My son is now 20 months. I have struggled with supply issues for as long as I have breastfed. Not only with our current little bean but with all five of them. I have learned all I can learn and put it to use but still I've struggled. So with all these hardships one thing I do know is breast pumps. I've tried plenty of them. Different brands, manual, electric, battery … [Read more...]
AVENT Natural Glass Bottle Review – Watch Your Toes!
I'm a breastfeeding advocate. It hasn't always been this way. Eighteen years ago when I had my first son I managed to breastfeed for only a few weeks. I remember those exhausting days of pacing the floors waiting for his bottle to warm up as he cried in my arms. I'm much more rested now that I have mastered nursing my little ones, yet our newest little guy (already 18 months) … [Read more...]
On leaving breastfeeding behind…. Weaning and Extended Breastfeeding
Sometime back in May I nursed my daughter for the last time. I don't know the exact date. She would have been three years and three months old, give or take. There was no decision, no cut off point. She just gradually lost interest. She would "forget" to nurse, let it go for a day or two, and them come back, full steam. Ajay Shrivastava - Fotolia.com After … [Read more...]
Today I am Thankful for Extended Breastfeeding….
Rocket isn't feeling well. She has a fever. She is miserable. It is at times like these that I am thankful that I am still breastfeeding. I know that despite the fact that she hasn't had much appetite for the past few days, that she is staying well hydrated and getting the nourishment she needs. When nothing else seems to work to calm her down, snuggling on mom's lap and … [Read more...]
Nurse in Public, Pump in Private?
It's nice to be away from my babe for a bit, but gods do I ever hate pumping. Not so much the act of pumping itself, but the timing. Finding a time and a place to do it. I have no problems with nursing in public, but pumping in public seems somehow obscene. On the other hand, pumping is just one of those mom things I do and I am always surprised to find how squeamish people … [Read more...]
Mothers, Kiss Your Babies! {Science is AWESOME}
I thought this was pretty interesting. Apparently kissing your sweet little baby is on some level instinctual. And here's the kicker- it also provides health benefits for nursing infants. According to Birthing Magazine: Claiming behaviors such as kissing provide not only emotional, but biological attachment. There is a very real health benefit for the baby who is … [Read more...]
In which my Grandmother doesn’t remember….
I'm visiting my grandmother at her new "apartment" in the seniors residence. It's a 10 minute walk away from my house. I'm glad I can bring my girls to see her. Seeing them always seems to make her smile. I feel like I'm presenting the baby like an offering. Look, grandma, I brought you something - my daughter. It's a little awkward, but I'm glad I can brighten up her … [Read more...]
Self-Led Weaning with my 2-year old Rainbow…
It was always my intention to nurse Rainbow for “a minimum of two years”. The American Pediatrics Association suggests one year minimum, while the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests two. Dairy allergies run in my family and I had been told by the local La Leche League leader that if I was to hold off on introducing dairy until she was two it would increase her odds of not … [Read more...]
Formula Drama, or How to (Not) Poison a Baby
The other day a full-sized container of formula randomly turned up in my mailbox. I happened to open the package in front of the Rainbow. She had never seen formula before and was intrigued. She deduced it was “baby-stuff” from the packaging and asked if I was going to give some to her little sister. I explained to her in what I thought was a fairly rational tone that … [Read more...]
With love for Baby Girl
I find myself talking and writing more often about my big kid, Rainbow. She's more vocal, and she does the funniest stuff. It's easy to over look my littlest little, Rocket. She's sitting on my lap right now as I type this with one hand. She smiles and bounces and waves her arms around. I offer her a toy and she reaches out for it and gurgles and coos. I'm thinking six months … [Read more...]
