Lisa's Corner

Having operated our Carolinas Medical Center retail store next to the Outpatient Lactation Services where Board Certified Lactation Consultant Lisa Mather sees families in need of nursing assistance and care for nearly a year now, we would conclude without hesitation that there is no better (and better loved) LC than Miss Lisa. She is not only a great LC but also a great friend. And her patients just love her. I've never seen such a parade of stressed out moms, and often dads, marching into her offices and such a parade of relieved, smiling, even ebulient people heading out of her office. The transformation is remarkable. Not only do her patients relate to us how much she has helped them and how much they appreciate and respect her, most partings between mom and Lisa end in big bear hugs.

We have started a blog strand called Lisa's Corner to offer her advice and help to those in need who are online, but also as a tribute to her amazing Lactation Consultant abilities.

INSTALLMENT #1: Did you know..

....that Mother's Milk makes a difference?

• Mother's Milk provides infants all the nutrients for the best physical and mental development.
• Mother's Milk helps infants fight infections and develop healthy immune systems.
• Mothers who choose to breastfeed are healthier, with less risk of ovarian and breast cancer, and wider child spacing.
• Mother's Milk is convenient with no bottles or nipples to prepare or refrigerate.
• Familes who breastfeed save $$ on food and healthcare costs.
• Mother's Milk contributes to a better environment by using less energy and creating less waste.

Infant feeding costs:

Breastfeeding: Requires that the mother consume an additional 200 kCal per day, the equivalent of two tablespoons of peanut butter. The annual cost is $57.

Just for Fun: Figure the weekly cost of formula and put that amount in a special savings account for every week your baby is exclusively breastfed. A great start on your baby's college fund. Depending on which formula you use, the cost could be as much as $3,000. Now that's a pretty good first step toward a great college education!

INSTALLMENT #2: The Benefits of Nursing

BENEFITS FOR MOTHER

• Bonds mother and child
• Provides the baby with a hormone-induced contentment
• Encourages efficient uterine contractions after childbirth
• Allows mothers to lose pregnancy weight and size faster
• Convenient (the milk is pre-warmed, clean and always available)
• Cost-effective (costs a family approximately $3,000 a year to formula feed one infant)
• Contributes to natural family planning
• Contributes to household food security
• Fosters confidence and promotes self-esteem
• Protective against cancer (breast, ovarian, cervical)
• Lowers the incidence of chronic hepatitis
• Reduces the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis
• Reduces the requirements of insulin for diabetic mothers
• Empowers the mother

BENEFITS FOR BABY

Breastfed babies:

• Get sick less often and get illnesses that are less severe
• Are hospitalized less often and have a lower mortality rate
• Have a lower risk of diarrheal disease
• Have lower incidence of gastrointestinal illness
• Have a lower risk of urinary track infections
• Have a lower incidence of respiratory disease
• Have a lower incidence of otitis media
• Have a lower rate of obesity
• Have a lower incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Have fewer learning and behavior difficulties
• Have better psychological development
• Develop a more energy-efficient and rhythmically functioning nervous system
• Have a lower rate of pneumonia, neonatal sepsis, and giardia infections
• Are less likely to develop heart disease and cancer later in life
• Studies have shown protective substances in human breast milk can help ward off ear infections, allergies, vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia and meningitis. In fact, if every mother nursed for the recommended period of time it would save the country an estimated $1- $5 trillion annually in health care costs.

BREASTFEEDING:

• Helps bond mother and baby
• Confers passive immunities
• Is protective against measles and other
• Provides optimal growth and neurological development
• Protects against hypothermia
• Provides partial protection against necrotising enterocolotis
• Provides major protection against bacteremia and meningitis
• Reduces the incidence of childhood lymphoma
• Enhances visual development
• Provides protection against neonatal sepsis
• Is less risky for premature babies and babies with low birth weight

INSTALLMENT #3: What Every Mom Needs to Know About Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding isn't always easy. You may need more patience, more practice than you might have imagined.

• Ask for help!
• Breastfeeding is not supposed to be painful
• Feed your baby often
• Get comfortable
• Let your baby set the pace
• Hold off on a pacifier at first
• Gauge your success
• Wear loose clothing
• Make healthy lifestyle choices
• You may cry a lot but try to laugh...this time will go by way too fast
• If it feels right to you, then it's right
• Trust your maternal instincts!