If you have to choose between giving your baby breast milk or artificial baby milk, I highly recommend breast milk. When studying how to become a lactation consultant I learned a lot about the differences in milks.  Just the difference in the proteins available between the two milks is proof enough that breast milk is the best option. Here are a few reasons why breast milk is the ideal food for baby. Protein. Artificial baby milk can have 50 percent more protein than human milk. This should be avoided because high early protein intake enhances weight gain in infancy and increase their risk for obesity later in life. Cow’s milk contains proteins that are not easily digested. Human milk has a whey-to-casein ratio that changes from 90:10 in the early milk to 60:40 in mature milk, ad 50:50 in late lactation. Artificial baby milks remain static and can vary depending on the brand. Bovine casein is harder to digest and forms a tough, rubbery curd in the infant’s stomach. This can cause slower gastric emptying in formula fed infants. Compositionally and functionally there are differences between human milk and infant formulas. Infant formulas do not contain the protein lactoferrin. This protein aids in bacterial cell destruction and is important to immunity. Infant formula also does not contain immunoglobulins and digestive or defensive enzymens. Also there are fewer non-protein nitrogen components in formula compared to human milk. The processing of cow based infant formulas exclude colostrum, milk fat globule membranes, and fractions that contain DNA from the final product. All of these components that are not included in infant formula provide the disease protection that is specific to the calf.

No tags

When I was pregnant with my first child my husband and I took several labor preparation classes.  They were very informative for us because we really had no idea of what to expect.  One of the classes focused on pregnancy massage techniques that could be useful during labor.  If you are interested in how to become a massage therapist, this could be an interesting area to explore.  That was my favorite class because I got to relax while my husband learned different ways of massaging my back, face and feet.  Unfortunately, when the actual labor started I didn’t want anyone but the doctor to touch me.  Not everyone will have an aversion to touch during labor.  Many women may actually find massage during childbirth to be calming and reassuring.  Practicing these massage techniques beforehand can help you and your partner to be familiar with them.

Back Massage

1. Stroke all around the sacrum at the base of the spine with the heel of one hand, then stroke up to the lower back.  Keep the movements smooth.

2. With your thumbs use penetrating circular pressure all over the sacrum.

Face Massage

A gently face massage can be calming, reassuring and relaxing.  The most relaxing techniques are those around the eyes and on the forehead.  Stroke up to the forehead and into the hairline one hand after the other in a smooth, rhythmic sequence.

Foot Massage

1. Support the foot with one hand and with the heel of the other hand, stroke the sole firmly.
2. Apply deep pressure with your thumbs down the center of the sole to the heel.

No tags

I just had my annual visit to the gynecologist. As usual, she did a routine breast evaluation and admonished me on the importance of regular self evaluations. She asked if I do them and I sheepishly told her, “no.” Her reply was honest and extremely prevalent. She said without missing a beat, “Then you obviously aren’t scared enough.” After taking a few moment to think about what she said I realized that she was right. I was not scared enough and did not appreciate the potential warning signs of breast disease. After that visit I decided I was going to take it all far more seriously.

Breast disease can be defined as a tumor, cyst or infection found in the breast tissue. The majority of breast lumps are not cancerous and are usually harmless lumps that occur commonly in breast tissue. Although your chances of it being anything really serious, you should always seek a medical evaluation to be certain. Generally when you do a self evaluation here are a few things to consider if you come across a lump. Most benign lumps are tender and moveable. Cancerous lumps are usually painless and do not move freely.

The most common cause of breast lumps is fibrocystic breast disease, which expresses itself through cysts and the thickening of the milk glands. Common symptoms include lumpiness and tenderness in the breasts especially before the menstrual cycle. Women between the ages of thirty and fifty are most affected by this disease because there is usually a higher incidence of hormonal fluctuations and imbalances.

No tags

Memory is the storage and retrieval of information.  How the brain stores and retrieves information makes our most sophisticated computers look obsolete.  Our memories are essential for learning.  Memories incorporate our experiences into behavior and are stored in the brain.

There are two distinct stages of memory, know as short-term memory and long-term memory.  Short-term memory is called working memory and is the first step in memory storage.  Short-term memory gives you the ability to remember 7 to 8 chunks of information.  For example, with your short-term memory you can look at a telephone number, dial it, and never think of it again.  This is very useful in retaining some information for a short amount of time.

Long-term memory is not limited like short-term memory.  It is believed that long-term memory can have limitless capacity but does not guarantee that those memories will remain.  Long-term memories can be forgotten and often changes with time and new experiences.  Aging can cause our long-term memory to decline.

How our memories are stored is determined by many factors.

