Hi so sorry, nothing has been added for a month but the time has absolutely flown by.
We had a small "Open Day" on 4th Aug to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week " with just enough people to be relaxed & enjoyable. Hope everyone is taking note of the theme for this years Brestfeeding Week & that more babies are staying together with mom for at least the 1st hour after birth!!! This should include babies delivered by Caearean Section under spinal or epidural anaesthetic. Did you know that for Baby Friendly Hospital accreditation 80% of these moms & babies should be together ? Check it out at your hospital ? If it isn't the case ask why & please write to the hospital & write to this Blog so that we all know what is happening !!!!
Sad news on water birth - the response is that it isn't considered safe here ! Studies show that there isn't really any difference in outcome between this & other birthing practices - in fact interventions in birth may lead to further complications. Well, women have given birth in water in Singapore, Phillippines, Thailand & apparently there are plans for Vietnam !!! If birthing in water isn't allowed please still campaign to be able to use a warm bath / pool for the benefits in helping a mother to relax & relieve pain during labour. Lets work for one step at a time. If nobody asks for changes, we won't see any!!!!
I will be going to Singapore early in Oct to train to be a hypnobirthing practitioner so by the end of the year we will hopefully be able to add hypnobirthing classes to the services offered to you at Mamalink. In the meantime, wishing you a happy family time with your babies. If you have any comments or stories to share or would like to put up pictures of your babies please write in to the blog
Friday 7 September 2007
Wednesday 1 August 2007
Open Day
The theme for this years World Breastfeeding Week is
Breastfeeding
The 1st Hour
Save One Million babies.
Mamalink will be holding an Open Day
Saturday 4th August from 10am til 2pm.
Do join us to find out more about the importance of this 1st breastfeed ( especially if you are expectant parents ).
Topics:
1) Breastfeeding, why is 1st hour so important?
2) Baby Massage Demo ( on doll unless there is a willing baby present ! )
3) Special offers - 1 day only.
4) Refreshments will be provided
For more information see www.mamalink.com.my
Breastfeeding
The 1st Hour
Save One Million babies.
Mamalink will be holding an Open Day
Saturday 4th August from 10am til 2pm.
Do join us to find out more about the importance of this 1st breastfeed ( especially if you are expectant parents ).
Topics:
1) Breastfeeding, why is 1st hour so important?
2) Baby Massage Demo ( on doll unless there is a willing baby present ! )
3) Special offers - 1 day only.
4) Refreshments will be provided
For more information see www.mamalink.com.my
Monday 30 July 2007
WBW 2007 The 1st 1 Hour Save One Million Babies!
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2007
The following is adapted from the WABA Action Folder
Breastfeeding: The 1st Hour Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for six months canSave more than ONE million babies!
Objectives:
• To mobilise the world to the potential for saving ONE million babies starting with ONE simple action: allowing the baby to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour of life
• To promote immediate skin-to-skin contact of the mother and baby and continuing with exclusive breastfeeding for six months
• To encourage ministers of health and other authorities to include the initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour as a key indicator for preventive health
• To ensure that families know how important a baby’s first hour is, so that they can make sure that their babies are given this opportunity
To support the newly revised and revitalised Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), with its emphasis on integration and expansion, and on the early initiation of breastfeeding.
Why is skin-to-skin contact after birth and breastfeeding within the first hour of life so important?
1. The mother’s body helps to keep the baby appropriately warm, which is especially important for small and low birth weight babies.
2. The baby is less stressed, calmer and has steadier breathing and heart rates.
3. The baby is exposed first to the bacteria from the mother which are mostly harmless, or against which the mother’s milk contains protective factors. The mother’s bacteria colonise the baby’s gut and skin and compete with more harmful bacteria from health providers and the environment, and so prevent them from causing infection.
4. The baby receives colostrum for the first feeds – liquid gold, sometimes called the gift of life.
• Colostrum is rich in immunologically active cells, antibodies and other protective proteins. Thus it serves as the baby’s first immunization. It protects against many infections. It helps to regulate the baby’s own developing immune system
• It contains growth factors, which help the infant’s intestine to mature and function effectively. This makes it more difficult for micro-organisms and allergens to get into the baby’s body
• It is rich in Vitamin A, which helps protect the eyes and reduce infection
• It stimulates the baby to have bowel movements so that meconium is cleared quickly from the gut. This helps get rid of the substances in the baby's body that produce jaundice and therefore may help reduce it
• It comes in small volumes, just right for the new baby.
5. Touching, mouthing and suckling at the breast stimulates oxytocin release – this is important for many reasons:
• Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract. This may help delivery of the placenta and reduce maternal bleeding after the birth10
• Oxytocin stimulates other hormones which cause a mother to feel calm, relaxed, and some would say “in love” with her baby
• Oxytocin stimulates the flow of milk from the breast.
