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Friday, September 30, 2016
Our Apple Picking Adventure Fall Funday!
Yay! Its Fall! Such a pretty time of year and always so many fun things to do with your kids like going to the pumpkin patch, playing in the leaves, getting ready for Halloween, and visiting your local orchard to harvest your own apples! We have never done this before so we didn’t have high hopes about Braydon enjoying it, or whether or not we would even know what we were doing! As mentioned in the about section of this blog; we are from the Willamette Valley in Salem, Oregon. There are tons of farms, orchards, and farmers markets in our area that offer you to go and forage for your own produce. We chose to go to a small family owned farm outside of town called Beilke Family Farm. We found out about it through an online local community group. When we arrived it was so nice outside, so we had definitely picked a good day to go!
As we got out of the car a nice girl offered to take our families picture in front of their sign and then she took her time explaining to us what was in season and how the signs point you down each isle that can be picked along with what apples are growing there. We picked a five gallon bucket which only cost us $11.00 and took our time walking up and down the rows. Braydon had such a blast helping pick the apples and he was good about not putting the nasty ones off the ground into our bucket. As we were heading out of the orchard the people working there had informed us that there is a free fall harvest festival starting on October 15th that will have games, apple tastings, and other fun stuff; so we will definitely be heading back that way this fall! It was such a great experience for us all and We were able to score a ton of apples which means tons of activities and recipes with apples!! If you are looking for a fun fall family activity I highly recommend taking your family to go apple picking at your local family orchard. It is so rewarding and an earthy experience. Don’t forget to check back often and subscribe! I will be having and applesauce and fruit leather recipes posted soon since we have acquired so many apples! lots of fun fall posts ahead!
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Potty Training Woes and Bathroom Set Up
We’ve been struggling to get Braydon potty trained for quite some time now, at first we tried getting him a potty seat that connects to the “big potty” and it was Elmo themed and everything! ( his favorite) Every time I tried to sit him on it he would scream and cry for me to take him off. Recently we’ve acquired a small potty that he can sit on by himself and he seems to like that better. I also researched some potty training techniques online and on social media and have decided to go with a “Montessori” approach while setting up the bathroom for him. I know it’s not completely Montessori since a lot of his stuff has “characters” on them but the idea is the same. Basically we set everything up so he could independently access his self care items like his tooth brush, comb, wash cloths, and potty books. He really loves this set up, and although he has yet to actually go on the potty he will now sit there and follow me into the bathroom easily! He is so proud of himself that he can get into his drawer and brush his own teeth or comb his hair while sitting on his potty seat.
This was so easy to do and it has made such a difference for us in the bathroom! So now that I have his space figured out, I need to really crack down in learning how to teach a child to potty! I decided to go online and try to get some real life advice from mommies on the internet. I connected with a few women from some of my favorite mommy support groups on Facebook, as well as participated in a twitter discussion #PottyPartnership with Alyson Schafer and Today’s Parent. I had asked on Twitter; how do you help a non talker potty train? I received a response back from parenting expert Alyson Schafer stating; to watch for body signals, teach sign language, or wait until they are more verbal. Some other great tips she had posted during that discussion was that the best reward children get is your encouragement of being excited for them. She had also tweeted that you should remain consistent, and not go back and forth with diapers since that could lead to confusion. I also took to facebook to ask some real life mommies potty training advise and also what age they started their child in potty training. here are a few quotes I received from these awesome moms!
“I started Elizabeth when she was about one and a half. I left her naked and when she peed on herself it would splatter all over the floor and on her feet and she hated it.”
-Colbie Walls Rooker, from Hey Mama! Facebook group
Although this sounds super messy and scary, I have found that most moms agree that letting your child feel the wetness helps them to know when to go potty. Most moms that I asked suggested to only use pull-ups at night time. Here’s another quote from a real life mommy!
“My son is eighteen months and potty training. He learned from a young stage what pee and poop are, so now he tells me when he has to go for the most part, but still wears a pull up right now. He gets prizes for telling me he has to go and going on the potty. We have a sticker chart and when the week is full he gets to choose a prize and candy out of the went potty basket. It seems to really be working. He is even starting to try to pull his pull-up down himself to go and runs in the bathroom now.”
-Chelsea Reed, from Momma Chat Dark Edition Facebook group
I love the idea of doing a reward system and it seems like most other moms agree that it works for them! I have set up a sticker chart above Braydon’s potty seat in the bathroom and when each row is filled he gets a Whopper candy. Rewarding a potty training child teaches them to potty with pride and makes them feel more confident.
“I’ve never put an age on when to start training. I’ve just listened to my kids and started teaching when they showed interest. My oldest was completely trained (even stayed dried through the night) by 18 months, and my 2nd born was completely trained by the age of 2. My son just turned 2 and only recently started showing any interest in learning.
When I started potty training I only used pull-ups at night time or long car rides. I found that putting them in training pants vs. pull-ups made them want to use the bathroom and not just use it on themselves. Mainly, because the training pants don’t absorb like pull-ups, and they tend to not like feeling wet.
I found that waiting until they showed interest to be a lot less stressful and time consuming. Although, it is nice to cut out the expense of diapers, it is so much easier training them when they are ready and not forced.
I rewarded my kids for using the potty with prizes or clapping and showing excitement. I’ve personally never disciplined my kids for soiling the bed or having an accident. Their minds don’t work like ours, and they forget or don’t always realize they need to go, until it’s too late. Also, they sleep soundly and their brains don’t always wake them when they need to potty.”
