Healthy Pregnancy

I hear this phrase several times a week. It troubles me because it implies that the baby is unwilling breastfeed. Nothing could be further from the truth.

You baby was born to breastfeed! She is hard-wired to seek comfort and nutrition from you breasts. This is, after all, how babies survive! When a baby is unable to latch and breastfeed it  simply means that she is unable to latch and breastfeed—not that she is unwilling!

If your baby does not breastfeed right away, you may feel that there is something wrong with your breasts, or your baby doesn’t want to breastfeed or even that your baby doesn’t like you. None of these things are even remotely true, however. Your baby is most comforted by you—the scent of your skin, the sound of your voice and the rhythm of your heart and breathing.

There is no need for panic if your baby doesn’t latch immediately after birth. Let your baby snuggle skin-to-skin on your chest. Let her nuzzle against your breast. Encourage her as she scoots around searching for your nipple.

If your baby is attempting to latch on and is unable to grasp the breast or maintain her latch, she may be having some simple coordination problems. Seek the help of a lactation consultant. These things usually work themselves out over time, but you will need support and guidance to ensure your baby gets plenty of your milk while she’s learning to breastfeed.

See also: Ten Reasons to Call a Lactation Consultant

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

This summer I decided it was time to get a green thumb. So I went to the local nursery and picked out a large pot and some beautiful flowers that the storekeeper assured me would thrive despite my reputation as a former “plant killer”. After all, my sister was still reminding me that my bonsai tree would have survived had I taken the time to move it to a larger home, thereby avoiding “root shock” altogether. Ah, the things you learn along the way.

So I brought my new flowers home, full of pride and began to transfer them into their new home, gently massaging their roots. With my attention focused solely on these new plants, elbow deep in potting soil, I began the process of deadheading: removing “spent blossoms” to create space for your flowers to rebloom. Somehow hours passed filling in with extra top soil, watering just the right amount and admiring the intricate placement of delightful colors.

For me gardening has become like cooking: a way to slow down and be mindfully creative. In this busy world, it’s important to find ways to unwind, reconnect with your self and your sense of expression. Here’s what I learned in my first gardening experience:

Change is something we all experience, most of us with a level of resistance. The same way we gently massage plant roots when relocating to avoid root shock, we can learn to create a level of comfort for ourselves in transitions. Massage is a great way to feel grounded amidst change as the human touch can be quite reassuring.

By clearing clutter you get rid of the old and make room for the new. Just as the flowers rebloom, so do our lives when we weed out the items, places, people and things that are no longer serve our highest good. This may sound harsh, but in it’s most simple form consider how you feel when you clear out your closet and send clothes you haven’t worn in the last six months to good will. You make room for something new and give a gift to someone in need.

Creative relaxation sets in whenever we lose ourselves in a hobby we love. Seeing the movie Julia & Julie, reminded me just how important it is to love what you do. Pleasure: the process of playing in the dirt, re-arranging colorful flowers and breathing to, as my brilliant yoga teacher said the other day, fill up your internal bank account and add years to your life.

Photo by Lili

Myth: It’s normal to have sore, cracked nipples the first few weeks of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt! Ever! Think of all the  mammals who nurse their babies. Are they grimacing? Are they trying to avoid breastfeeding because of pain? Absolutely not. They look peaceful and relaxed. We are mammals too! Breastfeeding is a normal process that is meant to be enjoyable for mother and baby.

So, what are normal sensations when breastfeeding?

There should be no nipple tenderness at all in the first 24 hours. After that your nipples may feel slightly tender during the first few seconds of breastfeeding, but feel fine as the baby continues to nurse. What’s the difference between tenderness and pain? The tenderness is fleeting and mild. It doesn’t make you cry out or gasp. You look forward to breastfeeding. Your nipples look healthy.

Pain, however, often lasts throughout the feeding. You feel tense. You dread breastfeeding because it hurts. You also may find yourself ending the feeding before the baby is finished. Your nipples may look creased or flattened after feedings. You wonder how long you can continue with this.

When the baby is latched on correctly, you may feel some gentle, rhythmic tugging. Some women feel the milk-ejection reflex (let down). It is often experienced as a tingly sensation around the areola or a mild ache in the breasts. Experienced mothers welcome this feeling–it means baby is getting lots of milk!

If breastfeeding is painful, enlist the help of a lactation consultant. She’ll help you breastfeed comfortably so you can truly enjoy nursing your baby.

See also: What is a Lactation Consultant?

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

“My milk has just ‘come in’ and I’m engorged. My breasts are hard and they hurt. What should I do? How long will this last?”

Most moms feel some breast fullness or swelling in the early days of breastfeeding. It’s a sign that the breasts are gearing up to feed a hungry baby. This fullness usually begins around day 3 or 4 postpartum and is often referred to as “the milk coming in.” But it is not just milk. Much of the swelling is due to water, blood and lymphatic fluid and only lasts 24-48-hours.

When babies breastfeed early (from birth) and often in the first few days, the swelling may not be so dramatic. Moms whose babies are breastfeeding well and frequently sometimes barely notice the normal breast changes that portend an ample supply of milk. When babies are restricted access to the breast, or are not breastfeeding well, the normal growth of the breasts may feel sudden and uncomfortable.

