Participants:
Series Code: WM
Program Code: WM000445
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00:34 Welcome to "Wonderfully Made"
00:36 I'm Amy Wellard from the "Wildwood Lifestyle Center" 00:39 Today we're going to be talking 00:40 about a wonderful time in your life "breastfeeding" 00:43 ...breastfeeding your baby. 00:44 With me today is Dr. Cherie Lou Fernandez 00:46 Welcome Cherie Lou. Thank you! 00:48 It's nice to have you on the program again 00:50 to continue our "Vibrant Women series" 00:52 How can you have health while you're breastfeeding 00:54 and you're in postpartum, and maybe you've got some 00:57 tearing and you're exhausted. 00:59 Can breastfeeding become a wonderful experience? 01:02 It SHOULD - it should be a wonderful experience, 01:05 and it's because when the baby is latching on you, 01:10 the normal thing is... when the baby is 01:13 sucking on your breast and feeding, 01:15 and trying to bond with you... 01:16 Actually, what happens is the hormone oxytocin is 01:20 being released from the mom's brain, 01:23 and it makes the mom, and even with the baby, 01:28 it makes the bonding stronger between the mom and the baby, 01:32 AND it gives the mom a feeling of, "I LOVE MY BABY" 01:37 "This is NOW my baby" 01:39 It makes a stronger connection between the mom and the baby. 01:43 The breastfeeding is what we regularly do... 01:46 The first thing is when the baby comes out, 01:48 we put the baby on the breast of the mom. 01:50 It enhances this thing... the oxytocin bonding feeling 01:54 of the mom and the baby. 01:56 So what is it that's so special about the breast milk in itself? 02:00 Why is it the best nutrition? 02:02 Oh, there are benefits, VERY big benefits 02:06 to BOTH the mother and to the baby. 02:10 First let's say to the baby because it's not the mom 02:13 who is drinking the breast milk... it's the baby! 02:18 Anyway, the first thing is breast milk is really gold! 02:24 Breast milk is gold, it's a normal... 02:29 I mean, it's what the Lord gave us to be what 02:33 we are going to give to our 02:34 babies the first few days of its life - the first month, 02:38 several months of its life. 02:40 So they call it "liquid gold," 02:44 especially the first one that comes out, 02:48 and it is called, I know everybody knows it... 02:50 It's colostrum - I'll say it anyway. 02:53 "Colostrum" Colostrum is very, very rich 02:58 in antibodies that's why it makes it VERY important 03:02 for the mom to give the first milk to the baby - 03:05 because it is full of antibodies 03:08 so it's a protective thing for the baby. 03:11 How many days does she produce colostrum? 03:14 About 2 or 3, as far as 4 or 5 days. 03:18 But it's the first coming out and the color of the milk 03:21 is not white, it is yellowish because it's very concentrated 03:26 with even fat and the protein antibodies. 03:30 So it is relatively thicker... 03:33 Oh I believe, some women back home, the say - 03:35 "Oh, don't give it to the baby, it is - 03:37 what they call this, I almost said it in my language... 03:41 "It is spoiled" Because when you leave 03:44 milk out, it turns yellow and thickens, you know... 03:48 But it's not so, that first milk that comes out is very 03:56 important for your baby's welfare in the first 1-1/2 years 03:59 ...the antibodies comes with it. 04:02 Does the constituency of the breast milk actually change 04:05 as the baby gets older? It does... there are 3 different 04:09 changes in the... I mean, what do you say? 04:15 Different constituencies? Yes! 04:19 The first milk is very yellowish and thick; 04:21 then it turns a little bit whiter, 04:24 and then it turns a tinge of blue, 04:27 very, very dilute and bluish... 04:30 But don't be fooled by that dilute-looking thing 04:33 because that's still very rich for the baby. 04:36 The colostrum is only a very small amount, 04:38 but it's enough for the little tiny stomach of the baby. 04:42 It's very little that comes out, 04:43 but the stomach of the baby is very small still too. 04:46 It's just enough for the stomach size. 04:48 And, is it true that breast milk is easier for the baby to digest 04:53 than any other formula milk that's available. 04:56 Yes, it's because the protein molecules, 05:01 or the protein substances are just the right kind 05:07 for the baby's stomach to digest. 