6. Women experience incredible joy with this first meeting of their child! And fathers often share this delight. The process of bonding between mother and baby begins.
Overall, skin-to-skin contact and early feeds with colostrum are associated with reduced mortality in the first month of life. They are also associated with increased exclusive breastfeeding and longer duration of breastfeeding in the following months, leading to improved health and reduced mortality later on as well.
Is normal breastfeeding initiation in the first hour all that is needed to guarantee continued exclusive breastfeeding?
Absolutely not! Mothers need continued support to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. The family, health workers, traditional healers and others in the community are all important contributors to their network of support. Health providers, health visitors and others need clinical training in assessment of breastfeeding, identification of problems, as well as knowledge and skills for helping the mother to resolve difficulties. Follow-up by a health worker within 48-72 hours after the birth, again after one week, and at appropriate times thereafter provides the opportunity to intervene early if there are problems, as well as to reassure the mother when things are going well.
Implementation of the newly revised and revitalised BFHI with its 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding along with adherence to The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and Subsequent World Health Assembly Resolutions provide the support structure needed to protect, promote and support optimal breastfeeding.
The Remarkable First Hour of Life
When healthy infants are placed skin-to-skin on their mother’s abdomen and chest immediately after birth, they exhibit remarkable capabilities. They are alert. They can crawl, stimulated by mother’s gentle touch, across her abdomen, reaching her breast. They begin to touch and massage the breast. This first gentle touch of a baby’s hand or head at the breast stimulates release of maternal oxytocin, thus beginning both the flow of milk and enhancing the feelings of love for the baby. Then the baby smells, mouths and licks the mother’s nipple. Finally, he or she attaches to the breast and feeds. This sequence of events is important for the survival of human young.
Although many authors describe these normal infant behaviours, we are just now discovering the importance of providing the opportunity for a mother and baby to have the experience. For the first time, researchers have assessed the effect of the timing of the first breastfeed on newborn mortality – showing that mortality may be less if infants start to breastfeed in the first hour.
Mistaken Beliefs: Barriers to Normal Breastfeeding Initiation
1. Colostrum is not good, or even dangerous for babies. NO!
Colostrum is essential for normal growth and development:
• First immunization – protects against intestinal and other infections • Purgative to reduce severity of jaundice
2. Infants need special teas or other fluids before breastfeeding. NO!
Any pre-lacteal feeds (feed given before breastfeeding has started) increase the infant’s risk of infection, reduce the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding and shorten the duration of breastfeeding.
3. Babies will not get enough food or fluid with only colostrum and breastmilk. NO!
Colostrum is sufficient for a baby’s first feeds. It is normal for a newborn to lose 3-6% of birth weight. They are born with a store of water and sugar in their bodies to use at this time.
4. Baby will get too cold. NO!
Babies are at safe temperatures when skin-to-skin with their mothers. Amazingly, the mother’s breast temperature rises 0.5 degrees C within 2 minutes of having the baby on her chest.
5. Mothers are too exhausted after labour and delivery to feed their baby immediately. NO!
The surge of oxytocin that comes with skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding helps to calm a mother after the birth of her baby.
6. It is very important to suction the baby’s mouth, nose, and oropharynx before the first breath to prevent inhaling birth fluids, especially if the baby had a bowel movement during the labour. NO!
Suctioning the normal healthy newborn does not reduce the occurrence of meconium aspiration, and may injure the tissue of the mouth, throat or vocal cords. Gastric suction also interferes with breastfeeding.
7. Vitamin K and medication to prevent gonorrhea eye infection must be given immediately after birth. NO!
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine state that these important preventive measures can be delayed for as long as an hour, until after the baby has breastfed, without risk to the infant.1,11 They should not in any case require separation of mother and baby.
8. Women require pharmacologic intervention to cope with the pain of labour. Normally, NO!
Use of labour analgesia/anaesthesia may sedate the baby, hindering breast-seeking behaviour and delaying initiation of breastfeeding for hours or days. Use of complementary therapies including having a companion during labour help women to cope with the pain, and the obstetric outcome may be improved.
9. It requires too much work and time to help the mother during this time. NO! While the baby is on the mother’s chest, the birth attendant can continue to do the usual assessment of mother and baby or other duties. The baby will find his or her own way to the breast.
For full action folder see: http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/downloads.htm
The following is adapted from the WABA Action Folder
Breastfeeding: The 1st Hour Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for six months canSave more than ONE million babies!
Objectives:
• To mobilise the world to the potential for saving ONE million babies starting with ONE simple action: allowing the baby to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour of life
• To promote immediate skin-to-skin contact of the mother and baby and continuing with exclusive breastfeeding for six months
• To encourage ministers of health and other authorities to include the initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour as a key indicator for preventive health
• To ensure that families know how important a baby’s first hour is, so that they can make sure that their babies are given this opportunity
To support the newly revised and revitalised Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), with its emphasis on integration and expansion, and on the early initiation of breastfeeding.
