You might unknowingly be cutting your exclusive breastfeeding short.
The title may sound a little extreme-surely there’s no harm in letting your nursing baby sample the odd solid food here and there, right?
Recent research published in the International Breastfeeding Journal would disagree.
In 2011, the National Food Agency in Sweden told parents it was fine to let infants four months of age and older to sample solid foods. They called them “tiny tastings” (1 ml of solid food or less). This was different from the World Health Organization’s recommendations, so researchers set out to see if these tiny tastings may have adverse effects, namely if it led to stopping breastfeeding early.
In January of 2023, they published their study called, “The Association Between Early Introduction of Tiny Tastings of Solid Foods and Duration of Breastfeeding”. The researchers hypothesized that tiny tastings correlated with shorter durations of breastfeeding.
They used data from the Swedish Pregnancy Planning Study that included three questionnaires given to 1251 moms up to one year after giving birth. They then analyzed the link between introducing solid foods, and time spent breastfeeding.
The study found five factors that have a negative effect on the time spent breastfeeding. They were:
The median age for introducing solid foods was four months, while tastings (5-10 ml of solid food) were most common during the sixth month of age. More infants were fed with solid food than breast milk during the seventh month and beyond.
Their analysis showed that the age when tiny tastings (1 ml) were introduced was associated with the age when food (15 ml or more) was introduced, i.e. the earlier the infants started with tiny tastings, the earlier they ate larger amounts of solid foods.
While there are several factors that affect how long a mom breastfeeds (many of which are hard to change or influence), the study noted that Sweden’s official information on breastfeeding and tiny tastings can change and be influenced and should reflect scientific findings. Officials should be doing more to encourage breastfeeding.
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and unnecessary early tastings might negatively impact that goal.
Some of the reasons cited for adding solid foods before six months are that it protects babies from developing food allergies. However, research hasn’t found evidence of any benefits from adding solid foods before six months, nor any risks related to morbidity or weight change. Another common concern about exclusive breastfeeding for six months is the risk for iron-deficiency anemia. But the risk can be greatly lowered by delayed umbilical-cord clamping.
If you have any concerns about your own breast milk, and are unsure if you should introduce formula or solid foods to your baby, why not get your milk nutritionally tested here. A lot of the time a mom’s milk is more than enough.
https://internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13006-023-00544-6
Image by Hui Sang, Unplash
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If you’re at all familiar with the world of infant nutrition, you’ll know breast milk versus formula is a hot topic. But today we’re going to turn our focus on a different showdown: American versus European formula. How are they different? Why can’t you legally purchase European formula in America, and why is this a lightning rod for the FDAs shortcomings?
In recent years, the EU has taken a firm stance on using certain sugars in milk-based formulas, such as corn syrup. These sugars are banned and highlight just how important lactose is as the main energy carbohydrate in human milk. In fact, EU regulations require that at least 30% of the carbohydrates in baby formulas come from lactose —many experts believe lactose is more suitable for babies.
Funny enough, while European formulas meet most of the FDA nutritional guidelines, the same cannot always be said for American formulas. The EU has additional regulations that the FDA doesn’t, setting a higher standard for formula composition and safety.
Both the EU and US share common ground when it comes to adding most vitamins and minerals in baby formula. However, two differences stand out—iron and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA.
In the US, baby formulas often have higher levels of iron as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to prevent iron deficiency and the potential neurodevelopmental effects that come with it. On the other hand, the EU recently added requirements for higher levels of DHA in formulas. While DHA is considered safe and found naturally in breast milk, the jury is still out on the benefits of the higher amounts in European formulas. The FDA currently doesn’t have any DHA requirements, but most American formulas contain it anyway.
When it comes to milk-based options, European formulas offer more compared to the US. In the US, all milk-based formulas remove milk fat and replace it with plant-based fats. Some studies have looked into the possible benefits of a part of milk fat called Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), which might be good for fighting infection and have cognitive benefits for babies. European formulas based on whole milk have a natural source of MFGM.
In the US, caregivers looking for "gentle" formulas with some broken-down proteins are often met with options that have corn sugar. On the other hand, European formulas offer the same with lactose as the only carbohydrate, the preference of experts for most babies.
So if European and American formulas are comparable with Europe having even stricter rules, why can’t American consumers buy European formula legally? The short answer: the FDA can’t effectively regulate them. The long answer is a bit more complicated.
As you probably already know, the Food and Drug Administration is an agency in the United States responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and other products. While the FDA is definitely necessary for protecting public health, there are legitimate concerns about how it operates.
The FDA has very strict labeling policies which European formula companies often don’t meet. Things like having clear instructions in English and a different number of required scoops than most American formula brands could pose a risk, but there are other factors at play as well.
For one, the high tariffs placed on formula imports discourage foreign brands from getting FDA approval. These tariffs were one of the biggest criticisms at the beginning of the formula shortage before they were temporarily waived.
Back in 2005, the FDA had some concerns about their systems so they had the Institute of Medicine (IOM) conduct an independent assessment. In 2006, the IOM committee released a report called "The Future of Drug Safety: Promoting and Protecting the Health of the Public," which had a bunch of recommendations for improvement.
The IOM committee found four weak points in the U.S. drug safety system:
But these aren’t the only issues. In addition to the IOM’s findings, other criticisms of the FDA often cited are:
Overall, while it seems to make little sense why European formulas are illegal to purchase in America, it adds up when keeping the FDA’s limits in mind. There simply aren’t enough resources for the FDA to do a good job at regulating European formulas. It’s less to do with whether or not European formulas meet all their requirements, and more to do with the process of confirming and regulating the imports. This is disappointing for parents who would prefer feeding their child European formula, but it’s always possible things can change in the future.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/us-parents-european-baby-formula/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK52919/
https://bmcmedethics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12910-023-00921-0
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If you’ve ever worried that your favorite foods will make your breast milk taste bad for your little one, we’ve got some good news. While picky eaters definitely exist, research shows that what you eat might actually help shape your baby’s taste preferences. In other words, those unique or strong tasting foods may make your baby less picky and more of an adventurous eater later in life. To understand why this might be, you have to understand how taste works in the first place.
There are taste buds on the top of your tongue and each is made of 50-100 taste cells that carry all five taste sensations (salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and umami). The flavor molecules they are receptive to are called tastants. In the cell membranes of these taste cells are receptor proteins. The way these receptors work is they either physically bind to a tastant (for sweet, bitter and umami) or are a channel to allow molecules to flow directly into a taste cell (for salty and sour). This whole process triggers signals to the brain through a network of taste nerves and voilà! You can taste different flavors!
In 2021 researchers published an article in the journal of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research looking at whether tastants in a mom’s diet can be transferred through her breast milk and what effect they may have on a baby’s taste preferences.
The dish they used for the study was a curry that had ingredients of chili, pepper, and ginger (the flavor compounds being capsaicin, piperine, and 6-gingerol).
They chose this dish because curries are consumed frequently in many cultures globally and have different taste impressions. Typical curry dishes can have bitter tastants from cinnamon, sweetness from coconut milk, umami tastants from protein sources, salt, acidic ingredients, and other flavor activating compounds, such as pungent substances like capsaicin and piperine from chili and pepper.
After the participating moms ate some of the curry dish, they expressed some milk which the researchers analyzed for levels of capsaicin, piperine, and 6-gingerol.
Interestingly, capsaicin and 6-gingerol were not found in the breast milk. They hypothesized that there’s a barrier in the mammary gland that prevents the other flavor compounds from crossing.
However, they did detect piperine. The levels were too low for a human to be able to taste, but it’s highly possible that if a mom frequently consumes foods with piperine it’ll lead to her nursing baby having a higher tolerance for spiciness later in life.
So it turns out breast milk is not just a source of nutrition. It also has various tastants that could help prep your baby for the flavors they will find in solid foods, making the transition to eating easier.
If you were concerned about eating your favorite spicy foods while nursing, know that you may just one day have a kid that shares your love for your favorite dishes.
Another thing to think about is the possibility of sweetness being transferred to breast milk. Since formula often has added sugars like corn syrup, this might lead to a bigger sweet tooth and could contribute to type 2 diabetes (which is higher in formula vs breast fed infants). The same may be true for a breastfeeding mom if her diet is high in refined sugars. While we don’t know for sure one way or the other, it’s probably best to err on the side of caution and limit refined sugar if you’re concerned about your kid developing a sweet tooth.
For more information about diet and breastfeeding, check out this quick guide. You can also download the Emily’s Care app that has a 24/7 virtual lactation consultant that answers many of your breastfeeding related questions.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.202100508
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At Lactation Lab, we believe that loving yourself means using personalized data to make your life easier. We believe that every mom deserves access to information on how basic lifestyle changes can improve the quality of her breast milk and optimize her child’s health and nutrition. This possibility is at our fingertips. We have helped over 3000 moms improve the quality of their milk and give them the peace of mind and support they need to navigate their own breastfeeding journey. With all the uncertainties there are during motherhood, we strive to eliminate the guesswork for this one.
Lactation Lab, EmBeba, and NAPS are collaborating this month on a campaign all about loving yourself as a new mom. All of these brands are founded by MOMS AND WOMEN. They all have first hand experience with the challenges of postpartum. They’ve all become stuck because of the lack of resources available for moms and set out to close the gaps. Together with our amazing partners, let’s discuss how to take care of your mental and physical health and nutrition. Visit their websites to see what they have to offer.
Alchemists might have tried to turn lead into gold, but if alchemists were really smart, they would turn lead into milk! But what is in this life-giving elixir specifically? Milk is a mixture of water, proteins, fat, lactose, and minerals. Breast milk in particular is made of Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, and Chloride, but it gets even more complex the closer you look at it.
HERE’S THE SKINNY: FATS ARE YOUR FRIEND!
The star of breast milk is the nutritious fat content. Babies absorb 92% of their mother’s breast milk lipids (lipids are a type of fat). Babies especially need the fat content in milk to serve 50% of their energy needs. Fats are also the building blocks of tissue in babies’ growing bodies. Your body is amazing at knowing what your baby needs! For example, preterm mothers (mothers who give birth before 37 weeks) have a 30% higher level of fat content than mothers who were pregnant for a full term, which is perfect for preemie babies that need that extra level of nutrition.
Fat in breast milk is formed from fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (ARA), linoleic acid (AL), linolenic acid (ALA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Each one of these fatty acids serves an important and specialized purpose.
ARA forms the basis of the baby’s immune system and helps fight illnesses. ARA creates prostaglandins, which heal tissue that has been injured or infected. Prostaglandins also aid with the formation of blood clots, blood flow, and induction during labor. For healthy growth, a baby needs ARAs.
AL and ALA are omega fatty acids. They contribute to a healthy baby by reducing hypertension (high blood pressure). ALA levels in breast milk can be increased with a mother’s dietary changes, like consuming flaxseed oil. Some ALA is converted into DHA, and babies need all the DHA they can get.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU FEEDING YOUR BABY?
DHA is one of the most important fatty acids. Without DHA, the retina in the eye will not form correctly. DHA also contributes to brain development, as DHA makes up 10% of the fatty acids in the brain. DHA also affects the reuptake of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is most famous for controlling people’s moods. However, serotonin wears many hats: it allows the cells of the nervous system to talk with one another, and helps control sleep, digestion, and eating. DHA can almost be replicated in supplemental formula, but not quite, as the most efficient DHA is found in breast milk. Mothers can increase the DHA in their breast milk by eating appropriate amounts of sea food and consuming animal fats. Plants such as walnuts and flax also boost the DHA content in milk.
When mothers first begin to nurse, that milk is called colostrum. This is the milk produced after giving birth and it’s loaded with antibodies for additional protection for newborns. Colostrum helps cover and seal the lining in babies’ guts and helps babies with their first bowel movements. High levels of ARA and DHA are in colostrum. After about four weeks after the baby is born, mothers start producing what is known as mature milk, which nutritional content helps their babies fight viruses and bacterial infections. Mature milk is made of life-supporting vitamins, sugars, enzymes, minerals, proteins, and live cells, such as stem cells and white blood cells.
Your breast milk is totally unique. One woman’s breast milk changes based not only on her environmental circumstances, genetic, nutritional, and psychological profile, but it can change on a day-to-day basis. In fact, breast milk changes over the course of a single feed: milk at the end of the feed has a higher fat content than at the beginning of the same feed. Your breast milk also changes to fit your baby’s needs. If a mother and baby acquired an infection, the mother’s breast milk will naturally produce more white blood cells to help heal her baby.
Beyond what we already mentioned, breast milk helps babies regulate their sterol metabolism, which stops cholesterol from clogging their arteries. This prevents cardiovascular disease later in life. Breast milk also lowers the chance of your baby contracting meningitis, diarrhea, respiratory infections, and ear infections. Breast milk is truly liquid gold, and not even the alchemists of modern day laboratories can make it quite like a mother can.
If you are curious about what is in YOUR own milk, you can test it AT HOME here.
]]>The language we use when talking about something often plays as big a role as the actual meaning of what we say. In other words, the way we relay information has a big effect on how the information is received. This is especially true for how breastfeeding and formula are talked about.
When we compare the phrase “benefits of breastfeeding” (which you’ll hear often) with the “risks of not breastfeeding” (less focused on) they mean the same thing, but this tiny difference in wording has a very big effect on a mom choosing to breastfeed.
The review, The Risks of Not Breastfeeding for Mothers and Infants, from the National Library of Medicine says,
“If ‘breast is best,’ then formula is implicitly ‘good’ or ‘normal’”.
Data from a national survey shows that while 74% of US residents disagreed with the statement: “Infant formula is as good as breast milk,” only 24% agreed with the statement: “Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chance the baby will get sick” even though these statements are mathematically equal.
So why is focusing on the risks so important? Let’s dive into the extensive list.
The first and most immediate risk of not breastfeeding is that your baby misses out on colostrum. This is milk filled with nutrients that comes in the first few days after giving birth. Colostrum has antibodies, antioxidants and other substances that help protect the baby from infections and diseases, and it’s very important in those vital first days when their immune systems are being made.
