If you have a MyNortonChart account, you have access to free, face-to-face secure video visits with a provider for breastfeeding help any time of the day or night.

“While breastfeeding is a natural part of motherhood for many, first-time moms as well as experienced mothers sometimes need a little extra help,” said Elizabeth Doyle, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Community Medical Associates – Shepherdsville and Norton Healthcare’s system medical director for lactation. “Anyone who wishes to breastfeed is welcome to use the service.”

Kentucky breastfeeding rates lag nation

Nearly 74 percent of mothers in Kentucky have breastfed at some point. That’s an increase for the state, but is still lower than the national average of 83.2 percent.

Breastfeeding has many benefits. It can reduce ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea/vomiting and sudden infant death syndrome. It also decreases a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancers, as well as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

“We hope that providing this service can help more mothers try to breastfeed — and keep breastfeeding as long as possible,” Dr. Doyle said.

A Norton eCare video visit can help with questions or concerns about:

• Latch and positioning
• Mastitis
• Clogged ducts
• Engorgement
• Pumping issues
• Milk storage
• Weaning
• Medications

The post Free breastfeeding support for moms appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Sometimes the new mom realizes these changes. Sometimes not. That’s when it’s up to her loved ones to support her and get her the help she needs.

Rebecca Siegel, Ph.D., clinical psychologist with Norton Women’s Mental Health Services, shares insight into postpartum depression and how you — as a friend, sister, mother, colleague or partner — can support someone who might be experiencing it.

First, the signs:

• Sadness and frequent crying
• Loss of interest in doing things she used to enjoy
• Difficulty sleeping, even when the baby is sleeping
• Or sleeping too much/difficulty getting out of bed
• Difficulty concentrating or having trouble making decisions
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Trouble functioning, doing things for either herself or the baby
• Trouble attaching to or responding to the baby

For some women, it is easy to pass these signs off as “baby blues,” which occurs in the majority of women after delivering a baby. Dr. Siegel explains that the primary difference between baby blues and postpartum depression centers on the duration and severity of the signs.

“As much as 20 percent of women will experience some form of postpartum depression, and this percentage is even higher when other mood and anxiety disorders are considered,” Dr. Siegel said. “A new mom may experience any or all of these symptoms and they may gradually increase in the days, even months, after the birth of her baby.”

Anxiety also can be a concern. Anxiety may take the form of worry or fear of harm coming to the baby, or fear the mother may harm the baby herself either accidentally or on purpose.

If you sense that a new mom is struggling or you are starting to see behavior that doesn’t seem “normal,” start by listening and empathizing with her.

Things you shouldn’t say:

• It’s just baby blues; all new moms feel that way
• You just need a massage
• Stop worrying
• You’re baby is healthy — you should be happy!
• Everything will be fine

“You never want to express to a woman going through any type of depression or mood disorder that this is just all in their head,” Dr. Siegel said. “Depression and anxiety are difficult to understand, especially for someone who hasn’t dealt with it personally. But you never want to minimize the feelings she is having.”

Here are a few recommendations from Dr. Siegel on how you can help:

Listen: Women want to feel supported and like they are not alone. The symptoms they are experiencing often will cause them to isolate themselves from others. Try to get her to open up.

Empathize: If you’ve never experienced postpartum depression, you might feel you can’t begin to understand what she’s going through. However, you don’t have to travel her path to empathize with her. You can do this by putting aside your opinions, listening objectively and validating her feelings.

Ask questions: Ask questions about how she feels. Often the first thing women need and want is someone to talk to them while at the same time listening.

Reassure her: Let her know how well she’s doing taking care of the baby and that you’ll get through this together.

Give her some alone time: Offer to watch the baby while she does something for herself, such as taking a nap or getting some exercise. Better yet, develop a schedule that allows her to plan for some “me time” so that she doesn’t have to ask for time away.

Know when to seek help: The first step to getting care should be the new mom’s OB/GYN. He or she can identify what is going on and if further treatment or a specialist is needed. If a situation arises and you feel the mom could harm herself or the baby, always seek emergency intervention, which could include calling 911.

Norton Women’s Mental Health Services cares for women with postpartum depression as well as other mental health needs. For more information, call (502) 899-6220 or visit NortonHealthcare.com/WomensCounseling.

The post What not to say to a new mom appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

According to a recent report, babies who were swaddled, or wrapped tightly in a blanket or cloth, were twice as likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if they were laid on their stomach or side. The likelihood of SIDS was low for babies placed on their backs, which is the correct way swaddled babies should be laid down.

Erika Janes, R.N., child safety advocate for the Children’s Hospital Foundation Office of Child Advocacy of Norton Children’s Hospital, is a big supporter of swaddling, if performed correctly.

“Swaddling can be great for a newborn baby if parents follow the proper rules,” Janes said. “Sadly, we see one to three babies in our community die each month due to unsafe sleeping environments. First and foremost — no baby should be placed on the belly or side regardless of whether they are swaddled or not.”

While the study in no way says parents should stop swaddling altogether, it did find the practice could be dangerous for older children. Janes agrees.

“Parents should not swaddle their babies after 2 months of age,” she said. “It can be deadly for babies who can move from their backs into a dangerous position while sleeping. Also, do not swaddle them so tightly that they can’t move their hips or breathe easily.”

Regardless of whether you swaddle your baby, you need to always practice safe sleeping habits.

“Babies should always sleep on their backs, alone and in a crib or bassinette without blankets, toys and crib bumpers,” Janes said. “Otherwise, you’re putting your baby at risk.”

Learn more about safe sleep.

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