Reglan

This recent experience with pneumonia taught me a few things, one of which was about Reglan. I became very, very sick before I went into the hospital, and one thing that added to my stress and worry was the fact that I was drying up. I knew how incredibly important the antibodies in my breast milk are for my baby and how crucial it was for him to get those so he didn't contract my pneumonia. Even though I didn't really have the energy for it, I nursed him more often than usual, but with the combination of my fever and lack of appetite (and accompanying inability to eat much at all), I could tell my baby wasn't getting enough milk. Once I even let him suck for an hour and a half, and when I finally took him off, he cried with hunger. That broke my heart. It also gave me new empathy for those mothers I know who have dried up long before they were ready to wean. It's a terrible feeling!

In desperation, I had my husband call a local lactation consultant (who also happens to be my friend), and instead of giving me all the pat answers that I have memorized, and knowing that I have breastfed twice before, for a year or more each time, she recommended the herb, Fenugreek. I had heard of this herb but didn't know of its milk-enhancing properties. She also told us about the drug, Reglan, which has similar properties, and recommended that we ask my doctor for it. When I was admitted to the hospital later that night, my husband asked that I be given Reglan, in addition to my other IV meds, and they complied. An added benefit with Reglan--which is what it is most often used for--is it reduces nausea, which I was also having trouble with.

I mention this herb and drug in the hope that it may help someone else in a similar situation. Without those regular doses of Reglan, I probably would have dried up completely. I was very grateful that my husband was able to take time off his summer job to be with me in the hospital, and was able to bring our baby with him so that I could nurse throughout the day. That, besides the Reglan, are what saved my milk because I didn't have enough energy to pump more than once a day, in the evening, after my baby had left. (Did you ever realize how much more energy it takes to pump than to let the baby do the work?) There were so many times during the worst part of my illness when I despaired of being able to continue breastfeeding. It would have been so much easier to give up and just resort to formula, and I was often tempted to do so. But my knowledge of the importance of breast milk for the health of my baby, and my commitment to breastfeeding kept pushing me to keep trying, though I really didn't have the energy to even nurse him lying down. (It was alarming to be that weak, let me tell you!)

Now we are back to exclusively breastfeeding and I can tell my baby is once again getting enough. I can't tell you what a relief that is, to be able to provide for him myself again! How grateful I am for an informed lactation consultant, and modern medicine. (I still want to try the Fenugreek sometime, though...)

Free Breastfeeding Stuff!

For any of you who are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed soon (or are looking for the perfect gift for a mother-to-be), I thought I'd pass along this cool offer. It was offered a few months ago and I took advantage of it then, so I can vouch for it being real. There are no hidden charges, you just pay for shipping. I've been happy with my nursing cover and use it often, and the baby sling is nice too. And now I'm excited that this offer is being extended to their washable breast pads because I am in the market for some new ones!

So check it out, ladies:

3 Special World Breastfeeding Week Promo Codes

Free Nursing Covers at UdderCovers.com! Free Baby Carriers at SevenSlings.com! Free Breast Pads at UdderCovers.com!

Use Promo Code "Breastfeeding" at Both Websites TODAY!

It's as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Go to SevenSlings.com and/or UdderCovers.com. 2. Click on "Shop Now" and select any baby carrier, nursing cover and/or breast pads you like. 3. Once you have made your selection, you'll automatically be directed to the shopping bag. Enter the promo code " Breastfeeding " and both companies have agreed to deduct 100% of the cost of the carrier or nursing cover - all you pay are the shipping fees! Remember: the promo code is " Breastfeeding " and you can use it more than once - just open a new browser window each time you do.

Budget (and Earth) Saver Tip #24: For Breastfeeding Moms

If you're a breastfeeding mom using disposable breast pads, you know how quickly that expense can add up. It's not a lot, but it is a regular expense that could be eliminated. A typical box of 36 pads costs $4. But that's only enough for 18 days (assuming you don't use more than 2 per day). For a month's supply, you'd actually end up spending more like $6.64. That's about $80 a year for disposable breast pads. Depending on your economic situation and how you look at it, that's not really a ton of money. But looking at it from an environmental standpoint, putting 712 breast pads per year in a landfill is a big deal, since they don't biodegrade very quickly at all--if ever.