Without breast milk, there’s a 30-200% increase in the chance of developing a chronic disease. There’s also an association with an uptick in infectious morbidity, including otitis media, gastroenteritis, and pneumonia, as well as higher risks of childhood obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, leukemia, and SIDS.
One study found that babies who were not breastfed faced more risk of hospitalization for respiratory tract infection in the first year of life which was 3.6 times higher than infants who were exclusively breastfed for more than 4 months.
Babies who are formula fed have a higher risk of gastroenteritis and diarrhea. In fact, one meta-analysis of 14 studies discovered that infants who were either formula fed or fed a mix of formula and breast milk were 2.8 times more likely to get a gastrointestinal infection than those who were exclusively breastfed.
Children who are formula fed in infancy are also more likely to become obese or develop type 2 diabetes. In meta-analyses they were 1.1 to 1.3 times as likely to become obese as children who had never been breastfed.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious disease that mostly affects premature babies—not being breastfed is associated with a 2.4-fold risk of NEC for preterm babies.
Studies also suggest that formula feeding is associated with a 1.6 to 2.1 fold increased odds of SIDS compared with breastfeeding. These associations stayed even after adjusting for sleeping position, maternal smoking, and socioeconomic status.
Not breastfeeding has also shown to worsen cognitive development, leading to lower IQs and worse academic performance than breastfed babies.
Among babies who were normal weight at birth, those who were fed formula (even complimentary) before 6 months were less likely to be walking at 12 months. And at six and a half years old, their verbal IQ scores were 7.5 points lower compared to kids exclusively breastfed.
In addition to the risks to the baby, not breastfeeding can pose risks for mothers too. For one, breastfeeding releases hormones that may help with emotional wellbeing, maybe even leading to a lower risk of postpartum depression and anxiety.
A meta-analysis of 47 studies found that not breastfeeding was associated with a 4.3% increase in risk of breast cancer. In another study, the association was higher for mothers who had an immediate family member with breast cancer. In this group, never having breastfed was associated with an increase by 2.4 times in chances of getting breast cancer before menopause, compared with someone who breastfed at some point in their life.
As for ovarian cancers, these studies found that women who had never breastfed faced a 1.5-fold risk, compared with women who breastfed for greater than 18 months.
Moms who breastfeed have different metabolisms than those who use formula, and these differences seem to stay even later in life. In the Nurses’ Health Studies, the risk of type 2 diabetes within the 15 years since their last birth was 1.7-fold higher among women who never breastfed compared with those who breastfed for a total of 2 years or more.
Plus, never breastfeeding is linked with 1.3 times higher risk of having a heart attack compared with those who breastfed for a total of 2 years or more.
Money is also something to think about when it comes to choosing how you feed your baby. Although it’s harder to work and breastfeed at the same time, between buying formula, possibly paying for more medical bills, and maybe even earning less from worse cognitive development when drinking formula, the financial risks add up.
The Cost of Not Breastfeeding tool was created to help campaigners teach people about and encourage breastfeeding. Here you can find the annual costs of not breastfeeding for a number of countries.
For the United States alone, poor breastfeeding rates lead to over $28 million spent on healthcare every year. For cognitive losses, the tool estimates (if GDP is growing at 3%) a loss of almost $115 billion.
Globally, between cognitive loss and healthcare costs there’s an estimated $340 billion in economic losses every year.
We’re not trying to scare parents or caregivers, but we do want you to be aware of the stats when it comes to infant nutrition. A lot of formula companies want you to think they’re equivalent to breast milk, but the fact is that’s simply not true.
Formula is a necessary tool we need access to for infant health. At the end of the day, what parents feed their babies hinges on a lot of factors unique to their needs. For some that looks like formula feeding, for others it's exclusively breastfeeding. We want to help you make your decision knowing all the facts.
At Lactation Lab, we want to empower moms to breastfeed with confidence, knowing that their breast milk is enough. We offer a range of tests that can tell you exactly what’s in your milk and if there are any ways you can improve it through simple diet changes. Order your test here.
Related reading: A Powerful Tool in the Campaign for Breastfeeding
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2812877/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/481276
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18458209/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17450440/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/201923
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19110223/
https://www.aliveandthrive.org/en/country-stat/usa
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Things need to change around here. For too long the U.S. has underfunded and undervalued research on women’s health. And the results can be grim.
For women with pre-existing conditions, or those that develop health conditions while pregnant or lactating, there often isn’t enough research for reliable, evidence-based treatment.
So we’re taking a long, hard look at:
Note: Healthcare for women and people born female needs to be better across the board. In this post we’re talking about issues with pregnancy and postpartum research and care.
The history of women’s healthcare is filled with racism, misogyny, and class division.
One of the craziest examples is the so-called “father of gynecology,” Dr. J. Marion Sims, who did experiments without anesthesia on enslaved women. The statue in Central Park celebrating his achievements was only taken down in 2018.
Plus, women were often left out of research because it was thought their changing hormones would mess up results. All this led to male data making up the majority of information on disease and treatment. Even today, women’s pain is not taken as seriously as men’s, and their symptoms are more likely to be pushed aside as psychological.
And it wasn’t just a general bias towards women and female biology that left them out of trials–it became policy.
From the 1950s to 60s the drug Thalidomide was given to pregnant women for nausea. The problem: it caused severe birth defects.
The FDA banned Thalidomide and in order to avoid something like that happening again, they set up a policy to leave out premenopausal women from phase I and early phase II of clinical trials–even if a woman was on birth control or her partner had a vasectomy.
But this had outcomes they didn’t see coming. By only using data from male or animal studies, it became clear that this wasn’t good enough for treating women since symptoms of disease and the effectiveness and safety of drugs are different for them. Plus researchers were afraid to include women in any trial phases–not just the ones the policy banned.
It wasn’t until 1993 that the FDA got rid of the policy with the NIH Revitalization Act. They basically said that women and minorities have to be included in all human subject research. Specifically, they have to be in Phase 3 of clinical trials in enough numbers for a valid analysis. Cost couldn’t be used as a reason for leaving them out. The NIH needed to review proposals for funding to make sure they followed this guideline, and they could deny them if the criteria wasn’t met.
While things got better for women’s health overall, the most sensitive issue was still up in the air: how should pregnant women be included in clinical trials? Protecting the fetus is a priority, and it’s something policy makers and researchers are still wrestling with. There are major gaps in the data for treating pregnant and breastfeeding women, but since they’re still listed as a vulnerable population it’s difficult to get approval or volunteers for clinical trials.
The FDA came up with a way to categorize drugs based on how safe they are and how much they’ve been tested. But because so few products have been tested in pregnant women, almost none are ranked as Category A. Most of the time they’re either in Category B or Category C.
Category A: Controlled studies show no risk Adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate risk to the fetus. Category B: No evidence of risk to human fetus Either animal findings show risk but human findings do not, or if no adequate human studies have been done, animal findings are negative. Category C: Risk cannot be ruled out Human studies are lacking, and animal studies are either positive for fetal risk or lacking. However, potential benefits may justify the potential risk. Category D: Positive evidence of risk Investigational or postmarketing data show risk to the fetus. Nevertheless, potential benefits may outweigh the potential risk. Category X: Contraindicated in pregnancy Studies in animals or humans, or investigational or postmarketing reports have shown fetal risk that clearly outweighs any possible benefits to the patient. |
This leads to a catch-22: pregnant and breastfeeding women are left out of clinical trials to protect them and their children, but then can’t get proper care which puts both at higher risk.
It’s very important that they’re studied specifically when it comes to drug therapies. Pharmacokinetics (PK) is how the body interacts with a drug. Being pregnant or postpartum has been shown to have major changes in a person’s physiology that can alter the PK of drugs. This can change how safe and effective those drugs are, and what the right dosage is.
Some of those physiological changes and their effects on the PK are:
Absorption:
Pregnancy can really mess up how well your meds are absorbed because of things like there being less stomach acid inside you, delays in stomach emptying, digested things hanging around in the small intestine, nausea, and vomiting.
Distribution:
There’s also a change in how much of a drug is free floating in the body when pregnant. The volume of distribution (Vd) is a drug’s tendency to stick to plasma protein or move to tissue. There’s more water in your body when you’re pregnant, plus a certain protein in your blood drops (serum albumin). Because of these changes, drugs that usually bind to protein tend to become more unbound.
Elimination:
Pregnant bodies also change in how they get rid of drugs. Enzymes in the liver that metabolize drugs can be affected by hormonal changes, boosting activity in some and bringing it down in others. These genetic factors have a big influence on the PK of drugs, and cause a lot of variation in metabolism.
Another thing to note, the increase in kidney function during pregnancy can really up the rate of drugs your body gets rid of, meaning you might need a higher dose or shorter gaps in between taking them.
Despite all this clear evidence that pregnant and breastfeeding women have different physiologies making medication affect them differently, studies are not being done with them and they “remain therapeutic orphans”.
Chronic disease in mothers has gone way up in the last decades in the developed world, from 4% in 1989 to 16% in 2013. There are a few explanations for this like:
Studies have shown a correlation between moms with chronic conditions and worse birth outcomes, including:
These issues are even worse for Black women and other people of color in the U.S.
Big medical decisions with lots of risks to weigh are left up to individual healthcare professionals and their patients instead of having solid, reliable data to inform them.
Another issue that simply isn’t researched enough: the risks of possibly passing on medication to a baby through breast milk versus not breastfeeding at all.
There are many risks when it comes to not breastfeeding. Infants who have been breastfed for less than two months or are partially breastfed have a higher mortality risk compared to infants who are exclusively breastfed. Not breastfeeding is also associated with higher chances of later developing obesity, diabetes, asthma, and cardiac conditions. And there may be a higher risk of childhood cancer, including leukemia and lymphomas. It also impacts cognitive, emotional, and social development.
While breastfeeding lowers the risk of mortality and disease in newborns (especially for preemie babies), breastfeeding seems to worsen some chronic diseases in moms. For example, prolactin, a hormone that helps with lactation, can make lupus and rheumatoid arthritis worse. Many moms who want to exclusively breastfeed are forced to stop earlier than planned, either because their symptoms get worse, or because they need to start taking drugs that may harm their child.
Note: If you’re breastfeeding and want to know about the quality of your breast milk due to a health condition or otherwise, consider testing it to find out exactly what’s inside it. Plus get personalized recommendations for optimizing your milk from a doctor!
It’s unfair that women are forced to choose between breastfeeding or receiving treatment.
But it’s not just worries about the ethics of it all or liability that’s led to where we are today. Those who give out grants and make investment decisions systematically undervalue this area of healthcare too.
One 2021 article from the Journal of Women’s Health found that
“Gender bias has been an ongoing issue in healthcare, examples being underrepresentation of women in health studies, trivialization of women's physical complaints, and discrimination in the awarding of research grants.”
They went on to say that in nearly ¾ of cases where a disease affects mostly one gender, the pattern of NIH funding favors men. Meaning either the disease affects more women in terms of the number of years lost and is underfunded or the disease affects more men and is overfunded.
Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm, in their Women in Healthcare Leadership 2019 report found that while women make up 80% of consumer decisions and 65% of the workforce in healthcare, they’re underrepresented in leadership. In the industry, 30% of C-suite roles are held by women, while only 13% are CEOs.
Women’s health issues are traditionally seen as a “niche market.” Over 91% of venture capitalists are men, and this (actually bursting with potential) market is often overlooked by them. Many investors don’t feel there are any incentives to invest in women’s health because of personal bias or a lack of education and awareness around these issues.
Despite all these barriers, things are still changing for the better.
There’s growing public awareness around the shortcomings of women’s health research and people are putting pressure on fixing them.
Private equity firms are also starting to pay attention to this gap in the market. One big example is how investment in women’s healthcare companies in the U.S. jumped from 0.8 billion in 2021 to 3.3 billion in 2022.
In 2016 the 21st Century Cures Act started the Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women (PRGLAC) to advise the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about the gaps in research on safe and effective therapies for pregnant and breastfeeding women. They created a 388-page report talking about these gaps and made special recommendations for including pregnant and breastfeeding women in research studies, and how to motivate researchers and companies to take part.
In 2023, the PRGLAC Implementation Working Group of Council was made to track and report how the recommendations are actually used. In other words, the first PRGLAC group focused on making recommendations, and the second on putting them into practice.
Things are certainly far from perfect, but there is noteworthy progress. And that’s something to celebrate.
If you are pregnant and taking any medications, consider joining a pregnancy exposure registry to share your experience and help close the gap in research.
You can also go to www.mothertobaby.org to find the most up-to-date information on specific drugs and vaccines.
https://www.nber.org/papers/w30693
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379718306664
https://www.jognn.org/article/S0884-2175(15)33526-7/fulltext
https://cphs.berkeley.edu/policies_procedures/sc501.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5777434/
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/13/2822
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10343612/
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jwh.2020.8682
https://www.bcg.com/publications/2023/investing-in-future-of-womens-health
Opinion | Women’s Health Care Is Underfunded. The Consequences Are Dire. - The New York Times
Four in 5 pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable | CDC Online Newsroom
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/grey-ceramic-landmark-during-daytime-62318/
MART PRODUCTION: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-woman-sitting-technology-7088531/
]]>In this series, we sit down with fellow moms to talk about their postpartum journeys—the highs, the lows, and everything in-between.
]]>1 child breastfed.
13 months.
Yes.
Yes as far as duration. The beginning had a challenging learning curve.
I had a c section so the immediate postpartum recovery posed it’s challenges with not being able to sit up by myself, delay in milk coming in, and guilt not feeling like I was doing enough for my son. sweet postpartum memories are the early morning feeds where we would both just fall asleep together in the rocking chair after.
We struggled to get a latch because my nipples were flat. The size of breasts also made it hard to get situated with a nursing position and I actually had a receiving blanket that a lactation consultant tied up into a sling to elevate my breast. The delayed latch caused more weight loss than anticipated, and little to no supply in my right breast. This caused me to pump around the clock to get my supply up. I used nipple shields at first to give him something to latch onto. I also used a suction tool to draw out my nipple as well. Eventually we found a latch and my nipples changed in shape. There was a lot of soreness and burning in the first 12 weeks or so. I am glad I persevered because it has been one of the most meaningful parts of the first year of motherhood.
