Back in the days when Mommy Mail newsletter was answering your most current questions, I got a variety of questions on breastfeeding. From the right latching to the right diet, you wanted to get advice on this ever-important subject. So I decided to find a great resource – someone who is not only a lactation professional but an expert in the field. Meet Sara Chana, international board-certified lactation consultant, birthing instructor, classical homeopath and herbalist, and a mother of 7. With over 2500 clinical hours in lactation and 500 clinical hours in classic homeopathy, Sara has helped women by educating them on how to treat their children naturally and how to work with their doctors in tandem in decision making. Sara answers the most common breastfeeding questions moms I know face today.
What can moms do if their milk doesn’t come in quickly enough? There seems to be a lot of frustrations about it.
If babies are latched on properly the baby will not be frustrated. Babies that are delivered with epidurals are often agitated after birth and need to suckle to calm themselves rather than needing more milk.
And what do you recommend to help babies latch on quickly and correctly?
Moms need to RAM the baby on (rapid arm movement), so the mom brings the baby to the breast, and make sure the baby brings the breast into the throat and not just let the baby ‘nipple feed.’ First, start by holding your breast steady and compress it into a pointy shape with your hand. Then, bring your baby “to you”. To accomplish this, support the baby well, holding him along his spine and at the base of his head. Finally, bring the baby onto the breast in a quick-swift motion, allowing the baby to take the breast as deeply into his throat as he can.
So if breastfeeding hurts, does it mean the latching is incorrect or are there other issues?
Mostly it is incorrect latch, but if the woman took antibiotics during the pregnancy or during labor she may have a yeast infection in the ducts of her breasts behind the nipple, so the mother and the doctor will not see the yeast. We know yeast is there because if we treat it and it gets better we know it was yeast.
Sometimes babies latch quickly but not enough milk is produced. What are some remedies you could recommend? What truly helps with milk production?
Most women will produce enough milk if their babies are nursing properly, some women may have low thyroid levels and may have trouble with milk production. Also some women have insufficient glandular tissue, it is rare, but if the woman has it, she will not produce enough milk. Women with this condition have breasts that did not develop properly during their adolescence.
Are there any herbs helpful with milk production?
The herb used to increase breastmilk is Blessed Thistle. It has definitely helped a lot of my moms. The herbs I usually use first are Goats Rue and Fenugreek. Sometimes I mix all three herbs together but I judge each case differently.
The most common question – how do you know when baby is getting enough milk?
Look at the diapers, if babe is taking in the milk then they will have wet and dirty diapers.
Are there any natural solutions/treatments you could recommend for dry, cracked nipples?
We use olive oil in my office if needed but we see if babies are latched on properly they don’t need anything on their nipples. Nipples can crack if the mother has a yeast infection. If that is the case, the mother will need to use an antifungal medication.
Any comment on baby allergies to breastmilk or something in it?
I know that babies do react to foods that the mother ingests. She will not change the quality of her breastmilk with foods, but babies can react to certain proteins in the mothers’ milk. I tell all moms to follow the blood type diet. There was an interesting study done that showed if moms stayed away from all known allergens in the last trimester of their pregnancy and the first 6 months of breastfeeding allergies decreased majorly.
Why are you such a big believer in the blood type diet?
I work with reflux and colic babies. I was working once with a woman who had been everywhere, gastroenterologists, pediatricians and lactation consultants – she had tried everything out there. The baby was still screaming. My office manager was on the Blood Type Diet and was really feeling better. I decided to ask the nursing mother to go on the Blood Type Diet. At first she was hesitant, then decided she’d try it. By the end of the week the baby was so much calmer, after two weeks she felt she had another baby. She was trilled! I would say that around 90% of my colic babies resolve within the first two weeks of the mom going on the diet….That is why I am hooked on it! The Blood Type Diet is surprisingly amazing.
Often babies prefer one breast over another, which causes disbalance. Why does this happen and how can you help the little ones use the milk from both?
Often a woman feels stronger with one arm and then the baby prefers one breast (the side the mother feels more secure with). I suggest those women work with a Lactation Consultant to learn a position that works for both sides.
Many moms go back to work and have to pump. They may find it challenging when it comes to production and going from breast to bottle. Solutions?
Never give a bottle until the baby has really become a ‘champion’ nurser. Once the baby has mastered the breast than it is okay to introduce a bottle, but I never suggest giving a bottle before 6 weeks.
How will pumping affect mom’s supply? Do you have any favorite pumps or pump methods?
I like Medela electric pumps. I like a woman to nurse the baby on one side, then pump out the other side if they need to begin to accumulate a collection.
What’s a solution for an easy transition from breast to bottle (with pumped milk or not)?
All babies that are truly breastfeeding well will be able to learn how to use a bottle. It is important that another care giver other than the nursing mother introduce the bottle to the baby.
What are the biggest dietary restrictions for breastfeeding moms?
Usually milk, orange juice and wheat are the biggies. But some kids get sensitive to tomatoes or peppers. I like moms to eat according to the blood type diet created by Dr. D’Adamo.
Does exercise have any effect on milk production?
I think all breastfeeding mothers should exercise. Unless they are training for the Olympics I would never worry about exercising while nursing.
Nursing and weight loss – a dangerous combination or is it OK?
I like when nursing moms diet, that way they tend to eat lots of fruits and vegetables!!! Just make sure moms are eating enough protein.
Should a sick mom (cold or flu) breastfeed? When is it OK in your opinion?
Yes, it is fine to breastfeed when the mother has a cold or flu, the breastmilk will actually make antibodies to the infection the mother has that will appear in the breastmilk. That way, while breastfeeding, the mother is actually passing on the immunity to the illness she has right in her milk. Amazing.
Formula manufacturers boast various vitamin extras. Even though breast milk is optimal for baby, are there any vitamins that breastfed babies could use in bigger quantities – iron, calcium, etc – and how should they get them?
Breastmilk is perfectly balanced in its vitamin and mineral content. I like moms to make sure they eat healthy foods including fruits and vegetables. Most moms I see need to be supplemented with vitamin D. I’d rather the mother take the vitamins.
At 1 year, what percent of baby’s diet should still be breastmilk?
Sara Chana breastfeeding expert[/caption]Most of the diet should consist of breastmilk, the baby at this age only needs finger food not cereals. Babies at this age need to just taste food for the oral stimuli not fill their tummies. Breastmilk has enough nutrients for babies at age 12 months.
How long should moms breastfeed?
Babies can nurse for a long time. In many places in the world children nurse till age 3 if they are healthy and age 4 if they are not healthy.
Any suggestions for breastfeeding twins? Positioning, order, timing, etc.
Yes, lots and lots, but this question is an article in itself. A mom of twins should get help with a lactation consultant to learn all the “twin tricks.”
Read more about Sara at IBCLC www.sarachana.com or follow her on Twitter: @sarachanas
