Breastfeeding » Four Against Two

I Have The Best Job In The World

A Mom's Job, Breastfeeding 2 Responses »

Nov 072011

I just got back from working an eight-hour shift today. I normally work four hours, so it felt great to get an entire shift in! We were busy, as busy as I have been since coming back from my two-year break. I loved every minute of it.

It felt great to be useful, to be able to answer questions, relieve anxiety and help new families plan for the first few weeks with a newborn. I get instant gratification at my work and I crave that. I like watching an infant and mom improve their latch and technique in a matter of a few hours.

It also felt great to be challenged. There were two infants who had some major tight jaw action and one little girl who sucked on her tongue. I knew what to do. I knew what to say, suggest. That feeling is golden for me as normally I don’t know what to do or say. I don’t have answers for the world’s problems, I don’t have answers for all my family’s woes: But I can help you breastfeed. That might not seem like much to some, but it is my skill and for a mom needing help I can seem like a chariot of golden help! If only I had a magic wand to make everything easy.

To me nothing is more intimate or amazing than a mom nursing her baby and daddy looking on at them and it is a privilege to be able to help them.

It took me 29 years to find my niche. I pray it doesn’t take my girls that long, but as long as they find it I will be pleased.

What is your best job in the world. Was it easy to discover or did it take a while to figure it out?

I’m Blogging For My Breasts…Again

A Mom's Job, Breastfeeding, Health and Hygiene, Stuff No Responses »

Oct 032011

More boob talk from the boobologist here. Yes, remember I am a certified boobologist (aka lactation consultant) and I care about breast health overall. Last year I posted about Army of Woman and the good things they are doing. Dr. Susan Love and Avon have teamed up for some really cool Breast Cancer Research and they need YOU to help!

We all want to help out with the breast cancer cause and a lot of us are getting tired of just buying and wearing pink. We want to do something more. Joining the Army of Women is a direct way that you can possibly help out in breast cancer research. I have been a member for about a year now and every once in a while a email is sent to me with a new study they need help with. These studies can range from sending in a breast milk sample to filling out a form. Easy stuff to more time consuming, but you are not required to do anything you don’t want to do or cannot do. I have not qualified for any of the studies thus far, but I am optimistic because if I can help out in some way Army of Women is going to let me know about it.

So how about it? Join up and possibly save lives, feel productive and do a good turn!

Common Breastfeeding Myths

Breastfeeding No Responses »

Aug 032011

In my years working as a Lactation Consultant I have talked to many moms with a lot of questions. I would like to share a few of them to help other expecting moms who think that they cannot breastfeeding because of these myths and for new moms who may be getting bad advice.

Myth #1 You cannot breastfeeding while you are taking medications. This has kept many mothers from nursing their babies. Certain medication are contraindicated with breastfeeding, but a surprising amount of meds are compatible. Antibiotics, antidepressants and even some blood thinners can be safe for a lactating mother to take. You need to be informed before making this decision. Call your local Lactation Consultant. They will look up the medication you need to take in a book called Medications and Mother’s Milk by Dr. Hale or look it up on LactMed online. Your pediatrician or obgyn may also have this book. It is important to remember that some medications that are not good for pregnancy are okay with lactation. Be informed, don’t just assume or let lay people tell you what you can or cannot take.

Myth #2 If you start breastfeeding you cannot stop. Some moms are really nervous about attempting to breastfeed. They believe that if they start breastfeeding, they can never go to formula. This is completely false. Go for it! Try it! If it doesn’t go the way you want it to you can fall back on formula. You may just be surprised though and your nursing relationship may flourish!

Myth #3 I didn’t have any milk leak when I was pregnant. I cannot breastfeed. Not everyone leaks milk when they are pregnant! I never did and was able to nurse with both of my babies. Every body is different and some moms leak a lot or a little and some don’t leak at all. Your body will make milk. It will!

Myth #4 I cannot breastfeed because I am going back to work. This is a tough one and not so much a myth. A lot of moms have to go back to work or school a few short weeks after giving birth. Breastfeeding can take a few weeks to get into the swing of things facing a work schedule is daunting. My words are GO FOR IT! Even a few weeks or nursing is great for both of you and if you are able to pump at work even better. Work with your LC, work with WIC or your insurance to get a pump. During the first weeks of nursing try not to worry about going back to work. One thing at a time. Easier said than done, but it is true.

Those are just a few of the things I have heard at work. If you have any questions please let me know! Remember to always check with your health care provider before taking a medication.

Why World Breastfeeding Week?

