Breastfeeding

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Double D-uty

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

rib6 This month is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as staggering as the statistics are, we all probably know someone who has been affected by breast cancer.

Breast cancer is still the second most lethal cancer in women, second to lung cancer and about 40,410 women in the United States will die from breast cancer this year. There have been some great medical strides and new treatments for those diagnosed which have improved survival rates. The 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed with cancer is 80% and about 88% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will survive at least 10 years. Early detection is key.

So what can you do to help reduce the incidence of breast cancer? BREASTFEED YOUR BABY!

Breastfeeding your baby is not only a wonderful gift to him, but it can help to save your life. The benefits to mother and baby are innumerable but one of the latest discovered benefits is that breastfeeding can reduce your risk of breast cancer (by almost 60% if you have a family history). “Numerous studies have found that the longer women breastfeed, the more they’re protected against breast and ovarian cancer. For breast cancer, nursing for at least a year appears to have the most protective effect. It’s not entirely clear how breastfeeding helps, but structural changes in breast tissue caused by breastfeeding and the fact that lactation suppresses the amount of estrogen your body produces may play roles. Researchers think the effect on ovarian cancer may be related to estrogen suppression as well” (How breastfeeding benefits you and your child Babycenter.com).

Here are some additional ways to protect yourself and to remind others that early detection is key and that we can make a difference in the fight to end this second leading cause of death in women:

do self breast exams (this is the most common way to detect breast cancer)
have a mammogram
wear a pink ribbon
donate to breast cancer research
educate your daughter/sister/granddaughter/another woman on the issue and early detection
know your family history
involve your public officials

Posted in Breastfeeding, In the News | No Responses »
Tags: Breast Cancer, Breastfeeding

Breasts in Mourning

Monday, September 21st, 2009

A research psychologist, Jesse Bering, from Queen’s University Belfast studied the effects of not breastfeeding your baby and that action simulating to your body, a loss of the baby inducing mourning.

Here is the article as published in Scientific American Mind.

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Tags: Breastfeeding

Mom I Am (Seussian breastfeeding)

Friday, August 7th, 2009

…Last post of the series regarding World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7). I hope you’ve been enlightened or inspired. Here is a poem summing it all up…

Mom I Am

Written by the posters on the Mom’s Online Breastfeeding Board

Little ones can squirm and pout,
make a fuss and scream and shout.
When hunger hits without a doubt,
Sit right down and whip it out.

I would nurse her if she cried,
I could nurse her far and wide,
Here and there or anywhere,
Up or down or on a chair.
I could nurse a teddy bear,
For this fine milk is very rare!!!

Would you nurse him on a train?
Would you nurse him on a plane?
Would you nurse him in a car?
Would you nurse him in a bar?

Yes, on a train, yes on a plane.
Yes, in a car, yes in a bar.
I would nurse him here or there.
I would nurse him anywhere!

I would nurse him in a booth,
On the stairs or near the roof.
Anywhere my boy cries out,
I pop the nummies in his mouth.

I can serve it by the ounce,
I can serve it while I bounce.
In a bottle or in a jar,
I can serve from near or far.

Would you, could you nurse in church?
Would you on a shaky perch?
Would you, could you, in the stands?
Could you nurse him with no hands?

I would, I could nurse in church,
Even on a shaky perch.
In the stands, with no hands,
I’ll nurse my baby on demand.

Would you nurse him at the store?
Would you nurse him on the floor?
Would you nurse him on a ship?
Careful not to show your nip!
Would you nurse him while on skis?
Would you nurse her on your knees?
Would you nurse him in a tree?
Mommy milk is SO GOOD, you see.

Would you nurse him by the stream?
You could nurse him while you dream.
Can you nurse and clean the house?
Can you nurse and chase a mouse?
Can you nurse and cook a meal?
Mommy’s milk is the real deal!

Would you nurse him while you sleep?
How about while you sweep?
Could you nurse him in a sling?
Would you, could you, while you sing?
How about upon a swing?
Mother’s milk is just the thing!

Would you nurse her at the park?
Would you nurse him in the dark?
Would you nurse him with a Boppy?
And when your boobs are feeling floppy?

I would nurse him in the park,
I would nurse her in the dark.
I’d nurse with or without a Boppy.
Floppy boobs will never stop me.

Can you nurse with your seat belt on?
Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?
Though she may pinch me, bite me, pull,
I will nurse her ’till she’s full!

