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Thursday, October 29, 2020
Lactation Diary during NICU
Finally, I have a chance to write about my experience with my firstborn while he was staying in NICU. This time I am focusing on my lactation story. My son was admitted to NICU because of his breathing and other abnormalities, and he was there for exactly three weeks. I went to visit him 12 hours a day to give him company and provide him the best nutrition in the world, breast milk. I spend 3 hours back and forth commuting by bus-train between my house and hospital. I was exhausted and travel-worn even more because I just had my delivery, but that struggle was nothing than my longing for him.
The nurse recommended a helpful lactation diary book, “NICUに赤ちゃんがいるお母さんのための搾乳ダイアリー” written by Makiko Oyama, a Lactation specialist doctor in Japan, to track my every 2-3 hours pumping. This book helped me a lot to get through the hurdles of breastmilk pumping and encourage me with lots of heartfelt messages. From today onwards, I shall challenge myself to translate those messages from Japanese to English or Bahasa Indonesia. I hope you can found it helpful as well ;).
<<Bahasa Indonesia>>
Diari Laktasi Ibu untuk Si Kecil di NICU
Segala puji untuk Allah yang telah memberikanku kesempatan untuk menulis pengalaman menyusui anak pertamaku yang dirawat di NICU selama 3 minggu di tahun 2016.
Selalu ada cerita dan hikmah di tiap kelahiran anak.
Itulah yang kurasakan saat aku melahirkan anak pertama di tahun 2016. Aku dan bayi berjuang melalui proses panjang 40 jam kontraksi. Ibu lelah, si kecil pun juga.
Begitu bidan memberi aba “sudah keluar!” aku tak mendengar tangis lahirnya. Dia terlihat lemah biru keunguan, tak bernafas. Dokter langsung memberikan tindakan pertama dan Alhamdulillah, hanya dengan ijin Allah dia bisa kembali bernafas. Karena beberapa kondisi kesehatannya, si kecil harus dirawat di NICU. Duh jadi ke mana-mana kalau cerita proses kelahiran.
Singkat cerita, si kecil dirawat di NICU karena problem utama pernafasan. Selama di NICU, si kecil dapat ASIP dari stok yang saya perah di rumah maupun selama jam kunjung dan susu formula di waktu tertentu. Rumah sakit si kecil dirawat itu sangat pro-ASI, jadi sebisa mungkin kalau ada stok ASIP diutamakan. Tapi, ada juga waktu di mana bayi mendadak lapar, *cemilan kali ya :p, yang mana waktu pencairan/penyiapan ASIP tidak terkejar sehingga di situlah peran susu formula dibutuhkan. Tentang sufor, Alhamdulillah, setelah berdiskusi dengan pihak RS, mereka bisa menyediakan sufor yang muslim-friendly.
Aku berjuang untuk memompa ASI bagaimana caranya agar melimpah, apalagi di awal produksi asi itu sedikit sekali. Tidak sampai 0.1 ml!
Kaget, kok hanya segini. Lalu perawat menenangkan saya dengan berkata bahwa hal itu memang wajar di hari pertama lahir. Tiga hari pertama bayi lahir itulah ASI VIP aka ASI penuh colostrum. Colostrum sangat penting bagi pertumbuhan dan kesehatan si kecil. Sedikit tapi padat gizi. Setelahnya, produksi susu akan bertambah sesuai kebutuhan bayi. Lambung bayi baru lahir masih kecil sekali, sehingga mereka minum sedikit tapi sering. Dengan jumlah segitu InsyaAllah cukup. Yang penting lanjutkan!
Memompa ASI itu perjuangan! Aku harus berjibaku untuk tepat waktu memerah karena satu kunci sukses ASIP: peras/pompa setiap 2-3 jam dengan lama waktu sekitar 30 menit. Perawat di rumah sakit si kecil dirawat merekomendasikan buku diari laktasi karya dokter Makiko Oyama, seorang spesialis laktasi di Jepang. Buku ini sangat membantu saya untuk mencatat waktu pompa, jumlah perahan, dan sebagainya. Karena dicatat, jadi memudahkan untuk lihat jumlah kenaikan produksi ASIP. Selain itu, pesan-pesan dan catatan penting tertulis di tiap halaman jadi motivasi para pejuang ASIP agar pantang menyerah. InsyaAllah saya akan terjemahkan dalam bahasa Inggris dan bahasa Indonesia.
