In support of super moms
Myla Adeva, 33, works full-time as senior credential analyst at San Francisco State University, certifying would-be teachers and principals.
It's a demanding job, with a certain amount of responsibility. Yet, once a day she finds time to focus on 10-month-old daughter Kali although she’s miles away.
“I have a whole setup in my office for pumping breast milk, refrigerating and sterilizing,” the Millbrae resident said.
She seems to have mastered combining work and breastfeeding – she started back to work when Kali was 3 months old, pumping four times a day. Adeva credits much of her success to a supportive staff and supervisor at work and a group of mothers who have helped each other through some rough times.
“If it weren’t for the breastfeeding support group at Mills-Peninsula, I would have given up a lot earlier,” she said.
She had a rocky start breastfeeding both Kali and, four years earlier, her son Aiden, but having a face-to-face arena for her questions helped her through and kept her from feeling isolated.
“I feel good knowing I’m giving Kali something that no one else can,” Adeva says.
Although the benefits are clear – including a boost to the immune system for baby and saving money on formula – breastfeeding can be a source of stress and frustration for many new moms, according to Rebecca Dupont, M.D., the gynecologist and obstetrician who helped deliver Kali at Mills-Peninsula’s Family Birth Center.
Success can depend on keeping an open mind and approaching breastfeeding as a process, she said.
“Of course, it’s natural, but it can take weeks for both mother and baby to learn.”
With so much expected of the modern mother, adding breastfeeding as an achievement goal at the expense of a mother’s happiness and ability to bond with baby doesn’t make sense, the doctor says.
“Ultimately, every woman has to decide what’s right for her.”
Grace Chen, 32, of Brisbane would agree.
“There are a lot of mixed messages about breastfeeding out there,” said the mother of 9-month-old Sabrina who also attends the breastfeeding support group at Mills-Peninsula.
“The group encouraged us just to do the best we can.”
A full-time psychologist who works with students at Cal State East Bay in Hayward, Chen finds her twice daily breaks to express breast milk for her daughter a way of returning her focus to self-care.
“Since I’ve had Sabrina I don’t compromise on taking care of myself, because I see how it affects her,” she said. “It’s nice to know I can slow down some times during my work day.”
Mills-Peninsula lactation consultant Sheila Janakos helps new moms at the Family Birth Center get the best start possible.
She also helps run the support groups and has seen many women through the transition back to work. Janakos emphasizes the importance of support in the workplace.
“Women with children are the fastest growing segment of the workforce,” she says. “Studies show the benefits of breastfeeding really do extend to the employer.”
She sites data collected by The Business Case For Breastfeeding, a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
They show that providing a dedicated space for breastfeeding employees to express milk in privacy and providing work site lactation support results in more satisfied, loyal employees and cost savings to the business.
Yet, despite a state law signed in 2001 meant to ensure adequate time and place to express breast milk in the workplace, not all women are as fortunate as Adeva and Chen when it comes to accommodation at work,
Dr. Dupont said.
She encourages women not to give up too easily on breastfeeding. At the same time she emphasizes that no woman should feel like a bad mother for not being able to give her baby breast milk.
“Sometimes we just can’t do it all,” she says.
Still, some women do return to work with laptop, blackberry and breast pump - and for those, garnering support can be key.
“Mothers like Adeva and Chen know it can be hard to fit in breastfeeding, work and caring for family. But they still do it because of the benefits,” Janakos says. “That’s why they truly are super, and we’re glad to be there to help.”
For more information about Mills-Peninsula lactation support or the Family Birth Center, visit www.mills-peninsula.org/birthcenter.
For a complete list of OB/GYN doctors visit www.mills-peninsula.org/healthpoint.
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Top 5 reasons to keep trying
1. It’s the best nutrition for baby. Breast milk contains the optimal balance of nutrients for your newborn. Experts suggest breastfeeding until age 1 or beyond.
2. It gives baby’s immune system a boost. The antibodies in breast milk can protect your infant from infections – most commonly middle ear and digestive tract infections.
3. Breastfeeding saves money. Baby formula can add up.
4. It may protect baby from long-term health problems, including obesity and diabetes.
5. Mother may also benefit with a reduction in post delivery bleeding and quicker return to prepregnancy weight. Some studies show a lower
risk for ovarian and breast cancer in women who’ve breastfed.
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Support for new moms
All groups meet at Mills Health Center, 100 S. San Mateo Drive, San Mateo, CA.
Breastfeeding Support Group
Bring your newborn and join other women to network and have your questions answered by a certified lactation consultant. Drop-in. No registration is necessary.
Tuesdays & Fridays
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Saidy Conference Room, Ground floor
Nursing Mothers Counsel
Free breastfeeding workshop. Learn about nursing positions, milk supply, avoiding common breastfeeding problems, working while nursing and weaning. Infants and partners welcome.
First Saturday of the month
10 a.m. – noon
Millenium Room, 4th floor
Parent & Infant Support Group
Babies up to nine months; share concerns, joys, safety, feeding and challenges. Drop in. No registration necessary.
Thursdays
1 – 3 p.m.
Hendrickson Auditorium
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VIDEO: Our Story Is You
The Molina family shares their miracle baby story at www.sutterhealth.org/stories/stories/molina_family.html.
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