Mother’s health first step to better breastfeeding
A mother was recently charged in the USA for passing cocaine to her infant daughter, via her breast milk. How does drinking alcohol, smoking or taking drugs affect a baby’s ability to breastfeed?
All substances to which a mother is exposed/has consumed will pass through the breastmilk in varying degrees to her breastfed child. This may affect the baby’s health, ability to breastfeed or the mother’s ability to care for her baby.
ABA has useful information pages for reference on alcohol, nicotine and drug usage: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/safe-when-breastfeeding
For more specific information on use of any consumed substances refer to one of the state drug helplines: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/drugs.html What kind of lifestyle and diet choices can a mum make to help breastfeeding along?
Eating a balanced diet with everything in moderation - maintain mum’s normal diet
Avoiding or limiting/timing use of alcohol and nicotine
Taking any prescribed or over-the-counter medications as medically directed
Regular contact with medical practitioner/ obstetrician
Ongoing rapport with midwife and child health nurse
Professional breastfeeding support from lactation consultants and breastfeeding counsellors Personal support from partner, family and friends Without ingesting substances from the mother, what other types of issues can a baby present with, which will impact on its ability to breastfeed? Pre-term birth Caesarean delivery Jaundice Tongue and lip ties Birth trauma/interventions What are some of the common problems mums face when trying to feed a newborn?
Sore nipples and low (or perceived low) supply. Whereas highly sensitive nipples are a normal sensation caused by high hormonal levels, sore or damaged nipples are not – they commonly indicate that attachment is not as good as it could be. Low supply can be caused by a lack of adequate breast stimulation due to poor breastfeeding attachment, separation from the baby or scheduled feeds. Tiredness is a very common problem as mothers are recovering from the birth in the early days. Information overload causes confusion and anxiety as parents are often bombarded with advice from all fronts and struggle to decipher which of that information is credible and what will actually work in their circumstances. What kind of space at home is ideal to breastfeed?
There is no one answer – wherever it is convenient and comfortable for the mother. Keep anything mum needs/likes to have close to her when feeding, eg, drink, snacks, phone, etc. To some mums, the right space means lying in bed, others may prefer to sit up in a kitchen chair. Some revel in being surrounded by family and friends, others only want to feed in a quiet and private area. Some mums only like to feed their newborns at home, other mums are perfectly content and happy feeding at a football match. Whatever works for mum and her baby and feels right for them is the best space. What can a mother do to prepare herself for breastfeeding?
In lactation circles, it is generally believed that the main preparation for breastfeeding during the antenatal period is to learn as much as possible about normal breastfeeding and normal newborn behaviour before the baby is born. Booking into an antenatal breastfeeding class ensures parents are accessing accurate up-to-date breastfeeding information. Another reliable source of current evidence-based information is the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) website www.breastfeeding.asn.au
If a mother has existing hormonal issues or is aware she will deliver early or have birth interventions, she may consider expressing some colostrum to store in the freezer from about 36 weeks as a “just in case” measure
Mothers with true inverted nipples may find special techniques helpful although evidence shows that breastfeeding itself usually helps to invert them more. How soon before a baby is born should a mother contact a lactation consultant?
Booking into an antenatal breastfeeding class especially for a first baby has been identified as an excellent way of empowering parents with confidence and specific breastfeeding knowledge on which they can draw when living the reality of life with a newborn. A good time to attend a class is during the third trimester.
If you are having health issues during the pregnancy or know you will be having planned birth interventions, eg, an induction, Caesarean birth, an early labour, you are diabetic, or have other hormonal issues, it is highly advisable to consider booking in for an antenatal breastfeeding class or private consultation. NEXT MONTH - Breastfeeding in public and what a lactation consultant does