- General Page Tier 3BlogAs a lactation consultant, I talk to moms everyday about the ‘villages’ they have formed and found around their breastfeeding journey. This is a constant theme I hear when asking a new mom about what was most helpful in finding support and encouragement. August is National Breastfeeding Month, which serves as an important reminder of the health benefits of breastfeeding. Breast milk is a natural source of nutrition and provides the healthiest start for an infant, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). They recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months (although any amount of time you breastfeed is beneficial) and say it’s an investment in the short- and long-term health of your baby, as opposed to just a lifestyle choice. READ MORE: Six ways to support a new mom A support system is key to meeting your personal breastfeeding goals. Here are some of the ways and places you can connect with other moms: Find support during the three most important phases. During your pregnancy, take a breastfeeding class in person or online. After giving birth, talk with a board certified lactation consultant. In the early weeks after birth, visit a support group. Connecting with care during all three of these time periods will have a huge impact on your wellbeing and success. Get out and about while nursing! Public breastfeeding is now legal in all 50 states. You can meet friends in the same places you would normally. Talk to a friend who has children. Ask them what they wish they knew before they started breastfeeding and what helped them stay motivated. If you will be pumping at work, talk to your co-workers and your boss about your plans and goals for keeping up with breastfeeding. Their understanding will make a big difference during the transition. Involve your partner, a family member or someone else you feel close to. Ask them to join you for a class or support group. The more support you have the more successful your journey will be. Check out Facebook! There are a number of online communities locally, nationally and even globally where you can ask questions and connect with other moms (even during those middle-of-the-night feedings). Find a group that’s a good fit for you. Breastfeeding Resources AAMC offers several breastfeeding support classes, all of which have gone virtual due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. See a complete schedule here. Breastfeeding Warm Line: Anne Arundel Medical Center’s lactation staff is available to answer any questions you might have about breastfeeding. You can reach our consultants seven days a week via our Warm Line at 443-481-6977. Simply leave a message and they’ll return your call between 9 am and 4 pm the same day. You can also e-mail our lactation staff anytime at [email protected]. Find a Lactation Consultant: A board-certified lactation consultant can help address your breastfeeding concerns or challenges. You can find one in your area through the United States Lactation Consultant Association directory. AAMC Smart Parents: Join our Facebook community focused on the journey of parenthood. This is a safe, non-judgmental group to ask questions and get answers from local moms and dads, and AAMC experts. Author Kelly Kendall is a nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Aug. 6, 2018. Last updated Aug. 10, 2020.
- Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNearly everyone has heartburn once in a while. But if your heartburn happens two or more times a week, it may be a symptom of something more serious. You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD is a digestive disorder that affects up to one in five U.S. adults. It occurs when the valve in the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens or relaxes too often or for too long or becomes loose. This causes stomach contents to back up into the food pipe, causing heartburn and acid indigestion. In addition to getting heartburn two or more times a week, you should seek a doctor’s help if you have trouble or pain when swallowing, coughing or choking during the night and/or heartburn pain that interferes with your daily activities. These are symptoms of GERD. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic cough, increased belching and bad breath. While there isn’t yet a cure for GERD, you can manage your symptoms. Doctors often recommend diet and lifestyle changes. Simple approaches include: Maintaining a healthy weight Avoiding tight-fitting clothing Avoiding trigger foods and drinks, such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, garlic, onion and caffeine Eating smaller meals slowly Waiting at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed Elevating the head of your bed Quitting smoking Chronic or refractory GERD In addition to lifestyle changes, your doctor might also recommend prescription medication to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. While most patients respond well to these treatments, some might find that their symptoms persist. In this case, you may have chronic or refractory GERD. Refractory GERD can be debilitating and harm your quality of life. It’s important not to lose hope. There are minimally invasive surgical options available to treat refractory GERD. When left untreated, GERD can lead to more serious health problems over time, including esophageal cancer. If you’re currently taking antacids or over-the-counter medications, it’s important to visit your primary care doctor. These medicines may only mask symptoms. We know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still on everyone’s mind. But your health may still require medical attention. Our medical offices have procedures in place to keep patients and staff safe. We sanitize exam rooms before and after each patient, patients and staff are screened for COVID-19 before they enter the building, and masks are required at all times. We are safe, ready and open to care for you during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Don’t let your GERD symptoms take away from your quality of life. Your doctor can direct you to an option that will ultimately provide you with relief. Author Adrian Park, MD, is chair of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Department of Surgery and an internationally recognized specialist in minimally invasive surgery. To reach him, call 443-481-6699.
