The Breastfeeding Club

A Baby Shower!!!

2009-09-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

Baby shower for over 30 pregnant moms & dads? The Breastfeeding Club made it happen last August 29, Saturday, in celebration of the breastfeeding month.

Excitement from the start…

Registrants were greeted with pregnancy, breastfeeding & parenting products and services (which includes Medela, Prolacta, Hipp Magazine, Mamaway, Scholastic Books, Citibank & Edward ___ Photography) of which they get special discounts and prizes. As a souvenir, moms also got the chance to be their sexiest and remember this glorious pregnancy with a pregnancy portrait shoot.

Where’s the cake?

Simple and fun, everyone learned how to make a diaper cake. Each was given a note pad to write encouraging and funny notes that moms & dads can read while changing diapers (specially in the wee hours of the morning), wrapped this in diaper and rolled the diaper up. All the diapers were then constructed into a 3 layer cake, embellished with stuffed stork keychains and raffled off to a lucky couple.

Knowledge is power!!!

A baby shower is not just an ordinary tea party anymore but has turned into a major event. From its origins, etiquette, themes, games to how these have all evolved into a fun, creative way to shower the mom & dad with love and gifts. It was a workshop for everyone (even for those who are not ---yet--- expecting)....

Rissa, distributor of Maya Wrap, also gave a short talk and demonstration of babywearing. With higher IQ & EQ output, calmer babies, ease for parents… though not easy at the start… once you get used to it… babywearing truly feels like heaven.

And of course, the Top 10 Breastfeeding Tips by Abbie Yabot, Certified Lactation Counselor, La Leche League Leader & Founder of the Breastfeeding Club were briefly but meaningfully discussed.

What’s a baby shower without games?

Aside from numerous raffle prizes, dads had fun estimating mom’s pregnant belly size…everyone held on to their baby bingo cards as they found out what’s in that diaper bag...acting out baby charades….matching baby to mommy animals (it’s not as easy as you think)…and many more. Everyone was eager to join & win exciting prizes like Hipp subscriptions, nursing wear, baby toiletries… Stylish diaper bags from Baby Couture were awarded to the best pregnancy portraits. And for the grand prize, a Medela Harmony pump for the one who catches the most number of participants to say “baby” in the “baby taboo word game”.

breastfeeding 202 class on saturday, may 23, 2009

2009-05-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

the breastfeeding club would like to invite you to breastfeeding 202: sustaining breastfeeding on saturday, may 23, 2-5pm at the medela house, 29 1st st. new manila. topics to be covered are:

1. at home with baby

2. pumping and storage

3. returning to work

4. introducing solids and nutrition

5. teething

and much much more!

samples and snacks for registered moms and dads. P500 membership to the breastfeeding club entitles couple to attend 2 other classes (breastfeeding 101 & 303) plus discounts to partner organizations. breastfeeding club members are free to attend. just pre register for a proper head count of participants. there will also be limited free slots to the first ones to register.

to register, please text your name, age of baby (or expected due date), contact number and email address to 09228292268.

please pass on to breastfeeding and expectant parents...

2.5 Years Old and Still Breastfeeding...Everywhere

2009-02-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

Kyle, now in toddler school, 2-1/2 years old, still breastfeeding and no signs of weaning. Even in their most favorite place, Hongkong Disneyland, when hunger strikes, she drops everything to breastfeed. JM, Kyle's kuya, now almost 5 years old, stopped breastfeeding when he was 3 months short of his 4th birthday. I started weaning him gently on his 2nd year but unsuccessful. So, I continued to breastfeed, at times loving it, at other times wishing he'd stop already. Even as I got pregnant with Kyle, I continued to breastfeed him despite doctor's advice. And tandem fed both JM & Kyle for 15 months. Surprisingly one day, JM just decided not to breastfeed as he said, "I'm a big boy now, mom. Breastmilk is only for babies." That brought tears to my eyes with so much pride for what my little baby boy has become.

