Are you interested in being matched up with a breastfeeding mentor? The adopt_a_mom mentors are experienced breastfeeding mothers who have "been there, done that" and have educated themselves on the topic of breastfeeding. With the adopt_a_mom program you will be matched up with one of these mentors and will communicate one on one online with her through email, instant messaging and live journal. You'll get to know each other and she'll be able to help you with breastfeeding and other related parenting topics. She'll send you information that will hopefully be useful to you. You'll have a "big sister" to ask questions of and seek advice from.

Remember an adopt_a_mom mentor is not a substitute for a trained medical professional.

If you have already given birth then please fill out the questionnaire below. Comments are screened and only the adopt_a_mom mentors will be able to view your response.

If you are still pregnant and wish to be matched with a mentor please go to this post.

We will try to pair you with your mentor as soon as possible, but special sitautions and high application volume can sometimes delay this process. While you are waiting to be assigned a mentor, you can join aam_mentees for temporary assistance from our Mentors On Call. Applications are posted for adoption every one to two weeks, unless the application indicates an urgent need for immediate assignment to a mentor. If you have not heard from a mentor within two weeks of applying for one, please contact the Mentee Coordinator at [email protected]




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Name:
Email:
Baby’s Birth Date:
Where do you live?
Are your babies multiples (twins, triples, or more)?
Older Children (ages)?
C-section?
Preemie (wks)?
Birth Complications?
Jaundice?
Latch Problems?
Sore Nipples?
Low Milk Supply?
Low Weight Gain?
Lots of Spitting up?
Colic?
Has baby had a bottle?
A pacifier?
Formula?
Are you using Nipple Shields?
Are you pumping milk to feed to baby?
Are you a Teen Mom?
Over 40 Mom?
Single Mom?
Going back to Work or School (when)?
Do you have a supportive partner/family/doctor?
Do you have Post Partum Depression or think you might?
Are you on any medications?
Do you or baby have any health conditions?
Did you or your baby have any surgery (including circumcision) within the first six weeks after birth?
Have you ever had any type of breast surgery?
How do you feel about breastfeeding?
How do you feel about breastfeeding beyond one year?
Do you have any friends or family who have breastfed?
Have you ever seen a baby breastfeed?
Any special concerns or circumstances?
What is your preferred format for discourse (Q&A, mentor sending you information in bulk, etc.)?
How did you hear about adopt_a_mom?

Are you interested in being matched up with a breastfeeding mentor? The adopt_a_mom mentors are experienced breastfeeding mothers who have "been there, done that" and have educated themselves on the topic of breastfeeding. With the adopt_a_mom program you will be matched up with one of these mentors and will communicate one on one online with her through email, instant messaging and live journal. You'll get to know each other and she'll be able to help you with breastfeeding and other related parenting topics. She'll send you information that will hopefully be useful to you. You'll have a "big sister" to ask questions of and seek advice from.

Remember an adopt_a_mom mentor is not a substitute for a trained medical professional.

If you are pregnant then please fill out the questionnaire below. Comments are screened and only the adopt_a_mom mentors will be able to view your response.

If you have already had your baby and wish to be matched with a mentor please go to this post.

We will try to pair you with your mentor as soon as possible, but special sitautions and high application volume can sometimes delay this process. While you are waiting to be assigned a mentor, you can join aam_mentees for temporary assistance from our Mentors On Call. Applications are posted for adoption every one to two weeks, unless the application indicates an urgent need for immediate assignment to a mentor. If you have not heard from a mentor within two weeks of applying for one, please contact the Mentee Coordinator at [email protected]





