What should a breastfeeding parent eat? Not eat?
New and expectant parents have so many questions (and Dr. Deborah Busch recommends this site for advice on breastfeeding nutrition).
Our world breastfeeding week panelists Dr. JoAnne Flagg, Dr. Debbie Busch, Dr. Patty Wilson, Director of the Center for Community Innovation and Scholarship and BSN alum and owner of Hello Baby Baltimore, Tia Ajao found a professional interest in breastfeeding from different paths.
Dr. Flagg began to explore breastfeeding after becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner, while Dr. Busch was inspired by a BSN professor’s words of wisdom, “Breastfeeding is the best and most nutritious first food for babies, do all you can to get moms to breastfeed their babies.”
As a maternal and infant health nurse, Tia Ajao saw how empowered parents felt (and how healthy baby was!) after breastfeeding education, even right there at the bedside. And Dr. Wilson’s own experience feeling insecure with an infant in the NICU helped her see how learning proper breastfeeding techniques can help a new parent’s confidence bloom.
On the panel they discussed what drew them to this work, how to become a lactation consultant, and a host of tips for expectant parents-to-be. MSN (Entry Into Nursing) student and Birth Companion Tatiana Gallego moderated the panel.
Some key takeaways:
- Know your rights when it comes to breastfeeding and your employer
- Don’t settle when it comes to a pump. Your insurance and WIC provide breast pumps, so find one that’s right for you.
- Breastfeeding is the healthiest start for babies, but it’s also economical. A year’s worth of formula can get pricy.
- Your family may have a lot of opinions, and the family elders may be misinformed. Bring them along to your breastfeeding and parenting classes.
Watch the breastfeeding expert panel on Facebook
Learn about breastfeeding with Metropolitan Breastfeeding (where Dr. Flagg is co-director of patient care) and B’More for Healthy Babies, and thanks to the Doula Project for sharing our event. Bonus! Tia Ajao has a special doll for lactation consultants to demonstrate proper latching technique.
“Empower parents, enable breastfeeding,” the WHO’s World Breastfeeding Week message
World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: SYDNEE LOGAN
Sydnee Logan is the Social Media and Digital Content Coordinator for Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She shares what’s going on here with the world.