Things to Think About When Breastfeeding

     Now that you have made the choice to breastfeed, you need to know a few things in regards to what you should and should not do while breastfeeding your baby. Such topics will include nutrition, positions to hold the baby at, and possible complications among many other topics. You’ve already made a great decision in deciding to breastfeed your baby. Keep it up with making good decisions while breastfeeding to make the process more effective and comfortable for yourself and your baby.

     One of the first subjects to touch upon would include nutrition. Remember, everything you put into your body has the possibility of transferring to your baby through your breast milk. The best advice is to follow the food pyramid when planning your meals. Base most if not all of your meals with carbohydrates while adding lean proteins and calcium such as peanut butter, cheese, yogurt, and other meats. Next, make sure to add plenty of fruits and vegetables to your diet. These can be cooked or raw or even in the form of juices. Some foods that you may want to avoid would be spicy or gassy food because these have a tendency to make your baby fussy. As your baby develops they may be able to handle more types of food but it should be handled on a trial and error basis. Another good idea would be to supplement your diet with a prenatal vitamin to ensure you and your baby gets all of the necessary vitamins.

     Another thing to consider is alcohol consumption. While the occasional glass of wine may not be bad for you, you need to remember that it will be passed along to your baby as long as it is in your system. Your baby’s body is not developed enough to handle that, so, please be mindful while you are still breastfeeding of any type of alcoholic intake.

     Taking birth control is another issue many breastfeeding mothers have questions about. It is perfectly fine to take a form of birth control while you are breastfeeding but I would suggest taking something like the “mini” pill which is progesterone only. The reason for this is that regular birth control pills which contain estrogen and progesterone can affect your milk supply and your baby’s growth.

     The positions at which you hold your baby during breastfeeding is another thing you must consider. There are a couple of options and it is a smart option to alternate these from time to time to prevent too much pressure on certain ducts. The first would be the cradle hold in which you place the baby’s head in the crook of your arm and support the baby’s back with your forearm while holding onto the buttocks or legs with your hand. Hold the baby with its head in line with the rest of its body facing you. Next is the cross cradle hold. This is similar to the cradle hold just facing the opposite way using the opposite arm. There is also the side lying hold where you and your baby lie on your sides tummy to tummy using your free hand to position the breast for the baby. Finally, there is the clutch hold. Here you will need to place a pillow under the baby to bring it level with your breast. From there position the baby’s legs under your arm while supporting the head with your hand. Position you breast to the baby and nurse.

     Some issues to be aware of while breastfeeding would include thrush and blocked ducts. Thrush is a yeast infection inside of the baby’s mouth that appears as white patches on the gums, tongue or on the inside of the cheeks. It can also appear as diaper rash that peels or looks like red dots. Thrush is generally caused by antibiotics that are taken by the mother or baby.  Thrush can then pass to the mother’s nipples and cause them to become red and sore. Thrush is generally treated with nystatin oil drops.

     A blocked duct can occur for several reasons. Not emptying your breasts for reasons such as but not limited to, not nursing often due to a busy schedule or the baby sleeping throughout the night, too tight bras, stress, or poor nutrition. To prevent or alleviate a blocked duct get plenty of sleep and nurse often. Massage the breast before feeding or apply warm, moist heat to the breast. Also, changing the baby’s position when you breastfeed should help alleviate pressure on any one duct.

     Overall, you have made a wonderful decision in deciding to breastfeed your baby. Just try to remember to take care of yourself and your baby. If you have any questions or concerns you can find plenty of information from the professionals at www.breastfeeding.com, which is where I found all of the information found here, or contact a La Leche Legue representative. You can find  your local representative at www.llli.org.

Bump, The. (2009, October 19). Breastfeeding: everything for the new mom. Retrieved from http://www.breastfeeding.com.

Breastfeeding: Benefits for the Mother

Breastfeeding: Benefits for the Mother  

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and beneficial acts a mother can do for her child but in today's society there are many people who feel breastfeeding is unnecessary. There are proven benefits for the mother and the child which include antibodies which protect an infant at birth to the exclusive nutrients only found in a mother's milk which have been shown to prevent a number of childhood diseases. By choosing to breastfeed a mother can impact the present and future health of her baby. Breastfeeding is a wonderful option for mothers with newborn babies. There are many benefits for a new mother when they decide to breastfeed and we want to discuss just a few of those benefits. 

