May 2014, Issue 2

BREASTFEEDING IN THE
21
ST
CENTURY
San Franciscos Breastfeeding Promotion Coalition Monthly Newsletter


Other things that can be done
include:
Assessing your babys:
General health:
o Is baby feeding
frequently? Is baby
waking? Is baby gaining
weight? Continue to ask
similar questions.
Hydration status:
o Turgor: Pinch skin and it
should bounce back.
I&O: Input and Output
o Expected input: about 8-
12 feedings in 24 hours;
20-40 minutes total per
feed.
o Expected output:
! 1 wet diaper per
day of life up to
day 6.
! 6-8 wet diapers
after day 6; 2-3
stools per day
! Change in color
from black
meconium to
yellow seeding
stool by day 5.

Healthy Mothers Workplace Coalition
was a collaboration of the SFBFPC,
SFDPH-MCAH, WIC, Office of
Womens Health and Small Business
Commission. Funded by the SF-Health
Improvement Partnership at UCSF and
from the CDCs Community
Transformation Grant, the mission of
the Healthy Mothers Workplace is to
improve the health of employed women
and their infants and to tackle inequities
and gaps in workplace policies.
The lead agency, Legal Aide Society
Employment Law Center created the
Healthy Mothers Workplace Award to
recognize San Francisco employers
with their policies that support the
wellbeing of their employees. Starting
May 9, 2014 a self-assessment can be
completed and submitted by August 20,
2014 to be considered for the award.
Those that meet the criteria will earn a
certificate and distinction for the award.
Please visit https://www.las-
elc.org/healthy-mothers-workplace for
more information.
Did You Know?
By: Zylmira Ivonne Garcia RN, MSN, IBCLC

Many new and expectant
mothers have a perception that
they will not be able to make
enough milk for their babies.
Therefore, mother opts to
formula use even before the
baby is born or even when the
baby is nursing well. What can
we do to help reassure these
moms that breastfeeding can/is
working for them?
Mohrbacher states, The most
effective and accurate way to
determine if a baby is taking
enough milk is by monitoring
the weight.
Expected weight loss in the
first few days:
A weight loss of 5-7
percent is considered
normal.
A weight loss of 10 percent
is acceptable but signals
potential problems. This is
a good time for mothers to
seek help.
Appropriate expected weight
gain:
Birth weight is expected to
be re-gained by 2 weeks of
age.
Average weight gain for
the first 3 to 4 months is
about 6 ounces per week.
Average weight gain at 4
to 6 months is 4 to 5
ounces per week.
Birth weight triples by 1
year.

(Continue on next page)
Assessing a Babys Weight May 11
th
is
Mothers Day!
Remember to show
appreciation for all the
mothers you know!
There is no way to be a
perfect mother and a million
ways to be a good one.
Jill Churchill
May 2014, Issue 2





A mother, Wioletta Komar, was forced to breastfeed her
baby outside in the rain by Sports Direct, a sporting goods
store in Nottingham, England. As a result
Nottinghamshire Breastfeeding Mums Network
organized a feed-in protest in the store.
About 60 men and women and 70 children participated in
breastfeeding, or attended to show their support.
Unlike Ms. Komars past experience, the stores staff was
cooperative and did not bother the mothers breastfeed. In
fact, they were described as really lovely and
demonstrated understanding for the mothers rights.
A big congratulation to this groups achievements! By
standing up for public breastfeeding, they educated their
community and prevented other mothers from
experiencing similar situations in the future.
For more on this story,
visit: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-
nottinghamshire-27192277

Mother:
Hormonal issues:
o Does mom have thyroid issues
or other hormonal imbalances?
Breast and nipples:
o Are there obvious differences in
breast size? Widely spaced
breast? Surgery scars? Possibility
of insufficient mammary tissue?
o Evidence of inappropriate latch?
This leads to decreased feeds.
Mothers should stay informed regarding
feeding expectations:
Frequency and length of feed; this way
mothers know what is normal.
Mothers should be educated on ways to
encourage an optimal milk supply
o Breastfeed early right after birth
o Skin-to-skin
o Rooming-in
o Adequate latch
Education regarding Baby Behavior is a great
tool for parents to use. Parents should discuss
with Doctor or Lactation Consultant:
Sleep
Cues
Crying

Although there can be a perceived problem, the
fact of the matter is that there are times when
milk supply is a problem. Parents should
always feel free to consult their Doctor or
Lactation Consultant for further evaluation and
support.
Assessing a Babys Weight continued
To sign up for future newsletters and to learn more
about SFBFPC, visit our website: SFbreastfeeding.org
Keep updated with SFBFPC by following us on:
Facebook: San Francisco Breastfeeding Coalition
Twitter: @SFbreastfeeding
Linked-In: SF Breastfeeding Promotion Coalition
Lactation Spotlight of
the Month:
Mothers Continue to Protest for Their Right
to Breastfeed in Public
Lactation Cartoon for the Month of May:
http://motherwear.typepad.com/bfhints.gif