What's in Your Breast milk?

I always thought that your body took what it need for breast milk and ignored the rest. That your body took the right fats, vitamins and minerals and made breast milk perfect for your baby. This is partial true, but recently I read that trans fats can make there way into your milk. I couldn't believe this. If you eat trans fats they may come out in your breast milk and replace some of the other fats in your milk. I always avoid trans fats as much as possible. But they are in our food in some sneaky ways. If less then .5 grams of trans fat are present the label can say 0 grams of trans fat. If you eat more then one serving you are eating 1 gram of trans fat. This small amount could add up through out the day. Your milk could be missing some great things too. Omega 3s. They are brain food for your baby and for you. Fish is a great source of omega 3s, I also take a fish oil supplement just in case I'm not eating enough fish. Breast milk is so amazing for your baby, so why not make sure it is perfect for your baby in every way and not let our modern junk get into your milk.

Hold On

Last time while breastfeeding Liv this was the time I was about to give up. I was exhausted from being up at night, having to stop every where we went out to nurse, tired of being used as a pacifier. Everyone else I know who breastfeed gave up right around this time, the 3 month mark.
But with Liv I was determined to make it to 6 months. I would not give up and was so glad I didn't. What people don't tell you is that just when you think you can't handle it anymore, it gets easier. (people may not tell you that though because unfortunately most don't make it past those very difficult first few months) Some where during that third month Liv started sleeping better and longer. I could go out with just diapers and wipes, and unless it was a longer trip she was happy as a clam, not needing to nurse.
This to me is the best part and easiest part of nursing. No solids yet, so you don't have to worry about snacks or other food while out, no bottles or heating up formula. Just you and your baby enjoying life. And because I found it so easy and enjoyable we blew past my 6 month goal and nursed until Liv was 19 months. And believe me with all the problems we had in the start I never thought we would even make that 6 month mark. I really hope I can do the same with Ev or even longer if she wants. Horrible morning sickness dried out my supply, with out that I think Liv would of nursed even longer. Plus that breastfeeding bond that everyone talks about really kicks in when they get older. When most babies will be feeding themselves bottles and food you will have yours close to your heart, where babies belong.
So if you have reached the 3 month mark and think you can't take anymore to quote The Killers "when you can't hold on...hold on" I promise it will get so much easier really quick, and you will be so grateful you held on just a little bit more.

Newborn, second time around

I recently read a saying that went something like this "a first time mom will need all the help she can get, a second time mom will manage just fine and a third time mom, she can come help you."

So far I am greatly agreeing with this.
The second time around I just feel more confident in my parenting. I know what to expect and I have already learned that going with the flow and not by the book will make life so much easier.
Last time I could not get Liv to sleep with out me. I eventually started co-sleeping, even though I read many places how it sets up bad habits and is a SIDS risk. After do some research on my own and even seeing more research how it can prevent SIDS I was happy with my decision. But mostly I was just happy to get some sleep.
This time I knew right away I wanted to co-sleep for the first few months, so even though I have 2 kids, a toddler and a newborn, so I'm not able to sleep much if at all during the day, I am more rested this time then last with my first.

I am not panicked or worried about breastfeeding, is she getting enough, should she be sucking so much, am I making enough? Going to La Leche meetings last time with the questions helped me this time to just relax and nurse on demand. And just living through this experience once before makes me realize there is a light at the end of the tunnel of all this constant breastfeeding.
Even though I have less time for me, and for blogging, I feel okay with how my home is running and life if going with two kids. My house isn't perfect, but its not a mess either.
Now lets just see if I can brave shopping with 2 kids..that one still freaks me out.

Related articles

• 7 things moms really need to know about breastfeeding (parentcentral.ca)
• Co-sleeping has no effect on toddlers: study (theglobeandmail.com)

Newborn, second time around

I recently read a saying that went something like this "a first time mom will need all the help she can get, a second time mom will manage just fine and a third time mom, she can come help you."

So far I am greatly agreeing with this.
The second time around I just feel more confident in my parenting. I know what to expect and I have already learned that going with the flow and not by the book will make life so much easier.
Last time I could not get Liv to sleep with out me. I eventually started co-sleeping, even though I read many places how it sets up bad habits and is a SIDS risk. After do some research on my own and even seeing more research how it can prevent SIDS I was happy with my decision. But mostly I was just happy to get some sleep.
This time I knew right away I wanted to co-sleep for the first few months, so even though I have 2 kids, a toddler and a newborn, so I'm not able to sleep much if at all during the day, I am more rested this time then last with my first.