Breastfeeding, Health and Hygiene 2 Responses »

Jul 312011

Happy World Breastfeeding Week to all of you out there. Now, I know that most of us don’t consider the first week of August anything but miserably hot, but it does have an official purpose: Breastfeeding Advocacy.

Why do we need a World Breastfeeding Week? Most of us in the states see breastfeeding as a nice thing to do (if you can) and are supportive of each other, as long as we don’t see if happen (the horror). I don’t believe it is necessarily seen as the important, healthy, preventive necessary thing that it is.

A few items to share with you:

Breastmilk is a living substance. It is full of active antibodies and nutrition that changes with the weather as well as what mom and baby are exposed to. Formula doesn’t come close and it never will, no matter what the millions of dollars in advertisments tell you. I say this not to make people feel guilty, but to just simply state the facts. We have to stop thinking that they are interchangable.

Breast feeding saves money. Lots of it! Look at these numbers!

The Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding: A Review and Analysis by Jon Weimer. ERS Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Report No. 13. 20 pp, March 2001.

“A minimum of $3.6 billion would be saved if breastfeeding were increased from current levels (64 percent in-hospital, 29 percent at 6 months) to those recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General (75 and 50 percent). This figure is likely an underestimation of the total savings because it represents cost savings from the treatment of only three childhood illnesses: otitis media, gastroenteritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. This report reviews breastfeeding trends and previous studies that assessed the economic benefits of breastfeeding.”

The newborns intestines are meant to be lined in colostrum (first breastmilk) to keep bacteria and infections in the baby. Formula irritates the fragile lining, which causes small bleeding patches on the intestine. The baby is then exposed to proteins, and foods to early which can lead to food allergies, and possibly eczema and Diabetes.

What we need to do is start thinking of breastfeeding as The normal way to feed your baby. Not the extra-special, gold medal goal for you and your baby, but the normal. We have put breastfeeding up on a pedestal that makes it seem like a great thing, but not something everyone can achieve. The truth is 99% of woman can breast feed. 92% can provide a full milk supply. I’ve worked with the few mother’s when it truly doesn’t work out and it is heartbreaking for them. There are always exceptions to the rules of nature and I have never and will never admonish a mom for not breastfeeding. I will, however, not act as is formula is just as good or even a close second.

Breastfeeding has value. Support your friends and relatives who are breastfeeding. Don’t shy away from them when they are nursing, cheer them on! Don’t make them feel guilty because you cannot feed the baby a bottle or slip the baby a bottle when mom is sleeping. Don’t tell them to wean just because the baby has teeth. And please no telling an expectant mom or nursing mom horror stories about nursing. Just cheer them on and do the dishes for them!

When you think of World Breastfeeding Week what pops to mind? Warm, fuzzy feelings, annoyance or indifference?

Grief Has No Check List

A Mom's Job, Adoption, Breastfeeding, Grief 1 Response »

Jun 022011

I recently participated in an online breastfeeding conference. It is a great way to get my educational hours I need for nursing and Lactation without having to travel. One of the things I really like about it is that while I am learning about breastfeeding, I am also learning about other health dynamics, techniques and concepts that challenge me to think in different ways.

It may sound surprising, but my work as a Lactation Consultant has helped me become a better adoptive parent. I have learned more about attachment and bonding through breastfeeding my own kids and helping other parents than I have from adoption books or seminars. Breastfeeding brings out the basic needs that humans desire: Connection (love, commitment, relationship) and nurturing (food, shelter, protection). The adoption triad (birth parents, child, adoptive parents) revolve around these needs as well.

At my conference this year, I listened to a lecture entitled Grief and the Lactating Mother. I admit that this was one of the last sessions I listened to as I knew the content would be heavy. It was of course, but it was so poignant and so deep and she touched on so many aspects of grief that I realized I wasn’t listening as a lactation consultant anymore. I was listening as a mom of traumatized kids.

Two things stood out to me:

1) Grief doesn’t end or come to a resolution. We have to stop going through the Kubler-Ross five steps of grieving as a checklist and more as a guide. There is Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance but they may present at different times, go in a different order or you may skip one. For example you may reach the acceptance stage of your grief and a new experience or trigger will send you back to Anger or Denial.

2) We (as LCs or as adoptive parents) cannot make the grief better or make it go away. We have to acknowledge it and validate the person grieving, and let them grieve as they need to.

Both of those stopped me in my tracks. I cannot stand the thought that Mita and Enu will never heal from their trauma. I want it to get better. Of course, we go through counseling and work on coping techniques and I talk the therapeutic talk but deep down, I still want to fix it and I cannot.

