The Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog

Favorite stories from the last Motherwear contest

Here are my favorite stories from Motherwear's last contest.

Most of my experiences with nursing in public has been positive, In particular when nursing while traveling on public transit! Some workers comment on how "those" are always the quiet babies or We can see who ISN'T making all the noise in coach (When flying on a plane) & MOST go out of their way to help make me more comfortable. My FAVORITE story is one afternoon while nursing my toddler on the city bus. (yep 18 months old) 2 gentlemen got on the bus & stopped dead in their tracks & loudly commented on the UnGodly things I was doing TO my toddler in the back of the bus. (She was the only child on board, which few people had even noticed until they said something) This COULD have ended badly, but the driver handled it beautifully! His comment to them was straight, simple & very to the point! I was doing MY job so that he could do HIS job. These gentlemen however were NOT letting him do his job so they could either PAY & sit down or kindly get off the bus. It was 90 degrees, they paid of course & said not another word & I spent the rest of my trip chatting with a lovely young woman who very nicely asked me how I was not getting bitten while I was feeding my daughter. Not ALL confrontations end badly!    - Anastasia

How to be a Breastfeeding Dad

-bring snacks and LOTS of drinks to mom when she is nursing
-change diapers
-do the laundry
-do the dishes
-cook meals (or call for takeout)
-read about breastfeeding
-learn how to entertain and play with your child
-tell mom she is doing a great job

-Ko, breastfeeding Dad

I hope that if this breastfeeding story is ever shared that it may encourage somebody out there. When I was only 18, my boyfriend at the time (husband now) were only dating for a short time and found out that we were pregnant.  Oh my goodness, the families were all in disarray considering we were so young. Shortly after that, we found out we would be welcoming a little baby boy into this big world. When he was laid upon my chest right after giving birth they immediately tried taking him away from me, assuming that because I was so young, that they were going to give him a bottle. I looked at them in awe and asked politely if I could have my baby back. The nurse looked at me and said, "yes I think he would like to eat, well ok here you go" and I started to nurse right in front of everybody. They all just began to assume that just because I was so young that maybe I wasn’t going to nurse this child.

Well he is 7 years of age now and I nursed him for a little over a year and loved every minute of it. I feel that through breastfeeding we grew this bond that nobody would understand unless they were in my body, but I think that breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for a child, it is also the most unselfish thing you can do. Yes sure, it is time consuming and exhausting at times, but I look back on it and wouldn't change it for the world! I love him more than life and I treasure all those sleepless nights!    - Chelsea

During the years I spent breastfeeding my four children, some of my friends were also breastfeeding moms. One of these women was an RN at the local hospital. One day, there were a group of us spending the day together and breastfeeding was often the topic of conversation. My RN friend mentioned in passing that she needed to get some new "nursing shoes". My non-RN friend looked up with a puzzled expression and inquired "Nursing shoes?" Pause. Ohhhhhhh.

Then there was the time that an acquaintance asked if I put my nipples into the dishwasher for cleaning. I let her know that they didn't come off!    - Valerie

I have always been committed and proud to nurse my children, but I am a shy private person.  When at a friend's wedding, my little one was fussy, so I was in the middle of nursing him to sleep when it came to the part where I needed to stand up and say a few words in front of EVERYONE! Thank goodness for my beautiful Motherwear dress.  No one could even see that I was nursing the child in my arms. Even watching the video later I could not see for sure that I was nursing. It saved the ceremony that my child was happy and quiet and I felt comfortable with all eyes on us.  Thanks Motherwear!    - Tiffany

Nursing 101

Step 1: Hide somewhere far away from your mother-in-law...
Step 2: Read lots of books and then forget it all and do what is most natural to you!
Step 3: Try a Boppy or Breastfriend - don't feel "uncool" if you don't like either - but don't feel too cool if whatever you are doing is different from your friends.
Step 4: Now that you are comfortable: make sure that baby is latched to the ENTIRE thing (aka nipple).  Don't fall for their trick of sucking on the tip of the nipple and nibbling away without eating much of anything only to leave you chapped, bleeding and wondering why you didn't go straight to the bottle... get that kid to grab the areola like she means it.
Step 5: Snuggle that little bean - enjoy this moment because they grow up too fast.    - Joy

Podcast: Breastfeeding twins, triplets, and more!

