Carteret County -WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

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Good morning everyone! I just wanted to hop on and introduce myself. My name is Kayley and I am the new Breastfeeding Peer Counselor for Carteret County. I am so excited to be assisting all of you in whatever you might need! I am the mother of an 8-going on-9 month old little girl and I am still currently breastfeeding and I pump for her while I'm at work. I recently completed my certifications and am now fully available to answer questions and provide support. If you're a soon-to-be mama or one with a baby already here and you're interested in joining my program feel free to call me at 252.222.7710 ext 5704.

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My last pumpkin post.

Have you cried over spilled breastmilk?

[Image: Photo of milk pouring out. Text: Whoever said "don't cry over spilled milk" wasn’t nursing.]

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We are so excited to announce a new local breastfeeding support group! The first group meeting is Tomorrow July 11 from 10am to 11am. Group meetings are held TUESDAYS!! We hope to see you there!

Happy 4th of July❤️🤍💙

Remember to be safe and enjoy the day🇺🇸🎇

BRING YOUR KIDS!!! Today 11-2

GAMES. FACE PAINTING. TAKE YOUR PICTURES WITH SUPER HEROS

COME TO FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH!!

810 Bridges St, Morehead City, NC 28557

Breast Milk Boosts Premature Babies’ Brain Development - Neuroscience News In babies born preterm, the cerebral cortex, a brain area associated with learning and cognition is often underdeveloped. In preterm babies fed larger quantities of breastmilk, the cerebral cortex resembled those of babies born full term. Researchers say breastfeeding could help to reduce learning a...

TONGUE AND LIP TIES

Are you experiencing pain while breastfeeding, possibly combined with slow weight gain for your baby? While the vast majority of such breastfeeding problems can be resolved by adjusting positioning and attachment, and with good breastfeeding management, occasionally tongue tie might be the cause of the problem.

Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is caused by a tight or short lingual frenulum (the membrane that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth). The frenulum normally thins and recedes before birth. Where this doesn’t happen, the frenulum may restrict tongue mobility. Tongue tie often runs in families and is thought to be more common in boys than girls. There is an association between high or unusual palates and tongue tie, because restricted tongue movement can affect the shape of the palate.

Tongue tie affects tongue movement to varying degrees. The shorter and tighter it is, the more likely it is to affect breastfeeding. Some babies with a tongue tie breastfeed well from the start, others do so when positioning and attachment are improved. But any tongue tie that restricts normal tongue movement can lead to breastfeeding difficulties. A baby needs to be able to move his tongue freely and extend it over the lower gum with his mouth open wide to be able to breastfeed well.

Tongue and lip ties can restrict mouth movement so that a baby does not receive adequate milk from the breast. This can also lead to milk production dropping over time since milk is not being removed efficiently from the breast.

Is ni**le pain normal in the early weeks?

Some mothers never experience any ni**le pain at all, but studies show that the majority of women in the US and other western countries do have some ni**le pain in the beginning. How do we tell the difference between this typical ni**le pain and a problem that would benefit from the help of an experienced breastfeeding counselor and/or IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)?

Typical ni**le pain (“transient soreness”) that does not usually indicate a problem:

Latch-on pain that lasts no more than 30 seconds into the feeding. This is often described as mild pain or discomfort, but since the pain sensation is very subjective every mother experiences pain differently–some mothers feel more severe pain. The pain should not continue through the entire feeding, and there should not be pain between feedings.
Pain usually peaks around the third day after birth, and is gone within two weeks.
There is no skin damage – no cracks, blisters, or bleeding.
Your ni**le should look the same before and immediately after the feeding – not flattened, creased or pinched.

Get help from an experienced breastfeeding counselor and/or IBCLC if you experience the following:

Intense, excruciating pain
Pain that continues through the entire feeding
Pain between feedings
Pain that continues past the first couple of weeks
Skin damage–cracks, blisters, or bleeding

IS MY BABY LATCHED ON WELL?

When latching on your baby, use your ni**le to tickle the center of your baby’s bottom lip. This will encourage them to open their mouth wide (like they are yawning). Aim your ni**le slightly towards the roof of their mouth, bringing baby to you, chin first.

Good latch-on checkpoints for your baby include:

Nose is touching or nearly touching your breast
Lips are flanged
At least a ½ inch of your breast around the base of your ni**le is in baby’s mouth.
If the latch is uncomfortable or painful, gently place your finger in the baby’s mouth, between the gums, to detach and try again.

A baby who is offered the breast will suck without swallowing as they position the ni**le in their mouth and tells your breast they are ready for the milk to let down. When baby begins to receive milk, you will see their jaw working all the way back to their ear. Baby’s temples will wiggle. You will also hear them swallowing, quickly at first, then more slowly, as baby’s appetite is satisfied.

BREAST SUPPORT TECHNIQUES

As you hold your baby in any of the above positions, you may need to support your breast with your free hand. This removes the weight of the breast from the baby’s chin, allowing them to breastfeed more effectively.