I am not panicked or worried about breastfeeding, is she getting enough, should she be sucking so much, am I making enough? Going to La Leche meetings last time with the questions helped me this time to just relax and nurse on demand. And just living through this experience once before makes me realize there is a light at the end of the tunnel of all this constant breastfeeding.
Even though I have less time for me, and for blogging, I feel okay with how my home is running and life if going with two kids. My house isn't perfect, but its not a mess either.
Now lets just see if I can brave shopping with 2 kids..that one still freaks me out.

A Day in the Life..

with a toddler and a newborn

Lets start with late last night, Ev slept all day and around 10pm got some cluster feeding in that lasted almost till midnight. I didn't mind hoping that it would be a nice long stretch of sleep at night, but that wasn't the case. She was up every 2-2 1/2 hours to eat. Liv woke up around 7:30, I'm still exhausted from no sleep. Breakfast, easy cereal and fruit. Too tired to do anything else. TV time, I give myself 15 min or so to watch the morning news, then Liv gets to watch one 15 min Curious George episode. Kitchen clean up, too a while with a baby needing to be held or fed. "Circle" time- fingerplays and songs about autumn. The apple picking one I made up sent Liv off looking for an apple to eat, so we had snack time early. Upstairs to finally get dressed. My mom calls and I answer and right after she calls Liv poops and Ev wants to nurse. The phone call is very short, she tells me she has to cancel her play visit with Liv and us tomorrow to go to my Great Uncle's funeral. Another day home alone. After I nurse Ev and change Liv I call back my sister who mentioned something about visiting last week, but cancelled. She just asked about our Great Uncle and that was just about it. Not much time to talk when a toddler keeps trying to grab that phone. While upstairs and finally doing some well needed cleaning before we get dressed Ev takes a nice huge explosive breastfeeding poop. I just love those. It got all over her so clean up was fun. Oh and I forgot to mention that right before this Liv decided she wanted to take a shower so she took off all her clothes and kept asking to shower. While Ev is on the changing table she pees, a huge pee that wets the whole changing table. Right now I am just glad that I decided to use the changing table not my bed. After I go in the closet to get new clothes for Ev, Liv decided to play hide and seek in the closet. Or really its more of a "where is Liv?" Finally get a new diaper and onsie on Ev when Liv walks out of the closet going, uh oh, poopy. Oh great..Thank God, no poopy, but there is a nice puddle on the floor. Hurrah for hardwood floors, no carpeting. Finally I get Ev and Liv dressed and the pee floor cleaned, its time for Liv's nap. I go downstairs make myself something to eat, eat then Ev wakes up to nurse for a while. Only 1 hour goes by, so I decide to go upstairs to nap myself. Liv usually naps 2 hours or so. But of course not today. Right after I go upstairs she comes out of her room. I try to get her back to sleep, nope. No nap for me, and I just know this will mean a cranky toddler because her nap was not long enough. I rest in my room while Liv reads on the floor by my bed. At least she gave me some quiet time. Finally I get dressed and take the girls out on this nice day. We sit outside and watch the buses go by and drop of the neighbors kids. I feel bad since I can not take her for a walk. I am still too sore to push her and carry a newborn in the moby. We move back inside and color on the windows with window markers. I am ready to pass out. I need a break so we watch a little tv, about 15 min then we go cook an easy dinner. Eat, more coloring and DH comes home to play with Liv a little and then its off to bed for her, blog for me and shortly bed for me. I just realized I still have not brushed my teeth yet today. At least I should sleep good tonight, oh that will happen with a newborn nursing every 2-3 hours. Maybe I will luck out and get a 4 hours stretch, that would be heaven.