No, I was able to breastfeed longer than anticipated.
The lactation consultant in the hospital was wonderful but she was so busy I didn’t get enough time with her when I needed it in the hospital. I attended a breastfeeding support group at the hospital a week after giving birth. They gave helpful tips and weighed my son before and after the feeding. It was helpful. I definitely had to seek out this help tho. I received no tips on how to manage pain, and burning or even feeding techniques that can help avoid those things.
I recently read about the Thompson method. Its practices supposedly aid in pain free breastfeeding. They vary slightly from what current lactation nurses practice and teach and I wish I had tried that. Or had been given more advice in general on how to prevent nipple pain and soreness.
Yes. But when I pumped I was encouraged and did read that babies draw more out of you than pumping does. I still second guessed myself of course. Especially when doctors bring up weight percentile.
Maybe!
Other stories you'll love: https://lactationlab.com/blogs/the-drop/your-empowered-stories-tracey-from-cake-maternity
How often you have to do it at first, how long it can take when they are newborns, that it may hurt and how to manage it, that c section mammas have it a little tougher and that’s ok, how to pump. I pretty much knew nothing!
It’s really hard and really exhausting at first but it is one of the most beautiful experiences you will ever have. The bond it will create and strengthen between you and your baby is indescribable. Keep going and ask for help!
The bond that breastfeeding fosters between you and your baby is both emotional and scientific. Your body is incredible and it creates exactly what your baby needs. The serotonin released in your brain when you breastfeed is probably exactly what you need postpartum as well.
I would have learned more before hand. I just assumed it was natural and would work itself out.
The bond with my son.
Boppy pillow, lanolin cream, forage feeder with breast milk pop freezer tray.
Note: The views expressed in this article belong to the author.
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The holiday season is officially underway. Depending on what or how you celebrate, this time of year can be more stressful than festive. Add breastfeeding to all that and the season can become downright overwhelming.
While there is only so much we can offer when it comes to overbearing relatives, long flights, and hectic schedules, here are some ideas to help make your life more easy as you breastfeed during the holidays.
According to the TSA, the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are the busiest travel days of the year.
Similarly, the week before Christmas (especially Christmas Eve) is also really busy. It might not be realistic to fly at different times than these but there are some things you can do to make the process smoother like using TSA PreCheck (this little perk gets you in that special line at security so you can get to your gate faster). Apply here.
Using carry-ons instead of checked bags can save you time and headaches if luggage arrives late, or worse, gets lost. You also won’t have to stand in line to check your luggage before your flight. You’ll be able to bring a diaper bag in addition to your carry-on.
Most airlines allow breastfeeding/pumping onboard, and if you’d like more privacy let a flight attendant know and they’ll accommodate your needs. If you want to bring pumped milk in a cooler instead, that’s totally fine.
According to the TSA’s website,
“Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag.”
This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling items like ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs (even if you don’t have breast milk on you). Your child doesn’t need to be with you to bring breast milk, formula and any related supplies on your flight.
Tell the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process if you’re carrying more than 3.4 ounces of formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and/or baby/toddler food. Take these things out of your carry-on bag so they can be screened separately. TSA officers may need to test the liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items.
They recommend using clear bags but it’s not required.
This may be the first time some family is seeing your baby. That doesn’t give them a pass when it comes to your wishes as a parent. If you don’t want your niece who’s been sneezing to hold the baby, or your mother-in-law who’s been dying to bottle feed them, you do NOT need to say yes.
It’s perfectly reasonable to set ground rules like everyone who comes in contact with the baby washes their hands first or even wears a mask. Additionally, more parents are implementing a “no kissing the baby rule”. RSV, Herpes, flu and other possible dangers are no joke when it comes to your baby’s immature immune system.
You might want to send out a mass email or text before seeing family that clearly communicates your wishes.
Additionally, we all know family can get on our nerves or hurt our feelings with:
Especially when it comes to how you decide to care for your child, these situations can get really tricky.
The best thing to do is have a plan going into the situation. Come up with some questions or comments you might get and practice how you’ll respond to them. If you have a long flight this can be a pocket of time to figure out a comeback or topic to switch to. A lot of times it’s best to not engage rather than proving your point-especially when the family member has a history of not listening or trying to get a rise out of people. It’s simply not worth your mental health or time.
You don’t need to answer anything you’re not comfortable with (a “Wow, I’m surprised you’re comfortable asking me that” can do wonders). It’s perfectly fine to respond with “Hmm that’s interesting. Thanks for sharing” when your cousin tells you about a new diet, or how you're coddling your baby with too much attention (eye roll).
As long as you have a healthy, balanced diet in general, there’s no need to be too concerned when it comes to the sugary, fatty foods or the odd glass of mulled wine that are hallmarks of the holiday season.
Stop by the grocery store or bring some snacks if you need to eat more than just the scheduled meals since breastfeeding burns a lot of calories. Mark anything as yours that you stick in the fridge or cupboard. No one should have a problem with this, but if they do, kindly remind them you literally have another human depending on you for food.
A lot of us are stretched thin right now—both mentally and financially. If you have the time, energy, and money to get nice gifts for everyone go for it, but you can definitely opt out as well. Just let others know ahead of time.
Some families prioritize the kids in gift giving, while others draw names. Skip the stocking stuffers and gag gifts altogether—our wallets and environment don’t need them. Don’t give a gift just for the sake of it—we don’t need more things we’ll never use and that will just end up in landfill.
Pack folded up gift bags and some tissue paper in your suitcase so gift wrapping will be a breeze—you’re not Martha Stewart.
And just a quick reminder: there's no shame in struggling. If you simply can’t afford shiny new toys for everyone, it’s OK to opt out altogether and let people know you're not expecting anything in return.
Even if there’s room at the host's place, don’t feel live you have to stay there. Having your own hotel or Airbnb can be a great way to reduce stress while traveling during the holidays. You’ll have more privacy, your own space to unwind and relax, and if your kid is getting fussy you don’t have to worry about disturbing others. Inlaws and family can also be a lot, so knowing you’ll have your own place to crash later in the evening can be a life saver.
If staying in your own place isn’t feasible, be sure to ask the host where you can pump/nurse/have a quiet minute alone. It’s okay to ask for what you need.
Simplicity can be the most elegant and charming way to decorate. Put some pine branches in a jar for the table or mantle. Make sugared fruits (like pears and pomegranates) and put them in a wooden bowl for a delicious and natural winter centerpiece. Keep a seasonal candle in the bathroom. You don’t need to go all out to set a festive atmosphere—and if spots get crowded with guests you’ll be happy for every corner not being covered in decorations.
It’s fine to ask guests to bring a side dish or drinks or even order a meal kit (they can be delicious and perfectly cooked!).
If you’re tired don’t push yourself to stay awake. Just tell everyone you’re headed to bed but they’re welcome to stay up and continue to celebrate (quietly). Just because you’re the host doesn’t mean you don’t have needs or boundaries. This can also be a great time for your partner to step up and handle the guests while you focus on your little one.
A couple things to remember:
Not to be cliche, but more than ever we need to remind ourselves that the holidays are not about buying things, over-the-top decorations, or stretching ourselves so thin we don’t enjoy the season. It’s okay to keep things simple and celebrate with your loved ones however works best for you.
The best gift you can give your little one is a happy mom.
And if you have any tips or ideas that help you through the holiday season while breastfeeding, leave them below for other moms and caregivers.
https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/please-dont-kiss-my-baby
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/breast-milk
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Women in the U.S. eat three times more sugar per day than recommended.This is unhealthy for everybody, but when you’re breastfeeding the sugar gets passed into your breast milk too and can do irreversible harm to a nursing baby.
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I’ll let you in on a little secret: the butt load more sugar we consume around the holidays is not why this post was written. We have a much bigger problem on our hands than the peppermint bark, eggnog, and gingerbread being passed around this time of year.
What we should be concerned about is how much sugar we eat 365 days of the year.
Did you know that women should be having 6 teaspoons or 24 grams max of added sugar daily? Guess how much women are actually consuming?
The majority of women in the United States are consuming far more on a regular basis. In fact, women in the US on average consume triple the daily maximum.
This is unhealthy for everybody, but when you’re breastfeeding the sugar gets passed into your breast milk too and can do irreversible harm to a nursing baby.
We’ll be focusing on fructose, a main component of added sugars like cane or corn syrup. It can have bad effects on both adults and kids—especially breastfeeding infants.
This is because while every cell can use glucose (the other component of sugar) only the liver can metabolize large amounts of fructose. Most scientists believe it’s the fructose in sugar instead of glucose that can be so harmful to our health. Moreover, human milk doesn’t naturally have fructose.
Sugarcane was first brought to the Americas by Christpher Coulmbus in 1493.
Sugar was expensive and only the elite and very wealthy could afford it. It required a lot of labor to make and the process was super dangerous at that time. Plus slavery was used for growing and making it.
In the 18th century, sugar plantations spread in the South, particularly in Louisiana, Florida, and the Caribbean. Boosted by industrialization, sugar mills used steam power and brutal enslavement. These changes made sugar more accessible and affordable to consumers. This is also when beet sugar production began.
During the American Civil War, sugar production was interrupted in the South and so the North began to cultivate it as well.
During the 20th century, the amount of sugar added to foods and drinks began rising. Soda, for example, was often used as a mixer for alcoholic drinks. But during Prohibition, many Americans started drinking soda by itself.
WWII also brought a sugar shortage and after it became readily available again, consumption took off.
Today you can find added sugar in just about every food you can think of. Companies use it to sell more products-even if they’re savory. We’re currently in the midst of what scientists call an obesity epidemic—and sugar plays a huge role.
Not only does your brain release dopamine when you eat sugar, but there might be evolutionary reasons for sweet cravings too. Our ancestors relied on fruit for a lot of their energy needs. The riper (therefore sweeter) the fruit, the more energy it could give so the higher the chances of survival.
One of the most tricky sources of added sugar are foods we don’t think would have them. It’s annoying and takes a lot of time to check the ingredients for every item we pick up, but you’d be surprised at what’s actually in the foods we buy.
For example, there is often a significant amount of added sugar in things like:
Try this: For one day keep track of all the added sugar in your meals. You might be surprised how quickly it adds up—even when you skip dessert or a sweet drink!
Little Treat Culture
A lot of the foods or drinks that used to be once-in-a-while treats have become a daily pick-me-up as a way to reward ourselves for handling another stressful day. Aggressive marketing is a major player in the way unhealthy lifestyles and diets are normalized.
Taking part in treat culture can even ward off loneliness and boredom. When you see content creators make a ritual of going out for their daily drink and sipping on their pumpkin spice latte, you feel like a part of a larger community when you stop by your own local Starbucks or “share a coke” with a friend.
Little treats are often framed as self-care, but if you think about it, consuming too much sugar on a daily basis is totally harmful to self care. Caring for oneself physically, mentally, and emotionally often means doing things you don’t want to do for the sake of your overall health and happiness.
This definitely doesn’t mean you should never reward yourself, or splurge on something just for you. Just be mindful when you’re getting a “little treat” and try to have sweet treats in moderation while breastfeeding.
There are sugars naturally in breast milk and they’re a necessary nutrient, but as for the excessive sugar a breastfeeding mom eats, studies are showing they can harm developing infants both physically and cognitively.
In 2020, this study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at the association between moms consuming fructose, sugar sweetened beverages, and juice during lactation, and infant neurodevelopment at 24 months.
The researchers controlled for maternal age, BMI during pregnancy, education level, kilocalories, infant age, sex, and birthweight.
Put simply, the results found that the more fructose a mother drank when breastfeeding her one month old, the worse her child’s cognitive development scores were when they reached 24 months old.
This could be due to several reasons:
These results show that too much fructose during key moments of brain development can harm the growth of systems in the parts of the brain responsible for cognition.
Plus, the study showed that moms who drink things with high-fructose corn syrup had more fructose in their breast milk.
Infant somatic growth is a way to measure growth and health in children. The measurements include body weight, body length, head circumference and ponderal index i.e. weight relative to height. Evidence from genetic studies shows that lower somatic growth scores increase human longevity. This means the more fructose, the higher somatic growth measurements, and thus a possible decrease in overall longevity.
There’s also evidence that the sugar moms consume while breastfeeding can affect other types of development in their babies. This study from 2017 in the journal Nutrients found a link between fructose consumed by moms while breastfeeding, and body fat in breastfeeding babies.
We all know that added sugar raises the risk for obesity plus related metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver. Fructose seems to be at least partially to blame for this because of how it’s metabolized.
Moms in the study were excluded for tobacco use, drinking more than one alcoholic drink per week, type 1 or 2 diabetes before or during pregnancy, or the baby having any congenital birth defects.
Even after adjusting for baseline covariates (one-month infant weight, infant sex, and maternal BMI),
“breast milk fructose accounted for an additional 8% of the variance in infant weight, an additional 9% of the variance in infant lean mass, an additional 7% of the variance in infant fat mass, and an additional 9% of the variance in infant bone mineral content at 6 months of age.”
Each microgram (one millionth of a gram) per milliliter increase in fructose was associated with a 257 g increase in body weight, 170 gram increase in lean mass, 131 gram increase in fat mass, and 5 gram increase in bone mineral content. The researchers also noticed fructose levels predicted an increase in weight-for-length scores.
They didn’t find any evidence that infant growth was related to a mom’s pre-pregnancy BMI or to any of the other breast milk components.
More research is needed to see if it’s possible for very small amounts of fructose to affect musculoskeletal development plus adipose tissue development in infancy and early life. This is a time of rapid growth where major changes happen in muscular and skeletal growth.
What can you do?
Have you ever gone shopping with a friend and found they kept trying to convince you to buy things you don’t need? People often try to justify their own choices by convincing others to make the same. Same goes for alcohol and unhealthy foods.
