The Enteromammary System

I have just finished reading an excellent book about breastfeeding called The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers: The Most Comprehensive Problem-Solving Guide to Breastfeeding from the Foremost Expert in North America. The aforementioned expert is Dr. Jack Newman, a pediatrician from Canada.

There have been lots of gems in this book and I might share more of them later, but this paragraph awed me with the perfect design God engineered when he created breastfeeding and the relationship it fosters between a mother and her baby:

"[The enteromammary system] is one of the most fascinating aspects of the protective effects of breast milk. As a result of the mother being exposed to various bacteria and viruses, her milk will contain antibodies specifically directed at those very germs. For example, if a mother is exposed to E. coli bacteria, within hours of that exposure her milk will contain SIgA specifically made against E. coli bacteria. The baby is continually protected against those particular bacteria in his immediate environment, or at least the immediate environment of his mother, which is usually the same thing. Or if she is exposed to influenza virus, within hours of her being exposed, her milk will contain antibodies specifically directed against influenza virus. This is miraculous. Formula will never be able to replicate this - never."

I love this paragraph. I especially love that Dr. Newman describes the process as "miraculous." The enteromammary system does in fact bear testimony to God's character. Romans 1:20 says that "since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." It is truly the amazing work of God that he has equipped mothers' bodies to protect and care for their babies in this way.

Mothers, don't ever let anyone convince you that you formula is a close substitute for breast milk, let alone that it is superior. It is nothing of the sort. And when you are sick there is nothing better you can do for your baby than to continue breastfeeding, strengthening your baby's system with the antibodies and immunity that only you -- only YOU -- can!

Newman Breastfeeding Clinic and Institute: www.nbci.ca

Interview with "His Heartbeat for Women"

I was interviewed earlier this month by my friends Andrea Schwartz and Nicki O'Donovan for their website, His Heartbeat for Women. Visit www.hisheartbeat.com to listen to the interview and to see other episodes of their podcast.

Central Texas Doula Association FAQs

I'm a member of the Central Texas Doula Association, which has accomplished quite a lot in its year of existence! We have formed committees to work as liaisons with hospitals, to recruit community partners, and to establish educational opportunities for expectant mothers. We've also created bumper stickers, brochures, t-shirts, and a website...

The website is growing, with bios of the members and news of what the group has been doing. There is also a useful FAQ page that answers questions like "What is a doula?" and "Will the presence of a doula make my family feel unnecessary?" You can read all the questions and answers here: http://www.centxdoulas.org/FAQ

Natural News: Birth Drugs Impair Breastfeeding

www.naturalnews.com/028010_birth_drugs_brstfeeding.html

"A lot of women are not given enough information about the medications that might be given to them during childbirth, and women at low risk of bleeding may not need to take these drugs," said Rosemary Dodds of the National (British) Childbirth Trust. "It is important that women understand the risks and can give their informed consent before they go into labor."

The researchers suggested that the anti-bleeding drugs could interfere with milk production, thus making breastfeeding more difficult and causing new mothers to give up in frustration.

The study also found that high doses of painkillers known as epidurals also reduce a woman's chance of breastfeeding. Prior studies have also found this connection.

Read the full press release at naturalnews.com.

Halt those Haitian breastmilk donations...

I thought this was a little bit amusing. All these American women started shipping their breast milk to organizations that could get it to starving babies in Haiti. But now the people on the receiving end are saying "We never wanted your breast milk..."

Nevertheless, it is very encouraging that women were willing to give in such a meaningful way. And the influx of milk donations will undoubtedly help milk banks here in the United States.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35134523/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

It turns out that Ploude and a bevy of United States breast-feeding advocates may have unleashed a well-meaning but misguided flood of mothers’ milk to the earthquake-shattered nation, one that aid workers in Haiti say was not requested — and is not needed.

“Tell them not to send it,” said Eric Porterfield, a spokesman for the American Red Cross. “I’m 100 percent sure we didn’t ask for that.”

... Now the challenge is to quell the response of well-meaning mothers while still retaining support and awareness for breast milk donations to feed premature babies in the U.S. or to help those whose mothers can't nurse.

Facilitating Adoption for Special Needs Children

Today a friend of mine told me about an organization called CHASK, Christian Homes Adopting Special Kids. This group is doing a beautiful thing and welcoming special needs babies into Christian families, when the birth parents are not interested or capable to parent them. CHASK gives parents a real alternative to choosing abortion for their babies.

From the CHASK website:

"Today, 80% of unborn babies with medical concerns are aborted. We want parents to hear about life choices. CHASK provides family to family support helping families raise their child with special needs. Loving homes are waiting to adopt these special babies if the birth moms and dads are not able to parent. Thousands of Christian families believe that life is precious. They are wanting to put action behind their faith in Jesus Christ by opening their homes and hearts to one of God’s special little ones."

C-Section Rates at ‘"Epidemic" Levels

The current trend of "unnecessary surgeries is jeopardizing women’s health," the U.N. World Health Organization warned in a report published in the medical journal The Lancet.

"Unnecessary C-sections are costlier than natural births and raise the risk of complications for the mother, said the report surveying nine Asian nations. It noted C-sections have reached “epidemic proportions” in many countries worldwide."

Read the full Associated Press story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34826186/ns/health-pregnancy/