Amy Chatburn-Stevens: IBCLC Lactation Consultant Newcastle

As always. Tomorrow is not the date to celebrate. I'm working at the hospital tomorrow so won't be able to attend the rally this year unfortunately. But get along if you can and show your support. And stay hydrated in the heat. For details on the invasion day rally see the below link. Meet at 9.30am at Customs house.
https://facebook.com/events/s/invasion-day-rallyday-of-mourn/875867650863049/

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I LOVE LOVE LOVE babywearing. Some benefits can include
- a more settled baby
- less wind pain/colic
- get burps up and keep vomits/reflux down
- keep baby close to deepen bond
- holding skin to skin in a carrier can boost your milk supply!
- you get to have your hands free
- you can carry baby anywhere
- you can breastfeed while babywearing- for the skilled babywearers 😁🤱

I personally had very irritable babies and i carried them a lot- in my many different carriers. My favourite while they are still small are the wrap carriers that are a long piece of fabric that you wrap around yourself then put bub in. These ones conform to most peoples body shapes so great if you and your partner are totally different heights and shapes. And i find that younger babies prefer these. Then once bubs are more alert and active I like a more structured carrier with clips so you can just chuck it on and go. The long fabric wrap carriers are the only thing I tell expecting parents to buy/borrow prior to having bubs. I haven't found a baby that doesn't like these yet. I'm sure there are some bubs that aren't fans but none I've come across myself. I also love babywearing for the non birthing parent- its a beautiful bonding experience ❤️ (and gives the birthing parent a rest if they need it).

Please note I am not a babywearing expert. Please research pros and cons for you and your babies. Every baby wrap and carrier is different and will come with different instructions and safety advice.

Enjoy your babywearing snuggles!

For more info:

https://raisingchildren .net.au/newborns/safety/equipment-furniture/baby-carrier-sling-safety

D-MER is a condition which some parents experience when feeding. It stands for Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex.

D = Dysphoria - is a state of dissatisfaction/anxiety/restlessness/fidgeting 
MER = Milk ejection reflex (the ‘let-down’) 

Parents with D-MER feel negative emotions just before or with their let-down reflex. It can happen when direct feeding or expressing & can also happen at times when let down occurs when not feeding.

D-MER is NOT Postnatal Depression or anxiety. D-MER is associated with negative emotions that only happen with a let-down reflex & go away quickly after.

Some people describe it feeling like:
- Hollow feeling in the stomach 
- Anxiety 
- Sadness
- Dread 
- Nervousness 
- Anxiousness 
- Angst 
- Irritability 
- Hopelessness

Some people have mild symptoms & may describe it as a 'sigh'. For others it may be severe for example suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm.

Symptoms may decrease by about 3 months after birth or they may keep going for as long as the parent is feeding. However how long it lasts, most people do find that it seems to get easier to manage as their baby gets older. 
The cause isn't known but the current theory is that D-MER occurs as a result of inappropriate activity of a hormone, dopamine, when the let-down reflex is triggered. 

Treatment wise- in mild to moderate D-MER, lifestyle changes can help. You may find that just knowing your feelings have a name, helps you cope with the symptoms.
Other things that may help are:
- distracting yourself while breastfeeding, eg eating
- avoiding things which make the symptoms worse such as stress, dehydration and caffeine
- prioritising sleep over less important activities. Lack of sleep can worsen symptoms for some people.
If your D-MER is severe, your doctor may discuss the use of a specific medicine or herbal product.

I did have this with one of my own babies but it was mild and I knew what is was- which really helped knowing it was temporary. It only lasted for a few months and i would just deep breathe through the let down knowing the feeling would pass quickly.

