Skin-to-Skin Breastfeeding

Most of us have heard of the importance of using kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact between parent and baby) with our newborns, especially in the first few days and weeks after birth. This same philosophy is also recommended when breastfeeding.

There are many benefits of feeding skin-to-skin for both mother and baby. It truly promotes bonding and a sense of calm. For mothers, skin-to-skin breastfeeding helps milk come in sooner, flow more freely and more abundantly. For babies, skin-to-skin breastfeeding helps regulate:

• Temperature
• Respiratory rate
• Oxygen saturation level
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar

We highly recommend incorporating this type of care into your breastfeeding routine. You’ll be surprised by the impact it can have on your breastfeeding relationship.

-Pat (IBCLC)

Contraception Options

As a lactation consultant and a women's health nurse practitioner, I am frequently asked about how the use of oral contraception can affect breast milk supply. First, we recommend that you wait until you have nursed for at least six weeks or longer to make sure that your milk supply is well established before starting a hormone-based birth control.

 

Generally, most moms can safely take a progestin-only (mini pill) form of birth control without affecting their milk supply. These pills are considered safe to use while breastfeeding and have been approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). However, with any hormonal-based pill, some moms may notice a slight decrease in milk supply. Therefore, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about other non-hormonal forms of birth control – condoms, diaphragm, spermicidal, IUD, natural family practice, tubal ligation and vasectomy to determine which form best suits your needs.

-Vickie (IBCLC)

Going Back to Work

Getting off to a good start with breastfeeding will make the transition to returning to work much easier. Once your milk supply is established and your baby is thriving, you will have a better understanding of how you and your baby work together. For instance, there will seem to be a “magic” number of times that your breasts are emptied in a 24-hour period. When you return to work, your goal will be to continue with that number of times (combination of pumping and/or breastfeeding) to maintain your supply.

 

Keep in mind: some babies may take more from bottles than they do while breastfeeding. Therefore, they may nurse less often after you get home. If so, you may have to add a pumping session to maintain your supply. However, it’s best to wait until breastfeeding is well-established before introducing a bottle to your baby.

 

Additionally, many moms will start pumping once their milk supply is established, so they can “stockpile” milk. When your baby is between three- and six-weeks-old, consider introducing a bottle of breast milk once or twice a week to help ease the transition.

-Sue, IBCLC

Mayim Bialik: Her Parenting Philosophy is more than Just a Big Bang!

Thank you, Mayim. You just made my day! Your beautifully written portrayal of your breastfeeding journey with four-year-old son, Fred, speaks to what parenting is (and should be) all about. Our children are part of us. They are not something we own or are simply responsible for…they are us.

Despite having difficulty nursing both of her boys, Mayim proudly stated in her blog post that she “loved nursing Fred” and that “Fred loved and needed nursing.” She proudly proclaimed, “we did it, and we did it long, and we did it well.”  Congratulations, Mayim and Fred. You did it!

Admirably yours (for many more reasons than just being a fan of the Big Bang Theory),

Diana

To read Mayim’s complete blog post, click here.

The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Moms

While the benefits of human milk for babies are well known, less attention is given to the benefits that mothers receive from breastfeeding. 

Women actually enjoy numerous maternal benefits, including: 

• Reduced risk of breast cancer (pre- and post-menopausal) 

• Reduced risk of osteoporosis and ovarian cancer

• Faster return to pre-pregnancy weight

• Reduced risk of post-partum hemorrhage

• Reduced risk of post-partum depression

Besides improving our health, breastfeeding also affects the way a mother feels when she is actually nursing. The hormones of lactation – prolactin and oxytocin – have very profound, biological effects on a breastfeeding mom. For example, a new nursing mom may notice that when her baby begins suckling at the breast, she feels extremely tired and barely able to keep her eyes open. After nursing her baby, she is relaxed and ready for a nap. And since most babies nap after nursing, both mom and baby can conveniently rest at the same time.

Prolactin is the milk-making hormone. Released in the brain, it sends signals to the milk-producing cells in the breast to manufacture milk. But making breast milk is only half of the process. The milk must then be delivered, and this is oxytocin’s responsibility. 

Oxytocin helps the uterus contract in the early post-partum period, reducing blood loss. It also constricts cells in the breast, squeezing the milk forward into the milk ducts, allowing a well-latched baby to suck out the milk. Many women can feel the oxytocin working in their breasts. This let-down sensation is often described as a “pins and needles” feeling, or a tingling sensation. 

In addition to these physical effects, oxytocin influences a mother’s emotions. In fact, oxytocin has been called the “hormone of love.” With every nursing session, this love hormone circulates, helping mom feel tenderness and love for her baby. This process equips a new mom to cope with stress of the “fourth trimester.” It’s the mothering hormones of lactation at work!

Molly, IBCLC 

Breast Pumps

One of the most common questions we receive from our patients before delivery is about breast pumps.
Which one is best? 
Where can I buy one? 
And will my insurance help cover the cost?

As many of you know, health insurance companies are now starting to cover the cost of breast pumps. However, we’ve noticed different insurance companies have different policies regarding breast pump coverage. For instance, some require a prescription from your doctor, while others will only cover a manual pump. 

Therefore, we recommend that you contact your insurance company to find out their policy for pumps.

And of course, we’re more than happy to answer your questions about pump choices based on your needs. -Mary Jane, IBCLC