August is National Breastfeeding Month!
Health professionals agree that human milk provides a complete form of nutrition for infants, including premature and sick newborns.
The experience of breastfeeding is special for so many reasons, including:
- The joyful closeness and bonding with your baby – touch increases baby’s mood and keeps their heart rate, temperature, and breathing rates steady
- The specific nutrition only you can provide – helps your child build immunity
- The cost savings – human milk is free while formula is expensive
- The health benefits for you and your baby – lowers risks of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and protects baby from illness (asthma, childhood obesity, infections, diarrhea and vomiting)
The decision to breastfeed is a personal one. A new mom deserves support no matter how you decide to feed your baby. If you do choose to breastfeed, here are some Do’s and Don’ts on breastfeeding.
DO
- Increase your calories and eat a well-balanced diet.
Well-nourished lactating mothers have an increased daily energy need of 450 to 500 kcal/day that can be met by a modest increase in a normally balanced varied diet (colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean poultry and fish, nuts and legumes, and plenty of H2O!)
- Keep track of your babies growth with professional help
Pediatricians have a critical role in their individual practices, communities, and society at large to serve as advocates and supporters of successful breastfeeding. The CDC recommends the use of the WHO curves for all children younger than 24 months.
- Use RAM (rapid arm movement)
Bring your baby (or RAM him) onto the breast in a quick-swift motion, allowing the baby to take the breast as deeply into his throat as he can.
- Teach your baby to “breastfeed” and not “nipple feed.”
To do so, start by holding your breast steady and compress it into a pointy shape with your hand. Next, bring the baby to you, trying to have your nipple go deep into the baby’s mouth into the S spot (between the baby’s hard and soft palate).
- Feed your baby 8-10 times in a 24-hour period
Look for dirty diapers to know if your baby is getting enough milk daily. What goes in must come out. You need to see 6-8 wet and or dirty diapers in a 24-hour period for the first 8 weeks of life.
DON’T
- Believe that breastfeeding is supposed to hurt
Sore nipples are not the norm and you should not feel as if you need to tough-it-out. If the baby is latched on to the breast properly and draining it, breastfeeding should not hurt!
- Stuff your breast into the baby’s mouth.
Instead, bring your baby “to you.” To accomplish this, support the baby well, holding him along his spine and at the base of his head.
- Get discouraged.
If your latch hurts try again. If you allow the baby to nurse in a way that hurts you, your baby will not understand when you try to readjust. When a mom and her baby share the experience of being on the breast deeply, with practice, mom will be able to nurse pain free.
- Allow you or your baby to feel unhappy and dissatisfied.
If you are in pain, not getting enough soiled diapers, feel unsure or discouraged seek help and assistance by reaching out to lactation consultants.
References:
- http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/
- http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=82:the-importance-of-skin-to-skin-contact-&Itemid=17
- http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/
- http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/129/3/e827.full#sec-26
- http://www.modernmom.com/ed1ec816-3b45-11e3-8407-bc764e04a41e.html
A Mother’s Best Friend: Quick n’ Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- tablespoons skim milk
- 1⁄3 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1⁄3 cup crunchy peanut butter
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground flax seeds (optional)
- 1 cup quick oatmeal
Directions
- Heat milk, sugar and cocoa powder over high heat until boiling, stirring constantly.
- Take off heat and stir in vanilla and peanut butter; stir until peanut butter has melted completely.
- Stir in wheat germ and oatmeal.
- Drop by large spoonfuls onto wax paper or eat immediately.
Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 (25 g)
Servings Per Recipe: 12
AMOUNT PER SERVING
% DAILY VALUE
Calories 97.6
Calories from Fat 37
39%
Total Fat 4.2 g
6%
Saturated Fat 0.7 g
3%
Cholesterol 0.1 mg
0%
Sodium 37.7 mg
1%
Total Carbohydrate 12.8 g
4%
Dietary Fiber 1.6 g
6%
Sugars 6.3 g
25%
Protein 3.1 g
6%
Taken from: http://www.food.com/recipe/healthy-no-bake-cookies-137725