2 posts tagged “breastfeeding”

For starters, thanks for the new word Julie! I love it.  I also just have a tell everyone the newest things I've learned today in my lactation counselor class.

FIRST AND FOREMORST: SORE NIPPLES MEAN BABY IS NOT LATCHING CORRECTLY! Nipples should not be sore! I know everyone has either heard of someone or maybe even experienced their nipples "cracking off!". You poor souls.  Sore nipples are the body's way of letting the mom know that she needs to get help with latching her baby. Once the baby latches correctly, even if your nipple is half falling off, it should not hurt. Components of breast milk will also help soothe and heal the area.

Here is a senario: A woman has tried and tried and has not been able to carry a pregnancy to full term OR she has not been able to get pregnant. She decides to adopt a baby but is very upset on missing the breastfeeding experience. Is she out of luck or maybe, just maybe, there is hope.

.............surprise! There is hope. It's called relactation. Women are able to produce milk and successfully breastfeed an adopted infant. Now, this must take in to account if the baby WANTS to nurse. If you adopt a 15month old baby who is taking solids, you are out of luck. If anyone wants more info on this please let me know and I can give you details.

Here is another amazing fact that has quite a bit of solid research behind it:

When a baby is placed on the mother's breast, her breasts will actually HEAT-UP to keep the baby warm. No kidding. Also, if twins are placed on mom's breast and they have different temperature needs, the mom's breasts will heat up independently to adjust to which baby needs more heat. I believe my instructor said up to three degrees different.

Did you also know that babies ALWAYS go to the left breast when they are first born and laid on mom's chest? If the baby is able to do his/her magic (and I've seen the videos) and wiggle, or "crawl", to the breast, they will make their way to the left breast. An intact baby is able to locate the breast, then nipple and start to suckle on their own if they are allowed the time to do so. There are glands in the nipple that secret a fluid that smells and tastes like amniotic fluid. This fluid creates a "path" for the baby to follow to the nipple.

So as you can tell, if you made it to the end of this blog, that I am very, very excited about all I am learning. Sorry to those of you who are grossed out but, GROW UP and OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE BREAST!!!!

******I recieved some input from friend/pretty much family member who said she has seen a few lactation counselors and still is having problems with soreness. First of all, I'm so sorry hon. That sucks. You are a wonderful mother and a strong woman for working through the pain for your sweet little one! A friend of mine who is also in my class was so upset today because she had sore nipples with all three of her children and saw three different lactation counselors. I'm going to take a few ideas back to my instructors and pick their brains a bit more about this "total happy nipple" idea. Julie, any thoughts from you?

So, did I catch your attention yet? Today I started a week long class in becoming a Certified Lactation Consultant. I have learned SO much in only a day. I've always known breastfeeding was a wonderful thing to do for your baby but I had no real idea of the benefits. I'm so happy I'll be a resource for my friends and family. It's such a wonderful and amazing purpose for one of the most recognized sexual symbols. Yes boys, they are actually made for more than the purpose of fun and games. On the cellular level they are so complex and amazing. One thing I also learned today is that most first time moms think breastfeeding will be all wonderful, sweet and touchy-feely....far from it. It hurts, bad. I am of course not talking from experience but from hearing the experiences of many others. Together as women, we need to support eachother and encourage one another during this trying time. We also talked about how society often looks down upon women and breastfeeding. Hey, I'm not saying I'd wip it out in the mall and let my baby go to town but, it is a natural way to nourish a child and why we have the "fun bags" in the first place.

If anyone has any questions about lactating or breastfeeding please comment on this blog and I'll try to bring your questions to my class this week.

p.s. if you really want I'll even sing you the song, yes there is a song