Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

Among the many concerns that arise with preparing for breastfeeding is the concern about bras. Let us start by taking a brief walk though the history of the bra in America. The bra replaced the corset during the 19th century. The movement from corset to bra was driven predominantly by fashion although some concern was expressed by health care professionals about the health risks of corsets.
Understanding that bra wearing is driven by fashion, not “need,” is important. The mammary gland lays on top of the pectoralis muscles; therefore, there are no muscles that need to be supported to keep them from “stretching” as the breast changes size prior to and during lactation.
By the third or fourth week of pregnancy the breast starts developing in preparation for lactation. There is ductal branching and lobular formation that often lead to breast tenderness, which is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. These changes lead to breast growth that varies from woman to woman – some grow a little and some grow more. Most growth is usually completed by week 22. Some women find that they increase by 1-2 cup sizes and 1-2 band sizes as well.
Delivery sets in motion greater changes with a proliferation of secretory tissue, an increase in milk components, blood flow, oxygen uptake, and the closure of the junctures that allowed interstitial fluid flow to and from the breast. Again, there may be another 1-2 cup size difference.
By 8 weeks postpartum your breast sizes will have decreased, often to pre pregnancy sizes. Band size will have decreased as well.
With this as a base, be aware that bras are optional. If you choose to wear one, make sure that you get fitted properly. There has been some theorizing that improper bra wearing can be hazardous to your health.
Underwire or not is a matter of fit and comfort. There has been controversy over breastfeeding women wearing bras with underwires and potential dire consequences. The most important factor is fit and making sure that when you put your bra on you lift the breast so that the wire is on your chest and not pinching breast tissue. Ductal structure is only 2 mm in diameter. This means that is can easily become compressed causing milk flow problems.
“Sleep” bras – I don’t know how or why this “fashion” has developed. Some breastfeeding women find that they leak and choose to wear a bra in order to hold pads to soak up the milk. For these women it is important to wear a bra that is loose enough not to constrict the lymph vessels that carry toxins from our systems and “tight” enough to hold the bra pads. For everyone else, wearing a bra at night is not necessary.
Remember that each woman is an individual and what works or is “right” for one may not be for another.

Patricia Berg-Drazin, RLC, IBCLC, CST
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
800.LACTATE (800.522.8283) or 847.512.7187
patricia@breastfeedingandparentingsolutions.com

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Can you get your teeth whitened while breastfeeding? YES!

The trade name of the product may be Gly-oxide, Debrox, or Auro Otic. The active ingredient is carbamide peroxide. Upon contact with moisture, ie your saliva, it releases hydrogen peroxide and nascent (beginning) oxygen. Both are oxidizing (readily transfers oxygen) agents. Hydrogen peroxide is rapidly metabolized. Its transfer to plasma is minimal, if at all, and it would be all but impossible for any to reach your breastmilk.

So, whiten away.

If you have questions you are welcome to e-mail me: patricia@breastfeedingandparentingsolutions.com or call me at 800 LACTATE ( 800 522 8283)

In 2005, the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with a statement that recommended offering a pacifier, or dummy, to babies at every sleep time to reduce the incidence of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). For breastfed babies, they urged mothers to delay the introduction of pacifiers until their baby reached the age of one month. They further recommended that the pacifier be withdrawn at six months.

Rosie Dodds, a senior policy officer for NCT (National Childbirth Trust), wrote an excellent piece titled, “Do Dummies Prevent SIDS?” for Perspective, an NCT publication. 1

She makes a number of useful observations that are well worth thinking about. For example:

• Observational studies find that most dummies fall out of the baby’s mouth within 30 minutes of the onset of sleep, while many SIDS babies are discovered several hours after falling asleep
• An analysis of seven studies in developing countries found that a history of breastfeeding was associated with a 36% reduction in the risk of SIDS
• The piece concludes by saying that it “seems possible that dummy use is protective against SIDS for formula-fed babies as a whole group. It is not clear in breastfed babies that dummy use would have a positive contribution overall as there may be a greater natural arousal and other protective factors. In addition, dummy use may undermine breastfeeding in some situations. “

1. Dodds, Rosie, Do Dummies help prevent SIDS? Perspective NCT publication for parent-centered midwifery March 2011/ Issue 10. Pgs. 6-7

The question arises from the contradiction between what parents hear from the hospital staff and what the lactation consultant may say- Who are the parents to believe?

A preliminary Google search shows 565,000 hits in .09 seconds! Many of these sites are authored by medical personnel.

Starting at the beginning – what is burping? Wikipedia defines burping as “typically caused by swallowing air (aerophagia) when eating or drinking and subsequently expelling it. “

Next let’s look at feedings: – when babies are bottlefed they are typically laying down and after the first suckle, the fluid in the bottle continues to flow from the bottle into the baby’s mouth. Babies have no option other than to swallow – gulping air in the process – therefore necessitating burping.

Breastfed babies, on the other hand, are typically fed in a more upright position, and the process of breastfeeding allows them to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing – doing away with the need for burping!

AS ALL RULES HAVE EXCEPTIONS, – trust your instincts and your baby!

Warmly,

Patricia Berg-Drazin, RLC, IBCLC, CST

Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

patricia@breastfeedingandparentingsolutions.com

Holidays tend to be a time when many mothers call their local lactation consultants and La Leche League leaders with concerns about low milk supply.

There are a number of things that can contribute to a decrease in your milk supply during holidays –

The joy and excitement of the coming holiday season brings with it an increase in things to be done: shopping for food and gifts, cleaning and decorating the home, cooking and baking, preparing for visits with friends and family. All of these activities are time consuming, and many can be stressful.

As we get busier preparing for the holidays, it is not uncommon to put off feeding the baby in order to run one more errand, finish one last project in the kitchen, etc., before we take a break to sit down to feed our baby. Unfortunately, over time, putting off feedings can harm your milk supply.

Another concern about low milk supply during the holidays is the herbs that we love to use in great quantities that are anti-galactogogues (they decrease milk supply). Herbs such as parsley, sage rosemary and thyme have this effect, so use them sparingly.

Knowledge is Power: If you know what to watch for, you can have a wonderful holiday season while maintaining your milk supply and keeping your baby well nourished.

Happy Holidays!

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