We are all living in a world right now where we are unsure of what we can do to protect ourselves and our babies. We wonder if the things we have done in the past are even going to work. But we want more than ever, for them to come through right now to ensure our continued safety and wellbeing.
And so naturally, as a mom, you are probably sitting here thinking - give me something, give me ANYTHING I can do to protect my baby right now.
Luckily mama, your body is doing much of it for you. Isn't that cool??
Let me get a little bit "nurse" on you, right now. If I may. I think it might help to give you some understanding and peace in the midst of this pandemic crisis we are enduring currently and trying to muddle our way through.
There is this really brilliant component built within your milk that your baby controls via the saliva their mouths product and transfer back into your milk glands during a feeding. They are called immunoglobulins - and they come in five forms. These five antibodies within your milk are named: IgG, IgA, IgD, IgM and IgE. Through these may just seem like a bunch of congealed and random letters, they are actually some of the most biologically complex and highly useful ingredients that your body can provide to your baby. Without breastfeeding, it would take quite some time for your baby to begin to produce these on their own while receiving formula as their primary source of nutrition.
And so naturally, as a mom, you are probably sitting here thinking - give me something, give me ANYTHING I can do to protect my baby right now.
Luckily mama, your body is doing much of it for you. Isn't that cool??
Let me get a little bit "nurse" on you, right now. If I may. I think it might help to give you some understanding and peace in the midst of this pandemic crisis we are enduring currently and trying to muddle our way through.
There is this really brilliant component built within your milk that your baby controls via the saliva their mouths product and transfer back into your milk glands during a feeding. They are called immunoglobulins - and they come in five forms. These five antibodies within your milk are named: IgG, IgA, IgD, IgM and IgE. Through these may just seem like a bunch of congealed and random letters, they are actually some of the most biologically complex and highly useful ingredients that your body can provide to your baby. Without breastfeeding, it would take quite some time for your baby to begin to produce these on their own while receiving formula as their primary source of nutrition.
If that isn't encouragement enough to continue breastfeeding in these times, I don't know what is. You are providing what they need to be protected as best as possible by simply placing your baby on your breast multiple times a day to provide them: nutrition, nourishment, comfort and above all - protection.
IgA is one of the antibodies most commonly and abundantly provided within the content of your milk. Is it actually actively adapted towards the environment and pathologic threats your baby is being exposed to in the current surroundings you and baby are living within. What does this mean?? It means that if my household has a stomach virus that is running rampant through my family members and your house has just contracted Influenza B - your baby's saliva is going to come in contact with the glands inside your breast and begin to automatically work to secrete the specific IgA antibodies your baby needs to fight the particular germ baby needs to develop an antibody towards. All of this hopefully and likely happening before baby even contracts it.
This amazing antibody is something found in an adults respiratory and intestinal tracts but as previously mentioned, is something that can take weeks to months for babies to begin to develop on their own. So if you give it to them sooner, you are providing them with something that is giving the best head start and a beautifully developed immune system - thanks mama!
So... what I need you to hear in these unsure times we are being forced to is that - in and of itself, your breast milk is enough. Isn't that comforting? Our bodies are that cool. We don't have to tell it to do anything, you don't have to order it, pay for it or place it on back order to arrive in a few weeks. Just latch that baby and let your baby do the amazing work it is meant to do in conjunction with babies.
But after all of that, even though it's really cool - let's talk about a few real life things we can do to make you have further peace of mind in the basic day to day tasks you can perform to ensure complete health in your home.
1) Wash your hands - and wash them frequently.
Yeah yeah... you've heard this about 500 times recently, right?? Well, you probably have for a reason. According to the CDC, if you wash your hands, you are improving your chance of contracting a diarrheal/stomach virus by 30% and a respiratory illness by 20%. I mean... yes, it would be nice for it to completely eliminate your chances and by much higher percentages. But, ANY diminished potential for you or baby to contract an illness is a complete bonus.
-And in our world of breastfeeding: make sure you are washing them before a feeding. How often did you just finish changing their diaper, using your hand to assist baby's latch, breaking suction with a finger in their mouth or wiping a milk drop from their chin?
2) Minimize your exposure to others who have been sick
Luckily with social distancing, I should hope you are already doing this. But if you're reading this after the pandemic and instead, in the thick of next season's flu season for instance, having a small infant is the best excuse to be able to say, "sorry we can't make it". Being around as few people as possible during seasons of heightened illness and germ transmission is the best thing you can do to prevent as much as you are able!
-So breastfeeding mamas: In the cold winter months, make sure you have a Solly wrap or other wrap on your registry. Having them wrapped up close to you is the best way to say to that overzealous family member that they can hold the baby next time as baby is awfully comfy snuggled right up next to you for now.
3) Maintain YOUR health so that in turn, you're protecting that sweet baby too
Are you hydrating enough daily? Getting your meals and snacks in to meet your caloric requirements while breastfeeding? If you can't take care of yourself, how then can you expect that baby will remain healthy too? Remember the analogy the airlines provides us as we are sitting on the tarmac about to take off. Placing that oxygen mask on yourself before your child can seem ludicrous when you love them as much as you do and would give your life for them in a hot second. But similarly, taking care of yourself if the only way you can continue to provide for your biggest pride and joy. So maintaining your health is of utmost importance to keep things running smoothly and your household healthy and happy.
-This means: If you aren't drinking 13 cups of water per day (about 3L) and taking in an additional 500 calories per day according to your body weight requirements, you have some work to do mama!
4) Clean up, clean up! Everybody, everywhere.
No... I won't continue that cheesy song for you. But is IS catchy, am I right? When you're stuck at home: whether from a stay-at-home order by your governor (sound familiar?) or because you have a brand new baby and have nowhere to go in the near future other than your room to find some shut eye for a few minutes: cleaning is the best way to keep your environment safe for all! Use gentle cleaning products for little hands that may come in contact with surfaces cleaned by them - but also make sure they are effective for removing those germs that may cause illness you don't need around.
-Like what, you ask?? My personal favorites are from an essential oil company that demonstrates effective antibacterial and antifungal properties in their products. But Target's line of Method cleaning supplies is another favorite reliable and effective product to keep around and use often to keep mama, baby and family healthy - all at once!
References: Upon Request
(kellymom.com and CDC.gov)
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