Lactation (Breastfeeding) Consults ~ How do I know if I need one? What happens during the appointment? We are going to use 3 scenarios to help but remember there are many, many more scenarios possible!

Scenario #1 It's your first baby & you just got home from the hospital. The first couple days in the hospital were less than perfect. The first day baby would not latch, the second day an IBCLC came in & got baby latched so the rest of the stay was fine. Now, baby is back to not latching just crying & pushing away. Your milk is in now so it's so painful.

Scenario #2 You've just had your 3rd child & after 5 days of pretty good breastfeeding you notice you now have a bloody nipple. The 1st baby may have been a great feeder or maybe a little rocky. Baby #2 fed like a champ with no problems at all, so you thought you had this perfected!

A lot of times you are right. You know what the "good" latch looks like, you are listening for swallowing & counting diapers for input/output. But don't forget we are all DIFFERENT people. We are all shaped a little different. Circumstances around the actual birth may have been a little different. There are ENDLESS variables to why one baby breastfeeds with no problems & another will not latch without 30 minutes of crying & pushing away.

Will either of these issues clear up quickly? There's always a chance that you will wake up the next morning & things are wonderful. Most likely there's a small chance but there's no good reason to put off problems (least of all in the first week). The first week of breastfeeding is the most important time of all to make sure things are going well.

Scenario #3 So, after 7 months of breastfeeding you all of a sudden wake up one day & baby bites you <<hard>> maybe even drawing blood. Should you quit breastfeeding & switch to formula? Should you call for help right away?

Maybe you should at least ask an IBCLC (you may not need to have a consult). Should you just quit? Is baby done wanting to breastfeed? Highly doubtful of either. When you have a good latch (most of the time) & a great supply; quitting is really a bad decision. Ultimately, decisions that have to do with your child are made by you! Getting bit happens to pretty much all moms when teeth come in. Basically, what I'm saying is give it a little time. 

​So how do you know if you need to have a consultation? Some good questions to ask yourself are: How long has the problem been going on? How much pain or anxiety is it causing baby (or you & your partner)? How long has it been from the last time you've feed baby successfully? Is it better by the next morning & comes & goes but is basically going in the right direction? Has baby been producing enough wet & poopy diapers to lead you to believe they are getting enough nourishment? Is baby really just teething, tired, over stimulated?

What will happen during a consultation & how can I get an appointment with someone in my area? You can find an IBCLC through your local hospital anywhere in the world. Once you've found one call to get an appointment. Private practice IBCLC's can make appointments with anyone at any convenient time or place for you. Each practice will have pricing of their own. Private practice IBCLC's do not bill insurance but you will receive a superbill & instructions on how to submit for reimbursement of fees.

Once you've made the appointment, you can relax, someone else can stress about the breastfeeding issues (that takes a load off). In my own practice I see moms usually between 10am-4pm, but really anytime the easy for you works too. I have a private office in my home. I have taken over my whole finished part of our basement. I have an outer area that has my retail items where we also teach classes. I also have an office with a locking door.

Inside my office is a desk, a comfortable chair (for mom), a chair for your partner (if they tag along), a changing table (right next to mom's chair), toys and assorted pump parts & ointments. I have you fill out a consent form (giving consent that I may handle the baby & may inadvertently touch you during the consult) the pricing is also on this form for you to choose a one-time consult or unlimited consults.

Baby will have clothes removed & be weighed (with one of our diapers for scale use). You will be handed baby to begin feeding. During this time is usually when we discuss in more detail why you are here & how I can help. After that we will go ahead & do an observable feed, checking latch, positioning, transfer of milk, how baby reacts to the letdown and how well baby tolerates the milk (if they spit up or not). Another weight is taken either between sides or after the feeding session is over.

​You will have additional time to discuss any & all concerns. You will receive a plan to carry out the solutions and you can make a follow up appointment then or not. I will give out the detailed bill with the proper codes & other financial info for the insurance to receive & in turn reimburse your visit fee.
Most insurance carriers cover lactation expenses from a professional 100%; you may want to check that out yourself to be sure of your carrier. Knowing that it is covered; if you have any doubts at all about how breastfeeding is going, please seek out professional help. That will give you peace of mind & make your breastfeeding journey so much more enjoyable.

