Healthy Pregnancy

Breastfeeding seemed to go OK at first. After all, the baby was nursing a lot and slept well. It didn’t seem right to the new mom that her 1-week-old baby slept 6 hours in a row, but everyone said “don’t worry.” A pediatric visit at 2 weeks confirmed this mom’s worst fears. Her baby had lost weight! She was told to supplement with formula and contact a lactation consultant.

I met with this mom a few days later. She explained to me that her nipples had been cracked and bleeding from day 1. Baby was fussy after feedings, but slept many hours with a pacifier. Since the baby slept so much, she thought he was getting enough milk.

At first glance, the baby appeared to be eating well, but there were early warning signs. Sore nipples indicated a poor latch. The baby was often at the breast for an hour at a time and not satisfied after feedings. His urine was concentrated and poopy diapers were rare.

So, when do you wake a sleeping baby? In the first few weeks the baby must eat at least 8 times per day. Your baby will pee and poop multiple times per day and will be content and sleepy after feedings. If you’re unsure if your baby is breastfeeding well, schedule a visit with your pediatrician or lactation consultant to weigh the baby. Once you know your baby is thriving and all is going well, you can relax a little, and trust that your baby will tell you when it’s time to eat!

Written by Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC. Renee is a lactation consultant in private practice in Seattle, Washington. She is available for home/hospital visits and phone consultations. Renee can be reached at  www.second9months.com

Breastfeeding is a normal, biological process for babies and moms. It is not a “condition” that requires medical intervention. Your doctor helps you with medical concerns. A lactation consultant will help you with breastfeeding. Lactation consultants work in hospitals, clinics or may come to your home.

A lactation consultant is a skilled healthcare professional who specializes in the science of human lactation (breastfeeding), and in the assessment of breastfeeding women and their babies. Lactation consultants come from a variety of professional backgrounds. To ensure that a consultant has the minimum competencies recognized in the field, see an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). “Breastfeeding specialists” or “lactation educators” have not met those minimum competencies.

A lactation consultant must be certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). IBLCE requires several hundred hours of hands-on experience and classroom education before a candidate is permitted to sit for the certifying exam. The exam is offered once a year all over the world. When certified, the lactation consultant must maintain her credential with continuing education and periodic exams.

The credential of IBCLC stands alone. That means that an IBCLC with a PhD is not necessarily better than an IBCLC with a bachelor’s degree. When selecting a lactation consultant, however, feel free to ask about her experience and qualifications! It’s important to trust the person who will be helping you to begin your breastfeeding journey.

Written by Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC.  Renee is a lactation consultant in private practice in Seattle, Washington.  She is available for home/hospital visits and phone consultations.   Renee can be reached at www.second9months.com.

I have noticed more of my clients are buying used breastpumps or borrowing pumps from friends or family. As the prices of high-quality breastpumps increase, resourceful moms try to find less expensive alternatives to new pumps that can cost as much as 300 dollars. Before you acquire a used pump, please consider the following.

Three hundred dollars is a lot of money, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of formula. Estimates range from $1500 to $2300 per year!

Breastfeeding moms who need to be separated from their babies for work or school depend on their pumps every day. Breastpumps do have warranties, but they are not transferable. So if you have a used pump, you have no warranty. In addition you have no idea how long a used pump will function. When it fails, you will need to buy or rent another pump.

A used pump has been USED. A running motor does not guarantee the pump’s effectiveness. The vacuum may have diminished over time, causing it to be ineffective or inefficient. This is not only frustrating, but it may result in decreased milk production, increase the use of formula and necessitate buying a new pump.

When you borrow a pump from a friend, you are further diminishing the pumps life-span. And what if it stops working altogether while it’s in your possession? You will need to purchase a new one to continue to pump and/or to ensure you return a functional pump to your friend.

Most of my clients who start out with used pumps, end up buying a new one anyway. Clearly, used breastpumps are not the bargain that they appear to be!

Written by Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC.  Renee is a lactation consultant in private practice in Seattle, Washington.  She is available for home/hospital visits and phone consultations.   Renee can be reached at www.second9months.com.

For information related to health concerns of used breastpumps, see “The Health Risks of Pump Sharing.”

In the past few years, as the price of breastpumps has increased, I have noticed that more of my clients are purchasing or borrowing used pumps. These budget-conscious breastfeeding moms always buy new pump kits. They believe that a brand new milk -collection kit makes the pump just like new. Of course they want to ensure that if they can’t be with their babies to breastfeed, their babies will still have the best—mommy’s milk from new, clean containers. Unfortunately, the pump itself can harbor bacteria and viruses from a previous owner.

