Breastfeeding's topics - tribe.net

Still lactating...six months post-weaing

Melissa — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:27:23 GMT

Hi,

I hope all you breastfeeding mamas out there are doing well. Go boobies!

Anyway, my twins have been weaned for six months and I can still express small amounts of milk. (I've only tried twice since weaning so it's not like I'm creating demand by expressing milk.) Is this normal (if somewhat unusual)? Should I be concerned?

I'm not uncomfortable in any way, but it would be awesome if my boobs would go back to their pre-breastfeeding semi-gigantic size.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks,
Melissa

posted in Breastfeeding - 8 replies

PAIN

Katheryn — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:11:50 GMT

I GAVE BIRTH IN THE hospital.
I go to latch Jakob on with my love and instincts,
the nurse stops me and says do you want breast feeding advice?
exhausted and feeling stupid because I didnt "know" how to breast feed, I follow her lead of same hand same breast and feed on instruction from my first time on. this hurts so much that I was not given the space to experiment on my own first.
Jakob is 4 months old now. and has been fussing like mad and not eating when I turn him sideways to feed, we was only laying down next to me to feed, or sitting upright on my knee, otherwise he would refuse food for even 6 freAKEN HOURS.
my girlfriend came over with her baby who is 2 weeks older and begins to use the same are as the breast to not hold the breast but to cradle her little one. I tried this method on her reteaching me on ,my origional instinctual positioning for feeding Jakob and Jakob loved it! It pains me that I listened to the hospital, and it pains and angers me that the hospital even exists..

Jakob is will now be gently cradled in my arm, just as the picture of this tribe illustrates, and as I intuitively would have fed him had no one intervined, instead of the un comfortable one arm holding his head madeness.

love to all of you beautiful mammas!

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

anti anxiety meds?

jade moon — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:21:11 GMT

Dear moms,

Anyone have experience with anxiety/depression meds?
I am considering taking some after nearly a year of outbursts, depression,etc..
I am still BF my 23 month old and want to continue, but don't want adverse effects for him. What about withdrawls should I stop?

Any advice appreciated,
Jade Moon

posted in Breastfeeding - 4 replies

how can you tell if the breast milk has gone bad?

dandysparkle — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:45:32 GMT

How can you tell if the breast milk has gone bad?

I have a bunch of milk that I pumped and stored in a freezer and a deep freezer. We pulled one out tonight to test it and it tastes different than what I am making right now. Is this common? Or has the milk gone bad? It is not lumpy and looks fine...

How can you tell? (I really don't like the idea of using the baby as a guinea pig...)

posted in Breastfeeding - 6 replies

Is it safe to do a detoxifying cleanse while breastfeeding?

Sarah — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:01:25 GMT

My six month old is strictly on the breast, and she is a very healthy weight. I myself am back to pre-baby weight, but I feel so sluggish and yucky (Im not eating as good as I would like, and I drink coffee every morning, ect.) - I just want to do a cleanse and start over! But Im wondering if this is safe to do while breastfeeding my daughter. Any suggestions?

posted in Breastfeeding - 12 replies

best place to raise kids? Norway

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:11:22 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXG0879Uwq0

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

another breastfeeding news story

salt — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:54:43 GMT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20091002/wl_time/08599192746500

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

good piece of advice

IxChel — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:35:31 GMT

Cache mammals whose mothers leave them for 12 hours at a time, have the highest protein and fat in their milk. Carry mammals feed around the clock and their milk has low levels of fat and protein. Human milk, of all the mammalian animals, has the lowest levels of fat and protein. Moral of the story: Keeping baby physically close and feeding baby on cue, not on schedule, are biological imperatives for our infants.

(a quote from one of my FB friends)

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

when friends/family don't approve of breastfeeding

Mel — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:10:07 GMT

I am just wondering what you guys do when your friends/family don't approve of you breastfeeding after a year. I have a good friend but she is starting to wear on me because every time she comes over she asks me when I'm going to wean my 22 month old. She doesn't accept the answer that weaning starts the day you begin feeding them solids. My in-laws are the same way, luckily they live half way across the country.

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

Dieting and Breastfeeding

ivydee — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:24:12 GMT

Has anyone here had any specific experiences with dieting and breastfeeding? I gained a significant amount of weight during my pregnancy and have only lost about half (currently 3.5mo pp). Please don't tell me it will come off naturally as I breastfeed, its not. I haven't lost a pound since the 8wk mark, and in fact have mysteriously gained 3lbs in the past week or so. And I know plenty of other women who breastfed who also did not lose the weight, so I know it just doesn't happen for everyone.

I found some good tips on kellymom, and says that both the WW BF diet and Body for LIfe are safe during BF. I don't know much about the WW diet, but the BFL is a very balanced diet (lean protein, complex carbs, healthy fats and lots of veggies) based on 6 portion controlled meals a day, plus one free day a week. I did this diet for about 6 months a few years ago and my caloric intake was within what the kellymom sight recommends.

I'm considering starting the diet portion of the program next week. I just don't know how diligently I can stick to the workout portion of the program now that I'm working full-time, but I figure its better than nothing. I'm just wondering if anyone has actually been successful with any type of dieting, without it affecting their milk supply.

Your experiences are welcomed!

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

weaning plan?

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:10:21 GMT

I talked with another mom I know, one who is much more organized than me, and she had a definite weaning plan that seemed to be really working. I've just been winging it by offering more foods and snacks during the day (but we did work on cutting down the feedings at night to 1, sometimes 2, which is huge).

So, my question is, did you guys who have weaned have a plan, or just go with whatever? How did it work for you?

posted in Breastfeeding - 4 replies

am I overreacting?