-Alicia Summers Herbert, from Hey Mama! Facebook group
The quote from this last mother really spoke to me because I am always feeling pressure to get my son potty trained, but every child is different and forcing them or punishing them for having an accident is not going to solve anything and will only result in associating the potty with shame and other negative feelings. It also seems that children really do become ready at all different ages, some moms hardly have to suggest it while others have to implement a reward system. Either way, potty training is a messy and stressful time and I hope these tips and tricks help you and me both with teaching our children the joys of pottying in the toilet and independence.
If you found this post helpful or have some of your own potty training tips and tricks you would like to share please leave a comment!! Don’t forget to subscribe and check back often for other parenting posts, recipes, craft ideas, and support!
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Is it safe to double dip?
Is it safe to double dip?
It's not great, and you should avoid doing it yourself, but don't let it fully deter you from diving into that guac.
September 30, 2016 at 11:30AM
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The terrorist inside my husband's brain
The terrorist inside my husband's brain
Robin Williams' wife Susan writes about the little-known neurologic disease that afflicted the actor in the years before his suicide.
September 30, 2016 at 11:30AM
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Harvesting the Season's Pumpkins
With fall in the air and Halloween just weeks away, it’s pumpkin picking time here at my farm! I have a large pumpkin and winter squash patch that's [&hellip...
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Thursday, September 29, 2016
Product Review: Traditional Medicinals Organic Mother's Milk Tea
Traditional Medicinals Mother’s Milk Tea for Healthy Lactation
Those of us who breast feed may eventually find ourselves at the point of worry: Am I making enough milk? Is he getting enough to eat? Will I be able to pump enough this time? How do I increase my supply?
Enter Traditional Medicinals with their amazing Organic Mother’s Milk Tea. This product is by far one of the best lactation teas I have found in the mainstream grocery store. It’s readily available all the time at both of the locations I usually shop at – Publix super markets and Target Superstore – and I believe the price is reasonable. I believe I paid $4.99 for a box of 16 tea bags.
The main ingredient in this tea that promotes lactation is Fenugreek, an herb which is highly regarded when it comes to breast milk production, and which is also related to legumes. The other main ingredient is organic fennel. The tea itself tastes a lot like black licorice – something most people either love, or hate. Personally, I think it tastes fabulous. I love the naturally sweet aroma and flavor from the addition of anise, and the fact that these particular herbs have been used for centuries around the world to promote healthy lactation. This is important to me because it tells me that this tea isn’t just a money maker that offers false promise; on the contrary, it really does work wonders.
The box says to pour 8 oz. of freshly boiled water over the tea bag and to cover the cup, allowing it to steam for 10 minutes or so. This is much longer than the average time in which you would steep a regular tea bag, but this is to ensure the optimum flavor and as much of the herbs as possible are infused into the water. Once it has steeped for the recommended 10 minutes, squeeze every last bit of deliciousness into the cup, wasting nothing. Then, drink up. You ca have up to 5 cups of this tea per day to promote healthy lactation. The best part? It’s naturally caffeine free and therefore completely safe for you and baby.
I have found my supply has nearly doubled from drinking 3 cups of this tea every day. A double in volume from a tea alone is pretty spectacular, in my opinion!
Women who have an allergy to the parsley family, or the daisy family, should not consume this tea.
I love to brew a hot cup of Mother’s Milk as often as I get a chance – which, let’s be honest – with a 7 month old isn’t always the easiest thing in the world. But, on the rare occasion I do get to enjoy just a few minutes to myself, either late at night or while taking the rare bath with candles, I will always have a fresh cup by my side.
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CDC Urges Americans To Get A Flu Shot As Soon As Possible
CDC Urges Americans To Get A Flu Shot As Soon As Possible
Federal health officials are urging all Americans to get their flu shots as soon as possible, and are especially concerned that too few elderly people are getting vaccinated.
September 29, 2016 at 07:03PM
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Sometimes Puberty Doesn't Hit Until 27, And Other Facts
Sometimes Puberty Doesn't Hit Until 27, And Other Facts
Welcome To What We Learned This Week, a digest of the most curiously important facts from the past few days. This week: What it's like to be a late, late, late bloomer, the iPhone 6 Plus' "touchscreen disease" is real and why you should never, ever, share earbuds.
September 29, 2016 at 06:29PM
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Will The Next Pandemic Come From... Bushmeat?
Will The Next Pandemic Come From... Bushmeat?
Bushmeat, from wild animals captured for food, is a staple in parts of Africa and a delicacy in Europe and beyond. And it could be the source of the next major infectious disease.
September 29, 2016 at 06:27PM
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These Medical Terms Still Bear the Mark of the Third Reich
These Medical Terms Still Bear the Mark of the Third Reich
Once terms are well-established in the medical community, it’s impractical to make them vanish right away.
September 29, 2016 at 05:37PM
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Your Digestive Track Has Its Own Brain
Your Digestive Track Has Its Own Brain
And the microbes in your gut are deciding how happy and hungry you are. Time to get your Jamie Lee Curtis on.
September 29, 2016 at 04:00PM
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Can Money Buy You the Perfect Diet?
Can Money Buy You the Perfect Diet?
The website, splashy and white, promised locally sourced, plant-based meals, and it cost $420 for five days, about four times as much as I spend on my weekly meals. It was clear to me that I wasn’t just subscribing to a food service, I was signing up for a lifestyle, an aesthetic.
September 29, 2016 at 02:00PM
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Why Silicon Valley Is Obsessed With Blood
Why Silicon Valley Is Obsessed With Blood
Beyond our macabre associations, scientists and startups are investigating the power of blood to combat degenerative diseases. But don't get carried away, just yet.
