Category — Benefits

Breastfeeding Your Adoptive Baby Is Possible

by LisaC

It is certainly not beyond the realms of the possible for an adoptive mother to nurse her new baby. Though breastfeeding is normally considered only the province of the biological mother, there are methods that will permit the committed adoptive mother and her new baby the experience of breastfeeding.

The first considerations should be the ones that common to every mother considering breastfeeding her baby.
Is breastfeeding your child right for you? Will your schedule allow time for it? Is your employer supportive of breastfeeding? Is your family supportive of breastfeeding?

Also, for the non-lactating adoptive mother there is the extra consideration of the commitment required to induce lactation.

If your lifestyle permits, and you feel that nursing is for you, then it is a wonderful option for not only bonding with your newborn, but also giving them all the benefits of breastfeeding that every child nursed at his mother’s breast enjoys.

After those questions are given thoughtful consideration, and if you arrive at the decision that breastfeeding your baby is what you want, you should consult a lactation specialist.

Your specialist will help guide you further, and advise you as to methods are available to prepare your breasts to begin producing milk, as well as helping guide you to find the one that may be right for you.

Generally though there are a couple of main methods of helping you to produce breast milk for your baby.

The first option, and usually considered the best, is to use a breast pump to prepare your breasts to produce milk. It is possible and has been done by other adoptive mothers wishing to breastfeed their babies. The more dedicated you are able to be, the better the results seem to be. A hospital grade breast pump is usually recommended with this method, as well as regularly scheduled pumping.

The second method entails hormonal or prescription drug treatments that may help your breasts to begin producing milk. However, hormone treatments and drugs can carry risks, and should only be considered for use under the guidance of your physician.

Whatever your choice is in methods, it is very important for you to understand you may never be able to produce 100% of the breast milk supply your baby requires. A supplemental nursing system may be necessary. It will however, allow you and your new baby to enjoy both the emotional and physical benefits of breastfeeding.

July 8, 2009   1 Comment

What Benefits Does Breastfeeding Give New Mothers?

by admin

Most people know and understand that breast is best for their new baby, but have you considered the benefits breastfeeding your baby may offer you as a new mother? Breastfeeding is not just good for your baby – it is great for you too!  In addition to helping you bond with your baby right away; reducing your risk of post partum depression (by keeping your pots-pregnancy hormones more regulated), get the rest you need; and even get you back into your old jeans more quickly, breastfeeding offers these other benefits to every new mother:

1.    Breastfeeding helps your uterus return to its normal size more quickly, reducing maternal blood loss.  Although more of a medical benefit than a practical one that you notice, this is an important factor in getting (and feeling) back to normal and healing more quickly from the traumas of childbirth.

2.    Breastfeeding  often gives new mothers a self-confidence boost by showing them that they do indeed know what they are doing and can handle all of the new responsibilities of motherhood.  Bringing home a new baby can be overwhelming.  Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to get the confidence you will need to tackle the other concerns that are bound to arise in the weeks and years to come.

3.    Breastfeeding can help new mothers get the rest they need for healing after childbirth by forcing them to sit or lie with their infants regularly for feedings.
4.    Breastfeeding can help boost a mother’s immune system (as well as her babies), to help her ward off infections and illness. Plus, breastfeeding mothers tend to eat better, which often increases their immunity and makes them feel better and more energetic.
5.    Breastfeeding helps new moms lose their baby weight more quickly.  Since milk production burns 500-100 calories every day, and can help to increase a woman’s metabolism, most breastfeeding mother’s return to their pre-pregnancy weight in a fraction of the time as their formula feeding counterparts.
6.    Breastfeeding for at least one year reduces a woman’s risk of getting breast, cervical and ovarian cancer by as much as 50%!
7.    Breastfeeding offers a reduced risk to osteoporosis and bone fracture later in life.
8.    Breastfeeding can save hundreds of dollars in formula costs.
9.    Breastfeeding can help reduce a mother’s stress by releasing important stress reducing chemicals into the body during feeding time.
10.    Breastfeeding is fast, easy and convenient.  No need to worry about packing or sterilizing bottles; mixing formula or even having enough.  Go wherever you want, whenever you want.  Simply latch baby on when he/she gets hungry – day or night – and continue with whatever you were doing.

