Comments on blog entry "Teh Dream Feed"
Sat, 2007-07-14 18:49
More breastfeeding misinformation from Barb.
Sleeping while her baby eats may help a new mother get some much-needed rest, but it is not a good way to protect her milk supply. Overnight feeds actually have a bigger impact on overall milk production than daytime feeds do, because your prolactin levels are higher at night -- and prolactin is the key hormone for milk production.
If this system (pumping once during the day to express enough milk for the missed nighttime feeding) is working for this mother, that's great -- families have to figure out what works best for their own situations. But _Barb_ should have offered accurate information about how milk production works, as well as tips and tricks for getting more rest in ways that don't have the potential to sabotage her milk supply. (But, of course, sabotaging breastfeeding relationships is one goal of formula marketing, including this website.)
Many mothers find that sleeping when their baby SLEEPS (i.e., during the day) helps a lot to make up for sleep interruptions at night; another option that works for many families is to learn about ways to share sleep safely with their baby. Having your baby in bed makes it much easier to nurse during the wee hours -- using the side-lying position, mom doesn't even have to sit up, and she may go back to sleep while the baby is nursing. With some practice, mom may wake in the morning and not even remember how many times her baby nursed. Now THAT'S what I call a "dream feed!"
Mon, 2007-07-16 21:52
#2
Comments on blog entry "Teh Dream Feed"
Push push push. "Dads can only bond through feedings! You cannot possible bond through plan old cuddling, or bathing, or diapering."
This garbage makes me so angry. Again, Barb as a health care professional you should be ashamed of yourself. How do you look yourself in the mirror after sharing this garbage with mothers? Shame shame shame.
Tue, 2007-07-17 20:50
#3
Comments on blog entry "Teh Dream Feed"
I have to disagree. Having suffered through insomnia with my first daughter and not having a moment to rest when my second daughter was born because of a busy toddler, what Barb did was help a mom feel good about what she was doing and find a solution that worked for her. Come on, missing one feeding and allowing the dad to participate with breast milk was a fabulous solution that I wish I had heard when my girls were young. It would have saved me from falling into depression because of lack of sleep. I couldn't even sleep with the baby in the room. I needed earplugs so that I could get rest.
I thought the goal here was to promote breastfeeding and finding solutions that work and are partical for individuals. We aren't machines and need creative and loving solutions that meet a varitey of needs. I don't think you validate other peoples experiences. Not everyone can nurse around the clock and still function.
Wed, 2007-07-18 01:34
#4
Comments on blog entry "Teh Dream Feed"
Carol, I will reiterate what I already said in my first post in this thread:
Quote:
If this system (pumping once during the day to express enough milk for the missed nighttime feeding) is working for this mother, that's great -- families have to figure out what works best for their own situations.
My critique of the blog entry Barb wrote is not a critique of that mother's solution to the universal problem of postpartum fatigue. My critique is aimed at Barb's misinformation in that blog entry. She says TWICE that getting more rest will help to ensure a good milk supply. She is wrong. Frequent and effective emptying and stimulation of the breasts ensures a good milk supply. Sleeping through feedings, especially during the wee hours, actually works AGAINST an adequate milk supply.
As a healthcare professional, Barb's foremost responsibility should be to inform and educate her patients, so that they can understand fully the risks and benefits of their various options. More to the point, as a healthcare professional, Barb betrays the ethical guidelines of her chosen profession by accepting corporate money in payment for deliberately spreading misinformation that is designed to undermine breastfeeding. THAT is what Barb is doing -- not "helping a mom feel good" or "validating other people's experiences." Don't be fooled by the slick PR verbiage.
Thu, 2007-07-19 11:59
#5
Comments on blog entry "Teh Dream Feed"
She's not wrong. She says that pumping and resting help increase supply. And they do! It's not misinformation. By the way, to increase supply, you also have to get plenty of fluids. Resting definitely helps, it doesn't undermine. Not everyone can put their baby on the breast as often. No where on that blog is formula mentioned. Moms who are on their feet all day, and don't get adequate rest will see their supply decrease, that's why most women I know have more milk in the mornings, we aren't machines. When you attack good information, you are less credible.
Thu, 2007-07-19 23:55
#6
Comments on blog entry "Teh Dream Feed"
I think we are in agreement. If you go back and read the comment that is what Barb said. "It's all about demand and supply." But it's not always that simple. A mom that is too exhausted to feed and getting minimal return is better off getting some rest and feeding when she has the supply to satisfy the baby. You can't be that black and white. And when you are, you are negating that woman's experience when she is really trying to do the best she can. So as a health professional, I think Barb is giving the right information but more importantly helping a woman to feel good about the choices she has made and that are right for her family. (By the way, I think we are splitting hairs here. Why are you on Barb so much when the woman is already exclusively breastfeeding?)
One last note, my dream feed was coming home from a long day of work and reconnecting with my baby. I was not able to keep up my milk supply pumping at work but I was able to breastfeed when I got home and that made my day!
Thu, 2009-08-20 09:52
#7
Comments on blog entry "Teh Dream Feed"
Barb as a health care professional? you should be ashamed of yourself if that is it...
____________________
Medical insurance
Fri, 2009-11-20 23:04
#8
Comments on blog entry "Teh Dream Feed"
carol wrote:
I think we are in agreement. If you go back and read the comment that is what Barb said. "It's all about demand and supply." But it's not always that simple. A mom that is too exhausted to feed and getting minimal return is better off getting some rest and feeding when she has the supply to satisfy the baby. You can't be that black and white. And when you are, you are negating that woman's experience when she is really trying to do the best she can. So as a health professional, I think Barb is giving the right information but more importantly helping a woman to feel good about the choices she has made and that are right for her family. (By the way, I think we are splitting hairs here. Why are you on Barb so much when the woman is already exclusively breastfeeding?)
One last note, my dream feed was coming home from a long day of work and reconnecting with my baby. I was not able to keep up my milk supply pumping at work but I was able to breastfeed when I got home and that made my day!
Indeed, it's not as simple as it seems, you go through a lot, don't take it for granted, thanks.
I have also heard of mothers who are totally opposed to having the baby sleeping in their room (or maybe the dad is the one who is opposed) putting a full sized bed in the baby's room, and when baby wakes up, mom can then lay down next to him on the bed in there so she can still get some sleep. Napping with your baby in the early months is another good way to get rest while maintaining supply.
For me, I fell asleep again once my baby started nursing, and I got a good amount of sleep. This worked really well until she was older and got really squirmy - but that wasn't until she was 10 months old or so.
Also, just some info: the AAP now recommends that your baby sleep in your room for the first six months, as it reduces the chance of SIDS - mom's breathing pattern helps regulate baby's immature breathing pattern. James McKenna has also done sleep studies on this topic, especially when the babies sleep with the mothers in their beds. For more info you can Google his name, I'm sure... just some more interesting baby sleep info!