Breastfeeding and Birth Control Methods

by LisaC

There are a number of ways to ensure your family is spaced and insure the birth control method you choose doesn’t pass through to breast milk.

The first and most often used it to allow breastfeeding to be the natural method of birth control. Studies show this is a method that is 98% effective and equal to any other means of birth control. However for this to be effective the baby must nurse often and breastfeeding should be his only means of nourishment. That means no pacifiers if at all possible as well. It’s an effective method and almost sure-fire until the infant begins to take his first solid foods then it becomes less reliable.

Still, many women choose other means while breastfeeding and below are listed some safe methods of birth control as added insurance in your family planning endeavors.

•    Condoms
•    IUD (intrauterine device)
•    Diaphragms
•    Spermicidal Jellies and Creams
•    Rhythm Method

Less desirable and not proven 100% safe are the hormonal treatments such as birth control pills or hormonal implants.  Recent studies tend to show hormonal implants and birth control pills pass only minute amounts of the hormone through the breast milk. However, we as a society are finding even minute amounts of any substance sometimes are not without consequences.

Condoms both the male and female sort can help a nursing mother space the family. However condoms in conjunction with a spermicidal jelly or cream are found to be most effective and with no effect on  the quality of the breast milk.

IUDs or a copper device inserted in the uterus are also considered to be very effective in helping to plan a family. There are also no problems or hormones attached with this birth control method.

Diaphragms or foam inserts are also a means of family planning and are felt to have no effect on the quality of breast milk. Often these devices are used in conjunction with a spermicidal jelly or cream.

The rhythm method depends on learning the body rhythms and then abstaining from sex during periods of fertility.  This means is considered natural, however it also can fail if signs are misread.

No means of family planning is 100% effective and the choice of which to use in family planning is personal and usually best undertaken with the advice of a family physician to take into account any health considerations.

October 17, 2009   No Comments

Breastfeeding and Nursing Strikes

by LisaC

First off, we probably need to outline what a nursing strike is. A nursing strike normally occurs after a baby has been nursing well for some time. All of the sudden (usually) one the infant will refuse to nurse. Why? Well there are some well known and obvious causes for it, and sometimes no one is really sure.

The idea behind surviving a nursing strike is to outlast it, maintain the milk supply and of course ensure that baby is staying adequately hydrated. In cases where the cause of the nursing strike is guessed or known then proactive steps can be taken. In other cases, well mom just has to outlast the problem and eventually coax the baby back to nursing.

One of the reasons a baby might go on a nursing strike could be poor positioning. Yes, position, position, position is the litany of lactation consultants, doctors, and internet resources and it’s valid.

Think about this; If you were forced to eat your meals with your bottom sliding off the chair, chances that it would probably inhibit your appetite. You are an adult and of course might get up and get another chair or reposition the existing one, but a baby has no such recourse. The sensation of falling is not comfortable and does little for the appetite. So first off ensure the baby is held securely and that there is a good latchon. It’s important because how you hold the baby is their “chair” during meal times and can affect how secure they feel.

Let’s say that the positioning and latchon are perfect, baby is secure and comfy during nursing but is still on strike. This is very worrisome to the breastfeding mother. Mom might then check baby and see if he has tender or sore spots say from a fall or an immunization. Sometimes the feeding position can be irritating these..

Pacifiers have been cited as culprits in nursing strikes. If baby has been using his pacifier a lot then try backing off on it. Bottle feeding is a necessity with working moms and if this is a suspected culprit then try cuddling time prior to feeding. Working moms have little choice in using bottles as they are absent during feeding time for at least part of the day.

Sometimes no cause for the nursing strike can be found. Everything was going just fine and the next day, baby is on strike. There are a few tips that might get you through this trying period.

Coax the baby, don’t force and don’t turn feeding time into a battle of wills or a test of patience for you or your baby. The baby is on strike and this can be a real worry but if baby is still having the correct number of wet diapers per day you can easily outlast this. If baby becomes upset after being offered the breast then try something else for a little while, or get another family member to hold and play with him. If mom becomes upset, same thing, take a break then return to feeding attempts after mom calms down. Breastfeeding is a pleasure for both mom and baby it should not be stressful on either.

Take heart, nursing strikes generally only last a few days to a week. An idea that might work is the instant reward method  where a little expressed milk is drizzled over the nipple so baby gets a taste even before letdown occurs.

