Ways to Support A Breastfeeding Mother

October Health Focus: Breastfeeding For the month of October, I’ve been invited to share information about breastfeeding as the health focus for the month. Since January 2011, I’ve been serving as Breastfeeding Peer Counselor for the Door County Public Health Department and Door County WIC. I’m happy to share with you some information that might be helpful, weather you’re a new mom, aunt, uncle, or grandparent. Breastfeeding is such an important way to support the emotional and physical health of children, your role as breastfeeding parent or supporter of that relationship is critical. Heartfelt thanks to our church for allowing Door County Breastfeeding Support Group Meetings to be held in our nursery on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 10:30am and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm. Please encourage breastfeeding moms to join us!

But I wasn’t breastfed or didn’t breastfeed my children…
I breastfed both of my girls, but was not breastfed myself. Many of you may not have breastfed your children. This is common. breastfeeding was normative in our culture up until the 1940s and 50s. Since the late 1800s cows milk substitutes for human milk were used and often prescribed by doctors. By the late 1920s, soy-based formulas were developed. Advancements in food technology made these substitutes seem safe. Gradually, breastfeeding took a backseat to formula feeding as the common way to feed infants. People saw it as the ‘high-tech & advanced’ way to feed their children. In fact, older friends have told me that their doctors said it was ‘safer’ than breast milk. After the depression, many thought of breastfeeding as a sub-standard way of feeding, and even negatively associated it with being poor. Breastfeeding rates steadily declined until the 1970s.

As the medical community has been able to do more research, we’ve learned the error of our ways. Research has shown that breastfeeding is in fact the safest and healthiest way to feed our children, offering many positive health benefits. Breastfed children experience lower rates of cancer, obesity, and diabetes throughout life. A mother breastfeeding her children will enjoy lower rates of breast and ovarian cancers throughout her life. The longer the breastfeeding relationship, the greater the benefit to mother and child. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 11-13% of all deaths in children under 5 years of age could be prevented if they were exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Another 6% of deaths under-5 could be prevented with adequate, safe, and timely complimentary feeding. Infants who are not breastfed have a seven-times and five-times higher risk of dying from diarrhea and pneumonia respectively, compared with infants who are exclusively breastfed. Nothing can mimic or replace the complex and living components of breastmilk, which support the health and development of children.

Your support is important…
So, if you didn’t breastfeed your children, don’t feel bad about it, but do help the next generation breastfeed successfully. We now know better, so let’s do better!! You can support a mother breastfeeding in the following ways: 1) Encourage a mom to feed her baby whenever the baby is hungry. 2) Encourage a mom to feed her baby when and where she is comfortable. 3) Refrain from making negative comments about breastfeeding or her milk supply. Rather, encourage her to get help from a lactation nurse or breastfeeding specialist if she’s having problems. 4) Help a new mom with tasks other than feeding, like bathing baby, cuddling with baby after feeding, doing a load of laundry, or taking the family a meal. The early months of breastfeeding can be intense. A little extra help during this time can go a long way. 5) Encourage a mom to breastfeed as long as she and her child feel comfortable. The current World Health Organization breastfeeding recommendations include exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (no other food or formula), continuing breastfeeding with introduction of solids beyond 6 months up to 2 years or longer for as long as mother and child are comfortable.

Please look for more information on the health bulletin board for the month of October. Feel free to contact me with any questions: I love to talk about breastfeeding!! ~Teri VanLieshout home 920-746-0047; email: vanlieshout (at) att (dot) net.

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

ABC's of Nursing

I will develop this further at a later date. I have been thinking of ways to streamline the teaching of breastfeeding into 3-7 major pieces. According to brain research in teaching and learning, the brain only can take in so many pieces of information at a time, 3-7 pieces for adolescents through adults. So, this is what I came up at first brush:

The A B Cs of Nursing:

