IS IT OK TO FAST DURING BREASTFEEDING?

Press Release

It is the holy month of Ramadan and this means that Muslims are embarking on a month of fasting from dawn until sunset. It is a time for reflection and prayer and, although most activities are minimised, there are still many important actions that need to take place. One of these is breastfeeding. It is advised that breastfeeding women are allowed to refrain from fasting but if one is not inclined to take this route there are certain precautions that can be taken to ensure the safety of both mother and child.

It is always good to get advice from other family members or friends when making your decision, so talk to other women to find out their point of view, this is especially useful if they have gone through this before. Seeking advice from a doctor or Islamic sheikh can be beneficial too. Milk production is not hindered when cutting down on calories so there should be no harm done to your baby if you do decide to fast. Not eating for 24 hours will not change the composition of breast milk, the body adapts to the amount of calories it is receiving.

To ensure proper nutrition for yourself and the baby it is important to take plenty of liquids when you break your fast. Don’t forget to eat properly too as you need to increase the nutrient content in your body. Breast feeding can cause dehydration so be aware of this and gauge how you are feeling, if you begin to feel thirsty, faint, weak or develop a headache it may be a good idea to break your fast and drink some water as well as lie down for half an hour. If the symptoms continue contact your doctor.

The important thing is to listen to your body during this time, do not ignore warning signs and you and your baby should stay healthy.

For more advice on baby care visit the SABC Education Baba Indaba and Kids Indaba. Prayer rooms as well as private breastfeeding facilities will be available.

The Soweto SABC Education Baba Indaba will be held in view of the magnificent Soccer City in the MTN Expo Centre at Nasrec from 27-29 August 2010. Doors open at 10:00 and the show runs each day until 18:00. Tickets can be purchased at R30.00 for adults and children gain free access. Go to www.babaindaba.co.zato discover more of Baba Indaba’s inspirational and motivational ideas, special entrance price offers, as well as to subscribe to the visitors’ newsletter and receive information on special show offers and notification for upcoming expos

About Baba Indaba
The SABC Education Baba Indaba is South Africa’s premier baby, toddler and parenting expo. It is held annually in Durban, Pretoria, Cape Town and Johannesburg, inspiring parents and moms-to-be countrywide to enjoy their baby, pregnancy and parenthood. Baba Indaba brings manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of parenting products together with parents, parents-to-be and even grandparents, to provide information and show specials – all with lots of fun. From 2010, a brand new event, Kids Indaba, will run alongside Baba Indaba, catering for 6 – 12 year olds. Also in 2010, the SABC Education Baba Indaba will be held in Soweto for the first time.
In November 2009, the Cape Town Baba Indaba won the EXSA Award for Top Exhibition of the Year, while the Baba Indaba experience secured the title of Most Memorable Event. In 2008, the Durban Baba Indaba won the EXSA Award for the best consumer exhibition of the year in its category for the second time. Naude is the recent winner of the Top Gender Empowered Company in the Emergent Companies and SMME’s Category in the prestigious Top Women Awards 2009.

Myths of Breastfeeding

By Dr. Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC*

1. Many women do not produce enough milk. Not true! The vast majority of women produce more than enough milk. Indeed, an overabundance of milk is common. Most babies that gain too slowly, or lose weight, do so not because the mother does not have enough milk, but because the baby does not get the milk that the mother has. The usual reason that the baby does not get the milk that is available is that he is poorly latched onto the breast. This is why it is so important that the mother be shown, on the first day, how to latch a baby on properly, by someone who knows what they are doing.

2. It is normal for breastfeeding to hurt. Not true! Though some tenderness during the first few days is relatively common, this should be a temporary situation that lasts only a few days and should never be so bad that the mother dreads breastfeeding. Any pain that is more than mild is abnormal and is almost always due to the baby latching on poorly. Any nipple pain that is not getting better by day three or four or lasts beyond five or six days should not be ignored. A new onset of pain when things have been going well for a while may be due to a yeast infection of the nipples. Limiting feeding time does not prevent soreness. Taking the baby off the breast for the nipples to heal should be a last resort only.

3. There is no (not enough) milk during the first three or four days after birth. Not true! It often seems like that because the baby is not latched on properly and therefore is unable to get the milk that is available. When there is not a lot of milk (as there is not, normally, in the first few days), the baby must be well latched on in order to get the milk. This accounts for “but he’s been on the breast for 2 hours and is still hungry when I take him off”. By not latching on well, the baby is unable to get the mother’s first milk, called colostrum. Anyone who suggests you pump your milk to know how much colostrum there is, does not understand breastfeeding, and should be politely ignored. Once the mother’s milk is abundant, a baby can latch on poorly and still may get plenty of milk, though good latching from the beginning, even in if the milk is abundant, prevents problems later on.

