Boob Jedi Training Weekend

I think that it's funny that both Rick and Jessica refer to this sort of thing using Star Wars terms.

As you already know, Jessica and I attended La Leche League of Wisconsin's conference The Science and Acculturation of Breastfeeding. It was a two day conference featuring Dr. Thomas Hale, an expert on pharmacology and lactation, and Dr. Jack Newman, a pediatrician and boob Jedi master. It was a lot of fun seeing the two doctors take friendly jabs at each other and "argue" over the existence of candida of the nipple and the importance of vitamin D supplementation.

We spent two days attending lectures on medications in breastfeeding mothers with sessions focused on antidepressants and anesthesia/epidurals, breastfeeding in the first hour of life, dangers of formula feeding, jaundice, and more. I learned so much, all things I wish I had known before I had my daughter, and I'm so glad to have that information in my arsenal so that I can help other moms avoid interventions and difficulties.

I wish that I could share the entire two day conference with you, but that would end up looking more like a novel than a blog post so I'll only share the most interesting stuff.

• "breastmilk jaundice" is completely normal and the only "treatment" should be to breastfeed.
• A preemie as small as 1200 g (as long as he/she is stable) can and should nurse.
• Nipple shields should almost never be used, especially not in the first two weeks.
• Spitting up causes baby's throat and connected mucus membranes to be coated with a protective layer of Ig's from breastmilk (which gives baby 800-1200 mg of IgA daily!)
• 20-40% of a lactating mom's BMR goes toward milk production.
• If you need to have surgery use hibiclens for a week prior to surgery and it will cut down your chances of contracting MRSA significantly.
• Marijuana is a "nice little sedative" (according to Dr. Hale).
• Studies done in Germany show that high quality St. John's Wort is 70% as effective as prescription anti-depressants.
• Domperidone (which is OTC in most of the 88 countries where it is available) is MUCH safer than Reglan but it's hard to obtain in the US because the FDA is a bunch of jackasses.
• Pumping and freezing milk during the last weeks of pregnancy can keep babies of diabetic mothers out of the NICU.
• A one month old breastfed baby only consumes 10-15% less milk than a 5-6 month old (why do they need so much more formula?).

Here are some pics from the event.

Me with Dr. Hale. I'm wearing a shirt that I made.

Jessica with Dr. Hale, also wearing a shirt that I made. She had a shirt that she really liked and asked if I could copy it. She has since requested three more shirts.

Jessica and I with Dr. Newman.


Jessica's snack spread (grasshopper cookies, pistachios, granola). I'm so happy that she packed those pistachios and the Pepsi.


Asa was stylin is his pram. This used to be Jessica's when she was a baby. During the presentations there were several videos and pictures of nursing mother and breasts. For Asa it was like watching Food Network. He seemed to be pretty happy throughout the conference.

Don't forget that Rick is growing a mustache to raise funds for men's health issues. You can donate money in Rick's mustache's name here, and don't forget to enter my beret pattern giveaway.