 Lisa D. Kehoe IBCLC, CLD, CPD serving all clients in the Rockford, Illinois and all surrounding areas. She started Oh Baby Mine in January of 2011 and has served and treated hundreds of parents in the area. She does home, hospital, birthing center births. As a postpartum doula she loves to serve and educate all parents to care for their new addition. With extensive advanced education in the field of breastfeeding she brings the best support to your birthing experience.

She has two children of her own that were born completely natural and unmedicated. Breastfeeding was completely successful also. Those are the main reasons she chose to serve families achieve as natural a birth experience possible. 

www.facebook.com/oh.baby.mine

Lactation cookies are one of the most delicious inventions! YES, they work. I can't even tell you how many times I've been asked about these little wonders. Are they good? How do I make them? Where can I get a recipe? Can you make them for me? Can I buy them somewhere?

So, yes, they are very good and healthy for the most part (more on that later). You can look up a recipe on the internet (even vegan recipes), you can buy them on the internet (they are a little costly, I'm not saying they aren't worth it). I do make them for my mom's when I am in their home during a postpartum visit most of the time but I do not sell them.

What I REALLY like about these cookies is that they aren't a specialized baked good; the whole family can & will eat these. Then, they will ask you to make more. Especially if you don't tell them they are lactation cookies because then, they won't eat them. I make them for my family & have never told them what they are. Ugh, now I WANT cookies!

So what makes these little wonders tick? Why do they work?

Foods with lactation-promoting properties are called lactogenic foods or galactagogues. Lactation cookies contain 3 major lactogenic foods: oatmeal, flax seed meal & brewers yeast. Some recipes call for cinnamon; I suggest making sure you add cinnamon. Cinnamon has been shown to keep your blood sugar level in control naturally & BONUS, it's yummy. You need to have some sugar in these just to taste great but if you can get by with less you can reduce it.

For a complete list of lactogenic foods contact me here Lisa Kehoe IBCLC 

Lactation cookies are not for everyone. BUT didn't I just say everyone can eat them? Yes, but here's why I say that & one of the reasons I am blogging about this.

Most breastfeeding problems are preventable and fixable, and many are caused by incorrect latch or scheduled feeding. Only a small percent are due to medical conditions. If you are experiencing a drop in supply because latch is not good or baby is not eating long enough then lactation cookies are NOT going to fix that. Seek good knowledgeable help when dealing with low supply, latch, transfer and "scheduling" of feedings.

Another thing you need to think about when trying to boost your supply by eating cookies (I know that even sounds weird as I type it). Cookies in general are calorie "BOMBS"! These contain a lot of calories from the flour, oats, shortening, chocolate (or fruit), etc. So as good as they are for you they need to be eaten in moderation. I have moms that want to get their "baby" weight off (which is 100% understandable). Eating these will not make you gain weight but if you eat them several times a day (as well as the other foods that your body should have to maintain a good milk composition) you will have a weight increase. That doesn't mean they aren't good for you or your family just as anything use restraint. These are dense in several things that are good for us; fiber, omegas (good fats), antioxidants, vitamin B, protein, chromium (along with the cinnamon can lower blood sugar). 

You may just have a temporary drop in supply. Once you can get a boost from these or an herbal galactagogue like Milk Pack Professional, you can keep the supply up with feeding on demand or keeping your pumping schedule up at work.

So I don't really endorse any one recipe. I've used several and they were all good. As long as they contain those 3 major lactogenic foods mentioned they should show some results. Change it up to fit your likes. Instead of milk chocolate use dark or white. You can add cherries, raisins, dried apricots, crasins, nuts, etc. Be creative and see if you can develop your own recipe. Use variations on how you bake them. In the Summer or if your in a hurry you might throw them in a pan for bar cookies. For added creativity you can put a small ball in the waffle iron & they will be done in a flash. You can freeze the dough, you can freeze the cookies before baby arrives. You can even give them as a GIFT! If you come up with a great recipe and want to share it I will give you all the credits, just post in the comments section.

IMPORTANT!: If you are having continuous supply issues or baby's weight is continuing to drop contact me immediately so I can help you figure out what is going on or get you in touch with someone in your area that can help.

