Decision Making in the Air

We had a very poor turn out for the March meeting, when we were to decide what direction our group was going to take.  Disappointingly, only 2 moms showed up along with three leaders. 

We talked about what to do with our meeting dates and times and decided that for April we would continue our meeting at Dr Huggins' office at the same time.  Meanwhile, we would begin to investigate having our meetings at that daycare on Bellin Rd in Idaho Falls that was so very child friendly. 

We talked about daytime meetings and decided that we would make them an every other month event, held at the mall play place, and that they would be more like enrichment meetings with no formal topic.  If you have something that you would like to talk about that is not really breastfeeding related, please let us know!  We have had enrichment meetings about many diverse topics including baby wearing, homeschooling, cloth diapering, green smoothies, sprouting, and really anything you want to discuss or share with other members of our group.

Here's a short overview:  April 11, meeting at Dr Huggins' office in Idaho Falls
May Meeting: TBD place and time. 

What is your opinion?  Where and when would you like to see meetings held? Does day or night work better for you?  Are you interested in enrichment meetings?

WarmLLLy,

Idaho Falls Leaders

Foremilk, Hindmilk, and Pumping

Have you ever seen a picture of pumped breast milk?  Do you know that it can vary significantly from day to day, even feeding to feeding?  Your body is constantly making the perfect mixture of milk for your baby at that moment.  We found a couple of photos that are worth looking at to understand more about the truth of fore milk and hind milk.

The full article that goes with this photo is a great read about the fat content of one woman's milk over the course of a feeding.  You can read the whole article at the source: The Funny-Shaped Woman.

This is a shot of two tubes of breast milk at the beginning and end of a pumping session.  You can see the visible difference of fat content easily.  But look at the gradual increase in this larger photo.

It is amazing how our bodies change each moment for our babies.  Be sure to read the complete article for more in depth information.

One more photo that shows some significant differences in pumped milk.  All the milk is good, healthy milk for your growing nursling, but there are some amazing differences in color!

source: The Funny-Shaped Woman, The Natural Parent

March Meeting Info

Our next meeting is fast approaching!  We hope to see you at the March 14th meeting.  We will be at Dr Margaret Huggins' office in Idaho Falls.  Our meeting starts at 7 pm with a bit of social time starting at 6.30.  We will be making a big decision about our upcoming meetings, so please be sure to be there and be heard.

We can't wait to see you!

WarmLLLy,

Idaho Falls Leaders

Breastfeeding in Public Stops Traffic

Now that you've had your LLLaugh for the day, feel free to share!

Mother's Milk is Best for Infant Gut Flora

We recently ran across an article and research by the husband of one of our very own Idaho Leaders explaining why the bacteria in your baby's gut is superiorly supported  by mommy milk.

Here is a brief blurb from the site:

The newborn gut and brain are only partially developed.  Mother’s milk is needed to supply growth factors to close and differentiate the gut epithelium, and long chain omega-3 fatty acids for brain growth.  Formula may eventually be supplemented with the needed fatty acids, but the growth factors/hormones present in mother’s milk will not be provided in formula.  Recent studies have shown that hundreds of different genes are activated in gut cells from infants fed either breast milk or formula.  Formula leaves the gut leaky and fails to stimulate the development of the immune system that is dependent on interaction with normal infant gut flora.  These dysfunctions partially explain the increased (10X to 100X) gut and respiratory infections resulting from formula use.  The reduced brain development with formula explains the five point reduction in IQ of formula fed infants.

You really need to visit Dr Art Ayers' website and read the full article for yourself.

Celebrating 55 Years of Mother-to-mother Support

Celebrating 55 Years of Mother-to-mother Support                                

For 55 years La Leche League International (LLLI) has provided breastfeeding information and mother-to-mother support to thousands of women worldwide.
                                
Because of the generosity of our donors, we have been able to expand our outreach into more communities around the world and deliver practical breastfeeding materials and mother-to-mother support to pregnant and nursing mothers at no cost to them. 
                                
Especially in these challenging times, your contribution to the mission of LLLI makes a difference!                                                                                                    
 
For families with limited financial resources, savings from breastfeeding can go toward other family needs.                                    
 
For babies, breastfeeding provides for a healthy immune system with lifelong benefits.                                    
 
For mothers and babies who are at risk due to a natural disaster, an epidemic, or war, LLL can quickly mobilize its Leader base to provide practical hands-on support so breastfeeding can continue during the worst of conditions.                                                                 

Through the generosity of key LLLI supporters, any gift you make to LLLI between now and December 31, 2011 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000. You enable us to continue helping mothers to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education.
                                
Donate Now http://www.llli.org/2011yec 
                                                                
Thank you for helping mothers and babies!                                
                                
                                
                              

Mailing Address:
La Leche League International
957 N. Plum Grove Road
Schaumburg, IL  60173     
US 

Contact Name: LLLI Development Department
Telephone Number: (847) 519-7730, x240

Our mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support and information, and to promote an understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.

La Leche League Philosophy

The basic philosophy of La Leche League is summarized in the following statements:

•     Mothering through breastfeeding is the most natural and effective way of
understanding and satisfying the needs of the baby.

•     Mother and baby need to be together early and often to establish a satisfying
relationship and an adequate milk supply.

•     In the early years the baby has an intense need to be with his mother which
is as basic as his need for food.

•     Breast milk is the superior infant food.

•     For the healthy, full-term baby, breast milk is the only food necessary until the
baby shows signs of needing solids, about the middle of the first year after birth.

•     Ideally the breastfeeding relationship will continue until the baby
outgrows the need.

•     Alert and active participation by the mother in childbirth is a help in getting
breastfeeding off to a good start.

•     Breastfeeding is enhanced and the nursing couple sustained by the loving
support, help, and companionship of the baby’s father. A father’s unique
relationship with his baby is an important element in the child’s development
from early infancy.

•     Good nutrition means eating a well-balanced and varied diet of foods in as
close to their natural state as possible.

•     From infancy on, children need loving guidance which reflects acceptance
of their capabilities and sensitivity to their feelings.