Why is skin-to-skin contact after birth and breastfeeding within the first hour of life so important?
1. The mother’s body helps to keep the baby appropriately warm, which is especially important for small and low birth weight babies.
2. The baby is less stressed, calmer and has steadier breathing and heart rates.
3. The baby is exposed first to the bacteria from the mother which are mostly harmless, or against which the mother’s milk contains protective factors. The mother’s bacteria colonise the baby’s gut and skin and compete with more harmful bacteria from health providers and the environment, and so prevent them from causing infection.
4. The baby receives colostrum for the first feeds – liquid gold, sometimes called the gift of life.
• Colostrum is rich in immunologically active cells, antibodies and other protective proteins. Thus it serves as the baby’s first immunization. It protects against many infections. It helps to regulate the baby’s own developing immune system
• It contains growth factors, which help the infant’s intestine to mature and function effectively. This makes it more difficult for micro-organisms and allergens to get into the baby’s body
• It is rich in Vitamin A, which helps protect the eyes and reduce infection
• It stimulates the baby to have bowel movements so that meconium is cleared quickly from the gut. This helps get rid of the substances in the baby's body that produce jaundice and therefore may help reduce it
• It comes in small volumes, just right for the new baby.
5. Touching, mouthing and suckling at the breast stimulates oxytocin release – this is important for many reasons:
• Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract. This may help delivery of the placenta and reduce maternal bleeding after the birth10
• Oxytocin stimulates other hormones which cause a mother to feel calm, relaxed, and some would say “in love” with her baby
• Oxytocin stimulates the flow of milk from the breast.
6. Women experience incredible joy with this first meeting of their child! And fathers often share this delight. The process of bonding between mother and baby begins.
Overall, skin-to-skin contact and early feeds with colostrum are associated with reduced mortality in the first month of life. They are also associated with increased exclusive breastfeeding and longer duration of breastfeeding in the following months, leading to improved health and reduced mortality later on as well.
Is normal breastfeeding initiation in the first hour all that is needed to guarantee continued exclusive breastfeeding?
Absolutely not! Mothers need continued support to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. The family, health workers, traditional healers and others in the community are all important contributors to their network of support. Health providers, health visitors and others need clinical training in assessment of breastfeeding, identification of problems, as well as knowledge and skills for helping the mother to resolve difficulties. Follow-up by a health worker within 48-72 hours after the birth, again after one week, and at appropriate times thereafter provides the opportunity to intervene early if there are problems, as well as to reassure the mother when things are going well.
Implementation of the newly revised and revitalised BFHI with its 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding along with adherence to The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and Subsequent World Health Assembly Resolutions provide the support structure needed to protect, promote and support optimal breastfeeding.
The Remarkable First Hour of Life
When healthy infants are placed skin-to-skin on their mother’s abdomen and chest immediately after birth, they exhibit remarkable capabilities. They are alert. They can crawl, stimulated by mother’s gentle touch, across her abdomen, reaching her breast. They begin to touch and massage the breast. This first gentle touch of a baby’s hand or head at the breast stimulates release of maternal oxytocin, thus beginning both the flow of milk and enhancing the feelings of love for the baby. Then the baby smells, mouths and licks the mother’s nipple. Finally, he or she attaches to the breast and feeds. This sequence of events is important for the survival of human young.
Although many authors describe these normal infant behaviours, we are just now discovering the importance of providing the opportunity for a mother and baby to have the experience. For the first time, researchers have assessed the effect of the timing of the first breastfeed on newborn mortality – showing that mortality may be less if infants start to breastfeed in the first hour.
Mistaken Beliefs: Barriers to Normal Breastfeeding Initiation
1. Colostrum is not good, or even dangerous for babies. NO!
Colostrum is essential for normal growth and development:
• First immunization – protects against intestinal and other infections • Purgative to reduce severity of jaundice
2. Infants need special teas or other fluids before breastfeeding. NO!
Any pre-lacteal feeds (feed given before breastfeeding has started) increase the infant’s risk of infection, reduce the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding and shorten the duration of breastfeeding.
3. Babies will not get enough food or fluid with only colostrum and breastmilk. NO!
Colostrum is sufficient for a baby’s first feeds. It is normal for a newborn to lose 3-6% of birth weight. They are born with a store of water and sugar in their bodies to use at this time.
4. Baby will get too cold. NO!
Babies are at safe temperatures when skin-to-skin with their mothers. Amazingly, the mother’s breast temperature rises 0.5 degrees C within 2 minutes of having the baby on her chest.
