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Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

There are many benefits to breastfeeding your baby. Breast-fed babies are less likely to suffer from eczema, allergies, infections, constipation and obesity. Studies have shown that women who breastfeed are less susceptible to breast cancer than those who don't. And of course the emotional bond that forms between a breastfeeding mother and her baby creates a solid foundation of love and trust.

Health professionals now recommend that babies are exclusively fed on breast milk for the first six months of their life. Some mothers continue to feed their children until they are two years old and over. This has been shown to have a positive emotional benefit to the child and the mother and encourages a strong immune system in the developing child.

Mastering the art of breastfeeding can take practice and the most important thing to remember is to get the positioning right. Make sure that your baby is taking enough of the nipple and areola into her mouth whilst feeding. If she is not latched on correctly, slip your finger into the corner of her mouth to break the seal on your nipple and prevent sore breasts. If she is latched on properly her ears will move as she feeds.

Breastfeeding mothers must ensure that they are getting lots of rest, drinking as much liquid as they need (making all that rich milk is thirsty work!) and eating regularly. An organic wholefood diet will ensure that you feel good, emotionally and physically, but is not necessary for you to make the perfect food for your baby.

Common problems and how to treat them:

Sore, cracked nipples:

Check positioning and get help from a breastfeeding counsellor. To prevent soreness, massage a little almond oil into the nipple after feeding. Rose oil is also beneficial and smells divine. Add a drop of this to two teaspoons of almond oil. Breastmilk is also useful to protect nipples and can be expressed after a feed and gently massaged into the nipples. Start each feed on a different breast to avoid overuse of one. A ribbon safely pinned to your bra strap can help to remind you.

Engorgement:

Hard heavy breasts that are so full that it is difficult for the baby to feed from them. Alternate hot and cold compresses can help before feeding to get your milk flowing. Try to express some milk before feeding to make it easier for your baby to latch on. Rhubarb or savoy cabbage leaves placed over the breasts, perhaps tucked in a bra can help ease discomfort and swelling.

Mastitis:

A blocked duct causes the breast to become inflamed and this in turn leads to an infection called mastitis. Dandelion root tea can be effective at bringing down the fever and reducing inflammation.

Baby-led feeding:

Despite some parenting manuals and media claiming that breastfeeding on demand creates spoilt, obese children, we believe otherwise. A baby needs a certain amount of milk in order to grow and thrive and it makes no sense to deny him this essential need in the early days of his life. The only way you can be sure that your baby is being properly nourished is to follow his needs for feeding during the day and the night. This is when it makes most sense to have your baby with you in bed so that you can just offer the breast when he stirs in the night. Restricting breastfeeding to time limits and a rigorous schedule will not allow for optimum nutrition and will probably leave your baby feeling frustrated and hungry.

Breastfeeding Links & Tips:

Video

htthttp://breastcrawl.org/video.

http://www.ameda.com/breastfeeding/started/latch_on.aspx

Medela
Medela is the manufacturer of the breastpumps, supply lines and other breastfeeding supplies available at:

Askhttp://www.selfexpressions.com/linandres.html

Medela's breastfeeding FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Click on this link to view answers to frequently asked questions, such as: "When will my milk come in?", "How can I tell if my baby is getting enough milk?", "What if I don't have enough milk or my baby is gaining weight poorly?" and many more.

Breastfeeding.com
The #1 site for breastfeeding information, support, and attitude. This site has one of the most extensive list of breastfeeding links I have seen on the web. It also offers a very active breastfeeding message board.

Dr. Jack Newman's breastfeeding handouts - provided by First Feast, Breastfeeding and Maternity Center
Dr. Jack Newman is a pediatrician who operates four breastfeeding clinics in Toronto, Ontario and speaks worldwide on breastfeeding issues. This website offers information on all common breastfeeding questions, and offers a wealth of information. Most common questions are covered, including: sore, flat or inverted nipples; how to tell if your baby is getting enough breast milk; colic; when to introduce solids; breastfeeding while working outside the home; common breastfeeding myths; thrush; plugged ducts/mastitis; and many more topics.

American Academy of Pediatrics revised statement on Breastfeeding
(issued December, 1997) The revised statement on breastfeeding recommends that breastfeeding be continued for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.

Cost of Formula Feeding
Visit this website to calculate the cost of formula feeding your infant for the first 12 months of life. You will quickly see that the cost of artificial baby milk far outweighs the cost of renting a Medela Lactina breastpump for a year or purchasing a Medela Pump In Style.

