ALL THE THINGS! 

I Got Shamed For Nursing My Son For 'Way Too Long'

Should All Moms Have Paid Maternity Leave?

To the Mothers Who Couldn't Breastfeed

Giving Newborns the Best Start in Life Involves Breastfeeding- We know breast milk is the best source of nutrition for all newborns, regardless of where they live. While global breastfeeding rates are...

4 Awesome Innovations That Support Breastfeeding Moms-  Breastfeeding ultimately comes down to two people -- a mother and her baby. But there is so much that can be done to nurture that relationship....    

The Best and Worst of Breastfeeding- I always knew I wanted to nurse my baby. Before giving birth to my son, I had prepared for breastfeeding the best I could. But nursing...                                                                

Improve Breastfeeding Options for Working Moms-  Not only does breast milk help infants thrive and grow, but the experience also fosters the bond between mother and child. Despite the...                                                                

Nursing at the Grocery Store- My daughter, without a care in the world, lifted up her shirt and pretend-nursed her baby doll. It was all just so usual, so everyday,...          

The Breastfeeding Corner- The key to successful breastfeeding in our community begins with educated mothers. In honor of World Breastfeeding Week [August 1 thru...                                                                

My Baby's Doctor Asked Why I Was 'Hell-Bent on Breastfeeding'-If a woman desperately wants to nurse and thinks she can't because she doesn't have the resources or support of her child's doctors, there's...    

Are We Exclusive? A Look at the Evidence for Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF)- This week is World Breastfeeding Awareness Week - a time to draw attention to one of the most effective, yet arguably under-utilized, interventions...  

My Breastfeeding Truth- I am extremely pro-breastfeeding.  I believe every child deserves to be breastfed if possible and have spent five and a half years breastfeeding...                                                                

Unfriend Me Right Now!- Most people can't imagine commanding their friends, acquaintances, or co-workers to "unfriend them" in real life when they don't agree...                                                                

Breastfeeding and Work: Let's Make It Work!- Access to many of the basic tools, equipment and medicines needed to ensure the newborns are delivered safely and survive their first day...  

16 Women Show What Pumping Means To Them- The theme for this year's World Breastfeeding Week is "Breastfeeding and Work." While we know that all parents work tirelessly to...                                                                

Breastfeeding My Baby Was An Anything But Blissful Adventure- The positive parts of new motherhood need no introduction -- they are magical, incredible and utterly breath-taking. Breastfeeding, on...   

I hope that there was some new things that made you laugh & think and that you have felt supported during it.  

I will be posting pictures/articles that I found and loved randomly throughout the rest of the day that are sitting in my queue.  

PLEASE feel free to share or refer people to my page or even my Facebook (all of my WBW related posts are public there) and make sure they know that I am always on stand by to help or support anyone in the capacity I am able to.  

National Breastfeeding Month: A Glimpse Into My Breastfeeding Journey

Breastfeeding is the most natural, rewarding, challenging, frustrating, amazing, and empowering thing I have ever done. While I was in my second trimester of pregnancy, I was starting to make all kinds of decisions about how I wanted to care for my baby, including diapers, daycare, pediatrician, and breastfeeding. After doing the research and talking to other women about breastfeeding, I decided it was the best decision for me. There are amazing benefits.

In fact, there are so many great benefits the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has a health initiative around breastfeeding and recommends that babies be breastfed through 6 months of age. A breastfed baby gets a nutritional superfood (to use a popular phrase) that is so dense with beneficial vitamins, minerals, and fats that the list of ingredients is long enough to fill several sheets of paper (women’s bodies are pretty spectacular).

Breast milk is powerful stuff, too. Studies show that breast milk will boost the immune system of the baby and benefit the mother’s health as well, in addition to reducing her chance of breast cancer. Additionally, breastfeeding reduces the rate of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and future obesity for infants as they go into childhood and adulthood. Oh, and breastfeeding helps a mom shed her pregnancy pounds quicker — bonus!

Caffeine- Most breastfeeding mothers can drink caffeine in moderation. Some babies, particularly those under 6 months, may be more sensitive to mom's caffeine intake. Babies whose mothers avoided caffeine completely during pregnancy seem to react more to caffeine in mom's diet.

Medication- Have you ever been told you need to stop breastfeeding because you need medical testing or a medication? Or told that you cannot receive treatment until you are done breastfeeding? The good news is that most medications are compatible with breastfeeding, and for those few medications that are a safety issue there are usually acceptable substitutions. Although mothers are frequently told they need to stop breastfeeding (temporarily or permanently)  to take a medication, this is rarely necessary.

Herbs- Most herbal treatments have not been thoroughly researched, particularly in regard to lactation. Herbs are drugs, and some caution is necessary. It is possible for anyone (mother or baby) to have an allergic reaction to just about anything. Watch your baby closely for any adverse reactions if you take any herb or medicine.  Following are references (both web pages and print) on herbs and breastfeeding.