I'm very pleased to share a new podcast on nursing twins, triplets, and more!

In this podcast I interview Karen Kerkhoff Gromada, author of Mothering Multiples.  Karen is a mother of breastfed twins and long time expert on breastfeeding multiples.  We discuss prenatal preparation for nursing twins, common challenges, nursing in public, and how on earth you nurse triplets!

You can listen to the podcast by clicking on the grey bar below, opening it with Quicktime, or downloading it at our free iTunes store (should be updated soon).  Check out past podcasts here.

Breastfeeding Twins and More

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More evidence that breastmilk kills cancer cells

It's been known for some time that a component of breastmilk, called human alpha-lactalbubin made lethal to tumor cells (HAMLET for short!) causes cancer cells to die.  One press report explains:

Although the special substance, known as HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumour cells), was discovered in breast milk several years ago, it is only now that it has been possible to test it on humans. Patients with cancer of the bladder who were treated with the substance excreted dead cancer cells in their urine after each treatment, which has given rise to hopes that it can be developed into medication for cancer care in the future.

Laboratory experiments have shown that HAMLET kills 40 different types of cancer, and the researchers are now going on to study its effect on skin cancer, tumours in the mucous membranes and brain tumours. Importantly, HAMLET kills only cancer cells and does not affect healthy cells.

A Swedish study out last week explored exactly how the cancer-killing function works.  It found that, "HAMLET binding alters the morphology of the membrane and compromises its integrity, suggesting that membrane perturbation could be an initial step in inducing cell death."  

In the same week, clinical trials of an acne treatment which uses a synthetic form of lauric acid, a component of breastmilk, were announced.

It seems like just a matter of time before HAMLET will be used in cancer treatment.

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Pam's breastpump goes missing on The Office

I missed last week's episode of The Office, and of course it involved a breastpump!  Here are some clips.  And yes, the term is 'letting down,' not 'coming in.'

New Infant Risk Center to answer questions about medications and breastfeeding

Dr. Thomas Hale, who writes the indispensable Medications and Mothers Milk, has teamed up with the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health to create an Infant Risk Center based at Texas Tech University.

Currently there are two references for checking the safety of medication use during breastfeeding, and neither work that well.  Medications and Mothers Milk is the gold standard for information on this, but many doctors offices and pharmacists don't have it, and it's too expensive for most moms to purchase.  It's also updated every two years, so it can't be thoroughly up to date.  Dr. Hale also runs a discussion board for professionals, but moms can't ask questions directly.  The other resource is the website Lactmed, run by the National Institutes of Health, but I've found it to be less comprehensive, and it doesn't have ranking system for ease of understanding relative risk (Hale uses a scale of L1 to L5). 

That's why I'm very excited about this new resource, which will make a lot of information available online to mothers and health professionals alike.

Most exciting is that the center "Will accept phone questions from women, physicians, and other health care providers about the use of specific drugs in pregnant or breastfeeding women."  This will be incredibly helpful.

The Center will also:

• Provide the largest source of data on the use of medications in breastfeeding mothers in the world
• Provides a website and online databases to be used by every major university in the USA
• Engages on web forum with more than 13,000 registered health care professionals from around the world
• Disseminate information concerning the use of medications and other substances in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
• Produce a large clinical case management system that will ultimately provide evidence on the outcome of exposure to drugs and what women and their health care professionals should expect

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Book review and give away: Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers

One key message in Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers* (Platypus Media, 2009, 41 pages) is made quite clear upfront:  Fathers are critical to the success of breastfeeding. 