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:58:17 GMT

So, I signed up for a yoga teacher training with a company I did my initial 200-hour training through (and spent a ton of money). It included a prenatal postpartum training where they were all about "loving and supporting moms in pregnancy and beyond". During one of my trainings we were in the middle of a serious discussion when the company's owner paraded her dogs through, completely disrupting everything for 30 minutes and we totally lost our focus.

This is what I wrote to them,

"I am registered for the xxx training. I
would like to get in touch with the trainer ahead of time to let her
know that I might need some small accommodation as a nursing mom.
Basically I may need my husband to bring my son in probably once in the
afternoon and potentially once in the morning. It would only be for
10-15 minutes max. I would plan to just nurse him in the back of the
room so I could still hear everything going on. If it were to disrupt
everything I would then take him out in another area. I would like to
speak with the trainer prior to the training to make sure this
accommodation is acceptable and so that my husband and I can prepare and
prepare our son for it."

And this is what I got back,

"Unfortunately, a baby cannot be permitted into the training. It would be a
disruption to the experience for the other trainees and a liability that we
are not covered for. XXX is the instructor. I will consult with
him to see if you could leave the room for a short time in the morning and
the afternoon. We should be able to work with you if it is just 10 minutes
or so."

I was really incensed about the word "disruption" and that it's up to the trainer, not policy.

Am I overreacting?

posted in Breastfeeding - 18 replies

Let down

ivydee — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:33:13 GMT

So I've been back to work for a week now, Sophie's in day care (today is her first day, she stayed home with daddy last week) so I'm pumping while at work.

I've never had any production problems but lately when I pump it seems like my milk isn't letting down and all I'm getting is what is "stored around the ducts", I pump for 10 minutes then milk stops coming out. I KNOW they're not empty, my breasts have never been empty before and if I manually express I can still get milk, I just cant seem to get to it with the pump. My first pump today only yielded about 3oz, my second about 4oz. I really need to try and get more out or else I'm not going to be able to pump enough to feed her during the day and will have to start supplementing with formula.

I've started back with the oatmeal and Mother's Milk tea, but I really don't think its a production problem. I've tried the tricks to stimulate let down, like looking at pictures and videos of her while pumping, but it doesn't seem to be working. I've also massaged them while pumping and that helps a bit, but only a little.

Any other suggestions? I can't really pump more frequently, as it is I'm already doing it 3x a day, any more will interfere with my ability to do my job.

Appreciate any suggestions!

posted in Breastfeeding - 4 replies

vasosapasms, nipple blanching

HUNNYDUMELONS — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:00:44 GMT

now, before anyone says www.kellymom.com or "call your lactation consultant" I want to say, I all ready did that, and will be visiting the LC later next week. But in the last 3 weeks or so, usually pleasant nursing has become painful, esp on the right boob. There is def. blanching, and the nipple comes out smushed almost flat. Im working on improving latch and using different positions. But I still sometimes cry out in pain when she nurses. Im determined to continue, but I really have begun to dread nursing on the right. I think she is teething, and I do break the seal when she starts to gum down, and Ive been putting the lanolin on too. Not sure what else to do at this point.

posted in Breastfeeding - 6 replies

teeth pain

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:28:24 GMT

My little one now has top chompers and he doesn't bite so much as really draw back when he's nursing and grips with his top teeth. I'm now getting these little cuts in the top of the nipple that hurt like hell--so much so a couple of nights I had to say enough and let dad get him back to sleep (which is what we need to be doing now anyway, but that's a different story).

Does this pass? Do your nipples go through another round of toughening up when the teeth are fully in? Do they learn not to grip so much?

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

x-post discrimination case

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:41:25 GMT

http://www.cleveland.com/schultz/index.ssf/2009/09/working_moms_need_a_break_from.html

My husband pointed this out and noted he is now going to boycott Isotoner too.

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

boob owie

HUNNYDUMELONS — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:41:43 GMT

Ive got this red, tender spot on my boob, right on the border of the areola, about the size of a lentil. It could be a bite or a zit, but its not obvious. any ideas?

posted in Breastfeeding - 12 replies

groping pinching and other frat party behavior

salt — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:15:42 GMT

So my daughter is now 19 months old and still nursing strong. She's gotten very verbal and that is as it should be. BUT she's now shoving her hand down my shirt to establish "You're MY Mama" and has in the last two weeks turned into a serious pincher. I remove the offending little paw gently from out of my bra and give her lots of snuggles and verbal comfort that Yes, those are mama's boos and be nice please, etc. Is this the way to go? I'm not going to say "don't touch" and I'm not looking to wean yet, in fact I think that making them off limits may make her more desperate to hold on tight, but I need a little encouragement. Most of my local mama friends haven't nursed this long and have pretty much gone the old school "mama's body off limits" route, so in a loving way I can state that they're not much help. I think I'll cross post this on attachment parenting and see if anyone has anything to say over there too.

feedback?

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

supply issues and shatavari

Adriana — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:57:16 GMT

Have any of you tried this herb for supply issues? My milk has suddenly disappeared and we are in the 8th month. All of a sudden I was only able to pump 3oz when before I could pump a whole 10oz. each time. I know my baby isn't eating it up because he is hungry and my boobs feel empty all day. I used to wake up to huge engorged breasts, now they aren't even firm. I am so frustrated, I am no where near my goal for breastfeeding :(

posted in Breastfeeding - 10 replies

How long did you wait before pumping & bottlefeeding your newborn?

