healThy families

MOM says

“ I think breastfeeding is the most wonderful thing for mom and baby. The health benefits are a given. Then there’s the bonding with my child. I feel I’m adding something extra by me feeding my baby.” Gladys Cook • Carson City, Nevada

What do I do if I have a poor latch with my baby?

Ask for help in the hospital. My rule of thumb is if it hurts, something is not right. Breastfeeding does not hurt. For solutions, try different positions and if you find something that works, stick with it. There are treatments for sore nipples, but if you don’t address the cause it is like putting on a Band-Aid. Moms suspecting poor latch and sore nipples should seek help with this right away. This is where your partner can be a great help. They can go out and find the help.

It is best to begin breastfeeding as soon as possible and avoid pacifiers or artificial nipples.

How often will I need to breastfeed?

The standard answer is eight-to-12 times a day in the beginning to establish breastfeeding. This will both feed the baby and encourage the body to make more milk. If a mom has the glandular capacity to produce 4 or 5 ounces rather quickly, their baby won’t need to breastfeed as often as a baby whose mom makes 2 to 3 ounces at a time. Those babies may nurse every two to three hours or maybe more at night. Babies eat when they are hungry.

How long should a mom breastfeed?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of life then for as long as mom desires. The World Health Organization recommends two years and then as long as mom would like. Moms choose what works for their lives.

Where can I get support in Reno?

Renown has a support group, Forum, and it is a place for moms to come together and share information. They meet on Thursday at 11 a.m. My practice, called Starfish Lactation, has a group that meets Tuesdays at 4pm. Both Renown and Starfish have a scale for weighing babies in grams so we know exactly how much weight the baby is gaining. Watching nursing babies flourish by gaining weight can be very encouraging for moms and builds their confidence. St. Mary’s has a group for new moms, not exclusively about breastfeeding, but they have a scale. Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has an office at Washoe County Health District and at St. Mary’s. The one at St. Mary’s has peer counselors that are specifically assigned to follow the moms on the WIC program. They do a phenomenal job of peer-to-peer support.

NEvAdA LAW ON BREAStfEEdINg IN PuBLIc, NRS 201.232:

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mother may breastfeed her child in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.

Healthy Families

Nevada’s WIC program helps ensure families receive nutritious foods

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program provides nutrition tips, resource referrals, breastfeeding support and healthy foods. Without fundamental nutrients in fruits, vegetables, and protein sources, children can experience developmental delays and adverse health effects.

To be eligible for WIC, you must be a pregnant, recently pregnant or breastfeeding woman, infant or child up to the age of five (5), have a moderately low income or be receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In addition to determining financial eligibility, WIC staff conducts an assessment to determine if the family is at “nutritional risk.” Nutritional risk may result from medical or dietary conditions such as, but not limited to, low iron, being under or overweight, or have a history of poor pregnancy outcomes.

When a family qualifies for WIC, they are given a WIC Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to shop at one of the 218 WIC authorized grocery stores in the state of Nevada. Families can purchase their healthy foods from their WIC approved shopping list. Some approved foods include; fresh, frozen and canned vegetables or fruits, whole grains, milk and cereal.

For more information contact Nevada State WIC at (800)863-8942 or www.health.nv.gov/WIC.htm.