Breastfeeding's topics - tribe.net

shopping with my mom

2008-07-06T01:30:45Z

we went on a shopping adventure yesterday so i could find a dress to wear to my mothers wedding in july...on our little adventure i nursed:

at the dress barn
at ruby tuesdays at the table while eating a salad
j c penny
kohls
borders

sorry for the lower case...i'm typing onehanded ... cuz i'm always nursing (growth spurt) and typing (badly)

i just thought i would share : )

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

tyra banks tears down extended breastfeeders

2008-07-06T01:29:11Z

http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/thisweek/ scroll down to motherhood controversy. i will try to find clips online later. i watched the segment in which 2 breastfeeding mothers, including the woman who breastfed both her girls until they were nearly 8, were routinely attacked by audience members who repeatedly insinuated that extended breastfeeding holds sexual connotations. it was heartbreaking to watch & i really fell behind the brave mothers onstage. the audience was split in half, one side consisting entirely of working mothers, the other side, SAHMs. the working moms were brutal in their accusations & one woman, in response to a mother's description of breastfeeding as being "pleasurable", had the gall to say, "i have 3 letters for you: C-P-S" as if she should have her children taken away because she enjoys nursing them! i was fuming.

posted in Breastfeeding - 8 replies

Nursing for Hours At a Time--Help!

2008-07-05T04:57:29Z

My little one (5 weeks) nursed for two hours tonight with only a brief stop for a diaper change. He had been feeding most of the day with short naps in between. It got to the point tonight that my breast started tingling uncomfortably.

Any advice???

Thanks!

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

"How long are you going to breastfeed her?"

2008-07-03T23:28:53Z

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm getting this question ALL THE TIME now. Juni is 20 months and BFing is starting to make people uncomfortable. Most people ask this question with a tone that borders on fear/curiosity/revultion. I haven't been very good at answering without becoming defensive.

How do you answer this question?

posted in Breastfeeding - 8 replies

It's Not Really About The Milk

2008-07-03T17:02:50Z

"You won't "get it" at first. At first it's all about technique, and position, and time, and swallowing, and soreness, and feeling as if your whole world has narrowed to Feeding The Baby. Those of us who have enjoyed nursing our children are on the other side of a great emotional gulf from you. We can't explain it, we can only try to help you across the bridge, to where you can see for yourself. If you stay caught up in this as a feeding method, you may never get all the way across the bridge. But oh, the view from the other side!

Those of us who "got it" wouldn't feel guilty if we were prevented from nursing our next child. We'd feel anguished. "Guilt" means you didn't do something for someone else that you "should" have done whether or not you enjoyed it yourself. "Anguish" means great pain and grief, as if you've had a piece of yourself torn away.

Imagine moving by shifting your weight left, moving your right leg forward, knee slightly bent at first but gradually straightening, right heel landing as you rise on the ball of your left foot, left arm forward in reverse synchrony with your right as it moves back, then performing a mirror image of the whole process for the next step. Not fun, not easy, not graceful, not something you want to keep working at. But imagine the ease and pleasure of simply... walking. Now imagine someone telling you that you have to give it up. Guilt? Or anguish?

I wish I could convey to you the simple, thought-less, vast, delicious pleasure of nursing my children. Once I "got it," I didn't "feed" them, didn't worry about intervals, didn't hold back. We nursed when they wanted and when I wanted - even just to keep them quiet while I was on the phone. At night, nursing was a quiet mending of the day's disorders. Oh, not always, but as someone said, "Of course there's an inconvenience to nursing. But there's an inconvenience to being a mother." Breastfeeding was a fundamental, essential connection for us, and made everything else - from newborn diapers to two-year-old tantrums - far, far simpler. Then there's the ego-building experience of being the perfect center of another person's universe.

Can you achieve the same bond through bottle-feeding? No. Remember that a breastfeeding mother is in a specific hormonal state. Her whole body responds to her baby in a way that a bottle-feeding mother's or a baby-sitter's or a father's cannot. Her infant receives all his calories in a full-bodied, full-mouthed, skin-on-skin embrace, always from his beloved mother. Her older child comes to her to have growing pains of all kinds soothed simply in a way unique to breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is a newborn's first relationship, designed to continue throughout a child's early years. As a culture, we tell ourselves - without evidence - that the absence of this fundamental human relationship has no longterm implications for mother or child or family or society.
I have enjoyed our children at every stage so far - and they are now adults. Their father and I felt as if we did no real parenting after the first ten years or so; we sat back and enjoyed them. This is unusual in America today. Is it partly related to our start in a long, luxurious breastfeeding relationship? I think so. And like every woman who has reached the other side of the bridge, I hope I can extend a hand back to help you across. The view is irreplaceable!"

©2008 Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC www.normalfed.com

posted in Breastfeeding - 13 replies

growth spurts

2008-06-30T15:55:37Z

at what number of weeks/months do babes typically go through them?

my 3 month old is a freakin' eating MACHINE these days.

posted in Breastfeeding - 11 replies

Am I a "blankie"?

2008-06-29T00:59:03Z

Hi guys! I'm new here but happy to find y'all!
I nursed all my kids and am currently nursing my 2.5 y/o girl. She only nurses 2 times a day, it's more of a comfort thing for her I think. But my question is ~~~ How do I get her to stop grabbing at my boobs? She is attached like how some kids are attached to their blankies. What I mean is, she is always putting her hand down my shirt and grabbing. It's ok every once in a while but sometimes she does it so much that it hurts. This whole grab thing is also a comfort thing for her as she will fall asleep quickly if I let her do it (like I said, a little bit is ok but some days she spends her whole time on my lap trying to get some)

Aside from the occasional discomfort this also worries me in terms of weaning. I'll probably nurse until she's 3 but if she is still "boob crazy" at that point I'm worried it would halt the process.

Anyone else been though this?

