AlaskaBirth

Posts Tagged ‘Breastfeeding Goals’

Worried about H1N1? Many of us are because the CDC tells us that pregnant women and newborn babies are more susceptible to serious illness from H1N1.  Hopefully you are eating healthy foods, getting enough vitamin D,  avoiding exposure to the virus and getting plently of rest.  Many mothers to be are also choosing to get the vaccination.  What more can you do?  One thing you can do is make plans to protect your new baby. Did you know that babies cannot receive the H1N1 vaccine until they are 6 months of age? But there is something out there more powerful than the vaccine and it’s approved for newborns.  It’s called breast milk. Within hours of exposure to a virus, a breastfeeding mother’s body will start producing specific (H1N1) antibodies and deliver them directly to her baby through the milk.  In fact, breast milk has an array of immune components that are completely absent from formula.  Newborn immune systems are undeveloped and need this help from their mother’s milk. Without it they are very vulnerable. Studies have shown that formula fed babies are up to 15 times more likely to be hospitalized in their first year. So how to do make sure that you will be able to breastfeed?  We commonly hear from mothers share that “I didn’t have enough milk” or “My baby liked  the bottle better”, etc.   Lacation experts say the one reason women have troubles breastfeeding is lack of support. Follow these steps to make sure you reach your breastfeeding goals:

1. Get good information: Go to a breastfeeding class and bring your partner, family members and other care givers. It’s important they learn the basics so they can help you and won’t unintentionally sabotage your efforts. Read a breastfeeding book like “Breastfeeding Made Simple” or “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding”. Check out www.breastfeeding.com for great articles and advice.
2. Connect with nursing moms: Go to a La Leche League meeting before you give birth to meet women and watch them in action.  Spend time and befriend women who successfully breastfed. Don’t take advice from people who didn’t. (I know it sounds obvious, but I made that mistake!)
3. Choose your birth location carefully: Deliver at a “Baby Friendly” hospital, birthing center or at home. Ask the hospital if they have lactation consultants to help you. Some staff nurses don’t have much lactation training and/or have never breastfed themselves. We were told by a mom recently that when she asked for help  at an Anchorage hospital they gave her a bottle instead. Not good.  And don’t keep any formula samples you get in the mail or from the hospital.  It’s too tempting to have it in the house. 
4. Plan a drug free birth:  IVs, epidurals, c-sections and narcotic drugs in labor all make breastfeeding harder. The more drugs, fluids and painful incisions you have, the harder it will be for the baby to latch on and the longer it will take for you to produce milk. Choose midwife or obstetrician that supports natural birth. Learn about and practice mental and spiritual techniques like non-focused awareness, prayer, hypnobirthing, and visualization.  Take a childbirth education class that focuses on natural birth. Find out if you will have access to a birthing tub, shower, birthing ball, food during labor, etc.  Hire a doula.
5.  If you have concerns, get professional lactation support immediately: WIC offers free breastfeeding support for their clients. Some pediatric offices have lactation consultants on staff . You can call the hospital where you delivered and get phone help. Most home birth and birthing center midwives will visit you in your home. ANMC has a program where they will come to your house and help you as well. LLL leaders and members are another great resource. Don’t wait to get help if things aren’t going well. Pick up the phone instead of a bottle.
6. Pediatrician or nurse practitioner: Find a provider that not only supports breastfeeding but that can give you specific help and advice. Some medical schools offer ZERO lactation education. Other pediatricians have done extensive training and have breastfed themselves. Ask about their training, experience and philosophy.  Consider using a nurse practicioner or naturopath.
7. Plan for pumping at work: Delay returning to work as long as possible.  Try to arrange for job sharing, part-time, work from home or creative scheduling.  If you have to go back to work at 6 weeks, make sure to find a place to pump before you take maternity leave. This is a major stumbling block for many women. You might have to get creative, assert for yourself and educate your employer. Ask for help from women who have done it, or go online and find help there.  With enough support, you can do it!