Born to be Breastfed

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug during pregnancy. Use is as high as 3% to 30% in various populations. Many women assume that because its use has now been legalized in some US states, it’s harmless to their fetus or infant. But marijuana still goes through the placenta and the mother’s milk. Bigger questions are: How much is too much? What are the negative effects, and how long do they last? If you don’t tell the doctor you’ve smoked some pot, will he know? Does it matter whether the marijuana is used for recreational or medicinal purposes? Is it okay to use topical creams or cookies that contain marijuana when breastfeeding? Under what circumstances might it be better to breastfeed, even if you’ve been exposed to marijuana?

Join Marie and neonatologist Dr. Isabel Basaldu-Prado for a frank discussion that will answer your burning questions about marijuana use and your baby. Learn what we know and what we don't know, so you can make informed decisions for your family.

Natural disasters can happen anytime, anywhere. Around the globe, families can find themselves facing a flood ... hurricane ... forest fire ... or another catastrophe. Aid workers and local shelters are often ill-equipped to provide optimal support for infants and mothers— breastfeeding or formula-feeding. Although nursing mothers can feed their babies wherever they are, they often find themselves trying to solve breastfeeding problems they’ve never encountered before, and being undermined by bad advice during the disaster.

Join Marie and her special guest Dr. Karleen Gribble as they discuss the impact of a disaster on breastfeeding or formula-feeding before, during and after it occurs. Find out how you can help others in your community—professionals, neighbors, and aid workers—to prioritize care for mothers and young infants. And, get practical tips to achieve optimal comfort and hygiene for you and your baby, and how to how to survive—and even thrive—in such awful conditions.

For mothers who expect their baby’s arrival to mark a period of joy and happiness, the reality of shifting hormones and the demands of parenthood can be a rude shock. Join Marie and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, PhD, IBCLC, FAPA for a discussion of depression in new mothers. What are the “baby blues” and what is postpartum depression? What is the role of breastfeeding in a mother’s well-being and mental health? What do we know about the causes of depression? What is the relationship between breastfeeding and depression? What treatment options are available for breastfeeding mothers struggling to cope with feelings of depression? Tune in Monday at 6 PM ET for a discussion that might help you—or a mother you know—with breastfeeding and other aspects of new parenthood. Questions? Call 866-472-5792 during the show or e-mail [email protected] anytime.

It is a horrible truth of modern life: Science has shown us that even before they are born, our children are exposed to harmful chemicals. And chemical exposure doesn't stop with childbirth; our babies are exposed in what they encounter in their environment as well as what they consume--from mother's milk to commercial formula to table foods and prepared baby foods. It raises many questions: What chemicals do they encounter? What harm can they cause? How can we minimize our children's exposure? If we cannot completely eliminate exposure, how can we minimize its impact?

Join Marie and special guest Donna Walls, RN, BSN, IBCLC, ICCE, ANLC, for a discussion of how chemicals affect foods, breastfeeding, baby items, household goods, and more. Learn about scientific studies, easy-to-access resources, and available alternatives to reduce the risk. Find out about budget-friendly alternatives and how-to steps you can take to help protect your little one--and your whole family!

You may have heard that obese mothers can't breastfeed. Don't believe it. Breastfeeding can present hurdles for many women, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. A plus-size body type or generous breasts don't need to keep you from nursing your baby. Whether you are dealing with issues related to body image or culture, or whether your obstacle is hormonal and related to milk supply, there's no reason to assume you cannot breastfeed your baby.

Join Marie and guest Leigh Anne O'Connor IBCLC for insight, tips, and resources that will help ensure you meet your breastfeeding goals. If you need a little help, words of encouragement, and practical advice, this show is for you!

You read the books, talked to other moms, took a class or attended a group. But you couldn't really know what it would be like to breastfeed until you did. And how is it?

For many mothers, breastfeeding can be a bit daunting, or even overwhelming, in the first few days. Feeding every 2 to 3 hours, and caring for a newborn's needs around the clock, can be exhausting. Giving up breastfeeding and switching to formula might seem tempting. But is that really what you want to do?

Join Marie for a show that meets you where you're at, explaining what you can expect, and how to keep going until it gets easier. (Because it will!) Find out what questions to ask, what's normal, and when to get professional help. Listen for what you need to know about eating, sleeping, jaundice, your milk supply, and more!

It may seem surprising that breastfeeding is still a point of controversy. How can that be, when studies have shown over and over that human milk isn’t just a food but a substance optimized to meet the complex needs of the human child? Join Marie as she talks with special guest Jennifer Grayson, journalist and author of “UNLATCHED: The Evolution of Breastfeeding and the Making of a Controversy” -HarperCollins, 2016-, about the tension between “best is breast” messaging and lack of breastfeeding support. Learn about policies and practices that would make a big different, not just for breastfeeding dyads, but for overall public health. Find out what we can do to stem the controversy and find solutions that enable families to breastfeed. Comments? Questions? E-mail [email protected]

Biologist Charles Darwin famously pointed out that there are many similarities between humans and other mammals. Now, many mothers are wondering: Should we take a tip from the animal kingdom when it comes to placentas? Kim Kardashian West, January Jones and many others have consumed theirs. Is there some health-based reason for doing so? What are the benefits? The risks?

Join Marie as she talks with nurse/lactation consultant/herbalist Donna Walls about the increasingly common practice of eating the placenta. Is it a new fad? An ancient practice? Why is it done? How can it be prepared—and more to the point—how should it be prepared? What are the myths, and the facts, around this practice? How does it affect milk supply—if at all? Whether or not you have consumed placenta yourself, whether or not you're planning to do so in the future, this is one interesting Born to be Breastfed you won't want to miss.

If you’ve heard of mastitis (inflammation of the breast), you’ve heard how painful it is. But do you know how to reduce your risk? Many doctors and nurses didn’t learn about mastitis in their basic training, so it often goes unrecognized or undertreated, and you’ll need to know how to communicate clearly with your health care provider. Knowing how to recognize the symptoms, and when to get medical help—or when to get help even after starting treatment—is critical.

Join Marie for a discussion that will help you to recognize the early indicators of mastitis and avoid misdiagnosis. Make sure you know about conditions that have similar but different signs and symptoms. You’ll find out what situations make your vulnerable to mastitis, and you’ll learn when and what to ask about antibiotics and other medications that are commonly prescribed for the condition. Listen to make sure you’re well prepared to take charge, deal with the problem, and keep breastfeeding your baby.

You’ve read the books, talked to friends, surfed the web, and compared customer reviews. You’re sure you know which pump you want to buy or use. You’re all set, right? Not so fast. With a global market worth well over 700 million U.S. dollars, manufacturers are vying to make you choose theirs. But what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what will improve your pumping experience?

Before you spend a dime--or use the breast pump your insurance carrier provides--you need to get the facts. Should you spend money for a bigger, more powerful pump? Can you spend less money--or even no money--and do just as well for yourself and your baby? Is renting a better option? Is it really unsafe to accept a used breast pump? Why are you hating the pump your best friend raved about? What’s an open-system, or a closed system pump, and does it matter? Join Marie as she explains what you need to know about breast pumps, answering these and many other questions. Before you buy, make sure you know the facts