Supplementation? This week on the podcast Barbara and Barb discuss the ins and outs of supplementation. When is it necessary, and when might it not be necessary? We also discuss how to appropriately supplement your baby, if it is in fact needed. Sometimes we can be giving our babies extra food when we don't need to and sometimes we may need to give our babies extra food if needed. Knowing the …
Breastfeeding: Baby’s First Milestone? Food for Thought
I have a master's degree in education and have always been fascinated with child development. When young children are growing, they move from the concrete thinking to the abstract. Piaget's ideas of brain development were always a favorite of mine. His theories propose that children move through a set of cognitive development stages. As a teacher and a parent, I loved watching children learn …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 19: Milk Sharing
Sharing breastmilk is not a new idea, but it is being discussed more and more these days. Milk sharing can be done both formally and informally and we will chat about both in this episode. Resource of the day: Human Milk Baking Association of North America and the Bronson Mothers' Milk Bank For more information on NEC, check out our podcast interview with Jennifer …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 18: Tips For Engorgement
This week on the podcast we share quick tips for engorgement. Although completely normal after birth when colostrum is transitioning to mature milk, it can be painful to deal with. Let us help you. Great listen for pregnant mamas! Resource of the week: Kelly Mom information on engorgement Getting off the to best start with breastfeeding podcast episode Visit our Working and …
Children, the gift that keeps on giving
My children have changed my life. For the better. I know when they are little, having children can be relentless. It is exhausting. They need things all the time. They don't sleep well. Not enough personal time or space for you. But, but... They grow and become their own beings. They make your heart swell with pride and break with their pain. Years ago I read parts of Buddhist book for mothers …
Travel, Work, and Breastfeeding
Traveling for work has special challenges when you are breastfeeding. Before Your Trip You will need to calculate about how much pumped breastmilk you will need to leave with your baby and their care giver. Do this in advance if at all possible. Estimate about 28 oz of pumped breastmilk per 24 hours for each day you will be separated. You will probably want to leave a bit more than …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 17: Air Travel for Working and Breastfeeding Mothers
This week on the podcast Barbara and Barb continue talking about traveling for breastfeeding mothers. Air travel for working moms is a common reality for many woman who are breastfeeding. There are a lot of logistics to work out! We will discuss important information to help make traveling for work easier for you! Resource of the day: TSA guidelines CDC …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 16: Breastfeeding During The Holiday Season
This week on the podcast, Barbara and Barb chat about breastfeeding during the holidays! This time of year can be such a joyous season, but can also come with a lot of stress when you have young children. Breastfeeding mamas in particular may need to some help navigating this busy season-so let us help you! We have a lot of great ideas to help you enjoy the holiday season with your little …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 15: Breastfeeding and Medications
This week on the podcast Barbara and Barb chat about breastfeeding and medication safety. We share wonderful resources so that you can make informed health care decisions. In the news this week: Similac is back with another commercial getting us fired up here at the Breastfeeding Center in Ann Arbor! Resources of the week: Medication and Mothers' Milk by Thomas Hale Infant …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 14: Bottle Feeding Your Baby
This week's podcast episode is for everyone- Bottle feeding breast milk or formula feeding alike. Learning how to bottle feed your baby whether you choose to breastfeed or formula feed is important information for parents and caregivers to have. How you give a bottle matters and we will discuss why! How can you make bottle feeding and breastfeeding work well together? Keep breast feeding the …
Who’s making you feel guilty?
I am tired of hearing about people feeling guilty, others trying to make you feel guilty, guilt trips, I am sick of guilt! How many of us feel guilty about decisions that we have made, or actions that we have committed on a daily basis? Little things like, I should have really recycled this, I shouldn't throw out this leftover food, or my dog could have really used another walk today. There are …
Is Similac stereotyping? Or just all about judging us?
As you can imagine, I have not been thrilled with Similac's new ad campaign, "the Sisterhood of Motherhood". They say we should not judge one another, all parents need support, not criticism. Who can argue with that sentiment? I am not bashing any mothers here! This about us being manipulated, not about mothers or ethnic groups. There first commercial, and please, don't forget for one moment …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 13: Breastfeeding Without Birthing with Alyssa Schnell
This week on the podcast, we have a wonderful interview to share with you. Alyssa Schnell IBCLC has a special place in her heart for helping mothers through adoption and surrogacy to breastfeed their babies. She is the author of Breastfeeding Without Birthing: A Breastfeeding Guide for Mothers Through Adoption, Surrogacy, and Other Special Circumstances. Alyssa is the proud mother of three …
Is breastfeeding in public dangerous?