05:10 And, are there any other special qualities about the breast milk 05:14 that mean it's just ideally designed for the baby's 05:18 sensitive intestine and growing immune system. 05:21 Exactly, again as part like what we had said earlier, 05:25 colostrum is rich with antibodies. 05:27 Whatever the mom has goes to the baby. 05:30 So if the mom is protected from a lot of problems, 05:33 it goes to the baby. 05:35 So it's not something that is pre-made, it's nature's thing 05:43 Everything that is nature-made, 05:45 which is really intended to be this one, 05:49 is supposed to be better for the baby. 05:52 We are the only specie, although sometimes 05:57 we feed our cats with milk from the cow, 06:00 but it's not really that way, 06:01 that deliberately drinks the milk from another specie... 06:05 I heard that from somebody and it really 06:09 made me come to my senses, really. 06:11 We're not supposed to be drinking the milk 06:13 of another specie because our 06:16 milk is supposed to be for for OUR kind, 06:18 but we would rather go to another... 06:21 And our constituency in our body is not fit 06:27 to be able to digest the other... Right 06:31 So all the antibodies that the mom has goes to the baby; 06:34 all what the mom gets goes to the baby. 06:36 It's a protective design. 06:38 A beautiful design the Creator has given us. 06:40 And, I believe that there are other long-term benefits 06:44 to breastfeeding and can actually minimize the risk 06:47 of the baby developing other diseases later in life. 06:50 Is that right? 06:52 Yes, for example.. If you breast feed your baby, 06:54 the baby will be less prone to develop diabetes type 2 07:01 which is a metabolic problem, 07:03 you know - sugar, insulin resistance 07:09 and everything like that, being able to cope with this problem; 07:12 obesity too - a baby who is breastfed, 07:15 of course, I've seen obese babies that were breastfed, 07:18 but regularly, it diminishes the possibility of a baby 07:23 becoming obese in the future and having asthma. 07:26 You see, the mom's milk is human-to-human, 07:31 but the cow or the goat-to-human 07:34 is a different species, so then you might develop antibodies 07:38 and sensitivities against the milk and so later on 07:42 you become somebody prone to develop asthma, 07:44 and lower respiratory tract infections. 07:48 The mother's milk can keep you from having these things, 07:53 and besides, I forgot to tell you earlier... 07:57 A little baby born, a premature baby, 07:59 if you feed the premature baby with milk infant formula, 08:04 that's milk from the cow, the baby has a chance of 08:08 developing... what you call, "necrotizing enterocolitis. " 08:13 It's an inflammation of the small intestines, 08:16 and it's a big problem - can cause even the death of the baby 08:21 because the inflammatory reaction of the 08:24 baby's intestines to the milk of the cow... 08:27 But if you would give the premature... 08:29 It's premature yet, okay, so it's not yet really ripe, 08:32 and you give the wrong thing... 08:34 But if you give the HUMAN milk to the premature baby, 08:37 there is no necrotizing enterocolitis that 08:41 will develop with the milk. 08:43 So whatever... whatever time, whatever milk, 08:47 it has to be mother's milk. 08:49 Okay, now if somebody is in a situation where they can't 08:53 give their own milk to their baby, 08:55 what would be the best alternative 08:58 besides the cow's milk? 09:00 Oh okay, the best milk is another mom's milk! 09:05 But we have to be careful though... 09:07 I think that would be really the best, 09:09 you get a surrogate mom to feed your baby. 09:12 But you have to be very, very careful because you don't 09:15 know the temperaments of this woman; 09:17 you don't know what she's eating; 09:18 you don't know what she is going through. 09:20 Wise decisions - you know? 09:22 Human-to-human should be the first consideration. 09:28 But if not, then you've got to get either cow's milk 09:33 or soymilk 09:34 But soymilk that we have in this pack that we buy 09:37 in Wal-Mart, is not the kind of milk that you feed to 09:41 the newborn or to your baby... 09:43 Because it will even say on this box... 09:46 It says - It's not infant formula... something 09:49 Because it's not made - they have to fix it to 09:53 at least closely match that of the mother's. 09:58 So many suggest that it's really 10:01 better to use the soy infant formula 10:04 OVER the cow infant formula. 