A resource to inspire, inform and empower parents.

Ask A Lactation Consultant: Vitamin D For A Breastfeeding Baby

“Does my breastfed baby need vitamin D? My pediatrician says I should give my 4-month-old a vitamin D supplement. What should I do?”

The short answer is yes.  However, there is a lot more to it.  Parents sometimes assume that they will need to supplement their baby with additional Vitamin D because human milk is deficient in Vitamin D.  This is usually what they are told.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The truth is human milk does have Vitamin D, but it is rarely enough for both the parent and the baby.  There are many variables to consider about this as well.  The most efficient way we get Vitamin D is from the sun.  Was your baby born during winter months(not that we recommend having your newborn out in the sun anyway)?  Do you live in a colder climate?  Do you or your baby have darker skin color?  All of these things can affect how much Vitamin D you and your baby are exposed to.  If you are breast/chest feeding and you are deficient in Vitamin D, the chances are good your baby is as well. 

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Breastfeeding and Zoloft

Dr. Samantha Radford is a chemist with expertise in Public Health. She focuses on how mothers and babies are exposed to chemicals, and what the effects of those chemicals are. In addition, Samantha owns Evidence-based Mommy, where she helps mothers and their kids to thrive using science and wellness. Samantha has four children of her own.

Is Zoloft safe for breastfeeding?

Whether you’ve dealt with mental health challenges in the past, or it’s a new experience for you due to postpartum hormone changes, anxiety and depression can be debilitating for a new mom. And while there’s several ways to help with PPA or PPD, one of the most common remedies is to prescribe Zoloft (sertraline). 

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You Need Me

By Cydney Damo,

9 months postpartum. This is the real, raw image of my life 9 months into motherhood. No, my body didn’t “bounce back” and that’s ok. I probably eat more carbs than I should. I probably eat more sweets than I should. Most of the time I don’t eat breakfast and then sometimes I don’t eat lunch until 3pm and then eat supper at 7 but that’s ok. Sometimes I scarf my food down while my baby girl is sitting in my lap trying to slap the food out of my hand… and that’s ok. I promise you, despite what social media may tell you.. it’s not all “rainbows and butterflies” babies cry. babies scream. babies want YOU and sometimes ONLY YOU.

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Confronting Medical Professionals About Bad Breastfeeding Advice

There is really nothing that gets me more annoyed than a medical professional giving out misinformation about breastfeeding. Unless they have gone through specific lactation training then they do not have the information needed to advise you about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not a part of medical curriculum; that round they did through labor and delivery or the anatomy class does not count. Our doctors, pharmacists and dentists are an important part of our lives, but they are not to be used for breastfeeding guidance.

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Lopsided Breastfeeding Breasts and Shitty Titties

I got an email last week from a Badass who needed help. She said that her baby prefers one breast over the other and that her breasts have become lopsided. As a result of baby breastfeeding more one side, that breast mow makes more milk. Her other breast, as she calls her “shitty titty” makes less milk and is smaller in size.

Asymmetry in the body is very normal. Hold up your thumbs; they’re different aren’t they? Most breastfeeders make different amounts of milk in each breast. We just don’t usually notice! If your baby prefers one side over the other then you might notice more.

You can try the football hold or lying down to help your baby become more comfortable nursing from the other side. But don’t worry, your breasts will even out as your breastfeed longer or when you wean. And there is no problem with breastfeeding your baby more from one side.

For more of this candid and hilarious conversation listen to this week’s episode of The Badass Breastfeeding Podcast!

Vitamin D and Iron Supplements For Breastfeeding Babies

There’s nothing scarier than thinking your baby isn’t getting the nutrients that they need. As adults we take vitamins all the time because we are told we are deficient. Does this mean our breastfeeding babies are too? Were you told to give Vitamin D or Iron to your baby?

The information out there right now is confusing, contradictory and misleading. Your breastmilk is enough. Period. Know that. Your breastmilk has everything your baby needs and it’s absorbed much better from your breastmilk than in any other form.

Vitamin D is low in breastmilk, but that’s because most of us are deficient. It’s not a problem with your breastmilk. The option here is to supplement your baby or yourself. Supplementing yourself is a win-win!

Let’s talk about this more! Click here to hear the full conversation!

Milk Supply Myths That Hurt Breastfeeding

I am always amazed at all the myths that still circulate about breastfeeding. At first glance they seem like an annoyance, but in reality they actually ruin breastfeeding relationships. When we do not have the correct information about what’s going on with our bodies and our babies we cannot possibly reach our breastfeeding goals!

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The Badass Breastfeeder Blog – 7 Years of Breastfeeding Advocacy

Jack asked me, “Mommy, is everyone born with something that they are really good at?”

“Well, sure. I guess. Probably more than one thing.”

“What are you good at?”

What To Do If Your Family or Friends Criticize You For Extended Breastfeeding

By Wendy Wisner, IBCLC

Every breastfeeding mama is going to receive criticism at some point or another. Whether it’s about breastfeeding in public, how frequently you’re breastfeeding, your reluctance to introduce a bottle or supplement with formula, or whatever else.

BUT, if you end up breastfeeding beyond a certain number of months – or god forbid, a year or more – you are definitely going to get at least a little judgement. Most likely, a whole lotta judgement. [Read more…]

There’s No Such Thing As a “Former” Breastfeeder

I see this a lot. A mom finishes breastfeeding and then she posts on our wall or in a breastfeeding support group that she is leaving because she no longer belongs.

NO.

That is not true. Actually if you are totally done breastfeeding then you are the expert! You have so much valuable information to pass on to others. You have done it from beginning to end! No matter what happened during your journey you are sitting on some seriously helpful information for another mom. Please stay and connect with other moms. Pick your favorite breastfeeding group and stay! Be the mom that’s been there through it all. 

My Mom on the right nursing my sister. Her sister (my aunt) on the left nursing my cousin. Both woman are deceased. The babies are 42 now. Pic from 1976. Photo shared by Virginia. 

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