Breastfeeding During Unprecedented Times

Dear Dar a Luz community, 

I wanted to reach out during this ever-evolving and uncertain time. As both a mother and a Lactation Consultant, I am keenly aware of the impact that the current Covid-19 situation is having on the families in our community. Our entire lives and our routines have been completely upended. News changes hourly. Older kids are out of school. Family activities are cancelled. Some parents are working in the community, working from home, or not able to work at all… as families, we are having to adapt on a daily basis.  

Members of our community have been reaching out with concerns about feeling isolated. We have also had questions regarding breastfeeding, as well as medication use while breastfeeding. We want to offer you reassurance and support.  

In our mission statement, Dar a Luz states that breastfeeding is the best option for women and babies. We encourage and support breastfeeding for all infants. While we are supportive of each family’s informed feeding choices, we would like to help prevent situations where breastfeeding is discontinued prematurely due to a lack of community support. In this time of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, we are exploring how to best support our community while also keeping everyone safe.  

WIth that in mind, we are working to set up a virtual breastfeeding/new mama group on Zoom. While we can’t meet in person, we want to support each of you as much as possible and avoid isolation. We are all better off together, in whatever form it takes. Keep up with our newsletters and Facebook and instagram pages for more information on this soon! 

Lactation clients with urgent needs can be seen in the clinic, with extra safety precautions in place. Telehealth might be an option in the future for less pressing needs. We will keep you posted as we continue to evaluate and reevaluate our clinical protocols.  

For your own information, here area couple of resources making recommendations:

From the CDC’s “Interim Guidance on Breastfeeding for a Mother Confirmed or Under Investigation For COVID-19”
Note: This interim guidance is intended for women who are confirmed to have, or suspected to have COVID-19 and are currently breastfeeding. This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about COVID-19 and the transmission of other viral respiratory infections.

Can COVID-19 be transmitted through breast milk? In limited studies on women with COVID-19 and another coronavirus infection, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV), the virus has not been detected in breast milk; however we do not know whether mothers with COVID-19 can transmit the virus via breast milk. (source: CDC 3.23.20)

UNICEF provides the following guidance for how to protect infants from contracting COVID-19 from their parents.  

• Parents in affected and at-risk areas who have symptoms of fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should seek medical care early, and follow instructions from a health care provider. 
• Considering the benefits of breastfeeding and the low risk for breastfeeding mothers in the transmission of other respiratory viruses, the mother can continue breastfeeding, while applying all the necessary precautions.
• For symptomatic mothers well enough to breastfeed, this includes wearing a mask when in close contact with her child, including feeding, washing hands before and after contact with the child (including feeding), and cleaning/disinfecting contaminated surfaces – as should be done in all cases where anyone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 interacts with others, including children.  
• If a mother is too ill, she should be encouraged to express milk and give it to the child via a clean cup and/or spoon – all while following the same infection prevention methods. (Source: UNICEF, 3.23.20)

Here are two more resources for families to research and make informed decisions about medications:

LactMed  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/

http://www.e-lactancia.org/

I understand the anxiety and concern that many of you are feeling. You have allies in this. Please reach out to me at robin@daraluzbirthcenter.org if you need additional support or resources.

From my family to yours: stay healthy, reach out if you need support, and be kind at every opportunity. We will get through this, together!

All my best, 

Robin Hayter IBCLC

Feel free to just drop at the front door during business hours!
Thank you!

Breastfeeding Support Group
Yes-this is still happening every Wednesday morning online from 10 a.m. until noon. We miss seeing you all in person but this is the next best thing. We are here for you! As always, free and open to everyone! Zoom Meeting ID: 978 465 266

Stress Reduction and Resiliency Building 
Join Kimberlee Boreson-Maresma and her husband Jose Maresma for a weekly class offering on stress reduction and resiliency building. This class will be offered every Friday from 11 to 11:30 a.m. for the next several weeks. A sliding scale donation ($5-$20.00) via Venmo @Kimberlee-Maresma 
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/388761169 Meeting ID: 388 761 169

Anxiety Support Group with Laura Wood

Saturday, April 25th at 4 p.m.

Worry, stress, anxiety, panic…we’ve all experienced it in some form especially right now. At best, it feels awful. At worst, it disrupts sleep, relationships, work, and happiness. This group is about education, peer support, and taking back control. Learn tools, and participate in a discussion about how your life has been affected by stress and anxiety, and how you’re healing as we go. 
Meets every 4th Saturday unless noted, 4-6 pm, online. $10/person (get in touch if this is a hardship). Open to all. RSVP HERE please!

Mindful Fathers Workshop

Thursday, April 23rd at 6 p.m.

Please join Jose Maresma for an evening of emotionally safe exploration of the differences partners face after the birth of a new baby. Jose will lead a 2 hour discussion/dialogue for partners. Suggested donation: $10-20. This group will be held online, please register HERE

Postpartum Support Group

Friday, May 1st at noon

Share your story, or your daily struggles, or just hang out with other new moms. Every level of experience welcome, and this group is open to the community too — so let others know! 
There is a suggested sliding cash donation scale of $10.00-$20.00. 
Led by licensed therapist, Kimberlee Maresma, LPCC. Register HERE

Name: Kiowa
Birthdate: January 11th
Fun Fact: This adorable cutie gets the giggles in his sleep!
You can have your baby featured by emailing usHERE a picture of your cutie and we’ll put them in a newsletter! Please include permission to use the image, your little one’s first name, date of birth, and a fun fact.