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

               

The Witching Hour

You've had a long day of feeding, burping, wearing spit up, singing nursery rhymes, feeding, burping, bouncing, walking, feeding, burping, etc.  It's 5:00 pm and you are just waiting for your sweetie pie to walk through that door. 

And then it starts.  The fussing and the crying.  Maybe even some screaming.  It's the Witching Hour.

Before you know it, your sweetie pie has called to say he'll be late and you and the baby are both sobbing.  And that's usually when you also realize you haven't even brushed your teeth yet.  Never mind had a shower.

Does the so-called Witching Hour exist?  It sure does!  Is there anything you can do to help your baby avoid The Witching Hour?  There sure is!

The Witching Hour is simply your baby's reaction to a long day of stimulation.   Remember, this baby just spent nine months in your womb.  Being here on the "outside" is like Disneyworld to him or her, even if you never left the first floor of your house. 

When my clients ask about the Witching Hour, I always tell them that babies are like computers.  And sometimes you just have to re-boot.

When I say "re-boot", what I really mean is try to recreate the womb.  Allow your baby to relax in a womb-like setting to counteract the stimulation from the day and let you both relax.

Steps for recreating the womb:

1.  Dim the lights
2.  Turn off the tv, music and the ringer on your phone
3.  Swaddle the baby up
4.  Depending on the level of fussiness either sit down and snuggle the baby, holding him or her really close to you with his ear resting right next to your mouth.  Whisper and/or sing softly to your baby.  Or, if the baby is really worked up, start to bounce/pace/swing your baby while "shushing" in his or her ear.

These steps will help the baby to feel safe and make it easier for him/her to calm down.

Tips for avoiding the Witching Hour:

1.  Allow your baby to sleep as much as s/he can during the day.  Babies need LOTS of sleep.  This helps them avoid that over-tired, over-stimulated state.
2.  Keep your daily activities to a minimum.  Both you and the baby need to rest and take it easy.
3.  Watch your baby's cues.  If s/he is slowing down and not really focusing on anything, give him or her a break.  The baby is probably ready for a nap.
4.  Limit visitors.  I know it's hard because you want to show your baby off and the whole world wants to come see him/her.  But long days of visitors can wear both you and the baby out.

Two VERY important things to keep in mind while dealing with the Witching Hour.

1.  When your baby is upset, s/he learns that you will be there to comfort him or her.  This is an important thing for them to learn - that they can trust you.
2.  This is normal.  Find solace in the fact that thousand of other new parents are pacing the halls of their own homes across the globe at this very moment.

When the baby does eventually calm down, reheat that lasagna your neighbor brought over and then call a friend or a postpartum doula to come over the next day and help you get a break.

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