ARE YOU STUCK IN TRIPLE FEEDING PRISON?
Triple feeding can be a complex and exhausting routine. The postpartum period is hard no matter what. When you add on extra steps to already exhausting newborn care, your breastfeeding journey may start to feel untenable. It's essential to have the support of a lactation professional, your pediatrician, and/or a perinatal mental health professional to monitor your progress, provide YOU with support, and make necessary adjustments. They can provide guidance tailored to your unique situation and personal experience, ensuring both you and your baby thrive.
DEALING WITH A FAST FLOW OR FORCEFUL LETDOWN
A forceful letdown occurs when milk flows from the breast faster than the baby can handle. This can be overwhelming for your little one and may require seeking the professional help of a lactation consultant.
Breastfeeding Around Friends and Family
Summer is quickly approaching. When I think of summer, I think of lazier days, walks to the ice cream shop, family trips, summer camp and swimming at the pool, and of course, visiting with family and friends. When your feeding plan includes breastfeeding, travel isn't always easy, and while public breastfeeding brings its own challenges, nursing around friends and family can trigger conflict over the topic and activity of breastfeeding making for a tricky experience for a breastfeeding mom.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A LAZY BABY
I want to address a term that often surfaces in consultations and pediatric visits: "lazy baby." I believe this term is not only inaccurate but also unhelpful. It suggests a negative connotation and unjustly assigns blame to your infant for challenges in breastfeeding, which is unfair and unfounded.
WHAT IS DYSPHORIC MILK EJECTION REFLEX (D-MER)?
D-MER is an abrupt dysphoria that occurs when hormonal changes coincide with the letdown of milk, leading to feelings of sadness, nausea, or unease.
The Value of Prenatal Breastfeeding Consultations
Prenatal lactation consultations can be invaluable in setting the course for a successful breastfeeding journey. Find out the reasons one should see a Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine physician or lactation consultant before having a baby.
5 Things Everyone Should Know About Postpartum Depression: An Interview with Jake Frankel in Authority Magazine
I recently had an interview with Authority Magazine about Postpartum Depression. Check it out here and share widely.
Taking Time to Heal: A Crucial Aspect of Postpartum Recovery
Having a baby, whether through vaginal delivery or a cesarean section, is an intense physical and emotional experience, comparable to undergoing major surgery (and it is, in fact, major surgery if you have a c-section!). It's essential to recognize that healing is required, regardless of whether there was a tear, significant bleeding, or other complications. The absence of these issues doesn't negate the need for your body to heal.
Breastfeeding While You Are Sick
As a Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine physician, I often encounter questions from new mothers about the impact of their health on breastfeeding. One common concern is what to do when you're sick. It's a natural instinct to want to protect your baby from illness, which might lead you to consider stopping breastfeeding or even isolating from your child. However, the science suggests a different approach. Successful breastfeeding can and should continue despite maternal illness.
Pumping and Storing Breast milk: Essential Tips
Whether you're directly nursing, doing exclusive pumping, or a combination of both, a lactation consultation can help optimize your pumping experience and get you off to a great start! And remember always, you've got this!