Breastfeeding Awareness Month!

Even though World Breastfeeding Week ends today, you can continue to celebrate all month long!  Governor McDonnell has declared August to be Breastfeeding Awareness Month in the state of Virginia.  Check out his proclamation below:

Pretty cool that our governor supports all of you breastfeeding mommies out there!

- Sarah Whitson, Breastfeeding Coordinator

Who Are Breastfeeding Peer Counselors?

Our breastfeeding peer counselors took the time to answer some questions to give you a better idea of who they are, what they do, and how they help our WIC moms.  We originally posted this piece back in October of 2011, but we decided to repost it since we have added a peer counselor to our staff!

ZaKia

1.  What is your favorite part about being a breastfeeding peer counselor?

My favorite part about being a peer counselor is working with a mom for a while to then get a      phone call where the mom tells me that everything is working for them. That their milk finally came in or that baby finally latched on! It is very rewarding to hear the joy in moms voice!

2.  What are some things you have learned from the moms you work with?

I have learned from lots of moms, especially those who tried to breastfeed before and were not successful, that it is a tremendous help to have someone calling and checking in on them as well as giving them the assistance they need. That helps them to get past some of the frustrating times.

3.  How do you think breastfeeding peer counselors help WIC moms to successfully breastfeed?

As a peer counselor, I believe we help mothers to successfully breastfeed by being encouraging, patient, caring and also available. Even if they are not able to breastfeed for a long amount of time, to have a counselor right there beside them helps them to go even further than they initially thought they could go.  Our success also comes from being able to share our own personal stories of breastfeeding.

Angie

1.  Have you noticed any differences in the health of your child who was exclusively breastfed and the health of your children who were not exclusively breastfed?

I have three children and I breastfed my first two children for about 5 months each.  Immediately when formula was introduced there were health problems, from not being able to tolerate formula, constant diarrhea, ear infections, etc.  For the following months until the turned a year old, I made doctor visits at least 1 to 2 times a month.  With my third child I was able to exclusively breastfeed for the whole first year, and I have experienced a drastic difference.  I have only been to the doctor once for an ear infection.  If I had been able to stick to breastfeeding exclusively with my first two children, I KNOW they would have been healthier and it would have saved me both time and money.

2.  What are the most common problems you see moms having, and how would you recommend they fix those problems?

The most common problem I see is when moms introduce formula because they don't understand that their mature breast milk doesn't come in until several days after birth.  At first, they only have a small amount of colostrum.  I hear so often, "My milk wasn't coming in soon enough," or, "I'm not making enough breastmilk to satisfy my baby's hunger."  First, moms need to realize that their little bundle of joy isn't going to eat 4-8 oz. when they are first born.  That will happen after they have been feeding on demand every 1 to 2 hours for a couple of weeks and their milk supply is better established.  I also tell moms to look for wet and dirty diapers before and after feedings.  If the baby is having them frequently then mom has plenty of breast milk for the baby.

3.  What is your favorite part about breastfeeding?

My absolute favorite part about breastfeeding is the special bond I have with my child that no one else has.  After a long day, I just love to cuddle up and breastfeed my little one.  It is a special quite time that I can caress her hair, read to her, and sing lullabies.  I also LOVE that I do not have to get up in the middle of the night to prepare bottles - I can sleep more!

Vivid

1.  What are your favorite aspects of being a breastfeeding peer counselor?

I enjoy helping moms make it past those little road blocks and on to their breastfeeding goal, educating moms & helping them see past all of the breastfeeding booby traps. I find it very rewarding to get a mom who is very unsure about breastfeeding and being able to enlighten her on how it will benefit her and her family.

2.  What do you enjoy about being a breastfeeding mom?

I love that I was able to give my daughter the gift of optimal health by breastfeeding her as long as I did. I’m glad that I was able to improve my long term health as well! Breastfeeding was more of a parenting tool for me, settling her out of tantrums and helping her to be secure enough to sleep on her own and eventually through the night. I also like that I can be a walking billboard for breastfeeding advocacy and help women to see that it is something normal rather than taboo.



