1. Successful Breastfeeding Exploring the importance of breastfeeding and ways to encourage lactation Vivian Masters, February 1, 2011, HW 499, Michelle Barrack, Kaplan University

2. The choice to breastfeed As women, our bodies are made to feed our infants. Not all women are able to breastfeed. The majority of women who do not breastfeed do not feel comfortable or capable of doing so. The number of medical reasons not to breastfeed are so few, they can be listed on one slide!

3. According to the CDC breastfeeding is not advisable if: The infant is diagnosed with galactosemia, a rare genetic metabolic disorder The infant’s mother: Has been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Is taking antiretroviral medications Has untreated, active tuberculosis Is infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I or type II Is using or is dependent upon an illicit drug Is taking prescribed cancer chemotherapy agents, such as antimetabolites that interfere with DNA replication and cell division Is undergoing radiation therapies; however, such nuclear medicine therapies require only a temporary interruption in breastfeeding (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010)

4. Numbers related to psychosocial reasons for not breast-feeding Only 70% of American women breast-feed By 6 months, only 14% exclusively breast-feed and 36% partially breast-feed At 1 year only 18% of women breast-feed (Edelstein, 2009, p. 71) Top determinants as to whether or not to breast-feed are the baby’s father and maternal grandmother’s opinion’s (Edelstein, 2009, p. 72)

5. According to Breastfeeding.com the first reason mothers give for discontinuing breast-feeding early or supplementing with formula is the perception of not producing enough milk. It is possible that the body has become numb to the experience of pumping and produces less milk but is still adequately feeding the infant. Before discussing the ways to ensure your milk production, lets cover the benefits of breast-feeding.

6. So many reasons for breastfeeding………………….. Benefits to the infant.

7. Boosts for the baby…. Increased bonding to mother. Less tummy aches. Less smelly poop. (that’s really a mommy benefit) Less infections early in life. Less likely to develop juvenile diabetes, MS, heart disease and cancer before 15 (La Leche League, 2010) “The American Dietetic Association (states) that ‘exclusive breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and health protection for the first 6 months of life, and…with complementary foods for at least 12 months…”(Edelstein, 2009, p.42)

8. More reasons to breastfeed Benefits to the mother.

9. Some practical & some vain Its free! Your uterus will contract faster. You will lose pregnancy weight faster. It helps prevent diabetes and breast cancer. You get to eat 300-500 more calories each day!(Edelstein, 2009, p.41) You don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to make a bottle. You are less likely to develop osteoporosis, and breast, uterine and ovarian cancer. (La Leche League, 2010)

11. Drink lots of water.

12. Eat nutritious foods.

13. Breastfeed often. If you are still not producing as much as you would like…..

14. You can try these herbs: Fenugreek Fennel Blessed thistle Vitex (in small doses) Hops Milkwort Goat’s rue Nettle Alfalfa Diffused essential oils of fennel, anise and jasmine (Walls, D., 2009, p.8)

15. Fenugreek Fenugreek and fennel are the two most commonly recommended herbs for milk production. Fenugreek can be taken as 1-3 tablets, 3 times a day, start with a lower dose and increase if necessary. (Breastfeeding.com, 2010) Historically used for menopause, to induce birth and for digestive problems. Today used to lower blood sugar in diabetics. Not enough evidence to support use for increasing milk production. (NCCAM, 2010)

16. Fennel Fennel is taken as a tincture, 1-2 ml, again 3 times a day. Do not take fennel if you have seizures. Fennel is also used to treat coughs, bronchitis, stomach pain , gas, and sinus congestion. (Drug Information Online, 2010) Neither of these are approved by the FDA, you should discuss using them with your doctor. Do Not Use either during pregnancy.

17. References Breastfeeding.com. (2011) How to increase your milk supply. Retrieved on January 26, 2011from: http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/fenugreek/all_about_f enugreek_milk_supply.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010) Breastfeeding. Retrieved on January 31, 2010 from: http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/disease/index.htm. Drug Information Online. (2010) Fennel. Retrieved on January 26, 2010 from: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/fennel.html Edelstein, S. & Sharlin, J. (2009) Life cycle nutrition: An evidence-based approach. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. La Leche League International. (2010) Can I breastfeed my adopted baby? Retrieved on January 26, 2011 from: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/adopt.html

18. References cont. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2010) Herbs at a glance: Fenugreek. Retrieved on January 26, 2011, from: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/fenugreek/index.htm The National Women’s Health Information Center: The Federal Government Source for Women’s Health Information. (2010) Breastfeeding. Retrieved on January 26, 2011 from: http://www.womenshealth.gov/Breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=home Walls, D. (2009). Herbs and Natural Therapies for Pregnancy, Birth and Breastfeeding. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 24(2), 29-37. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.