Natural Products for the Breasfeeding Mom

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm the resident "hippie" of our little group here :) I like all things natural, organic, and eco-friendly. So it's no surprise that when it comes to products for use while breastfeeding, I get excited about the natural options that are available to women.

Trilight Health makes a wide array of herbal remedies that are great for so many different things. I've used them for everything from assisting my little one with sleep, relieving headaches, and soothing sore throats.

As someone who has suffered from mastitis before, I can tell you that it is not something I'd wish on my worst enemy! It is absolutely brutal. Not only did I experience some extremely intense pain, but I was so exhausted and worn out. I used a number of different remedies, and I only wish I had known about Mastitix from Trilight Health. Users of Mastitix have great success with healing or preventing mastitis. Women only need to take 1/2 teaspoon (up to 150 pounds; those weighing more will need a little bit larger dose) every 2 hours. That's so much easier than the plethora of stuff I was taking to cure my mastitis. If I ever get mastitis again (God forbid!) I will definitely be taking Mastitix!

I've been fortunate enough to not struggle with a low supply, but I know many women are tortured by the fear of not having enough milk. While many times this is an issue that can be remedied by more frequent nursing; the elimination of artificial nipples (pacifiers and bottles); and nursing on demand; there are times when some women just need a little boost. That's where MegaMam can be a great help. (Did you giggle at the name, too?). As with most galactagogues, this is recommended for use under the supervision of a health care practitioner, such as a lactation consultant. Women take 1/2 teaspoon (again, per 150 pounds) for 2-3 times per day. It's that easy! So pills to take or teas to drink. I won't tell anyone if you want to keep making those lactation cookies, though ;)

And last, but certainly not least, we have the always useful Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter. This stuff is amazing! It was so helpful in the early days as we adjusted to breastfeeding, and was a lifesaver when Nora started teething. Now at 15 months, I still make sure I always have a tub on hand. It even does double duty for dry lips on some of those middle-of-the-night nursing sessions when I didn't have lip balm close by.


*Disclosure: If you purchase from Trilight Health through my links above, I may receive free products from Trilight Health for referring you. If you purchase from Amazon through my links, I may receive a small commission.

You get your milk from where? 3 Myths about milk-sharing

On May 10th I felt lucky to participate in the Best for Babes 1st Nation Wide Milk Walk, to bring awareness to the importance of human milk and milk banks.

Why is this such an important cause? Because there are still a lot of myths and misunderstandings about milk donation.

Myth #1 - It's Weird
Donating or recieving breast milk is no more weird than pouring milk on your morning cereal. Cow milk is for baby cows, human milk is for human babies. It's just that simple.

Myth #2 - It's not safe
There are 2 ways women share milk: either through milk banks or mother to mother. When going through a milk bank there is a screening process to even become a donor, just like there is a screening process for blood banks. I have personally donated mother to mother. I expected the mom I was donating to to ask me questions about my diet. lifestyle, etc. What she told me was "I have seen you give your daughter this milk, that's enough for me." Whatever your comfort level is, there is a safe way to get milk. The argument could also be made that formula can not be safe in certain situations either. There have been numerous recalls, and if not made properly, it can be harmful.

Myth #3 - It's not Important

The WHO recommends that when it comes to feeding an infant it should be

1. breast milk from the breast
2. pumped breast milk
3. donated breast milk
4. formula

Formula is LAST. Breast milk can not be replicated. There are over 100 ingredients in human milk that are not in formula.

Human Milk Saves Lives. 500 U.S. & Canadian preemie infants die annually, and 5000 more are sickened, from Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). Feeding these fragile babies human milk has been shown to reduce the risk of NEC by 79%. NEC causes indescribable anguish to babies and parents. - See more at: http://www.bestforbabes.org/miracle-milk-stroll/#sthash.DITW1i6O.dpuf



At the end of the day, I have felt a special bond with these moms that I have been able to donate my milk to. After the walk, a friend and I decided to get lunch at a local farmers market. We were both still clad with our " I make milk" and "I donate milk" stickers when a woman stopped us and said "Thank you! Because of women like you, my son is alive." Pumping is hard work and I applaud any mother who does so. Pumping for the love of a baby not your own is a gift unlike any other. I can't wait for next year's walk.