September 29, 2016 at 02:00PM
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Edging the Carriage Roads at My Farm
Early fall is a great time to start on all those lawn maintenance chores. Here at my farm, my outdoor grounds crew is busy edging all the interior [&hellip...
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The First Documented Case of Zika Spread by Physical Contact
The First Documented Case of Zika Spread by Physical Contact
It appears the virus was spread through the tears or sweat of a patient with a particularly severe infection.
September 29, 2016 at 08:36AM
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Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Scientists watch an immune system fight the flu in real time
Scientists watch an immune system fight the flu in real time
To date, biologists have typically had to study the progress of a virus through indirect means, such as studying the antibodies — actually tracking the viruses themselves has been difficult. However, researchers say they've found a way to follow the progress of a virus in real time.
September 28, 2016 at 07:57PM
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The Things You Should And Shouldn’t Share With Pals
The Things You Should And Shouldn’t Share With Pals
Towels, toothbrushes and even bars of soap: these are the things you should and should not share with friends.
September 28, 2016 at 06:58PM
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Here’s What We Actually Know About What Gadgets Do To Our Bodies
Here’s What We Actually Know About What Gadgets Do To Our Bodies
More people are using more devices more often than ever before. Increasingly, that’s a pain point.
September 28, 2016 at 06:07PM
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The biggest lingering questions about SpaceX's Mars colonization plans
The biggest lingering questions about SpaceX's Mars colonization plans
Musk might have explained the transportation side of things, but he failed to address the most important part of bringing humans to mars: the people.
September 28, 2016 at 04:01PM
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You're Probably Gonna Die A Very Boring, Shitty Death
You're Probably Gonna Die A Very Boring, Shitty Death
You probably won't die in a jumbo jet crash or get mauled by a hippo or in a rocket launch, according to statistics. That said, you weren't statistically supposed to ever be born so maybe you'll buck the odds yet again.
September 28, 2016 at 01:31PM
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Bippity Boppity Pregnancy Freebees!
If you don’t already know, I am expecting baby number 2 at the beginning of January! While researching where I wanted to set up my registry I found out that target offers you a free swag bag upon signing up for a registry with them! I set my registry up online and then went into target to their customer service department and told the lady I had just set up my registry and would like a swag bag. She handed me the bag and that was that! Inside there was a sample pack of honest company diapers and wipes, a bottle, a pacifier, several foil packet samples for diaper creams, coupons and lots more goodies!
After Target I decided to go and check out Babies R Us and they were so helpful and accommodating that I decided to register there as well! It was so much fun going through and “beeping” all the cute baby stuff with their fancy little pricing gun. When I went to turn in my “beeper” the sales rep told me she had some goodies for me and I was like, “heck yeah!” So she went and grabbed me a cute little paper bag full of more Freebee goodies including another bottle, breast feeding samples, more coupons and foil packs! Who doesn’t love free stuff?! Especially baby stuff!! Target doesn’t advertise their swag bag so you have to ask for it at customer service, so if you are registering at target I strongly recommend going into the store and picking up your free bag!
A couple other places to find free baby items are through companies directly, Infamel sent me several samples of formula just for signing up with their email list. You can get a free months trial of honest company supplies by signing up on their website as well, so do your research and contact companies for more Freebees! If you enjoyed this post please like and subscribe, leave me a comment if you have any questions or feedback.
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Gearing up for "Tot School" Apples, hygiene, and independence!
Since fall has just started and my son is going to be 3 in January I thought it would be a good time to start some “tot school” and home preschool activities with him. My goal with this is to not only give him a head start in academic areas but to also boost his independence, confidence, and life skills. Since his little brother will also be showing up in January we need to really crack down on his vocabulary and teach him some responsibly before he becomes a big brother!
For our first couple of weeks of “tot school” I wanted to start with a couple basic themes, so I decided to base our activities around ”Apples” for the letter A and “Hygiene” because he is also potty training. Our activities include listening to theme based music on our Spotify (ex. Bath time radio, healthy habits station). Our book of the week is “Mickey’s Alphabet Soup” so I read that to him during story time and any other time he gravitates towards the books. I set up two activities for him that encourage sensory exploration, literacy, sorting, fine motor skills, colors, and counting.
Activity 1 – Pom Pom sorting
Excuse Braydon’s Tarzan ways! Potty training boys require little to no clothes, the beauty of raising boys! Anyway, this activity is taking him some getting use to since he isn’t very familiar with sorting activities. There are a lot of ways to set this activity up; you could use it to introduce colors, numbers and counting, and/or fine motor skills. Right now I just let him play around with it and see what he does (mostly sorting with his hands and examining the tongs), after a while I will encourage more structure with it but as of now he’s just becoming familiar with it and is having fun. This activity is super simple and cheap to put together, all you need is a marker, some pompoms (dollar tree sells them!), coffee filters, tongs or scooping utensil, and a tray if you want to keep the activity more contained.
Activity 2 – Salt Tray Tracing
Now this activity is one of his favorites! It holds his attention and is stimulating his senses with touch. All I did was spread some salt on a plate, place it next to a print out of the letter “A”, drew with my finger the letters in the salt, and let him explore! Of course he wasn’t drawing perfect letters, but he was repeating how to say the letter and doodling with his finger. The key in introducing new activities while trying to educate your kiddo’s is to not force the activity on them, let them have fun and ask questions! (And trust me they will!) they are learning whether it seems that way or not children are like sponges and they absorb so much just through play.
Later this week I will have a couple of our fall kids crafts posted as well as our trip to a local apple orchard! If you like this post or have comments, questions, or any other input please comment below! Don’t forget to subscribe for more fun home preschool/tot school updates!
