Sure, breastfeeding is great and all….but when it isn’t going well, it can absolutely SUCK for your postpartum mental health!

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (aka PMADS) is strongly related to often uncontrollable hormonal factors. Difficulties with infant feeding are common and can greatly impact mental health.

Necessary for some, damaging for others

“Topping-up” is the practice of giving your baby some “bonus” breast milk or formula via bottle after breastfeeding sessions. ⁠
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While it is incredibly helpful and necessary in some instances, it can create milk supply issues. ⁠

Lactation consultant coverage should be the norm.

Infant feeding support should be widely available and fully covered by government-funded health care and employer-funded insurance plans.

What is a “Normal” birth anyway?

C-Sections ARE normal birth!! As a labour & Delivery nurse, I HATE it when people say, “oh, she had a normal birth”. There is nothing more frustrating. Vaginal deliveries and c-sections are all “normal” births.

It is important to be aware of potential risks for feeding complications as early as possible. This way, you can be mentally prepared, and have support systems and strategies in place before you encounter possible issues.

Unfortunately, Insulin resistance and Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational) can be associated with low milk production for breastfeeding parents. If you fall into this category, fear not! Diabetes and insulin resistance are just one piece of the puzzle. Work with your doctor and an IBCLC to prevent and manage low supply.

Why are we so obsessed with milk supply?

When it comes to milk supply, our society often has a “more is better” mentality. The truth is, a freezer stash of milk is not a requirement. It can be difficult to determine if you have a low supply, especially when hormones and anxieties are running high, sleep is running low, and you’re recovering both physically and mentally from your baby’s birth.

If you are worried about your milk supply, it is important to reach out for help as soon as possible. An International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can help you determine the cause of low supply and provide strategies to help you meet your feeding goals.

Many cannabis products are available on the market. They can be used for a variety of reasons, a few of which include anxiety, sleep, chronic pain, and good ol’ recreational fun.

What happens if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, though?

Contrary to popular beliefs, no, you CANNOT spoil a newborn!

How many of you have been guilted into not responding to your baby’s cries because “you’re creating bad habits” or “you’re holding them too much”, and (my personal favorite), “they need to learn to self-soothe”.

Why are parents choosing infant formula from Europe?

European formulas (not approved by Health Canada or the FDA and imported from third party websites) market themselves as superior to what is available in North America. They claim to have “healthier” sugar sources, and an extensive list of banned or restricted ingredients.

Congrats on your new baby! Enjoy postpartum! See you in 6 weeks! Good luck!

You may have heard this after you delivered your baby. And yes, it’s true.  Typically, your follow-up with your doctor occurs 6 weeks after delivery.  A LOT can happen over those 6 weeks of postpartum recovery.  You may feel that you transform physically, emotionally, and mentally during that time.

There are so many options for managing labour pain, and for optimizing labour progress!

You may be exhausted and tempted to stay in bed, but it is beneficial to get up and work with your body! Utilize your support person to provide things that will bring you any amount of comfort at this time.

How do we feel about them? Just “super”, right? Pumping has become so commonplace on social media and parenting blogs that most parents purchase their pump prior to even having their baby.  Marketing companies have positioned the breast pump as a necessity in the world of infant feeding.  Is it really so necessary?

Welcome back to my “5 Random Facts…” series.  Today, we are talking about Labour & Delivery!  I definitely have a lot of random facts in my brain (and in my library or resources, text books, and articles). I hope that, in addition to being kind of interesting, these facts will help you in your journey as a parent or parent-to-be!

I have piles of ideas for social media posts and blog entries.  I decided to compile them into a series of “5 Random Facts”.  Stay tuned for more random facts on Labour & Delivery, Prenatal Preparation, Postpartum life, and more!  In the meantime, cozy up and enjoy the first entry on Infant Feeding!

Formula has saved the lives of millions of babies.

But, formula companies have used MANY sneaky and unethical marketing tactics to convince mothers that their milk will never be sufficient. They have made parents think that problems exist when they don’t and they rely on their ability to make parents feel inadequate and doubt their abilities. How many parents out there have bought formula “just in case?”. Those purchases alone have put billions of dollars into the pockets of corporations.

Your mom, your friends, multiple hospital nurses, your midwife, your pediatrician, your obstetrician…..Why does everyone tell you something different about breastfeeding?

The right support can help you achieve your infant feeding goals Article originally published in Modern Mama Baby Guide Fall 2020 “My mom couldn’t breastfeed, so I won’t be able to.” “I wish I could breastfeed but I can’t because I’m taking an antidepressant.” “I just delivered an hour ago, I don’t have any milk yet. Let’s just give formula until my milk comes in.” “I have breast implants so I won’t be able to breastfeed.” “My baby isn’t latching [20 minutes after delivery], he must not want my milk.” I have been a Labour and Delivery for the past 10 years and have heard the above FALSE statements so many times. I frequently see parents who spend months researching and planning for the labour and delivery process, have a birth plan, have made goals for their labour, and have some knowledge about induction, medications, and pain management strategies.

‘Every surge brings your baby closer’ ‘It’s not pain, it’s power’ These statements are all examples of positive birth affirmations. Affirmations are one method used for focus and pain management in labour. You know what also works for focus and pain management? An epidural. My point here is that both the “natural” birthing world and the medical world have incredible knowledge and methods to offer. So why are these “worlds” at such odds with one another? Medical Interventions vs. “Natural” methods: It’s time to come to terms Very often it is about judgement and guilt than about providing truly informed care, and I am tired of it. The medical world is based in science and does SO MUCH to give you the best chance of having a healthy and safe delivery. The so-called “natural” world of doulas, lactation consultants, and midwives, offers so much time, trust, relationship- and support-based care.

Top Breastfeeding Myths Debunked   As an IBCLC, I am so tired of hearing and reading all of the lies about breastfeeding. I’ve written about this before: Corporations love to make us doubt ourselves and our bodies so that we buy their products Breastfeeding is hard.  If it were easy, companies wouldn’t be able to sell formula, pumps, creams, tools, etc that promise to be the answer for your infant feeding woes. Sometimes tools can help the process, but there are no magic solutions for feeding issues.  It all takes work, patience, support, and time. I’ve discussed 5 popular myths in this post, but honestly, I could write 50 pages of lies I’ve encountered over the years.  

Think back to those early days of dating your partner.

You would sit over dinner and wine and discuss your life goals, families, friends, education, current events, and politics. You would cuddle and watch movies and bask in the new, romantic love.

Now think to back the early days with your baby (whether it was years ago or yesterday).  The conversation most likely included lengthy discussions about the consistency, color, texture, smell, and frequency of your baby’s defecation patterns.