African American Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon

10/16/2021

If you question the safety of getting vaccinated while pregnant consider taking the vaccine while breastfeeding and increase your babies immunity through the antibodies in your breastmilk. Here are the facts below. Read and think about it! Then go to your County REACH website and find a vaccine clinic here in Portland. Whatever you decide be armed with facts NOT fear, rumors and outright untruths!!!

We know more about and , so we've updated our statement: https://www.infantrisk.com/covid-19-vaccine-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding

07/08/2021

There is considerable racial/ethnic variation in breastfeeding initiation across the United States, according to research published in the May 28 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

06/04/2021

The Mothers Position

Mothers must be comfortable supporting their baby; her position will determine how effective the baby latches. The baby can be placed to accommodate breastfeeding easily. Holding baby skin to skin calms the baby to facilitate early breastfeeding.
The newborn would scoot up to the mother’s body to the breast, bobbing the head to find the breast. Mothers need to find a comfortable position, with their back and arms supported by pillows. Mothers usually find it comfortable to place a pillow under their knees. If a mother is sitting, she can rest her feet on a footstool. Having your knees higher than your hips helps the baby to remain close to your chest. It also helps prevent you from leaning over your baby to breastfeed.
A mother who had a cesarean section can protect her abdominal incision with a folded blanket or a pillow. She can also position her baby in the football hold and have pillows to raise the infant to the breast. Helping mothers find the best way to position themselves most comfortably in the early feeding stages helps them extend breastfeeding.

05/30/2021

The panel will examine the effects of formula marketing in BIPOC communities and the unique challenges of infant feeding in times of emergency or natural disaster.

05/24/2021

Come join our upcoming virtual classes starting June.

05/03/2021

Come join our upcoming virtual classes this month.

04/13/2021

04/06/2021

https://mailchi.mp/d6ea80ac3938/sacred-roots-doula-lactation-program-newsletter?e=c8ba9755bd

Throughout our ancestral memory from Africa to the Americas we have a tradition of women supporting women during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This our Sacred Mission!

01/19/2021

This day was established to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

01/02/2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Info Resources

USLCA has issued a statement to support that lactation care providers receive the same COVID-19 vaccination priority as other birth working healthcare providers.

Infant Risk Center: Infant Risk Center published a web page titled "COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding." The webpage compiles information and recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Here is the 12/14/20 CDC interim guidance on the COVID 19 vaccine during pregnancy and lactation- https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/pfizer/clinical-considerations.html

12/21/2020

Signs Of Getting Enough Milk
It’s common in the early days of nursing, to wonder if your baby is getting enough to eat. I’m going to share some signs that you can watch for to tell if your baby is getting enough to eat when nursing.
-When your baby is nursing, you will see them suck quickly at the beginning to help stimulate your milk (let-down), when your milk arrives their sucking pattern will change and you’ll notice that they suck with a deep jaw movement, pause, and then swallow. Watch a short clip that shows a baby getting a good meal at the breast. See if you can hear the baby swallowing.
https://youtu.be/NO5ZDKynaD0
After day 5 you should be able to hear swallowing & see deep movement in the Jaw & throat.
-Babies whole body is relaxed after feeding hands wide open, they may even fall asleep
- If your breasts feel softer after nursing, this is a sign that your baby received a good feed.
-If baby is awake, alert and calm between feeds this is a great sign they are getting enough when they are nursing and having content periods between feeds.
-if your baby is gaining about 1 oz/day, it's a good sign that they are getting enough milk. (that it is totally normal for babies to lose up to 7% of birth weight in the first few days.)
-What goes in, must come out! Your baby’s diapers also give you some good clues about whether they are getting enough to eat. If your baby is making enough wet and poopy diapers each day, it’s a good sign that they are getting enough milk.

How to achieve the "asymmetrical" latch. Shows some drinking by the baby. Some nibbling.

11/27/2020

This is a classic guide to Black Thanksgiving!!! Black Thanksgiving is a time to share food made with love and give support,spiritual upliftment, a rehash sometimes of psychological/emotional pain but mostly unconditional love.Not to be confused with the early white american holiday . Bless you and your family on this Thanksgiving!

For black families, Thanksgiving is an entirely different holiday than the traditional feast enjoyed by the dominant culture. When the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621, most black families in America weren’t invited to the festivities. In fact, legend has it that a particularly u...