10:07 Now let's go back to the actual mechanism of the breastfeeding. 10:10 Many mothers have a hard time getting the latch to take place 10:15 for the baby and it results in lots of soreness. 10:17 How can we avoid that? 10:20 Oh many times it happens because the breast of the mother 10:24 was not... have you ever heard "inverted nipples" 10:30 If I had inverted nipples and I was pregnant, 10:33 there are ways by which I can prepare my breasts for the baby 10:38 to latch-on when I deliver my baby. 10:42 They do exercises... they pull and they twist 10:46 the nipples out to stretch them out 10:49 because well, they were inside for a long time. 10:52 So slowly you pull your nipples OUT and stretch, 10:56 so that then by the time it's time for your to breastfeed, 10:59 they are OUT! 11:01 You have to do that - if you don't do that, 11:03 it's hard to do it during the time 11:05 when the baby is there already. 11:07 It has to be preparation for the birth. 11:10 And many times, the new mother doesn't know how to 11:14 put the baby on the breast, 11:16 and there are techniques how to hold the baby. 11:19 It's normal - it's amazing you put the baby on the chest 11:23 and as soon as the baby's cheek touches the nipple 11:27 it will crawl and put it's head, 11:30 even if you just put it there and hold it and - you know 11:32 Regularly, we just... latch on this way, 11:37 but you just put your baby close there, 11:39 it has this - what you call the "rooting reflex" 11:43 So you root on the thing that's 11:45 really supposed to be feeding you. 11:47 Nature is that way - the Lord has created us that way. 11:52 So the baby latches on to the breast and the baby knows 11:54 how to suck. 11:56 Sometimes you have very, very big nipples 11:59 and the baby's mouth - the baby is a small baby 12:04 It's only the nipple that the baby can suck on to, 12:11 but when you are sucking on the nipple, 12:13 you don't get any milk. 12:15 The nipple has to go deep into the mouth, 12:18 and the lips of the baby should be around the areola. 12:22 So it should be big; the lips of the baby 12:27 around the areola - like this, 12:28 because if it's NOT done that way, you won't be able to cause 12:33 the ejection reflex or the spurting out of the 12:37 ejection of the milk. 12:38 So many moms don't know that and they put the baby 12:41 and it becomes sore because the baby is sucking on the nipple 12:44 when it should be all the way to base of the areola. 12:49 Right... are there any creams that she can put on 12:52 if she has become so sore and tender? 12:55 You have to get something that won't upset your baby. 12:59 You can't put lotions that are with a lot of stuff. 13:03 They say you can put probably mineral oil 13:09 and rub it, soften it, especially when it's still wet 13:13 and then you wipe it; clean it with a cloth, 13:15 and when it's supple and wet, 13:17 then you rub the thing around it. 13:19 Now sometimes in the first flush of the flow of the 13:23 breast milk through the breast, it can cause an engorgement 13:27 which is very, very painful. 13:29 And that, if it's not alleviated right away, can lead to mastitis 13:33 Now, what can be done because this is very common, I believe. 13:36 Oh many women, Amy, have problems with that. 13:40 The breasts just become engorged and full of milk. 13:46 Because, you see, the baby is learning... 13:49 When the baby sucks on the breast, the mom produces 13:56 a lot of milk but the baby's tummy is just so tiny, 14:00 and so, yes, the milk is left back there... 14:03 So maybe the mom can buy these pumps; 14:08 there are 2 types - you could the manual, 14:10 or you could have the machine, the electric one. 14:15 The one that's manual is only one at a time, you know... 14:18 But the machine is much easier because you 14:23 just put 2 like this. 14:24 So then you can empty your breasts, 14:27 and not have so much risk of developing mastitis. 14:35 But even then, when we do that 14:37 sometimes they still have mastitis. 