Reduces the risk of certain cancers: 

One major benefit for the a mother who breastfeeds is the reduction of the mother's risk for contracting breast, ovarian and cervical cancer. And let's be honest, no one wants to get cancer. If mothers can reduce their risk of these types of cancer by breastfeeding then we must certainly advocate breastfeeding. 

Protects the mother from osteoporosis later in life: 

Another benefit for the mother would be protecting the mother against osteoporosis and hip fractures later in life. Milk contains calcium and calcium builds bone density. By breastfeeding the baby, the mother builds up her protection from the afore mentioned items. The mother is providing her baby with nutrients but also supplying herself with benefits for the future. 

Helps with weight: 

Next, would be that breastfeeding helps return the mothers body to a pre-pregnancy weight quicker than those mothers who do not breastfeed. When a mother's body manufactures milk they pull the calories needed to make the milk from fat stores. Actually, they pull about half of the calories needed to make the milk from those fat stores. And studies have shown that a nursing mother can burn about 500 to up to 1,500 calories per day by producing milk. 

Costs of breastfeeding: 

Another benefit includes costs. Breast milk is free! Mothers that breastfeed their child do not have to spend money on formula for their babies and they can save that money they would have used on formula and use it on something else that their baby or family might need at the time. Saving money by breastfeeding can probably save you thousands of dollars per year. If you do decide to breastfeed you could invest in a nursing bra or pump but these are not absolutely necessary but rather a luxury. 

Your baby's health is better: 

As mothers, we care about the health of our baby. Every single one of us wants a healthy child and would never want our child to be in pain or not feel well. If you breastfeed you are ensuring that your baby receives proper nutrients for their tiny bodies. Breastfed babies are sick less which reduces health care cost and doctor visits, thus saving you even more money! 

Natural Birth Control: 

Breastfeeding is a natural form of birth control and helps space out pregnancies. While breastfeeding you are helping delay the return of fertility and spacing out these subsequent pregnancies. If you are mother who does not want to return to being pregnant right away then breastfeed your child so you can help plan your own family. 

Bonding with your baby:

Breastfeeding develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with your child! The love you develop for your baby and the love they develop for you is a wonderful emotion. You will develop a bond with your child that will last for a lifetime. Your baby will thank you as they get older that you took the time to breastfeed them and show them how much you cared for them by taking the time to ensure they had proper nutrients in their bodies. 

Others can help you: 

A mother can pump their milk ahead of time and save them in bottles so the baby can have this milk later. By doing pumping your milk and saving it for later you allow time for the father or other family members to help feed your baby while still ensuring that your baby receives the proper nutrition. 

Breastfeeding is a wonderful gift that mothers and babies can share together. If you are considering breastfeeding do not hesitate to ask others around you for help. You can also contact your local lactaction consultant, whom you can find at most hospitals. Also, do not hesitate to ask your OB/GYN any questions, that's what they are there for! Do not pass up the opportunity to breastfeed your baby. You will be extremely excited that you are providing your child with the best option for them and your child will be healthy and thankful as the years grow by. 

Resources: 

www.breastfeeding.com

www.motheringfromtheheart.com

www.womenshealth.com

Breastfeeding: Opening the Door to your Child's Healthy Future

Breastfeeding: Opening the Door to your Child's Healthy Future 

Breastfeeding has innumerable benefits for your infant. It is simply the better choice! Women have been given the gift of providing their babies with the most nutritious food possible through breastfeeding. Your breast milk is uniquely formulated for your infant and changes to meet their needs as they grow. No laboratory can recreate or even come close to the brilliance of breast milk! Colostrum, also known as “liquid gold,” is the yellow milk you secrete shortly after birth and is the best nutrient source for your newborn. Packed with nutrients and antibodies, colostrum is the perfect food to give this little babe a healthy start. A few days after birth, your milk will become thinner, though it remains just as beneficial for the infant; your breast milk will alter itself to meet your infants changing needs as they get older.

One of the most rewarding benefits of breast milk is its ability to combat disease.

Breast milk helps

FIGHT & PREVENT DISEASE

It also lowers your infant’s susceptibility to several illnesses.

It decreases your infant’s risk of:

-Diarrhea
-Asthma
-Obesity
-Ear infections
-Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
-Leukemia
-SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
-Bacterial Meningitis
-Bacteremia
-Respiratory Tract Infections
-Urinary Tract Infections

Additional Benefits of Breastfeeding:
-Breast milk contains the appropriate amount of fats, vitamins, minerals, sugar, water, and protein that your child requires. Formula cannot begin to compare!