The thought of every birthday, graduation, wedding, a child’s birth, etc will possibly bring a wave of fresh grief to them is very difficult me me to accept. I see the progress they are making though and I have hope that while the grief will always be there, they will be able to handle it and that it will change to a dull ache and not searing pain.

Heavy subject matter for the first week of summer, I know, but there are so many people grieving right now that I know I just thought I would share the rumbling thoughts in my head.

Clip Art Credit

Breast Cancer Prevention

A Mom's Job, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Breastfeeding, Earth Friendly Ideas, Health and Hygiene No Responses »

Oct 182010

As a nurse my first love with health is prevention and always has been. I love teaching people how to prevent disease and illness. The basics of good health are good nutrition, hygiene , and mental/ physical activity.

Of course even the healthiest of people get sick at times. Disease like cancer can strike anyone at anytime. That does not mean we need to wait around for a diagnosis or not take care of ourselves because it may happen to us anyway. Attitude means a lot in our health.

We all hear of the special diets, exercises and pills that are supposed to reduce our cancer risks. Whether these work or not is always doubtful. Like almost everything in life moderation seems to be the key.

Let’s look at proven ways to reduce the incidence of breast cancer.

*Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.

*Limit amount of alcohol intake.

*Know your family history and your cancer risk. There are medications that some women can take to prevent cancer. Knowing your history may also help you with deciding if you should take Hormone Replacement Therapy.

*Breastfeed your babies (You all knew this was coming!) Women who Breastfeed for one to two years total in their lifetime (all babies total) have a decreased risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer. There is some evidence that nursing only for a few months may help as well.

*Watch your environment. This is a little more controversial as in everyone seems to have different answers, but is always good to avoid know carcinogens. Decreasing our exposure to BPA is a good way to start when wanting to decrease toxins around us. Check out this link for a list of chemicals that may cause cancer.

So what am I doing to prevent breast cancer in myself and my family (Remember it does strike men)?

I see my doctor annually and will get my baseline mammogram in five years.

I do self breast exams.

I’ve gained a lot of weight in the last two year and have finally started taking steps get get back into a healthy shape by exercising at least three times a week.

I try to get as many fruits and veggies in our diet and use supplements as well.

We do not use bottled water and I use stainless steal water bottles for our purified tap water.

I have gotten rid of all plastic and containers that contain BPA.

I have breastfed for about three years total between Meg and Elle.

I know my history and limit my alcohol content.

I use enviromentally healthier cleaning supplies.

I am trying to buy more organic and less processed foods.

I teach my girls the importance of knowing their bodies and taking care of them.

What do I need to do more of?

Check out the content of the beauty products in our home and Keep up on the new research so that I can learn more and pass on this knowledge.

I would love to hear what you are doing in your own lives to help prevent breast cancer. Please share your knowledge!

Sites of interest:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

American Cancer Society

Humor In Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding 1 Response »

Aug 012010

I have to admit that when I first starting writing this post it was a rather typical read about World Breastfeeding Week. Then I quickly realized that there are plenty of other sites that are covering World Breastfeeding Week wonderfully and that I can keep my subject manner light, fluffy, fun and hopefully encouraging!

Several weeks ago I was shopping with FireMom and MomOutnumbered. They were trying to get me to buy some clothes for BlogHer10. They ended up buying dresses for themselves, but I bought this:

An awesome card from Halmark for breastfeeding moms. The outside of the card reads:

Whoever said “there’s no use crying over spilled milk” Obviously never pumped six ounces, then accidentally dumped it.

Inside:

Hang in there. You are doing fine.

As soon as my amigas showed me this card I got happy. FireMom said I was flushed and I have to admit that I was overjoyed to see this card. Why? Because someone else got it. They not only got it , they massed produced it. Thank you Hallmark!

I loved breastfeeding my children, I love helping moms and babies with breastfeeding. I understand the feeling of loosing milk by accident. I once threw away 4 oz in the trash when I meant to be tossing out some yogurt and thought about it for days. I still think of it with disgust, how could I have been so careless? I cried when my sister in law called me and told me that some workmen unplugged her deep freeze and she lost a freezer full of milk. During a black out (three days without electricity) my brother gave his generator to a friend with a freezer full of frozen breastmilk. Those of us who have been there know how important our liquid gold is. We work for it and it is important to us.