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAny way you choose to feed your baby is a loving act. If you decide breastfeeding is the right choice for you and your baby, connecting with other moms, friends and experts who have first-hand experience with breastfeeding can be key to your own success– and often sanity! Breastfeeding is a new skill– some moms will get the hang of it on the first day, and for others it may take more time. Think about the last time you tried something new. It probably took some time to feel confident. Remember, your baby is learning too. AAMC asked local moms to offer words of wisdom from their own breastfeeding experience. Many moms shared similar thoughts such as: It can be awkward or difficult at first, but it gets easier. Use knowledgeable resources. Talk to other moms for advice and support. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Believe in yourself! Here’s more encouragement for moms, from moms: Breastfeeding is hard work and commitment, but completely worth it! Stick to it and you’ll be surprised at just how far you and your little one will come. Things start clicking around six weeks and you’ll be glad you pushed through. – Amy, Pasadena Just try it. It is not for everyone, but from someone who was about as anti-breastfeeding as they come prior to having my baby, my advice is to just try it– you might just surprise yourself. I did. – Casey, Severna Park Enjoy it, because it goes by really fast. You think you’ll have a baby tied to the boob forever, but suddenly your toddler doesn’t have time for you anymore. Breastfeeding became a really big part of my life. It’s a cool club to be in and I’ve met some amazing, supportive women along the way. – Marisa, Annapolis It may not be beautiful bonding instantly. It takes time for you and baby to get the hang of it. I remember about two months in finally having the moment where I was like, ‘ohhh I love this!’ Also, even when you’re doing everything right, your body is adjusting and it can be uncomfortable. But it gets better! – Jemma, Gambrills There is a lot of advice out there– how often the baby should eat, how many ounces, how many minutes, what mom should and shouldn’t eat– it’s enough to drive a new mother crazy. Every baby is different. Relax, follow your instincts and best judgment, and don’t expect perfection from yourself or anyone else. – Whitney, Severna Park It’s overwhelming until you get the hang of it, but it’s all worth it. Breastfeeding is so special and rewarding. I’m glad I stuck it out. The support of friends and my pediatrician was so important, especially in the first few weeks! – Alexandra, Annapolis Nursing doesn’t work out for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still provide your baby with the benefits of breast milk. Exclusively pumping is an option you should read about and consider. – Katie, Davidsonville After an emergency c-section, my body was under so much stress it took longer for my milk to come in. I put pressure on myself, thinking the harder I tried, the faster my milk would come in. The pressure I put on myself ended up working against me. I wish I’d known it can take time for your milk supply to regulate to your baby’s needs. Redefining my vision of success to focus on the things that mattered– my baby was healthy and gaining weight and we were bonding– is what ultimately drove me to stick with breastfeeding, and I’m so happy I did. – Bridget, Annapolis Breastfeeding is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. When it feels like you can’t do it anymore set a small goal, like a day, and then another day. Use small goals as long as you can to help you reach your bigger goals. – Katy, Pasadena I worried about others judging me if I chose to breastfeed in public, so I refrained for a while. I wish I knew the vast majority of people I have encountered are supportive, or at the very least don’t give any indication that they’re bothered by it. You will hear advice from everyone. Go with what works best for you and your family. – Jen, Centreville If you have to supplement with formula, it isn’t the end of the world. Any amount of breast milk you can give your baby for as long as you can is better than none at all! – Brooke, Crofton For something so “natural,” it may not feel that way at first. You and your baby have the instincts to build a nursing bond but it takes work and patience. Stick to it, it gets so much easier and then becomes amazing! – Diana, Crofton (pictured with baby Josephine above) Take a class with your support person. My husband was my biggest help! When we first got home from the hospital I was so tired I couldn’t