TIA!

~~~Michelle

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

Is it to soon?

2008-06-28T21:56:24Z

My baby is 9 days old and eating at the boob like a champ. So much so that she sucked me dry yesterday... I just couldn't get her satisfied. She like most babies has an oral fixation... She likes boob, she also likes to suck on her own hand and she likes to suck on both mine and daddy's fingers... and she knows without a doubt which one has food. I want to introduce the pacifier to her soon because I think yesterday was more about the oral fixation than it was about being hungry but am wondering if we should wait a little bit longer. I will be introducing the bottle of pumped breast milk around 5 or 6 weeks (so I can go back to work).

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

thrush

2008-06-26T20:14:54Z

at last well appointment, Pilar was diagnosed with mild thrush. we were prescribed nystatin, given 4x daily orally. ( such high frequency because it works via contact with the inner cheeks, and so we're supposed to give it to her when she's very sleepy. )

well. she swallows it straight away, haha. therefore i don't bother stressing out about giving it to her every chance we get ... she prefers long naps once or twice a day, so there aren't even 4 opportunities a day to administer while she's nodding off. not to mention i don't much trust this stuff .... i mean, what did people do about thrush back before the advent of drugs like nystatin? and it's such a mild case, she doesn't seem to be bothered by it ....

doc said we'd need to give her this stuff for MONTHS ..... please help me find a better and hopefully more natural solution.

if the most effective and healthiest method is to continue the nystatin, of course i will do that.

thanks in advance. all the best,
H

posted in Breastfeeding - 8 replies

la leche founder passes on

2008-06-26T03:32:14Z

from mothering magazine:

Edwina Froehlich Passes On

Edwina Froehlich, cofounder of La Leche League International and coauthor of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, died at 5:00 AM on

Sunday, June 8, 2008 at Northwest Community hospital in Arlington Heights after suffering a stroke on May 25.

In 1956, Edwina Froehlich and six other women met in Franklin Park, Illinois to support one another through breastfeeding their babies. The group quickly grew and became La Leche League International. "In those days you didn't mention breast in print," Froehlich has said. "We knew that if we were ever going to get anything in the paper we would have to find a name that wouldn't actually tell people what our organization was about." La Leche League International now has groups in every US state and in 68 different countries. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding has been translated into eight languages and Braille.

Edwina has done in her lifetime what many of us can only hope to accomplish: she has helped enrich the lives of thousands of mothers and babies.

posted in Breastfeeding - 4 replies

manual pump?

2008-06-23T14:35:56Z

hi all!
I'm needing to buy a small manual pump for an upcoming weekend trip (gasp! first time away from baby) and i was wondering what style/models people liked. This won't be getting regular use, i don't forsee being away from my son again for any reason and i normally don't pump, just nurse on demand when i'm home from work. He's over 2 yrs old so this is more for comfort and connection while i'm gone than keeping him fed.

suggestions?

posted in Breastfeeding - 8 replies

birth petition

2008-06-23T00:02:45Z

The AMA is at it again. They are trying to propose legislation to force everyone to have hospital births!

A petition in response:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/birthathome/

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

Time Away from my Son: Do I Nead to Pump and Will it Cause Him to Wean?

2008-06-19T15:38:33Z

My son is now 16 months and I am starting to contemplate having some time away from him. I have never spent more than an evening away from him before. We are still nursing. When he is about 18 months I was thinking of going away without him for 2 days. I am no longer pumping and although we nurse on demand (about 6 times a day, sometimes more, sometimes less) I don't think I have much milk left for him.

Anyway, having never been away from him before I want to know if I will need to pump in the two days we are apart? Also, I really don't want him to wean because I am not with him. Can he wean in this short amount of time?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

spacing out

2008-06-15T23:53:51Z

when will my little one space out his feedings a bit more...like every 3 hours or more....?

he's creeping up on 11 weeks old right now.....

i'm dreaming of having some snippits of freedom.....

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

Nursing older children

2008-06-15T04:46:03Z

this is a great tribe for all things nursing; i felt the urge to expand into a tribe specifically for those mama's nursing toddlers. C'mon over and join the discussion if you're interested!

http://tribes.tribe.net/nursinggymnastics

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

medela pump--just leaks

2008-06-14T15:45:01Z

My Medela pump just pretty much leaks, milk pools in the bottom underneath the areola and just drips down my belly. I keep trying to angle it so it drips into the cup, but it just is messy and gets everywhere.

Anyone have ideas as to what's going on?

It's brand new, so it shouldn't be failing yet.

I have it centered over the nipple and have tried pressing it hard against the breast, lightly, bending over when I pump, everything and all it does is spill everywhere.

Any ideas?

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

sore nipples? try seashells!

2008-06-11T05:12:39Z

awesome article on mothering website about the natural healing properties of seashells for cracked, bleeding or just plain sore nursing nipples. http://mothering.com/articles/new_baby/breastfeeding/seashells.html

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

the real cost of cheap food

2008-06-10T16:49:22Z

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=ff427b0e5b&realattid=f_fhaodspg0&attid=0.1&disp=vah&view=att&th=11a7331af6b3010b

great article!

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

supply issue help

2008-06-10T00:29:42Z

Hi ladies, I don't post often, but i read avidly and soak it all in. I have a 5 month-old beauty who is an eating machine. I've been breastfeeding from day one, and since going back to work, i pump and my husband gives her bm in a bottle. this is all wonderful, pilar is healthy (20#,2oz, 27" at last well visit) ..... until about a week ago when my supply became inadequate. I started back to working 6 days a week, and I'm having trouble pumping more than 6oz daily -- after feeding on demand when I am home, and while co-sleeping at night -- to leave for them.

So. I've been to kellymom (overwheming vote was drink dark beer). I've tried Mother's Milk tea, which works well, but leaves me incredibly nauseated. I've asked my midwife - she advised fenugreek, and so I've been taking fenugreek capsules faithfully for the past 6 days and it seems that my supply has actually DROPPED. If I need to drink the MM tea to get more milk, I will bear it, but I'm wondering if any of you have suggestions for me.

Desperately maintaining my calmness,
Heather

posted in Breastfeeding - 6 replies

starting solids?

2008-06-09T11:07:36Z

I'm sure someone's asked this before,but I'm really stressing out. Anthea's is now six months old, when do people suggest that I start solids? I intend to continue breastfeeding, in fact I'd almost rather put the whole solid concept away for a while longer,but I'm thinking that she might be ready, even if I'm getting separation anxiety issues about spoon food. I go see her ped on monday and I'll talk it over with her, but I wondered what any of you have done. My girl's roly-poly fat and happy, definitely getting PLENTY of nutrition from the boobies, so I'm not worried about that at least,but I just wonder when I'll know that it's time for sweet potatoes and rice!

there's just so much pressure... one camp says SOLIDS START AT FOUR MONTHS OR THEY"LL BE PICKY EATERS, and the other camp says NO SOLIDS OF ANY KIND UNTIL THEY"RE 12 MONTHS OR YOU"LL WRECK THEIR LIVES! yeesh. what's a mom to do?

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

Question re the food I eat and my breastmilk

2008-06-09T02:14:16Z

Hi all. I was wondering if you all could point me to some good resouces (books, online, etc) regarding my diet and my breastmilk. One thing I'm really curious about is how long it takes for the things I eat to matabolize into my breastmilk. For example, I used to drink a small amount of caffinated coffee each day and I'm wondering how long it takes for the caffine to get out of my system or is it going to go to my breastmilk regardless. Since my daughter has been born 18 days ago I've drank coffee about 10 days. I haven't had any for 3 days now. I also have stopped drinking cow milk for 3 days now but I want to find out how much that may or may not affect her. There is other stuff too but those I think are the 2 best examples.

