Back To Work

Back to Work

The summer has come to a close. School is back in session and lots of moms are back to work. This blog is intended to support those of you hard working individuals who have two jobs. Working and breastfeeding is not easy, yet it can be done with a positive attitude and a few tips and tricks. Juggling breastfeeding and work can appear to be an impossible task, especially for first time moms. The change in your life is beyond fathom with the birth of your first child, then you throw working into the mix and you are bound for some teary eyed moments. It's normal to feel overwhelmed. Don't let that deter you. You can do it with the right advice and knowing and using your support system. There are several breastfeeding support systems set up in this town (see previous blog). It is crucial for most moms to use these resources. Continuing to protect and nourish your baby through breast milk after you return to work is a gift that will last a lifetime.

Milk Mentors is here to help you. We have come up with 10 simple steps to "work hard for your money" ...."so hard for it honey"..."she works hard for the money"....

Step one: During your pregnancy discuss your plans to breastfeed and your need to express milk with your employer. This discussion would also include where you will pump and how many times you will need to pump. The bathroom is not an ideal place to pump your milk. You will need a private area, preferably with a locking door, an electrical outlet, and a sink in the room or near by. You need approximately 20 minutes to pump every three hours. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a bill that has passed both the Senate and the House and was signed into law March 23, 2010.

Here is the link: http://www.flbreastfeeding.org/HTMLobj-1323/US_Labor_Dept_Fact_Sheet.pdf Read this bill and know your rights!

Step two: Explore the option of a gradual return to work. Begin work midweek or part-time.

Step three: Try to arrange childcare close to your work. Be sure to find a caretaker that is supportive of breastfeeding. Being close to the caretaker can perhaps minimize the amount of pumping sessions required. Maybe caretaker can bring baby to you to feed, or you can go on your breaks to feed baby. Make it very clear that you do not want caretaker feeding baby right before you come home or right before you pick baby up. This is a good time to nurse baby at the breast.

Step four: Do a trial run or two. Wake up as you would if you were going to work. Time your morning routine to determine when you will need to pump. Be sure you are properly fit to your pump. Pumping should not hurt. If it does call Milk Mentors at 904.315.5813 or another lactation professional to help you find the right fit. If at any point you feel your pump is losing suction call Milk Mentors 904.315.5813 for a free pump evaluation.

Step five: Allow yourself a minimum of two weeks to prepare for your return to work. This will give you time to generate a milk surplus and get used to pumping and storing milk. Express your milk at least one time per day. Some may need to pump more frequently if they will be away from baby for long periods. A good rule of thumb is to have at least a 3 to 5 day supply before returning to work.

Step six: Use your weekends wisely! Weekends can be used to increase your supply. Take breastfeeding vacays. Shack up with your babe and breastfeed as much as possible!

Step seven: Relax! Make yourself comfortable before pumping. Drink a glass of water. Bring pictures of your baby or one of your baby's blankets. Your let-down, or flow of milk, can be inhibited with too much stress. Relaxation techniques for stressful days are key. Breathe!

Step eight: Always wash your hands before expressing your milk. It is recommended to wash pump attachments after each use. If you store your milk in a refrigerator you can just place pump attachments into fridge without washing (minus the tubing) in a Ziploc bag. Then when it comes time to pump again you just grab them and attach them to the pump. At the end of the day take it all home and wash thoroughly.

Step nine: Store your milk in appropriate amounts to minimize waste. Your baby’s age and weight will help you determine how many ounces to store together. Always label milk with date. Use The 5-5-5 Rule: milk is good for 5 hours at room temperature, 5 days in refrigerator, and 5 months in back of freezer. Once heated it is best to use in 2 to 3 hours. It is not recommended to chill and reheat due to potential bacterial growth. Never microwave breast milk. Microwaving a bottle can create hot spots in the milk. You can heat a cup of water in the microwave, then place bottle in the water to warm. You can also run bottle under hot water.

Step ten: Rely on your support team. Be assertive and ask for help when you need it. Let house cleaning and the dishes go while you settle in to your new schedule. If dad is feeling left out in the breastfeeding process, have him do bath time or just cozy up skin-to-skin with baby on his bare chest. Skin-to-skin is a wonderful way to bond! Attend support groups, spending time chatting with moms in the same situation helps you to get through the hard times and reach your breastfeeding goals.

Moms we would love you to chime in. What tips and tricks did you or do you use? What fueled you through stressful days? Who is your support group?

Happy Breastfeeding,

Shannon

Breastfeeding Help in St. Augustine

I wanted to do a quick summary of the available resources for breastfeeding and planning to breastfeed moms in St. Augustine.

Obviously I want to mention Milk Mentors, but I think I will do it in order of type of resource, so here we go...

Breastfeeding Classes

Milk Mentors has on Location Breastfeeding Classes in OB and Midwife offices in the area. If your Doctor does not host a class you are welcome to attend any of the classes held in office waiting rooms. Check the calendar at www.milkmentors.com.

The WIC office at the St. Johns County Health Department hosts breastfeeding classes for WIC clients in their waiting rooms on Fridays at 10 AM. You can reach the breastfeeding program at WIC at (904) 825-5055.

