Heather, one of our astute buyers, told me recently that one of her clients did not like EPiBi Regular Absorbency Day Nursing Pads, because looked lumpy after a wash. She loved the Super Absorbency Eve Nursing Pads.
My immediate response was to assure her that when the pads were tested inside a standard, well-supported nursing bra, similar to a sports bra, we could not see the outline of the EPiBi Nursing Bra.
But Heather's question nagged me. To find out, we re-tested one of our pads after washing it. Sure enough, it got lumpy around the edge, and concealment was hopeless. After it was worn inside a nursing bra for an hour, however, it gradually conformed to the anatomic shape of the breast. Soon, we could hardly tell there was a nursing pad inside the bra.
It was an enigma, but technical or engineered fabrics are full of interesting characteristics. When the lighter weight EPiBi Regular Absorbency Nursing Pads are washed and hung to dry, gravity pulls the stretchy fabric in one direction - towards the ground. When it's completely dried, it obviously looks distorted. Inside the nursing bra, initially all the lumps show up. Then, gradually, warmth of the body re-shapes it into the original contoured shape. As each hour passes by, the EPiBi Nursing Pad becomes more concealable.
It's fun to work with technical or engineered textiles.
Elly Hann, creator of EPiBi antimicrobial washable nursing pads & hypoallergenic diaper liners
Would you like to feel better breastfeeding?
EPIBi Nursing Pads
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Mother's milk - protective shield for the baby
Last weekend, I attended a conference sponsored by San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition. During Q&A, a nurse-lactation consultant quoted her child's pediatrician telling her that "babies are allergic to mother's milk".
This got me thinking more about what's in human milk, besides all the necessary fats, proteins, immunoglobulins, sugars, and something else tremendously beneficial for the baby.
Today's article in the San Diego Union Tribune by Nicholas Wade describes a study by researchers at the University of California, Davis - Bruce German, Carlito Lebrilla and David Mills. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published a review article of their work.
The article said:
1) At least 21 percent of human milk is made up of "complex sugars". Complex sugar (carbohydrate) molecules are sugars with 3 or more single sugar molecules bonded together. Infants cannot digest complex sugars. Think of the potato starch. Complex sugars are starch.
2) Infants drinking breast milk get a helping hand from bacteria called Bifido (or Bifidobacterium Longum). Bifido species get in the action and help break down the indigestible component of milk, such as lactose.
3) Human milk's complex sugars also fool the nasty pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Instead of the pathogens binding to cell surface receptors (a necessary step in infection), they bind to the complex sugars. Mother's milk protects the infant from getting infected.
This doesn't sound like breast milk causing an allergic reaction. It sounds more like baby's genes favor drinking mother's breast milk.
Dr. Elly Hann, creator of EPiBi antimicrobial washable nursing pads & hypoallergenic diaper liners
This got me thinking more about what's in human milk, besides all the necessary fats, proteins, immunoglobulins, sugars, and something else tremendously beneficial for the baby.
Today's article in the San Diego Union Tribune by Nicholas Wade describes a study by researchers at the University of California, Davis - Bruce German, Carlito Lebrilla and David Mills. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published a review article of their work.
The article said:
1) At least 21 percent of human milk is made up of "complex sugars". Complex sugar (carbohydrate) molecules are sugars with 3 or more single sugar molecules bonded together. Infants cannot digest complex sugars. Think of the potato starch. Complex sugars are starch.
2) Infants drinking breast milk get a helping hand from bacteria called Bifido (or Bifidobacterium Longum). Bifido species get in the action and help break down the indigestible component of milk, such as lactose.
3) Human milk's complex sugars also fool the nasty pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Instead of the pathogens binding to cell surface receptors (a necessary step in infection), they bind to the complex sugars. Mother's milk protects the infant from getting infected.
This doesn't sound like breast milk causing an allergic reaction. It sounds more like baby's genes favor drinking mother's breast milk.
Dr. Elly Hann, creator of EPiBi antimicrobial washable nursing pads & hypoallergenic diaper liners
How to evaluate washable nursing pads
Frequently, I get asked about how to find the best washable nursing pads. These are my criteria. Some people may disagree, however coming from wound care field, these criteria are important for healthy skin for a breastfeeding mother:
1) It's contoured without artificially inserted or sewn pleat.
2) When you squeeze, it squeezes softly.
3) If you are prone to nipple irritation or mastitis (breast infection), try the certified antimicrobial washable nursing pads. Stay away from disposable nursing pads. Federal Trade Commission website can tell you whether a fabric is antimicrobial or not.
4) Choose the washable pad with a silky smooth surface. Cotton is not a smooth surface, because it will pill up. Anything that pills up with washing is not good for your skin. Non-abrasive fabric is better.
5) "Moisture proof" is to be avoided. It has a vinyl layer that will stop moisture from evaporating quickly. It can contribute to infections. Choose a nursing pad with breathable layers. Breathable fabric layers also allow "quick dry".
