August is National Breastfeeding Month!

I hope everyone had a fun, educational World Breastfeeding Week!  We ended ours on a great note, with nine moms at the GEMs meeting last week!  We discussed at length about low milk supply, you could see the stress in these moms' eyes.  However, I think the moms were offering great advice and encouragement, as they listened to each others' stories of hospitalization and pumping efforts!  Kim also passed out some information regarding nutritional needs of a breastfeeding/pumping mom, which is especially helpful for the stressed NICU mom who often forgets to eat or does not eat balanced meals!  It is important to eat well (an extra 300-500 calories per day!), stay hydrated (8-10 glasses of water a day!), try to relax (sleep!), and remember to pump frequently.

It was very inspiring to hear everyone's stories, because although the specific situations and diagnoses are different, all the moms shared a common bond in that they are worried about their children and worried about providing sufficient breast milk to help their babies heal and grow!  I hope the group provided good information and comfort!

This month we gifted a Nursing Pillow and one of our World Breastfeeding Week t-shirts!  From t-shirt sales this month we were able to raised over double the amount we raised in 2012 to help support GEMs...thank you to everyone!  And thank you, mommies, for the amazing time and effort you are putting in to make milk for your little ones...even the smallest amount each day will give them immune protection that we are unable to provide as health care providers!