submitted by Mellanie Sheppard, IBCLC, RLC - For Babies Sake
I often ask women who are expecting if they have prepared for breastfeeding. Sometimes I get "I took a breastfeeding class at the hospital" or "I read a book," but often I just get a blank stare. Prepare for breastfeeding? Why prepare for breastfeeding? It is natural, right? Yes, breastfeeding is instinctual for babies, but babies can't breastfeed by themselves and so many things happen to get in the way if their instinctive behavior. In that light, I would like to share some of the most common pitfalls that de-rail even the best of breastfeeding intentions:
- We are living in a bottle-feeding culture. Women have been imprinted from infancy with the sight of babies being fed by bottle. In order to combat that, it is a great idea to visit with groups of breastfeeding mothers during pregnancy so that you can begin to see how babies breastfeed. Groups like your local La Leche League group or For Babies' Sake are a wealth of free, real-life information. Great websites that discuss positioning are Biological Nurturing and Dr. Jack Newman's videos.
- Modern birth and post-partum practices interfere with baby's and mom's instinctive breastfeeding behaviors. The current practice of induction of labor, often for reasons that are not medically indicated, as well as scheduled c-sections prior to 39 weeks can lead to many complications. I believe that it is no coincidence that 80% of the clients that I see for breastfeeding difficulties were either induced or had scheduled c-sections prior to 39 weeks gestation. Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC has written a great article about how birth affects breastfeeding.
- Misinformation and lack of support are often the final nail in the coffin. Many women express frustration at the conflicting information they are often given regarding breastfeeding. The first thing to do is realize that each mother and infant pair is unique. Some mothers' milk flows very fast, some slower. Some babies get down to business and eat very efficiently, while others are little gourmands, taking their time and savoring every moment. They do not feed according to a clock, but according to their own pre-programmed biological cues. The second thing to realize is that anyone can give breastfeeding advice. In order to determine its validity, you need to consider the source. The best source of information on breastfeeding will come from those specifically trained in breastfeeding support - the IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.) IBCLC's spend several years studying breastfeeding and training to support breastfeeding women before they can take a certifying exam. They must maintain that certification by continuing education in breastfeeding related studies. There are a myriad of good books written by IBCLC's, such as Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D., IBCLC . My favorite on-line source for reliable, well-researched breastfeeding information is www.kellymom.com. For the second piece of the puzzle, line up your support network before baby arrives. Make friends at For Babies' Sake or La Leche League, share breastfeeding information with your mother, husband, mother-in-law or anyone else who will be supporting you after baby's arrival. The more information your support team has, the better they will be able to support you, especially if the going gets tough. Have you chosen a pediatrician? How supportive is he or she of breastfeeding? What about your obstetrician or midwife?
In short, preparing for breastfeeding during pregnancy paves the way for a successful breastfeeding experience. Enjoy this special time in anticipation of the many joys that will come with the arrival of your new baby, including the special bond of breastfeeding.
Mellanie Sheppard is a board-certified, registered lactation consultant and member of the International Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA), as well as the United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA).
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