Born to be Breastfed

Conversation about breastfeeding tends to center on mothers and babies. That makes sense. But any mother will tell you that support of loved ones can make a big difference. How can family members--especially dads and grandmothers--help to support breastfeeding moms? What role can dads have in caring for their babies who are breastfed? How can grandmas help, regardless of their own infant feeding experience? Join Marie for an insightful conversation with community pharmacist and long-time breastfeeding supporter Wendy Jones, BSc, MSc, PhD, MRPharmS about how breastfeeding support and family involvement can be positive for the whole family. Questions? E-mail [email protected] anytime.

How would you feel if a secret service agent was assigned to protect your baby’s body for the rest of her life? Safe? Reassured? And what if that secret service agent required no training, no salary, and no special effort to protect your baby? And even more amazingly, would you want that secret service agent for your baby if you knew it would also protect your grandchild? Yes? Are you wondering how you can get such a secret service agent for your child—and her children?

Listen as Marie and her guest, author and filmmaker Toni Harman, talk about the microbiome and how there is not only one, but over 700 unique species of “secret service agents” for your breastfed baby! Do formula-fed babies enjoy as much protection as breastfed babies? Um, no. Are there ways to increase the number of protective microorganisms in each newborn? Yes, absolutely. Don’t miss this intriguing episode that helps you to let these protective microorganisms in the window of opportunity to—before it slams shut.

Pregnancy is an exciting time of anticipation and preparation. There are showers to attend, supplies to buy, arrangements to be made, and birth plans to write. But as much as they plan for childbirth and the arrival of their new baby, new mothers often overlook the need to plan for their postpartum care. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by their needs, new (or, better yet, expectant) mothers can reach out to friends and families to ask for the help that will support their postpartum healing and entry into parenthood. Join Marie and special guest Michelle Peterson, founder of The Seven Sisters Postpartum Care Program and author of Seven Sisters for Seven Days: A Mother's Manual for Community-Based Postpartum Care, to talk about the essential care new mothers need, and how to make sure they get it.

If you’re expecting the arrival of your new baby soon, this episode is for you. You’ve probably heard a lot of advice about what you can expect from the first days of breastfeeding—and it’s a sure thing you’ll hear a lot more from hospital staff. Sadly, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. Tune in to find out the truth about breastfeeding at the start. Do you need to breastfeed on both sides every time? Is bathing your baby the top priority after birth? Do you need to pump in the first day or two? Can you skip nighttime feedings in the hospital? Can you send the baby to the nursery? Why do all breastfed babies get jaundice? Marie helps to bust the myths and set you on the course to clarity as you prepare to welcome your new baby to your family. Questions? E-mail [email protected] anytime.

A decade has passed since Breastfeeding the First Hour - Save One Million

Babies was the catchphrase for the international World Breastfeeding Week

celebration. Ten years' worth of new research has proven that breastfeeding

your baby during the first hour after delivery makes a huge difference in

terms of his health--both short-term and long-term. Unfortunately, U.S.

delivery rooms are not keeping up with the science. Too often, the baby's

first opportunity to breastfeed is delayed. It may be due to the hospital

setting and rules, or beliefs and cultural norms of the health care

provider, the mother, her family, or her community. Or perhaps medication or

labor/delivery practices have gotten in the way.

Join Marie and her guest, midwife Vicki Penwell, as they talk about the

capabilities and limitations for newborns during the first hour, the real

and perceived barriers of First Hour breastfeeding.

Eating disorders affect as many as 30 million people in the United States. And, although they have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, eating disorders are seriously undertreated. Tragically, among those who seek treatment for anorexia each year, 1 in 100 will die; up to 20% will die within a year as the result of complications from the eating disorder, or suicide.

In today’s episode, Marie talks with Jacklyn Novatt, who nearly became one of those statistics. Luckily, she got help. Better yet, Jackie beat the anorexia in time to become pregnant and successfully give birth to and breastfeed twins. And in a wonderful “surprise ending” you’ll hear how the pregnancy and breastfeeding was a critical turning point for her.

Join Marie and Jackie and discover how to recognize the classic symptoms of anorexia, how to help a loved one get into treatment and support them in their recovery, and how to separate fact from fiction about anorexia.

Have you been wondering why your baby isn’t sleeping at night? Are you worried that your baby's not sleeping because of something with your milk? Have you heard from friends or family that he should be sleeping, that there's something you could do to encourage him to sleep--like switching to formula, or giving cereal at bedtime? Should you be letting your baby cry it out? You’re left wondering what’s myth, and what’s fact. Maybe your mothering instinct tells you there’s no one answer, but perhaps different answers for different families at different times.

Join Marie and her guest, dietician and author Rachelle Gershkovich, as they talk about more integrated strategies. Rachelle will bust several myths—including the myth that there’s a one-size-fits-all answer or approach. Rachelle will give you some clues and insights about developmental, caloric and hormonal factors that may be affecting your baby’s sleep—along with some simple tips to try tonight!

The science of epigenetics tells us that environmental factors can influence our genes or genetic development. Breastmilk is well-known for its ability to prevent illness and disease (e.g., necrotizing enterocolitis, infectious diseases, and more.) Nutrition in early life—such as whether a child receives his mother’s milk or an artificial formula—may affect which genes are activated and, ultimately, overall health. Tune in as Marie talks with pediatrician and breastfeeding specialist Dr. Jenny Thomas about how breastfeeding and genes work together to support your baby’s health, and how the decision about what you feed your baby may be important for future generations as well. Questions? Marie is always available via e-mail to [email protected]

You've heard it a million times: Your milk is the best source for your baby's nutrition and protection against disease. But what else does it do? Specifically, how does breastfeeding affect human development--your baby, your relationship with your baby? and not just your baby in infancy, but your baby-turned-toddler, preschooler, child, and teen? How does breastfeeding affect us, in terms of our identity, our relationships with our children, and also with our partner? How can we make sure breastfeeding is best for everyone, and that the whole family reaps the rewards of this rich source of nutrition and so much more?

Join Marie and special guest, Dr. Keren Epstein-Gilboa, nurse-psychotherapist and author of Interaction and Relationships in Breastfeeding Families: Implications for Practice, as they talk about breastfeeding, families, and the life-long benefits.

Women can breastfeed successfully after cesarean section delivery—and many do. (In truly stellar hospitals, some mothers can even breastfeed before leaving the OR.) However, mothers getting started breastfeeding after cesarean face concerns that mothers who have delivered their babies vaginally tend not to experience, such as: post-op pain, pain management, post-cesarean restrictions, babies with lots of mucous, lack of bacterial colonization of babies’ gut, and—of course—“lift nothing heavier than the baby.” That’s just the tip of the iceberg. How do you breastfeed your baby—who was, have no doubt, born to be breastfed—when you are heading from cesarean delivery? How can moms best prepare for breastfeeding success after a scheduled c-section, and what strategies can help overcome the challenges after any c-section? Join Marie to find out.