Semoga membantu ;)
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Monday, October 26, 2020
A Case study of early postpartum excessive breast engorgement: is it related to feedback inhibition of lactation?
There is limited information about problems of feedback inhibition of lactation which should be considered as a rare cause of breast engorgement. We report the management of excessive breast engorgement in a mother with a presumptive diagnosis of a defect in the feedback inhibition of lactation.
Abstract available in Journal of Human Lactation, 8 October 2020.
(subscription and log in required to see the full article)
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Friday, October 23, 2020
The Man Cave Part 1
This week’s post is going to be a little different. This is part 1 of a short erotic story I wrote. It’s based on a fun dream I had, so enjoy and stay tuned next week for part 2!
“Welcome to my man cave” he said as he unlocked the door and let us inside.
This wasn’t at all what I had pictured when he asked me back to his man cave after dinner, but that was a pleasant surprise. My experiences with frat guys and the dank basement rooms they watched TV in had rendered me unable to imagine a man cave being so elegant. But here we were in his man cave, and it was definitely elegant. Everything was sleek dark wood and comfortable tweed. Tall bookshelves lined one wall and across from them was a well worn but attractive sofa.
“Have a seat. You like scotch?” He asked.
“I, uh, sure.” I managed to eek out, still surveying his domain. I couldn’t remember if I had ever tasted scotch, but I was in a say yes kind of mood so I went with it. He’d been full of surprises all night, so I shouldn’t have been surprised to find out he was an excellent interior decorator. But I was. Apparently he was also a musician I realized as I noticed the instruments hanging on the wall.
I took a seat at one end of the sofa as he handed me my drink and took his seat at the other end. He chose a spot that kept a respectable distance between us, much to my dismay. I delicately took a sip and eyed him. He had the kind of sad dark eyes I could get lost in, could see myself telling my darkest secrets to, and yet…was he nervous? He sat, fidgeting with the glass in his hand barely looking at me, such a change from the charming, charismatic gentleman who had met me for dinner.
“Nervous?” I quietly asked.
“That obvious, huh?” He said with an embarrassed chuckle.
“Want to tell me about it?” I said, hoping to crack his shell.
“I, uh, well, it’s just that…you’re my first,” he said finally, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Your first?” I said scrunching up my eyebrows.
“Yeah, I’ve never actually had the courage to invite someone back here,” he admitted looking away.
And there it was. If he had plucked up the courage to invite me here he must have wanted me. It gave me a glimmer of hope; men don’t invite you somewhere private to just talk, and I had no intentions to ‘just talk’. I let his confession hang in the air between us for a couple minutes while I sipped my drink and plotted a way to help his nerves. Finally I caught his gaze and asked, “well, if you weren’t nervous what would you do differently?”
“Well we’d be sitting a lot closer, for starters…”
“So do it.” I said a hint of a dare in my voice and a wry smile on my face.
He sat there for a second before he downed his drink, got up and plopped down next to me. I could feel the smooth texture of his pants against my bare thigh below my short skirt and I felt my breath catch.
“What else would be different?” I said, taking a sip of my drink for courage.
He smiled and stretched his arm along the back of the sofa behind me caressing my neck. The chills descended down my spine and I felt my nipples harden. I’m sure it was obvious through my silk top, but he didn’t notice. He was gazing at me so intently that I felt a deep blush creep over me.
“What?” I asked, embarrassed, batting my eyelashes for effect.
“It really doesn’t bother you that I’m old enough to be your father?”
I shook my head, and my soft curls bounced from side to side. He was devilishly handsome, and cultured, and read all the right books. Sure, his hair had a healthy streak of silver throughout, but it gave him a distinguished polish that made my heart race. Anyway, I was here for a good time and I felt certain he was good for one hell of a good time.