"Shouldn't you start doing things to get labor started?"

Probably the most annoying: "Are you sure everything's ok?" You've been going to your care provider for every scheduled visit (makes you feel like they are accusing you of being careless)

Get yourself a sweet treat of froyo (frozen yogurt) at Red Mango. The have an assortment of about 12 different flavors of naturally sweetened delicious frozen treat. It may seem like a splurge but because their yogurts have natural probiotics they are a very smart choice for a treat. Toppings...endless. Fresh cut fruits, gummy candy, crunchy sweet treats, etc. Hey, your carrying an awesome little being so live it up with candy bar toppings (unless your lactose intolerant like me, just eat the froyo).

 Get a chiropractic adjustment with Dr. Amy Hippard. Your getting your body prepared for one of the biggest best moments of your life. Your body will definitely be doing things that it doesn't do on a regular basis. Dr. Amy is certified in the Webster technique, which is specific to pregnancy.  A nice gentle adjustment can do wonders to relax and refresh you.

 Take a walk at the Midway Village Museum. There you can walk the grounds surrounding the village during the daytime hours everyday for free. You can stroll the natural botonical gardens that have been restored to the natural 19th century Heritage Gardens including ornamentation. During special events you can enter the other areas and buildings.

 Go for a swim at the Rock Swim & Fitness on East State Street. You may not be able to swim but getting into the water there or a friend's pool can be soooo refreshing especially with the summer season approaching. At the very least you can walk around in the pool while supporting your most cherished passenger. Block up with appropriate SPF and keep the bump out of the hot sun. Stay hydrated at all times...keep Cool!

 Get your nesting relieved for home, baby's room and clean gently used baby clothing at the Thrifty Boutique. You can get your retail fix, get some much needed curtains for baby's room or a sweet outfit to bring baby home from the hospital. You will have unexpected expenses once baby arrives so protecting your nest egg is essential. Stopping in here may prove to be a good fit for future children's clothes shopping.

 Go and smell the roses at the Sinnissippi Rose Garden or you can catch a free concert at the Sinnissippi Band Shell. The gardens are beautifully maintained and you can park your car walk to the rose garden, sit by the water's edge at the lagoon. There is a giant fountain that blows the water so high in the air it will blow you away!

 Join the local Babywearers group and learn how to wrap your sweet little baby properly, safely and comfortably for the season. All types of wraps are discussed at the meetings. You can pay an annual fee and be able to rent of wraps before you buy (because they can cost a small fortune). Search on Facebook BWI of NCIL Rockford.

 Pick up some freshly made foods at Food 4 Fuel. These meals are prepared for optimal use of calories for fuel (energy) which you will need. Get to know these people for now and after baby arrives. You can order food to be picked up at the Carlson Ice Arena on Monday & Thursday. These foods are foods that you would choose for your family (natural, organic, not overprocessed at all, cooked fresh). This may look like food for fitness but you are part of the baby race now so fuel up. Best choice for new parents!

 Go watch some dancing. You can catch some semi-professional live dancing on the 4th Saturday of each month at the Boone County Community Building. You can sit and watch this friendly group of dancers USA Dance Northern Illinois. You can also catch some "swingers" Swing Dancing with Forest City Swing every Thursday at Mount Olive Church. So dancing for you might be out but it's like watching any performance and a great activity you might want to try in the near future to keep fit.

 Get Oh Baby Mine onto your "favorites" contact list. Add OBM's phone number to your phone so you can give us a call at first sign of lactation issues. Don't suffer with pain or wonder about baby's latch. You can set up a birth lactation where OBM will come to your birth (anytime of day or night) to assist with baby's first latch & keep you breastfeeding a good long time.

If needed from this pregnancy or previous pregnancies or you just want to be a supporter of women who have had to undergo a Cesarean section please join our movement in the Rockford and surrounding areas at ICAN of Rock River Valley.

I had really wondered about this so I did a lot of studying up on it. I wanted to make educated comments on this subject that I feel very passionate towards. Alcohol as a solvent (Isopropyl) is very drying to our skin, hair & nails. Why would ethanol alcohol be much different? It's not ~ it's just as drying; as in "Drying You Up."


