The "Corporate" Mindset - Are Women Thinking More Like Men?

Since Breastfeeding is not about control or perfectionism ( nor should it be) it

does not fit the "model" women have now become accustomed to.  Which I believe

is the corporate model set up by men. You know, constant micro-managing,

competition, over-evaluating, where A&B equal C,  more is better,  if it's free -how good could it be? and there is an agenda -always an agenda!   

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in order to effectively compete with men in the business world

-women have had to think like men.  This "corporate thinking" does not bode well

for breastfeeding and mothering in general.  But it works beautifully for the infant marketing industry!

In my practice demographic - mostly high socio-economic, two-income families,  control and
perfectionism runs long and deep.  This, of course, only sets one up for anxiety
and depression.   If one can't control it then it's too stressful and if it's not perfect immediately, it's deemed a waste of time-  Exhausted/ fearful/disillusioned/ disappointed and desperate -one reaches for anything that brings them back to their "comfort zone" of control.  In this case: bottle-feeding and/
or pumping.  And guess who's ready to swoop down when this happens?  We all know who those players are.

This pervasive mindset of control and perfectionism has set the stage for the most effective marketing strategy I believe history has ever seen - newborn product sales especially the infant feeding industry.

What can you do?  Put the "corporate" mindset aside (that's fine for work) and tap into the feminine/maternal side of you....it's in there somewhere!  Don't fall for the capitalism, commercialism and undermining marketing, that is stealing you from your child.  Money does not equal love.  Success in business does not equal success in parenting.  Embrace and celebrate what makes us different as women.  The tenderness, patience and fortitude to do what's right by your child comes from your heart, not your head.....or wallet.

Alcohol, Holidays & Breastfeeding

I get many calls this time of year re: alcohol intake and breastfeeding.
Even though it is fine to "partake", I think it helps to remind ourselves that too much alcohol can impair one's ability to respond and safely parent as baby needs -- no matter how baby is fed.

So it is not as much the amount of alcohol present in your milk ( its too unstable to stay there very long) but the level of impairment you experience.  Most of alcohol-related consequences are not breastfeeding issues, per se. but impairment ones.
So be smart and responsible: pay attention to how much you've had and your body's reaction to it - eat and drink lots of water.
If you get intoxicated:  do not drive, have someone else care for your baby, do not co-sleep or nurse until you are sober.  Only pump if you need to and discard that milk (until you are sober)

Please do not waste your money on alcohol test strips as they are not at all accurate or necessary.

For further info: This article from Thomas Hale's Infant Risk Center site can be helpful, whether breastmilk is direct from the source or expressed):
http://www.infantrisk.com/content/alcohol-and-breastfeeding.

Enjoy and be safe

Wean Me Gently

I know I look so big to you,

Maybe I seem too big for the needs I have.

But no matter how big we get,

We still have needs that are important to us.

I know that our relationship is growing and changing,

But I still need you. I need your warmth and closeness,

Especially at the end of the day

When we snuggle up in bed.

Please don't get too busy for us to nurse.

I know you think I can be patient,

Or find something to take the place of a nursing;

A book, a glass of something,

But nothing can take your place when I need you.

Sometimes just cuddling with you,

Having you near me is enough.

I guess I am growing and becoming independent,

But please be there.

This bond we have is so strong and so important to me,

Please don't break it abruptly.

Wean me gently,

Because I am your mother,

And my heart is tender.

by Cathy Cardall

Happy Holidays & Healthy New Year !

Hormonal Contraceptives & Breastfeeding

I receive many calls regarding low milk supply, a sudden drop in milk supply or a baby's poor weight gain or sudden drop or standstill in weight.  One of my first questions is : "Are you taking any birth control pills?"  Many times the answer is "Yes".   Since many doctors are prescribing without warnings or just ill-advised, here is the "skinny" on Hormonal Contraceptives and their impact on breastfeeding.  So you are able to make an informed choice yourself regarding what type of birth control method to use.

In NeoReviews, the official journal of the AAP, Thomas Hale, PhD states in his article Pharmacology Review: Drug Therapy and Breastfeeding (2005;6;e233-e240)

"Birth control products probably produce more complications than any other medication used by breastfeeding mothers.  Estrogen-containing birth control products have been found to reduce human milk synthesis significantly in some mothers.  Therefore, progestin-only products are greatly preferred in this population.  However, even progestin-only products may reduce milk synthesis in some mothers, and great cautions should be used following their initial use.  All mothers should be advised that these hormonal products may reduce milk synthesis, and they should discontinue their use immediately if they note a decrease in milk production.  The use of medroxyprogesterone (Depo injection) early postpartum should be avoided until milk production has been established.  Some mothers anecdotally report complete shutdown of milk production following its use."

The Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) HYPERLINK "http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT"  states that "nonhormonal (contraceptive) methods are preferred during breastfeeding".  The hormonal contraceptive choices in question are progestin-only oral contraceptives,
Depo Medroxyprogesterone (DMPA) injection, Mirena IUD, and Implanon/Norplant implant.
Estrogen-containing contracrptives continue to be contraindicated for breatfeeding mothers.

