Breast feeding failure? Most women in the USA want to breastfeed yet many of these women don't reach their breastfeeding goals which is often defined as "breast feeding failure". In some states, as many as 90% or more of families initiate breastfeeding. These states tend to be on the east and west coasts of our country. The lowest number of mothers who start out breastfeeding is Mississippi which …
Prenatal Support
Want More Breastmilk Later? Tell Your Body You Want It From the Beginning
Want more breastmilk later? Tell your body you want it from the beginning? What do I mean by this? Biologically, it makes no sense that women who get pregnant and give birth struggle with breastmilk production. Literally this would be a bad design from nature and nature is an amazing architect. The normal progression is you get pregnant, you give birth, you make milk. It is the mammal thing to …
Breastfeeding: Helping to level the playing field
Breastfeeding: Helping to level the playing field... What does this mean? Here is one of my favorite quotes to help explain: "Breastfeeding is a natural "safety net" against the worst effects of poverty. If the child survives the first month of life (the most dangerous period of childhood) then for the next four months or so, exclusive breastfeeding goes a long way toward canceling out the …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 38: Taking A Prenatal Breastfeeding Class
Breastfeeding class? Why take one? Today's episode is just a quick informational show on the importance of taking a breastfeeding class before you have your baby! A little knowledge can go a long way! Please share this episode with new mamas and friends! Breastfeeding a new baby is natural but not always easy. Some people say breastfeeding a baby was the easiest thing they ever did, some …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 32: Breastfeeding Support Groups
Are breastfeeding support groups right for you? This week on the podcast, Barbara and Barb chat all things breastfeeding support groups. Why are they helpful and who might benefit from a breastfeeding support group? Many people feel that a "support group" is old fashioned or if you need to go to one, it is a sign of weakness. Far from it! Gathering with a group of like minded people feels …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 28: Birthing and Breastfeeding
This week on the podcast Barbara and Barb discuss birthing and breastfeeding. How does birth affect breastfeeding? Does the birth experience matter? We tackle these questions and more! Show Notes: March of Dimes-39 week induction ACOG guidelines on induction Listen to Jennifer Canvassar's episode as mentioned in the show! Suzanne Colson Womb to World In The …
Baby Friendly? What are they afraid of?
I have been so surprised by the recent backlash against "Baby Friendly" hospitals. What is really shocking is the lack of any sort of fact checking that is going on in these laments. The authors are being critical of things that are not even true. For those of you who are not familiar with BFHI, the "Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative" (BFHI) was launched back in 1991 by the World Health …
Overcoming the odds
This is the title of our latest podcast. However, it could be the title of so many people's breastfeeding stories. But why does it take "overcoming the odds" to achieve something that is the essence of being a mammal? One of the biggest obstacles to breastfeeding, IMO, is the birth. I know it was for me and my first baby. You can listen to my 1st breastfeeding story to hear all about that …
Trusting your gut
I have always believed that breastmilk is the healthiest choice for most babies. Human milk is not just food, it has healing power. Recently, I have heard some new information that has taken belief to the next level. The first talk I heard back in the spring was about epigenetics. It turns out that we are what we eat. I have written a blog about this if you want more info about that. The most …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 24: Internet and Breastfeeding-Friend or Foe?
Breastfeeding and the internet-Is it a friend or foe? It can be both and this week on the show Barbara and Barb chat about how the internet has affected breastfeeding mothers today. Reliable breastfeeding resources: Kellymom , La Leche League , Jack Newman, Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor There are many other reliable websites, but these are a few of our absolute go-to's. You can …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 22: Nutrition for the Breastfeeding Mother
This week on the podcast we chat about nutrition for the breastfeeding mother. Does a nursing mom need to follow a special diet? We will tell you what we think! Shownotes: Learn how to make your own Nettle Leaf Infusion. Visit Kellymom for more information on nutrition while breastfeeding. In The News: Find a Miracle Milk Stroll Near you! Visit the NEC society to learn why …
What do Mothers really need for breastfeeding success?
I have been thinking about this question a lot. Not only am I an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), but I do professional training in lactation skills, and I mentor interns who want to become IBCLCs. Jamie Oliver has gotten in a lot of hot water for supporting breastfeeding recently. Because of his personal experiences with his wife, he thought it was pretty easy to …
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 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 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 …
All Things Breastfeeding Episode 7: Breastfeeding Your Newborn Baby
This week on the podcast, we discuss breastfeeding the newborn baby. How much should a newborn baby breastfeed? Barbara and Barb dive into what is normal and how to tell your breastfed baby is doing well. This is a great episode to share with new mothers and expecting mothers! Show Notes: Find an IBCLC. Check out Dr. Jack Newman's video that demonstrates good active nursing with deep …
Why do I have a job?
One of the things I think about a lot is why do I have a job? If breastfeeding is so natural, why do people need me to help them get started with breastfeeding or continue when their babies are older. There are many reasons for this in my opinion. (Remember, this is where I get to just say what I think! I may be right or wrong. If there is research to back things up, I'll share that too when …