Motherhood can be overwhelming feat at times, so why not reduce your stress and reap some of the added benefits that breastfeeding can offer both you and your baby? It’s a gift only you can give yourself and your baby now and in the future.

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February 13, 2009   No Comments

Why Breast is Best for New Babies

by admin

New babies deserve the absolute best start to a healthy life than we can offer.  This often begins with a mother’s choice to breast or bottle feed her new infant.  No mother wants to do something that’s wrong for her new baby, yet many mistakenly believe that high-priced, over advertised formula will give their baby a healthier start than their own milk.  And why wouldn’t they?  After all, most hospitals and doctor’s offices offer free samples upon delivery and hospital discharge, encouraging even breastfeeding mothers to “keep some formula on hand just in case.”  This often send the message to these new mother’s that failure is inevitable and they should be ready to pop open a formula can when it happens.

Forget the baby formula hype and even what you may have heard amongst your friends and family.  The Academy of pediatrics  encourages all new mother’s to at least begin their child’s first few days of life on the breast in order to give them the protein rich,  immune fighting nutrients found in a mother’s pre-milk called colostrum.  Of course the Academy encourages all new mother’s to continue to breastfeed for at least the first year, but acknowledges that if most would just start off with their new babies on the breast, many future illnesses and afflictions could be avoided.

The facts are clear: breastfeeding helps protect children from a variety of common ailments including:

•    chronic ear infections
•    childhood (and adult) obesity – since a baby learns to eat until satisfied on the breast (never being forced to finish a bottle), they learn how to avoid overeating instinctually on the breast.
•    severe allergies
•    food allergies – since breastfed babies have limited (and safe) contact with a a variety of foods through their mother’s milk, they are less apt to develop allergies to food products in the future.
•    breast cancer ( a female child who is breastfed at least 12 months has a 50% less chance of getting breast cancer as an adult than formula fed babies.  That same women, who breastfeeds her own children for 1 year cuts her chances of getting breast cancer by another 50% — amazing!).
•    asthma
•    infections – since breastmilk offers constant immunity protection through a variety of essential nutrients, most breastfed babies tend to have stronger immune systems both as infants and beyond.
•    Diarrhea –
•    juvenile diabetes
•    and even SIDS – no one knows why for sure, but far less breastfed babies die of SIDS than formula fed ones.

Plus, breastfeeding for 6-12 months has also been linked to children with higher IQ’s; better neurological development and even clearer eyesight.

Considering the abundant evidence to the myriad of health benefits breastfeeding offers, doesn’t it make sense to at least give it a try?  Although most experts agree that breastfeeding new babies for at least 12 months gives them the most benefit, even a few days or weeks can offer a baby important germ fighting immunities and other benefits to last a lifetime.

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February 11, 2009   No Comments

Common Breastfeeding Myths Debunked

by admin

Breastfeeding is one of the easiest and best ways to make sure that your new baby gets all of the nutrients he/she needs.  Plus it offers a natural immunity against illness (including some adult cancers), ear infections and even allergies that formula simply can not.  Still, many new mothers don’t even consider breastfeeding.  Why?  Far too often the answer to that question is because they mistakenly believe many of the myths about breastfeeding that circulate among the new mother crowd.

Before making the all-important decision whether to breast or bottle feed, be sure to find out the real answers to your breastfeeding questions.  To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of the most common breastfeeding myths – complete with the right answers:

Myth # 1:  I Don’t Make Enough Milk.

