Spring! 2011

In this post:

*Series meetings
*Fundraising and membership opportunities
*Featured Article: Go-To Resources for Breastfeeding Information and Support

Series meetings, fundraising and membership opportunities

Regular Series Meetings:
Currently, LLL of Albany county is holding regular monthly series meetings the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm at the Fire Substation at 23rd and Reynolds. All pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to attend and babies are ALWAYS welcome! Bring your questions, your support and your camaraderie to share with other nursing moms!

Extended Breastfeeding Quarterly Meetings:
As many of you know, we were holding a monthly daytime meeting last year. Due to the loss of the space we were using (it's now going to be a coffee shop above Night Heron books), and lack of attendance, we stopped having them this year. However, we would like to invite you to attend a quarterly daytime meeting to support nursing beyond the conventional time-frames in our culture. Denise did a great job of addressing this topic during some of the daytime meetings last year, but we'd really like to make this a regular thing.

So, La Leche League of Albany County's first official "Extended Breastfeeding Support Meeting" was held on Thursday, March 24, 2001 at 10:30 in the Saratoga room at Ivinson Memorial Hospital.

As of right now, we plan to hold additional meetings on the following dates:

June 16th
September 15th
December 15th
Please come and join the discussion about the logistics of breastfeeding a child through teething - who might even ask to nurse! What are the benefits and obstacles? How do you answer your family's questions about it? What's "normal"? What about if mom is working? What if s/he wants to nurse AT THE PARK or IN THE GROCERY STORE? These are just some of the things we may discuss.

As always, pregnant and breastfeeding moms and babies are welcome. We will make an effort to address any concerns about breastfeeding that you may have.


Fundraising and membership opportunities

While no fundraising events are planned for the near future, LLL of Albany County is always offering memberships! If you feel that you get something out of our monthly series meetings, phone calls to leaders or just want to support our group, please consider becoming a member today!

With the suggested membership donation of $40, you receive your very own, brand new copy of the latest edition of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding as well as the knowledge that all of your donation stays in Albany County to help breastfeeding moms and their babies.

In addition to offering membership opportunities, we are also offering New Native Slings at a very reasonable price.

Baby wearing is widely acknowledged to be beneficial to both parent and child. According to the New Native website:

"Wearing a baby in a soft carrier allows parents to easily pat, stroke, caress, rock and communicate love for their baby. Studies have shown that wearing a baby three hours per day or more creates stronger bonding. Many more positive effects are listed below:

Babies who enjoy a greater amount of tactile (touching) experience have a correlated higher level of self-esteem later in life."

Contact a leader today if you are interested in more information about our New Native slings!

Featured Article: Go-To Resources for Breastfeeding Information and Support

by LLL Leader Janean

We all know that breastfeeding "rocks" in a lot of ways: Aside from being the normal way of feeding a baby, it provides many benefits to moms, babies, families and society as a whole.

But we all need a little information or support from time to time. At times, we will all have questions about breastfeeding. We'll wonder what is "normal." We'll have anxiety or worry about what comes next: when to start solids, teething, weaning. We may need information on breastfeeding and the law, going back to work, or being separated from baby.

If you identify with the concerns above, you're not alone! And while your health care provider is a good place to start, he or she may or may not have a background in breastfeeding or have the time to devote to lengthy discussions.

In this new age of instant access, there are many places to find breastfeeding information both online and in print. And just as is true with anything else, some of these sources are more respected and accurate than others. It can often be difficult to ascertain which websites/books/experts to trust and which to approach with caution.

The first, most trusted place to start for breastfeeding information is La Leche League. La Leche League's mission is " to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother."

La Leche League leaders, publications and websites all reflect this commitment to helping moms and babies. The La Leche League website is easily search-able for a variety of topics and issues that breastfeeding families are likely to encounter. And of course there is no substitute for one-on-one helping calls with a leader and attending meetings! Other breastfeeding moms can often provide support, information and a feeling of community to a new (or experienced!) breastfeeding mother.

Beyond LLL, there are other trusted places to access reliable information. Below are some links you may find useful. As always, treat the information, tips and suggestions you encounter like a buffet table: take what works for you and your family and leave the rest! When in doubt, it never hurts to double check with your health care provider, a lactation consultant or other breastfeeding professional or your local La Leche League leader.

Links:

La Leche League International: The best place to start for breastfeeding information.

Kellymom: Breastfeeding and Parenting A great place for helpful information that also includes links to further resources including journal articles, studies, and other sources.

Mothering.com This online magazine has credible breastfeeding information but also many other articles to explore regarding pregnancy and birth, parenting, health, education and even recipes!

The World Health Organization (WHO) This link provides basic information on breastfeeding, child health and nutrition.

