We are in the midst of Doula Week! Celebrate a postpartum doula and eat your Leafy Greens!!
Boost your nutrition prenatally and heal during the postpartum period. They are an excellent source of several nutrients, including iron, manganese and vitamins A, C and K.
They call me Mamma Chard for a reason!! ~ Jacquie
Dr. Newman shared some of his breast feeding wisdom and experiences for a full day at the Nursing Mother’s Council Conference. As a certified lactation counselor I am energized and passionate about supporting new breast feeding parents so they can achieve their breast feeding goals. All you have to do is reach out for support!
“Not true! REASONABLE alcohol intake should not be discouraged at all. As is the case with most drugs, very little alcohol comes out in the milk. The mother can take some alcohol and continue breastfeeding as she normally does. Prohibiting alcohol is another way we make life unnecessarily restrictive for breastfeeding mothers.” ~Dr. Jack Newman
Toasting during the holidays with occasional small amounts of alcohol does not create a need to pump & dump milk after drinking alcohol, other than for mom’s comfort — pumping & dumping does not speed the elimination of alcohol from the milk. Breastfeeding 2 or more hours after consumption is advised. The alcohol content in the breastmilk decreases at the same rate as it decreases in the blood level.
**Chronic, regular, heavy, or binge drinking of alcohol is NOT advised.
**Co-sleeping is NOT advised if the breastfeeding mom or partner are under the influence of alcohol.
**Drinking alcohol reduces the ability of the mother to be aware of the baby’s needs, whether she is breastfeeding or not. It is safest to ask someone else to care for the baby. ~ The Breastfeeding Network
**Click on the link below for more facts for the breastfeeding parent to make informed decisions:
Current research says that occasional use of alcohol (1-2 drinks) does not appear to be harmful to the nursing baby.
Per Hale (2012), “mothers who ingest alcohol in moderate amounts can generally return to breastfeeding as soon as they feel neurologically normal.” ~Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC @ www.Kellymom.com
New parents are very tired and the option of a partner or other help may not be available. Knowing the safest options for safe infant sleep and what to avoid is important.
“If you are feeding your baby and think that there’s even the slightest possibility that you may fall asleep, feed your baby on your bed, rather than a sofa or cushioned chair,” said Lori Feldman-Winter, MD, FAAP, member of the Task Force on SIDS and co-author of the report.
AAP Announces New Safe Sleep Recommendations to Protect Against SIDS, Sleep-Related Infant Deaths
Mamma’s Instincts is Postpartum Doula support that embraces your unique family~
“Whether you’re starting (or expanding) your family via birth, surrogacy, or adoption, the first few months of a baby’s life are both challenging and joyful for ALL parents. Being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer doesn’t magically improve one’s ability to cope with sleep deprivation, blowout diaper changes, an inconsolable infant, or postpartum depression. However, being prepared with the right support team in place…….”
That Doula Guy says it all clearly……..
As a postpartum doula supporting LGBTQ families, and a queer-identified man myself, I often feel that my community gets left out of the early parenting support world.
Labor support is usually tailored to the gestational or birthing parent, as it should be. But babies come into this world with all different types of parents ready to welcome them, including eager mommies/daddies/abbas/mamas/papas/babas/zazas/spunkles, etc. Why not make the support that’s offered just as diverse as the many different types of families out there?
Postpartum support needs to be culturally competent. Families who don’t fit the mold of your average two-parent heterosexual household deserve sensitive care that’s attuned to the whole family’s wellbeing. If you’ve just done the exhausting work of birthing a baby, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether your doula will need a primer on terminology or “trans 101” in order to effectively serve your family. If you’ve…
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Early hunger cues happen when the baby is in light active sleep. The eyes will start moving as if dreaming, lips start moving, early waking up time to alert awake quiet state, and the rooting reflex activates searching for the breast. These all signal a fantastic opportunity to offer the baby the breast or bottle while he is calm.
If these cues are not recognized then the mid hunger cues will kick in. In this phase the infant will have increased body movement, stretching, putting hands to mouth (or anything that grazes the lips), and very active rooting in desperate search of nourishment on any person that is holding them. This is also a great time to offer the breast or bottle without further delay!
Sometimes all of these cues are missed even by the most attentive parents. It is important to note that every infant has their own threshold before they get to the late hunger cues. At this point he is quite agitated, frantically rooting side to side, crying and red faced. This is not an ideal time to put the baby to breast and have a good latch. Giving a bottle to the baby in this state may cause excess air intake resulting in gas or regurgitation. Calming a baby that has reached this state is often necessary before a successful feed can take place. Skin to skin, sucking on a parents pinky finger with or without milk on it, rocking and changing rooms can all help to calm.
Waiting until the late hunger cues as a routine for feedings is not ideal. It can result in feeding and attachment problems as well as stress for both baby and parents. While new parents get to know their infants putting the baby to breast often will develop a good milk supply as well as create a strong bond and secure attachment. Bottle feeding with love and attention will nurture bonding and attachment.
Postpartum Doula support will help new parents to navigate hunger cues as well as the complete transition period of a new baby during the first days, weeks, and months. Contact me if you would like to arrange a visit!
Jacquie
Mamma’s Instincts, Postpartum Doula support that embraces your unique family~
Jacquie Procopio, Perinatal Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Sleep Educator at Mamma's Instincts. Accepting Insurance! 