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Name:
Email:
Due Date:
Where do you live?
Are you pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets, or more)?
Is this your first child?
Planned c-section?
Planned Induction?
Do you plan to have an epidural?
Are you planning to give birth at a hospital, birth center or at home?
Do you have Gestational Diabetes?
High Blood Pressure?
Any other pregnancy concerns?
Are you a Teen Mom?
Over 40 Mom?
Single Mom?
Going back to work or school after baby is born (when)?
Is your partner/family/doctor supportive of breastfeeding?
Are you on any medications?
Have you ever had any type of breast surgery?
Will your child be undergoing any surgery (including circumcision) in the first six weeks after birth?
Will you be undergoing any surgery in the first six weeks after birth?
How do you feel about breastfeeding?
How do you feel about breastfeeding beyond one year?
Do you have any friends or family who have breastfed?
Have you ever seen a baby breastfeed?
Any special concerns or circumstances?
What is your preferred format for discourse (Q&A, mentor sending you information in bulk, etc.)?
How did you hear about adopt_a_mom?

Read the nursing stories of some of adopt_a_mom's mentors.

Alaria_lyon - Reluctant nurser until 3 months, sore nipples, some overactive letdown, nipple blanching due to Reynaud's, painful letdown, cosleeping, mild reflux, shallow gag reflex making introduction of solids difficult. Egg, dairy, and peanut allergies.
Alathia - engorgement, large breasts, flat nipples, latch issues, oversupply, nipple pain
Alphapythia Part 1 and Part 2 - c-section, lack of support, low milk supply/supplementation, thyroid issues, thrush, nursing strikes, pumping
Babyslime - Bad latch, sore, bleeding nipples, overactive letdown, pumping, nipple shields, abscess, mastitis
Bicrim - Hypoplastic breasts and low supply, SNS use, donor milk use 
Bookgirl83 - Low birth weight, NICU, latch trouble, overactive letdown, plugged ducts, biting, extended nursing
Chinaraven - Epidural complications, early breastfeeding difficulties, supply issues, conflict with care providers, supplementation, jaundice, pumping, PPD (first baby); Bed rest, tandem nursing, PPD, plugged ducts, oversupply, supply problems (domperidone use), pumping at work.
Chippyjem - c-section, pumping, syringe feeding, latch issues, biting
Chrispina - Very large breasts, a skinny baby, jaundice, thrush, ectopic pregnancy while nursing, extended nursing, cosleeping, and food allergies.
Conchispa - Breastfeeding after reduction, low supply, slow weight gain, sleepy baby, latch problems, cracked and sore nipples, SNS use. 
Dararachel - c-section, unsupportive medical staff, baby blues
Devilishdestiny - c-section, thrush, large breasts, low weight gain, pumping
Expected_chaos - c-section, failure to latch, unhelpful hospital staff, exclusive pumping, thrush, clogged ducts, unsupportive friends, dairy & soy reactions, colic, flat nipples, oversupply/overactive let-down, nipple confusion/preference 
Ewokgirl - unsupportive hospital staff, lack of support, latch problems, cracked nipples, flat nipples, thrush, oversupply, Reynaud's, plugged ducts, mastitis, nursing strike, pumping
