Breastfeeding: Real Moms Tell You How

Breastfeeding:

Real Moms Tell You How

Melissa Macdonald

&

Tatyanna Wright

Diversion Books

A Division of Diversion Publishing Corp.

80 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1101

New York, New York 10011

www.DiversionBooks.com

Copyright © 2011 by Melissa Macdonald & Tatyanna Wright

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

For more information, email info@diversionbooks.com.

First Diversion Books edition July 2011.

ISBN: 978-0-9838395-1-4 (ebook)

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

Thank you

Thank you to all the wonderful women who have shared their experiences of feeding their babies. Your honesty and openness to share your journeys overwhelms us.

We hope this book gives you the knowledge and confidence you need to have a successful feeding relationship with your baby.

Special Thanks to Dr. Jack Newman, Edith Kernerman IBCLC and ‘The International Breastfeeding Center’ for the kind use of their breastfeeding videos.

Tatyanna Wright & Melissa Macdonald

Authors and Mothers

DISCLAIMER

This book is intended as a source of information and not as a medical reference. It is primarily a compilation of mothers’ experiences of feeding their babies. The reader is advised to consult medical health professionals for their expert opinions. The author cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions emanating from the suggestions offered.

As part of the Copyright Act - All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the author.

Every effort has been made to trace and acknowledge copyright. Should any infringement have occurred the authors tender their apology and invite copyright owners to contact them. The Illustrations and images contained within this book are subject to the provision of relevant license agreements held with Fotalia and Getty Images. No reproduction of any part may take place.

Please note: Some e-readers have experienced issues loading video. If you encounter difficulties viewing the video links in this e-book, you can view the videos on your computer at The International Breastfeeding Centre and Institutes website: http://www.nbci.ca/

www.breastfeedingbook.com

Contents

1. Foreword - why write this book?

2.  Breastfeeding Fundamentals

-  what to eat when breastfeeding

-  how you make milk

-  how your baby takes milk

-  the advantages of breastfeeding

-  real moms’ top ten tips

-  the three p’s: position, patience, persistence

- feeding position

           - attachment

           - the first six weeks

-  what can go wrong and how to fix it

-  breastfeeding after surgery

-   twins and multiples

-  out and about

-  the rules with caffeine, alcohol and drugs

3.    Other Alternatives

-  combination feeding

-  bottle feeding

4.    Real Moms Share Their Stories

5.    Useful Resources for Moms

6.    Glossary of Terms

7.    References

Foreword - Why write this book?

There’s a misconception that you’re either a breast feeder or a bottle feeder. While it’s true, there are many fortunate women who have successfully nursed and many women who have chosen not to, there are many more who dreamt during pregnancy of nursing but encountered unforeseen complications.

Despite what most people think, breastfeeding does not come naturally; it has to be learned and most women are starved of information and support.

Pregnant humans aren’t given a manual on how to breastfeed— they’re just expected to know what to do. It’s not instinctive as in other lactating mammals - women have to learn how to do it.

Our book is not a medical how-to book, it’s a book written by real moms for moms, the women feeding our future. While there are many books offering to bring you closer to a breastfeeding relationship and help you get started, none offer the insightful wisdom stemming from personal experience with a no-pressure approach; just support for all women, however they choose to feed their baby.

The book is based on the premise of encouragement and support for all women, not just giving them a whole bunch of information to read in the hope it all works out for them.

It’s like a personal friend who’s been there and done that and is offering all the best advice she can.

We are everyday mothers; ‘A Breastfeeding Champion’ and ‘A Bottle Babe’ simply sharing our tips and words of wisdom from one mother to another. We care passionately about our babies, children, our health and support nursing 100%. All we hope to do is to empower women to make their own very personal feeding decisions so they don’t feel like failures if they can’t nurse or alienated if they choose to bottle-feed.

Our book covers the fundamentals of breastfeeding and what you need to know to give yourself the best chance. If you can’t or don’t want to breastfeed then there is practical information on how to bottle feed or even combination feed and with no judgment from anyone on what you decide. Mothers just like you, share their stories and their experience of feeding their babies and the highs and lows that come with it.