New Breastfeeding Ban

Image by sierraromeo [sarah-ji] via Flickr

The city of Forest Park has passed a city wide public indecency ordinance that bans breastfeeding on children over 2 years of age.
This ordinance angers me in so many ways. First to put breastfeeding in the same category of public indecent is a huge set back for Breastfeeding and is just wrong. A mother nursing her child is not indecent, it is the most natural way to feed a child.
I have blogged often about the benefits of extended breastfeeding, all of which are not even understood or discovered yet. This could prevent children from those benefits. It can scare mothers to hide in their homes and shame extended breastfeeders.
It could also cause problems for moms with children under 2. People constantly think Liv over 2 by her looks and behavior, but she is now only 21 months. If I decided to breastfeed her in public who is to say that I will not be harassed and questioned about feeding my child. What are woman supposed to carry around their child's birth certificate to prove they are not violate this new ordinance.
It also just sets back the whole breastfeeding movement. There has always been this mixed message with breastfeeding. That breastfeeding is best, but don't do it in public. This can cause many issues with nursing and can lead to early weaning. Are you supposed to carry around pumped milk, a cooler, a bottle warmer and then what to do with the milk you have in your breasts? It should be pumped out so your supply will not go down. Breastfeeding is based on supply and demand. It nursing sessions are missed often the milk can dry up. I know several people who had this happen to them. They would not nurse in public, mostly because of the public stigma attached to it.
Laws like this will keep woman inside and make them again embarrassed to nurse their children in public. Keeping the breastfeeding stigmas going instead of normalizing it.
It also violates state laws which in Georgia has no age limits on breastfeeding.
I am hoping that because of that fact the ordinance will be repealed.

There is a nurse in on May 23 at 10am to 12pm at Forest Park's City Hall. I encourage anyone who can to attend and help normalize breastfeeding.

This is not indecent, Breastfeeding is beautiful!

Another Reason to Breastfeed

Image via Wikipedia

This new study about breastfeeding just came out of England.
It states that babies who were breastfeed are less likely to have behavioral problems as children. They are also less likely to lie, steal, be anxious and have hyperactivity.
What surprised me most was that this was looked at in babies who were only breastfeed at least 4 months or longer. So breastfeeding, even for a short time, has huge benefits that were not even thought of before.
The study's results can't tell if its the milk or the bond that is created through nursing that are protecting children. Or possible even the combination of both. Or it could be the parenting styles that mother's who BF more often use.
The bond when BF is amazing. I can not say that not BF does not connect with your baby, but I know that I have felt very in-tuned to my baby's needs from a young age. My toddler is not clingy, but she still loves her hugs and kisses from mommy and daddy. She loves her cuddle time and is very affectionate. But at the same time she is very independent. I feel she is a great balance of both at her age.

It just always amazes me the new benefits they keep find for breastfeeding your babies.
Mother's milk is just the best :)

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Weaning Happens

Image by stockerre via Flickr

When I became pregnant Liv started to weaned herself. It was a slow process that started with my milk drying up, went to some comfort nursing and then the end. The whole process took about 2-3 months.
At first she slowly dropped feeds, her first one to go was her before bed nursing, which from what I hear is usually the last to go.
Our last to go was the morning nursing session. When Liv wakes up I usually bring her in bed and we cuddle for a while. It helps us both wake up. She would lay next to me ask for milkies and just relax. I am not a morning person so when I stopped producing milk I was upset that our morning cuddle time was shortened a lot by having Liv say "hongry" and sign for eat.
After she dropped all of her milk feeds there was occasional comfort nursing. She would ask for milkies and nurse for only a minute or 2 when she was tired, wanted hugs or needed comfort.
In some ways I was sad that our nursing time had ended. But being pregnant and not having the easiest pregnancy I also was glad for it to end. I really did not want to tandem nurse either.
What makes me proud though is that we weaned when it was right for both of us. My body physically could not handle making milk and taking care of my new baby (that is what severe morning sickness will do to you)and Liv slowly learned that her nursing time was over and replaced with other ways to get comfort. She was not forced to wean, and I let her nurse when ever she ask, long after my milk was gone.
Now instead of nursing during our day Liv will just ask for me to sit with her, she will come over and ask for big hugs, want to cuddle on the couch or sit on my lap and read with me. The fact that she still craves all of this closeness makes the weaning easier on me, since I too love all the cuddles and kisses from my toddler. I think part of this comes with weaning naturally and it not being forced on.
We nursed till about 19 months, which is longer then my original goal of 1 year. I am glad I learned all the benefits of extended nursing, physically and emotionally and allowed this process to occur naturally.
I just hope that with my next child I will be as successful and feel successful in our breastfeeding.
Weaning happens, when the time is right for mother and child. And when it is allowed to happen in a positive manner that bond that was made during all of those closely held nursing sessions continues on to grow.

