How Much is Enough - Quantifiying Breast Feeding

The most common question I hear asked by new breastfeeding moms is "How do I know my baby is getting enough to eat?". Being that we live in a world where we quantify everything it is understandable that new moms would be concerned with this. New moms are often asked by those who have chosen not to breastfeed, "How much does the baby take?" "How many ounces does the baby want?". While some people look at not being able to quantify how much milk a baby is drinking as the down side to breastfeeding, I look at it as a good thing. It forces mom to learn the natural feeding cues of their baby. It builds a closeness and awareness of the baby.  I ask my patients when they ask me the question, "Is your baby gaining weight?" "Is the baby wetting after each feed?" "Is the baby happy and seemingly satisfied after feeding?". If the answer to all these questions is "YES" then that is how you KNOW your baby is getting enough to eat! So often new moms feel inadequate to make this assumption because those kind hearted good intentioned "helpers" (often times Grandma) are at the house welcoming the new baby. There was a generation or two of American women that missed out on breastfeeding all together. Doctors and the formula industry just assumed for those women that formula was easier and just as good for the baby. Some women weren't even given the chance to breastfeed. There is a big gap in breastfeeding education and understanding by that generation which in turn makes it difficult to understand that a baby can be getting plenty even if mom can't report how many ounces the baby is taking. I have found if mom is armed with this education before baby is born it can boost the confidence of the new mom so that in her sleep deprived state she can stand up to even the toughest mother or mother-in-law who is armed with a bottle and a kind heart and explain to them that breast is best.

Breastfeeding and Surgery

When you have your perfect baby you don't for see anything ever going wrong. You don't want them to get sick and you hope they never have to go to the hospital to have anything done. Since my son was born at 34wks and had some breathing issues at birth, we have dealt with our share of upper respitory issues. He had to undergo a bronchoscopy this week and I was astounded by the added benefits he had because he is a breastfed baby. Even as a nurse I would have never realized how much easier this whole ordeal was because of breastfeeding. So if you are on the fence about breastfeeding...read this. You never know when you little guy might have to undergo something like this. Also, if you are a breast feeding momma, it is good to know this stuff so you can advocate for your child!!

• He could have breast milk 4 hours prior to surgery. A formula fed baby has to be at least 8 hours with nothing to eat.
• He was able to breast feed immedietly after waking up from the procedure, a formula fed baby would have to have a "clear" liquid first.
• Because the procedure he had involved them going down his throat he had to be on clear liquids no solids for 8 hours AFTER the procedure. That would mean a formula fed baby would have ANOTHER 8 hours of no bottle! Evan could eat as much as he wanted, just no baby puree's.

This made things so much easier because they get so hungry and do not understand why mommy isn't feeding them! It was so nice to go right into the recovery room and nurse my sweet baby boy. It comforted momma and it comforted baby.

Giving back by breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

You ask how I can consider my choice to breastfeed as a post for Give Back Thursday. Well, I truly feel that I am giving my baby the best possible start I can by breastfeeding. I know you can read endless blogs and websites about why breast is best but I'm writing this post so my readers can see why I give breast milk to my babies.

• Bonding and attachment. Breastfeeding gives you the most special bond with your newborn. By breastfeeding you and your newborn form firm attachment to his/her mommy.
• Decrease risk of SIDS and severity and length of illness and infection.
• Decrease risk of obesity in childhood and possibly even adulthood.
• Nutritious. No matter what the can says, they can not match what is in breast milk. When scientist have spun down breast milk to analyze it they have never been able to fully replicate it. They have also found that the components of your breast milk change day by day, made specifically for your baby that day.
• Comforting. Nothing comforts a baby like being at mommas breast. Babies desire to suck is very strong and it sooths and comforts them. Don't let anyone tell you that you are spoiling your baby by putting them to the breast to often. That is where they belong and what comforts them the most.

Whatever you do, don't give up on your baby. I see so many new mothers who struggle with first time breastfeeding and want to just give up. I struggled with my firstborn who was 5 weeks early and had difficulty latching. I would get so frustrated that she wouldn't latch correctly. I consulted with a lactation consultant and never gave up. With the help of supportive friends and family she finally became a pro and didn't wean until she was 16 months. If you ever have any questions concerning breastfeeding, please feel free to ask me and I will try my best to help you or direct you to the resource that can help you.

