Breastfeeding protects from SIDS

A recent meta analysis shows that exclusive breastfeeding protects infants from SIDS. This is a benefit of breastfeeding that many new parents are unaware of. In my most recent class I taught to expecting parents nobody had heard of this. Check out the actual article in the Journal Pediatrics: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/06/08/peds.2010-3000

Space still available for October/November prenatal and breastfeeding classes at Mothering with Heart

Sign up now for informative, evidence-based, small and personal prenatal classes led by experienced doulas. Conveniently located for Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster. Our small class size makes connecting with other expecting parents easy and fun. We can tailor our classes to meet your individual needs.
Classes include a complementary manual of resources and important easy to refer to information.
Check out : www.motheringwithheart.org

Breastfeeding mothers and the mama bear effect: new study in Psychological Science

A new study published in the  September issue of the journal Psychological Science, tested whether human mothers who lactate react in similar ways to other lactacting mammals — that is that they can be more aggressive in protecting their offspring.  Three cohorts were tested– breastfeeding mothers, mothers who formula feed and women who are not mothers.  Breastfeeding mothers were the most aggressive (the agression was not to protect their infants per se but the researchers posit that the increased aggressiveness serves a biological purpose to protect offspring in the event that they are threatened)  In addition , breastfeeding mothers also had the lowest blood pressures…  So there is a biological basis for the mother bear instinct after all! And breastfeeding not only is protective and beneficial for babies but has added health benefits for mom!

For more information about the study, go to http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2032540/Breast-feeding-mothers-likely-aggressively-protect-babies.html

Skin to skin without interruption and unmedicated labour leads to smoother transition to breastfeeding

Take a look at this amazing video which summarizes a  landmark study by Dr. Lennart Righard, which divided newborn babies into 4 groups:

unmedicated births and unseparated from their mothers ( even for routine weight and newborn procedures, until after the first attachment)

unmedicated births and separated after birth

medicated and unseparated and

medicated and separated.

The babies that were born without interventions and without separation all were able to crawl unassisted up their mother’s abdomen, find the breast and self attach.  Those that were born with medication and separated for routine procedures had much more difficulty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzQWv5ZWtIM

You will be amazed at the baby’s competence at finding what they are looking for and self attaching!

Babies retain the reflexes for breastfeeding for many weeks/months . So even if you and your baby have a rocky start there are many ways to help mom and baby to breastfeed.  Having lots of skin to skin contact between mom and baby and practicing baby led breastfeeding are helpful methods for babies who are learning to breastfeed.  Contact a certified lactaction consultant,  a La Leche League Leader or an experienced doula for support.

Northern Quebec Inuit Communities Transitioning to Birth Closer to Home

I lived for 6 months in Puvirnituq, Quebec and am happy to learn that more and more mothers and children are able to stay in their communities to give birth.  When I lived there there was a birthing centre at the hospital in Puvirnituq and there were two midwives who worked with the hospital physicians. Since then 3 other birthing centres have been opened in Inukjuak,  Salluit and Kuujjuq.   The initiative to bring birth closer to home has received world wide recognition fro the health promoting practices.  And women are no longer being forced to choose their culture over their health care.  (It was standard practice for many years to evacuate pregnant women in their last month of pregnancy to a southern hospital).  The pregnant women were often socially isolated and without family or social support.

Read this article for more in-depth anaylysis of the health outcomes , the cultural benefits and why this is a model that is being promoted.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/mobile/iphone/story.html?id=3888724

The science of fathering: research shows that father’s hormonal levels increase during pregnancy, birth and postpartum

So I meant to have this up for father’s day. Better late than never. And besides every day can be considered father’s or mother’s day especially in the early weeks and months where your focus is almost exclusively on your newborn!

So a happy belated father’s day to all those devoted, caring dads out there! Fathers and their partners will be equally interested in reading this article that talks about the chemical and hormonal changes that occur in fathers/partners during pregnancy and in the early postpartum period. Fascinating research that shows that father’s oxytocin levels rise if they are present at the birth of their baby and in the early weeks when  they have  skin to skin contact with their baby.  Oxytocin, which is also known as the “love” hormone , is key in establishing attachment.  Read this link for more details.

http://givingbirthwithconfidence.org/2011/06/the-science-of-father-love/

 

Breastfeeding is a learned skill and takes time to perfect

Many new mothers expect that breastfeeding will go smoothly from the moment baby first latches on. And for some women this is true.  For the majority of new mothers and babies there is a learning curve that takes from 4-6 weeks. ( think how long it would take you to learn to ride a unicycle, or juggle, or learn a new skill).

This is a useful webpage that lists some fo what you can expect in the early weeks of breastfeeding and how to set yourself up for success: practice, practice, practice, practice, a good support system, and knowing when to ask for help.

http://www.bestforbabes.com/prepare-the-learning-curve-of-breastfeeding/

Parenting can be stressful but your baby is not manipulating you. Trust your instincts. Advice from leading researcher on stress and mindfulness: Jon Kabat-Zinn

Leading researcher Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn who has brought mindfulness training to address issues of chronic pain and stress,  talks here about how important it is to respond to your baby when your baby cries. He acknowledges how stressful parenting can be and how if you find yourself thinking that you are going to teach baby a lesson, that some extra support for the caregiver may be necessary (think family, friends, doulas…)

He states categorically that you can not spoil a baby (something that many parents fear) and that the best way to comfort a baby is by being with them.

Have a look.

A woman dies every 90 seconds from complications due to pregnancy. 90% of these deaths are preventable

We are so fortunate in the West to have access to safe motherhood– but this is sadly not the case for the vast majority of women who live in developing countries, ( or those in our own countries for that matter, who don’t have access to good primary health care)  . Check out this  new documentary on maternal mortality and what you can do to support improvements in maternal health.

http://www.youtube.com/everymothercounts

http://everymothercounts.org/issue

Uplifting video on “If I could go back to before I decided to breastfeed”

Check out this video that quotes moms and dads on what they would have wanted to know about breastfeeding. Set to some great music!