Blogging for Babies, Breastfeeding and Mothers

The more advanced the society becomes the more toxins we are exposed to-that's a no brainer. Does it have to be this way? Fruit juices were not on the menu at our house when my children were growing up, but some of the other foods mentioned were. Though organic is a better way to go, it is not a feasible option for many of the population, especially the most vulnerable-too expensive. This latest find will make it even more difficult to choose good foods for our children.

Mercury found in high fructose corn syrups

Debbie Page, RN, IBCLC, CEIM
The New Born Baby
www.thenewbornbaby.com/blog/
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Marin County California has come up with a brilliant way of normalizing breastfeeding. Life-size cutouts of babies and their mothers breastfeeding in public are on 'display' throughout the county. The mission of the campaign is make breastfeeding as normal as shopping and working in the city. When I first saw photos of the cutouts, I thought I was looking at real live women breastfeeding. Look for yourself!

Breastfeed in public..it's your baby's right.

Debbie Page

Just in from a friend...this blog and the videos speak loud and clear-why do women feel the need to hide while breastfeeding? These commercials reveal the dirty truth. Let us hear your thoughts and reactions.

Debbie Page

Why do women breastfeed?

Did you know that in addition to being the superior food for human babies that breastfeeding offers emotional or 'mental health' benefits?

Breastfeeding helps to decrease a woman's stress level. The brain releases a hormone, oxytocin, which induces a state of 'euphoria' or feeling of well-being everytime a mother breastfeeds. Babies get the benefit of oxytocin when they breastfeed and so do Dads when they snuggle skin to skin with their baby.

Read more...

Breastfeed! Guaranteed to make you feel fabulous!

Debbie Page, RN, IBCLC, CEIM

www.thenewbornbaby.com

A study released in February 2008 took a look at why and how breastfeeding may protect against asthma. Antigens-substances that stimulate the body to produce antibodies-can pass throught the mother into her milk and offer protection to her baby. see full article

Another study released in October 2008 showed protection against asthma as well as other types of allergic disorders. According to Dr. Mohammad Shamssain: "Breastfed children showed lower prevalence rates of asthma, rhinitis and eczema, and the effect of breast feeding was more evident in boys than girls. Asthma and wheeze were resolved significantly earlier in breastfed children than those who were not breastfed." see full article

Breast feeding once again proves to prevent allergic disease in children and at no additional cost.

Breastfeeding Babies are Healthier Babies... Tell the World!

Debbie Page

In the world of breastfeeding most mothers go into labor with some goal in mind as to how long they want to breastfeed. Some mothers adopt the attitude that as long as it works then they'll keep breastfeeding.

Our mission at The New Born Baby is to help mothers reach their breastfeeding goals. As a lactation consultant, I guide; I lead; I instruct, but each mother ultimately decides for herself how long she will breastfeed. Some mothers make it to the current American Academy of Pediatrics policy which states that infants need only human milk for the first 6 months and that breastfeeding should continue with complementary foods added on until at least 12 months of age or longer as desired by mother and child. The World Health Organization urges mothers to breastfeed for at least 2 years.

Why do some make it this long, but very few do? Perhaps it has something to do with setting a goal and finding the resources you need to stick to it. I think the lack of resources plays a large part in mothers weaning early. Many mothers would love to find breastfeeding friendly help. Joining a breastfeeding support group also empowers women to reach their breastfeeding goals.

My advice? Seek out breastfeeding help and support before you start taking your childbirth classes. It is good to be in touch during your pregnancy with those that can help you after your baby is born. Visit a breastfeeding support group and start getting to know the leaders and mothers before you deliver.

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Have you checked out this really cool company? Located in Boylston, Massachusetts, this company was founded by mothers wanting to improve the lives and experiences of other mothers and their "company". As one of the co-founders, I have had the privilege of watching Mothers and Company-MoCo for short- give birth, grow and take baby steps towards fast becoming the premier place in Massachusetts to take classes and buy the "essentials" of motherhood. Yes, I am prejudiced but these classes rock! Just ask any couple or mom that has taken one-and usually more than one class.

I host the Breastfeeding Support Group every Monday and let me tell you these babies are fabulous.

Our very own Madeline teaches the Lullaby Magic class-you will love learning songs to sing while nursing or playing or helping your baby fall asleep.

I will be starting a new series of 5 Infant Massage classes on January 12th. These classes meet on Mondays just before the Breastfeeding Support Group. Hang around for the group. You'll love your new friends. And babies love looking at other babies.

Classes & Groups offered:

• Childbirth Preparation
• Breastfeeding
• Newborn Care
• Infant/Child CPR & Safety
• Infant Massage-next class starts January 12th
• Lullaby Magic- next class January 10th
• New Moms Group
• Breastfeeding Support Group
• Sitters & Scooters
• Baby Signing
• Moms Night Out

Products include:

• Slings, wraps and baby carriers
• Nursing bras
• Labor tools
• Books & DVDs
• Cloth diapers-watch for upcoming workshops
• Diaper bags
• Loads of fun extras

Don't just take my word for it; check it out!

In Oct 2008, HealthDay News reported that "parents of youngsters who were breast-fed as infants were less likely to report that their child had a behavior problem or psychiatric illness during the first five years of life, a new study found."

This is very significant on all accounts. It makes me ponder about the huge rise in behavior problems over the last few decades-with breastfeeding rates at all time lows. Sociologists will certainly look at breastfeeding from a different perspective-one would think. Hopefully, breastfeeding will find its way into more questionaires. From there, maybe eventually, exclusive breastfeeding will be a part of data collection when studying children and adults-physically, mentally and socially.

See full article.

I received an email requesting references for the "breast crawl". Here's the link to a website with a video of the infant crawling to the breast or showing "breast seeking behavior". There is also a list of references on this website.

In my own practice as a lactation consultant, I have witnessed this, along with mothers and dads, hundreds of times. The ecstatic joy that fills the room is amazing. Time and time again parents (and I) are blown away by the baby's ability to find the breast. I work with babies that are from 3 days to 12 months of age.

Babies born in hospitals may not always do this right at birth due to difficult labors, epidurals, pain medications, separation of baby and mother along with other factors. Experts such as Dr. Tina Smillie have found that babies retain the ability to seek the breast until at least 12 months of age. Ongoing research will certainly tell us more in the future.

Thanks for the email and question.

Apparently not- according to data collected from women seeking cosmetic breast surgery. There are reasons that breasts may sag, but breastfeeding is not the lone ranger. Body mass index, smoking, number of pregnancies and aging all contribute to breasts becoming increasingly saggy. See full article

Another breastfeeding myth debunked!

A study published in December 2008 indicates that women who breastfeed exclusively get back to their pre-pregnancy weight within 6 months. This is based on a Danish study of 25,000 participants. See full article.

Let's hear it for one more well documented reason to breastfeed!