Katie Knows Breast

09/09/2020

To my pumping moms!

The CDC has issued new breast pump cleaning guidelines after an infant contracted a dangerous infection from contaminated pump parts.

07/07/2020

Good for 🤱 good for 👶 good for 🌎!!

Even more important, in the long run, than the pandemic with COVID-19 is the issue of the climate emergency.

Every year 130 million babies are said to be born in the world. A significant proportion are not breastfed at all, and most are not breastfed for what the WHO considers the “ideal” time period. The WHO recommends that mothers breastfeed exclusively for 6 months and continue breastfeeding (along with added food) to two years and beyond.

Why is the fact that very few of the 130 million babies born every year are not fed as the WHO recommends a problem for global warming?

1. Formula is usually made from cow milk which requires large numbers of cows to be raised and fed and much land is taken up for this purpose. Soybeans for formula also "eat" in the form of fertilizers, and harmful pesticides are used in quantity, and acres and acres of land are used to grow soybeans.
2. Transportation of cow milk or soybeans to factories requires energy.
3. Transforming cow milk or soybeans to formula requires energy.
4. Infant formula is packaged with significant amounts of throw away products including plastics to “keep fresh”.
5. Infant feeding bottles are usually made from unrecyclable plastics.
6. The manufacture of the plastics used for packaging of infant formula and bottles require significant amounts of energy.
7. The advertising of infant formula requires large amounts of printed materials sent to mothers. In some countries (including Canada and the US) almost every mother receives this "information" either in the mail, in doctors’ offices, often before even the mother gives birth, or in hospital before discharge.
8. Breastfeeding following the guidelines recommended by the WHO decreases the need for artificial birth control. A mother following the recommendations of the WHO would, on average, without artificial birth control have a baby every 2 to 3 years. This would decrease the yearly births significantly and help control our burgeoning population.

Why are not more mothers breastfeeding according to the WHO guidelines?

There are many reasons, but principally:

1. The medical system undermines mothers’ ability to succeed at breastfeeding their babies.
2. Society’s belief that artificial infant feeding is as good as breastfeeding and pressure on mother not to breastfeed or breastfeed only for a short time, is huge.
3. Advertising of infant formula is also a huge factor.

Want more information on breastfeeding? See our eBook "Breastfeeding: Empowering Parents". The eBook contains videos, links to scholarly articles and more: https://ibconline.ca/ebook/.

New! An audiobook of my book Dr Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding. https://www.audible.ca/pd/Dr-Jack-Newmans-Guide-to-Breastfeeding-Audiobook/1515933490

04/13/2020

Hello friends, new moms, and moms-to-be! I wanted to check in and see how everyone has been doing.

This is a really unique time to breastfeed. Many of us currently have less distractions (visitors, errands, work for some) which hopefully allows you all to relax and enjoy the bonding and learning process. Not only that, the antibodies your baby receives through your breast milk is needed now more than ever to build strong immune systems.

**I AM STILL HERE TO HELP IF YOU NEED IT!**
With social distancing in practice - to protect my family and yours as I still work in a hospital setting - I am currently not providing in-home consultations. I apologize and hope that I am able to resume these very soon.

I am available for:
*phone consultations to discuss questions/'concerns. If you are comfortable, I am willing to use tools like Face Time and Zoom if necessary.
*pre-baby lactation education to better prepare for the arrival of your baby! Many places have suspended the group classes for now and I want you to have some understanding before delivery. Knowledge is power!

This is a time where we are called to be flexible. I will not put set prices on these services as it will be based on personal situation and the duration of our visit.

Locate my contact info on this page. Look forward to hearing from you!

08/03/2019

Who says you can’t breastfeed and still have fun?!

07/26/2019

If you are planning on having a child, please read this! Great little read about the importance of that first hour with your baby. It is truly GOLDEN!!

Taking advantage of "the golden hour" is the absolute best thing for you and your baby.

07/02/2019

La leche league of Monroe, LA

06/13/2019

Amen to that! Live and let live.

I’ve seen reports of three incidents of breastfeeding harassment at public swimming pools in just the last week. It’s hot. Kids are on summer break. Lots of children have younger siblings, and going to the local pool is everyone’s favorite activity. So you *might* see a parent holding a baby while watching the other children playing in the pool. And they might be nursing the baby. Don’t be alarmed! Babies get hungry and thirsty and breastmilk satisfies both cravings! Breastmilk is not harmful to other people in the pool. The parent probably needs to be within arm’s reach of a toddler. Humid locker rooms are not a good place to nurse a baby. There is no need or reason for anyone, patron or employee, to say anything to a parent breastfeeding their child in or at the pool. It easy to protect yourself from seeing this - avert your eyes or stay at home this summer. Thanks!

04/14/2019

Look what just hatched! 🐣

Special springtime offer!
🤱 All Lactation Consultations will be 25% OFF for the remainder of April and will go through the month of May! 🌸

💖I’d love to help make your breastfeeding experience more of a breeze than a burden.

Please contact me by email to schedule an appointment.

Congratulations on your new Spring baby!