Flutterby77 - Twins, c-section, forced hospital supplementation, nursing strikes, blocked duct, nursing blister 
Huakai - C-section, extended nursing
Ireane - preemie, nicu nursing, pumping, sns, unsupoortive medical professionals
Isarma - unsupportive hospital staff, engorgement, mastitis, pumping, nipple confusion, oversupply
Janisfan - Sore nipples, poor hospital experience, pumping, working, nipple shield (+ weaning from nipple shield), low weight gain, small baby, sleepy baby, c-section
Jynxgirl – C-Section, NICU, exclusive pumping, diabetes, petit mal seizures 
Liedonlyonce - pumping, twins, c-section, extended nursing, child-led weaning
Littlebuhnee - twins, preemies, exclusive pumping, extended nursing, mastitis 
mix3d3m0ti0n5 Part 1 and Part 2 - nursing during pregnancy, tandem, pumping at work, thrush, low supply, cow milk sensitivity, help start local support group, overactive letdown until Lactogenesis III, low weight babies; low weight gain in older baby
moosiemoose - NICU, pumping, combination feeding, nipple confusion, reflux
Navygrrl - Unsupportive hospital staff, latch problems, sore bleeding nipples 
Nilo - Unsuccessful nursing with first baby, unsupportive hospital staff, success with second baby 11 years later, mastitis, bleeding nipples, unsupportive medical people again, slow weight gain, husband deployed
Nived32 - Premature baby, sleepy baby, no latch, no suck, SNS, flat nipples, nipple shields, reflux, overactive letdown, supplementation (for the first 4 months), pumping, thrush.
Pernwebgoddess - Latch issue, nipple shields, weaning from nipple shields, positioning difficulties 
Piccadillywhore - Sleepy baby, latch and positioning problems, uncooperative hospital staff
Raisangrrl - C-section, jaundice, hypertonic baby
Raving_liberal - Unsupportive spouse, bad hosptial experience, sleepy baby, dairy allergy, extended nursing (first baby); thrush, plugged ducts (second baby).
Red_canuck - surgery pp, later nipple confusion/preference, oversupply, block nursing, nursing while pregnant 
Rubyawake - unsupportive hospital staff, latch problems, sore nipples, overactive letdown, return to work, pumping
Runawaybunni - Sore nipples, sleepy baby, growth spurts
Solielarana - jaundice, engorgement, unsupportive medical professionals
So_sporktastic - latch difficulties, jaundice, syringe feeding, flat nipples, nipple shields, low weight gain, dairy allergy
Starfish12 - c-section, anti-depressants, nursing through pregnancy, tandem nursing; second baby: repeat c-section after long labor, supplementation due to low glucose, unsupportive hospital staff
Talula_fairie - Flat nipples, unsupportive hospital staff, forced supplementation, nipple confusion, nipple shields, latch problems, oversupply, plugged ducts
The_lissa - Sleepy baby, jaundice, low weight gain/dehydration, nipple shields, SNS, finger feeding
Two_roads – Delayed start to nursing, sleepy baby, jaundice, oversupply/overactive let-down, nipple shields, thrush, plugged duct, extended nursing
Wyllow42 - Sore, bleeding nipples, biting, infection, nursing during pregnancy, tandem nursing


