Dare I Say It... BREASTFEEDING!!!!

OK... this has come up a lot recently for some reason. Sadly, I wish it were more of the norm and there was more information out there, so, people like myself didn't have to defend doing something that is completely natural and the best choice for her child. I am a modest nurser. I have never been out-there about it, especially in public. I've noticed that most people are pretty supportive about it, but when I read comments on the internet (where people can be anonymous) I notice a completely different tone. This makes me want to address the situation... now wondering how people REALLY feel! A friend of mine (thanks Kristin) posted a link on facebook about a nurse-in at a park in Orlando where some breastfeeding moms were told to leave. Reading the internet comments on that article, blew my mind. Especially, the comments from other WOMEN!

FIRST:
Breastfeeding is LEGAL and even exposing yourself is legal in most states. It is not indecent exposure like some would think. Also, some states find it ILLEGAL to ask a woman to cover herself.

When in doubt, check your state laws and educate those around you-

Breastfeeding State Laws

SECONDLY:
Babies nurse often. People, especially older women, tend to think a baby should only eat every 4 hours or something insane like that. You know, to avoid snacking or making a spoiled baby. That is complete BS and sadly, very harmful information to be given to new moms. The relationship between baby and mama's milk is very delicate. It is the law of supply and demand and if a baby isn't nursing often enough, then the milk stops getting made. Therefore a baby should always be fed on-demand when they are newborns. As they get older, when an even milk supply is established, you can start spacing out the timing in between.
Also, during the summer and other hot months, babies should nurse quite often so that they stay hydrated. Mothers also need to remember to stay hydrated.

And don't forget that nursing is a source of comfort for children. I nurse Ryden immediately after all of his shots or any other times he has been hurt. It is the best boo boo fix out there.
Also, since we never used a pacifier, I am often the pacifier.

THIRDLY:
Breast is Best. I am sorry for those of you that got poor information from your health care provider that made it complicated for you to establish a wonderful breastfeeding relationship. I say that because there is a very SMALL population that can actually not breastfeed- it is usually just mal info that keeps a mama from having success. There are a lot of problems that can also happen, but with persistence you can get through them.
Luckily, Ryden never had latch problems, but he does have food allergies/intolerances. Therefore I have been dairy-free for almost 6 months, soy-free for almost 5 months and partially corn-free for a little over month. So, don't tell me it was too hard and you had to stop. I know HARD, but I feel it is worth it. I would much prefer a woman to say it just wasn't for them, and carry on with life. I have nothing against someone making an educated decision not to. We all have a choice. With that being said, EVERYONE agrees that nothing matches breast milk. NOTHING!


This truly says it all. If you have any doubts after reading this, then I don't know what to say........
101 REasons to BREASTFEED

Endless benefits for both baby and mom

Full abstract by the AAP


LASTLY:
From the comments I read on that article about the nurse-in, I have started to notice that some people think that moms that nurse their children beyond newborns into infants and toddlerhood are only doing it for selfish reasons. Breastfeeding is very bonding in the beginning, but at this point, it is just a job like everything else. I do it because I should... that's it. I even read where someone wrote that there is no nutritional benefit for a toddler to still nurse. I have to clarify and educate any of you that feel that way. Milk changes as a baby gets older and is always suited for them. They continue to benefit from breast milk no matter what the age. Again, since I am a person of FACTS and not misguided information, I will do the research, so that you can educate yourself!!!!

Information about nursing past a year-
Please Read!

and quotes form the AAP and WHO-

It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.

from the mouth of the American Academy of Pediatircs, themselves....
read it yourself

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.

from the World Health Organization
check your facts.


And for any of you that might be wondering why I seem so defensive about this, it is because I am. A lot of moms do not nurse because they do not have the right information, or they stop too soon because they feel like they are being judged by people around them.


and as my wonderful pediatrician put it.... In the late 1800's women were told to exclusively breastfeed until the age of 2 and those were the boys that went on to win the war!
haha... and yes, he really did say that. Anecdotal I know, but I still like it. =)


Michele

Mr. Sleeper

In the past several weeks, there have been quite a few changes around here. Momma is back to work, Ryden has a new fantastic caregiver/nanny, Ryden falls asleep all by himself in his crib any and every time (with smiles and cooing, usually!), I have stooped consuming dairy (for his sake- hopefully) and soon, Ryden will be starting solids- AGAIN.

