SKIN-TO-SKIN…DOES IT MATTER

Skin- to- skin, what is it, and is it important? Skin-to-skin is when your baby lays on your chest with no clothes between you. Yes, it is very important.  It will help both mom and dad bond with their baby.

How you do skin-to-skin is very important. Baby skin must have full contact with mom and dad's skin. There should be no clothes between them. Here are the following steps to place your baby skin-to-skin.

1.      Remove your shirt, and bra or open your shirt in the front to expose your chest.

2.      Place a hat and diaper on the baby.

3.      Place the baby’s tummy against your chest.

4.      Place a blanket on the baby’s back to keep him/her warm.

 Skin-to-skin is very beneficial for mom, dad, and baby.  Skin-to-skin helps with bonding for both mom and dad.  It will reduce the baby’s stress. Both mom and dad will transfer immunity to the baby to increase the baby’s immune system. And for mom skin-to-skin may improve her milk supply.

Skin-to-skin should begin as soon as possible after delivery. It is preferred to start skin-to-skin within the first hour of delivery.  Remember it decreases the baby’s stress so putting your baby skin-to-skin immediately after delivery gives your baby a welcoming start to this new world.

Studies show placing baby skin-to-skin after a cesarean section helps with breastfeeding success. If you know you are having a C-section or if you weren’t planning a C-section but end up having one; make sure the nursing staff knows to put your baby skin-to-skin as soon as possible. Unfortunately, many moms who have a C-section do not get the opportunity to place their baby skin-to-skin immediately after birth. This has been shown to cause breastfeeding problems. Let your healthcare provider know you want your baby place skin-to-skin as soon as possible.

Go to our YouTube channel @keeper-ofourhaven for more information and a link to a video on the first hours of life.

Be blessed on your breastfeeding journey. Comment below if you have any good skin-to-skin information to share with others. Iron sharpens Iron.

Why BF???? Isn’t formula the same?????

Why BF???? Isn’t the formula the same?????

Well, let’s lean into this. Both are liquid and both have the purpose of feeding a baby. This being said, they each provide milk but different nutrition factors and benefits.

Breastmilk has many micronutrients that formula doesn’t. Man just can not create the same perfect milk that God does.

Benefits of BF for mom

·        Decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

·        Decrease in bleeding after delivery.

·        Help return to pre-pregnancy weight sooner.

Benefits of BF for babies

·        Decreased risk of childhood cancer, diabetes & obesity.

·        Decreased risk of SIDS.

·        Promotes brain development.

·        The most complete nutrition.

Breastfeeding allows mom to bond with her baby since she is feeding 8 or more times a day. It just makes sense if you are the one who is always feeding your baby you will naturally bond more.

Does this mean that the formula should never be given? NO! There are times when a baby must be given formula. If a mom is unable to BF due to a medical condition of the mom or the baby or both. Then the next best feeding option would be formula. Follow the advice of your healthcare provider they will know best if BF is not an option for you.

If because of a medical condition I can not BF, does this mean I can not bond with my baby as with BF? Absolutely not! You most certainly can still bond with your baby. Doing skin-to-skin with your baby after feeding. Talking, singing, and eye-to-eye contact with your baby while you bottle feed. Making feeding your exclusive job during the first four weeks of a baby’s life. All these ways can help you and your baby to bond.

So, does breast milk and formula contain the same contents? The answer to this question is yes and no. There are some contents that are in both but, there are some contents that are only found in breastmilk. So, what are the contents of breastmilk and formula?

