Pregnancy And Breastfeeding Body Art

Body Art is an ancient and outward expression of admiration, adoration, loyalty, homage, pride, commitment, gratitude, fanaticism, obsession, infatuation, love, lust, and sometimes lunacy. Although tattoos have been traced back to Neolithic times, they have not always been viewed as acceptable in Western society. Over the past several decades, tattoos have made a resurgence in America, and have transitioned from low class to upscale, from the jail house to the board room, and from discreet to prominently placed. Today, with tattoo-inspired reality shows, magazines, museums, festivals, and even Barbie dolls, it is common to be "tattooed and employed", and even more common to be tattooed and pregnant, or tattooed and breastfeeding. It is thought that nearly 33% of Americans under the age of 30 have at least one tattoo. 

Mrs. M. Stevens Wagner, one of the earliest Tattooed Ladies that performed in the circus sideshows, 1907

This increase in popularity, visibility, accessibility, and acceptability, means that more and more women of childbearing age are feeling free, and maybe even compelled to wear their hearts... and everything else, AS a sleeve, literally. As with nearly anything related to pregnancy and breastfeeding, having tattoos, and getting tattooed during these times are controversial. The primary concern with getting a tattoo during the childbearing year(s) is the risk of contracting an infection, such as Hepatitis B and HIV. Although the risk is small, it is commonly recommended that you postpone your next tattoo until your family, and you breastfeeding journey are complete. 

Henna Tattoo

According to The American Pregnancy Association,"Little information is available about the safety of skin dyes used for tattooing during pregnancy. It is possible that the chemicals in the dye may affect the development of the baby during the first 12 weeks. However, the risks are unknown, as are any effects on the baby during the remainder of the pregnancy. Some women may have also heard that if they have a tattoo on their back, they will be unable to get an epidural. Very few studies have been done on the risks that could exist for women who have back tattoos and receive an epidural. So far none of these studies have conclusively found any data that indicates there are risks, so most anesthesiologists have no problem giving an epidural to a woman with a back tattoo."

Amazing C-Section Scar Tattoos

Breathtaking C-Section Scar Tattoos

According to La Leche League International, "It is very important to screen the tattooist and the shop carefully, checking with the local health department for local laws and regulations. Professional tattooists will follow universal precautions such as sterilization of the tattoo machine using an autoclave, single-use inks, ink cups, gloves and needles, bagging of equipment to avoid cross contamination, and thorough hand washing with disinfectant soap. Most tattooists will not knowingly tattoo a pregnant or breastfeeding mother. It is suggested that mothers wait at least until the child's first birthday to give their bodies a chance to recover completely from childbirth before getting a tattoo." 

Story: Court Battle Over Breastfeeding Mom's New Tattoo

T. C. Poole, Memphis, TN

Tattoo Risk While Breastfeeding

However, there are many pregnant and breastfeeding moms who, after taking certain common sense precautions, fearlessly, and unapologetically choose not to wait. What To Expect reminds us that: "A new tattoo that looks symmetrical on your 15 weeks pregnant skin might become lopsided or distorted after you regain your pre-pregnancy shape — if you opt to get it in a spot that’s prone to expand during pregnancy, like your belly or your side, that is. There’s also the potential for stretch marks, which could appear smack in the middle of your new design (most common locations: abdomen, buttocks, breasts and thighs)." 

This Breastfeeding Mom Isn't Feeling It!

Can You Get A Tattoo While Breastfeeding? 

This Mom and Lactation Consultant Offers These Facts

Tattoos And Breastfeeding: Is It Safe? What Are The Risks by The Milk Meg

Piercings, Tattoos, And Tattoo Removal 

According to Breastfeeding Today, "It is estimated that 20% of people who get tattoos later regret the decision and wish to have them removed (M. Armstrong et al., 2008). The medical literature says little regarding the safety of tattoo removal while breastfeeding. Tattoo removal is accomplished with the use of Q-switched lasers. The laser causes the tattoo pigment to fragment into smaller particles that are picked up by the immune system and filtered out via the lymphatic system. The most common side effects include pigmentation changes, local infection (due to not following the aftercare regimen) and possible allergic reaction to the ink that is now “free” in the mother’s system. However it is unknown whether the ink particles can enter into breast milk (Kaatz et al., 2008; Vasold et al., 2008)."

