LLL Newsletter Nov Dec 05
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LA LECHE LEAGUE OF DALLAS Breastfeeding Information and Support Happy Holidays? Coping with the Season By Barbara Wilson-Clay, Special Contributor, Austin, TX he winter holidays are here with all their bustle and excitement. It is a fun season, but it can also be stressful— Tespecially for women, who often feel responsible for orchestrating the events that make family celebrations special. When the holidays coincide with the birth of a baby, some new mothers quickly become overwhelmed. Fatigue and stress can make these mothers vulnerable to mastitis. The baby can be affected too. Over-stimulation Issue 16 and interrupted feedings can lead to a nursing strike. Breastfeeding hot lines have so many seasonal crisis calls that they have named the phenomenon "holiday weaning." Nov/Dec 2005 Postpartum Versus the Holidays The early postpartum period is supposed to be restful. Mother and baby are advised to "nest" for about six weeks. Frequent nursing during this time stimulates the milk supply. All the cuddling helps the mother and baby get to know one another and to fall in love. Because newborns feed around the clock, experts recommend that tired new Inside this issue: moms nap whenever the baby sleeps. Ideally, grandmothers or other family members are available to help by taking over some of the nor- mal chores, errands, and care of older children. A lighter workload and Happy Holidays? Cop- 1,5 ing with the Season staying out of crowds protects mom and baby from infections as they recover from childbirth. This may be especially important during flu season. As sensible as this advice may be, it frequently flies out the Fall Harvest 2 window the day before Thanksgiving. Perhaps mothers overestimate their own energy. Perhaps they succumb to pressures to be Super Mom. Holiday Shopping Guide Perhaps family members who want the holidays to be the same as usual 2,3 for Nursing Moms place unreasonable expectations on the new mother. Whatever the rea- sons, instead of resting and recovering, mothers who deliver babies in November/December 3 November and December often find themselves shopping, cleaning, Events decorating, cooking, and entertaining. Holiday Shopping and Stress and Fatigue Can Lead to Plugged Ducts and Breast Infection 4 Calendar Breastfeeding is affected in a number of ways when new moms take on too much too soon. Newborns feed fre- quently. Their frequent feeding schedules are nature’s way of preventing the breasts from becoming overly full. Announcements and 6 When feedings are interrupted or delayed, the breasts may become engorged. If engorgement is coupled with fa- Thanks tigue, an inflammatory condition called 'plugged ducts' can occur. A woman may notice that part of her breast has become especially tender. The skin over the plugged area may redden. Mothers with these symptoms need to get off their feet immediately. They should encourage the baby to nurse frequently until the breast softens and thor- This newsletter is produced every oughly empties. Comfort measures include ibuprofen and the brief use of warm compresses before nursing. Cold two months. Contributions are welcome. Next edition will be compresses between feeds help reduce swelling. Most of the time, rest and good breast emptying will prevent pro- January/February. gression to mastitis. Mastitis is an infection of the breast. Mothers with cracked nipples are at much greater risk for mastitis. Some, but Please send articles, book reviews, not all, women with breast infections will develop high fevers. Most women report headache and flu-like discom- quotes, questions and answers, fort. Localized pain and redness on the breast occur along with reduced milk flow from blockages caused by inter- recipes, birth stories, weaning nal swelling. Milk supply almost always decreases during episodes of mastitis. The milk supply stabilizes as moth- stories, poems, etc. to: [email protected] ers recover. A woman with symptoms of mastitis should telephone her doctor or clinic. The treatment for mastitis is bedrest for two days, breast emptying, and treatment with oral antibiotics. Some women report good results from the use of Information and ideas included do not necessarily reflect the views and homeopathic remedies. Hot and cold compresses may be used, but some experts discourage prolonged use of heat. opinions of all members. (Continued on page 5) Page 2 LA LECHE LEAGUE OF DALLAS Fall Harvest Fall is finally here and that means you may notice some different produce options at your local Thank you, Jen Widhelm, for grocer. Take advantage of the bountiful fall harvest by adding some seasonal side dishes to your hosting the LLL of Dallas meals. Here are a few favorites! garage sale on October 27 and Parsnips are a root vegetable that look bit like a white carrots and are an excellent