InnerSeeker — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:23:17 GMT

My baby is almost 2 weeks old. How long did you wait before pumping & bottlefeeding? I'm only wanting to do this in the middle of the night for some extra sleep. But don't want to do this too soon.....

posted in Breastfeeding - 11 replies

Im a hot pepper lover, but...

Sarah — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:02:56 GMT

Im wondering if by eating hot peppers everyday, I may be upsetting my baby girl. She becoming a little fussy when I am feeding her, and Im not clear as to what the effects of spicy food may be having on her. Yes yes I am sure to wash my hands after eating the peppers, so its not that. But she's definitely upset about something...

posted in Breastfeeding - 6 replies

how to get my daughter to nurse

koren — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:50:05 GMT

i had 2 preemies that came home on bottles trained them to nurse with out a problem now i have a new little one who is 3 months old and nursed like a champ in hospital and got home now will only take a bottle i pump for he no formula here but its driving me crazy that she wont nurse!!! please help

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

breast milk in a bottle

HUNNYDUMELONS — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:48:19 GMT

Ok , now that my baby is 2 months old, I would like Daddy to bottle feed her pumped milk once a day or so. We tried it tonight, she wasnt starving, but decently hungry. I left the room, and she just didnt want to latch. She fussed and gnawed on the rubber nipple, but didnt suck. How do I get her to take a bottle from someone else?

posted in Breastfeeding - 18 replies

cow's milk after year one?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:40:01 GMT

So, the AAP makes it seem like you have to get them on cow's milk right away. I rather think that's a crock if you are still nursing often. I'm hesitant to start the cow's milk because he had reflux and couldn't tolerate when I drank it, and still spits up sometimes when I have cow's milk. We'll start it eventually, but there are so many other new things we want to try first--like berries, fish, tomatoes, nuts, etc. We plan on trying hemp milk first, then goat, then eventually cow.

For those of you who delayed starting cow's milk, when did you start? Or am I just crazy and should do what the AAP tells me?

posted in Breastfeeding - 16 replies

self tanners

Lyla — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:20:17 GMT

is it ok to use Jergins Natural Glow or other "bronzing" lotions while bfing?

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

Support breastfeeding moms to save child lives: WHO

Fin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 07:29:28 GMT

I love this story, especially the part about "2 years or more" (but not the part about H1N1)

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/07/31/breastfeeding-who.html#socialcomments

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

WAAHOO!! 8 months!!!

Khaduja — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:25:45 GMT

My lil'moosey turned 8 mos last week, looks like we might make the 1 yr mark!

posted in Breastfeeding - 6 replies

When to stop?

dandysparkle — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:55:40 GMT

My son just turned 5 months old. The original plan was to BF until he was 6 months and then wean and feed him the stockpile of BM I have in the deep freezer. (But since we are not as keen to try for baby no. 2 soon soon after no. 1, there is not the NEED to get him off the breast right away.)

Emotionally, I think he really benefits from the nursing, and I don't think he is going to *magically* stop needing to nurse in a few weeks. And I am more than fine with that. (And I admit, as it gets closer and closer to wean, the less I find I want to.)

BUT-

He is a biter. Always has been. I tried it all (I think)... Lactation classes and one on ones... BF support groups... Staring him down, finger in the mouth, nipple shield, the nose, the cheek, the ear tapping/flicking... NOTHING works. He bites so hard that I am currently pumping one side because I have a tear at the base of the nipple from him, and I need it to heal before I can bear the pain of his (inevitable) biting. (It's not the first time this has happened either.)

I am stubborn, good thing- or I would have called it quits a few days in... But now... The longer it goes, the less determination I have to just suck it up. (No pun intended.)

Advice?
Tips?
Thoughts?
Help?

Thanks!

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

breastfeeding promotion act : call on your congresspeople

stephanie_phillyjawn — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:39:16 GMT

from momsrising.org

I just took action to support the Breastfeeding Promotion Act and I hope you'll join me. This bill is very important for new moms with infants, especially since they make up more than 50% of the work force.

All major national and international medical authorities recommend infants are exclusively fed breast milk for the first 6 months. Yet many women who work outside the home face significant barriers or outright discrimination in their efforts to breastfeed. Even well-intentioned employers may be unaware about how to accommodate nursing moms, leaving women to cram into bathroom stalls or hide out in dingy supply rooms just to pump breast milk for their babies.

The Breastfeeding Promotion Act would help nursing moms by requiring employers make reasonable efforts to provide appropriate space and break time for mothers to express milk. It would also provide tax incentives for businesses that establish private lactation areas in the workplace.

Please join me in sending a letter to your Member of Congress today and urge them to co-sponsor th Breastfeeding Promotion Act:
http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27279

Thank you!!

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

squirt squirt squirt!

HUNNYDUMELONS — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:34:37 GMT

OMG I had no idea that Milk Ejection Reflex would be so heavy on the "Ejection" part. My LO pops off the nipple and I squirt in 5 directions like a frickin fountain! LOL!

posted in Breastfeeding - 7 replies

night feeding

HUNNYDUMELONS — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:34:06 GMT

I going to talk to my lactation consultant too, but I thought I would ask you all. I understand "on demand" breastfeeding means as much as they want, as often as they want, but I worry the LO doesnt eat enough at night. She has a big nurse around midnight, then around 3 and 5 or around then, she fusses to be fed, I put a nip in her mouth, and she sucks for, a few seconds, maybe a minute or 2, then conks out again. Around 7 she has a light meal, but doesnt really nurse for more than a few minutes until we get up around 10 or 11. Should I be waking her up during the night to feed her, like turning on lights and stuff? She doesnt even fully wake up for diaper changes...

