for the mother to make up the time before or after work can help make this transition easier.

It is more efficient for women to simply feed their infants directly. This can work well if the company provides onsite childcare, if the childcare provider is able to bring the baby to the mother during the work period, or if the company allows the employee to bring her infant to work for the first few months.

Medela Symphony is a great hospital grade pump that moms can rent. This is a very comfortable pump and can be used to express your milk while you are separated from your baby.

Medela Pump In Style ( which All About Breastfeeding sells at a great price), is a single user pump that is also quite comfortable and can be used to express your milk while you are separated from your baby.

The Medela Symphony is highly recommended if you are trying to build your supply, have a low supply or if your baby is not breastfeeding well. If you are having breastfeeding challenges, you should consider a visit with an IBCLC to help you work through the challenges and fix breastfeeding.

If you are preparing to return to work soon, please keep in mind that it is helpful to begin pumping and storing your milk about 2 weeks before your planned return to work. Some mothers feel they need to have a freezer full of pumped milk. This is not necessary and you should not stress yourself out trying to accomplish this goal.

What you do need is 1 full days supply stored, plus 2-3 more bottles, for those times when you might be running late getting home from work. Each day that you are at work and separated from your baby, you will be pumping several times a day. This pumped milk will be for your baby the next day. Mondays milk is pumped for Tuesday. Tuesdays milk is pumped for Wednesday. Fridays milk is pumped for Monday.

If you would like to have extra milk, you can always pump on the weekends and store in the freezer. As a mother who knows how precious the first few weeks/months are, I would really want you to enjoy the time breastfeeding and enjoying your baby. If you are so focused on pumping and spending a lot of time doing so, you may miss quiet and relaxed time with your baby the first months. As in most things in life, it is helpful to find balance. Give yourself a little time and you will find your balance.

The breastfeeding mother and her return to the workplace

2010-05-09T01:40:00.000-07:00

When a mother returns to work, she has many things on her mind. When she is a breastfeeding mother, one of the items on her returning to work list is often figuring out the logistics of expressing her milk during the workday. She has worked hard during the early weeks of mothering and it almost feels like now that breastfeeding is going smoothly, she now has another adjustment to make.

Employer and peer support are a very important component to her success. Some co-workers or supervisors who have never breastfed, do not understand her need to take regular breaks to express her milk.

What they don't understand is that when a mother is separated from her baby, she needs to use hand expression or a breastpump to remove the milk as frequently as her baby normally would have, had she been with her baby. If she does not remove the milk on a regular basis, she is likely to notice a quick drop in her supply and soon be in jeopardy of not making enough milk for her baby. Not removing the milk on a regular basis can also make the mother uncomfortably full and create painful breast tissue and possibly a breast infection.

Mothers who return to work know that all they need to do is take two 15-20 minute breaks and another during lunch and use this time to pump. Depending on their workday, some mothers will need to pump less and some might need to pump more. A private room and her own cooler to store her milk are all that is needed.
I can't say this enough times:

Breastfeeding employees should never be expected to express milk in a restroom! Restrooms are unsanitary, usually lack appropriate electrical connections, and do not provide a place to comfortably operate a breast pump.

Mothers and their employers and co-workers quickly learn that pumping is usually done during regular breaks that all employees typically get. They realize that pumping does not need to interfere with the mothers ability to get her job done during regular working hours.

The length of time that a mother needs to pump is a relatively short time in the scheme of things. As her baby grows, it is common for breastfeeding to gradually decrease and along with this will be a reduction in her pumping times. The AAP recommends that baby's be breastfed or provided with their mothers milk for at least the first year of their life.

All About Breastfeeding rents the Medela Symphony Breastpump. If you live local and are unsure if this pump is for you, email Lori at aabreastfeeding@hotmail.com to schedule a pump trial. Renting the pump is easy and quick. Locally you can call or email to schedule a time to pick up your pump. The Medela Symphony can also be rented and shipped out of state. Email Lori at aabreastfeeding@hotmail.com for more information. Pump Rentals

Proper Handling and Storage of Human Milk

2010-04-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

I receive so many inquiries about the proper storage of human milk that I thought I would just add the most updated version of the information given by the CDC - Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics

Proper Handling and Storage of Human Milk

By following safe preparation and storage techniques, nursing mothers and caretakers of breastfed infants and children can maintain the high quality of expressed breast milk and the health of the baby.

Safely Preparing And Storing Expressed Breast Milk

•Be sure to wash your hands before expressing or handling breast milk.

•When collecting milk, be sure to store it in clean containers, such as screw cap bottles, hard plastic cups with tight caps, or heavy-duty bags that fit directly into nursery bottles. Avoid using ordinary plastic storage bags or formula bottle bags, as these could easily leak or spill.

•If delivering breast milk to a child care provider, clearly label the container with the child's name and date.

•Clearly label the milk with the date it was expressed to facilitate using the oldest milk first.

•Do not add fresh milk to already frozen milk within a storage container. It is best not to mix the two.

•Do not save milk from a used bottle for use at another feeding.

Safely Thawing Breast Milk

•As time permits, thaw frozen breast milk by transferring it to the refrigerator for thawing or by swirling it in a bowl of warm water.

•Avoid using a microwave oven to thaw or heat bottles of breast milk

◦Microwave ovens do not heat liquids evenly. Uneven heating could easily scald a baby or damage the milk

◦Bottles may explode if left in the microwave too long.

◦Excess heat can destroy the nutrient quality of the expressed milk.

•Do not re-freeze breast milk once it has been thawed.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics.

Storage Duration of Fresh Human Milk for Use with Healthy Full Term Infants

Location Temperature Duration Comments

Countertop, table Room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) 6–8 hours Containers should be covered and kept as cool as possible; covering the container with a cool towel may keep milk cooler.

Insulated cooler bag 5-39°F or -15-4°C 24 hours Keep ice packs in contact with milk containers at all times, limit opening cooler bag.

Refrigerator 39°F or 4°C 5 days Store milk in the back of the main body of the refrigerator.

Freezer Store milk toward the back of the freezer, where temperature is most constant.
Milk stored for longer durations in the ranges listed is safe, but some of the lipids in the milk undergo degradation resulting in lower quality.

Freezer compartment of a refrigerator 5°F or -15°C 2 weeks
Freezer compartment of refrigerator with separate doors 0°F or -18°C 3–6 months
Chest or upright deep freezer -4°F or -20°C 6–12 months

Cute video of Dad swaddling baby Ella

2010-04-27T11:10:00.001-07:00

Normal newborn breastfeeding expectations

2010-03-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

When you are a new parent and/or new to breastfeeding, sometimes there is information overload and you may not know what to pay attention to and you can let go. Well, I cannot speak for all the info you might get from doctors and nurses about your care or your babies care, BUT I can speak about the important stuff you need to know for early breastfeeding.

You can check out my website for info on breastfeeding classes. The best time to take a class on breastfeeding is in your last trimester. There is a lot of good information that is covered in the two hour class, so I don't want to leave you with the impression that what I am about to say is ALL you need, But what I am about to say IS very important information that you definitely do need to pay attention to. So, at the very least, please know:

1. Breastfeeding should not hurt at all. If you are experiencing pain during breastfeeding, it may mean that your baby is not latched on well. If your baby is not latched on well, this can greatly affect your babies ability to get a good feeding, gain weight appropriately, and for you to build a good milk production.

2. A well fed newborn baby will typically be waking up on his/her own about 8 times a day and coming to one or both breasts for a feeding. Your baby should spend most of the time at the breast sucking and swallowing... in other words, actively eating. A baby that is mostly sleeping at the breast is a baby that is not eating well. On average, most new babies need to suck actively for a good 15-20 minutes on at least one side and usually both ( in the first week or so of life), in order to get a good feeding.

3. By the 4th day, your breasts should feel full with milk before a feeding, and after your hungry baby is done feeding, he/she will appear content and your breasts will be much softer.

4. A well fed newborn baby should have 4 heavy wet diapers a day - at the very least- and the color should be clear to light yellow. Anything less than 4 heavy wet diapers a day and/or a strong odor or dark color to the urine is a sign that your baby is not getting enough food.

5. A well fed newborn baby should have transitioned from the dark, black, sticky meconium on the first day, to a lighter and lighter color and less sticky by day 3 and, by Day 4, the stools should be at least 3 quarter size amounts and a yellow, mustardy color to them. If the stools on Day 4 or later are far and few between, dark in color, this is a sign that your baby is not getting enough food from the breast.

