Milk for Haiti

I received the following email today from ILCA:

The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), International Lactation Consultant Association/United States Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA/USLCA), and La Leche League International (LLLI) are jointly issuing an urgent call for human milk donations for premature infants in Haiti, as well as sick and premature infants in the United States.


This week the first shipment of human milk from mothers in the United States will be shipped to the U.S. Navy Ship “Comfort” stationed outside Haiti. “Comfort” is currently set up with a neonatal intensive care unit and medical personnel to provide urgent care to victims of the earthquake. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant stationed at the U.S. Navy base in Bethesda, MD is assisting with providing breast pump equipment and supplies to the “Comfort.” Dr. Erika Beard-Irvine, pediatric neonatologist, is on board the “Comfort” to coordinate distribution of the milk to infants in need. HMBANA, USBC, ILCA/USLCA, and LLL are responding to requests to provide milk for both premature infants and at-risk mothers who have recently delivered babies on board the U.S.N.S. Comfort, but an urgent need exists for additional donations.

 

To donate breastmilk Click Here!

 

For more information view this statement from UNICEF.

A tongue tied week...

I had one of those weird weeks where every where you go everyone is struggling with the same problem. It just happened to be a tongue tie week. Mom's were screaming in pain, nipples were sore and damaged and all because of that little piece of skin that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. A tongue tie (or short/tight frenulum) isn't always an issue, but for some mom's having that little piece of tissue cut can make all the difference in the world for the breastfeeding relationship.

 

Do you think your baby is tongue tied?  Is your MD not convinced this is "breastfeeding" problem?  Are you worried about having a procedure done to your baby this early?

Here's some information for you and your physician from a variety of sources:

A dentitst:

http://www.brianpalmerdds.com/bfeed_frenulums.htm

The American Academy of Pediatrics:

http://www.aap.org/breastfeeding/files/pdf/BBM-8-27%20Newsletter.pdf

Some great examples:

http://www.drjain.com/examples.htm

And if you still want more information Kelly mom always has it: http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/bfhelp-tonguetie.html

My boob mug

This is what every lactation consultant needs...their very own BOOB mug to use while they write their post for their boob blog.  Life is complete.  My very thoughtful mother got me this handmade mug from Nelsonville Pottery located in Nelsonville, Ohio (a.k.a. the hometown of Sarah Jessica Parker).  The store owner, Jennifer, makes these beautiful mugs and ships the proceedings off for breast cancer research.  I'm sure she'd be happy to ship one to you if you're feeling jealous of my mug! 

I know this is a breastfeeding blog and not a breast cancer blog, but we do have to keep our breast cancer precautions up while breastfeeding.  Many changes are happening to your breasts during pregnancy and breastfeeding and moms need to be aware of these changes.  Your breasts will obviously feel lumpier with all your milk making ducts filling and emptying, but continue to do regular breast examines and look for any abnormal shaped lumps.  See your OB/GYN or a breast surgeon if you have any abnormal lumps, skin discoloring, or abnormal nipple discharge.  It's always better to be safe than sorry.