Well, first... I started back at work two weeks ago. I am only working on tuesdays, fridays and saturdays. Honestly, I can't believe how happy I am to be back and how seamless the change was for Ryden. My friend (originally client from quite a few years ago) Gabriella is watching Ryden during the week. I can't even tell you how great she is and Ryden seems to be quite pleased with her. He got excited to see her when she came over last week. I have to say, her first day wasn't so easy. Ryden only slept 30 minutes for her that entire day, and I think they were BOTH miserable. With some hard work and some tears, (both mine and Ryden's) over the next couple of days, things have gotten better. I also think Ilsa is just pleased to have someone else around the house. Not to mention, this is important for Ryden. Considering that I was pretty much the only face he has been seeing for the last 5 months, he was due some new interactions.
Work, itself, is just great! It's nice being around adults again; and I am really enjoying doing hair. I have missed my co-workers and all of my clients. Not to mention, even though I have been gone for 6 months, I truly feel my skills are just as sharp as ever if not better. The only glitch that is taking some getting use to is... pumping at work. I think I finally got it down, but milk supply is such a "delicate ecosystem" (I like to call it) that I can damage my supply by missing just one pumping session. This has taught me to be more diligent about it and to not get lazy at all.
On saturdays, Eric watches Ryden. It has been two saturdays now and I think they have accomplished a finely tuned system. I know Eric has found out how tiresome it is watching a baby full time, all day long, but I think he has handled it without a hitch. This is special time for them, and once Ryden is older, I think it will show with how much he really appreciates his "daddy" time. :) :)

After Ryden's first day with his sitter, I knew I had to do some things to help his naps go better. Up until that point, Ryden had never fallen asleep on his own, other than a few times for bed, in the car or in the stroller. We had always helped him down by rocking him and walking him around. On wednesday, two weeks ago, I *helped* Ryden fall asleep in his crib, for the first time, on his own. It was a long 45 minutes or so of me singing to him, shhshhing him gently, rubbing his belly, playing music and white noise and both of us crying (on and off) until he fell asleep. Afterwards, I wasn't sure how to feel about it and I'm still not, but I now see that it has helped him tremendously. The second nap of that day, he fell asleep within about 10 minutes with some fussing. That afternoon, his third nap, went about the same as the first one of the day. Not good, but thankfully, the last time it would ever happen that way. Now, whenever you put him down, he pretty much coos and talks to his stuffed piggy anywhere from 1 minute to 10 minutes before he falls asleep. Sometimes, he starts a little protest cry, for a minute, but I just stay in the room and quietly shhshh him. Within a minute, he stops, grabs his little blanky and starts cooing himself to sleep. Last week, I didn't even stay in the room with him after I put him down, because he didn't need anymore help. He does it all on his own. I never once left him to cry, I always stayed with him and just comforted him in a new way. Now, he doesn't even need me. My arms and back are very pleased with this. My next goal is to get him to sleep past 40 minutes for naps. Not sure what to do for that one, though. To each their own, but this worked for us. No more transferring of a "land mine" from our arms to the crib!! :)

Lastly, I took Ryden to the doctor, last week, because he had a rash and found out that it is a mild case of eczema (what I thought). The doctor thinks that it is an internal allergen since it is mainly on his torso, tops of his thighs and back. So, I cut dairy out of my diet, to see if that is the cause, since it is one of the biggest offenders. I know it is pretty much inherited and that it is also offset by temperature, but I know a lot of people have had really good reactions to dietary changes. It's worth a shot. The week prior to that, we had started giving him solids. The few foods that we had given him were all about three days apart from each other (except for the watermelon and nectarine but that was several weeks ago) consisting of sweet potato and banana. At first, I thought it was maybe one of the new foods. I wasn't sure, so, I stopped giving him ANY food. I've now come to the conclusion it's definitely not that. Plus, I had noticed a little spot on his leg over a month ago. So, it could have been the weather or even having the other foods that kicked it in, but it was already there. Also, I haven't changed detergents or soaps or anything.
The doc told me that I could use cortisone or eucerin if he was really uncomfortable. He said that if it is really bothering him I should be able to tell, because he is old enough to be scratching it. For now, I am putting Calendula cream on him and olive oil in his bath. I have used the cortisone on him twice, because either he was itchy a few times or has found his penis for the first time... HAH! Not sure which. The past couple of days, it has been looking a little better. I have been off of dairy for almost a week now, but he did have some thawed out breast-milk, from when I was eating dairy, a few times last week. It should also take a couple of weeks before the dairy is fully out of my system. We'll see *crosses fingers* how it all goes.

I think we might start solids again this week. I know he wants to eat SO BAD; so, we'll play it by ear.

I just want to add... Ryden slept two and a half hours for his first nap this morning. WOO HOO!!

hope all is well with everyone,

The Sanfords