Even if you know the previous owner; even if you are related to the previous owner you cannot be sure that your borrowed pump is safe for you and your baby. Your trusted friend may not realize that she is the carrier of a virus that can be transmitted via milk or blood.

Retail breastpumps are considered a personal use device—like a toothbrush–not intended to be shared. With few exceptions, a pump is an open system. That means the motor is not completely separate from the milk. (Rental pumps are closed systems and can be shared safely.) Microscopic droplets of milk or blood can enter the motor. These microscopic particles can contaminate the milk via the tubes that lead from the motor to the collection kit. Even if the mom gets a new collection kit, she is not preventing the possibility of bacterial or viral cross-contamination. The FDA website states, “The money you may save by buying a used pump is not worth the health risks to you or your baby. Breast pumps that are re-used by different mothers can harbor infectious diseases, such as HIV or hepatitis.”

For information about particular breastpumps, contact a lactation consultant in your area.

Written by Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC.  Renee is a lactation consultant in private practice in Seattle, Washington.  She is available for home/hospital visits and phone consultations.   Renee can be reached at www.second9months.com.

Concerned about the cost of a new  pump? Check out “Are Used Breastpumps a Bargain?“

In I’m Pregnant, Lesley Regan, MD advises women keep medications to a minimum and seek their doctors advice about the safest choices for various conditions. Below is a synopsis of what to watch out for:

Antiemetics are used for severe cases of morning sickness. Be sure to ask your doctor about which ones are safe.

Antihistamines can help with allergic reactions, but not all are safe during pregnancy. Consult your doctor to find out which over the counter and presciption antihistamines are safe.

Analgesics like aspirin, ibuprofen and migraine medications should be avoided for the most part, while acetaminophen is believed to be the best option for pain relief during pregnancy.

Antiobitics like penicillin are not linked to harming your baby.

Which to avoid and why?

• Tetracyclines- discoloration and deformation of baby’s teeth and bones

• Chloramphenicol- treats typhoid fever and can cause blood reaction in baby (eye drops are not a problem)

• Streptomycin- hearing loss in babies

• Sulfonamides- jaundice in babies and allergic reactions in mothers

Laxatives that contain senna can irritate the gut and produce uterine contractions. Ask your doctor which to use and consider adding more fiber to your diet to help cure constipation.

Antacids are mostly safe to relieve heartburn during pregnancy. Read labels carefully and ask your pharmacist.

Diuretics are not recommended during pregnancy. Excessive swollen limbs may be an indication of preclampsia.

Cold and Flu medications often include caffeine and acetaminophen which should be avoided in pregnancy.

Steroids for body building should never be used in pregnancy. Steroids to reduce inflammatory skin conditions, asthma and bowel disorders like Crohn’s are often used with a doctor’s advice and monitoring.

Source: I’m Pregnant, Lesley Regan MD, page 35

The answer to this question is yes and no. If you’re thinking: ”Now is the time for me to start an intense aerobics class to keep off the baby weight” then the answer is “NO.” Pregnancy is NOT a time to start a workout regime that focuses on losing weight (or gaining a crazy new skill like kickboxing, horseback riding, waterskiing, or anything high-impact). Pregnancy is a time to nurture your body and your little baby. So, if the question is: “Should I try a new workout to help my pregnancy be more healthy?” then the answer is an emphatic “Yes!” Working out during pregnancy has many health benefits for both you and your baby. As you workout, you will alleviate pregnancy strains and pains, you will balance out mood swings associated with pregnancy, and you will have peace of mind knowing that you are helping to cultivate a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby. You will also be in better shape for labor and delivery, and will recover more quickly post-partum. Your baby benefits as well. Studies from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences show that babies whose pregnant moms workout while carrying them end up having lower heart rates and increased breathing movements. These movements help the baby prepare to breathe on her own after birth.

The question, then, is not: “Should I workout?” But rather: “How should I workout while I’m pregnant?” The answer is simply to listen to your body (and talk to your doctor). Do workouts that will aid in better posture, will stretch tired muscles, and will strengthen chest, back, shoulders and legs. Kegel exercises are welcome as well—before, during, and after your pregnancy.  

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This is a perfect beverage for a hot summer day. Lemons cleanse the liver of toxins and provide a high dose of vitamin C. The antioxidant vitamin C is believed to improve sperm quality and supports the ovulation process. Drink a cup of hot water with lemon first thing in the morning to clear the palate and aid digestion.

Serves 2

2 cups water
¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon or lime
1 tablespoon agave nectar

Add fresh squeezed juice of lemons or limes to water. Sweeten with agave nectar. Serve with fresh lemon or lime slices.

Source: Cooking for Fertility: Foods to Nourish Your Fertile Soul
Photo by Lili