“So if I kissed you right now, you would like that?” He said, stirring me from my thoughts.
I slowly nodded, locked in his gaze unable to even answer. And just like that our lips met. He kissed me with a passion I hadn’t expected, a seeking, yearning, need that bubbled up from within him, caressing my lips with his like he was telling me all his secrets with his kisses. When we finally pulled apart I was breathless. He gazed at me for a moment.
“Oh, I must have spilled your drink!” He said with a start.
Looking down I realized what he was talking about, but it wasn’t my drink.
“Oh, no, you didn’t spill my drink. I’m leaking…”
“Leaking?” He asked.
“Yeah, I’m a wet nurse.” I said flatly. Most men weren’t into it and some men were put off by it so I hadn’t brought up my job at dinner, but now it seemed I was going to have to do some explaining-and fast. But his eyes told a different story. He wasn’t repulsed by my milk. In fact he seemed downright excited by this information. The look in his eyes was akin to a little boy on Christmas Day, so full of excitement and wonder.
“Is everything ok?” I asked.
He looked away for a moment like he was trying to come up with the right answer for me. Finally after a long pause he looked back at me and said “can I try it?”
“Try what?” I said playing dumb. I knew what he wanted, but I wanted him to say it. I loved how he blushed as his eyes darted to my bust before answering me.
“I want to try nursing. I’ve always wanted to but I never….” He trailed off. His eyes were still locked with mine searching for an answer, for evidence that his vulnerable admission wasn’t in vain. And as he searched I slowly unbuttoned my blouse and unclipped my nursing bra letting my large, heavy breasts free.
His eyes widened for a brief moment before he adjusted his position to lay his head in my lap. Gently he caressed me as he lifted a nipple towards his lips and carefully wrapped them around it. Slowly he began to suckle as his eyes closed and he uttered a faint moan. His joy and fulfillment were plastered across his bliss filled face as he began to suckle ever more greedily and his hands massaged me as if he was trying to get my milk to flow faster. As he nursed I ran my fingers through his hair and closed my eyes basking in the ecstasy of two people becoming so completely one together.
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Monday, October 19, 2020
Milk Dust
This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
After giving birth to my second child, I was on the hunt for a product that would increase my milk supply in the case I felt I wasn’t producing enough. My sister in law came across Milk Dust (she also had a baby two days before me) and shared it with me. I was intrigued that I would be able to increase my supply but also lose weight safely at the same time. Plant based, non-GMO and clean are just a few reasons as to why this was the option for me. I typically will have this first thing in the morning for breakfast as my mornings are often busy juggling my two babies. It’s great with water, almond milk and I’ve tried it with coconut milk and bananas. What’s nice is that you can sample it before you commit to a full size and make sure it’s right for you. Sample here: https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1596482&u=2567450&m=100254&urllink=&afftrack= Tag me in your photo’s, I’d love to hear your feedback.
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
Friday, October 16, 2020
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Progress Update #5: Exploration and stress
So I skipped last week’s progress update because mostly nothing new had happened. I’m still producing between 1.5-1.75 ounces of milk per day and I suspect that that amount will not change unless I were to get myself a nursing partner. Breast pumps and hand expression are great, and I have made great progress using them. I mean in 10 weeks I went from “let’s try inducing and see if it works” to producing more than 1.5 ounces per day. That’s huge! But, there is something about having a human that you like and care about latched on to your breast that changes things. Maybe it’s their scent, or maybe it’s running your fingers through their hair as you watch their cheeks swell with your milk, or maybe it’s the physical closeness of having them up against your body while they nurse, or maybe it’s all three, but that experience clearly has an effect on the body. And I’m wondering how much more of a volume I will be able to achieve without all that. I’m still going to continue trying, and I’m hopeful that I will at least be able to maintain my current volume but I’m tempering my hopes for a liter a day for now.