Suggested Readings:

Big Bird Learns about Breastfeeding

Image via Wikipedia

This video is from the 70s and is such a great piece. I love it but at the same time it upsets me to think about how much we've gone backward too.
Could you imagine the uproar if this was on Sesame Street now? People couldn't handle Katy Perry I couldn't image what people would do if they aired and updated version of this.

I would love though if they did air something like this. I always feel awkward when a friends child asks "what are you doing?" Or what's under that blanket, can I see?
I really long for a time when can I nurse my child and not get stares or looks from parents, children or anyone.
I love the messages Sesame Street used to teach children, and still often do. Its a wonderful thing to nurse your child, and just as wonderful to normalize it and educated other on it.

IU

Extended Breastfeeding

Image by katiek2 via Flickr

So in 2 days Liv will be 1 and since we are still breastfeeding and going strong very shortly we will be extended breastfeeding.
I hate using this term on any child under 2.
The World Health Organization recommends that breastfeeding continue till atleast 2 years.
Many other cultures see nursing till 2 years as the norm and its not extended, thats just what nursing is.
I really hate the stigma put on mothers who breastfeed past one year. There are so many health benefits for the mother and the baby that I wish this was the norm. I hope one day peopl will realize and it will be come more popular to breastfeed a toddler.

Extended breastfeeding really is a term that should be used for older toddlers, age 3 and up. This is when I feel that nursing has become extended beyond the norm in many cultures. Say that though it doesnt mean that its wrong to still breast feed past 3.
For mother and children who keep breastfeeding over the 2 year mark they have an even great stigma and are often looked at as weird, sometimes even disturbed. Woman nursing this long often do not discuss their extending nursing. But for a woman nursing a young toddler who might be still nursing very often it is hard to hide the fact that you are still nursing.
When I nurse Liv people often ask when I am going to wean and mention the women on youtube nursing their 7 year olds, like anyone who breastfeeds past 1 year will never wean.

If you want to breastfeed past a year, and I highly recommend that you do, there are resource out there. La Leche League Internation is a great place to find woman doing the same thing you are.
There are many mom out there who are still breastfeeding, even though they may not all be open about still doing it.
Some moms are tantum breastfeeding, still breastfeeding their older child while nursing a newborn. So don't let pregnancy scare you into weaning if you do not think you are ready to wean.

Most important, always remember that you are doing what is best for you and your baby. You know you baby best, and you will know when weaning is right, which for most little ones is not even close to the year mark, but more close to 3.

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Benefits of Breastfeeding for You

Image by Chim Chim via Flickr

Most people have heard of some of the ways that BF is best for baby, but what about you as a mom?
BF has many benefits for your health and well being.

BFing moms are less likely to have PPD.

BFing momma's tend to have higher HDL cholesterol. Thats the good one that you want higher.

Woman who have BFed have lower risks of cancers, including breast cancer, ovarian and uterine cancers

BF is relaxing and releases hormones for momma to relax, not just baby.
Many women don't get to this point since in America weaning of the breast is usually early. The first weeks and even months can feel like a marathon but what happens after is truly that breastfeeding bond that is often talked about.

Recently a friend of mine posted on her facebook a pic of her and her toddler sleeping on her chest. Skin to skin contact. Many mothers on fb commented how cute and how they miss those days. These are all moms with children under 2 years old! I just kept my mouth shut since I get that skin to skin often. Almost once a day. And just that nursing closeness is wonderful to. I feel bad sometimes for what they are missing out on.

Breastfeeding is a bond for life and that is the best benefit of all. Feeding you baby in a loving, relaxed manner, keeping him close to you and your heart, and bonding and reconnecting daily.

Breastfeeding week

International BF week is about to end, and I have been a slacker with doing my BF posts. I will try to finish it up next week since this week I was on vaca part of it.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Your baby

Image via Wikipedia

In honor of Breastfeeding week I am focusing on BF this whole week.
Here is a simple list of benefits of breastfeeing for your LO.

Breastmilk is perfectly made for your baby, its has the right balance of nutrients and will even vary its make up for your child for optimal benefits.

Breastfeeding protects against many illness, ear infections, diabetes, pneunomia, and kidney infections.

Breastfeeding reduces your child's risk of developing allergies, asthma and eczema.

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS.

Breastfeed babies have less teeth carries.

Breastfeed babies have a higher IQ.

BF babies have less chance of iron deficiency.

BF babies are less likely to be obese as adults.