4. A baby should be on the breast 20 (10, 15, 7.6) minutes on each side. Not true! However, a distinction needs to be made between “being on the breast” and “breastfeeding”. If a baby is actually drinking for most of 15-20 minutes on the first side, he may not want to take the second side at all. If he drinks only a minute on the first side, and then nibbles or sleeps, and does the same on the other, no amount of time will be enough. The baby will breastfeed better and longer if he is latched on properly. He can also be helped to breastfeed better and longer if the mother compresses the breast to keep the flow of milk going, once he no longer drinks on his own (Handout Breast Compression). Thus it is obvious that the rule of thumb that “the baby gets 90% of the milk in the breast in the first 10 minutes” is equally hopelessly wrong. To see how to know a baby is getting milk see the videos at www.drjacknewman.com.

5. A breastfeeding baby needs extra water in hot weather. Not true! Breastmilk contains all the water a baby needs.

6. Breastfeeding babies need extra vitamin D. Not true! Everyoneneeds vitamin D. Formula has it added at the factory. But the baby is born with a liver full of vitamin D, and breastmilk does have some vitamin D. Outside exposure allows the baby to get the rest of his vitamin D requirements from ultraviolet light even in winter. The baby does not need a lot of outside exposure and does not need outside exposure every day. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and is stored in the body. In some circumstances (for example, if the mother herself was vitamin D deficient during the pregnancy) it may be prudent to supplement the baby with vitamin D. Exposing the baby to sunlight through a closed window does not work to get the baby more vitamin D.

7. A mother should wash her nipples each time before feeding the baby. Not true! Formula feeding requires careful attention to cleanliness because formula not only does not protect the baby against infection, but also is actually a good breeding ground for bacteria and can also be easily contaminated. On the other hand, breastmilk protects the baby against infection. Washing nipples before each feeding makes breastfeeding unnecessarily complicated and washes away protective oils from the nipple.

8. Pumping is a good way of knowing how much milk the mother has. Not true! How much milk can be pumped depends on many factors, including the mother’s stress level. The baby who breastfeeds well can get much more milk than his mother can pump. Pumping only tells you have much you can pump.

9. Breastmilk does not contain enough iron for the baby’s needs.Not true! Breastmilk contains just enough iron for the baby’s needs. If the baby is full term he will get enough iron from breastmilk to last him at least the first six months. Formulas contain too much iron, but this quantity may be necessary to ensure the baby absorbs enough to prevent iron deficiency. The iron in formula is poorly absorbed, and the baby poops out most of it. Generally, there is no need to add other foods to breastmilk before about 6 months of age.

10. It is easier to bottle feed than to breastfeed. Not true! Or, thisshould not be true. However, breastfeeding is made difficult because women often do not receive the help they should to get started properly. A poor start can indeed make breastfeeding difficult. But a poor start can also be overcome. Breastfeeding is often more difficult at first, due to a poor start, but usually becomes easier later.

11. Breastfeeding ties the mother down. Not true! But it depends how you look at it. A baby can be breastfed anywhere, anytime, and thus breastfeeding is liberating for the mother. No need to drag around bottles or formula. No need to worry about where to warm up the milk. No need to worry about sterility. No need to worry about how your baby is, because he is with you.

12. There is no way to know how much breastmilk the baby is getting. Not true! There is no easy way to measure how much the baby is getting, but this does not mean that you cannot know if the baby is getting enough. The best way to know is that the baby actually drinks at the breast for several minutes at each feeding (open mouth wide—pause—close mouth type of suck). Other ways also help show that the baby is getting plenty (Handout Is my Baby Getting Enough Milk?). See the videos atwww.drjacknewman.com.

13. Modern formulas are almost the same as breastmilk. Not true! The same claim was made in 1900 and before. Modern formulas are only superficially similar to breastmilk. Every correction of a deficiency in formulas is advertised as an advance. Fundamentally, formulas are inexact copies based on outdated and incomplete knowledge of what breastmilk is. Formulas contain no antibodies, no living cells, no enzymes, no hormones. They contain much more aluminum, manganese, cadmium, lead and iron than breastmilk. They contain significantly more protein than breastmilk. The proteins and fats are fundamentally different from those in breastmilk. Formulas do not vary from the beginning of the feed to the end of the feed, or from day 1 to day 7 to day 30, or from woman to woman, or from baby to baby. Your breastmilk is made as required to suit yourbaby. Formulas are made to suit every baby, and thus no baby. Formulas succeed only at making babies grow well, usually, but there is more to breastfeeding than nutrients.

