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What do you say if or when someone asks you not to breastfeed in public??
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You are currently browsing the Momzelle Breastfeeding Blog blog archives for December, 2011.
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About Sara
My first child is due Feb. 8th 2012. As I wait with anticipation for my breastfeeding adventure to begin, I feel so lucky to be able to be a part of the breastfeeding blog world. For more about me read the About Us section of the blog! This blog is intended to be a place of inspiration and information. It is a place to share stories and ideas. I love hearing from you!
Momzelle Nursing News
Archive for December, 2011
Breastfeeding in public motto!
Thursday, December 8th, 2011A letter to my pregnant body
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011This lovely article is the inspiration for this post. Five women from various walks of life write letters to their bodies to show a little appreciation.
This is what I would tell my body today:
Dear Body,
I am most appreciative of you these days. I feel as though you are not even really mine right now, but you belong to the growing baby inside me. I trust that you will adapt and give all that you can to protect and nurture this new being.
In the meantime, Legs I will try to not resent you for the discomfort you are causing me at night. It took me until I was 29 years old and had hiked the Inca Trail before I truly appreciated you and your strength, so I can handle a little charlie horse!
Stomach, it may take me some time but I will not let these new stretch marks tear down my self-esteem. I love how my belly has expanded to nurture and grow my child. Although, I admit that you and I might have to have a few conversations once this baby is out!
Boobs, you are new to me and I love you! I have always appreciated you, but lately I see you in a whole new light. I anticipate how you will be responsible for feeding and comforting my child. I eagerly await to put you to good use!
Feet, you are fat and hard to reach right now. I admit that I have never really been fond of you, but I certainly appreciate the places you have taken me and the fact that you are so wide that I have the best balance in my yoga class!
You are not perfect Body, but neither am I! Thank you for carrying me through this life.
Love Sara
(below is a photo of me a few weeks ago at 29 weeks pregnant)
What would you say to your body today? How has your attitude and appreciation changed since having children?
How to find a breastfeeding-friendly pediatrician
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011I am on the hunt for a pediatrician. As per usual I am a bit ahead of myself, I don’t have a baby just yet! But when I give birth in February I want to have a good idea of who will be my child’s regular care giver. I am new to this city and as I’ve been navigating through the obstetrician and hospital world, I am learning how important it is to be vocal and informed when making these kinds of decisions.
Before becoming so involved in the breastfeeding world, I wasn’t aware of how a doctor could in fact be a “booby trap“. This is a person of authority that we turn to when we are concerned about the most precious thing in our lives. It is natural that we would listen to their advice without questioning. This survey of members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a decade old but is shocking nonetheless! “Although the AAP statement extensively documents the superiority of human milk, a startling 45% of surveyed pediatricians view breastfeeding and formula-feeding as equally acceptable methods of feeding. Another 17% aren’t sure.”
So how can we make sure our pediatrician or family doctor is going to be on the same breastfeeding page?
Here are a few things to do that can get us going in the right direction:
- Figure out what your breastfeeding beliefs and goals are – How important is it to you to breastfeed and for how long? Do you want to follow the WHO code to a tee or do you want to supplement and breastfeed from the get go?
- Get Referrals – Ask your ob/gyn, midwife, lactation consultant, La Leche League, friends and family. Ask people that will give you an honest opinion and who know what you are seeking in a doctor.
- Do Research and Prepare Questions to Ask the Doctor - Arm yourself with the WHO code and other information that supports your beliefs. Here are some questions to ask (for more questions see resources below):
1) Whose breastfeeding recommendations do you subscribe to? Do you know the recommendations of health organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Department of Health, and UNICEF?
2) In what sort of circumstances would you recommend supplemental feedings, interruptions of breastfeeding and weaning from the breast?
3) Have you or anyone in your office had specific training in counseling breastfeeding mothers? - Have confidence and a positive attitude – Be respectful and responsive when conversing with your doctor. It should feel like you are a team in the management of your child’s care.
I look forward to creating a bond with my child’s doctor. I imagine that they will be a big part of our lives, especially in the first few years!
How impacting was your family doctor or pediatrician on your breastfeeding adventure?
Here are some great resources (and the sources of my research):
Breastfeeding is normal!
Monday, December 5th, 2011I am due with my first child in two months. There are so many things I am looking forward to, but… I don’t like drawing attention to myself, making people uncomfortable or being insecure. What I really don’t like is that these things are often associated with breastfeeding in public!
I am truly excited for the breastfeeding relationship only I will be able to have with my child. Because of my work on this blog and my involvement with an amazing community of online breastfeeding mothers, I feel that I will confidently breastfeed in public. I just hope that if (or when, as it seems more often) I run into negative reactions I will remember this “confidence” I have now!
Last month there was an article about a Michigan judge that deemed breastfeeding (discreetly in the back of his courtroom) “inappropriate”. Read the article here. It seems everyday I read about more women feeling embarassed or belittled when breastfeeding in public. Breastfeeding is normal!! I don’t want to breastfeed in public to make a statement of my rights and responsibilities. I want to breastfeed because that is what is best for my child.
I would like to see this stop being an issue. Bottle-feed or breastfeed, the idea is that if you are out with your baby you should not feel weird about feeding it!
Do you feel comfortable breastfeeding in public? How do we make breastfeeding the cultural norm?
Breastfeeding quote for a little inspiration!
Monday, December 5th, 2011Countless women have regained trust in their bodies through nursing their children, even if they weren’t sure at first that they could do it. It is an act of female power, and I think of it as feminism in its purest form.
~ Christine Northrup
I love the attitude that breastfeeding is empowering. That a woman can feel such strength and trust in her body and nourish another human being, that is something to be celebrated!
Happy Monday!
5 best tips and resources for plugged ducts
Thursday, December 1st, 2011Breastfeeding is one of the many things I am hugely anticipating with my impending motherhood (due in Feb!). It is also one of the only things I witnessed up close that kind of scared the crap out of me. Let’s be clear, I witnessed my sister breastfeeding and it was beautiful and inspiring. Her nasty case of mastitis is what traumatized me (let alone her!) just a tad. She had a rare and severe version that turned into an abscess and required surgery.
A plugged milk duct is a very common breastfeeding obstacle. To reach our goals and make breastfeeding a pleasurable experience for all, I wanted to gather what the experts say so we can be prepared and overcome this hurdle!
Top tips for curing plugged ducts (taken from the resources below):
1) Eating a nutritious diet to boost the immune system
2) Plenty of rest and fluids
3) Nurse regularly, especially on affected side. As Dr. Sears says ” by any means, get the milk out” to prevent engorgement.
4) Apply a warm compress before nursing.
5) Nurse affected breast first, ensuring a good, strong latch. Baby can help dislodge the plug with his strong sucking.
These are some of the most common remedies and suggestions. I’ve also read wearing loose clothing, massage, different nursing positions, and a slice of potato can help. Don’t let a plugged duct get worse or stop you from breastfeeding (I tell myself, over and over:)!
If you’ve experienced a plugged or blocked duct, I consider you an expert too! What helped you clear a plugged duct?
Here are some great resources:
The Momzelle resources page (find answers to many other breastfeeding questions here as well!)
The Leaky Boob facebook page (an amazing community of moms helping moms)
