National Breastfeeding Month

Photographer hosts sixth annual

“gASP I’m Breastfeeding”event By Monique Seleen

Alicia Samone, a Glendale-based photographer and mother of three, is hosting her sixth annual free “gASP I’m Breastfeeding” event for Arizona moms at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8. It’s an effort to help support breastfeeding moms that culminates in a stunning group shot of local women breastfeeding their babies with an Arizona backdrop.

Samone started the event after receiving a lot of negative feedback while breastfeeding her own children. “With my first child, people would tell me to go breastfeed in the car or to cover up. I was really young, and didn’t stand up for myself,” she says. “As I got older and had my third child, I started advocating for my rights.”

Arizona laws protect a mother’s choice to breastfeed in public and stipulates that indecent exposure cannot include an act of breastfeeding by a mother.

Samone’s event started as a simple gathering of women who posed for a group photo while breastfeeding. This year’s West Valley event will include a variety of vendors, gift bags for each woman, a reading by a children’s book author, a lactation specialist, individual photo opportunities, and, of course, the large group photo.

Each year, the event has grown. “Last year we had 236 moms, even during COVID!,” Samone says. In 2019, 171 moms and more than 150 babies showed up. Attendance is free, but moms can opt to have additional custom photos taken for $25-$75.

“I hope by doing this that the moms know they have the right to stand up for themselves,” says Samone. “Everyone in the group supports each other, and it’s okay to breastfeed no matter what they’re being told from other people.”

Find more details and register to attend here: https:// docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSel6mqsjy4c5J6z9liwx IVc2vwdyxnKgPJF9u-N50Y1pgImbw/viewform

Monique Seleen of Mesa is Content Creator for Raising Arizona Kids and mom to two dachshunds. This Arizona native and former middle-school English teacher has loved writing ever since she learned how to hold a pencil.

Arizona law protects breastfeeding rights

Arizona protects a mother’s choice to breastfeed in public. The law states a mother “is entitled to breastfeed in any area of a public place or a place of public accommodation where the mother is otherwise lawfully present.” This includes airports, health care facilities, restaurants, retail stores, shopping malls, theaters or waiting rooms. State law also stipulates that indecent exposure cannot include an act of breastfeeding by a mother.

Learn more at the Arizona Department of Health Services, which offers a 24-Hour Breastfeeding Hotline at 1-800-8334642 or visit azdhs.gov/documents/prevention/nutritionphysical-activity/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-in-public.pdf

A Breastfeeding

Q&A

August is National Breastfeeding Month, which is a great time to address common questions about lactation, infant nutrition, pain during breastfeeding and more.

Mona Waheed, patient care liaison at Agave Pediatrics and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, tackled several questions — from why breast milk is nutritious to knowing when to seek medical attention for problems such as clogged milk ducts. Waheed answered our questions in conjunction with the Lactation Team at Agave Pediatrics, which boasts locations in Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale and Goodyear. Here’s what she shared:

What’s the best argument for making every effort to

breastfeed your baby if you can? Human milk is the biological norm for human babies. It is customized nutrition for your baby. The health and psychological benefits are well researched and documented. The benefits of breast/chest feeding are lifelong. There are multiple resources available for support, and I recommend seeking out that support early. Taking a class, going to a support group and/or meeting with a lactation consultant prenatally are great ways to establish a good foundation. Most challenges are easily fixed with the right help.

Does it hurt to breastfeed initially? Breastfeeding for the first time is definitely a new sensation, and some tugging, pulling and tenderness may occur. The letdown feeling can even have a painful or prickling sensation to it. However, pain, extreme discomfort or any level of damage is not normal. It’s your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right, and that you need some support.

What are some ways to soothe nipple pain from

breastfeeding? There are a lot of products available that claim to soothe and heal. In the beginning, it can be helpful for some moms to use an over-the-counter nipple remedy to relieve any chaffing or discomfort. However, if there is already damage to the nipple, these remedies will most likely not help. The cause of the damage is what needs to be fixed. A poor latch is the No. 1 reason for nipple pain and damage. If you do have damage, it can be helpful to soak your nipples in a warm saline solution a couple of times per day. Make sure your hands are clean when applying any ointment to damaged nipples to prevent infection. Using gel pads instead of ointment can be soothing as well.

How do you know when it’s time to see a medical provider when something feels wrong — like a possible duct

blockage? During pregnancy and postpartum, our breasts go through many changes in just a few months! Some changes are normal, like breast growth and nipple sensitivity. But pain is our signal that something needs attention. Plugged ducts and damaged nipples that don’t resolve with home remedies in a day or two should prompt a call to an IBCLC so we can help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue. You may need an appointment with your OB or PCP if you develop a fever, body aches, rash or infection.