The people that surround us can have a powerful influence on the decisions we make. So when we’re trying to live a healthier life, it’s important to have supportive people who won’t hold you back.
If you decide you want to cut back on sugar, let those you are close to know, and ask them not to offer you sweets or a soda when you hang out.
Another thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to sugar, it’s not a personal failing to crave it or struggle with cutting back. We’re surrounded by temptations both obvious and not and this is a systemic issue. Sometimes the treats we reach for are a substitution for a thriving social life or fulfilling career. They’re also at the center of many celebrations and events.
It’s in no way easy to limit sugar when it’s everywhere and in almost everything. One of the most effective first steps you can take when trying to change a habit is to start by simply observing your behaviors.
This means you don’t beat yourself up for eating that cookie, rather you pay attention to how you feel and what your thoughts are before, during, and after eating it. Over time you may notice patterns or certain triggers for your cravings, like you want something sweet and caffeinated when you’re stressed or tired.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it's much easier to replace a habit than cut one out altogether. So if you look forward to a daily latte and pastry from a local cafe, instead of stopping altogether see if you can tweak anything about the ritual like ordering your coffee with half the amount of sweetener and opting for a savory baked good instead.
And as with most unhealthy foods, consuming them in moderation is ok. Just try to keep track of the amount you’re regularly consuming, and if it’s too much, do what you can to cut back.
If you’re concerned or curious about the nutritional quality of your breast milk, you can get it tested here. Every test comes with personalized recommendations for optimizing your breast milk based on your results. This can be a great tool in helping you know your breast milk is more than enough.
Caffeine and Breast Milk: How Much is Safe?
Quick Guide to Alcohol and Breastfeeding + 4 Lactation Supporting Mocktails
Can You Breastfeed While Taking ADHD Medication?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5622030/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5532289/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522009303?via%3Dihub
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/sugar-slave-trade-slavery.html
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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, you’ve heard a thing or two about artificial intelligence (AI) being capable of natural word processing (NWP). People are mainly talking about the AI chatbot ChatGPT (chat generative pre-trained transformer) launched by OpenAI, which is able to copy human writing.
In case you’re a little foggy on what exactly ChatGPT is, here's a super simple breakdown.
ChatGPT:
As it turns out, ChatGPT and other chatbots could be useful tools for medical practitioners. For example, they could take care of certain paperwork tasks.
The result is nurses and other medical professionals having less on their plates so they can pay better attention to your and your family’s needs. That being said, nurses and other medical professionals need to be aware of the limits and potential risks if they use these technologies.
Let’s take a closer look at this article from The Journal of Clinical Nursing first published in March of this year titled, “Using Chatbots like ChatGPT to Support Nursing Practice.”
Firstly, the article recognizes that ChatGPT is not the first chatbot supporting healthcare professionals. But unlike other chatbots that have their limits, ChatGPT is trained on a range of texts including web pages, books and conversational data so it’s pretty versatile and can be used in a lot of different areas like: customer support, retrieving information, education, and health care.
Some of the ways nurses could use ChatGPT or other chatbots are:
1. Administration: Repetitive writing and admin work like patient info summaries.
2. Care plans: Coming up with care plans that match a patient's needs.
3. Prompting: Communication between nurses and patients with conversation prompts.
4. Jargon-free recommendations: Come up with recommendations that are easy to follow, jargon-free and patient centered.
5. Translation: Translating information to a patient’s native language.
6. Simple care plans: Making complicated medical instructions easy to understand, which could lead to more patients correctly following and sticking to them.
Empathic and informed care/communication is the core of nurse and patient relationships. It’s a very real and scary possibility that relying too much on chatbots can lower nurses’ skills leading to worse care for patients.
Here are six things nurses should be especially aware of (note: this list doesn’t cover everything).
1. Deskilling: By relying too much on these technologies, nurses’ skills and medical knowledge may dull with time. Just like the average person relying too much on Google to recall facts, using ChatGPT too much could cause forgetfulness in nurses.
2. Impersonality: Nurse–patient conversations and interactions can become impersonal and less therapeutic. If consultations and making decisions are automated it can affect how much a patient trusts their health care team.
3. Unreliability: The information chatbots give may not be reliable or evidence based. They can and do come up with incorrect, misleading, or biased information. The information chatbots give is only as reliable as the data it was trained on, and there is always room for errors and misinformation.
4. Confidentiality: ChatGPT itself tells users not to add sensitive, confidential or identifiable information, as it can’t ensure confidentiality. By sharing patients’ confidential information with the technology, nurses could jeopardize their practice both legally and ethically.
5. Security: The information processed by ChatGPT is temporarily kept on OpenAI's servers and is not guaranteed to be secure.
6. Effectiveness: Currently, there isn’t much evidence on chatbots being effective at supporting medical practices (it’s all very new after all). On top of that, ChatGPT not being able to understand the emotional state of patients or rely on experience in making decisions was one of the biggest concerns to the physicians in this study.
Since chatbots can’t be held accountable for their responses, nurses will still ultimately be responsible for the decisions they make in their nursing practice.
Nurses should also be cautious of misleading and exaggerated claims like these technologies being game changers without researching them. Chatbots may help with efficiency, but they are still just a tool and can’t replace the deeply human part of nursing.
Whether nurses are able to use chatbots in their practice depends on several things:
Nurses will need to make sure that chatbots actually improve their practice as opposed to a more traditional way of doing things. The technology should be a good fit ethically, simple to use, testable, and most importantly, able to give tangible results that prove it’s worthwhile.
All in all, chatbots are pretty limited as of right now and have a long way to go before they can safely and effectively support nurses. A lot of people do expect that more AI language generators will be part of daily applications and that could certainly include the medical field.
Interestingly, a few weeks after ChatGPT was released, Google paired with DeepMind to release a medical chatbot “Med-PaLM”. The model is based on medical and research datasets to answer questions and support clinical decision-making. But it’s still too early to tell if these applications can successfully support nursing.
The biggest takeaway from the article is the importance of listening to the input of nurses when decisions are made about medical technologies. Their voices play a crucial role in patients having access to safe and effective care as technology exponentially evolves.
We all know you shouldn’t drink at all while pregnant, but what about after your baby is born and you’re breastfeeding? Here’s a quick guide of everything you should know about drinking while breastfeeding, including some handy charts you can save for the next time you’re at that boozy event or just having a self care night in. Keep in mind that this information is meant to be a general guide, and not taken as medical advice or 100% accurate for your body’s response to alcohol.
You’re most likely not going to find a doctor that recommends you ever drink while breastfeeding. That being said, having one standard drink a day hasn’t yet been proven to have bad effects on a breastfeeding infant if Mom waits two hours to breastfeed after that one drink. However, drinking more than that moderate amount of alcohol can definitely cause irreversible growth and developmental issues in infants.
“The amount of time alcohol can be found in breast milk increases
with the amount of alcohol a mom drinks.”
Alcohol does travel into breast milk. Levels are generally highest 30 to 60 minutes after drinking one alcoholic beverage but can still be in breast milk for about two to three hours afterwards per drink. The amount of time alcohol can be found in breast milk increases with the amount of alcohol you drink. So two drinks can affect your breast milk for about four to five hours, and three drinks can be detected for about six to eight hours etc..
It’s a harmful myth that you can just pump and dump to get rid of the alcohol. Pumping and dumping does not speed up the time it takes for alcohol to leave breast milk—as long as alcohol is in mom’s bloodstream it’s in her milk too. This also means you don’t need to pump and dump if you wait the right amount of time to breastfeed after drinking—the amount in your bloodstream reflects what’s in your milk.
The amount of alcohol that can get into your breast milk also depends on things like weight, height, how fast you drank, and if you drank on an empty stomach or with food.
Excessive drinking for women is defined as drinking more than one drink a day on average. Over time, excessive drinking can lead to ending breastfeeding early, and health risks for both mom and baby increase.
Something to keep in mind is that not every alcoholic beverage has a standard serving of alcohol. For example, cocktails vary in the amount and proof of alcohol and often contain two to three (or more) times the alcohol than a standard serving so always double check what’s in your drink.
Of course alcohol isn’t good for anyone’s health and it’s always better to have a less is more approach when it comes to drinking. But while drinking isn’t encouraged, the odd glass of wine or beer shouldn’t be overly concerning or risky. Keep in mind alcohol is very dehydrating so drink more water than you would sober.
And speaking of staying hydrated, why not skip the alcohol all together and opt for a refreshing lactation supporting mocktail? Here are four recipes to experiment with:
Carrots are a wonderful source of beta carotene and Vitamin A. Beta carotenes are full of healthy antioxidants. Some moms even notice an increase in supply after drinking carrot juice.
Orange juice on the other hand gives you lots of Vitamin C, fiber, and some potassium as well. Keep in mind it has a higher sugar content than other fruits and can sometimes cause an upset stomach in babies if you consume too much.
Coconut water is both hydrating and a great source of natural electrolytes while being low in sugar and calories. Plus, it contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, all of which you need to stay healthy and make nutritious breast milk.
Pineapple juice is anti-inflammatory (something to keep in mind if you’re dealing with engorgement) and it’s also chock-full of Vitamin C and fiber.
Ginger has quite a few benefits. Some moms report ginger as working as a galactagogue (try saying that three times fast). Galactagogues are foods that can increase your breast milk supply. Ginger also has high levels of antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory, supports digestion, and even boosts your immune system!
Skip the mint leaves for this mojito because they can reduce your letdown reflex. Garnish with cucumber, ginger slice, or lime wedge instead.
In addition to all the benefits of ginger, this mocktail’s beetroot contains beta carotene, as well as a whole host of vitamins and minerals. Some find the taste of beetroot off putting so experiment with the ratios in your mocktail to get your perfect balance.
Wind down at the end of a long day or simply treat yourself with one of these creations and let us know how it goes!
Can You Breastfeed While Taking ADHD Medication?
6 Tips for Breastfeeding Moms with Kids Going Back to School
Cost of Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding in 2023
Photo by cottonbro studio from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-sitting-and-drinking-6966483/
]]>Summer vacation is officially over and kids K-12 are headed to school. Once again it’s time for early mornings, commutes, packed lunches, and homework. If you recently gave birth and are breastfeeding, you may find the transition more than a little chaotic.
That’s why we decided to round up some of the best time-saving tips for breastfeeding while older siblings are back to school. And if we forgot anything, comment your best tips below for other busy parents!
It’s no secret that breastfeeding takes up a lot of time. In the mornings when everyone is in a rush just to get out the door, this isn't the time for scrolling or checking messages. Try investing in a real alarm clock and leave your phone elsewhere so you don’t have the chance to get distracted right when you wake up. If you must check messages or email, why not wait until that first morning nursing session.
And while you're buying yourself that alarm clock, why not buy one for your school-age kid as well instead of having them rely on a phone or tablet to wake them up. Kids can have less impulse control when it comes to using technology, plus it’s not good for them to wake up staring at a screen. You may find your mornings are a lot smoother when addictive tech isn’t the first thing the family interacts with.
If you’ve been thinking about buying a hands-free electric pump, this could be your reason. Commuting your kids to and from school and waiting in the pickup line can take a while. This could be a great time to hit two birds with one stone (or two breasts with one pump?). After you’ve got the crew safely buckled, place the container in the passenger seat, attach the pump according to its instructions, start and away you go.
While we’re on the subject of pumps, pump directly into storage bags instead of a bottle. There’s less chance of leakage, and then you can put the bags of milk directly into the freezer instead of bottles which you’d have to decant first.
If you rely on frozen milk to keep your baby fed, try storing it in serving-size bags. Then when you need one, just grab and go.
You've probably seen videos on your feed of parents sending their kid off to school with a different, freshly made and aesthetic lunch every day, but let’s be real here, that is simply unrealistic for most caregivers. Most of the people who share that kind of content are influencers whose job it is to make the posts described above.
Save your time and mental energy for more important things and consider sending a lunch you’ve premade and frozen. Lots of foods will thaw by lunchtime and stay as yummy as a fresh meal. Some freeze-friendly foods are:
Choose one day a week you can slap together a few sandwiches or make a big thing of pasta or rice, portion out into reusable tupperware and freeze. Then you grab and pack in lunch bags in the mornings.
Bonus: the frozen foods can act as an ice pack for any fruits and veggies you include.
It’s tough to balance meeting the needs of both an infant and older kids. Older siblings still want your undivided attention without the baby always coming first.
Why not try to time a feeding with an after-school snack. Then when it’s time for homework, or a school project, you can have one-on-one time helping out your older kid while the baby takes a nap.
In an ideal world parents would be getting a lot more support than most currently do. There’s simply not enough time in the day to get everything done that we want. Especially with social media it’s easy to compare your house, lunches, and morning routines with carefully curated feeds and reels from influencers and celebrities who can afford housekeepers, nannies, and even chefs.
The reality is most breastfeeding moms are stretched thin, especially if they're caring for older children as well. Your situation is unique and don’t let anyone on social media or this post for that matter make you feel like you should be doing things differently or that you’re not enough. Sometimes the best you can do is just embrace the chaos and go along for the ride.
How to: Support Moms' Breastfeeding Journey
Cost of Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding in 2023
Let's Talk About Postpartum Weight and Exercise
https://www.pexels.com/photo/mother-helping-her-daughter-with-homework-4260475/
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There’s a lot of confusion about taking medications while breastfeeding. On the one hand a lot of medications can and do leak into breast milk. On the other hand, by not breastfeeding your baby, they’re missing out on a lot of important health benefits. Some moms are advised to stop breastfeeding due to fear of negative effects without any evidence which can cause more harm than good. The pros and cons need to be weighed on a case-by-case basis.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that affects both children and adults. It has symptoms like difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. If you have ADHD and want to breastfeed, you’re probably wondering if it’s safe to take ADHD medication while breastfeeding.
The short answer: it depends.
Related: The Link Between Breastfeeding and ADHD
First and foremost, it’s really important to talk with your doctor before going on or off any meds whether or not you breastfeed.
Some ADHD medications, such as stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall, do pass through breast milk, but the levels are normally very low. These medications are considered generally safe to take while breastfeeding.
