What to do about diet, medication, pain and more while breastfeeding?
Michele Burtner, CNM, MS, MPH, IBCLC, Associate Medical Director of Lactation and Lactation Services and Medical Director of the Lactation and Lactation Medicine Outpatient Clinic at URMC, has answered some questions about common myths centered around lactation and offers Tips to make the experience smoother:
1. Address common myths surrounding breastfeeding
There are many misconceptions you can hear about breastfeeding. Here are some typical:
breastfeeding hurts – It is true that there may be some discomfort in the first days of learning to breastfeed. However, getting help to latch on correctly can reduce this discomfort and ultimately help prevent sore or sore nipples. If the pain persists, parents should seek help from a lactation expert.
There are certain foods that should be avoided while breastfeeding – Nursing parents should eat a well-balanced diet, just like the rest of us. Remember: Babies are exposed to all kinds of foods that the mother eats while she is pregnant! If parents feel that their baby is reacting to a certain food, they should talk to a lactation consultant or their pediatrician.
The Mother cannot take any medication if she is breastfeeding – or you should stop breast-feeding if you take medicine. There are very few circumstances in which breast milk cannot be provided to the baby. Always tell your health care provider and the baby’s provider what medication you are taking, as the health care team can check for safety. Many medications are considered safe, can be scheduled or adjusted in dosage, or in some cases an alternative can be found. It is rarely necessary to stop breastfeeding.
A mother should not continue to breastfeed if she is ill – Most of the time, it is safe to continue breastfeeding if the mother is sick. She needs to receive treatment and let her providers know that she is breastfeeding, as well as rest, stay hydrated and well fed. Most of the time, antibodies are produced that help fight the disease that can be passed to the baby.
If the mother needs to go back to work, she needs to wean her baby – Many mothers continue to breastfeed when they return to work. It can be challenging, but with the right support and breast pump, it’s very doable. Also, breastfeeding doesn’t have to be all or nothing, so if the mother chooses to supplement her baby, she can still breastfeed as much or as little as she wants.
These are just a few of the many myths out there! It is helpful for parents to take a prenatal breastfeeding class while pregnant to learn more about the process and what to expect.
2. What are some of the benefits of breastfeeding?
There are many benefits of breastfeeding, both for the nursing mother and for the baby.
Breastfeeding can help protect babies against some short-term and long-term illnesses and ailments. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfed babies are also less likely to get ear infections and stomach viruses. Also, maternal antibodies pass into breast milk, which helps build their immune systems and helps protect them from disease. (www.cdc.gov). A really interesting fact is that the mother’s milk changes as the baby grows, to meet the baby’s nutritional needs!
The benefits of breastfeeding for maternal health include: reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (including high blood pressure). Also, recovery from childbirth can be quicker and with less risk of heavy postpartum bleeding. Of course, there is also often an emotional benefit and bond between mother and baby.
3. Are there any recent trends around breastfeeding?
One trend that has emerged is the use of breast pumps and the development of so many types of pumps. In reality, few people need to express milk if they are breastfeeding their baby. Certainly those who will be returning to work and those with milk supply problems may need to express milk. However, an oversupply can also be created if the parent pumps much more than their baby needs, which can create other problems. We recommend consulting with a lactation consultant if she has questions about whether a breast pump is needed or if she has questions about a particular pump.
Another big trend is, of course, social media. People seek information and even advice through social networks. This could be helpful if the advice comes from people trained in lactation, but there can also be misinformation. There are many local support groups and lactation consultants if families have questions or need support.
4. When a lactating mom has COVID, what is your recommendation?
Current evidence suggests that breast milk is unlikely to transmit the virus to infants. If you have COVID, wash your hands before nursing and always wear a mask within 6 feet of your baby. Get plenty of rest and take good care of yourself. Follow CDC recommendations regarding isolation from others.
5. Is there a timetable for stopping breastfeeding?
The World Health Organization (WHO), and since last month, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, then continue to breastfeed along with the introduction of appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or older.
Source: www.urmc.rochester.edu