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adobe readerBreastfeeding after Breast Reduction (pdf)
Helping Mothers
The Art of Breastfeeding
The Life of a Lactation Consultant

The second two articles write about Carol Chamblin and how she has successfully helped two mothers breast-feed their babies. "Breast-fed Babies may be Less Likely to Get Fat Later" cites a recent study studying the weight control benefits for those who are breastfed.

Helping mothers
By Ann Harmon Stewart
Kane County Chronicle, March 8, 2005

ST. CHARLES -- Whether they are just learning to take care of a newborn or deep in the turmoil of life with a toddler, moms can find advice, answers and a sympathetic ear at the office of Carol Chamblin.

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and registered nurse, Chamblin specializes in helping mothers and babies form successful breastfeeding relationships.

Over the years, however, she has also expanded her practice, adding support groups to address other issues that many mothers struggle with, including feelings of isolation, questions about parenting styles and returning to work.

"I see this as a resource to empower women and help them make choices," Chamblin said of her practice. "So much information gets shared here just through moms interacting with other moms. We talk about sleep and baby development and many other things."

As a private lactation consultant, Chamblin offers in-hospital and in-home consultations to new mothers. Many of these interactions with mothers and babies led her to realize that modern day mothering presents unique challenges to many women.

"We live in a much more fragmented society than in the past," Chamblin explained. "It used to be that there were trusted relatives around a new family, but now there are often no mothers, sisters or aunts around who can help a mother with her baby, and that can be very stressful for new parents."

Many new mothers also feel isolated by their new role after trading in their former professional identities and the camaraderie of the workplace.

In response, Chamblin began the Mothers Tea Support Group, welcoming any mothers with children less than age five to gather one morning a month at her office. Amid dozing babies and frolicking toddlers, mothers have a time to talk about any topic on their minds, from diapers brands and child care to how to discuss death with a three-year old.

Women also are free to peruse Chamblin's lending library, which offers books on topics such as breastfeeding while returning to work, dealing with sleep issues and more.

As part of her lactation practice, Chamblin also began teaching breastfeeding classes, Breastfeeding 101, to pregnant women.

"Breastfeeding is natural, but it can also be very difficult for some women," Chamblin said.

"Again, there is a lack of experienced relatives to learn from for a lot of women. We're getting the first generation of women born in the '60s and '70s whose own mothers did not breast-feed, because those were the years in which many healthcare professionals steered women towards formula for their babies. So that kind of family support and experience is not there for them."

In Chamblin's classes, she offers many practical "how to" tips that can help get breastfeeding off to a good start, and also discusses situations in which extra care may be needed.

Chamblin also makes it a point to dispel common breastfeeding myths that first-time mothers may have heard.

"Breastfeeding should never be painful, even at first," Chamblin said. "If there is any pain a woman needs to adjust her baby's latch and positioning at the breast.

"Sometimes the number of feedings a new baby needs is underestimated, too. Mothers are told to feed their babies on a schedule, but babies can't tell time. A better way is to feed your baby whenever he or she exhibits any signs of hunger."

She also extolls the many lifelong advantages that breast-fed babies enjoy, including lower rates of allergies, ear infections and digestive disorders.

For women returning to work or planning an extended separation from their babies, Chamblin offers the Medela line of breast pumps and Avent breastfeeding supplies for rent or sale. Along with each pump Chamblin provides consultations in proper use.

Custom nursing bra fittings, along with the Bravado, Leading Lady and Beautiful Beginnings lines of nursing bras are available, too.

In the Parent-Infant Massage classes, Chamblin instructs moms and dads on the art of massaging their babies, which can be a playful, relaxing time in addition to offering health benefits.

By operating her own private practice, Chamblin can offer women the advantage of consistency in their care.

"Many women really like the fact that they deal only with me," she said. "I really get to know them and their babies, and we form ongoing relationships. It's so amazing to see all these babies as they grow."

As a child, Chamblin often pretended to be a teacher or a nurse. With Breast 'N Baby Lactation Services, she said that she can take on both roles while helping babies to get the healthiest possible start in life.

* For more information, call Carol Chamblin at (630) 513-1101, or visit www.breastbabyproducts.com.

 

The Art of Breastfeeding
Instinctive Practice Aided by Invention, Information
by Martha Quetsch
Kane County Chronicle, November 7, 2001

Jaqi Cecchi, of North Aurora,weighs her 2 month-old daughter, Isabella on a scale designed for infants, before breastfeeding the baby. After the feeding, Jaqi weighs Isabella again to determine exactly how much milk she consumed.

Several weeks ago, new mother Jaqi Cecchi, of North Aurora, was anxious about whether her baby, Isabella, was getting enough to eat.

Cecchi was breastfeeding her baby. A month after her birth, Isabella had started spending less time nursing, down to five minutes from 45. And when Isabella caught a slight cold as was less inclined to nurse, Cecchi became even more concerned.

