Breastfeeding Information & Resources

[MrsPinecone]

Information & Support Sites:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Breastfeeding Recommendations:

· The AAP statement recommends mothers breastfeed for at least the first twelve months of life and as long after as is mutually desired.

· Newborns should be nursed whenever they show signs of hunger, such as increased alertness or activity, mouthing, or rooting. Crying is a late indicator of hunger.

· No supplements (water, glucose water, formula) should be given to breastfeeding newborns unless a medical indication exists.

· Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life.

· Before advising against breastfeeding or recommending premature weaning, the practitioner should weigh thoughtfully the benefits of breastfeeding against the risks of not receiving human milk.


For a full list of AAP guidelines, click here.

www.lalecheleague.org/

La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, mother-to-mother support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. Accredited by La Leche League International, volunteer Leaders are experienced breastfeeding mothers who are familiar with research and current findings dealing with all aspects of nursing. We offer practical information and support to nursing mothers through telephone help, monthly meetings, and lending libraries of books on childbirth, breastfeeding, and related parenting topics. All breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women interested in breastfeeding are welcome to attend our meetings or to call our Leaders for breastfeeding help.

The website has resources like forums, podcasts, links to local chapters, and more!

ILCA - Home Page

The International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) is the professional association for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and other health care professionals who care for breastfeeding families.

Kellymom

This website was developed to provide evidence-based information on breastfeeding, sleep and parenting.

This site has forums, links to lactation consultants, information of ALL kinds... a very comprehensive and user-friendly breasfeeding support site.

Babyzone

This site is a general pregnancy and parenting site. They have excellent message boards for both breastfeeding and extended breastfeeding support.

www.workandpump.com

For moms who work and still want to breastfeed.

www.bfar.org

A site for moms who have had breast reductions or other breast surgery and want to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding.com

General breastfeeding information site.

Product Websites:

Breastfeeding Accessories, Lanolin, Pumps, Nursing Pads, Milk Storage, Breastfeeding Information, Nurture Note, Lansinoh Laboratories

Breastfeeding information, as well as information on their accessories, lanolin, pumps, nursing pads, milk storage products. They do NOT have coupons for their products, so don't bother asking.

Gerber > Breastfeeding

In addition to product information, Gerber has a certified lactation consultant available 24 hours a day! 1-800-4-GERBER

Avent America - Breastfeeding

Avent offers a wide selection of effective, gentle breast pumps designed to fit your needs. Avent breast pumps work with the Avent Natural Feeding System, so you can pump, store and feed using any bottle or cup.

Medela - Country choice page

Product information, breastfeeding tips, links to consultants. Also has online advice for breastfeeding mothers.

[editionk]

Here's a new one to me... I'm looking into LASIK right now and just found out they don't recommend LASIK till 3 mo. past weaning. Why? Something about hormones and water retention. I'll find out more at my upcoming consult.

[pedspeech]

I think breastfeeding changes the shape of your eyes due to the water that your body retains to make sure you have enough milk for the baby.

My 15 month old is finally weaned as of last week and I am SO relieved. (My first child bf for 8 months). Those sites should be able to answer your questions (and this is a great idea for a post). I had a lot of trouble getting started with both kids and if I can offer anyone any personal help or encouragement, feel free to PM me.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng/03.html

list of 55 Baby Friendly certified hospitals (UNICEF).

[mminfw]

Thank you for posting links to such great resources! Here is another - the Q&A forum for Dr. Thomas Hale, the leading researcher in medication use during lactation. Only healthcare professionals can post questions, but anyone can "Enter as a Guest" to search for particular meds:
http://neonatal.ama.ttuhsc.edu/cgi-b...s&access=guest

:Cow: From another breastfeeding mama... (16 months and counting)

[kintx]

Wanted to share this link for cheap breastpump parts if you need extras or replacements. They have super cheap shipping too.

http://www.mybreastpump.com

[MrsPinecone]

Interesting comparison between breastmilk & formula. Thanks to toniamichelle on Babyzone for the research!

CANNED VS. BREAST

What is the difference between breastmilk and formula ?

Here's what's in mom's stuff:

"Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Macronutrients, Minerals, Calcium, Chloride, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Chromium, Copper, Fluoride, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Selenium, Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Biotin, Vitamin C, Folate, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Riboflavin, Thiamin, Catalase, Histaminase, Arysulfatase, Antioxidants, a-Tocopherol, Cysteine, Ascorbic acid, Antiproteases, a -1-antitrypsin, a -1-antichymotrypsin, Prostaglandins, PG-E2, PG-F2, Secretory IgA (sIgA), Full antibody repertoire, Lysozyme, Lactoferrin, Interleukin-6, PAF-acetylhydrolase, Memory T cells, EGF, NGF, Insulin, IGF-I, IGF-II, Relaxin, TGF-a, PRL, Corticosterone, Insulin, IGFs, Relaxin, EGF, TGF-a, TGF-b, GnRH, GRH, PTHrP, Peptides, Erythropoietin, Prostaglandins."

Reference : Breastfeeding:
Unraveling the Mysteries of Mother's Milk
Author: Margit Hamosh, PhD,
Georgetown University Medical Center

Here's what's in a bottle of formula:

{Are you sure you really want to know?}

" Whey protein concentrate, palm olein, soy, coconut, high-oleic safflower oils lactose, maltodextrin, patoassium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium chloride, salt, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, potassium iodide, soy lecithin, mono and diglycerides, inositol, choline bitartrate sodium ascorbate,Enzymatically hydrolyzed reduced minerals, alpha tocophyeryl acetate, naicinamide, calcum pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, phylloquinone, biotin, vitamin D3, vitamin B12, taurine, L-carnitine"

Reference: can of formula

[Mom2my3sons]

There are also many properties that have yet to even be identified. And since they haven't been identified, there is no way to copy them for formula. AND breastmilk is a LIVING substance. There is absolutely no way to copy a living ingredient for production in a can.

[MrsPinecone]

What I found very interesting is that palm and coconut oils are high on the list, and these are the same ones that doctors tell people to eliminate from their diets for heart health.

[Jonalee]

Fellow breast-feeder myself! I love it and wouldn't change it for the world. Ds self-weaned at 18 months, and I'll let dd (6 mo. the 27th) nurse as long as she wants also. I wish that everyone would at least try to breast-feed. I can't understand why my SIL (who has one dd and another on the way) thinks it's easier to get up in the middle of the night, stumble down the stairs, mix formula, and heat it up, all while listening to a crying baby, than to roll over, latch baby on, go back to sleep. I'm trying to talk her into trying to nurse, but I don't think she will. *sigh*

BTW, another website I love is:
http://www.askdrsears.com/

Some great breast-feeding info, as well other valuable knowledge.