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

Is my brain being sucked out too?

2008-06-08T15:54:48Z

Lately I've been feel super spacey and unable to compete sentences/thoughts... and wit? Forget about it! Until now I thought it was sleep dep but I've had several weeks of full nights sleep and some good naps taboot, so I don't really have that excuse anymore. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this? Are these guys emptying my brain and my breasts?

posted in Breastfeeding - 6 replies

extraordinary breastfeeding

2008-05-31T14:03:46Z

i wanted to open up discussion based on this video http://youtube.com/watch?v=uHRyRCHuQ7g please watch. i will give my thoughts on it after a few others, so that i won't risk biasing the thread.

posted in Breastfeeding - 35 replies

harmful nipple cream

2008-05-28T01:36:33Z

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/05/23/fda.nipple.cream.ap/index.html?eref=ib_topstories

posted in Breastfeeding - 8 replies

6 days old and an eating machine

2008-05-27T02:31:49Z

The first 2 days were a little difficult to get her on the boob but once she understood what it was all about she became a champion latcher and eater. Days 3 and 4 were pretty good and then my milk came in and for days 5 and 6 she has become an eating machine. Yesterday - day 6 - she was asking for boob almost every hour. I probalby fed her 10 times. I fed her so much that at the end of each of the feedings my boobs were actually a full bra size smaller and were loose in the bra (I used to sell bras so I know). One thing that is a little weird though is that on one side she seems to go for only about 10 minutes but on the other side she will go for 20 - 25 minutes and if I try to get her to feed more on the 10 minute side she fights it.

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

implants and breastfeeding

2008-05-26T00:47:41Z

Hi all. I have a question, my sister in law just had my niece on May 22 and she has implants and wants to BF. She is having a really hard time with latching and very sore cracked nipples. She has been giving the baby a bottle because she will only nurse for 10 minutes then fall asleep and she can't keep her awake. Then 20 minutes after she lays her down she hungry again. I told her to stop giving her a bottle and try different positions and helped her get the baby on with a good latch and to unwrap her while she's nursing to try and keep her awake but she's getting discouraged. My older sister is a labor and delivery nurse and she says because of the implants she has to supliment? I don't have implants so I told her I would ask around and see if I could help her in any way. As a first time mom she is already anxious and this is very stressful for her. Any input would help thanks so much!

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

breastfeeding while pregnant?

2008-05-25T04:11:00Z

I knew I was pregnant before the test came back positive- first had a morning with that weird metallic taste in my mouth, then my milk supply dropped by about 30% (when I pump). My baby just turned 10 months old and still breastfeeds A LOT though he loves to eat other food as well... and though I'm probably only 5 weeks pregnant we've gone through a good chunk of my modest supply of frozen milk because I'm no longer able to pump enough at work to supply him for the next day. My boobs don't seem to get as full as they used to- hardly feel full at all- however when I'm home baby seems to be getting enough. I really want to keep boobing him as his primary nutrition until he's at least a year, and then keep going at least part-time until 2 years or longer... but I'm so worried about my supply now! To make matters worse, while he loves food he HATES formula and won't drink it. So if we don't have enough breastmilk pumped, hubby will be dealing with an irate baby who wants boob juice and wants it NOW. Baby is very willing to cry for well over an hour straight when he wants boob juice and it isn't forthcoming.

Thoughts? Experiences with breastfeeding while pregnant? I'm freaking out a little...

posted in Breastfeeding - 4 replies

Wow! Fancypants (but ubercool) pump!

2008-05-25T03:52:54Z

I saw the ad for this in the new LLL magazine..It's really spendy, but looks totally sweet for mamas who pump on the go, or have to give expressed milk only.

I wonder if it's as powerful as the Pump In Style? For the price, I'd certainly hope so!

http://www.medelafreestyle.com/

posted in Breastfeeding - 7 replies

what's up with those plastic nipple guard thingies?

2008-05-25T01:03:52Z

total newbie question. not even newbie question. preggie anticipating breastfeeding question:

i saw some things in a surgical supply shop. they had a whole nursing area and one of the things was these nipple gaurds with holes in them. it looked like the baby could still nurse through them, but not inflict as much damage on mom. if they work how come everybody doesn't use them?

posted in Breastfeeding - 19 replies

Chinese breastfeeding relief effort

2008-05-24T12:09:18Z

from my mom:

I heard this story in NPR today. This blog is the best picture I could find, though more will probably surface. She recently had a child and is nursing about eight babies the last couple days, who are either orphans or the moms are too traumatized to let down their milk. ( which I have read of happening in other earthquakes in Mexico before) There is apparently no powdered milk or formula in the orphanage in the earthquake area. Perhaps they can find more breastfeeding moms to help.

http://yesboleh.blogspot.com/2008/05/chinese-policewoman-helps-quake-effort.html

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

Only six months and she's given up!

2008-05-21T21:29:59Z

Sorry this is so long, but the background may help, or not. I had to write it down and talk it out, if nothing else, because I'm so sad about it.

I was having a hard time keeping up with my daughter's needs at 4 months, and finally her ped had me start doing formula and pumped bottles during the day to supplement BF, after we'd tried just about everything to satisfy her on nursing alone. It was hard, but I had to figure at least she was getting the benefits of her morning and evening "noms", and lo and behold, she really started to gain weight on her skinny little frame once we did that. We also started her on solids a little early, also at her ped's suggestion. In all she has been 100% healthy, genuinely seems to love to eat whether it's BF, formula or solid foods... she even sleeps through the night, and was doing just great on weight gain and other growth. All was pretty good.

Well, that lasted about 2 months...I would still pump morning and/or evening as well, but pumping at work during the day was just not working out to be practical at all, and we burned through my frozen backstock...and yeah, she was only nursing in the morning (ravenously) and in the evening (for just a few moments before she would start to doze off) so my supply was verrry slowly dwindling, but not too bad. I was keeping up with her demand in the AM/PM when she wanted it, with about an extra 6 ounces a day when pumping. She switched very easily and happily between breast and bottle all along (previously we were using shields but I was able to get her off of those in the two months since we started the formula supplement/pumping and bottlefeeding). I planned on extended nursing, beyond 1 year...but at LEAST going to that mark.

Then last week, after a long delay, I had to have foot surgery that I have been putting off for years, and do it quick before she turns into a toddler I have to chase around. ;) (Juni is now 6 months old, BTW.) So, I was scared to nurse her while I was on pain meds (first I was on Tylenol 3 which I was told was "pretty safe" but I didn't want to take any chances, but then, I had to go back to the ER for pain and was given dilaudid, and no way was I going to nurse her while I was taking concentrated morphine derivatives!). I pumped and dumped the two days I was on pain meds, and I actually stopped taking them altogether on day 3, even though I was still in a pretty high degree of pain, because I was eager to return to nursing and not disrupt my production or her acceptance of the breast.

So imagine my heartbreak, then, to discover that she wants nothing to do with me now! YEp, my daughter has TOTALLY rejected me every time I offer the breast since that short hiatus. She'll drink my milk happily from a bottle, so it's not the smell of the medication still in my system or something. This has been the case from the very minute I tried nursing her again after just three days off - otherwise I'd think it's a flow issue, but my production seems to be fine and I can still pump almost as much as I could before. No, I literally can't even get her to try - she arches her back, turns her head, and screams like a banshee when I try to position her anywhere near my breast, and no matter how much milk I try squirting in her mouth, or what time of day I offer it, or anything - nothing works until she gets her bottle.

I've already been keeping her on the lowest flow I have on hand (she's on 3 month nipples right now for slow flow, rather than 6+ nipples, but I guess I am going to try scaling back to newborn ones). Since I cannot even get within a few inches of her mouth, it's not very practical to keep trying, but try I do, despite the massive crushing rejection I'm feeling. I've ended up in tears so many times this week over it.

