Breastfeeding Promotion
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New Phone Number

Wood County WIC Program can be reached directly by calling 419-354-9661. You can also reach the WIC program by calling the Health District's toll free number 866-861-9338.

Breastfeeding classes

Wood County WIC offered first Friday of every month. Call 419-352-8402 ext 268

Wood County Hospital offered. Call 419-354-8932

In The News

Did you know that you can get breastfeeding help from Wood County Hospital lactation services even if you did not deliver there? Call Jennifer or Dawn at 419-354-8932.

BABY SLINGS

“Babywearing” has been used by cultures across the globe for hundreds of years as a mean for transporting babies. “Babywearing” simply means holding or carrying a baby or young child close to the body using a fabric constructed baby carrier that holds the child against either the chest or back of the carrier. Carrying the baby this way allows for the baby to be closer to the carrier since the baby or small child is not confined to a baby stroller or hand-held (car-seat type) baby carrier. Recently, though, these fabric “babywearing” carriers have caught flack for being potentially dangerous to the baby. Like any baby product — cribs, strollers, car seats, playpens — slings come with natural risks and require parents to be wary and to use common sense. Because the slings are made out of cloth, extra care should be taken to ensure that the cloth does not come into contact with the face of the child since this can obstruct breathing. Care should also be taken by the individual wearing the baby as the baby is very vulnerable to injury if either the baby or the carrier were to fall.

Infants do not have to have their faces covered to suffocate; they can have their chin pinned to their chest which can block the airway to the lungs just as easily. Parents and caregivers should make sure that the infant’s face is visible at all times and is not covered by any of the carrier fabric. It is also important to maintain that the infant’s chin is not pinned to his or her chest.

If nursing the baby in a sling, change the baby’s position after feeding so the baby’s head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother’s body. Parents and caregivers should be alert about frequently checking their baby while in the sling.

 

Here are some important guidelines to remember when “wearing” an infant:

• While you are getting used to wearing your baby, support him/her with your hands. As you go through the learning phase of moving and reacting, the urge to support your baby with your hands is instinctive. After you become a babywearing veteran, you can safely carry your baby in the sling with one or both hands free.
• Check to ensure that your baby is not curled up tightly in a chin-to-chest position; this compresses your baby's airway. Making sure there is a fingers' width or two between their chin and chest is a good guide.
• Make sure your baby's back is straight and supported.
• Monitor your child at all times. Make sure nothing is obstructing his/her face.
• Be aware of how your movements affect the baby: avoid any bumping or jarring motions.

For more Babywearing information:

http://sakurabloombabyslings.wordpress.com/2010/03/10/educate-yourself-proper-infant-positioning-in-a-baby-sling/

http://www.youtube.com/user/sakurabloombabysling

http://www.thebabywearer.com/articles/HowTo/Positioning.pdf

http://www.thebabywearer.com/lists/Sewing.htm (how to make your own sling)

Disclaimer: In no way does Wood County WIC endorse the use of baby slings. The information presented here is meant to be a resource to help you gather information that will help you make more informed decisions. As a parent, you are responsible for deciding what is best for meeting the needs of your Child.

CAR SEAT SAFETY

PARENTS- Make sure that your child, or children, are properly buckled in when riding in a motor vehicle!

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of children from ages 1 to 14. About 50% of these deaths to children under 5 involved children that were unrestrained. Of those that were restrained, misuse is reported in 80-95% of cases. Injuries requiring hospitalization are even more common, and many involve the head, neck, and spine. Some of these injuries are permanent. Child restraints are VERY effective for reducing deaths and injuries.

For a free consultation on how to safely choose, and use, an infant or child car seat contact the Wood County Hospital Certified Car Seat Technicians at 419-354-8932.

A Certified child passenger safety technician will show you how to make sure your baby is safe and secure while riding in the back seat. Inspections are free and take 20 to 30 minutes. Consider it a free private lesson in the proper use of your safety equipment. A certified child passenger safety technicians will teach you how to install your own car seat in your vehicle and adjust the safety features properly for your baby.