-Breast milk offers antibodies that boost your child’s immune system

-Breast milk is easier for your child to digest; because the proteins in formula are made from cow’s milk, infants can struggle with digestion.

-Breastfeeding reduces the risk of milk contamination, as you do not have to sterilize bottles or nipples.

-According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, postneonatal infant mortality rates in the U.S. are reduced by 21% in breastfed babies.

-Breastfeeding encourages skin to skin contact between mother and child, which allows them to bond with you in a special way. Physical touch has also been proven to highly benefit your child’s health.

Breastfeeding and Premature Infants

-Premature infants are especially at risk for contracting infections and disease, so breast milk is certainly the best thing they can be given!

-According to the National Institutes of Health, premature babies that were given breast milk had higher mental development scores than low birth weight babies who did not; they were also less likely to be readmitted to the hospital after being sent home.



A Note from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
“Although economic, cultural, and political pressures often confound decisions about infant feeding, the AAP firmly adheres to the position that breastfeeding ensures the best possible health as well as the best developmental and psychosocial outcomes for the infant.”


The Best Choice

Breastfeeding is natural and one of the best decisions you can make for your child’s health. Doctors recommend breastfeeding until your baby reaches at least 6 months, but they strongly encourage you to continue as long as you can. From the unbeatable milk that helps prevent disease, to creating that special, intimate connection with your infant, breastfeeding is the simple choice. So what are you waiting for? Open the door to your child’s healthy future and breastfeed!


Resources: 

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2007/nichd-01.htm
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/benefits/#a

Ticks Make You Sick: Immunosuppression and Tick-Borne Illnesses

There are tiny creatures lurking in the underbrush. They wait patiently for an unsuspecting victim to walk by. The victim may be animal or human, but either way, these tiny terrors will be ready to take a bite. Are you wondering what this monster could be? Well, to many of us, the answer would be simple. These mini-menaces are ticks. If you haven’t considered it before, now is a good time to think of tick as one of those dirty four-letter words that offend the ears. Ticks bring more than just an itch; they can carry a host of diseases. Many of these are hard enough on a healthy immune system, but those with any type of immunosuppression should take heed.
Immunosuppression occurs when a person either has an immunosuppressive condition or is undergoing an immunosuppressive therapy. When a person is immunocompromised, the immune system cannot do its job properly. In a healthy immune system, the body produces antigens which fight off diseases. When the immune system has been compromised in some way, the body can no longer do this and diseases develop.
In Missouri, the most common tick-related illness is ehrlichiosis. This disease is most commonly carried by the Lone Star tick, and the symptoms may be easily confused with those of other illnesses. Some common symptoms of ehrlichiosis include: fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle ache.
There are four types of immunosuppression commonly affected by this disease. These immune response deficiencies are caused either by therapies that affect the immune system or specific conditions. If you fit into any of the following categories, it is especially important for you to take precaution.
Immunosuppressions can be caused by:
• Solid organ transplant
• Chemotherapy for cancer, leukemia, or lymphoma
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Auto Immune disorders such as: diabetes, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and scleroderma
Healthy or immune suppressed, it is important for everyone to fight the tick bite. Summer time is the perfect time for outdoor activities, but is also the perfect time for ticks. To have fun this summer without getting bitten, follow these simple precautions:
• Avoid tall grasses and brush areas. When hiking, walk in the center of trails.
• Wear light-colored clothing, and tuck your pants into your socks.
• Use an insect repellent containing 20-50% DEET.
• If you have pets, check them for ticks.
• Always check yourself for ticks after spending time outdoors.
• If you find any ticks, remove them immediately!
For proper removal of ticks, follow these steps. Remember, infections can happen within 10 hours of a tick bite!
• Getting as close to the skin as possible, use tweezers to grasp the tick near the head or mouth area.
• Pull firmly, straight away from the body. Do NOT jerk or twist.
• Do NOT use alcohol, matches, or petroleum jelly to remove the tick.
• After removal, wash your hands and the bite area with soap and water. Apply an antiseptic product to the area after washing.
• Finally, if you develop any symptoms such as fatigue, fever, or rash following the tick bite, alert your doctor!

For more information:
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/TicksCarryDisease
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000821.htm
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Ehrlichiosis
http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/ehrlichiosis/index.html