Emotional state.  The best time to store a memory is when we are alert, motivated, surprised and aroused.  This is why shocking events can be remembered for years and the morning us usually the best time for studying and learning.

Rehearsal.  The repetition and rehearsal of information enhances our memory and takes it from being short-term to long-term.

Association.  Associating new information with old information that is already stored in your long-term memory makes it easier for you to recall facts.

Automatic memory.  Some memories are stored unconsciously.

No tags

Spitting up is very common during infancy.  There are many reasons why an infant spits up.  Sometimes it occurs because the baby has eaten more than her stomach can hold; sometimes she may spit up while being burped or when she drools.  These examples are no cause for concern.  In most cases spitting up does not involve choking, coughing, discomfort, or danger, even if it happens when she is sleeping.  We decided to ask our midwife today about spitting up and what we should know.

Some babies spit up more often then other babies.  This is not unusual.  Most babies out grow this phase when they start sitting up more.  Babies with extreme cases may continue spitting up until they start to walk or are weaned to a cup.  It is even possible that spitting up could continue throughout their first year.

Spitting up and vomiting are not the same.  You should be able to tell the difference between both.  Spitting up is hardly noticed by babies and does not cause much reaction.  Vomiting on the other hand is very forceful and causes distress and discomfort.  Vomiting generally occurs after a meal.  A greater volume of vomit is produced compared to spitting up.

The following steps can help you decrease the frequency of spitting up:

1. Feed your baby in a calm, quiet place.
2. Avoid interruptions, bright lights, sudden noises and other distractions during feedings.
3. Bottle-fed babies should be burped at least every three to five minutes during feedings.
4. Place the baby in an upright position after feeding.
5. Do not play vigorously after a feeding.
6. Feed your baby before she is extremely hungry.

No tags

When I was pregnant I was bombarded with advice.  Some was good and some was bad.  Most of the time, I didn’t know what to believe.  Of course being pregnant and naturally worried about my baby’s health I gave into a lot of myths and misconceptions. We asked our midwife to clear some of these up for us and here are a few myths and misconceptions you should not follow and the reasons why.

Myth #1: Sweet cravings mean you are having a girl and sour cravings mean you are having a boy.  According to several scientists cravings don’t really exist.  Of course if you have ever been pregnant you know that cravings can exist and that they can be very strong.  However, it can not be determined if specific cravings indicate a specific gender.  Some people believe that you should give in to a food craving.  It is recommended by doctors and midwives that cravings can be satisfied but should not be indulged.  Strange cravings, known as “pica,” for items such as soap, may indicate a deficiency.  Indulging in these types of cravings can be very bad for your health and the health of your baby.

Myth #2: If you have heartburn your baby will have a lot of hair.  Unfortunately, heart burn is very common during pregnancy especially the larger the baby gets.  Pregnancy hormones also cause the muscles of your esophagus to loosen allowing stomach acid to escape up into your GI tract.

Myth #3:  If you wear a necklace the umbilical cord will wrap around the baby’s neck.  This myth is very popular in Hawaii.  I have seen pregnant women refuse to wear jewelry or insist on untying a flower lei before wearing it.  Of course, this is all superstition and has no legitimate basis.

No tags

When you seek a job once you have received your sonography degree, you will likely be dealing with expecting mothers.  Perhaps you might be interested in a field related as a compliment to your sonography courses such as a lactation consultant.  When helping new mother’s with breastfeeding you should consider their physical and emotional comfort.  Breastfeeding can be an awkward and uncomfortable experience.  If possible, help the mother to have privacy when breastfeeding.  Ask her if she wants visitors and family around before she starts breastfeeding.  If she prefers her privacy, ask the friends and family to leave and return after the feeding.

As much as possible, ensure a comfortable and quiet environment.  You may want to turn off the television, radio and phones.  Distractions can make breastfeeding more challenging for mother and baby.

Before getting comfortable in a good breastfeeding position, have the mother empty her bladder, if needed and wash her hands.  There are many good breastfeeding positions.  If the mother would like to sit on a straight-backed chair, her knees should be slightly higher than her hips.  If there is a footstool available, raise the mother’s knees so that the baby faces mother’s body.  This position can help prevent back strain.  Pillows are excellent for providing additional comfort and support.  A firm pillow can be placed in the mother’s lap to help elevate the baby to the level of the mother’s breasts.  Do not allow the mother to lean back or hunch forward over the baby.

Many mothers’ breastfeed for the first time in a hospital bed.  You can make this a comfortable experience by raising the head of the bed to a 90 degree angle or to the most comfortable position for the mother.  Pillows are great for supporting her back and arms or for raising the baby to a good level.

No tags