Fenugreek (as Milk Booster) During Pregnancy

Hi Mummies!

Recently I was approached by a Mummy who is Breastfeeding her 1 year and 3 months old child. She is also Pregnant with her second child (7 weeks POG).

She asked was it safe to take Fenugreek (As Milk Booster) during Pregnancy?

Fenugreek Seeds

Probably this few sentences from few resources would help summarize the answer:

"Fenugreek is LIKELY UNSAFE in pregnancy when used in amounts greater than those in food. It might cause early contractions. Taking fenugreek just before delivery may cause the newborn to have an unusual body odor, which could be confused with “maple syrup disease.” It does not appear to cause long-term effects."
Source:  http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-733-FENUGREEK.aspx?activeIngredientId=733&activeIngredientName=FENUGREEK


"Avoid use in pregnancy as fenugreek has documented uterine stimulant effects. It has been used to stimulate milk production in nursing mothers. Excretion into milk has not been studied."
Source:  http://www.drugs.com/npc/fenugreek.html

"Traditionally, fenugreek has been used to stimulate labor. However, this does not mean that it is safe or effective for such use, since it has never been studied for such purposes. For instance, think about the many strange ways women try to induce labor (such as eating kiwi, eating spicy foods, or taking bumpy car rides). There is no real way to know if these methods are effective, even if they work. It could very easily just be coincidence.

Even though there is no research to suggest that fenugreek works for stimulating labor, it is a good idea to avoid taking it unless you are full-term (37 weeks pregnant or beyond). If fenugreek does happen to be effective for stimulating uterine contractions, which is currently unknown, it could cause preterm labor or miscarriages if taken earlier in pregnancy. Also, there have been reports of body or urine odor smelling like maple syrup in infants after fenugreek was used for labor stimulation (the herb contains a compound that smells like maple syrup). Sometimes, this is mistaken by medical providers as a rare but serious condition known as maple syrup disease.

Pregnancy is not a time to be experimenting with herbs or medications. It is best to stick with products that are known to be safe for pregnant women. As an herb that has been studied very little, fenugreek is not one of these products."

 Source: http://diabetes.emedtv.com/fenugreek/fenugreek-and-pregnancy.html

Note: The above are merely paragraphs taken from different resources. To read whole article, mummies may click on the links above.

Moral of The Story, Do Consult you Healthcare Proffesional before starting any Herbs/Supplements/Medications during Breastfeeding and Pregnancy :-)

Much LOVE <3

Breastfeeding May Prevent Arthritis: New Study

Adapted from:
http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/uk-news/2014/01/07/breastfeeding-may-deter-arthritis/

Another Benefit for Mummies who Breastfeed :-)

Senarai Semak Untuk Ibu Bekerja

Lampiran di bawah ini adalah khas buat Ibu-Ibu tersayang yang ingin menyusukan anak dengan Penyusuan Susu Ibu walaupun sibuk bekerja. Adakah Ibu-Ibu sudah sedia? :-)

Lampiran ini adalah petikan dari Buku "Panduan Lengkap Bagi Ibu & Wanita Bekerjaya" terbitan Persatuan Penyokong-Penyokong Penyusuan Ibu & Bayi Malaysia.

Semoga berjaya Menyusukan Anak-anak dengan Susu Ibu! :-)

Breastfeeding Keeps Mummies Slim :-)

The article below is abstracted from www.dailymail.co.uk. Published on 10th of July 2012.
Original article titled  :

Breastfeeding your baby for six months will 'keep you slim in later life'

Many mothers have long believed that breastfeeding helps them to get their figure back after giving birth.
Now scientists have found  it can help them to stay slim  for decades.
They discovered that women who breastfed their babies even for a few months after the birth were less likely to be obese 30 years later.

 

The Oxford University researchers worked out that for every six months a woman gives her baby breast milk, she loses around 2lb – depending on her initial weight and height.
Although this may not sound much, the academics claim that it could help prevent thousands of deaths from cancer, heart problems and other illnesses related to obesity.
Doctors and midwives are growing increasingly concerned that many women are becoming obese by gaining weight during pregnancy, which they never manage to shift after the birth.

Oxford University researchers worked out that for every six months a woman gives her baby breast milk, she loses around 2lb – depending on her initial weight and height.