14. If the mother has an infection she should stop breastfeeding. Not true! With very, very few exceptions, the mother’s continuing to breastfeed will actually protect the baby. By the time the mother has fever (or cough, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, etc) she has already given the baby the infection, since she has been infectious for several days before she even knew she was sick. The baby’s best protection against getting the infection is for the mother to continue breastfeeding. If the baby does get sick, he will be less sick if the mother continues breastfeeding. Besides, maybe it was the baby who gave the infection to the mother, but the baby did not show signs of illness because he was breastfeeding. Also, breast infections, including breast abscess, though painful, are not reasons to stop breastfeeding. Indeed, the infection is likely to settle more quickly if the mother continues breastfeeding on the affected side. (Handouts Breastfeeding and Medication and Breastfeeding and Illness).

15. If the baby has diarrhea or vomiting, the mother should stop breastfeeding. Not true! The best medicine for a baby’s gut infection is breastfeeding. Stop other foods for a short time, but continue breastfeeding. Breastmilk is the only fluid your baby requires when he has diarrhea and/or vomiting, except under exceptional circumstances. The push to use “oral rehydrating solutions” is mainly a push by the formula manufacturers (who also make oral rehydrating solutions) to make even more money. The baby is comforted by the breastfeeding, and the mother is comforted by the baby’s breastfeeding. (Handouts Breastfeeding and Medication and Breastfeeding and Illness).

16. If the mother is taking medicine she should not breastfeed. Not true! There are very very few medicines that a mother cannot take safely while breastfeeding. A very small amount of most medicines appears in the milk, but usually in such small quantities that there is no concern. If a medicine is truly of concern, there are usually equally effective, alternative medicines that are safe. The risks of artificial feeding for both the mother and the baby must be taken into account when weighing if breastfeeding should be continued (Handouts Breastfeeding and Medication andBreastfeeding and Illness).

For More Breastfeeding Myths, and Still More Myths, and Even More and More Myths!! visit www.drjacknewman.com

Dr. Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC

Dr. Jack Newman graduated from the University of Toronto medical school in 1970, interning at the Vancouver General Hospital. He did his training in pædiatrics in Quebec City and then at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto from 1977-1981 to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in 1981 as well as Board Certified by the AAP in 1981. He has worked as a physician in Central America, New Zealand and South Africa. He founded the first hospital based breastfeeding clinic in Canada in 1984. He has been a consultant for UNICEF for the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, evaluating the first candidate hospitals in Gabon, the Ivory Coast and Canada.

Source: CanadianParenting.com

SLEEP-TRAINING – NOT FOR BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS

Ever since parenting books found their way into bedrooms, authors have touted magical formulas promising to get babies to sleep through the night and follow a more convenient schedule. While babies have a lot of wonderful attributes, convenience is not one of them. Beware of using someone else’s training method to get your baby to sleep or get your baby on a predictable schedule. Most of these methods are variations of the tired old theme of letting baby cry it out. Before trying anyone else’s method, run it through your intuitive wisdom. Does this advice sound sensible? Does it fit your baby’s temperament? Does it feel right to you?
With most of these baby-training regimens you run the risk of becoming desensitized to the cues of your infant, especially when it comes to letting baby cry it out. Instead of helping you to figure out what baby’s signals mean, these training methods tell you to ignore them. Neither you nor your baby learn anything good from this.
If your current daytime or nighttime routine is not working for you, think about what changes you can make in yourself and your lifestyle that will make it easier for you to meet your baby’s needs. This is a better approach than immediately trying to change your baby. After all, you can control your own reactions to a situation. You can’t control how your baby reacts. Use discernment about advice that promises a sleep-through-the-night more convenient baby, as these programs involve the risk of creating a distance between you and your baby and undermining the mutual trust between parent and child. On the surface, baby training sounds so liberating, but it’s a short-term gain for a long-term loss. You lose the opportunity to know and become an expert in your baby. Baby loses the opportunity to build trust in his caregiving environment. You cease to value your own biological cues and judgment and follow the advice of someone who has no biological attachment, nor investment, in your infant.
Clicking into the cry-it-out method also keeps you from continuing to search for medical or physical causes of nightwaking, such as GER and food allergies. Nightfeedings is normal; frequent nightwaking is not.
Stay flexible. No single approach will work with all babies all the time, or even all the time with the same baby. Don’t persist with a failing experiment. If the “sleep program” isn’t working for your family, drop it.
Follow your heart rather than some stranger’s sleep-training advice, and you and your baby will eventually work out the right nighttime parenting style for your family.

Source: askdrsears.com

Breastfeeding Support – Why is it important?

Agree or Disagree

1. In the 1st month (early days), we know that the milk is not enough because the baby keeps crying and giving a “top up” bottle of formula after a breast feed is a safer option.

