Shira Johnson Lactation, Shira Johnson, IBCLC

No your baby is not 'manipulating you' if you respond when they need something. They are simply showing you that they need feeding, support with sleep or simply a cuddle and trust you enough to help them with that.

Responding to your baby helps build their trust, not only in you and your relationship but with how they view the world. It helps them grow in confidence as they know that their needs are met.

Babies have no choice to ask for help if they need it. They have no other way in the early weeks of communicating apart from crying. They have tiny tummies and need lots of feeds. They need support in getting back to sleep at night. They probably get scared as they've no idea where you've gone and evolution hasn't caught up enough yet for them to know they're not going to get eaten by a bear.

But the way some people react they seem to think it's akin to an adult sitting on the sofa and asking someone to wait on them hand and foot all day long.

Saying that, isn't it nice to sometimes be brought a cup of tea or a biscuit (or six)? Are you being manipulated by your partner if they ask you if you'd pass them a drink while you're up? [or my favourite trick here of calling in a passing child to bring me something because I don't want to get up... but you know, I gave birth to them, they owe me 😏😆]

On a serious note, when we care & respond to others it’s part of building a reciprocal relationship of attachment and trust. And responding to your baby’s needs helps build that relationship with them and is actually the start of sending them out into the world as a happy, loved & confident human.

Research shows that the more you are 'manipulated' by your baby the more confident and secure they are as children and adults. Ok, replace manipulated by with 'respond to your baby's needs' and we're closer to the actual research. But every time you respond that bond grows.

Probably best to not help them if they're trying to get you to steal the neighbour's car though, no matter how shiny, fast and free from baby clutter it is.

One teaspoon of human milk contains as many as 3 million germ-killing and immune building cells. Every drop counts, so be proud of every ounce you’ve given your baby!

Good oral posture is so important for many aspects of lifelong health… and it’s best to start these habits as infants!

How do you keep good oral rest posture when you are sleeping 😴

When you have tongue range of motion, function and space ……….👅

➡️ the tongue makes a negative suction cup effect to seal itself to the roof of the mouth.

➡️ negative suction cup effect prevents the tongue from collapsing backwards.

Today at 10AM!

Join us at 10! https://www.facebook.com/events/972339767552115

I am honored and excited to be speaking for the Michigan Midwives Association today, and looking forward to learning & collaborating with some Michigan midwives!

⭐️ Amazing speakers on Saturday! ⭐️

https://www.simpletix.com/e/mma-conference-april-21-22-2023-tickets-127489?fbclid=IwAR0Q0C6FG4QvxKpPYZakwepBJ-e4sUzopjwRxZsoWWJrOVQNBJR6obs16lI&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Today at 10am, FACEBOOK LIVE chat to help you navigate your journey with tongue tie. Recording available later. Find us at Shira Johnson Lactation on Facebook.

⭐️ Amazing speakers on Saturday! ⭐️

https://www.simpletix.com/e/mma-conference-april-21-22-2023-tickets-127489?fbclid=IwAR0Q0C6FG4QvxKpPYZakwepBJ-e4sUzopjwRxZsoWWJrOVQNBJR6obs16lI&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Tongue (and lip and buccal) tie in the media

What Do Heather Rae El Moussa's Baby's Tongue, Cheek and Lip Ties Mean? Lactation Expert Explains — People Heather Rae El Moussa shared earlier this week she was having difficulty breastfeeding her newborn son Tristan as he had tongue, cheek and lip ties

🤱🏼 It's not just about breastfeeding- a tongue tie has impacts for children and can cause issues into adulthood:

❤️ Mouth breathing and restricted airway, leads to increased risk of Cardio Vascular Disease.

🦠 Gut issues due to mouth breathing and inefficient swallowing alters the oral microbiome and potentially the gut microbiome.

👄 Open mouth breathing and tongue postured on bottom of mouth can result in snoring and sleep apnea.

🧠 Besides the cardiovascular risks, ADHD and anxiety occur when you are not able to experience deep REM sleep, which allows the body to fully rest and restore. 😴

👅 Because the tongue shapes the face, tongue tie can lead to recessed jaw, long face appearance and asymmetric facial structure.

🦷 Malocclusion and crowded, crooked teeth due to high palate and narrow jaw. Relapse after orthodontics.
And isn't my grandson adorable?

The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act has been signed into law!

Updated information from the Department of Labor will be posted here: https://bit.ly/2MH2ipZ

Medical problems actually have a cause

Why do I say this rather obvious statement? I say it because I still see/hear so much gestalt nonsense about what is causing a mother’s or baby’s symptoms. Is the cause always obvious? Absolutely not. But it’s imperative that we as medical professionals don’t make up random excuses to explain away symptoms.

Examples?
1) A pediatrician telling a parent that a tongue tie isn’t that bad so the host of symptoms the dyad is experiencing can’t possibly be caused by a tie. Oh, and that the “tie will stretch out”. I would ask them for a study that shows that.
2) An ENT saying that they “don’t see much to clip” so the tongue isn’t the reason for symptoms. This indicates that the ENT is using an old definition of tongue tie (based only on visibility) and is giving you an incomplete answer.
3) Someone other than an IBCLC giving you explanation for breastfeeding problems. Remember, if a doctor is telling you that poor infant weight gain is because “you have a low milk supply” and doesn’t take the steps needed to confirm that the problem IS your milk supply, then they’re just giving you wordorrhea and that’s stinks.

There are dozens of examples. I’d love to read the nonsense you all have been told.

Everything in medicine comes down to anatomy and physiology. If a doctor doesn’t understand the anatomy and physiology of tongue movements during breastfeeding, their opinion is largely irrelevant. Because we have studies that show that ignoring a tongue tie early on can dramatically increase the chances of terminating the breastfeeding relationship, it’s not ok to just mansplain things away because you’re afraid to admit that you don’t know know what’s causing the problems. It’s actually ok for a doctor to listen to an IBCLC or another doctor who might know more about it than they do. It’s time to either learn more or swallow your pride and let other professionals deal with the problem.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChDj4q0tABP/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Watch this reel by haakaausa on Instagram •

Lactation education and support is so important! The majority of parents have goals to breastfeed longer than they do. Most struggle in one way or another, and many give up because of not having the right support, answers or information.
Good IBCLCs can be detectives alongside parents, provide realistic expectations, help troubleshoot challenges or obstacles, and refer to helpful resources.

Many women struggle to breastfeed. Scientists are starting to ask why. We know more about cow’s milk than human milk. But new research about the makeup of breast milk and the factors influencing its production could change the lives of millions.

In light of the formula shortages, we felt it was important to provide some resources for peer to peer breastmilk donation for anyone interested in this option. If you have milk to offer or if you are in need of milk, please click on the links for your respective state to be directed to informal milk sharing pages. This is by no means an exhaustive list so let us know if we missed any!

If you have formula you can donate to a mama in need, comment below with your location and what you have available. Please DM us if we can help to track down any specific formula needs — we want to support you in any way we can. ❤️

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https://apple.news/AH81jjkiiSu2jt-oS0pSZVg

Why baby formula is in short supply — and who is most at risk — Vox America is enduring its worst baby formula shortage in decades.