What Are the Basics of Breastfeeding, pt. 1

Host: Ms. Hodge what is a lactation consultant? Ms. Hodge: A lactation consultant is a professional who is versed in the treatment and management of breastfeeding problems and also one who teaches moms and professionals about breastfeeding in its entity. Host: So you are saying that sometimes doctors have to be educated too, is that true? Ms. Hodge: That is correct. Host: Mummies probably who care about their child will look into all the avenues, we hope they come to a conclusion that breastfeeding is best, is that correct? Ms. Hodge: That's correct. Host: Okay I have heard you say many times, if mother nature makes it, it is probably the right thing to do, is that correct? Ms. Hodge: That's correct. Host: Okay and some of the advantages we could say is what essential a couple of thousand dollars that first year and I heard you say a couple of times that husbands should buy you a beautiful present. Something shiny is that true? Ms. Hodge: Yes, what I say to moms the money that they save if they buy breast milk substitutes it can save them a pretty penny and they can always get that shining diamond necklace that they wanted. Host: But the general rule is, if you look at a baby that was breastfeed there is something about the glow of the skin, they seem to be a little bit brighter, is that true? Ms. Hodge: Oh yeah, you can tell breastfeed babies, they look chunky but they are never overweight babies. There is a rarity where you may find some babies that are overweight, but in general they look chunky babies that you want to just eat up. We call their thighs thunder thighs because they are nice and chunky looking. Host: There is some indication, of course, the jury is out a little bit that breastfeed babies probably end up a little bit higher IQ? Ms. Hodge: There have been studies to that effect, but there are more things that are involved with IQ measuring. Host: Some people think if a mother has a very strict diet against allergies it might be even less allergic we know now that's true and they less have to get sick because there is some immunity passed on from the breast milk to the baby, so less diarrhea's, less colds the first year? Ms. Hodge: That's correct; most mom's do pass their immunity to their babies and that lessens the chances of the infections, you know. What studies have shown that air infections are lessened and as a pediatrician I am sure you can attest to that. Host: And also less diarrhea. Ms. Hodge: That's correct and especially in third-world countries where there is a big problem, breastfeed babies do benefit. Host: We also found out not even from a pediatrician that the baby is one of premature situation. The breast milk is actually better for a premature because it's richer and thicker in some different chemicals and now the drug companies have made formulas to match it a little bit, is that correct? Ms. Hodge: We have seen that, but we do know for sure that scientifically for premature babies mom's milk is better and there are ways that you can really get these babies to get higher calorie by pumping and feeding them the full milk from the mom that is a great benefit to the premature baby. Host: The first almost common question about a new mother breastfeeding, how the baby know what to do and that they do is that correct? Ms. Hodge: Well babies instinctively wise we know that and studies have shown, there, there was one picture that I have seen, where baby was put on to the mom's abdomen after birth then that baby crawled right up and found itself lached on to the mom's teeth so that's sudden thing really wonderful. We can see instinctively it's there. Host: Now, there is some are concern, if you in the beginning breastfeed and stopping that with conventional formulas there is problem. Some use the term nipple preference and nipple confusion, what is that all about? Ms. Hodge: Well it's seems as one, except for some babies want to introduce certain methods of feeding, they do not want to take from that and they prefer, for example, the teeth of the bottle with the gravitational fluid. The baby does not have to work as hard but if the baby is nursing there is work involved and that's beneficial for the baby because exercising -- once you use your buddy, it's beneficial if you don't use it, you lose it. So the jaws get very nice and the jaws are stronger, teeth alignment is great for babies who are breastfeed, rather than babies who maybe artificially fed. Host: Also that is hard to take it from a breast, it is easier to take it from a bottle, some babies may not want to take the breast. Ms. Hodge: That we have seen situations like that and that can be very devastating. It's time consuming. You need a lot of patience and then you have to retrain that baby to really suck properly at the mother's breast.