Breastfeeding ~ the gift that lasts a lifetime

It’s so important that a pregnant woman and her family are educated prenatally about the importance of breastfeeding.  There is so much evidence that is available regarding the wonderful benefits of giving a newborn and infant breast milk.  The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a baby’s life because it is the best food for a baby.  Breast milk contains all the nutrients, calories and fluids that a baby need to grow.  It’s recommended that pregnant women take a breastfeeding class, find supportive friends and family and have access to evidence based information about breastfeeding.  Here is some of the evidence:

v A breastfed baby’s health is dramatically affected in the most positive ways.

Baby’s that are breastfed are protected from childhood obesity, diabetes, ear infections, asthma, eczema, digestive problems, SIDS, and some forms of cancer when compared with baby’s that are fed with artificial milk.  In addition, children that were breastfed have higher IQ’s and perform better on cognitive testing in school.

v The health benefits for the breastfeeding mother are enormous.

Women who breastfeed their baby are more likely to return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster.  They experience less postpartum bleeding and decreased risk of hemorrhage.  Breast and Ovarian Cancer risk is lower as is the risk of Osteoporosis.  During breastfeeding the hormone Oxytocin is released and helps with the bonding and attachment process with the baby.

v Once you get the hang of it breastfeeding is faster and easier and requires less time and effort. 

Breastfeeding is a learned skill.  It takes time and practice.  Breast milk is ready to go.  It’s at the right temperature and there are no bottles to mess around with and no storage to worry about.  It’s important that the baby is observed for hunger cues and signs that it’s time for a feeding and then to offer a feeding.   It’s also essential that the partner and family of the breastfeeding woman are educated about breastfeeding and the time and energy required in the beginning as breastfeeding and milk supply is established.

v The good stuff in breast milk cannot be replicated.

There are wonderful immunities in breast milk.  The first milk the baby receives is colostrum (‘liquid gold’) and is the best food for the baby in the first hours and days after birth.  Breast milk also changes over time (even the day) to meet the nutritional needs of the baby.  The milk is easily digested and provides everything that the baby needs to grow healthy and strong.

v Breastfeeding saves money.

By breastfeeding a family can save over $1,200 a year in not purchasing artificial milk.  When a baby is healthier there will be less time missed from work and less sick days used.   The environment is also saved from harmful packaging that is discarded.

v Only you can do it.

A mother’s breast milk is specific to the needs of her baby.   The physical contact a mother has with the baby while breastfeeding helps promote that special bond between a mother and a child.  Breastfeeding is truly the gift that lasts a lifetime.

Why Plan for Birth?

A woman and her family spend 40 weeks being pregnant and anticipating the day that the baby is born.  Planning for what they would like to happen is how they share it with everyone who may be involved in that special day.  It allows the woman and her family time to discuss with others their hopes and dreams and what, if any, interventions matter the most.  It also gives the family the opportunity to learn about birth, potential medical procedures which may occur, and the purpose and value of labor support.  In addition, it permits the family to address any potential areas that may cause anxiety prior to being in the middle of labor when decision making may not be based on informed choices.   Medical professionals value the input of the woman and her family so letting them know the woman’s preferences will help care for her in labor.

Birth plans should be simple and most importantly they should be flexible.  Like any other part of life, some things go easier than expected; other things become more challenging once in the midst of them.   The Birth Plan should ideally be kept to one page.  It should include information about some of the most common things a woman in labor will experience:  managing pain or discomfort, monitoring of the labor progress and the baby, and how a woman would like to be supported and cared for in labor.  The Birth Plan is not a binding contract.  It should be the preferences the woman and her family desire but it should be a fluid document that is able to adapt to things that may change during the course of the labor and birth.

It is also important for the woman and her family to understand the policies / procedures of the place where they plan to give birth.  Taking Childbirth Education Classes, doing Tours of the facility all help in learning about the possibilities that would be available and adapt the Birth Plan accordingly. 

Once the Birth Plan is written it should be shared prenatally with everyone who will be involved at the Birth.  A copy should be brought with the woman upon admission to the Hospital or Birth Center so other staff who may never have met the woman and her family will have a chance to review and discuss it with them.  This can assist the personnel in working to ensure the family that their hopes for the baby’s birthday are acknowledged. 

The 'P's' of Birth

There are so many factors that effect the labor and birth process.  For those of us who like being in 'control' (or at least the illusion of being in control) there are quite a number of things that a laboring woman and her partner(s) can do to help in the process.  There will come a time however, when all women need to let go and let birth happen.  When we discuss this in childbirth eduction class, we generally refer to the 'P's' of Birth.  Many believe there are 4 of them: the passage, the passenger, the powers and the psyche.  I actually believe that there are 5.  The last one being the people who are there to support the laboring woman and welcome the baby.

The Passage:
We are born with the pelvis that we have.  No getting around that one.  But the pelvis, cervical opening, and birth canal are more than capable of letting a baby out.   As the end of pregnancy nears, a hormone helps to soften the cartilage in the pelvis to allow the pelvis to open more and give the baby more room.  The passage can be a tight one but allowing a women to move about freely and work with her body, changing positions at least every 30 minutes, assists with the baby finding the right position to pass through the passage to loving arms.

The Passenger: 
This is the baby.  This is about their size and their position especially as labor progresses.  During labor the baby will need to make some twists and turns.  These are called the Cardinal Movements.  During the hugs of contractions the mother is supplying oxygen for the baby as she breaths at a level that is comfortable to her.   The baby will move through the passage as the mother moves, at least - that's the plan and there need not be a hurry.  Labor is good for babies. 

The Powers:
These are the uterine contractions.  The uterine contractions are caused from the release of oxytocin, the 'love hormone' from the posterior pituitary.  It acts like a neurotransmitter in the brain.  As labor progresses (without any help from artificial means) the woman's body also starts to produce endorphins, natural pain relief.  As the contractions become longer, stronger, and closer together, oxytocin flows, endorphins are available, and the laboring woman is working with her body and her baby - together.  As Penny Simkin, one of the founders of DONA International states, 'The contractions cannot be stronger than you, because they are you'.  Oh, how I love that affirmation. 

The Psyche:
I never understood why there are so many people who like to scare pregnant women talking about the pain in labor.  Yes, there will be pain and the pain is from a variety of sources:  contractions, dilation, bones spreading to give the baby more room, etc.  We all need to empower women as they anticipate labor and birth.   Women must prepare mentally for the journey.  Contractions need to be taken one at a time as each one brings the woman closer to the baby in arms.  She needs support and a welcoming environment where she feels safe and loved.

The People:
The support team that is there for the labor and birth are essential. The support team needs to be loving, kind, encouraging and occasionally, even firm.  I have seen many labors stall if there is someone in a room that may be causing the laboring mother anxiety or telling her what to do when it is going against what her brain and her body are telling her to do.   As we talk about people we also need to talk about the birth environment:  the lighting in the room, does the woman feel too exposed, is the temperature comfortable for her, is there music playing that is helping her let go?  A woman in labor should not be left alone.  There are times when she may not want hands on massage or care but just the presence of a loving heart and soul.

All of these are interconnected.  One will effect another.   Even doing everything that a woman can do in labor, the process can be long.  One of the most important things to keep in mind is that she will always remember how she was treated in labor.