WomensHealth.gov This is the federal government's source for women's health information. Among other basic information, this link provides the Surgeon General's Call to Action on Breastfeeding and information on the National Breastfeeding Helpline.

(Incidentally, the last two links, the WHO and Womenshealth.gov are great ones to share with employers when having discussions about why it is imperative that they support breastfeeding and pumping in the workplace.)

Remember that in the age of the Internet, there are many opportunities to access good information and also many opportunities to be misinformed. By utilizing the links above and other credible, reliable sources, you can increase the likelihood that you are receiving the most up-to-date, accurate information.

November 2010- Fall/Winter

In this Post:

*Group Update and Facebook Page!
*New Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and Memberships
*Series Meetings
*Featured article: Enjoying the Holidays with your Baby


Group Update and Facebook Page!

It's hard to keep track of everyone when the summers are as beautiful as they are in Laramie. Fortunately, despite the lure of the roads and mountains, series meetings have been held regularly and we've enjoyed seeing all the gorgeous moms and babes and all the lively conversations.

LLL of Albany County leaders met in September- it was so nice to have us all in the same room. One decision that was made was to create a Facebook page for our group. Please check it out and if you're on Facebook, "like" us! We'll be sending out series meetings reminders as well as interesting breastfeeding links and information.

The leaders also made some plans for upcoming fundraisers and goals for our group. Please stay tuned for some great things that will be happening in the coming months!


Additionally, many of us leaders have been participating in monthly Laramie Breastfeeding Coalition meetings. It has been wonderful to get to know other breastfeeding professionals and activists in the community. There are some innovative and inspiring projects happening right now, including the Laramie Breastfeeding Bag Project.

Also, keep a look out at businesses around town for stickers with the international symbol for breastfeeding in the window to signify that they are a breastfeeding friendly business. Be sure to thank these folks, when possible for supporting breastfeeding moms and babies in our community.

We are also still selling New Native Baby Slings. Wearing your baby is a wonderful way to enrich the bond you share and very breastfeeding friendly! Please contact leader Denise for more information and pricing.

As always, we LLL leaders are here for moms and babies through series meetings, helping calls and emails. If you have a question or just need breastfeeding support, please don't hesitate to contact a local leader! We love hearing from you.


New Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and Memberships

One decision that was made at the September Leader's Meeting is to begin offering a thank-you gift with new, paid memberships (at the suggested donation amount of $40)- the brand new edition of the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding!

This new edition is packed with helpful, accurate information not only about getting breastfeeding off to a good start, but also about nutrition for mom and baby, separation, nursing a toddler and weaning. It is a wonderful resource and we are so excited to begin offering it as part of an LLL of Albany County membership package.

If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact a leader!

Series Meetings

Series meetings are held the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm in the meeting room of the Fire Station at 23rd and Reynolds AND the third Thursday of the month at 10:30 am in the meeting room at Second Story Books at 105 Ivinson. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their children are welcome!

Fall/Winter 2010/11 Meeting Dates: PM Meetings: November 4, December 2, January 6, and February 3. AM Meetings: November 18, December 16 (Toddler meeting), January 20, and February 17.

We hope to see you there!


Enjoying the Holidays with your Baby

The holiday season can be a wonderful time to connect community, friends, and family. During this time, many of us enjoy baking, charitable giving, family gatherings, and local events.

The holiday season can, however, present unique challenges when you have a nursling in tow. Stress, money worries and limits on time can affect milk supply and sanity!! Nursing strikes or what's known as "inadvertent weaning" can sometimes result if you are not mindful of your nursing relationship during this time. Young babies are especially vulnerable to this.

Here are some tips to keep in mind this holiday season:

*Agree beforehand with friends and family members to limit gift giving. This helps with shopping and saves money too!

*If you decorate your house, ask friends to help instead of doing it all yourself. You can direct operations from your rocking chair.

*Take shorter shopping trips and bring along your baby. If you are still feeling shy about nursing in public, feed your baby just before you leave home, in the car, or in dressing rooms.

*Take your baby to the party. Hosts are usually referring to older children who can get into trouble underfoot when they say "Adults only." Wearing your baby in a sling or wrap makes it easy to nurse discreetly.

*Baby-wearing is also useful when you have guests. It enables you to keep your baby from being passed from one person to the next and becoming over stimulated. If you keep a running list of chores on the refrigerator, you can point to it whenever somebody offers to help.

*Ask guests to bring food contributions instead of making all the meals yourself. Telling Aunt Jane that you have been looking forward to her special spinach dish all year should do the trick!

*Let friends and family members know that you cherish your breastfeeding relationship. Don’t present it as a problem. For example, when aunts or grandmothers want to help, give them a task—not the baby.

