Guest post from Tierra Link, Lactation Consultant at Mosaic Community Health.
Happy World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1-7) to all the dedicated mothers and partners working so diligently to breastfeed their babies!
Whether you are a first-time breastfeeding mom or a mother who has breastfed multiple babies, there is always something new to learn along your breastfeeding journey. Breastfeeding is one of the most natural things in the world, but it does not always come easily. Getting the hang of breast feeding can take some time. In the early days of lactation so many questions may arise: is this normal? Is it supposed to feel like this? Am I doing something wrong?
My favorite phrase is “We don’t know what we don’t know” and when we do not know the best routes to find certain information, we can feel lost. Yes, we can always use information found on the internet, but is it reputable? Is the information factual? How does this information apply to my situation? With breastfeeding the best place to get information is from your local International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. IBCLC’s are breastfeeding specialists. Many hospitals have lactation consultants on staff to help mothers right after birth with breastfeeding. Every mother and baby can schedule a lactation visit.
Your lactation consultant will be able to answer any questions about breastfeeding you may have, no matter how small it may seem. From birth to late toddlerhood your lactation consultant can be there every step of the way to answer questions that may arise. From trouble with latching or painful latch, nursing your premature infant, insufficient supply, over supply, nursing babies with special needs, exclusive pumping, return to work, milk cessation and so much more. Wherever you are in your breastfeeding journey your lactation consultant can help.
Every mother’s breastfeeding journey is different, and every mother may have different breastfeeding goals. Whatever your goals may be, your lactation consultant can help create plans tailored specifically for you and your baby.
At Mosaic Community Health we have lactation services five days a week with two International Board Certified Lactation Consultants always on staff:
Mosaic offers lactation services in person, or via telephone as appropriate, so you will always be able to have your needs met. Same day availability is also available, as we know that when you need lactation help timing is key. Our lactation consultants can also travel to clinics closer to you as Mosaic has locations in Bend, Redmond, Prineville and Madras.
Breastfeeding facts and myths
FACT: Your breastmilk can change color.
Normally we see a whitish color, but milk can also be yellow, green, pink, and even blue! These colors can all indicate different things that may be happening inside the breast/body.
MYTH: You can’t breastfeed if your nipples are flat or inverted.
Some women have flat or inverted nipples, this is not a contraindication for breast feeding. You can absolutely breastfeed. Your lactation consultant can give you tips for latching and how to make your nipples evert for easier latching.
FACT: Colostrum is very beneficial for your newborn.
This yellow sticky milk is the first milk our bodies make after delivery. It is rich in immunoglobulins which help your newborns immune system which has not yet developed. Colostrum helps line the gut with a protective layer that prevents bacteria from being absorbed. It also helps the growth of good bacteria which our bodies need to fight infections.
MYTH: The larger your breasts the more milk you will make or your breasts are too small to make milk.
The size of your breasts has no determining factors on how much milk you will make. It all depends on glandular tissue (milk making tissue) inside your breast not the actual size of your breasts.
FACT: Breastfeeding has health benefits not only for baby but mother as well!
The longer a woman breastfeeds it can reduce their rates of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes
Reach out to our Mosaic team to schedule an appointment with our lactation consultants! Call us at 541-383-3005
To learn more about breastfeeding, we recommend visiting this website for WIC: https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/
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