If you are an adopt_a_mom  mentor, and would like to add your story to this list, please comment with a link to your story. All comments will be screened.

Here are some great sites for breastfeeding information.

Kellymom

Breastfeeding

La Leche League

World Health Organization: Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Management Patient Handouts by Dr. Jack Newman

American Academy of Pediatrics Breastfeeding Policy

101 Reasons to Breastfeed

Enter your zip code to find a board certified lactation consultant in your area

Human Milk Bank Association of North America

Breastfeeding After Reduction

The Breastfeeding Blacklist (Add your own!)

If you have any suggestions of new links to add to this list, please comment. All comments will be screened.

Read the nursing stories of some of adopt_a_mom's mentors.

Babyslime - Bad latch, sore, bleeding nipples, overactive letdown, pumping, nipple shields, abscess, mastitis
Betty_bites - Sleepy baby, bad latch, sore and cracked nipples, returning to work, pumping, and extended nursing
Bopeepsheep - Induction turned c-section, thrush, over-supply/overactive let-down mastitis, milk donation
Flutterby77 - Twins, c-section, forced hospital supplementation, nursing strikes, blocked duct, nursing blister
Jynxgirl – C-Section, NICU, exclusive pumping, diabetes, petit mal seizures
Navygrrl - Unsupportive hospital staff, latch problems, sore bleeding nipples
Rainingkisses - Sore nipples, mastitis, thrush, flat nipples, nipples shields.
Sleeping_pill - Twins, flat nipple, low weight gain, sleepy babies, nipple shields, syringe feeding
Talula_fairie - Flat nipples, unsupportive hospital staff, forced supplementation, nipple confusion, nipple shields, latch problems, oversupply, plugged ducts
The_lissa - Sleepy baby, jaundice, low weight gain/dehydration, nipple shields, SNS, finger feeding
Two_roads – Delayed start to nursing, sleepy baby, jaundice, oversupply/overactive let-down, nipple shields, thrush, plugged duct, extended nursing
Wyllow42 - Sore, bleeding nipples, biting, infection, nursing during pregnancy, tandem nursing
xxveigaxx - Sore nipples, growth spurts
Raisangrrl - C-section, jaundice, hypertonic baby
Acidflowers - C-section, sore nipples, returning to work
Sevenpale - C-section
Huakai - C-section, extended nursing
Nilo - Unsuccessful nursing with first baby, unsupportive hospital staff, success with second baby 11 years later, mastitis, bleeding nipples, unsupportive medical people again, slow weight gain
Bicrim - Hypoplastic breasts and low supply, SNS use, donor milk use
Janaya - Severe tongue tie, slow weight gain, FTT, nipple shield, SNS use, milk bank supplementation, forced hospitalization, unsupportive medical professionals, CPS case for refusing to use formula instead of breastmilk for supplementation, thrush, nursing through pregnancy
Conchispa - Breastfeeding after reduction, low supply, slow weight gain, sleepy baby, latch problems, cracked and sore nipples, SNS use.
Janisfan - Sore nipples, poor hospital experience, pumping, working, nipple shield (+ weaning from nipple shield), low weight gain, small baby, sleepy baby, c-section
Kandeewright - Jaundice, engorgement issues, unsupportive pediatrician.
Pernwebgoddess - Latch issue, nipple shields, weaning from nipple shields, positioning difficulties
Raving_liberal - Unsupportive spouse, bad hosptial experience, sleepy baby, dairy allergy, extended nursing (first baby); thrush, plugged ducts (second baby).
Nived32 - Premature baby, sleepy baby, no latch, no suck, SNS, flat nipples, nipple shields, reflux, overactive letdown, supplementation (for the first 4 months), pumping, thrush.
Piccadillywhore - Sleepy baby, latch and positioning problems, uncooperative hospital staff
Chrispina - Very large breasts, a skinny baby, jaundice, thrush, ectopic pregnancy while nursing, extended nursing, cosleeping, and food allergies.
Expected_chaos - c-section, failure to latch, unhelpful hospital staff, exclusive pumping, thrush, clogged ducts, unsupportive friends, dairy & soy reactions, colic, flat nipples, oversupply/overactive let-down, nipple confusion/preference
Alaria_lyon - Reluctant nurser until 3 months, sore nipples, some overactive letdown, nipple blanching due to Renauld's, painful letdown, cosleeping, mild reflux, shallow gag reflex making introduction of solids difficult. Egg, dairy, and peanut allergies.
Littlebuhnee - twins, preemies, exclusive pumping, extended nursing, mastitis
Chinaraven - Epidural complications, early breastfeeding difficulties, supply issues, conflict with care providers, supplementation, jaundice, pumping, PPD (first baby); Bed rest, tandem nursing, PPD, plugged ducts, oversupply, supply problems (domperidone use), pumping at work.
Bookgirl83 - Low birth weight, NICU, latch trouble, overactive letdown, plugged ducts, biting, extended nursing
Red_canuck - surgery pp, later nipple confusion/preference, oversupply, block nursing, nursing while pregnant

If you are an adopt_a_mom mentor, and would like to add your story to this list, please comment with a link to your story. All comments will be screened.

Some babies do not take the transition over to solid foods very well.

Signs usually include:

1. baby is doesn’t put objects into their mouths for exploration with the same intensity as other babies.

2. Once food is in the mouth, they gag or appear to choke on it. Or there is difficulty swallowing the food down (the baby looks like they are gulping once the swallowing occurs.)

