Some Links on various topics

A mom-friend of mine was asking about what to say to a mother who was not interested in nursing. Sometimes when a person is resistant to the idea of nursing, it's hard to break through that barrier. The mom in question was expecting twins. So, I compiled a list of links with good information. I thought these were good enough to pass on.

All but one of these articles originates from La Leche League, my first go-to source for questions:

Here's a link about BF after a Cesarean birth:
http://www.llli.org/faq/cesarean.html

An extensive article on colostrum:
http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/lv/lvdecjan05p123.html

The science of breastmilk as it compares to formula:
http://www.llli.org/nb/nbiss3-09p28.html

Breastfeeding and work, showing the business case for breastfeeding, that nursing is actually good for the employer, too:
http://www.llli.org/law/lawemployment.html

This is a great article written from a nursing mama  who is also  a practicing lawyer. It covers nursing on demand and folowing mother's instincts and baby's cues. After her article there is a note from her husband about what he went through in his evolution as a father:
http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/elizabeth_baldwin.html

An article about breastfeeding twins:
http://www.llli.org/faq/twins.html

Resource page on nursing multiples from LLL:
http://www.llli.org/nb/nbmultiples.html

More Benefits to Breastfeeding

Another great link showing the many benefits to breastfeeding...

http://www.llli.org/cbi/facts.html

Breastfeeding and Lowered Risk for Autism and ADHD

Autism and ADHD are childhood developmental disorders, highly talked about in this country. I was doing some reading on breastfeeding rates and both of these disorders and found some interesting conclusions.  In the handful of studies I’ve read about, increased rates of breastfeeding and longer durations of breastfeeding were linked with lower instances of each of these disorders. Bottom line, reduce your child’s risk by breastfeeding for as long as possible. It would be great to see more research done in both of these areas.

While the causes and mechanisms of these disorders are still not understood completely, it is encouraging to see that we can reduce risk factors. I’d encourage any mom with concerns about these disorders to breastfeed and continue to breastfeed for as long as possible. A year is the gold standard. However, the benefits multiply even more for nursing beyond a year. And we should remember, any amount of time at the breast is a good thing & should be celebrated. 

Here are some links:

The duration of breastfeeding

and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Kądziela-Olech H*, Piotrowska-Jastrzębska J:

http://www.advms.pl/roczniki_2005/volumes/54_Kadziela_Olech_H_Duration%20of%20breast.pdf

Causes of ADHD

February 26th, 2009 by Ronit Baras

http://m.ronitbaras.com/focus-on-the-family/parenting-family/causes-of-adhd/?wpmp_switcher=mobile

Breastfeeding, infant formula supplementation, and Autistic Disorder: the results of a parent survey

Stephen T Schultz^1,2,5*, Hillary S Klonoff-Cohen¹, Deborah L Wingard¹, Natacha A Akshoomoff³, Caroline A Macera², Ming Ji² and Christopher Bacher⁴

http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/1/1/16

Autism and the Breastfeeding Family

Celeste Land
Vienna VA USA
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 37 No. 2, February-March 2001, p. 10-11

http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/lv/lvfebmar02p10.html

Top Ten Reasons for Breastfeeing

There are a lot of good reasons to breastfeed. Here is my top ten list of reasons why I love breastfeeding:

1.       Breastfeeding boosts a baby’s immune system with antibodies, from the mother, that will help fight illness.  Bottom line, breastfed babies will get sick less often, and when they do get sick, it will usually be for a shorter duration. This happens for as long as a child is breastfed. Less ear infections. Less stomach illnesses. Less hospitalizations for illnesses.

2.       When baby is sick, I know she’s getting the best source of hydration, nutrition, and ‘medicine’. When I have had sick babies at home, pretty much all they want to do is nurse and sleep. They can do both simultaneously, and this ensures they are well hydrated. They get my antibodies, which helps fight off the illness quicker. It helps comfort into sleep, which is what they need to get better. Breastmilk is digested quickly, so I know that some nutrients are getting ‘in’ even when diarrhea and vomiting are happening.

3.       Moms who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer. I have breast cancer in my family history. Both of my grandmothers died of the disease. I am so happy that breastfeeding my girls has helped lower my risk of getting this disease. The longer a mother nurses, the greater the preventative benefit to her.

4.       Babies who are breastfed are at lower risk of becoming obese or developing diabetes. I come from an overweight family. I have diabetes in my family history. Thankfully, both girls have been very ‘normal’ in their growth and development. And I know it helps them lower their risk of obesity down the road. Babies who nurse naturally follow their hunger cues better. They eat slower, allowing their bellies to tell them when they’re full. This, in turn, develops a lifelong habit of eating to fullness, not just ‘finishing a plate’.

5.       Breastfeeding provides lots of skin to skin contact between mom and baby, which helps bonding between mom and baby happen. It is a very natural way to become close to your baby.

6.       Breastfeeding is cheap. Outside of a few supplies that will be helpful along the way, like maybe a few nursing bras and/or a breast pump, you can breastfeed your baby without any other costs. Formula is expensive. And the way food programs are designed, particularly the WIC program, more real food (fresh fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, milk, cheese, and canned meat) is provided for breastfeeding moms and breastfed babies.

7.       Breastfeeding travels easy. You don’t have to pack bottles & formula. It’s all right there with you. Throw a diaper and some wipes in a small bag and you can go out with your baby for a long time. Bottle feeding requires lugging around much more stuff.

8.       Breastfed babies reportedly have higher IQ (intelligence) than formula fed babies. I know I could have used a few extra IQ points in school. I’m glad to be giving my girls the best boost I can in this area.

9.       You and baby can sleep while you’re nursing, especially in the early days after delivery. Baby will eat and sleep a lot in the first weeks of life. If you can be home with your baby during that time, it provides an excellent opportunity to rest and regain strength. Provided you can have some help from family & friends with other household tasks and sibling care, you can lay down and sleep with baby while s/he is nursing.  It feels wonderful to rest with baby. (But do look up safe ways to sleep with baby *here*.)

10.   Breast milk changes as the baby grows to help meet his/her nutritional needs. Even as baby transitions to solid food and cow’s milk, the smaller amount of breast milk contains higher concentrations of antibodies to prevent disease. The fat and nutrient content change as baby ages. No need to research different types of formula and read fine print, just nurse, it’s all in there!

Other Reputable Resources:

Spangler, Amy.  (2006). A Parent’s Guide to Breastfeeding.  Cincinnati, Ohio: Specialty Lithographing Co.

http://www.llli.org/NB/NBbenefits.html

http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/familybed.html#linkssafety