As my mind begins to wish that I would stop breastfeeding soon after continously doing so for almost 5 years now, my heart softens at the sight of my little girl, my only princess, asking for milk. Hence, I know that both of us are not ready yet. Besides, we still enjoy the many wonderful benefits of breastfeeding...

by Abbie Yabot

Salma Hayek Breastfeeds An African Baby

2009-02-16T17:40:00.000-08:00

SALMA HAYEK BREASTFEEDS A STRANGER'S BABY IN AFRICA AFTER THE MOTHER RUNS OUT OF MILK by Simon Cable

The typical Hollywood superstar may be surrounded by fawning flunkeys wh

o do absolutely everything for them.

But Salma Hayek, it seems, is cast in a different mould.

Touring a hospital in war-torn Sierra Leone, the 42 year old actress came across a mother who was unable to provide milk for her malnourished one week old son. Without hesitation, Miss Hayek took the stranger's baby and began breastfeeding it, despite the presence of several camera crews from American news network ABC, who were accompanying her on the African charity mission.

Mexican born Miss Hayek, who at the time was breastfeeding her own one year old daughter, said, "The baby was perfectly healthy, but the mother did not have any milk.

'He was very hungry - I was weaning my daughter Valentina, but I still had a lot of milk, so

I breastfed the baby.

'It was amazing because he was really looking at me and he's very little. My baby is one year so he can suck a lot harder.'

Miss Hayek, who has starred on screen alongside George Clooney and Colin Farrell

was signed up as a spokesman for Unicef last year.

Her trip was organised to help raise awareness of tetanus in Sierrra Leone, the country with the highest rate of infant mortality in the world.

After the breastfeeding incident, she admitted she had mixed feelings. 'I thought about it,' she said. 'Am I being disloyal to my child by giving my milk away? I actually think my baby would be ery proud to be able to share her milk.

"When she grows up, I will make sure she continues to share and be a caring and generous person.'

Wetnursing or cross-feeding was common practice at the beginning before the Second World War until the introduction of artificial milk.

Miss Hayek said that she had been inspired by a story of her great grandmother.

She said, "My great grandmother was in a Mexican village and they found a

woman in the street who was inconsolably crying and the baby was also crying.

'My great frandmother asked what the matter was and the mother said, 'She is very, very hungry and I have no more milk.'

'And in the street, my great grandmother breastfed that baby who instantly stopped crying and went peacefully to sleep. I was really

impressed by that story.'

Milk Oversupply - Generous Donor

2008-08-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

by Abbie Yabot

I normally get calls and text messages on moms who need milk and moms who are willing to donate. But never have I encountered a donor who was able to donate this much in just one pick up schedule.

Believe it or not, she gave over 100 6-8 oz containers of milk. When I asked the driver to pick it up, I sent two coolers, one small one which we normally use to collect and transport breastmilk (normally can hold about 20-30 milk bags) and the other bigger one, just in case the donor has a lot of milk. But I only expected either to be filled. So when the driver returned and showed me this, I was happily shocked. He even said that he wasn't even able to half the supply of this mom and asked him to bring a bigger cooler next time. Whew! Talk about lots of milk.

Around 20 moms and babies benefited from this donation alone. I believe that one reason why this mom is blessed with an abundant supply is because she is a generous giver herself.

Thank you very much! You know who you are...

DIY hands free kit for pumping

2008-08-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

by Abbie Yabot

I've actually encountered this over a month ago but had been slumped with many things. Wanted to applaud who thought about it (you know who you are) and share to others how interestingly resourceful we are.

There really are hands free kit that can be bought from other countries. But aside from being pricey, it takes a while to ship. Plus, you don't really know how it looks like until you actually see the product (and you've paid for over a month ago).

These ones are very creative. It's actually a bra bought from the market. Then, she asked her yaya to cut an "X" on each side and do hemming to avoid seams from falling apart. Then she put the breast shell under the bra and the other part of the pump on the outer portion and when she wears this, voila! a hands free kit. It works very well.

Those of you having a hard time pumping and would like to multi task. Try this one out...

Drinking Water - Harmful to Smallest Babies

2008-05-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

by Anne Harding

Babies younger than 6 months old should never be given water to drink, physicians at John Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore remind parents. Consuming too much water can put babies at risk of a potentially life threatening condition known as water intoxication. "Even when they're very tiny, they have an intact thirst reflex or a drive to drink," Dr. Jennifer Anders, a pediatric emergency physician at the center, told Reuters Health. "When they have that thirst and they want to drink, the fluid they need to drink more of is their breastmilk."