Flagler Hospital has a Parenting Class that includes a segment about breastfeeding.

Lactation Assessments

If you are having trouble breastfeeding asking for help is imparative. Most breastfeeding issues can be resolved quickly.

Milk Mentors provides In-Home and Office Lactation assessments for women who need a one-on-one consultation. You can reach a Milk Mentors Lactation Counselor 24/7 by calling (904) 315-5813 or call the Support Line at (904) 495-3210.

WIC at the St. Johns County Health Department has a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program that includes mother to mother support with trained peer counselors and a Certified Lactation Counselor on staff for supporting more complicated issues.

Flagler Hospital says that you can call for help at (904) 819-4061, but often one of the lactation professionals will make time to see you in an outpatient setting.

Support Groups

Milk Mentors hosts a weekly support group on Wednesdays at 10 AM at Growing Families Birth Center.

Flagler Hospital and WIC host a combined monthly support group that meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month from 11-12:30 PM at the Flagler Hospital Wellness Center. For more information visit http://www.flaglerhospital.org/Medical-Services/Maternity-Services/Breastfeeding-Support.aspx






Ancient City Breastfeeding Support recently began hosting a monthly meeting on Thursdays near the end of the month at the Anastasia Library. Their next meeting from today is July 28 at 10 AM.

Milk Mentors provides myriad of additional services including lactation support to home birth clients, phone consultations, Milk Men Tours, Parenting classes, and OB and Pediatrician Breastfeeding Savvy Seminars.  To see a complete and detailed list go to www.milkmentors.com.

The Semantics of Breastfeeding Support

 I just read a very interesting article about the language we use to support or not support breastfeeding. The author, Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC, believes we emphasize the positives of breastfeeding as if they are optional instead of clearly communicating the risks of formula feeding. As the daughter of a linguist, I love what she is saying, but I can't figure out how to change my language and still reach women who are on the fence about whether or not to breastfeed without handing out her article. 

The truth is, Lactation Consultants have a bad reputation for saying it's my way or the high way. They have nick names like "Boob Nazi" and are said to "beat you with their breastfeeding stick". I certainly don't want that reputation, and besides, not only do you catch more flies with honey than you can hit with a swatter, I am just not that into forcing people into my point of view. As my childhood friend Missy always says, "You have the right to be wrong."

I am always saying that I want to help women who want help. If you don't care to learn about breastfeeding I certainly don't have any desire to shove it down your throat. Besides, like you, I just want to be accepted even if you don't think I should be breastfeeding my toddler on the deck at Creekside Dinery. You might not know how lonely motherhood is, and how often a breastfeeding mom has to "hide" to feel comfortable feeding her baby or to keep you from feeling uncomfortable.  

Most moms, breastfeeding or not, are struggling through the process of motherhood and we all want to hear that we are doing just fine.

With that said, Wiessigner's article, Watch Your Language, has some amazing content. My favorite quotes in her article include:

"The truth is, breastfeeding is nothing more than normal. Artificial feeding, which is neither the same nor superior, is therefore deficient, incomplete, and inferior."

"Breastfeeding is best; artificial milk is second best. Not according to the World Health Organization. Its hierarchy is: 1) breastfeeding; 2) the mother's own milk expressed and given to her child some other way; 3) the milk of another human mother; and 4) artificial milk feeds (4)."

"Most of us have seen well-informed mothers struggle unsuccessfully to establish breastfeeding, and turn to bottle feeding with a sense of acceptance because they know they did their best. And we have seen less well-informed mothers later rage against a system that did not give them the resources they later discovered they needed. Help a mother who says she feels guilty to analyze her feelings, and you may uncover a very different emotion. Someone long ago handed these mothers the word "guilt." It is the wrong word. " 

"Breastfeeding. Most other mammals never even see their own milk, and I doubt that any other mammalian mother deliberately "feeds" her young by basing her nursing intervals on what she infers the baby's hunger level to be. Nursing quiets her young and no doubt feels good. We are the only mammal that consciously uses nursing to transfer calories...and we're the only mammal that has chronic trouble making that transfer."

"Women may say they "breastfed" for three months, but they usually say they "nursed" for three years." 

 

Nursing Beyond A Year

I always knew I wanted to be a mom and I always knew I wanted to breastfeed. I am the youngest of four children, and my mom successfully breastfed all of us. It was just in my DNA to breastfeed!

A 36 hour labor with my first, Taj, and ten day stay in the NICU was not the ideal start for breastfeeding bliss. He was diagnosed with “breastfeeding jaundice”. The doctor had me stop feeding at the breast (which was going great) and pump and feed my milk. They do this to make sure the baby is getting enough. The hard part was getting him back to the breast. I tried so hard, and after days of tears and frustration I left the NICU with zero success at feeding at the breast. I then committed myself to pumping and feeding or what I like to call double duty! With much dedication, I pumped every three hours. My pump never left my side and the sound of the pump “eeh-ha eeh-ha eeh-ha” is burned into my memory for life! Formula was just not an option for me.

