Recent research has shown that out milk contains anti-bodies in response to the vaccine that we then are passing onto baby. This may help protect baby from infection!
“Antibodies and T-cells stimulated by the vaccine may passively transfer into milk. Following vaccination against other viruses, IgA antibodies are detectable in milk within 5 to 7 days. Antibodies transferred into milk may therefore protect the infant from infection with SARS-CoV-2” -Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
Currently the Covid vaccine is available for people aged 12 and up. There are clinical trials in place for ages 6 months to 12 years to determine safety. Experts think that we have expanded use for younger children available this Fall.
We’ve been busy all day today setting up for the World Breastfeeding Week event Saturday August 7th from 10am-12pm in the parking lot at 315 SW 4th Ave, Albany! Stuffing gift bags and organizing to get ready for you to join us!
Help celebrate World Breastfeeding Week from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Linn County Courthouse annex parking lot, 315 SW 4th St., Albany.
Sponsored by the Linn County WIC program (Women Infant Children). Numerous partners will have displays and gifts. Partners include: Linn County Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Services, Linn County Maternal Child Health, Linn Benton Lincoln Breastfeeding Coalition, La Leche League, Snap-food stamps, Pollywog, Capitol Dental Care, Kidco Head Start, Midvalley Doulas, Samaritan Health Services.
Linn County Public Health will also have its mobile COVID vaccination van on-site.
This year’s international theme is, “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility.”
World Breastfeeding Week is being celebrated in 120 countries.
According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. Breastfeeding provides infants with essential nutrients to support growth and development. It acts as a child’s first vaccine and protects them from many common childhood diseases.
Bottle feeding. While we are here to promote and encourage skin-to-skin breast/chestfeeding we also know it’s a practicality that most babies will have a meal through a bottle.
Bottle feeding is a whole different ballgame than breastfeeding and requires some different skills. Breasts and bottles behave very differently!
Let’s look at some tips and tricks to help your baby bottle feed with comfort and ease.
Slow down the pace.
You may have heard of paced bottle feeding. This is a feeding technique which slows down the flow of milk and is response based. We pay attention to how our baby is acting throughout the feed. Are they furrowing their brow? Do they look super focused while they gulp gulp gulp? These are stress signs during a feed and baby is telling you with their body language that they need a break.
The bottle can be tipped down and rested on the lips while baby catches their breath and gets ready to start the suck-swallow-breathe pattern again.
Look at the baby in the picture. What do you notice?
She is sitting is upright. This helps baby to regulate their feeding and it slows down milk flow compared to an angled bottle.
Her lips are out and have a good seal on the nipple. She’s almost touching the ring with her lips. Her cheeks look relaxed and in general she looks pretty chill. This is exactly what we are going for.
So why else might we want to use paced bottle feeding?
It can prevent reflux and spitting up.
Babies who are gulping in milk quickly have a tendency to swallow air, too. Their tummies become overfull and they will often spit up or act uncomfortable and squirmy. The sphincter, which is little a rubber band, at the top of the stomach is immature in infants until they are about 6 months so it’s really easy for milk to come back up.
Reducing the air in the stomach can help prevent reflux and overfeeding which are the main reasons little babies have spit up.
It prevents overfeeding.
Okay, so overfeeding can cause spit up or even make reflux worse and it causes parents to worry about milk supply. Most people make all the milk their baby will need but if baby is chugging down a big bottle without any breaks, they can easily overfed. This makes it hard to keep up on the pumping! Babies rarely need more than 4 oz for a feed (maybe 5oz occasionally). Feeding more than that actually stretches their stomach beyond normal capacity.
A slower feed also helps babies suck for longer which is super comforting. Sucking regulates stress hormones, breathing, heartrate, and helps baby transition to deep sleep. Slow down that bottle and you will have a calmer baby!
It can prevent gas!
Just like swallowing air can cause spit up, the same is true for the downstairs. Gassiness is just a part of life for humans but it shouldn’t be painful or cause colic-like behavior. Paced bottle feeding can help prevent these discomforts.
Over the last few years it seems like everyone is jumping on the lactation cookie trend. New pre-made products have been popping up online and stores all with strong claims about how they will help. I love a cookie as much as any one (warm oatmeal or spicy snickerdoodle…yes, please!) but I don’t recommend them as a Lactation Consultant for milk production.
Image: Betty Crocker
This is for a few reasons. I have noticed that lots of my patients come to me already trying to take herbs and alter their diet to support milk supply. They invest hundreds of dollars sometimes without really knowing the exact cause of their milk supply problems. Often the issue is low milk supply perception without an actual issue but when there is a problem, it needs to be addressed by a medical provider who can investigate the source and give you personal recommendations.
Different problems need different solutions.
A thorough assessment and history taking can often pinpoint the problem and then we can give you the right “medicine” for what’s really going on. Otherwise, it’s like throwing a dart in the dark. It might hit the target, it might get close, but it’s probably just a random shot.
