Nursing Is Normal…Even in Public!

When I was a new mother, I remember feeling shy about nursing my baby outside, in public places.  Before leaving the house I would ask myself “What if she needs to eat while I’m in the supermarket?”  My answer would be “Well, I’ll go to my car”.  Or, “What if I’m in a department store? …Well, I’ll go to a dressing room”.   I remember practicing in front of a full length mirror to see if I could latch my baby without anyone knowing what I was doing.  I got really good at it!  I am happy to report that these days' mothers have a lot more support and options for feeding in public than I did.  In fact, legislation has been passed to allow for this!  Still, we have a long way to go before we reach the level of comfort that many women enjoy in places around the world.
Just last evening I happened to see a YouTube video that was produced as a volunteer project in Quebec, Canada.  As part of the “Nursing Is Normal” movement that began in the United States, this video is one of several that have been made in an effort to promote and protect breastfeeding outside the home.   A photographic display of mothers feeding in public, it is based on the theory that the more we see mothers nursing out and about, the more we will accept it as a cultural norm.  If you’d like to see it, click here.  Also, if you have speakers, you may enjoy the toe-tapping, ragtime piano accompaniment to the slides.  Kick up your heals and enjoy the fun.  Remember…Nursing IS Normal!

Breast Milk Feeding Mothers Stand Up and Be Proud!!

The other day, an expectant mother lowered her head in humiliation and told me that she “did not breastfeed” her first baby.  As she continued to share her story, it became evident that she actually pumped and fed him her breast milk… exclusively, for more than 6 months!!  Apparently, he was never able to latch.  My heart sunk as I realized she took no pride in what she had accomplished.  

If anyone deserves the recognition and pride that comes with human milk feeding, it should be this mother and all those like her (and I know there are many of you)!   Anyone who has to exclusively pump and feed should be extremely proud given the fact that it requires twice the amount of time and energy.  The bottom line is that baby is provided the very best.   Regardless of how your baby is breast milk-fed, he is breastfed!!  So, when someone is inquiring about how your baby is/was fed, pump dependant mothers please stand up and be proud!  That’s right!  Stand up and proudly report that your baby was breastfed.  No one needs to know the how’s and why’s unless you want to share. 

To pump and feed is to breastfeed.   Mothers who have breastfed in this way should be given awards for what they have done.  I, for one, thank them for the dedication in raising their children.  After all, these babies are the future of our world!

Mastitis (Breast Infection)

Mastitis is the inflammation of breast tissue.  It may be the result of milk flow obstruction (blocked milk duct), bacterial infection (most often S. aureus) or non-infectious inflammation.  Mastitis is most commonly seen within the first 2-12 weeks post-partum and can be a real bear!!  If you are experiencing a low-grade fever with a painful reddened area of the breast, you might try very warm compresses (or a shower) with gentle massage of the affected area during and in-between frequent breastfeedings.  Nurse your baby in different positions so that he uniformly empties the breast.  Be sure to drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest.  You might also try an over-the-counter NSAID (like ibuprofen) to reduce inflammation and pain.  Follow the old breastfeeding adage… “Heat, Rest, Empty Breast” and hopefully things will resolve.

If there is no improvement within about 24 hours or if you experience flu-like symptoms (body aches, chills, nausea) and a persistent or abrupt rise in body temperature, you should call your healthcare provider for further direction (usually a 10-14 day course of antibiotics).  It is not uncommon to feel as though you’ve been run over by a truck!  Although you may feel rotten, breastfeeding should be continued!  Nurse baby on the affected breast first and use heat with gentle massage intermittently during the feed to encourage milk flow and ejection.  If baby refuses to feed on the affected breast, you may have to empty it by manual expression or with a gentle breast pump.  In any case, the breast must be emptied.  Please remember that we (lactation consultants) are here to answer questions.  If you find that you are having recurrent episodes of mastitis, please arrange for a thorough lactation evaluation.