2. Formula milk has become so advanced that there is almost no difference between breast milk and formula milk.

3. There are few benefits breastfeeding a child older than 6 months and so solids must be the main source of the child’s nutrition.

4. Which of the following are examples of exclusive breastfeeding?
A. A baby receiving breast milk but sometimes gets some water to drink.
B. A baby drinking only breast milk but gets 1 bottle of formula only when mom goes out for a few hours.
C. A baby drinking only breast milk but sometimes uses a dummy.
D. A baby drinking only breast milk but is taking multivitamins and iron drops given by the paediatrician.
E. A baby who is wet-nursed while the mother is at work and then continues breastfeeding from his own mother.

5. I should exclusively breastfeed until my baby is 4 months old and then start a good quality formula milk to ensure better health.

6. I should exclusively breastfeed my baby for 4 months and then start a good rice cereal to ensure better health.

7. Majority of mothers experience difficulty breastfeeding in the early days.

8. It is useful to use the dummy sometimes, especially in the early days to give the new mother an opportunity to rest.

9. When a mother has to return to work, it is important to get the baby used to a bottle early as only 1 or 2 bottles of formula milk per day will not affect the breastfeeding or make the baby ill.

10. My breasts havn’t started leaking in my last month of pregnancy so I must keep a starter formula tin ready as Iwill not have enough milk.

11. It is important for the child to sleep alone in the cot most times as it is safer than sleeping with the baby.

12. “Nipple confusion” is a myth – that means it doesn’t really happen.

13. Allowing the baby to fall asleep at the breast is the most easy, efficient and stress free method of putting the baby to sleep.

Answers

ONLY 2 of the Agree/Disagree Questions 7 & 13) are TRUE.
MCQ Question 4 : D & E are TRUE.
The REST are FALSE.
Empower yourself with the correct information for yourselves, your daughters, your sisters or your friends!

Masjidul Quba (Northpine) Breastfeeding & Parenting Classes
Dr Shabana Kauchali-Taleb.
o Tel: 021 913 7024
o Cell: 082 711 5771
o shabana@online-gp.com
o www.online-gp.com

When?
o Once a month.
o Every 2nd Friday of the Month.
o Immediately after Asr Salah.

 

What is it about?

How much does it Cost?
FREE

Who should attend?
o Mothers.
o Fathers
o Their children.
o Pregnant women & their husbands.
o Grandmothers.
o Teenage Daughters AND Sons.
o Doctors (Accredited for CPD points).
o Nurses.
o Breastfeeding counsellors Etc.

Why have such an education Class?
o It is an Islamic Obligation (FARDH) for ALL males and FEMALES to be educated.
o Most mothers think they know how to feed their children correctly -few do, MOST don’t.
o As a result of “not knowing” about 1,5 MILLION children are dying worldwide because of inadequate breastfeeding.
o Topics on correct parenting particularly BREASTFEEDING are not taught to doctors and nurses at some medical schools.
o The time in a doctor’s room is not enough to explain all the facts.
o True Knowledge shouldn’t cost money – it should be FREE.
o Empowering our women to be well informed – to make an INFORMED DECISION. “Know the facts – make your choice”.

o NB// Highest rates of breastfeeding are seen in the White, Middle-Upper Income, Married Women because they are EDUCATED and have understood their roles as women in society.

• Where do I get my information from?

• Al-Quran
• Ahadith
  The Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) once said,:
  o “Your Heaven lies under the feet of your mother.”
  (Ahmad, Nasai).
  o A man came to Allah’s Apostle and said, “O Allah’s Apostle!
  Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?” The
  Prophet said, “Your mother.”
  The man said. “Who is next?”
  The Prophet said, “Your mother.” The man further said,
  “Who is next?” The Prophet said, “Your mother.” The man asked for the fourth time, “Who is next?” The Prophet said, “Your father.”
  Narrated by Abu Huraira
• Holy Bible
• World Health Organisations
• Perinatal Education Programme
• Dr Jack Newman
• Dr Thomas Hale
• Many others
  o Unicef
  o IBFAN
  o INFACT Canada
  o La Leche League International
  o IBCLC
  o WABA
  o Dr Seers MD
• The Translation of Noble Qur’an –
  Chapter 2 (The Cow) Verse 233
  The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years,
  (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of
  suckling, but the father of the child shall bear the cost of the
  mother’s food and clothing on a reasonable basis. No person shall
  have a burden laid on him greater than he can bear. No mother shall be treated unfairly on account of her child, nor father on account of his child. And on the (father’s) heir is incumbent the like of that (which was incumbent on the father). If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no sin on them. And if you decide on a foster suckling-mother for your children, there is no sin on you, provided you pay (the mother) what you agreed (to give her) on reasonable basis. And fear Allah and know that Allah is All-Seer of what you do.