3. The child refuses foods by clamping shut and turning their head.

There isn’t very much information out there to be had on a child that refuses solids because of texture aversions. Most parents cry out on various message boards asking if anyone else has had that same trouble and what the solution was. Most replies mention that someone else had been there done that, but nothing helped and the child out grew it by two to three years of age. Occassionally someone mentions that a referral to therapy might help. Most doctors haven’t had enough patients with this trouble to know what to do for them.

I received the following article just as Juliet hit the age of jumping the hurdle and it helped me facilitate her needs better.

Make sure the article pages are fully enlarged so you can read them.

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I have a love-hate relationship with nipple shields. I love them because they enabled my daughter to latch on in the beginning of our nursing relationship when she might not have otherwise. I hate them because I think they are given out too easily, and without warning the mother about the repercussions of using them.

What they are

A nipple shield is a thin piece of silicone that is placed over the mother's nipple during a feeding. They look a bit like a bottle nipple, but are much thinner and have a wider, thin, flat base.

Why they are used

Nipple shields are used 1) when a baby is having problems latching on due to flat or inverted nipples, 2) when a baby has a very small mouth and the mother has large nipples in comparison (often the case with premature infants) 3) extreme overactive letdown 4) extremely sore, cracked, or bleeding nipples.

Why they can help
Because the shield covers the nipple and areola, it makes it quite difficult to have a bad latch. There really is only one way the baby can suck on the shield. A baby that is having difficultly latching onto a flat nipple can easily latch onto a shield. It can also help a preemie effectively get milk from the breast. Nipple shields reduce milk transfer. The milk has to first collect in the shield before it pours out, so that can help with overactive letdown.

The downsides of using nipple shields
It has been said that nipple shields can cause low milk supply. However, new research has shown that is untrue with today's nipple shields.

Also, nipple shields are inconvenient. Because of a reduced milk transfer, nipple shields increase your risk of getting plugged ducts and mastitis. While it is not definite that they will cause a low milk supply, as a Lactation Consultant I was going to said, "I'd rather not take the risk."

What to do if you are using nipple shields

Make sure you see a Lactation Consultant, the sooner the better. By 12 weeks post partum your prolactin levels go down, and milk production is no longer hormonally based. This is a common time when women's bodies no longer compensate for whatever nursing problems you may have. Your supply can start to plummet around that time. So, it is very important to work on weaning off the shields. Try latching the baby onto the shield first. Then, after a minute or two, take the shield off, and quickly latch the baby to the bare breast.

The LLL actually states that, if you cannot get the baby to latch on to the breast, it is ok to use nipple shields for the entire nursing experience. I personally think that sounds awful!

To get a shield to stay on properly, it is best to flip it halfway inside out, get it wet with water, and then flip it right side out while on your breast. That way, it draws the nipple into it and stays on better.

Also, keep your shields clean. They need to be washed with soap and water after every use. What I used to do is fill up a glass with hot soapy water and use a bottle brush cleaner to scrub the shields.

Never forget that your baby *will* latch on without the shields. I have completely flat nipples, and used shields exclusively for the first six weeks of my baby's life. I started weaning at six weeks and was not fully finished weaning off them until 12 weeks (although I was only using them at night by 10 weeks). Keep a positive attitude, and you will succeed in weaning off shields. If I did it, so can you.

Moms who have used nipple shields and been sucessful weaning from them:


Babyslime
Jenni_goes_grr
Rainingkisses
Sleeping_pill
Talula_Fairie
Tarakay
The_lissa
Two_roads
Witchbaby33

Breastfeeding after a cesarean presents some special challenges. These include maternal pain and fatigue, delayed access to baby, increased supplementary feedings, separation of mother and baby, blood loss causing anemia, mechanical problems in feeding, interference from medications, etc. Despite these problems many mothers are successful. See the nursing stories of adopt_a_mom’s own c-section moms for inspiration
Arianamama
Bopeepsheep
Flutterby77
Jynxgirl
Preternatural
Tarakay
Witchbaby33
Sevenpale 
Huakai
Raisangrrl
Acidflowers


Delayed Initiation of Breastfeeding
After an uncomplicated vaginal birth baby is put directly onto mother's chest and allowed to start breastfeeding as soon as he or she desires.  This isn't always possible or practical with a c-section.  Some doctors and hospitals will allow you to hold or even nurse your baby while still in the operating room, some allow mother to hold and nurse baby as soon as she is stitched up and in the recovery room.  The sooner you can start your breastfeeding relationship the better it will go. 