Because babies' kidneys aren't yet mature, giving them too much water causes their bodies to release sodium along with excess water, Anders said. Losing sodium can affect brain activity, so early symptoms of water intoxication can include irritability, drowsiness and other mental changes. Other symptoms include low body temperature (generally 97 degrees or less), puffiness or swelling in the face, and seizures.

"It's a sneaky kind of a condition," Anders said. Early symptoms are subtle, so seizures may be the first symptom a parent notices. But if a child gets prompt medical attention, the seizures will probably not have lasting consequences, she added.

Water as a beverage should be completely off limits to babies six months old and younger, Anders and her colleagues say. Parents should also avoid using over-diluted formula, or pediatric drinks containing electrolytes. Anders said it may be appropriate in some cases to give older infants a small amount of water; for example, to help with constipation or in very hot weather but parents should always check with their pediatrician before doing so, and should only give the baby an ounce or two of water at a time. If a parent thinks their child may have water intoxication, or if an infant has a seizure, they should seek medical attention immediately, she advised.

My Little Breastfeeding Machine

2008-05-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

by Abbie Yabot

This is my long awaited daughter Kyle. She's my princess and upto now, I still fall in love with her everytime I hold her. Long awaited...yes! After 3 kuyas, I finally have an apprentice...one I would be shopping with, go to the spa with, share rants and raves with...soon!

But for now, at 21 months, she is a total breastfeeding machine. One of her favorites is breastfeeding during trips. And so, I have mastered how to breastfeed while driving (not advised and not safe definitely). Eventually, my mommy schedule drove me crazy so I had to get a driver which also made it easier for me to breastfeed Kyle. Once she gets in the car, her routine is to nurse, no matter how long the travel time is.

She also is an acrobatic nurser. She can nurse in all sorts of positions and can even move around while doing so. Sometimes, you'd imagine she was doing yoga or ballet while she was at the breast.

This morning, I just realized that she truly is addicted to breastfeeding. Her yaya went home for vacation for a week and I guess she is also coping with the change. For 3 days now, whenever we're together, all she'd like to do is nurse. Sometimes, to my delight.... other times, it plainly is exhausting. Imagine, her taking a bath while breastfeeding. Sitting down on the non slip mat on the floor, she lay down (didn't want to stand up) and only allowed me to shower her if she was attached to the breast, hay! I was very careful not to put water in her eyes, nose or ears but it really felt so weird.

I actually enjoy nursing my kids and have been nursing for over 4 years now. That is why somehow, I know I am also looking forward to weaning at least after Kyle turns 2. Till then, my little breastfeeding machine will still be my priority :)

Breastfeeding is NOT easy! (but is the BEST for baby)

2008-05-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

by Atty. Jenny Ong

(last edited March 29, 2008)

(This entry was composed and edited over the course of a month. However, I became busy and just got to post it months after. When I first gave birth, a lot of my friends were breastfeeding and made it sound so easy. However, it definitely was not easy for me and I shed a lot of tears to make it work.)

As a new parent, everyone wants to give the best for their baby. During my pregnancy, I was bombarded with information that "breast was best". Thus, even before

Naima Clarisse was born, I was dead set on breastfeeding her. Naima Clarisse was born on 05 December 2007 and it was a fairly easy pitocin-induced delivery with epidural anaesthesia. Within an hour after her birth, she had latched on and drinking up what little colostrum I was producing. During her first 24 hours, she had pooped out so much meconium that Stan (my husband) was converted into a diaper-changing machine.

We were discharged on December 7, 2007 and the next 2 weeks were filled with sleepless breastfeeding days. On discharge day, Naima weighed 5lbs, 10ozs.

However, as a breastfed baby, we were informed that was normal and she should regain her birth weight on her second week check-up. We went to our pediatrician on December 19 for her 2nd week check up. Naima weighed 6lbs and 9ozs which was 4 ozs more than her birth weight. We were very happy! However, we were eventually dismayed to find out that she was jaundiced and even more so when we were informed that it was breastmilk jaundice!