Progestin-only oral contraceptives (Micronor, Camila, Errin, Jolivette, Nora-BE, Nor-OD)
Although touted as the preferred oral contraceptive for breastfeeding mothers, in the 2010 edition of Medications and Mothers' Milk, Thomas Hale states that "recent reports claim that Micronor can be assocoiated with decreased milk production".  Also these drugs "may reduce lactose content and reduce overall milk volume and nitrogen/protein content, resulting in lower infant weight gain"  Milk levels increase for most of these women when this contraceptive is stopped.

Depo Medroxyprogesterone (DMPA)
Common injection given to clinic moms in the hospital during their postpartum stay.  Hales rates this as an L4 or Possibly Hazardous if given within 3 days of birth.  LacMed states that "Administration sooner than 3 days postpartum could inhibit lactogenesis and interfere with the establishmnet of lactation."
If if this injection is given later, it can be a problem for women sensitive to progestin since it cannot be removed or stopped.

Mirena IUD
Even though, Mirena produces the lowest plasma levels of progestin thus becoming more popular, it is not without concern.  Hale does note that "some caution is recommended as I've received three accounts of milk suppression following insertion of Mirena IUDs"

Implanon/Norplant implant
This involves placing six match-size, flexible capsules under the skin of a woman's upper arm.  These release a low dose of synthetic progestin continuously for up to five years. I recently saw a client who experienced a decrease in milk supply after receiving this contraceptive - which again is difficult to remove.

Seasonale
This is an extended-cycle oral contraceptive  but due to it's estrogen content , caution is recommended in breastfeeing mothers due to potential reduced milk supply.

Plan B, Levonelle or NorLevo
This is a post-coital emergency contraception.   The mother should not breastfeed for the first 8 hrs, or at the most 24 hrs to reduce the estimated dose to the infant via breastmilk.


So am not advocating no birth control but there are enough "red flags" to use them with great caution.
Milk supply and infant weight gain needs to be carefully monitored.  It is difficult to sit with a mother who is suddenly struggling with her milk supply and suspecting that her birth control method prescribed by her doctor may be responsible.  It has high-emotional, physical and economic consequences for the mother and baby that should not be ignored or placated.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011

NaturallyBorn.net - A Website I like!

Most of you know, I am not big on promoting websites. Simply because I feel people spend too much time on the internet looking for answers instead of with their baby (who has all the answers!).

But, I have to admit,  I am excited about this new one called, naturallyborn.net.  No hidden agenda just a mission to bring natural parenting out of the "alternative" and into the mainstream.  (you know, I am all for the natural)

Looking for a midwife, birthing center, doula or breastfeeding expert ?- it's all there!  A great resource for anyone looking to formulate a natural childbirth plan and breastfeed as well.

Not only is It is an informative site but interactive as well, with experts (such as myself!) answering simple questions.

So check it out....like it, tweet it,  post comments if u like and pass it on to friends and family.

www.naturallyborn.net

The Concept of: Removal and Replacement

"Your baby owns the "feeding thing" - you just happen to have the milk."  How many of you have heard me say that?  Too many.  So I thought I needed to explain the concept of milk removal and replacement and it's impact on your milk supply.

First of all, the breast is not a passive container of milk but an dynamically active organ.   Milk production is infant driven rather than hormonal.  It is the removal of milk from the breast that facilitates continued milk production.  Your nutritional status, age, body composition have only secondary impact. 

So what does that mean? Inadequate milk removal or stasis (milk sitting around) tends to limit milk production. Know that It is the quality and quantity of the infant's  suckling or milk removal that governs your production.  Milk production reflects each individual infant's appetite rather than your own ability to produce milk.  Thus babies pick a feeding pattern that best suits them, not necessarily the sibling before them or you for that matter, but trust them they know what they are doing.

As long as milk is removed regularly from the breast it will be replaced, almost indefinitely.  But what happens when we try to control our baby's feeding patterns by schedule feeding, convenience feeding, supplementing or sleep training?  Our milk supply goes down!  The baby is no longer in control of it's food supply. We have messed with the amazing phenomenon of the supply-demand response - the very feedback control that regulates our production of milk to match the intake of our baby.   So if your milk supply is dropping, it's simply because less milk is being removed - this can be natural as with child-led weaning or unnatural as in parent-led weaning.

Since lactation is energy-intensive process there are natural safeguards against wasteful overproduction as well as mechanisms for a prompt response to your baby's needs.  Some examples are if your milk supply is huge, the baby may nurse quickly leaving more milk in the breast to send signals to the brain to reduce the supply.  If the milk supply is lower or the baby has a growth spurt, the feedings may be more frequent and longer.  

As they say, "there is a method to their madness".  So best to leave the "feeding thing" to the baby -as long as they have unlimited access to you, you will have enough milk for them....and then some!