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Birth Control & Breastfeeding, Let's Talk
Birth control is one of those very personal subjects to be discussed with your partner, midwife and/or physician. And I want to discuss it with you too! There are many methods from which to choose but there are 2 things not always mentioned in a standard OB/Gyn office visit.
First: If you are breastfeeding and choosing to use oral contraceptives (OC), know that there is a good chance that your milk production will decrease. The hormones in OC alter the chemical makeup of your body to signal a decrease in milk. Studies have shown a decrease of anywhere from 12% to 49% decrease depending on the type of OC chosen as they all contain slightly different amount of progesterone and estrogen. If you choose to use OC, please discuss the best type for the least impact on milk production. If you're already using OC and struggling with milk production, consider switching to another form of birth control, either a lower hormone oral contraceptive, progestin-only pills, or better yet, barrier methods like a diaphragm. Your body and baby will thank you.
Second: Yes, breastfeeding exclusively can decrease your chances of conception. That said, it reduces the chance, it does not eliminate it. Be prepared for the possibility of another baby, and soon, if this is your choice.
I should mention again that while I am a healthcare provider, I am not your doctor. But feel free to refer to me as your trusted family friend if you need back up in talking to your own so that you can get the right care in healthful family planning.
Be Prepared - 10 Basic Tips
The best way to keep calm is to be prepared. And now that you have little ones to take care of in addition to yourself, it is even more essential to be prepared for any natural emergency. I was inspired by our friends on the east coast and Holistic Nutrition Naturally with KasiaKines.com but hope you are able to prepare BEFORE you need it. Prepare to stock up on supplies for at least 3 full days and do it today if you can.
1. You will need 1 gallon of water per person per day. Babies included. This is for drinking, mixing into dried foods and cleaning, especially if you or your little one gets hurt. If you're not breastfeeding exclusively, pack extra to mix with formula.
2. Stock up on crackers, dried nuts and fruits like raisins, dates, papaya or banana chips. These will keep well for many months and can be eaten without cooking or water.
3. Store at least 6 cans of food like beans, soups and tuna in your emergency kit.
4. Add a can opener, a set of forks, knives, cooking pot and small cutting board.
5. Have an extra emergency kit with band aids, pain relievers, children's medicine, and cotton.
6. Add some clothes, extra socks, diapers and blankets or towels to the mix.
7. Keep all your items in a duffle bag or cooler stored in a closet or somewhere easy to reach if you need to leave your home in a hurry.
8. Don't forget to secure food and water for your pets if you have any. They need an emergency plan too!
9. Pack some entertainment. A wind up radio, pads of paper, pens, stickers, small stuffed animals or dolls, a deck of cards and some travel games will do wonders for you and the family if stranded without electricity and phone lines are down.
10. Share your plans with friends and extended family. Ask if they have a kit and a plan. Where will you go if there is a fire, earthquake or flood. Remember, these usually happen without any warning so there won't be time to pack a few things or hit the grocery store to stock up. Plan on meeting family/friends at a safe place.
For more on food safety during an emergency, visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/keeping_food_safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp
Night Time Pumping & Nursing - Helpful Hints
Nursing or pumping anytime can be exhausting, but pumping in those wee hours can become tedious and even overwhelming at times. Here are some tips to keep up the good work to keeping up your milk supply!
1. Milk supply seems to peak between 3am and 4am. If you're able to wake up then, pumping now can give you great results. Keep lights dim and set everything up before you go to sleep.
2. If you nurse your baby in the middle of the night, keep the pump by your bed plugged in and ready to go. While it might take a try or two, you'll soon figure out how to pump one breast while you nurse the other. Or wait until your baby is finished and pump both sides for less pumping gymnastics. Though tiring in the middle of the night, this allows you to take advantage of those peak milk-making hours.
3. Keep a cooler with an ice pack next to your bed. When you're through pumping, place milk in the cooler and go back to sleep. This will keep you from needing to get up and go to the refrigerator.
4.Keep a bottle of water by your bed or pumping station at all times. Sometimes a low milk supply is simply lack of proper hydration. If you're not a big water lover, add an herbal tea bag or a touch of your favorite fruit juice for flavor.
1. Milk supply seems to peak between 3am and 4am. If you're able to wake up then, pumping now can give you great results. Keep lights dim and set everything up before you go to sleep.
2. If you nurse your baby in the middle of the night, keep the pump by your bed plugged in and ready to go. While it might take a try or two, you'll soon figure out how to pump one breast while you nurse the other. Or wait until your baby is finished and pump both sides for less pumping gymnastics. Though tiring in the middle of the night, this allows you to take advantage of those peak milk-making hours.