Can you nurse and make some soup?
Can you nurse and feed the group?
It makes her healthy strong and smart,
Mommy’s milk is the best start!

Would you nurse him at the game?
Would you nurse her in the rain?
In front of those who dare complain?

I would nurse him at the game.
I would nurse her in the rain.
As for those who protest lactation,
I have a perfect explanation.
Mommy milk is tailor made
It’s perfect food, you need no aid..

Some may scoff and some may wriggle,
Avert their eyes or even giggle.
To those who can be cruel and rude,
Remind them breast’s the perfect food!

I would never scoff or giggle,
Roll my eyes or even wiggle!
I would not be so crass or crude,
I KNOW that milk’s the perfect food!

We make the right amount we need,
The perfect temp for every feed.
There’s no compare to milk from breast—
The perfect food, above the rest.

Those nursing smiles are oh so sweet,
Mommy milk is such a treat.
Human milk just can’t be beat.

I will nurse, in any case,
On the street or in your face.
I will not let my baby cry,
I’ll meet her needs, I’ll always try.
It’s not about what’s good for you,
It’s best for babies, through and through.

I will nurse her in my home,
I will nurse her when I roam.
Leave me be lads, leave me be ma’am.
I will nurse her, mom I am.

Breastfeeding is best feeding.

Posted in Breastfeeding | 4 Responses »
Tags: Breastfeeding, World Breastfeeding Week

Lesser known breastfeeding benefits

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

…Post 6 of 7 in support of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7)…

In this post, I went over the numerous benefits to mom and baby from breastfeeding. We are constantly finding more and more. Here are some of the lesser known benefits to breastfeeding (per bestforbabes.org):

Breastfeeding your baby girl lowers her risk of breast cancer by 25% – we already know it reduces mom’s risk as well
Whenever you are exposed to a virus, your body will make antibodies and pass them onto your baby through your breastmilk
Breastmilk makes the lining of the stomach 15x stronger than formula and this maturing process is being linked to less risk of digestive diseases
Breastfeeding helps babies regulate their breathing – their respiratory systems are immature and being near your heart beat and hearing your lungs inflate and deflate reduces their erratic breathing
Breastfed babies make better eaters as toddlers – babies are exposed to different flavors and taste through your breastmilk based on what you eat
Human milk is like tryptophan and induces sleep and calmness
Breastfeeding mothers experience less postpartum depression – you produce oxytocin, the “love hormone” as your nurse
Breastfeeding relieves pain and discomfort – your milk contains endorphins which soothe baby during times of stress
Breasts act as heaters as warm baby up instead of him burning calories to do so
Breastfed children as less likely to be bed-wetters
Breastmilk can clear up eye infections

Breastfeeding is best feeding.

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Tags: Breastfeeding, World Breastfeeding Week

Be a bra – support the breast

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

…Today is post 5 out of 7 for World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7)

If you’ve been blessed by the breast, whether it be you were breastfed, you breastfed or your wife breastfed, take time to appreciate this special dedication and commitment of love. Show some support to those who do it (including yourself), those who promote it and those who support it:

sit down and nurse your baby
write a thank you to your mom, your wife, your La Leche League or your lactation consultant
don’t accept freebie from formula companies (including those diaper bags from the hospital)
treat yourself to a new bra (a sexy, lacy push-up one if you are not currently breastfeeding or invest in a truly supportive garment if you are)
nurse proudly in public
pass on a breastfeeding book to a friend or relative
get involved with activism and awareness of breastfeeding (ProMom.org)
declare it: I Make Milk, What’s your Super Power?
talk openly to your children about breastfeeding
get yourself a new nursing cover (for free here using promo code: “onefree”) or make a fancy one yourself
support new legislation
join the Global Breastfeeding Challenge - they need groups in more areas
be a mentor to a new mom

Breastfeeding is best feeding.

Posted in Breastfeeding, Gratitudes | No Responses »
Tags: Breastfeeding, World Breastfeeding Week

Breasts stimulate the economy

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

…In support of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), here is post 4 of 7…

bfb_final_economic1

You gotta love this idea for a new breastfeeding campaign. It’s from the minds who also gave us “Babies Were Born to Breastfeed”. Unfortunately, that awareness campaign was put aside in 2004 due to some industry lobbyists, probably not seeing the profit to gain. The above advertisement was in Fit Pregnancy magazine’s June/July 2009 issues and it hits you in the pocketbook and goes hand in hand with our current president’s “stimulus” package. Here’s another ad from the Best for Babes campaign, which goes great with this year’s theme for World Breastfeeding Week of A Vital Emergency Response.