• A - Allow
  Allow baby to nurse when s/he is hungry. This is called Nursing on Demand. Research shows it is best to follow baby's cues and allow them to nurse when they are hungry, for as long or as short as they need. Let them detach from the breast on their own.
• B - Breast
  Nurse baby at the breast when possible. There are a variety of reasons why sometimes it is necessary for a mother to pump milk and have it fed through a bottle or feeding tube. Latch issues, at first, are a common reason. Other reasons may include cleft palate or premature birth. However, a baby will be infinitely better at draining the breast and stimulating milk production than any pump will ever be. Some women do not let down easily for a pump. It takes longer to drain a breast from a pump, even when letdown is happening. On average, pumping needs to take place more often than a 'normal' nursing schedule to keep up with a baby's needs. For this reason, baby should be nursed at the breast whenever possible. If latch issues are occurring, they should be resolved quickly, as milk supply usually diminishes with prolonged use of a pump for exclusive draining of the breast.
• C - Continue following Cues
  Follow baby's cues in continuing of nursing. Nursing patterns will change with the age and development of the baby. It is best to follow his/her hunger cues (rooting, smacking of lips, fussiness). According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization, the 'ideal' length of the nursing relationship is as follows:
   - to exclusively breastfeed with no other supplements or other food sources for 6 months
   - after the 6 month mark, to supplement breastfeeding with the gradual introduction of solid foods
   - to continue to supplement the introduction of solid foods with breast milk for at least the 1st
        year of life
   - beyond the 1 year mark, breastfeeding continues to provide benefits for both mother and child
       it can and should continue for as long as mother and child are comfortable doing so.

When to Nurse Your Baby - How to Calm Your Baby

Q: When should I nurse my baby?
A: You should offer the breast first when baby shows signs of hunger or fussiness. It’s the first and best line of response. Early signs of hunger will be displayed by lip smacking, rooting (biting on fists), turning head from side to side, and showing increased restlessness. You will learn to recognize these cues easily as you get to know your baby better. Offer the breast early for easiest feeding. Crying is a late sign of hunger. Often, if feeding is put off, baby will be fussy and will be more likely to feed poorly. If you offer the breast right away when early hunger cues are being shown, baby will be happier, calmer, and more likely to feed well. Nursing when baby is hungry is called, "nursing on demand." Breastfeeding experts agree that nursing on demand is the preferred way to breastfeed. Rigid nursing schedules and following the clock can threaten milk supply.

 

Q: What if my baby is still fussy.
A: If baby won't take the breast when offered, try to calm the baby with other methods. Below are a few tried and true other ways to sooth a fussy baby, especially in those early weeks. Some of these are taken from Dr. Harvey Karp's book, The Happiest Baby On the Block. I would highly recommend this as a reference:
http://www.amazon.com/Happiest-Baby-Block-Harvey-Karp/dp/0553381466/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350418202&sr=8-1&keywords=the+happiest+baby+on+the+block

1. Is it anything obvious: check or change diaper. Is there something scratching, poking baby? Check clothes for anything that might be uncomfortable. Is baby too hot or too cold? The general rule is to dress baby in one layer warmer than what you would be comfortable wearing. Sometimes, just checking the basics associated with general comfort can be a good place to start.
2. Reduce stimulation: Babies are constantly learning and taking in new information. When in a room with new people, they are looking at and trying to identify with each new face. It is exhausting work. Sometimes they get overstimulated--especially in the later part of the day. Turn down the lights, turn off TV, put baby up on your shoulder, letting them nuzzle (or cry) on your shoulder. Protect them from the world a bit. Find a quieter place if you can. Be patient. It takes time for them to calm sometimes. Sleep is often  the 'reboot' button that allows their brain to settle. More tips on getting them sleepy follow.


3. Swaddle: Wrapping a newborn tightly in a blanket, called swaddling, can help soothe baby. A snug wrap around the body will simulate the feelings the baby had in the womb. It has a natural calming effect. Slings and wraps that hold baby snugly to your body can also be soothing in this way. For techniques on swaddling, look here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSYPqGtFBYQ
   http://pediatrics.about.com/od/weeklyquestion/a/0607_swaddling.htm
   
