Category Archives: Breastfeeding
RSS FeedPosted by Jenni on February 1, 2012 in Birth, Before and After, Breastfeeding, Yoga
True story: I recently saw a mama leak milk while laughing. There weren’t any babies around at the time, so that wasn’t the cause of her leak. In fact, we were laughing just for the sake of laughing when the lactating started.
Has this happened to you?
In this case, there were about 20 of us women circled up, all part of the Blooma Advanced Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training. As part of a teaching exercise, we were practicing laughter yoga, with each woman taking a turn laughing intentionally. In other words, our laughter wasn’t fake, just not spontaneous.
But as our laughs made their way around the circle, that changed. A few spontaneous giggles erupted, and then our lactating mama pointed out the wet spot on her shirt. At which point, we all–mothers, doulas, midwives, yoga teachers–lost it!
Our laughing lactator later shared with us that her supply is low and she’s fighting what feels like a losing battle to continue nursing her son. Her experience with laughter and lactating got me thinking:
Could intentional laughter really help with low supply?
How about it, mamas? Have you had an experience with laughter or relaxation and nursing? Have you tried laughter yoga? Think it could help with breastfeeding? Would love to hear your story in the comments!
Posted by Jenni on August 5, 2011 in Birth, Before and After, Breastfeeding
World Breastfeeding Week: Encouragement for New Nursing Mamas
At last night’s prenatal yoga class, I asked the moms whether they planned to nurse. All hands flew up without hesitation. When I asked how many had a plan for nursing successfully, only one hand went up.
Sure, some babies latch right on and the nursing relationship is bliss from the get-go, but that seems to be the exception! Attending a breastfeeding class while pregnant is a good start to a great breastfeeding experience. Arranging a visit with a good lactation consultant right after birth—and then again as often as needed—is also smart.
As World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 – 7, starts to wind down, remember that what every breastfeeding mama needs is support! From your partner, from your girlfriends, from your health care professionals—all that support is essential. You can also find emotional support online at great places like KellyMom.com and The Leaky Boob.
Here’s a nursing pick-me-up from Mamahhhs who chimed in on an earlier WBW post and over on the Facebook page with encouragement for new nursing mamas:
- Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t “click” easily. Give yourself a chance to get to know your baby…And surround yourself with people who support you! –Sarah C.
- I have two breastfeeding stories. With my oldest, now 13, I was a young mom- 19 when she was born. I knew nothing about breastfeeding before then, but was determined. She didn’t latch properly, and we had long weeks of painful nursing. Throw in thrush, mastitis, and colic, and it was an adventure. It worked out, though, and I kept up (eventually going down to once or twice a day at the end) but gave into pressure from my equally uneducated (at the time) husband and weaned against both my and her wishes at 18 months. This time, Babygirl was a nursing champ! I never had any pain or soreness with her, cracked nipples, thrush, anything. She also turned 18 months old on Sunday, and still nurses 3 times a day. We don’t have an end date in mind.—Christine
- You have “enough” milk for your baby. When they’re nursing nonstop it’s a growth spurt and not that they aren’t getting enough from you. No need to supplement this too shall pass. It’s supply & demand law at it’s “infancy.”—Elizabeth S.
- Keep at it. They will eat what they need. If you feel you have extra, pump and store. It gives Daddy a good chance to help out and enjoy the experience as well.—Jennifer R.
- Stay hydrated!!—Vicki M.
- Have a goal in mind before you start because it can be so tempting to quit when you hit [baby’s] first growth spurt. And remember that if you go back to work it is your right to pump during the day.—Amy C.
Posted by Jenni on August 4, 2011 in Birth, Before and After, Breastfeeding
Help Set a Breastfeeding World Record!
World Breastfeeding Week festivities continue: Help set a world record for nursing, and give a thumbs-up for the Milk Truck!
Posted by Jenni on August 2, 2011 in Birth, Before and After, Breastfeeding
World Breastfeeding Week: Holla!
When my daughters play mommy and baby, and enthusiastically include nursing and babywearing as part of their story, I feel like Mother of the Year.
Posted by Jenni on May 23, 2011 in Birth, Before and After, Breastfeeding
Milky time feels like a sacred bond for my daughter and me. And at its most practical: Extended breastfeeding is a means to steal another 20 minutes of sleep.
