Breastfeeding/Chesteeding Support Archives

Posted on August 20, 2023August 20, 2023 by Dr. Sophia Sokolowski, ND — Leave a comment

Embracing Feeding Journeys

by Dr. Sophia Sokolowski, ND

Parenthood is a journey of many colors, and navigating the path of feeding your little one can bring both joys and challenges. If you’re facing obstacles along the way, remember that you’re part of a community that understands.

Here are 5 tips to support your journey:

Connect with Supportive Hearts: Seek support from trusted sources, be it friends, family, or lactation consultants. Sharing experiences and insights can offer comfort and guidance.
Find Your Unique Approach: Just as every child is unique, so is your journey. Explore different feeding positions, techniques, and schedules to discover what feels right for both you and your little one.
Prioritize Self-Care: Taking care of yourself is a vital part of this journey. Nourish your body, stay hydrated, and rest when possible. A well-cared-for parent is better equipped to nurture their child.
Build Confidence: Trust your instincts and choices. Believe in your ability to provide what your child needs, whether through lactation, bottle-feeding, or a combination of methods.
Celebrate Every Victory: Progress takes many forms. Celebrate each successful feeding, no matter how small. Every ounce of nourishment shared is a triumph.

Remember, your journey is valid and unique, embracing the beautiful diversity of parenthood and feeding. Let’s uplift each other, sharing wisdom and support. You’ve got this!

Want to get prepared for pregnancy, birth and postpartum? Grab our free Bump to Baby Checklist! This clear and thorough guide walks you through everything to expect from your first trimester to past your 6 week postpartum check up.

What tests and screenings will be offered and when
When to sign up for prenatal education and what types to consider
Things you should think about that your care provider may not mention
Links to helpful resources

Posted on April 16, 2023April 16, 2023 by Dr. Melanie Jacobson, ND IBCLC — Leave a comment

Breastfeeding and Caesarian births

by Dr. Melanie Jacobson, NC IBCLC

Did you know a c-section birth can affect your breastfeeding experience?

Caesarian births are associated with delayed lactogenesis II, meaning, a delayed transition of colostrum to breast milk or breast milk ‘coming in’. Also, it can often lead to a delayed initiation of breastfeeding, due to the birthing parent’s recovery, comfort, and stress levels. Under these circumstances, a parent’s commitment to breastfeeding plays a major role in its duration. And let us not forget, a caesarean birth is major surgery, and therefore the parent’s post surgery recovery and mobility must also play a role in the breastfeeding experience. These challenges can be even more impactful if the caesarian birth came after a long exhausting labour.

But the good news is, there are ways to prepare for a c-section birth that can support your breastfeeding journey, as well as steps you can take after the birth!

Below are a few recommendations that parents can use when prepping for their caesarian birth and actions to take afterwards.

Before the birth:

1-Get educated on how breastfeeding works and the steps that you can take to support your experience.

Because of the potential challenges in breastfeeding after a c-section birth, it is so important for new parents to get educated before the birth and understand breastfeeding specifics so that they can pick up where the birth left off, no matter what kind of birth they have. This detailed prenatal breastfeeding education can ideally be done in the third trimester. Regardless of the kind of birth you have, breastfeeding education is invaluable for first-time parents.

Click here to learn more about our Prenatal Lactation course or book in for a prenatal visit with a Lactation Consultant.

2- Have your supports ready to help!

Regardless of the type of birth you have, you will need help. Keeping your supports up to speed with your breastfeeding intentions, will also help them understand where your priorities lie once the baby arrives. They will understand the importance of supporting the parent during the first 2 weeks postpartum as breastfeeding is being initiated. Remind them that you will need extra support with meals, everyday household chores as well as changing, diapering and bathing baby while you rest and work on breastfeeding.

3- Rest, eat and drink healthily and enjoy the days leading up to the birth.

Going into the experience feeling calm and rested may set the tone for your birth experience and certainly help with recovery. If you are having a planned c-section, speak to a birth professional to find out how your recovery can be best supported.

4- For planned caesarians, consider speaking to your OB and local IBCLC about colostrum harvesting.