“C” hold–See the cradle hold illustration above. Support your breast with your thumb on top, well back from your ar**la (the darker skin surrounding the ni**le) and the fingers underneath. Your fingers should also be well back from your baby’s mouth. This hold is helpful when breastfeeding in the clutch or football position as well as the cradle position.

“U” hold–Place your fingers flat on your ribcage under your breast with your index finger in the crease under your breast. Drop your elbow so that your breast is supported between your thumb and index finger. Your thumb will be on the outer area of your breast and your fingers will be on the inner area. This hold is helpful when breastfeeding in the cradle and cross-cradle positions.

BASIC STEPS FOR POSITIONING
Here are some basic steps for positioning your baby to nurse. If you have pain or feel uncomfortable, try a different position. Even small adjustments can make the difference between a painful latch and a painless latch.
Some general tips are:

Position yourself comfortably with your whole body supported including back, arms, and feet.
Position baby close to you, with their belly turned towards you, so that they do not have to turn their head to reach your breast. Their mouth and nose should be facing your ni**le. Their body should be so close that they are touching you. If possible, ask a helper to hand you the baby once you are comfortable.
In the early days, you may need to manually support your breast. Your baby’s chin should touch your breast, then the baby’s nose.
Attach or latch baby onto your breast. Encourage them to open their mouth wide and pull them close by supporting their back (rather than the back of the head) so that their chin touches your breast first. Their nose will be touching your breast.
Enjoy! If you are feeling pain, detach baby gently by placing your finger in the baby’s mouth between baby’s gums to release the latch, and try again.

WHAT CAN A SUPPORT PERSON DO?
Often support people are unsure of what to do to help a nursing pair. While your role in the early days is to feed the baby, what about your partner’s role? These ideas can really make a difference:

Keep food on hand, especially no-fix, easy-to-eat, one-handed food, and foods high in fiber.
Set up a sleeping arrangement that works for everyone. Don’t be afraid to try a few different ones to see what works best, which may involve separate sleeping spaces for a while. Be flexible!
Monitor visitors and discourage guests from overstaying their welcome.
Run errands including getting groceries.
Adjust the positioning of the pillow or help with a latch.
Adjust the lighting in the room.
Refill a water bottle or grab a phone charger.
Change the baby’s diaper.
Clean and cook.
Massage baby or the nursing parent
Encourage with love. Often, words of encouragement can be the best help for a new parent full of self-doubt.

TIPS FOR VISITING NEW PARENTS
Are you unsure of what to do when visiting parents with a newborn? How long should you stay? What is helpful, and what isn’t? Here are some tips to help you navigate this exciting time:

Don’t assume they are available. Being at home doesn’t mean that they are free. Call or text to make sure your visit isn’t a burden.
Don’t come empty-handed. Food doesn’t have to be homemade but should be nutritious and easy to eat with one hand.
Wash your hands immediately when you arrive.
Don’t visit if you are sick, recovering, or “coming down with something.”
Instead of asking to hold the baby, help around the house including doing the dishes, switching the laundry, refilling a water bottle, or bringing food to a couch-bound parent.
Don’t stay too long. Take your cues from the parents who may be tired and ready for a nap themselves. Try not to stay longer than 15 minutes unless they request otherwise.

Our Holiday door 😍😍😍

A to Z Information, Todays letter is T
T is for Tongue and Lip Ties

Are you experiencing pain while breastfeeding, possibly combined with slow weight gain for your baby? While the vast majority of such breastfeeding problems can be resolved by adjusting positioning and attachment, and with good breastfeeding management, occasionally tongue/lip tie or both might be the cause of the problem.

A to Z Information, Todays letter is S
S is for Safe Sleep Seven

No smoke, sober mom
Baby at your breast
Healthy baby on his back
Keep him lightly dressed.
Not too soft a bed
Watch the cords and gaps
Keep the covers off his head

A to Z Information, Todays letter is R
R is for Reflux

A baby spitting up occasionally is usually looked at as “something babies do.”

A baby may spit up for lots of reasons:

Baby is not be able to swallow quickly enough when milk ejects forcefully during a feeding, resulting in swallowing excess air.
Mother has an oversupply of milk that can result in baby taking too much too fast for the stomach to handle. Either can result in additional air swallowed with the large volumes of milk. Read our post on oversupply.

Less common reasons are:
Immature muscle control
Allergy to foods and/or dietary supplements mother may consume
Disease

A to Z Information, Todays letter is Q
Q is for Quiet time

Nursing in a quiet, darkened, boring room often helps. Talk in quiet, soothing tones (if you talk at all). Nurse while lying down; nap nurse. Cover baby with a shawl or put him in a sling to nurse. Nursing while in motion (walking, rocking) can also help baby to focus better on nursing. Try to catch your baby when he’s more willing, such as when he’s just waking up, already a little sleepy, or actually asleep. Baby’s initial pulling off is probably not an indication that he is finished – just an indication that he saw/heard something interesting across the room. When he pulls off, try to coax him back to the breast a few more times before giving up.