That leads me to my second big news and that is that I’ve gone back to working in my office part time. I work for the government and when the pandemic hit they sent us all to work from home. That is part of how I’ve been able to achieve the progress I’ve been blessed with so far: by pumping and expressing often and regularly throughout the day. I’ve been somewhat worried about how going back to my office every other will will affect my supply, but so far my body is keeping up. I’ve been (temporarily) blessed with an office (with a door!) so that is helping, but I do notice that I forget to drink enough water at work. That’s my latest goal is to get back on track with drinking enough water.
And my final update is pretty unexpected. When I started inducing, obviously I knew that there was a sexual component of this for me. Clearly I understood that nursing another adult was a sexual act for me, and that it both made me feel sexy, but it also turned me on. What I didn’t expect was how admitting those feelings to myself would open the door to other feelings. I didn’t expect that finally being honest with myself about one desire would give me the space to be honest with myself about other desires. And it turns out little old Phoebe is a lot kinkier than previously thought. So that’s fun, and also kind of stressful, and there’s so many things I want to learn about and see, and try. This process has liberated me in ways I never could have imagined, and I’m beyond grateful for everyone who has been there along the way and encouraged me so far.
Xo
Phoebe
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Monday, October 12, 2020
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Trust your instincts
A while ago I wrote about Freakling screaming in pain every night until 1.30am before finally crashing for sleep. We were waiting to see a paediatrician. Well, we saw that paediatrician, and honestly it was garbage.
We had a phone consult with a certified lactation consultant because I was sure Freakling had an upper lip tie causing issues – we were told not to worry.
We had a face to face private consultation with another certified lactation consultant which was recommended by a 3rd. We were told Freakling had a “mild tongue tie” and that they couldn’t feel what I could feel in Freaklings mouth.
I couldn’t get Freaklings top lip to flange during a feed – at all! It wasn’t physically possible.
I couldn’t put bonjela all the way along the outter gums because I would hit flesh half way along like her cheeks and gums were fused together (also known as a buccal tie).
Freaklings tongue was always white, but not like oral thrush.
I could hear Freakling clicking during feeds from day 1.
I could feel a weird tugging with every feed – but it didn’t hurt me, it just felt strange.
Freakling would scream, and cry Every. Single. Night.
Most nights panadol was needed.
The answers we would get from healthcare professionals – Specialists!!:
“It’s just witching hour” No… Just, no.
“Your baby needs to learn how to sleep” Bullshit. My baby needs someone to help.
“Get noise cancelling headphones for yourself, you need sleep too” Bullshit! I need my baby to be out of pain.
“You need to go to a sleep school for a week stay” BULLSHIT!
My baby is in PAIN… how do I know? Because when someone stabs Freaklings thigh with a needle the painful and distressed cry is exactly the same that we get every night.
We went to the 6 month checkup with the child health nurse, after getting really upset and desperately wanting help, we got the same response “can’t feel it” as though I’m crazy and looking for something that isn’t there. Again, teach baby to sleep…
This pain and need for panadol has been going on for SIX MONTHS! And the only medical professional listening to us is our GP. Because Freakling is thriving, developing well and I’m not in pain…
Freakling and I aren’t liking breastfeeding. This feels wrong. There is something so wrong and nobody is hearing us.
… One more time…
For Freakling.
For our relationship.
Please… if someone can just LISTEN to what is happening.
Once more…
We make an appointment with a dentist with an in house Lactation consultant. They specialise in ties, they advertise it… Please be different… Please SEE our baby as a small human who deserves to be seen and helped instead of shut away in a room alone…
“Come in next Thursday morning, you’ll see the Lactation Consultant first, then the Dentist, have a chat about any options to be considered if there are ties, they can be released that day if there are any”. Okay, not long to wait, we can do this!
The day!
I’m nervous as anything, what if they won’t help either?
I’m handed a form while we wait for the Lactation Consultant:
“Does it hurt you to feed?” No
“Does baby appear in pain with their tummy?” Yes
“Is there a pulling sensation while feeding?” Yes
“Does milk leak out of baby’s mouth while feeding?” Yes!
So many questions. The occasional No, but so many Yes’s.
The Lactation Consultant looks over the list, “These answers lead more towards a Lip Tie, but you’ve been told bub has a tongue tie?”