remember anything from the class. He remembered so many tips and tricks. He set up a nursing station for me with drinks, snacks, blankets and a remote so I could be as comfortable as possible. I was ready to quit at the two week mark, and he asked me to check out the AAMC support group first. Attending the support group that day changed everything for us. I ended up nursing my first son for 11 months! We never set a goal of how long to breastfeed but just told ourselves we would do it until we were ready to stop. – Heather, Annapolis If you’d like more encouragement, advice or have questions for other moms, join AAMC Smart Parents on Facebook. Breastfeeding Resources Originally published April 13, 2016. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNot that long ago, juggling your schedule to get from your home or work to a doctor’s appointment was the norm. But with social-distancing guidelines brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, telehealth has gained popularity. Now, telehealth is an important tool for the future of health care delivery. As a service to our community during COVID-19, we are temporarily waiving the fee for our CareConnectNow service throughout the declared pandemic. CareConnectNow is available Monday through Friday, 8 am-9 pm and Saturday through Sunday, 9 am-7 pm with access to trusted medical providers for patients aged 13 and up. Connect from your smartphone by calling 443-951-4270. What are the pros and cons? Telehealth connects providers and patients through video conferencing, online chat portals or telephone conversations for health-related services. Convenience and quick access to care are the top pros. Some patients also like the flexibility telehealth offers. However, not everything can be treated through telehealth. It can be hard to check vital signs if a patient doesn’t have a home kit. And listening to a patient’s lungs over the phone isn’t an option. Unfortunately, technology has its limits. Another con is that not everyone has access to a smartphone, tablet or a computer with video capabilities. This prevents telehealth from being a viable option to all. Will telehealth stay? Telehealth reveals new possibilities and is an opportunity to improve care in general. Whether it’s the way doctors interact with patients or the outcomes of those connections. Ultimately, telehealth is a tool that can boost access to care and integrate really well if combined with in-person care. The most important thing is that you do not delay your medical care, even during a pandemic. Contact your provider to discuss your options. We are here for you and ready to provide safe, effective and efficient care. Author Andrew McGlone, MD, is a physician with Anne Arundel Medical Group Annapolis Primary Care. You can reach him at 443-481-1150.
- Wellness, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThat morning cup of joe could be more than a little pick-me-up—it may actually be helping your heart. A study published in the journal Heart finds that people who drink three to five cups of coffee a day are less likely to develop clogged arteries that could lead to heart attacks. The study, led by a team of researchers in Seoul, South Korea, found that people who consume a moderate amount of coffee had the least risk of coronary calcium in their arteries. Coronary artery calcium can cause blood clots that trigger a heart attack or stroke. Researchers say the new study adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests moderate coffee consumption is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. “Over the years the caffeine and coffee benefits story has gone back and forth in terms of health benefits and health risks. For those of us tied to our Starbucks, I think the bottom line is still everything in moderation,” says Jonathan Altschuler, MD, cardiologist. “It’s certainly a provocative study, but we should remember that researchers looked at a patient population in Korea and the method they used to detect the presence of heart disease is probably less accurate in a younger population,” he added. Dr. Altschuler says for some people large amounts of coffee and caffeine can have a negative impact on blood pressure and even cause heart palpitations. As with all new healthcare research, it’s best to consult with your doctor before making lifestyle adjustments. Your doctor will be able to factor in your personal diet, lifestyle and risk factors for heart disease and make a recommendation that’s best for you Originally published March 3, 2015. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.
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