Contents of Breastmilk

Proteins

60% Whey, Lactobacillus, Lactoferrin  Lysozyme, Serum Albumin

40% Casein, Secretory IgA, and Hamlet(which is made lethal to tumors)

Carbohydrates

Lactose,  Oligosaccharides

Vitamins

A, D, E, C, K, B6, B12

Riboflavin, Pantothenic, Nacin, Biotin, Inositol, Thiamine

Fats

More than 35 different fats

18 Minerals

9 Enzymes

20 amino acids

14 nucleotides

Antibiotics

Leukocytes-SIgA, IgG, IgM, IgE, Igd

23 hormones

22 growth factors

DHA/ARA

Peptides

Anti allergens

Non-protein nitrogens

Disease-fighting stem cells

Water

Contents of Formula

Protein

Whey (from cow’s milk)

Carbohydrates

Lactose

Vitamins

C, A, D3, B12

Inositol, Niacin, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Hydrochloride, Thiamine, Folic Acid, Biotin, Phylloquinone

Fats

6 different kinds of fats

13 minerals

1 enzyme

2 amino acids

5 nucleotides

antibiotics none

hormones none

growth factors none

peptides none

anti-allergens none

non-protein nitrogen none

stem cells none

water

As you can see formula has no antibiotics, hormones, growth factors, DHA/ARA, peptides, anti-allergens, non-protein nitrogen, or stem cells. The formula does not have as complete nutritional contents as the breastmilk. This is why the AAP recommends breastfeeding the mom and baby if they are able.  Certainly, there may be a situation where it is not possible for breastfeeding to take place. In these rare cases, the formula is then the next best option.

BF is the best and most complete food you can give your baby. If you and your baby have no medical condition excluding you from BF, then giving your milk will help the baby to be healthy today and in years to come.

Comment below ways you feel BF helped you or your baby. This may encourage someone. Remember iron sharpens iron. Let’s help sharpen each other to a peaceful haven.

Breastfeeding the First Week of Life

The number 1 concern I hear during the first week of life is, ” My baby always seems hungry.” 

This is an understandable concern and a concern that I had myself when I was a new mother many years ago.

Newborns have tiny stomachs about the size of a marble. Their stomachs hold about one teaspoon. Wow! Understandably, their stomach would empty quickly. Newborn BF every 2-3 hours from the start of their last feed. They should ideally BF at least 10 minutes or longer on the first side, then always offer the 2nd side. They may BF longer or not at all on the 2nd side. It’s totally up to them. They are the boss right now. After you offer the 2nd side, always hand-express 2 or more drops and drop them into the baby’s mouth as dessert. Who doesn’t like dessert, right?

Now, sometime after 24 hours, the baby will start to cluster feed. Cluster feeding kicks every 2-3 hours to the curb. The baby may start to feed every 30-60 minutes! Let your baby do this. Cluster feeding is needed to change your colostrum milk to mature milk. You can give your baby a snack when holding baby between feeds by hand expressing 2 or more drops in the baby’s mouth. This will also help your milk to progress from colostrum to mature milk.

The first week is a learning experience for sure as your baby learns to eat. Be patient, take quick naps, and have confidence in yourself.

Now call the baby’s doctor if:

 Baby is not having 1 pee diaper and 1 poo every day the baby is old up to day 4 for poo and 6 for pee. Example Day 1 -1 pee &1poo

Day 2- 2pee 2poo Day 3- 3 pee 3 poo After day 4 poo cap off while pee should continue to increase until Day 6.

Call your doctor if the baby is not waking up for feeding, the pee is dark and concentrated, or the poo continues to be black after day 3.

Between days 3-5, your mature milk should be in. If it is not, call your healthcare provider.

Wearing your baby during these early weeks helps milk production. Keeping your baby skin to skin with a hat and diaper on only. Lay the baby on your chest and stomach with a blanket covering the baby’s backside.  Do this whenever you are awake. Remember to give some express milk drops as snacks during these times. Now if you are feeling drowsy place your baby on their back in their bassinet, crib, or pack ’n’ play. Or allow Dad to do skin-to-skin while you sleep. From skin-to-skin, both parents will transfer immunities to the baby!

Below are some videos which can help you during this first week. If there are things you found helpful during the first week comment below to help others.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Breastfeeding in the First Hours – Video – Global Health Media Project   

How to Express Breastmilk – Video – Global Health Media Project  

 Is Your Baby Getting Enough Milk – Video – Global Health Media Project                             

Attaching Your Baby at the Breast – Video – Global Health Media Project