Rule #1: Feed The Baby!

Learning to supplement at the breast.

Breastfeeding. It’s what I’m all about as a lactation consultant. I have built an entire career around helping you to breastfeed your baby. Part of the reason that lactation consultants even exist is that our culture didn’t always place such a high value on breastfeeding. But now it seems like the pressure to avoid formula is everywhere. In fact sometimes it seems that everyone around you is concerned about whether or not your baby gets your precious milk. Continue reading

IGT: Four Stories from Moms Who Have Been There

Nursing with homemade SNS

Nursing with homemade SNS

This post is dedicated to the incredible moms I have met over the years who have IGT.

The stories below are as uniquely individual as the mothers who wrote them. Even so, they do have many elements in common. All of these moms were very committed to breastfeeding. None of these moms were screened for possible IGT prenatally or early enough postpartum to avoid severe infant weight loss. All of these babies lost a significant amount of weight—a weight loss that was completely avoidable. All of the mothers put an extreme amount of effort into producing enough milk for their babies. All of these mothers have felt guilt and remorse—even though none of this was their fault. All of the mothers received inappropriate advice from the professionals they trusted to help them with a very basic function—feeding their babies. These mothers have no reason to feel shame. It is our system that has let them down. Continue reading

Choosing and Preparing Formula for your Newborn

DSCN1955You may be wondering… why is a lactation consultant writing about formula? Because in my world of breastfeeding difficulties including chronic low milk supply, mothers often find they need to supplement breastfeeding with another source of nutrition. Sometimes that’s donor milk from another mother, sometimes banked human milk. But most often it is commercially available formula.

All formulas are not created equal. There are pros and cons to various brands. There are milk-based formulas, soy formulas, organic, non-organic and special formulas. But the most important distinction in my mind is liquid vs powder. Why is this so important?

It turns out that powdered infant formula (PIF) is not sterile. The manufacturing process does not allow for elimination of all germs. In addition, preparation of the product in the home can lead to further contamination. The most concerning bacteria found in PIF is called Cronobacter bacteria.

Cronobacter bacteria is an organism that thrives in dry conditions and it’s very prevalent. The bacteria is found in dry herbs and spices, herbal teas, dry milk manufacturing facilities and household vacuum cleaners. It has also been found in waste water. It can thrive on plastics, rubber and silicone bottle nipples. Clearly it is difficult to avoid this little beast.

Becoming sick from Cronobacter is a rare event, but it can be deadly in young infants. Premature babies and infants younger than 2 months are most vulnerable to Cronobacter illness. Cronobacter illness can lead to blood infections or meningitis. According to The Center for Disease Control (CDC) there are about 4-6 reported cases of Cronobacter illness in infants per year, but it may be under-reported. Recently more awareness has led to higher reported numbers. There were 13 known cases in 2011.

Breastfeeding is the best protection against Cronobacter infection. If possible, provide your baby with breast milk—especially for the first 2 months. “Almost no cases of Cronobacter infection have been reported among infants who were being exclusively breastfed.” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention website).

If your baby uses formula, choose formula that is sold as a liquid. Liquid formula is sterile so is less likely to transmit the bacteria. This is especially important for very young or premature babies.

If you choose to use powdered formula, please do so safely with good hygiene in mind.

  • Always wash your hands prior to preparing formula.
  • Use clean tongs to fish the scoop out of the container. Wash the scoop after every use.
  • Clean bottles in hot dishwasher or hot soapy water plus sterilization.
  • Use only clean work surfaces when preparing the bottles.
  • Use hot water to prepare the powdered formula—at least 158 degrees F(70 degrees C) This temperature is necessary to kill the bacteria. Cool to room temperature before feeding to baby by placing closed bottle in ice bath.
  • If you make the formula ahead of time, refrigerate it immediately and use it within 24 hours.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention: has more information on this topic. You may find this PDF helpful.

For Dads and Other Partners: Bonding with Baby.

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Dad and newborn doing some bonding!

Even before the birth of my first daughter, I knew that her father intended to be very “hands on.” The truth is, he wanted a baby way more than I did! I tried to include him as much as possible in her day to day care. Even so, I expected him to be more than a little jealous of all the time I spent breastfeeding. I’m pretty sure if he could have sprouted a pair of milk-making breasts, he would have happily participated. Continue reading

Yurika’s Story: A Beautiful “Thank You”

This story was sent to me by one of my clients, Yurika. She wants to share it with all of you and hopes that it will help to continue breastfeeding–even when facing challenges.

photo_face0 Mila was born 8lbs 7oz, healthy and passed all the health screening at the hospital before discharging. At our postpartum appointment 3 days after leaving the hospital, her weight loss was brought up as a concern. She seemed to be latching but she was not transferring enough milk and I was experiencing a lot of pain. Her losing more that 10% of her birth weight was addressed at her 7 day postpartum appointment with her pediatrician and we were sent to the breastfeeding center at the hospital that day for further investigation. Continue reading