Vitamins for Mom- If you eat a reasonably-well balanced diet, vitamin supplements are not considered necessary for breastfeeding mothers.This is even true for mothers who are eating for three during tandem nursing, or while breastfeeding during pregnancy (see Nutrition for mom in our Nursing During Pregnancy and Tandem Nursing FAQ).

Vitamins for the Breastfed Child- Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary for the average healthy, full-term breastfed baby during the first year. Breastmilk is all that your baby needs for at least the first six months of life. Studies have shown that vitamins, fluoride, iron, water, juice, formula and solid foods are rarely beneficial to healthy breastfed babies during the first six months, and some can even be harmful. There are certain cases where a vitamin supplement may be needed for a breastfed baby during the first year, but these cases are the exception, not the rule (see below for specifics).

Various Chemical Exposure-  Nursing mothers have many questions about the safety of various things during lactation. Following are some of the questions regarding chemical exposure we’ve answered over the past few years. Cleaning Products, Environmental contaminants, Gasoline Fumes, Insect Repellent, Paint & Paint Fumes.

Health/Medical Issue FAQs-  Acne treatments, Allergy shots, Allergy testing, Blood Donation, Cholesterol levels and breastfeeding, Dental work (x-rays, local anesthesia), Fertility treatments, Homeopathic Remedies, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Illness (Baby), Illness (Mom), Laser hair removal, Lice & scabies treatment, Litter Boxes, cleaning Scorpion stings, Skin creams, Surgery (Baby), Surgery/General, Anesthesia Tuberculosis testing, Vaccines 

Alcohol- In general, if you are sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to breastfeed. Less than 2% of the alcohol consumed by the mother reaches her blood and milk. Alcohol peaks in mom's blood and milk approximately 1/2-1 hour after drinking. Alcohol does not accumulate in breastmilk, but leaves the milk as it leaves the blood; so when your blood alcohol levels are back down, so are your milk alcohol levels.  Please take into account the age and size of your baby.  Read more for more in depth information.

Cigarettes/smoking- A mom who can't stop smoking *should* breastfeed. Breastfeeding provides many immunities that help your baby fight illness and can even help counteract some of the effects of cigarette smoke on your baby. It's definitely better if breastfeeding moms not smoke, but if you can't stop or cut down, then it is better to smoke and breastfeed than to smoke and formula feed. 

Marijuana

Diet- The short answer to this question is NO – you do not need to maintain a perfect diet in order to provide quality milk for your baby. In fact, research tells us that the quality of a mother’s diet has little influence on her milk. Nature is very forgiving – mother’s milk is designed to provide for and protect baby even in times of hardship and famine. A poor diet is more likely to affect the mother than her breastfed baby.

Exercise- Research has shown that moderate exercise does not affect milk supply, milk composition, or baby’s growth. Exercising to exhaustion may have a short-term effect on lactic acid and IgA content of a mother’s milk (more details below).

Breastfeeding your new born: Give your baby the best start in life!

“Motherhood is a miracle that manifests and magnifies itself through the common languages of boundless love and selfless care" – Nita M. Ambani

Each newborn baby gives birth to a mother! While it is a divine experience in itself, it brings a mountain of responsibilities which only a mother can truly follow. To help your baby grow in front of you is a noble opportunity.

Mother’s milk is in fact the best start in life that a mother can give to her newborn baby. It contains the correct mix of all essential ingredients which your baby needs in order to grow well. It is entirely safe, free of cost, non-allergic, and will protect your baby against common infections and obesity.

Breastfeeding is a good habit for the mother too, as it helps her in shedding the extra weight, and protects her from diseases such as diabetes and certain cancers. Beyond these health benefits, it gives the mother an immense sense of satisfaction and nurtures a deep sense of bonding with her young one for a life time.

Having a correct idea about how to breast feed is absolutely important to avoid confusion and potential problems. It needs to be started soon after birth and should be continued exclusively as demanded by the baby till 6 months of age, following which should be complemented by semisolid feeds to support the increasing nutritional requirements of your baby.

Following a correct position, good latching-on technique, and a relaxed and unhurried approach is essential for ensuring adequacy of breast milk. A baby who is breast fed will grow well and has been shown to have superior intellectual abilities.

Even when mothers resume work, breastfeeding can be continued with the help of a supportive family. The mother can express her milk which can be safely stored and given to the baby on demand. Especially in places where good hygiene and safe drinking water cannot be assured to prepare safe formula feeds, breast milk goes a long way in avoiding infant mortality.

As the entire world has realized the enormous benefits related to breastfeeding, every mother needs to overcome any preconceived notions or prejudices, and accept it enthusiastically to maximize its benefits.

Come, let us all make a pledge to encourage and support breastfeeding and safe motherhood!

Visit our Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre

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