Published in the June 10-23, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Leslie Jones
For more than 30 years, Leslie Jones has worked at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University as a bedside nursing and breastfeeding nurse, specializing in the mother, baby, and newborn nursery. She has demonstrated specialized knowledge and clinical experience in breastfeeding and human lactation since 2006 as a board-certified lactation consultant through the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.
As head of the group Breast Feeding Support Morgan Hill, she stays up to date on current researched-based breastfeeding solutions and helps mothers have a positive and successful experience with their babies.
Morgan Hill Life asked Jones about the benefits and challenges of breastfeeding and how she helps families through lactation issues.
As a board certified lactation consultant in Morgan Hill, what services do you offer new mothers in terms of them and their babies learning to breast feed?
I offer new mothers support and education with techniques. There can be many challenges with breast feeding such as latching issues, soreness, mastitis, engorgement, yeast/thrush infections, or low milk production. These can be avoided and easily corrected by a consultation in the privacy of the client’s home.
What problems might come from breastfeeding and how might you help mothers alleviate these issues?
With more than 30 years experience in a hospital setting helping new mothers breastfeed, I have found that breastfeeding is natural but doesn’t always come naturally. It has to be learned. Learning anything takes patience and practice.
Choosing whether to breastfeed or formula feed their baby is a big decision for expectant and new parents to make. What might be the benefits of breastfeeding in comparison to bottles?
The benefits of breastfeeding compared to formula feeding is that breast milk has antibodies to fight off infections and viruses. It also contains enzymes, hormones and growth factors and is anti-allergenic. Breast milk helps to protect babies immune systems where formula has none of these qualities.
When might it be appropriate to wean a child off breastfeeding and on to other foods and how might a family work with you to make this transition?
Weaning your baby off the breast is an individual decision. Sometimes babies decide on their own and sometimes it is the mother’s decision. If it is the mother’s decision, I recommend they wean gradually and not abruptly with their baby and over time it is an easier transition. In Europe it is common for babies to be breastfeed for years. European mothers have the advantage of more time off from employment than we do.
Why is working with new mothers in breastfeeding an important career for you?
When breast feeding goes well it is a wonderful experience. It’s a great bonding experience that provides proper infant nutrition.