14:40 So then you can use something 14:42 that cools down the breasts around the area. 14:47 You could get cabbage, not that 14:48 you're going to be looking to a salad - no... 14:51 but you get the cabbage and you put it a little bit 14:55 on the stove, just to warm it up a little bit, 14:59 so that it becomes tender because cabbage is hard. 15:01 When it's put on the stove and it becomes tender, 15:03 then you mash the cabbage and then you put it on the breast - 15:09 like a poultice, a cabbage poultice. 15:11 You could also use potato; it cools the breasts, 15:15 and it helps alleviate the inflammation 15:18 associated with the beginning mastitis. 15:20 Now, if you use potato, would you cook the potato first? 15:24 No, still the same, still raw. 15:26 Okay, but the cabbage you cooked 15:27 it a little bit just to get it tender. Yes, just heated it 15:30 so that it becomes tender, so it's easy for you to mash. 15:32 And that actually relieves the congestion... Yes it does 15:35 Something that I also used was clay poultice. 15:38 That actually helped with the mastitis. 15:41 Yes, it's easier and besides, it is absorbent. 15:44 It absorbs whatever is in there that is causing inflammation. 15:48 So clay and/or charcoal but they say clay may be 15:55 able to work better but they are both absorbent structures 15:58 so then you could also put it there. 16:01 Yes, I just pasted it with a little bit of water 16:03 and then paste it on and you don't even need to wear a bra 16:05 You just paste it on because it dries on the breast, 16:08 and it worked wonderfully within 24 hours. 16:10 So it was just like that, just plain... Um hm straight-on. 16:13 Not a poultice? Oh, okay I learned something new. 16:15 If you can do it simpler, why not. 16:18 That's the way to do it! 16:20 Why make your life so complicated. 16:22 So not only the baby is benefitting from the breast milk 16:25 the mom is actually benefitting too. 16:28 So let's talk about the benefits to mom. 16:31 Oh of course, and to the father's pocket! 16:36 You know how expensive... 16:39 I mean, I went to Wal-Mart to see how much one little can 16:43 of infant formula costs and and throughout the time the baby 16:50 ...And the baby seems to be drinking and drinking more 16:53 and more and your pockets becoming deeper and deeper... 16:57 You know, you - OH WELL... it has something to do with 17:02 finances - you know... One, that's only one. 17:06 It helps you with you financing, save money - very, very big. 17:10 A lot of us have problems there. 17:12 And, of course, it's easier... You don't need to 17:16 BOIL your baby bottles; you don't have to get sterile water. 17:22 It's just ready and it's in the right temperature, 17:27 the right constituency and it's good already. 17:32 So everywhere you go, you don't 17:34 have to be carrying your... it's convenient! 17:36 Very convenient for your mother. 17:38 Besides, it makes your mother feel great! 17:41 The bonding between your mommy... 17:43 I was not able to breastfeed my baby. 17:46 I only got milk by pumping, and one thing too, 17:52 the mother should be really happy about 17:54 the breastfeeding experience... 17:57 And it seems to be very important that the mother 18:02 should be relaxed and no stress for the milk to be 18:07 good also for the baby and it's a thing that the mother can 18:14 have a nice feeling of closeness with the baby. 18:20 ...And she gets that oxytocin released. 18:23 That's the hormone that makes us feel good and makes us feel 18:25 loved and nurtured - so the mother is getting 18:28 nurturing as well as the baby. Yes 18:30 Now, the baby, you mentioned earlier, has a lower risk of 18:33 developing diabetes when it's older... Yes 18:36 Now, does breastfeeding help 18:37 the MOTHER to reduce her risk... 18:39 It does too, it does too because then all the extra 18:42 food you're eating and getting into your body, 18:45 is used for your baby and some of the mechanism of action too, 18:52 it does help the mom, even in her health... Wonderful 18:56 Besides cancer of the breast and cancer of the ovaries are 19:01 decreased when you breastfeed. 19:04 The risk of developing it is decreased by breastfeeding. 19:08 So that's a very, very big thing already. 