Challenges to/of Breastfeeding

In honor of National Nutrition Month, we are talking about breastfeeding! Last week, I wrote a post about the benefits (and there are so many), but now I want to discuss the challenges. There are so many reasons that breastfeeding may not be possible, reasonable, or realistic for so many moms.

Barriers to Breastfeeding in the U.S.

• Lack of knowledge

  • Many women do not know the specific benefits or the risks of not breastfeeding

  • Many women do not know what to expect with breastfeeding

  • Many women do not know how to breastfeed (It may not just naturally happen! There are skills related to holding and positioning the baby, how to get the baby to latch, and other techniques that need to be learned)

• Perceived inconvenience (to lifestyle and the amount of commitment required)

• The perception that bottle feeding is more acceptable in the U.S.

• The belief/practice that larger babies are healthier

• Lack of social support

  • Negative attitudes of friends and family

  • Contradicting information from friends and family

  • The father of the baby is against breastfeeding (often from lack of knowledge/incorrect expectations)

• Embarrassment/feelings of discomfort to breastfeed in public

  • less than 50% of the U.S. population thinks it is okay to breastfeed in public

• Lack of private places to breastfeed (lactation rooms)

• Lactation Problems (see more below under challenges)

  • Sore nipples

  • Engorgement

  • Mastitis

  • Leaking milk

  • Pain when breastfeeding

  • Failure in baby latching

  • Low milk supply

• Poor initiation in a hospital setting after the baby is born

• Work Environment

  • Inflexibility in work hours

  • Lack of lactation space

  • Lack of storage for expressed milk

  • Job insecurity

  • Limited maternity leave benefits

  • Pressure from coworkers and/or supervisors

  • Unhygienic space for expressing milk

  • Having to take reduced pay for taking breaks for expressing milk

• Childcare is not close to work or at the workplace

• Short or No Maternity Leave

  • Women who plan to return to work in less than one year are less likely to breastfeed and maintain breastfeeding

• Low priority is given to breastfeeding education in hospitals and clinics

• Policies that do not support breastfeeding in hospitals and clinics

Note: Since my son was in the NICU for so long, I had the great opportunity to work with lactation specialists throughout his time at the hospital. In hindsight, I wish I would have sought out support when he left as well. I highly recommend seeking out a specialist! For any future children, I will most certainly seek help. Our pediatrician's office offers this service, our local hospital offers support for mothers in the community - look for these resources in your community and ask your child's pediatrician if you feel you need additional support.

Challenges of Breastfeeding

• Sore Nipples

Many moms have sore nipples when first breastfeeding. The cause of sore nipples can be one of several things. Find out causes and solutions here.

• Low-milk supply

Sometimes moms feel like they are not able to supply enough milk for their baby. However, there are ways you can tell, so that you do not have to worry unnecessarily. Find out more (including how to increase your supply) here.

• Engorgement

When your boobs feel so full they are painful. Find out the causes, signs, and relief for engorged breasts here.

• Plugged Duct, Infection, Mastitis

These issues are all temporary but can make sticking with breastfeeding challenging. Find more information including how to get relief here.

• Nursing Strike

This is when your baby suddenly stops breastfeeding. It is important to keep offering them the breast, and if they are not eating, express milk. Find out more information here.

• Breast and Nipple Size and Shape

You may think that the size and/or shape of your breasts and/or nipples can affect your ability to breastfeed effectively, but all shapes and sizes can breastfeed successfully. Find out more here.

There are also tools that can help such as a nipple shield that will help the baby latch. I had to use one and would never have known it even existed if not for working with a lactation consultant.

• Exhaustion, Sadness/Depression

It can be a lot emotionally, mentally, and physically as you are caring for your new baby. This is completely normal. It is so important to take care of yourself! Find out more here.

• Dealing with Judgement

It can be difficult to breastfeed because many places do not provide a private place for breastfeeding. In most states, you can breastfeed in public. Find some tips for breastfeeding in public here.

I believe this information is so important because you never know what another mother is experiencing and so it is not okay to judge how another mom feeds her baby. Also as a society, we need to make it easier for moms to breastfeed. Let's all support each other!

Remember Mama, you are doing a great job! You got this!

Sources:

• National Library of Medicine

• USDA

• The American College of Obestricticans and Gynecologists

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Baby's First Dentist Visit

When Parker's teeth started coming in we began to wonder when you are supposed to take your little one to the dentist for the first time. We also had other questions like do you take them to the same dentist adults go to? What should we expect at a dentist appointment with an infant? Etc. So I am hoping to share some information with you about this first dentist appointment!

One of Parker's teeth came in with a gray spot on it and so we talked to our pediatrician and ended up needing a dentist visit earlier than most. If you have any concerns (and or need a referral), I would recommend contacting your pediatrician.

When?

Most experts seem to agree that you should take your child to the dentist by their first birthday (or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in).

If you have any issues or concerns with your child's teeth, you may need to go earlier.

Who?

It was recommended to us to visit a pediatric dentist because they specialize in children's teeth as opposed to a family dentist who sees all ages. This seems to be a common recommendation based on the resources I have explored.

We got a referral from our pediatrician for a local pediatric dentist. Tip: You may want to make an appointment early, because I know our dentist is booked months out.