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A Wedding at My Home in Maine
It was a crisp, beautiful autumn day - just perfect for a wedding at my Maine home on Mount Desert Island. Last weekend, my gardener at Skylands, Mike [&hellip...
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Lactation Techniques
Breastfeeding is a natural process for women and provides a precious experience. However, breastfeeding your baby properly needs patience and practice to make the process enjoyable. Breastfeeding helps in building a special and intimate relationship between mother and baby. If you are a new mom, it is very essential that you know the right lactation techniques so that your baby gets fed properly.
Proper positioning along with proper latching are the vital factors to make breastfeeding effective for both mother and baby. For the first few days, it might be a challenge for you to get the proper position for successful nursing. But as time passes, you will be able to achieve the right position which will help your baby to achieve the proper latch and feed properly. Good positioning will help you achieve the following things:
- It will let your baby milk the breasts effectively.
- Effective milking helps in stimulating the breasts, letting your body produce the exact amount of milk your baby needs.
- Right positioning while breastfeeding helps in minimizing sore nipples and various other complications.
Normally, there are four positions that are used while breastfeeding a baby :
- Traditional or cradle position: This is the most convenient position for most nursing mothers.
- Cross-cradle position: This position is quite similar to the cradle position but the only difference is that it offers more control of the baby’s head.
- Football or clutch hold: This position is very helpful for nursing mothers who have undergone C-section during childbirth.
- Side-lying position: Though somewhat awkward, this position allows the mother and the baby to relax more, and even end up dozing off while breastfeeding.
Based on the above mentioned positions, below are some lactation techniques that are helpful for breastfeeding your baby the right way:
- Sit comfortably on a chair with a back support and put your feet on a stool. It will help you to get a good posture, and prevent your neck and shoulders from getting strained. In this position, a proper latch could be attained allowing better breastfeeding.
- While breastfeeding, relax your shoulders and bring your baby to your breast not your breast to your baby.
- You should hold your baby close to you so that her nose touches your nipple, chin with your breast and bottom to your tummy.
- While breastfeeding, provide support to your baby’s neck and shoulders with your hand so that your baby’s head does not push back.
- You should support your breast underneath with the help of your fingers with touching the areolas and on top with your thumb.
- While breastfeeding your baby, you should keep in mind to place the nipple at the centre of your baby’s mouth.
- Make sure that your baby takes in not only the nipples but also areolas, as much as possible.
- As your baby starts sucking the nipple, you can relax your shoulders but make sure to hold your baby close to you.
- Once your baby starts learning the skills of milking, you can lie sidewise on bed with pillows around your head to support your shoulders. In this position, you can relax more while breastfeeding your baby.
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
Does Morning Sickness Really Prevent Miscarriage?
Does Morning Sickness Really Prevent Miscarriage?
Pregnant women have long been told that feeling miserable every single day for several months may indicate that a developing baby is doing well — especially in the first trimester, when nausea and vomiting are most common. Now, there’s more science to support the idea.
September 28, 2016 at 03:27AM
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Tuesday, September 27, 2016
I Went to a Therapist for the Wealthy to Find Out How Rich People Deal
I Went to a Therapist for the Wealthy to Find Out How Rich People Deal
"By far, one of the biggest barriers to therapy in this country is money. I wanted to see first hand if having money is the golden ladder to better mental health."
September 27, 2016 at 05:31PM
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A Vaccine For The Common Cold May Be Near
A Vaccine For The Common Cold May Be Near
The quest for a vaccine against rhinoviruses may have seemed quixotic, as there are more than 100 varieties circulating around the world. Even so, the immune system can handle the challenge, researchers say.
September 27, 2016 at 04:11PM
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The Breast Milk or Formula Debate Will Never Get Old
By Carla Coriaty-Hulla, RDN CDN
The breast milk or formula debate will never get old. Since we are now treating mothers pre-pregnancy using the same biomedical model used to treat our children, formula and breastfeeding are becoming a great concern for our new moms and planning moms. The eight million dollar question: Which formula is best?
Before you get excited to find the answer in this article, wait, the answer is not here because it doesn’t exist. The best formula out there for babies is the one your body makes naturally and quite perfectly. We will however explore the formula options and compare them to the ever so perfect mom’s milk. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant this article can help you make that informed decision based on what is available. All of the formulas will have cons in my eyes but we will weed out the worst and bring you the least offensive options.
First let’s explore why we love mother’s milk so much. Number one is- it was meant for humans. No one can debate this. Human milk is for humans, cow’s milk is for cows, goat’s milk is for goats and so on. Human milk contains beneficial immunoglobulins and immune regulators that protect babies from infection and help to protect them from allergies by balancing their immune systems. This will never be in any formula. It is impossible to replicate this. Also breastmilk contains enzymes and probiotics which are impossible to replicate and detrimental to a healthy gut. The nutrients in breast milk are absorbed and in their perfect forms for babies to utilize optimally. It is also impossible to replicate these forms of vitamins synthetically for a baby formula. Breastfed babies have been shown to have less diarrhea and fewer colds and ear infections than formula-fed babies. Studies report that they’re less likely to die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or develop lymphoma later in life. Breastfeeding is also free and super-portable, whereas formula can cost at least $1200 annually or more if allergies are found. Dr Gabriel has found, in his own practice, that the children who have breastfed will have: less sick visits, less allergies, and less incidence of obesity when they get older. The benefits are endless and can be easily researched. Time and time again you will always see breast milk is best. In my own experience with breastfeeding my children, I have found it to be much more affordable, very easy and portable, a wonderful bonding experience and the result is a healthy protected intelligent baby.