15 Breastfeeding Tattoos To Commemorate Your Breastfeeding Journey

18 Tattoos That Capture The Magic Of Breastfeeding 

Heartwarming Breastfeeding Tattoos

Show us your Mommy Ink! What's been your experience with tattoos during mommyhood? 

Living With Lupus... As A Mother

We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way. -- Gloria Gaither

Pregnancy and motherhood come with their own set of challenges. From impossible fatigue to seemingly endless aches and pains, new mothers experience a wide array of symptoms that can make the whole mom thing less than fun. However, when those common symptoms are exacerbated by the pain, inflammation, irritation, respiratory distress, and suceptible immunity of lupus, there are many other factors to consider, for mothers, her child, and her circle of support.

What Is Lupus? 

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder, wherein damaged cells of the immune system attack healthy cells of multiple systems, leading to inflammation, joint pain, and skin rashes, in addition to kidney, heart, lung, nerve, and liver damage, in severe cases. Digestive issues and anemia are also areas of concern. All over, and usually, symmetrical joint pain is often the first sign. There may also be a common "butterfly" rash across the face, along with other skin irritations, sensitivities to the sun, and mouth ulcers. In fact, the entire integumentary system may be affected in the form of scaly skin, brittle nails, and patchy hair loss. Another symptom is unrelenting and debilitating fatigue, often with a low-grade fever. Lupus shares many symptoms with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Sjögren's syndrome, and other autoimmune conditions. A battery of lab tests and history help to diagnose lupus. Women are 10 times more likely to get lupus than men, and women who are African-American, between the ages of 20-40, and related to someone with lupus, are more more likely to get the he incurable condition, than other groups. The symptoms of lupus come and go, present themselves one at a time, altogether, or in any combination, and can be treated by addressing its multiple symptoms with corticosteroid pills or cremes, NSAIDs, and antimalarial medications. People living with lupus are at an increased risk of developing heart disease and having a stroke. 

Lupus- What Is It? 

Lupus and Fertility 

Lupus alone does not create issues with fertility. During the preconception period, a woman with lupus should meet with a rheumatologist, perinatologist, and a pediatric cardiologist, in order to discuss risks and options for both mother and child, including finding a hospital that specializes in specialized infant care. Hopeful mothers should adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to minimize lupus-related symptoms. Women who conceive while symptoms are in remission are less likely to have complications during pregnancy. While fewer than 50% of lupus pregnancies have complications, all pregnant women with lupus are considered high risk. Planning pregnancies while living with lupus is important.

Lupus and Self-Care 

Lupus and Pregnancy

The pregnancy complications associated with lupus include an increased risk of miscarriage, still birth, prematurity, preeclampsia, and HELLP syndrome.  In order to monitor and decrease these risks, more frequent doctors' visits are necessary and eventual bedrest is likely. All pregnancies are different. Some will require treatment early on to adjust medication levels, while others require frequent monitoring after the first trimester, in order to check for blood clots, blood pressure, fetal growth, and offer reassurance, often via ultrasound. The physiological demands of pregnancy can often place extra stress on the mother's heart, liver, and kidneys. Expectant mothers and their partners should be extra vigilant about lupus flares. Although they are rare during pregnancy, they often appear as exaggerated signs of pregnancy, including fatigue, joint swelling, fluid accumulation, skin changes, and hair changes. Just as in a normal pregnancy, nutrition, weight management, and rest are essential for an optimal birth outcome.

Neonatal Lupus

Most babies born to women with lupus are born healthy, when full-term. Those that are born prematurely, are at risk for the same heart, lung, digestion, and growth complications as other preemies. In very rare cases, the newborn can have neonatal lupus, which may mimic mom's symptoms of skin rashes, anemia, or liver problems. These symptoms usually go away after a few months and do not cause permanent damage. If a newborn presents with a heart condition related to neonatal lupus, the prognosis is more concerning. 

