Oatmeal: The Galactagogue

Steel cut oats with strawberries and brown sugar lovin'.

Did you know oats are a galactagogue, a.k.a. they can increase your milk supply.  Many lactation consultants recommend women start eating oats after delivery.  Some will even say "buy the steel cut oats."  I've found this specific recommendation can be confusing, so I decided to do some research and came across an informative website by Coach Levi.

Steel cut oats are the raw version of oats.  Rolled oats are literally what they say, oats that have been rolled flat, and quick rolled oats have been partially cooked.  The little packets of pre-sweetened oats are typically not recommended because of the artificial ingredients. 

I decided to try steel cut oats to see how practical this recommendation truly is, and to be honest I personally did not find it to be realistic for myself, let alone a new mom.  Quick rolled oats can be made in the microwave in 1 minute, while steel cut oats require at least 30 minutes of stove top time and leave you with a dirty pot.  Water has to boil, oats have to simmer, and many of us, specifically mothers of newborns, do not have the time to spend 30+ minutes on a simple bowl of oatmeal. 

All will work as a galactagogue for you and possibly the "raw" version is the best, but I find it too time consuming to be practical for a new mom.  Whether you're lactating or not, I think we can all agree oats of some sort are good for you!

Project Milk Bank

“Where it is not possible for the biological mother to breast feed, the first alternative, if available, should be the use of human milk from other sources. Human milk banks should be made available in appropriate situations.”

-WHO and UNICEF, 1980

Last week I attended a Human Milk Banking Association of North America Conference in Boston.  I've been discussing milk banking with colleagues and mentors for a while now, but it wasn't until this conference that I really got on the band wagon.  My husband picked me up last Tuesday at BWI and when I got into the car I sheepishly said to him "I think I'm going to start a milk bank."  He knew this had been in the air in the Northern Virginia area for awhile now.  Bless his heart, he just gave me his 'Why am I not surprised?' smile and joined me on board Project Milk Bank.  I'm full of ideas that bring us no revenue, I should clarify with "cost us money", but Marcus just continues to back me up.  I guess I was always meant to be the money giver and he the money maker in this relationship.

There's a key person to this story, her name is Margaret. She's the fuel behind launching this rocket titled Project Milk Bank. Have you ever worked for NASA? Me neither, but I do know that an immense about of time, effort, and man power is behind each launch.  And this launch, for better or for worse, will be no different. 

I've decided to share this journey via Boob for Thought.  Donor human milk does come from boobs after all.  I hope to share the struggles and successes with any readers interested, as well as network with anyone who is interested in joining Project Milk Bank!  So here, my friends, is where this story begins...

 

Key Documents for Project Milk Bank:

• American Academy of Pediatrics, Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk Policy Statement http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496
• Human Milk Banking Association of North America, Position Paper on Donor Milk Banking http://www.hmbana.org/downloads/position-paper-donor-milk.pdf

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.

World AIDS Day

In honor of World AIDS Day (December 1st) I would like to share a couple of interesting pieces of information.  Formula is often used as an alternative when a mom has HIV/AIDS.  Here in the US we have access to clean water to prepare formula.  If you can't afford formula there are wonderful programs out there that will assist you.  However, not the entire world is as fortunate as us.  Fortunately we have some alternatives to provide babies affected by HIV/AIDS with breastmilk.  The University of California has a video on safe breastmilk practices for moms with HIV.  There is also a wonderful non-profit, International Breastmilk Project that collects milk of moms here in the US and sends it to other countries for babies affected by HIV/AIDS.  Check out these websites that provide excellent solutions to an otherwise life or death situation!