Choosing to Breastfeed

Despite what friends and family may have told you, breastfeeding can be easy and painless.  The key to success is to ask for help and support early and often.  And, women in New Hampshire today are very fortunate to have a number of great breastfeeding resources available.  There is a large network of qualified lactation professionals who are committed to helping moms have a positive, painless breastfeeding experience.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom:

There are many proven health benefits for women who choose to breastfeed!  Women who do not breastfeed are at a greater risk of breast cancer.   Your breast cancer risk is reduced by 7% for each birth and at an additional rate of 4.3% per month that you continue breastfeeding.[1]

Research has also found that women who do not breastfeed are at a greater risk for developing ovarian cancer and Type 2 Diabetes.  Breastfeeding for 18 months or more was associated with a significant decrease in ovarian cancer risk (compared to not breastfeeding).  For each month of breastfeeding the relative risk was decreased by 2%.[3]     

Increasing the duration of breastfeeding is also associated with a decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes.  For each additional year of lactation, women had a decrease in the risk of Type 2 Diabetes of 14-15%.[4]

If you are pregnant and want to breastfeed, set yourself up for success.  Ask yourself:

1.      Does my birth place encourage Skin to Skin for one hour immediately after delivery for a non-medicated birth and Skin to Skin for two hours after a medicated birth?

2.      Does my birth place have Lactation Counselors on staff?

3.      Does the pediatrician I have chosen have Lactation Counselors on staff?

4.      Which of my friends who have breastfed successfully would be able to offer me non-judgemental support?

5.      What breastfeeding support groups are available in my area? 

6.      Who are the private Certified Lactation Counselors in my area?

7.      Who are the certified Postpartum Doulas in my area?

Keep this list of answers handy for when your baby arrives.  And, do not hesitate to reach out with all questions and for any help you may need.

One of the most important things you can do to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship is to have continuous Skin to Skin contact with your baby immediately after birth.  Skin to Skin should last for one hour if you’ve had a natural, un-medicated birth.  If you had any medications during labor, Skin to Skin should be for a continuous two hour period to give the baby a little more time.   When babies are allowed to have this quiet time on their moms, they are able to latch successfully and start breastfeeding at their own pace. 

And remember, if it hurts, ask for help!  Take advantage of the many available resources around you.

Click here for a list of Breastfeeding Groups in the Seacoast area!

Darcy Sauers is a certified postpartum doula¸ lactation counselor and the owner of Dover Doula (www.doverdoula.com) in the Seacoast area.  She is passionately committed to helping new moms find the support, resources and information that they need.  Please do not hesitate to contact Darcy with any questions at darcy@doverdoula.com or 603-988-5945.  For more information on breastfeeding, the postpartum period and local resources and events for new moms, follow her on Facebook

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1                     Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer   PubMed

2                     Danforth et al.  PubMed                  

3                     Schwarz et al.  University of Pittsburgh

               

Where to go with your baby in Dover, NH

So, you have a new baby and you've finally mastered getting him in and out of the carseat.  You know what to pack in your diaper bag and you are comfortable with feeding him in public.  Great! 

But...where do you go? 

Getting out of the house is not only a multi-hour project, it is also vitally important to your mental health.  One of the best ways to beat the baby blues is to leave your house with the baby and spend some time with other adults.  The perfect scenario is a Mommy & Me group or class, places where you can hang out and not have to leave if your baby gets hungry or starts to cry. 

These groups also give you a chance to connect with other local moms who have babies the same age as yours and perhaps develop friendships.  Below you will find a list, but be sure to "like" me on Facebook for the most updated info on local classess and resources. 

Here's a day-by-day guide to getting out of the house with your baby in the Dover, NH area: 


MONDAYS:

9:30 - 10:30 am  NOGGIN FACTORY, Dover NH

New Baby Play Group
This is an open and free Play Group for wee ones ages birth to 12 months and their caregivers. New Baby Play Group is mostly participant driven, though we will occasionally schedule special guests to present information about popular topics. Special sessions will be announced on Facebook. We recommend that you bring a blanket for baby.
http://www.nogginfactorytoys.com/

Also - check out the Noggin Factory's private nursing and changing room - open every day! 

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10:30 - 12:00 PM   TWICE THE FUN in Dover, NH

http://www.twicethefunnh.com/

Busy Babies class on Mondays 10:30 – 12 Noon – for babies 18 months and under

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12:00 - 1:00 pm Peace Baby Yoga at ChildLight Yoga in Dover

In this special class, you will learn yoga and infant massage for baby, as well as some restorative yoga and affirmations for you.  For more info and to register:  http://www.childlightyoga.com/


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1:30 pm - 3:00 pm  New Parent Support Group at Wentworth Douglass Hospital

Come and meet other new parents and discuss topics of concern to you. Facilitated by lactation consultants and child life specialists. Held every Monday, EXCEPT for holidays, 1:30-3pm.  No registration necessary for this class.  They even have a scale for weighing your baby! TUESDAYS: 10:30 - 11:30 am Baby Signs Class at Seacoast Birth Matters in Kittery, ME  “Sign, See & Play” with Heather Mladek http://www.seacoastbirthmatters.org/ class starts on 3/13 WEDNESDAYS: 9:30 - 11:30 am at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH Frisbie’s Mom and Baby Group held on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.— 11:30 a.m. ************ CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF NH in Dover First Friends Playgroup Wednesdays,March 7 - April 11 (no playgroup 4/18 & 4:25) 9:30 - 11:00 am The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is offering a new weekly program for its very youngest visitors. The First Friends Playgroup for children ages 6 months – two years will be offered on Wednesday mornings. Parents and children are invited to come to the museum from 9:30 – 11 am to meet and play together on the second floor of the museum. This area features the Primary Place exhibit area designed especially for babies and toddlers, as well as other engaging exhibits. This informal program is included in the museum’s regular admission price and is free for museum members. The non-member price of admission at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is $9 for adults and children, and $8 for adults age 65+. Children under age one are always admitted at no charge. THURSDAYS: 10:00 - 11:00 am Mom & Baby Yoga at ChildLight Yoga in Dover Interested in a gentle and safe way to begin to restore your body to its pre-pregnancy state, but don't want to leave your baby?  Here's the perfect class for you!  For more info and to register:  http://www.childlightyoga.com/ **************

1:00 - 2:30 pm  Hatchlings Group at SEACOAST BIRTH MATTERS in Kittery, ME

http://www.seacoastbirthmatters.org/

Hatchlings:  Babies 0-4 months

Get support, resources & stay connected with other parents as you navigate the parenting waters. Honest, open & non-judgmental discussions about “newborn” parenting are held weekly. 




Am I missing something?  Please let me know at darcy @ doverdoula.com.
http://www.doverdoula.com/













Darcy Sauers is a certified postpartum doula, lactation counselor and the owner of Dover Doula (www.doverdoula.com) in the Seacoast area.  She is passionately committed to helping new moms find the support, resources and information that they need.  Please do not hesitate to contact Darcy with any questions at darcy@doverdoula.com or 603-988-5945.  For more information on breastfeeding, the postpartum period and local resources and events for new moms, follow her on Facebook