If you have questions about breastfeeding, please don't hesitate to call one of our peer counselors!

- Sarah Robertson, Nutritionist

Quick Tips for Early Successful Breastfeeding

"I heard it hurts." "It's too much of a hassle." "My baby won't take my breast, so I stopped."

These are common themes heard in the WIC clinic on a daily basis....but guess what? All are small problems that can be talked through and handled right in your WIC clinic! We understand you can't always drop everything and come in to the clinic to talk to us, so today we're going to touch on a few tips that will hopefully ease any stress or questions you may have about breastfeeding. So let's get started!

1. One of the most important things we tell all our pregnant moms is to introduce the breast within the first hour of birth. Tell your doctors and nurses before delivering that you plan on breastfeeding and would like to have the baby on your chest within the first hour of birth. Having that early skin-to-skin contact with you baby is very important. The milk your body produces in the beginning is called colostrum and is rich in protein and can help fight infections. 

2. No schedule needed; feed your baby whenever they are hungry. Look for hunger cues and keep your baby close to you. Having your baby close by will help you learn when your baby is hungry. Your baby may breastfeed anywhere from 8-12 times a day.

3. Try different positions and find one that is comfortable for you and the baby. Proper positioning will decrease nipple soreness and make the overall experience an enjoyable for the both of you.

4. When possible ask family members for help with chores and other small things in the beginning so that you can focus on feeding your baby.

5. Avoid using bottles or pacifiers during the first month. Early use can actually make it harder for your baby to learn how to latch on. Unless there is a medical need, stay away from artificial nipples within the first 4 weeks.

6. Make time for yourself, this includes resting, drinking enough fluids and eating throughout the day.

7. Call your WIC breastfeeding peer counselor whenever help is needed. We are here for you!

Remember breastfeeding takes time, patience and practice. Breast milk is the best milk you can supply for your baby!

Like this post?  Subscribe to our mailing list to receive great breastfeeding information every two weeks from our breastfeeding peer counselors!



Megan Mauer, Nutritionist

Ready To Pop!

Our recent "Ready to Pop!" breastfeeding baby shower was a great success!

In true movie star style, guests entered on the "red carpet!"

We played fun games to learn about breastfeeding!

  

Our Breastfeeding Peer Counselors taught the moms all about breastfeeding basics, including how breastfeeding works, correct positioning and latching, and benefits of breastfeeding.



Winners of breastfeeding bingo won great prizes!

If you were unable to attend this baby shower, don't worry!  We will be having more in the future!  Ask your WIC breastfeeding peer counselor for more information!

Got Milk?

"Is my baby getting enough breastmilk?"  We hear this question all the tme, and with good reason, too!  Unlike bottle feeding, breastfeeding does not allow you to measure exactly how much milk the baby is getting.  This can cause many moms to wonder if they are making enough milk for their baby.  Fortunately, there are several ways to tell that your baby is getting enough milk.

1.  Baby seems relaxed and satisfied after a feeding.  This means that the baby's fists are not clenched, her arms are not stiff, and she may even be asleep. 

2.  You can hear or see your baby swallow when she breastfeeds.  This will sound like a small clicking noise.  Most babies have a "suck suck swallow" rhythm while they eat, and you will be able to hear this.

2.  Baby is gaining weight.  Right after birth, it is normal for a baby to lose between 5 and 9 percent of her birth weight, as long as she regains it by the time she is two weeks old.  After that, she should continue to gain weight.  Weight gain will be fast in the first few months, and will gradually slow down as she gets older.  If you are concerned about your baby's weight gain, talk to your doctor.

3.  You are breastfeeding frequently.  You should be breastfeeding 10 to 12 times in each 24 hours.  This may seem like a lot, but breastmilk is digested much more quickly than formula because it is easier on baby's tummy.  This is a good thing!  It prevents constipation and discomfort (breastfed babies hardly ever get constipated!).