Again, there is much more to know, but 1-5 is the very basic, but very important information. If you feel that you baby is not having good feedings at the breast, please call and schedule an appointment with a lactation consultant who can help guide you through this time and help you succeed at breastfeeding. If you are local to the Phoenix area, I hope you will call or email me - 623-362-2511 or aabreastfeeding@hotmail.com

If your baby is not having good breastfeedings, they will typically lose weight instead of gain and more than likely you will have difficulty building your milk production. The early weeks of lactation are very, very important to helping build your supply. Feel free to share this information with every breastfeeding mother you know!

Breastfeeding May Protect a Woman's Heart

2010-03-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

Arteries appear to be less clogged in those who nurse infants, study finds

HealthDay

Monday, December 21, 2009

MONDAY, Dec. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Although many women choose to breast-feed because of the numerous health benefits it offers their offspring, new research suggests that breast-feeding may also help the health of the mothers' hearts later in life.

In a study of nearly 300 women, researchers found that those who had not breast-fed were much more likely to have calcification or plaque in their coronary artery, aorta and carotid artery. When calcifications and plaque build up in the arteries, blood flow can be reduced, and, if enough of these deposits build up, they can cause a heart attack or stroke.

"Women who had not breast-fed were more likely to develop changes that might lead to symptomatic heart disease," said the study's lead author, Dr. Eleanor Schwarz, an assistant professor of medicine, epidemiology, obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Health Care.

Results of the study will be published in the January issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Schwarz and her colleagues had previously looked at breast-feeding's effect on older women, and that study found that post-menopausal women who had breast-fed were less likely to report having heart disease. Another study on breast-feeding from a different research group recently reported in the journal Diabetes that women who breast-fed were less likely to develop metabolic syndrome, a clustering of risk factors that indicate an increased risk for heart disease.

The current study included 297 women who'd had at least one baby. At the time of the study, they were 45 to 58 years old, had never been diagnosed with heart disease and had no known symptoms of heart disease.

The researchers used two imaging techniques -- electron beam tomography and ultrasound -- to assess the health of the women's blood vessels.

They found that 32 percent of the women who had not breast-fed had coronary artery calcification, compared with 17 percent of the breast-feeding moms. The researchers found calcifications in 39 percent of the aortas of women who hadn't breast-fed, versus 17 percent of the women who had. They also found plaque deposits in the carotid artery of 18 percent of the women who had not breast-fed and 10 percent of those who had.

After adjusting the data for socioeconomic status, family history and lifestyle factors, heart disease risk factors and body mass, the researchers concluded that women who had not breast-fed were five times more likely to have aortic calcifications than women who consistently breast-fed.

Schwarz said the researchers suspect that the apparent benefit from breast-feeding on later heart health stems from how a woman's body stores fat and how that fat is released -- or not released -- after pregnancy.

"A woman's body expects to go through pregnancy and then lactation," Schwarz explained. "During pregnancy, a woman's body stores fat that it expects to release during lactation. If women don't breast-feed, then the body has to deal with excessive fat."

The bottom line is that "it's really important to try to breast-feed," she said. "If you can breast-feed for three months after each pregnancy, your blood vessels are likely to be in better shape down the road."

She added that women who can't breast-feed for three months ought to try for at least a little while. "Some women may feel overwhelmed by some of the long-term breast-feeding recommendations," Schwarz said. "Our study looked at three months, but if that's not possible, the longer you can stick with it, the better."

Dr. Catherine McNeal, an associate professor of medicine and a specialist in cardiovascular disease prevention at Scott & White Healthcare, said she agrees that a decrease in fat mass after pregnancy is probably the factor that's providing a heart benefit to women who breast-fed.

"We used to think of fat as this inert material, but it's very bioactive," McNeal said. "It produces a plethora of bad hormones and inflammatory markers that influence blood pressure, lipids and the risk of diabetes."

McNeal said that the study provided preliminary data "and we need to look at this area more closely, but I'm excited to see they found a positive effect of breast-feeding."

SOURCES: Eleanor Schwarz, M.D., assistant professor, medicine, epidemiology, obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Health Care, Pittsburgh; Catherine McNeal, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor, internal medicine and pediatrics, Scott & White Healthcare, Temple, Texas; January 2010, Obstetrics and Gynecology

American Academy of Pediatrics policy statements

2010-03-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as an infant's consumption of human milk with no supplementation of any type (no water, no juice, no nonhuman milk, and no foods) except for vitamins, minerals, and medications.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed, with no supplements, for the first six months of life. They also advise that breastfeeding continue for 12 months or longer if mutually desired. The AAP recognizes that, “Human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and is species-specific; all substitute feeding options differ markedly from it… Human milk is the preferred feeding for all infants, including premature and sick newborns.”

The AAP Section on Breastfeeding, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Family Physicians, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, and many other health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life.2,127–130 Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as an infant's consumption of human milk with no supplementation of any type (no water, no juice, no nonhuman milk, and no foods) except for vitamins, minerals, and medications.131 Exclusive breastfeeding has been shown to provide improved protection against many diseases and to increase the likelihood of continued breastfeeding for at least the first year of life.

For more detailed information on this AAP policy statement:
Click here

Win an Undercover Mama shirt!

2010-03-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

Please go to Happy and healthy mom and learn how you can win an undercover mama shirt. Let me know if you win!

http://www.happyandhealthymom.com/monthly_giveaways

Questions, Comments, Concerns about Breastfeeding - from family and friends.

2010-03-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

When you are born into and/or brought up in an environment where breastfeeding is the norm, you may never have to deal with criticism about your decision to begin breastfeeding or your decision to continue breastfeeding past the first year.

For the parents who are in this position, please post a comment on your experience as I am sure my readers would love to hear about it.

Some mothers think they are out of the woods because their own mothers and mother-in-law have told them that they think it is great that they are going to breastfeed. I have one good friend, Stacy, whose mother did not breastfeed her 3 babies, but was very supportive of my friend who planned to breastfeed as soon as her baby was born. Her mother-in-law was equally as supportive because she had breastfed all 4 of her babies.

Well, it turns out that Stacy had suffered through cracked and bleeding nipples ( which is not normal - get help from an IBCLC), and by the time she had her second bout of mastitis ( a breast infection), her mother was begging her to stop breastfeeding and allow her body to return to normal. My friend was feeling very vulnerable, did not want to quit, but at the same time was unsure of what she should do.

She suffered through the first month or so and by the time her baby girl was 6 weeks old, she was finally beginning to enjoy breastfeeding. She knew her baby was happy at the breast, gaining well and it no longer hurt her. My friend was finally settling into a happy routine in getting use to breastfeeding and it was becoming second nature to her.

At this point, her mother-in-law begin to say: "And when are you going to stop breastfeeding and give your baby formula?" After hearing this for several weeks, my friend finally got the nerve to ask her mother-in-law why she kept pushing her to stop breastfeeding. It seems that while her mother-in-law did breastfeed her 4 babies, she also automatically stopped at 6 weeks old. She was under the impression that her milk had lost its nutritional value at this point and was "no good" anymore. This is what she had been told years ago and so she had become increasingly concerned that her grandchild was no longer getting what she needed. While I know this information is false, I can understand why she was pushing her daughter-in-law to stop breastfeeding. Interestingly enough, I continue to hear this being said - only it is not at 6 weeks the milk is no longer good, but at some point between 6 months to 1 year, depending on who you speak to.

For some mothers, the criticism comes from the father of the baby. Perhaps he was supportive in the beginning. However, he is now living with a breastfeeding mother and he can see that it can be time consuming. He is also feeling left out as he cannot feed his own baby. Dads sometime put pressure on breastfeeding mothers to pump so they can give baby milk from the bottle. Little does this Dad know that while in the beginning it can be time consuming, it soon becomes quite easy and takes very little time AND can save him a lot of time. But more on that later....

Some of my all time favorite criticism is when babies get teeth or when they turn a year old. The comments that some mothers tell me, either have me rolling on the floor laughing or truly empathizing with them for being in this situation. But more on this later also.....

Criticism from family or friends can be very trying for some breastfeeding mothers. In the next blog we will discuss some ways of handling this issue and how to respond to those who are particularly critical of your choices.

Meet you in the next blog!

Ahna Weston, CST - March Newsletter

2010-03-01T18:49:00.001-08:00

Ahna Weston is a craniosacral therapist (CST) who lives and works in the West Valley - Surprise.

