Alcohol and Breastfeeding

Posted by on Feb 24, 2012 in Blog, Lactation Consulting, Parenting Your Breastfed Baby | 0 comments In the latest ‘Essence’ magazine (published by the ABA), an article discusses some recent research which estimates the number of Australian women who drink alcohol while pregnant, breastfeeding or pregnant and breastfeeding. Quoting the research, Essence says that 29% of those who were pregnant, 43% of those who were breastfeeding and 36% of those who were both pregnant and breastfeeding drank alcohol.  The article goes on to point out some risks involved with drinking alcohol when pregnant or breastfeeding and those mothers who are more likely to drink alcohol. Am I surprised by the findings?  Not at all.  When doing consultations, part of my initial history involves talking about how much alcohol the mother is consuming.  The reason I ask about alcohol is two-fold. Firstly, there are risks involved in drinking alcohol in pregnancy and during breastfeeding, and the mother needs to be able to make an informed decision about alcohol consumption.  Being informed can help the mother to make choices that minimise the risks to her baby. Secondly, some mothers find that drinking alcohol inhibits their let-down.  This can be a real challenge if you are already struggling with low-supply or have a baby who needs some encouraging to go to the breast. The ABA article went on to discuss a brochure it has produced called ‘Alcohol and breastfeeding: a guide for mothers’, in which it gives some guidelines about timing of drinks and levels of alcohol in breastmilk.   Original research – Prevalence and predictors of alcohol use in pregnancy and breastfeeding among Australian women  Maloney E, HutchinsonD, Burns L, Mattick RP, Black E 2011, Birth 38:1 Article discussed in LRC section Essence Magazine, March 2012, 48:2...
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Breastfeeding In Public?

Posted by on Feb 14, 2012 in Before Baby Arrives, Blog, Breastfeeding Challenges, Lactation Consulting, Parenting Your Breastfed Baby | 2 comments When you’re expecting your first baby you often have some really firm ideas about what you are and are not going to do with your baby.  You may not be sure how you feel about some things.  Feeding your baby in public is one of those topics that can polarise people.  So, let’s look at the facts. Babies are born with small tummies and exclusively breastfed babies digest their perfect food efficiently, so it moves through their gut quite quickly.  This all adds up to small babies needing to be fed fairly frequently.  Older babies can also go through periods where they need to feed more frequently than usual.  These situations, in themselves, are not an issue until you find yourself out in public with a baby who is showing all the signs of needing a feed.  What do you do? The answer to this is as individual as each mother/baby pair.  Some people feel very comfortable attending to their baby’s breastfeeding requirements when ever and where ever the baby needs.  So, for these people, it’s a simple matter of finding a comfortable position for themselves and their baby and getting on with it.  Remember, you are allowed to feed your baby anywhere!  There are very few exceptions to this rule. Other people are more concerned about feeding in public.  They may feel exposed or vulnerable feeding their baby in a public place.  For these people a quite corner of a café, a feeding room at a shop or in the passenger seat of the car can be a safe private place for them to meet their baby’s needs.  Some people choose to attach their baby and cover them with a wrap or baby-feeding cape.  This works for some people, and not for others – particularly as the baby gets older and wants to see what is happening around them.  Some mothers find that newer styles of breastfeeding-friendly clothing make them feel less exposed when they do need to feed in public, or that by sitting in front of a mirror and feeding their baby, they may be able to tell that actually, not a lot of skin or breast is visible when a baby is attached. Or, like a lot of people, you may find you are a mixture of both.  You may feel comfortable feeding in public in certain situations and in front of certain people, and with other...
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What is an IBCLC & When Do I Need One?

