Category Archives: Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding, Marijuana (Cannabinoids), Pregnancy

Avoid marijuana during pregnancy and breast feeding

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has published its position on use of pot during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

The bottom line.

Yes, there are limitations in the available data about marijuana’s effects on the fetus during pregnancy and on the neonate during lactation. However, ACOG has seen enough to recommend that during pregnancy and during breast feeding to advise “discontinuation of maternal use [of marijuana], whether recreational or medicinal.”

There are no FDA-approved indications regarding marijuana use during pregnancy and lactation. Also, there are no standardized formulations, dosages, or delivery systems. Smoking, the most common route of administration of THC, cannot be medically condoned during pregnancy and lactation, according to ACOG.

The use of marijuana during pregnancy is associated with lower scores on tests of attention, coordination, and behavior in offspring.

6/25/15 JR

Anxiety (Panic)/Depression, Breastfeeding, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Exercise, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Pregnancy, St. John's Wort, Stress, Walking

Why new mums get depressed and what to do about it

Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett is a health psychologist and a board certified lactation consultant from the University of New Hampshire in Durham. Her work focuses on family violence and perinatal health.

Here are her thoughts on postpartum depression. Continue reading Why new mums get depressed and what to do about it →

Breastfeeding, FDA/FTC/CDC, Heavy Metals, Infants, Iodine, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Pregnancy, Selenium, Vitamins, Zinc

Summarizing seafood recommendations during pregnancy

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition has summarized the recommendations from official groups, worldwide. Their website should be essential reading for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and women thinking of becoming pregnant.

Let’s summarize their summary recommendations. Continue reading Summarizing seafood recommendations during pregnancy →

Breastfeeding

Fighting obesity starts with your baby’s diet

“What you feed your baby and toddler could be the key to controlling their waistline as they grow through childhood and into adulthood,” according to the University of Michigan.

Here are the highlights of the article.

  • Breastfeeding protects against obesity risk later in life
  • Seek help from a pediatrician or a lactation consultant if difficulty develops
  • Begin solid food no sooner than four to six months of age
  • A child?s first flavor experience should be something healthy
  • The more a child tastes a particular food, the more they’ll like it
  • Don’t make sweets their first experience with solid food
  • Encourage eating a wide variety of foods

Before childbirth?

  • Nursing moms should be vigilant about the foods they eat
  • Women who drank carrot juice through pregnancy had infants who enjoyed pureed carrots more at four months of age than those children whose mothers did not drink carrot juice during pregnancy.

There’s more good information here, here, and here.

Drawing: Richmond Health Services

9/11/06 19:20 JR