So I pumped and I fed and I pumped and I fed for five long months. Dealing with the loss of my sister brought me so close to my breaking point. I probably would have succumbed to the formula gods when suddenly my luck shifted. Taj awoke in the middle of the night (out of our normal routine) and he was HUNGRY!!! I had forgotten to clean my pump the night before. I had two choices: I could get up clean my pump and then pump for 15-20 minutes while listening to him scream his head off, or I could just try to latch him. So, in a pitch black room Taj latched on perfectly and we continued this perfect relationship for 14 months.

Looking back there are a few things I would have done differently. First of all, I would have contacted a lactation professional immediately and attended support groups until I was able to feed Taj at the breast, thus shortening the duration of all that FUN pumping and giving me more time to spend with Taj. Another thing I wish I would have considered was nursing well beyond the first year. In my head I had committed my nipples for at least one year, but didn’t fully understand that there are benefits to breastfeeding beyond a year.

From what I know and have witnessed, breastfeeding children substantially advances their cognitive development. My cousin Daniel was breastfed well into second year of life and mastered the rubix cube by age three! Then there is my neighbor’s daughter, Brooke, who is swimming, potty trained and having conversations all before age two! There is research to prove this. Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest.

Breastfeeding children are sick less often. Antibodies are present in human milk throughout lactation. Studies show that immunity actually increases during the second year and weaning process.

Breastfeeding children adjust better and thrive socially. Breastfeeding is a soft and gentle way to meet the never ending needs of toddlers and young children. It is natures way of soothing the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early life.

Breastfeeding beyond a year is normal. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that “Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychological or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer.” The World Health Organization recommends nursing well into the second year of life!

Moms also benefit from nursing beyond a year. Extended nursing delays the onset of fertility in some women by suppressing ovulation. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and endometrial cancer. Studies have found a significant inverse association between duration of lactation and breast cancer risk. Breastfeeding protects against osteoporosis. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease insulin requirements in diabetic women. My favorite benefit helps mom to return to pre-pregnancy shape quicker due to the calorie demand of making milk! "Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins." -- Dewey 2001

In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breast milk provides: 29% of energy requirements 43% of protein requirements 36% of calcium requirements 75% of vitamin A requirements 76% of folate requirements 94% of vitamin B12 requirements 60% of vitamin C requirements -- Dewey 2001

WOW! That was an earful or an eyeful however you want to put it! If you are thinking about nursing beyond a year DO IT! Do it for me! Oh, and I am jealous of all you moms out there with your cute toddler feeding stories! But don’t feel bad. I plan to have some with Junie!

So tell me what you think? How do you feel about nursing a toddler? Tell me your thoughts. How have you enjoyed breastfeeding beyond a year? Do you wish you would have nursed longer? Happy Breastfeeding,Shannon

Moms Against Judging Moms

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mamas out there.

We have a variety of parenting styles represented in our support group meetings: women who planned to try breastfeeding and are now hooked, women who used to judge others for not breastfeeding and now are full of compassion, women who don't want to breastfeed beyond 6 months even if its going great, women who co-sleep, women who work, women who cloth diaper, and on and on. We have an equal number of different baby personalities represented.

Many of the mothers in our group report conflict with their own mother or mother-in-law over their different parenting styles including how and how often or where they breastfeed. Comments like, "I pumped all weekend so my mother-in-law could feed the baby and then she was angry that I didn't allow her to be involved," or , "My mother thinks its great that I'm breastfeeding, but tells me I am doing the wrong thing by letting the baby fall asleep at the breast and she is embarrassed if I breastfeed in public." You know what I'm talking about.

We all struggle to stake out our own parenting ground, and it is quite possible that mothers feel criticized when their children make different parenting choices than they did. In 1975, 70% of women were formula feeding, so many breastfeeding mom's were not breastfed. I am one of the fortunate few whose mother wanted to breastfeed and was determined to do it. My mother remembers being criticized by feminists who told her she could rot in a rocking chair if that was her choice, and she was criticized by the La Leche League in her town for not nursing her children past age 2 1/2. It appeared that she couldn't win.

My mother in law did not breastfeed because artificial breast milk was presented to her as an equal to breast milk. Me defending my choice to breastfeed might have felt like criticism to her.

Best for Babes has done an amazing job discussing the gape between mother's and daughters in a series called The Next Generation of Moms: When Breastfeeding Comes Full Circle.

Let's be kind to all mommies. We are in the parenting journey together and we are all going to make some mistakes. Not every choice is right for every women or baby or family. Lets not judge one another.

Looking for Something Green to Do this Earth Day? Breastfeed Your Baby!

Deciding to breastfeed your baby is the GREENEST, eco-friendliest decision you will ever make.

Mother nature designed human milk to be the cleanest, purest fuel. It is species specific, providing everything the body needs for health. In contrast to formula, human milk requires no processing, packaging and in no way pollutes the environment.

Women are more likely to breastfeed having seen the act of breastfeeding.

This Earth Day and everyday lets focus on making breastfeeding the norm. Nurse in public and do it proudly!

Below is an article about how green breastfeeding is from
http://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/stories/6-green-reasons-why-breastfeeding-is-the-best-feeding

1. Breastfeeding saves energy

Breast milk is ready to go straight from the tap, and it's already the perfect temperature for your baby — no heating required. Breastfeeding saves the energy needed to mass produce and distribute baby bottles and formula, and even recycling the bottles consumes energy. Breast milk, however, has its own convenient storage facility. While many parents make a few bottles of formula at once and store them in the fridge, breasts don't need to be kept on ice.

