Wellmama

Hello! In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, I'm sharing this article that I wrote as an assignment for my breastfeeding educator certification program through Birth Arts International. How Our Society is Failing Breastfeeding Mothers Western culture is letting down mothers who want to breastfeed by overcomplicating and interfering with nature’s natural course. While we have made great progress in our promotion of breastfeeding, we are still lacking some fundamental follow-through practices that would set new mothers up for a more successful and less stressful breastfeeding journey. In the United States initiation rates of breastfeeding have risen consistently over the last 30 years to more than 80% initiation, but drop significantly over the course the first year with less than 50% of babies exclusively breastfed at 3 months of age, and only 25% remaining exclusively breastfed at 6 months ( Centers for Disease Control National Immunization Survey 2009-2016 ). What does this tell u...

Breastfeeding is a natural form of birth control, as it suppresses the hormones needed to return your menstrual cycle and hence your fertility. This is called the Lactational Amenorrhea Method, or LAM. This method is the most conducive form of birth control for many breastfeeding families. If followed correctly it is 98-99.5% effective. To safely practice LAM you must meet the following criteria: Your baby is under 6 months of age. You are exclusively breastfeeding on cue day AND night, and baby is getting no supplementation or solid foods. Your menstrual cycles have not returned. You can further increase the protectiveness of this method by keeping your baby close (baby-wearing, co-sleeping and bedsharing for naps and nights), nursing for comfort, and using no bottles or pacifiers. You are likely to experience a further delay in the return of your cycle if you offer breastmilk before solid foods to older babies, introduce solids slowly, and continue to prioritize breastfeedi...

What sleep arrangements work for your family? Do you have firm beliefs or are you in need of more information? Many parents find themselves in a crisis of conflicting advice from friends and family members and healthcare professionals. The sleep training industry profits from these parents, offering a one-size-fits-all approach that promises to restore your much-needed Zzz’s. But what happens to the families that these programs don’t work for? Do the parents feel like they are failing? And what happens to the babies? There is a wealth of evidence-based information that shows that babies need to be responded to at night just as they do during the day. Responsive night parenting does not have to equal less sleep and carries with it the added benefit of protecting a breastfeeding mother’s milk supply and bond with her baby. “Waking is a normal part of infant sleep, and varies based on several infant factors: (a) feeding method (breast or bottle), (b) age, (c) shifts in developmental l...

Research has shown us that delaying a newborn’s first bath for at least 24 hours (and no less than 6 hours) after birth has a direct impact on breastfeeding success rates. Delaying the bath encourages plenty of time for skin to skin and establishes bonding and breastfeeding, while reducing the risk of unnecessary stress on the baby. Bathing too early can cause instabilities in temperature and blood sugar. Your baby is born with a protective layer of vernix, which contains antimicrobial properties that protect against infection, and immune proteins similar to those found in breast milk. Rubbing the vernix into baby’s skin is the only bath she needs! Some parents will choose to delay the first bath until at least 24 hours postpartum (which is in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendations), when mom is feeling well enough to participate and learn from the nurses. Other parents choose to wait up to a month or more, only carefully wiping down baby as needed.  Delaying...

We assemble our birth team with careful research; we know who we want in the birth room with us and who can wait to be invited in later. We curate the mood with music and lighting, we read books and take classes and do our best to educate ourselves about how best to prepare for pregnancy and labor.  And then baby arrives and we are sent home. In some cases recovering from major surgery, or an unplanned transfer from the birthing place you chose. Often times the whirl of emotions, huge fluctuations in hormones, and sleep deprivation create a perfect storm, and we are left wondering how we can keep it all together while being responsible for a human life entirely dependent on yours.  There is no routine postpartum checkup until 6 weeks, at which point you are typically told you can resume physical activity and be on your merry way. Who is checking on you during those 6 weeks and beyond? Who is there to answer your feeding questions not if but when they occur? Does your partn...

Planning for postpartum begins during pregnancy. It’s an excellent time to meet with a postpartum doula and start making and talking through your list! Preparing for the Fourth Trimester: ▫️ Do your research. Feeding, sleep, vaccines, circumcision, diapering, baby products and gear. There is obviously A LOT to consider before baby comes! Talk to professionals or other trusted parties who can help you find current, research-based information. ▫️ Prepare your nest. Stock up on healthy snack foods to keep in baskets near your nursing zones. Invest in a good water bottle. Set up and stock your diaper changing station(s). Stock your freezer with meals you can pull and reheat. Make sure you have plenty of comfortable, soft, stretchy clothes such as leggings, pajamas, nursing camis, robe, etc. You will be spending a lot of time at home, so have a few things that make you happy to look at (flowers, naturally scented candles, photos, salt lamp)! Make a list of podcasts, audiobooks, and ...

Babywearing is a beautiful way to incorporate attachment parenting into your daily life. It gives your baby (or toddler!) the security of being close to you as well as the numerous physiological benefits of touch: Stronger immune system, lowered stress levels, and oxytocin-boosting...just to name a few! All of this while freeing up your hands. Babies who are too distracted or fussy to nurse will often happily breastfeed in a soft carrier, and many babies love to nap in them as well. There were a several months when I could only get Milo to sleep in the sling and then I would either sit down and loosen the wrap but keep him on me, or transfer him to bed. It is completely normal for your baby to prefer to fall asleep (and stay asleep) on you! Contact naps are a great way to enjoy some quiet time for yourself with baby snuggled close, or you can wear your snoozing baby while catching up on chores or playing with older children.  There are so many different kinds of baby carriers a...