In fact, the book cites a study showing that when fathers are completely supportive of breastfeeding, mothers working outside the home breastfeed 98% of the time, compared to mothers whose partners were indifferent to breastfeeding, who breastfeed 26.9% of the time.  The book also notes that the father is the "first person to show his baby that feeding does not equal love."

This book also helps dad understand the basics of breastfeeding, from the "why" (presented in a very compelling list of facts), and addresses dads' feelings of being "left out."  It includes a section on co-sleeping and breastfeeding - a topic of another Platypus Media book.

It also covers an eye-catching list of topics, sure to grab dads' attention, such as sex and breastfeeding, nipple piercing, implants, breast sagging, and even 'can adults drink breastmilk?'

Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers is an entertaining, easy to read book which would be ideal for hospitals, childbirth classes, WIC, and also as a gift.  It's available in several forms, and in English and Spanish.  

The author, Platypus Media's founder and president, Dia Michels, lent her considerable knowledge of other mammal lactation to this podcast, "How do other mammals do it?"  It's one of my favorites.

I'm pleased to be able to offer four copies of Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers.  Two copies will be in English, and two in Spanish.   Please specify which language you'd prefer when you leave your comment.  To enter, leave a comment by April 27th, 2010.  One entry per person, U.S. addresses only.  Winners will be chosen using random.org and announced in the comments section.  Please note:  Winners who do not respond to email within 3 days forfeit prize, and alternate winners will be chosen. *I was provided a complimentary review copy of this book by the publisher.

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A tale of two births: The ideal and reality of breastfeeding depicted in the Huffington Post

Some of the reaction to the recent study finding that over 900 lives and $13 billion in health care costs could be saved by increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates has focused on the guilt that mothers might feel for not breastfeeding.

That's why I was so pleased to read this excellent piece by one of the study's authors, Melissa Bartick, in the Huffington Post.  Melissa is a doctor and president of the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition. 

Melissa framed her piece as a 'tale of two births.'  Here are excerpts of each.  I strongly suggest reading the whole article.

Having a baby in the ideal, family-friendly United States:

You give birth with the help of a birth doula. She helps you avoid a c-section or vacuum assisted birth, which is why your hospital hired her. Your baby is wiped off, then put directly onto your chest, skin to skin, with his head between your breasts. The nurse puts a blanket around you both, and then your partner cuts the cord. The nurse evaluates his initial transition to life outside the womb as he rests on your chest. As you lay semi-reclining, happy and exhausted, your baby uses his arms and legs to crawl over to your breast and he starts nursing. You and your partner are left undisturbed for an hour to enjoy your new baby, who has now imprinted the proper breastfeeding behaviors thanks to this initial breastfeeding. You are then transported to your post-partum room with your baby on your chest...

Having a baby in the real United States:

Your give birth to a healthy baby, and you've never heard of a birth doula. The umbilical cord is clamped and cut before anyone can say, "It's a boy!" Immediately, your baby is whisked across the room to the warmer where Apgar scores are assigned, he's given a shot of Vitamin K, and antibiotic eye ointment is slathered in his eyes, clouding his vision. He's placed on a cold scale and weighed and measured. He is examined by his nurse, who takes him to a different room to do her evaluation. He is bathed, washing off his mother's scent. At last, he's professionally swaddled into a nice tight parcel and handed to you to hold, cradled sideways in your arms. He's not skin to skin, and he can't move his arms and legs to crawl to the breast. Before you know it, an hour has passed since his birth, and since he's missed the window of "alert time" after birth, he slips into a deep sleep without having spontaneously breastfeed. You attempt to interest him in the breast, but he is really too tired to try very hard. Because he's wrapped up and has been given a bath, he can't use his sense of touch and smell to crawl his way over to find your breast...

Each story continues through the postpartum period, covering breastfeeding support after leaving the hospital, maternity leave, and return to work.

