Thursday, March 31, 2011
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!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Partner Support
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? Sunday, March 27, 2011
"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?
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?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, March 25, 2011
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?
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!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
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?
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?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
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.)
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.)
Monday, March 21, 2011
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?
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?
Sunday, March 20, 2011
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?
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?
Saturday, March 19, 2011
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?
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?
Friday, March 18, 2011
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.
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