August is National Breastfeeding Month. It’s a time to really promote awareness for
not only the benefits for mom and baby, but also to remind everyone to be
supportive, or at least respectful, of a mom’s decision to breastfeed her baby.
Gentlemen, you may be a husband, brother, father, or even a
friend, to someone who has made the decision to nurse her baby, or who is
considering it while expecting. This is your opportunity to find out the
benefits (both financial and health-wise), so that you can provide support and
understanding. Ladies, I urge you to take the time to read, and see for
yourself why breastfeeding a baby is THE BEST WAY, and how to support and
uplift those who choose this. Moms-to-be, if you find yourself unsure about
your decision, it is best to learn all you can to make an educated decision,
one way or another, so that the decision on how to feed your baby is not based
on that uncertainty, and you can feel good about it!
Let’s talk benefits:
- It’s cheaper…because it is free! Plus, formula can cause numerous digestive issues, and hundreds of dollars are spent at doctors offices already...
- Easier for baby to digest
- Easier than bottle-feeding (There’s a lot of prep to PROPERLY prepare formula)
- Helps mom lose the baby weight…and possibly more (800-1200 calories/d burned)
- Bonds mom and baby beautifully
- Has antibodies from mom to protect baby
- Prevents/Decreases numerous health risks (for mom AND baby)
- Decreases risk of SIDS
- Protects baby’s respiratory if mom’s a smoker
- The list goes on…
Nutrition:
- Colostrum (available at time of delivery), is a concentrated, small amount that is packed with antibodies, nutrition, and prepares baby’s gut for further feedings
- Nutritionally adequate for baby (meaning no supplementation or complementary foods) for up to 6 months!
- Design is complex: quenches thirst and provides carbs, vitamins, and minerals; provides enough proteins and fats to satisfy baby (feel full). It changes with baby, even throughout the day!
- Baby has ability to latch on AND pull away when finished…teaching baby to STOP EATING WHEN FULL. (This is a big part of decreasing overweight babies/children, as well as excessive spit-up/reflux).
- It is easier to digest: reflux, gas, and digestive problems are significantly decreased because of this
Myths busted:
1. Cannot make enough
o
Supply and demand, people! If supplementing with
formula, the mom’s body senses that the amount of milk originally made is not
being used, and will not continue to produce that same amount. Relying on pumping
too soon can also interfere with supply. Using pacifiers and bottles can cause baby to be “nipple-confused” if given too soon.
At-the-breast, on-demand feeding is what keeps that supply going, as oxytocin (the hormone allowing milk to flow) is stimulated by mom's connection with baby, so establish that first in the beginning before trying to introduce bottles of pumped milk for returning to work/school.
o
Resources to utilize:
http://www.llli.org/nb/nbmarapr05p44.html
http://www.medela.com/IW/en/breastfeeding/research-at-medela/breast-anatomy.html
2. It always hurts
o
Tenderness is common in the beginning, but PAIN
is not the norm. If any pain is experienced, it could mean a bad latch, mom
with an infection/yeast, or engorgement. Seek help from a board-certified lactation
consultant (IBCLC) for help latching or other medical professionals to rule out
other possibilities. Forcing baby to the breast instead of allowing baby to find it and figure out a comfortable latch will increase the painful latch risk. A great quote on the matter I heard went something like this, "Its normal to get a rock in your shoe, and it hurt. Its NOT normal to LEAVE the rock in your shoe. As is with pain during nursing". If it hurts, something isn't is right.
3. Cup size matters
o
Fat distribution of/in the breast does not
affect potential amount or ability to breastfeed, but merely protects the
organs in the breast tissue that do.
4. Age matters
o
Moms of all ages can do it once puberty is reached.
5. Route of delivery (c-section or natural) makes a difference
o It can, but planning avoids most of the complications. Communicate with doctor the plan to breastfeed
so that baby is with mom sooner, rather than later.
6. Working or student mom- no time
o Pumping/saving
for when away and feeding from breast at home is many a mom’s routine. And the
milk keeps very well!
o
Resource to utilize: http://www.medela.com/IW/en/breastfeeding/research-at-medela/breast-anatomy.html
7. Birth of multiples (twins, triplets, etc.), so cannot make enough
o
Breastfeeding is based on supply/demand. The
body is smart. It will feed them all! Mom needs to eat really well to replenish
her own nutrition.
8. Flat or inverted nipples prevents me from breastfeeding
o
This may make things more complicated at first,
but not impossible! Ask for help/support!
Support is highly beneficial to being successful. Here are
some other websites to help:
Latch Help:
Family Support:
How
Grandmothers can support Breastfeeding- http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/Learning_Center/LS/MBOL/gpbrochure_eng.pdf
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