Milk supply is governed by milk removal. When we take supplements to boost our milk supply there may be some effect but it might also temporarily boost our supply without setting us up for good long term habits. At the beginning, prolactin hormone brings in our supply and transitions milk from colostrum to mature milk. Oxytocin hormone is the main reason that milk sprays and drips out. Over time, our breasts become less sensitive to these hormones and what we need for continued supply is a baby who can breastfeed well!
Which brings us to the next issue. If we take herbs or eat cookies that artificially boost our supply it can mask baby feeding problems. If your baby’s suck is weak or uncoordinated, I want to know that right away and get you on the path to healing! We can work with suck training, a physical therapist, or occupational therapist to make sure your baby is thriving. We don’t want to miss those early signs .
Homemade baked goods are about the most delicious thing I can think of but sometimes the ingredients might actually lower supply. Many recipes call for a fair amount of sugar so if the milk supply problem is created by insulin resistance it won’t be supportive. Some of the other herbal ingredients might also lower supply. Some of the most common herbal ingredients for milk supply are not compatible with the medical conditions which are most likely to impact supply!
And lastly, I think it’s important to consider that we do not need to eat a special or different diet while breastfeeding. Our milk can be plentiful and super healthy following standard recommendations for adults. Our diets may need to be altered for medical reasons and if so, ask your provider to help you come up with a plan. Many of the ingredients in lactation cookies are expensive and hard to find. I’d rather see you snuggled up in bed nibbling on a grocery store oatmeal cookie than driving from store to store for specialty ingredients.
As always, take what works for you and leave the rest behind. Know that this Lactation Consultant won’t judge or tell you what to do. We are here to support you. And if you sister or kind neighbor brings you lactation cookies, feel free to eat them if they work for you and you want to. Just know you don’t *have* to eat them to make lots of milk.
If you are experiencing low milk supply check out our local Lactation Consultants for support and up-to-date information.
What is Paced Bottle Feeding? Paced Bottle Feeding is a method of bottle feeding that allows the infant to be more in control of the pace of the feeding. This method slows down the flow of milk, allowing the baby to eat more slowly and take breaks. Paced feeding reduces the risk of overfeeding that may result in discomfort to the baby. This feeding method is recommended for any baby that receives bottles.
Many parents are worried about baby swallowing air or getting gassy with bottle feeding. The old-school way of bottle feeding often increases gas and air swallowing because the flow is simply too fast! Baby doesn’t have time to follow their suck-swallow-breath pattern and ends up accidentally swallowing air.
Just like you and I take breaks when we are drinking, baby needs them, too. Using a slower paced feeding method also teaches parents to recognize baby’s communication cues. Overall, the feeding is a lot more pleasant for everyone!
Caretakers and grandparents may need a refresher on how to give bottles in a way that respects baby’s needs. There are lots of videos on YouTube, Vimeo, etc which show how to do paced feeding. They all vary a little but this is how I teach it:
Paced Bottle Feeding Steps: 1. Choose a small, 4 oz. bottle and a slow flow nipple. Pick something baby can latch onto deeply, with fully flanged out lips. 2. Hold baby in your lap in a semi-upright position, supporting the head and neck. 3. When baby shows hunger cues, touch the nipple to baby’s lip so he opens his mouth wide. 4. Insert nipple into baby’s mouth, making sure the baby has a deep latch with the lips turned outward. 5. Hold the bottle flat (horizontal to the floor). 6. Let the baby begin sucking on the nipple with the bottle angled just enough to fill the nipple about halfway with milk. 7. Watch baby during the feeding: cues that baby may need a break can include leaking milk, hands held with the fingers wide apart, a creased brow, wide open eyes that look startled, gulping, or clicking noises 8. Every 2 minutes or if you notice any stress cues, tip the bottle down and remove it from baby’s mouth keeping the nipple just touching baby’s lips. 9. After a few seconds baby will try to latch back onto the nipple. 10. Continue this Paced Feeding until baby shows fullness signs – no longer sucking after the break, turning away or pushing away from the nipple.
After several days of Paced Feeding, babies often start to learn to pace on their own. You will notice them taking their own breaks, and then returning to feeding. Positioning the baby upright and holding the bottle in a flat position helps babies be in control of their own feeding.
Baby does need to breastfeed often and keep cool in a shady place though. Baby may want to breastfeed more often during very hot weather. Offer unrestricted access to the breast to keep baby hydrated.
Your milk will adjust and increase water volume to keep baby well hydrated if you feed as often as baby wants.
Signs of dehydration to watch out for:
Urinates less frequently (for infants, fewer than six wet diapers per day)
Parched, dry mouth.
Fewer tears when crying.
Sunken soft spot of the head in an infant or toddler.
If baby exhibits any of these symptoms contact their doctor or visit the hospital right away.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend keeping newborns and infants younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. The best protection from the sun for these infants is to stay in the shade. Look for shade under a tree or bring an umbrella or sun-blocking tent for outdoor play. In most cases, infant’s skin is too sensitive for sunblock so your best bet is to stay indoors or keep baby completely shaded.