Dr. Elly Hann, creator of EPiBi antimicrobial washable nursing pads & hypoallergenic diaper lilners
1) It's contoured without artificially inserted or sewn pleat.
2) When you squeeze, it squeezes softly.
3) If you are prone to nipple irritation or mastitis (breast infection), try the certified antimicrobial washable nursing pads. Stay away from disposable nursing pads. Federal Trade Commission website can tell you whether a fabric is antimicrobial or not.
4) Choose the washable pad with a silky smooth surface. Cotton is not a smooth surface, because it will pill up. Anything that pills up with washing is not good for your skin. Non-abrasive fabric is better.
5) "Moisture proof" is to be avoided. It has a vinyl layer that will stop moisture from evaporating quickly. It can contribute to infections. Choose a nursing pad with breathable layers. Breathable fabric layers also allow "quick dry".
Dr. Elly Hann, creator of EPiBi antimicrobial washable nursing pads & hypoallergenic diaper lilners
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Diabetes and pregnancy; breastfeeding lowers blood sugar
An article from the August 11, 2010 issue of Diabetes Forecast by Tracey Neithercott caught my eye. Baby Talk is an instructive article for all diabetic patients planning on a pregnancy. I am not an endocrinologist (hormone and diabetes specialist) or an Obstetrician, so I am quoting Ms. Neithercott's article for my readers.
Before pregnancy, the following things help to prepare your body for a better pregnancy outcome: Quit smoking, bring down Hemoglobin Alc under 7%, take folic acid, make an appointment with a dietician, stop drinking any alcohol, avoid foods that can be associated with environmental toxins or bacteria (such as uncooked meats, uncooked seafood, tuna or mackerel with known high mercury content), and exercise more consistently (squeeze in a power walk at lunch).
During pregnancy, focus on eating healthy meals, achieve pregnancy parameters in Hemoglobin A1c levels, blood pressure, and weight management your health care team recommends. Recently, Institute of Medicine recommended pregnancy weight gains according to pre-pregnancy weight of the woman. For underweight women, 28 ~ 40 lbs of gain; for normal weight women, 25~35 lbs; for overweight women, only 11~20 lbs. You should follow those guidelines your obstetrics and diabetes team set out for you.
Some obstetric teams are more familiar with managing diabetic patients in labor. Be sure to discuss your options up front. To avoid post-delivery hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), management of your insulin and meal plans should be done by your doctor rather than the hospital physicians and nurses.
Jennifer Wyckoff, M.D. of University of Michigan recommends diabetic women to breastfeed. Breastfeeding tends to lower glucose (blood sugar) levels. A diabetic nursing mom is recommended to eat the same amount of calories as during pregnancy, because breastfeeding requires more calories and nutrients.
Dr. Wyckoff also says that breastfeeding can reduce the baby's chance of developing
Type 1 diabetes. Helpful immunolgobins from the mother can protect the baby and lessen his/her chance of developing Type 1 diabetes later.
For further reading, go to forecast.diabetes.org/babystories
Brought to you by Elly Hann, creator of EPiBi antimicrobial washable nursing pads & hypoallergenic diaper liners
Before pregnancy, the following things help to prepare your body for a better pregnancy outcome: Quit smoking, bring down Hemoglobin Alc under 7%, take folic acid, make an appointment with a dietician, stop drinking any alcohol, avoid foods that can be associated with environmental toxins or bacteria (such as uncooked meats, uncooked seafood, tuna or mackerel with known high mercury content), and exercise more consistently (squeeze in a power walk at lunch).
During pregnancy, focus on eating healthy meals, achieve pregnancy parameters in Hemoglobin A1c levels, blood pressure, and weight management your health care team recommends. Recently, Institute of Medicine recommended pregnancy weight gains according to pre-pregnancy weight of the woman. For underweight women, 28 ~ 40 lbs of gain; for normal weight women, 25~35 lbs; for overweight women, only 11~20 lbs. You should follow those guidelines your obstetrics and diabetes team set out for you.
Some obstetric teams are more familiar with managing diabetic patients in labor. Be sure to discuss your options up front. To avoid post-delivery hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), management of your insulin and meal plans should be done by your doctor rather than the hospital physicians and nurses.
Jennifer Wyckoff, M.D. of University of Michigan recommends diabetic women to breastfeed. Breastfeeding tends to lower glucose (blood sugar) levels. A diabetic nursing mom is recommended to eat the same amount of calories as during pregnancy, because breastfeeding requires more calories and nutrients.
Dr. Wyckoff also says that breastfeeding can reduce the baby's chance of developing
Type 1 diabetes. Helpful immunolgobins from the mother can protect the baby and lessen his/her chance of developing Type 1 diabetes later.
For further reading, go to forecast.diabetes.org/babystories
Brought to you by Elly Hann, creator of EPiBi antimicrobial washable nursing pads & hypoallergenic diaper liners
Monday, August 16, 2010
antimicrobial layer in EPiBi products
I get asked by many lactation specialists and nurses about what makes EPiBi Nursing Pad's antimicrobial properties different from other nursing pads.
