Breastfeeding Milk Supply Issues - too much or too little

I know many who read my blog are focussed on becoming pregnant or staying pregnant, but the ultimate hope is to be on the other side!  For those of you who are, this is a breastfeeding post for you, if you are not, skip this one at least for now...

Someone on a forum I frequent just shared a link that I am totally digging.  I only wish I'd had it sooner!

http://www.lowmilksupply.org/index.shtml

If you are breastfeeding and worried about too much or too little milk I highly recommend you check it out.  It has a lot of good information!

And of course, think about calling or emailing your friendly La Leche League chapter or seeking out some hands on help with an Internationally certified breast feeding consultant.  A good conversation with either can be a sanity saver and make things so much easier :)

Nicole

Postpartum R&R

In the first weeks postpartum quiet & rest have major benefits

Although our culture does not support the idea of “lying in” and many women feel well enough to be up and about soon after birth, there are many holistic reasons why going slow and doing less is well worth it.

For Mom

Pregnancy & childbirth are taxing.  Although bringing a new human being into the world is well worth it, it is a strain on the body.  It is as though a new mom has just written out a check for a large expense - depending on the pregnancy and birth, the amount may vary, but even in the best circumstances it is a large sum.  

In ideal situations a woman has enough in her body’s reserve to “cover” these expenses. They will still decrease her overall balance (or reserves), but will cause no immediate problems. These women will feel well after childbirth and could push themselves to keep up with high levels of activity, but resting, recovering, and only spending their body’s resources on what really  needs to be done is still hugely important. This means the woman should limit her activities to taking care of herself, recovering, making milk and taking care of her baby. Doing so will help build the body’s balance back up faster, help their long term health, and prevent her from going into deficit later. Continuing to spend resources on non essentials (like running errands, playing hostess to guests, cooking and cleaning, going right back to work, etc.) is the equivalent of spending extra money when you’ve just had a big expense.  It all adds up and can cause small issues and/or catch up with a person eventually. It is holistically unhealthy. 

In situations where a woman already is in deficit (either from a prior existing deficiency, or as the result of an extra taxing pregnancy or childbirth (i.e.. with twins, cesarean birth, significant blood loss, etc.) the importance of rest and building back up the body’s reserves is that much more important.  These women not only run the risk of long term deficiencies, they are more in danger of immediate signs of deficit.

The most common signs of postpartum deficit include: insufficient lactation, heart palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, prolonged bleeding, hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, sadness and tearfulness. By protecting and recovering your body’s resources you can avoid these issues, recover from them faster and avoid further deficiency symptoms down the road!

For Baby

The transition into even a quiet, restful world is a big adjustment from the dark, nurturing world of being in the womb.  Babies have spent the first 9 months of their lives in a custom created environment that keeps them warm, well fed, protected and soothed.  Birth brings all sorts of wonders to behold, but also the challenges of adjusting to having to eat, breathe, stay comfortable, respond to different environmental factors and more.  Allowing baby to make this transition slowly and without taxing him in additional ways helps him to conserve and build up his reserves too.  This has profound and lifelong implications and effects on baby’s holistic health. 

For the Family

In addition to significant benefits to both mom and baby’s immediate and long term health, making the first weeks after baby arrives quiet and restful is good for the whole family.  Whether it is a first baby or fifth, each baby is different and there is a learning curve as she and her family learn to navigate the changing world they are in.  Taking time for self care is an important lesson for everyone.  No time is more important than this.  You do not need to do what is “expected,”  “normal,” or “right.”  You need to do what is best for yourself, your baby, and your family by setting boundaries, having realistic expectations, and honoring limitations. This will benefit you for many years to come.  

Life Healing Life Recommends the following:

-Rest in your bed or home at least 1-2 weeks after baby is born with limited activity

-If possible avoid over using your eyes (don’t watch a lot of TV, read excessively, etc.)

-Keep your environment quiet and comfortable (turn up the thermostat in the winter, don’t turn it too low in the summer, use a white noise machine, let the sunlight in, etc.)

-limiting outings for the first month to only essentials (doctors visits)

-Breast feed your baby if at all possible, ask for help  early and surround yourself with support

-Prepare as much ahead of the birth as possible (stocking up on pantry and bathroom items, freezing food, asking others for help)

-Limit outside visitors to only those who want to help - have visitors bring food, run an errand on their way, fold some laundry, etc.