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

Moderating this tribe - anyone interested?

jools — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:20:02 GMT

While I love breastfeeding and supporting other mothers, I just don't have the time to check in here very often. There hasn't been any major problems for the past couple years, but I feel a bit guilty that I'm unable to devote myself to this place a bit more.

Would anyone like to take over?

posted in Breastfeeding - 4 replies

wool pads, is there a trick to them?

HUNNYDUMELONS — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:24:04 GMT

i bought 2 pairs of nice wool breast pads and I am still getting leaks, the milk just isnt getting soaked up. whats wrong?

posted in Breastfeeding - 12 replies

weaning a soon to be 4 year old

jill — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:50:31 GMT

any one have stories for me?

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

Breast feeding WIN!

HUNNYDUMELONS — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:48:35 GMT

Well after two weeks of hard work, a frenotomy, pumping, syringes, nasty tasting tinctures, and lots of frustration, Im finally making enough milk to feed my baby on my own, without tubes or bottles, or formula. I met with a lactation consultant today who observed me feeding, told me I was doing everything right, gave me trick and tips to keep baby happy, and let me know how to gage her fullness and adequacy of feeding via wet diapers and contentedness. Im so happy and totally confident, Thank all of you for your support in this tribe. Happy breastfeeding!

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

night weaning/slowdown?

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:46:54 GMT

Now that he's one, we're trying to slow down the nursings at night from literally every 1 to 2 hours (wake up, sometimes nurse well, other times nipple a little roll around a little then go back to sleep after 10 minutes). I'm hoping to cut it to twice a night, which is my survival sleep threshold. I have absolutely no delusions about sleeping through the night for my spirited little one.

I tried the No Cry Sleep Solution methods and still use them (I make sure he falls asleep for at least one nap in another way--baby carrier, car seat, etc.) but it's just not taking hold.

Did anyone else purposely take steps to slow down the night waking/nursings and what worked for you?

posted in Breastfeeding - 7 replies

On clogged ducts...

Khaduja — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:29:43 GMT

I get clogged ducts very frequently and I can't seem to avoid getting them again once I get the clog resolved. It's only my right side and only on the underside of my breast. It'snot mastitis, there's no flu feelings, no red lines, my breast doesn't feel feverish or hot and I've been to my dr and a breast tissue specialist. It's doesn't happen every day or even every other day. I can't go 4-5 days with out a problem and then WHAM, I've got rock solid really sore bumps the size of quarters and it looks like I'm setting my right boob on an invisible shelf. Every movement of my arms, chest, back, and shoulders creates so much pain that I can't decided if I want to cry, throw up, or both.

I've tried everything that has been suggested to me. We've nursing more/less, from various positions/angles, thinking that it had to do with how my boy was sucking. Used all kinds of creams/balms because maybe it was being caused by allergic reactions. Not using any creams/balms or any thing other than a little milk to keep my nips from cracking because maybe skin cells were being pushed in to the duct when the cream was applied. Tried massage, hot shower, hot bath, and cool compresses in all sorts of combinations in the hopes of helping let down and milk quantity. Pumping more/less at various suction levels and speeds to see if how full/empty my breasts are have anything to do with the clogging. Drinking a little wine a 1/2 prior to pumping to help me relax thinking that it could be stress induced thing. Taking evening primrose oil to see if maybe it was hormonal and that balanced out the levels. Wearing looser/tighter bras because maybe the movement/ pressure was exaserbating the problem.

So, is there ANYTHING else out there that you might suggest or ideas that I haven't tried? I really don't want to stop (we're sooo close to the 6 mo mark), my boy likes his mommy only snuggle time, and my DH & I can't really afford to put my boy on formula. But I'm really having a very hard time dealing with the continual pain that this is causing.

posted in Breastfeeding - 11 replies

syringe feedings

HUNNYDUMELONS — Sun, 31 May 2009 05:29:05 GMT

Im just home from the hospital after a c-section and Im using a syringe and a tube taped to my nipple to add formula to my breast milk without using a bottle and creating nipple confusion. The bummer is, my baby likes the formula a lot, and seems to only want to suck if there is formula coming. Just the meager breast milk I make is not enough, and she gets mad. So I need to get my milk in NOW. Ive been hydrated, eating oatmeal, drinking lactation tea, etc pumping in between feedings etc. But I need to start making my rich momma milk so I can ditch the formula.

How do I do this, fast? I need help!

posted in Breastfeeding - 24 replies

free nursing cover!

IxChel — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:41:14 GMT

http://www.uddercovers.com/?gclid=CM6SpfLU3ZoCFRFWagodtDiz3A

use promotional code ONEFREE & pay only shipping!

