Alcohol and Breastfeeding

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?

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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Parenting Your Breastfed Baby

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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