For more info:
https://d-mer.org/
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/d-mer

My heart hurts after yesterdays results. Sending so much love to our first nations people. 🖤💛❤️

Free phone support available:

Yarn 13 92 76
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Lifeline 13 11 14
NSW mental health line 1800 011 511
www.health.gov.au/voice-mental-health-support

Well the weather is heating up early this year in Newi. Does your breastfed baby need to drink water when the weather is hot? Assuming baby is breastfeeding (chestfeeding/bodyfeeding) effectively, a baby under 6months who is exclusively breastfeeding, does not need additional water! Even when the weather is hot- as long as baby is allowed to breastfeed on demand as needed. Breastmilk is around 88% water and supplies all the fluids that your baby needs. Amazing! 💙💧
Giving water supplements to babies under 6 months can also be dangerous, and can be associated with increased bilirubin levels (jaundice), excess weight loss, ineffective removal of breastmilk leading to decreased supply for mum, and too much water could lead to a dangerous condition called oral water intoxication. Feeding parent should always drink to thirst anyway- stay hydrated and safe in this hot weather!

For more information see the links below

https://www.who.int/features/qa/breastfeeding/en/

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/you-and-your-breastfed-baby/cool

https://kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/baby-water/

Any breast surgery at all can impact your ducts, nerves, glandular tissue and has the potential to affect your supply or how you feed your baby. Most women who have had breast surgery can breastfeed in some way. Some can fully breastfeed with no issues, some partially breastfeed, others breastfeed with the help of medicines or supplement lines or pumping to boost supply depending on the reason for low supply.

If you’ve had breast surgery, it’s difficult to know if you will encounter any issues until your baby is born and you start to breastfeed. And what and how your surgery was done can impact upon how fully you can breastfeed.

Breast reduction surgery is more likely to cause milk supply problems than breast augmentation surgery. This is particularly so if your ni**le was moved to a new position during the surgery and if glandular tissue was removed. Cutting around the ni**le will have disrupted the nerve supply to the ni**le and ar**la.

It also depends on how much the surgery disrupted the milk glands and milk ducts. However, nerves can regrow over time, and glandular tissue can increase during pregnancy.

Most women who have had one sided
mastectomy and radiotherapy for breast cancer can breastfeed from the other breast. Some who have had radiotherapy after a partial mastectomy may be able to partially breastfeed on the affected side as well.

If you are needing breast surgery for any reason discuss your current, or future breastfeeding situation with your breast surgeon. Where possible, your surgeon may change the way they do the surgery to enable you to breastfeed in the future. Though they shouldn't guarantee either way the impacts as they can't know until you start to develop a milk supply if surgery impacts it or not.

If you are breastfeeding at the moment, talk to your doctors about how the surgery may affect your ability to breastfeed going forward.

Because surgery and everyone's situations are totally different this is something that needs an individualised assessment and plan. I see many women who have had a history of breast surgery and the outcomes are all different.

THIS. This is why human breastmilk is unique, complex and cannot be replicated! Breastmilk is living. It changes continuously to meet your baby’s needs. It helps protect the newborns gut from pathogens. It is always the right temperature. It provides baby with antibodies. Every drop matters. This is why we call it liquid gold! It is magic!

I got to hang out with the beautiful Luka and Kate (and Kate's gorgeous baby bump) from this morning. Follow their podcast to keep an eye out for our chat. Thanks for having me beauties! Xx

Happy Father's Day to all the gorgeous Dads out there. Especially to my awesome hubby, my own daddsie and my father in law- the best dads ever. Shout out also to so many of my clients on their first ever Father's day! Have an awesome day gorgeous dads! X

Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

The 2023 theme is 'Enabling breastfeeding - making a difference for working parents' & making breastfeeding at work, work, makes societies work!
Breast/chest/bodyfeeding (BF) provides vital health & nutritional benefits for children with positive lifelong impacts, building healthier populations (& workforces) for the future. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between BF their children & their jobs. BF support is possible regardless of workplace, sector, or contract type.
Effective maternity protections improve children’s & women’s health & increase BF. And yet, at present, more than half a billion working women lack access to vital maternity provisions; many more find themselves unsupported when they go back to work.
All women everywhere – no matter their work - should have: at least 18 weeks, preferably more than 6 months, paid maternity leave;
Paid time off for BF or expressing milk upon returning to work;
Flexible return to work options.
Policymakers can make BF & work, work by: Legislating at least 18 weeks, preferably more than 6 months, paid maternity leave; Ensuring employers provide paid time off & a dedicated space for BF/expressing milk after this; Ensuring all women have access to maternity entitlements, including those in the informal sector or on limited contracts; Tackling employment-related discrimination against women, including during & after pregnancy & birth.
Employers can make BF & work, work by: Providing maternity leave that meets requirements; Providing time & space for BF/expressing & storing breastmilk; Providing options to reduce separation of women & their babies after mat leave, such as:
Flexible schedules
On-site childcare
Teleworking
Part-time work
Letting mothers bring their babies to work.
Colleagues can help make BF & work, work by: Being supportive of flexible work arrangements when women return to work; Championing women’s rights in the workplace.

Above info from
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-breastfeeding-week/2023

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/world-breastfeeding-week-2023

Newborns generally need 8-12 feeds minimum in a 24 hour period. Some babies for medical reasons need to be on a schedule and woken to feed frequently (for example 3rd hourly feeds for a sleepy baby with low blood sugar levels). But if your bub is well and is feeding well then they can be fed on demand. Letting your bub feed when they want to helps to regulate your milk supply. Since breastfeeding works as supply and demand, each time your baby feeds it sends a message to the brain to produce the amount bub needs for the next feeds. Your supply will generally meet your baby’s needs if you breastfeed them whenever they seem hungry or fussy.

Feeds can vary in length each time. Sometimes your baby might want a very quick feed, and at other times they may like to spend a long time feeding. Just like us- sometimes you want a snack and sometimes you want a full meal plus dessert! 😁🍰🍦

Your baby doesn’t have to take a ‘full’ feed every time. Many babies have periods of cluster feeding particularly in the late afternoon and evening. Babies who have a long stretch of sleep overnight may need to feed more frequently the rest of the day to catch up. As bub grows, they become more efficient at feeding and the feeds are often shorter.

All bubs are different and all feeding patterns are different. And bubs change this depending on their age, weight, development changes, the weather, sickness... anything really! So if in doubt ask for help. And don't forget to enjoy those on-demand-snuggles 😘😍




(Side note: ... yes I totally chose this photo because the baby is a redhead 🤣😍)

Can I get pregnant when breastfeeding? Yes absolutely! So be careful! As a midwife I've definitely seen this happen a few times. People who haven't got their period back yet & thought they were protected against pregnancy because they were exclusively breastfeeding.

Parents who aren't breastfeeding may ovulate as early as 5 to 6 weeks after birth. However when breastfeeding, the hormone levels generally don't return to pre-pregnancy levels until much later which can delay ovulation & the return of periods.

Everyone start menstruating again at different times post birth. For some it takes months, for others it can take years. It can depend on your baby’s breastfeeding pattern & on the sensitivity of your body to breastfeeding hormones.

Periods can return: when your baby starts to feed less or for shorter times, if you start offering formula top-ups, if bub starts sleeping for longer or sleeping through the night or if your baby starts solids. When periods do return they can come back irregularly so theres not always a guarantee that you'd know if you were ovulating; but any change in your vaginal mucus or any bleeding may be a sign of a change in your hormone levels & a return of fertility. Unless you know your signs of ovulation very well, you may not know for sure that you are fertile again until you have your first period.

There is a term called Lactational Amenorrhoea Method LAM which is listed by the WHO as an accepted & effective method of contraception. Studies have shown that LAM is a 98% effective method as long as you meet ALL of the following conditions:

Your periods have not returned AND your baby is less than 6 months of age AND you are exclusively (fully) breastfeeding (your baby is having no other foods or drinks).

Therefore, while your baby breastfeeds frequently you may not get pregnant. I have seen this work both ways- some exclusively feeding parents periods return at 2 months & some who need to fully wean to fall pregnant. So you've been warned- its not an 100% guarantee 🤣

See your GP for a dicussion on suitable contraception methods for your circumstances.