2. Breastfeeding is plastic-free

Most baby bottles on the market contain various forms of plastic. Plastic, usually made with oil, is one of the world's worst environmental scorns. There are no hard-and-fast numbers about just how much petroleum is used to make plastic, but most studies estimate that it accounts for about 8 percent of the world's yearly oil consumption. Besides draining fuel resources, plastics produce harmful and toxic wastes such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and more, all of which are taking a toll on the air, water and soil, not to mention our health. Lastly, as much as people love to talk about recycling, many plastic bottles never even make it to the recycling plant, and even when they do, they aren't typically recycled into new bottles. Plastics are not part of a closed-loop recycling plan. Instead plastics are downcycled into other products, a process that may not be energy or cost-efficient.

3. Breastfeeding is biodegradable

Baby bottles are a very specific product. While you may be able to repurpose some for other household applications (think paint dispensers and marble jars) they're really only useful for one task — feeding your baby. You can buy plastic, glass or even Earth-friendly bottles, but in the end, you've got a product on your hands with limited usefulness and a limited lifespan. You can recycle some bottles, sure, but even with recyclable ones, not all parts are recyclable (such as the nipples and liners), and that contributes to our overstuffed landfill issue. We're not ancient Greeks, but like them, our baby bottles do not biodegrade.

4. Breastfeeding reduces waste

Bottles and formula present a costly and excessive packaging problem. Boxes, paper and plastics that take energy both to manufacture and recycle are used to package bottles, bottle accessories and formula. Meanwhile, a mother's milk is waste-free, unless of course you count Victoria's Secret as fancy breast-milk packaging. But, hey, at least they're working on organics and going green!

5. Breastfeeding reduces gasoline use

Breastfeeding stops those late-night trips to the grocery store for formula. Breastfeeding reduces the need for gasoline used to ship bottles and formula. Breastfeeding may even reduce drives to the pediatrician's office, since breastfed babies are typically healthier.

6. Breastfeeding reduces exposure to chemicals

Many brands of baby bottles in recent years have been shown to leach dangerous chemicals such as bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates both into babies' milk and into the air, soil and water. You can choose lead-free glass baby bottles over traditional plastic ones, but these pose their own breakage and recycling issues. You can also buy nontoxic baby bottles, although these can be expensive. If you're concerned about toxins in breast milk, research suggests you shouldn't worry. While breast milk can contain low levels of toxins, formula presents much larger ecological problems. The most economical, nontoxic choice for your baby and the planet is breastfeeding.

Nursing Wear

Sorry for the long time between posts. I have so many things I'd like to blog about, and I want to be thorough. I love it when you participate here or on facebook.

Last week during our Wednesday morning support group the mother of an eight week old baby showed the mother of a two week old baby her nursing shirt. Having never seen nursing wear before, the second mother was astounded and amazed.

Nursing wear includes shirts, dresses, tanks, bras and so on that have flaps, holes and hooks to make nursing a baby easy and discreet. It's kind of like the woman's version of a fly opening, except its for feeding.

I bought nursing bras from Target right after Micah was born, and eventually got a nice Medela bra that I liked a lot. The problem with the bras was that while nursing, my breasts didn't stay the same size over the years I was breastfeeding each child.

I was first introduced to nursing tops when Micah was a few months old. The mother of a much older baby (her 2nd) was in the "nursing room" at church. As usual we were talking instead of listening to the sermon, and she showed me her crisp white nursing top and how her stomach stayed covered while she fed her baby girl. I was thrilled by the idea. Micah was a big baby (8 lbs 6 oz, 22 in), well at least big for me, and I had acquired quite a few stretch marks during the last three weeks of my pregnancy. The marks were still fresh, and I was not intrested in showing my "ground beef" skin, along with the poochy belly that hadn't yet become rock hard again (still waiting for that)!

My friend had found the nursing tops at Motherhood Maternity so I bought three tops for about $90 and, well, didn't wear them much. I needed two hands just to manage the shirt, and latching a starving, rooting baby on through layers of clothing didn't work for me. Soon I discovered I was more comfortable in a sports bra or other bra, lifting my shirt, and latching the baby on. I got pretty discreet, too, and many times people came to coo at my baby only to discover he was eating!

After Lorelei was born I discovered nursing tank tops. Now these I love. I am still wearing them with Finn now 15 months old. They function as a nursing bra with a latch on the strap, but can be used the same way a sports bra works if I don't have time to unlatch the bra, and they cover my tummy and can be worn under a shirt. Also, they come in many sizes. I had trouble finding nursing shirts in an XS when I was breastfeeding Micah.

The world of nursing wear has seriously expanded since Micah was born in 2003. Gap/Old Navy have jumped on board and have many sizes and basic styles that are usually comfortable and easy to use.

                               I even saw matching mother/baby nursing sets at Old Navy.

For more sophisticated and also more expensive nursing wear there is www.aneemathew.com.

There are even a few Etsy shops who make/carry nursing wear.

What are your favorite nursing clothes?