They are receiving the mother's antibodies, so they are building them up with out having to be exposed and risk getting ill.

Their antibodies response to vaccines is higher.

There are more benefits, like the emotional bond but I just wanted to do a quick over view so you can see how important BF is for your baby.

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Official Start of Breastfeeding week

Image via Wikipedia

This is the official start of breastfeeding week. Instead of going into all the benefits of BF and tips and more I am just going to tell you my favorite things about BF.

No bottles, no bottles in the middle of the night, no bottles to wash, no bottles or formula to buy. Which leaves me with extra time to relax or to play with Liv.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful bond. There is a special bond when you nurse your baby. Just several days ago when I was nursing Liv she reached up and stroked my face. It was amazing. Its just so great when you have a new baby that everyone wants to hold and only you can feed her. Its a wonderful time to relax with your LO.

Its green. No plastic bottles, no nipples, no cans or bottles of formula (which are usually lined with plastic with BPA in it) No running hot water to steralize bottles. BF is very green, while formula feeding wastes a lot of natural resources.

I can just leave the house, no packing bottles, no running to warm bottles. I can just leave with some diapers and wipes and not have to worry about what Liv will eat. Now that she's eating solids I pack some snacks, but I still don't have to worry about milk or formula.

Its comforts my baby. Nursing helps Liv relax, so she can sleep, it helps her when she is sick to feel better, it helps her when she is upset to calm down.

I enjoy knowing that I am doing what is best for my baby and me. There are so many health benefits to BF for the baby and for you.

Tomor I will go over health benefits of breastfeeding for your baby.

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Breastfeeding week

Image via Wikipedia

In honor of breastfeeding week which starts on Aug 1 all next week I will try to focus on breastfeeding, my troubles and success, tips, benefits and more all on breastfeeding.
And by next week I will have my signed copy of the lastest edition on The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding hopefully.
Enjoy breastfeeding week and remember, don't be a weaner!

Sick little baby

Image via Wikipedia

Liv has been sick for the past week. She has roseola, very common in babies.It starts with a high fever then moves onto a rash on their bodies.
She went from eating well to not eating any solids at all. She refused all solids and we are just on BM. This makes me so glad that I have not started to wean her, since I know whole milk is not enough for anyone to live off of. Liv stopped eating solids last Thursday and has started to eat some monday, but very few. The nutrients in whole milk are just not enough for a baby. This is why babies should be breastfeed into their toddler years, not just the first year of their life. Most toddler refuse foods for many reason and breastmilk makes up for all the gaps.
When she stopped eating solids I was not worried since I knew my milk was enough for her and will help her get better. My dr. was also not worried, knowing she is a BF baby.
To me this is just another reason why breast is best, and extended BF is best too. I feel weird even calling BF a toddler extended BF since to most other countries its not considered extentded, just normal.
Liv is not quite a toddler, but she is 11 months now so she is almost there.
I will be nursing my toddler.

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Why Delay Solids

Image via Wikipedia

From my own research America is the only country that suggests solids before 6 months and even in this country the suggestions are mixed.
The World Health Organization suggests breast milk or formula only for the first 6 months.
Immature Digestive System: A babies digestive system is really not ready for solids before 6 months. Before 6 months the only solids are supposed to be rice cereal with BM or formula. This is because the babies body is not really ready for solids.
Reduction in Allergies: Delaying solids has been linked to the reduction of food allergies.
Obesity: Delaying solids has been linked to maintaining a healthy weight. I think it says something that America is the only country that suggests solids before 6 months are we are the heaviest country with lots of health problems linked to obesity.
More Variety for Baby: Delaying solids means that rice cereal does not have to be the first food, or their primary food. Giving plain white rice cereal may be why we love white bread and other unhealthy white products. Being able to delay solids means that you can introduce other solids, like veggies and fruits, to teach your baby healthy food habits from the start
Breast is Best: Breast milk has so many advantages for your baby. Starting solid earlier may mean your little one may be eating rice cereal instead of some of the breast milk s/he was eating before. Breast feed babies get immunities from their mommies, this occurs in its greatest amount when a baby is exclusively breastfed. The longer you EBF the better for building up your babies immunities

Any my fav reason from BLW, delaying solids means you are preparing your baby for BLW. So delaying means you are getting your baby ready for BLW. Feeding your baby with a spoon may hinder BLW. I will talk more about this when I talk more about BLW