Blogging for Babies, Breastfeeding and Mothers

Doctors in the UK and Irish Republic are launching the first study to establish how many breastfed babies become seriously dehydrated because of ineffective breastfeeding-failure to drink enough milk in the first few days.

The number of dehydrated newborns readmitted to hospitals is possibly on the rise as more mothers choose to breastfeed. The problem does not lie with breastfeeding per se, but with lack of education, support and proper management after the mothers and babies are discharged from the hospital post delivery. 

Many mothers in the US are leaving the hospital in 48 hours and not having the baby weighed again until 5-7 days later. It only takes one day of a baby not really drinking while breastfeeding to start a downward spiral. When the baby is not taking in enough fluid and calories, she will not have enough energy to feed well. She will quickly become dehydrated. A mother may think her baby is sucking but many of us have been fooled by what appears to be drinking.

What is the solution to this growing problem? Education and scheduled lactation consultations with weight checks. We see the mother and baby within 24 hours of discharge and then every 1-2 days until baby is gaining well and mother is producing plenty of milk. This is the best way to know for sure that the baby is drinking well.

See full article.

1^st in a series

Debbie Page, RN, IBCLC, CEIM

http://www.thenewbornbaby.com/

The first year of life is the most dangerous period in a human's life. Babies come into this world of germs with an extremely immature immune system. One must first realize how the newborn enters this world full of bacteria, viruses, parasites, pollen, et al and how it builds its own defense mechanisms in response to them. Once you understand this, you will better understand the role of breastfeeding. It is the mother's immune system that primarily protects the baby - in the womb through the placenta and then through her milk after delivery.[1] Read more...

Next in this series: How Infections Begin in the Human Body

When thinking about how long to breastfeed think about this:

• Let's say that you have an oil well in your backyard. When first discovered it was gave you a million dollars a day.
• At 3 months it's giving $750,000 a day-would you cap it?
• At 6 months it's giving $500,00 a day- would you cap it?
• At 12 months, it's giving you $250,000 a day-would you cap it?
• At 18 months, it's giving you $100,000 a day-would you cap it?
• At 24 months, it's giving you $50,000 a day-would you cap it?
• Probably you would not cap it until the benefits outweigh the hassle and mess of having an oil drill in your backyard.*

Breastfeeding for an extended time is 'putting money in the bank' for your child. The poor mother-in-laws, health care professionals and friends who have never read or learned about the huge, huge, huge benefits breastmilk offers  to a child at 18 months old and at 2 1/2 years. Now we know, but it has only been recently that we have begun to recognize what our great, great grandmothers knew all along.

*this is a loose re-telling of an example given by Kathy Dettwyller

Thoughts, comments?

Debbie Page

Thanks Emily for sending me this video.

This is the story of Salma Hayek's trip to Sierra Leone in west Africa. Salma is currently breastfeeding her 16 month old daughter, Valentina. When she came across a starving infant whose mother could not provide her own milk, Salma breastfed the baby herself. The baby's face tells it all.

Salma shares the story of her great grandmother doing the same thing in Mexico once. Her hope is for her daughter to grow up following in her footsteps: to be a giving and generous person.

A perplexed mother tries to figure out how you use these things from the hospital Breastfeeding Kit. If they don't help with breastfeeding, then why did they give it me?

Perplexed breastfeeding mother

Anyone good at cartooning? I have ideas!

Debbie Page

As I watched Matt dancing in all of these parts of the world, I couldn't help but think that in all of those places babies breastfeed, even the whales and the monkeys. Other than my thoughts, this has nothing to do with breastfeeding, but is very entertaining. Enjoy!