Happy Fourth of July!

It’s a great day to be in America!  We have so much to be grateful for:  family, friends, health, work!  I hope everyone has plans to celebrate this “Day of Independence” in America’s history!  Moms, drink plenty of water to keep hydrated in warm weather.  If your baby is less than 6 months of age, your milk provides all the fluid or hydration your baby needs — just breastfeed more frequently.No need to add formula unless there is a medical reason.

Happy Father’s Day!

I wrote a great post saying “Happy Father’s Day”, complete with links, but it disappeared into cyberspace!  So “Happy Father’s Day” to all the great dads out there who love their babies and support moms that are breastfeeding!  You rock!

Express Yourself!

Mothers who return to work are protected under Federal law, Section 7(r) of the Fair Labor Standards Act,to take time out for breast-pumping breaks!  This handy card explains how the law works.  Many states have laws protecting breastfeeding mothers, too.  In New Jersey, here is a link to Jake Marcus, JD about breastfeeding law in our state.  Hat tip to Jake for taking the time to put it together!  And in case you want more info on putting it together at your job, here’s a link to an article Jake wrote on pumping in the workplace:  “Pumping 9 to 5”.

Watch Your Back!

Breastfeeding can be difficult for your back if you don’t hold your baby or body correctly.  Always bring the baby to you — don’t lean forward and bring your BREAST to the baby!  Bring BABY to breast.  Baby should have a wide-open mouth, not a narrow gape.  Wait for the “gape” and then bring baby in on to the breast, latching deeply and keeping your fingers away — if you see a space between your baby’s nose and your breast, baby isn’t on deep enough.  Don’t worry — they can breathe!  Favorite positions for comfort are side-lying (although I don’t recommend use of a pillow under the baby) and laid back position.  Other suggestions can be found here.

Get Set for New Year’s Eve!

(sorry!  This was scheduled to post before the holiday, but didn’t go up!)

If you are planning on celebrating New Year’s, you may want to know if the alcohol you drink will affect your breastfed baby.  It goes by your weight, number of drinks, and amount of time that passes between the drink and the breastfeeding.  Alcohol has a small molecular weight and passes easily from your blood into the breastmilk.  Here’s a link to a chart on my Pintarest that you can use to calculate number of drinks and how long to wait: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/471118810990959208/

And for those of you who can’t be bothered with charts and calculations, there’s a test strip that will check your freshly pumped milk for alcohol here:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/471118810990959167/

Could we ever be Baby Friendly

Venezuela considers banning baby bottle feeding via @Telegraph http://soa.li/Ii7DeLa

What is “tongue-tie”?

Tongue Tie

Tongue tie, or “ankylglossia”, is a condition where a little string or band of tissue called a frenulum is attached to the underside of baby’s tongue and anchors it to the floor of the mouth. This may restrict movement of the baby’s tongue and prevent a good latch during feedings. This tissue is left over from embryonic development. The baby’s tongue tip may appear to be bunched, thick, flat, or shaped like an inverted heart when baby sticks out his tongue. (Google or search “tongue tie” for images.) Tongue tie can lead to a shallow latch, nipple pain, weight loss or slow weight gain,and it is frequently associated with GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux. It can sometimes lead to speech problems in early childhood. A qualified ENT/ MD or DDS (dentist) can evaluate the baby and may elect to clip the tie, a quick and painless procedure. For more info, check this site: http://mothernurturebreastfeeding.com/tongue-tie-lip-tie-and-frenotomy

No Solid Food Until Six Months!

No Solid Food for Six Months!
According to the Center for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatricians, many mothers, particularly those who find formula too expensive at the 4 to 6 month age, are giving cereal or food to their babies before their babies are developmentally ready for solid foods.  Another great reason for exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months!  Give your baby the best: your milk!  Specific for YOUR baby!

Health Benefits for MOMs

Found this today from Health.gov:

Breastfeeding for 6 Months Cuts Women’s Risk of Cancer Death: Study

Mothers who breastfeed for at least six months have a 10 percent lower risk of dying from cancer and a 17 percent lower risk of dying from circulatory disease, according to a new study.

Researchers examined the habits of nearly 380,000 people in nine European countries and found that those who followed World Cancer Research Fund advice on cancer-prevention lifestyles had about a one-third lower risk of death from several major diseases, The Telegraph in the U.K. reported.
http://www.healthfinder.gov/News/

Hey Expectant Moms! Read this:

ACOG is an organization overseeing your OBs. ACOG recommendations for inductions or cesarean deliveries:

• Elective, non-medically indicated inductions of labor or cesarean deliveries should not be scheduled before 39 weeks. [ emphasis mine] Delivery prior to 39 weeks has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of learning disabilities and a potential increase in illness and death.
• Elective, non-medically indicated inductions of labor between 39 weeks and 41 weeks gestation should not be scheduled [ emphasis mine] unless the cervix is deemed favorable.

“… As ob-gyns, our goal is to provide women the very best evidence-based medical care,” Dr. Hal Lawrence III, ACOG executive vice president, said in a college news release.

From http://www.healthfinder.gov/News/Article.aspx?id=673779&source=govdelivery

Why is this important?  Because pre-term or late-term babies many times have breastfeeding challenges!  They also have greater re-admissions to hospitals.  Don’t be bullied by your MD or midwife into early inductions!