Breastfeeding Support & Education
Breastfeeding is a mother’s first challenge after giving birth. It is a learned art for you and your baby. Providing adequate support and encouragement through the critical first weeks is vitally important to building a successful bond. Consider Mindful Mothering to be part of the professional support that can help bridge the gap from birth to home. I provide home consultations, phone support and resources.
Mother’s Milk
Nature, in it’s perfection, has designed a woman’s Mother’s Milk to the special order of the needs of both mother and child. Breastfeeding is not only the best nutrition for your child but it provides a closeness that cannot be duplicated. Breastfeeding also protects the mother in many other ways including reducing the risk of breast cancers and osteoporosis, also there is a reduced risk of hemorrhage after childbirth, weight loss is easier for many mothers who breastfeed, and hormones that reduce stress and help families bond. Breastfeeding for as long as your child wants to is probably THE most important thing you can do for the health and well-being of your child after birth.
Breastfeeding - Did You Know?
- Human Milk is for Human Babies
- Breastfed babies are healthier
- Provides antibodies to protect baby from developing illnesses & allergies
- Decreases likelihood of dental caries
- Benefits facial development, jaw & teeth alignment & speech development
- Protects baby from gastro-intestinal trouble, respiratory problems, & ear infections
- May boost IQ
- May protect against obesity & osteoporosis later in life
- May protect preemies from infection & high blood pressure later in life
- Lowers risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Helps mom to lose weight
- Reduces rates of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and heart disease in mom
- Can lower stress levels & reduce postpartum bleeding in mom
- Environmentally Friendly
yuor needs, your choices, your way
Feel free to email or call for information and advice on Breastfeeding 504-2937
Most women have questions about breastfeeding during the first few weeks; around 6 months and either nursing a toddler or when they are thinking of weaning the baby. Breastfeeding counselors can be a big help during these times, especially if you are the first person you've known to breastfeed, or if the others you've known to breastfeed have unresolved problems, nursed a shorter period of time than you, or just don't know how to help. Sometimes moms get conflicting information from different people.
The following are times when you really should seek help from someone with knowledgeable experience in breastfeeding:
- If you are having sore nipples. Slight tenderness is normal the first week, more pain than this, or painful nipples coming after a period of painless nursing, is not.
- If your breasts are red, streaked, painful, or you are running a fever with a tender breast.
- If your breasts are so full the baby can't get on or you can't seem to get much milk out.
- If your baby has only rapid, shallow, nibbling type of sucking.
- If your baby is not gaining weight.
- If baby falls asleep at the breast and wakes soon after, asking to nurse.
- If you have questions about your milk supply at any time during the first year.
- If you or your baby are stuggling with your return to work and breastfeeding.
When Do I Need Help?
- If baby is not nursing at least every 2-3 hours and falls asleep at the breast and doesn't wake.
- If in the first 3 weeks is not having at least 3-4, $1-coin size stools in a 24 hour period.(After 3 weeks babies can go 10+ days without a bowel movement)
- If baby still has dark green stools after 5 days of age.
- If baby is having less than 5 good, wet diapers - after 5 days of age.
- If you are were told to supplement and now you are using more formula than you would like, or the baby is starting to refuse the breast, or your baby is not tolerating the formula you started.
- If you have questions about breastfeeding while you are pregnant
- If you aren't sure how to go about weaning (cold turkey is not the right way!)