For those of you for whom breastfeeding comes easily, you are the lucky ones. There are many mothers for whom it doesn’t. I hope you find solace in this book by relating your experiences to those of others.  Read these heartfelt stories from mothers around the globe and take what you will from them. You may find many parallels as you start to feed your baby. Some things may work for you as they did for others and some may not. If you need extra assistance you must see your health care provider, post partum doula or International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

We hope this book gives you the confidence and knowledge to feel prepared to feed your baby.

Note: There are 2 ways to read this book. If you are pregnant and are new to feeding you would benefit most from reading this book front to back so that you feel well versed prior to beginning to feed your baby. Once your baby has arrived you can refer back to certain stories, topics and advice by using the summary points on each story page.

Breastfeeding Fundamentals

-   what to eat when breastfeeding

-   how you make milk

-   how your baby takes milk

-   the advantages of breastfeeding

-   real moms’ top ten tips

-   the three p’s: position, patience, persistence

           - feeding position

           - attachment

           - the first six weeks

-   what can go wrong and how to fix it

-   breastfeeding after surgery

-   twins and multiples

-   out and about

-   the rules with caffeine, alcohol and drugs

Breastfeeding Fundamentals

The World Health Organization actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for infants and young children. However, their statistics show that globally fewer than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. Why?

Well, there are obviously a multitude of reasons why women don’t or can’t breastfeed but the main reason seems to be due to the lack of knowledge about how to breastfeed and the lack of support mothers have from healthcare professionals.

It’s true that many women sail through breastfeeding with no problems at all and simply can’t understand how anyone could have a problem. They are the lucky ones. The reality is that the majority of people find it takes a while to get going and many mothers give up because it becomes too difficult or painful.

In reality many of the problems that occur can easily be solved with the right help, knowledge and advice. So, in light of this, let’s take you through some of the fundamental information that we thought you need to know about breastfeeding to give yourself the best chance.

What to Eat When Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding uses up energy and nutrients, so it is very important that you have a nourishing balanced diet rich in protein, calcium, iron and carbohydrates. Don’t skip meals or go on a strict diet. Although breastfeeding burns up a lot of energy it can take several months to get back to your usual weight, so be patient. Research does show that breastfed moms lose weight faster than those not breastfeeding.

Some of your energy will come from the weight you put on during pregnancy, however most women need to eat extra snacks to meet their energy needs. Have handy snacks such as fruit, dips, cheese and crackers, sandwiches, yogurt, boiled eggs, granola bars, fruit and nuts. You will also find that you are thirsty whilst feeding so keep up your fluid intake, preferably with water.

While breastfeeding, women do use up calcium stores, so you will need around four servings of calcium rich foods every day. If your diet doesn’t contain plenty of calcium then your body will use calcium from your bones to meet your increased needs.  When breastfeeding ceases, the risk of osteoporosis becomes lower than in women who do not breastfeed.

Pregnancy uses up your iron stores. During breastfeeding you need to rebuild your iron stores with iron rich foods such as red meat, chicken, legumes and green leafy vegetables. Breastfeeding also increases your need for folate (spinach, broccoli), Vitamin C (citrus, tomatoes, berries), Vitamin A (carrots, spinach, pumpkin) and B12 (beef, salmon, milk and eggs).

If you are a vegetarian and are solely breastfeeding then be careful that your B12 intake is sufficient. Recent studies have shown that babies may be at risk of brain damage if lacking in B12. If your diet is lacking adequate amounts of B12, ask your doctor for a suitable supplement.

*Information from Professor Robert Ouvrier - Neurologist at Westmead Children’s Hospital

Although you will probably hear that some foods can upset babies or give them diarrhea or colic, there is in fact little evidence that proves this. If you are concerned see your health professional for advice before you cut anything out of your diet.

How You Make Milk

Your milk glands are clusters of cells high up in the breast that make milk. Milk travels from these glands down through the milk ducts. These ducts then empty into approximately 7-9 openings in your nipple.