Start hand expression at 36 weeks if you are not at risk for preterm delivery
This builds up hormone receptors which help you to make the most milk! It also gets you familiar with the technique which is super helpful to do at least 5 times a day after birth (for the first 2 weeks). If you hand express into a clean container you can store the colostrum (early milk) in the freezer and bring it with you in case your baby needs a supplement after birth.
2. Golden Hour
Hold your baby skin-to-skin after delivery until baby has had their first meal. It takes time to adjust to the outside world! It’s so bright and loud and cold! Let baby find their way to the breast and attach on their own –they can do it if we give them time. Our bodies are also primed from labor to transfer the most colostrum in the first few hours, so make the most of it!
3. Have a Nursing Marathon for 3 days after birth
Feed often (at least 10 times per 24 hours) especially when baby is awake and calm, hold baby skin-to-skin as much as you can, and do hand expression at least 5 times per day after feeds. This tells your body to make lots of milk and helps prevents swelling (which is also called engorgement). Keeping baby close by will help everyone rest and recover. Snuggling baby often also reduces crying!
Up to 80% of breastfeeding parents believe they have low milk supply. And while people do truly struggle with milk supply issues, it’s also true that only about 5% or less suffer from primary lactation insufficiency or a physiological inability to produce enough milk (usually because a health condition).
Milk supply issues can happen due to a secondary cause like a premature or complicated birth. These situations can make it harder to establish a full milk supply right away. This doesn’t mean your breasts can’t make enough milk ever. It just means that they aren’t making enough milk right now—often we can fix these issues!
After many years as a Lactation Consultant, the majority of low milk supply concerns I see are actually non-issues. That’s to say, parents feel like their milk supply is low but there’s no evidence that’s the case. Often this occurs because we haven’t fully learned what our babies are communicating to us. We think if our babies cry or fuss there might be something wrong with our milk! And it has a lot to do with how we feel about our bodies and how much we trust things to go well.
Perceived low milk supply is the number one reason breastfeeding parents give for why they stopped breastfeeding. Figuring out what’s really going on can be tricky because it’s not just you but also your baby in the picture. So milk supply has to match up with baby’s ability to eat well.
My baby cries and fusses often so my supply must be low…
Babies cry for lots of reasons! As parents we are quick to blame ourselves and worry that we don’t have enough milk or that something in our milk is bothering our baby. Most babies who aren’t getting enough are actually very sleepy. They are difficult to wake and have a hard time staying awake for a whole feeding. They are quiet, “good” babies.
Babies often have periods of fussiness related to gassiness, overstimulation, or just common evening crying. Snuggling your baby close, skin to skin can help soothe some of these discomforts. Alternately, hold your baby in a carrier or sling and go for a walk. The motion and change of scenery may help!
My baby wants to eat more often than every 2-3 hours…
Newborns who are fed responsively will feed on average 12-14 times in a 24hr period. Older babies and bottle fed babies do this sometimes, too! It’s normal to have increased feeding times at 4-6 weeks and 16-18 weeks. It’s also normal that your baby will cue to feed for soothing and snuggles. Touch and suckling are strong needs for baby and they are satisfied by breastfeeding.
My baby will take a bottle after breastfeeds so they must still be hungry
In the early weeks, suckling is a reflex. A bottle nipple stimulates the right spot on the top of baby’s mouth and they suck reflexively. The bottle nipple also drips which causes baby to swallow. When they swallow the nipple releases more milk…and then you are in a cycle! Babies also love to suck for comfort. So they are willing to take more if it’s offered. This can cause overfeeding which results in spit up and gas and that can cause more fussing!
I can’t pump as much as my friend so I think I’ve got low supply
On average, a pumping session without prior breastfeeding will yield 3-4oz (or about 1-1.5 oz if you’ve just breastfed). More than that can be normal but it’s not necessary. Baby’s stomach can only hold about 4oz. Also remember that milk flow comes from oxytocin (that lovey, warm hormone you get with skin to skin) and oxytocin isn’t as high with pumping as it is with your sweet, cute baby.
Your Lactation Consultant can help you find the right pump for you and make sure you have a good fit and a pumping plan that works for your needs.
My breasts don’t feel full anymore. I think I lost my supply.
In the early days our breasts can feel *very* full and heavy. Lots of that is from milk but even more of it is from fluid retention (which can also cause our hands and feet to swell). As that extra fluid is passed, our breasts get softer. They also start to respond to what your baby needs so they tend not to get overfull after a few weeks.
For many people, anywhere from 1.5-3 months is when they notice these changes. It can often coincide with returning to work and increased pumping sessions (see above).
The best indicator for a sufficient milk supply is to look at your baby.
Is your baby happy most of the time? Do they have some alert times during the day? Are they making daily bowel movements and lots of wet diapers? What about weight gain? If they are gaining 5-7oz per week in the first few months then they are doing great!
If you ever have concerns, drop in for a weight check at your local breastfeeding group or schedule a visit with a Lactation Consultant.
Here is a list of local providers and breastfeeding support groups:
