First days of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding in the hospital can sometimes be challenging for several reasons.  Supplementation is one of the roadblocks to success.  In addition to other reasons, there is a perception by the parents, visitors, family members and even staff that the baby needs to take in a lot of fluid in the early days so they believe mom's colostrum cannot possibly do the trick and that the baby will be hungry. 

Most infants are well hydrated at birth because of the placenta (nature's way of ensuring the baby is fine while mom is recovering and breastmilk volume is established).  Urine output usually exceeds fluid intake for the first 3-4 days after birth.  Small calorie-rich colostrum feedings of less than a teaspoon to a maximum of 3 teaspoons are the appropriate amount for the newborn's stomach which can hold only about this much on day one.  Why would we expect baby to take in more than this?  Yet, many of us do just that because we are comparing this feeding to that of an older infant.  Encouraging more by bottle will result in overfeeding and practically guarantees baby will spit up.  It is also enough to prevent low blood sugar in term infants.  It is also easy to manage while the infant learns to coordinate suck, swallow and breathing.  It is enough to satisfy their hunger and thirst as well as meeting the sucking needs of the newborn which are greater than the amount of food.  This sucking is also what helps bring in the mother's more voluminous mature milk.

As you can see, it's perfect!

VIM ~ Very Important Message

News Moms Need has posted a critical message today. You can read it here:  MOD

During the holidays expectant moms who are nearing their due dates often want their doctors to induce labor for convenience.  Sometimes the health care providers themselves encourage this due to scheduling concerns, but PLEASE do not succumb to this emotionally and scheduling-driven potential crisis for your baby.  Even if you were "measuring big" - not a reason to change your due date or to push the limits of safety.  The baby's position and mother's body varies.  It is a poor indicator of maturity. 

Later ultrasounds (after the routine 20 week exam) are also not good indicators, as the size of the baby in later weeks, due to genetics and other factors, varies considerably, making it difficult to determine maturity.  This might be an argument against the ultrasound machines that are sometimes found in every office and done at every visit.  For a normal, healthy pregnancy, there is such a thing as excess of procedures since results are not accurate enough. 

These later unltrasound exams which estimate baby's weight are also poor indicator for mom's ability to deliver.  When the baby's size is estimated by one of these late ultrasounds there is a two pound error factor - TWO POUNDS!  Even if the measurement were accurate, you may be underestimating the ability of mom's pelvic bones to move and baby's head to temporaryily mold for birth - you can't beat Mother Nature! 

Starting life in the NICU, if it can be avoided, is most unpleasant and not where you would choose to spend your holidays.  What you want is the safest, healthiest delivery possible for both you and your baby.  We want you to enjoy your holidays, but you'll enjoy them even more if you aren't surprised by an unnecessary preterm birth with all it's complications.

Be a wise consumer of health care and ask the right questions - even around the holidays.  Convenient scheduling or late-term discomfort are poor reasons for increased risks.  One other byproduct of induction without real need is an increased rate of c-section delivery.  Once more - something you don't want around the holidays if you can avoid it.  They mean more pain, longer hospital stays, more complications and greater cost.   Those who benefit from this would only be the hospital and the surgeon.

When intervention is needed for the real safety of the baby or the mom, we're happy to have these options, but please be sure you have researched before you let your emotions decide.

Frankenstorm and other emergencies...

The March of Dimes had a great article today about being prepared in an emergency.  Read the full article here. 

"The media may be a bit dramatic at times, but they are right about one thing. Now is the time to make preparations and have a plan in place for your family to follow in case you ever need it."

Also, breastfeeding is especially important as a preparation for emergencies since you don't have to worry about obtaining and mixing formula with water that may not be pure.  There have been instances where women who have stopped breastfeeding were able to re-lactate - getting the breast to remember how to make milk through frequent stimulation by a nursing infant.

Check out this article from the March of Dimes blog, Feeding a Newborn After a Disaster.

We all hope to not have to face such emergencies, but should they occur, this article will help you to be prepared.

Deal of the Day

Now... the promotion for the nursing cover!!  (You only pay shipping)

PROMO CODE FOR A FREE NURSING COVER IN OUR NEW PRINTS!