The pediatrician recommended that she be given 1-2oz of formula after nursing. By then, Stan and I were so paranoid that we decided that I exclusively pump so we could measure how much she was getting. This was the beginning of my endless pumping and worries. "Will I have enough mik?" With the stress and sleepless nights, I wasn't pumping enough and we had to

supplement with formula. Also, as 1st time parents, we didn't know that there was an art to bottle-feeding the breastfed infant. So to force Naima to drink milk, Stan would pull on the bottle every time she stops suckling == end result?! NIPPLE CONFUSION. Everytime Naima would latch on to me, she would only stay for 5 minutes because she wanted faster flow and she was pulling on my breasts like a bottle nipple - adding to my sore nipples and breasts. It was a vicious cycle. At this point, I was exclusively pumping and didn't know how long I would last. I even rented a hospital grade pump and bought another double electric pump.

I was really determined to continue breastfeeding. When Naima was about 7 weeks, I felt that my supply had increased so again I decided to go back to direct breastfeeding. I had been told that direct breastfeeding extends the breastfeeding relationship as compared to exclusive pumping. Again, I was plagued with sore and cracked nipples. At this point, I was ready to throw in the towel. I kept thinking, I was a formula-fed baby, hubby was FF, my siblings and everyone else I knew were FFed and we were all doing great!

Maybe those die-hard breastfeeding advocates really got to me - I decided to continue giving Naima breastmilk and go back to exclusive pumping. I guess I was also a masochist because after 2 days, when my nipples had healed, I again tried to do direct breastfeeding. And suddenly, everything became easier. Her latch had improved. There was still some pain on my right breast but it was tolerable. And I started thinking that I could do this! I continued direct breastfeeding for 2 weeks, not giving here any bottle for fear of a nipple confusion relapse. This meant I couldn't go out without her and I couldn't go out often since my mom wouldn't let me take the baby out.

Then, plugged ducts hit! I had been pumping and freezing breastmilk when we had to go to Cebu. In Cebu, I didn't bring my pump and failed to do my regular 3 pumps a day (in addition to nursing) - resulting in engorgement! Plus the fact that we were staying in hotels and had to fulfill some familial duties probably added to my stress ending in plugged ducts! So upon going back to Manila, I went to seen an ob-gyne who was a lactation consultant and have her prick my nipple to free up the plugged duct! Boy did it hurt and for 2 succeeding days, it hurt everytime Naima fed on my right breast! I was determined not to quit and my right nipple did heal.

Naima is now 16 weeks and we are still exlusively breastfeeding. I'm taking it month by month now and as we approach her 4th month, am hoping that the 4th-5th month is easier.

Conservatively, I'm hoping we make it to 6 months. Then after that, we'll see how it goes. I just hope that I'm up to facing the challenges that breastfeeding will bring.

Happy Mommy, Happy Baby

2008-05-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

by Beverly Tan (mommy of Be-ann Tan)

Breastfeeding is so fulfilling.

I was unhappy at first because I wasn't able to breastfeed my daughter at birth, got so little support in the hospital and at home and gave her formula immediately. I knew that even my daughter was unhappy because even after 2 months of mix feeding (later on I found out that she only got about 10% breastmilk and 90% formula), it was a struggle to give formula to her. She would fuss and cry every now and then and it would take hours before she can finish 2 ozs. It was like a nightmare because I really dreamed of breastfeeding exclusively the longest that I can. And I knew that breastfeeding will make her happy. She would suck (even if it was ineffective suckling at that time as I was advised after she was seen by the lactation counselor) but was content at the breast.

I read about relactation and tried working on it on my own with maximum determination. My efforts were not enough though so I decided to look for someone who can help me out. I was referred to Abbie Yabot (a certified Lactation Counselor) and immediately flew to Manila (from Bicol) to schedule a consultation/ series of consultations with her. I immediately felt relieved during the first visit as her diagnosis was so accurate. Together, we came up with a breastfeeding plan which I will follow for the next 6 weeks or so (she explained that the length of time is subject to the response of both the baby and the mommy).