5. Mothers are too exhausted after labour and delivery to feed their baby immediately. NO!
The surge of oxytocin that comes with skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding helps to calm a mother after the birth of her baby.
6. It is very important to suction the baby’s mouth, nose, and oropharynx before the first breath to prevent inhaling birth fluids, especially if the baby had a bowel movement during the labour. NO!
Suctioning the normal healthy newborn does not reduce the occurrence of meconium aspiration, and may injure the tissue of the mouth, throat or vocal cords. Gastric suction also interferes with breastfeeding.
7. Vitamin K and medication to prevent gonorrhea eye infection must be given immediately after birth. NO!
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine state that these important preventive measures can be delayed for as long as an hour, until after the baby has breastfed, without risk to the infant.1,11 They should not in any case require separation of mother and baby.
8. Women require pharmacologic intervention to cope with the pain of labour. Normally, NO!
Use of labour analgesia/anaesthesia may sedate the baby, hindering breast-seeking behaviour and delaying initiation of breastfeeding for hours or days. Use of complementary therapies including having a companion during labour help women to cope with the pain, and the obstetric outcome may be improved.
9. It requires too much work and time to help the mother during this time. NO! While the baby is on the mother’s chest, the birth attendant can continue to do the usual assessment of mother and baby or other duties. The baby will find his or her own way to the breast.
For full action folder see: http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/downloads.htm
Tuesday 24 July 2007
Baby Massage Classes
We now have Baby Massage Classes at Mamalink.
Group Classes.
These are held in relaxing environment & should be fun for you & your baby. It also provides an opportunity for you to meet with other parents while you gain confidence in learning to read your baby's signals & develop your massage routine.
Infant massage benefits both baby & parents by:
Relaxing & soothing parents & baby.
Deepening the relationship between parents & child.
Helping parents to understand the baby's body language.
Improving baby's sleep by soothing the nervous system.
Relieving colic & tummy discomfort by relaxing the intestinal tract.
Promoting brain & motor skill development.
Strengthening respiratory, muscular, circulatory & immune systems.
Providing a fun time together.
For more info : Contact Santhi on 03 20951206 or see our website
http://www.mamalink.com.my/
Thursday 7 June 2007
Ante-Natal Classes
Our next course of ante-natal classes will be starting in JulySmall group classes conducted in a friendly & relaxed environment by a certified Nurse / Midwife (SRN SCM), who is also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant(IBCLC), a Certified Infant Massage Instructor(CIMI) & has a Grad.Diploma in Child Birth Education
Practical aspects covering labour & birth, breastfeeding & baby care.
The very popular Labour Day & Parenting Days will be on Saturday14th & 21st July respectively.
The new 6 week evening class commences on Wednesday 11th. July.
Wearing your baby !
Many parents love to carry their babies next to their body - keeps baby secure & happy - less stress for parents as babies who are close to their parents cry less. Now in addition to the very popular " sarong sling "
we have the new "baby pouch".
we have the new "baby pouch".
Cool & comfortable in fun, bright colours.
For more details see the sales section of our website www.mamalink.com.my
Monday 4 June 2007
New Nursing Swimwear
If you enjoy swimming with your nursing baby /toddler then our new nursing swimwear from EMMA - JANE (UK's leading brand of nursing wear) is just for you.
Nursing Tankini in Blue or Black. So convenient for those nursing breaks at the pool or on the beach.
Available at Mamalink ( for our contacts see www.mamalink.com.my ) or at Mamous, Bangsar Shopping Centre.
Nursing Tankini in Blue or Black. So convenient for those nursing breaks at the pool or on the beach.
Available at Mamalink ( for our contacts see www.mamalink.com.my ) or at Mamous, Bangsar Shopping Centre.
Breastfeeding Support
Hi,
Next support group is thursday morning, August 9th, at 10am. It was wonderful to see so many moms & babies at this group last month - hope to see many of you again next time. I'm sure many of you benefit from the sharing.
Can't make the support group & need to chat with other moms - then this blog was meant for you. Please use it the same way you would a support group - put up your questions, worries & successes for other moms to share. I will chip in for questions that other moms don't reply to, but this blog was not intended to be used for questions just for me to answer !!!!! You gain so much from sharing your experiences with each other.
If you have more serious breastfeeding problems or just want to learn more about breastfeeding you can be seen in our breastfeeding clinic. See www.mamalink.com.my for full details of our breastfeeding services
Next support group is thursday morning, August 9th, at 10am. It was wonderful to see so many moms & babies at this group last month - hope to see many of you again next time. I'm sure many of you benefit from the sharing.
Can't make the support group & need to chat with other moms - then this blog was meant for you. Please use it the same way you would a support group - put up your questions, worries & successes for other moms to share. I will chip in for questions that other moms don't reply to, but this blog was not intended to be used for questions just for me to answer !!!!! You gain so much from sharing your experiences with each other.