If they go on to have several children, they will become progressively fatter with every pregnancy.
The latest study – involving more than 740,000 women – provides compelling evidence that breastfeeding could help reverse this weight gain, and then help women keep the weight off for good.
Breastfeeding uses up large amounts of energy and experts have previously calculated it burns 500 calories a day – the same as a typical gym session.
Now academics have worked out that for every six months a woman breastfeeds her baby, her body mass index – the measurement of obesity – falls by 1 per cent. An average woman who is 5ft 6ins tall and weighs 11st 1lb would have a BMI measurement of 25, which is classified as overweight.

But if her BMI was to fall by 1 per cent it would be about 24.75 – which is deemed ‘healthy’ – and she would weigh 10st 13lb.
The lead author of the paper, Dr Kirsty Bobrow, from Oxford University, said: ‘We already know breastfeeding is best for babies, and this study adds to a growing body of evidence that the benefits extend to the mother as well – even 30 years after she’s given birth.

‘Pregnant women should be made aware of these benefits to help them make an informed choice about infant feeding.’ The researchers also point out that breastfeeding may help prevent thousands of deaths related to obesity from cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Professor Dame Valerie Beral, director of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University, who was also involved in the study, said: ‘Our research suggests that just six months of breastfeeding by UK women could reduce their risk of obesity in later life.

‘A 1 per cent reduction in BMI may seem small, but spread across the population of the UK that could mean about 10,000 fewer premature deaths per decade from obesity-related conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.’

The study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, surveyed 740,600 women whose average age was 57. They had all answered questions about how many children they had and the total number of months they had spent breastfeeding.
The research also found that women were more likely to be obese if they had several children.

This backs up the concerns of health professionals that many gain weight during pregnancy which they don’t lose after the birth of their babies.

According to the latest figures from the Department of Health, almost three quarters of new  mothers start their babies off on breast milk. 

This is far higher than the six in ten who breastfed in the 1990s and the rise follows numerous ‘breast is best’ campaigns. 

The World Health Organisation recommends that women breastfeed their babies for at least six months but many give up because they find it uncomfortable or are worried that their babies are struggling to get enough milk.

Tips for NURSING IN PUBLIC

Breastfeeding mothers and their babies shouldn’t feel they have to stay home.

They want to enjoy the same activities as anyone else! Current Malaysian Breastfeeding Policy is to breastfeed exclusively for six months and to continue breastfeeding with added complementary foods for two years and beyond.

Many mothers are already perfectly comfortable breastfeeding in public. That’s great – not only for you and your baby, but for those women and girls who are not yet mothers, who learn about breastfeeding when they see you.

But maybe that’s not you. Maybe you are feeling pretty anxious about nursing in public. You worry about what people will think, and how much skin you’ll be showing. These tips may help:

1. Know your rights. Breastfeeding in public is legal and a very good thing. You are nourishing your baby with the most biologically appropriate food, and – as a great side benefit – you are educating any young men and women who might happen to see you. The Ontario Human Rights Commission, for instance, specifically states:

No one should prevent you from nursing your child simply because you are in a public area. They should not ask you to “cover up,” disturb you, or ask you to move to another area that is more “discreet.”

2. Practise at home in front of a mirror. If you’ve been concerned about showing a lot of skin, this will probably reassure you that it’s not likely to be an issue. A nursing baby covers your breast rather efficiently. You can try nursing in different outfits to see which ones work for you and your baby. Some babies can’t stand any fabric touching their faces as they nurse, others are less bothered by it, so experiment to find your best options.

3. Choose clothes you’ll feel comfortable in. You can buy (or sew) specially-made nursing clothes that have hidden openings to make breastfeeding easier, or you can put together nursing outfits from ordinary clothes. 

4. Use a sling or wrap. With practice, you can breastfeed your baby in most slings or wrap and the fabric of the baby carrier will cover the baby and your breast. You can even walk around while breastfeeding!

5. Use a Nursing Cover. Specially made nursing Poncho; baby blankets; long & wide shawls or lengthy head-cover (tudung-for Muslim Mummies) can be useful to maintain modesty while nursing in public.

Beautiful Mummy Nursing in Public using Eve Love Nursing Poncho

5. Choose an easy-access bra. If you are using a nursing bra where you need to lower the cup, it might help to practise undoing it one-handed at home (and doing it up again after) so that you’re confident about managing it out in public.

6. Pick your spot. You’re looking for two things: a place where you can sit comfortably, ideally with some support for your back, as well as a place where you are less visible to the general public. In a restaurant, sitting towards the inside of a booth means you’ll mainly be seen by your dining companions; if there are no booths you can pick a seat at a table facing away from the dining room. Outdoors, you may be able to find a place to sit leaning against a tree or a bench with a back that gives you support.