Colostrum harvesting is when you hand express and freeze colostrum before the birth. This may allow you to use the harvested colostrum at the hospital after the birth to feed baby, along with breastfeeding. Colostrum harvesting must only be done after 37 weeks gestation and must be done under the guidance of your birthing team.

After a c-section birth:

1-Place the baby skin-to-skin with you in the operation room and in the recovery room whenever possible.

If you are feeling drowsy, be sure to have someone with you to help. Otherwise, the baby can be skin-to-skin with the other parent or closest support. Skin-to-skin offers both physical and emotional benefit to both the baby and the birthing parent.

2-Don’t rush your recovery.

The hospital staff will be monitoring your level of comfort and awareness until you feel confident in holding your baby on your own. You may need some time to sit up comfortably to hold your baby. Take your time. Do not rush your progress. You will be able to hold your baby comfortably, in several breastfeeding positions in a couple of days.

3-Allow baby full access to your breasts.

Along with skin-to skin, the suckling, bonding and oxytocin released by having baby latched will help to initiate your breastfeeding journey and feel calmer.

4- Support milk transition and your breast milk supply by:

Frequently stimulating your breasts via breastfeeding.
The football hold may be your best position for the first couple of days if the other holds (cross-cradle, cradle or laid back) hurt your incision. But not to worry, you will be able to try these new positions in a few days.
Be well versed in hand expressing. You can express colostrum even after baby has breastfed and especially if baby was not very active at the breast. A baby born via a surgical birth may be more lethargic, especially if the birth followed a long labour, so expressing your milk might be necessary in the early days.
Skin-to-skin is especially important in the early days so maintain this whenever possible

5- Be gentle and kind with yourself.

You just went through major surgery. Your body will have an easier time to pick up where the birth left off by:

Resting
Nourishing yourself with healthy food
Hydrating with water and warm drinks
Most importantly, having your little one close by to snuggle

Lactation 101-The BEST thing you can do to prepare for Breastfeeding

An online prenatal breastfeeding course that gives you all the tools you need so you can nurse your baby confidently from birth to weaning.

Do you have a Health Benefits Plan? This course may be covered.

Click HERE to book a 15 minute call with me to find out more

DR. MELANIE JACOBSON, ND IBCLC Hi! I’m Melanie Jacobson. Professionally I am a naturopathic doctor and lactation consultant. Personally, I am a wife and mother of 2 amazing girls. I believe that prenatal education and early hands-on support can help new parents feel confident, connected, and empowered through their postnatal and breastfeeding journey. Background and Experience After studying at the University of Toronto and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine to become at naturopathic doctor, I gained valuable international experience in the United Kingdom and Australia. The knowledge and experience acquired from working and living abroad has been indispensable to me as a practitioner and mother. Upon my return to Toronto, I practiced for many years as a Naturopathic Doctor. After having my own children, I received my IBCLC designation to provide lactation consultations and expanded my clinical practice to focus on postnatal wellness and lactation support to families in the west end of Toronto.

Posted on July 5, 2022July 5, 2022 by Dr. Sarah Winward, ND IBCLC — Leave a comment

Nursing Positions

by Dr. Sarah Winward, ND IBCLC

If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you’re doing it a lot. Like a lot, a lot. But so often I notice that parents are getting into weird and uncomfortable positions while latching, and then they have to stay there and hold that for the whole of the feeding. You’ve probably heard me say that breastfeeding should never hurt. That also means that it should never hurt in your neck or your shoulders either. So, I wanted to share with you my top two most comfortable positions for nursing. The best part about both of these positions is that they require no equipment – no nursing pillows, no blanket rolls, nothing. Just you and your baby.

The Cradle Hold

Dr. Sarah Winward and Dr. Olivia Chubey, ND

This position involves holding your baby with the same arm as the breast you’re feeding on. I love this position because it leaves your other arm free and because you’re supporting your baby’s weight with your biceps instead of with your wrist (as you would be in football or cross cradle). You can also lean back to put some of their weight on your belly and this is often even more comfortable.