The options:
Elemental Formula : Elecare, Nuetramagen AA, Neocate. Our choice: Neocate Wins! While it contains corn syrup solids it is non GMO corn and additionally does not contain any genetically modified organisms or ingredients. Why you ask? It is not made in the USA. Neocate is manufactured in England where the GMO laws are much better than USA. So if your child suffers from allergies and you’re unable to breastfeed Neocate with an added probiotic and omega 3 supplement is the best choice.
Organic Milk Based Formula: Earth’s Best Organic, Baby’s Only Organic, Bright Beginnings, HiPP Combiotic First Infant Milk. The best of these are HiPP since it contains organic non GMO ingredients from the UK but also because it has probiotics as well as prebiotics to provide and support healthy gut flora which is so important in infancy. I’m not happy that most of these formulas are made from non fat milk and contain mostly casein as protein base or hydrolyzed whey which is so highly processed.
Homemade Formula Recipes: Weston A Price (WAPF) cow or goat milk based, WAPF dairy free, liver based formula. Weston A Price Foundation stands by their beliefs that raw milk is the best and only form we should consume however it has been my experience that if there is an allergy or casein sensitivity raw milk is still not well tolerated. So if you know for sure the baby tolerates cows milk or goat milk the homemade formula is a good choice. If there is a possibility of sensitivity the liver based formula is also a good choice. The taste is tough to accept but those that have not tasted anything other than that usually accept it.
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Cinderella Time! Deep Cleaning the Playpen and a Huge Mommy Fail!
For the longest time I have been searching for a way to clean my sons playpen. He uses it all the time and its been through some rough times at this point. I was so excited to find a DIY recipe that works wonders!! It took all the nasty pee and milk smell away as well as most of the dingy brown discoloration. (TMI, I know!) If you decide to use this recipe do not make the mistake of thinking you can soak the play mat insert as well… trust me I made this mistake and even though I worked diligently to dry it the board turned to mush! This recipe works well for cleaning high chair covers and strollers as well. Okay lets get started!
What You Will Need:
- 1/4 cup of baking soda
- 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
- and half a cap of laundry detergent of your choice ( whatever you use at home or baby detergent will work best)
Directions:
First you are going to want to fill your bathtub up with the hottest water possible and then add in all your ingredients to the water. place your playpen into the tub and let it soak for about 30 minutes. Again do not put your playpen mat insert into the water to soak! while your playpen is soaking, fill up a spray bottle or soak a wash cloth in the bathtub mixture. use this to clean your playpen mat so that it does not become ruined by the water. After 30 minutes passes flip your playpen over so that the other side can soak for another 30 minutes. By now the water in the tub is probably pretty dirty, that means its working!! Now its time to drain your tub and rinse your playpen. If your shower head disconnect you can spray directly all over your play pen until it is thoroughly rinsed; you could also take it out to your yard and rinse it with your hose, or use a large pitcher like I did to rinse it. You will want to lightly rinse your playpen mat insert as well with a clean rag and a spray bottle of clean water. Now set it out to dry! you will definitely want to do this on a nice hot or non rainy day. Once its dry its time to bring it on in, and that’s it! You go Cinderella! If you have tried this or something similar, go ahead and leave a comment down below and let us know how it worked for you. If you have any handy DIY cleaning tricks let me know, and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you don’t miss a thing!
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via Lactation news on mothersmilk4babyshealth
Mother Knows Breast
People paint this perfect picture of how breastfeeding looks. Proud moms flood our Facebook feeds with photos of themselves boob out feeding their babies in public and smiling at the controversy they are serving up to the patrons of restaurants, malls, waiting rooms and the like. Some women even strike yoga poses and juggle household tasks like folding laundry. I was lucky if I could get a latch using both hands.
There’s no such thing as a perfect breastfeeding journey.
I knew from the beginning that I wanted to breastfeed. It’s not only good for baby, but you lose a lot of your baby weight quickly, it’s a wonderful bonding experience and it’s really, really convenient. What I didn’t know, was that I’d have to fight like hell to do it.
“Is it supposed to hurt so bad?” I asked the Lactation Consultant (who I will refer to as their appropriate initials LC) assigned to me after my delivery. I was on day three of breastfeeding and things just didn’t seem right. Madison was demanding the breast every thirty minutes. And it felt like she was nursing with vampire fangs. So the LC tells me to try again. Surely it’s a bad latch. It happens to all first time breastfeeding moms.
She grabs my breast, squeezes down on my chaffing nipples and shoves it into Madison’s tiny mouth like it’s a quarter pounder with cheese. Madison’s eyes are wide as she struggles to adjust her latch. The LC lets go and says with a smile, “See. That’s a good latch.” But the electric shock of piercing pain shoots through my breast and smacks me in the face. Within seconds, my sweet baby has drawn her head back and taken my nipple with her. It looks like an old stick of lipstick struggling to keep its point. “She’ll get it” the LC tells me. “It takes time to teach them how to latch correctly”. And she man handles my breast again, stuffing it deeper into my poor baby’s face.
And so I tried. I tried, I tried and I tried. And every time it was the same thing. Perfect latch, then slide down to the very tip and settle in for a 15 minute snack until she’d fall asleep. I cried on the inside when I would look at the clock and see that 45 minutes had passed since her last feeding and I knew she’d wake up soon to take yet another layer of tender skin off my quickly diminishing nipples. How on Earth do women do this without flinching?
As I look at my precious baby, in all of her beautiful innocence, the pediatrician’s words hammering down all judgy on my delicate and bruised ego, I conceded my fight to want to exclusively breastfeed.