Pain Medication
Adequately managing pain is an important issue for a breastfeeding mom after a c-section.  There are many pain killers that are considered safe for breastfeeding mothers.  Some medications can cause babies to be more tired than usual, so work with your doctor to find a regime that allows you enough relief from pain to care for your baby but doesn't cause your baby to be too tired to nurse.

Artificial Nipples and Supplements
Some hospital personnel seem to feel it's necessary for every baby to have formula and/or use an artificial nipple. Both of these can seriously threaten a new breastfeeding relationship. C-section moms are even more susceptible because a surgical delivery often causes the temporary separation of mother and baby and a loss of mobility in the mother. If baby must be taken to the nursery or the NICU immediately after giving birth make sure you have a guardian go in your place; daddy, grandma, or a doula are good choices. Make sure this guardian fully understands the harm that formula or bottles and pacifiers can do to the nursing relationship and to the baby.

Rooming In
Find out if hospital policy allows you to have someone stay with you in your room overnight to help you with lifting the baby and changing the baby's diaper while you’re still too weak to do so. If not, ask if you can ring the bell to have a nurse help you with these things. Some mothers find keeping their baby in their bed at all times allows them to care for baby's needs without needing to get up. Some hospitals even provide bassinettes with a side that drops down and allows it to attach to mother’s bed.

Positioning
Some cesarean moms find it difficult to hold their babies in typical breastfeeding positions without hurting their incision site. Using pillows to support baby and yourself can help. Putting a pillow over your incision and putting baby on top of the pillow may help you to use the traditional cradle hold. Some mothers find the clutch or football hold to be more comfortable. Still others find that a lying down position is great to nurse in and get rest at the same time.  See also: videos of nursing positions

 

Birth Plan

If you plan on following any or all of these suggestions in the event of a c-section it’s best to make your wishes known by way of a birth plan.  Birth plans are written documents that let your doctor and hospital staff know your wishes.  Try to come up with a birth plan ahead of time and discuss it with your doctor.  Give him or her a copy and ask for it to be put in your file.  Many women also have their doctor sign a copy of the birth plan and bring this with them to the hospital to show the staff that the doctor approves of these decisions.  Even women planning to have a vaginal delivery should include their wishes in the case of an unplanned c-section.  There are many online sites that can help you put together a customized birth plan.

Getting Help
There are likely to be two kinds of help you'll need in order to successfully breastfeed after a c-section.  The first is professional help.  Most hospitals these days offer the services of a lactation consultant.  Usually c-section moms are in the hospital for a few days recovering so you should have a few chances to see her.  If you feel things aren't going right, don't be afraid to ask to see her again.  Most hospitals even allow you to return to see her for free once you are discharged.  If your hospital doesn't have a lactation consultant on staff or you didn't find the one you talked to helpful consider seeking out your own.  You can also contact your local La Leche League group for help.

The second kind of help you will need is the kind that any friends or family can give. You'll need help around the house, help with dinner, help with cleaning the house, washing baby laundry, running errands, grocery shopping, etc.  Every time someone comes over to see the new baby ask them to do something to help you out.  Most will be more than happy to give a hand.  Also consider freezing meals before you deliver for use after the baby comes.

 

See these links for more information

Breastfeeding After A Cesarean

La Leche League's Cesarean FAQ

StorkNet: Breastfeeding After A Cesarean
Breastfeed.com

International Cesarean Awareness Network
ICAN Chat at Mommychats Every other Wednesday 4pm Pacific, 5pm Mountain, 6pm Central, 7pm Eastern

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