Breastfeeding is a hot topic right now. I want to stay away from the contraversy and just talk support here. If you know a breastfeeding mom who is just getting started and needs an uplifting moment. Give her a card like the one above. Do her dishes for her. Bring her a new CD to listen to while she is spending a lot of time in her easy chair! You don’t have to have breastfeed your children to be able to be supportive. Just be there. And you will be yet another person who gets it.

(Disclosure: I didn’t get compensated for talking about this card from Hallmark or anyone else. I bought it on my own dime!)

Giggles, Gurgles and Blue Jeans

A Mom's Job, Breastfeeding 2 Responses »

Jul 262010

I took my test today. The exam that will make me an official Lactation Consultant and not just a pretend one. The exam was very difficult. You would think that there could not be 100 different pictures of breasts, but there are!

As I got dressed this morning I knew that I wanted comfy clothes. I put on my well-worn denim capris and a light top. I slipped on some sandals and grabbed a sweater in case the classroom would be cold.

While sitting at my desk and listening to the proctor give directions I found myself smiling, almost giggling with the fact that I was finally doing it. I was finally sitting for the exam that I had been working for for the past five years. Actually when Meg was an infant (some 10 years ago) I can remember looking up the requirements for the exam and it seeming like an impossible goal. Now here I was ready to take the exam and claim the certification! It was a great feeling. Happiness surrounded my brains at the time.

In the afternoon section of the exam my giggles were long gone as the questions kept getting harder. No more giggles but the gurgles started. Yes my belly was making some great noises. Of course the rest of the women in the room where absolutely silent. Not a sniffle, not a cough. Just my crazy belly noises. I think I was disturbing the woman to my left, but she did not kick me or send me dirty looks. I was not hungry, my stomach was not upset…just really nervous.

As I tried to concentrate on my exam I also had another conversation going on in my head. It was one of reminiscence.

I was thinking back to when I took my RN exam. I wore the most wonderful jeans in the world. They were Gap Boy Fit jeans that I got on clearance in college. The most comfortable jeans I ever had or ever will have most likely. They were big enough I could pull my legs up and sit criss-cross-applesauce without any problems. How I wish I had those jeans today. Maybe my stomach would not have made so much noise if I had those jeans. Actually with those jeans that with those jeans my gut would have been silent and I would have gotten more questions right. I am sure of it!

I feel like I passed. I would be surprised if I fail, but there is always the possibility that I missed the questions that I thought I got correct. I will not find out until late October (archaic timing I know, very 1990).

For now I wait, and hopefully forget that I am waiting. I may even go to the Gap sometime and look for some new jeans.

Test Anxiety

Breastfeeding 1 Response »

Jul 262010

Elle raises her arms for Breast-feeding!

Do you remember the Lethal Weapon movies? Danny Glover had a line he repeatedly said remember? It was “I am to old for this sh*t!”

Well that is a phrase that has been running through my head all weekend. I’m to old to be studying. Okay, not really to old, but just very very out of practice! The last time I took a difficult test was about 13 years ago. It was my RN exam. I was a bit wired and nervous at that time, just having graduated college and all. I also had no children and was able to study all I wanted before hand. I passed with flying colors and was quite happy to never have to take the exam again.

Fast forward to tomorrow. I will be taking another exam. This time it is a test to be a certified Lactation Consultant. I know helping family’s with breastfeeding isn’t for everyone, but I found my niche in nursing and really want this certification.

While the stress of the studying has not been fun, it has felt good getting back into the learning mode. I think it has also set a good example for they girls as they watched me study and work on some of my professional goals. Sometimes, well most of the time, my girls don’t look at me as a professional. In fact last weekend while camping, someone got hurt (not seriously) and one of my girls yells, “Aunt Lisa, you are a nurse. We need your help!” Yes, I was a bit insulted for sure.

When Elle starts school in a few weeks I will dust off my resume and get back out into the work force a day or so a week. The girls will see me running around in scrubs again and heading off to a job I love. Hopefully my new name tag will say :

Mandy W. RN, IBCLC

Wish me luck, but don’t ask me if I passed! I’ll let everyone know if I passed and will deny I ever took the test if I fail!

BABIES! Just in Time for Mother’s Day

A Mom's Job, Breastfeeding, Entertainment, movies No Responses »

May 052010

A few months ago

I was at the movies with some friends (it feels like years ago!) and we saw the preview for Babies. I instantly fell in love and wanted to have a baby right then and there. Hubby didn’t see this preview and did not feel the same. Actually, I think he could have watched the preview and still would have had the same sort of negative thinking!