Autoimmune Disorders and Breastfeeding 

Breastfeeding and Postpartum 

Lupus itself does not prevent breastfeeding and since lupus is not contagious, it cannot be passed to the baby through breast milk. However, new mothers may still experience breastfeeding challenges. For example, if the mother was very sick or medicated at the end of her pregnancy, she may have difficulty producing milk right away, especially if the birth was premature, as nearly 50% of lupus-pregnancies are. In this case, be patient, seek assistance from a lactation professional (early and often), continue to express milk, be available for kangaroo care, and ask for donor milk. A pre-term infant may have developmental challenges that make breastfeeding complex, but also very important. Along with the numerous well-known benefits of breastmilk, the milk of a mother with lupus, has properties that may help decrease the risk of the infant developing lupus later in life. In addition to utilizing the services of a lactation consultant, a new mother with lupus may 
consider hiring a postpartum doula to help manage physical recovery, baby care, and home care. As mentioned earlier, symptoms may be surpressed during the pregnancy, but the stress of motherhood could contribute to a flare up after the birth, especially if the child is fragile, or when the mother returns to work. 

15 Reasons To Call A Lactation Consultant 

Nutrition 

Nutritional choices neither cause, nor cure lupus, however, healthy food choices are an integral part of the overall treatment plan, especially during pregnancy. As a general rule, the diet should be well-balanced, anti-inflammatory  consisting of vegetables, fruits, oily fish, and limited amounts of whole grains, lean poultry, and beef. Avoiding the major inflammation causing foods, is as equally important. The goal of nutrition is to reduce inflammation and other symptoms, maintain strong joints and muscles, minimize side effects of medications, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease. 

Foods That CAUSE Inflammation 

Mental Health and Self-Care

Like many chronic illnesses, depression and anxiety are a risk for those living with lupus. The unpredictable pain, in combination with the emotional stress of coping with daily obligations, can often be too much to bear without intervention or support. It is vital that a self-care plan includes stress & pain management, regular exercise, a balanced diet, social support, rest, and regular mental health assessments. 

If you know a mother who is living with lupus, reach out to her and offer a bit more support than you have been, regardless of the age of her children. She's probably more tired than the average mother. If you know a woman with lupus who is trying to conceive, check in with her to make sure that she's making healthy choices the majority of the time. If you are a mother living with lupus, know that we think the world of you, we are cheering for you, and we support you and your amazing self. Take care. 

Yo! Microphone Check One, Two! What Is This?! Phife Dawg, Diabetes, and Maternal Wellness!

So nowadays I go and see wifey just to cure me from stress

Lay my head on her breast, Sugar Dumpling knows best

Explaining all my problems to her, gettin' things off my chest
A lil hug up, squeeze up and no more am I vexed
Aye yo Sun, without my peeps I'd be truly assed out
Making sure I have my medications so I wouldn't pass out 
~Stressed Out, Phife Dawg, A Tribe Called Quest 

Now Here's a Funky Introduction of How Nice I Am... 

Before I was a mother, childbirth educator, yogini, nutritionist, or lactivist, I was hip-hop. Although I grew up in suburban Ohio, and attended a Catholic school, I was deeply connected to hip-hop (even if just in my heart and mind). I was in a breakdancing group, where my classical ballet, tap, and gymnastics lessons helped me to stand out; I had a rap alias: Def Lady J; I memorized and recited other artists' rhymes in my sparer time- many of which I still know; I spent every dime of my allowance in the brand new, but very tiny, rap section of my local record store; between 1987 and 1992, my mother made sure that I didn't miss a rap concert within the tri-state area... and I sold dubbed copies of songs that weren't available in stores- I'm still not revealing my sources, but I don't  get down like that anymore. Today, I'm always blasting Backspin and marauding for ears at classic Hip-Hop Karaoke events. I love and live this stuff.

Check The Rhyme

Hip-Hop Karaoke

Heartbeats & Hip-Hop

My Aura's Positive, I Don't Promote No Junk

Why does any of this matter, and what does any of it have to do with maternal health and wellness? Last week, beloved lyricist, and member of the quintessential rap group, A Tribe Called Quest, Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor, passed away at the age of 45, after a 25+ year battle with juvenile diabetes. Even though his struggles with the incurable disease have been largely public and referenced in his own rhimes, interviews, and the terribly difficult-to-digest documentary Beats, Rhymes, and Life, the hip-hop community was still buggin' out that the 5 Foot Assassin had met his final day. In the middle of the night, as I cruised the Internet for information to share with my new and expectant moms, I saw the first posts and tweets about the Funky Diabetic. I initially prayed that it was one of those sick Internet jokes. It wasn't. Phife is gone. It is difficult to accept that our contemporaries, those whom we've watched grow up, are now too soon passing away from health related conditions: J-Dilla,  Guru, Nate Dogg, Heavy D, DJ EZ Rock, Sean Price, and (maybe) Chris Lighty. Now Phife Dawg adds to that number and brings subject of diabetes to the forefront. It's time to expand the subject matter that touches everybody, so that it reaches everybody. 