Practitioners of CranioSacral Therapy work hands-on with your body and your nervous system to help re-establish balance and optimum function. We do this by helping to relax any tension from your head (Cranio) to your tailbone area (Sacral). But really, we work with your whole body, not just the head and tailbone area, since your whole body is connected. We actually work from head to toe. And we work with the muscles, fascia, and fluids to positively affect the musculoskeletal system, as well as the nervous system.

We assist your body in releasing any sort of stress or tension so that your body can get updated and simply work better and easier.

The result is a relaxed body/mind that is able to function more efficiently, effectively and more in harmony with who we are at the deepest level. CranioSacral Therapy is extremely safe & gentle, yet powerful beyond belief.

In my practice as a Lactation Consultant, there are times when I work with a baby who could benefit from CST. My favorite person to refer to is Ahna Weston. Pediatric CranioSacral Therapy (CST) , which is a gentle, non-invasive method of evaluating and enhancing the function of an infant's own natural healing mechanisms, is something that can correct or lessen these effects. Through Pediatric CST, the negative effects of stress on the central nervous system can be reduced, and visceral balance to the infant will be restored.

Ahna has worked wonders for some babies that I have referred to her. Craniosacral therapy is also fabulous for adults too! Ahna is running a special this month and I have posted her newsletter for you to read. She also has an excellent referral program so be sure to mention my name when you talk to her.

I encourage you to email me feedback after your visit with Ahna. Enjoy your session.

Common Breastfeeding Myths

2010-02-28T22:49:00.000-08:00

Yes! Breastfeeding Myths! This means that not all you have read or been told about breastfeeding is true. This means that you are not alone in having to wonder if some of the things you have been told about breastfeeding is the truth or not.
So, yes, here are some common myths and my reaction to it:

Myth 1: Breastfeeding is supposed to be painful!

This is simply not true. Many women find that breastfeeding does hurt, but that's not the way it's supposed to be. If breastfeeding is still hurting your nipples after the first three or four days, it's probably because your baby isn't latching on properly to your breast. There could also be other reasons related to your babies oral cavity or your breast and nipple anatomy. Painful breastfeeding shouldn't be ignored or accepted, it can be overcome - speak to your local IBCLC>

Myth 2: Many women don't produce enough milk. Not true! Most women are capable of producing even more milk than their baby actually needs. The problem is most likely not with milk production but with the baby getting access to the milk. He may not be latching on properly or something else is not right - are you holding him in the correct position, for example? Some other common reasons for low milk supply is that perhaps a mother is taking medication that is interfering in her ability to produce a fully supply. Perhaps she has had breast surgery that has an impact on her milk production. A Board Certified Lactation Consultant ( IBCLC), will provide a complete evaluation to help get to the bottom of this!

Myth 3: If babies feed a lot, that means they aren't getting enough milk.

Because breast milk is so easy to digest, babies generally get hungrier sooner than if they are formula-fed. It's appropriate for your breastfeeding newborn baby to eat every two to three hours. If everything else is going well with your babies output, weight gain, contentness after feeds, feeding frequency alone is not a sign of breastfeeding problems or low milk supply.

Myth 4: A breastfeeding baby needs extra water in hot weather.

This is a great myth I would love to debunk! Especially for those of us living here in Arizona. I meet many mothers who report they are being pushed by family members to give their well fed babies some water in a bottle, largely because it is to hot here in Arizona. This is not necessary as breastmilk contains all the water a baby needs. This also serves as a gentle reminder to feed babies whenever they show hunger cues as frequent breastfeeding ensures that your baby will stay well hydrated.

These are just a few of the many myths that I encounter on a daily basis in my private practice. Check back again as I will be adding more to this list in future posts.

FOR HAITI ORPHANS WET NURSING CAN SAVE LIVES

2010-02-24T19:17:00.000-08:00

Below is an interesting press release taken from the ILCA Press Room.

A new statement issued jointly by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and Pan American Health Organization, reminds relief workers, healthcare professionals, and the public that in an emergency such as the Haiti earthquake, the key to survival of all infants, including orphans, is breastfeeding. When a child is motherless or separated from his or her mother, wet nursing, that is, direct breastfeeding from another lactating mother, is the safest feeding option. Since the breastfeeding rate in Haiti is very high, there is a good likelihood of being able to find wet nurses for large numbers of motherless infants.

UNICEF, WHO and PAHO have recommended wet nursing, also called “cross nursing” or “shared breastfeeding,” for infants without mothers to “ensure their survival in an emergency situation.”

http://oneresponse.info/Disasters/Haiti/Nutrition/publicdocuments/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=78

There are a very small number of pathogens that may be transmitted via breastfeeding, including HIV. However, the risk of transmission of HIV via breastfeeding is low. The alternative to wet nursing for motherless infants is use of infant formula. The situation is Haiti is such that formula feeding presents a greater risk than the possibility of HIV infection via wet nursing.
Formula feeding in an emergency is extremely difficult and dangerous. Even when properly prepared, infant formula actively and passively harms the immune system of young babies, placing them at risk of life-threatening diarrhea and respiratory illness. [The Emergency Nutrition Network provides information on how formula can cause deaths due to diarrhea in an emergency at: http://www.ennonline.net/resources/101.]

Formula feeding also requires extensive investment from the supporting aid agency. This includes a constant supply of infant formula; a stable supply of clean water; a stove and fuel to boil water; a pot, kettle, and feeding cups. Bottles and teats (artificial nipples) should never be used in emergency conditions because they are too difficult to adequately clean. Caregivers also need a clean storage environment, education on minimizing the risks of formula feeding, and medical supervision. This support should be provided not just in the immediate emergency, but until the infant is 12 months old.

According to the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA), wet nursing is not new, and has been practiced since the beginning of time not just in emergencies, but for convenience of mothers. The practice was made more visible with reports of actress Salma Hayek, who breastfed a suffering child in Sierra Leone last year, and Chinese police officer Jiang Xiaojuan, who was reported to have breastfed five additional infants besides her own after the May 2008 earthquake in China.
ILCA provides additional recommendations on supporting breastfeeding mothers consistent with directives from international relief organizations, including:

 Feed the mother so she can, in turn, feed her infant.

 Provide a safe environment for breastfeeding if needed, including providing a private area or a way to breastfeed discreetly, if the mother desires it.
 Assist mothers who are separated from their infants with regular milk removal to avoid engorgement and maintain their milk production for when they are reunited with their baby.
 Assist mothers with re-establishing their milk production if they have already weaned their baby.

ILCA also strongly encourages the general public to avoid the temptation to donate infant formula to Haiti and, instead, to donate funds to relief organizations for use in meeting highest priority needs. Aid agencies supporting infants in Haiti that cannot be breastfed have procured the supplies that they need. Donations of infant formula only complicate the secure and sanitary provision of aid by workers on the ground. The organizations providing aid to breastfed and formula-fed infants in Haiti include: UNICEF, Save the Children, Action Against Hunger and World Vision.

ILCA has several free downloadable resources for families, health care providers, and relief workers at: www.ilca.org in English, Spanish, and French. The website also has a user-friendly “Find a Lactation Consultant Directory” of available International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) worldwide who can assist new mothers or relief workers with lactation.
To learn more about breastfeeding in emergency situations, visit the ILCA website at www.ilca.org, or contact the ILCA Office at info@ilca.org, or (919) 861-5577.

Sleepy Wraps - the best thing since sliced bread!

2010-02-22T17:12:00.000-08:00

Today I sold a few more Sleepy Wraps and based on the comments I have heard, I thought it might be nice to write about them in a post. While I have known about baby carriers/wraps for quite a few years, I imagine it is because I am in the BIZ. I have to keep reminding myself that for new parents, baby carriers may be new to them. See last paragraph for savings on Sleepy Wraps!

While there are many baby carriers available, I do not claim to know about all of them. I do know about the Sleepy Wraps that I carry and I can tell you why I love to sell them and why they have been such a huge hit.

The main reason I carry Sleepy Wraps is the material, the price and the beautiful colors. I also love the softness and the versatility. The same wrap can be used by mom and dad and grandparents.... and believe me, the wraps do get passed around!

What is one of the most comment sentiments that new parents make? Probably the most common one I hear is: " I just don't know why, but she likes to be held all the time." This is usually followed by mom saying, "now don't get me wrong, I love holding my baby, it is just that sometimes I would like to put her down so I can get just a few things done."