For more information on car-seat safety, follow the link below:

http://www.car-safety.org/faq.html

MAINTAINING BREAST MILK SUPPLY

During the time after your baby is born and before you return to the workplace or classroom, your primary goal will be to establish your milk supply. This is best done through frequent day and night feedings. Plan to pump milk to stockpile whenever the opportunity arises:

• In the early days when the milk supply may be more than the baby needs, you should produce more milk than the baby consumes. After the baby is finished eating, use a pump to extract more milk from the breast while it is readily available.
• Take milk from the other breast when the baby only takes one side.
• A few minutes (5-10) after feedings, try to express again.
• In the morning hours when milk supply is most plentiful.

You may have to pump several times in order to obtain the amount needed for one bottle. Once you return to work or school, however, and begin missing feedings regularly, you should be able to pump greater amounts.

Frequency of pumping: Ideally you should plan to pump at least 3 times during an 8 hour work/school day, 2 times during a 6 hour day, and at least once during a 4 hour day. If pumping opportunities are extremely limited, brief pumping sessions of 5 minutes are better than no pumping. If there is no pumping for long periods of time; ie. 8-9 hours or more, expect milk supply to drop.

A Typical Work/School Day for the Breastfeeding Mother

• Set your alarm clock 20-30 minutes early. Nurse your baby during this time even if you have to awaken him.
• Dress yourself and the baby.
• Eat a well-balanced breakfast including something to drink.
• Nurse again before leaving.
• Plan to pump around mid-morning. Have something to drink and a snack.
• Plan to pump again - or nurse if possible - at mid-day/lunchtime. Eat a well-balanced meal with something to drink.
• Plan to pump around mid-afternoon. Have a snack with something to drink.
• Pick up baby after work/school and nurse as soon as you arrive home.
• Eat a well-balanced dinner with plenty of fluid.
• Nurse on demand throughout the evening. This is beneficial to increasing your supply and it helps your baby reconnect with you.
• Work in some moderate exercise as this increases the hormone that is responsible for milk production.
• Have a bedtime snack with something to drink.
• Nurse on demand throughout the night. Bring baby to bed with you to allow for adequate rest.

Providing your child with breast milk is desired for many reasons. Pumping and storing breast milk may seem time consuming, but the benefits will be well worth your time!

Benefits of Breastfeeding: Breast milk is the ideal food for newborns. Besides providing the necessary nutrients in the most easily digestible and absorbable form, breast milk contains antibodies and white blood cells that protect the baby against infection. Breast milk can also help to protect the baby against bacterial diarrhea. Because of the protective qualities of breast milk, many types of infections occur less often in babies who are breastfed rather than bottle-fed. Breastfeeding also seems to protect against the development of certain chronic problems, such as allergies, diabetes, celiac sprue, and Crohn's disease.

Breastfeeding offers many advantages to the mother as well. For example, it helps her to bond and feel close to her baby in a way that bottle-feeding cannot. Mothers who breastfeed have a quicker recovery time after delivery and have some long-term health benefits, such as decreased risk of obesity, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.

For more information:

20 tips for breastfeeding and going back to work/school: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T025100.asp

Nutrition

Meijer Inc. Is offering free prenatal vitamins to soon to be moms. Women who are pregnant or are planning to have children can qualify for the program. A prescription from your doctor or nurse practitioner is required.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines on vitamin D for infants, children and adolescence at a time when medical conditions attributable to low vitamin D levels such as Rickets appear to be on the rise in the US. Breastfeeding babies are at risk if they are fed exclusively (no formula) and not supplemented with vitamin D and don’t have adequate sun exposure. It is now recommended that ALL infants and children, including adolescents, have a minimum daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D beginning soon after birth.

We urge you to discuss this with your baby’s doctor as most cases are individualized to your own family and feeding practices.

It is also recommended that breastfeeding women take a prenatal pill vitamin daily. Emerging research is suggesting that breastfeeding women who do not consume adequate amounts of fish (1-2 times week) should also consider a supplement containing omega 3 fatty acids.