LABOR DOULA AND POSTPARTUM CARE IN LOS ANGELES, CA
POSTPARTUM TROUBLESHOOTING
Postpartum, or the time right after a woman delivers a baby is a very challenging time for her. She is recovering from the delivery, adjusting to her new life as a mother, discovering her baby and redefining herself both emotionally and socially. Knowledge, information and support are crucial at this time.
BREASTFEEDING:
One might ask:" How hard can breastfeeding be?" You have a hungry baby, two breasts and that's all you need to get started... Hold on a second, getting started is not that easy! It looks easy, but it can be frustrating, overwhelming and tiring. In the hospital, there are lactation consultants who visit mom and her newborn, to help with problems or issues, but once mom goes home she's on her own. How daunting! Breastfeeding is a "learned" art both for the mother and the baby. Here are just a few of the problems that can arise: Baby isn't latching on properly. Mom's nipples are sore, cracked or bleeding. Mom's milk supply has not been established. Mom is frantic, baby is frantic. The list goes on. The first thing to do is RELAX! The second thing is find a really comfortable place to breastfeed. A rocking chair near baby's bassinet is a great place to start, and always have plenty of pillows on hand to use as wedges and arm rests. The third thing is to realize that for quite a few weeks if not longer, you will feel like all you do is breastfeed. It takes an hour to get it right, and hour to do it, an hour to get up off the rocking chair and then you start all over again. Remember, this will not last forever, and once you get breastfeeding down, you'll be able to give other mothers advice and tips. A good thing to do is while you are still pregnant talk to as many mothers who have breastfed as you can including relatives and friends. Your doctor and your childbirth educator also will have a lot of information and help for you. A good idea is also to get the name and number of a lactation consultant in your area, and have the number on hand for when you get home. Here are a few sites also that can help:
Most babies go through a "colicky" period of unexplained crying episodes from "pain". There are many theories about colic, but none of those are conclusive. Adaptation of newborn G.I. tract to food and environment is the most common theory.
Colic starts around 2-3 weeks of age, peaks around 6-7 weeks of age and slowly goes away, by 2 1/2 to 3 months of age.
Crying is usually worse in the late afternoon and may last for several hours each day.
Stools, appetite, temperature usually remain normal.
What to Do?
Don't let baby "cry it out". Try to console baby, more crying causes more discomfort, and more cry. Tight swaddling can help along with rocking,singing, whispering. A warm bath may also help.
Breast milk is the best food for baby, and so mom should be on a dairy free diet, since one of the colic theories is based on allergy to "cows milk".
Control constipation. Constipation and colic are two different problems, but constipation will make baby more uncomfortable. If baby is formula fed, a little boiled water between feedings can help. Mom should get the ok from baby's doctor, and must not exceed 2 oz of water per day.
Try not to change baby's feeding type if baby has colic.
There are some over the counter remedies that work for colic. Mylecon drops are often recommended and are carried by pharmacies and health food stores. Always check first with baby's doctor before giving anything to baby.
When do you need to contact the doctor?
If baby's eating has changed If baby is vomiting (new onset) If baby's rectal temperature is more than 100.0F If baby is lethargic If baby has mucous or blood in the stool If baby cries uncontrollably for more than 4-5 hours