Human Milk Banking

In January, our US Surgeon General issued a call to action to support breastfeeding. During the question and answer period of the call to action Dr. Benjamin stated that she chose breastfeeding as her first call to action because it is the foundation of health.

Along the same lines, today I saw a breastfeeding poster from 1936-1938 (at http://www.facebook.com/#!/HistoricBreastfeedingPhotos?sk=info ) that reads "Nurse the Baby, Your Protection Against Trouble".

In October last year I learned about HMBANA (Human Milk Bank Association of North America) and decided I would like to donate milk. The milk bank supplies human milk to premature babies and babies who need human milk for medical reasons and requires a prescription from a doctor.  You should know that if you have a premature baby and you are able to give him/her your own milk it will have electrolytes in it especially for him/her because your body KNOWS your baby is premature. Here is a list reasons for human milk and benefits from human milk from www.sharp.com .

Breast milk benefits premature babies like no other food because:

• Human milk causes the intestines to mature faster
• Human milk empties from the stomach faster 
• Human milk-fed infants have less blood infection and preemie eye disease
• Infants fed human milk tend to spend fewer days in the hospital

Besides premature babies, other recipients have included babies, children and adults with the following health needs:

• Allergies or sensitivities to formulas
• Cancer chemotherapy patients
• Failure to thrive (FTT)
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Immune deficiencies 
• Malabsorption syndromes
• Postsurgical nutrition
• Short gut syndrome
• Solid organ transplants (including adults)

I contacted HMBANA and passed an initial screening interview. The requirements for donating to HMBANA include

• In good general health
• Willing to undergo a blood test (at the milk bank's expense)
• Not regularly using medication or herbal supplements (with the exception of progestin-only birth control pills or injections, Synthroid, insulin, pre-natal vitamins; for other exceptions, please contact a milk bank for more information)
• Willing to donate at least 100 ounces of milk; some banks have a higher minimum (Because I was mailing my milk the requirement was 200 ounces).

A woman would not be a suitable donor if:

• She has a positive blood test result for HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B or C, or syphilis
• She or her sexual partner is at risk for HIV
• She uses illegal drugs
• She smokes or uses tobacco products
• She has received an organ or tissue transplant or a blood transfusion in the last 12 months
• She regularly has more than two ounces or more of alcohol per day
• She has been in the United Kingdom for more than 3 months or in Europe for more than 5 years since 1980
• She was born in or has traveled to Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger, or Nigeria

I almost didn't pass the European criteria because I lived in Germany as a child. My interviewer had to check with her supervisor, but since I was not on a military base it turns out I probably wasn't exposed to mad cow disease (yay!) and they cleared me to donate. They also asked me about recent tattoos or if my husband had recent tattoos, and my baby had to be under 1 year old (because your milk content changes as your baby ages and toddler milk is designed for toddlers).

The next step was to fill out some forms and begin collecting milk. I was sent some lab paper work and given a donor number. The instructions included sterelizing food grade containers and then freezing the milk in them. I chose to use mason jars and after boiling them in my spaghetti pot for 5 minutes I screwed the lids on and began the process of filling them daily. I chose Finn's morning nap as my pump time. Right after putting him down I would sit at the computer checking my email, all the while filling mason jars with breast milk. I always seemed to have plenty and my body quickly adjusted to making the extra milk, usually 6 ounces each morning.

I admit I took a few days off when Finn came down with a runny nose and I stopped for almost a week at Thanksgiving, but after two months I had my 200 ounces.  Once I established a routine it wasn't too hard. It gave me a great deal of admiration, however, for mom's who work away from their babies full time, and continue to pump all day. I can't wait to encourage and help more of them!


A documentary called "Prescription Milk" is coming out soon. The trailer says that there are 500,000 premature births each year, and that 40% of these babies die and that human donor milk can save many of those lives. (To see the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJFrnUZGndM ).

There are other milk banks like The National Milk Bank whose home base is in California, and there are also sites called "Milk Depots" which can either mean non prescription milk is sold there to parents who want to give human milk to their infants, or locations where milk can be dropped off by donors or picked up by recipients.


I know this was a long one, and I hope some of you decide to look into it yourselves once you have the breastfeeding down. Chances are good that your body can handle it and your milk may save a life. Please tell us about your experience if you decide to donate some of your milk or if you already have.

In The News-Rediculed Mom + Breastfeeding Saves Lives and Money

Last night I asked Kevin to nudge me awake to see the story that was advertised on the news about an Army wife who was told to stop breastfeeding because the office she was in needed to maintain a "professional atmosphere".

My first reaction was that I was disappointed that a woman said it and I wanted to know if she was a mother. My second reaction was well, having a baby in the office isn't professional no matter how you feed him/her. So, clearly that wasn't the real reason.

The mother modeled how she fed the baby for the news camera (baby and breast covered) for everyone watching TV to see, so the woman who scolded her failed miserably in her attempt to keep her from nursing in public! For the whole story see http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=8048784.

The second story got me super excited. It's a complicated study released in the journal, Pediatrics, by the American Academy of Pediatrics that says if 90% of women would breastfeed their babies for 6 months than 900 babies' lives would be saved along with billions of dollars.

