Archive for August, 2011

As soon as a woman becomes pregnant, she begins to consider how she will feed her baby. If she decides to breastfeed, it seems that everyone has a “horror story” to tell. “It hurts!”  “I didn’t make enough milk!”  “All I did was feed and pump; I never slept!”

So is breastfeeding really as hard as we hear? Isn’t it supposed to be natural? Well, natural does not always equate to easy. We live in a society that expects immediate gratification, and the learning required for successful breastfeeding is often not immediate.

If women judge the entire breastfeeding experience based upon what occurs the first few days after birth, they are quite likely to find the whole thing way too hard. Babies have tiny tummies, and they need to feed very frequently. The first milk, called colostrum, is so thick and creamy that it takes a long time for the baby to suck it out. And after the hard work of being born, many babies are sleepy and disorganized.

So what is a woman to do? Here are some tips that may help:

1. Educate yourself. Attend a prenatal breastfeeding class.
2. Surround yourself with supportive people. Find a friend or co-worker who has had a positive breastfeeding experience, and pick her brain for ideas.
3. Have realistic expectations. Some feedings will go perfectly; some will not. Do not be too hard on yourself.
4. Remind yourself that any amount of breastmilk your child receives is a gift from Mother Nature.
5. Seek assistance from your in-hospital nursing staff and from the Columbus Regional Lactation Center at (706) 321-3765

–Jennifer Lamb Fletcher, RN, M.Ed., IBCLC

Get up on the wrong side of the bed? Here are some tips that should put you on the path to a better day.

(1) Daydream. Reflect on some good memories you remember from happier times. Doing so can activate different parts of your brain that can boost your mood.
(2) Get in control. Organize your desk or your purse. Rearrange your office or balance your checkbook. Doing a small task that produces results can boost your mood.
(3) Give thanks. Sit down and write about some things you are thankful for. It can make you think about those good memories again. Reflecting on the good can outweigh the bad.
(4) Stand tall. Reflect a happy disposition. Smile and breathe deep. If your physical body seems happy, it can make your mind believe you are happy.
(5) Chat with a stranger. Even if you are not an extroverted person, talking with someone can be a real day brightener. This outward gesture to connect with another person can boost your mood and get you over the morning blahs.

Hopefully, these tips will help you get over your bad mood and feel good about the new day.