Food allergies and breastfeeding

Breastfeeding your baby lessens the chance of them becoming sensitized to allergens. Breastfeeding protects against allergies in two ways. First, since your baby is breastfed, he or she is exposed to fewer allergens in the first months of life. They are only given breast milk instead of formula-based cow’s milk or soy products.

The chances of a baby developing an allergen are tied to the earlier, and more often, a food is ingested. The foods a baby is offered first tend to be the foods they become most allergic to. Babies also rely heavily on the antibodies found in breast milk to help their immune systems mature.

According to La Leche League International, a baby’s tendency to develop allergies relies on family history. If allergies are present in the mother or father, avoid those foods. Gastrointestinal symptoms are most commonly associated with allergies. If you notice your baby is irritable or fussy and has diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, gas, colic or other gastrointestinal system issues, it could be allergy related. Moms, try keeping a journal of the foods you eat and compare to when your baby shows the listed symptoms. In extreme allergy cases, the baby will show signs immediately, but symptoms usually begin within four to 24 hours of exposure. 

Please leave a comment if you have any questions or experience dealing with allergies with your baby. Join us for the Breastfeeding Community Gathering every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

Breast tenderness and firm spots

During pregnancy, some moms may have trouble with breast tenderness and some even have firm spots develop. If you are experiencing these issues, try switching to a wire-free bra. The underwire can put pressure on milk ducts and cause increased tenderness and firm spots.

If these issues occur during pregnancy they will most likely continue during your breastfeeding experience. Try wearing a wire-free support bra or a bra with support seaming instead of a wire. You may be fine wearing an underwire during the day, but be sure you sleep in a wire-free bra and check that any seaming is not putting pressure on areas of the breast where you are prone to firm spots or plugged ducts.

If a plugged duct or firm spot develops, apply warm, moist heat and massage the area during feedings or pumping. In extreme cases, ice packs may be necessary after feedings. If you experience these issues, keep a close eye on them. Plugged ducts may increase your risk of developing mastitis.

Please leave a comment if you have any questions or join us for the Breastfeeding Community Gathering every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

The dreaded flu

We have all heard the reports about the persistent and widespread flu virus this year. With the virus going around, here are some helpful tips for breastfeeding moms.

• Stay hydrated. Dehydration is your worst enemy as a breastfeeding mom. If you do become dehydrated, begin drinking as much water as possible until your urine is clear in color, not yellow.
• Your milk supply will decrease while your body works to preserve your health. Therefore, you should try to keep up your calorie intake.
• You may take non-drowsy Dramamine while breastfeeding to help decrease nausea. However, pseudoephedrine can affect milk supply in some mothers. Consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.
• Continue to feed your baby your breast milk. This will help prevent them from getting the infection. If you are extremely sick, you may want to pump and have someone else feed your baby your milk. This will limit their exposure, but still provide them with important breast milk.

Please contact your doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about what to do if you become ill while breastfeeding.

Please leave a comment if you have any questions or join us for the Breastfeeding Community Gathering every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

Nutrients in breastmilk

Throughout some of our gatherings, several moms have expressed concern about the fat content of their milk. They questioned if the fat content of their milk had decreased because their baby was either not gaining weight adequately or wanting to feed non-stop.

The nutrients found in colostrum (the milk produced the first few days after birth) are different from mature breastmilk (milk produced after 21 days of lactation). Additionally, nutrients in breastmilk vary from mother to mother and also from day-to-day.

The fat content of breastmilk is important for your baby’s health— it determines how much milk your baby will need to consume to meet their needs and is important in determining growth rates. If you are having issues with breastmilk, consult your physician or lactation consultant. Some studies do suggest diet and feeding practices may influence the nutritional composition of breastmilk.

As a lactation consultant, I have found the following guidelines from Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., founder and author of Parenting Science may be helpful to some mothers.  

