February 2011

delicious cookies that boost milk supply and replenish key nutrients moms need.

It's February, and that means Valentine's Day is here again. Valentine's Day is about showing the most important people in your life how you give them your love and support. For a breastfeeding mom, the support of her significant other, and other family, is absolutely critical to be successful in feeding her baby. That support can make all the difference. According to U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin's "Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding", which was issued last month, educating partners on how to support a breastfeeding mother increased the number of moms still nursing at 6 months from 15% to 25%. The support of a spouse and family makes a huge difference.

Who supported you and made a difference in your breastfeeding success? Share your story on our facebook page and be entered to win a free order of milkmakers cookies!

Also this month:

What can husbands and partners do to help moms meet their breastfeeding goals? Lactation consultant Renee Beebe has some suggestions. And read more about Dr. Benjamin's "Call to Action".

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day!

emily,

founder, milkmakers

My husband Matt has been one of my greatest supports. One of many ways that Matt supports me is by getting James out of his bed and bringing him to me to feed him.
Of course it is nice for me not to get out of bed but more importantly, it shows me that

he cares about me and our decision to breastfeed.

Thank you Matt!

Who is your biggest supporter? Share with us on Facebook

to be entered to win 2 free orders of our new cookie flavor!

Surgeon General issues "Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding"

U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin

On January 20, 2011, U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin released a "Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding" which outlines steps that health care systems, organizations, and communities can take to support women who want to breastfeed and remove the obstacles many of these women face. Emily Kane, founder and owner of milkmakers, applauds Dr. Benjamin for making this key health care issue a priority.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 75 percent of U.S. babies start out breastfeeding, but only 13 percent are exclusively breastfed at six months old. The rates are particularly low among African-American infants. The World Health Organization recommends babies be given breastmilk exclusively for the first six months of life. According to the "Call to Action," breastfeeding helps protect babies from infections and illnesses that include diarrhea, vomiting, ear infections, pneumonia, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Breastfed babies are also less likely to develop asthma, and those who are breastfed for six months are less likely to become obese. Mothers who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Dr. Benjamin's "Call to Action" identifies many ways that families, health care systems, communities, and organizations can support breastfeeding, including: expanded peer support programs; paid maternity leave; programs that allow mothers to bring their babies to work; on-site childcare; and adequate breaks and private spaces to pump breastmilk.

To read the rest of this article, please see the milkmakers blog. (add link to the post already on the blog)

To download the Surgeon General's full "Call to Action", visit www.surgeongeneral.gov.

How Can Others Help a Breastfeeding Mom?

family Do you think that breastfeeding is something a

mom does by herself? Think again. One of the most important factors in determining whether a woman breastfeeds is the support of her partner.

Here are some ideas that can help ensure everyone gets off to a good start.

Before the baby is born:

Remind her that you know what breasts are for and how amazing she is. Let her know that you appreciate that she wants to give your baby the best possible start in life. Marvel out loud that not only can she nourish the developing baby while pregnant, but she can also nourish and grow your baby with just her breasts.

Go to a prenatal breastfeeding class with your partner. Listen. Take notes. Ask questions.

Read about breastfeeding. Learn the facts. Dr. William Sears and Dr. Jack Newman are authors that dads tend to enjoy.

Surprise your wife with some beautiful nursing pajamas. (The shirt will have openings for easy access to her breasts.)

After the baby arrives:

Continue to let her know that she is doing a great job. Acknowledge that she is uniquely qualified to breastfeed her baby.

Make sure she gets enough rest! Remind her that she is recovering from birth (and surgery if she's had a c-section), she is not getting a full night's sleep, and she is making food for another human being. An excellent guideline is "sleep when the baby sleeps."

Encourage her to stay in her pajamas. Visitors won't linger if mom isn't dressed for entertaining.

Give her shoulder, back, or foot rubs.

Make sure she is physically supported when breastfeeding with pillows, etc. Keep a glass of water in her reach.

To read the rest of this article, please see the milkmakers blog.

Written by Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC. Renee is a lactation consultant in private practice in Seattle, WA available for home/hospital visits & phone consultations.