“Yes, but I can’t do bonjela properly and I can’t get the top lip to flange at all”
“Okay, let’s have a look in bubs mouth”
Freakling is happy and smiling, playing the the Lactation Consultant checks her tongue and bottom lip.
But when the top lip is lifted – the screaming starts. Freakling is fighting and screaming and trying to push hands away.
“I can see the gate you’re talking about, her cheeks are tied, and her upper lip is so restricted. It’s clearly painful having me check this.” She stops, tells me to cuddle Freakling while we talk.
“The tongue tie is really stretchy and shouldn’t be causing trouble, so I think we can leave that one. But the Upper Lip tie and the two cheek ties are tight and seem to be causing a lot of pain and discomfort. I’ll grab the dentist, we’ll have a chat.”
*Big breath* Someone is actually listening! Someome is seeing that this baby is NOT manipulative, this baby is asking for help!
The dentist comes in, we all talk, he advises, we agree. He needs to check so he can release the ties. Freakling screams again… But it’s quick, they know exactly how they will do this, and Freakling will be fine.
Freakling is wrapped up and taken away to another room, we will have a short wait, like 5 minutes and it will be done.
These ties are released with a laser and there are “exercises” to do to try to stop the ties reattaching during the healing process. 2 weeks and it should be all over. If there’s still trouble then we will release the tongue. Freakling shouldn’t need anything further because it looks like the right muscles are being used.
Freakling is so hungry, so once it’s over it’s time for a feed! With a swollen mouth, numb lip and experience of pain with feeding instead of comfort it is hard to get a latch! I’m trying not to cry, Freakling is so upset and we are hoping like mad that we made the right decision.
The first feed…
It feels… weird…
There’s no tugging
There’s no clicking
The letdown hits me hard!
Freaklings eyes are wide in amazement and wonder. Bright blue eyes are staring and then they ever so calmly fall closed. Asleep.
Time to heal and to rest.
The second feed
Amazing!
Flow is a bit too fast because none of the milk is falling out of the corner of Freakling’s mouth anymore.
Bright blue eyes looking up
A HUGE smile
Legs kicking in excitement!
This!
This is what I remember with Freaklet
THIS is what we are meant to feel!
At 7 months old, Freakling got 3 ties released and the change to her quality of life is Amazing!
Freakling is next level Happy! She looks forward to a feed and tries to move my top out of the way. She smiles and giggles while feeding. She does not scream in pain anymore!
I’m not being melodramatic when I say this:
If these people didn’t help and didn’t listen, I highly doubt we would still be breastfeeding because Freakling was not finding any comfort in this. But now, it is everything our instincts tell us it should be and we are all so so so grateful that they listened!
If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Now, it feels right!
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
Friday, October 9, 2020
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Do Lactation Supplements Really Work?
If you’re a breastfeeding mother (or even if you’re not), you’ve probably either heard, seen, or used a lactation supplement or aid of some sort.
Some examples include: lactation cookies, drinks such as teas, herbal supplements and more. But can all these things really help boost milk supply? And are they safe? Lets take a deeper look into the science and studies behind lactation supplements and aids and see…
What is a lactation “aid” or supplement?
Another word for a lactation aid or supplement is galactagogue, meaning “an agent that stimulates the secretion of milk or increases milk flow”. So – it is exactly what it sounds like, something that aids you with lactation.
Medications are sometimes used for this purpose (ie. domperidone, metoclopramide) however the general consensus is that breastfeeding/lactation counselling and adjustment of things like technique, positioning and so on, are preferred to use the of any medication. Studies are lacking in regards to the use of metoclopramide for this purpose, however the increase in milk production caused by domperidone is supported by evidence (it is not approved for this use in the USA though). There also appears to be minimal side effects from the use of domperidone in the pregnant population (they are generally mild if reported though do increase with increasing doses).
Herbal supplements are commonly used as well. These are usually given as a tea or in capsule form, however there are also other liquid formulations and “lactation cookies”. Studies on the use of these are limited. The studies that do exist on them, like with fenugreek for example, have conflicting results. One study from 2011 showed a significant increase in the production of milk, while another from 2006 did not.