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

Covering UP

aargh — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:56:18 GMT

Breast is Best (as long as we don't see it)!
Hilary Stamper

Feeding a baby involves nipples. Either artificial ones made from I-hope-they-are-not-toxic chemicals, or the real thing. As ina woman’s nipples.
Sadly, it’s the real thing that makes many people uncomfortable.
Facebook has dubbed “obscene” and removed unknown numbers of
breastfeeding images. And while over 234,000 have protested these
actions, even companies focused on healthy, nontoxic living showcase
100% of a latex nipple attached to a bottle, while nowhere show even 1%
of a real, living nipple feeding a baby the way humans are meant to.
As a culture with a breastfeeding deficit, perhaps the majority does
not understand that when a baby latches onto a breast, some fraction of
the areola is almost certainly going to show. This could be why
publishers unknowingly hinder the normalization of breastfeeding with
rules specifying how much of a nursing breast can appear in an image,
excluding, “any part of the nipple.” Yet, rules like this effectively
prevent people from passing on the healthy knowledge of what a normal
latched infant looks like. In addition, they keep breastfeeding on the
periphery of acceptable social behaviors: “Breast is best, BUT don’t
let me see your nipples!”
As a breastfeeding mom, I try to be discreet feeding my babies (as
do all the mothers I know). Yet, if someone is looking directly at my
baby latched to my breast, he/she will see some part of the areola,
classified as “part of the nipple.” And while nature designed the
nipple to look like a bullseye so babies could catch it, for most of
our culture it marks a very different spot.
This is a spot that makes the new mother, perhaps not a particularly
outgoing mother, perhaps one that feels a bit self-conscious anyway,
feel very nervous feeding her baby where others can see. How many times
has society’s refusal to celebrate and normalize images of healthfully
latched babies contributed to a mother giving up, uncomfortable feeding
her baby anywhere but her home?
To alleviate this discomfort, now for sale are the increasingly
common boob burkas designed to hide the nursing baby and breast from
public. Perhaps they help some mothers feel safer nursing in public,
but these “aids” also help seal the secret, increase the mystery of the
nursing babe. Is it possible that one day, nursing will only be allowed in private breastfeeding rooms unless you don the Hooter Hider?
Maybe we should ask the women in Afghanistan - I wonder if they foresaw
the current requisite attire for women in their country.
One might argue, “but things are getting so much better.” “Everyone
is stressing the importance of Breast is Best.” And even, “The
breastfeeding militia is forcing the breast on everyone!” But look European paintings from the 1200’s-1800’s that include women breastfeeding - you can even see Virgin Mary’s nipple!
These were times when women were clad from head to toe in clothing, yet
they popped out their breast to feed their babies. And the painters
sharing this history had no qualms about what fraction of the nipple
was exposed.
It had to start somewhere, this forced covering of a woman’s body.
Women in Afghanistan wear burkas to hide their entire body. Conversely,
but equally sexually, Americans highlight the flat chests of
4-year-olds with pink triangle bikinis. We feature cleavage in woman’s
worksuit attire. So hail the plastic nursing nipple, for it allows us
to claim the woman’s body for one exclusive purpose: sexual arousal. We
can almost forget that Mother Nature intended her breast to nourish. Almost, but not quite because the plastic nipple still holds that pesky shape, which looks remarkably…nipple-like.
When a woman’s body becomes more about sex than anything else, it
limits what a woman can do. It becomes something she uses to attract
and please others, something others want to control. I grew up on the
Southern California coast, playing my socially acceptable role as a
bikini-clad teen shrieking down the beach on episodes of Baywatch.
After years of encouraging my own objectification, I’ve been pleasantly
surprised by the empowerment I’ve experienced using my body for
nourishment as a mother. And while this might not be everyone’s
experience, why do we allow society to dictate but one singular purpose
for all of our female bodies? When a woman is empowered to use her own
body to nourish her children, it puts her in charge. Does this scare
people?
Each of us can do our part to make the nursing mother feel safe and
confident feeding her baby by normalizing images of breastfeeding. Or,
we can hide the nursing mother, heightening the mystery and even shame
associated with her nursing breasts. It strikes me that we as a culture
might need to address our obsession with breasts as purely sexual
“objects” to make reasonable progress. What do you think?

Hilary Stamper has spent the last nine years focused on environmental
advocacy. With the birth of her first child, she also began
advocacating for birthing and breastfeeding mothers, attempting to
help them feel empowered by their birth experiences and build
confidence as new parents. Now living in Half Moon Bay , CA with her
husband and two homebirthed children ages 2 and 5, Hilary spends the
majority of her time focused on green parenting and connecting children
with nature.

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

So RAD!

snazzygina — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:16:16 GMT

Simone posted this on FB and I had to post it here!!

I LOVE this video. It makes me want to down fenugreek and mother's milk tea to get my milk back for baby G. She still nurses once a day but I didn't realize how much I missed it until I saw this. :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIu2FZmiKuY&feature=player_embedded

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

Bye, bye boobies

Melissa — Mon, 25 May 2009 12:27:07 GMT

It is with a surprising swirl of emotions that I announce that we've weaned. Ben and Sam, my 13-month-old twins, had their last "mommy milkies" (direct from the breast, anyway) on Friday. Weaning was my decision. (Support only, please--no stoning me via tribe!) As some of you saw in an earlier thread, I was having intense shooting pains in my left breast. We'd already started a slow weaning process, and the pains simply encouraged me (forced me, really) to speed it up.

I've cried several times since we stopped. In fact, I'm tearing up as I type this. Part of me wishes we'd breastfed longer. Part of me is relieved because of my newfound freedom and my boys' newfound independence. Part of me is grieving the loss of such a wonderful, warm, visceral, cuddly experience. That said, I do think I would have been a bit sad to end the breastfeeding relationship no matter when we did.

We had a great run. I'm proud of myself for breastfeeding twins for more than a year--a year that included intermittent cracked nipples, two bouts of yeast infections, and the dreaded vasospasms. It's amazing to think that, for a period of time, I not only kept my boys alive but helped them grow and thrive with just my boobs! How freakin' cool is that?!? I will always treasure our breastfeeding time, and I'm sure will continue to miss it on and off. What a beautiful gift I've given my boys and myself.

To me, this is emblematic of our breastfeeding experience: http://breastfeeding.tribe.net/photos/121cb316-5818-49c6-822f-e99eca42b3b9

My love to all the breastfeeding mamas out there. Go boobies!

Best,
Mama Melissa (Mom to Sam & Ben, 13 months)

posted in Breastfeeding - 6 replies

We did it!