One thing beer has that can help is Hops Flower., Hops are a bitter, relaxing herb that eventually became standard for brewing, is a potent, estrogenic galactagogue with a strong reputation for the milk-ejection reflex. But what we can't deny in our culture here in the US is that our new moms get stressed easily over not having a proper amount of help & support (for breastfeeding, being away from baby at work, taking care of other children, etc.). Hops Flower has a bad side effect of depression. Which can be why when some people drink they feel more saddened.

Beer consumption by nursing women altered the sensory qualities of their milk and the behavior of their infants during breastfeeding in a short term study. The infants consumed significantly less milk during the 4-hr testing sessions in which their mothers drank alcoholic beer compared to when the mothers drank nonalcoholic beer; this decrease in milk intake was not due to a decrease in the number of times the babies fed. Although the infants consumed less of the alcohol-flavored milk, the mothers believed their infants had ingested enough milk, reported that they experienced a letdown during nursing, and felt they had milk remaining in their breasts at the end of the majority of feedings. The mechanism by which the consumption of alcoholic beer by lactating women decreases milk intake by their nurslings remains to be determined.


This pretty much sums it all up right here:
   Alcohol is an ANTI-galactagogue. Studies on animals and humans show that alcohol impairs the milk ejection reflex, slows the flow of milk, and leads to a reduced intake of milk by the baby during approximately four hours after drinking. Because of the back-up of milk, the breast feels fuller, fooling the mother into believing she is producing more. And because her baby drinks longer (milk flow is reduced, so it requires more time for baby to remove milk from the breast) the mother believes that her baby is drinking more. 



For more info on this subject or other subjects related to breastfeeding, labor support or placenta preservation contact Lisa. You can even have her speak at your event.



http://lactogenicdiet.blogspot.com/2011/10/beer-as-galactagogue-brief-history.html

http://creebreastfeeding.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/dear-lc-i%E2%80%99ve-been-told-that-drinking-a-beer-will-help-my-milk-supply-is-that-true-what-about-an-occasional-glass-of-red-wine-with-a-meal-or-for-a-special-occasion/

http://www.motherisk.org/women/updatesDetail.jsp?content_id=347

http://www.breastfeedingbasics.org/cgi-bin/deliver.cgi/content/Drugs/alcohol.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2799511/

Coming home from the hospital sounds glorious after having your Squish & being stuck in the hospital. It can be amazing, intimidating & terrifying! The first night can be pretty good. It's the second day home from the hospital that can be extreme; especially if you have visitors all day to pass the Squish around. That passing around can keep them occupied and calm; so they are usually sleeping. All that extra sleeping makes for a rough night. Even if they aren't visiting & being cuddled all day the second night can make you feeling like you are so unprepared. You may think baby was sneaking a "5 Hour Energy Drink".

When your home with your new bundle of Joy your focus should be on establishing breastfeeding, getting to know baby & having baby get to know you. You also my have to ease your older children into their new role as an older sibling while also letting them know that you still love them the same as before. These are among the important things & you may have more as each life is unique.

You really don't want to be concerned with dishes, floors, laundry, cooking, shopping for groceries, cleaning dog poop in the yard, dusting, cleaning toilets, UGH, the list goes on forever! Forget about all that!!!

This is your time & you won't be able to get this time back. It's also not necessary to break your back keeping up the house. That's where the postpartum doula comes in. We can be like a big sis, aunt, mom, best friend, maid, lactation consultant and nurse all in one. We can take on all of the day-to-day tasks to keep the household running. You can get some extra rest while a CPD (Certified Postpartum Doula) rocks baby. You may need a friendly face to tell you daily that you are doing a great job or how to best get a gassy baby to burb and relieve baby's tummy pressure. We are not just a friendly face though, we are trained for these skills.

Here's a quick rundown on what a day with a CPD: Text me with your grocery list, I will get the items & bring them to you. When I get there I will put away the things, then check on you and baby to see how breastfeeding is going. Things are going well so while I get busy washing clothes and cleaning dinner dishes (from last night), we can chat about any questions or concerns you have. While you are napping or showering I can start dinner and fold clothes. I will bring baby to you when he shows signs of hunger, make sure that latch is good, baby is getting properly fed. At that point our day might be over. It ALL depends on your needs.