I really don't want my baby to wean at 6 months! That's crazy talk! She was just now getting to the point where she'd tug at my bra straps to ask for a feed, and it was the cutest and most wonderful relationship I've ever had.

Any tips?

posted in Breastfeeding - 8 replies

outgrowing his sling

2008-05-21T21:27:07Z

sigh. my baby is getting too big for his sling so I"ll have to move on to the ergo here pretty soon. there's something so sweet about they way he is cradled in the sling, i'm going to miss it. I wore him at a wedding over the weekend (all the other kids were in the nursery but mine was happy being cuddled in the sling next to me although his feet were hanging out a bit too much. Maybe i'm sad because it partially represents the fact that he's moving past being a newborn.

I also ran into a lady who told me that ergo's are good for big babies, does anyone else agree? James is fairly big @ 13 weeks he's Just over 16 lbs.

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

<sniffsniff>

2008-05-19T17:12:51Z

abigail is right now sniffing my breasts ... i asked her what they smell like. she said, "broccoli and cake" .. "and strawbee ice cream"

oh, the sweetness really makes up for the tough spells i have while nursing a 21 month old!

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

Disfuntional Sleeping Situations...please help!

2008-05-18T16:03:29Z

Well, maybe disfunctional is a bit harsh but here is the situation. My daughter Nola and I co sleep. She is 2 years old and we are weaning breastfeeding right now. My husband sleeps on the couch most nights and this is fine (he snores and stays up really late). My milk supply has decreased to the point were I am barely producing milk but at night when she wants to nurse both her and I find ourselves frustrated. So when she fusses then Papa comes and takes her to the couch and she snuggles with him until she falls back asleep and then he puts her back in bed with me.

I guess my problem is the fact that I am getting so frustrated when she wants to nurse and I know there is no milk flowing and then it really starts to hurt my breast/nipple. And to make things even more difficult we are moving in a couple of weeks and Papa will not be with us for 3 weeks. So I am having anxiety already that she and I are not going to get good sleep for those 3 weeks. My question I guess is, do I stop weaning until we are settled after the move and hope that my millk supply increases? Are there other mamas out there that let there children nurse when they know they are not getting any milk? Any advise suggestion is much appreciated

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

reeeeally sore nipples

2008-05-18T15:57:22Z

hi moms, do any of you get really sore nipples right before your period, and then when bf-ing, it feels really uncomfortable like you just wish they would stop?? i am 15 months pp, and still nursing......and man, its been tough these last few months....

posted in Breastfeeding - 4 replies

I think I'm done!

2008-05-16T18:54:22Z

Whoa...I think I'm done nursing. My son is 20 months old and we've been oh so gradually tapering off nursing for a long while. For the last couple months, he's only nursed when I put him to bed, which is every other night (Daddy puts him to bed every other). He used to go sleep without nursing after he was just a few weeks old. We specifically got him to sleep without needing the boob.

Well I just got back from my first work related trip. I was gone for three days. Before I left I put my son down and told him "all gone" when he asked for Mommy milk. I felt bad but I also think it is time. I thought I might let him cry for 5 minutes, and if he sounded really upset, I would go get him and he could nurse. Afterall, I don't HAVE to wean now. He only cried for about 30 seconds and went to bed. That was last Thursday! Then I didn't put him to bed again until tonight ( we went out, I was away, Daddy put him down, etc. etc.). He asked again for Mommy milk and I told him "all gone" "no sweetie, but Mommy loves you". He fell asleep on my shoulder and woke up when I put him down. He only cried for less then a minute and was out.

Wow..I think we might actually be done. I feel a little sad, but not too much. I never thought I'd nurse this long. I thought we'd be done at 12 months, but it didn't turn out that way.

What a journey!

Good luck to the rest of you mamas!

Laurel

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

Anxious about weaning? Or anxious FROM weaning?

2008-05-15T05:37:12Z

It's been nearly a week since my 16 month old has nursed, and we've been really tapering off for a few weeks now. I have generalized anxiety disorder (for which I take medication), and the past few days I have been feeling SUPER stressed and keyed up. Not depressed, but I don't tend toward depression anyway, but anxious anxious anxious. I've done some research online, and it seems that things like this can be linked to weaning - and the readjustment of hormones as a result.

Has this happened to anyone else? I read that someone here had success with drinking St. John's Wort tea, but it's contraindicated to the medication I already take AND I can't get tea down...it's repulsive to me and triggers my gag reflex.

Does anyone have other recommendations? I'm trying to get more exercise in (which is something I need to do just for general health) and cut down on caffeine.

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

Herbal Tea

2008-05-13T02:49:48Z

Does anyone know what herbs should be avoided while nursing? I have a cold and want to drink some tea...but it seems like all of the medicinal herbal teas say it's unsafe during pregnancy and while nursing.

Right now I am sticking with Orange Zinger tea. I do have some Yogi Cold Season tea..but it has tons of herbs in it. Not sure what is safe and what isn't.

Thanks!!

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

more evidence that breastfeeding boosts IQ

2008-05-06T16:28:17Z

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7385097.stm

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

in one end, out the other

2008-05-05T16:57:27Z

My near four week old still seems to poop with every diaper. She was four weeks early so I am thinking it might take her body a touch longer to adjust. Is that normal?

I have two other kids, but I just don't remember the poop being so soft and almost watery. I am guessing every baby is different too.

I guess I just want to hear what your babes have done.

Thanks!

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

those of you who took domperidone...

2008-05-04T18:37:27Z

When did you stop and how? We're coming onto a year. I don't really want to stop bf'ing and I'm afraid if I stop the paltry supply is going to dry up all together. We also still supplement most feedings with an SNS, so soon I won't be doing that anymore (unless I can do it with cow's milk?) Phoebe loves her some boobies and I think she'd be happy just to suck at 'em even if only a few drops were coming out, but is that okay? I know these are questions for my ped, but I don't see her for a couple weeks and was hoping to hear experiences from other low-supply moms and extended bf'ing.

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

tops and bras

2008-05-04T15:05:44Z

i just ordered a bravado nursing bra and nursing tank top.....

what do you recomend for easy to use tops...i would like to be able to nurse anywhere without calling too much attention to myself aka i don't want boobage hanging out. i was large busted pre-nursing and would like recomendations for styles that cover but i don't need to look like a nun.

thank you!

posted in Breastfeeding - 8 replies

Excessive weight loss and breastfeeding

2008-05-03T04:47:32Z

I've gotten really thin since Aris was born. No, really, I'm not trying to brag here. I'm actually getting concerned. I was keeping a decent weight for a while there, but then I had to cut back on nursing because Aris was never satisfied, even with a full solid food meal schedule. I'm starting to wonder if I should just stop nursing all together. Aris isn't really all that interested anymore. I'm sure he knows he's getting better sustenance from other things. However, this is really hard on me. I want to get my milk supply up again. I want to keep nursing him until he's a toddler. I just feel like a bad mom because I'm not sure I can. This is something I had set out to do. I wouldn't fail with Aris like I did with Corde. It was easy for me to excuse it because she wasn't interested. It was easy for me to say that I was eating much more poorly. Now I eat like a cow and I'm finding it's not enough.