Posted by on Feb 2, 2012 in Before Baby Arrives, Blog, Breastfeeding Challenges, Lactation Consulting, Painful Breastfeeding | 1 comment An IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) is a person who has worked with breastfeeding mothers and babies for an extended time, accrued significant professional development hours and has sat and passed an international level exam set by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE).  IBCLC’s are specialists in their field and are a reference point for any breastfeeding issue. Many IBCLC’s come from a mother-to-mother breastfeeding counsellor or midwifery background.  Some are registered nurses from a hospital setting, others have been allied health professionals.   All lactation consultants who have IBCLC after their name, however, have attained the highest standard in the specialty of breastfeeding – regardless of their background. The role of an IBCLC is usually in one of two areas.  There are often IBCLC’s employed by maternity hospitals to support mothers who birth in that hospital during the post-natal period.  Others go into private practice and support mothers during pregnancy and after the birth of their baby. Research supports the fact that mothers (& their partners) who receive breastfeeding education before their baby is born are more likely to have better breastfeeding outcomes.  IBCLC’s have an indepth knowledge of issues which may effect breastfeeding and can provide an individual assessment before a baby arrives. IBCLC’s are a wealth of knowledge after your baby is born and can help with all breastfeeding related issues.  Whether a baby is having trouble attaching, breastfeeding is painful or there is concern about milk supply – if it’s breastfeeding related, an IBCLC will be able to help. If you’re returning to work, an IBCLC can help you to plan for the transition.  Both mother and baby will need to adjust to the changes, and input from an IBCLC can help make the transition as smooth as possible. Some IBCLC’s provide professional inservice sessions and conference lectures.  Some are authors of fantastic books or run online breastfeeding education sites. So, IBCLC’s are highly qualified health professionals that have a wide-ranging role in supporting breastfeeding mother/baby dyads in a variety of...
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Upcoming topics

Posted by on Jan 28, 2012 in Before Baby Arrives, Blog, Breastfeeding Challenges | 0 comments Just a quick post to welcome you to my site and blog.  The information on this blog is general and is not suitable for all mother/baby circumstances.  Hopefully you’ll find it helpful and informative.  Some upcoming topics cover dummy use, returning to work and breastfeeding while you’re out and about.  I welcome your feedback and suggestions for topics.  Happy...
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Breastfeeding Challenges

Posted by on Sep 15, 2010 in Blog, Breastfeeding Challenges, Painful Breastfeeding | 0 comments When you’re experiencing breastfeeding challenges, it can be a time of great vulnerability.  The emotion that comes with a breastfeeding experience which is less than rewarding can be very strong, even overwhelming sometimes.  Having been through a disappointing breastfeeding experience with my first baby, I can very much relate to the feelings and frustration that can come from breastfeeding challenges. That’s why it is so important to get the right help early.  For some people it means having a consultation before the baby arrives so they have a clearer picture of what to expect once their baby is born and is breastfeeding.  It may mean looking back at what has happened to contribute to the situation so it can be changed.  For others it means recognising that either things are not going well or are not improving.  Sometimes just recognising what is normal for newborns can help. Often breastfeeding challenges are easily rectified.  Some may be ongoing or need more complex management.  Most mothers find that the effort they put in to overcome their breastfeeding challenge is well worth it. Breastfeeding is NOT MEANT TO BE PAINFUL.  If it is, you might like to contact me to decide if you need a...
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Parenting Your Breastfed Baby

Posted by on Sep 15, 2010 in Before Baby Arrives, Blog, Breastfeeding Challenges, Parenting Your Breastfed Baby | 0 comments Parenting a breastfed baby can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.  It comes with a whole world of new experiences – the bond when your baby snuggles in for a feed, the satisfaction of seeing them grow just from your milk and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re setting them up with the healthiest start to life. Sometimes you might feel a little unsupported in your breastfeeding journey.  That’s when a network of mothers who are currently breastfeeding or have breastfed, can be a great source of  information and encouragement.  Your local Australian Breastfeeding Association group can be a valuable resorce to you.  Many mothers who are members have been through similar experiences and can offer some friendly support. In the coming blogs, I hope to open the door to the many benefits of parenting a baby that is...
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