When the breasts are very firm, the baby may have a hard time latching on to breastfeed. Heat and massage encourages milk to flow—making the breasts a little softer. (A sock filled with aromatic raw rice, zapped in the microwave for 1 minute feels great!) Try gentle circles around the areola to soften the area enough for baby to grasp the breast. Cold compresses between feedings can help relieve the swelling.

If the swelling is severe or persists for more than a few days, contact your health care provider or lactation consultant.

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

Preconception care is the ultimate in preventative health care, as growing evidence indicates that the maternal health during preconception and pregnancy largely determines the health of the future child and adult. The health of the male partner is just as vital. Sperm health and adequate numbers are crucial for successful pregnancies, and that smoking, alcohol, poor diet and other lifestyle factors adversely affect sperm quality.

Healthy people make healthy babies! A preconception plan enables you to identify areas in your health and lifestyle that could improve your own health and therefore the health of your child. Preconception care involves learning and understanding the natural signs of fertility and preparing your body to sustain a new life within. It may also involve treating any hormonal imbalances and preventing miscarriage, detoxification, diet and nutritional advice, lifestyle changes and stress management.

Preconception care is for couples who wish to give their child the best start in life. It can also benefit couples who have a history of infertility or miscarriage. It can be of great benefit couples who are wishing to improve their chances of a healthy pregnancy through IVF.

Naturopathic doctors are highly trained in preventative medicine and many specialize in preconception care. To find a naturopathic doctor visit – www.naturopathic.org

The flu comes around most winters, and enough Zinc and Vitamin C makes you much less likely to catch it.   If you are unlucky enough to get the flu, take to your bed, and keep taking a hefty vitamin and mineral program including plenty of Vitamin C and Zinc. That way it is usually over in a couple of days.

The mixture of flu shots still contains Thimerosal – as in the MMR – a mercury based preservative, aluminum and no doubt animal substances. Do not do consider getting the shot if you are about to be pregnant, already pregnant or breastfeeding. I would avoid it like the plague. Some even believe it to be a major contribution to Alzheimer’s, as mercury goes to the brain and wreaks havoc.

There are many different strains of flu, and the flu shot may not be for the right one that is coming this year.  I would remain healthy and skeptical! Remember we were all going to die of AIDS then of SARS, then Bird Flu ,Pig flu, Now Swine flu… Boost your immune system with Zinc, found in liver, beef, lamb, venison, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, green peas, shrimp, mushrooms and Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, juices, dark green vegetables, cabbage, tomatoes, strawberries.

The term allergy is an adverse reaction to a normally harmless substance which may be a food or other environmental agents such as dust, pollen, foods and chemicals.  A classical allergy is used to describe those cases in which the adverse reaction to a substance usually occurs quickly, within an hour and the reaction is obvious and can be quite severe. The classic example is a peanut allergy. Symptoms can often take the form of swelling of lips and or throat. Skin rashes and wheals can appear, breathing difficulties, runny noses or digestive symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting may make themselves evident. Classic allergies are defined as having a specific immunological reaction which can be detected by a pin prick test or RAST (Radioallergosorbent test). The antibody or immunoglobulin involved here is the IgE.

Food intolerances otherwise known as delayed food allergies affect a great number of people and can develop at any time. Symptoms occur rarely immediately food is eaten. Reactions are usually delayed by several hours to days. This delayed reaction makes detection of the food culprit so difficult. The food antigen or immunoglobulin is called IgG. Food intolerance testing measures an individual’s levels of food specific IgG ‘s.

Because what one eats and drinks during pregnancy has a direct effect on the unborn child, mothers need to be sure to have eliminated allergic foods from the diet before conception. Research shows that the fetus begins producing antibodies against allergic substances as early as eleven weeks into pregnancy.

The health of the mother has a direct and profound effect on the health of the fetus in the womb. If the mother has allergies or intolerances, they must be dealt with before becoming pregnant so that the mother is as healthy as she can be. To get testing for food allergies visit – www.greatplainslaboratory.com

Breastfeeding should be pleasant for you and your baby! If either one of you is not having a good time, something is not right. As a new mom, you have instincts to guide you. Your baby has instincts and very strong reflexes to guide him. But neither one of you has ever done this before and, most likely, you have never seen a baby breastfeed.  It’s natural and expected that you will need some help.
Contact a lactation consultant immediately if you experience:

1. Weight loss after day 4.
2. Any nipple pain in the first 24 hours after birth. Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt—ever! Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is not right.
3. Sore nipples that are not feeling and looking better each day.
4. Redness, pain or severe swelling in the breast.
5. Twins or more.

Or if your baby experiences:

1. Inadequate weight gain or inadequate wet/dirty diapers at any time.
2. Trouble latching on to the breast or seems to latch on but “falls off” after a short time.
3. Long feeds after day 3 (over 45 minutes of continuous nursing) or feeding very frequently (every hour or less).
4. Fussiness or inability to settle after feedings.
5. Very short feedings (less than 5 minutes) or no interest in feeding at least every 3 hours.
6. A directory of lactation consultants can be found at the International Lactation Consultant Association website.

Your health care provider or doula may also be able to direct you to a reputable consultant in your community.

See also: What is a Lactation Consultant?  and Should I Meet with  Lactation Consultant During Pregnancy?