All of this started because I saw how thin I was in a picture from Wyldefyre Productions. All I could think was how sickeningly thin I looked. I decided while I was dancing tonight to look at myself in the patio door, one of those sliding glass ones. They reflect real nice at night. I was shocked by what I saw. Yeah, I guess I'm the ideal for some women, but I swear, I'm thinner now than I was before I had Aris. I just don't know what to do. I'm eating healthy. Yes, I'm exercising, but I'm starting to find I'm having problems with that. I get tired far too quickly these days. I'm starting to notice the problems I used to have when I decided I was fat in high school, or when I was on the stuff for ADHD. I was tired all the time. I never seemed to have energy or motivation for that matter. All I wanted to do was sit around all day because everything else exhausted me too much. Now it's happening all over again. Aris is down to nursing once a day and I'm still having problems. I don't want to give it up entirely, but I just don't know what else to do. No one down here knows anything about extended breast feeding. I was given all sorts of issues when I wanted to breastfeed past six months! They said he was on solid foods and no longer needed to nurse. Anything from that point on was just him trying to get comfort. Well, I want something better than what a few uneducated doctors seem to find best for my son. I know what's best for him. I just worry that what's best for him isn't what's best for me.

On top of that, there's also the issue of him. He hasn't had an exam recently (I've been trying to schedule his one year with no luck) but he seems small and thin to me. I'm starting to get afraid that he'll have the same problems Corde did. I'm afraid he'll start losing weight and stop growing too. He's always been short. He was usually really chunky, but now he's having a problem fitting in 12 months pants because he's too thin for them. Before he had problems with the 12 months pants because he was getting a little too tubby for them. I know he may have grown, which may have thinned him out, but he still seems so small in comparison to other babies.

I just don't know what to do. I want what's best for my son, but I also don't want to give up on breastfeeding unless I have to. I just don't know what to do about it anymore.

posted in Breastfeeding - 7 replies

Dumb question about BF and mammograms

2008-05-01T19:29:58Z

Can you do this while you're still nursing? I'm due for one and I'd feel rather embarrassed if they squeezed my breasts between those plastic things and I leaked everywhere! Also, isn't the radiation or whatever they use not good for my BM for baby?

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

OTC allergy relief that is safe?

2008-04-30T18:07:28Z

my allergies have started to kick in and i am a hurtin' mama!

is there anything OTC that is safe to take while breastfeeding? i looked this up in the archives and found info only on homeopathic remedies which are difficult for me to find down in my hood.

posted in Breastfeeding - 4 replies

slow weight gain

2008-04-29T16:32:29Z

eddie isn't gaining much...he was at his lowest 6lbs 14oz (drop after birthweight of 7lbs 5oz) and now a month later he is only 7lbs 9oz. He nurses all the time but tends to fall asleep and i know i wasn't eating or drinking enough for the first 2 weeks or so because i was so exausted and was stuck in bed with a tear. The lactation consultant said i seemed to have a good milk supply and that my technique was good but if those two things were true then would he be gaining so slowely? I feel like i'm failing somehow.... she also said that he might have a high metobolism.

He is alert when he's awake...good loud cries when we change his diaper (he doesn't like the exposure) I try to nurse him on demand or every two hours. He sleeps next to me at night tucked close to the side of my body and i try to hold him as much as possible during the day. he produces 8 or so wet diapers a day but still has issues pooping on his own...he buildes it up for a week give or take and freakes out trying to push it out. he is gassey and i still have a really hard time burping him...

help me i feel like a total loser and i can't pump to save my life...i think i'm too stressed out and my milk won't let down very well...my boobs know the pump isn't a baby. what can i do to help him gain more? do any of you have or have had slow gainers?

posted in Breastfeeding - 8 replies

clogged duct?

2008-04-25T15:22:27Z

what do they look like? i've got a big ol' bump on my areola that doesn't hurt just yet but it's big and menacing looking. i was wondering what it might be and clogged duct was the first thing to come to mind.

posted in Breastfeeding - 4 replies

Hair Dye...

2008-04-24T17:33:37Z

Hi mama's-

How many of you have dyed your hair while breastfeeding? I didn't color during pregnancy and my premature gray is making me crazy (i've been going gray since i was 18). I did some research and LLL said it was ok to color. Just wondering if any of you have had any effects from coloring while nursing.

Thanks.

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

periods?

2008-04-18T00:35:28Z

When do they return? I'm 11 mos pp and it's not here yet, not that I miss it or anything. We're still bf'ing, but I have an irrational fear I'm in early menopause.

posted in Breastfeeding - 17 replies

Breastfeeding Mama Doll

2008-04-16T04:32:42Z

Most likely none of us here could afford to buy this one, but it is so lovely, and hand made, I just thought I'd share it here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9197755

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

Go Sesame Street!

2008-04-16T01:06:44Z

A friend of mine just posted this video of Sesame Street. It's from back in the '70s. Not only does it explain about breastfeeding, but the mother is actually breastfeeding on television! I mean, it is simplified so kids can understand, but still! Yay for Sesame Street!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoI07Mjt3b4

posted in Breastfeeding - 16 replies

help i'm getting bummed out

2008-04-15T17:14:36Z

our new little man will be 2 weeks old today...i'm over tired so i hope this isn't too jumbled...

he has horrid foamy poops and massive amounts of crying to accompany the pain of all the gas in his tummy...i'm assuming that is why his poops are foamy? he can't seem to pass them on his own and we had to do a glycerine suppository because of his night time misery (this is the 3rd night) for hours at a time my husband keeps mentioning formula and that our new little man must be reacting to something in my breastmilk. i'm getting depressed because i don't want to be making my newborn miserable by trying to feed him.... i've been eating chicken and rice, drinking water and mothers milk tea and i'm taking the vitamins i was taking in pregnancy....(multi-vit, vit c, zinc, calcium and fish oil)

i had a breast reduction in '01 so i have been THRILLED to breast feed.....i'm worried that i have too much milk coming out after the let down. he really gulps and sometimes turnes away to get a little break...my other breast leaks while he is nursing.

please any suggestions are welcome...i'm going to call the La Leche League in my town tomorrow to see if they have any suggestions.

posted in Breastfeeding - 14 replies

on and off while nursing

2008-04-13T03:28:54Z

lately while nursing my girl has been popping off the nipple to look at me...she engages my eyes and then she jumps back on and eats for a little bit and pops back off and looks at me again.
she looks at me, she smiles and relatches. this goes on for a while unless she is really hungry --like first thing in the morning-- and then she latches and nurses steadily til she has had her fill. it makes nursing take a really long time.

so i keep thinking this popping on and off the 'oob' is her way of having conversation over her meal.

i can't help but laugh. it is this private conversation we have while she nurses. i had to share. she eats like the french--with purpose and over good conversation.
LOL

posted in Breastfeeding - 14 replies

working out

2008-04-12T06:30:52Z

i'm 2 weeks postpartum and i am SO ready to resume working out, but i seem to recall reading somewhere that it can interfere with milk supply.

does anyone know if there is any validity to this? i would of course drink tons of water and make sure that i stay well hydrated....

posted in Breastfeeding - 10 replies

speaking of pumping

2008-04-12T06:29:31Z

i'd like to build up a supply of stored milk from the very beginning if at all possible. i didn't start pumping for at least a month or so with my last baby and i wouldn't be surprised if that didn't contribute to the meager amounts i would get regardless of how i went about it (although i had the most success with pumping from one side while nursing from the other).

what i'm wondering is if it's totally crazy for me to pump as soon as my milk comes in as i'll likely be dealing with the engorgement issue anyway and don't particularly want to exacerbate it.

how soon would you recommend pumping? i'm also concerned about taking supply away from the baby as i don't want to have to give her a bottle until she is several weeks old.

posted in Breastfeeding - 18 replies

Breastfeeding isn't a crime

2008-04-12T00:04:51Z

Dear MomsRising Member,

Just a couple of months ago, a mother was kicked out of a museum in New York for breastfeeding, a perfectly legal act in that state. [1] Mothers continue to suffer discrimination and humiliation for breastfeeding, even though doctors recommend breastfeeding for all infants. Clearly we need Congress to pass the Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R. 3799) now--before more mothers are stigmatized and humiliated for breastfeeding.