Relaxed and confident. Those are 2 words I can never forget that she advised me. It is true that breastfeeding is not 100% work, it's 99% psychological and 1% biological. She helped me work on the 1% because those are the technical things but I had to work on the psychological myself. I even made a makeshift SNS (supplemental nursing system) because I couldn't find one in the market.

My 6 weeks of relactation included reducing bottle feeding gradually, shifting to cup feeding, teaching Be-ann to suck effectively at the breast and increasing our breastfeeding sessions. I was monitoring wet diapers & her weight, giving formula alternately through SNS and cup. It was a lot of hardwork and withought my determination and willpower, I knew that I would not have been successful.

And I was, after about 6 weeks, I was fully breastfeeding my baby... NO MORE FORMULA!

All of these were truly worth it as I hug my 7 month old daughter now, truly happy with me as her primary nutrition. We just introduced solid foods to her and now, everytime she is at the breast, I see the smile on her lips. So I can proudly say, we're a HAPPY MOMMY & HAPPY BABY :)

Breastfeeding in Public

2008-04-17T03:34:00.000-07:00

by: Charlene Carlos

When my eldest, Macie, was breastfeeding, I used to get so stressed whenever I went out with her. She never took the bottle and nursed directly all throughout her 17 months of breastfeeding. Anyway, I was so stressed because I didn’t know where or how to breastfeed in public. Back then, malls didn’t have breastfeeding rooms! I also REFUSED to breastfeed in the ladies C.R. I mean, adults don’t eat in C.R.s, so why should we feed our babies in them?! UGH, GROSS!

But then I got the hang of it eventually. With my second child, Matteo, I was much more confident. I learned the “friendly breastfeeding” places: A secluded booth or table in a restaurant, the couch at the back of the store in Baby & Co. Podium, changing room in Lacoste and Picture Company, Gymboree’s breastfeeding room, etc. I also learned that the stores that catered to babies and kids were very supportive and offered me a secluded spot inside even if I wasn’t there to purchase anything. You’ll be amazed how supportive people are!

I also dressed better. I used better nursing shirts that were both stylish yet functional. Other times, I used the Maya Wrap, so I can position Matteo to breastfeed while he was in it. So people, who did look at me, didn’t really know that I was breastfeeding!

I’m pregnant with my third child now. And I’m excited to breastfeed again. I can’t wait to try out the new breastfeeding room at Rustan’s. I hear it’s pretty nice. I know that the Mall of Asia and other SM malls have them as well.

Go ahead, breastfeed in public. It's not as difficult as you think.

Here I am Breastfeeding Matteo in Disneyland

Is Baby Getting ENOUGH?

2008-04-15T15:19:00.000-07:00

How will you know if your baby is getting enough milk? He is probably getting enough to eat if he nurses every 2 or 3 hours. Is he "filling out" and putting on weight? Growing in length? Active and alert? A "yes" to these questions is an indication that your baby is thriving well.

A quick, easy way to reassure yourself that your infant is getting enough milk is to check the number of wet diapers. If he has 6-8 wet cloth diapers a day (3-4 disposable diapers) after his 1st week, you can be sure he is getting plenty of milk. Frequent bowel movements are also a sign that baby is getting enough to eat. For the 1st 6 weeks or so, a breastfed baby will usually have 2-5 bowel movements a day (on the 7th week onwards, baby may reduce bowel movements to upto once a week as he is able to absorb all the nutrients in breastmilk).

From time to time, your doctor will weigh the baby as a way of measuring his physical progress. Some babies never lose an ounce from the day they're born and put on weight with the greatest of ease. Most babies, however, lose some weight during the 1st week but get back to birth weight by 2-3 weeks of age. After that, a pound a month (453g), or 4-8ozs (113-226g) a week, is usually considered an acceptable gain, although some babies gain as much as a pound a week in the early months. Family characteristics and the baby's individual makeup need to be considered. Remember - healthy, happy babies come in all shapes and sizes. Bothe the quite fat and the very slim baby can be normal and health. Neither bigness nor smallness is a reason for concern as long as the baby's food is human milk and nurses according to his needs. If you feed your baby in the way that is naturally intended for the human infant, his weight gain will be what is natural for your particular child.