Dangerous? Nursing in public? Give me a moment to explain. In the USA, many people strongly disapprove of breastfeeding in public. And they feel very free to share their opinions to these mothers. No wonder we are worried about doing it! Why does breastfeeding is public bring up such intense emotions? Make people feel so uncomfortable that they feel they need to act? When it comes down to it, …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 12: What Do You Really Need for Breastfeeding?
The breastfeeding market is exploding! There are so many products available and so this week on the podcast Barbara and Barb discuss what you really need for breastfeeding? Do you really need anything at all? Barb's favorite breastfeeding products: 1. A good breastfeeding pillow. Barb Loves the My Brest Friend Pillow. 2. Breast pads 3. Nipple cream. We really love Mother Love …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 11: How To Become an IBCLC
This week on the podcast, Barbara and Barb take on the topic of how to become and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). If you are an aspiring lactation consultant or think it may be something you are interested in, this show will be very helpful for you. Show Notes: If you are interested in becoming and IBCLC, visit the IBLCE website for …
Filling a pail or lighting a fire?
When the days start to get cool, leaves start to fall, my bones tell me it is time to go back to school. Personally, I spent 26 years going to school every fall from the time I was 5 until I was 31. I took a break when my babies were little, but now we are up to another 15 years of returning to school once again, when September rolls around. As I have gotten older, the way school happens has …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 10: Pregnancy and Tandem Nursing
This week on the podcast, Barbara and Barb discuss pregnancy and tandem nursing. This is a topic that isn't talked about much, but is happening more than we might think! Some people plan on continuing breastfeeding while pregnant, while others it just happens unexpectedly. Either way, there are many misconceptions about nursing while pregnant and tandem nursing and that's what we dive into …
Dangers of milk sharing?
In The Dangers of the Milk Sharing Economy, the author points out that sometimes another mother's breastmilk might not be safe for our babies based upon her 2013 study. Informal milk sharing has exploded in the past 5 years or so. This has opened the door to many problems. We use to share our breastmilk all the time. But it was family member to family member, friend to friend, or friend of a …
All Things Breastfeeding: World Breastfeeding Week Special
Happy World Breastfeeding Week! How are you celebrating? This week Barbara and Barb chat about the benefits of breastfeeding along with the risks of formula feeding. Also, Donald Trump made breastfeeding news last week! Hear what we have to say about it! Show Notes: Formula recalls do happen more often then we think! In 2010, this formula company recalled …
Size matters! In breastfeeding?
Does it really? Get your mind out of the gutter! We are talking about breastfeeding. And yes! Surprisingly, size does matter in many ways for breastfeeding. Here are five examples. 1. Birth weight. A little baby makes a big difference! One of my girlfriends had a 6 pound baby the first time and an almost 9 pound baby the second time. She was astonished at the difference in her two, baby …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 9: Nipple Shields
Nipple Shields! What are they and why might a breastfeeding mother need this tool? Barbara and Barb discuss all things nipple shields. What is a nipple shield? Here's a great picture of one in use! Note the milk in the shield! Resource of the Day: Kellymom has a lot of great evidence based information about breastfeeding. Check out the link to …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 8: Tongue Tie with Dr. Alison Hazelbaker
This week on the podcast Barbara and Barb speak with expert Dr. Alison Hazelbaker about tongue tie. Dr. Hazelbaker's original research on tongue-tie, done in 1993, has changed clinical practice both in the USA and abroad. We discuss the new thoughts on tongue tie and treatment options. Visit Dr. Alison Hazelbaker's website to learn more about her work and practice in Columbus, …
Help for Bottle Feeding Babies!
I just told my husband this morning, "I feel a blog coming on..." Checking through my google alerts this morning, I found a link to this article about adoptive breast feeding and pressure from breast feeding "crazies" (me?). I went to check it out because I have a lovely friend, Alyssa Schnell, who specializes in adoptive breast feeding and I wanted to see if the article might be interesting. I …