Can ni**le piercing effect breastfeeding?

There's not a lot of research into this or how to manage breast/chest/body feeding when you have a ni**le piercing. But there are some things to think about.

It’s possible that ni**le piercings may lead to a reduced milk supply, blockages. Scar tissue or damage to milk ducts making it harder to remove milk from the breast
Piercings should be removed prior to feeds or can lead to difficulty attaching, injury to babies mouth/tongue/palate/gums and the obvous choking hazard if parts come loose.
If you are wanting to keep your piercing it's important to put it back in immediately afterwards the feeds. The hole could begin to close over in as little as 3 hours because breastmilk has healing properties.

I've seen a number of people with ni**le piercings feed their babies. All of them have removed their piercings prior to feeds or altogether. Some have closed over but some havent. And all had milk spray from the piercing holes. Which can get messy. Haha.

The risks that apply to body piercing in general for example the risk of infection and scar tissue also apply to ni**le piercing, so think about these also prior to getting piercings.

For more info see:
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/ni**le-piercing

https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/ni**le-piercings/

Smoking/va**ng whilst breastfeeding

Breastmilk contains important factors to help babies fight illness and so breastfeeding can help protect the baby from the harmful effects of cigarette smoke. Babies who are formula fed are more likely to suffer from the effects of second hand cigarette smoke. Exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke increases your baby’s risk of lung infections, asthma & sudden infant death syndrome. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or caring for a young baby, it’s better to not smoke. But if you can’t stop or cut down, then it’s better to smoke & breastfeed than smoke & formula feed.

Some people may try va**ng/ e-cigarettes thinking it may be safer. There isn’t enough research yet to know if this is true. E-cigarettes are not harmless as they can still contain chemicals & ni****ne which can pass into breastmilk and affect your baby’s health.

If you do smoke:
Wait until after a breastfeed. The longer the time between smoking & the next breastfeed, the less ni****ne your baby will be exposed to through your milk.

Don’t smoke or v**e in the house or the car. Keep the area around your baby as smoke-free as possible. Don't allow anyone else to smoke near your baby.

Cover up & clean up. Each time you have a cigarette, the chemicals are trapped in your clothing, hair & skin. You won’t always be able to change your clothes, brush your teeth, shower & wash your hair after each cigarette. However, you could think about having a ‘smoking outfit’ or something to cover your clothes, which you keep outside to change into. Cover your hair with a shower cap or scarf. You can then wash your hands & brush your teeth when you take off the outer layer. 

Quitting 
There are a few different things you can use to help give up smoking. Options & resources on quitting smoking can be found at www.quitnow.gov.au or you can speak with your doctor. Make sure you tell them that you are breastfeeding so they can help you to choose the safest option for you & your baby. 

Info above taken from: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/breastfeeding-and-smoking-or-va**ng

Yes! Number 1 is information collecting! Have a look at all the options for feeding before making your decision on how you will feed your baby. Informed decisions are the best kind.

If planning to breast/chest/body feed, education is important. Learn from reputable evidence based sources for accurate information- like your IBCLC 😉.

I provide individual antenatal education home visits. This is education and a plan for your birth/hospital stay/early weeks postnatal to improve your chances of successful breastfeeding. If you've had a history of breastfeeding difficulty, low supply, breast surgery, diabetes, PCOS, insufficient glandular tissue, or specific concerns or questions I definitely recommend an individual session to tailor it specifically to your needs.

There are also some incredible free resources out there for breastfeeding education:

The Australian Breastfeeding Association https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/

https://globalhealthmedia.org/topic/breastfeeding/

A super important thing needed for breastfeeding is emotional support. This can be from partner, family, friends, health care providers like me 😊 anyone that will support your decision to breastfeed. Support is paramount.

Antenatal expressing. This is not a must-do. But can be beneficial. I can show you how to do this but we wait until after 36 weeks and only with the ok from your midwife or obstetrician. It may not be recommended for higher risk pregnancies so I always get you to check first.