So, yes, even when babies have been fed well and are dry and comfortable, they still really like to be held close. It is one of the easiest ways to calm a fussy baby. After all, they have been use to being "rocked and rolled" inside mom for a better part of 9 months. Babywearing makes parenting easier because it allows you to respond to your baby quickly before crying escalates and stresses you out.

Social conditioning has led parents to believe that if a baby is held or carried too frequently they will be spoilt, clingy or demanding. Research aside, just ask a babywearing parent if they feel that carrying their baby has created a clingy, dependent child. More than likely you will hear parents agree with what we know to be true. The physical and psychological benefits associated with baby wearing encourage children to feel secure and content and build a solid sense of self-esteem.

Babies worn in slings are less clingy and tend to initiate separation much earlier than babies less frequently held. It allows them to be AT the centre of activity not THE centre of attention, which is a wonderful environment proven to stimulate brain development and cognitive learning.

Here is a link to the sleepy wraps on All About Breastfeedings website. There is lots more info on the benefits of sleepy wraps. They come in all different colors. If your first choice is sold out, you will probably have a second color that you would enjoy just as much. From Febrary 23rd, 2010 through March 15th, you can enjoy a savings of $4.00 off one wrap and $10.00 off when you purchase two wraps at the same time. Sleepy Wraps make excellent baby shower gifts for any new mother or father.

Facebook

2010-02-21T18:15:00.000-08:00

Little by little, step by step, day by day.....

I continue to work at keeping up with the technology available to us. So, today I finally opened up a Facebook account for my business, All About Breastfeeding. I even took pictures of my office and uploaded them onto the site. Okay, Okay, if truth be told, my husband Alan handled that part for me. Thanks honey!

Please take a few moments to check out the site and become a fan of All About Breastfeeding to help spread the word that:

Breastfeeding should not hurt!
If it does, it means that something is not quite right!
If you are having challenges, there is help available!

Here are just some of the many good reasons why you should breastfeed your baby:

•Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. Breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula.

•As a result, breastfed infants grow exactly the way they should. They tend to gain less unnecessary weight and to be leaner. This may result in being less overweight later in life.

•Premature babies do better when breastfed compared to premature babies who are fed formula

Of course, there are many more reasons to breastfeed your baby, however, the best reason to breastfeed your baby, is just because you want to. There is no better reason that this!

"Never let the odds keep you from pursuing what you know in your heart you were meant to do." Satchel Paige

Lori

URGENT CALL FOR HUMAN MILK DONATIONS FOR HAITI INFANTS

2010-02-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

January 25th, 2010 - A Call for Action

URGENT CALL FOR HUMAN MILK DONATIONS FOR HAITI INFANTS
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), United States
Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), International Lactation Consultant Association/United States
Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA/USLCA), and La Leche League International (LLLI)
are jointly issuing an urgent call for human milk donations for premature infants in Haiti, as well
as sick and premature infants in the United States.

This week the first shipment of human milk from mothers in the United States will be shipped to
the U.S. Navy Ship “Comfort” stationed outside Haiti. “Comfort” is currently set up with a
neonatal intensive care unit and medical personnel to provide urgent care to victims of the
earthquake. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant stationed at the U.S. Navy
base in Bethesda, MD is assisting with providing breast pump equipment and supplies to the
“Comfort.” Dr. Erika Beard-Irvine, pediatric neonatologist, is on board the “Comfort” to
coordinate distribution of the milk to infants in need. HMBANA, USBC, ILCA/USLCA, and
LLL are responding to requests to provide milk for both premature infants and at-risk mothers
who have recently delivered babies on board the U.S.N.S. Comfort, but an urgent need exists for
additional donations.

At the current time, the infrastructure to deliver human milk on land to Haiti infants has not yet
been established. As soon as that infrastructure is in place, additional donations will be provided
to older infants.
Mothers who are willing to donate human milk should contact their regional Mothers’ Milk Bank
of HMBANA.

A list of regional milk banks is available at the HMBANA website at
www.hmbana.org.
Currently milk banks are already low on donor milk. New milk donations will be used for both
Haiti victims as well as to replenish donor supplies to continue to serve sick and premature
infants in the U.S. Donor milk provides unique protection for fragile preterm infants. Financial
donations are also strongly encouraged to allow HMBANA, a nonprofit organization, to continue
serving infants in need.

UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the Emergency Nutrition Network, and medical
professionals all recommend that breastfeeding and human milk be used for infants in disasters
or emergencies. Human milk is life-saving due to its disease prevention properties. It is safe,
clean, and does not depend on water which is often unavailable or contaminated in an
emergency. Relief workers, health care providers, and other volunteers are urged to provide
support for breastfeeding mothers to enable them to continue breastfeeding, and to assist
pregnant and postpartum women in initiating and sustaining breastfeeding.

For more information, contact HMBANA at 408-998-4550 or www.hmbana.org. Additional
information can be provided from the United States Breastfeeding Committee at 202-367-1132
(www.usbreastfeeding.org), ILCA/USLCA at 1-800-452-2478 (www.ilca.org or
www.uslca.org), or La Leche League at 847-519-7730 (www.llli.org).

Creating Balance

2010-01-20T17:15:00.000-08:00

We frequently have a hard time balancing all the different aspects of our lives. When we have a baby, this can sometimes upset the apple cart even more so. In my work with new mothers, one of their greatest stresses is in creating balance in their lives. A key way to creating excellent balance lies in knowing what we value most and making this a priority. We are more likely to stay true to our values when we know what they are, but given our busy lives sometimes we don't take the time to sit quietly and think about this.

Below is a list of values. Not all of these will apply to you and some of your values may be not on this list so feel free to add and delete as you see fit.

VALUES WORTH CONSIDERING

family work honesty quiet time opportunity
faith courage fun health flexibility
learning playfulness creativity knowledge compassion
solitude friendship intelligence passion achievement
cleanliness beauty adventure musice independence
financial security spirituality

These are listed in no particular order. You can take this list and after some thought, begin to make a list of what you value the most and put them in numerical order. Make a copy of this. Put it on an index card or colorful paper. Keep it with you throughout the day or hang it up in a place that you visit often.... fridge, bulletin board, calendar, computer desktop, bathroom mirror, office space, babies room.

Just having your values out for you to see, glance at each day, will be helpful for you to keep in mind as you continually work to bring some balance into your life. It certainly helps you to prioritize which are the most important and let go of those that are not so and perhaps put them aside for a time when you are less busy or more energetic.

Human milk and the premature baby

2010-01-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

Premature babies arrive earlier than the expected 38 weeks gestation. Thanks to medical advances, babies weighing slightly less than 2 pounds are more likely to survive today.

However, because a premature baby's organs are often not fully developed, they are at a greater risk for health complications such as breathing issues, infection, anemia, and low blood pressure. Breast milk, though, has been shown to play a crucial role in improving the health of premature infants.

Most premature babies won’t be able to breastfeed initially because they aren’t strong enough and their sucking-swallowing coordination is not yet developed. Also, because the gastrointestinal tract of many premature babies is often not yet fully developed, they must be fed very slowly and carefully, usually through a tube that is placed through the mouth directly into the stomach. But that doesn’t mean that these babies shouldn’t receive breast milk. In fact, breast milk contains many important antibodies that help fight disease and prevent infection, a benefit crucial to vulnerable preemies. Breast milk also contains proteins that promote growth, helping preemies grow at a faster rate than full-term babies.

Another benefit of breast milk is that it plays an important role in preventing problems specific to preemies. An important area of study has been the protective effects of breast milk against necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal infection. One study showed that infants who received artificial milk had 6-10 times increased risk for NEC than infants fed breast milk. Other studies revealed premature infants fed breast milk were at a significantly decreased risk of any kind of infection—including the potentially devastating infectious condition called meningitis.

I have also mentioned in a previous blog post that amazingly enough, mother's own milk is designed specifically for the age of the baby. Milk for a 20 week old preemie will be different than the milk for a 26 week old preemie as the milk produced has varying degrees of protein, lipids, fatty acids, calcium, vitamins and other important nutrients vital to the developing baby.

While I don't know how our bodies know to produce milk that is meant for our babies age, it just does. This further supports the need for babies to receive their own mothers milk as it is specially designed for them.

While mothers of premature babies naturally produce milk tailored to the needs of their small offspring, preemie breast milk may also be fortified with supplements called “human milk fortifiers” to provide additional needed calcium, vitamins, and protein. Clinical evidence has shown that preemies who received fortified breast milk experienced improved growth and a better nutritional status.