In regards to both pharmaceutical and herbal galactagogues there is a definite need for further research.
Will they help me with milk production?
It’s hard to say whether or not one of these options may help you since trials and studies have shown mixed results (except for, as I mentioned, domperidone whose positive impact on milk production is generally supported by research; however, it is not a recommended first line of action).
There was a recent systematic review (however – due to the limited research, there were only 5 studies included) on the effectiveness of fenugreek – it was shown in 4 out of 5 studies to increase milk production. However, when it was compared to palm date and Coleus amboinicus it didn’t quite match up. C. amboinicus is traditionally used in Indonesia as a galactagogue – however, there is barely any research on it and the one study that does exist has conflicting conclusions. Palm dates on the other hand, have been studied more and seem to be superior to both in regards to early postpartum increase in milk supply.
As with many things – it may require some trial and error. On the behalf of scientists/people in STEM – it will also require more research.
But is it safe?
If you are prescribed pharmaceuticals, your doctor or care provider should go over the risks with you. Generally, the side effects are minimal with domperidone and there doesn’t appear to be much transfer via breast milk. Metoclopramide on the other hand (which has less evidence supporting its use for this purpose anyways) poses an increased risk for postpartum depression. There are also risks with long-term use of this drug. If either are prescribed to you, your doctor/provider will discuss any specific risks more in-depth.
In regards to the herbal supplements – fenugreek seems to be recognized by the U.S. FDA as relatively safe – as a flavouring. For medicinal purposes, it has been reported to have minor side effects such as GI upset and gas, as well as more serious side effects such as liver toxicity. Keep in mind that there are, again, limited studies on this herb. Large doses of fenugreek should be avoided because they may impact blood sugar levels. Fenugreek also interacts with the drug warfarin. An odd but not harmful adverse effect is that it causes a “maple syrup” like scent to be given off by bodily excretions such as urine and sweat.
In regards to specific products – I couldn’t find many studies. A recent study on Mother’s Milk Tea showed no adverse effects from its use over a 30-day period or in the longer term (first year of baby’s life).
It should be noted that a limitation of this study was that it couldn’t measure how effective the tea was – firstly, because the population they studied were breastfeeding (not pumping for example, where you can objectively measure the amount of milk) and secondly because the mothers using the tea actually already reported having adequate milk supply prior. So how helpful it would be to someone who actually has low supply is hard to say.
I could only find one study on lactation cookies. It was published in 2019 and looks at a biscuit made of banana flower. It showed increased milk production and other positive effects in regards to growth for the babies receiving the milk. Honestly though, the study authors concluded that their study had “proven” that banana flower could be a good galactagogue.. which rubbed me the wrong way. How can they be so sure of their results after only one study on their specific topic and such a small sample size (<60 women)? It doesn’t mean their conclusion is wrong, but it makes me want to demand more research.
With all herbal supplements – one must keep in mind that those who make them do not have to jump through as many hoops to sell them as pharmaceutical companies. This means that herbal supplements may have different amounts of active ingredients than labelled, and that each brand selling the same supplement may not truly be selling the same product in regards to its safety. Just something to keep in mind.
Conclusion regarding safety: it’s hard to say. There aren’t many studies and herbal products aren’t regulated. Although certain herbs can be safe in certain quantities, you can’t be sure how much is in the product you are taking. My advice is if you want to pursue a certain herbal remedy for lactation, speak to your provider or a IBCLC (lactation consultant) first. You should also always let your provider know that you are taking any herbal supplements or vitamins and what they are – because as I mentioned with fenugreek above, they can interact with prescribed medications.
What can I do if I’m having milk supply issues?
Low milk supply is often the reason that women stop breastfeeding – so if you suspect you’re having issues with supply, you should (I feel like a broken record as usual) speak to your primary care provider.
They may have suggestions for you such as having baby go to breast more frequently or pumping to increase supply. You may be having issues with baby latching, or poor positioning during feeding – these can all impact supply (as if baby is not eating properly, those signals to produce more milk aren’t going to be happening inside your body). There could also be other things going on in your body that are impacting supply – even stress.