We love the pediatric dentist we take Parker to, so I would recommend that over a family dentist (but you do what is best for your children of course). He has a specialized space and equipment for the littlest of patients and he is wonderful with our child!

Find a Pediatric Dentist

What to expect?

• The first appointment is likely to last 30 - 45 minutes.

• May include a full exam looking at the teeth, jaws, bute, gums, and oral tissues

• May include a gentle cleaning if needed

• Includes directions/demonstration on proper care of teeth and gums at home and information related to good habits

• Will likely not include an x-ray unless absolutely needed due to a concern

If you have questions about any of the following information, the dentist would be great to ask:

• Baby bottle tooth decay

• Infant feeding practices

• Mouth cleaning

• Teething

• Pacifier habits

• Finger-sucking habits

Our dentist let us know that he wants us back every six months so that Parker becomes accustomed to and comfortable with going to the dentist regularly.

How to prepare?

• Schedule morning appointments (children are more alert and fresh)

• If your child is a little older, discuss what to expect and why the dentist is important

• Build excitement

• If you are anxious about the dentist, try not to share these with your child

• Prepare questions for the dentist - discuss questions and concerns

• Be prepared to share your child's full health history with the dentist

• If you expect your child to respond in a certain way, be sure to share that with the dentist

Taking care of your child's teeth:

• Clean your child's gums with a clean, damp cloth

• Start brushing with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush

• Use a tiny (grain of rice-sized) amount of toothpaste when teeth start coming in

• Wipe out any excess toothpaste with a wet piece of gauze before they are able to spit it out

• Use a pea -size fluoridated toothpaste after 3 years of age (when they can spit it out)

• Do not give your child milk or sweetened liquid at bedtime or naptime

• Limit the amount of time your child has a bottle (it should take 5 to 6 minutes or less)

• Help your child brush their teeth until 7 or 8 years of age

• Limit foods and drinks that are linked to tooth decay (a bacteria that feeds on sugar creates acid that dissolves the protective enamel on teeth)

• Do not share saliva with your infant (through kissing on the mouth, or using your mouth to sipe off a pacifier, or sharing utensils) - this can introduce the bacteria

• By the time your child is a toddler, you should be brushing twice per day

• If your child's teeth are touching (usually the molars in the back), you need to be flossing their teeth - this is usually around age 3 or 4 (your dentist would likely let you know if you need to before then - this is something we are doing for our little one!)

• If your child is still sucking their thumb past 3, talk to your dentist about it

• Replace your child's toothbrush every 3 to 4 months

• Set your child up with good habits

• Model good habits

Remember Mama, you are doing a great job! You got this!

Sources:

• Stanford Medicine Children's Health

• Cleveland Clinic

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Since March is national nutrition month, let's talk about one way of providing nutrition to our littlest kiddos: breastfeeding!

First, let me say that I know breastfeeding can be an emotional and sometimes controversial topic. But in my mind, the most important thing is that your baby is getting fed. Whatever that looks like in your home. I know from personal experience that things don't always work out as you maybe planned or hoped.

Since my son was born over two months early and spent 72 days in the NICU my breastfeeding journey was not at all what I expected. At times he had breastmilk, at times he had a combination of breastmilk and formula, and he also had a lot of formula only. I did what I could do. And that is okay.

I pumped until Parker was 6 months old because I really wanted to meet that 6-month goal. But by the end of that time, I dreaded pumping. I was low producing, so I would pump 6 - 8 times a day and only produce enough for one bottle. I tried all of the things people recommend: bars, teas, massage, power-pumping, etc. It was defeating at times. But my child got the nutrients he needed with a combination of breastmilk and formula.

I say all of this because I want you to know that whether you choose to breastfeed or if you decide that is not what is best for you and your family, it is all okay. Just feed your baby. :-)

Now for the information...

The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby:

• lowers your baby's risk of certain diseases

• helps build a strong immune system

• helps brain growth and nervous system growth

• lowers the risk of many sicknesses/conditions

• reduced rates of hospitalization in breastfed babies

• breastfed babies have fewer visits to the pediatrician's office

• baby's eyes work better

The Nutritional Benefits of Breastfeeding:

• the nutrients are better absorbed than those in formula

• provides a unique and specific formula of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

• helps your baby's digestive system grow

• easy to digest

• provide the right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein, and vitamins for your baby's development

• promotes healthy weight gain in infants

• changes to meet your baby's nutritional needs as your baby's needs change

• naturally soothes baby

The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom:

• lowers the risk of several types of cancer

• lowers the risk of other diseases/conditions

• helps you recover more quickly from childbirth

• helps make you feel more connected with your baby

• can (not always) promote faster weight loss after giving birth

• Affordable

• easy - don't need to prepare formula

• can help you feel calm

So breastfeeding is awesome! And it is the best form of nutrition for a baby, but it is just not possible for many women for a large variety of reasons. So it is best to never judge how someone chooses to feed her child.

There are so many challenges to that make breastfeeding difficult for the recommended time (2 years). There will be a follow up next week with more information on challenges!

Sources:

• Cleveland Clinic

• USDA

• Johns Hopkins Health

• CDC