Compelled by motherly instinct, Cecchi sought assistance from a local lactation consultant Carol Chamblin. Chamblin suggested Cecchi try weighing Isabella before and after feedings to determine exactly how much she had consumed.

So, Checchi rented a baby scale from Chamblin, and began weighing Isabella before and after nursing. Cecchi discovered, to her relief, Isabella actually was taking in plenty of milk, despite the shorter feedings.

Cecchi returned the scale to Chamblin this week, after using it daily for a month. Having taken action and received positive results, Cecchi was glowing with maternal bliss. "I'm confident now. I'm reassured," said Cecchi.

Cecchi said each feeding varies in duration - from a short 'snack' to a hearty meal. But by weighing Isabella before and after each feeding, and totaling the weight differences for the day, Cecchi knows how much her baby has consumed. Cecchi's success with the scale is just one example of how the art of breastfeeding can be enhanced through science - and information. According to Chamblin, many new mothers who breastfeed their babies experience anxiety an discomfort.Chamblin said women shouldn't feel guilty if they're having trouble breastfeeding.

While breastfeeding is a natural practice, it takes practice to do it right. And, good advice.

Chamblin said one of the most common problems experienced by breastfeeders is sore nipples, caused primarily by the infant improperly"latching on" to the nipple.

The mother must guide the baby to the proper position so that the baby can "suckle" effectively and the mother can nurse comfortably. Although breastfeeding is an instinctive act, women are lucky they can rely on sources other than instinct.

Certified lactation consultants like Chamblin offer information, counseling and demonstrations to help breastfeeders.

For women who want to store their breast milk for later use hand operated or electric breast pumps are available for rent or purchase. With any rental from Chamblin, she provides instruction and a demonstration of the product's assemble and use.

Sometimes, women already have purchased a breast pump but do not know how to use it properly. If the pump isn't on the right pressure setting, it doesn't encourage milk production the way normal breastfeeding should. Inadequate milk production also can result of improper latch-on.

While Chamblin recommends breastfeeding, she said nursing may not be right for every mother.

"I believe in giving moms information so they can make informed decisions," said Chamblin.

The Life of a Lactation Consultant
as Viewed Through Mary's Story of Breastfeeding Jake
by Carol Chamblin, RN, MS, IBCLC

Mary and I met when her firstborn was 4 months old. Mary had taken her daughter, Julia to see the doctor and was told she needed to supplement her baby with bottles because the baby had not gained enough weight. Rather than starting to give Julia bottles, Mary decided to call me for a lactation consultation. A lactation consultation consists of an assessment of the baby's latch at the breast, measuring how much milk the baby takes at the breast, and intervening with the proper techniques to continue breastfeeding. We met on a sunny day in the fall of 2001. I still remember the sunny backroom where we did the consult. As I prepared to help Mary to position her baby onto her breast, I discussed reasons a baby may not get enough of milk at the breast. At the age of 4 months, the reasons may vary from an alert baby being easily distracted, to a calm, quiet baby such as Julia, leading to not gaining enough weight. Most of the time the breastfeeding experience can continue while the issues are resolved.

After Mary and Julia's consult that fall afternoon in 2001, Julia did gain weight without the need for bottles. They continued to enjoy their breastfeeding relationship until Julia was 15 months old, when Mary became pregnant with Jake. This time Mary hired me to assist her with breastfeeding her baby soon after birth. Jake was born on a sunny Sunday afternoon on September 21, 2003 weighing 7lb. 3oz. and I had the opportunity to be present at his birth. Soon after birth we placed Jake at his mother's breast and he gulped colostrum. Colostrum is the initial milk present after birth. In the event that a baby achieves a good latch at the breast soon after birth and gulps colostrum, many breastfeeding struggles seem nonexistent.

The course of Jake's breastfeeding is very different from that of Julia's. Mary had experienced sore nipples while breastfeeding Julia in her early weeks of life, but not with Jake. Nipple soreness is indicative of a poor latch onto the breast. I like to call it the #1 myth of breastfeeding. It often deters a woman from continuing to breastfeed despite her desires to breastfeed her newborn. As Mary's lactation consultant, it was my responsibility to assist her with her latching technique so that soreness was avoided.

Mary and Jake have been enjoying their breastfeeding experience. His latches reveal wide-flanged lips which extend beyond the nipple area. His swallows are heard as loud gulps. He ends his feedings in a placid, satiated state. His weight gain in his first 2 weeks of life was a whopping 2 lbs.! Everyone at the doctor's office was amazed at his weight gain! Within another 2 weeks Jake gained an additional 2 lbs., tipping the scale at 11 lbs. at the age of 1 month. He's a content, cooing baby who's beginning to really develop his own personality. It has been a real blessing to be a part of Mary and Jake's life!