Evidence Based Breastfeeding Resources « Back to Group Discussions

[mamaharrison]

Getting close ladies!

I wanted to share some great resources on breastfeeding for the first timers and as a refresher, too.

http://www.llli.org/nb.html--evidence based bfing info on every topic you can think of!
great info about 'the early weeks'.

http://kellymom.com/category/pregnancy/bf-prep/--great info on 'how to prepare for breastfeeding while pregnant' and basics on what makes breastfeeding great for mom, baby, and family.

http://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?spagename=videos--This is a VERY important link, mamas! Many of us don't have any one breastfeeding around us, in real life, and we have never experienced or seen first hand what breastfeeding looks like, sounds like, feels like etc. This link is a TON of videos of breastfeeding pairs and it will show you different techniques for different 'issues' that you may be encountering with positioning, latch, etc. It is a good idea to watch these NOW, not just when you need 'em.

Finally, http://www.infantrisk.com/--this is THE authority on what is safe to ingest while breastfeeding. If you ever have a question about medications, herbs, supplements and their compatibility with breastfeeding THIS is the place to go--you can call them, too.

I have been breastfeeding DD for 3y4m and counting and am happily awaiting this newborn nurser! Breastfeeding has really shaped my parenting and it is a special part of my relationship with my DD that I really enjoy. Also, on a personal note--I like to share that I have had breast surgery--in the USA many women are told or falsely believe that breast surgery isn't compatible with breastfeeding {and in some instances it may not be}, but it usually is not an issue for mama or babe ;) 

If anyone has questions I am open to sharing my experiences and knowledge on the subject. I am currently studying to be an IBCLC {though this will take years to accomplish!}.

Happy Nursing!

[Lilac11]

Great resources !  I love LLL, Kellymom, Dr Jack Newman too.

This reminds me I gotta make sure I have the number of a local IBCLC in case I need help in the early days!

[kaliki_kila]

Originally Posted by mamaharrison 

If anyone has questions I am open to sharing my experiences and knowledge on the subject. I am currently studying to be an IBCLC {though this will take years to accomplish!}.

Happy Nursing!

I have a question about reclined breastfeeding.  In my Bradley class, we watched a breastfeeding video that said you should sit up straight with a pillow behind your back and do a cradle hold, brush the nipple against the baby's nose, then pull them in firmly to get a deep latch.  I read the opposite in my Breastfeeding Made Simple book, which says reclined or laid-back breastfeeding is best and you should lay baby between your breasts and kind of let them find their own way with the help of gravity.  What do you think about these two opposing styles?

[mamadiamond]

when dd was newborn she had a hard time latching, and i had inverted nipples and really enormously engorged breasts, and we were both a bit unsure, and reclined nursing was awkward and presented a suffocation risk (since i tended to doze off while nursing in the early sleepless weeks). i actually woke up once to her squirming around stuck under my breast! and laying down made my nipples even flatter and harder for her to get a good latch. however, once we got our nursing going well and trouble-shooted a bit, reclined breastfeeding has been awesome. so much easier on my back, and allows us to snuggle more, and great with co-sleeping. i'm not a side sleeper, so until dd was about 20lbs she slept on top of me and nursed whenever she woke up and needed to. i really miss that, since now i have to wake up and roll on my side, wait till she's done, then roll back to a comfortable sleep position. so i think both approaches can work in different situations and with different mamas and babies. try both, and see what feels comfortable and works for you and baby. your nursing relationship will be unique to you, and may look different at different points/ages. if you've got a good latch going so you're not hurting and baby is getting enough milk, there really isn't a wrong way to nurse! whatever way works is the best way.

[mamaharrison]

Originally Posted by kaliki_kila 

I have a question about reclined breastfeeding.  In my Bradley class, we watched a breastfeeding video that said you should sit up straight with a pillow behind your back and do a cradle hold, brush the nipple against the baby's nose, then pull them in firmly to get a deep latch.  I read the opposite in my Breastfeeding Made Simple book, which says reclined or laid-back breastfeeding is best and you should lay baby between your breasts and kind of let them find their own way with the help of gravity.  What do you think about these two opposing styles?

There is no inherent right or wrong to either position. They are just variations of nursing. DO what works for you and your babe ; ) WWhile most mamas are comfortable with straight backed nursing with a pillow to support babe there are many instances where that is not likely to work--for mamas who are super duper milk makers {over supply issues} they often find that reclined nursing is the only way to keep babe from choking on letdown. So, they aren't opposing styles--they are two sides of the same coin ; )

This is why I LOVE LLL meetings ; ) when you are still pregnant. It affords you the opportunity to see MANY different nursing pairs at various ages, stages, sizes, abilities nursing and all the variations. I learned how to nurse side lying {and thus sleeping} at a LLL meeting ; )

[segolilymama]

This is why I LOVE LLL meetings ; ) when you are still pregnant. It affords you the opportunity to see MANY different nursing pairs at various ages, stages, sizes, abilities nursing and all the variations. I learned how to nurse side lying {and thus sleeping} at a LLL meeting ; )

I think that the lack of resources - particularly seeing others brestfeeding - is a huge contributor of our low BF statistics. I was visiting a friend in the early days of her nursing relationship (maybe 6 weeks?) and I was SO happy when she asked if I could show her how to nurse lying down. DS3 was still nursing at that time (he was about 3.5 yrs) and he was happy to show the baby how to get milkies before sleeping :)

[kaliki_kila]

That makes sense, so I can try different positions and techniques and see what works for us!