After an assessment your provider or an IBCLC will be able to counsel you on recommendations to increase supply, or help you with any other breastfeeding challenges you may have. Breastfeeding is not always (or even usually) easy. It comes with a lot of mental and physical challenges. So don’t feel too discouraged if you’re having issues – if you want to continue to pursue it (keyword: want), then there are supports available to help you achieve this. You just have to know what/who they are (your provider, an IBCLC, there are often breastfeeding clinics, public health nurses, etc.), and how to access them (ask for resources from your care provider/maternal care provider).
The internet is an excellent tool however you need to know how to use it to find reliable information. Sharing experiences with other moms is so valuable as support method, and can even be used for informational purposes (like daycare recommendations for example) but it shouldn’t be your first resource for health information. That is the role of your care provider – that’s why it is important to find one you trust and can rely on.
Your internet friend didn’t attend medical school, nursing school, or do 1000+ additional hours of breastfeeding counselling and 90+ hrs of additional breastfeeding education (or other types of schooling that would make them qualified to provide you with health-related recommendations).
“Oh but it’s just an herbal supplement!” – no! FYI: Herbal supplements have risks too.
You can still consume too much of an herb. Even very common herbs (like ones we use frequently in cooking) can have medication interactions or adverse effects if taken with other medications, or by people with certain conditions.
Someone on the internet doesn’t know your health history – so before taking anything, you should speak to a knowledgeable resource like your doctor, pharmacist, nurse/nurse practitioner, IBCLC (when it’s breastfeeding related), etc. It’s true that some providers don’t have all of the knowledge about herbs – and that’s because there is limited data on them. Ask for resources in that case where you can find more information for yourself, or speak to a pharmacist – they are so knowledgeable and (I find) sometimes overlooked in regards to their ability to provide you with answers. If you believe your provider is not providing you with info because of their beliefs (as in – they say no herbal supplements without giving you an explanation/evidence as to why not) – seek a care provider that is better matched to you.
I have listed some breastfeeding resources here, however this should not be your first resource – book an appointment to see (or “see” virtually) your care provider and discuss your concerns with them. You can work on a solution together – it doesn’t mean that use of herbs is out of the question, but that it should be carefully considered and discussed in order to make sure it is a safe decision for you (and your baby).
It is important to remember that aids like this (medicinal or herbal) should come second to lactation counselling/breastfeeding support. This is the gold standard for helping moms with any breastfeeding struggles, including those related to supply!
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Tuesday, October 6, 2020
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Thursday, October 1, 2020
Progress Update #4: On the loneliness of ANR
Things have been going well since my last progress update. I’m not producing a solid 1.5 ounces per day and it only seems to be increasing. I’ve also been getting more out with just the pump and relying on hand expression less. I still do a lot of hand expression, though, mostly just to be sure that I’m as empty as physically possible to encourage increased milk production. I’m really hopeful about how steadily my milk volume is increasing. Maybe someday my dream of lots of milk will occur!
One thing I did not expect when I started this journey was how strong the need to nurse another person would be; how ingrained and instinctual that urge was. I knew when I started out that I wanted to nurse someone. There were times when I tried to play down how big a part of this journey that was for me, but let’s be real, I was just kidding myself. As time has gone on though, that interest in nursing another person has only increased. This has been somewhat complicated by the fact that my spouse is definitely not into ANR. We tried, but her heart wasn’t into it, so I’m not going to force her. But that does leave me wondering: where will this journey take me? I love my wife, and I can’t imagine my life without her, but I also know what I feel inside, and a life without ever nursing someone seems so grey and unfulfilling. I don’t really know what to think or do about this situation, so I just try to avoid worrying about it most days. I choose to focus on my successes and stay positive about my journey toward lactation. But there are times where that longing does weigh heavily on my soul. There are days when it feels as though I might burst if I don’t get to nurture another soul with my breasts.
I’m working on a post about hand expression to be published later this week. I’ll try to include lots of links to videos on the proper technique!
Xo
Phoebe
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