4.  Baby has dirty and wet diapers.  All that breastmilk has to go somewhere!  After day 1, your baby should have 3 or more stools per day.  This will increase to 4 or more stools a day by day 5.  Her stool should change from black to yellow by day 5, and her urine should be clear or pale yellow.  She will also have 6 or more wet diapers a day by day 5. 

If all these are true, relax!  Your baby is getting everything she needs from your breastmilk.  If some of these are not true, try not to worry.  Call your WIC breastfeeding peer counselor and she can help you with any problems you might be having.

If you see signs that your baby is not getting enought to eat, call your baby's doctor right away.

Sarah Robertson, Nutritionist

Ready to POP!

We will be having our next Breastfeeding Baby Shower on August 5th at 10:30 am at the Fredericksburg Health Department!  To RSVP for this event, please call ZaKia Wichowski, one of our breastfeeding peer counselors, at (540) 220-2837, or you can email her your RSVP.  We hope to see you there!

Breastfeeding Myth-Busters!

There is a lot of information going around about breastfeeding these days.  Some of that information is true, while some of it is false.  This post hopes to correct some of those things you may have heard about breastfeeding that are actually not true!

Myth #1:  My mom wasn't able to breastfeed, so I won't be able to either.

BUSTED! Breastfeeding has NOTHING to do with genetics!  Every woman should be able to breastfeed!

Myth #2:  Breastfeeding HURTS, and that is normal.

BUSTED!  Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt!  If you are having pain while breastfeeding, it is probably just a latch issue.  This can be easily fixed with help from a lactation consultant or your peer counselor.  If you continue to have pain even after fixing the baby's latch, you should call your doctor.



Myth #3:  I need to drink lots of milk or water to keep my milk supply up.
BUSTED!  Your milk supply is not affected at all by what you eat or drink.  Breastfeeding works based on supply and demand, so the only way to increase your milk supply is to breastfeed more!

Myth #4:  Formula feeding is WAY more convenient than breastfeeding.

BUSTED!  Breastmilk is with you wherever you go!  It is always the perfect temperature and the perfect mixture for your baby.  You don't have to worry about boiling water, mixing up formula, or bringing all those bottles with you.  You are always ready to breastfeed!

Myth #5: If I get sick, I should stop breastfeeding my baby until I feel better.
BUSTED! For almost every illness, it is fine to continue breastfeeding. Your baby will actually benefit from that breastmilk because she will receive all of the antibodies that you make while you are sick. Check with your doctor to be on the safe side.

Myth #6:  Breastfeeding will make my breasts ugly!

BUSTED!  Any changes that happen to the breast after having a baby are because of the pregnancy itself, and have nothing to do with breastfeeding.

Myth #7:  If I smoke, I shouldn't breastfeed.
BUSTED!  If you are going to smoke, it is BETTER to breastfeed than to formula feed. 

Myth #8: I can't breastfeed if my breasts are small/large/different sizes/etc.                                                                      BUSTED! It doesn't matter what your breasts look like! Your body will produce the same amount of milk no matter what size your breasts are.                                                                                           

Myth #6: Formula satisfies my baby's appetite better than breastmilk.
BUSTED! Formula is harder for your baby's tummy to digest, so she might not have to eat as often if she eats formula. Breastmilk is digested quickly because it is very easy on your baby's tummy, so she will probably be hungry again faster if she eats breastmilk. This is a good thing! It doesn't mean she is more satisfied with the formula. Breastmilk causes less constipation and upset stomach because it is so easy for babies to digest.

Myth #10: I can't make enough milk for my baby.
BUSTED!  Most women are able to produce more than enough milk for their babies.  Most babies that gain too slowly, or lose weight, do so not because the mother does not have enough milk, but because the baby does not get the milk that the mother has.  This usually happens when the baby is poorly latched to the breast, which can be fixed very quickly and easily.  If you are having this problem, please call your WIC peer counselor and she will be happy to help you!

-Sarah Robertson, Nutritionist and Breastfeeding Coordiator