I stared at the containers of formula in the truck ride home. I could read the fine print three, maybe four, words at a time before the next blur of tears would fall from my miffed face. I was angry, annoyed, hurt, sad, guilt ridden, and every other emotion in the spectrum. Why was it so hard for me to do something that was so natural?
And so the grueling process of breastfeeding one meal, then bottle feeding while pumping the next played out for nearly a week. I struggled with finding the happy medium of my breast pump, fidgeting with the control nobs to see which strength and speed would actually work. No matter what, I’d still only get a shot glass worth of milk which I’d often throw in the sink as if it was a white flag. I felt defeated. I wanted to give up. But I wanted to breastfeed even more.
I spent endless hours on Google. Article after article on how your output doesn’t mean you aren’t producing. Another on how stress effects your supply so stop worrying about if you have enough milk or not. A few that say supplementing hurts your supply and you should stop formula feeding immediately. But it was the last one I read that resonated most.
Does your baby:
- Repeatedly break suction while feeding
- Make clicking noises while feeding
- Gaining weight too slowly
- Falls asleep while nursing
Are you:
- Experiencing nipple pain when nursing
- Struggling with dwindling milk supply
Are you kidding me? That’s me! And not like the “I have a headache and WebMD says it’s a brain tumor and I’m gonna die in three days” me… but literally this is my situation! This… this right here… makes sense! So I scroll… what’s the solution… there’s gotta be something here that’s helpful. Then, in front of my face, a diagnosis: Tongue and Lip-Tie baby.
What, in the world, is that?
Tongue–tie is what they call it when a baby experiences trouble with the tight piece of skin between the underside of their tongue and the floor of their mouth . It can sometimes affect the baby’s feeding, because it makes it hard for them to attach properly to their mother’s breast due to the tension on that skin. It’s uncomfortable. So they lessen the tension by sliding back and settling for less milk with a poor latch.
We eventually DID find a treatment plan and it all worked out (I’ll post another blog on that soon). And I did end up toughening up and dealing with the more frequent feedings and Madison started gaining the proper weight and was happy go lucky – certainly not starving like the pediatrician had implied. In fact, we celebrated 7 months of breastfeeding this month.
As a mother, I knew something wasn’t right. I should have stuck to my guns from the start. How could someone trained to be a Lactation Consultant not have suggested this? It’s your JOB to know this! And while I know on the surface it seemed like maybe it was fine, but I feel like someone should have listened to me when I said that my nipple was going to fall off. Maybe they were waiting for that to happen because they’ve never really seen it before.
Maybe someone will stumble on this when they are crying in their rocking chair at 2:00 am with burning, tired eyes, cracked, bleeding nipples and a screaming baby Googling “what the hell am I doing wrong?” And if you are that person, and you’re reading this now, you’ll be ok. Your baby will be ok. Your baby is not starving. And you are not going crazy. Don’t give up. Ask some REAL questions to someone who will listen.
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
Feeling anxious ahead of the debate? Here’s how to cope with ‘Election Stress Disorder.’
Feeling anxious ahead of the debate? Here’s how to cope with ‘Election Stress Disorder.’
So, if there’s no way to avoid the campaign between now and Nov. 8, is there at least a way to cope without damaging our relationships, our careers and our health?
September 27, 2016 at 01:38PM
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First 'three person baby' born using new method
First 'three person baby' born using new method
Five-month-old Abrahim Hassan has the usual DNA from his mom and dad, plus a tiny bit of genetic code from a donor.
September 27, 2016 at 12:51PM
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Ken Baker Late Bloomer Interview
Ken Baker Late Bloomer Interview
Nobody could figure out why. Then, finally, with a single medical test it became painfully clear.
September 27, 2016 at 12:28PM
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Mapping the Spread of Obesity
Mapping the Spread of Obesity
A look at the rise for each state over three decades, for men and women.
September 27, 2016 at 09:39AM
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Roller Coasters Could Help People Pass Kidney Stones
Roller Coasters Could Help People Pass Kidney Stones
In a unique, home-spun experiment, researchers show that centripetal force could help people pass kidney stones — before they become a serious health-care cost.
September 27, 2016 at 09:39AM
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American Made on Facebook
There's still time to order your American Made Summit tickets! This month, we’re very busy preparing for our 5th annual American Made Summit! This super-successful, nationally recognized event honors [&hellip...
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Monday, September 26, 2016
Lactation Consultant - Two Hour Class - The 411
Because no one properly taught me to latch my baby while I was in the hospital for FIVE NIGHTS and I have been exclusively pumping, I researched and found a top lactation consulting firm, Premier Lactation Services , and called and hired them to help me with my breastfeeding woes.
The company has only RN-BSNs who come out to your home and start with a two hour class and assessment.
My nurse, Jennifer, came today and we started with an assessment of my breasts, medical history, current meds etc. She said my breasts look great for making milk and they will work with me to increase my supply and get the baby latched. I am currently making enough milk to exclusively feed the baby breast milk instead of having to supplement with formula. If I can stay at home long enough to get my eight pumps in per day !
I have had to go to the ER daily for wound care. Now that my incision has pretty much healed to the point that it does not have to be packed any longer, my health insurance is almost done with processing my out of network request for home health care ! Go figure !!
Today, we got the baby latched right away, as she knows exactly what to do and goes for it and we have discovered that the baby wants immediate flow like with the bottle. I was given a 1 ounce syringe with a long tube on it that slides under my nipple shield and the baby can suck the milk out and it mimics nursing, until the baby is able to cause let down. She has a great suction, but she, like most preemies, tucker out and will not work for the milk. By using the SNS method, the baby will have to suck and I control the milk flow, which encourages her to latch the nipple and not be bottle dependent.