Hormones play an important role in milk production. Your baby’s sucking stimulates nerves in your nipple that send messages to the pituitary gland in your brain to secrete the hormone prolactin. Prolactin surges encourage continued milk production.  We now know that the more we empty the breasts the more the breasts make milk.  As your baby drinks well at your breast, the sensors in your nipple signal the pituitary gland to secrete another hormone, oxytocin. This hormone causes the elastic tissue around each of the many milk glands to contract, squeezing a large supply of milk through the milk ducts and out the nipple.  This is called the milk ejection reflex, or MER, and is often referred to as the Let Down Reflex.

How Your Baby Takes the Milk

Ideally, after birth, your baby should be allowed to crawl up your belly and find the breast on his own.  This first latch is actually not about nutrition but about brain development and brain organization.  Baby will also get colostrum at this first latch and this colostrum is the only food created just for newborns’ needs.  It is rich in vitamins and minerals (colostrum is a yellowish fluid that is produced after giving birth and before the production of mature milk). If for some very unlikely reason the baby must be separate from you then the colostrum should be expressed by hand (as it does not respond well to a pump) and given to him via spoon or cup as soon as possible. You may have to ask for assistance with this.

The more milk that is removed from your breasts the more milk your body makes to replace it. Frequent removal of milk from your breasts by your baby or by a pump will stimulate your body to produce more milk. When your baby breastfeeds less, the body responds by cutting back on milk production. Establishing a good milk supply requires frequent nursing sessions - as often as baby needs.  It’s important to keep him close by, skin to skin, so you will be aware of his early feeding cues and feed him when hungry.  This is likely to happen when he is still very calm; crying is a very late cue. 

If you do have the opportunity to feed straight after birth but your baby won’t suck, don’t worry. Just keep him close to you, skin on skin, and your baby will usually instinctively reach for your breast when ready. The skin to skin contact will release the hormone oxytocin and help bring on more colostrum for your baby to drink.

In the first 48 hours your baby will drink what he needs.  This amount is not abundant, but is enough. The birth will have taken a lot out of him and after the first latching he will likely be ready to sleep for a while. Let him sleep now as long as he likes, ensuring that he is kept skin to skin with you or if that is not possible, then with your partner.  Baby will wake when ready for the next feeding - this could be many hours later.   It is best to offer baby both breasts in a feeding, however, if baby is full from the first breast he may not be ready to take the second breast until a little while later.  This is fine.  It is very important not to measure the amount of time baby spends on each breast, as time is irrelevant and tells us nothing about how well the baby is drinking.  So how do you know if the baby is drinking well while sucking on your breast?   (Good to know: just because the baby is sucking does not mean the baby is getting milk).  Look for the rhythm of movement of baby’s chin.  Quick movements of the chin indicate baby is sucking but not getting milk.  As your baby’s mouth fills up with milk his chin will drop and pause , he then swallows that milk and his chin will come right back up again.  See the video clips at www.nbci.ca to help you tell them difference between sucking and drinking.  We suggest looking for this pause in the movement of the chin instead of listening for swallows.  Listening for various sounds can prove to be inaccurate and especially difficult in these first few weeks.  Check out this video to see what good drinking looks like.

Always ensure baby finishes one side before offering the other.  How do you know one side is finished?  If baby is sucking without drinking it means he is not getting much milk at all.  So, try using breast compression to get that milk moving again.  So, as baby sucks and doesn’t drink use your hand to encircle your breast and squeeze and hold that squeeze while he sucks and doesn’t drink.  This will help to gently push milk into his mouth and turn sucks into drinks.  Remember not to compress your breast when he stops to take a little break.  He breaks, you break.  When he starts to suck again without drinking then you can compress again and hold the compression as long as it works.  It doesn’t work if he is just sucking without drinking, and it doesn’t work if he stops and takes a breast. Using breast compressions will help you to drain the breasts so that your breasts stay nice and healthy.  If