If you have more serious breastfeeding problems or just want to learn more about breastfeeding you can be seen in our breastfeeding clinic. See www.mamalink.com.my for full details of our breastfeeding services
Tuesday 24 April 2007
Storage of Breastmilk
Can breastmilk be stored slightly more than 3 month in the freezer? Since my baby is rejecting bottle, I have some expressed breast milk, about 20oz of them sitting in my freezer reaching 3 months next week, and my baby will only be 6 month by mid May. Is it possible not to waste the milk? Vivianz
Monday 9 April 2007
Nursing Toddlers and Beyond
I think this group of moms are feeling neglected. Most support groups seem more geared to pregnant & new moms. Society in general tends not to react very favourably towards moms breastfeeding their older children, although WHO recommends that children should be breastfed for at least 2 years. Are you breastfeding an older child? Do you feel in need of support ?
Oversupply / Fast Flow of Milk
To many mothers who are struggling to build up a milk supply, having too much sounds like a dream. But those who experience oversupply will tell you it causes just as many frustrations & difficulties as not having enough !
So those of you who have experienced this - how did you feel when you were struggling to deal with it. What tips would you have for other moms experiencing this problem?
So those of you who have experienced this - how did you feel when you were struggling to deal with it. What tips would you have for other moms experiencing this problem?
Wednesday 4 April 2007
Sore Nipples
Most commonly sore nipples are a result of poor attachment but there may be many other causes
Share your experiences & tips for dealing with this problem with other moms or if you are experiencing this problem send in your questions!
Share your experiences & tips for dealing with this problem with other moms or if you are experiencing this problem send in your questions!
Early Breastfeeding - 1st few days
What are your experiences of breastfeeding in the first few hours / days after birth?
Were you given help with breastfeeding in the labour ward immediately after birth?
Did you receive sufficient help on the post natal wards?
What are your experiences?
What tips would you have for new or expectant moms ??
Were you given help with breastfeeding in the labour ward immediately after birth?
Did you receive sufficient help on the post natal wards?
What are your experiences?
What tips would you have for new or expectant moms ??
Use of Birth Pool as Pain Relief in Labour
3 hospitals in Singapore now have pools available in labour wards so that moms can use these as a method of pain relief in labour - the hospitals are: Thomson Medical Centre, Mount Alvernia Hospital & National University Hospital.
Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok has had birthing rooms with pools for many years.
So what is happening in KL?
So far no hospitals have been willing to incorporate this kind of facility. Many women have expressed a desire to be able to immerse in water during labour ( this told to me personally) but I am just wondering how many of you have formally approached the hospital managements? Changes only come with a public request for the facilities. If insufficient people ask for such services then it is unlikely that we will see them in the near future !!
What are your comments ? Is anyone interested in using a birth pool for their labour? Has anyone approached hospital management? What kind of reponses did you get ??
Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok has had birthing rooms with pools for many years.
So what is happening in KL?
So far no hospitals have been willing to incorporate this kind of facility. Many women have expressed a desire to be able to immerse in water during labour ( this told to me personally) but I am just wondering how many of you have formally approached the hospital managements? Changes only come with a public request for the facilities. If insufficient people ask for such services then it is unlikely that we will see them in the near future !!
What are your comments ? Is anyone interested in using a birth pool for their labour? Has anyone approached hospital management? What kind of reponses did you get ??
Tuesday 20 March 2007
Allergies in Breastfed Babies
I was wondering if my sudden intake of eggs (at least one a day or more) for a week could cause my baby to have an allergic reaction with his whole body getting covered in hives. My baby is now 7 months old but I had not really eaten eggs up until now. Nothing else in the baby's routine or diet changed. Is it possible for food that I eat to filter through my body to the extent of giving the baby an allergic reaction? Are there other foods to avoid?
If a baby is sensitive to a certain food then, yes, they can have allergic reactions to food that the mom has eaten. You can try cutting eggs out of your diet & see if your baby's condition improves. There aren't absolute specific foods that everyone should avoid. If you know of any foods that other members of your family are sensitive to, then you could try also avoiding those foods. If you notice that your baby seems to be developing any symptoms of allergy after you have introduced any new foods to your diet, just discontinue that food for a while & see how things go.
If a baby is sensitive to a certain food then, yes, they can have allergic reactions to food that the mom has eaten. You can try cutting eggs out of your diet & see if your baby's condition improves. There aren't absolute specific foods that everyone should avoid. If you know of any foods that other members of your family are sensitive to, then you could try also avoiding those foods. If you notice that your baby seems to be developing any symptoms of allergy after you have introduced any new foods to your diet, just discontinue that food for a while & see how things go.
