Breastfeeding as Birth Control

Did you ever consider that breastfeeding can be a method of contraception? Many women will go an extended period of time while breastfeeding and not have a menstrual cycle. The hormones associated with breastfeeding can suppress the menstrual cycle for quite some time, although this length of times varies for each individual since no two women are the same. Breastfeeding can impact fertility, which can be seen as positive or negative depending on how you feel about conceiving again. As a Catholic, I practice NFP, or natural family planning. I don't use artificial methods of preventing pregnancy and I accept that every time my husband and I have sex, we have to be willing to welcome a new life into our family.

Before I go any further, let me say that this is not a foolproof method and I think knowing your body and your cycle extremely well are crucial for using this method. With that being said, Ecological Breastfeeding can serve as a great form of contraception and natural child spacing. While it isn't for everyone, it can be extremely effective. As evidenced by the chart on this page from KellyMom, LAM (lactational amenorrhea) has a 98-99.5% effectiveness rate when used properly.

The Seven Standards for Ecological Breastfeeding include:

• Breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of life, offering no other liquids (including water)
• Pacify or comfort your baby at your breasts
• Don't use artificial nipples (bottles, pacifiers)
• Sleep with baby for night feedings, continuing to feed on demand
• Sleep with your baby for a daily nap feeding
• Nurse frequently day and night, and avoid schedules
• Avoid any practice that restricts nursing or separates you from your baby

Photo Courtesy of Whitney Morales Photography

Now I realize this isn't realistic for everyone. It works great for me now because I only have one child. When I have another child someday, I may not be able to follow all the rules exactly. Perhaps following futures births, I'll regain my fertility much quicker. However, Nora is 16 months old now and I have yet to have my cycle return. I've actually been hoping to get pregnant soon but haven't had any luck yet. I've considered some gentle night weaning, or at least cutting back the number of times she nurses at night, but that is proving to be quite difficult. For now, I'll continue to cherish our naps together and hope that at some point, I won't be an all night buffet. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you (or would you) practice ecological breastfeeding? What do you think would be challenging about it and what do you think would be rewarding?

Help, I'm Sick!

Last night I ended up in Urgent Care thank to a lovely finger infection I developed.  I'm a chronic nail-biter so it was bound to happen eventually I guess.  I tried some natural remedies first, but they just weren't working and knew I needed something stronger.

After having my finger lanced, I left with a RX for an antibiotic.  The doctor had offered pain medicine but when she found out I was still breastfeeding she rescinded.  I wanted to tell her that I could still take pain medication but because I wasn't in that much pain and didn't need anything, I didn't push the issue.

Depending on how long your breastfeeding journey lasts, it's fairly safe to assume that you'll either get sick or (hopefully minorly) injured in that time. 

Here are some tips that will help protect your breastfeeding relationship while make sure you feel better at the same time.

First,  if you're prescribed anything by a doctor or want to take anything OTC, check LactMed to see how it make effect breastfeeding.  This is an extremely comprehensive database of drugs and their potential transfer while breastfeeding along with any effect the medication may have on your infant.  Bookmark this link for easy access: LactMed.
 
The Infant Risk Center is also an amazing resource for determining the safety of a medication while breastfeeding.  You can call them at (806) 352-0219 or find them on the web at http://www.infantrisk.com/. They are simply wonderful in working with lactating mothers.

You've got to weigh the risks of a medication vs the positive effects they will have.  If you're really feeling awful one does off a decongestant will probably be okay but you need to weigh that against the possible risk of a dip in supply.  This is something you really should consult your doctor and an IBCLC about. 

Also, remember that if your sick, nursing your baby is the best thing you can do for them.  I will help transfer all of the antibodies you are producing to fight the illness to your little one.  Some people may try and tell you that you'll transfer the illness via breast milk (yes, I've actually has someone say that to me!) and it's NOT true.  Yes, being in close proximity may spread illness, but your baby lives with you.  There is a really good chance they've already been exposed to what you've got!

If you're given an antibiotic is is really best if you can begin taking a probiotic yourself and also giving one to your little one.  This will help protect their digestive tract (and yours) and also hopefully prevent yeast, and therefore thrush, from developing. 