Shukran to Dr Taleb for providing us with her Powerpoint Presentation which is adapted in this post.

Parent 24: Breastfed babies are healthier

Breastfeeding may curb heart and diabetes risk factors.

Amy Norton

Mothers who breastfeed seem to have a lower long-term risk of developing a collection of risk factors for diabetes and heart disease than women who bottle-feed, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that among 700 women followed for 20 years, those who had breastfed were less likely to develop metabolic syndrome – a cluster of risk factors for type 2 diabetes and heart disease that includes abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure and blood sugar, lower-than-desirable levels of “good” HDL cholesterol and elevated triglycerides (a type of blood fat).

What’s more, the apparent protective effect was stronger among women with a history of gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes that arises during pregnancy and goes away after childbirth.

Although it is temporary, gestational diabetes does raise a woman’s odds of eventually developing type 2 diabetes.

These latest findings suggest that breastfeeding might help diminish that excess risk, said lead investigator Dr. Erica P. Gunderson, a research scientist at Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research in Oakland, California.

However, she told Reuters Health, while the study suggests breastfeeding has a “strong protective effect” against metabolic syndrome, more research is needed to see whether that translates into lower rates of diabetes and heart disease.

The study, published online in the journal Diabetes, included 704 women who were between the ages of 18 and 30 and free of metabolic syndrome at the outset, and who gave birth for the first time during the study period.

Over 20 years of follow-up, 120 were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

The researchers found that among women with no history of gestational diabetes, those who had breastfed for more than one month were anywhere from 39% to 56% less likely to develop metabolic syndrome – depending on how long they had breastfed.

Among women with a history of gestational diabetes, breastfeeding for more than one month was linked to a 44% to 86% lower risk of metabolic syndrome.

These lower risks were seen with a number of important factors taken into account – including the women’s weight, exercise levels and the presence of any metabolic syndrome components before pregnancy.

It is not yet clear why breastfeeding itself might lower a woman’s chances of developing risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.

Abdominal obesity is one of the components of metabolic syndrome, and excess weight is closely linked to type 2 diabetes. But while it’s widely thought that breastfeeding aids post-pregnancy weight loss, weight changes did not explain the benefits seen in this study, Gunderson said.

Breastfeeding may help women shed a few extra pounds in the months after giving birth, the researcher noted, but there may be other metabolic effects that explain the lower risk of metabolic syndrome.

Breastfeeding may, for example, have positive effects on blood sugar levels, body fat mass or how fat is distributed throughout the body.

Whatever the reasons for the findings, Gunderson said they do suggest that breastfeeding can have “long-term health benefits” for mothers.

Source:

http://www.parent24.com/Content/Focus/breastfeeding/more/902/167ad3ca566a40a68d57e46a4e2df7ea/10-12-2009-11-11/Breastfed_babies_are_healthier

BREASTFEEDING – The Basics of Breastfeeding

1. Why Breastfeed?
2. How Does It Work?
3. Milk Release – The Let Down Reflex
4. Milk Composition – getting the right balance
5. Feeding

Why Breastfeed?

Benefits for Mom:

• Uterus contracts more quickly after birth
• Breastfeeding releases calming hormones
• You are more likely to lose your pregnancy weight quicker
• Lowers the risk of breast, ovarian or cervical cancer

Benefits for Baby:

• Helps strengthen baby’s immunity
• Helps bonding between mother and baby
• Decreases risk of allergies in baby
• Provides the “right food” for baby’s daily needs (composition changes throughout the day)
• Decreases risk of stomach bugs, middle ear infections, respiratory disease, urinary infections than in bottle fed babies

What’s in Breastmilk?

Colostrum:

• Already present at birth
• Yellow and creamy, rich in protein
• Laxative effect clears meconium / reduces the risk of jaundice
• Gives baby antibodies so helps resistance to infection
• Baby takes small quantities for first 2-3 days then is replaced by milk, which “comes in” after the first few days

Mature breastmilk contains the perfect balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins for your baby, plus factors that help

• absorbtion of nutrients
• prevent infections
• develop baby’s gut
• maturation of baby’s immune system

How Does It Work?