My favorite quote from the article was this, "He (Pediatrician Dr. Dr. Lary Gray) also said mothers who don't breast-feed for six months shouldn't be blamed or made to feel guilty, because their jobs and other demands often make it impossible to do so. 'We'd all love as pediatricians to be able to carry this information into the boardrooms by saying we all gain by small changes at the workplace that encourage breast-feeding,' Gray said."


Milk Mentors has Corporate Lactation Program to help business become breastfeeding friendly. It turns out, businesses can save $3 for every $1 they invest in accommodating employees who are also breastfeeding mothers and by complying with 2010s Affordable Care Act which mandates that businesses with 50 employees or more provide a private non bathroom location for employees to express milk for their babies during the first year of the baby's life.

For more on this very interesting and mathematically challenging study see http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=154266 .

Why do women give up?

As soon as I say, "I'm a Lactation Counselor" a women tells me how long she breastfed her babies, what was hard about it, what her doctor told her, what her friends said and so on.

(Me, breastfeeding my squirmy little Finn)

I try to stay positive even if the mother gave up without getting help, and if a mother talks about formula before she knows what I do for a living I try to avoid telling her. I want her to know we are together in the journey of motherhood and I don't want her to feel defensive before we have a chance to connect.

It seems undeniable that mothers want to breastfeed, 75% according to the CDC, but by 6 months less than 14% are exclusively breastfeeding, and only 43% breastfeeding at all.

Why are they giving up so soon?

1. Their own mothers and mother-in-laws did not breastfeed.
2. They have to return to an breastfeeding unfriendly job.
3. It hurts and no one tells them how to fix it.
4. They don't feel comfortable breastfeeding in public because not enough people do it and it doesn't feel normal.
5. Not enough support from friends.

This week a mother-in-law contacted me on behalf of her breastfeeding daughter-in-law. She wanted to purchase an appointment for her daughter-in-law who was struggling. My own mother-in-law did not breastfeed and it was a challenge for her to get used to they way I wanted to do it. Fortunately, she is an amazingly supportive woman, and now gives out my information to women in her area who want breastfeeding help. 

Okay, why do women give up on breastfeeding?

Catching up on breastfeeding news

I just spent some time reading blogs, news articles, study results, etc. pertaining to breastfeeding. It amazes me that feeding a baby can be so controversial. We are not talking about x-rated films or legalizing marijuana here, we just want to support women who want to breastfeed their babies.
http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/breast-feeding-news-roundup/

Should a mother nurse her baby until he/she is six years old? Well, its not very common, but the American Academy of Pediatrics and The World Health Organization both say to breastfeed as long as is "mutually desired". http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/appropriate-breast-feeding/

Should we make breastfeeding dolls? Why not? Children pretend to breastfeed their dolls anyway. It's how many of them were fed.http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/breast-feeding-doll-parents-controversy/story?id=13248646


Does breastfeeding make a women seem less competent in our society? Well, its a bit trickier and takes more guts in our country than bottle feeding. http://www.miller-mccune.com/health/breastfeeding-women-viewed-as-less-competent-29338/
Also, if you are informed, you know how great breast milk is and that it makes for bigger brains!http://www.dur.ac.uk/international/global/?itemno=11796

Should babies be allowed to breastfeed in public? Well, should adults be allowed to eat in public? Don't our children deserve the same consideration? Also, it gives everyone a chance to see how practical and not sexual breasts are for a change. Besides, motherhood can be so isolating without having to remove yourself every time your baby wants to eat.

Which ones push your buttons. What do you think?

BEST FOR BABES -NOT WANTING TO BREASTFEED ARTICLE

If you are on the fence about breastfeeding here is a compassionate and informational article. For your supper passionate breast feeders this is great reminder that women who do not breastfeed are people with complicated feelings just like you!

Partner Support

Milk Mentors encourages husbands/boy friends/baby daddies or whoever the mother lives with to come with the mother to our breastfeeding class.

Here is an article about how supportive partners increase breastfeeding rates http://www.online-ambulance.com/articles/grp/Your/art/Husband.htm

When Micah was born I went to a breastfeeding class on my own. I don't remember any men being in my class. Kevin didn't seem to have any opinion about how the baby was going to be fed, and perhaps I never asked him. I was planning to breastfeed with or without him. I read several books. I talked to mothers.

Micah was born at 9:05 PM and latched on fairly easily. The hospital was packed and we were moved to a room we had to share with another new mom with a curtain between us. There was a rocking chair, but no decent place for Kevin to room in with me and the baby, so I sent him home around 1 AM.

When I had trouble and was in pain Kevin said that I could quit if it was too hard. I actually hear a lot of fathers say this when their women are in pain and they want to protect their loved one from all the pressure they are putting on themselves. Usually these women just want to hear that its going to get better and that help is available, but the husbands feel helpless and angry that their wives are suffering.

When Micah was about a week old my dad came to visit. Micah pulled away from my breast after he started eating and the milk shot across the room onto the other couch. I cracked up laughing and  Kevin said, "Eww". My dad scolded Kevin for being grossed out by breast milk, and I realized then that my mother had made my father a believer in breastfeeding, too.