Practice side-lying nursing.  No, this won't necessarily help you get better faster, but you can lay down and take a little rest while your baby is eating - and we all know even 10 minutes can be a luxury for a mom!

Stay as hydrated as possible.  Not only is it going to help you feel better, you don't want to get dehydrated since that can effect supply.  Keeping a water bottle nearby at all times is a great idea when you're not feeling well (just wash it often to get rid of germs).

Illness and injury don't have to change your breastfeeding relationship at all most of the time.  Just come up with a plan that works for you and hopefully you're feeling better in no time!

If I would have written myself a letter...

...with what I know now, what I'm doing now, and read it before all of this started, I would have laughed. Hard. I breastfeed my toddler and even though I thought he was ready to wean, (a few times), he is nowhere near done. The kink in this whole thing is, when I try to hand express, there's hardly anything there!

Is it ok to comfort nurse my toddler?

I really struggle with this for some reason. Some days, I feel like a super-mom for continuing to nurse him but other times I feel like just the opposite and that I'm using nursing him as a crutch to delay learning other coping mechanisms. Toddler trips and bangs his head: whip out the boob. Toddler isn't feeling great: snuggle and snack all day in bed. Then the thoughts come full circle and I realize that I am a good mom. The same people who side-eye me when I even talk about breastfeeding my son beyond a year, compliment me on how happy he is, how well-behaved he is, how healthy he looks. Would all of this be if he wasn't still nursing? 

Let's dissect this for a moment, shall we?

Toddler bangs his head and wants to nurse. Toddler nurses. Toddler feels better. ===> Weirdo Mom With No Coping Skills or Awesome Partnership?

Toddler is sick and wants to nurse all.day.long. Toddler nurses. Toddler feels better. ===> Weirdo Mom With No Coping Skills or  Super Efficient Way to Get Toddler Antibodies and Fluids at the SAME TIME?

So I guess I answered my own questions. In my mind, there's no difference in my son using me or a blanket/toy/[insert other lovie here] when he's down, ill, hurting (physically or emotionally). Actually, there is a difference. The lovie isn't going to provide DHA, immunity, a strong bond. Like any lovie, he will grow out of me eventually but for now I will enjoy it. I just have a hard time believing that one of these is more ok than the other: 

15.5 months vs 6 months

Til Next Time, Mamas

Keep Calm and Nurse On

Breastfeeding Heroes: Princess Srirasm of Thailand

If there's one drum we beat repeatedly on Adventures in Breastfeeding, it's about the need of all women to have support on their breastfeeding journey. It is this fact that has led so many women (and some men!) to become Lactivists, putting themselves out in the public sphere to promote breastfeeding, normalize it, and assure all the mothers out there who struggle with nursing that they are not alone. Among the many stories I've found of these remarkable characters, a recent favorite is that of a bonafide princess: Srirasm, Princess of Thailand and Royal Consort of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Princess Srirasm was a commoner who married the heir to the Thai throne in 2001, giving birth to their first (and so far only) child in 2005, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti. Once recovered from the caesarian birth, Srirasm began nursing her son, and was so moved and impressed by the experience that within a few months, she launched an extensive campaign to promote breastfeeding in Thailand. The project, titled "Love and Care from Mother to Children" received the full support of the royal family, including the written endorsement of Srirasm's husband, the Crown Prince.

Source: Breastfeeding Situation in Thailand

While much of the available data on breastfeeding rates may be inconsistent or unreliable, most sources show Thailand in the 20th Century having the lowest rate of exclusive breastfeeding [for the first six months] in Asia, and among the lowest in the world. Estimates as recent as 1998 had the number hovering just above 2%. Studies blame everything from poor education and diet in rural areas to the growing influence of the formula industry, and cite consequences like higher rates of disease and lower average IQ scores for children. The Ministry of Public Health has made a number of efforts since the 1980s to improve breastfeeding rates, but as of 2006, the number was still a paltry 5%.

