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.

Breastfeeding disease

I'm wondering today how you all in the breastfeeding world cope?  Right now my mind is flooded with lactation, lactation, lactation.

I feel asleep last night thinking of how I should respond to the controversial question of "co-sleeping for breastfeeding moms".

(And I came up with a brilliant answer, coming soon.)  I'm constantly having these internal debates with myself.  "What else could I have done for that mom?  Who can I call to help this friend get her baby's tight frenulum (tongue tie) cut sooner?  Why is that baby sucking so poorly?"  Breastfeeding management is really like playing detective.  We explore, we research, we try this and then that, and then bam the case has been cracked.  Well it's not always a "bam", but hopefully we can make things better.  I feel like breastfeeding is an all consuming topic, whether you're a professional or a nursing mom there's a good chance breastfeeding is on the brain most of your days.  It's like a pesky brain disease that slowly takes over your mind - a good disease though - breastfeeding disease.  If I have to have a disease, I'm happy it's about healthy baby food.

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!

AND THE WINNER IS....

Rachel!!!

 From A Cupcake For Moose.

Thank you all for your comments!  I really appreciate your encouragement. 

Rachel - email (boobforthought@gmail.com) me your address and which cover you'd like and I will ship this bad boy out to you.  To the right is a link to Etsy is anyone is interested in a handmade cover.

P.S. I randomly picked a participant by numbering the responses and asking my husband to pick a number...I know very scientific of me!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Same Stroke for Different Folks

I occasionally enjoy an episode or two of the Duggars' 18 and Counting TLC show (I know many of you probably find this show to be insane, but hang in there with me for a minute).  Have you noticed that Michele (the mom) breastfeeds her babies? She walks around with a "My Brest Friend" pillow strapped to her and a blanket over her shoulder. The average person probably wouldn't think anything of this, but my trained eye knows what is going on under that blanket.  P.S. Great tip for multitasking/feeding in public!  One night while enjoying this fine show, my husband made an interesting point.  We were watching the episode where Anna Duggar (the daughter-in-law) decided to have a home birth.  The Engineer (as I lovingly refer to my husband in the blog world) said something along the lines:

"The natural childbirth and breastfeeding crowd are two very different groups of people.  On one hand you have the ultra conservative gang (a.k.a. the Duggars) and on the other hand you have the ultra liberal hippies (dare I say, La Leche League)."

Two very different groups with two very different approaches reaching same conclusion.  The conservative folks are just keeping things simple, saving money, and sticking to more traditional gender roles.  The hippie folks want to be natural, let their body do its thing.  They tend to advocate for themselves and others...maybe slightly feminist.  In some strange way I consider myself 1/2 of both of these.  I'm one part conservative and one part hippie, which doesn't entirely make sense, but I guess either way it works for being a breastfeeding advocate!

What do you think?  What are you - conservative, hippie or a mix?

Teething

Do you have a biter on your hands?  Here are a few suggestions:

• When your baby bites at the breast immediately remove them and firmly say "NO".  You can set them away from you for a few minutes and then resume the feed.  It shouldn't take more than a time or two before your problem is solved.
  
• Try a cold wash cloth or put a teething toy in the freezer. Let your baby chew on these to soothe and numb their gums before feeds.