Milk Supply:

• When baby is born, prolactin levels rise and stimulate the breasts to produce milk
• As baby feeds, breasts empty, brain gets a message to replace the milk, body releases prolactin which stimulates the breast to make more milk, so baby always has enough i.e. supply and demand
• If baby doesn’t feed well for some reason, milk supply will be affected
• Always get baby well positioned and allow to feed as long and as often as you desire or baby wants
• If you can’t breast feed for a time, express at baby’s feeding times to support your milk supply, so that you don’t run the risk of your supply decreasing or drying up

Milk Release – The Let Down Reflex

• When baby sucks at the breast, oxytocin is released. This causes the star-shaped muscle cells around the milk glands in the breast to contract and squeeze out the breast milk, called the “let down reflex”
• Foremilk is already present when baby starts to suck (before let down). Foremilk is blueish and thin and contains high protein, but low fat and thus can be drunk quickly and in high quantities.
• Hind milk is released with the let down reflex. Babies sucking slows down and thus baby takes in smaller quantities, but hind milk is higher in calories (fat) and thus it is the hind milk that satisfies babies hunger (the foremilk is thought to satisfy babies thirst).
• Sometimes a tingling sansation is felt by Mum at “let down”. What’s more, Mum can set it off just by relaxing and thinking of her baby!
• May make you feel ’sexy’ (oxytocin is also released in lovemaking)!

Milk Composition – getting the right balance

• Varies throughout the day to suit baby’s needs
• Changes during the feed (foremilk / hindmilk)
• Baby will get a good balance if allowed to feed when she is hungry and to stay on the breast until he / she pulls off
• Let the baby finish one breast before offering the other. Alternate sides from one feed to the next feed – try to avoid favouring one side over the other
• Good positioning is essential to ensure baby feeds long enough to get to the hindmilk and to avoid supply complications
• Feeding times vary from baby to baby and with age and sometimes increase when baby is having a growth spurt (common every 3 weeks in the first few months)
• DON’T FEED UNLESS WELL POSITIONED!

Feeding

• Relax
• Have a glass of water handy; also tissues and a burp cloth and or nursing apron
• Be comfortable, undisturbed and uninhibited
• Breathe deeply and slowly
• Calm the baby first; hold baby close
• Position your baby nose to nipple, tummy to mummy, straight back and head (slightly tilted back)
• Make sure baby gets a good mouthful – latch her on as soon as her mouth opens wide
• Encourage feeding by stroking her lips with the nipple, if necessary
• Don’t put presssure on the breast (can block milk ducts)
• Bring baby to breast, not breast to baby

Source: National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Ante-natal Course (London, UK, Sept 2005) Republished by Peas in a Pod (SA)

Remedies for confining mothers

After posting the Jungle juice recipe, I began searching for more info relating to the ‘Indian’ traditions of huwavar or post-partum confinement. I found an excellent article by Radio Islam which has been ‘tweeked’ slightly. Great recipes included so do share with your mothers-in-law:

THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD

It has become a norm in today’s times that the first time mums-to-be go to their parents home for delivery, and confinement.

Before confinement, foods rich in prophylactic, gestation and foetus maturation values, are prepared and it is strongly believed that the mother’s well being will be inherited by the child.

The making of these foods is a dying art, as the modern trend is to imbibe medicines and vitamins in the form of a sugar coated pill rather than a laboriously processed food.

Some of these formulae are heirlooms of the past and as such have a prized position in the cooking repertoires of the Indian grannies.

Yes after the birth of the new born baby, the new mum’s diet is strictly circumscribed. She is to eat foods that will ward off colds, and prevent backache; she is to avoid foods which will distress the breastfed baby. Her diet must ensure regular bowel movement and certain foods taken by her will aid her baby in burping out wind.

The postpartum period begins after the delivery of the baby and ends when the mother’s body has returned close to its pre-pregnant state.

New moms deserve special attention to rebuild their strength after giving birth. Nutrition and plenty of rest are essential to new moms to help their bodies recover.

Traditionally new mums are offered specific foods during confinement.

These foods are believed to speed up recovery and provide vital nutrients to the new mother and her baby. But, there is a flip side as well. Most of these foods are calorie- rich, laden with nuts, ghee and sugar and may make you gain excess weight.

However, grand mothers, mums and in-laws may insist you follow tradition. While some new mums may find it difficult to go against their elders’ wishes – others happily oblige and enjoy the pampering!

Whatever the case, do bear in mind that moderation is the key.

Eating light, easy to digest food is important. Green vegetables, vegetables from the squash family, moong (dal), and whole-wheat bread are all good choices. Avoid cabbage, beans and lentils are considered harder to digest and create gas in the body. Also avoid anything sour, like tomatoes, tamarind, lemon, and oranges.

As a new mum, you may often wonder what you need to eat or drink to increase the production of breast milk. Certain foods (known as galactagogue foods) are known to stimulate the production of breast milk.

While herbs such as fenugreek and fennel have been used for centuries to increase a nursing mother’s milk supply, little is known about how herbs affect a nursing baby. Play it safe and consult with your doctor before taking any herbal remedy. Also increase your intake of water as it is a major constituent of breast milk. It will help maintain your milk production. Ensure that you drink at least 10-12 glasses of water every day.