La Leche League International
A nonprofit organization supporting breastfeeding mothers.

101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child
Sponsored By ProMom, Inc. Offers breastfeeding advocay information and a number of breastfeeding links.

Dr. Hale's Breastfeeding Pharmacology Page
Dr. Hale is the author of the book "Medications and Mother's Milk", and his site offers a great deal of information on transmission of medications into breastmilk. This site has recently added a new feature - "ask the lactation consultant", which provides answers to almost every breastfeeding question you could imagine. If the answer to your question is not already available, you can submit your question via e-mail!

Pumping List Website
The pumping list is a support group for women who use a breastpump to supply breastmilk for their infants. Pump usage varies from full time to part time. Discussion topics center around lactation and pump use as well as supply problems, etc.

Supply Boosters
Useful tips on how to boost your milk supply compiled by the moms at the pumping list website. Includes recommended dosages for natural supplements such as Brewer's Yeast and Fenugreek, plus the recipe for "Tiger's Milk", a natural supply booster.

American Academy of Pediatrics Home Page.
From this site, you can conduct an online search for specific children's health related topics.

How to choose a correctly fitted breastshield.
A link to Medela's site which explains how to tell if you need to order Large or Extra Large PersonalFit breastshields. Includes a video that shows proper fit of the breastshield during pumping.

Sore Nipples - Prevention and Treatment
This is the full text of the Medela handout on Prevention and Treatment of Sore Nipples.

When One Child is Breastfed....
An essay on all of the health, social, economical, community, and family benefits attained when one child is breastfed.

Nutritional Information for the Breastfeeding Mom
For breastfeeding mothers who want to know how to care for themselves nutritionally while insuring the highest quality breastmilk for their babies.

Medications in the Breastfeeding Mother
Published by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Physicians receive little education about breast-feeding and even less training on the effects of maternal medications on the nursing infant. Yet, concern about potential harm to the nursing infant from maternal medications is often cited as a reason to advise discontinuation of breast-feeding. Overwhelming evidence demonstrates the benefits of breast-feeding and the deleterious effects that can result from premature weaning. This article provides information to facilitate medication use in breast-feeding mothers. This article lists medications which are considered safe in treatment of a variety of conditions in breastfeeding mothers, as well as a list of medications which are not recommended during breastfeeding.

Should I buy or borrow a pre-owned breastpump?
A link to Medela's site which explains that personal use breastpumps such as the Pump in Style, and all others besides the Lactina, should not be shared between mothers due to potential health risks.

Engorgement - Prevention and Treatment
This is the full text of the Medela handout on Prevention and Treatment of Engorgement.

Breastmilk collection and storage guidelines
This is the full text of the Medela handout on breastmilk collection and storage, which includes guidelines for length of time breastmilk is useable after refrigerator or freezer storage, and after thawing.

Adoptive Breastfeeding Resource on the Web
Offers support and information on breastfeeding an adoptive infant. Also has a very active message/support board.

Breastfeeding Multiples
An excellent resource for moms who are breastfeeding twins or triplets. Also has a vast array of breastfeeding links which would be of interest to all breastfeeding moms!

Pumping for Premature Infants
Advice for mothers who are providing breastmilk for preemies.

General Instructions for the Pump In Style
If you have lost your Pump In Style instruction booklet, click here to visit the link on Medela's website which contains general instructions for the Pump In Style.

PostPartum International (Postpartum Depression Resource)
Visit this link for information and assistance with PostPartum Depression.

Lactina Vs Pump In Style?
This is a link to the "iVillage.com" Parent's Place message board, for one parent who had mistakenly bought a Gerber breastpump which led to early weaning of her first child (similar to my own experience with the Evenflo breast pump). She posted a message asking whether she should buy a Pump In Style or Rent a Lactina. The overwhelming response was that she should purchase a Pump In Style.

Congresswoman Maloney Supports a Woman's Decision to Breastfeed
Visit this link to view the recent bills introduced to Congress by Representative Maloney, including H.R. 285, the Breastfeeding Promotion Act.

Breastfeeding and Returning to Work
Sponsored by ProMom.org, this page offers advice to moms who must return to part or full time employment outside the home while continuing to breastfeed their infants. The site includes a sample letter, written to the human resources manager at a large work site, which worked: the employee's need for a private and clean place to pump was accommodated.