Take care of your milk supply. Ok, baby is on strike but your breasts are not, and you don’t want them to be. Instead use a breast pump the empty both breasts. Doing this will not only store up extra milk for your baby but will keep your breasts from becoming engorged and your breast milk supply from possibly decreasing. Freeze the pumped breast milk as it will most certainly be needed at some point and time.

If baby exhibits symptoms of dehydration, like insufficient urine output and few wet diapers, or dark yellow urine then it is time to consult a pediatrician.

Not every baby goes on a nursing strike but for those who do, it’s possible for mom to ride it out and maintain that precious milk supply.

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September 12, 2009   1 Comment

Appropriate Containers for Pumped Breast Milk

by LisaC

Mothers who use a bottle and formula to feed their babies are always concerned about proper storage and handling of formula. Everyone knows that bottles must be sterilized and handled in a safe manner and everyone knows what a good bottle looks like and what qualities they want in it.
However, ot so much is said (at least in my mind) about proper storage containers for pumped breast milk by moms who breastfeed their babies.

For instance, containers for pumped breast milk are important and yet, for all my research I rarely come up with anything other than a few lines as to why containers to store pumped breast milk are important.

So, let’s talk about why the containers a mom stores her breast milk in is of interest.

If it is clean and sanitized it should be ok? Right? Truth is, maybe or maybe not because there are differing opinions by experts.

Plastic liners which some mothers use to store breast milk must of course be sterile. However, there is another issue in that the fat from the breast milk can cling to the sides of certain type of standard bottle liners. Unless mom is using a specially made liner for breast milk then it is often considered wisest to stick to hard plastic bottles or glass bottles for breast milk storage.
Ameda and Medela both make great breast milk storage containers that are engineered to store breast milk safely and not permit the fat to cling to the sides of the bag. Babies need that fat.
Medela even makes a breast milk storage bag with a pouring spout when can eliminate those spills when trying to transfer stored breast milk to a bottle. Breast milk is precious!

When using any container to store breast milk that has been pumped, be sure your preparation area is clean and allow about a quarter inch of space (maybe a bit more) at the top of the container to allow for expansion of milk if it is to be frozen.

Plastic bottles and glass containers used for storing pumped breast milk are re-usable as long as they are properly cleaned and sterilized between uses.

Mom doesn’t necessarily need a specially designed breast milk storage bottle or container but using them can ease any concerns about storage and cleanliness. There are so many other things for a new mom to worry about, why add one more? Some special containers for pumped breast milk storage are so designed that the milk goes directly from the breast pump into the storage containers.

Remember, if you try to use plastic liners not specifically made for breast milk storage that if the milk is frozen you will be trying to pour that breast milk from a shapeless bag after thawing it and of course trying not to spill it. That’s quite a challenge. Some plastic bags and liners are not made to be frozen or even reheated for that matter, so be aware the plastic will need to be of sturdier stuff than what might be used to store left over salad.

A good set of storage bottles or supply of  plastic storage liners can save the new or veteran breastfeeding mom a lot of time and headaches at a time they don’t need new headaches. Or can save them trying to manipulate containers not meant for breast milk storage and eliminate concerns over whether the material is right or safe to hold baby’s food.

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August 30, 2009   No Comments

Overactive Letdown an Overabundance of Milk Is Possible

by LisaC

While many mothers worry if their infants are getting enough breast milk and they do everything possible to increase their breast milk supply, other mothers experience what is often referred to as overactive letdown that can cause just as many concerns with a breastfeeding mom.

Yes, there is sometimes too much breast milk and if baby is able to handle this overabundant supply and the strong letdown, then mom’s body and nature will take care of it. The baby won’t drink all the milk available and the breastfeeding mother’s body will take that as a signal to slow down on the milk production. However, there are also situations where overactive letdown might result in choking or vomiting. I this occurs frequently then it is always best to consult a physician to be sure of the cause. One sign that the problems are caused by overactive letdown is if the baby is having to gulp instead of swallow due to the quantity of milk.
There are some things mom can do to help nature along and increase baby’s comfort during feeding while her body adjusts to the baby’s needs.

The first thing to try is to only nurse a single breast each feeding because mom is trying to encourage her body to make a little less milk. Allow the infant to drink until satisfied but she should not offer the second breast. The next feeding then she should offer the other breast. She can hand express milk from a breast that is overfull between feedings.