I'm terms of feeding pillows, devices, pumps etc etc etc you may need nothing! Just your breasts and your baby. This is determined by many things of course but most of the time all is needed is b***s and baby 🍈🍈 & 👶 = 🤱

Happy researching. And as always I'll be here ready if you need me 😊

‼️‼️ We need your help URGENTLY ‼️‼️

The Australian Government are continuing to refuse to give Medicare provider numbers to IBCLC’s. The main reason is that they believe there is enough breastfeeding support funded by them as there are some Endorsed Midwives (who can provide rebates for the 1st 6 weeks) and Maternal Child Health Nurses who are also IBCLC’s.

Mothers and babies need support for longer than the 1st 6 weeks and Maternal Child Health Nurses are not given the time needed to provide individualised assessment, support and follow-up with the same nurse.

The implementation of the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy: 2019 and Beyond report has still not been addressed with no action plan commenced 4 years later!

This is not good enough ✖️
Mothers, babies, parents, families, our communities - physically and mentally - deserve better 🔈

Please sign this petition urgently, they need to hear your voices 📣✍️💥
______________________________________________

Petition EN5169 - Lactation Consultants recognised for Medicare rebates.

Petition Status:
The petition is currently open for signatures (closes on the 12/07/23).

Petition Reason:
The Parliamentary Inquiry into breastfeeding in 2007 recommended that the Minister for Health and Ageing update the policy and provide Lactation Consultants with a Medicare rebate provider number to support all new mothers to breastfeed. In 2023 this is still not an option for Lactation Consultants.

Currently Lactation services are not recognised with Medicare and only some private health funds help with a portion of the cost.

Optimum infant feeding is a fundamental human right. Breastfeeding has known benefits for both mother and baby, breastfeeding reduces public health costs, saves lives, and is environmentally friendly.

Currently there is a shortage of GP appointments and shorter hospital stays. A Medicare rebate number would ensure all women can have access to expert breastfeeding support increase the health of all Australians.

Petition Request:
We therefore ask the House to allow International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) to be funded by medicare. Make help more accessible and affordable for mothers.

Link in bio ✅ or click here 👇

https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN5169

______________________________________________

In March 2022 the LCANZ Board of Directors made an application to the Medical Services Advisory Committee - an independent non-statutory committee established by the Australian Government Minister for Health in 1998, who appraises new medical services proposed for public funding (eg Medicare), and advises the Australian Government on whether a new medical service should be publicly funded.

This was their response from the LCANZ website:

https://www.lcanz.org/index.cfm/resources/government/correspondence/

International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE)
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Australian Government
Annastacia Palaszczuk MP
Anthony Albanese
Queensland Parliament

YES!!!! You can breastfeed in public. If you feel comfortable. The more we see people feeding in public the more it will become the norm. In Australia there are laws in place to support you breastfeeding your baby, (anytime and anywhere) both federally and in every State and Territory. It is illegal to treat a woman, on the basis that she is breastfeeding, less favourably than another person in education, employment or in access to services or premises. So basically; -parents cannot be asked to leave a cafe/shop/park/anywhere due to breastfeeding; cannot be refused employment because they are breastfeeding and cannot be refused education because they are breastfeeding.

For further information please see:

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/breastfeeding-and-law/legalright

https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/employers/quick-guide-australian-discrimination-laws

In saying this, when i was breastfeeding my babies in public i never once had a negative comment from a stranger and most of my breastfeeding friends have found the same. For those who have had negative experiences, see the above links on ways to report/ put in a complaint and also for support services available such as the ABA helpline. Xx

Hi guys,

I've had a few enquiries asking how far I travel for home visits. The cost includes travel up to 35 mins drive from Adamstown. I do travel further depending on individual client needs- but this includes a travel fee. I prefer in-person consults for more thorough assessment but can offer video/phone consults if needed.

Happy Wednesday. Hope you get some time to enjoy this beautiful weather we've been having.😊💙

Food proteins, chemicals & flavours go through your breastmilk and can affect your baby. If your baby is allergic or intolerant to traces of foods in your diet they may have adverse reactions.