Here are some Traditional confinement foods that consumed by new mum’s.

PHAAKI; A snack that aids digestion and is a remedy for flatulence. Looks similar to suk-muk.

It is made up of ajmo, huwa, methi, jeero, hing, array and dry ginger.

LAAI; milk drink for confining mothers

Made up of singhora powder, ghee, fresh ground almonds and milk.

This milk drink is very nourishing for both mother and baby.

HUWA WATER

Made with water, huwa and methi.

Drink huwa water instead of tap water. Basically boil water, add huwa seeds, fill in jug and drink throughout the day.

And/or

CAROM AND FENNEL SEEDS WATER - (Ajwain aur saunf ka paani).

Carom seeds are believed to help in cleansing the stomach and uterus; fennel helps increasing milk production and prevents colic in your baby.

Ingredients:

1 litre filtered water

1 tbsp fennel seeds (saunf)

3/4th tbsp carom seeds (ajwain)

Method:

In a pan add fennel and carom seeds to one litre of filtered water.

Bring the mixture to boil.

Lower the flame and let the mixture cook for another 10-15 minutes.

Allow it to cool until lukewarm.

Strain and store the water in a thermos, so that the mixture remains warm for several hours.

Sip in this water all through the day.

ALMOND BADAAM MILK;

Ingredients:

5-7 almonds (badaam) soaked overnight and peeled

4 black pepper corn seeds (kali mirch) soaked overnight

A pinch of turmeric (haldi)

1 glass skimmed/double toned milk

½ tsp ghee

½-1 tsp honey/ sugar/jaggery/ghor

Method:

Grind almonds and pepper corns into fine paste.

In a pan, heat ghee and fry the paste till it turns golden brown. Add

turmeric power. Fry for about one minute.

Now add milk to the paste and stir.

Bring mixture to boil.

Add honey/sugar/jaggery/ghor to the milk. Serve hot.

SOME MORE REMEDIES;

• Turmeric helps heal internal wounds – Take a half-teaspoon turmeric powder every day with lukewarm milk or water. Turmeric has many other health effects.

• Fenugreek seeds are great to help prevent and ease back and joint pain. Fenugreek seeds or fresh fenugreek are also taken to help nursing mothers increase their breast milk supply. Fenugreek is also available at many health food stores.

• Ajwain (carom seeds) helps soothe pain due to gas or indigestion.

Every morning boil four glasses of water with two tablespoon of carom seeds (ajwain). Let it cool down to room temperature and drink this water throughout the day. Add ajwain as an ingredient when making roti or cooking vegetables.

• Dry ginger powder also known as sauth; take with food. Ginger offers health benefits, including anti-inflammation effects, and can also be found in health food stores.

• Gaund (or Gond) is an edible gum resin that is extracted from the bark of the tree. Gaund provides heat to our body and is usually eaten in cold winter months. Gaund and whole wheat ka ladoo is normally prepared for the nursing mother to help with lactation and provide nutrients for the baby. The main ingredients are whole-wheat flour, butter, nuts, gaund, poppy seeds, and sugar.

Things to keep in mind…

• Remember moderation is the key.
• Exercise some caution when choosing herbs and spices.
• Try a few different options first and see what works best for you and your baby.
• You may also want to consider switching a certain beverage if you find it does not agree with your system or if your baby gets fussy.

POSTPARTUM HEALING ADVICES

Encourage mothers to do as little as possible until she feels well again. Create a food tree of friends and nearby family who are willing to bring mom yummy and easy to digest foods everyday, and won’t mind doing some laundry or dishes.

Emphasize mainly on the proper diet regime for this time to ensure the health of both baby and mother. Foods need to be fresh, not processed, served warmed, very soupy, and moist in consistency. Dishes should be prepared with digestive spices such as cumin, caraway, ginger, mustard seed, clove, basil, turmeric, fenugreek, cinnamon, and garlic (roasted only).

Avoid eating meat for at least two weeks. Soup stocks are okay.

Avoid caffeine; white sugar; raw vegetables’ dry, light, crunchy foods; too many beans and too many eggs.

Make sure mother and baby are warm, oily, and feeling loved. That means lots of sesame oil rubbed gently on their skin daily. Use lots of sesame oil, olive oil.

Stay warm indoors.

Most importantly, assure mom that it is okay for her to take this time to receive so much love and support, no matter how awkward it may feel for her. Make her feel special, loved and care.

Also, the famous Indian Delights book published by the Women’s Cultural Group has tips for the confinement period.

