Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

Is having a lactation consultant (“LC”) in private practice who is certified by an International Board come to your house worth the cost? The short answer to this question is: What is your peace of mind worth to you?
You may want an answer that is more practical… so… let’s look at what an LC can do for you, your new-born baby, and the developing relationship between you.
Becoming a parent is a huge transition, a huge responsibility and something that nothing in your previous life experience has prepared you for. It is understandable that you feel a bit unsure of yourself and maybe even slightly scared. Heightening your angst is your desire to do the very best job you can – better than anything else you have ever done.
An LC coming to your home provides you with an “expert” in infant feeding as well as someone who is knowledgeable about infant behavior and development. Most consultations take 1½ hours. During that time you have an “expert” to yourself to ask whatever questions you have. The families that I work with continue to have access to me for assistance with any questions or concerns that come up along the way as they navigate through the many challenges of parenting.
Visit my Frequently Asked section and read “What to expect when you see a lactation consultant” for the specifics of what a lactation consultant will do with you in your home.
Parenting is a major life change and undertaking. It is particularly fraught with the annoyance of everyone wanting to tell you what you should do. This might be all right except that too often everyone’s instructions are different than the person before or after. You are faced with not only too many instructions, but they all differ, thereby making your job even more difficult. Your LC can help your sort though this and will also suggest books and other resources that will give you as much detailed information as you wish.
Many years ago, a very wise person helped me to more fully understand cost in terms of time. Look at the cost of an LC over the time you will be breastfeeding your baby.
Please do not hesitate to e-mail or call with any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Patricia Berg-Drazin, RLC, IBCLC, CST

As your due date approaches, it is not uncommon that mothers struggle with concerns about breastfeeding especially if they are going to be returning to work.

Is it worth it? Will I be able to continue after I return to work? If you doubt that you will be able to pump at work is it worth it to start and have to start? Can you do both?

If you have decided that you want to breastfeed and will pump when you return to work how do you go about it? What type of pump should you get? There are many different pumps available; some you rent, some you buy. What is the difference?

How do you store milk? How do you feed it to your baby? How often do you have to pump at work? What type of space do you need?

Will my baby have trouble going back and forth between breast and bottle? Is there an optimal time to start a bottle?

Call or e-mail me and we can discuss these and all your other questions and concerns.

Warmly,

Patricia Berg-Drazin, RLC, IBCLC, CST

Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

patricia@breastfeedingandparentingsolutionscom

What a breastfeeding mother can or cannot eat is an area of constant concern and much misinformation.

Many “peoples” have customs that are cultural – the eating of food that are considered either “hot” or “cold”.  Drinking certain soups, eating certain herbs. I encourage the families that I work with to do what feels right for them.

To date, none of the customs that families have shared with me are harmful. –  I would love to hear yours, so please e-mail me.

Most commonly, in America, woman are told – by physicians, family, friends, co- workers, – not to eat foods that cause gas, not to eat spicy foods, not to have an alcoholic drink.

Taking these one at a time:

Gassy food – Where is gas caused in your body? In your intestines – so how does the gas go from your intestines to your breasts and into your milk?   That some foods cause you gas does not mean they will causegas for your baby. Does your significant other get gas from the same foods you do?

Spicy foods – in the same category and any herb or spice that you flavor your food with… what will happen?

With regard to Alcohol – as with everything – alcohol in moderation is not a problem for breastfeeding mothers. Excessive alcohol intake does not make for good parenting.

The only research on the subject of breastmilk and foods is being  done by Julie Mennela, – and it is fascinating!  She has found that, when mothers eat , babies’ breastfeed longer – not less. She also found that babies who are breastfed are more receptive to a wider range of foods when they start solids – This is not surprising when you realize that your milk is flavored by what you eat!

So, as our grandmother’s would say – Eat! Enjoy!

Warmly,

Patricia Berg-Drazin, RLC, IBCLC, CST

Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

patricia@breastfeedingandparentingsolutions.com

Send me your questions and the myths you have been told.

There are usually two main concerns about going out in the winter: 1) dressing appropriately and 2) getting sick.

Dressing appropriately: The basic rule of thumb is one more layer on the baby than on you, so you can wear your baby in a carrier under your coat and go enjoy all the outdoor activities you have always enjoyed. Babies need to be outside and get fresh air and sunshine just like you. Make sure that there is some skin exposed for sunshine, which provides essential vitamin D.

Getting sick: We are all exposed to germs wherever we go. This is a good thing. Without exposure we cannot build our immune systems. Breast-fed babies have an edge in that mom will produce the antibodies to protect babies from the things they are exposed to.

So out you go, enjoy the wonderful flakes of snow falling on your face, play in the snow with your other children. Or just take a walk with friends or family.

With flu season upon us there is great concern from both breastfeeding mothers and their families about the safety of breastfeeding while one has the flu.

Rest assured, the flu (or any variation of it) is NOT transferred in breastmilk.

The flu, like many illnesses, is transferred via airborne exposure from someone who is ill, sneezes, or coughs and the germs in the air are inhaled by another person.

Breastfeeding provides antibodies and immunological properties as well as fluid that will may help reduce the symptoms that your little on may have as well as providing important hydration so that your child will not become dehydrated.

If you have other questions that are not covered in the myths that are on my web page ( www.breastfeedingandparentingsolutions.com/) please e-mail me at: patricia@breastfeedingandparentingsolutions.com