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I have to mention, and I am so proud, that we had a Dad and Grandmom attend the meeting as well! This lovely Grandmother proudly announced that she was breastfed for 2 years! It was also amazing to see a husband participate, and support his wife. Although he seemed a little frightened by the topics of conversation, I know he was listening and I know he will be an even better support to his wife. I strongly encourage spouses and support persons to come to the meetings, because mothers need these cheerleaders to encourage them to keep going when it seems too treacherous/stressful/tiresome/painful/pointless, and they need to know that their decision to provide breast milk for their baby is accepted and supported! One mom asked me what to say to her husband who wants her to change to formula once the baby is out of the hospital! He seems a little grossed out by breastfeeding, and especially by the thought of a baby with teeth still nursing. This can be difficult because some women may give up breastfeeding due to lack of support from their husbands. What I told her? Tell your husband that the AAP recommmends at least one year of breast milk for ALL babies, and that switching her son to formula may increase his reflux. Tell him that children SUCK at the breast, they don't BITE to get the milk out and you will be just fine when the teeth start to come in. Lastly, I said I could talk to him as a health care professional and tell him that his son needs breast milk for as long as it is available, for his digestion, reflux, and immune protection!
We also discussed low milk supply issues, and recommended a lot of skin-to-skin and non-nutritive sucking, where the baby is put to breast AFTER a pump to practice suckling before they are challenged with milk ejection and swallowing. We discussed some herbal supplements such as Mother's Milk and Fenugreek, as well as daily oatmeal consumption (apparently it helps one relax and therefore increases oxytocin levels). More frequent pumps can also help, with complete emptying of the breasts, but Kim made a strong point that sometimes a mom responds better with touch/suckling stimulation from skin-to-skin or non-nutritive sucking as compared to a pump. So hold your babies ladies! An important thing to remember, too, is that no matter how LITTLE milk you think you are making, it is still a HUGE contribution to your baby's nutrition, digestion, and the fight against infection!
Another topic of conversation was bra support! Most women's breasts change in size during pregnancy and often again after delivery! We had a couple of Moms yesterday who were wearing snug bras or bras from a few years ago! If too snug/too supportive the bra can actually occlude milk ducts and cause clogging or even low milk supply! We recommended that the moms go to a maternity store and get fitted for a bra, and to steer away from underwire support. Maybe we can have a representative from a store come to our next meeting for bra fittings?
We had a spread of juice (thanks, Ashley!), delicious muffins (thanks, Chris!), mixed fruit (thanks, Kim!), chocolate "GEMs", and Keurig drinks (again, not a fan favorite):
We also gave away a Boppy with a beautiful handmade cover by Boutique Sweet Cheeks, shown above, as well as three minky/fabric boppy covers made by House of Henderson!
Our group and prize winners!
Thanks, Moms, for your avid participation, I am so proud of your hard work, and of your openness to share your baby's story, and for supporting each other! Your group yesterday brought joy and tears to one of the lactation consultant's eyes...we are all so excited about your decision to continue pumping for your delicate little ones! You are each a true Role Model and an Inspiration for other pumping moms!