Beetle Larvae and insect pieces found in Similac

So, I am not going to link this up to any site, but wanted to use my blog to voice my disgust at this!!! This should be every woman's number one reason NOT to use formula. If this can happen to Similac, it could happen to any formula company. If you breastfeed your child, you probably will never have to worry about having your infant ingest beetle larvae or insect pieces. Feel free to click here and read Similac's statement about their findings. All I can say is at least they did a voluntary recall on the formula.

Delicous Dairy Free Ice Cream

As I have said in previous posts, my daughter had a milk protein allergy. Rather than choosing NOT to continue breastfeeding, I chose to cut dairy completely out of my diet! I was very sad that I couldn't have ice cream, yogurt and all the other foods I loved that contained dairy. I decided to be "brave" and try some dairy free ice cream. After some trial and error, I found that Turtle Mountain made the BEST ice cream and yogurt. I even made a dairy free "ice cream" pie for a family get together. I didn't dare tell anyone it was dairy free....seriously nobody could tell!!! It is that good!! So if you are a vegan, have a dairy allergy, or just want to try something different...check these products out!! Oh..and no...I am not getting anything for free writing this, I just hope this helps someone out!!!

You can click on the picture, it will take you to their website.

Printable coupons are on their website!

Blueberry Apple Crisp - Frugal recipe for moms who are breastfeeding...

This is one of my favorite recipes!! I found it very helpful when trying to cut dairy out of my diet because my baby had a milk protein allergy. Not only was it better for my baby to continue breastfeeding, but it was MUCH more economical option because the formula she needed cost $25.00 a can!! You can check out my other post on breastfeeding a baby with a dairy allergy here!

Blueberry Apple Crisp


1 cup butter (substitute butter flavored crisco 1cup + 2 Tbs water)

2 1/4 cup flour

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup sugar

8 apples (granny smith) peeled chopped apples

1 T lemon juice

2 cups blueberries

2 T flour

1/2 t cinnamon

1/2 t salt

1/2 cup rolled oats


Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3 quart baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, 1/3 cup sugar and salt. Cut in butter (or using a mixer, mix in crisco) Mix in rolled oats and set aside. In baking dish, mix together blueberries, apples, lemon juice and remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 2 T flour. Top with flour/oat mixture. Bake until juices are bubbling and topping is brown. About 50 minutes.




This is very good right out of the oven, out of the refrigerator, or warmed up for breakfast the next morning!!!

This is linked to Ultimate Recipe Swap.

Breastfeeding when your baby has a dairy allergy

When my Savannah was first born, she was diagnosed with a milk protein allergy. Basically, what that means is if I had any cows milk in my diet, any at all, she would get very fussy and gassy because it would pass through my breast milk. She would spit up a lot, and vomit on anyone that would hold her!! My options were to either stop breastfeeding and put her on a synthetic formula (like Alimentum or Nutramigen) that is $25.00 a can (and doesn't smell or taste good) or take the dairy out of my diet. So I choose the cheaper, healthier choice and decided to continue breastfeeding and cut out the dairy!!! I obviously had to change the way I ate and learn how to read labels. I was shocked to find out all the hidden sources of dairy!!!! Needless to say, I was able to transform many of my favorite recipes into a dairy free versions. My goal is to share my tips of leading a dairy free life while breastfeeding and include some of my favorite recipes!! My first recipe I will share is my favorite Blueberry Apple Crisp. I am so thankful that I was able to continue breastfeeding and figure out ways to easily cut dairy out of my diet.

Works for me Wednesday's!

The biggest life saver (and I use that as an inside joke, because everyone always said my feeding pillow looked like a life preserver) is the My Brest Friend feeding pillow! My daughter was only 6lbs 11 oz when she was born and I am very large up top. I had a difficult time trying to position her, position me, get comfortable AND try to learn the art of breastfeeding! I had read that this pillow was the number one choice of lactation consultants, so I had purchased one with a gift card I had gotten from my baby shower. It was worth EVERY penny. I literally would take it with me everywhere I went until she was to big for it. This really worked for me!!!

If you have anything that really works for you, or want to read more Works-For-Me Wednesday post's, check out their sight!!