There are several situations for a CPD to fit in with your lifestyle. The only way you'l lknow how you can benefit from this service is the call & ask. You buy a block of hours (there's a minimum so you can actually get enough of the benefits, too little hours may not be beneficial enough). You will schedule the times that you will need help with some notice (usually 24 hours). If you run into trouble and need help right away CALL & check availability. In the Rockford & surrounding area call 815-988-4292.

When I was breastfeeding my youngest I decided I was done with trying to wear contacts (because they dried the heck out of my eyes) & done buying glasses. It was time for eye surgery. I called the doctor's office to set up an appointment. Of course, they asked if I was pregnant or breastfeeding? I was still breastfeeding her but did not plan on having any more children. I was planning on stopping soon but I would still have to wait several months until I could have the surgery. I waited an extra month just to be sure the changes were reversed.

No! Changes in hormones, metabolism, fluid retention, and blood circulation can all affect your eyes and your eyesight during pregnancy.

Water retention, for instance, may cause the thickness and curvature of the cornea of your eye to increase slightly. It's a small change, but it could affect how well your glasses or contacts correct your vision. It's also why laser eye surgery isn't recommended during pregnancy and why it's not a good time to be fitted for new contact lenses.

If you experience vision changes during pregnancy, they'll probably be minor. Most women who experience a change find that they're a bit more nearsighted than they were before pregnancy.

If you wear glasses, it's unlikely that you'll need to change your prescription, but it is possible. If you think your vision has changed significantly, have it checked.

Pregnancy isn't a great time to invest in a new pair of glasses, though. In most cases, these changes are temporary and will reverse themselves within several months of delivery.

How else can pregnancy affect my eyes?You may find that your eyes are drier and more irritated during pregnancy (as well as during breastfeeding). This, along with subtle changes in the shape and thickness of the cornea, may contribute to some difficulty wearing contact lenses that were once comfortable.

Pregnancy can also bring about changes in existing eye conditions – for better or for worse. If you have diabetes, see an ophthalmologist before you get pregnant and again in early pregnancy to get screened for damage to the blood vessels in your retina. This condition, called diabetic retinopathy, often worsens during pregnancy, so you'll need more frequent eye exams while you're pregnant and in the postpartum period.


I had my eye surgery in the early Spring. I was so excited I couldn't stand it! I signed the huge stack of paperwork (as required) & I was dialated to get my eyes corrected to 20/20 vision. The results I could see: some were immediate the rest of the correction was evident that next morning when it would be required for me to drive myself to the appointment for the next part.

I will have to say the colors were the best & brightest EVER! I was so glad I waited. Now, many years later I still enjoy most of that same vision correction. My distance is still 20/20, the rest isn't much of a change. I'm so glad the told me up front that they wouldn't do it right away. Because of the great expense & it being out-of-pocket I didn't want to have to pay again to have it.

I recently made a tincture for myself for stomach issues. I know how beneficial a tincture can be when a mom chooses to have one made from her own placenta. When you make a tincture from herbs or part of the placenta it is so concentrated from sitting in the solution for 6 weeks that the benefits of the tinctured item can be so magnified. I put together a few plants that would benefit my stomach issues, help with retaining extra fluids and to strengthen my immune system to keep my healthy for my clients. What I found was some awesome results. A few drops into my tea or under my tongue and washed down with a little water cleared up my horrible stomach ache. I am severely lactose intolerant, I also have colitis and IBS (I know it can be a volatile situation which is why I need relief). 

My wanting to create this tincture stemmed from my making the placenta tinctures.
Placenta tincture can be made by itself or in addition to your capsules. It will be around and in perfect condition long after your capsules are gone. By tincturing a small piece of the placenta in a high grade alcohol, you can prolong the benefits of your placental hormones. The tincture can be used in any time of trauma, transition, emotional distress and during menopause and ease your symptoms. Also, this tincture can be given to baby/children (see placenta encapsulation blog).

In most situations mom is able to keep her own placenta to bring to a placenta specialist for it to be preserved in the way she desires. Even moms that have had multiples, minor labor issues (inductions, preemie, etc.) and of course, Cesarean Section should be able to own & take their placenta. As a matter of fact, having your placenta encapsulated when recovering from a C-Section or a birth with interventions may help speed up your recovery. You will have to sign a release. More about placenta preservation will be in one of our other blogs.