This is one case where breast pumping is discouraged as the problem is too much milk and pumping can encourage more milk production. If breasts become engorged then hand expression is best. If a mom must pump her breasts to store milk for absences then she should not empty her breasts. This will tell her body to slow down on the milk production when there is milk left over.

Frequent burping is also important as this helps release gas the baby may have swallowed while gulping. Also when the baby begins to gulp instead of swallow then remove him from the breast and allow the milk to flow out on it’s own onto a nursing pad or other absorbent material. This can reduce baby’s discomfort and the possibility he will be overwhelmed with milk.

It should ot take long for mom’s body to adjust to the baby’s needs if a little care is taken and with professional consultation mom can be breastfeeding happily while baby gets just enough breast milk.

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August 24, 2009   No Comments

The Role Of Dad In Breastfeeding

by LisaC

We put a lot of effort into supporting a mother and supporting her role in breastfeeding her baby, and quite rightly so. Mom is the source of milk and normally the primary caregiver for a baby because so many of his early needs have to do with feeding. it is her commitment that permits healthy breastfeeding to continue in the face of many obstacles.

However, a supportive dad is a big part of the parenting team and his efforts can help a mother to sustain the breastfeeding commitment as well as nurture their infant.
All too often when dealing with breastfeeding issues we tend to leave out the other half of the team - dad. It seems in our culture we sometimes expect fathers to magically bond with their children from across the room just because they don’t produce milk. A bond between father and child is not established by some mystical means the moment a child becomes old enough to play football as our culture sometimes appears to indicate. This bond is built from the earliest stages onward.

Dads can be involved in many ways as a parent for breastfed children from the very earliest stages. Though a father is not carrying around the built-in pacifier that mom does with her breasts, they can be a great source of comfort and provide interaction for the baby as well as give mother a few minutes rest.

In fact, in order to support a strong marriage, and the team parenting concept it is important to get dad involved as early as possible. How much dad is involved, and in what roles, will depend upon the individuals and what they are comfortable with and of course on their lifestyle.

For instance, regular stimulation of the nipples is important to maintain and build breast milk supply, but especially with working mothers, there comes a point when the nighttime feedings have become a burden. If the infant is of an age to be able to go several hours without feeding this is a perfect opportunity for further parental interaction for the involved dad in either the role of comforter to put baby back to sleep or to feed the infant from a bottle or cup.

If mom is working, then baby has already been introduced to an alternate means of feeding like a bottle or a sip a cup. Some couples have dad give the midnight feeding with breast milk that has been pumped and stored earlier. This gets dad directly involved and will also teach him the basics of handling pumped and stored breast milk. The idea here is to give a mother a few solid hours of sleep that she might not ordinarily get.this also provide the perfect bonding time for the father and the infant and establishes the father as a nurturer in the infant’s mind.This is not normally a good idea during the first few weeks after birth, but can work well for some parents after the infant is a few months old.

In other circumstances the parents may decide to avoid bottle feeding at any time even late night feeding. in that case, dad can get up in the middle of the night, when the hungry infant awakens and that perhaps change the baby’s diaper and bring them to the 24 hour buffet a that is mother. Doing this serves two purposes, as it establishes dad as a source of comfort and allows the mother an extra little bit of rest time.

Having dad give the occasional bath under the watchful eye of even the most nervous mother is another way to establish comfort in handling the infant for dad and permitting bonding that might not easily take place in our culture’s traditional mother and father roles.

The baby has many needs outside of diapers and feeding as they grow and the involved dad can participate by supplying many of these needs and providing relief for a stressed or tired mother, and of course the necessary interaction and bonding for a lifelong relationship between father and child.

Breastfeeding is not something dad can do but his involvement with an infant’s care especially during stressful times for mom will help establish his role as a nurturer and it will also support the concept of teamwork in parenting.

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August 4, 2009   No Comments

What Care Providers Should Know about Breast Milk

by LisaC

there is certain similarities between breast milk and formula however there are some significant differences as well. For the mother planning on returning to work or simply training a new care provider for her breastfed infant this information can be an important part of the mother’s peace of mind and the care providers ease in dealing within dealing with breast milk.

Care providers for infants are normally well-trained in many aspects of child care however handling breast milk may not be one of the areas in which they are trained. Hence, this is important information to impart to a caregiver.