Will Baby Ever Take A Bottle ??
recently, I have problem getting my 4 months old baby OFF my breast. She needs to be breastfed to sleep. And if I took out my breast, she will start looking for it after 10 minutes. I've tried many many nights not to give in but she kept screaming so loud as if she's in so much pain (well I know she's not). I've try took the breast out before she sleep and try to pat her to sleep, still not working, she will cry after a while and wanna suck on the breast. That way, she will doze off very fast. But my breasts need to be there, "standby" for her when she suddenly woke up to look for her walking pacifier. Also, she rejects all kind of feeding method of expressed breastmilk, I've tried bottle, dropper, syringe, spoon... nothing work, she only want direct breastfeed. I can't go anywhere else because I am totally stucked with her demand.Is there any way to get her drink from the bottle and not sleep on my breast?
Usually if baby is used to mom being around she will obviously prefer the breast. Many babies (much younger than 4 months) will refuse a bottle if they are not used to it & particularly if mom is nearby. Do you really mind that she needs you there all the time at this stage? If not, this is a short phase of your baby's life & it helps meet her need for security if you are there. Later on, you may look back & treasure these times nursing your baby to sleep!
If you really want someone else to put her down to sleep or give her a feed, then it would be helpful if you remove yourself at least to another room.
Ask the person giving the feed to wrap your baby in a piece of clothing that you have worn so that your familiar smell is still there
Try initially introducing bottles at a time your baby is still drowsy - often before they are fully awake babies will start to suckle on a teat.
Put your expressed milk in the bottle.
Ask the person offering the bottle to hold baby close in a position similar to the one you use for breastfeeding.
Try rocking the baby while offering the bottle.
Some babies never take a bottle, but once they start solids in the second half of the first year you can try encouraging other drinks in a cup !!
Any tips from other moms with similar concerns ??
Usually if baby is used to mom being around she will obviously prefer the breast. Many babies (much younger than 4 months) will refuse a bottle if they are not used to it & particularly if mom is nearby. Do you really mind that she needs you there all the time at this stage? If not, this is a short phase of your baby's life & it helps meet her need for security if you are there. Later on, you may look back & treasure these times nursing your baby to sleep!
If you really want someone else to put her down to sleep or give her a feed, then it would be helpful if you remove yourself at least to another room.
Ask the person giving the feed to wrap your baby in a piece of clothing that you have worn so that your familiar smell is still there
Try initially introducing bottles at a time your baby is still drowsy - often before they are fully awake babies will start to suckle on a teat.
Put your expressed milk in the bottle.
Ask the person offering the bottle to hold baby close in a position similar to the one you use for breastfeeding.
Try rocking the baby while offering the bottle.
Some babies never take a bottle, but once they start solids in the second half of the first year you can try encouraging other drinks in a cup !!
Any tips from other moms with similar concerns ??
Wednesday 14 March 2007
Breastfeeding Support Group March 2007
Contented breastfed babies !
Moms able to relax, feed their babies & chat
Breastfeeding Support Group
Mother to mother support can be very important for new & experienced breastfeeding moms. We meet once a month on the 2nd. Thursday morning. Nursing & expectant moms are all welcome. Get togethers are relaxed & informal & babies enjoy it too!If you are working & unable to get to our meetings please feel free to discuss your breastfeeding issues on this blog!!
Working Moms
Hi....I have been breastfeeding for 7 months now. I am also a working mother. I find that my milk supplying is reducing. Would like to continue breastfeeding until the baby is at least 12 months old. How do I maintain my milk supply?
Hi Meing Chaan,
Basically your milk supply works on demand & supply ie the more you take out the more you will make. When you are working there are sometimes restrictions on how long or how often you can express your milk & if you are not able to express frequently enough the milk supply will reduce. Also expressing is not as effective as a baby suckling at the breast.
To increase the milk supply you may like to try the following:
If possible increase the frequency of expressing while at work.
Try to relax while you are expressing.If you are stressed it will affect the actual milk flow.
If you are pumping one breast at a time try double pumping.
Increase direct breastfeeding with your baby when you are at home.
At week-ends, revert to full breastfeeding & only express on work days.
Check that you are taking a well balanced diet (while you are breastfeeding you should be taking extra calories & plenty of good quality unrefined carbohydrates).
If the milk supply doesn't increase to meet your baby's needs you may want to consider taking Fenugreek. The capsules are not always easy to obtain but you can enquire at GNC shops. Other wise buy the fenugreek seeds. You can make a drink by adding approx 8 oz boiling water to a heaped teaspoon of fenugreek seeds. Let this steep for a few minutes & then drink the liquid. You can repeat this approx 3 x per day.If you like the taste of the seeds you can also eat the softened seeds.
If you have any medical conditions you may want to check with your doctor before doing this.
