When things don’t go to plan

 
At times despite our best intentions and preparation, things just don’t always go to plan.  I regularly see  new mums really wanting to breastfeed their little one because they know it is right for them and their baby.



They have done their research, they are well informed of their role and what they need to do the set up good breastfeeding habits for success from the beginning. Then  the dream birth just  doesn’t go to plan and all the things they had planned to do are just not achievable.

 

In those first days when mums are recuperating they get by. It is later when they have time to think back that they often feel a failure or feel sad at the turn of events. It is often a grieving over what they feel they have lost.

 

In those first days when mums are recuperating they get by. It is later when they have time to think back that they often feel a failure or feel sad at the turn of events.  Mums often feel cheated or that they somehow failed.  All feelings are normal. There is not one right way to feel.

 

It is easy for me to say don’t worry about, you did your best, but that often sounds like platitudes and often feel that way for these mums.

 

Often the best thing to do as a friend or supportive person is to ask them about their feelings.  It is better to get it out of their heads than mull over it going round and round in their heads not making sense of it for themself. Often once they say it out loud it makes more sense and they can get clarity a little sooner.  If it is you who has had the experienced  talk about it. Tell people how you feel.  What would help you feel better about it?

 

The other concern in this instance is for the baby.

Babies are robust. Babies adapt fairly easily. Babies are hard wired for survival.

 

This is a good thing. It means that when things don’t go to plan, there are ways of giving babies what they need for survival in the immediate sense.  Most parents  ultimately  want a healthy baby.

In our Western culture we are very lucky that we have available health care for when things don’t go as planned. I do think we can make huge improvements in  postnatal and birthing care and options for women but in comparison to third world countries we are very lucky.

 

When birthing doesn’t go to plan breastfeeding is often delayed. Sometimes it is delayed for a few  days or weeks and in some cases, I have seen it come in in abundance at 6-8 weeks postnatally.  Breastfeeding is often  quite forgiving. If the mother is unwell after the birth, nature will take care of mum first. Then when mum is better, the milk often appears. It is not impossible for babies to learn how to breastfeed in this scenario. It does take perseverance, patience and balancing breast and bottle.  It does require extra support for the mother, but it can be done.

 

All is not lost if your plans do not go as expected.  Formula may not be your preferred method.  However until sharing human breastmilk becomes accepted and easily available, formula is our next  option.  There is a growing movement of sharing breastmilk and if you know  someone well and you trust them and  who  is willing to share- go for it I say.

 

I believe that sometime  in the future, this will become normal- at least for young babies. I think our health will depend on it.

 

We are happy to drink the milk of a cow, goat, alpaca and sheep - Why is it that human milk sharing grosses us out??

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Blebs and Breastfeeding - What Are They?

Blebs and Breastfeeding - What Are They?

 

Blebs or white spots can appear on the tip of the nipple and are often  associated with breastfeeding. There are a few different types. The difference  can be unclear when looking at them. The causes include improper latch, clothing  rubbing on the nipple, not enough fluid in the mother's diet and possibly too  much saturated fat in her diet also.

There are blebs which are a tiny collection of fluid that occurs when a tiny  amount of milk has leaked into the nipple tissue at a duct outlet. They are  usually caused by an improper latch and are flat. Sometimes there is associated  pain. Sometimes it is completely painfree.

There are also plugged nipple pores. These resemble a bleb in appearance. The  plug is usually tiny and round, and is often an oily substance. If you squeeze  upward on the base of the nipple, the plug will pop up. If it is a plugged  nipple pore, there is almost always a hard, sore area in the breast where the  milk is unable to get out. Hence a plugged duct. The swollen area may press on  close by ducts and stop their drainage.

A milk blister is another type of white spot. This is when a single cell  layer of skin grows across a nipple pore and blocks it. The blister is usually  raised with fluid. There is epithelial growth factor in the milk which helps the  mucous membranes to mature. It is thought to aid the baby's gut lining to  mature. Epithelial growth factor can be the cause for a single cell layer to  grow over a milk pore on the nipple.

At times there can be associated lumps and pain in the breast where the bleb  is preventing an area of the breast from draining. Generally the "white" colour  is the build up of the fat in the milk. Sometimes the baby will pop the bleb  while feeding. Other times women will break it with a sterile needle or their  fingernail. In the case of a plugged nipple poor and a blister, once the  blockage is released it is common to see a long thick tenacious stringy looking  length of white come out of the pore that is now unblocked. Sometimes you won't  see it because the baby has ingested it while feeding which is of no concern.  This is the fat and solids part of the milk that has accumulated. Massage can  also assist in getting this blockage out.

Another remedy is lecithin. Lecithin is found as a powder additive that can  be added to foods. Lecithin is an emollient which means it helps dissolve fat.  So in the case of blebs, it keeps the fatty part of the milk suspended in the  milk more.

Lecithin can be ingested by the mother to aid in the treatment and prevention  of blebs. Some women may experience blebs in one breastfeeding experience and  not the next. The theory behind blebs forming is that the mother's milk is a  little thicker- perhaps due to the woman's hydration. Perhaps a diet a little  higher in saturated fats.

Generally when popping any of the white spots mentioned above, take care with  hygiene. Ensure you wash your hands beforehand, use sterile equipment and be  vigilant afterwards. Some women use an antibacterial cream on the area for a few  days after. Using warm compresses to pop the blebs is also used and can be very  effective when used together with massage.

Seek assistance from a professional if you are unsure or nervous about  this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6328522

Why some moms give up on breastfeeding - common breastfeeding problems

Common breastfeeding problems

Moms think they can’t breastfeed. Many moms feel inadequate. So many moms out there think that they are not capable of breastfeeding; most of them assume that they have a low milk supply.

Moms are not educated about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is natural, but the process of breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally. You need to educate yourself before you breastfeed…read and read some more! It will really be worth it.

Lack of support. You need to surround yourself with individuals who are like minded and that support breastfeeding. Also it is always nice to have someone around who can help with a few things around the house.

Moms supplement with formula. The first few weeks are crucial for developing a good milk supply. When you supplement with formula you taking away that stimulation on the breast that is needed for milk production since milk supply works on a supply demand basis.

Mom thinks she can pump her breast milk instead of breastfeed. Some moms might think they are producing too little and try pumping to see how much is coming out. A breast pump can never extract milk like your baby and should never be used to estimate how much milk you are producing. Also a breast pump can never stimulate your breast like baby and therefore your milk supply will decrease if you replace normal breastfeeding with pumping.

Moms feel uncomfortable. Breastfeeding is a learnt skill, as time goes by it becomes easier and easier so don’t expect it to be comfy the first few times. Try all the different breastfeeding positions like holding baby on your side (football hold breastfeeding position)  or keep baby in an upright position on your knee (Australian breastfeeding hold)Baby has some sucking breastfeeding problems that go undetected.

Your baby might not be latching on properly and this can cause allot of frustration. You should get your baby checked out for things like tongue tie, tongue thrust etc.

Mom has terrible nipple pain. In the beginning some nipple sensitivity is normal but if it continues it can sometimes cause mom to stop breastfeeding. Nipple pain is usually connected to a bad latch. Mom should try get her nipple and part of her areola into baby’s mouth so that your nipple is against his soft pallet. A shallow latch is when baby has your nipple on he’s hard pallet which will definitely cause pain during breastfeeding.

By: Tracy Ann Behr  -   About the Author :
  More information on latching on, nipple pain, oversupply and any other breastfeeding problems