source of folate and vitamin C. If they are peeled and cut into 28 at your house. The wedges, roasted with a little garlic salt in the oven, and served with proceeds from the sale totaled ketchup, even the most discerning toddler may think they are French fries. nearly $450.00. Everyone, There are so many wonderful varieties of squash available during this time of the year. Two fa- please start saving gently vorites are spaghetti and acorn. Scoop out the insides of a cooked spaghetti squash and top with used baby and children’s Parmesan cheese. Or satisfy a sweet tooth by adding a bit of butter and brown sugar to the halves clothing, baby equipment, of an acorn squash during the last part of baking in the oven. toys, adult clothes, and Fresh cranberries are also in season during this time of the year and as a native American fruit, have typically found a place on the holiday table. They are rich in antioxidants and can also help household items for our next maintain urinary tract health. Cranberries can add a nice flavor to everyday salads or for a special garage sale this coming treat, try adding dried cranberries, pear slices, and chopped walnuts to mixed greens with a light vinaigrette. Spring. This Fall, seize the opportunity to experiment a little and introduce your family to some new dishes that can easily add some flair, color, and nutrient-dense foods to your table. –MONICA BLANDO Holiday Shopping Guide for Nursing Moms By Carole Baas, Dallas LLLI Member s there a pregnant woman or breastfeeding mom on your holiday gift list? Or perhaps you’d like a special gift for yourself? While a mother who is Ibreastfeeding is born with everything she needs to nurse her baby, it’s nice to show your support of her decision by choosing gifts that make breast- feeding easier and more fun. All of these gift suggestions are available online; check the websites for information on local distributors and retail outlets. And for more gift ideas, check out the LLLI online catalog at www.lalecheleague.org. Books and Videos Since information helps mothers get off to a smooth start, books and videos about breastfeeding are terrific choices. Good bets for great information are the classic guides: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (7th Revised edition, La Leche League International, 2004, $17) and The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Jack Newman, M.D. (Prima Lifestyles, 2000, $19.95). For a more lighthearted read, So That's What They're For!: The Definitive Breastfeeding Guide by Janet Tamaro (3rd edition, Adams Media Corporation, 2005, $12.95), has been updated to include the latest in breastfeeding research. Packed with humorous anecdotes, this book proves that breastfeeding advice does not have to be boring! Many new moms find reading difficult with a new baby, but discover that watching videos while nursing fits right into their schedule. The Real Deal, a new 25 minute video about breastfeeding, provides advice, insight and inspiration for nursing success - complete with a group “chat session” of real breastfeeding moms sharing their stories (www.realdealvideos.com/, $19.95 VHS, $22.95 DVD). And add the Mother of 7: Birth and Breastfeeding Videos to your list to start the New Year. Scheduled for release in January 2006, this series of videos by Stephanie Neurohr, a Dallas-based filmmaker and mother of seven breastfed children (including twins and a baby with special needs), includes interviews and advice from experts around the world as well as profiles of women who have successfully breastfed their children –even in challenging situations (www.motherof7.com/, $29.95 to $79.95). Nursing Pillows and Supports Breastfeeding succeeds when a new mom gets the moral support she needs from those around her, but it’s also critical that she receives physical support and is comfortable. A well-designed nursing pillow is a welcome addition to the nursery, as it positions the baby properly and supports mom’s back, arms, and elbows. Some models can double as a back support for the baby as she learns to sit up. There are many different nursing pillows available: some of the most popular are The Boppy (a U-shaped washable pillow, available in many different fabrics and several styles, priced from around $20: www.boppy.com/) and My Brest Friend (a wrap-around pillow that secures to your body with a latching belt: www.mybrestfriend.com/, $40). But why not try something a little different? Little Beam (www.littlebeam.com/, $40) is a unique breast- feeding pillow designed by a board-certified lactation consultant. The small firm pillow rests on your lap, so it fits women of all shapes and allows (Continued on page 3) Issue 16 Page 3 Gifts (continued from page 2) children of different sizes proper orientation at the breast. It is particularly useful after a C-section (no pressure on the incision) and for tandem nursing.