Some symptoms can be:
- Wind pain/ colic
- Mucousy poos
- Blood in poos
- Reflux
- Irritability
- Skin rashes/ eczema

They can occur soon after a feed, within hours or days or can only occur when having large amounts of the allergen in the diet.

Babies can be very unsettled for many reasons. It may be something other than food. Before restricting your diet to try to prevent your baby’s symptoms, consider other reasons such as: low supply, lactose overload, medical conditions, reflux disease, normal newborn behaviour, such as cluster feeding, fussy periods & developmental leaps.
 
If you have ruled out the above & want to cut foods from your diet it is important to consult a health professional before changing your diet. When you are breastfeeding, you need good nutrition and if you start cutting out foods, you will need to make up for what you are missing by eating different foods. 

Cows milk protein & soy are the most common allergens I see in younger babies. This is different to lactose intolerance- lactose is a major part of breastmilk & is made in the breast. However, a baby may develop secondary lactose intolerance as a result of allergy or intolerance to foods coming through the breastmilk.

If you have family history of allergy, try to exclusively breastfeed your baby for around 6 months to reduce the risk that they will become allergic to foods. There is currently not enough evidence for avoiding foods in pregnancy or breastfeeding to reduce the risk of your baby becoming allergic. But there is ongoing research being done. Unless your baby is already reacting to foods thrrough your milk, then it is advised to not restrict your diet.

I have a keen interest and personal experience breastfeeding a severely allergic & intolerant baby & had a very restricted diet when I was feeding him for almost 2 years. You are not alone. It's can be difficult feeding an allergy baby. But worth it. 😊 Get in touch if you need help.

Breastfeeding has a positive effect on the relationship you have with your baby. Breast/chest/bodyfeeding releases oxytocin and prolactin, the love and milk producing hormones, which helps promote bonding with your baby. It is also associated with lower stress levels for parent and enhanced bonding through increased interaction, skin to skin and close contact. There are so many beautiful ways to bond with your baby. And breastfeeding is one of those ❤️
This is a photo my husband took of me feeding my daughter at my sisters wedding. I was connecting with her through breastfeeding, smiling and talking to her. She would watch me and her little hand would play with my hair. Breastfeeding is not always easy but moments like these are beautiful ❤️

For more info on breastfeeding and bonding see below links:

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3916850/ -nutrients-06-00076

https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/connecting-communicating/bonding/bonding-newborns

Today is May 17: The International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination!

Today, millions of people around the world will be going rainbow to build LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and stand out against discrimination.

Why? Because even though we’ve come so far, the reality is there’s still a LOT of work to be done.

IDAHOBIT marks the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases – only 33 years ago.

And today, in 2023:

🌈 2 in 3 LGBTQIA+ youth in Australia still experience abuse due to their identity.

🌈 68% of LGBTQIA+ employees in Australia are not out to everyone at work.

🌈 35% of LGBTQIA+ Australians have experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months.

So, today really is a chance for us to actively, visibly, and proudly create LGBTQIA+ inclusion at work, school, in our communities, and as individuals. Fill the day with pride and allyship!

Whether you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community, an ally, or an ally-to-be, by going rainbow you’re taking a stand against discrimination – and it’s truly more important than ever to do just that.

How will you be going rainbow? How will you be levelling up your LGBTQIA+ knowledge and allyship? Big or small, it all makes a difference.

If you're not sure what to do today, spread the word and the message of LGBTQIA+ inclusion! Share resources, put on a rainbow ribbon, have a conversation with your friends or your colleagues – head to idahobit.org.au to get involved!

And if you're in a position to do so, make a tax-deductible donation to create LGBTQIA+ inclusion 365 days a year and keep that impact going.

But most of all – Happy IDAHOBIT! 🏳️‍🌈

Words above and more info from
https://www.idahobit.org.au/news/the-history-of-IDAHOBIT-may-17