With regard to baby's size and appetite, a health professional observes, "Mothers who gave birth to large babies and mothers who gave birth to small babies have at least 1 thing in common: They can expect to have their ability to totally breastfeed the baby questioned."

Marian Thompson, one of La Leche League's co-Founders, remembers when 2 of her nieces had identical weights of 17 lbs - but one was 6 months and the other was 18 months. Yet the doctor for each was satisfied that the baby was healthy.

If you are having problems with your milk supply, or if your baby is not gaining weight at least 4ozs a week, see your pediatrician, call a lactation counselor or a La Leche League Leader in your community.

Excerpt from The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (6th revised edition), La Leche League International, Schamburg, Illinois

10 Quick Breastfeeding Tips

2008-04-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

If you're about to give birth, this is a guick info guide on breastfeeding...

1. All women have milk.

There is less than 1% of womenwho may have low or no milk supply because they are gravely ill, had complications with breast surgery or took very strong medications.

2. Mommies have milk from birth.

Colostrum is produced for the 1st few days followed by transitional milk then mature milk. Squeezing and pumping will not draw the colostrum out but only direct suckling.

3. Babies (and mommies) need to learn how to breastfeed.

It is natural for babies to suckle but breastfeeding is new to both mommy & baby so they need patience to learn and master it.

4. Colostrum is more medicinal than nutritive.

Babies are not hungry during the 1st few days but need to breastfeed to get the colostrum which will protect them from illnesses during the early months. It is also a good time for baby to practice and master breastfeeding. Water & formula only makes the baby lose the drive to suckle effectively.

5. Position & latch are key to success.

Tummy to tummy position. Baby should get nipple & areola (as much breast possible), cheeks well rounded, whole jaw moving and gulping action seen.

6. No pumping for the 1st six weeks.

Breastfeeding works on supply & demand. It takes 6 weeks for a mom's body to fully master demand of baby. Pumping before that time will cause false demand and may lead to over or under supply.

7. Breastfeeding may be uncomfortable at the start.

The breasts have never been subjected to this kind of suckling and may become sore at the start. If position and latch are correct, be patient. Skin on the breast will adjust and be more flexible in a few days.

8. Breastfeed exclusively for the 1st 6 months.

NO FORMULA, WATER (breastmilk is 70% water) nor VITAMINS (breastmilk has complete antibodies). This will protect your baby from all childhood diseases upto 12 years old.

9. Wash hands but do not wash / wipe breasts.

The breasts have a natural moisturizer secreted by the Montgomery glands to keep it hydrated and clean. Cleaning with water before feeding takes off that moisture and leads to dryness and skin breakage. Furthermore, breastmilk has anti-bacterial properties that keeps area clean and sterile each feeding session.

10. Breastfeed babies upto 2 years old.

Breastfeeding upto 2 years old reduces the risks of getting family diseases. Aside from increased IQ & EQ, this is definitely the best for your child.

My dream to be an IBCLC

2008-04-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant - this is my breastfeeding profession dream...

The pathway for non doctors is very stringent and I have been preparing for almost 2 years now. My mentor, Dra. Grace Agrasada, who is the 1st IBCLC in the Philippines, a US Certified Lactation Counselor and the Country Coordinator for the IBLCE (International Board for Lactation Consultancy Examinations), has been stressing how important it is to be thoroughly prepared for this career. The 2500 supervised clinical hours alone is a difficult feat. If I were to do it everyday for 4 hours for 6 days a week, that would be about 18 months. But my mentor nor other IBCLCs don't have 4 hours to spare me for this long that's why it's taking a while. I also have to take some pre medicine courses like anatomy, biology, etc... And invest in about at least 2 expensive resource books costing about 5T each.

Of course I can always just claim my 2500 hours, have somebody share with me the subjects I need to study and photocopy the books. But as Dra. Grace said, this is not the way to become a good IBCLC. I may be one in word but in practice, will not be respected. So, I take the long path.

She targets that I can take the board exam by July 2009. I will now have to devote full attention to breastfeeding and studying. But the rewards are far greater than the wait.