Anytime something is hard for Kevin he says its because he wasn't breastfed. It's become a joke. Now, when he sees a mother mixing formula he says it makes him sad for the baby. I sometimes find myself defending moms who choose formula because sometimes they don't have a choice or the support they need. That's why I started Milk Mentors: to help the women who want help. And hopefully to help the men help, too.

My friend Becky wrote her breastfeeding story for me, and this is the line she wrote about her husband's support.


 "Byron was very key. Seriously, I couldn't have done it without his help.

Also, just his words of encouragement and his desire for me to breast  
feed helped just as much as him sitting beside me and holding her!  "

So, what about you? Did your partner support your choice to breastfeed? How? How not? 

"Breast Milk Has Never Been Recalled"

I heard a fellow lactation professional say this and it struck a chord. Formula is a wonderful invention because it sustains life.

Formula, however, cannot compare to breast milk, yet in our country we act like it is equal or sometimes better to give formula.

Here are some things from a news article at Yahoo. com that might make you think twice about giving formula to your baby or make you glad you don't.

For more details see http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20100923/lf_ac/6152012_ten_things_you_may_not_know_about_baby_formula_1

1. The linings of formula cans contain bisphenol-A, or BPA, a plastics chemical which mimics the female hormone estrogen. Exposure to BPA can potentially cause reproductive problems and early puberty.

2. Feeding an infant formula can increase the child's risk of developing food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.

3. It is impossible to produce sterile powdered infant formula.

4. Baby formula may be contaminated with the harmful bacteria enterobacter sakazakii and salmonella enterica.

5. Formula feeding increases a child's risk of childhood obesity and of developing diabetes. 

6. Soy-based formulas contain plant estrogens which can cause a variety of reproductive issues. 

7. The FDA does not test infant formulas prior to their marketing and sale. 

8. Infant formulas often contain perchlorate, the base chemical in solid rocket fuels.

9. FDA testing has revealed that some baby formulas also contain the chemicals melamine and cyanuric acid. 

10. Many brands of formula contain ingredients which are generally acknowledged to contain or produce monosodium glutamate, or MSG. 

If you are a mother did anyone tell you about the risks of formula or tell you it was better?

Public Breastfeeding

The best predictor of whether or not a woman will breastfeeding is whether or not she has seen another mother breastfeeding her baby.

This means you have great power to influence women around you to try breastfeeding.

Finn just happens to be hungry when I drop the kids off at school. I find a spot on the rug every day and nurse him. Sometimes children ask me what I'm doing and I usually say, "Finn is hungry. He is drinking milk from my body. My body knows how to make milk for him."

More than one child has said in response, "Is he drinking from your shirt?" This goes to show how discrete I can be. No breast showing.  Then I say something like, "No, he is drinking from my breast." More often then not the next question is, "Can I see?"

Now when a new child suddenly becomes curious other children will pipe up and say, "Finn is drinking nursey from her body!" I am so proud to have indoctrinated a whole class of children.

Federal law says that women are allowed to breastfeed on any federal property, for example the post office. One friend suggested we go in pairs and nurse our babies at lunch time at the post office. She cleverly added that we could call it a "Tit In". Ha!

Where are some of the places you have publicly breastfed?

Here are some photos to inspire you.

Breastfeeding Doll

My colleague, Shannon, found a video from the TV show "The Talk" in which they discussed a doll that makes sucking sounds as if its nursing. Some of the celebrities on the show really bashed it while another reported that she breastfed her child for more than three years. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgujP9H2Yck



I can remember breastfeeding my dolls as a little girl. I actually thought all grown up breasts came with milk. To me, it was how babies were fed.


I went to amazon.com to see if I could get one and here is what I found out.


#1 They are quite expensive. I don't think other electronic baby dolls cost this much: $118!
          
#2 It comes with a vest with an electronic signal near the nipple of the child who is wearing it so that when put to the nipple the baby makes sucking sounds and her/his mouth moves.

Some of the reviews and comments on Amazon struck a cord with me. The first was a little strange because the reviewer claims to have used the doll to lactate! 


One comment was "Since when do mothers teach their daughters to breast feed I was never taught nor do I think I needed any lessons it's just something that comes natural this doll is a gimmick for fools to get their money. "


This struck a cord because I think MOST women need help breastfeeding their babies. A class is helpful to for new mom's to know what to expect, they need help after birth and frequently need some other kind of support. Hence the launch of Milk Mentors. This is why so many women fail to achieve their breastfeeding goals. A doll won't make breastfeeding easier for a girl later in life, but it might help make it feel normal. 


Another article at www.examiner.com claims, "Commentators view breastfeeding play as sexual, too adult, and trauma-inducing."  


Yikes! I think most girls who play with dolls are not old enough to know breasts are sexual!

What do you think?

What Keeps You Going?

Breastfeeding, once you and your baby get good at it is a reward in itself. You are giving your baby health, intelligence, comfort and so much more every time you take your baby to your breast. The bond I delveloped with each of my babies has lasted long after each child was weaned (Okay, so Finn isn't weaned yet).

One pro breastfeeding physician is giving out t-shirts to mothers and their babies who breastfeed for one year.
http://bfmed.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/celebrating-the-journey/

Would a t-shirt keep you going?