3. Keep a cooler with an ice pack next to your bed. When you're through pumping, place milk in the cooler and go back to sleep. This will keep you from needing to get up and go to the refrigerator.
4.Keep a bottle of water by your bed or pumping station at all times. Sometimes a low milk supply is simply lack of proper hydration. If you're not a big water lover, add an herbal tea bag or a touch of your favorite fruit juice for flavor.
5. Keep snacks by the pump. It's perfectly fine and often recommended to snack late at night while you're nursing. Besides, you need those extra calories to keep up a healthy supply. Treat yourself to a Yummy Mummy Lactation Cookie each time you pump. Pair it with a glass of water or herbal tea for optimum well being. You might even be able to go back to sleep easier with a full tummy!
6. Remember that this won't last forever. Day to day (or night to night) can seem forever. A few months from now it will all be through and you'll have a happy and healthy baby thanking you with sweet kisses.
6. Remember that this won't last forever. Day to day (or night to night) can seem forever. A few months from now it will all be through and you'll have a happy and healthy baby thanking you with sweet kisses.
Wheat-Free, Egg-Free Lactation Cookies HERE!
I am so pleased to announce that we are ready to share our newest cookie with you! The Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookie is a chewy, healthful delight adding to our line of the MOST healthy and delicious cookies found on the market today.
If you're wheat, dairy and egg-free in general or because you're nursing a sensitive baby, we hope you will enjoy this cookie as much as we do, in fact, we can't stop eating them. Yum!
In addition to Gluten-Free oats, Brewers Yeast and Flax, these cookies contain herbs to nutritionally support the postpartum mom. Blessed Thistle has long been used as a gentle galacagogue (milk producing herb), Nettles are known to lower inflammation and stress, and kelp is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on this planet. All baked into a delicious treat for you.
Where else can you get Wheat Free Lactation Cookies? Egg Free Lactation Cookies? Dairy Free Lactation Cookies? Mama, you deserve a cookie! Enjoy.
What Should I Eat While Breastfeeding?
The answer to this one is quite simple, and often hard to do: Sea Vegetables. Yes, I'm talking about seaweed and don't be too put off to stop reading!
One of the most common questions nursing mothers have is what to eat and how to feed themselves properly when 1 minute might be more than they can take for themselves to eat properly. THE most nutritious foods on our planet are sea vegetables. The reason is simple in that they contain incredible amounts of minerals like calcium, iron and zinc as well as many much needed vitamins. As an added bonus, sea veggies contain amounts similar in composition to those in the human blood stream which means they are easily digested (unlike many supplemented forms). Eating some kelp, dulse or hijiki every day can provide a hot of nutrients sorely needed by women. Yet because of the sea-flavor, many are turned off by adding a scoop to a salad or sandwich. I understand this completely which is why I learned to incorporate sea veggies into foods without anyone even knowing. All Yummy Mummy Cookies have kelp in them for this natural nutrient boost to benefit both you and baby.
One of the most common questions nursing mothers have is what to eat and how to feed themselves properly when 1 minute might be more than they can take for themselves to eat properly. THE most nutritious foods on our planet are sea vegetables. The reason is simple in that they contain incredible amounts of minerals like calcium, iron and zinc as well as many much needed vitamins. As an added bonus, sea veggies contain amounts similar in composition to those in the human blood stream which means they are easily digested (unlike many supplemented forms). Eating some kelp, dulse or hijiki every day can provide a hot of nutrients sorely needed by women. Yet because of the sea-flavor, many are turned off by adding a scoop to a salad or sandwich. I understand this completely which is why I learned to incorporate sea veggies into foods without anyone even knowing. All Yummy Mummy Cookies have kelp in them for this natural nutrient boost to benefit both you and baby.
They're HERE! Wheat-Free, Egg-Free, Free-Free
The trials are over and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip was the overwhelming winning flavor for our new Wheat-Free, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Lactation Cookie. We can't stop eating them and hope you will love them too. They'll be up on the website to order within the next few days so stop in and check them out. Write the words BLOG Free in the message section upon ordering for extra cookies to be added to your order for FREE through the end of August!!
What's Your Flavor?
Coming soon: Wheat-free, egg-free cookies! They will also still be dairy and nut-free. We're putting final touches on flavors. Would you like to have a say? Let us know your favorite. Chocolate mint, ginger cherry, oatmeal sesame seed? Or are you a raisin-oat traditionalist? We'll send you cookies if your flavor is chosen!
