Born to be Breastfed

The new mother focused on getting the hang of breastfeeding and making sure her baby feeds well and often can use all the help she can get. Who better to provide support than her baby’s father? Not only can he provide support for the mother’s infant feeding decisions, but also with time-management and basic problem-solving. The trick, according to expert Pascal Ghazi, is to bring fathers into the conversation and address their particular concerns. How do we ensure they have the knowledge and skills they need to support their babies and partners? How do we support them in recognizing their own doubts, uncertainties, or uncomfortable feelings? How might we help the dads so they can help their partners? Join Marie as she talks with Papallaitants founder Pascal Ghazi. Listen to learn about a worldwide, multilingual, online resource for fathers, where they can voice their questions, fears and frustrations of being the father of a breastfed infant.

It can seem that breastfeeding involves only a baby and a mother, but common sense tells us that there's another player in the family who should also be involved in this critical aspect of the new baby's nutrition and development: Dad. How can health care providers, breastfeeding mothers, and other caregivers draw fathers into breastfeeding support? What communication strategies are effective? What beliefs about new fathers are myths, and which are facts that can help the breastfeeding family? Join Marie as she talks with Tom Johnston, a retired army colonel and father of eight who, as a male midwife and lactation consultant, has unique insight about helping fathers recognize their role in the breastfeeding relationship.

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.

Join Marie and special guest Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA, for a discussion of particular issues common to mothers employed outside the home. Ms. Mohrbacher, breastfeeding reporter and lactation consultant, is the author of Breastfeeding Answers Made Simple as well as the smartphone app “Breastfeeding Solutions.” Here, she talks with Marie about barriers and problems such as too-short maternity leave, overfeeding of the baby by daycare workers, and more. Find out about the desired length of maternity leave, and how to overcome problems that may arise as a result of work-hour separation of mother and child. Questions? Call 866-472-5792 during the show or e-mail [email protected]

Recently, everyone seems to be exploring the touted benefits of essential oils. But hardly anyone knows what to believe! Are they safe? Effective? What about nursing mothers? Do any or all of these essential oils actually work to treat common postpartum ailments or breastfeeding problems? And, if they are said to be safe and effective, how do we know that information is credible?

Join Marie and her guest, certified aromatherapist Lea Harris, as they provide answers you wish you knew. Here, you’ll discover which essential oils most experts consider to be safe or unsafe for breastfeeding mothers, what essential oils might be helpful for postpartum problems like yeast or thrush, postpartum cramps, sleep issues and more. Get the real scoop on shelf life. And, if you’re trying to find your own informational resources or buy your own essential oils, you’ll get solid tips how to spot trustworthy quality—as well as the fakes the frauds. And, listeners will get Lea’s special discount offer!

You made the decision to have bariatric surgery to improve your health—and it has! But now you’re pregnant, and you want to breastfeed. You’ve heard it’s best for your baby’s health, and yours. Can you do it? How does your nutritional status before or during pregnancy relate to your ability to breastfeed your new baby? How can you ensure optimal health for you both? What are the risks, and how can you avoid them? What do you need to know?

Join Marie and special guest, dietitian Julie Stefanski, MEd, RD, LDN, CDE, for a discussion of breastfeeding after bariatric surgery. Learn how or if your milk is likely to be affected, how rapid-weight loss can change your breasts, and subsequent milk transfer. Find out how to make sure you stay one step ahead of your doctors in ensuring optimal nutrition for yourself and your baby—even when you seemingly feel fine. Make sure you get the help you need early in the game, and meet your breastfeeding goals!

Mothers who breastfeed often prefer to use natural foods and natural treatments. It’s only natural, right? But just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe; essential oils are potent. If you’re a nursing mother—or anyone else, really—there are number of questions you should raise about essential oils before you use them. Is it an herb or an essential oil? Does it matter if it’s “sage” or “clary sage”? Is it okay to ingest it if it’s okay to put it on your skin?

Join Marie and her guest, certified aromatherapist, Lea Harris, as they take you on a whirlwind tour of the “essentials” of essential oils for everyone—and especially for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. You’ll discover how essential oils can help you to avoid using medications when you have a sore throat, a bee bite, or other simple ailments; some factors related to safe use—whether you’re breastfeeding or not; the difference in administration methods and dilutions, cautions for children, and much more!

Although breastfeeding is a natural way to feed your baby, it might not feel entirely natural from the start. Fortunately, there are some simple steps that will help, immediately after your baby’s birth and later. Join Marie and Liz Flight, RN, IBCLC of the Tidewater Lactation Group for a discussion of breastfeeding tips to solve problems that many new mothers experience. Find out why rooming-in is a good idea, what to do about jaundice, how to advocate for your baby in the hospital, and how to care for your newborn baby. Questions? Call 1-866-472-5792 during the show, or e-mail [email protected] any time.

Although recent changes in federal employment law are supposed to support breastfeeding mothers who work outside the home, the reality is that many still face a host of challenges in the workplace. Balancing paid work and breastfeeding is not easy. Take it from Judy Masucci, PhD. Formerly a biotech executive, Judy left her successful career in that competitive field to develop A Mother’s Boutique, a resource for new mothers in need of breastfeeding wear, support, and breast pumps. This scientist-turned-“bra whisperer” has hard-earned experience on topics such as breastfeeding, breastfeeding wear, and breast pumping. What do mothers need to know when choosing a nursing bra? How can they plan ahead for postpartum needs before their baby is born? What is a virtual bra-fitting? Why is a good fitting bra especially important for the breastfeeding mother—and her baby? Join Marie and Judy for discussion of bras, breastfeeding, and work-life balance.

Everyone has an opinion, and they’re usually pushing it as “fact.” Breastfeeding advocates sing a litany of benefits that breastfeeding provides. Critics insist that breastfeeding is difficult and ties you down. Others imply that you’re a bad mother if you don’t breastfeed. With so many message and feelings, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, confused, guilty, or just plain crazy!

Join Marie and special guest, author and expert Dr. Paige Hall Smith discuss why, despite all the pressure, you should not feel guilty. Paige will explain that your feeding decision isn’t a real “choice” unless you’ve had adequate information and support. Learn how to arm yourself with ready-made comebacks for critics, and why it’s not breastfeeding that constrains you, it’s how society puts constraints on your breastfeeding experience. Gain reassurance that the bodily demands of lactation are part of “extreme care” work which—although perhaps not valued by society—are completely worth i