Happy Summer!  Summer is officially here!  With that comes planning for World Breastfeeding Week this August 1st-7th.  We will again be holding our Latch On events in Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids.  Watch for more details!  

Additionally, the theme this year is "Breastfeeding and Work, Let's Make it Work!" So we also plan to promote breastfeeding friendly businesses at this time.

We had a wonderful turn out for our 5K in Marshfield this year on April18th.  We had 132 participants!  Thank you to all who supported us or participated in the event!  This year we were blessed with many great volunteers as well!

We are excited for the lactation specialist course coming up at the end of June.  Logan Roy and Tanya Polansky were the recipients of our first ever lactation credential scholarship. We are thrilled for these two amazing women to earn this credential and be able to start assisting families in Wood County!

Finally, we are in the planning stages for a Wisconsin Rapids family fun event this late summer or fall.  Stay tuned for more details!

Thank you for your continued support of the Wood County Breastfeeding Coalition!
-Amber France and Leah Meidl
Co-Chairs of the Wood County Breastfeeding Coalition
 
 

Upcoming Events!
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Every Tuesday and Friday Weight Check and Breastfeeding Clinics at the Wood County Health Department in Wisconsin Rapids Tuesdays from 1-4pm and Fridays from 9am-Noon

June 22-26, 2015 Certified Lactation Specialist Course in Wisconsin Rapids offered by Lactation Education Consultants.  Register or find out more information at: http://www.lactationeducationconsultants.com/course_clsc.shtml

August 1st-7th, 2015 World Breastfeeding Week!  Stay tuned for more details!

Every Thursday Starting June 11th at 10:00am Circle of Mom's Breastfeeding Support Group at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital


Body After Baby

After baby is born, many mothers' first priorities are to lose the extra baby weight.  Breastfeeding is one fabulous way to do this!  Studies have shown that women can burn up to 500 calories a day while breastfeeding!  For some mothers, there is still more weight to lose and they may look to diets and exercise to help them get back their pre-baby body.

The safest way to lose weight while breastfeeding is to exercise.  New mothers should follow their physician's advice about resuming physical activity.  Mothers should resume activity slowly and should stop exercising if they have increased vaginal bleeding, shortness of breath or dizziness.  It is also very important to avoid tight fitting bras that could cause plugged milk ducts.

Dieting while breastfeeding can interfere with milk production.  Milk production requires a great deal of energy, so it is very important that breastfeeding mothers eat well.  After a pregnancy, mothers often have diminished nutritional stores, so it is very important that they eat foods that replenish these stores.  They should not limit their calorie intake.  Rather, they should eat a healthy, balanced diet.  It is also recommended that mothers continue to take a prenatal vitamin throughout their childbearing years, especially while breastfeeding.

The best advice to follow, "It took nine months for your body to grow the baby, give it nine months to return to its pre-pregnancy state".  
Vitamin D Supplementation

Vitamin D is a vitamin that is essential for infant health!  Many parents are unaware of the need for Vitamin D supplementation.  It is important to start supplementing very soon after birth.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics,

The AAP recommends vitamin D supplements for infants, children, and adolescents, including those who are breastfed. "Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for infants," explains Dr. Wagner, a member of the AAP Section on Breastfeeding Executive Committee and co-author of the AAP's clinical report on vitamin D. "However, it is important that breast-fed infants receive supplements of vitamin D. Until it is determined how much vitamin D a nursing mother should take, we must ensure that the breastfeeding infant receives an adequate supply of vitamin D through a supplement of 400 IU per day." Once the child is weaned, a vitamin D supplement is needed throughout childhood and adolescence as well, she adds.

For formula-fed babies, the requirements are the same. Unless the child is drinking 32 ounces of infant formula per day, a vitamin D supplement is required.

Vitamin D drops are available at your local pharmacy or retail store for a minor cost.  They are, unfortunately, not covered by health insurance.  Baby does not need any vitamins besides Vitamin D, so look for the plain Vitamin D formulation.

For more information, visit: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Vitamin-D-On-the-Double.aspx
Circle of Moms 

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital is starting it's first  mom's support group in Marshfield this June 11th!  The support group will be a wonderful time for moms to network, ask questions and learn about various health topics including: exercise, infant massage, mental health, infant feeding and much much more.  The support group will take place each Thursday from 10:00-11:00am at Saint Joseph's Hospital.  Mother's with babies of all ages are welcome!  Weight checks and breastfeeding support will be offered.

For more information, visit 



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