• Take prenatal vitamins. Don’t take additional supplements without consulting a doctor. Some vitamins—like A and D—can have toxic effects in high doses.
• Don’t skimp on protein. Although protein levels remain pretty stable across a wide range of diets, populations subsisting on very low-protein diets are associated with low protein breast milk.
• Limit saturated fats. Western diets are very high in saturated fats. Babies who consume breast milk high in saturated fat may be at increased risk of developing high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels later in life.
• Increase your DHA intake, but check with your physician first. The DHA levels in American breast milk are among the lowest in the world. The populations with the highest DHA levels are those that eat significant quantities of fish. If you don’t like fish, you can buy DHA supplements in pill form.
• Breastfeed on demand. This permits your baby to adjust intake in response to changes in your breast milk. In addition, more frequent feedings may boost the fat content of your milk.
• Let your baby take his time at each breast. As noted above, premature breast-switching can rob babies of higher-fat “hind” milk.

Please leave a comment if you have any questions or join us for the Breastfeeding Community Gathering every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

Modern Mom, M.D.

Christina Sherrod, M.D., one of Shannon Clinic’s pediatricians, spends the majority of her time looking out for the health and well being of hundreds of children in the ConchoValley. None of these children have been her own, however, until now. She and her husband Cody welcomed their first child, Gavin David Sherrod, into the world on October 26. 

Stemming from a desire to document her transition into motherhood, Dr. Sherrod shares her personal experiences through her blog, Modern Mom, M.D. 

“I am very excited to take on this project,” Dr. Sherrod says. “So many friends asked if I would change as a pediatrician once I had my own child. I, of course, knew that I would, but since having Gavin I am overwhelmed with how much my perspective changes each day.”

Writing as Modern Mom, M.D., Dr. Sherrod will discuss this transition as well as topics such as pregnancy, labor and delivery with a doula, breastfeeding, and the controversial subject of attachment parenting. She welcomes questions, comments, and encourages requests for specific topics to be covered.

“I feel this is a great way for us moms to connect and learn from each other while sharing this amazing journey,” she says.

To follow Modern Mom, M.D., visit www.shannonbabies.com.

Remember to join us for the Breastfeeding Community Gathering every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

Your helpful hints!

Which props or products have you found useful during your breastfeeding experience(s)? Please comment below and let us know!

Remember to join us for the Breastfeeding Community Gathering every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

Breastfeeding and breast cancer

Breast cancer awareness is at the forefront of medical topics and discussions throughout October. Awareness for this disease that will affect one in eight women in their lifetime, can be seen on an array of promotional products, grocery items, men’s and women’s apparel and even hardware.

Breastfeeding can also be brought into the awareness discussions. Medical research studies have concluded breastfeeding may cut the risk of developing breast cancer in half. So, the odds of a breastfeeding mom developing the disease may decrease from one in eight women to one in sixteen. Researchers also stated it’s important to note that just because you breastfeed does not mean your risk disappears, but you are doing something good for you as well as your child.

Please leave a comment if you have any questions or join us for the Breastfeeding Community Gathering every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

Milk storage chart

The following is a great resource for breastfeeding moms! Please feel free to print and place on your fridge.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-milk-storage/

Please leave a comment if you have any questions or join us for the Breastfeeding Community Gathering every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

Prepare for cold and flu season

With cold and flu season approaching, it is a good idea to prepare to protect yourself and your baby.

Here are a few tips to help you:

• Practice good hand washing, especially prior to breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby.
• Encourage those around you to practice hand hygiene when around your baby.
• Avoid people who you know are sick.

A benefit of breastfeeding is you will produce antibodies against germs you are exposed to. In turn, you pass these antibodies to your baby via breastmilk, helping them increase their immunity and protect against infections and illness. This does not guarantee your baby will not get sick, but it can help decrease the likelihood and severity. If you become ill, you can continue to breastfeed; however, you should still check with your doctor. Depending on the illness, they may recommend that you pump and get the milk to your baby so he or she will continue to receive the antibodies.

Please leave a comment if you have any questions or join us for the Breastfeeding Community Gathering every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

Jaundice and breastfed babies

Breastfed babies can be at higher risk of jaundice due to the length of time it takes for milk production to increase. Most pediatricians will want to see your breastfed baby soon after discharge to ensure the baby’s jaundice level stays down and to check their weight.

Occasionally, a baby will have what is called “breastmilk jaundice,” where the baby’s jaundice level increases even after the mother’s milk supply has increased. To correct this, your pediatrician may have you feed your baby formula for 24 hours while you pump and store your milk. Then, you return to breastfeeding as normal. This formula “treatment” corrects a process which occurs in the liver.

Pleases leave a comment if you have any questions or join us for the Breastfeeding Community Gathering every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.