Atlanta's Traffic Reporter Mark Arum Is On Point With This Phife Dawg Tribute

Styles Upon Styles Upon Styles... 
Three Types of Diabetes

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus (DM), is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Individuals with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia). There are three types of diabetes: Gestational, Adult Onset. and Juvenile- the latter was Phife's kryptonite.

Gestational diabetes begins when a pregnant woman's hormones interfere with her ability to make and use all the insulin she needs for growing her baby. Gestational diabetes affects a mother late in pregnancy who is often asymptomatic; therefore pregnant women are routinely tested for this condition during their second trimester. The condition shows up in women not previously diagnosed with diabetes. It typically resolves after the birth of the baby, but the mother is now at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes, while the child is at a greater risk of being a "big baby", becoming obese, and also developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Having a big baby (8 lbs. 3 oz., or heavier) can lead to additional discomforts toward the end of the pregnancy, and long term pelvic floor damage beyond pregnancy. More importantly, women with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop preeclampsia, be on bedrest, go into preterm labor, request an epidural, be induced, receive an episiotomy (or natural tear), or have a planned or emergency C-section. Incidentally, all of these complications can make breastfeeding more challenging. However, breastfeeding decreases the risk of the infant developing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, so ask for help from a lactation consultant early and often. 

{Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys. Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a woman whose blood pressure had been normal. Even a slight rise in blood pressure may be a sign of preeclampsia. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious — even fatal — complications for both you and your baby. If you have preeclampsia, the only cure is delivery of your baby}

During the process of vaginal birth, this big baby is at a greater risk for nerve damage, shoulder injury, or even brain injury. If a woman’s diabetes was not well controlled during pregnancy, her baby can very quickly develop low blood sugar after birth. The baby’s blood sugar must be watched for several hours after delivery. Often gestational diabetes can be controlled through eating healthy foods and regular exercise. Sometimes a woman with gestational diabetes must also take insulin during pregnancy. Even if the diabetes does go away after the baby is born, half of all women who had gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later. It's important for a woman who has had gestational diabetes to continue to exercise and eat a healthy diet after pregnancy to prevent or delay getting type 2 diabetes. She should also remind her doctor to check her blood sugar every 1 to 3 years.

20 Essential Songs By A Tribe Called Quest

I Drink A Lot Of Soda, So They Call Me Dr. Pepper 
Diabetes Type 2

Adult onset, or Type 2 Diabetes, is the most common type. The name can be misleading as more American children are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes because of our high sugar and high fat diets, along with our increasingly sedentary lifestyles. In type 2 diabetes, the body produces more blood sugar than it is able to use efficiently, without overtaxing other organs. There are many factors that can place an individual at risk for type 2 diabetes, including a genetic predisposition, extra weight, excess glucose from the liver, poor communication between cells, and metabolic syndrome.

{Metabolic Syndrome describes a group of conditions including insulin resistance, high blood glucose, extra fat around the waist, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high triglycerides, that increases the risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke}

Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), have given birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds, or as mentioned previously, gestational diabetes, are also at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Over time, mismanaged blood sugar can cause complications with the heart, arteries, veins, kidneys, eyes, nerves, digestion, libido, wound healing, and of course pregnancy. Having type 2 diabetes at the onset of pregnancy can cause birth defects early in the formation of the baby, unlike gestational diabetes, which does not begin to complicate the pregnancy until after the baby has already been formed. Type 2 diabetes is also a risk factor for preeclampsia and its associated issues. Embracing a general healthy lifestyle can decrease in one's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Enjoying a well-balanced, nutrient dense, low sugar, low-fat diet; exercising regularly; managing weight and  stress; getting adequate rest; and not smoking; are ways to minimize the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as reversing it if a diagnosis has already been given. 

Random Facebook Conversation Among Some Headz, Just Days Before Phife's Transition

When's The Last Time You Heard A The Funky Diabetic? 

