Happy World Breastfeeding Week

Head over to Instagram to see my latest video about all things breastfeeding @drjesskeating or check it out on Facebook here.

Quick tips:

1. Keep taking your prenatal vitamin after you give birth.

2. Stay hydrated. Drink 50% more water than before you gave birth. (60 oz = 90 oz. 100 oz = 150 oz, etc).

3. Get support. Lean on friends, family and professional help from Lactation Consultants.

4. Try out a breast pump. Having someone else feed baby is good for you and baby.

5. Eat enough healthy foods. Increased caloric intake is important. Emphasize fruits, vegetables, complex carbs, protein and healthy fats.

Breastfeeding can be very hard. It can take time for you and your baby to really figure it out. Having lots of support is essential. Support can come from your workplace, Lactation Consultants, friends, family and your moon network. It is an amazing journey and it is so worth it but it is important to know that it can be very challenging.

Do not hesitate to reach out to friends, family or professionals for help so that your breastfeeding journey can succeed!

Research shows that the majority of new moms want to breastfeed but most of them stop earlier than they intended to due to a variety of challenges. Things that can hinder your breastfeeding journey include going back to work (time away from baby and lack of adequate time or pumping areas), supply issues (over or under), poor latch, exhaustion/sleep deprivation, sore nipples and balancing breastfeeding with caring for older children.

Get all the right gear. It can help to have a good breast pump so that your baby can take a bottle from someone else and you can get a break. There are electric pumps, manual pumps and basic suction pumps or shells. Get a good nipple cream to take care of your nipples (I’m a big fan of Motherlove.) Breast pads to keep your bra and shirt dry. Healthy snacks and hydration are also essential.

I am here to help! I am a naturopathic doctor and a chiropractor. I work with patients to optimize their health. Feel free to reach out with any questions. I offer free 15 minute consultation calls.

Share your breastfeeding stories, questions or favorite breastfeeding supplies below!

#naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #healing #drjesskeating #willowclinic #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #pregnancy #babybump #momjourney #babytime #parenthood #chicagoland #momlife #sheisyoumag #glenellyn #motherhoodishard #glenellynmomsvillage #breastfeeding #thistooshallpass #momstrength #worldbreastfeedingweek2022 #HappyBreastfeedingWeek #SpectraBreastPump #breastpump #medela #haakaabreastpump

She is you Articles

I have two more articles up at She is You! Check it out here.

Topic is: HOLIDAY FAVORITES REMIX: SIMPLE SWAPS FOR HEALTHY HOLIDAY RECIPES

And HERE. Topic: KEEPING SYSTEMATIC INFLAMMATION AT BAY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

In January, the She is You community is doing a group program called “Better Year, Best You!” We will have guidance on revitalizing your career path, relationships, mental well-being and health journey! Joining with a group of motivated women to make positive change is a perfect way to kick off 2021! Check out the website in the coming weeks for further details.

Naturopathic principles #4 Treat the whole person

I keep saying I treat the whole person but what does that even mean? That I look at your head and your toes? Not quite. More like I take into consideration the various facets of your life, your health, your reality.

 Naturopathic medicine looks at the whole picture and does not reduce patients to their particular symptoms. This includes mental, emotional, physical, genetic, environmental, social, spiritual and other factors. Stay tuned next week where I will post a series that lays out the various “determinants of health” that guide the naturopathic approach. Because we treat the whole person, we claim the mantle of “holistic” practitioners.

This is one reason why my intake is longer than what you might be used to from a conventional medical doctor. I will ask about your diet, sleep, exercise, mental-emotional state, self-care, supportive relationships, occupation, etc. We will dive into your family medical history as well as your own medical history. Working together to understand you as a complete person gives us a foundation to create a comprehensive treatment plan. 

Most of my patients find me because they are looking for a more patient-centered approach that does not reduce them to a runny nose or sprained ankle. You have probably heard the old joke about “The heart attack in room 5.” You are not your symptoms, you are an individual and deserve to be treated as such.

Does this principle resonate with your own health beliefs? Are you looking for a new kind of partnership with your primary care provider? If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my bio to get in touch. I offer free 15-minute consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.

#naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #healing #drjesskeating #willowcnm #herbalmedicine #willowclinic #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #healthylife #health #chiropractic #acupuncture #treatthewholeperson

Naturopathic Principles #1 First do no harm

This is part of the oath that every doctor takes upon completing medical school. We always work for the highest good for our patients and the best possible outcome given the individual circumstances. In naturopathic medicine, it means we try to choose natural or comparatively gentler interventions first. The least invasive options ought to be exhausted before higher force interventions are tried.

We recognize that different interventions are appropriate for different conditions. Someone with a broken wrist needs surgical attention first and foremost, while a patient with pre-diabetes would benefit from dietary and lifestyle counseling to prevent the progression to diabetes.

Patients with low back pain may be familiar with this “progression of force.” Conservative approaches are tried first: weight loss, over-the-counter (OTC) pain pills and physical therapy (PT) are usually the first line options. If these fail to bring relief, steroid shots are usually next and surgery is the last resort. However, during that first trial of therapy, we can also add chiropractic, acupuncture, yoga, stretching, cold laser, herbal medicine and dietary counseling to the list of effective interventions. The naturopathic tool kit is quite large and we always seek to use the simplest, least risky options first.

Does this principle resonate with your own health beliefs? Are you looking for a new kind of partnership with your primary care provider? If you are ready to start or revitalize your health journey, you are in the right spot! Check out my bio to get in touch. I offer free 15-minute consultation calls to answer your initial questions. Convenient telehealth appointments are available from the comfort of your own home.

 #naturalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #healing #drjesskeating #willowcnm #herbalmedicine #willowclinic #telehealth #holisticmedicine #healthjourney #foodismedicine #healthylife #health #chiropractic #acupuncture #firstdonoharm