No Radiation in Breast Milk

Today the news reported that water in Japan has radiation in it. Can you imagine being a formula feeding mom and needing water for your baby's bottle? Yikes! One of the greatest benefits of breastfeeding is that your body knows what to put it it.

Breastfeeding is convenient and sanitary. No bottles to wash and pack or water to add. It's always the right temperature and as long as you keep doing it you won't run out!

Drugs and alcohol can be dangerous. Anything that passes the blood/brain barrier can usually get into your milk. 

A comprehensive resource for information about medications and breastfeeding is the Infant Risk Center.
 http://www.infantrisk.com/category/breastfeeding

How has breastfeeding effected your bond with your child?

Finn is in a Yoga stage of breastfeeding. He can nurse and do downward dog or half moon with relative ease. Sometimes he looks up at me and grins without letting go of my nipple! I adore him because he is wonderful, because he is my baby, because I am breastfeeding him and nature knows how to make me feel bonded to him.

One of the greatest benefits of breastfeeding is the maternal/infant bond! Research in this area has been limited, but one study says that women who breastfeed touch their babies more during feeding and playtime (http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst?docId=5002016356).

Of course all mommies are in awe of and in love with the life that enters their family, but what is it about breastfeeding that makes us feel so close and connected? I suspect that some of that is obvious. Your skin is touching and you are actually connected by the babies latch (suction).

The hormone oxytocin plays an important part in delivering milk to your baby. An added side effect is that oxytocin makes women feel relaxed and completely lovey dovey. It buffers your feelings of stress, and even influences those around us like your baby who is ingesting it in your milk, and maybe your spouse who is sleeping next to you as the oxytocin wafts around you. Some call it the hormone of love!

How do you think breastfeeding has effected your bond with your child? (This goes for children who are no longer breastfeeding as well.)

What influenced your choice to breastfeed?

Studies show that the strongest predictor of whether a woman will attempt to breastfeed her baby is whether or not she has seen another mother and baby breastfeeding. Men, they say, are convinced by facts.

The two strongest facts I like to share with woman are 1) The bond a breastfeeding woman has with her baby is stronger and 2) Breastfed babies are 50% less likely to die from SIDS.

For me, breastfeeding was a given. As a little girl I breastfed my dolls. All the women around me breastfed their babies. My own sister gave birth 360 days before my first baby was born and I watched her struggle and then get help to solve her problems. This helped me to see that it wasn't necessarily going to be easy, and that help was available.

Studies show that 75% of American women want to breastfeed, plan to breastfeed and start breastfeeding in the hospital. After 6 months, however only 43% are breastfeeding, and only 13.3% are exclusively breastfeeding.
Check out the data at:
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm

What influenced your choice to breastfeed? What kept you going or caused you to stop?

Have you ever tasted your own breast milk?

Recently the BBC reported that an ice cream shop in London is selling ice cream made from human breast milk. Would you be interested in trying it? I'm not sure I have any desire to try another woman's breast milk, however, the idea of it does not gross me out. In fact the greatest deterrent for me, besides the Atlantic Ocean, is the expensive price tag.

All this reminded me of a time when Micah was about two months old and we visited some dear friends for the Forth of July. I had generously pumped a bottle of breast milk so that my friend could feed him, but before warming the bottle she asked what it tasted like and didn't hesitate to try it! I hadn't even thought to taste my own breast milk! I couldn't let my friend taste it and not try it myself. It was bland and sweet.

My mother loves to tell the story of a little girl she met when I was nursing. The girl was 4 and still breastfeeding. When asked what breast milk tastes like she said, "Cookieish." So, I guess ice cream isn't such a far leap for breast milk to make, and might even have less sugar added.

Have you ever or would you ever try your own breast milk?

Breastfeeding Support

In January, the US Surgeon General announced a call to action to support breastfeeding. The point of the call to action isn't to force people to breastfeed, but to help those (75%) moms who want to breastfeed to be successful at it.

When Micah was born nearly 8 years ago, I had a husband, mother, and sister who all supported my choice to breastfeed. I got mixed messages in the hospital from nurses who contradicted one another in how it was to be done and even criticized when my husband left the hospital for a few hours. When Micah had thrush it took a lactation consultant to diagnose him because the pediatrician and OB didn't recognize it. One woman in particular, my Pastor's wife, was determined to help me. She checked the baby's tongue, latch and continued to encourage me. I'm not in touch with her today, but I am thankful for her support.

When the other babies were born no problem was going to hold me back. Breastfeeding Micah sold me on breastfeeding forever...so maybe Micah was really my greatest breastfeeding encourager!

So, the questions is who supported you and how? Maybe, who didn't support you and how did that affected your achieving your breastfeeding goals?

Were you breastfed?

Happy Birthday to my mother, Jeannie, who breastfed me until I was 2 1/2 years old!

Introducing...

There is so much going on in the world in regards to breastfeeding, and I am meeting some amazing mothers who have faced and conquered breastfeeding challenges. I want this blog to be about my personal experience breastfeeding, news about breastfeeding, your personal experiences with breastfeeding, and stories and photos of your adorable breastfed babies.  I will plan to post something every day. Please check back and leave your comments.