Tue, 26 May 2009 03:27:51 GMT

Holy cow, but we made it. My boy turned one today and we nursed. When my milk was slow to start and when we had our reflux-induced nursing strike, I thought for certain we would never make it to one. But here we are (and I'm hoping to go longer, playing it by ear), and this tribe totally helped. Thanks so much for your support.

posted in Breastfeeding - 7 replies

Vasospasms

Melissa — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:55:35 GMT

Has anyone had experience with vasospasms (spasms in the blood vessels of the nipple/breast) after breastfeeding? I'm 99% sure that's what's causing the intense shooting pains in my poor left boob. Any suggestions? Anyone? Anyone?

OW!

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

Weaning

snazzygina — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:58:07 GMT

I've been slowly weaning Georgia from the breast. She's now nearly 14 months old and ready. I'm surprised at how easy it's been. I tend to wean so slowly that my children have never even really noticed. She has a dairy sensitivity so we've been giving her whole goat's milk. She loves it from a bottle or a cup. I'm down to one nursing every day or even every other day. I'm not full or uncomfortable at all. Thank goodness. I'd feel compelled to continue nursing her if I still had lots of milk.

Goodbye, nursing days. I will cherish you forever and miss the sweet moments you gave me with my wee one. I look forward to nursing again if and when I have baby #4. :)

posted in Breastfeeding - 14 replies

Swine Flu

aargh — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:43:47 GMT

AKA- is there anything nursing isn't good for?

-------------------------------------------------
From: American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians <acop@acopeds. org>
Date: Mon, May 4, 2009 at 7:14 AM
Subject: Breastfeeding Recommended to Protect Infants During Swine
Flu Outbreak - INFORMATION
To: acop-broadcast@ societyhq. com

May 1, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT
Megan Renner
301-807-4963 (cell)
mrenner@usbreastfee ding.org

Breastfeeding Recommended to Protect Infants During Swine Flu
Outbreak Washington, DC--As the nation monitors the intensifying
"swine flu" outbreak, the United States Breastfeeding Committee
(USBC) recommend breastfeeding as a critical strategy to prevent
infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
issued updated guidance today on H1N1 (swine) flu considerations for
pregnancy and breastfeeding, stating that: "Infants who are not
breastfeeding are particularly vulnerable to infection and
hospitalization for severe respiratory
illness. Women who deliver should be encouraged to initiate
breastfeeding early and feed frequently." Read the CDC guidance here:
http://www.cdc. gov/h1n1flu/ clinician_ pregnant. htm

Medical experts agree with the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services in recommending exclusive breastfeeding for six months and
continued breastfeeding for the first year of life and beyond. USBC
Chair Joan Younger Meek, MD, MS, RD, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC, affirms the
importance of breastfeeding in emergency situations: "Research
clearly shows that breastfeeding provides a safe, reliable food
source, full of disease-fighting cells and antibodies that help
protect infants from germs and illnesses. Mothers exposed to
influenza produce specific protection for their infants and transmit
this through their breast milk. Infant formula does not provide these
specific infection fighting properties. Unnecessary formula
supplementation should be eliminated so the infant can receive as
much benefit as possible from maternal protective antibodies and
other immune protective factors."

Women can continue to breastfeed while receiving antiviral
medications. CDC guidance recommends that if a woman is ill, she
should continue breastfeeding and increase feeding frequency. If the
mother or infant is too ill to breastfeed directly at the breast, the
mother should be encouraged to pump and feed her breast milk to her
infant. In certain situations, infants may be able to use donor human
milk from a milk bank certified by the Human Milk Banking Association
of North America http://www.hmbana. org.

The CDC reports that although the risk of H1N1 (swine) flu
transmission through breast milk is unknown, reports of seasonal flu
being transmitted through breast milk are rare. In addition, by the
time a mother begins showing symptoms of the flu, her infant has
already been exposed. The mother's milk can provide additional
protection for the infant from complications of the flu, such as
severe respiratory symptoms, diarrhea, other gastrointestinal
infections, and dehydration.

In addition to continued breastfeeding, parents and caretakers can
help protect their infant from the spread of germs when they:

* Wash adults' and infants' hands frequently with soap and water,
especially after infants place their hands in their mouths.
* Keep infants and mothers as close together as possible and
encourage early and frequent skin-to-skin contact between mothers and
their infants.
* Limit sharing of toys and other items that have been in infants
mouths, and wash thoroughly with soap and water any items that have
been in infants' mouths.
* Keep pacifiers (including the pacifier ring/handle) and other items
out of adults' or other infants' mouths before giving them to the
infant.
* Cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

For more information about H1N1 (swine) flu, visit the CDC's H1N1 Flu
Web site (http://www.cdc. gov/h1n1flu). For more information about
breastfeeding, visit The National Women's Health Information Center
(http://www.4woman. gov/Breastfeedin g). Physicians and other health
care providers can offer assistance and answer questions about
breastfeeding, and knowledgeable breastfeeding support personnel can
be located through
the International Lactation Consultant Association (http://
www.ilca.org) , the USDA Food and Nutrition Service Women, Infants and
Children (WIC) Program http://www.fns. usda.gov/ wic, and La Leche
League International http://www.llli. org.

The USBC is an organization of organizations. Opinions expressed by
USBC are not necessarily the position of all member organizations and
opinions expressed by USBC member organization representatives are
not necessarily the position of USBC.

United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) The United States
Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) is an independent nonprofit coalition
of 41 nationally influential professional, educational, and
governmental organizations. Representing over half a million
concerned professionals and the families they serve, USBC and its
member organizations share a common mission to improve the Nation's
health by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support
breastfeeding. For more information about USBC, visit http://
www.usbreastfeeding .org.