4. Swing or provide movement: Gentle, rhythmic movement also helps calm babies by simulating what happened in the womb. When you wrap baby tightly AND move them rhythmically, it simulates that movement they felt in the womb, when mom was walking and moving around during the day, while baby was held snugly inside. Ways to provide gentle movement include dancing or walking with baby held securely in your arms (or a sling). Swaying back and forth with baby held securely in your arms (or a sling). A baby swing or rocking bassinet will also do a good job providing this movement. Rocking together in a rocking chair is also soothing. A ride in the car (in a safe car seat, of course) is another good choice.
5. Shhhhh: Sometimes it comes naturally, we say shhhh, shhhh, shhhh to baby in their ear. Well, good science has found there’s a reason we do this. Rhythmic loud noise also simulates womb environment by providing the noise that was present all the time in their pre-birth existence. The rushing of mom’s blood through the blood vessels in and around the placenta is loud for babies, in the womb. That same kind of loud rhythmic, white noise is soothing in the early weeks/months, too. You can provide this by saying, "Shhh, shhhh, shhh," loudly in baby’s ear. Sometimes running a vacuum or standing near a running laundry machine is helpful, too. My husband, desperate to help, stood next to one of his loud ‘tools’ in the shop. It did the trick & put our baby to sleep. You will find that when baby is in a loud environment, s/he will often ‘shut down’ and sleep. This is good to use to your advantage with shhh-ing or creating some loud background noise.
6. Suck—again, offer the breast. The sucking helps soothe babies to sleep. Dads can sometimes offer a finger to suck on, or a pacifier, if baby is not too young. Breastfeeding experts usually advise against using any artificial nipples in the first 4-6 weeks. Talk to your health care provider about this.
7. Skin to skin contact—Strip baby down to diaper. Take off your shirt. Let baby be close to you, touching your skin. This skin to skin contact helps release hormones in you and in baby that calm and relax you both. Rock in a chair, under a blanket, and let the two of you be in close, skin to skin. Several of the soothing mechanisms will be triggered.
8. Pressure on the stomach—First and foremost, it is important to reiterate ALWAYS PUT BABY TO SLEEP ON HIS/HER BACK. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY MEASURE TO REDUCE THE RISK OF SIDS. That being said, sometimes pressure on the tummy when fussing is helpful in soothing baby to sleep. What we did is put a pillow on our lap, sitting in a good chair or couch, put baby on the pillow on her tummy, gently rocking her back and forth with our knees, and then offering a pacifier, if she wasn’t sucking her fingers. We, of course, had hands on baby to make sure she was securely held. My husband was good at holding baby on his forearm on her tummy and swishing her back and forth, using the other arm as support. This movement  coupled with pressure on the tummy helps soothe baby to sleep.
9. Stay calm – baby can tell if you’re stressed out. Take some deep breaths yourself to reduce your stress level. Put in ear plugs, if it helps. I know being around a crying baby for an extended period of time is stressful. If you have a co-parent/partner/friend around to help, take turns and give the other person a chance to step away & take a walk around the block—get out of the environment. A few minutes of quiet can do wonders to help calm the nerves. If nothing else, if you have no one there to help, put baby where she is safe, in her crib, for a few minutes and step away. It is important that you find a way to calm yourself. Baby can pick up on your stress and react to it, making the situation even worse. NEVER SHAKE A BABY.  For more info, go here: http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/uichildrenshospital/childprotection/pdf/sbsflyerfinal.pdf
   
10. Remember, this won’t last forever. Sometimes as parents and human beings, we think whatever challenge we’re facing will last indefinitely. When a baby is upset, it can feel like it will last forever. IT WON’T. Try to keep this in perspective. Babies get fussy. Babies cry. This is the only way they have to communicate when they are upset. If you can’t figure it out, for the short term, just be empathetic for your baby. Be that soft place to land. Look at her in her eyes and say, "I know you’re hurting. I’m so sorry. I’m here to help you." Just passing that emotion of wanting to help to your baby can go along way. Keep this in perspective. If your baby is inconsolable, call your doctor and see when you can bring him/her into the office next. Always consult a health professional if you’re feeling that something is truly wrong. Trust your gut. Trust those instincts.

Common Breastfeeding Myths

This is a very comprehensive and accurate list of breatstfeeding myths and the truthful story behind each. I'd encourrage you to read and pass it on:

http://blog.nurturedchild.ca/index.php/2011/01/30/the-truth-behind-common-breastfeeding-myths/

Warning against 'Babywise'

There is a new article published by the AAP, warning against the 'method' aspoused by 'Babywise'.
You an find the full text at the link below:
http://www.drmomma.org/2009/12/babywise-linked-to-babies-dehydration.html

I'd steer clear of any measure that stresses scheduling. Breastfed babies do better when you feed on demand. The AAP supports this viewpoint.