19:10 Yes, that's another reason to opt for breastfeeding 19:14 if you possibly can. 19:15 Now, we realize that some of us are just not able, 19:18 for whatever reason, to breastfeed, 19:19 and it may come as a very big disappointment to you, 19:22 and I think Dr. Cherie Lou, you mentioned that 19:24 it was a big disappointment to you that you were not able 19:27 to breastfeed your baby... 19:28 What are some of the conditions where a woman just cannot do it? 19:33 Well in cases where the woman has severe depression, 19:39 and she does really need to take medications, 19:42 and natural remedies have been tried but sometimes you 19:46 really need to take certain medications to help the mom 19:50 in depression and/or infection, and/or whatever problems she has 19:56 Medications that can go into the milk and go to the baby 20:00 and that may affect the baby, 20:03 the baby is not supposed to be breastfeeding. 20:06 So the conditions of the mother that may affect the baby 20:10 that a mother does to herself that may affect the baby 20:14 or the mother's illnesses that might affect the baby, 20:18 then the baby may NOT be breastfeeding from the mom. 20:22 There is a rare condition, and the only reason I know 20:25 about it is because I developed it... 20:27 It's called "Raynaud-like syndrome" 20:29 and that was very devastating to me that I wasn't able to 20:33 continue breastfeeding my baby, 20:35 but I was able to use a pump like you, yourself, 20:37 and I just want to mention to some of our viewers, 20:40 if that has been an issue for you and you've not been able to, 20:43 we want to just encourage you that God will bless you when 20:46 you're doing the best that you can for your baby. 20:48 And I was able to put my baby on a very healthy soy formula 20:52 and he is still very healthy now 20:54 and so I'm very thankful for that. 20:55 And I believe He will do that, when we do the best 20:58 with what we have available and if, for some reason 21:00 you can't breastfeed, the Lord 21:02 is going to bless you in many other ways, 21:03 and He will take care of YOUR health and your baby's health. 21:07 So, Dr. Cherie Lou, is there any other information 21:11 in terms of natural remedies that can help INCREASE 21:14 breast milk flow if we're having trouble producing enough milk 21:19 for the baby. 21:21 Oh, so breast milk is produced by proper latching on - 21:24 the position of the mouth on the mother's breast, okay? 21:28 So if you already have that and the milk is not really 21:31 coming down, maybe you're not drinking enough water? 21:34 You know - many times, really - before breastfeeding, 21:38 is started - initiated, the mother should drink water; 21:43 at least a glass of water and water should be there. 21:46 Have you ever tried breastfeeding and you've 21:49 become thirsty in the middle of your breastfeeding? 21:51 Many women tell me that. 21:53 So it's helpful for you to drink water first, 21:58 and then drink water in the middle of your breastfeeding. 22:02 We have, back home - there are certain foods that you can 22:07 ...The elderly come and bring the breastfeeding mom and say, 22:11 "This is going to help you" 22:13 One of them is "Moringa," you know Moringa? 22:16 Have you heard of Moringa? Yes 22:17 It's a very, very good... it's a food. 22:21 We call it "Malunggay" in the Philippines. 22:24 Oh Malunggay... Malunggay - yes 22:26 It's the green leaf - Yes, the green leaf 22:28 That's "Moringa" in the scientific name. 22:33 But it is like a "secretagogue" 22:36 ...It helps your breasts produce milk. 22:38 Now, is this available here in the U.S.? 22:40 Oh, they can get Moringa from natural stores. 22:46 It's not only Moringa that can help you produce... 22:48 Really what is important on top of that is - 22:51 The elderly would come and bring 22:52 us this Moringa SOUP with water in it. 22:57 So really, it's important for the mother to be hydrated. 23:01 And it is important for the mother NOT to drink coffee, 23:06 not to drink Coke or any caffeine-like things. 23:12 My friend - oh, she was suffering so hard. 23:15 I was wondering why she couldn't sleep! 23:17 Because I could sleep, but I was not breastfeeding 23:21 my baby but she was breastfeeding her baby, 23:23 and she couldn't sleep. 23:26 Well the reason was she was drinking Coke 23:28 prior to bedtime and the Coke went to the baby... 23:32 And if you can stay awake, your baby will be awake too. 23:36 Then the baby was awake all the time, 23:39 and I told her - "What were you doing?" 