But this Act is currently stalled in Congress, and isn't going to move forward without increased citizen pressure. You can supply that pressure.

CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSPERSON NOW: http://www.momsrising.org/CosponsorBreastfeedingAct
(And forward this email to friends now so they can take action too. All of our voices are needed to get the Breastfeeding Promotion Act moving forward).

MomsRising members have successfully raised awareness about the need to protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers in the past and can do it again. Last year, MomsRising members and other activists changed Delta Airlines' corporate policies when a mother was kicked off a flight for breastfeeding.

We can harness this same power to push through the Breastfeeding Promotion Act, but we need your help contacting Congress. Let's support mothers who are nurturing and caring for the next generation of Americans. Those nursing babies may not be able to vote, but their mothers can!

Forward this email so your friends and family can contact their representatives too. It's going to take all of our voices, and then some to get this legislation moving forward. We need tens of thousands of messages to go to Congress supporting breastfeeding.
Here's that link again in case you need it: http://www.momsrising.org/CosponsorBreastfeedingAct
Thank you! - Kristin, Joan, Nanette, Mary, Donna, Katie, Roz, Anita, Andrea and the MomsRising Team

[1] http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S352021.shtml?cat=10114

P.S. THE LOWDOWN ON THE BREASTFEEDING PROMOTION ACT: Representative Carolyn Maloney's Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R. 3799) would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to protect breastfeeding by new mothers by providing tax credits to employers who provide a place to breastfeed and/or provide breast pumps. This makes it a lot easier for women who want to give their babies breastmilk and keep their jobs. As you may know, 82% of American women become mothers by the time they are forty-four years old, so this issue is critically important to a large portion of our nation. To read the bill, visit The Library of Congress Website.

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

AF returning

2008-04-11T00:23:42Z

I had my beautiful LO in November and yes, I got AF 6 weeks pp. It was a very light period as I thought it was still part of the PP bleeding. I have had a period every month on time since then. I noticed some of the periods might have been anovulatory because I had the worst PMS symptoms Now, I am 8 days late, going on CD401 What is going on, is this normal/. I feel like TOTAL CRAP! I am dizzy, have heart palps, extreme anxiety, confusion, hot all the freaking time! I went to my OB last month and she ran some basic thyroid tests and while my thyroid appears within normal lab values, it was showing a bit hyperthyroid. I don't know if this is the case, but is is normal to skip or be this delayed during PP period? I HATE the way I feel!

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

breastmilk and baby acne

2008-04-10T17:42:56Z

i've read a lot of conflicting things about the role of breastmilk in baby acne. some things i've read say that it can cause it or make it worse, other say that it can help clear it up.

anyone have any info to clarify one way or the other?

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

How long did you pump?

2008-04-09T13:19:16Z

We're going on 13 mos PP and I'm still pumping 3-4 times a day.
Am I weird?

posted in Breastfeeding - 4 replies

Night weaning

2008-04-09T02:12:32Z

Night nursing my twins has started to not work for us. I've been waking every hour to feed one or the other and have as a result been going slightly insane with the gradual yet consistent sleep deprivation. Anyone have any experience with phasing out night nursings? We are part-time co-sleepers now and I'm feeling it's time they started spending more (maybe all) the night in their cribs. They are 9.5 months now, I realize some of you may think that is to early to night wean or end co-sleeping but I'm at the point where I KNOW that the sanity of our whole family would greatly benefit some better sleep patterns.

posted in Breastfeeding - 18 replies

something my pedi said today ...

2008-04-05T00:26:00Z

... both irked me and made me question myself.

damn him!

in a discussion about when abigail should have her first dental visit, he mentioned that she/we should be brushing her teeth with non-fluoride toothpaste .. and to be sure that she's not sleeping without brushing after milk or juice or ... breastmilk!

WTF?!

is he serious? this isn't right, right?! he has no idea that breastmilk *doesn't* rot teeth ... but i'm not so sure at this moment .

mommas, help me!

posted in Breastfeeding - 45 replies

contaminated milk

2008-04-01T17:14:53Z

Ok - this is possibly a very silly question... but as I sterilize my bottles again... it occured to me that I don't actually know what the risks and side effects are of feeding my boy contaminated milk. If I failed to sterilize or left the milk out too long - what is the worst that could happen?

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

Horrilbe cold with sinus pressure - what can I take???

2008-03-26T17:34:56Z

I am still breast feeding and have a horrible cold with really bad sinus pressure in my head. Are there any meds that I can take to make it through the work day that won't taint my breast milk??? I'm doing all the vitamin C and emergen-C - but I could really use something else. Help!

posted in Breastfeeding - 12 replies

coffee and breastfeeding

2008-03-26T16:54:53Z

what are other mom's thoughts about drinking coffee and breastfeeding? i wasn't at all, but other moms i know said they were. and that was the only thing i missed when i was pregnant so i have a little in the mornings now. i haven't noticed a difference in siena but was wondering what info you all had.

posted in Breastfeeding - 10 replies

plastic chemicals in babies diet

2008-03-26T00:59:28Z

Hi..

I wanted to pass on this info on baby plastic products (courtesy of American companies and chinese manufacturers) that end up in our babies blood stream:

http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/412/index.html

This is just in regards to toys..

but look into other things like baby fabrics, synthetic blankets, creams .. not to mention cell phone and wireless radiation...

but more importantly: food items like plastic forks and knives, water bottles and baby bottles, including teflon frying pans..

remember mother's intake is babies intake also..

Even the inhale of plastic outgassing from carpets and couches' flame retardants.. all fumes with not so natural sounding names (some of them going to be banned soon in california).

It can a sobering realization this socalled "advancement" in developing nations..

I say.. follow the precautionary principle.. your babies will thank you with their thriving longevity and health.

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

My teething baby is biting my breast...help?

2008-03-17T22:12:23Z

My 9 month old has this habit of biting my breast sometimes which was hard enough to take when she DIDN'T have a tooth that makes it so F'ing painful!
anyone have suggestions on how to train her out of this? i stop breastfeeding when she bites and give her a teething ring but when I tell her no bite or give out a yelp of pain, she gets really upset and cries so it's been hard teaching her not to bite and she doesn't seem to be stopping.

posted in Breastfeeding - 7 replies

how much to freeze?

2008-03-17T21:34:11Z

I am heading back to work within the next couple of months part-time and trying to get a freezer supply in place. I'm wondering how much milk I should be freezing in each bag so as to be efficient but not wasteful. My son will be 7 or 8 months old when I go back but because he has always been exclusively breastfed I really don't have a sense of how many ounces he consumes during the day. I was thinking of freezing 5 ounce portions with the expectation that he may go through 2 or 3 within a day. Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks in advance for all you mamas and your wonderful advice.

posted in Breastfeeding - 4 replies

nutritionist says "cut back on breastfeeding". WTF?

2008-03-17T12:57:22Z

I was talking to a nutritionist today at a drop in group, and I mentioned that my daughter breastfeeds a lot but really just picks at solid food. She'll eat a big meal here and there, but mostly snacks, and has a huge preferance for bread over fruits/veggies right now. She advised me to refuse to breastfeed more than three times a day (morning, nap, bedtime). This hugely goes against my instincts. What do y'all think?

posted in Breastfeeding - 26 replies

clear fluid?

2008-03-12T22:43:49Z

i have a little bit of clear fluid coming out of my nipples...what is this? is it normal? i'm due March 23 with my first baby.

i'm hoping that this my body getting ready for the baby but it's not milky at all...very slippery and clear.

