How do I Respond to and Avoid Criticism about Breastfeeding? 

This LaLeche League website offers 30 responses to respond to criticism about breastfeeding.  In addition, the site suggests that the following strategies are important in responding to criticism. 

• Provide a positive, non-threatening response 
• Avoid discussing the issue if you anticipate disagreement
• Pause and take a deep breath before responding 
• Explain that you and the baby are happy 
• Gently explain why you are breastfeeding.  Give them permission to do things differently with their own child. 
• Appear confident and happy in your breastfeeding decision. Don’t express doubts. 
• If you anticipate you will be in a situation in which your decision to breastfeed will be criticized, prepare and practice your response in advance.

Responding to Criticism 

This article from the LaLeche League Magazine NEW BEGINNINGS explains how to use the following 5 strategies in responding to criticism about breastfeeding.

• Ignore
• Inform
• Humor
• Acknowledge
• Empathise 

The holidays are a joyous and busy time.  A nursing infant can add to the stress that comes along with the holiday season.  However, it is possible to balance the holiday parties, shopping, and tempting food while continuing to provide the optimal nutrition for your infant.  The following sites provide tips to help mothers keep up with breastfeeding during the busy season!  

Storknet: Tips for Breastfeeding through the Holidays 

Breastfeeding Mum’s Blog: Coping with Kids, Family Get-togethers and Breastfeeding during the Holiday Season 

Breastfeeding and Holiday Travel 

Ecoparents: Breastfeeding during the Holidays

And Just for Fun…..A poem about the joys of breastfeeding during the holidays! 

Mama Knows Best: Twas the Breastfeeder’s Nighttime   by Andi Silverman 

For the correct answer… click here! (The answer can be found in the first sentence of the third paragraph…)

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=vegetables&l=3&page=2

Once you have a baby and initiate breastfeeding, it is NOT the time to start dieting and cutting calories to lose that baby weight. Nursing moms expend 400-500 calories a day if they are breastfeeding, even more if you are nursing multiple children. It is important to select nutritious snacks so that you are able to keep up the energy you will need to maintain a healthy milk supply and care for you and your baby.  

The following are some simple snack ideas that you can eat while nursing-one handed

• Granola bars
• Almonds and raisins. You can mix these yourself and keep them in convenient ziplock baggies in different locations throughout the house.
  • Raisins are full of potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, thiamin, niacin, calcium and folic acid. 
•  Fresh and dried fruits can be placed at your breastfeeding areas in case you get hungry while breastfeeding. Choose from bananas, grapes, nectarines, apricots, plums, peaches, pineapple, apples, pears, raspberries, mangoes, blueberries, and blackberries.

• Prepare vegetables and keep them ready to munch on when you find the time.  Carrots, celery, cucumber or zucchini slices, asparagus, green beans, baby corn and mushrooms. Most dips contain dairy products so be aware of how lactose can sometimes cause problems in nursing infants.

Some other healthy snacks

• Peanut butter and crackers
• Peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat bread
• Cheese and crackers
• Cottage cheese (packed with protein!) and fruit or vegetables
• Yogurt (cultured or frozen)
• Fruit smoothies (ice, milk or yogurt and fruit)
• Cheese sticks/cubes (small portion)

The following is a healthy chicken recipe for dinner.

Rebecca answers such questions as:

• Talk to the kids about how they were fed and had special time time with mommy and now the baby needs this special time too.  Discuss special memories of feeding time with other children whether they were bottle or breastfed. 
• When you are breastfeeding explain to your child what you are doing.  Its ok to show them pictures of babies being fed by their mothers. 
• Involve children who are able to help out by asking them to bring you a drink, take phone messages, or read or play games with other younger siblings.   
• Discuss the fact that you’re breastfeeding with the child’s teacher to make sure they support breastfeeding or understand your decision.  This will prepare the teacher if the child asks any questions or imitates nursing in their play at school.   
• You do not need to hide breastfeeding from your children.  Convey to children that breastfeeding is normal and healthy.     
• If you see your child pretending to nurse a doll, do not tell them to stop. Instead ask them to tell you about their baby.

Looking for a way to proudly display your support for your own choice to breastfeed, for breastfeeding moms everywhere, or for women’s ability to do so?  Cafepress.com has shirts, hoodies, totebags, etc..  The totebag could also make a cute diaper bag perhaps.  You can find these items at http://www.cafepress.com/theapshop/767310.

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