Do you think breastfeeding made a resurgence during the pandemic since more people were able to work at

home? I think many families have experienced both benefits and challenges by working from home! Many moms have been able to extend their breastfeeding goal by being with their baby during the day, instead of weaning when starting daycare and going back to work. However, caring for a baby while working takes creativity, organizational skills and multitasking. Families are making it work by parents taking turns caring for the baby during the workday, handing baby to the other parent when a Zoom meeting starts or learning to pump below camera-level. Coworkers love to get a peek at the little ones when they join the video call for a moment!

What are some of the biggest hurdles to breastfeeding that you hear from moms, and how do you help address them?

Lack of support and accurate information can really be “booby traps” for breastfeeding parents. Surrounding yourself with other breastfeeding parents (online or in-person support groups, friends, etc.), taking a breastfeeding course or meeting with a lactation consultant before the baby’s arrival is so helpful. Learning about breastfeeding after your baby’s birth is kind of like learning how to drive on the freeway!

How will you know if your baby is getting enough milk

from breastfeeding? Responding to your baby’s hunger cues, as opposed to feeding on a schedule, is the first step, and ideal for both baby’s weight gain and milk supply! Weight gain is the most reliable way to determine if your baby is getting enough, followed by diaper output. That’s why well checks are so important.

5 benefits of breastfeeding

The American Academy of Pediatrics believes breastfeeding is the optimal source of nutrition for a baby through the first year of life and recommends exclusively breastfeeding for about the first six months, then gradually adding solid foods while continuing breastfeeding until at least the baby’s first birthday. Here are five benefits of breastfeeding from AAP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

1. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies, because a mother’s milk changes to meet her baby’s nutritional needs as it grows. 2. Breastfeeding can help protect babies against some short- and longterm illnesses and diseases. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome.

Breastfed babies are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs. 3. Breast milk shares antibodies from the mother with her baby.

These antibodies help develop a strong immune system. 4. Mothers can breastfeed anytime, anywhere without worrying about mixing formula and packing bottles. 5. Breastfeeding can reduce the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Following baby’s weight consistently over time gives us a better picture of what’s going on.

What do you look for in a good breast pump, and does the Affordable Care Act make access to pumps more

affordable? There are brands that are more popular than others, but almost more important than the pump is the flange fit and frequency of pumping. Insurance has definitely made access to high-quality pumps easier, however, there are many parents who slip through the gaps in coverage and are left with limited options. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant is always happy to help guide parents in their pumping journey, whether it’s to find a pump, get the right fit, or figure out how often to pump for the best results. What didn’t I ask that you’d like to add? I’d love to touch on the role of an IBCLC. We are a unique type of provider focusing on two (or more in the case of multiples!) patients — the breastfeeding parent and the breastfeeding baby, referred to as a “dyad.” We care deeply and equally for both. IBCLCs are there to support the dyad in any way, whether the goal is to exclusively breastfeed, exclusively pump, partially breastfeed or wean partially or completely. Your insurance may cover one or more consults, and many IBCLCs offer discounts to those without insurance coverage. Before spending money on fancy cookies/drinks, overthe-counter supplements and breastfeeding gadgets, use those funds to seek some professional guidance. A few positioning tweaks, an early referral to a tongue-tie provider, or some basic breastfeeding info can help you meet your breastfeeding goals!

THE TOP 10

most FAQ’s about pumping!

1. When do I need to start pumping?

If you are exclusively breastfeeding, take that first month to feel confident with breastfeeding. You can then begin pumping and offering bottles to your baby when he/she is about 4-6 weeks old. If you wait too long to introduce a bottle, your breastfed baby may refuse to take a bottle! (I learned this the hard way with my first daughter!). You can also begin using a silicone pump (like a Haakaa) in the first month and beyond to start saving a little extra milk. 2. Why do I need to pump?

You don’t need to pump unless it fits into your goals/ lifestyle. However, there are many reasons a mom may choose/need to pump, including: having a baby that isn’t currently breastfeeding, the ability to allow another person to feed baby a bottle, when mom is away from baby, to increase milk supply, to store breastmilk, to donate breastmilk, to relieve engorged breasts, to help pull out the nipples before a nursing session, “pumping and

dumping”…..the list goes on and you may find your own unique reasons.

3. How long should I pump for?

Between 10-25 minutes is usually sufficient for most moms to empty their breasts. If you are pumping to increase your supply, then you should pump for 2 minutes after you see the last few drops of milk.

4. Do I need to have a “stash” of breastmilk in my freezer?

This is up to you! Some moms feel more comfortable having plenty of milk stored in the freezer, as this gives them more freedom to come and go as they please or to return to work knowing they have plenty of milk stored for baby. Other moms may not have a large stash of milk and choose to pump only when they know they are going to be away from baby. And some moms fall somewhere in between!