United States Breastfeeding Committee
2025 M Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington , DC 20036
Phone: 202/367-1132
Fax: 202/367-2132
E-mail: office@usbreastfeed ing.org
Web: www.usbreastfeeding .org

posted in Breastfeeding - 6 replies

breastfeeding lawmakers

Mon, 11 May 2009 03:57:57 GMT

I thought this was really cool: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/05/08/congress.babies/index.html

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

peggy o'mara responds to hanna rosin

stephanie_phillyjawn — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:03:08 GMT

http://www.mothering.com/guest_editors/quiet_place/quiet_place.html

"Hanna Rosin's article exposes the dichotomy between the high value we place on breastfeeding and the low value we place on mothering, but it is cowardly to blame breastfeeding. Slandering breastfeeding because our society makes it inconvenient is like vacillating on equal pay for women because it's difficult to achieve.

This is no time to waver: Powerful economic and political forces are continually undermining breastfeeding progress. Surely, we need state and federal protections for breastfeeding—that's a given. To achieve our national health goals, we—like our sisters around the world—also need guaranteed health care, paid family leaves, and caregiving credits. Bottle-feeding is an old-school feminist solution to inequality. The equal-rights arena of today is breastfeeding."

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

free (limited supply) fancy nursing dress

aargh — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:21:05 GMT

...from One Hot Mama boutique! you don't need to buy anything, and it's only $5 shipping.

I got a promo email, and it said pass it it, so here goes:

http://www.onehotmama.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=45

posted in Breastfeeding - 6 replies

free nursing cover

HUNNYDUMELONS — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:11:34 GMT

for those of you whose little ones like to pull the blanket off, and who still want a little privacy

www.uddercovers.com promo code onefree

You just pay for shipping!

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

Score one for Montana!

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:05:26 GMT

Okay, so our governor is working to try and make it so that guns made in Montana and purchased in Montana are not subject to background checks and okay, our state leaders are blinded by the cattle ranchers when it comes to wolves...but...

Today the governor signed the law that exempts breastfeeding moms from jury duty. How awesome is that!

http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/HB0372.htm

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

The importance of the bond created by breastfeeding...

Eldra — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:26:30 GMT

I have a very unique perspective on the importance of nursing babies.

Read my blog about it here:

http://www.beautifulwarriorwomen.com/blog/

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

Herbal Supplements Safe with Breastfeeding: L-tryptophan, GABA, St John's Wart, SAMe, DPLA???

Duracell — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:07:00 GMT

My marriage is in terrible turmoil and my therapist is suggesting I look at herbal supplements to help me deal with this difficult time. My son Connor is now 26 months and we are still nursing a few times a day but I don't think I have much milk left.

She is advising I look into L-tryptophan, GABA (gamma-amniobutyric acid), St John's Wart, SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) and DPLA (DL0phenylalanine). Any advice on whether these are compatable with breastfeeding? Most of the research I've found online says because of the lack of study of these herbs you should avoid them by breastfeeding (Dr Hale specifically says meds are better as he doesn't even believe these herbs work). I have called my OBGYN but am still waiting for a call back although I highly doubt whether they will even know if these are safe.

I really would appreciate any advice you can give me, thank you.

For those of you who know me personally, I would really appreciate you keeping my marriage troubles confidential.

posted in Breastfeeding - 21 replies

anniversary

Lyla — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:22:06 GMT

it's been a year (March 30th was the actual date) for my little man and I .... i can't believe he is still nursing. It's been rough quite a few times but i'm glad i hung in there : )

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

GABA

maria pureza — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:26:42 GMT

so i would like to take GABA and i can't find any info about it's safety during breastfeeding... opinions, experiences, please share? and if you did take it, could you recommend a brand and a dosage? thanks!

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

small piece on bf'ing preemies

aargh — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:40:07 GMT

my school sent me this link. It's nice to see anything positive aired on mainstream network news:

Charles Sauer, COMP ’04, is included in a CBS News report about the importance of breast milk for premature babies. Dr. Sauer is now a fellow in neonatology at UCSD. He was interviewed by Dr. Sanjay Gupta as part of the report, which aired Friday, April 10.

Here’s the link to the story: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4935970n

Heads up: It opens with a 30-second commercial, so please be patient. J

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

Help Change Breastfeeding Policy in US

Duracell — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:38:40 GMT

http://boobiefed.com/new-hhs-blueprint-for-action-on-breastfeeding-have-your-say/

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

Let's do our part to inspire other moms around us to breastfeed

Duracell — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:16:11 GMT

I run www.boobiefed.com, a website which aims to promote, educate and encourage people around the world about breastfeeding. We are looking for moms who want to contribute to the website with pictures, their own breastfeeding stories, as well as to write for our weekly blog.

Please take a look at the site and let us know if you interested in getting involved. You can share your own breastfeeding story at http://boobiefed.com/share-your-story/. You can contact me either via tribe or the email address on the contacts page of the website if you'd like to contribute in another way.

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

feeling drained

salt — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 06:42:38 GMT

My daughter was 16 months old yesterday. She has real problems with not wanting to eat solid food. It waxes and wanes with the moon, but even at her best, a huge meal is four crackers, three tablespoons of yogurt and a few more teaspoons of soup broth. She refuses juice either from a sippy or a cup, only takes water, and only likes crunchy foods, cereals, freezedried fruits, toast. No nut butters, no fresh fruits, no avocado, to HELL with sweet potatoes or any purees. I've never once gotten any purees down her. I put them in her mouth (and that takes some work) and then she cries and spits them out and wipes her tongue. I've talked to the Doctors and they say as long as she's nibbling things they're not worried. So I'm trying not to worry, but what I am feeling is like I'm being sucked dry. I am losing weight (I've got enough to spare so that's ok) and my skin is dry, my libido is gone, I eat like a horse and drink water and juice like a fish, I even have cravings! I didn't have cravings when I was pregnant, but yesterday I bought chicken livers, cooked them up and ATE THEM ALL!!

