--Cheers! Champagne and Chocolate Are
Okay!--
Nearly three-quarters of new moms are breastfeeding when they leave
the hospital. That's a lot of women wondering if it's okay to
have a glass of champagne as they ring in 2006. Well,
cheers! According to a set of tips by International Board
Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Heather Kelly, champagne in
moderation is okay.
The first holiday season as a nursing mom may raise questions about
how breastfeeding mixes with the season's festivities. Here are
some tips for making holiday celebrations easier:
Alcohol: Holiday time means holiday parties and
nursing moms may be unsure about how festive they can be.
Alcohol, in moderation, is fine for a breastfeeding mother. So
cheers! A glass or two of wine or champagne is okay!
- Restricted diets: There are oodles of claims about
what mothers can and cannot eat while breastfeeding. Remember,
women all over the world-with vastly different diets-breastfeed.
There is little scientific evidence supporting claims that certain
foods cause gas in the baby of affect a mother's milk supply. At
holiday time, sugar and chocolate abound, so don't deny yourself
treats.
- Missed Feedings: A hectic holiday schedule may
make moms concerned about missing a feeding. If you are only
going to be away from your baby for a few hours, and have enough
refrigerated or frozen breastmilk to feed the baby in you absence, then
you should be find. If you need to be away longer than three or
four hours, there are many inexpensive hand pumps on the market which
are both efficient and discreet. Most of them take no longer to
use than a slightly extended trip to the rest room and will allow you
to remain comfortable.
- Nursing in Public: Holiday time may be the first
time a nursing mother finds herself surrounded by people and holding a
hungry baby. If a mother hasn't already done so, take this opportunity
to break the ice and nurse in public for the first time. Many
women use a receiving blanket to afford themselves some privacy.
If nursing in public feels too uncomfortable, take a few minutes to
steal away to a bedroom or a more private space. Nurse the baby
and then rejoin the party; most people will not even notice that you
left for a few minutes!
- Finally, enjoy this holiday season! Nursing is the
greatest gift you can give your little one and is the gift that only a
mother can give. Relish you breastfeeding relationship this
holiday season!
Ms. Kelly is a board certified lactation consultant in private
practice; she also regularly conducts workshops, breastfeeding support
groups and lectures on breastfeeding across New York City. She
is also featured in the award-winning instructional video, The Real
Deal on Breastfeeding TM that leading parenting web site
UrbanBaby.com calls a "reassuring, candid and often
hilarious" video guide. A frequent media contributor,
Heather has appeared on the Today Show and is a regular contributor to
Child.com and SheKnows.com. She is also currently breastfeeding
her fourth baby.
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