The nurse gave me Lecithin to help thin out my colostrum so that the baby has an easier time getting the milk to flow quicker so she doesn’t get discouraged. I was also given Fenugreek to take as well to increase milk production. My goal is to pump 25 ounces a day and continue to build from there. The baby needs 15 ounces per day to grow properly and she should be eating eight times a day at minimum. I was given a list of meds that my OB can prescribe if need be, but we are going to start here and see if I can get my supply where it needs to be.
In other news: My mother is still in the hospital and has a staph infection. The infection was found in the fluid that pooled in her abdomen that collected when the drains were removed. They now have her hooked up to some kind of machine that drains the fluid and they discard it. The machine is attached some kinda way up under her skin and the hoses have to be removed and the machine and area has to be cleaned every so many days. When she is allowed to come home they will send her home with a skilled nurse.
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
The 1988 National Aerobic Championship In Its Entirety
The 1988 National Aerobic Championship In Its Entirety
Yes, "Key & Peele" did a hilarious sketch based on this exact competition. But we stumbled across this recording of the real thing (hosted by Alan Thicke) and we're big fans, no irony necessary.
September 26, 2016 at 03:50PM
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A Perch for My Peafowl
My flock of peafowl is growing and thriving here at my Bedford, New York farm. I now have two adult peacocks, three adult peahens, and several peachicks. Peafowl can [&hellip...
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Sunday, September 25, 2016
8 Things You Need to Know about Breastfeeding that No One Tells You
Ah, breastfeeding.
Everyone knows that religion and politics hold the top two spots on the list of taboo conversation topics.
Every parent knows that breastfeeding and sleeping arrangements replace religion and politics while you’re in the throws of the babymaking years.
So, you’ve been warned. This post is about breastfeeding. If you do not like talking about, reading about, or thinking about breastfeeding, you have a unique opportunity available to you. This is a very neat concept. You can stop reading right here!
The Biggest Misconception about Breastfeeding, or Parenting for that Matter….
…is that it’s instinctual. That once your baby is born, you will “just know” what to do. First time moms will know…..this is simply not true.
Back in the day (waaay back in the day) women bore children from a very young age often up into their late 40’s and 50’s. It was extremely common for women to be having their last batch of babies along side of their oldest daughters and sons. There was no 10 or 20-year gap between children and grandchildren. There were always babies around. Babies needing to bed fed, held, changed, played with, and cared for when sick. So by the time a young woman became pregnant with her first child, she had seen and helped her mother, aunts, friends, and cousins raise babies galore. She knew what to expect. She knew what to do when everything went right, and she knew who to ask when everything went wrong. Without even knowing, she was already a fountain of knowledge and a resource herself. And…..she had support. And when the baby came, she “just knew” what to do. But it wasn’t instinctual as it may have appeared. It was due to years of watching, helping, and supporting other women.
Fast forward about 150 years to 2016. Convenience and technology rule. We have books and magazines. We have apps. We have doctors, nurses, and people everywhere telling us how to do parenting. What we are missing is experience .
When I had my first baby, I hadn’t held a baby in years. I had never seen anyone breastfeed a baby. And that whole love at first sight feeling that everyone told me about was there….but it was hugely overshadowed by the “what the hell do I do now?” feeling. I’ve shared a little bit about my experience breastfeeding my first baby, which you can read
<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="http://ift.tt/2cungAs; style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">I've been either pregnant, breastfeeding, or both for 5 and a half years now. When I had my first baby I was 22 and hadn't even thought about how I was going to feed him. When I went into labor 6 weeks early, I was given the choice to have him in Washington where I had planned on delivering. But if he needed NICU he would have to be transferred to St. Louis and I would have to stay in Washington, meaning we would be separated. So I chose to be transferred to St. Louis to have him and be close to him no matter what. I hadn't taken any classes on childbirth and had no idea what to expect. Laboring unmedicated, uneducated, and alone in the back of an ambulance was terrifying. I had John shortly after we arrived at Mercy in STL. They took him to NICU immediately where he would spend the next 18 days with restrictions on when and how long I could hold him. I remember sitting in a hospital bed alone as my family had went to be with the baby. I had no bag, no clothes, and no baby. I didn't feel like a mom, I didn't feel like anything. I will never forget the door opening to my room and a nurse walking in with a contraption I'd never seem before. She said, "This is a breast pump. Use it now, and then set your alarm to use it every 4 hours. Your baby is sick and needs your milk, this is your most important job right now." I was too embarrassed to ask her how to use it. So I spent the next half hour reading the instructions and trying to figure it out, and eventually got it. Pumping milk for John gave me purpose as a mom. Even when I couldn't hold him, and had to leave him to return to clinical for nursing school, I could pump for him. It took months of trying and tears, but we were eventualy able to latch and have a great breastfeeding experience. I'm forever grateful to that nurse for bringing me that pump. And proud of my 22 year old self for never giving up. #worldbreastfeedingweek #sustainabledevelopmentgoals #lactationconsultant</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Stephanie Leah Dieckman (@stephanieleahdieckman) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-04T13:28:52+00:00">Aug 4, 2016 at 6:28am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> //platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js” target=”_blank”>here.
Well, three babies a Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree, and certification as a Lactation Educator and Counselor later, I kind of know what to do now on the breastfeeding front. It’s like riding a bike. It’s a science…and an art. It takes a ton of practice, patience, and support. And when you finally take off those training wheels (or ditch the nipple shield or boppy pillow) and really get the hang of it…..it seems like the easiest thing in the world.