Don’t get stressed out looking for the perfect spot. Find a place where you’re comfortable and where you have enough room to organize yourself and don’t worry too much about who might see you. There’s no point in walking around with a crying baby as you look for a place where you won’t be visible. Feeding your child takes priority.

7. Turn away to latch. The time when the most skin is likely to be shown is when the baby is first latching on. So let’s say you are sitting in a restaurant booth, next to the wall, but still visible to other diners. Before you latch the baby on, try turning so you are completely facing the wall. Latch your baby on in this position, then turn back to face the table and your dining companions. You can do the same if you need to unlatch the baby.

8. Smile! If you notice someone glancing in your direction as you breastfeed your baby, even if they are frowning or looking horrified, give them a smile! You know you are doing something very important for your child, and that’s a good thing. If you show your confidence with a friendly smile, you may defuse the situation.

Infants with Special Needs

Human milk has been recognized as the gold standard for human feeding for centuries. Milk of other species that is fed to human infants have been known to contribute to increased in infants mortality.

Importance of Breastmilk for Infants with Special Needs Breastmilk contains:
•Protective immune factors: Help to prevent infection
•Growth factors: Helps baby’s gut and other systems to develop as well as heal diarrhoea
•Enzymes: Make it easier to digest and absorb milk
•Special essential fatty acids help brain development
•Reduces pain from drawing blood or related to the baby’s condition,
•Gives the mother an important role in caring for her baby,
•Comforts the baby
•Strengthen bonding


Babies who require special attention are those who are:

•Not able to take oral feed
•Able to take oral feeds but not able to suckle
•Able to suckle but not for full feeds
•Not able to receive any breastmilk

COMPOSITION OF PRETERM HUMAN MILK (26 to 36 weeks POG)

HEALTH ADVANTAGES OF HUMAN MILK FEEDING FOR PRETERM INFANTS

How to Feed a Pre-Term Infant with Breastmilk?

For expressing breastmilk, you may start expressing after 6 hours post-delivery and collect in small amounts.
Baby can be fed using a syringe as well.

METHOD OF FEEDING PRE-TERM/ TERM LOW BIRTH WEIGHT BABIES

Clockwise from Top Left: IntraGastric Feeding, Spoon Feeding and Cup Feeding Methods

Do ensure a LOTS and LOTS of SKIN TO SKIN Contact!!

SOME COMMON CONDITIONS :

(1) Breastmilk Jaundice

What is "Breastmilk Jaundice" ?

•Occurs in 5-10% of newborns

•Results from inadequate breastmilk volume or insufficient milk intake: Lead to dehydration, low caloric intake

•May occur in 1st week of life in breastfed infants

•Incidence may be reduced by:
–Encouraging early feeds
–Increasing frequency of feeds
–Avoiding use of water to replace breastmilk

Prevention of Severe Jaundice:

•Early initiation of breastfeeding
- Colostrum helps infants to pass the meconium, removes excess bilirubin from the body

•Encourage demand feeding:  8 – 12 feed a day

•Effective suckling: ensure effective milk tranfer

•No supplementary fluid

•Cup feeding with EBM if baby refuse to suck



(2) Babies with Cardiac Problems

•Babies may tire easily

•Short frequent feeds are helpful. The baby can breathe better when breastfeeding

•Breastfeeding is less stressful and less energy is used so there is better weight gain

•Breastmilk provides protection from illness thus reducing hospitalization and helping growth and development.


(3) Babies with Cleft Lip/Palate

•Babies with cleft lip only should be able to breastfeed - tissue of the breast can help the baby to create a seal more effectively

•Babies with a cleft palate are less likely to breastfeed directly from their mother's breast.

•Cleft palate babies often have problem with sucking, and may choke or gag on food that gets into their nose.(severe form )

•Cleft palate babies can be given EBM via special cleft palate bottle (Haberman feeder),spoon or cup.

•Encourage mom to put baby on breast for suckling and bonding

•Following surgery to repair the cleft, breastfeeding can resume as soon as the baby is alert.

Cleft lip and palate - How to feed?

•Hold the baby so that his or her nose and throat are higher than the breast
–This will prevent milk from leaking into the nasal cavity, which would make it difficult for the baby to breathe during the feed

•Breast tissue can fill a cleft in the lip to help the baby maintain suction.