Jungle Juice for breastfeeding mothers

I don’t know how many Muslim mothers drink Jungle Juice for breastfeeding because many of us come from an Indian background and that means you probably drink ‘Laai’ – a milk mixture with Singhora flour, ghor etc to boost your milk supply and maintain your energy levels. There’s also ‘bor’ capsules to help with backache…

in any case, here is a recipe for a Jungle juice mixture from ‘Cathy’ courtesy of Your Parenting:

50ml Weleda Schlehen Elixir blackthornberry tonic
1lt apple-, berry- or grape juice
2lt water
1 sachet fruit flavoured Rehydrate
1 Cal-C-Vita-tablet and a few drops of Rescue Remedy to help you relax (Optional)

Basically you have to mix the above and drink a recommended 2litres per day…

the tonic can also be taken before birth during pregnancy to maintain energy levels.

Breastfeeding an unwell baby

Along with the science-based benefits of breastfeeding, there are numerous emotional benefits for mother and baby. One of these is being able to nurse your child when they are sick.

Here’s some things to know about nursing your sick baby or toddler:

• Sick babies need mother’s milk, and lots of it – When you baby is sick, hunker down for the duration, because it is completely normal for your baby to want to latch on and not let go! Unless they have a vomiting illness, in which case you may want to limit the volume of milk consumed at a time, there is no reason not to let them do this. Much of the time, they may not be getting a lot of milk anyway, but the nursing for comfort is essential. Plus, if you also have, or get a touch of the baby’s illness, your body will produce antibodies which will be transferred to the baby through your milk!

• In the case of a vomiting or diarrhea illness – Breastmilk *does* count as a “clear liquid.” It is *not* necessary to stop breastfeeding and feed water, broth or electrolyte drink. Unlike formula, breastmilk is perfectly digestible (the only downside compared to water would be the slightly more messy nature of the possible vomit!). Pediatricians often do not know that breastmilk is acceptable as a clear liquid – you may need to educate them on this point.

However, you may need to limit the volume or duration of breastfeeding sessions in order to reduce the vomiting. It can be a little bit of a trick to figure out just how much you can let them drink at a time once you feel or hear the milk let down and have them retain it. They get pretty angry when you take them off, but a little bit at a time will keep them hydrated and give them just what they need. Also, after a vomiting experience, you may want to wait 30-45 minutes to allow their stomach and esophageal muscles to relax again before. If it is hard for you tolerate waiting, or it is hard for your baby to see you without nursing, you may want to hand him or her over to another comforting caregiver and leave the room temporarily.

• About Cold Medications — Despite some warnings about using decongestants with children under two, many prominent pediatricians agree that there are times when using decongestants or expectorants may be necessary and appropriate. Occasionally medication may be necessary to reduce congestion enough to allow the baby to nurse and stay hydrated. Cough suppressants are generally not recommended with the exception of a child whose sleep is so interupted by coughing that they are not getting any rest. Be sure to confer with your pediatrician regarding appropriate dosing and advisability in your particular situation. And be sure to tell your doctor whether you are using a children’s or infant/toddler formulation, because infant drops are more concentrated and can cause overdose if a children’s formulation dose is given.

• Breastmilk can be used in lots of different ways other than orally — Using breastmilk in the eyes for conjunctivitis, in the ears for early ear infection, in the nose to resist sinus infection or throat relief from post nasal drip are just a few used. Also use breastmilk topically on skin lesions or injuries. Use reasonable cleanliness measures like washing hands before pumping or hand-expressing milk and use sterile bottles or eyedroppers for storage and application. And while I encourage natural treatments, be sure to be consulting your doctor about when it might be time for your child to be examined for an infection that may be beyond home remedies.

Breastfeeding and breastmilk can be absolutely invaluable during childhood illness. Keep in mind that breastmilk reduces the overall incidence and severity of many illnesses in the first place by increasing health and transferring immunity from mother to child. But when illness does strike, breastfeeding can provide unmatched comfort and health benefits. Get well soon!

Source: BellaOnline

Subhunallah, another ‘western’ discovery that supports the Islamic perspective that BREASTFEEDING is best for mum, baby and the Ummah…

Masha allah to all the breastfeeding mommies out there, You will indeed be rewarded insha allah.

Note: The above article is from a non-Muslim expert.  Breastfeeding is not permissable for a child older than 2years. Weaning as per Islamic teachings is to begin at around 18/20months so that by 24months the child is completely weaned off his/her mother’s milk.

May Allah make your feeds easy and as beneficial as possible. Ameen

What does the Quran say about breastfeeding?

Surah 2. Verse 233:

The mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear Allah and know that Allah sees well what ye do.

Al-Quran

Translation by A.Yusuf Ali