Even with lactation counselling, she mentions, it is easy to claim to be a breastfeeding counselor (some people even claim that they are consultants when in fact there are only 5 IBCLCs in the country now), but what is important is the certifying body that gives credibility to the profession, which justifies the professional charges. As she said yesterday during the beginning of the 2nd lactation counselling management course, this eventually will be regulated as well, that is the moms' protection against false or lacking information.

by Abbie Yabot

breastfriends@yahoogroups.com

2008-04-10T19:06:00.000-07:00

Breastfeeding is best for babies upto 2 years old... and beyond! This is relatively a long and ever challenging time for moms (& dads) as compared to current statistics (80% of moms stop breastfeeding on their 2nd month). The minimum requirement of WHO is 6 months, to complete baby's antibodies for childhood diseases immuniy. So there still is that 4 months questionable. Why do mommies stop? Mostly when they need to go back to work...or maybe baby got nipple confusion and preferred the bottle...or wrong advice from a professional... mostly though, this is because they just need to be able to ask their questions and get practical answer.

Join the forum on breastfeeding. Log on to

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/breastfriends.

Click on join this group and you can start posting within 24 hours.

Let's help each other have a successful breastfeeding relationship... for the love of breastfeeding!

The Aggressive Non-Nurser

2008-04-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

I have never seen anything like it... a tiny 5lb. newborn, 5 days old, never tried a bottle, refuses to breastfeed from his mother. Whenever mother puts her breast to her baby, her son screams, pushes the breast away and does not stop crying. But there was no problem at all with cup feeding.

Consultations normally last for 2 hours, if case a bit tricky, upto 3 hours tops. But this was a total exception - 7 hours! Mother had flat nipples which made it even harder to latch the baby on. But the real problem is that the baby (after researching and reviewing my lactation management notes) was an aggressive non-nurser.

Consultation started with teaching the mommy how to do the nipple roll to make her nipples protrude. I also taught her alternative ways like ice, inverted syringe, the pump, etc. But even with the slightly protruded nipples, baby refused to feed (last feeding was 2 hours ago and baby was definitely hungry). It takes an hour of coaxing, coaching, soothing music, infant massage & more crying to decide he needed to get some milk inside. I asked mom to express a little then feed the baby from the breast, dropping milk on top of breast to trickle down to baby's mouth. This usually works but not with this one. He screamed to the top of his lungs and kicked and pushed the breast. For this session, we had to give him milk through a cup then when he was asleep, answered more questions of the mom and gave her more tips.

When baby woke up after about 1-1/2 hours, we changed diapers and clothes, to make sure he is comfortable, dimmed the lights a bit, put on a Mozart cd and attempted to breastfeed even before he asked for it. At first he was trying, 1...2...3 suckles then pushes the breast away. Try again....and again and again, until the baby is crying so frantically, mommy cries in the process as well. "Why is he rejecting me? Doesn't he love me?" I believe this is clearly becoming a case of "baby blues". I tried to calm mother first and tell her that although I have never seen anything like this yet, I have read about it and in time and patience, baby can breastfeed. I also told her I will not leave her side until I have latched her baby. But for this feeding, we gave baby a cup again so mommy can recover from her emotions.

After another 2 hours (and boy was it getting late, around 10pm), I realized I had to change the breastfeeding goal for the day and do a follow up. I asked her to try using the nipple shield just while the baby is learning how to latch so as to lessen the problems that we needed to address. Coax the baby to take the breast first. It was another 30 minutes of trying to latch on the nipple shield and pushing and kicking of her baby boy, before I finally saw 1 (suckling) ...2...3....4...5... stop. Then 1...2...3...4...5......8....9...10... stop. Then again 1...2.....6.....11.....20... and on. He stayed on the breast for a good 10 minutes, with very visible gulping and swallowing. Then breastfed on other breast for another 8 minutes. Baby fell asleep after.

I advised mom to use the nipple shield for another 3 days and saw her again on the 4th day. This time, baby was suckling very effectively already at the nipple shield. The next challenge is to take it out (direct breastfeeding still is best to stimulate supply). Luckily, it didn't take 7 hours to do so. Baby was more cooperative and was doing direct breastfeeding after 4 hours.