Alternatively there are medications your doctor can prescribe if the milk supply is very low.
Over the next few months your baby will gradually take more solid food & will require less of your milk but up to one year your milk is still your baby's staple food.
Comments & tips from other working moms would be very welcome.
Hi Meing Chaan,
Basically your milk supply works on demand & supply ie the more you take out the more you will make. When you are working there are sometimes restrictions on how long or how often you can express your milk & if you are not able to express frequently enough the milk supply will reduce. Also expressing is not as effective as a baby suckling at the breast.
To increase the milk supply you may like to try the following:
If possible increase the frequency of expressing while at work.
Try to relax while you are expressing.If you are stressed it will affect the actual milk flow.
If you are pumping one breast at a time try double pumping.
Increase direct breastfeeding with your baby when you are at home.
At week-ends, revert to full breastfeeding & only express on work days.
Check that you are taking a well balanced diet (while you are breastfeeding you should be taking extra calories & plenty of good quality unrefined carbohydrates).
If the milk supply doesn't increase to meet your baby's needs you may want to consider taking Fenugreek. The capsules are not always easy to obtain but you can enquire at GNC shops. Other wise buy the fenugreek seeds. You can make a drink by adding approx 8 oz boiling water to a heaped teaspoon of fenugreek seeds. Let this steep for a few minutes & then drink the liquid. You can repeat this approx 3 x per day.If you like the taste of the seeds you can also eat the softened seeds.
If you have any medical conditions you may want to check with your doctor before doing this.
Alternatively there are medications your doctor can prescribe if the milk supply is very low.
Over the next few months your baby will gradually take more solid food & will require less of your milk but up to one year your milk is still your baby's staple food.
Comments & tips from other working moms would be very welcome.
Working Moms
Hi....I have been breastfeeding for 7 months now. I am also a working mother. I find that my milk supplying is reducing. Would like to continue breastfeeding until the baby is at least 12 months old. How do I maintain my milk supply?
Hi Meing Chaan,
Basically your milk supply works on demand & supply ie the more you take out the more you will make. When you are working there are sometimes restrictions on how long or how often you can express your milk & if you are not able to express frequently enough the milk supply will reduce. Also expressing is not as effective as a baby suckling at the breast.
To increase the milk supply you may like to try the following:
If possible increase the frequency of expressing while at work.
Try to relax while you are expressing.If you are stressed it will affect the actual milk flow.
If you are pumping one breast at a time try double pumping.
Increase direct breastfeeding with your baby when you are at home.
At week-ends, revert to full breastfeeding & only express on work days.
Check that you are taking a well balanced diet (while you are breastfeeding you should be taking extra calories & plenty of good quality unrefined carbohydrates).
If the milk supply doesn't increase to meet your baby's needs you may want to consider taking Fenugreek. The capsules are not always easy to obtain but you can enquire at GNC shops. Other wise buy the fenugreek seeds. You can make a drink by adding approx 8 oz boiling water to a heaped teaspoon of fenugreek seeds. Let this steep for a few minutes & then drink the liquid. You can repeat this approx 3 x per day.If you like the taste of the seeds you can also eat the softened seeds.
If you have any medical conditions you may want to check with your doctor before doing this.
Alternatively there are medications your doctor can prescribe if the milk supply is very low.
Over the next few months your baby will gradually take more solid food & will require less of your milk but up to one year your milk is still your baby's staple food.
Comments & tips from other working moms would be very welcome.
Hi Meing Chaan,
Basically your milk supply works on demand & supply ie the more you take out the more you will make. When you are working there are sometimes restrictions on how long or how often you can express your milk & if you are not able to express frequently enough the milk supply will reduce. Also expressing is not as effective as a baby suckling at the breast.
To increase the milk supply you may like to try the following:
If possible increase the frequency of expressing while at work.
Try to relax while you are expressing.If you are stressed it will affect the actual milk flow.
If you are pumping one breast at a time try double pumping.
Increase direct breastfeeding with your baby when you are at home.
At week-ends, revert to full breastfeeding & only express on work days.
Check that you are taking a well balanced diet (while you are breastfeeding you should be taking extra calories & plenty of good quality unrefined carbohydrates).
If the milk supply doesn't increase to meet your baby's needs you may want to consider taking Fenugreek. The capsules are not always easy to obtain but you can enquire at GNC shops. Other wise buy the fenugreek seeds. You can make a drink by adding approx 8 oz boiling water to a heaped teaspoon of fenugreek seeds. Let this steep for a few minutes & then drink the liquid. You can repeat this approx 3 x per day.If you like the taste of the seeds you can also eat the softened seeds.
If you have any medical conditions you may want to check with your doctor before doing this.
Alternatively there are medications your doctor can prescribe if the milk supply is very low.
