Breastfeeding Tidbits!

• If you are breastfeeding, avoid using the gel hand sanitizers.

Just wash your hands with soap and water instead. Why? The gel sanitizers have alcohol in them. Alcohol can irritate your hands as well as the sensitive skin around the nipple and areola when you hold your breast to latch baby. The alcohol fumes are toxic to baby. I've seen cases where babies have had "breast aversion" because their mommy was using hand sanitizer after all diaper changes.

The Best Way to Avoid the Flu

The flu season is here! Protect you and your family in a very simple way.

• Wash your hands with soap and water for 30 seconds

When? Before you eat, after changing diapers or using the bathroom, after sneezing or wiping your nose or eyes, when you get home after being out...this goes for your children's hands as well!

• Try to keep your hands off of your nose and eyes

• Avoid touching public hand rails and door knobs as much as possible. Keep your paper towel in public restrooms, use it to open the door or push the door open with your back or shoulder instead of your hand.
• If you or a family member are coming down with "something", do everyone a favor, and stay home. There is no heroism in keeping an appointment and pushing yourself to do something if it is going to spread disease to someone else. Be considerate of others.

Breastfeeding Tidbits!

• The best breastmilk storage containers are either glass, or BPA free hard plastic containers

Why? Research has found that the a large percentage of the immunoglobulins that are in your breastmilk will stick to the sides of the plastic bag breastmilk storage containers. So...baby never gets those stuck cells that protect her from infections.

• When storing expressed breastmilk, never add your warm, just expressed milk to a container with frozen milk. Cool the just expressed milk in the refrigerator first!

Types of Lactation Visits

I do three types of lactation visits. Fathers can be included in the instruction.

1. Prenatal assessment and breastfeeding instruction

This can be done in the home and includes:

• a mother's health history
• instruction on how to get a deep latch
• various feeding positions
• how to avoid sore nipples
• how to avoid engorgement
• how to know when your baby is hungry
• the importance of skin to skin
• soothing techniques
• nutrition
• the importance of having the baby put on her tummy right after birth while the placenta is being delivered
• the importance of having the baby's first breastfeeding take place within the first hour of birth
• how to avoid being separated from the baby while in the hospital, and much more

2. Early postpartum visit for one of baby's first feedings
This visit can be done in the hospital soon after baby is born. If I haven't seen you before, it will include:

• mother's health history
• history of your labor and delivery
• physical assessment of the baby
• breast exam of mother
• feeding observation/instruction
• latch and positioning assistance as needed
• feeding and satiation cues
• breastfeeding management for the first few days
• the importance of skin to skin with the baby
• pre-term or late pre-term instruction if appropriate
• assistance with other issues that may arise
• customized care plan

3. Home visit after hospital discharge
This visit can take place in the days soon after discharge, or later, and includes:

• mother and baby health history
• physical assessment of baby
• breast assessment
• observation of feeding
• assistance with latch and positioning
• nude weight, and pre and post feeding baby weights
• hunger and satiation cues
• how to know if baby is getting enough milk
• when supplementation is needed
• alternative feeding methods if needed
• pumping and storing human milk
• management of sore nipples
• management of engorgement
• dealing with low milk supply
• cluster feedings
• dealing with over abundant milk production
• poor weight gain
• dealing with a fussy baby
• nutrition
• adequate rest for mom
• information and/or screening for postpartum depression
• provision of appropriate supplies and literature
• a personalized care plan
• follow up phone calls and emails, timely report to your physician.

Any of these visits may include more or less of what is listed, but this gives you a general idea of what is involved. If you can have only one visit, I would suggest that the visit after discharge would be the best one to select--as that is when many breastfeeding challenges start to show up. Having a prenatal visit can give parents enough knowledge to help prevent many breastfeeding problems. A visit for baby's first feeding, can help mom have a good latch and positioning from the very beginning, as well as breastfeeding management tips that will help to prevent problems as her milk comes in.
Most mother's and fathers are greatly encouraged and much more confident after a visit. It is my aim to make sure the baby is well fed, and that things are going in a way that is good for the baby and the parents. Breastfeeding involves the whole family. I want to help you meet your breastfeeding goals. I also want you to enjoy the precious new life in your growing family!

Breastfeeding Tidbits!
Keep your eye out for various "Tidbits" about breastfeeding. Today, I'd like to tell you one about cleaning breast pumps.

• Do you know that you should never, never wash your breast pump tubing?
• If you notice condensation in the tubing after pumping, leave the pump running for a while after disconnecting the bottles--this will dry it out.

The reason you don't need to wash the tubing, is that the tubing has nothing but air going through it.  The expressed breast milk never touches the tubing.  If you wash the tubing, chances are that it will get moldy.  If that is the case, you must get some replacement tubing.

This blog does not give medical advice, but is meant to be an encouragement and to give you up to date information about breastfeeding. You should always call or see your physician or your pediatrician for medical advice or care. If you are having breastfeeding problems, you should seek the help of a professional lactation consultant or a breastfeeding friendly physician who can see you in person.

I am making a new service available! If you are looking for

"The Best Baby Shower Gift!",

you've found the right place!

I am now offering prepurchased private lactation consultations to use as a gift for that special new mother that you know! It is one of the best gifts you could ever give to a new mom. You can go together with friends, or if you are a big spender, do it on your own.

I have various packages available. You can buy one, two, or three visits. The new mother can choose when she wants the visits.

I can do 3 types of visits:

1. Prenatal assessment and breastfeeding instruction (private in home)


2. Hospital visit for one of baby's first feedings


3. Home visit after discharge from the hospital

All of my visits include individualized teaching, as well as printed information about breastfeeding issues. When I do a home visit, I will give you a superbill that you can submit--along with a claim form and your doctor's order to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Getting a properly worded doctor's order will make it more likely that you get some insurance coverage for the visit.

Coming up next! More information on what may happen at your private lactation visit.