EPiBi Nursing Pads are the only antimicrobial nursing pads on the market. The antimicrobial layer in the inner lining of the EPiBi pads is permanently bound to each and every fiber of the fabric. It does not wash off - repeat washing does not eliminate antimicrobial effect. It also does not leach out onto the skin, like silver products used to. It biodegrades in about 5 years and does not harm the fish, like some heavy metals do.
Some people claim that bamboo has natural antimicrobial effect. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission cited four companies for falsely claiming bamboo having an antimicrobial effect. They were fined and ordered to permanently retract such a claim. When I spoke to a textile microbiology professor @ Colorado State University, he told me that some of his graduate students measured antimicrobial effect of bamboo fabrics. There was none. His students' findings were published in textile journals.
Someone told me this week that silk has natural antimicrobial effect. I wonder about that. When I spoke to a silk merchant from Italy, his company had to treat their fibers with an antimicrobial substance to make it antimicrobial. It seems to me he knows more about silk than just about anybody else in the world.
I invite readers to comment, because there is a lively discussion out there amongst folks advocating "only natural" products. Your comments are welcome.
Elly Hann
creator of EPiBi hypoallergenic diaper liners & EPiBi antimicrobial washable nursing pads
www.epibi.com
EPiBi Nursing Pads are the only antimicrobial nursing pads on the market. The antimicrobial layer in the inner lining of the EPiBi pads is permanently bound to each and every fiber of the fabric. It does not wash off - repeat washing does not eliminate antimicrobial effect. It also does not leach out onto the skin, like silver products used to. It biodegrades in about 5 years and does not harm the fish, like some heavy metals do.
Some people claim that bamboo has natural antimicrobial effect. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission cited four companies for falsely claiming bamboo having an antimicrobial effect. They were fined and ordered to permanently retract such a claim. When I spoke to a textile microbiology professor @ Colorado State University, he told me that some of his graduate students measured antimicrobial effect of bamboo fabrics. There was none. His students' findings were published in textile journals.
Someone told me this week that silk has natural antimicrobial effect. I wonder about that. When I spoke to a silk merchant from Italy, his company had to treat their fibers with an antimicrobial substance to make it antimicrobial. It seems to me he knows more about silk than just about anybody else in the world.
I invite readers to comment, because there is a lively discussion out there amongst folks advocating "only natural" products. Your comments are welcome.
Elly Hann
creator of EPiBi hypoallergenic diaper liners & EPiBi antimicrobial washable nursing pads
www.epibi.com
Thursday, August 5, 2010
why organic cotton?
I wonder why breastfeeding women are in love with organic cotton nursing pads. Having come from wound care background for hospice patients, it made me think of an analogy.
Why would anyone ever place a wet cotton pad on moist, warm skin just waiting for possible infection? Wound care medicine stopped using cotton dressings on injured skin, because cotton stayed wet and got stuck on the wound. When it was peeled, it tended to peel off the top layer of the injured skin (epidermis).
So, what is it about "organic cotton" that would behave differently from regular cotton? Well, there is no difference at all, other than having no chemicals being added to growing and manufacturing it. Then, does it make any sense to use cotton pads or organic cotton pads on vulnerable skin?
To me, it does not make any sense for a breastfeeding woman to use cotton pads. Pads incorporating synthetic, technical or engineered fabrics that can manage moisture, trauma, and infection make much more sense.
Elly Hann, creator of EPiBi antimicrobial nursing pads & hypoallergenic diaper liners
Why would anyone ever place a wet cotton pad on moist, warm skin just waiting for possible infection? Wound care medicine stopped using cotton dressings on injured skin, because cotton stayed wet and got stuck on the wound. When it was peeled, it tended to peel off the top layer of the injured skin (epidermis).
So, what is it about "organic cotton" that would behave differently from regular cotton? Well, there is no difference at all, other than having no chemicals being added to growing and manufacturing it. Then, does it make any sense to use cotton pads or organic cotton pads on vulnerable skin?
To me, it does not make any sense for a breastfeeding woman to use cotton pads. Pads incorporating synthetic, technical or engineered fabrics that can manage moisture, trauma, and infection make much more sense.
Elly Hann, creator of EPiBi antimicrobial nursing pads & hypoallergenic diaper liners
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Baby Behavior
I recently attended a conference sponsored by the Orange County Breastfeeding Coaliton, CA. One of the guest speakers, Dr. Jane Heinig presented tools for developing a baby-friendly hospital. One of her references also named the following site for Q&As on baby behavior.
I looked it up, and it was very educational.
www.secretsofbabybehavior.com
Elly Hann, creator of EPIBI Nursing Pads & EPIBI Diaper Liners
the only antimicrobial, skin-friendly pads
I looked it up, and it was very educational.
www.secretsofbabybehavior.com
Elly Hann, creator of EPIBI Nursing Pads & EPIBI Diaper Liners
the only antimicrobial, skin-friendly pads
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