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

What about BooB jobs?

2008-03-11T15:02:39Z

After a woman has a boob job, can she still breastfeed?

posted in Breastfeeding - 16 replies

used pump

2008-03-10T04:49:03Z

I'm starting to pump as I will be going back to work soon and I was given a used electric medela pump. The box says that it is for single-use only and that a pump should never be shared between people for hygenic reasons. Is it ok to use a hand me down pump?

Also - this medela pump is NOISY. I can't imagine using it at work. Any recommendations for a simple electric hand pump that is quiet.

Thanks
J.

posted in Breastfeeding - 18 replies

Trust Birth Conference, March 7-9, 2008 Redondo Beach, CA

2008-03-06T21:36:14Z

www.trustbirthconference.com

Birth is inherently safe. If you would like to learn how to let go of the fear that is propagated around birth by our society, then come see us in beautiful Redondo Beach, California
March 7-9, 2008 for theTrust Birth Conference!

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

Single breast feeding

2008-03-05T20:53:36Z

I'm gradually starting my 7 month old on solids but only for 1 meal in the mornings. I'm not sure if it's because we're starting solids or if he's more efficient on nursing but I'm noticing he's only feeding off one boob per meal and wondering if he's getting enough??? Does anyone normally feed off one breast per meal? I'm just wonding if he's getting enough and if my boobs will end up being uneven between feedings. Also, I'm still feeding him about every 3 hours... is that too often for a 7 month-er??? Thanks.

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

La Teta: breastfeeding video

2008-03-05T17:51:47Z

I just had to - the imagery is way too beautiful not to share!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=942FRjAJhxU

1

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

breast shells...worth it?

2008-03-04T21:08:45Z

I was talking to my aunt about a week ago and she told me breast shells made BFing tolerable during the first few months. What do you guys think?
She actually pointed these out specifically: http://store.babycenter.com/product/on+sale/breastfeeding+on+sale/breast+pumps/isis+comfort+breast+shell+set.do?asc=false

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

increase breast milk supplement

2008-03-04T20:52:42Z

Hi, i am a new mother. My baby "bella" was born 2 weeks ago. During our stay in the hospital, she wasn't eating well even though I tried breastfeeding her and supplement with formula. After we were discharge from the hospital till now (a week and 5days to be exactly) i still feel my milk supply is low and water-down. I did a search thru the internet........ and found out that there are supplement that can help increase milk supply. So i went out and got me-self one of the few recommanded (Fenugreek)

So, for those who is a new mom and have such problem like mine who worried that her infant not getting enuff..... i swear to you, Fenugreek does work. Of course you can't just rely on just taking the supplement, you must regularly pump or feed your little one too.

Has anyone tried this supplement?
1. raspberry leaf
2. fennel
3. brewer's yeast
4. blessed thistle or was it milk thistle
5. mother milk tea
not to mention....
6. Fenugreek

If you have tried one of the above, which of it do you recommand? or have you tried some other that i did not mentioned.

Thankz!
Sab

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

favorite nursing bras?

2008-03-04T07:04:18Z

i'm so close to the finish line on cooking baby #2 and i just ordered a few new bravado nursing bras -- the original plus style (to hold my huge knockers) and the body silk seamless. i'm really excited for these! last time around i had an original style and loved it. i also had a few other spendy ones i got from the baby/nursing boutique in the hospital, and a few cheapos from motherhood maternity.

what are your faves?

posted in Breastfeeding - 19 replies

Body cleansing and Breastfeeding

2008-03-03T17:15:53Z

Hey Mamas!

So it's getting to be that time again, for spring-cleaning! I want to do a body cleansing to get all the built up crap out of my body, and I am currently exclusively breastfeeding my 5 month old daughter.

Is it safe to do a cleanse while breastfeeding? Will all the toxins my from my body go into the milk? Or what!?

I'm really feeling my body is ready for a cleanse, any suggestions?

Thanx! SunshineRae

posted in Breastfeeding - 10 replies

does size matter?

2008-03-02T04:42:33Z

does breast size influence how much milk you can build up for a feeding? I know that breast size does not impact a woman's ability to breastfeed or give enough nourishment to her babe - but I have a very frequent snacker and small breasts... so I'm wondering if they are connected. ie would he more likely eat larger amounts less frequently if I had larger capacity? Just curious.

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

LEAST favorite nursing bra

2008-03-02T04:03:59Z

http://store.babycenter.com/product/code/7820.do?scid=SSE:GOO&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=208604 the fabric pills & becomes scratchy. the edging is very uncomfortable. maybe it's because i put it in the dryer, but c'mon, convenience is everything. i'm already busy enough doing triple the laundry, i don't need to waste time picking thru every load. wash n wear is KEY. let me clarify, however, that i love the design, if the fabric were softer & the edges not that crappy stretch lace, i would probably live in it.

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

new member momma has the flu

2008-03-01T18:10:57Z

I'm trying to force fluids, I've had a fever for three days on and off and i'm going to the doctor this morning, but does anyone have any tips? I'm completely paranoid that I'm not making enough. I know that she's getting enough because of lots of wet diapers, but how do other people cope with nursing while really stinking sick? This is our second illness this month and I'm getting discouraged. My one consolation is that this particular bug hasn't hit my baby girl yet, but her daddy's sick as a mutt too..not so much help there.

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

spin off Nursing bras

2008-02-29T21:22:33Z

How do you know what size to order?

http://www.bravadodesigns.com/category.asp?ID=1

i'm looking at these but i don't know how huge i'll be once the milk comes in...

please help me : ) I'm almost 37 weeks now and would like to get something so i have it when the baby comes...

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

I feel like CRAP, I don't have faith in help.

2008-02-29T11:31:48Z

I don't know what tis going on, but I feel like I am heading to a deep, dark depression. I had my beautiful daughter in November. She's over 3 months old right now and I feel like I can't be the best mother for her. I started AF about 6 weeks PP, and have had another one just about a month later. Now, what seems like I'm into my 3rd cycle, I can't help but feeling overwhelmed by the bombarding of symptoms that make me want to get some help or even worse, wish i could jump off a bridge.

I tried using some progesterone creme in the last few days that seemed to help,. but now I am BAD.

How's this for symptoms:

dry hair,
dark depression,
heart palpitations,
extreme sweating non-stop (only when I sleep, I don't sweat)
dizziness
dry eyes
confusion
DEPRESSION
fatigue
hot and cold sensations
anger
agitation
drastic mood swings
hair falling out
skin crawling
weakness
DEPRESSION

godamnit, when is it going to stop? i want to be a whole mother! I feel ILL and defective.

Anyone have an idea where I can start? I no longer have an OB because I delivered at home. I'm sure if I find an OB, he'll want to put me on antidepressants. I've tried acupuncture, but I cannot take herns because the doctor doesn't want to be liable to interactions from herbs.

there really isn't any help out there is there? Goddamned hormones!

posted in Breastfeeding - 13 replies

Help out Mothers Milk Bank of New England

2008-02-27T13:46:23Z

I'm passing this on from our Executive Director, Naomi Bar-Yam, PhD. Thanks so much for taking a minute to read and follow the steps below if you can.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello everyone,

Last week Tanya Lieberman, a member of the milk bank from Holyoke, MA, told us about a competition on a website called IdeaBlob (IdeaBlob.com) The contest is open to anyone with a business or non-profit idea, and she thought it would be a good opportunity for the Mothers Milk Bank of New England. The winner receives $10,000. We worked together to put together a proposal which I posted this morning.

The winner is decided by votes cast online, which is where you come in! Last month the winning proposal got only 600 or so votes. The breastfeeding community is strong and internet connected and savvy, so it's really possible for the Milk Bank to win. The first votes must be cast this week (1/15- 1/21), so don't delay.
So, please post about this contest on your blog or on any discussion boards you run or frequent, encouraging people to vote for the milk bank proposal! And of course, please vote, too. Feel free to pass this along to anyone else who might be willing to post on it.