Over the next few months your baby will gradually take more solid food & will require less of your milk but up to one year your milk is still your baby's staple food.
Comments & tips from other working moms would be very welcome.
Working
Hi....I have been breastfeeding for 7 months now. I am also a working mother. I find that my milk supplying is reducing. Would like to continue breastfeeding until the baby is at least 12 months old. How do I maintain my milk supply?
Thursday 8 March 2007
Less milk in one breast than the other
See Doreen's post under IBCLC Day. Any other tips from moms who have experienced this problem
Tuesday 6 March 2007
On a totally different note - Design competition short list
Well this is one proud mom. My son Adrian & friend Nicholas entered a design competition for FIAT 500 & were shortlisted. Not bad for 1st attempt !
If you are interested in design you may like to look at www.designboom.com
See fiat 500 & look under lifestyle section !!!!
Will try to stick to birthing & breastfeeding in future !!!
If you are interested in design you may like to look at www.designboom.com
See fiat 500 & look under lifestyle section !!!!
Will try to stick to birthing & breastfeeding in future !!!
About Lactation Consultants
IBCLCs are trained healthcare providers who must meet specific educational & practical requirements before sitting rigorous exams. They possess the specialised skills & knowledge to assist moms & babies with breastfeeding. They are required to recertify every 5 years & to resit the certifying exam every 10 years. Currently there are 7 IBCLCs within the whole of Malaysia. Many others are calling themselves Lactation Consultants without actually having the qualification, & therefore it is always in your interest to check their credentials. For more information on the training requirements & the role of the IBCLC check www.iblce.edu.au
There is also a list of those in Malaysia who hold this qualification on this site.
What do IBCLC's Do
They teach the how to's of breastfeeding & offer reassurance that breastfeeding is going well. They help moms & babies overcome difficulties such as nipple or breast pain, latch on difficulties, flat or inverted nipples, low milk supply, slow weight gain, or a colicky baby. They assist mothers with breastfeeding a pre-term baby, breastfeeding multiples, relactation& adoptive breastfeeding, breastfeeding & returning to employment outside the home, pumping & storing milk & breastfeeding babies with special needs.
Need to find an IBCLC !
International Lactation Consultant Association provides a directory of Lactation Consultants:
See www.ilca.org
There is also a list of those in Malaysia who hold this qualification on this site.
What do IBCLC's Do
They teach the how to's of breastfeeding & offer reassurance that breastfeeding is going well. They help moms & babies overcome difficulties such as nipple or breast pain, latch on difficulties, flat or inverted nipples, low milk supply, slow weight gain, or a colicky baby. They assist mothers with breastfeeding a pre-term baby, breastfeeding multiples, relactation& adoptive breastfeeding, breastfeeding & returning to employment outside the home, pumping & storing milk & breastfeeding babies with special needs.
Need to find an IBCLC !
International Lactation Consultant Association provides a directory of Lactation Consultants:
See www.ilca.org
IBCLC Day March 7th
March 7th is the day that Lactation Consultants around the world will celebrate International Board Certified Lactation Consultants Day. The theme this year is " IBCLCs :- Providing Unique Care for Breastfeeding Mothers & Babies"
More & more moms around the world are choosing to breastfeed their babies. Having a Lactation Consultant as part of your healthcare team, both pre & post natally is a positive step a mother can take towards achieving her goals. Moms need access to evidence based information & support to make breastfeeding work in their lives.Whether gathering information during pregnancy, making plans to return to work, or experiencing breastfeeding concerns, when it comes to breastfeeding assistance, Lactation Consultants provide that unique care for mothers & babies.
At Mamalink we will be holding a breastfeeding support group on thursday 8th March from 10am til 12md. Open to pregnant or nursing moms or anyone interested in breastfeeding.
For directions to our centre see may under About Us on www.mamalink.com.my
Look forward to seeing you. If you can't make it please put in your topics for discussion to this blog. Lets make it a great place for breastfeeding moms in Malaysia to communicate
More & more moms around the world are choosing to breastfeed their babies. Having a Lactation Consultant as part of your healthcare team, both pre & post natally is a positive step a mother can take towards achieving her goals. Moms need access to evidence based information & support to make breastfeeding work in their lives.Whether gathering information during pregnancy, making plans to return to work, or experiencing breastfeeding concerns, when it comes to breastfeeding assistance, Lactation Consultants provide that unique care for mothers & babies.
At Mamalink we will be holding a breastfeeding support group on thursday 8th March from 10am til 12md. Open to pregnant or nursing moms or anyone interested in breastfeeding.
For directions to our centre see may under About Us on www.mamalink.com.my
Look forward to seeing you. If you can't make it please put in your topics for discussion to this blog. Lets make it a great place for breastfeeding moms in Malaysia to communicate
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)