Other ADHD medications, such as Strattera, are non-stimulant options that do not pass through breast milk as easily and are considered safer for breastfeeding mothers. How often and how much you take also changes things as well as what time of day (or night) you take them.
To check your specific medication, you can also use LactMed, a large drugs and lactation database where you can search up names of specific meds to see how much can get into your breast milk and what negative effects they can have on your little one.
It is important to note that every woman and every baby is different, so what may work for one mom may not work for another. It's also important to consider the potential side effects of the medication on the baby, as well as the potential risks of not treating a mom’s ADHD.
In summary it's important to talk to your doctor about the specific medication you are taking and the potential risks and benefits. They’ll be able to give the best treatment option for you and your little one. In general, you’ll find it’s safe to take ADHD meds while breastfeeding but be sure to monitor your baby’s health while doing so.
It can be tough to balance ADHD and parenthood and knowing which course of action to take can be complicated and stressful. But remember that you can only take care of your baby’s needs if you’re also taking care of your own.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, Volume 123, Issue 3 https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/132/3/e796/31630/The-Transfer-of-Drugs-and-Therapeutics-Into-Human?autologincheck=redirected?nfToken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
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A big factor in choosing how to feed your kid is the financial cost. Breastfeeding is no small feat, and while some are quick to say breastfeeding is free we know that’s not true. On the other hand, the cost of formula feeding is often underestimated.
]]>There are a lot of things to consider when deciding whether to breastfeed or not. While the main points we often hear about center around health and nutritional differences between formula feeding and breastfeeding, a big factor is the financial cost of how you choose to feed your kid.
Breastfeeding is no small feat, and while some commenters online were quick to say “breastfeeding is free” during the recent formula shortage, we know that’s not exactly true. From nursing bras, to pumps, to lost wages/slower career progression (if you have to skip work to breastfeed), breastfeeding certainly has its costs.
On the other hand, the cost of formula feeding is often underestimated. If you look up the average amount you’ll spend on formula, a lot of the information online is either outdated or just plain wrong. Prices are much higher (we’re looking at you inflation and formula shortage!) than could possibly amount to exclusive breastfeeding being only around $800 annually (a number that is often thrown around).
So how do these feeding methods actually compare?
The short answer: it depends, but they are pretty similar in cost.
Let’s break down the costs of either exclusively formula feeding or breastfeeding (skip down to our breastfeeding vs formula calculator for a quick estimate!).
At a glance, formula doesn’t seem to cost that much, right? Let’s use Similac Advance (a popular and less expensive powder formula) as an example. We’re going to do some simple math to calculate the cost per year.
A 30.08 ounce can is $32.54 on Amazon and the package says it should make a total of 223 fluid ounces of formula if prepared correctly.
So dividing $32.54 by 223 we come to about 15 cents per prepared fluid ounce.
How much your baby drinks will depend on a lot of factors, but on average a baby drinks 32 fluid ounces per day (you can change this by substituting how many fluid ounces your baby actually drinks in the equation).
So $0.15 x 32 x 365 = $1,752.
This number doesn’t account for any waste, spillage or switching formulas so keep in mind that number could be higher.
While the amount of water you add depends on the brand, on average 1 ounce of powder becomes 6.5 ounces of drinkable formula so this is the equation we used to calculate the costs of all the other formula types and brands. If the brand you want to calculate isn’t listed below, use this equation to estimate the cost:
Price per ounce of powder ÷ 6.5 x 32 x 365 = Cost of formula feeding per year.
When thinking about the cost of formula, don’t forget hidden costs. When you formula feed, that increases the chances of your baby getting sick so you may spend more on medical bills.
You should also consider the time it takes to prepare a bottle of formula, from sterilizing the bottles, to boiling water and waiting for it to cool.
And if your baby has any sensitivities or allergies, specialized formulas can shoot up in price very quickly.
As we already mentioned, breastfeeding isn’t free. If you want to go to work and exclusively breastfeed at the same time, you’ll have to pump. Breastfeeding isn’t always a smooth process either, so you may need to hire a lactation consultant. On top of that, breastfeeding can sometimes hinder career progress, or you may lose out on wages altogether if you take some time off work while breastfeeding.
It’s difficult to estimate exactly how much it will cost, because not every nursing product is necessary even if it's useful—that’s why our calculating tool lets you pick and choose. We’ve tried to include many of the most popular products, and prices reflect a year's supply/extras (since you’ll probably want more than one nursing bra for example).
We also included costs like extra groceries for the calories you burn when breastfeeding (our estimate is $50 a month but it may be lower or higher for you).
I have two beautiful boys. One is almost 18 and the other is 12.
I was 32 when I fell pregnant with my eldest. This pregnancy was unexpected but a blessing. Pregnancy suited me. I felt great and embraced the experience.
We had decided to wait initially before trying for our second child as we had moved temporary to London for work and wanted to wait until we returned back to Australia. We started Cake Maternity soon after arriving back home to OZ, which also pushed back our plans. Once life settled down we decided to try for our second child.
I finally got pregnant after months of trying. We were super excited to share the news with our son Ethan and our family and friends. Little did we know that I would miscarry weeks later. This was a very difficult and sad time for our family.
Unfortunately I suffered multiple miscarriages over a 2-year period. We kept each of these experiences to ourselves to avoid having to share. It was not until I turned 38 that we finally got past the first trimester and felt confident sharing our exciting news.
Breastfeeding was not an easy experience for me. I expected like most women that it would come naturally to me and my baby - but it didn’t.
Both of my babies had difficulty latching and feeding effectively. As a result I got mastitis and suffered from soar-cracked nipples.
I felt a lot of pressure to get it write and persevered with some assistance from trained professionals.
In time both bub and I got the hang of it. I am happy I persisted as it is my belief that breastfeeding gives your children the best start in life.
The feeling of pure exhaustion and isolation stands out for me most. Having children at a later stage of my life meant that I was use to adventure and having the freedom to do as I wish.
Children changed all of that for me. I was no longer an individual who could do as I pleased. I had a little person who was now reliant on me for everything. All my decisions impacted his wellbeing. I loved him so much and I wanted to be the best mother I could be. So I made the choice to focus on him and put my needs aside.
Looking back now. I realise that my needs should not have been ignored and that I should have taken better care of myself. I should have insisted on getting help when I needed it and taking time off to recharge and look after my mental wellbeing.
The idea for Cake started when I was pregnant with my eldest son Ethan. At the time maternity/nursing bras were extremely unattractive and looked like underwear that my grandmother would wear.
There were limited styles and colours available that meant that I was often wearing bras that were not suitable for my needs.
I believed that maternity/nursing bras did not need to be unattractive and that new mums deserved to feel empowered and cared for during this difficult time.
At Cake we pride ourselves on innovation. All our bras are created to fulfil a need and to make a new mothers life easier.
We manufacture the widest assortment of maternity bras in the market place. We design sports, sleep, seamless, fuller bust, birthing, flexible wired, non-wired, soft cup, padded, sexy plunge, bralettes, T-shirt and spacer foam maternity and nursing bras. All these styles are uniquely designs with specialist fabrics etc. to help ensure a great fit, durability, comfort and support.
We recognise that women come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. That is why our range covers sizes 30A- 42L and XS-4XL.
Note: The views expressed in this article belong to the author.
Thank you so much to Tracey for taking the time to answer our questions for our Empowered Stories series. You can find them on Instagram at @cakematernity and visit their website here.
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As you’re already well aware, having a new baby is both exciting and stressful! New moms have to juggle a lot: their baby’s health, their own mental and physical health, other kids, jobs, and everything else that goes along with parenthood.
For breastfeeding moms this can be an especially hard time. That’s why it’s super important for our communities and loved ones to step up and help new moms in a variety of ways. Here are some ways partners, family members, friends, and employers can pitch in and support both momma and her breastfeeding journey.
Your support can begin before the baby is even born by attending birth and breastfeeding classes together. Paid classes are going to give a more in depth education, but if you don’t have the time or cash there are many free classes online as well (some insurance also covers birthing classes). This is a great way to take some of the mental burden off your partner so they’re not the only one who has to remember everything and can help you give advice and encouragement if she experiences any bumps in the road.
It takes a lot of physical and mental strength to give birth and breastfeed. While your partner is taking care of your baby’s nutritional needs, you can make sure she stays hydrated and is getting enough healthy, nourishing food that supports breastfeeding: grocery delivery services can be a great resource during this time.
This is an important time for bonding between momma and baby, but it’s also important for you and baby to bond. Try some skin to skin contact while your partner takes a shower or gets some rest. And if your newborn is waking up in the middle of the night to nurse that doesn’t mean you can’t also be the one to pick them up and soothe them before handing them off to your partner. You can then make sure your partner has water and a snack during late night feedings.
If your partner uses a breast milk pump, you can wash the parts and bottles so there’s one less thing they have to worry about. Just make sure you do it the right way.
We know it’s very exciting to have a new addition to the family, but make sure you’re not making things more stressful for the baby’s parents. It’s fine to give some attention to the newborn, but you should focus on helping out where you can so mom can spend more time bonding with her new baby. You can make or buy meals, do dishes and laundry and provide childcare and petcare.
If you’re unable to help out, keep your visits short. New parents have enough on their plates without having to play hosts as well.
Just like with relatives, although a new baby is amazing, you should be helping out more than holding the baby unless that’s where you’re needed the most.
There are a lot of ways you can support your friend and her new baby. One of the best things you can do is organize a meal train. Just make sure you know of any allergies, diet restrictions and preferences.
Chipping in with other friends to hire a postpartum doula or lactation consultant can do wonders for your friend’s breastfeeding journey—especially if it’s off to a rough start. And if she’s curious or worried about her breast milk, you can gift her a breast milk test kit.
Encourage your friend and check in with her. Try not to criticize or give unsolicited/non evidence based advice. No two parenting or breastfeeding journeys are the same so don’t compare theirs to yours.
Providing extra care for your breastfeeding employees shouldn’t just be a requirement. It benefits everyone when moms get the support they need and deserve.
It’s your job to make sure moms have a safe, clean, and private space to pump or breastfeed at work (and this can’t be the bathroom!). You also need to give extra break time so she can express milk, as well as access to an electric outlet and a comfortable place to sit.
Check in with her and see if any adjustments need to be made for her work load, or environment.
Breastfeeding shouldn’t just be moms’ responsibility. It really does take a village, and communities should rally around new parents and share the load. If you have any more ideas or things that would have made your breastfeeding journey a little easier, share it in the comments. You can also become part of a whole community of moms by joining the Lactation Lounge where advice, questions, and encouragement are shared.
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In our image obsessed world where celebrities flaunt flat stomachs and boast of getting back to their pre-baby weight just weeks after giving birth it comes as no surprise that a lot of women have complicated feelings about their own weight postpartum. Add to that how hard it is to exercise regularly (because y’know, you’ve got a newborn to take care of) and women can quickly become discouraged and negative about their bodies.
There are some genuine concerns healthcare professionals have when it comes to gaining weight during pregnancy. For example, if women gain weight during pregnancy following the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations, but don’t lose the extra weight by 6 months postpartum, they often experience long term weight increases.
Additionally, your body mass index (BMI) pre-pregnancy has been shown to play a big part in long term obesity, because women who start pregnancy heavier keep on more weight after childbirth. 15 years later - these women were at risk for excessive weight gain and at high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), plus other chronic obesity-related diseases. However, women who did aerobic activities during the postpartum period were less likely to be obese 15 years later than those who did not. Breastfeeding does have some effect on weight loss, but it’s small.
In order for healthcare workers to best support women to reach exercise and weight goals, researchers first need to figure out what women are prioritizing because a one-size-fits-all approach is rarely effective.
A study from the American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing set out to find views about exercise and weight from a group of moms. The researchers said the purpose of this was to
“describe the views of a small group of ethnically diverse new mothers on the attitudes and preferences of women like themselves related to weight, exercise, and walking as a form of exercise in the first year following childbirth in order to help nurses better understand how to care for this population.”
They interviewed moms during the first year of postpartum about their thoughts on weight, choice of exercise, walking for exercise, perceived benefits, barriers, and factors that could make the process easier.
Of the sample, 64% of the participants thought weight is an important issue for women. Broken down further, 58% of Black women saw it as important, 69% for Hispanic women, and 75% for White women. Weight isn’t just a health issue, rather they found it’s also tied to identity and affects how moms see themselves.
The moms’ views of exercise also differ. For example, White women tend to see exercise as a way to “control weight, improve overall mood, and maintain fitness” while Hispanic women tend to see exercise as a means to “reduce stress and improve general health”.
While almost all the participants saw exercise as a positive thing and something to help with fatigue, the main barrier was children or lack of childcare. This worsened if the mom had two kids or more. The second biggest barrier – not having enough time.
Specifically for walking as exercise, the barriers added up. Health problems like asthma, illness, or disability plus unwalkable or unsafe neighborhoods played a role as well.
What was promising about the study is that there are definitely ways to increase physical activity postpartum. Firstly, the participants said that scheduling a walk would help them tackle a walking plan (the preferred form of exercise among the moms). The second most helpful idea is having a walking buddy like a partner or a friend who also recently gave birth.
The most common places to walk are parks (50%), an outdoor track (20%), or neighborhood (16%).
All of this information could definitely aid healthcare workers when making diverse and unique postpartum plans for moms.
If you’re a new mom struggling with postpartum exercise or weight gain, you’re not alone. Being a new mom can already be isolating, but the problem has seemed to grow due to Covid (yet another fallout). Thankfully, there are lots of mom Facebook groups, including ours! Join the Lactation Lounge here. Try finding one in your area and see if anyone is interested in becoming a walking buddy-you’d be surprised how many people are in the same shoes.
Welcoming a baby into the world can be an exciting and overwhelming experience at the same time. While you are surely in awe of your new bundle of joy, you are also managing sleepless nights, never ending laundry demands, and major shifts in hormones. And among the many things new moms worry about once baby arrives, keeping up with breastfeeding demands tends to top the list if the mother is breastfeeding her baby.