Regardless of what your preference is, remember that there is no right or wrong answer so do what works best for you!

5. What’s the best way to store my milk?

I prefer breastmilk storage bags that can store 5oz of milk or more as they lay nice and flat in the freezer (lay the bag on a flat surface, like a box, when freezing). Once they are frozen flat, you can then “file” them in a Tupperware style container in the freezer with the oldest date in front. I also recommend having a variety of ounces stored. For example, freeze some with 2 oz, 3 oz, 4 oz, etc., so you can then pick the right amount to thaw without wasting any milk.

6. I don’t produce much milk when I

pump, is my supply low?

Not necessarily! Many moms find that their babies are much more efficient at removing milk from the breast than their breast pump. Even if it looks like you’re not pumping much, remember….if baby is gaining weight and having 8-10 dirty diapers/day, you’re making enough milk!

7. Can pumping help to increase my milk supply?

Yes! Breastfeeding is a supply and demand process, which means when milk is removed from the breast it signals your body to produce milk. If you wish to increase your milk supply, continue to nurse your baby on demand and add in 1-2 pumping sessions daily (ideally at the same time each day) and you should notice an increase in milk production in about 3-7 days.

MORE MILK REMOVED → INCREASES MILK PRODUCTION

LESS MILK REMOVED → SLOWS DOWN MILK PRODUCTION

8. When my baby starts sleeping through the night, do I need to wake up and pump?

Maybe! In a perfect breastfeeding world, your body will get the signal to slow down milk production during the nighttime hours to allow you to get some much needed rest.

However, some moms find that long periods of sleep without removing milk from their breasts can decrease their milk supply. Once baby starts sleeping through the night, keep a close eye on your milk supply. If you’re noticing that your supply is decreasing significantly, you may want to wake up and pump in the middle of the night to boost your supply.

9. How often should I pump when I’m away from baby?

As a general guideline, you should pump once for every missed feeding. If you miss 3 feedings during the day, you should pump 3 times, etc.

10. Other than a pump, what other pumping supplies do I need?

There are so many great pumping supplies available!

Comfort flanges, silicone flanges, hands-free pumping bras, nursing/pumping bras, pumping storage bags, breastmilk storage systems, battery options, car chargers, special soaps for washing pump parts, storage totes, cooler systems for breastmilk…..there’s something for every pumping need!

5 EASY TIPS

for getting a better (more comfortable) latch

Mamas! Do your nipples hurt? Is baby gulping at the breast? Taking in too much air? Leaking milk? Not getting enough milk when nursing? Getting a deeper latch can solve SO. MANY. BREASTFEEDING. PROBLEMS! Check out my favorite latch tips!!

1. NOSE TO NIPPLE

When you are getting baby ready to latch, her nose should be directly across from your nipple. Oftentimes moms will start with baby’s mouth directly across from the nipple. Try shifting baby slightly so she is “nose to nipple” and you will have a better chance at getting a deeper latch!

2. WAIT FOR IT!

Wait for baby to open his mouth to the widest point before latching. When you bring baby to the breast, he will root around, opening and closing his mouth and bobbing his head. This is your baby’s way of getting ready to breastfeed! Be patient and wait for him to open his mouth very wide before you bring him to breast. If you rush and bring him to breast just as he starts to open, your latch will be too shallow (aka, just on the nipple!).

3. REMEMBER IT’S CALLED BREASTFEEDING, NOT

NIPPLE-FEEDING!

When latching, your goal should be to get as much breast in baby’s mouth as you can (not just the nipple). When more breast is in baby’s mouth, the latch will be deeper, it will feel more comfortable and baby will be able to nurse better (think less air intake and more milk intake).

4. FOCUS ON THE LOWER LIP!

Ok…. this is KEY! When you latch, you probably look down to check out how your latch looks, right?? When you do this, most of what you see is the top lip. Instead,

I’m going to have you FOCUS ON THE LOWER

LIP! Now you can’t really see the lower lip once baby is latched on the breast, so you will need to pay close attention to the lower lip AS YOU ARE LATCHING.

The lower lip should be the first part of baby’s mouth that touches your breast. In order to do this, I want you to think of yourself taking a bite out of a sandwich. Like actually pretend to do it right now! Notice how you first put your lower lip (jaw) on the sandwich and then bite down with your top jaw? This is how you should latch baby, with the lower lip first followed by the upper lip. When you do this, aim to anchor the lower lip AWAY FROM THE NIPPLE (not at the base of the nipple), almost near the edge of the areola or close to it.

This ensures that a large part of the area underneath the nipple makes it into baby’s mouth, which helps the nipple get pulled into the back of baby’s mouth (near the soft palate) rather than in the front (where the hard palate is).