ZWIN-PUB-08-06953-Mom-and-Baby-BfB_Life-Saving-776x1024

Hopefully, we will be seeing these ads in some mainstream magazines.

Breastfeeding is best feeding.

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Tags: Breastfeeding

Michigan hospitals (and ABC’s) are NOT baby friendly

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

…Again, in support of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) here is my third post for the week on breastfeeding:

The harsh headline may be a bit of a stretch but it’s important to spread the understanding of the need for good community and professional support for breastfeeding.

The BFHI USA (Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative) organization works to implement the standards set by UNICEF/WHO (United Nations Children’s Fund/World Health Organization).

Per their website, the reason for such an initiative is:

“More than one million infants worldwide die every year because they are not breastfed or are given other foods too early. Millions more live in poor health, contract preventable diseases, and battle malnutrition. Although
the magnitude of this death and disease is far greater in the developing world, thousands of infants in the United States suffer the ill effects of an infant formula-feeding culture. A decreased risk of diarrhea, respiratory and ear infections, and allergic skin disorders are among the many benefits of breastfeeding to infants in the industrialized world.
In the United States, these benefits could translate into millions of dollars of savings to our health care system through decreased hospitalizations and pediatric clinic visits. For diarrhea alone, approximately 200,000 US children, most of whom are young infants, are hospitalized each year at a cost of more than half a billion dollars. Many of these cases of diarrhea could have been prevented with breastfeeding. In a study of the morbidity in an affluent US population, Dewey and colleagues found that the reduction in morbidity in breastfed babies was of sufficient magnitude to be of public significance. For example, the incidence of prolonged episodes of otitis media (ear infections) was 80% lower in breastfed as compared to non-breastfed infants. The cost savings to the health care system could be enormous if breastfeeding duration increased, given that ear infections alone cost billions of dollars a year.
It is a rare exception when a woman cannot breastfeed her baby for physical or medical reasons. Yet, a woman’s ability to feel self confident and secure with her decision to breastfeed is challenged by her family and friends, the media, and health care providers. Much has been done in the past few years to strengthen the sources of support for women to breastfeed. However, no comprehensive national program has existed that focused on the efforts of hospitals and birthing centers. Although the hospital is not and should not be the only place a mother receives support for breastfeeding, hospitals provide a unique and critical link between the breastfeeding support provided prior to and after delivery.
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for lactation. The BFHI assists hospitals in giving breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies and gives special recognition to hospitals that have done so.”

In order for a hospital or birthing center in the United States to make their list, they must adhere to the following: The Ten Steps To Successful Breastfeeding

1 – Maintain a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.

2 – Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.

3 – Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.

4 – Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.

5 – Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.

6 – Give infants no food or drink other than breastmilk, unless medically indicated.

7 – Practice “rooming in”– allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.

8 – Encourage unrestricted breastfeeding.

9 – Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.

10 – Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic

This does not seem a hard task to take on or to comply to. I think many people assume this is the care that they would or should receive at a hospital or alternative birth center. But did you know, there are only 83 hospitals in the United States that have achieved this certification? And there are none in Michigan? There are three in Ohio, with the closest being Dayton. Even with all our great medical minds in the Ann Arbor area and the great medical complexes in Detroit, no one has put forth an effort to be an effective proponent of breastfeeding. Well, that could be attributed to the $550-900 annual fee or $3000 assessment cost a hospital would have to invest. But that has got to be a small chunk of change in the big picture because if I knew of a hospital that had such a certification, that would lead me to choose them for my birthing place and we all know how much they stand to make off one birth (on average, $4000 minimum to upwards of $20,000 – and that’s for a natural, vaginal delivery).

Another kick in the pants is that there are over 19,000 supportive maternity facilities internationally. Why are we always behind in the acceptance and support of breastfeeding? Again, it could be because there are no pharmaceutical backers to a natural process so there’s no money in spreading the news about breastfeeding. Sort of off topic, but it also bothers me when formula companies state ’breastfeeding is the best food for your baby, but if you choose formula, choose ours’.

Everyone knows this is what we should be doing for our babies, so let’s get that word out.

Breastfeeding is best feeding.

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Tags: Breastfeeding

The Marquette wet nurses

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

In support of day 2 of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), here is my second blog post on breastfeeding for the week (2 down, 5 to go).

You cannot deny the power of this article with it’s compelling tale of the love of a father, the tribute to a mother and the dedication of a community.