Baby is now 1y4m and still breastfeeding, rarely gets sick and is advanced with his milestone developments. Mommy said if I hadn't come to help or given up, her baby would be formula feeding by now and she would always feel like a failure.

This is what makes me continue what I do. Giving the babies the best that they can have and providing the moms their confidence!

by Abbie Yabot

Succesful Relactation

2008-04-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

Bev Tan, who flew all the way from Bicol to know more about relactation, is now exclusively breastfeeding her now 7 month daughter, Be-An. It took her about 7 weeks to relactate after consultations with certified breastfeeding counselor & La Leche League Leader, Abbie Yabot, who visited her 4 consecutive times while she was in Manila and did at least once a week phone consultations.

Giving birth in Bicol with not much breastfeeding support, Bev wanted to really breastfeed her baby but didn't know exactly how and when and how long, etc. She was refused breastfeeding during the 1st 3 days as was advised to rest by her doctors. In the meanwhile, Be-An was being given formula. She was even asked to stimulate by pumping (which is not advised before the 6th week) but this frustrated her as she was only able to pump maximum of 1oz even by her 2nd month.

Deciding to want to give the best for her daughter despite the lack of support, she researched about breastfeeding and came upon Abbie Yabot's number. At this time, Be-An was approaching 3 months and was 80% formula fed.

The assessment during the initial visit was almost predictable: nipple confusion, refusal of the breast, inability to latch properly. Be-An suckling was tested (tongue movement had to be detected or trained) then was trained to take milk through a cup. In the meantime, Bev was asked to pump for 15mins per breast every 2 hours during the day and 3 hours during the night.

During the 2nd visit, suckling and latch had improved but clearly, milk supply was still low. At this time, Abbie suggested Bev to see an IBCLC (lactation doctor) to be given medicines to increase supply (not the regular malunggay capsules). Abbie also made a nutrition guide for Bev to increase fluids (but not to overdo), avoid contracting foods (caffeine, too sweet, too salty, fast foods), include fruits and vegetables in her 3 main meals, etc.

The visit with Dr. Pat Kho went well. She was also explained the proper use of her improvised SNS (Supplemental Nursing System) which Bev made herself, this is how dedicated and resourceful she is. She bought the medicines and went back home for the lactation massage that Abbie also suggested to her (you know how important relaxation is to the breastfeeding mom).

Right before they flew to Bicol, Abbie visited her one last time to thoroughly explain her breastfeeding plan, gradually lessening formula and increasing breastfeeding more. Weekly phone follow-ups were necessary to ensure that Be-An does not lose out on her nutritional needs.

Bev religously followed the plan and to her amazement, didn't notice she wasn't buying nor mixing formula anymore after a little more than 6 weeks... she did it! Credit goes to both Abbie & Bev for their dedication and hard work.

Launching the Breastfeeding Club on April 20, 2008

2008-04-10T05:02:00.000-07:00

Inviting pregnant and nursing moms (& dads too!) to join "The Breastfeeding Club", which gives the mom access to 3 breastfeeding classes (Beginning Breastfeeding, Sustaining Breastfeeding, Toddler Nursing & Weaning / Special Cases), discounts to various items and services, access to breastfeeding and parenting events and an online support system.

With Gymboree as our learning partner, the launch will be held on April 20, 2008, Sunday, 3-5pm, Gymboree Shangrila Edsa Mall 4/L simultaneously with a "Sustaining Breastfeeding" class. All attendees will be given free membership to the club plus giveaways and raffle prizes during the event.

The class will be facilitated by one of the only two Philippine Certified Lactation Counselors trained in UP PGH, Abigail Yabot, who also is a La Leche League Leader and took training courses in Chicago during the La Leche League Conforence in August 2007. She has 4 children: Ira (14, breastfed till 6 months), Tristan (12, breastfed till 6 months), JM (breastfed till 44months and was breastfeeding while mommy was pregnant with...), Kyle (19months, still breastfeeding.

An exciting calendar of events await all members to reward their efforts to give only the best to their children....

For the love of breastfeeding!