Here's what to do:

http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/1248-Got-Milk-Help-save-babies-li
) on IdeaBlob, and vote for this project! You have to register first and confirm by email, which doesn't take long.
Blog or post about this wherever you can to help bring in more votes.
Here's a link to the post Tanya put up today on her Motherwear Blog about it:
http://breastfeeding.blog.motherwear.com/2008/01/please-spend-30.html

Thanks so much! We'll keep you all posted.

Naomi Bar-Yam

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

progesterone ( mini-pill) and supply issues

2008-02-25T21:14:12Z

I was considering getting on the mini-pill for a few reasons. One of them being that I started AF and have wacky cycles. I have had moodiness, anxiety, insomnia and a few others. I thought I would delay Af for a few months but they have come early (started AF about 2 months PP), argghh, I wish it weren't true! The last couple of days I have tried some progesterone creme and it seems ot help with moodiness and insomnia, but I noticed a drop in supply. We weighed her on the bathroom scale and she seems to have not gained in about 2 weeks. I don't know if the bathroom scale has been accurate, but I am concerned.

Are any of you on the mini-pill and have noticed a drop in your supply? I also cannot pump all that much, but it seems there is always just enough for my baby it seems. I am also not crazy about my baby receiving some of the synthetic progestin that's in the pill. Would appreciate any advice, thanks.

posted in Breastfeeding - 8 replies

Does it ever stop?

2008-02-25T02:00:18Z

I'm just wondering, if she keeps sucking, will the milk flow indefinitely? We nurse a lot and my milk is stronger than ever (16 months and counting!). Yesterday I squirted across the room! So, will that just stop on its own at some point or does supply and demand (and demand and demand) rule all?

posted in Breastfeeding - 12 replies

so not looking forward

2008-02-23T19:51:17Z

i've been so not looking forward to breastfeeding. i keep wondering if i will be able to balance the laptop on the kid's head and get some writing done at the same time. kidding. sort of. it *is* hard to imagine a year or two with so much time spent with another person attached to my boobs.

anybody else go through this at some point in their anticipation of motherhood?

i can vaguely, off in the distance, see the intimate miraculousness of it. that doesn't exactly keep me from wanting to scream "get off of me!" or "leave me alone!" and the kid's not even born yet.

i'm trying to work this through honestly.

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

where to buy red raspberry leaf in SF area?

2008-02-22T19:48:59Z

I would like to buy some red raspberry leaf for my wife who is 37 week pregnant with twin girls.

Would anyone be willing to let me know sources around here where I can go buy some.

The internet shipping takes too long.. i rather drive a few hours to get it.

thanks!

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

BF'ing is BAD for your child!

2008-02-20T12:08:31Z

Ok, I'm being sarcastic! I hate crap like this!!!!!

Prescott SL, Smith P, Tang M, Palmer DJ, Sinn J, Huntley SJ, Cormack B, Heine RG, Gibson RA, Makrides M. The importance of early complementary feeding in the development of oral tolerance: Concerns and controversies. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2008 Feb 9.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18266825

Rising rates of food allergies in early childhood reflect increasing failure of early immune tolerance mechanisms. There is mounting concern that the current recommended practice of delaying complementary foods until 6 months of age may increase, rather than decrease, the risk of immune disorders. Tolerance to food allergens appears to be driven by regular, early exposure to these proteins during a 'critical early window' of development. Although the timing of this window is not clear in humans, current evidence suggests that this is most likely to be between 4 and 6 months of life and that delayed exposure beyond this period may increase the risk of food allergy, coeliac disease and islet cell autoimmunity. There is also evidence that other factors such as favourable colonization and continued breastfeeding promote tolerance and have protective effects during this period when complementary feeding is initiated. This discussion paper explores the basis for concern over the current recommendation to delay complementary foods as an approach to preventing allergic disease. It will also examine the growing case for introducing complementary foods from around 4 months of age and maintaining breastfeeding during this early feeding period, for at least 6 months if possible.

Are you surprised that the first author sits on Nestle's Scientific Advisory Board and has taken money from Mead Johnson and did not declare these affiliations?

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

Stem cells found breastmilk

2008-02-20T03:54:24Z

http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20081102-16879.html

This is amazing and another reason to keep on nursing. Every little drop counts!

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

1 Year Nurniversary

2008-02-19T08:54:20Z

Connor is 1 year old today and we have been nursing for a year. I really can'[ believe that we have made it thus far and I am so grateful for my lactation consultant, Domperidone and all the Breatfeeding After a Breast Reduction (BFAR) ladies for helping me get this far. I plan to breastfeed as long as Connor wants to go and I have milk but making it this far means that the rest is a bonus.

There have been so many ups and downs and even as I sit here typing this it brings tears to my eyes as I remember the nights when I would nurse and get so frustrated with my lack of supply. My husband has been marvelous and really helped me through the tough times and my post partum depression.

I feel like I have been nursing a toddler for a while now though as a few months back the nursing changed and it no longer became about the milk but was more about the bonding and comfort. That took the pressure off for me and I stopped worrying about my supply and stopped pumping if I was going to miss a feed. This allowed me a lot more freedom so that I was always tied to Connor's feeding schedule and pumping was always very frustrating.

I remember at about 9 months I was sure he was going to wean as he was down to four times a day. He has bounced back now and nurses more than ever. My husband and I have decided this past week to night wean him (which means the end of co-sleeping) but I am ready for that. I was great to wake up with full breasts this morning after no nursing once Connor went to bed last night.

I never knew how rewarding my nursing relationship could be and I am so grateful and fiercely proud that despite all the difficulties, I have made it this far.

posted in Breastfeeding - 6 replies

Breastfeeding's topics - tribe.net

shopping with my mom

tyra banks tears down extended breastfeeders

Nursing for Hours At a Time--Help!

"How long are you going to breastfeed her?"

It's Not Really About The Milk

growth spurts

Am I a "blankie"?

Is it to soon?

thrush

la leche founder passes on

manual pump?

birth petition

Time Away from my Son: Do I Nead to Pump and Will it Cause Him to Wean?

spacing out

Nursing older children

medela pump--just leaks

sore nipples? try seashells!

the real cost of cheap food

supply issue help

starting solids?

Question re the food I eat and my breastmilk

Is my brain being sucked out too?

extraordinary breastfeeding

harmful nipple cream

6 days old and an eating machine

implants and breastfeeding

breastfeeding while pregnant?

Wow! Fancypants (but ubercool) pump!

what's up with those plastic nipple guard thingies?

Chinese breastfeeding relief effort

Only six months and she's given up!

outgrowing his sling

&lt;sniffsniff>

Disfuntional Sleeping Situations...please help!

reeeeally sore nipples

I think I'm done!

Anxious about weaning? Or anxious FROM weaning?

Herbal Tea

more evidence that breastfeeding boosts IQ

in one end, out the other

those of you who took domperidone...

tops and bras

Excessive weight loss and breastfeeding

Dumb question about BF and mammograms

OTC allergy relief that is safe?

slow weight gain

clogged duct?

Hair Dye...

periods?

Breastfeeding Mama Doll

Go Sesame Street!

help i'm getting bummed out

on and off while nursing

working out

speaking of pumping

Breastfeeding isn't a crime

AF returning

breastmilk and baby acne

How long did you pump?

Night weaning

something my pedi said today ...

contaminated milk

Horrilbe cold with sinus pressure - what can I take???

coffee and breastfeeding

plastic chemicals in babies diet

My teething baby is biting my breast...help?

how much to freeze?

nutritionist says "cut back on breastfeeding". WTF?

clear fluid?

What about BooB jobs?

used pump

Trust Birth Conference, March 7-9, 2008 Redondo Beach, CA

Single breast feeding

La Teta: breastfeeding video

breast shells...worth it?

increase breast milk supplement

favorite nursing bras?

Body cleansing and Breastfeeding

does size matter?

<sniffsniff>