This movie is about the first year of four infants from different parts of the world: San Francisco, Mongolia, Namibia, and Tokyo. The film promises to be beautiful and I hope that Breastfeeding is a big part of this film (fingers crossed). This film may be a great opportunity for us all to learn from other and come to respect our different ways of parenting.

I have included a few links to share with you with previews and shots from this movie. Enjoy!

My preditcition is that the birth rate will be rather high come next March. By then I will be working again in the field of Lactation and be as busy as ever! Busy with babies..how great is that. Unfortunately I cannot seem to find a theater in this part of Ohio that is showing Babies this weekend so our birthrate may bounce once it comes out on DVD or On-Demand. Oh the life of a country bumpkin! Here are a list of theaters.

(Disclosure: I was provided with these links through the BABIES Ambassador Program. Sharing these can lead to me winning prizes like diapers and baby stuff. As I don’t need these items anymore (boo hoo) in the event of my winning they will be split between our local pregnancy center and my niece Ali!)

Help Protect And Promote Breast-feeding

Breastfeeding, Earth Friendly Ideas, My Soap Box No Responses »

Jun 302009

Elle raises her arms for Breast-feeding!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about babies and the feeding of babies. Both Meg and Elle were breastfeed into toddlerhood and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It is so empowering to grow a baby! Professionally, I have chosen to pursue my certification in Lactation to help other moms and babies during this time of their lives.

I have recently learned of a piece of legislation in congress that has been written to help protect breast-feeding moms and babies when moms return to the work force. I encourage all of you to read up on it and write your congressional leaders to support this bill.

The American Academy of Pediatrics wants babies to have breast-milk exclusively for six months and with complementary foods until twelve months of age a AT THE VERY LEAST! This is not happening and one of the major reasons why is that the workforce is not supportive of nursing moms in general. Companies are always looking for ways to cut costs, if they supported breast-feeding moms, their medical costs would be lower, workers would take less sick days and everyone wins!

One of these days people in power will realize that prevention is cheaper than treatment. Breast-feeding prevents many illnesses and promotes good health both physically and mentally.

Here is the link for more information:

New Breastpump

Breastfeeding, Earth Friendly Ideas No Responses »

May 012009

Evenflo Comfort Select Performance Dual Breastpump

As a Lactation Consultant and a mother of two breast-fed children, one of the most common questions I get asked is, “What kind of breastpump should I get?” The answer to this question is different with each mother and their situation. I will mention a few tips in deciding on a breastpump in this post. I highly recommend going to a breastfeeding class while you are pregnant and getting more information before you invest in a breastpump.

First I would check and see what your insurance may offer you. Most medical insurance companies do not pay for breastpumps still. This is unfortunate, as it would save them a lot of money. The American Academy of Pediatrics has estimated that if the majority of mothers breastfed their babies the U.S. would save millions in medical costs annually. If you qualify for WIC or have insurance through Medicaid you will most likely get help with getting a breastpump, possibly getting one at no cost. It pays to check first!

If you do not get any breast pump benefits, I would recommend looking at your personal situation, what can you afford at the time you need the pump and so-forth.

If you have a pre-mature infant, a special needs infant or are pumping exclusively I would recommend talking with a lactation consultant as you will need a hospital grade pump.

If you work part-time or full-time outside the home, a double electric pump is preferred by most mothers. I would go with a well-known breastpump company recommended by your Lactation Consultant.

Working from home or being away from your baby for only a few hours a week gives a mom more flexibility when it comes to breast pumps. Some moms like manual pumps, others like the convience of pumping both breasts at one time.

Evenflo has just released a new breastpump that deserves to be looked at by the mother who pumps occasionally, a few times a week. The Comfort Select Performance Dual comes with a double pump, a bag to carry everything in and some free breast pads. My friend Firemom will be giving one of these pumps away and has written up a nice review so be sure to check it out! MomCentral.com is also hosting a giveaway.

So if you are expecting, already nursing and want a pump or know someone who can use it, be sure to enter the giveaway!

Four Against Two

I Have The Best Job In The World

I’m Blogging For My Breasts…Again

Common Breastfeeding Myths

Why World Breastfeeding Week?

Grief Has No Check List

Breast Cancer Prevention

Humor In Breastfeeding

Giggles, Gurgles and Blue Jeans

Test Anxiety

BABIES! Just in Time for Mother’s Day

Help Protect And Promote Breast-feeding

New Breastpump

Search

Books I Like At Amazon!

Breastfeeding Rocks!

Going for two years in a row!

2012 Reading Challenge

I’m A World Book Night 2012 Giver!