Next post we will talk more specifically about some helpful hints for mothers who are pumping exclusively for their premature babies.

The Benefits of Human Milk for your preterm baby

2010-01-05T22:27:00.000-08:00

Human Milk - Mothers Milk - Breastmilk - Goes by many names and I would love to share with you some of the amazing benefits human milk offers the premature baby.

Large protein molecules called Immunoglobulins are in breastmilk the whole time you breastfeed. They are in a highly concentrated form in the colostrum, which is the milk you make for the first several days after birth. Immunoglobulins are also called antibodies and these provide numerous health benefits for your baby.

When moms are on the fence about whether to breastfeed or not, I strongly encourage them to breastfeed for the first several days so they can give their baby the benefit of colostrum, a health benefit that they can not get anywhere else from any other liquid food. It is always lovely for me to see that the mothers who were unsure of breastfeeding initially, begin to enjoy it so much that they continue far beyond the first few days.

Human milk is important for the optimal growth and development of full-term babies, but it is even more important for babies born prematurely. If your baby is preterm, his stomach and intestines (which the NICU staff will refer to as his gastrointestinal tract, GI tract, or gut) are even smaller and less mature than the tiny, immature gut of a full-term baby.

If your NICU baby is premature, your milk will be different for the first few weeks than the breast milk of a mother who gives birth at term. Your body knows that your baby came early, and it provides milk that is better for the baby's needs. For the first 2 to 4 weeks after birth your milk will contain more protein, fat calories, and calcium phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, sodium, and chloride that full-term milk. This early milk also has a laxative effect on your baby's bowels, helping him to pas the first stools (called meconium). Stooling is an important sign the GI tract is working: it also helps resolved jaundice.

Nurses notice that babies fed their mother's milk tolerate feedings well because human milk is easy to digest, with very little left over in the baby's stomach.

Brain growth and development are rapid in the final 3 months of gestation. During the latter part of pregnancy, the fetal brain more than doubles in size and weight, and nearly doubles again in the first year of life and well into the second year. Several studies have suggested that breastfeeding improves mental development. In fact, greater amounts of breast milk intake (compared with formula) have been correlated with higher developmental outcome among the smallest preterm babies.

If your baby is not able to breastfeed, you can still provide milk for your baby by pumping. While this may seem like a lot of work, it can be made easier when you work with a lactation consultant who can provide you with an individualized care plan that works for you. Your lactation consultant will provide you with all the details needed for you to succeed with breastmilk pumping.

You will begin to see your premature baby gain weight and flourish with all the health benefits of your milk. Pretty soon your baby will be able to directly breastfeed. If you find this transition from pumping to breastfeeding, please enlist the help of an IBCLC who is well prepared to help you succeed.

More information on premature babies and human milk in the next entry.

Lori

January 5th, 2010

2010-01-05T21:56:00.000-08:00

The New Year often just begs for all kinds of resolutions to be made. If we accomplish the goals we set out to do, we feel really good about ourself. If we fail to meet those goals, some of us beat ourself up for not having accomplished what we set out to do. Soo, with this in mind, last year I made absolutely NO resolutions whatsoever. Now, I realize that I was letting myself off to easy.

Little red tape inside my head: Sooo, what is so wrong with getting off easy??? Awake part of me answers: Not sure exactly, just doesn't seem right!

So, I will make some resolutions this year. Some I will share with you because I think if I stay the course, it should be doable. Others that are more difficult, I will keep to myself, lest I have some of my readers in on the fact that I am not perfectly perfect in every way!!!

So, my "resolutions to share with my readers" are:

1. I will keep my car cleaned and washed on a weekly basis.
2. I will spare my immediate family members a breastfeeding analogy to every story
or problem they share with me. ( wait a minute.. this is going to be a hard one
to keep).
3. I will do my best to not waste any food. As soon as I see it going bad, it will
find its way into my Vita-Mix for a lovely green or fruit smoothie.
4. I will finish the two knitting projects I am currently knee deep in.
5. I will start and finish two more knitting projects that I have planned for the
coming year..... and after that I will make no promises... to myself or anyone
else..... so DON'T ask,, okay!!!
6. I will, somehow, someway, find a way to put my newest addiction ( FACEBOOK) in
its proper place - 30 minutes a day. ( hey, wait a minute, this is another hard
one).

I think I will stop there! Feel free to comment on my resolutions or post your own!

SEE family members.. I can actually talk about things other than mothers and babies and birth and breastfeeding. I am capable and this post is proof!!!

Lori

Stephanie and Sadie - Part 3 - conclusion

2009-12-30T10:21:00.000-08:00

Each and every time I work with a mom, it confirms to me the importance of taking the time to hear her story and asking and receiving answers to some very specific questions. Mothers have different medical backgrounds and babies can also come with different problems that they bring to the breastfeeding situation.

NOTE: If you are new to this blog, you will want to first read my December 28th post as that is the beginning of this story, which has 3 parts.

The facts surrounding what happened after Stephanie's pediatric visit is what is most interesting to note.

Stephanie had not been pumping to increase her supply and was relying solely on her baby to remove the milk and increase her supply. Sadie had a very shallow latch which tends to reduce the amount of milk transfer. She also was a baby that seemed okay to be pacifying at breast without getting a good feeding. Sadies output decreased gradually which made the changes less noticeable. As the days went on, Sadie became labeled as a "good sleeper." Stephanie and her family were grateful for this. While her energy level was gradually picking up after the birth, she was still quite tired.

Once I ruled out any anatomical issue in Sadie's mouth that might be causing a problem with her achieving an excellent latch, I worked closely with Stephanie in teaching her proper position and latch. I wanted to be sure that by the time this consult was over, Stephanie could latch her baby on well and was comfortable doing so. I also discussed the importance of helping her increase her milk production as quickly as possible, however, until then, it would be necessary for Stephanie to begin supplementing baby again. While Stephanie was not happy about this, she understood that a poorly fed baby has a lack of energy and will make it more difficult to become a good breastfeeder. She understood this as she could relate with regards to her own fatigue issues.

Stephanies care plan was very specific to her and her babies situation.

1. She was to breastfeed with an excellent latch every feeding and be careful to keep baby at breast during nutritive suckling activity. This is the period when baby is actually transferring milk from the breast into the baby's mouth.

2. Once baby tired and was no longer suckling effectively, she was given a bottle of milk, while Stephanie could then put her efforts into pumping.

3. She agreed to rent the hospital grade pump from me and was fitted with the correct size flanges, given detailed pumping instructions as well as offered herbs to help increase her supply.

4. Since her baby was 4 weeks old, I was realistic with Stephanie and stated that this could easily take several weeks or more until she has a full supply. There was also a chance that she might not gain a full supply and always need to be supplemented. The best she could do was stay on this care plan and check in with me every few days. Based on her feedback, I would help her moniter her progress and make changes as needed.

I am happy to report that it took about 3 weeks for Stephanie to have a full supply and no longer need to supplement baby with any milk in a bottle. She slowly weaned from her regular pumping, however, will continue to take a small amount of herbs on a regular basis at least for the next month or so as we continue to moniter her progress.

I wanted to share this story so my readers could see how a breastfeeding challenge that to some might seem hopeless, can be turned around into a successful breastfeeding experience.

I also wanted to share a few other important aspects of this story as I have found that sometimes mothers who are searching for answers can read a story and if it sounds like their problem, they begin to follow the care plan stated.

It is important to note that there are frequently variables in each mother/baby couple. There could be variations in mothers medical history, her breast and nipple tissue as well as something different with babies oral cavity that needs to be addressed. For all these reasons, I continue to fully support and encourage mothers who are suffering with breastfeeding challenges to seek the help and expert guidance of their local IBCLC. This is how we can assure that there are no missing pieces to the puzzle and all avenues have been pursued, before giving advise and suggesting a care plan.

I wish all my website and blog visitors and clients a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Lori

Leslie and baby Sadie - Part 2

2009-12-29T09:20:00.001-08:00

As a lactation consultant, I like to spend some time with mothers asking them questions that are directly related to the breastfeeding challenges that they are presenting with. After about 30 minutes of specific questions, here is what I learned.