(4) Babies with Down Syndrome

•Babies with Down Syndrome may have Hypotonia (weak Muscle Tone) and poor sucking reflex. Hence, this may lead to Poor Let Down which will result in Inadequate supply. To overcome this matter, Mummies are also encouraged to express milk and feed baby expressed breastmilk as well.

•Proper positioning,manual expression and supporting the breast so that infant do not lose nipple.

Hope this post is helpful for Mummies :-)


Source: National Lactation Centre

DISCLAIMER:
This post is just meant to be a stepping stone of awareness for mothers who have special need babies to not give up Breastfeeding without knowing that it is possible to proceed with breastfeeding.
However, kindly consult a paediatrician and lactation counsellour/consultant for proffesional advice because each individual case varies from one to another.

Indahnya Syariat Penyusuan Ibu Susuan

Salam Sejahtera Ibu-ibu Sekalian.

Penulis Artikel ini iaitu Puan Zunaidah Mohd Marzuki. Beliau adalah seorang pensyarah Jabatan Quran dan Sunnah, UIAM, Gombak. Beliau sekarang sekarang sedang melanjutkan pelajaran sebagai seorang pelajar PhD. Beliau merupakan seorang ibu kepada tiga orang putera, dan juga mempunyai pengalaman menyusukan semua cahaya matanya dengan penyusuan susu ibu.



Harap Ibu-Ibu dapat inspirasi daripada artikel ini :-)

Untuk pengetahun semua, artikel sebenar ini telah diterbitkan di majalah Solusi (ms 84-85).

Gambar hanya illustrasi semata-mata. Tiada berkaitan dengan artikel tersebut.

Indahnya Syariat Penyusuan Ibu Susuan

Zunaidah Binti Mohd Marzuki

           

            Penyusuan ibu susuan adalah suatu pilihan yang kadang-kadang menjadi satu keperluan atau kemestian. Ada ibu-bapa yang mempunyai ibu susuan untuk anak mereka kerana ibunya sendiri mempunyai masalah dalam penyusuan seperti sakit atau kekurangan susu. Ada juga ibu meninggal sewaktu bersalin, lalu anaknya disusui ibu susuan.

            Kebanyakan bayi berumur dua tahun kebawah dapat menerima susu formula selain susu ibu sendiri. Namun ada bayi yang alah dengan susu formula sehingga menyebabkan sembelit, cirit-birit, alahan kulit dan sebagainya.

Ada juga bayi yang alah dengan laktosa dalam susu formula.Justeru, terdapat pelbagai pilihan susu formula dipasaran. Susu formula ramuan khas, susu tanpa laktosa, susu berasaskan soya, berasaskan susu lembu dan berasaskan susu kambing.

Namun susu ibu adalah pilihan terbaik untuk bayi, samada susu ibu sendiri atau susu ibu susuan. Penyusuan ibu susuan adalah alternatif terbaik bagi ibu-ibu yang mempunyai masalah dalam penyusuan. Al-Quran dan Hadis telah memberikan panduan berkenaan ibu susuan. Sirah Rasulullah SAW boleh dijadikan pedoman.

Penyusuan Rasulullah SAW

Orang  pertama yang menyusukan Rasulullah SAW selepas ibunya ialah Thuwaybah. Dia adalah hamba Abu Lahab dengan susu bayinya yang bernama Masruh. Sebelum itu dia juga telah menyusui Hamzah bin Abd Al-Muttalib dan selepasnya dia menyusui Abu Salamah bin Abdul Asad al-Makhzumiy.

 Menurut adat masyarakat Arab setempat ketika itu, mereka akan mencari perempuan-perempuan yang menyusui anak-anak mereka dengan tujuan menghindarkan anak tersebut daripada dijangkiti penyakit-penyakit setempat. Disamping itu  juga, ia bertujuan melatih  anak-anak mereka mahir dengan Bahasa Arab jati sewaktu masih kecil lagi.

Setelah itu, Rasulullah SAW disusui oleh Halimah Binti abu Dhu’ayb isteri alHarith bin Abdul Uzza. Dia lebih dikenali sebagai Halimah As-Sa’diah daripada keluarga Bani Sa’ad bin Bakr. Dengannya, Rasulullah SAW mempunyai adi-beradik sesusuan iaitu Abdullah bin Alharith, Anisah Binti Alharith, Hudhafah atau Judhamah binti alHarith-iaitu al-Shayma, gelaran yang lebih dikenali dari nama asalnya-.