Perhaps one of the more significant differences between breast milk and formula is the fact that the color may vary. A mother should explain to the care provider that the color of breast milk can range from a slight bluish color to a yellowish color and that the coloration in no way affects the breast milk’s usability. Breast milk may also separate during storage and the high-fat hind milk will separate from the foremilk. Unless a caregiver has experience breastfeed her own infants and used stored milk at some other time they may not understand that this is perfectly normal.

normally I caregiver will not see formula that has been frozen, nor will they be asked to thought and prepare frozen formula for the infant’s consumption.however with the breastfed baby, freezing to store milk is a common practice.for the mother gone away for the day, as in with a daily work schedule, she may want to thaw the breast milk at home. However, if an extended absence is planned, then it is important to train a caregiver in following breast milk properly.

The use of microwaves to thaw or heat breast milk as well as thawing breast milk in water should be avoided at all costs. High heat can not only burn the baby’s mouth but will affect the nutritional value of the breast milk. The best way to thaw breast milk is to allow it to defrost in the refrigerator for around 12 hours. The mother should also explain to the care provider that the breast milk may separate and should be shaken after thawing.
A mother may also want to explain that unused milk should not be refrozen nor should it be mixed with other frozen milk. To help avoid this issue the mother can package the stored in two to four oz. containers.

Caregivers should also note that a breastfed baby may not be overly excited about a bottle and some may prefer simply to snack on the bottle in their mother’s absence and take only a small amount of milk. Most of them will have a full meal at the breast when mother returns. As long as the baby is not dehydrated and the mother’s absence is not extended this is not usually a cause for concern for either the caregiver or the mother.

A caregiver can be a great support in a mother’s determination to continue breastfeeding after her return to work, or to a normal social life. A properly trained caregiver will not only provide this support, but do it in a safe manner. It is not wise to expect all caregivers to be trained in handling breast milk. Instead, the mother can take a proactive role and the ensure her caregiver is trained herself.

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July 30, 2009   No Comments

Breastfeeding after an Initial Delay Is Possible

by LisaC

For a number of reasons, often due to health issues with the baby or the mother, breast-feeding may not be initiated immediately after delivery. The question is often asked “Is it possible to initiate after a delay?” The simple answer is yesit is possible and relatively easy up to two weeks after delivery to transition the baby from a bottle and formula to the more natural and healthy breast-feeding method.

Mothers who have delayed breast-feeding might encounter a couple of common issues, most notably would be the difficulty of transferring an infant who has become accustomed to the bottle to the breast. The other issue might be that of establishing a milk supply after a period of delay.

To deal with the first issue, the infant who has become used to a bottle and might resist latching on to the breast, one of the best things to do is to spend a lot of time in skin to skin contact. Some infants experienced no problems whatsoever transitioning from bottle feeding to breast-feeding.

However, if the infant is resistant to breast-feeding, a mother might use a clear silicone nipple shield that may help an infant get used to the breast because it feels more like the bottle nipple that they are used to.

Medela makes such a shield and it is relatively inexpensive and yet can help overcome one of the more common issues experienced by mothers transitioning infants from the bottle to the breast.

The other issue often encountered if there has been a delay in initiating breastfeeding after delivery is without the milk supply will often need to be established. Frequent stimulation of the breast by attempts to feed the baby is one of the most natural and frequently recommended courses. However, it can also be helpful to obtain a hospital grade breast pump for a short period of time. It normally does not take too long to establish an adequate supply of milk so soon after delivery.
At first a mother may want to use a supplemental feeding device which supplies formula while the baby sucks at the breast. Doing this will provide the proper stimulation for the breast to establish milk supply and yet ensure that the infant is getting adequate nutrition during this period.

There are several methods of establishing an adequate milk supply as well as transitioning the baby from bottle to breast. Many mothers may find that consulting with a lactation specialist is a great benefit and will help guide them in their choices.

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July 27, 2009   No Comments

The Breastfed Baby And The Bottle - New Skills

by LisaC

Breastfeeding is a skill, it doesn’t take our babies long to catch on to it either, it’s natural and we are built just for that. The instinct to suck is one develop even before birth. However, there comes a time when nearly every breastfeeding mother will want to introduce her baby to the bottle. Maybe it s because she is returning to work, or maybe she would like to have an evening out, or even do volunteer work or attend church functions. In any case, she must then ask her baby to learn an entire new skill in eating, and please don’t be frustrated with her or the bottle in the process of learning. Sounds a little daunting put that way, doesn’t it?

A mother can be helped by understanding the two different skill sets required to suck from a breast, as opposed to drinking from a bottle.