A tincture is typically an alcoholic extract of plant or animal material or solution of such or of a low volatility substance. To qualify as an alcoholic tincture, the extract should have an ethanol percentage of at least 25–60% (50–120 US Proof). Sometimes an alcohol concentration as high as 90% (180 US proof) is used in such a tincture. In herbal medicine, alcoholic tinctures are made with various ethanol concentrations, 25% being the most common. The reason for the alcohol is to preserve the contents indefinitely. That means it can be stored on your shelf in a cool place (no need for refrigeration) as long as you need it.

Your vision of birth probably did not include having surgery. You were thinking natural, unmedicated, maybe even home birth and now your having a C-Section. You may feel uneasy about this but for whatever reason it's the only choice to keep things safe (I won't go into reasons). Your partner is even more terrified and may not be able to handle seeing you going through this. You may have had a great doula picked out and now your thinking, "Well, we should probably tell the doula we no longer need her <<sad face>>". NO WAY! She can be the key to you and your partner having the greatest outcome possible. So get a freshstart with your C-section and choose a great doula.

Firstly, once you know your having a C-section, find your local ICAN chapter and start attending monthly meetings. At these meetings you will learn from other moms how to cope with this news. They share stories, outcomes and you may be able to connect with a mom that you can call or message regularly just to talk or vent.

When you meet with your doula you form a bond that you can feel comfortable with. You can contact her with questions that can arise during the pregnancy. She will attend doctor's appointments to form a great working bond with them too. You will go over an extensive plan that will include some different situations that may arise during and right after your surgery so that you will be prepared and not shocked IF/WHEN baby would get transferred to another hospital for medical reasons. A doula will help you deal with your flowing emotions about the surgery in general and will be able to offer reassurance and answers to your partner on what to expect. Your partner may decide that they absolutely do not think they can handle being in the operating room and maybe it would be more comforting that your doula be in there with you to take off any pressure.

A doula can tell you of your options that you have during the C-section. She can inform you of your rights as to these different options. Such things could be the type of sutures you receive, maybe you would prefer that the staff keep their conversations to a minimum (unless it is about the procedure), maybe it would calm you down to hear a lot of others talking so you don't focus on the procedure. A doula can provide evidence based answers to questions you will have on your surgery. You don't have to go in and succumb to what they say is a normal everyday task and lay there and be uncomfortable.

Once baby is out your doula can stay with you (If allowed by the physician) while your partner takes pictures of baby and stays with baby to monitor the procedures you have agreed to. Your partner may choose to stay with baby if baby needs to go to the NICU at a different facility. Your doula can stay with you while you remain on the operating table. 

Once you are back into recovery after your gentle C-section and baby is fine your doula will definitely be able to come in and assist you with skin-to-skin and initiating breastfeeding. While in recovery you may still be laying flat and find it near impossible to hold baby and breastfeed on your own so having a professional will be the key to success.

Bottom line on having a doula in your corner for any birth and especially one that can be potentially disconcerting is that she works directly for you not for the facility. You will be given such great care during your prenatal visits that you can feel a lot more reassured that this WILL be ok! Your partner will have someone other than you to complain (yes, they might) and chat with. You will receive one-on-one care at all times with your doula (unlike busy hospital staff). You TOO, will have someone you can complain to (venting is allowed). A doula provides emotional support as well as physical support. 

Lisa D. Kehoe IBCLC, CLD, CPD serving all clients in the Rockford, Illinois and all surrounding areas. She started Oh Baby Mine in January of 2011 and has served and treated hundreds of parents in the area. She does home, hospital, birthing center births. As a postpartum doula she loves to serve and educate all parents to care for their new addition. With extensive advanced education in the field of breastfeeding she brings the best support to your birthing experience.

She has two children of her own that were born completely natural and unmedicated. Breastfeeding was completely successful also. Those are the main reasons she chose to serve families acheive as natural a birth experience possible. Lisa is a professional member of ICAN.

www.ohbabymine.net
www.facebook.com/oh.baby.mine

I was really blown away by this feedback I got recently.