My Friend and I half way through the walk

Nipple Shield: Tips and Tricks!

I never knew that a little piece of silicon could rule my life for almost three months, but that's just what happened after my son was born.  Lucas was born with a bubble pallet, posterior tongue tie and a lip tie but was diagnosed a little later (you can find our story here and here) so I had a lot of pain in the beginning and didn't know why.

My lactation consultant decided that I would be a good candidate for a nipple and thus began my three month journey.

I still have our old nipple shields in a plastic bag in L's baby box.  They were a huge part of our lives for the first three months that I just can't bring myself to throw them away.

I hadn't even heard of a nipple shield prior to having my son but I soon learned that some people love them and others think they are horrible for nursing mothers.  The point of this post isn't really to go into that but rather share some important tips and tricks and things you should do if you are using one (under the supervision of an IBCLC if at all possible!).

First, make sure you have the right size nipple shield (yes, there are sizes).  This is where an IBCLC can be really helpful.

Second, if you're using the contact shield (it's got the little dip in it) that should be positioned where your babies nose will end up depending on they type of hold you plan on using.

Third, dunking it in water before putting it on will help it "stick" a little better.

Fourth, cleaning it is important - rinse it in hot water after every use and make sure you sterilize it at least every two days.  Because of this I found having two shields that I alternated between was a huge life saver!

Fifth, if your shield is filled with milk when you're finished feeding that's a good thing.  I doesn't mean your little one isn't eating enough, but rather a sign that you're using the shield correctly, your supply is good and your baby is eating well.

And finally, lets talk about supply.  This is where the controversy usually stems so what are some things you can do to help maintain your supply.  The Medela website (manufacturers of a nipple shield) suggest pumping after every feeding that you use a nipple shield.  Personally, and after talking to several LC's that I'm friends with, I think this is a bit of overkill.   It is important to make sure your breast if being fully drained, both for supply and to avoid clogged ducts and mastitis. 

This is not an exclusive list of things you should keep in mind when using a nipple shield.  And, as always, please remember this is not medical advice and you should always consult an IBCLC for questions in your specific situation.

Wires & probes & tubes OH MY! Nursing in the NICU

Nursing in NICU!!!

Becks was induced for labor as a preemie (37 weeks gestation but preemie developmentally). We knew the risks for him but my health was spiraling down & he had started to grow less each week. I had imagined the most beautiful delivery with perfect kangaroo time & immediate nursing. I even told visitors we would need a while together so he could nurse & learn to latch before he saw anyone. That was far from reality for us. 

After 10 hours of labor my little prince joined us in the world but without a cry. This my friends was the most terrifying moment in my lifetime...luckily just a second later he began to make the most pitiful little cry I ever heard but I loved the sound. His dad & I each got just a few minutes to hold him while they cleaned him. The doctors & nurses said he was struggling to catch his breath so to the NICU he went while I went to my own room to rest & heal; of course I required the nurse roll my hospital bed into the NICU so I could see him immediately!

The nurses helped me pump to get my flow going. I got a whopping 2mL ha! But for a first pump I was told it was great. As soon as I was able to stand alone I began my trips downstairs (NICU) (where I spent most of my time the next 6 days!). I am sure the nurses hated me because this is when I began the rules for my little one! YES they are cared for by a doctor but what you say goes so stand up for what you want for your child!

Rules

1.) NO BOTTLES, NO NIPPLES etc. If they had to give him my milk for me then it needed to be done with a syringe. I didn't want to ruin the moment of his first latch from the beginning.

2.) NO FORMULA! I would sacrifice sleep, seeing people, peeing, eating etc. to be down there at every feeding for as long as he required me to stay! 

The next morning lactation came to assist us & he did great! It look about 45 minutes to situate the wires & find our comfy spot but we figured it out! Super powerful suck & big latch! Since this moment he has wanted to be attached to mommy 24/7!! This was the second most inspirational moment in my life! Getting him out of the bassinet with all those wires every few hours was exhausting for him, the nurses, and me, but I know getting Mommy milk into him was the best thing to make him stronger!