-Do not feel obligated to stay up and visit if it is time for you and/or baby to nap

-Do not feel obligated to nurse while visiting.  While this may be an easy feat in not too long, early nursing requires quiet, calm and attention.

-Ask for help.  If possible have a backup plan for extra help from family, a post partum doula, lactation consultant, etc.  

-Set realistic expectations.  Simply breast feeding a newborn takes on average a total of 6-10 hours a day. Nursing alone can be the equivalent of working a full time job.  Not to mention your body needs to make the milk!

-Trust your gut.  There is a reason for the term “mother’s intuition”  You know when things are going well and when it is time to ask for help.  No book, dvd, or class knows better than you!

-Do not worry about “spoiling” your baby.  Newborns are not capable of being manipulative or becoming spoiled.  They are simply expressing their needs.  When they fuss they are uncomfortable. 

-Take care of you! If you are not well, then baby will not be well.  You need to eat, sleep and do self care to be the best mom you can be!

Breast feeding part two...

I just saw this on someone's facebook. Some weeks there's a theme I guess!

http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1501574/Breastfeeding_is_Offensive

Enjoy :)

Breast Feeding Doll

I was forwarded an article today with "what the!?" as the subject. Inside, there was a link to a FOX news article (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,537261,00.html?test=latestnews) which described a "controversial" doll made by a Spanish toy maker that was drawing strong criticism from parents. This doll is made with the express purpose of allowing children to pretend they are breast feeding. It comes with a halter top that serves as a nursing top (but does NOT actually open to show anything besides a piece of fabric with a daisy in the middle) and the doll itself can make sucking, crying and belching noises.

While the email was being forwarded on as an example of an outrageous and outlandish toy it had quite a different effect on me. You see, inside the article there were many assertions including:

"...the idea of breast-feeding is too grown-up for young children -- and may even promote early pregnancy."

"...it could inadvertently lead little girls to become traumatized. You never know the effects this could have until she’s older."

and my personal favorite:

"What’s next?” wrote Eric Ruhalter, a parenting columnist for New Jersey’s Star Ledger. “Bebe Sot — the doll who has a problem with a different kind of bottle, and loses his family, job and feelings of self-worth? Bebe Limp — the male doll who experiences erectile dysfunction? Bebe Cell Mate — a weak, unimposing doll that experiences all the indignation and humiliation of life in prison?"

I could not stop myself. I hit the reply ALL button and began to type:

As a breastfeeding mother and a holistic health practitioner I am APPALLED at this story and the fact that people are upset by this. If my daughter wants to pretend she's breastfeeding her dolls-a completely natural, NOT sexual, healthy, holistic, good for mom and good for baby thing to do why would I stop her? While I doubt that she'll need a special halter top and doll to do so, come ON? A news story over this!? This society is seriously sick.

I am completely and utterly offended by the suggestion that making a doll who breast feeds is the same as making an alcoholic, erectile dysfunction or cell mate doll. I am completely dumbfounded at the suggestion that pretending to breastfeed a doll is going to lead to teen pregnancies. If that is the case why let little girls play with dolls at all...? Perhaps an overly sexualized culture that views girls and women in perversely sexual ways might have more to do with young girls feeling the pressure to and being sexually active... then again that's the same warped society that would get upset if a girl wants to "breastfeed" her doll which (news flash) is the way that babies naturally made to eat - not from a bottle . This is beyond ignorant in my opinion.

I did receive some emails back questioning my judgement. One in particular stressed the age "inappropriateness" of this toy and said that breastfeeding is something only adult women who have given birth should do, so why should a child be able to play at it? To this, I pointed out that a person probably wouldn't think twice about letting a child play with a toy oven, blender, tool set, etc. While the real version of all these things would not be age appropriate, the play versions are useful tools in helping children develop and make sense of how the world works... which is very developmentally appropriate.

Well... what do you think? I may just stock up on these dolls and start handing them out as gifts to the children of these folks :)

Oh, and there's also this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32234145/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

and this

http://www.examiner.com/x-17404-Tucson-Alternative-Medicine-Examiner~y2009m8d18-Breastfeeding-Can-Prevent-Illness

and so much more!