Here's a sneak peak of our NEW nursing covers!

Tell us which design is your absolute favorite & we'll send you a 100% off promo code for a nursing cover as soon as they're in stock!

Deal of the Day

Great coupon deal for nursing pillows here. Uddercovers also makes the nursing covers and they sometimes have these good deals where you only pay shipping.  This is one of those times.  You answer their poll telling your favorite design and they send you the promo code for a free pillow!  There will be a little wait but while you're waiting for baby...

PROMO CODE FOR A FREE NURSING PILLOW!

Here's a sneak peak of our NEW nursing pillows!

Tell us which design is your absolute favorite & we'll send you a 100% off promo code for a nursing pillow as soon as they're in stock!

Be sure - car seat safety

For more information check out the website here (Parents Central) 

Breastfeeding Makes Improves the Look of Breasts too!

It just keeps getting better and better...

From About.com's guide, Robin Elise Weiss:

A recent study in the Asethetic Surgery Journal looked at identical twins' breasts for signs of aging. What they found surprised even the researchers - breastfeeding keeps your breasts looking younger! Nursing along with daily moisturizing and hormone replacement therapy were all found to be associated with healthier looking breasts. So what caused breasts look look "older"? Drinking, smoking, and pregnancy. Pregnancy has long been held as the culprit for what changes breasts, rather than breastfeeding, though this is not the first study to show that pregnancy is what causes changes to the breasts. Most pregnant women will tell you that breast changes are among the first pregnancy symptoms they experience.

Another good post from News Moms Need (March of Dimes). I'm reprinting here:

Medical research on the prevention of food allergies unfortunately is limited and incomplete. After reviewing a wide range of medical research, the American Academy of Pediatrics has made these recommendations about food allergies in children:

• Avoiding certain foods in pregnancy does not appear to prevent food allergies in children.
• We don’t know for certain if breastfeeding can prevent or delay food allergies. For infants who have a parent, brother or sister with a food allergy, drinking only breast milk for at least four months may reduce the risk of allergy to cow’s milk. Certain formulas that do not contain cow’s milk may also reduce the risk.
• Soy-based infant formula does not appear to prevent food allergy.
• Doctors recommend that most babies start eating solid foods between 4-6 months of age. Some people have thought that food allergies might be prevented if parents delayed giving their babies certain solid foods (for instance, fish, eggs, peanut butter). But current research doesn’t support this idea.

Thankfully, food allergies are often outgrown during early childhood. Approximately 80% to 90% of egg, milk, wheat, and soy allergies are gone by age 5 years. Some allergies are tougher and last longer, so you need to be certain they are gone before reintroducing the food to a child’s diet. For example, AAP says 1 in 5 young children will outgrow a peanut allergy and fewer will outgrow allergies to nuts or seafood. Your pediatrician or allergist can perform tests to track your child’s food allergies and watch to see if they are going away.

Medical research about food allergies is continuing and we’ll give you updates when we learn more. If you have any questions about food and your baby, ask your child’s health care provider.

Heatstroke

This was an important post from What Moms Need (March of Dimes), I am copying it here.

Heatstroke is an emergency condition. A person with heatstroke has an elevated body temperature caused not by illness, but by the surrounding temperature. Children can easily have heatstroke in the summer when playing out in the yard for long periods of time or if left in an overheated closed car for a just a short while. Tragic deaths have occurred as a result of leaving a child in the car for “just a few minutes.” Never leave a child unattended in a closed car – never.

Children who are not dressed properly for hazy, hot and humid days (this is a classic “less is more” situation) also are targets for heatstroke. If overdressed, a child’s temperature can zip up to over 105 degrees Fahrenheit in a short time. This is true for high school students as well as babies.

There are quite a few basic differences in the chemical makeup between children and adults. These differences make it harder for children to regulate body temperature than adults. Read what the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has to say about this and take appropriate precautions.

The AAP states that if you ever suspect a child of having heatstroke, take his temperature with a thermometer (just feeling the skin or using temperature-sensitive tapes will not be accurate), remove extra clothing, fan him, sponge him off with cool water and keep him in a cool, shaded place. Once his temperature has dropped, take him immediately to a pediatrician or emergency room for evaluation.