On the other hand, if you invest in reusable/washable breast pads, you may spend an average of $8 for 6 pads. This, of course, means you would have to buy at least two boxes for an almost-week's supply at $16. Or, if you don't want to do laundry quite as often, buy 3 boxes at $24. Initially, this is significantly more expensive than $6.64, but since you won't have to buy any more pads again ever, that's actually $80 per year (disposable) vs. $24 per year (washable)--a savings of $56 the first year. And if you breastfeed more than one child, washable breast pads will save you an additional $80 each year that you use them.

I am lucky to have been given all my reusable breast pads, so I've never had to buy any--and if you're handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own. If you're like me and you have three children, whom you breastfeed for a year each, using the above formula, washable breast pads would save you at least $216. And prevent 2,136 disposable breast pads from going to a landfill!

(Of course, be sure to research the product before buying, as there are a few different options out there and not everyone likes the same thing. Also, many experts will tell you not to wear pads with plastic backing, as they can cause yeast infections. Here is one article with ideas on what to look for.)

Another Benefit for Breastfeeding Mom

There are so many reasons to breastfeed that when I read in TIME magazine's September 13, 2010 issue that "only 14% of mothers in the U.S. do so" (p. 20), I was incredulous! Yes, it is a learned art, but it very worth it for the the health and bonding of mother and baby (not to mention finances) that it's a shame so few women do it.

But what was most interesting in this TIME article was the the latest research: "Scientists report that among a group of 2,233 women ages 40 to 78, those who breast-fed their newborns were half as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes 30 years later as were mothers who used formula" (p. 20, emphasis added). That's a pretty significant health finding for women, I'd say!

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea and Women

For the past three years or so I have taken a daily amount of Red Raspberry Leaf which has depended upon the stage I'm in: newly pregnant, close to delivery, breast feeding, or--like now--struggling with secondary infertility. In an effort to strengthen and tone my uterus as well as regulate my cycles, (in addition to all its other benefits) I currently drink a quart of RRL tea (no caffeine) every day. (Because this high amount made me go through tea bags much too quickly, I ordered a bunch in bulk and now use it loose. Don't worry, I strain it.) There is something about it that is so satisfying, that my body craves, and I can feel it is good for me. It has a pleasant aroma by itself and a very mild taste for an herbal tea, but I like to make it more interesting and tasty by adding a couple spoonfuls of frozen juice concentrate or a spoonful of honey.

Here are some amazing facts about this versatile, mild herb from Birthsource.com (an excellent prenatal resource):

The leaves of the raspberry plant have been used as a medicinal herb for centuries... It is believed that raspberry leaf, if taken regularly through pregnancy and labor can:

• Ease the symptoms of morning sickness
• Sooth and prevent bleeding gums which many pregnant women often experience.
• Relax the smooth muscles of the uterus when it is contracting (Burn & Withell, 1941).
• Assist with the birth of the baby and the placenta.
• Calm cramping of the uterus.
• Provide a rich source of iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium. The magnesium content is especially helpful in strengthening the uterine muscle.
• Raspberry leaf also contains vitamins B1, B3 and E, which are valuable in pregnancy.

Raspberry leaf is also used for the following:

• To aid fertility.
• To promote a plentiful supply of breast milk.
• To help stop excess bleeding after birth.
• To treat diarrhea.
• To regulate irregular menstrual cycle and decrease heavy periods.
• To relieve sore throats.
• To reduce fever.

It is thought that around one fifth of pregnant women take some form of raspberry leaf. Women believe that it will shorten labor and make the birth easier. The use of this herb for remedial purposes dates back to the sixth century and its benefits in childbirth have been recorded as a proven aid in maternity in the most ancient of herbal books.

RRL can also be taken in capsule form, which is how I took it up until a few months ago--just make sure you drink plenty of water with it so your system can absorb and assimilate it. I took it before and after the birth of my second child and, though I had made a few other changes that time around as well, I believe RRL helped shrink my laboring down from 22 hours to 4 hours and have no issues with my milk coming in late or not being plentiful enough. Now if it will just help with its current intended purpose...