Relaxation For Breastfeeding!
A Guidebook Journal
by
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Foreword
It was the forty-second week of my first pregnancy and I was completely exhausted. All I could think about was having this baby so I could get some sleep! Although this seemed naive, it was no understatement; this view is shared by many other pregnant mothers.
After the delivery, I was joyous, fatigued, and sore. All I could now envision was nurturing my baby. It is well known that breastfeeding is a very healthy decision for baby well-being. I knew that women had been breastfeeding for centuries. Yet, I was struggling and my breasts were sore. “Latching on” was a challenge, and my letdown was slow because of fatigue. I even read somewhere that some tribal communities shared breastfeeding duty among several lactating mothers. However, like me, many nursing mothers are “flying solo” every day and every night.
A lactation specialist told me that stress was reducing my milk supply and that relaxation was all I needed. How can a breastfeeding mother relax when the stress comes from trying to breastfeed? After reading, relaxing, meditating, experiencing, and enduring many trials, breastfeeding became a very natural process.
Milk production is also a natural scientific process. It is learned, practiced, modified, and practiced more. Your body adjusts. The baby adjusts. The milk is established and maintained for healthy nutrition, and all is well with the world.
We embarked on this project to provide practical information about the training process of breastfeeding. When you choose to breastfeed, you are also choosing to commit time and effort to acquiring a new skill.
Our intention is to share what we have learned as a breastfeeding couple. In addition to practical information, we will present some of the research literature examining the underlying biological and psychological mechanisms that influence milk supply. In particular, we will examine the links between relaxation and lactation.
This Guidebook Journal™ is a resource for the Relaxation for Breastfeeding and Skin-to-Skin Infant Care! audio that will lead you through positioning, breathing, relaxing, visualizing, meditating, and affirming exercises.
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About the Book
A woman’s body is an amazing work of art crafted to adapt to nature’s call for motherhood. Let Relaxation for Breastfeeding & Skin-To-Skin Infant Care guide you through a healthier breastfeeding experience. It is an excellent informative resource. Dr. Jon Marshall, Fitness Expert & Health Humanitarian • Can breastfeeding mothers learn to relax? • Do herbs boost milk production? • Helpful hints for the breastfeeding spouse • Nutrition tips for the breastfeeding mother • Does skin-to-skin infant care enhance bonding? • Can dads and grandparents bond with skin-to-skin infant care? Moms of newborns often find that they experience a range of emotions. Sometimes moms experience “postpartum blues” or even severe symptoms of depression. Learning to relax and rejuvenate can reduce worrisome thoughts and improve the breastfeeding experience. Whether she is nursing or expressing her milk, relaxation can be beneficial. This guidebook journal provides information to enhance the experience of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin infant care.
About the Author
Anita McGruder-Johnson, Ph.D.
Anita McGruder-Johnson, PhD is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Psychologist and mother of two. Her commitment to family health promotion is evident in the founding of Healthy Sensations International Academic & Wellness Solutions. It was founded to provide psychological services including designing, developing and disseminating, academic and wellness products such as stress management audios, guided relaxation CD’s for sleep readiness and character education e-books. Naturalhealthsensations.com is the affiliated website for her company. Dr. McGruder-Johnson shares her personal and professional knowledge with other breastfeeding families.
Vernell Johnson III, M.D.
Dr. Johnson is a practicing emergency physician in