Penyusuan Dalam Hadis

Hadis-hadis berkenaan penyusuan (Ar-Rado’ah الرضاعة) sangat banyak dan merangkumi pelbagai aspek. Jika kita membaca huraian kepada kitab-kitab Hadis seperti Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Daud, Sunan An-Nasai, Muwatta’ Malik dan sebagainya, kita akan dapati isu penyusuan ibu susuan dikupas dengan begitu teliti oleh para ulama.

Contohnya, dalam buku “Takmilah Fathul Mulhim Bi Syarhi Sahih Muslim” iaitu kupasan terhadap hadis-hadis dalam Sahih Muslim. Buku karangan Syeikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani, seorang ulama kontemporari Pakistan telah memberi kupasan berkenaan makna penyusuan, hikmah penyusuan, hak-hak anak yang disusui, kadar minimum penyusuan yang melibatkan hukum ibu susuan, tempoh penyusuan dan sebagainya.

Ibu Susuan suatu Keperluan

            Seperti yang dinyatakan, ibu susuan menjadi suatu keperluan bagi sesetengah bayi yang hanya boleh menerima susu ibu. Bayi-bayi seperti ini lazimnya ada alahan atau masalah dengan susu formula.

            Antara faktor bayi memerlukan ibu susuan adalah kerana ibunya meninggal, atau sakit, atau kekurangan susu. Ada juga sesetengah bayi yang menghidap penyakit seperti kanser yang amat memerlukan susu ibu. Bayi yang menghadapi masalah-masalah diatas tidak dapat tidak, perlu bergantung kepada susu ibu susuan samada dalam bentuk EBM(expressed breast milk atau susu perahan) atau terus menyusu dari ibu susuan.

            Manakala sesetengah ibu juga perlu mencari anak susuan kerana mereka mempunyai lebihan stok susu perahan yang dibekukan didalam peti sejuk. Susu ibu yang diperah dengan tangan atau dipam dengan pam susu yang disimpan didalam peti sejuk mempunyai jangka hayat sehingga 6 bulan bergantung kepada suhu peti sejuk, atau paling lama sehingga setahun.

            Ibu-ibu yang mempunyai susu yang banyak melebihi keperluan anaknya sendiri  perlu mencari anak susuan bagi mengelakkan pembaziran .Katakan susu perahan seorang ibu setiap hari sekitar 80 oz( 1oz bersamaan 30ml), dan keperluan anaknya sekitar 20-40 oz sehari, tentulah susu ibu tersebut berbaki lagi.

Susu yang berbaki ini kadang-kadang apabila disimpan akan memenuhkan peti sejuk sehingga tidak muat atau tamat jangka hayat. Jika tidak mencari  anak susuan, maka susu itu akhirnya terpaksa dibuang. Ada juga sesetengah ibu menggunakan susu lebihan sebagai siraman tanaman, atau mandian susu atau jadikan sabun susu untuk anaknya.

Hikmah penyusuan ibu susuan

            Syariat penyusuan ibu susuan yang terdapat garis panduannya dalam Al-Quran, Hadis dan huraian-huraian ulama amat indah untuk diamalkan. Indahnya syariat ini dapat dirasai, dihayati dan disyukuri oleh ibu-ibu dan bayi-bayi yang terlibat.

Penyusuan ibu susuan dapat membantu menyelesaikan masalah bayi-bayi yang memerlukan susu ibu ,yang mempunyai alahan dengan susu formula atau susu segar, justeru dapat membantu perkembangan bayi agar sihat dan kuat.

Penyusuan ibu susuan juga membantu merungkaikan masalah ibu-ibu yang mempunyai susu melebihi keperluan anak sendiri, justeru dapat mengelakkan pembaziran.

            Penyusuan susu ibu susuan juga membuatkan sebuah keluarga dapat berkenalan dengan sebuah keluarga yang lain seterusnya membina jalinan hubungan persahabatan, persaudaraan dan kekeluargaan. Justeru, hubungan ini dapat melahirkan masyarakat yang saling kenal dan bekerjasama.

            Sebagai masyarakat yang sudah maju dalam ilmu pendidikan, masyarakat seharusnya menggalakkan penyusuan susu ibu. Ibu-bapa seharusnya tidak perlu ragu-ragu dengan penyusuan susu ibu susuan. Apa yang penting, adalah memahami hukum-hakam berkenaannya dan menjaga hubungan susuan dengan baik.

           

 Harap Ibu-Ibu sekalian dapat manfaat dari perkongsian ini.

Assalamualaikum.