I decided I was going to be by his side for every moment of his journey & with BF I had to be there every 3 hours. So with a 30 minute to 1 hour feeding time I had about 1.5 hours to take a shower, nap, eat, etc. I asked the nurse to get me a sleeping recliner beside his bed-space & this was my lifesaver! Many times after he would eat we would fall asleep doing kangaroo time together. I was helping him get stronger while also getting a little bit of sleep. This is a must for mothers who want to nurse in NICU! When visitors came to visit I did not let it change our routine... I was shirtless & boobs were at his easy access (mommy gone wild?? hehe). This was priority to me over people holding him although I loved their support & love!

Once I was discharged as a patient there was no way I was leaving my baby at the hospital alone & luckily the hospital let us "rent" a room kind of like a hotel so I could stay there with him. Although I think I only used it as a place to store my stuff & take a shower because my baby needed my boob! But if you can get a room do it; it's so much easier then traveling to your house or a hotel.

After a few days I was exhausted but God's gift of adrenaline kept me going! By day 4 I needed sleep & Dad wanted to feed him so I broke my no bottle rule. I pumped & Dad fed for a few times a day. I don't regret this because that sleep was refreshing and didn't affect his latch at all! Also I realized this day that since you can't have food in NICU I was only eating 1 time a day. DON'T do this as calories are crucial for good fatty milk!

The last night we were there I was able to stay in the NICU mothers sleep in room & have Becks with me. It was great practice for when we went home while still having the nursing staff & his monitors connected for my piece of mind! I was able to lay in the bed to feed him & I didn't even know this type of room existed until the doctor offered it!

Our 6 day breastfeeding in NICU journey was the absolute hardest thing I have ever done but with lots of special requests I was able to make it successfully. If you ever have to have this experience just know you can ask for anything to make nursing easier & most hospitals are very supportive of BF!

Here is what you need in the NICU bed-space:
WATER
cell phone/camera
nursing stool
breastpump
sleeping recliner
zipper jacket to wear in between feedings
someone to talk to
feeding/pee/poop log book

What to request:

• a room in hospital

• mothers sleep in room

• your meds & food be delivered to NICU by your nurse 

• schedule your personal check-ins with your nurse/doctor at the same time each day so you can be in your room for them  

•  more diapers (hide them to take home!)

How did your delivery & hospital stay affect your breastfeeding relationship? 
What made it easier for you?
What rules did you have set that you decided to break?

Happy Mother's Day!

In Catholicism, May is the month of Mary. This originated in the 13th century then was made more widespread by the Jesuits in the 1700s. It's easy to forget sometimes,

even though this awesome bumper sticker exists, that even one of the most influential people of all time (put on to-do list: Find out if Jesus has actually been on the cover of Time Magazine) would not have thrived if not by nursing from His mother's breast. 

Catholics are prudes. Like they would even talk about, let alone show an image of breastfeeding. 

                                       Right and wrong.

If you've ever been in a Catholic church, you've probably noticed that the focal point of the sanctuary is, in most cases, a crucifix, the tabernacle or a painting of the resurrection. This wasn't always the case. Remember when Pope Francis made the news when he spoke out to mothers on multiple occasions urging them to breastfeed their babies in public if they are hungry in public? It brought to light some reminders that the Madonna, images of the baby Jesus being nursed by His mother used to be the focal point of some Catholic churches. It wasn't until after the Council of Trent in the mid-1500s that the Church started to frown upon nudity and pretty much erased images of Jesus the nursling from churches in Europe.

What. A. Shame.

Around 2008, chatter started buzzing around The Vatican about resurrecting some of these images and putting more of a concentration back on the gift Mary gave us through nursing Jesus and to get rid of the stigma of obscenity surrounding breastfeeding.

Warning: it's about to get very Catholic up in here... 

As a Catholic, breastfeeding mother, this is my reflection throughout the month of May - What a gift Mary gave. What a gift all mothers give. How could our salvation have been won if not for Mary nursing this little child. How could Jesus have made the sacrifice without the sacrifices of his mother? Our mother? 

Til next time, mamas - 

Keep Calm and Nurse On