One of the major differences in this process is tongue placement and flow control. In order to get any significant quantity of breast milk the baby must first latch properly, and suck to initiate and continue the flow of breast milk. His tongue is placed beneath the nipple to create the suction necessary the begin the flow of milk from his mother’s breast.

On the other hand, with a bottle the baby must create suction with his lips and use his tongue to control the flow of milk from the bottle’s nipple. Once suction is established the baby must then work to control the flow of milk which is much faster and can overwhelm a breastfed infant.

To start with a breastfeeding mother will almost surely want to choose a bottle with a smaller nipple opening (that can vary as to baby’s preferences) and slow flow. The infant is not used to such an abundant flow for so little effort nor used to controlling the flow with their tongue.

A mother will also want to lay in a good supply of patience and understanding, after all this is an entirely new skill for her infant. Some infants have no problem learning how to drink from a bottle and others just prefer the breast and are difficult to introduce to a bottle.

A mother also can try and feed the baby first from the breast, taking the edge of his hunger, this can help because they are not starving and are likely to be more tolerant of new things. Breast milk used in a bottle should be as close to body temperature as possible. The baby is used to that milk but even subtle differences can trigger resistance and refusal to drink from a bottle.

A good suggestion for babies who show resistance to a bottle is not to force it upon them and if they refuse the bottle a few times in a feeding, call it done. However, do not offer the breast to them immediately. Try and do something different for a few minutes. This helps counter the risk that an infant might associate his refusal of a bottle with getting breastfed immediately in response.

Positioning an infant in a new way has helped some mothers to teach their infant the bottle skill. Since their favorite feeding position can trigger expectations of receiving the breast for feeding.

When it comes to the bottle nipple, some mothers swear by rubber nipples and others by silicone. The silicone nipples last longer but the rubber nipples may have a more pleasing texture or color for some infants.

Even if your baby is bottle resistant, with time and patience this new skill can be mastered.

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July 18, 2009   No Comments

Need more milk? Ways on How to Increase your Milk Supply

by admin

As a mother, it is unavoidable that there will come a time when you will think to yourself, is my baby getting enough milk? More is always better and when it comes to breast milk, the more milk your baby gets from you, the better it is going to be for his health.

Whenever a mother worries about her milk supply, she entertains the thoughts of switching to other alternatives like formula milk, which is not so good too early on in your baby’s life.

If you want to increase your milk supply, you can try to do the following tips:

  • Eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids. Make sure that you are hydrated all the time and are drinking 6-8 glasses of water everyday. Stay away from foods which are high in cholesterol and fat.
  • Try to switch between both breasts when feeding. This will make sure that you are giving more supply to your baby rather than using just one breast.
  • Massage your breasts gently when you are nursing, this will you to produce more milk.
  • The best pump that you can use if you want to increase your milk supply is to use a hospital breast pump for a few days. This is an expensive pump, but it is the kind that has the best quality.
  • Take food supplements which can help you in breastfeeding. Supplements like Red Raspberry and Blessed Thistle can help you increase your milk production. Before you go out and use these, it is best that you consult your doctor first before you try these out.
  • Try to avoid using pacifiers or bottles. Your baby’s feeding cycle will be affected if you switch to these devices.

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March 15, 2009   No Comments

Breastfeeding is Also Beneficial to Premature Babies

by admin

We all know the different benefits of breastfeeding. We know that it contributes to help the baby achieve high levels of health and nutrition enabling him to combat potential diseases and sicknesses. We also know that the benefits encompass not only the physical, but also the emotional bond between baby and mother. Breastfeeding nurtures the bond and trust between mother and baby helping them start their natural bond early on in life.

The benefits of breastmilk even reach out to premature babies. Recent studies show that the premature babies who are fed with breast milk are more likely to develop and grow faster compared to those premature babies who were fed with formula milk. Even babies, who are weighing an incredibly light 2 pounds, 3 ounces can benefit from breast milk.

This study is backed up by the fact that the development of a baby’s brain starts usually at the third trimester of the fetus. Premature babies have a shorter period of development which leads them to have a slower growing phase. Breast milk has fatty acids which can help in speeding up the development stage.

Babies who were born prematurely but who were fed with breast milk scored higher than in tests than those babies who were born prematurely and were fed with formula milk. The testing process was done when both sets of babies wee 18 months old.

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February 16, 2009   No Comments

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