Having adequate milk supply is key when a woman is on her breastfeeding journey. And while some causes for a low milk supply are completely out of your control --- like losing a large volume of blood during delivery or having a thyroid disorder – there are other things that you can do that may help you keep your milk supply in-check.
The term “low milk supply” gets tossed around a lot, and having true milk supply issues can be subjective. For some, feeling like they are not producing enough milk means having a fussy, but growing, baby. And for others, having milk supply concerns means that your baby is falling off of the growth chart and not feeling satisfied after a feeding.
While it may seem like these are signs of a low milk supply, it is important to know that the following are not necessarily tell-tale signs of your body not producing enough milk:
While these situations are stressful, the medical literature doesn’t confirm that they are a true sign of low milk supply. Plus, they may be happening for reasons beyond having a low milk supply. For example, a baby that constantly wants to feed may be feeding for comfort. And a baby that appears fussy after a feed may be experiencing gas pain, and not hunger.
Knowing whether your baby is getting enough milk is quite simple to do with a little know-how. And knowing what to look for can be empowering and possibly relieve some pressure you may be feeling during this stage.
Here are some signs of adequate milk supply:
1. Baby is having enough wet diapers a day, based on your baby’s age. The urine does not appear to be a bright yellow color.
2. Baby is having one stool a day until 5 days old. Then 3-5 stools a day for the first few months.
3. After the initial expected weight loss after your baby is born, it is tracking appropriately on the growth charts.
4. Mom’s breasts are soft after a feeding.
5. Baby appears satisfied and content after a feeding session.
Believe it or not, but having low milk supply isn’t as common as people believe. While not as common as people think, there are true causes to a low milk supply.
Some reasons why a person may experience a low milk supply include:
1. Mom’s breasts did not develop adequate “milk-producing” glands
2. Mom has an untreated diagnosis of hypothyroidism. The thyroid plays a role in hormone regulation. Since milk production and release is dependent on hormones, having a thyroid function that is slower may play a negative role. Your doctor can help regulate your thyroid with proper medication.
3. Mom is taking certain medications or herbs that may reduce the production of milk. Taking certain decongestants or certain herbal remedies like sage or peppermint may result in a low milk supply.
4. Mom is wearing a bra or top that is too tight and is not supporting milk supply.
Low milk supply, whether perceived or actual, is one of the most common reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding. And while it is possible that a breastfeeding woman may feel that she isn’t producing enough milk when she really is, for those who are truly having a milk supply challenge, the good news is there are some things that may help support their lactation journey, including:
1. Allow your baby to suck on your breast, even when she is not feeding. The sucking stimulates milk production, thanks to the principle of supply and demand. The more baby sucks, the more milk will be produced.
2. Pump in between feeds, again, to support the supply and demand principle.
3. Have skin-to-skin contact with your baby daily to stimulate the prolactin hormone and support milk production.
4. Create a relaxing environment when you are nursing. Play relaxing music, be physically comfortable, and wear comfortable clothing.
5. Avoid stress when possible. Consider breathing exercises or any mind-body practice to help alleviate any stress, as stress may interfere with milk production.
6. Completely empty your breast during each feed.
7. Eat enough nutritious foods. According to the National Institute of Health, lactating women need an additional 450-500 calories per day to support their needs, with the needs being even higher if you are nursing multiples. Having quick and easy protein-rich snacks that are easy to eat with one hand will help you meet your needs. Having boiled and peeled eggs in your fridge is a great grab-and-go snack. A nut-butter and fruit combo (like fresh apple and almond butter) is also an easy no-prep snack.
8. Hand-massage your breast. Sometimes massaging your breast while your baby is feeding may stimulate your breasts enough to stimulate an increased supply of breast milk.
Although herbs have been used for thousands of years to support milk supply in Ayurvedic medicine practices and in certain areas of the world, recommending them in Western medicine practices isn’t as commonplace, as the data supporting their use are not robust.
Limited data is available regarding the use of certain herbal supplements when trying to support milk supply. Some common herbal solutions that may help include:
Any herbal solution that you are considering should be discussed with your health care provider. Just because something is “natural”, you cannot assume that it comes without risks.
Among the many things that new moms worry about, supporting breastmilk volume is one of the most common. If you have any worries about whether you are producing enough milk for your little one, your best bet is to talk to your doctor and see if this is a perceived or true concern. If you are truly not producing enough milk, steps like breast massage, prioritizing stress management, and eating enough may help you see some major results. And if you want to consider supplementation, leaning on galactagogues may help you produce more milk naturally, although more data is needed. Just make sure that, if you do go the galactagogue route, you get the green-light from your health care provider first to make sure that the blend you choose fits into your personal health care needs.
Once you are sure that your breast milk supply is up-to-par, testing your milk to ensure it is balanced in nutrients and it does not contain high levels of toxins is key. Leaning on Lactation Lab to analyze your breast milk for basic nutritional content like calories and protein, as well as vitamins, fatty acids and environmental toxins can allow you to know exactly what you are providing your baby during a nursing session. Using this service can help you ensure that you are fueling your baby exactly with what it needs, which can give you peace of mind during this stage.
Note: The views expressed in this article belong to the author.
Lauren Manaker is a licensed registered dietitian. Find out more about Lauren on her website and Instagram.
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As health and wellness experts, we regularly receive questions about infant nutrition, breastfeeding, and formula brands. Parents want the best for their children and want to be informed, as a mother myself I can relate.
Human milk is the gold standard for the nutrition of infant growth, whose nutritional value is mainly attributed to human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs (1). When it is not possible for an infant to receive breastmilk parents should speak to their pediatrician about formula recommendations.
According to the CDC infants who are breastfed have a reduced risk of:
In addition to the benefits provided to infants, breastfeeding can also lower a mother’s risk of:
What are breastmilk creating “superfoods”? According to Cleveland Clinic’s lactation consultants, there is not a magical 1-2 foods that will make breastmilk production skyrocket. It is more about everything you’re eating that will affect your supply. The key is a nutritious, balanced diet. For the body to be able to produce breastmilk the mother’s diet should be rich in fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates and protein. As if having a newborn isn’t hectic enough, now you need to ensure the health and wellness of your baby AND yourself. If finding time to make nutritious meals is a challenge, let the chefs at A Perfect Fit help! We are passionate about making delicious, yet nutritious meals. And if you’re reading this and it doesn’t pertain to you, hiring a chef to make meals for a new mother would be an excellent gift idea (a gift I certainly would have welcomed as a new mother).
Congress passed The Infant Formula Act in 1980. It establishes minimum nutrient requirements, defines adulteration, provides for establishing nutrient and quality control procedures, prescribes recall procedures, and specifies inspection requirements (3). Over the past few decades, standard infant formulas have been improved to resemble breastmilk. The casein ratios have been changed, nucleotides have been added, and even long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have been incorporated (4). However, even with these improvements the question is raised, “when will The Infant Formula Act be updated?”
Even with the wide variety of infant formulas in the United States, some parents are choosing to pursue European infant formulas. European infant formula is technically illegal in the United States, but it is still being obtained. Caregivers report choosing European brands due to different formula options (some made from goat’s milk or milk from pasture-raised cows, which is rare or nonexistent in the US due to FDA regulations). Others prefer European formulas because European formula regulations are more strict than the FDA regulations (5). The European Union (EU) bans some added sugars (like corn syrup) and they require DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in much higher amounts than US formulas (DHA is important for visual and cognitive development) (5).
The top infant formula brands used by hospitals in the United States are Similac and Enfamil. Let’s look at an ingredient comparison of top brands used in US hospitals vs. alternative formulas we are frequently asked about:
Why does the above criteria matter? Goat’s milk has more protein per serving than cow’s milk, and the protein in goat’s milk can be more easily digested. Goat’s milk also has more calories and fat per serving. Some of the above brands include nonfat milk but have added fats to aid brain development and vision.
Corn maltodextrin or corn syrup is an added sugar, however, the USDA does not require companies who add corn syrup to their formulas to list it as added sugar on their product. According to a study performed by Dr. Michael Goran, professor of pediatrics and population public health sciences at USC, added sugars can affect a baby’s eating behavior and correlate to more picky eating (6). Corn syrup is also a much higher glycemic index (causing a fast rise in the body’s blood sugar and may contribute to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity) than lactose, the sugar in other formulas.
Studies have shown that some infants can pass harder stools when they drink palm oil formula, and constipation may occur. This is because palmitic acid binds with the calcium forming insoluble soaps and undigested particles in the baby’s digestive tract and gets excreted from the baby’s body in a harder stool form (7).
While soy formula may meet the criteria to be considered a vegan option, it may not be a safe choice for all babies. Soy-based formulas have higher amounts of aluminum than breastmilk or cow’s formulas. High aluminum levels may negatively affect a baby’s brain and bone mass development. Soy-based formulas also are not appropriate for pre-term babies, those babies weigh less than four pounds at birth or those with reduced kidney function (8).
Breastmilk is known as the gold standard of nutrition for infant growth, however, we understand it may not always be possible. We are committed, as health professionals at A Perfect Fit, to review topics and answer questions that have been brought to us. We hope this sheds some light on the topic of infant nutrition and understanding ingredients in infant formulas.
Note: The views expressed in this article belong to the author.
A Perfect Fit is a team of licensed and experienced nutritionists and culinary experts. We specialize in personal chef services, customizable meal planning and individualized nutritional counseling.
In today’s fast paced world, it can seem almost impossible to maintain a healthy diet from fresh, whole food sources. The majority of us do not have the time to prepare home-cooked meals every day for our families. This is where A Perfect Fit steps in. Our team of culinary experts plan your meals for the week, design your grocery list, deliver your groceries and prepare your meals.
We also understand that nutrition means different things to different people. Nutrition may mean: customized meal plans for weight loss, tailored recommendations for optimized athletic performance, budgeted and prepped meals for the working individual, or well-rounded and balanced meals for a busy family.
Whatever your nutrition needs, let us find your perfect fit!
Interested in our services? Mention the Lactation Lab for FREE grocery
shopping with your first personal chef experience.
*Groceries not included in discount
www.aperfectfitstl.com
Zhang, S., Li, T., Xie, J., Zhang, D., Pi, C., Zhou, L., & Yang, W. (2021). Gold standard for nutrition: a review of human milk oligosaccharide and its effects on infant gut microbiota. Microbial cell factories, 20(1), 108. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-021-01599-y
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, August 23). Why it matters. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/about-breastfeeding/why-it-matters.html
Newberry R. E. (1982). The Infant Formula Act of 1980. Journal - Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 65(6), 1472–1473.
Mason, V. and Schuman, A., 2003. A concise history of infant formula (twists and turns included). [online] Contemporary Pediatrics. Available at: <https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/concise-history-infant-formula-twists-and-turns-included> [Accessed 27 April 2022].
Szalinski, C., 2021. Why US Parents Are Choosing European Baby Formula. [online] Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World. Available at: <https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/us-parents-european-baby-formula/> [Accessed 27 April 2022].
Married To Health. Refined sugar and your gut health! // dr. Michael Goran author of sugarproof. YouTube. https://youtu.be/7jhP_G3aFWc. Published April 23, 2022. Accessed May 14, 2022.
Lasekan JB, Hustead DS, Masor M, Murray R. Impact of palm olein in infant formulas on stool consistency and frequency: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Food & nutrition research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5475287/. Published June 14, 2017. Accessed May 15, 2022.
Petre, A. (2022). Is Soy Formula Safe for Your Baby?. Retrieved 16 May 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/soy-formula#:~:text=Soy%20formula%20isn't%20a,function%20(%201%20%2C%202%20).
If you're an expecting mother or a new mom, one essential item you'll need to add to your wardrobe is a nursing bra. Similar to shopping for your first training bra, finding the right nursing bra can be overwhelming and confusing. As your breasts will be changing and fluctuating during this time, it's crucial to understand what to look for in a nursing bra to ensure comfort, support, and convenience. That's why we've created our "Nursing Bras 101" to guide you through the process and make it a little less daunting. In this post, we'll cover everything from when to buy a nursing bra to the features you should look for, so you can confidently choose the best nursing bra for you.
To put it simply, a nursing bra is any bra that facilitates breastfeeding. This will either be through the addition of a drop down or pull aside cup which allows you to expose your breast.
The difference between an average nursing bra and a good nursing bra is how well it caters to the physical changes your body can undergo during pregnancy and postpartum, while providing comfort and support.
Changes that can occur:
A good nursing bra will accommodate all of the above by being comfortable, durable, breathable, and supportive, all while growing with you. Look out for a bra which will fit you when you’re at your emptiest and remain comfortable when you’re at your fullest.
Features to look out for:
There are essentially three kinds of nursing bras, each of which accommodate different stages of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
These styles follow XS-XL sizing and fit approximately 3-4 different cup sizes and 1.5 different band sizes per size. This is extremely helpful when it feels like your breast size is changing by the hour.
This includes any style which goes by individual cup and band sizes, e.g. 32D, 34G, 38C and so on, and includes both wire-free and flexi-wire styles. Since they are designed specifically to fit that size they can provide more support than their multi-fit counterparts, but they should only be worn during periods of less size fluctuation to minimize any chance of restriction.
These are exactly as they sound, no seams and super comfortable. This makes them the perfect option for any stage during your pregnancy and breastfeeding journey, particularly those times when it feels like your size is all over the place.
Now for the nitty gritty and what you probably came here to find out, which type of bra should be worn during each stage of development?
Trimester 1
During the first few months of pregnancy everything is super sensitive and tender, as this is when the most amount of growth occurs before your milk comes in postpartum. We recommend mamas stick to a seamless or multi-fit bra during this stage to ensure you’re comfortable while still supporting your precious milk ducts during the earliest stages of their development.
Trimesters 2 & 3
While your cup size tends to stabilize during this time, you’ll experience an increase in your band size as your rib cage expands to accommodate your growing bub. During this stage you can wear any kind of nursing bra you like, as long as it has 6 rows of hooks and eyes so that you can continue to let it out as your rib cage expands. This way you’ll be able to continue wearing the same bra for longer, rather than buying a new one every time your size changes.