God Bless these women who have gone against the norm here in America and God Bless the father who truly is an activist for helping to spread the word of the benefits of breastfeeding for a child.

Breastfeeding is best feeding.

Posted in Breastfeeding, Dads, In the News, Newborn Care | No Responses »
Tags: Breastfeeding

World Breastfeeding Week

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

In support of World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 -7, I am going to try to post a blog on breastfeeding every day (tough with my schedule, but I will try).

This year’s message - Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response. From The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action’s website:

Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response
Are you ready?

OBJECTIVES OF WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2009

To draw attention to the vital role that breastfeeding plays in emergencies worldwide.
To stress the need for active protection and support of breastfeeding before and during emergencies.
To inform mothers, breastfeeding advocates, communities, health professionals, governments, aid agencies, donors, and the media on how they can actively support breastfeeding before and during an emergency.
To mobilise action and nurture networking and collaboration between those with breastfeeding skills and those involved in emergency response.

RATIONALE

Children are the most vulnerable in emergencies – child mortality can soar from 2 to 70 times higher than average due to diarrhoea, respiratory illness and malnutrition.
Breastfeeding is a life saving intervention and protection is greatest for the youngest infants. Even in non-emergency settings, non-breastfed babies under 2 months of age are six times more likely to die.
Emergencies can happen anywhere in the world. Emergencies destroy what is ‘normal,’ leaving caregivers struggling to cope and infants vulnerable to disease and death.
During emergencies, mothers need active support to continue or re-establish breastfeeding.
Emergency preparedness is vital. Supporting breastfeeding in non-emergency settings will strengthen mothers’ capacity to cope in an emergency.

I love this idea, especially as a much needed message to us here in America. We take for granted our safety, our freedoms, our choices and our luxuries. The fact that formula is readily available in any supermarket is a convenience that other countries throughout the world would never take for granted. It is a way of life and the only choice for families of many countries.

The past year’s themes (that still ring true every year) were:

2008: Mother Support: Going for the Gold Everyone Wins!

2007: Breastfeeding: The 1st Hour – Save ONE million babies!

2006: Code Watch: 25 Years of Protecting Breastfeeding

2005: Breastfeeding and Family Foods: LOVING & HEALTHY

2004: Exclusive Breastfeeding: The Gold Standard Safe, Sound, Sustainable

2003: Breastfeeding in a Globalised World for Peace and Justice

2002: Breastfeeding: Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies

2001: Breastfeeding in the Information Age

2000: Breastfeeding – It’s Your Right!

1999: Breastfeeding – Education for Life

1998: Breastfeeding – The Best Investment

1997: Breastfeeding – Nature’s Way

As always, breastfeeding is best feeding. Breast is best.

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Tags: Breastfeeding, World Breastfeeding Week

Wait! Put down that spoon and back away from the baby.

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Okay, another pet peeve of mine regarding sabotaging the breastfeeding relationship, is introducing solids too soon.

Breastmilk is the perfect food for a baby. There is little bi-product to breastmilk since it is the perfect food and almost everything is digested and used by baby which makes a breastfed baby’s waste less and definitely less smelly. Also since it is so easily digestible, breastfed babies do eat more often than formula fed babies and when I say eat, I mean breastmilk, not solids.

The age old advice for a baby who wasn’t sleeping through the night was to give a bottle to them mixed with milk (formula) and cereal. The thought line being that it filled their tummies better so parents could get a better night sleep. What is the cost of this quick fix solution? It our job as parents to feed and nurture our children, not try to compete with the Joneses on how soon your little one slept through the night.

First of all, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding EXCLUSIVELY for the first six months. However, it does recommend introducing solids between 4 and 6 months as well BUT there are some signs that you need to look for in your baby, too. Can he keep his head in the upright position? Has he lost the extrusion reflex (pushing food out of mouth with tongue)? Does he sit well when supported? Can he move food to the back of his mouth and swallow? Has he doubled his birth weight? Is he hungry after 8 to 10 feedings of breastmilk a day? Does he show an interest in what you are eating?

Some breastfed babies don’t even get solids added until they are near the nine month mark and they are not hindered and in fact, they thrive according to those horrible formula based doctor weight charts. Do what is right for your baby and don’t let grandmother’s or professional’s opinions alter what you’ve found to be the best for your baby.

Posted in Breastfeeding, Newborn Care | 4 Responses »
Tags: Breastfeeding, solids