Leslie lost enough blood after her birth that she needed a transfusion. Leslie and Sadie came home at 5 days postpartum. Sadie had lost 10 oz in her first two days of life and needed to be supplemented. Her feeding routine was to breastfeed first and drink milk from a bottle afterwards. This worked great as Sadie seemed happy and satisfied after feedings, had the appropriate amount of diaper count and was sleeping well. Stephanie slowly began to wean baby from the bottle until baby was receiving no supplements by the time she attended her first pediatric appointment. This appointment was actually when baby was 10 days old, rather than the initial thought of 2 week appointment. I would agree with her pediatrician that given her initial weight loss, a 5 oz weight gain between discharge and appointment was appropriate. At this point, Sadie was 5 oz less than birthweight but not yet two weeks old.

I surmised that Sadie was probably weight appropriate at that appointment because of her supplements. In talking further with Leslie, she states never having felt full in her breast tissue, but she attributed this to her baby feeding so frequently and so long each time that she never had enough time to really "fill up."

It is common for new mothers who have never breastfed, to not necessarily know what a baby with a good latch looks like when they are nutritively sucking, as well as what it should feel like. Stephanie made an assumption that since breastfeeding did not hurt her, that the latch was good and baby was getting enough milk per feeding.

spent time showing pictures and videos of a well latched baby who is actually drinking milk from the breast. I talked about what a good latch should look and feel like and with Sadie at her breast, demonstrated to Stephanie how to help her come onto the breast with an excellent latch. Stephanie now understands that her baby was doing very little suckling ( milk removal) at breast and that the feather like sucks did not cause her nipple pain.

It was helpful for Stephanie to learn that when mothers have severe blood loss that requires a transfusion, this can cause a delay in their milk volume increasing. Stephanie was given appropriate advise to supplement her baby and this is why Sadie looked and behaved normally at her 10 day appointment.

Now that you have been given a window into what Stephanies breastfeeding history has been, please check in tomorrow to read the conclusion and find out how Stephanie turned her situation around and reached a happy place of a great milk supply and exclusive breastfeeding in a relatively short period of time.

Please note again: While this is a true story, certain parts of the information has been changed to assure anonymity.

A few more posts before the New Year

2009-12-28T13:42:00.001-08:00

There are some mothers and babies that I have had the pleasure of working with in the last few months that can really help to inspire a new mother who is struggling with breastfeeding issues. I will relate their story, however, their identities will remain anonymous. You should not think that this might be your story because I am changing enough information so that it will not be detectable. I will also be changing a part of the story that is not crucial to the events, but will help my clients keep their anonymity.

I thought it would be a fun learning experience for you to participate in this lactation consult. You can read and take notes, mental or written, about her situation. Follow along with me as we first learn how challenging breastfeeding has been for Leslie and how we move to a positive resolution of her challenges and create a situation for her to become a successful breastfeeding mother.

When Leslie came in for her appointment, she brought along her husband, Ritchie as well as her mother. Her mother, Angela is a long time breastfeeding advocate, having been a La Leche League Leader for 12 years during the time period she breastfed and raised her 3 daughters.

Leslie's baby Sadie was 4 weeks old and was 1 full pound under her birthweight. She had suspected her daughter was not gaining enough, but at her 2 week pediatric appointment, she was told her baby was doing fine. Her mother Angela felt the baby was underweight, but did not want to interfere.

After taking her daughter to a local mommy and me group 2 days ago and having several people comment on how "tiny" her baby was, Leslie decided to seek help. A previous client of mine who was a member of the group, referred her to me.

She reported to me that she had no pain during breastfeeding and her daughter seemed to be very relaxed and happy when at the breast. She described feedings that lasted about 1 hour, with baby drifting off to sleep shortly after the second side.

Since breastfeeding did not hurt and her baby seemed satisfied after feedings and appeared to be a good sleeper, Leslie felt her daughter was getting enough milk. As I sat with Leslie and asked her more detailed questions, I begin to make a list of all responses she gave me that were somewhat troubling.

Poor Leslie, with all the questions I was asking, I could see she was beginning to doubt herself even more. I was not worried though and took the time to explain that she was giving me good information that was helping me figure out what was going on and would help tremendously in offering a care plan to help fix her breastfeeding problems.

So, you can begin to think about Leslie's situation and be sure to check in tomorrow so you can see how this case unfolds.

Lori

Breastfeeding in the News - AAP Guidelines

2009-10-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

I know that it can be overwhelming at times to try and search through all the available information in order to find what we are looking for. I am providing a link to the American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Allow yourself enough time to read this article as it is 11 pages long. Here is a bullet point list of some of the interesting facts that you can learn from this policy statement:

Important health benefits of breastfeeding and lactation are are numerous for mothers. Some of the benefits include decreased postpartum bleeding and more rapid uterine involution attributable to increased concentrations of oxytocin, earlier return to prepregnancy weight, decreased risk of breast cancer, decreased risk of ovarian cancer.

Health Outcomes to the baby - Some studies suggest decreased rates of sudden infant death syndrome in the first year of life and reduction in incidence of insulin-dependent (type 1) and non–insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus, lymphoma, leukemia, and Hodgkin disease, overweight and obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and asthma in older children and adults who were breastfed, compared with individuals who were not breastfed.

It is the role of the AAP to promote, support and protect breastfeeding enthusiastically. In consideration of the extensively published evidence for improved health and developmental outcomes in breastfed infants and their mothers, a strong position on behalf of breastfeeding is warranted.

Breastfeeding should be promoted as a cultural norm and encourage family and societal support for breastfeeding.

In the interest of this blog, I have taken some of the information from this article and paraphrased it. Please check out this link for the full article as well as a complete list of references.

Avoiding most common car seat mistakes

2009-10-14T01:15:00.000-07:00

As a member of the American Automobile Association, one of the benefits I enjoy is receiving educational newsletters. This month had an article that I felt needed to be shared with my readers as it is so important. Please read this article about the most common car seat mistakes. I encourage you to share it with your family and friends. Note: you may need to enter your zip code to see the article.

2009-08-11T23:06:00.001-07:00

Summer Hiatus

2009-08-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

I know, I know,,, blogging is about keeping in touch with your friends, family and clients. There is NO summer hiatus...... well, as a business owner, one of the beauties is that you get to make your own rules. And I just made an Executive Decision and chose a few things I had to temporary let go of - in the interest of staying sane! I am back now and ready to start blogging again.

I feel blessed that my business continues to grow and I have been very busy over the summer. There is one thing I know for sure. I can pay for advertising all I want, however, there is no greater advertisement than a happy and satisfied new mother. I am grateful and appreciate all your referrals!

I have added some new items over the summer and I invite you to take a closer look at my website. You will find information on Bravado bras and nursing tanks, Medela sleeping bras and sports bras and one of my favorite items - a fabulous all around baby carrier - Sleepy Wraps in all color

Medela has a fabulous hospital grade pump called The Symphony and I rent this pump and the accessories that go along with it. Please let your friends know.

Last, but not least, I also now carry the Medela Pump In Style, Advanced Backpack... for a price you just won't believe! Check it out!

Breastfeeding has been in the news this summer and some of my next blogs will be focusing in on some of these reports. I hope that you have had an enjoyable summer so far. Take advantage of the few weeks left of summer before it is officially over!

Lori

Women Need Support

2009-05-27T20:13:00.001-07:00

Please enjoy this powerpoint presentation, which I am providing for you with permission from the onemillioncampaign.org. This is a world breastfeeding movement which supports womens right to breastfeed.

You can check out their website which has a petition that demands concrete support systems for breastfeeding women to increase the number of early and exclusively breastfed infants. This would help save more than 1 million infant lives annually as well as improve the health of their mothers.

Women Need Support

Breastfeeding Made Simple

2009-05-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

I am very, very happy now to realize that I am going to be reading this book, not because I have to, but because I want to! Breastfeeding Made Simple has 267 pages of great information for the breastfeeding mother. Learning that the "laws" were not exactly "laws", but more like "secrets" nobody told you about breastfeeding, motivated me to continue reading.

The author states " After generations of bottlefeeding, we are now relearning what women use to know about nursing their babies. If you never had the opportunity to notice women breastfeed while you were growing up, learning these natural laws is a must. In a world of conflicting information, you can use them to distinguish good breastfeeding advise from bad."

Sometimes books make learning about human milk so technical. I love the easy to understand explanation of the importance of colostrum and its relationship to normal digestive health, which is on page 6.