Diabetes Type 1

Phife was diagnosed with the less common, but more complicated Type 1 Diabetes, a few months before his 20th birthday. His grandmother, a nurse, recognized one of the signs (frequent urination) and tested him after a show. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, the hormone needed to get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells. Type 1 diabetes is incurable and is not preventable. There are known factors that increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, including a family history and genetic susceptibility. There are additional risk factors, including Viral exposure: Exposure to Epstein-Barr virus, coxsackie virus, rubella or cytomegalovirus may trigger the autoimmune destruction of the islet cells, or the virus may directly infect the islet cells. Low vitamin D levels: Research suggests that vitamin D may protect against type 1 diabetes. However, early intake of cow's milk — a common source of vitamin D — has been linked to an increased risk of type 1 diabetes. Other dietary factors: Drinking infant formula and water that contains nitrates may increase the risk of type 1 diabetes. The timing of the introduction of cereal into a baby's diet also may affect a child's risk of type 1 diabetes. Between the ages 5 and 7 months appears to be the optimal time for introducing foods. The current recommendation is to skip rice cereal altogether, and certainly, DO NOT put it in a bottle with breastmilk or formula, no matter what Nana says! Proper education on maternal and infant nutrition, could help to decrease the numbers of those affected by diabetes, and save billions of dollars in health care costs.

Skip The Rice Cereal! Start With These Foods Instead!

Can I Kick It? (Yes You Can!)

Lifestyle Management

It is often a challenge to talk about health conditions that can be managed by lifestyle changes, without making the individual or parent feel guilty or defensive. Diabetes- all types- is one of those conditions. Type 1 diabetes can affect nearly every major system in your child's body, including the heart, blood vessels, nerves, intestines, eyes, bones, immunity, and kidneys. Long-term complications of type 1 diabetes develop gradually, so it is important to stay on alert of even subtle changes in health. Eventually, if blood sugar levels aren't well-controlled, diabetes complications may be disabling or even life-threatening, requiring dialysis or kidney transplant. Phife had both. The good news is that keeping the blood sugar level close to normal most of the time can dramatically reduce the risk of these complications. Maintaining a healthy diet, that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting processed, high fat, high caloric, and high sugar foods, is a great first step. Eating on schedule, exercising regularly, checking insulin, taking medication, and resting well, are other important ways to manage type 1 diabetes.

Rare Phife Dawg Freestyle From 1999

Stressed Out, Stressed Out 
Other Considerations

People with diabetes have an increased risk of depression and anxiety, which may be why many diabetes specialists regularly include a social worker or psychologist as part of their diabetes care team. Women with any type of diabetes during pregnancy are at an increased risk for developing postpartum depression, and should be assessed and monitored accordingly.

When it comes to diabetes and infertility, there IS a connection for both men and women. In men, DM is a triple threat to fertility. It causes erectile dysfunction, lowers testosterone and libido, and reduces ejaculate volume. For women, diabetes alone does not keep them from getting pregnant, but it often times keeps them from staying pregnant. In many cases, “a woman with higher than normal glucose levels does get pregnant month after month. Unfortunately her diabetes status prevents that embryo from implanting in the uterus, causing a miscarriage before she ever realizes she is pregnant.” In this case, the diabetes isn’t preventing conception, but is preventing an ongoing pregnancy. High glucose levels are reported to increase a woman’s chances of miscarriage by 30-60%. If a couple is having fertility issues, insulin levels may be the culprit.

Prediabetes is a “pre-diagnosis” of diabetes— a warning sign. Take heed! It’s when your blood glucose level is higher than normal, but it’s not high enough to be considered diabetes. Prediabetes is an indication that you could develop type 2 diabetes if you don’t make serious lifestyle changes. It is possible to prevent prediabetes from developing into type 2 diabetes. Consistently eating healthy food, losing weight, and being physically active can help you bring your blood glucose level back into the normal range.

