Why would breastfeeding, a natural action, be a focus?
In my opinion, it should be because this natural action alone can cut illnesses and diseases. Why not learn more about an easy preventative measure?
Anyway, I don't want to jump on a soap box here. I want to simply share ideas and thoughts from an online discussion I had on Facebook recently.
I want to begin though by explaining why I decided to have this discussion in the first place. I heard from a family member that a new mommy who was breastfeeding had gotten some really terrible advice from her doctor and loved ones.
She was told the following things:
1. From her doctor: nurse every 4 hours.
2. From her family: Give cereal (baby is only 2 months old now...have no idea how long he has been given cereal) for his colic (REALLY???!!!)
3. From family: Give Karo Syrup for constipation (Uh...see #2 and #1 for explanation of said constipation)
At his most recent appointment, they found he had VERY poor weight gain...of course. This poor mom and baby are at great risk for early weaning and mom may well look back on breastfeeding as a negative experience, when if she had talked to mothers who were successful breastfeeders, she might have had another experience completely.
It is a misconception that doctors are knowledgeable about breastfeeding. Many have no other instruction than reading a book like the one I'm reading for getting my doula certification. (The Nursing Mother's Companion)
This is not sufficient information for truly assisting a new mother. It's a great start, but not nearly enough, but it is what many pediatricians receive. Moms MUST take the initiative and research for their own knowledge, and they need to reach out to other mothers, and of course - lactation consultants.
As a matter of fact, I'd say talk to your pediatrician last, unless you are truly concerned about your baby.
Why?
My pediatrician suggested that I give Kathryn cereal at 4 months, despite new research which suggests that 4 months is too soon, can lead to early weaning, and a loss of protein in a baby's diet. I didn't try solids until she was about 5 months (still a bit early....6 months is best, really). She wasn't quite ready at 5 months and spit her food straight out, because of the tongue thrust reflex that is awesome for breastfeeding, but not for solid food, so I stopped and let her try again a week later. I sporadically gave her solids. I had no intention of making a meal out of it. Instead, I thought of it as an experience for Kat and she had the food AFTER nursing.
My pediatrician also suggested she not get fruits until after veggies, because "she will prefer the sweet taste over the veggies and it'll make her reject the veggies." I have two other children and because of my experience with them, I know his statement is simply not true. For one thing, breast milk is very sweet, so babies are predisposed to prefer sweet things, so offering fruits isn't going to make your child have a sweet tooth. What fruits might do is make the transition to solids easier, because they are closer to the taste baby knows.
The trick: offer a variety of foods SLOWLY into your baby's diet.
Here's a link to LLLI site for introducing solids. I trust this site because it is a breastfeeding site. Their intention is NOT to wean your baby early. This is crucial.
My pediatrician also suggested I start weaning my daughter of her middle-of-the-night feeding, when this is absolutely not necessary. He said, "She will come to expect it and use you as a pacifier."
1. I don't mind being used as a pacifier....it won't last forever.
2. I sometimes wake up thirsty, or wake up cold and want to cuddle next to my husband for a time, or I wake up hot and throw off my blankets. Why can this not be true for my baby?
I smile and nod at my doctor most of the time, then do what I want. As a matter of fact, the only thing he has helped with is the labia adhesion and for that he suggested Vaseline, which is bad for cloth diapers. That's another story all together.
ANYWAY:
Here's the discussion we had recently regarding moms' experiences with breastfeeding.
I talked with Carrie Slater Andrusko, who breastfed her son for one year, even when she went back to work when he was 6 months old.
Tasha Shipe, who successfully breastfed her daughters and is expecting another little girl this year!
Laura Yost, who breastfed her son and is currently breastfeeding her daughter.
I will say, that while each baby IS different, there are some basics that should be followed from the beginning, then each mother can make adjustments based on her baby's individual needs.
Some basics:
1. No supplements for the first 4-6 months (ie. formula)
2. No bottles for the first 2-3 weeks to avoid nipple confusion.
3. No cereal or other solids for the first 6 months.
4. Nurse every 2-2.5 hours to establish an ample supply.
5. Get the latch down pat! This is absolutely crucial to successful breastfeeding.
6. Don't worry so much about schedules: nurse on demand.
7. Don't worry about sleeping through the night...tell yourself it won't happen for a year, so if it does happen before then, you'll be pleasantly surprised rather than disappointed.
8. Drink water to thirst and eat a healthful diet (most nursing moms need 500 additional calories...moms of multiples need 800-1000 extra)
9. Avoid underwire bras, as they can lead to clogged ducts and mastitis
10. Try skin-to-skin contact whenever you can and continue to do this periodically, even when your baby is older. My daughter loves it and it keeps her from being totally distracted from nursing at the curious 6-month mark.
11. Have a snack and a drink on-hand for nursing sessions.
12. Be sure baby EMPTIES the breast before offering the second. Emptying the breast is the trick to establishing an ample supply (and avoiding plugged ducts). Baby may not want the other breast and that's fine, just offer it at the next feeding.
13. Nursing sessions should NEVER be shorter than 10 minutes and this is with a very efficient baby. Most sessions will take 20+ minutes, especially for a newborn.
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FACEBOOK DISCUSSION:
My next blog post will be a compilation of tips for successful breastfeeding from moms who have breast fed successfully. If you have a tip you'd like me to add, please comment here. I'll give credit for posts used. I'm just so fed up with new moms getting bad/dangerous "advice" from pediatricians and family members.
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