*When family members ask to feed the baby, tell them, “Thank you, but I’m breastfeeding,” and smile.

*Use a sling or other carrier to keep baby close to nurse.

*Work around nap times and other times when baby is sleeping.

*Avoid long car and plane trips if possible. If it’s unavoidable, make sure to take plenty of time for nursing breaks.

*Choose clothing that provides easy access to the breast for the little nursling.

*Shop for gifts online or from catalogs. Keep “real life” shopping trips short or take plenty of breaks to breastfeed.

With a little planning and mindfulness, you can help make this Holiday season (no matter which holidays you choose to celebrate!) enjoyable for your entire family, including your baby.

Happy Holidays, Mamas!

-Sources: How to Avert Nursing Strikes During Special Occasions and Holiday Weaning from LLLI.org

June 2010- Summer

In this Post:
*Welcome
*What's in a Name?
*Upcoming Events and Announcements
*Series Meetings
*Featured Article: Enjoying Summer with your Baby

Welcome to the Nurture Tree!

Earlier this spring, La Leche League of Albany Leaders met to discuss our goals and hopes for our very active and growing LLL group. One thing we decided on was a quarterly newsletter to allow us as leaders to communicate with mothers on our mailing list, inform you of upcoming LLL fundraisers and events and to share information. We hope you enjoy this first posting and as always, please feel free to contact us with questions, concerns, comments, anecdotes, or anything else you'd like to share!!


What's in a name?

The name of the newsletter, The Nurture Tree, is very special.

First and foremost, breastfeeding is the ultimate nourishment- a perfect balance of nutrition, comfort, and love.

Anatomically, a woman's milk ducts resemble a beautiful tree, branching out throughout her breast, providing 'liquid gold' to nurture her baby.

And of course, La Leche League also resembles a 'nurturing tree'- branching out to provide support, camaraderie and accurate, up-to-date breastfeeding information to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.



Upcoming Events and Announcements:

July 4:
Once again, LLL of Albany County will be offering a nursing station in Washington Park during the Freedom Has a Birthday celebration. We will be needing volunteers to take small chunks of time to woman the station throughout the day so please contact Annette to volunteer your time.

Fundraising:
The best fundraiser we currently have is La Leche League Membership! (Please use the link to see a whole list of benefits!) When you become a LLL member, you directly support our local group. The suggested donation for annual membership is $40. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact a local leader for more information. (Please, don't use the online form- membership through a local leader insures that your membership fee stays in Laramie.) Membership is NOT required to attend LLL meetings or to contact a leader for breastfeeding support.

We are also currently selling New Native Baby Slings. Wearing your baby is a wonderful way to enrich the bond you share and very breastfeeding friendly! Please contact leader Denise for more information and pricing.


Series meetings

Series meetings are held the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm in the meeting room of the Fire Station at 23rd and Reynolds AND the third Thursday of the month at 10:30 am in the meeting room at Second Story Books at 105 Ivinson. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their children are welcome!

Summer 2010 Meeting Dates: PM Meetings: June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2 AM Meetings: June 17, July 15, August 5, September 16 We hope to see you there!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Featured article: Enjoying Summer with your baby
by LLL Leader Janean

Here in Wyoming, summer is such a beautiful time of year that its hard to resist spending large amounts of time outdoors. And why not? The sky is blue, the aspens are leafy and the hiking trails are calling. With some forethought, you can make spending time outside enjoyable for both you and your nursling.

Here are some things you might want to consider when preparing for time outdoors:

Sun Protection:

Protecting yourself and your children from the damaging rays of the sun is a crucial component
to enjoying the outdoors. Of course, the best way to prevent a sunburn is to avoid sun exposure.

If you need to be outdoors between the hours of 10am and 4 pm (when UV rays are strongest), try to find shade.

According to WebMD, "you can calculate how much UV exposure you are getting by using the shadow rule: A shadow that is longer than you are means UV exposure is low; a shadow that is shorter than you are means the UV exposure is high."

Other ways to protect yourself from the sun include wearing protective clothing, such as:

• Hats with wide brims that cover your neck, ears, eyes and scalp.
• Sunglasses with UV ray protection.
• Loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing that covers arms and legs. (Button-up linen blouses work wonderfully for breastfeeding.)

LLL leader Allison, who has spent time in some very hot places, has this advice: "In every super hot, developing country I've lived in--Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ecuador--I've made sure to notice what the locals were wearing. Rather, I noticed what the local folks who work outside, everyday, were wearing. They were wearing light pants, hat, and long sleeved shirts most times! Those locals would take a second look at tourists who had on tank tops and short shorts, ready to get sunburned and bug bitten at the first turn."