Fact:      The fact is, the majority of new mothers DO make enough milk for their newborn.  This myth has become rampant partially due to a misconception about milk production in the first 2-3 days after birth. Since a woman’s milk doesn’t actually come in until her baby is several days old, many believe that the baby is not getting sufficient nutrition.  This is absolutely not true!  For the first 2-3 days after birth a mother’s body produces an all-important substance called colostrum, which is rich in proteins, vitamins and infection fighting agents that your baby’ needs to build a strong immune system.   Although produced in smaller amounts than milk, it truly is enough for the baby until actual milk production kicks in around day three.   Remember, breastfed babies digest more quickly; therefore they must be fed more often (about every 90 minutes vs. 4 hours for formula fed babies).  The key to detecting whether or not a baby is getting enough milk (or colostrum) is whether or not they are continuing to have wet diapers.  Even a drop or two of urine or stool is sufficient output as long as it is happening 8-12 times per day.  Of course, if you are concerned about your milk production, consult a lactation consultant immediately.

Myth # 2:   There is no way to know how much breastmilk a baby is getting

Fact:  While you may not be able to measure the exact number of ounces of milk that your baby takes in at a feeding session, there are ways to know that he/she is getting what it needs.  The first is to check their feeding habits.  Is the baby sucking, pausing, and swallowing at the breast for several minutes before taking a quick break?  If so, they are taking in milk.  If your baby is fussy, keeps popping off and crying or shows other signs of distress you may be experiencing a problem with latching on, which could inhibit milk release.  Another thing to watch for is milk let down.  Can you actually feel your milk letting down after a few minutes of baby suckling?  If so, you know that you are producing proper amounts.  Finally, is your baby satisfied after each feeding?  Does your baby cal down, get drowsy, fall asleep?  If so, he/she has had his fill for the moment.  Just because a baby awakens an hour or so later for more does not mean that they are not getting enough, it simply means that they have digested their previous meal and are ready for more.

Myth # 3:  A breastfeeding mother has to watch everything she eats and drinks.
Fact:  This is simply not true.  While it is important to eat a well balanced diet in order to have the energy to take care of your baby and produce the milk needed for each feeding, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy all of your favorite foods.  Although some mothers have reported that certain foods or ingredients may affect their baby’s mood or even cause some gassiness, this is unusual and is generally discovered quickly.  For instance, if after drinking an espresso, you notice your baby becoming agitated or cranky, you may want to consider cutting back on caffeine, or at least pumping and dumping about an hour after indulging in a high-caffeine drink.  Generally speaking, however, what you eat has little affect on your baby.

Myth # 4:  Breastfeeding babies need supplemental milk or formula after 6 months

Fact:   This is absolutely not true!  Even after a baby begins eating solids, or has been introduced to cow’s milk at one year of age, breast milk still offers more nutritional value than other foods being eaten.  As a matter of fact, older babies may benefit even more from breastmilk since they are often lack essential vitamins and minerals as they learn to eat table foods in the right amounts.

Myth # 5:  Breastfeeding Hurts
Fact:  While nipple soreness is common in the first week or so, while both you and baby learn this new technique, chronic or overwhelming pain should be looked at.  Oftentimes painful or cracked nipples are due to improper latching or even a yeast infection which should be treated as soon as possible.

Myth # 6:  Breastfeeding ties a mother down.

Fact:  This may be one of the biggest reasons why many women fail to give breastfeeding an honest try.  The fact is, breastfeeding is often easier for many women, allowing them to feed their babies whenever, and whereever they are.  No need to worry about getting back home in two hours in order to mix and heat a bottle.  Just pick up baby and go.  You’re always ready for a feeding.  And, with today’s high-powered pumps, many mothers find the ease of pumping and freezing milk a great way to get away when needed.  Some mother’s even allow dads to give baby a bottle of breastmilk at night to give them a chance to sleep more.

Myth #7:  Mothers can’t breastfeed if they’re sick

Fact:  The antibodies in mother’s milk often protects babies from catching any virus making its way through the home, even when the mother is experiencing symptoms.  The truth is, to stop breastfeeding when you’re sick may actually doom your baby to catching whatever it is you have since you will stop giving them the germ fighting antibodies they need to stay well.

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February 10, 2009   No Comments