Melissa concludes,

So, now that you've heard the difference between what your experience could have been like, and what it was actually like, you tell me:  Do you feel guilty for not breastfeeding? Or do you feel angry because it didn't have to be this way?  Yes, I'm a researcher and a physician, but I'm also a mother. Since I live in the United States, you can probably guess what my birth experience was like. Maybe you've heard me on the news saying that moms shouldn't feel guilty. I've been there. So take that guilt and turn it inside out, and do something positive so that other moms don't have to go through what you did. We all deserve better.

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What do you think of these new breastfeeding campaigns?

The first is from the Ohio Department of Health.  It sounds like some observers were fine with the message but a little put off by the milk drool.

The second is from PETA, which you may recall has encouraged the development of breastmilk ice cream in order to, um, wean us off of dairy.  This most recent campaign was in response to the recent study showing that $13 billion in health care costs could be averted and 900 lives could be saved annually by increasing breastfeeding rates.

 

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The winning entry in Motherwear's $100 gift certificate contest

Congratulations to Tiffany C, who won a $100 Motherwear gift certificate!  Here's her winning nursing tip:

The most important nursing tip I can think of is to trust in your body. You will make milk, you just have to be patient. In the first few days home from the hospital, a lot of mothers turn to formula because they feel their babies are hungrier than what our bodies can feed them. But new mothers should know that a new baby's tummy is the size of a marble, and they are crying because they are in a new strange world, not because they are hungry. I would like new mothers to know that they shouldn't be so hard on themselves, have faith in their bodies that they will produce plenty of milk, and enjoy the bonding that comes with nursing a baby. Another quick tip I wish I knew was you don't need to schedule nursing sessions! Just nurse, nurse, nurse! The first few days I was writing down times and switching one breast to the other, but in the end I ditched all of that and nursed on demand and it was so much easier for me and my son. I am now in my 10th month of breast feeding!

You can read more of the entries you submitted here.  I'll post a few of my favorites soon. 

You can also take Motherwear's customer service satisfaction survey and enter to win a $50 gift certificate.

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

Some answers about the new workplace pumping law

When I originally posted about the news that a workplace pumping requirement had been passed as part of the health care reform law, there were many questions and not many answers about how and when it would be implemented.

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee has posted some answers on its website, and I'm excerpting some key ones here with permission.  Please check back to their site for updates as more information becomes available.

What does the Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers law do?

• Section 4207 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as Health Care Reform), states that employers shall provide breastfeeding employees with “reasonable break time” and a private, non-bathroom place to express breast milk during the workday, up until the child’s first birthday.
• Employers are not required to pay for time spent expressing milk, and employers of less than 50 employees shall not be required to provide the breaks if doing so would cause “undue hardship” to their business.
• Download the text of Section 4207 only.

When does the law take effect?

• The law was effective immediately upon President Obama’s signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, however, the rules for enforcement have not yet been put in place. Breastfeeding employees should be assured that the Department of Labor is working swiftly to establish these rules, and should give their employers time to comply once those rules take effect.
• While the Department of Labor works to define terms and processes for enforcement of the law, USBC stands ready to support employers and breastfeeding employees with tools, information, and resources. View resources for employers and managers and resources for breastfeeding employees.

What do the time and space requirements in the new law mean?

• The Department of Labor will define terms used in the law, such as “reasonable break time” and “significant difficulty or expense.”
• An example of how the Department of Labor might interpret the law can be found in Oregon’s Rest Breaks for Breast Milk Expression law, which served as the model for the federal law. In Oregon, the Bureau of Labor and Industry Administrative Rules defined the time and space provisions as follows... (see U.S. Breastfeeding Committee for more)

What about complaints, enforcements, penalties, and “undue hardship”?

• These are some of the important questions the Department of Labor will be working to answer in the coming months. USBC and Senator Merkley’s office will be closely monitoring and supporting this process.

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