Phife As A Spokesperson For Diabetes 

With All These Trials And Tribulations, Yo! I've Been Affected

Addressing prevention or lifestyle management in the time of a loved-one's passing, or failing health, can seem calloused or accusatory, but I feel confident that Phife himself would want his illness and subsequent transition to be used to benefit others. He spoke often about not taking his health seriously but wanting to help others. He had been very candid about having challenges managing his diet, exercise, and rest needs. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle may not be easy or convenient, initially, but it does not have to be dull or restrictive. In fact, it is nothing more than the lifestyle from which we could all benefit every day. The routine can become second nature, especially within a supportive environment. It is essential for all of us to be educated about how and why we need to make healthy choices and encourage our favorite mothers, children, and hip-hop icons to do the same. For Phife, let's all eat and move like our lives depend on it.

Put One Up For The Phifer, It's Time To Decipher

The Ills of the World Make The Situation Lighter

Phife Dawg's Final Interview and Flow

Rest in Peace, Power, and Love

Phife for Life!

7 Things Every Breastfeeding Mother Actually Needs

Behind every successful woman, is a tribe of other successful women who have her back. 

At 2 o'clock this morning, as I ended a text conversation and sent happy thoughts to a new, but frustrated breastfeeding mom, for whom I had just provided lactation support, I ran across this adorable blib about 7 Things Every Breastfeeding Mother Needs. Exhausted, yet intrigued, I opened the article and discovered a gear-happy list of super cool niceties, but very few necessities. Here is a more accurate list of actual needs, not stuff. 

SELF-EFFICACY

The belief that you can, along with the internal desire to, breastfeed is of paramount importance. Several ongoing studies have even determined that self-efficacy is the number ONE predictor of breastfeeding success. Confidence? That's it? It may sound wonky, but simply believing that your body is sufficient to feed your baby is enough to overcome many of the challenges that breastfeeding presents... with additional support. 

Breastfeeding, Mood, and Self-Efficacy

IRON CLAD SUPPORT

Because breastfeeding is natural, but not always easy, challenges may certainly arise. A strong support system, including direct access to experienced breastfeeding mothers; a partner who understands and respects your decision; a peer support group such as Breastfeeding USA, La Leche League, ROSE Community Transformers, or a Baby Cafe'; and health care providers that inquire about your breastfeeding journey and can refer you to a lactation consultant, if necessary. 

What Is A Baby Cafe'?

BREASTFEEDING EDUCATION

Expectant moms are in information overload. We all are, but especially expectant and new moms. They are in a position to make seriously life-altering decisions at every turn, and each mother, whether it's what she feeds herself, what kinds of exercises she performs, or what she feeds her baby, wants to make informed decisions, based on sound evidence. While online support, peer support groups, books, and childbirth education classes can be important resources for providing information about breastfeeding, attending a specific breastfeeding education class, taught by a trained breastfeeding educator, will help separate myths from facts, and present timeless, current, biological, physiological, emotional, and economical information about breastfeeding. 

Blossom's Bookstore

BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY ATTIRE

Before the concept was laid out in any business school text book, breastfeeding moms and babies followed the simple principle of supply and demand. The more often the baby is at the breast, or the more often a mother expresses her milk, the more milk the mother will make. Every 2-3 hours is the recommendation and biological norm, especially early on. Therefore, having easy and frequent access to the breasts is essential in providing piece of mind, burning the day and overnight. It does not have to be fancy, expensive, or specifically for nursing, but it does need to be accessible... and machine or hand washable. 

How Breastfeeding Changes As Baby Gets Older 

KNOWLEDGE OF WORTH, RIGHTS, AND BENEFITS

I can't remember hearing about so many breastfeeding stories in the news and on social media, before  I bacame a breastfeeding mother, but my goodness, they are everywhere, everyday. Breastfeeding mothers need to understand that their bodies were made for breastfeeding, and that breastfeeding extends beyond just providing nutrition for the baby. Infants and toddlers nurse for a variety of reasons, and it's important for mom (and others) to understand that during times when nursing seems otherwise excessive or unnecessary. It's also essential for a mother to understand where she can nurse, which in all but one state, is anywhere that the mom is legally able to be. There are also many insurance and tax benefits related to breastfeeding, such as covered breast pumps and refunds for breastfeeding service and supplies. 

What Are The Breastfeeding Laws In My State?