I’m here to share the stuff of breastfeeding that your doctor can’t teach you. The little details that will make or break your experience. The art of breastfeeding.
Well, a little bit of science, too.
1. Babies are NOT born hungry.
Your baby spends 40ish weeks in utero. During this time, she receives a constant, steady supply of nutrition and comfort. She is always warm, even the loudest noises are muffled and the brightest lights dimmed by the amniotic fluid, and she is constantly rocked by your movement and held tightly. And then birth happens. She experiences cold, bright lights and loud noises for the first time. But she doesn’t experience hunger…yet. Babies are born full of poop. Meconium, to be exact. And when people are full of poop, they are not hungry. At birth, her stomach is the size of a marble. Which is perfect. Because each breast holds about 5-7 mL of colostrum at any given time at the time of baby’s birth. For the first 24-48 hours of baby’s life, she does not cry out of hunger. And she does not latch at the breast to eat. She latches for comfort. And she latches to prepare her mother’s body to make more milk…because in a few short days, she will be hungry, very hungry! The amount of time that baby spends at the breast in the first 72 hours of life will determine the adequacy of mom’s milk supply throughout the entire breastfeeding relationship. (More stimulation = more milk) Read more about the prolactin receptor theory to learn why the first 72 hours matters.
2. Babies. They Can’t Tell Time.
Now that you know why a baby latches to the breast, (comfort, stimulation, and nutrition) it’s easy to see why feeding schedules can wreck milk supply. Baby’s are not born wearing miniature watches with tiny alarms telling them when they should be hungry, need comfort, or need to latch to stimulate milk production. They just know. When they show hunger cues, feed them. It’s actually a lot less stressful. No need for apps, or timers, or feeding logs, or schedules.
3. Forget the Cheeks. Its Nose to Chin.
Maybe you’ve seen videos of someone tickling a baby’s cheek to elicit the “rooting” reflex. Baby turns head and starts searching for food. The problem here is that when baby turns her head, she places strain or herself and creates an asymmetrical latch which can lead to cracked and bleeding nipples, and poor stimulation resulting in inadequate supply. Ouch and Uhhhhh. The proper “technique” to get baby to open her mouth and latch is Nose-to-Chin. Click here to see how this is done. This one little trick can save you and baby so much pain and frustration!
4. Hug your Baby. Belly to Belly.
Everywhere we look, we see pictures of baby’s being held in the cradle hold with baby’s side to mom’s belly. This ties in with Nose to Chin. When a baby is fed side-to-belly, she has to turn her head quite a bit which, once again, leads to asymmetrical latch and strain. No matter which position you are feeding in: football, cradle, laid back, etc. Make sure baby’s belly is facing your belly and that her neck is aligned properly straight up and down with her body. She will be more comfortable and relaxed, and feed more efficiently.
5. The Pillow Table. Husbands, this is You.
Boppy feeding pillows and those of the like are great. But a regular pillow will do just fine too. Actually, several pillows will be your key to comfort and maintaining a good latch in the first few months of baby’s life. When you lack proper physical support when feeding baby, your arms get tired. When your arms get tired, you move. You bend over to accommodate baby. You end up uncomfortable and uptight and baby can sense that. She also becomes uncomfortable and breaks her latch frequently. Husband, significant other, support person, whoever: this is your job. To create the pillow table. Help your wife and baby to get comfortable in such a way that she isn’t straining at all to reach baby, baby is at nipple level and belly to belly. Then hold that spot with as many pillows as it takes. One under each arm, one under baby, one behind her back, one behind her head, one under her knees, one for her feet….you get the picture….whatever it takes so that she is comfortable.
6. Fish Lips. Not Just for Overly-Tanned Girls.
Your baby’s lips should be flared out when feeding. It should look like this. If it doesn’t, your will end up in a lot of pain. If baby’s lips are turned under, DON’T break the latch to fix this!!! Simply use your little finger to turn baby’s lips outward. Eventually, baby will take the hint and do this on her own. It’s rough learning to be a human on the outside, be patient with yourself and your baby! If baby doesn’t seem to be able to adjust to a proper latch, check for a tongue or lip-tie. This should actually be done IMMEDIATELY (yes I used all caps because it is that important) after birth. It takes 2 seconds to flip baby’s lips and tongue to check for this potentially huge hurdle in latching. A Lactation Consultant is the best person to do this.
7. Gravity. Work with it.
We eat. Food goes down. Not up. Hopefully. Think of a time that you ate a huge meal and then laid down. Heartburn city. Keep baby upright for at least 30 minutes after feeding to allow her to digest her food and prevent “spitting up” and fussiness. The laid-back breastfeeding position is the all-time best for this and for many other reasons. Baby can fall asleep after or during feeding while gravity works its magic.
8. How do You Know Baby is Getting Enough?
Refer to point #1. Baby’s latch to a bottle and a breast for many reasons. Hunger is just one of those reasons. A completely “full” baby will often drain and 8oz bottle when given the chance. That baby’s stomach will stretch to accommodate the extra-large volume of food. And that baby may also spit up everywhere after taking the bottle. Continuing to drink more milk after breastfeeding is NOT a sign that baby isn’t getting enough. If your baby is having an adequate amount of wet and dirty diapers, feeding at least 8-12 times within a 24 hour period, has audible sounds of swallowing while at the breast, gains about 4-7 ounces a week after the fourth day of life, and checks out in all other areas of health….she is getting enough! Click here to read more about that.
Happy Breastfeeding, y’all!
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
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