Enter Princess Srirasm and her adorable little boy. From its inception, the Love and Care project centered around this pair, with interviews, photographs, pamphlets, and posters appearing all over the country, featuring the growing and healthy young prince and his pretty, doting mother. Srirasm was not shy about her experience, answering personal questions about her fears of not producing enough milk, discussing how her own diet could upset the prince's stomach when she ate the famously spicy Thai cuisine, and even sharing just how large a stash of pumped milk she had frozen (50 bags by 4 months)! Aside from the obvious fact that, as royalty, she had access to much better resources than most Thai mothers, she seemed incredibly and wonderfully NORMAL.

And IT WORKED. As of 2009, studies now show a rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Thailand of at least 15%, and some put that number at 30% or higher. Though the same problems of methodology and sample size continue to make it difficult to collect reliable data, there is agreement from a wide range of reputable sources that there has been a marked increase in rates of nursing, and these clearly coincide with the active phase of Princess Srirasm's program. The Ministry of Public Health is so encouraged by their success that they have pushed aggressive new policies to attempt to meet reach goals of +50% exclusive breastfeeding by 2025.

Of course, not all of us have access to a microphone with national or global reach, but I still find the princess' story inspiring. She used the resources with which she was blessed to reach out to fellow mothers, and she succeeded in making that connection and effecting a change in the culture. Given the well-documented positive health effects of breastfeeding, this could have a direct and powerful impact on the future of Thailand.

And if any of you nursing mamas have ever wanted a reason to feel like a princess, well, now you have one! Well done, Your Highness!

Celebrate What's Right

When I began my breastfeeding adventure over a year ago, I was unprepared for the roller coaster highs and lows it would bring. The reason I contribute to this blog is because I want to come alongside moms in encouraging each other, commiserating with one another, and sharing our experiences so we can all know better and do better. This last purpose is why we have loads of troubleshooting tips here, here, here, and here.

One thing that's difficult to troubleshoot is the myriad emotions moms experience as they breastfeed. This journey is fraught with joy, sorrow, frustration, and pride. It means coming face to face with your own shortcomings. Some moms may battle depression. One thing that kept me sane through it all was celebrating what's right with the world.

Several years ago I saw a film by Dewitt Jones, a former photographer for National Geographic. It was called Celebrate What's Right with the World. 

In the introduction to this video on his website, Jones shares some insight about this philosophy:

Photo credit: Dewitt Jones

How easy it is to celebrate a birthday, a marriage, a holiday. How hard it is to hold that same perspective in our daily lives. Everyday we are inundated with messages that tell us what’s wrong with our world. It’s not surprising that we lose sight of all the things that are right with it; of all that is truly worth celebrating. As a photographer, I have a choice of what lens I put on my camera; a choice of how I am going to view the world. I choose to celebrate. Why? Because it imbues me with gratitude, because it allows me to see the best in people and situations, because it fills me with energy.

This idea has stayed with me and has been especially helpful as I settle into motherhood. I try to surround myself with people who inspire and uplift me. I look for ways to refuel, refocus, and celebrate what's right. For me that's my faith and my family. Music. Nature. And most importantly of all, for me that is documenting these celebrations through photos, facebook, and scribbles in my journal. I've had to let go of my perfectionism because capturing joyful moments in any way is more important to me than the perfectly framed shot or perfectly worded caption.

Now that Boo is one, I've spent a little time looking back over these pictures and statuses and little bits of bliss. Life is fine right now, and these things are a reminder to me to be intentional about looking for bliss in the everyday. To be searching for things to celebrate - on purpose.

And when I'm facing tougher times, these tangible pieces are proof of what's right in the world. I can look back at my facebook feed, flip through the baby book, and reread old journals. And as I do, my weary heart marvels at the victories over devastating circumstances and the sweet spots in between the bitter moments. In the midst of sadness, I think to myself, In some far-off life, I had goodness and grace and glorious small wonders. And I look around my life, bleak and blurry, but a little more bearable now that I understand this is only one piece of my story.

This isn't to say I pretend heartache doesn't exist, or ignore sadness around me. It certainly doesn't mean I am the champion of noticing awesomeness in my life (because let's be honest, most of the time I am a hot mess who's too often too busy). I don't run up to a despondent friend and chirp, "Celebrate what's right with the world!" I listen. I notice. And when I take time to celebrate what's right, even when there seem to be more things wrong, I am grateful. I am kinder. And I feel whole.