A RETURN TO WORK (and get out of the house) PLAN

The United States is the only industrial country that does not mandate maternity leave, paid or otherwise. As a result, many mothers return to work earlier than ideal, in terms of establishing a milk supply. Even if a mother does have a paid leave, but plans to breastfeed beyond her leave, it is important for her to talk with her employer about breaks and logistics for pumping or nursing, as well as space for storage. There are federal and state- specific laws to protect breastfeeding mothers and guide employers in the workplace, but they are not well known and often subject to interpretation. The mother needs to let her boss and co-workers know that although her day may look somewhat different for a while, she is still a valuable employee who will be much more productive knowing that she is able to continue providing for her child in a supportive environment. She also needs to help caregivers, baby-sitters, and day care providers understand the frequency, duration, volume, and storage considerations of breast milk and the breastfeeding child. 

Childcare and Breastfeeding

TIME. PATIENCE. NUTRITION. REST. 

For the sake of paralleling the initial article, we will keep the list to 7. These final four can be related. In many cultures, the postpartum period is considered a sacred time, where the new mother is wholly cared for, as she nurtures and nourishes her new child. These traditions give mothers the opportunity to get to know her child, her body, their routine, and the baby's feeding cues. It also allows her to recuperate, not just from labor and the birth process, but also the entire pregnancy. Providing a new mother with ample water and nutrient dense foods, that she does not have to prepare herself, is ideal as she is using everything within her to nourish her child. Helping with their children and chores is of great benefit as well. 

Whether you are currently breastfeeding, intending to breastfeed, still discovering the benefits of breastfeeding, or are in a position to support a breastfeeding mother, please take note and evaluate whether all of these things are in place. If they are not, make them happen. Perhaps you can combine the lists and make for the trendiest and most supported breastfeeding mother ever!

It's International Women's Day! Birth, Breastfeeding, Babywearing!

Here's to strong women! May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them. ~Unknown

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labor movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.

Since those early years, International Women's Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women's movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women's conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women's rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.

Learn More...

Celebrate With Wonder Woman and Lois Lane 

Of course, at Blossom Health and Maternal Wellness, we are choosing to celebrate International Women's Day by focusing on birth, breastfeeding, and baby-wearing traditions and images from around the world.

BIRTH HISTORY

World Birthing Traditions
The experience of giving birth is both universal and unique all at once. Although women have been doing it since the dawn of humanity, the process, politics and social norms around pregnancy and birth have evolved as medical practitioners and mothers become more experienced in birthing methods.

Historical and Traditional Birthing Positions 

In hospitals of the "developed" world, the vast majority of women give birth in a flat-on-the-back, semi-reclining, or semi-sitting position. Why do women use these passive positions and not more active positions like upright, kneeling, squatting, all-fours, side-lying, or asymmetric positions, which have historically been favored by many cultures?

MIDWIFE HISTORY

A Brief History of Midwifery

Midwives have been part of the human experience for as long as we know.”The ancient Jews called her the wise woman, just as she is known in France as the sage-femme, and in Germany, the weise frau and also Hebamme or mother’s adviser, helper, or friend. The English ‘midwife’ is derived from Middle English “mit wif, or with-woman”(J.H. Aveling). The Latin term cum-mater and the Spanish and Portuguese term comadre, have the same meaning: with woman.

Granny Midwives of the South

Up until the mid-20th century, when obstetricians and hospitals became the primary location for delivery, these midwives provided most of the care for poor and rural pregnant women--black and white--throughout the South. Granny midwives were healers trained in their communities, a legacy of slavery but also central to health care during segregation. 

BREASTFEEDING IN AMERICA  

25 Historical Images That Normalize Breastfeeding 

Proof that the “as-long-as-you-cover-up” mentality hasn’t been around for very long.

Black Wet Nurses And The Negative Connotations That Surrounds Them
When someone thinks of a black wet nurse, they don’t think of the ideal of a nurturing maternal figure. Rather, the modern black woman thinks of the idea of being a nurse or even of the notion of breastfeeding in general as evoking a visceral reaction akin to swallowing spoiled milk. Yet, the white ideal of breastfeeding evokes nostalgia, especially when it concerns black nursemaids—so much so that a “mammy” figure is used to sell syrup bottles in the twenty-first century. For the black woman, being subjected to the cruel, inhumane job of being a nursemaid still causes posttraumatic stress disorder so much so that it affects their quality of life.

The Distant Echoes of Slavery

“There were some older black women who wanted to disassociate themselves from the past, from slavery and the wet-nursing,” she said, explaining that often young slave women were impressed into giving their milk to white infants.

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