09/15/2020

The First Golden Hour

What comes to mind when you think skin to skin contact with your new baby? I remember leaning back at an angle, not lying flat on my back, the baby on my stomach, feeling warmth as he slowly climbed from tummy to chest. I held his little bottom so he would not slide off me. A surge of warm, positive, loving energy in my memory. I remember that first feeling of the baby's head, face, and then the baby's lips and tongue searching my breast. Then a light tug and finally a strong tug against my ar**la after my baby sucked the breast into its mouth. I was exhausted after the labor and pushing the baby out, but this felt natural and right—a perfect way to start the first breastfeeding moment. I tuned the medical staff out and bright lights and felt like I was in a cocoon with my baby. I felt intense feelings of love, contentment, and protectiveness for my new baby! Imagine the blessings of doing this through 9 births and 10 children!
-Linda, a mom of 10 and IBCLC

09/15/2020

Skin-to-Skin Contact

The first few hours and days after giving birth are very important when it comes to breastfeeding. Let your healthcare providers know that you will be breastfeeding, hold your baby skin to skin immediately after birth, and room-in while you are in the hospital. You may notice that on your baby’s second night, she’ll want to feed more often. This is normal and temporary.

Studies show positive effects on babies who have immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth. Hold your baby with no clothing or bedding between you for at least an hour and until the first feeding is complete. The hospital staff can usually delay newborn procedures or do them while you hold her.

If you have a cesarean birth, ask to have your baby put skin to skin immediately after birth, either on your chest or cheek to cheek. Your partner can also hold her skin to skin.

Hold her skin to skin as much as you can in her first days and weeks. Just be sure you don't fall asleep with her and that her head is turned to the side so she can breath easily.

Benefits of Skin to skin contact:

-Babies latch onto the breastfeed better
-It keeps babies warm and comfortable and helps them adjust to life outside the womb
-Babies are more likely to breastfeed exclusively for a longer period of time
-Babies cry less, are calmer, and are less stressed, which encourages emotional bonding
- It increases mature brain function.
-It exchanges good bacteria from Mom to Baby.

Rooming-In at the Hospital
Have your baby stay in your room the entire time you are in the hospital.
Rooming-in allows you to hold your baby skin to skin and respond to her feeding cues quickly.
-It keeps babies warm and comfortable and helps them adjust to life outside the womb don't fall asleep with her and that her head is turned to the side so she can breathe easily.

09/02/2020

My African Mother - Poem by Edmond Nsheuko
Beautiful African woman
Precious daughter of our land
Through thee I saw daylight
Under thy shield I learned to fight
Against the threats of life

You laid down the foundation
On which I’ve built my life
You taught me to be strong
when strength in life is needed
You taught me to be wise
when the day calls for wisdom

You taught me to smile
as it is the spice of life
With thee I learned to love
Unconditional love

Tears of joy and happiness
Tears of sorrow and sadness
With tender words you wiped them up
Each time they wet my cheeks

Now, as I roam the world
I carry with me the tools
You crafted for my success
Love, hard work and respect
Are always by my side
They fend away the thorns
That life throws at me
It is true what they say
A man never grows too old
To be his mother’s son
I still yearn for your cuisine
With food so succulent
That my stomach cries for more
With tastes so unique
No one else can duplicate

Your smile is my sunshine
It always brightens my sky
In days of stormy weather
That is why I seek always
To keep you smiling

Now and forever
I shall bow in front of you
You will always be my queen
My mighty African queen
Copyright © 2009 by Edmond Nsheuko

08/17/2020

Eating Well While Pregnant Is A Positive And Easy Goal !!!

How we feed our newborn babies can determine their health for the rest of their life. As Black people, we have a higher rate of chronicle health conditions that are preventable in many cases. Starting our babies feeding well in the womb is our first parental decision. While our baby is in our womb, it is essential to eat as healthy as possible. Eating well means having a good source of protein, 2-3 servings of fruit and vegetables daily, complex carbohydrates, plenty of water.

Avoid lunch meats high in salt preservatives also may cause Listeriosis( a serious infection that can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, and newborn diarrhea.) Heat all lunch meat for at least 30 seconds in the microwave, or on the stove to help kill Listeria.

Avoid fish with high mercury levels like king mackerel, Tuna Bigeye, Marlin, Orange Roughy, Shark Swordfish, Tilefish.

Avoid high-calorie low nutrient foods and surgery or carbonated drinks( soda pop) as much as possible. Avoid surgery and salty snacks, eat fruits, nuts, and veggies with dips instead.

Protein-rich sources are Fish( ask your provider for a list of fish that are healthy and safe for your baby), Chicken, Beef(a great source of Iron), Beans and Rice, Quinoa, Eggs and other plant sources. In most cases, the more processed the food is the fewer nutrients remain. Eat FRESH and frozen foods versus canned foods. Eating well does not have to be bland or boring. Culturally we have a great way with making food taste food with little money. Look up healthy ways online to fix family recipes that may have high salt content. Take a cooking class, go to black farm programs, and WIC to learn how to choose fresh fruits and veggies.

If you eat well while pregnant, you can continue as you breastfeed. As your baby starts to watch, you eat; they will learn good healthy eating habits. In the womb, the baby can taste different foods, and in the breastmilk as well. Try to make wise choices for your baby and you!

https://images.app.goo.gl/KkdVh2crK37Qu9Hu6

Found on Google from womenshealth.gov