Obviously, using protective clothing and shade is the BEST way to protect very small babies and mamas too. It's difficult, however, to cover every single bit of exposed skin with clothing. It may also be difficult to confine toddlers and older children to shady areas, so you may feel the need for sunscreen.


Sunscreen has been in the news lately and research is beginning to show that chemical sunscreens can be potentially harmful. It is important to consider the safety of the sunscreen that you choose to put on yourself and your children.

The Environmental Working Group has a wonderful page that rates sunscreens according to safety. This link allows you to search for the sunscreen you currently use to obtain its safety rating as well as search for safe alternatives. As always, it is important to heed the warnings and directions on any sunscreen you choose and to check with a health care provider for babies under 6 months old.

Remember, just because a product is marketed as being 'for babies' doesn't necessarily mean it is safe! It is always good to do some research.

**One note should be made about sun exposure and vitamin D: You may be aware that Vitamin D is a nutrient that humans obtain from sunlight. Therefore, a moderate amount of sun exposure (with out protective clothing or sunscreens) can be beneficial and is nothing to be feared.

For more information on Vitamin D and necessary sun exposure, please visit the New Beginnings Article on Sunlight and Vitamin D.
and How Much Sunlight is Needed to Generate Adequate Vitamin D? at Kellymom.

Bugs:

Many of the same principles hold for protection from nature's little buzzing bloodsuckers: mosquitoes and ticks, both of which we see here in Wyoming. Again, tightly woven material is a good place to start- it will create a barrier between yourself and the bugs.

There are essential oils and other natural bug repellents available to enhance protection from bugs. The harmful chemical DEET need not be used to keep the little buzzers at bay!



Hydration:

We are lucky in Laramie that our summers tend to stay on the cool side. We do, however, get the occasional hot day so it is imperative to know how to protect yourself and your family from dehydration and heat stroke.

For adults and older children, drinking water is key. Avoid sugary sodas and sports drinks and stick to water, iced herbal teas (any fruity herbal tea tends to be delicious iced) and other healthful drinks. Its a good idea to carry reusable water bottles with you in the summertime. You never know when you might feel the call of the playground or get stuck in a construction zone (this IS Wyoming).

For a healthful, hydrating treat, freeze ice cubes of 100% juice and add those to your water. The juice will melt into the water adding a touch of yummy flavor.


Breastfeeding in the Heat:

Breastfeeding in hot weather can be a challenge! Here are some tips that might make things easier and more comfortable for you and your baby:

-Find a cool, shady spot for nursing if available.
-If you are sweaty, your baby may have a hard time latching on. Keep a cloth diaper, small towel or other piece of cloth with you and give your breasts a quick wipe down. You can then place this cloth between your tummy and your baby if you find that skin-to-skin is making you both sweaty messes!
-Nursing in a sling carrier (made of thin, breathable fabric) is another way to keep a bit of fabric between the two of you to absorb moisture.

Be aware that in hot weather, your baby may increase nursing frequency to ensure that enough foremilk is obtained (as opposed to the fattier hindmilk). This is normal! Just be sure to stay hydrated yourself by sipping as you nurse and keeping an eye on your "output"- your urine should be light in color to indicate proper hydration.

Also know that warm, humid weather can set up an ideal environment for thrush. Keep your nipples as dry as possible between feedings, change your bra/breastpads frequently if they become damp, and consider adding acidophilus supplements or active-culture yogurt to your diet.


Outdoor activities:

There are so many activities that you can enjoy with your family in the summertime! Your family probably has favorites. Thanks to the convenience of breastfeeding and baby carriers, many of these activities are possible with a baby in tow. Some fun, baby and/or toddler friendly activities to consider might be:

*Swimming- use common sense, be safe, and remember that the water can magnify the sun's rays.

*Hiking- baby carriers make hiking a wonderful, family activity. Don't forget the sun protection, water, and snacks!

*Family picnics- a easy meal of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, or whatever wholesome food your family loves can be nourishing for both body and spirit. (A google search for 'healthy picnic ideas' will bring up some neat sites like this one .)

*Concerts in the park

*A Nature Walk- bring along a magnifying glass to look at bugs, leaves and interesting things! Even a few steps outside your door can lead to wonderful discoveries. Leave your cell phone inside and help your child discover the amazing things that await them outdoors!

*Stargazing- it might require a late night, but older kids will especially love looking at the stars, naming constellations and spending time with you!

*Camping (See the New Beginnings Article on Family Camping: Pay special attention to the section on babies in sleeping bags.)

*Be creative! Listening to bird calls, watching ants carry leaves to and fro, drawing with sidewalk chalk, blowing bubbles, newspaper boats in a kiddie pool (or mud puddle)...there are a million inexpensive ways to spend time outdoors with your little one. Just get out there!

Enjoy your summers, Mamas!!