Breastfeeding Tips from a Lactation Consultant – Lactation consultant, birthing instructor, classical homeopath and herbalist offers breastfeeding tips and advice.
New moms have enough to worry about when baby arrives. Breastfeeding can be difficult and, in many cases, a painful experience. I had my own problems when I began breastfeeding and I know I’m not alone in the experience. I spoke to board certified lactation consultant Sara Chana to ask her for some breastfeeding tips for new moms.
Breastfeeding Tips from a Lactation Consultant
Lisa LaGrou Oakland County Moms – Breastfeeding recommendations have changed so much through the years. How long do you recommend a mother breastfeed her child?
Sara Chana, board-certified lactation consultant – On demand is best, but teaching the child to actually eat while on the breast and not use mom just as a pacifier is the way to go. If the mother understands her baby’s eating patterns then the mother and the baby will develop their own style and schedule.
Lisa LaGrou Oakland County Moms – Does a breastfed child have potential health advantages over a formula-fed child?
Sara Chana, board-certified lactation consultant – Yes, an interesting study showed that the pituitary glands in breastfed babies is double the size than formula fed babies. Also, if the mother is sick, her body will create antibodies to the specific illness she is fighting and these antibodies also appear in breast milk so the baby will automatically get the immunity from the mom.
Lisa LaGrou Oakland County Moms – Breastfeeding was very difficult and stressful for me – not knowing if my baby was getting enough, having to feed the baby so frequently… What tips do you give moms to calm their nerves?
Sara Chana, board-certified lactation consultant – Firstly, having a relationship with your doctor that has a digital scale is a good idea. I let my clients come in and do what I call is a “weigh-nurse-weigh” so the mom can actually see how much milk the baby is taking in. Most moms are shocked to see how much the baby actually takes in! For frazzled nerves I like the mothers to take calming herbs like, Skullcap, Lemon Balm and Fresh Milky Oats.
Lisa LaGrou Oakland County Moms – You state that breastfeeding isn’t supposed to be painful. What breastfeeding tips do you give moms who are experiencing pain breastfeeding, especially during the initial/beginning phase when many moms get discouraged?
Sara Chana, board-certified lactation consultant – If a mom has a good latch which involves a fast latch which I call RAM (rapid arm movement), and the baby actually latches onto the BREAST and not the NIPPLE then nursing will NOT hurt. Most moms spend the first 6 weeks nipple feeding their babes, hence the ‘PAIN’. Also, moms may have taken antibiotics during their delivery which can cause a ‘yeast infection’ in their breasts. The problem with ‘yeast infections’ is that you cannot see the yeast on the nipple, the yeast lives under the nipple. The only sign for the mom is PAIN.
Lisa LaGrou Oakland County Moms – Breastfeeding can wear on a new mom. What lifestyle and dietary suggestions do you have to help keep mom strong?
Sara Chana, board-certified lactation consultant – Sleep when the baby sleeps is #1. Also, eating lots of salads will help a mom have more energy. Herbs like Eleuthero, and Ashwaganda will help steady a woman’s nerves while giving them energy.
GETTING YOUR HOME READY FOR BABY
Sara Chana, international board-certified lactation consultant, birthing instructor, classical homeopath and herbalist can guide your viewers from adolescence, through pregnancy and childbirth on to menopause. With over 2500 clinical hours in lactation and 500 clinical hours in classic homeopathy, Sara has strengthened women by educating them on how to treat and heal their children naturally as well as how to work with their doctors to work in tandem in decision making. We would love to set up an interview with you and Sara about any of the below topics. You can follow Sara on twitter, facebook and her website.
For more breastfeeding tips from lactation consultant, visit sarachana.com.