No-cry sleep solutions - sleeping babies

Elizabeth Pantley is an author who helps parents with their babies. She put her collection of pictures, sent by parents into this delightful show. This is inspired by the No Cry Sleep Solution. Visit her website here.

World Breastfeeding Week

Resources...

The timing was good for the recent changes to healthcare requiring insurance to pay for breastfeeding support. Read more at News Moms Need.

Utah Breastfeeding Coalition
CDC site for Breastfeeding
Utah's 7th Annual Breastfeeding Cafe at the SLC Public Library Complex during the month of August - get involved and show your support, join with others and get help
World Health Organization - World Breastfeeding Week
Utah Breastfeeding Resource Guide
Facebook - World Breastfeeding Week
Facebook - Beautiful Breastfeeding
Facebook - Dispelling Breastfeeding Myths
PRAMS Perspective - Breastfeeding in Utah (stats/facts/surveyed mothers)
LaLeche League of Utah
Text for Baby - app
March of Dimes - How to, etc.

Hot summer days

Please remember to LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK! Every year children die or are seriously injured when a caregiver leaves the child in a carseat inadvertently. This campaign - LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK is to remind parents to check their backseat before leaving their car. Sometimes a child will even stow-away without the parent's knowledge so it's always a good idea.

While the full scope of the fatalities of children due to heatstroke in vehicles is not fully known, NHTSA and other safety advocates and academic institutions have recognized the safety threat heatstroke poses for young children left in hot cars. Together, the Federal Government, automakers, car seat manufacturers, health and safety advocates, consumer groups, and others are working together to tackle this important safety issue.

Another important safety measure, especially in summer, is to SPOT THE TOT.

Preventing "Backover" or "frontover” tragedies

Danger can come from any direction, and parents must be aware of the risk of "backover" or "frontover" incidents. Many of these preventable injuries and deaths occur in driveways or parking lots when drivers are unaware children are near vehicles. Tragically, these drivers are often family members or friends of the injured child.

Parents, caregivers, drivers, and kids can all do their part to make sure that children do not share the same space as vehicles.

• Walk all the way around your parked vehicle to check for children - or anything that can attract a child like pets or toys - under or behind your vehicle before getting in and starting the engine.

• Accompany young children when they get in and out of a vehicle.

• Identify and use safe play areas for children away from parked or moving vehicles. Block driveways so cars cannot enter and exit.

• Designate a safe spot within a driver’s sight for children to wait when nearby vehicles are about to move.

• Firmly hold the hand of each child when walking near moving vehicles and when in driveways, in parking lots or on sidewalks.

Cranberry and UTI

Not just for Thanksgiving...

Many expectant mothers struggle with frequent urinary tract infections. Typically the medical community has dealt with this problem in treatment mode. But, how much better if we can prevent it?

Cranberry is a folk remedy that has been used for years to relieve UTI symptoms. Cranberry was originally thought to work by acidifying the urine, but its effects are now known to be due to its interference with the attachment of bacteria to uroepithelial cells. In fact, A-type proanthocyanidins were identified in cranberry in 1989 as compounds with the potential to inhibit the adherence of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli to the urogenital mucosa.

Since e-coli is the most common bacteria implicated in UTI (urinary tract infections), it is worth considering this natural remedy. It is harmless and very possibly helpful so if you are prone to these nasty and painful infections, talk to your doctor about this.

A recent 6 month study including 1494 participants showed that Cranberry-containing products may protect against UTIs. The juice showed the greatest promise but some people may not be able to consume large amounts of juice. It is also possible that the reason is because of the increase in water consumption (in the juice). It could also be something contained in the juice itself. Either way - juice or capsules with water or other fluids - cranberry is looking good even in meta-analysis studies.

Clinical implications from the study reported by Medscape.

• Use of cranberry products is associated with a reduction in the risk for recurrent UTIs.
• The benefits of cranberry products for UTI prevention are greater in women with recurrent UTI, female populations, children, those who drink cranberry juice, and those who use the products more than twice daily.

Tdap

March of Dimes had a great post about the pertussis vaccine (Tdap) and why it is important for the adults in a child's life to get this. Check out their blog here: MOD