23:41 Oh, she drank this Coke because 23:44 she wanted to stay awake to take care of her baby. 23:46 Unfortunately, her baby stayed awake with her! 23:49 Okay, so avoid the stimulants, avoid things... 23:51 Because whatever affects you is going to affect your baby 23:53 the same way. Yes 23:55 Now, I heard that using oatmeal can actually really help 23:59 increase the breast milk. Fascinating! 24:02 EASY - EASY and readily available, 24:04 you don't need to go get it. That's true 24:06 So you should just eat a bowl of oatmeal every day? YES 24:10 And drink some oat MILK? Uh ha... 24:12 Okay, rather than going for the dairy milk, have the oat milk. 24:15 You can get that from stores. 24:16 Very rich too, in nutrients. 24:18 Now, if for any reason, she needs to discontinue 24:21 breastfeeding, are there any herbal agents that can help her 24:25 to be able to discontinue and stop the production 24:29 without there being any negative side-effects? 24:31 I believe there are a lot, the same way as 24:34 you would want herbs to help you have more milk, 24:38 you can also use herbs to help you have lesser milk 24:44 from day-to-day until you finally stop breastfeeding... 24:47 because of conditions that you cannot breastfeed, 24:50 and you don't want to have mastitis 24:52 or engorged breasts persistently... 24:54 And red sage is one that helps a lot and has been 24:59 proven to help many women who have to stop breastfeeding 25:03 And also Vitex - they have made studies that Vitex in a 25:08 HIGH dose can help bring down prolactin levels; and therefore, 25:13 the production of milk diminished. 25:16 So you have to be careful though because when you do this, 25:19 the next thing you know, you are fertile, 25:21 and you need time to be taking care of your baby, 25:24 not getting pregnant again. 25:25 Oh that's a good point! These herbs will make you 25:28 fertile so you have to be careful. 25:31 So breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive, 25:33 is that what you are implying? 25:35 It IS a natural contraceptive. 25:38 You have to be breastfeeding consistently, okay? 25:42 ...Every 2 hours, like 10-15 minutes on each breast. 25:48 If you don't breastfeed that frequency, that duration... 25:53 Let's say when the baby starts to eat, around 3-4 months... 25:58 You start feeding the baby with food; 26:01 the baby is not going to latch on your breast 26:03 that frequently anymore. 26:05 When you quit this frequency of every 2 hours, 26:12 you will have a chance to go back to your normal ovulatory 26:18 pattern and you can get pregnant. 26:20 So that's why there are some mothers who... 26:22 "I was breastfeeding - how come I became pregnant?" 26:26 It's because of the decreased frequency of the breastfeeding. 26:30 Okay, I hope everybody got that... 26:32 Breastfeeding IS a natural way of contraception, 26:38 but there IS a requirement... 26:40 You are supposed to have THAT frequency 26:42 and THAT duration of breastfeeding. 26:44 Okay, thank you. 26:45 Please tell us a little bit about the psychological 26:48 component to breastfeeding as well. 26:50 I think you have your own experience with this. 26:52 I don't want to patronize myself but where else can we learn 26:57 but from our own experiences. Absolutely! 27:00 I couldn't breastfeed my baby normally because he had problems 27:06 But, then the doctor had told me that I should give my baby 27:09 the colostrum, so I tried and I got milk. 27:12 I got enough for my baby's milk from day 1 to day 3, 27:18 but because of my baby's problems, physical abnormalities 27:24 the doctors had told me unfortunately, everybody, 27:29 4 of them, 5 of them told me that my baby would not survive 27:34 As soon as they told me that, I could not have milk anymore. 27:39 I'm so sorry to hear that, 27:42 but he was able to survive, that's the good news, 27:44 and you were able to continue feeding him with other things. 27:47 So the Lord provided and for those of you that are 27:50 watching today, we hope you've learned something about 27:52 breastfeeding, and remember that the Lord 27:54 IS going to make up for it if you're not able to do it, 27:57 and if you are, it's an extra blessing. 27:59 Just enjoy your baby and enjoy loving him 28:02 whether you are able to breastfeed or not. |
Revised 2014-12-17