Mothers who have breastfeeding challenges are frequently asking "why I am having such a problem when this is suppose to be so natural. A lovely discussion about mother and baby's hardwiring is on page 15. This helps to explain the bridge between natural motherly instinct and why breastfeeding often needs to be a learned skill for modern women.

Chapter 3 - Latch-On: The Heart of Successful Breastfeeding, is definitely the most important chapter in this book. A good comfortable latch is the foundation of breastfeeding and the information given is accurate and timely. The book continues giving excellent information on newborn breastfeeding all the way through toddlerhood and weaning information. Breastfeeding Made Simple gives mothers the tools they need in order to learn how to properly breastfeed. The authors also understand that sometimes a book might not be enough for a mother who is struggling. They highly recommend the help of an expert lactation consultant in cases where breastfeeding is painful, babies are hard to latch, mothers milk production is low or babies are not gaining well. Human milk for human babies is a clear running theme throughout the book as well as the importance of learning the 7 natural laws which will help you and your baby have a happy, healthy start. Enjoy reading!

Breastfeeding Made Simple Book Review

2009-05-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

Breastfeeding Made Simple Book Review

Breastfeeding Made Simple - Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers by Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, PH.D., IBCLC hit the bookstores in 2005. I have to admit that when I first read the title, I was initially turned off.

As a Lactation Consultant, I frequently hear mothers complain that there seem to be so many rules with breastfeeding and they felt that since it was such a natural thing to do, that there would be little, if any rules. Having rules also meant that there was the potential to either succeed or fail at this "breastfeeding thing." The last thing I wanted to do was to begin telling mothers that there are seven laws to breastfeeding, whether they be "natural" or not!

Surely there has been a time when you have pre-judged a book, not only by its cover, but by the title. This was one of those times and I am very happy to say that I could not have been more off track. Breastfeeding Made Simple So, how did I come to read this book if I was so turned off to the title? Well, only one person ( besides my mother) can make me do something I don't really want to do. That person - My boss!

As a newly hired faculty member of Aviva Institute, Breastfeeding Made Simple was a requirement for the Certified Breastfeeding Educator course I would be teaching. I also have this silly need to have my students think I am just a tad smarter than they are, so reading this book became a necessity.

I am the type of reader who skims the Chapter titles before actually reading the book. Now, at this point, I was still not quite sure about the need to learn about the laws of breastfeeding. However, I was quickly drawn to read further when I saw what the laws were being touted as. Are you ready for this: ( my comments in red)

Law 1. Babies are hardwired to breastfeed. YES, exactly - babies were born to breastfeed!

Law 2. Mother's body is baby's natural habitat. YES exactly - babies need to be close to mom.

Law 3. Better Feel and Flow happen in the comfort zone. YES exactly - comfortable feedings.

Law 4. More breastfeeding at first means more milk later. YES exactly - my mantra to moms.

Law 5. Every Breastfeeding couple has its own rhythm. YES exactly - no carbon copies here.

Law 6. More Milk out equals more milk made. YES exactly - the perfect system

Law 7. Children Wean Naturally. YES exactly - in their own due time if left on their own.

I am so excited to write more about Breastfeeding Simple. I hope I have interested you enough to make the time to check out the next blog entry. I will give more detailed information and of course, lots more praise. You will soon see why I am glad this book is now part of my library.

Swine flu information for breastfeeding mothers and pregnant woman

2009-05-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

I have been receiving phone calls with questions regarding swine flu and breastfeeding. Having this information available on the blog is an easy source of reference for me and one for you to share with your friends as well. I am posting the links so you can read both articles.

Below is a link to an article stating that Breastfeeding should continue during swine flu outbreak. This was posted May 1, 2009 and sent to all members of ILCA - International Lactation Consultants Association. The article quotes the CDC which states that "although the risk of transmitting swine flu influenza from mother to baby is unknown, reports of seasonal flu are rare." Please read the below article for more details.

http://www.ilca.org/files/in_the_news/press_room/2009-04-28_PressRelease_SwineFlu.pdf

Here is another article by the CDC dated May 1, 2009, which discusses breastfeeding considerations for the breastfeeding mother. Many mothers have concerns about themselves becoming sick with the flu and passing this on to their baby. If a mother gets sick it is recommended that she continue breastfeeding her baby as this provides important nutrients and human antibodies that are very crucial to her babies health. If she is not able to directly breasfeed her baby, it is highly recommended that she pump and offer her milk to baby from a bottle.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/clinician_pregnant.htm

Take care and be well. Lori

Marin County Breastfeeding Campaign

2009-04-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

You are going to like this or love this or maybe even hate this. At least it will get you talking and that I like!

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/health/women/Lactating-Women-Getting-Second-Looks-in-Marin.html

Let me know what you think. Send a comment.

POSITIVE QUOTATIONS

2009-03-27T00:17:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, we can all use some words of inspiration, messages that motivate. I thought I would share some of my favorites with you - minus the actual quotation marks.

Light tomorrow with today. Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The time is always right to do what is right. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I think in terms of the day's resolution, not the year's. Henry Moore

Change your thoughts and you change your world. Norman Vincent Peale

My personal favorite----- The one who says it cannot be done, should not interrupt the person doing it.

And another favorite ---- The only prison we need to escape from is the prison of our mind. Anon.

My daughter Carly's favorites:

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything. Anon.

There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between there are doors. Jim Morrison.

2009-03-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

The First Two Weeks

The information in the last few posts were focused on information that is helpful to know for the first few days of breastfeeding. Here is a checklist to help you decide if breastfeeding is going well with your exclusively breastfed baby:

1. Your baby has regained his birthweight by the time he is two weeks old.

2. Your baby wakes up for approximately 8 feedings a day, hungry and rooting.

3. Your baby actively sucks and swallows for 90% of his feeding and when done, either falls asleep at the breast or comes off the breast appearing full.

4. Your may have a sense of breast fullness before the feeding and a sense of softness when done. ** Not all mothers are sensitive to changes in breast fullness**

5. Breastfeeding does not hurt. You have no nipple pain and no breast pain.

6. Most well fed babies will have at least 4 heavy wet diapers every day.

7. Most well fed babies will have at least 3 quarter size or more yellowy mustardy stools every day.

Here are a few other thoughts for you to consider:

8. Your baby appears satisfied after most feedings. It is common for new babies to be fussy for a few minutes after feedings. A burp and diaper change and a little rocking or perhaps breastfeeding for a few more minutes, all should help to calm your baby down.

9. It is also normal for babies to have "cluster feedings", where for a 3-4 hour period each day, they seem like they just can't get enough and feed and feed and feed.

10. If this happens, and the rest of the 24 hour day seems fairly normal, you are more than likely doing fine.

Overall, it is a good thing to stay close to home and recover from the pregnancy and birth experience. Your body has accomplished a lot of hard work and it is okay to take it easy for a short while. However, now that breastfeeding is going well, it is a great time to begin taking short walks or short trips to the store. Get some fresh air. Do something nice for yourself. Go to the library or bookstore for an hour or so just for a change of pace. Meet a friend for lunch. Short outings help new mothers by giving them a change of pace, but also keep it short so you don't overdo it.

Click on this link for further information. ( link appears to dissapear when mouse is moved over it, but go ahead and click as it will bring you to the link). This is a list of signs that help you decide that breastfeeding is not going well. If you continue to have questions and concerns, please call an IBCLC for help.

http://www.aabreastfeeding.com/Do%20I%20need%20a%20consult/how-do-i-know-if-i-need-a-consult.htm

The First Day - Getting Breastfeeding Established - Part Three

2009-03-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

Part Three of Getting Breastfeeding Established

What position you use to latch your baby on depends on your comfort level as well as the baby. If you are large breasted or had a cesarean section, it may help to begin with the football hold. This takes the pressure off your abdomen after surgery. This also enables some woman with large breasts to provide shaping and support easier and visualize the location of their nipple as it relates to the location of the baby's mouth.

Whatever position you start with, your baby should be coming to the breast with your nipple pointing to the roof of his mouth. When he opens wide and lowers his tongue, he should come onto the breast with his chin first, rather than rotating his forehead forward which creates his nose being pushed into the breast tissue and his chin far away from the breast.

Here is a lovely video that helps mothers understand what is meant by a wide gape.

http://fliiby.com/file/190881/kmwhezslxf.html

Remember - Breastfeeding should not be painful - Not on Day 1 or Day 2 or Day 3.

If breastfeeding is hurting, please call for help.