Trimester 4
So your beautiful bub is in your arms, it’s all smooth sailing from here right? Well it’s time to prepare for a significant increase in your cup size as your milk comes in. Your breasts can increase up to 5 cup sizes in a matter of two days, so it’s essential to stick to seamless styles which will grow with you.
6-8 Weeks Postpartum
By this time your milk flow should have regulated, which means you’ll have a pretty good idea of what size you’ll be for the rest of your breastfeeding journey. From now on you’re free to wear any kind of bra again, just make sure they’re fitted properly to reduce the risk of clogged ducts.
When selecting nursing bras, it is important to consider factors such as size, style, and purpose. Just as with pre-pregnancy bras, you may choose a nursing bra based on what you plan to wear it with, whether it be a t-shirt, active wear, or work attire. Nursing bras are available for a variety of purposes, such as pumping, nursing, sleeping, working out, or going to work.
It is recommended that you have at least three nursing bras on hand - one in the drawer, one being worn, and one in the wash. If you are a new mother and are still getting organized, it may be helpful to have additional bras as backups.
As you will likely be nursing throughout the night, it is important to have a comfortable sleeping bra or a nursing bra that doubles as a sleeping bra. There are many options available to suit your size, lifestyle, and style preferences. While your size may be changing, your personal style and color preferences are likely to remain consistent. Rest assured that there is a nursing bra out there to meet your needs.
Note: The views expressed in this article belong to the author.
About the author:
Katie is the proud mum of two beautiful girls and has been responsible for all the designs, style and fit at Cake Maternity for over a decade now.
Katie is a nursing bra specialist and a fit, pattern and grading technician. She is passionate about breastfeeding and the many benefits it offers to both mum, baby, and the environment.
She is determined to make the breastfeeding journey a comfortable, supportive, and beautiful one for all mums, understanding that it doesn’t always come easy to everyone. That’s why she has made it her mission to empower women as they mindfully navigate the world of motherhood and help make breastfeeding easier, through experience-driven innovation.
For families who were expecting or gave birth during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was (and is) an especially scary time. There was a lot of uncertainty and anxiety around the safety of breastfeeding while infected with the coronavirus. Research ended up showing the virus cannot be spread through breast milk, instead it actually provides protection for your little one. And while for many, life have (mostly) gone back to normal, COVID-19 has not disappeared altogether by any means. So we’re revisiting an article we wrote on this a few years back since the information is still as important and relevant now.
As COVID-19 continued spreading to more and more people, pregnant women and their infants were not and continue to not be excluded. Infecting her newborn with the virus is the very last thing a mother wants to worry about during and after giving birth yet opinions on whether or not it's transmittable via the placenta, breast-milk, direct contact, and other ways are controversial. This has created uncertainty surrounding what proper safety measures are recommended, but recent and ongoing studies suggest a positive outlook regarding the safety and superiority of breastfeeding.
One 33 year old woman was admitted to the hospital to give birth to her first child while experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms such as coughing and tightness in her chest. A swab tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19. Doctors tested for other abnormalities which showed a decrease in lymphocytes, white blood cells that fight disease, but an increase in neutrophils, white blood cells which fight infection.
“If you suspect or are confirmed to have COVID-19 that is no reason to forgo breastfeeding, rather it is even more crucial that you do.”
The mother gave birth to a healthy little girl in a negative pressure room which helped contain airborne particles and wore an N95 mask after labor. Fortunately a throat swab test taken right after delivery showed the baby was negative for SARS-CoV-2.
For three week after, the mother's throat swabs still tested positive, however all the samples taken of her breast milk and other bodily fluids were negative.
When comparing her breast milk to the milk of women negative for SAR-CoV-2, hers contained higher concentrations of antibodies. An antibody is a protein produced by the immune system in response to pathogenic bacteria and viruses and is a vital component in breast milk for a baby's immature immune system. They fight infection, reduce inflammation, and provide immunity to viruses.
Breastfeeding is one of the most important things you can do for you and your baby not only physically but also emotionally. It is an essential part of the bonding process between a mother and child and helps cognitive and emotional development among numerous other benefits.
There's no formula that can mimic the nutritional and immunological benefits of breast milk and for most babies it is easier to digest. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months after birth and then in combination with solid foods until your child is at least 2 years old.
If you suspect or are confirmed to have COVID-19 that is no reason to forgo breastfeeding, rather it is even more crucial that you do. Just be sure to follow safety precautions such as always washing your hands well and wearing a mask when around and breastfeeding your child.
While the thought of potentially spreading the virus which has thrown the world into chaos to your newborn is undeniably terrifying, the actual chance of your baby being harmed is very slim. In fact, breastfeeding is your best defense.
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We talk a lot about the benefits of breastfeeding for babies, but there’s a ton of benefits for moms too! Researchers have just started scratching the surface on mom and baby health, but what they’re discovering is very exciting, especially when it comes to chronic diseases.
Type 2 diabetes is steadily on the rise, alongside rising obesity rates around the world. In fact, the number of people who have diabetes (most have type 2) is projected to increase from 366 million in 2011 to 552 million by 2030. That’s more than a 50% increase while the overall population is estimated to grow only by 21% from 2011 to 2030.
As you may already know, diabetes is a condition that affects the way your body processes food. When your body digests food, it turns it into sugar (glucose) which then goes into your bloodstream. This tells your pancreas to start making insulin which makes it so your cells can use the blood sugar for energy. But when you have diabetes, you don’t make enough insulin on your own (or your body doesn’t respond to it) which leads to too much blood sugar staying in your bloodstream. This can hurt your overall health and lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and vision loss.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that stops your body from making insulin and is usually found in childhood, while type 2 is usually diagnosed in adults because their body is not using insulin well (cases of type 2 diabetes are growing in children and teens). Since it’s such a serious and disruptive disease, it makes sense that there are a lot of people dedicated to understanding it and preventing new cases as much as possible.
In a systematic review published by Elsevier looking at long term studies on breastfeeding and maternal type 2 diabetes, researchers were trying to see if there’s a link between the two. They included six studies that had 10,842 cases of type 2 diabetes among 273,961 participants.
What they found (in scientific terms!) was a statistically significant inverse association between breastfeeding and the maternal risk of type 2 diabetes.
Translation: there’s a strong link between breastfeeding and lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. On top of that, longer time spent breastfeeding meant even lower risk of developing the disease.
They found that moms who breastfed the longest compared to a mom who didn’t at all equaled 32% less risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The researchers also reported that the lowered chance seems to be independent of other risk factors, like BMI, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, education, income, and a history of diabetes.
It’s not super clear yet why this link exists, but the study listed a few possible reasons to explain it:
Firstly, breastfeeding makes moms' metabolism work extra hard with 400–600 calories a day needed for milk production during the first six months of exclusive breastfeeding. This happens through a mom’s diet and an additional 170 calories a day taken from fat stores and/or less movement. Breastfeeding has been linked to lower postpartum weight gain and less abdominal obesity (fat that builds up deep in the abdomen and increases risk of insulin resistance) which could play a part in lower diabetes risk.
Also, breastfeeding has been shown to increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin and boost glucose tolerance in both humans and animals.
While more research is needed to make any definite conclusions, the review is definitely encouraging, especially since reducing risk wherever possible is really important right now. So if you’re concerned about type 2 diabetes and are considering or already breastfeeding, it’s one more thing you can add to the long list of benefits.
One of the most common worries breastfeeding moms have is whether their milk has enough nutrients and this can lead to stopping breastfeeding early. At Lactation Lab we take the guesswork out of what’s in your milk so you can breastfeed confidently, knowing it is enough for your family. You can order your own test here. And to stay up to date on the latest breastfeeding research and news, consider signing up for our newsletter and receive 10% off your first order.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24439841/
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Protein powders are a staple supplement for many; in 2016 the worldwide supplement market was valued at $100 billion! But it certainly wasn’t always this way.
Proteins were first discovered by Jöns Jakob Berzelius in 1838. Named from the Greek word ‘protas’, it means ‘of primary importance’. During World War II the demand for non perishable foods led to powdered eggs, milk, and soy joining the market. In the 50s scientist and body builder Irvin Johnson made the first dissolvable protein powder and from there protein supplements took off—protein is actually the most studied macronutrient in the world.
It’s no longer just athletes and bodybuilders reaching for canisters of protein packed powder: it’s anyone wanting a balanced breakfast in their morning smoothie, those who eat vegan or vegetarian diets, and the list goes on. But you might be less than impressed once you learn about the potential toxins lurking in your scoop of powder, especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding since many toxins can cross the placenta or get into breast milk.
Related reading: How Does Pollution Affect My Breast Milk?
When it comes to dietary supplements, the FDA doesn't regulate what’s put on the label—it’s up to the manufacturer to label their products so it’s almost impossible to know if they’re telling the truth.
Recently the Clean Label Project put out a concerning report on the 134 top-selling protein powders. They tested for 130 different toxins and found high levels of heavy metals, BPA, pesticides, and other contaminants.
Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium can come from contamination in the soil, water, or manufacturing equipment. These metals can have harmful effects on the body and should be avoided as much as possible. For example, the FDA has found that there’s no safe amount of lead exposure and that it harms brain development. Babies and young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead and other heavy metals.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical commonly used in making certain plastics and resins—things like water bottles, food containers, and can linings. BPA is considered potentially harmful because it mimics the hormone estrogen and can mess around with the endocrine system. Studies have linked high levels of BPA exposure to various health problems such as reproductive disorders, hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, plus behavioral and neurological problems in children. There are also studies showing babies can ingest BPA through breast milk.
Another toxin to be aware of is pesticides. Pesticides are commonly used in the farming of foods like soy and whey to kill pests. These chemicals can have negative effects on the body and have been linked to cancer and other health problems.
To lower your exposure to toxins in protein powders, it's important to choose high-quality brands that are transparent about where they get their ingredients from and testing process. You can use this handy Best and Worst Protein Powders Guide from the Clean Label Project to get started on choosing the right brand for you. Protein powders that are certified organic are less likely to have pesticides.
It's also worth noting that some types of protein powders, such as rice and pea protein, tend to have lower levels of heavy metals compared to others, like whey and hemp. So, if you're specifically concerned about heavy metals, you may want to consider switching to one of these options.
Another important thing is storage. Protein powders should be kept in a cool, dry place to prevent contamination with bacteria and molds. If you notice any strange smells or discoloration in your protein powder, it's best to throw it out and buy a new one.
It's also a good idea to vary the types of protein you eat, whether it's from powders or food sources. This can help lower your exposure to any one specific toxin and ensure that you're getting a well-rounded intake of nutrients.
If you’re concerned about the amount of protein or heavy metals in your breast milk, you can get it tested here. And to stay up to date on all things breastfeeding, subscribe to our newsletter and receive 10% off your first order.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-hidden-dangers-of-protein-powders
https://cleanlabelproject.org/protein-powder-white-paper/
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Breast milk’s composition is different from mom to mom, and even feed to feed. While people used to think diet didn’t play that big of a role in breastfeeding, we now know that’s not true—diet definitely affects breast milk. Researchers are finding links between oxidant-antioxidant levels and moms’ diets.
You’ve probably heard about antioxidants and oxidants before but might not be clear on exactly what they are and what they do, so here’s a brief refresher:
Antioxidants are a type of molecule that fights free radicals (free radicals can harm your body and lead to different illnesses and even cancer). If there are too many free radicals floating around, your body knows how to keep them in check with antioxidants. Your body naturally makes antioxidants but they’re also found in foods high in vitamin A, C, and E.
Not every oxidant is a free radical, but a lot of them are. Oxidants, also called oxidizing agents, can damage molecules in your body. They’re made during normal daily processes like digesting certain foods or can come from more harmful outside sources like smoking or too much sunbathing. However, oxidants are not all bad as they can help fight viruses—the trick is to have a good balance between antioxidants and oxidants.
Now that you know what the oxidant-antioxidant status is, let’s take a closer look at a study published in the International Breastfeeding Journal in 2022.
The study included 350 breastfeeding moms between the ages of 25 and 35. Each mom was given a questionnaire about their diet that included 65 different foods. Then the researchers analyzed milk samples from every participant for its oxidant-antioxidant balance. They also measured the protein, calcium and triglyceride concentration.
The dietary patterns of the women were divided into two groups which the researchers labeled as healthy and unhealthy. Healthy dietary patterns included more whole grains, legumes, green/other vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs and red meat while the unhealthy diets had a lot more carbonated beverages, processed snacks, fast food, honey, seafood and chicken.
What they found were significantly better oxidant-antioxidant balances and calcium levels in the milk samples from the healthy diets vs the unhealthy diets. This shows that diet definitely can have either a negative or positive effect on the oxidant-antioxidant status of your breast milk.
Maintaining a healthy diet is important for both you and your little one. Try to eat healthy servings of foods such as carrots, leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, beans and nuts which are high in the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
And if you’re concerned or even just curious about exactly what’s in your own milk, you can order a test here. Each test comes with diet recommendations based on your unique results and dietary preferences from a certified doctor.
For more info about maternal diet and breastfeeding, check out our quick guide to nutrition.
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Mothers’ mental health is an important discussion that everyone should engage with. Caring for a newborn is a vulnerable time, and postpartum depression and anxiety can be a real concern. However, some mothers present with negative emotions only during the let-down of breast milk. These women feel fine during all other aspects of the day, but nursing brings up feelings of dysphoria, including anxiety and depression, just to name a couple.
Roughly over a decade ago, mothers and scientists partnered together to create a new diagnostic criteria for this phenomenon. It’s called D-MER, Dysphoric milk ejection reflex. It occurs during milk let-down, including pumping and spontaneous milk let-down not prompted by breastfeeding. Women with D-MER can feel a myriad of emotional responses such as irritability, homesickness, anxiety, hopelessness, a churning stomach, feel fidgety, emptiness, anger, dizziness, or feelings of restlessness. Having D-MER does not mean you hate breastfeeding, dislike your baby, or have “breastfeeding aversion;” it’s a specific and abnormal hormonal shift.