5. DID I DO IT RIGHT???

How does it feel? Does it feel more comfortable? This is a good sign! A proper latch should feel like a pull/tugging sensation, not painful, pinching or clamping down (and definitely not “toe-curling, worse than labor, can’t stand this another second” pain).

Is baby’s mouth wide open at the corner of her lips? This is also a good sign! If baby’s mouth seems narrow at the corners, or her lips seemed pursed (almost as if she was making a whistling shape) then her latch is too shallow and you should try again to get a deeper latch.

Lastly, take a look at your nipple when baby is done nursing. How does it look? If it is rounded or similar to your resting nipple shape, this is a good indicator that you had a deep latch! If your nipple is flattened, creased or pinched looking, you need to try a bit harder to get a deeper latch (go back to step 4: make sure you are latching with baby’s lip near the edge of the areola and not near the base of the nipple!).

A FEW MORE THINGS TO CONSIDER…

Will this fix everyone’s nursing problems? No, but it will fix a lot of them! So what if you’re saying….HELP!! I did all of these things and it STILL HURTS or I’m STILL STRUGGLING!

Please see an IBCLC for a one-on-one appointment. A breastfeeding expert can make sure that there’s nothing else going on that could be causing the pain or other issues.

Breastfeeding must-haves for new mamas

Breastfeeding requires some gear to make the process more comfortable, convenient and productive. Here are 18 items we’ve found to do just that:

1. Boppy Feeding & Infant Support Pillow. This breastfeeding pillow ergonomically supports you while nursing or bottle feeding and helps support babies during supervised awake time through first year milestones. It comes with a removable, breathable pillow cover and is machine washable. $40 at boppy.com

2. Rolling Cart. This three-tier steel cart with caster wheels can hold snacks, nursing pads, water bottles, a night light, a breast pump and anything else needed for the baby. Organizing accessories are also available. $34.99 at containerstore.com

3. Hydro Flask. You’ve got to stay hydrated while breastfeeding, and this double-wall stainless steel water bottle with vacuum insulation eliminates condensation and keeps beverages cold or hot for hours. $29.95-$64.95 for 12-64 ounces at hydroflask.com

4. JolyWell Night Light. This customizable touch-control light comes with a stable charging pad and timer setting. It’s perfect for nighttime feedings and diaper changes. $23.99 at amazon.com

5. Lansinoh Stay Dry Nursing Pads. These pads absorbs 20 times their weight in liquid for maximum protection day and night. They’re dermatologist tested and super-soft for sensitive skin. $4.64-$9.49 for 36- to 100-count at lansinoh.com

6. Organic Nipple Balm. Prevent and restore cracked, dry nipples with Mama Tubby Todd Bath Company’s balm. Made with coconut oil, aloe and calendula, this calming balm is safe for you and your baby before, during and after nursing. Lanolin and fragrance free. $16 at tubbytodd.com

7. Wearable Breast Pump. Meet the hands-free breast pump that fits in your bra and goes where you go. Willow’s patented, no-spill technology lets you pump smarter and wirelessly. $500 at onewillow.com

8. Haakaa Breast Milk Collector. This device attaches securely to your breast and collects any breast milk that would otherwise be lost in a nursing pad. $19.90 at haakaausa.com

9. Medela Breast Shells. These silicone shells cover and protect sore or cracked nipples; they prevent friction against clothing so that skin can recover. $14.79. medela.com or amazon.com

10. Nursing Friendly Wardrobe. Create a breastfeeding friendly wardrobe with a Latched Mama drawstring midi nursing dress $42 from latchedmama.com; Seraphine’s cotton skin-to-skin top $59 at seraphine.com; and a Kindred Bravely hands-free pumping and nursing bra $50 at kindredbravely.com

11. Multiuse Nursing Cover. Copper Pearl’s multi-use cover can double as a shawl, cart cover, car seat cover and more. $32.95 at copperpearl.com

12. Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets. These lightweight, breathable blankets are ideal for swaddling, nursing, cuddling and more. $17 at littleunicorn.com

13. Kyte Ring Sling. Keep baby close and your hands free with this sling, which is also great for nursing. $60 at kytebaby.com

14. Free Postnatal Multivitamins. PowerMeA2Z, brought to you by the Arizona Department of Health Services will mail a bottle of multivitamins free of charge to help keep Arizona women 18-45 healthy. Take the quiz at powermea2z.org/quiz

15. Modern Milk Happy Boob Group. Sign up for one free breastfeeding support group session led by nurse Katie Kunz, an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Whether you are exclusively breastfeeding, supplementing, pumping or weaning, come get your questions answered. $10 per session. Plus, get $15 off the in-person or online breastfeeding class with code BFCLASS. A special for our RAK Moms. modernmilk.com