As Lactation Consultants, we are always interested in checking the latch. We know that a good and comfortable latch typically equates with pain free breastfeeding and a good milk production. A poor latch that hurts, typically equates with worsening nipple pain and less than optimal, to poor milk production.

They do say a picture is worth a thousand words. Below are some interesting pictures.

Your baby should be interested in feeding about 8 times a day from the second day of life. Your baby should increase in output. The progression of amount and color of output is:

Day 1 - 1 wet diaper and several black tarry meconium stools

Normal meconium stools... lighten up each day until....

Day 2 - 2 wet diapers and several stools which are becoming lighter in color and less sticky

Day 3 - 3 wet diapers and several stools which continue to lighten

Day 4 - An exclusively breastfed baby, who is getting enough milk, will typically have at least 4

heavy wet diapers that day and about 2-3 stools which are yellowish in color and either seedy or cottage curdy in substance.

Day 5 - Continue to wet through at least 4 diapers a day and the stools should clearly be the

yellow mustardy color you have heard and read so much about!

Please keep in mind that mother and/or baby medications and formula, can change the color and consistency of the output particularly regarding the stools.

The following samples are more than likely a sign that breastfeeding may not be going as well as it could and warrants an evaluation by an IBCLC:

1. Any continued breast or nipple pain.

2. Any lack of normal output.

3. Babies who are not waking up for at least 8 feedings a day and whose mothers are experiencing other problems with breastfeeding.

4. Weight loss of more than 10% is a warning sign that your baby is not getting enough to eat and this needs to be evaluated.

If breastfeeding is going well, most mothers will report by Day 5:

1. My breasts feel full before a feeding and soften up quite a bit when baby is done.

2. My baby cues to feed at least 8 times a day.

3. Output matches what should be normal.

4. My baby is clearly hungry before a feeding and after a good feeding, appears satiated and after some holding, burping, diaper change, is clearly content for 2-3 hours most of the time.

5. Mother is not in any pain, other than some breast tenderness as her body adjusts to the changes in milk volume.

6. If baby had lost up to 5-7 ounces, is now beginning to gain weight.

So, this is a blog after all. The information that I give here is basic breastfeeding information and certainly cannot cover all a new mother needs to know. Answers to questions about how breastfeeding is going, and is your baby getting enough cannot always be accurately answered by notes on a blog or information in a book.

Of course, my business is as a Lactation Consultant so one might say it would be normal for me to enourage mothers to seek the help of an expert in the field of lactation. And you are right!

As a Lactation Consultant I have two major goals in mind as I wrote my business plan. The first one is to educate mothers and to do whatever I can to help and support my clients to succeed in their breastfeeding goals. My second goal is to provide a salary for myself and my family while doing work that I am passionate about.

I am part of a large network of lactation consultants who share similar goals. If you need some help with breastfeeding, reach out for professional help in your neck of the woods. You will be pleasantly surprised at how soon you can fix a problem and get on with enjoying your babymoon!

Getting breastfeeding off to a good start

2009-03-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

The First Day - Getting Breastfeeding Established - Part Two

The foundation to comfortable breastfeeding is to ensure that your baby has achieved a good latch. This is a skill that is easier acquired if you have someone assist you. When your baby is latched on well, you may feel a strong, but painless tugging sensation on your nipple. Some mothers describe it as a sliding back and forth of their nipple or a pulling sensation. All these would be normal descriptions as the baby opens mouth wide, lowers tongue over his gum line to provide a nice padding between their gums and your nipple. If baby latches on deeply and with just the right angle, your nipple is placed far back in baby's mouth and you avoid nipple compression. If at any time, you feel soreness or pain, please request help from an experienced breastfeeding consultant.

It is normal for your baby to be quite sleepy the first 24 hours and you may need to put some effort into waking your baby up. If the first several feedings are effective with no pain and a normal amount of milk transfer, your baby begins waking up on his own by the second day of life and should be interested to feed at least 8 or 9 times a day.

Once your baby latches on and it feels comfortable, and you feel your baby's sucking behavior is vigorous and yet painless, it is best to let your baby stay on the breast until he changes to a more pacifying/light suck with minutes in between suckles or until he falls asleep. A diaper change and an effort to wake baby up is helpful before you offer the other side. The first 24 hours some babies are only interested in 1 side per feeding, however, they usually are hungry enough and cue for the "second side", from the second day on.

There is a lot more to say on this subject and I will continue this discussion in my next post. From this point on, you will notice that I will repeat one of my favorite sayings several times in the hopes that you understand the truth.

The truth is - Breastfeeding should not hurt - Not on Day 1 or Day 2 or Day 3.

So, if it is hurting, and the people who have been helping you have not been able to show you how to fix this, you will want to seek the help of an IBCLC. As an experienced IBCLC, I have learned that the sooner you seek help, the quicker your problems are fixed and the less pain you have.

You can follow this link to learn more about what a private breastfeeding consultation with an IBCLC includes. If you are not in the local Phoenix, Arizona area, you will want to perform a google search for an IBCLC in the area in which you live.

The first day - getting breastfeeding established

2009-03-07T16:06:00.000-08:00

The First Day - Getting Breastfeeding Established

A mother's experience can be dramatically affected by what happens during the first 24 hours after her baby is born. There are several steps to pay close attention to which help both mother and baby get off to a good start. In discussing the steps, it is important to note the assumption is that your baby is born full term and without any health issues for the mother or baby. While health issues can be overcome, they may make the information given here unattainable, at least temporarily.

Babies typically experience a time of quiet alertness within the first 2 hours after birth. Keeping your baby skin to skin keeps your baby warm while having access to nuzzle or lick the nipple. In a short period of time, your baby will begin to root, lick, open his mouth and you can gentle guide your baby to the breast and allow him to begin suckling. If your baby does not go to the breast right away, don't worry. Some babies need more than 2 hours to recover from the birth process.

As long as there is no medical reason to be separated, it is best for you both to room together while you become accustomed to the baby's gentle breathing and little noises they tend to make. Babies should have easy access to their mothers and fed as frequently as they are showing feeding cues. It will help get breasfeeding off to a good start if you avoid bottles and nipples and pacifiers. This allows breastfeeding to happen easier, as baby adjusts to the suckling activity needed at the breast to remove milk as well as the texture and smell of his mother. This familiarity helps get breastfeeding off to a good start. Check out the next post as it will include additional tips on breastfeeding the first day.

First week in March 2009

2009-03-05T19:01:00.000-08:00

She breastfeeds - She talks on cell phone - All While Driving

It is only the first week in March and the subject of breastfeeding has been in the news several times. In my favorite "What was she thinking", this one mother not only gets caught talking on a cell phone while driving, but she was also breastfeeding her toddler. Another driver turned her in as she felt this was dangerous.

Well, guess what??? I agree - wholeheartedly.

Not only that, she defended her actions to the hilt and on top of that, stated that if the opportunity came about again that her child was hungry while she was driving, she said that it was likely she would do it again! C'mon! I hope I am not alone here in declaring that while babies do need to eat, and their cries for food should not be ignored, there is an activity called: let's pull over to a safe place, take my baby out of the car seat, so I can feed my baby.

Take a look for yourself:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/03/02/dnt.oh.breastfeeding.driving.whio

Please take a look at the poll on the upper left column and vote!

BIP/NIP - breastfeeding in public, nursing in public

2009-02-27T19:38:00.000-08:00

Today I gave a speech to my Toastmasters Club.
My job was to persuade my audience about a subject I was passionate about. As a Lactation Consultant, I frequently hear mothers express concern about nursing in public. It is either their own concerns about being discreet or they truly fear being judged by someone else or worse yet, kicked out of a public place.

These fears are not unfounded. Mothers have been asked to leave a store, library, plane or other public place because someone was uneasy at the sight of a breastfeeding baby. When a mother knows her baby is hungry and she is in a public place, she may become anxious about finding a private spot to sit comfortably and feed her baby.

This is particularly true for first time mothers. So, here I am, in front of a very mixed audience of men and women, with ages raging from young 30's to mid 80's. I know that when I say the word breast, there might be some level of anxiety in the room. I did my best to have a nice mix of education, information, statistics. Humor helped tremendously in relaxing everyone.

The speech was a hit as I received many written and verbal positive evaluations. Some of the remarks were particularly exciting. One woman wrote that she was now excited for her daughter-in-law to have a baby as she looked forward to being as supportive as possible, given the health benefits that she learned today. Another gentleman who was in his 50's wrote: "Now I wish I had been breastfed."