Do you experience negative emotions while breastfeeding?
Your body releases the hormone oxytocin to encourage milk to leave the breast. Then dopamine levels drop to make room for the hormone prolactin, which signals your body to produce more milk. Normally when a woman breastfeeds, the oxytocin causes her blood pressure and pulse to lower, which generally should make both baby and mother feel relaxed and happy.
In women with D-MER, the drop in dopamine levels is too severe, causing a negative emotional reaction that starts 30 seconds to 1.5 minutes before release, and these uncomfortable sensations can last several minutes. Oxytocin is a natural trigger to prompt women to feel more protective of their babies. With D-MER, this increase in oxytocin goes beyond a protective response and instead activates the fight-or-flight response. This explains the rush of troublesome emotions.
Is your let-down a let-down?
There is no blood or physical test for D-MER. D-MER is diagnosed through the analysis of symptoms that occur during let-downs. Let-downs don’t necessarily only occur when you’re breastfeeding or pumping; hearing your baby cry or even just thinking about your baby can cause a let-down. There may be times you can physically feel the sensation of a let-down and times where it occurs but doesn’t register with you. While women can also present with breast or nipple pain or injuries, that is not a prerequisite for having D-MER.
D-MER cases are rated on a scale of mild, moderate, or severe. Mild D-MER will dissipate before 3 months, moderate cases go away before 9 months postpartum, and severe D-MER can take a year to self-correct. On some occasions, D-MER is only solved by completely weaning.
D-MER can be very distressing and is an automatic reflex to a legitimate chemical issue; there is no willing yourself to feel better. However, here are few ideas for treating the emotional distress.
D-MER is a serious condition that is believed not to be rare, but instead is underdiagnosed. According to a 2011 case study, D-MER was suggested to be more common than galactosemia and Sheehan’s Syndrome. New mothers who experience dysphoria at the beginning of breastfeeding sessions should keep a journal of let-downs and emotional experiences to share with their doctor to aid in getting the right diagnosis. Those with previous trauma and high levels of stress are particularly at risk. Having undergone D-MER with one child predisposes you to having it with future children. D-MER can make breastfeeding a difficult and trying time. Considering all of the available treatment options, including weaning, is vital. There is nothing more important than your mental health!
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It’s the time of year when partners, friends, and classmates give (and receive!) valentines in the form of teddy bears, flowers, heart shaped candies and of course, lots and lots of chocolate. And while these sweet gestures are a great way to show affection and appreciation to loved ones, you might want to double check those dark chocolates you plan on giving (or eating), especially if the recipient or you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
You might be thinking, “but I’ve heard dark chocolate is good for you!” and in some ways it is with its high antioxidant count and low sugar content, but that’s not the whole story.
Recently, scientists from Consumer Reports, a nonprofit dedicated to independently testing and investigating consumer goods, looked at 23 different popular and less known dark chocolate bars on the market for heavy metals. They found lead and cadmium in each bar.
The reason this might be concerning for pregnant or breastfeeding moms is because heavy metals can cross the placenta, or get into breast milk. Lead in particular can hurt brain development and its effects are worse in babies and young children. Too much exposure can cause developmental issues and even lower IQ. Right now, researchers do not agree on a “safe” amount of lead or cadmium exposure—just that the less there is the better.
But you don’t have to break up with dark chocolate for good! Just try to enjoy it occasionally and in moderation and find chocolate with the lowest levels of heavy metals.
Consumer Reports found five of the bars contained levels of cadmium and lead under the maximum allowable dose level for California. These bars are:
It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor if you’re concerned about heavy metal exposure and your little one. Lactation Lab's Premium Kit can be used to test your breast milk for lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. Your Premium Kit results come with dietary recommendations unique to you and will offer suggestions on how to reduce exposure to heavy metal present in the foods you may be consuming.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2902938/
https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/
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Sometimes it seems like when you just have mastered breastfeeding, work calls for you. Some mothers who go back to work decide that pumping works best for them. Pumping sets the stage for new challenges to master, but also new rewarding moments. Pumping may be stressful for moms on the go, but there are special techniques to make this process possible.
Pumping at work can work!
Before heading back to the office, ask your pediatrician how much milk your baby will likely need while the two of you are apart. This amount may decrease with the introduction of solid foods. If you are exclusively breastfeeding, it is recommended that after four weeks of nursing to pump once a day to introduce your baby to the concept of bottle feeding. Get a head start on your freezer supply by pumping extra milk a few days before you return to work.
Sometimes babies need a little reassurance when they’re away from their moms. If they don’t take to the bottle with a caretaker, try leaving them with a shirt or blanket that smells like you to relax and comfort them.
Another good conversation to have before returning to work is one with your employer. Ask them when and where it’s best for you to pump. A huge achievement was made in 2022 when the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act was signed into law on December 29. The law adds so much more to past legislation about pumping at work:
Previous laws like the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) amended Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act to give pumping women new protections. This law states that for a year after her baby is born, a woman is entitled to a private place to pump during a reasonable amount of breaks, and this space cannot be a bathroom.
If you cannot find reasonable accommodations at work, getting a battery for your car and pumping in your vehicle could also be a possible option.
Pumping can be a critical part of some’s work/life balance.
Pumping at work probably isn’t going to be very convenient or very fun. However, with careful planning and a compassionate attitude, it can be achievable.
While at work, bring insulated baggies to store your milk. Fresher milk has more antibodies against currently circulating bugs and illness, and it generally has more nutrients. However, to create a substantial stockpile, freezing is the name of the game. To create a stockpile of breast milk, you’ll need a consistent freezer. Since liquids expand when they freeze, make sure to leave a little air at the top of the milk bag so it has room to expand safely.
The CDC recommends babies can drink breast milk that was stored frozen for six months at best, or even frozen up to a year can still be fine. It is best to store milk in the back of the freezer, so it doesn’t thaw out when the freezer door opens and closes. If you can’t put the milk in a refrigerator right after pumping, breast milk can be kept at a room temperature of 66.2 to 78.8°Fahrenheit (19 to 26°Celsius) for 6 to 8 hours.
Besides insulated bags, it could help to bring extra towels, extra breast pads, and an extra shirt with you to work. (A dark shirt with a print is less likely to show leakage!)
Some women find that their breaks are too short to pump properly. If so, you can combat this problem by purchasing or renting a double pump that expresses both breasts at the same time. A 2012 Australian study discovered that simultaneous breast expression (SIM) was more effective than expressing one breast after the other (sequential breast expression (SEQ)) and yielded milk with a higher fat content. Double pumping can increase milk production by up to 18%. This can also give you a free hand to eat a snack or catch up on a little work. If double pumping isn’t for you, perhaps try a Haaka. This wearable device catches leaking breast milk from one breast while you pump or breastfeed on the other side.
If you can manage it, try to pump with the same frequency you nursed with at home. If you have difficulty with standard pumping, try power pumping! To power pump, pump in ten minutes off and on intervals over the span of an hour. Your body will react similarly to cluster feedings from your baby.
Pumping has great advantages, but one of the drawbacks is that it doesn’t produce the same hormones that are released when you nurse your baby. This is why you might find that you produce less milk when you are pumping as compared to breastfeeding. To reintroduce these hormones, try to breastfeed as soon as you are reunited with your baby. When you get home from work, relax, and then spend some time doing skin-to-skin contact. Skin-to-skin helps increase your milk supply and encourages your baby to nurse.
Remember that motherhood can be a stressful time, and it’s totally normal to both miss your baby and also be relieved to be back at work. Raising a newborn can be complicated and no one is able to make a judgement call on your motherhood journey but you. So if going back to work is either a pleasure or a pain, remember that at the end of the day, all that matters is that you’re doing your best for yourself and for your family.
https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/pump-act.html
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If you’ve ever had postpartum depression, you’re not alone. According to the CDC, about 10% of women in the US develop postpartum depression. While there are ways to help treat mental illnesses, there is still a lot we don’t know, particularly how they can affect breastfeeding and breast milk.
Lactation kicks in by suckling, but after that, your genetics, diet, and environmental factors all play a big role. Feeling like you're not making enough milk can be frustrating and scary, especially since there are so many different things that could be to blame.
In a study from last year, including our own Dr. Stephanie Canale, researchers set out to see how depression in mothers affects how much breast milk they make.
Hormones are a huge player in kick starting milk production in pregnant and new moms. And since depression and anxiety are known to mess with postpartum hormones and are correlated with stopping breastfeeding early, the researchers thought to look at what that has to do with how much milk a mom makes.
They studied eight moms: four “low producers” (produce less than 600 milliliters of breast milk in a day) and four “high producers” (produce more than 1500 milliliters in a day) and looked at how their gene expression was different. Their goal was to see if there was a correlation between milk production, anxiety, depression, and gene expression.
They also compared bacteria production between the women who made less milk with those who made more.
While the high producers scored low on anxiety and depression questionnaires, the low producers’ showed mild anxiety and depression. This showed there’s a correlation between anxiety and depression and making less milk, meaning if you don’t produce a lot of milk, you’re also more likely to have anxiety or depression. What is not clear is which comes first, and which causes the other. Do anxiety and depression physically affect how much breast milk a mom makes, or does not making enough milk and the feelings of guilt, shame and fear associated with that lead to anxiety and depression? We need a lot more research find the answers.
Interestingly, the researchers didn’t find any big differences in gene expression between the low and high producers, but what they found for bacteria was very exciting.
Probiotic bacteria in breast milk help make the microbiome and protect against pathogens—overall they are very important for your baby’s health. The study found that the bacterial diversity was huge among all the milk being tested.
They concluded that there are numerous benefits to breastfeeding even if you don’t produce a lot of milk and supplement with other foods—even a small amount can do a lot for your baby. If you are concerned about the nutritional quality of your milk, you can also easily get it tested.
Struggling with feelings of inadequacy because of low milk production can be very hard, so try to remind yourself: it’s not your fault and you are enough. If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, reach out to your healthcare provider for support and join our private group of moms to hear from those on the same journey as you.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34825075/
Photo by Kat Smith on Pexels.
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In case you hadn’t heard, being a new parent is hard. Now, add a pandemic. Then, add a nationwide infant formula shortage. We can’t imagine what it must feel like to go to the grocery store to feed your child and find the shelves completely bare. Being a new parent in this time and space must be so much harder.
We couldn’t foresee the formula shortage, but we at Share the Drop have been thinking about how we feed our youngest population for a long time. As a doula, pre- and postnatal yoga instructor, and licensed clinical social worker, Kelly ran a feeding support group for new parents. She saw firsthand how feeding woes contributed to postpartum depression and anxiety. Celia–a mother of three, MBA, and milk donor herself–knew from experience that there were countless new parents searching the wilds of the internet for ways to feed their infants.
Both saw that cooperative feeding–the sharing of human milk between those with an excess milk supply and those in need–could relieve so much stress for new parents. For years, Kelly has been acting as a one-woman-milk-delivery machine, sourcing milk for those in need (breast cancer survivors, those with low milk supply or medication contraindications, gay couples, et cetera) and delivering it to families herself.
One day, as she was trying to source milk for a breast cancer survivor, she got a notification from a dating app. She immediately saw the connection. If we can meet potential romantic partners this easily, shouldn’t parents be able to connect as well? The idea for Share the Drop was born.
Share the Drop has been in development now for almost two years and is now available to the public. Why do we believe this is such an important tool for families?
1. It can help solve food insecurity for our youngest population.
2. It empowers parents to make the choices that are best for their family needs.
3. It builds a community of support between families exchanging milk, allowing for deep human connection.
The app is easy to use: simply choose whether you are a donor or recipient, fill out a profile including the age of your child, dietary and medication restrictions, and how much milk you need, then set how far you are willing to travel to make the exchange. Then you match! Once you’ve found a match, you are able to message within the app. We encourage users to get to know their matches, ask for whatever medical paperwork makes them feel safe, and, when they are ready to meet, meet in a public space where they feel comfortable.
Share the Drop is here to support parents and caregivers, to make their feeding journeys a little easier, and to relieve some of the stress of new parenthood.
We hope you’ll join the Share the Drop community! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter @sharethedrop and visit sharethedrop.com for more information and to sign-up for our newsletter.
Note: The views expressed in this article belong to the authors.
Celia and Kelly are the founders of Share the Drop and are partnering with Lactation Lab to bring their app to as many families as possible. They can be found on the above social media platforms.
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Over the past few decades, mindfulness has become more and more popular in the West. The roots of mindfulness stem from Eastern meditation from the 5th century BCE and while there are many different ways to meditate, mindfulness focuses on being in the present.
So what does this have to do with breastfeeding? Well, if you’re a busy mom who’s heard about the benefits of meditation but don’t have time for it, mindful breastfeeding might be just the thing for you.
People are encouraged to carve out extra time in their day to meditate, but for breastfeeding moms adding one more thing they “should be doing” to their plates is going to make things more stressful—not less. Feeding time is automatically built into every day whether you breastfeed, bottle feed, or both so it’s the perfect time to slow down and be present amidst all the chaos of parenthood.
We’ve become very good at multitasking, but this isn't always a good thing. Mindful breastfeeding has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety, release oxytocin, and strengthen bonding.
If you want to try mindful breastfeeding yourself, here are some simple steps to get started:
If you find yourself thinking about tasks you still have to finish, quickly jot them down. That way you won’t have to worry about forgetting anything and can focus more on the present.
The goal of mindfulness is not to make you feel like you’re not doing enough-it’s actually the opposite. Meet yourself where you are and don’t hesitate to tweak your practice to fit your unique needs like turning on some white noise, or setting a short timer. Mindful breastfeeding may feel awkward or weird in the beginning, but if you keep going, the benefits will become clear.
If you want to stay up-to-date on all things breastfeeding, consider signing up for our newsletter. You can also download the Emily’s Care app where you can track your mental and physical health or get in touch with a virtual lactation guide at any time.
https://positivepsychology.com/history-of-mindfulness/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-021-01858-6
Photo by Dih Andréa on Pexels
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