I’ve recently seen floating around the internet that this position is meant for older babies with more head control. I disagree. I frequently recommend this position to parents with newborns and have them report that they are much more comfortable. Babies are born with good instincts, it’s often easier to latch them in this position because they are able to guide themselves.

Check out our video for exactly how to get baby latched in the cradle hold.

Side Lying

Exclusive bodyfeeding means that you’re also feeding your baby overnight. It is exhausting enough doing night feedings, but add in the extra steps of having to get up and move to the couch or arrange all your pillows ‘just so every 2 hours’ and it’s too much. It’s normal for babies to continue to nurse overnight in the first year (plus) of life, having to do this for that long would be literally impossible.

Enter side lying nursing. I love this position because all you have to do is put baby beside you, nurse, and then pop them back in the bassinet. You don’t even have to sit up. Even better, you can have a partner bring baby to you and put them back down so all you have to do is roll over and nurse and you can stay half asleep for the whole process.

This position is what makes exclusive bodyfeeding possible.

Plus, it’s super relaxing for both parent and baby. If baby is clusterfeeding or if you’re having trouble with milk flow, this position is a game changer.

Check out the video on how to latch in this position.

Posted on May 30, 2022December 8, 2022 by Dr. Sarah Winward, ND IBCLC — Leave a comment

Two Tips to Avoid Nipple Pain when Nursing!

Dr. Sarah Winward, ND IBCLC

Pain with breastfeeding is one of the most common concerns for new parents, and with good reason! How can we be expected to do something for 20-40 minutes, 8-10 times per day if it hurts every time!?

I hate seeing parents in pain, it’s especially hard because to make a full assessment as I have to see baby latching, which means I’m asking them to be in more pain so we can make things better.

Pain in breastfeeding is never normal.

Let me repeat that.

Pain in breastfeeding is never normal.

Not in the first few weeks, not when your baby is teething, never.

Especially not when there’s damage to your nipples or you’re curling your toes every time you latch your baby. Pain is a sign that something is wrong.

If you’re experiencing pain I highly recommend reaching out to a lactation consultant for hands on support. The most important thing is to figure out why you’re having pain so you can fix it.

Here are some of the two most common reasons for having pain with nursing:

Latch mechanics– basically this is how you’re holding your baby. We have an article here on how to get a good latch, I recommend taking a look and reviewing it. One of the things I see commonly is that if you’ve had pain, you’re expecting pain and so you hesitate when you go to latch your baby. The hesitation means that baby’s latch ends up being more shallow – which will hurt. So, when you do go to latch them, make sure you’re latching with intention by putting pressure through their shoulder blades.

Oral mechanics- this is something that’s going on with baby. This could be a tongue or lip tie, it could be tension in their body or it could be something else getting in the way of their having proper oral function. This is where an assessment from a lactation consultant really makes a difference, especially if the latching tips aren’t resolving the pain.

A note for those having pain sometimes during the feed but not all the time. This is very common, and usually can be fixed with just a few tweeks:

If you’re having pain at the beginning or end of a feed

Sometimes it takes a few seconds for the flow of milk to get going, if your baby is ravenous they can tense up before the milk gets going and this can hurt. Then, once the milk comes they relax. Catching baby on early feeding cues can help a lot so they aren’t “hangry” when you latch them. The other thing that can help is breast compressions, adding a bit of pressure at the chest wall to pick up the flow. If the pain picks up again once they’ve been on there awhile take this as an indication to switch sides.

If you’re able to get things pain free but only if you hold your breast ‘just so’

You’re bringing your breast to your baby. A lot of times parents kind of pick up their breast and put it in their baby’s mouth. What happens is that if you move or change the latch they tense up their mouth because they’re trying to hold on to your nipple. Leaning back and bringing your baby to where your breast naturally lies will help a lot with this.

If you’ve tried all the tips in this article and you’re still having pain, I highly recommend reaching out to a lactation consultant for a full assessment. For parents in Ontario, you can book a free 15 minute call with me here.

Did you know a c-section birth can affect your breastfeeding experience?