Has anyone else had any experiences either similiar to this or vaguely consoling to me? I need some serious consoling. I'm feeling haggard. My mother's been trying to cheer me up...she's been saying since Anthea was 9 months or so, "It's ok honey, she'll eat more really soon." I am having a crisis of belief here.

My husband is concerned that I should perhaps cut back on some nursing to goad her into eating, but I don't think that's a good idea. I hate to think of violating her trust like that. I don't want her to be hungry or mad that there is no boobie (she learned to ask for it last week!) and I don't think I'm nursing too often. We nurse at 8 am when we wake up, 11 am before nap, 1:30 quickie when we wake up from nap, 8:30 pm for bed and then 3 am for what taco bell refers to as the fourth meal. SO, it's only FOUR consistent daily nursings, It's not like the good old days when I nursed her every two hours or so, we've come quite a ways there, but still

she won't eat hardly anything but me and I'm tired. I'm Resolute to keep nursing if that's what she needs, but damn it I'm tired.

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

Quenching thirst?

dandysparkle — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 05:03:46 GMT

Question:

How do you get just fore milk to quench the thirst of a young baby? (I was told that giving a young baby was really bad.)

Background:

We went on our first afternoon walk/hike with the LO. It was HOT. And he was just as thirsty as we were. He would gulp down the milk for a minute or two and then scream when the hind milk let down. Then a few minutes later he would scream again because he was thirsty again. (Still?)

Question:

So what do you do when you are out like that and can't really stop every 5-10 minutes to give the LO a drink? (I'd really like to take him with us, but I don't want him to be hurt or unhappy. And I am thinking at the moment that long walks and hikes are out over the warm months. At least for the next couple of years. But really, there must be something, right?)

posted in Breastfeeding - 10 replies

pregnant and nursing, conceiving while nursing?

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:11:05 GMT

We're just now crazy enough to want a second and since I'm an older broad, we have to get moving. We're thinking of starting soon after our little one turns 1.

I don't want to wean my little one prematurely (now that we're closing in on 1 year, I am hoping to make it to 2). So, my questions for those of you who still nursed while pregnant?

1. Did you find that the child stopped around 4 months when the milk "tastes past the sale date" as they say? And if not, what precautions did you take to keep nursing?

2. How much, if at all, did you have to slow down in order to conceive?

I think that's about it for now. I haven't had a period since birth, in part due to the mini pill, but I'm kind of wondering if I will ovulate at all at the rate we nurse.

Much appreciation for your advice.

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

figleaves has good stuff, good deals

HUNNYDUMELONS — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:43:47 GMT

I searched high and low on the internet for cottony drop cup nursing bras that are not ugly, in sizes no human being should have to endure.( 40 G and up) and discovered that figleaves.com has many options, sizes and a wide price range. Their customer service is above and beyond and the shipping is like lightning!

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

sore nipples? try seashells!

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:56:20 GMT

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 - 4 replies

The Case Against Breastfeeding

Duracell — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:55:14 GMT

Hanna Rosin's article in The Atlantic hit news stands last week and has caused quite the controversy in the breastfeeding community. For more info on this story take a look at : http://boobiefed.com/refuting-the-case-against-breastfeeding/ It makes me very sad that she seems to have tarred the name of breastfeeding and the importance of breast milk in such a public way.

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

stopping by for a quick hello

Hunnybunny — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:39:51 GMT

hi moms,

I haven't checked tribe in a while and am so happy to see that other mom's are still out here. My kid is now 13 mos and I can't believe we're still breastfeeding. I really thought I wouldn't make it to a year and now it's actually easier, partially I think because he's eating so much solid food he doesn't need to nurse every few hours like at the beginning. He's quickly turning into a toddler and that does present a few other challenges.

I was missing tribe and the support of other tribe moms. I looks like I need to check in more often! I"m off to check in with postpartum mammas.

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

nursing in the Caribbean

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:00:00 GMT

We just got back from our big adventure and a few things to report. We were in St Maarten, Dominica (NOT the Dominican Republic) and Puerto Rico. I was never bothered while nursing in public, which is great. I wore nursing tops so I was modest about it, but no one bothered me at all.

What was sad is what I learned. At the airport in St. Maarten the sign for a baby changing room was a bottle (which is why I couldn't find it at first). An older man we met on the beach in St. Maarten had this conversation with me, "Is he sucking?" "Yes" "Ah! You never see the women do that anymore. Good mama! Good mama!" In Dominica I learned from a few moms I met that you nurse for just one week then switch to formula so you can go back to work. That made me so sad to hear women are so pressured to work there, though one older taxi driver I met said the women were often in a rush to get out of the house and leave baby with grandma.

Oh, and at the clothing optional resort where we stayed in St. Maarten the first day was nursing marathon madness. Ivan wanted to nurse constantly! After the first day he got over the novelty of seeing boobies everywhere and began enjoying playing in the sand.

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

So sad

fonduie — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 20:32:28 GMT

Hi guys. I hope you don't mind a venting session. I did't have a fussy birth plan when I had my little one just over a month ago. My only request was " breastmilk only please.". Well the gods must be laughing because my milk never really came in. I had her nurse right after she was born, I had a lactation consultant come in the hospital and told me We were doing things perfectlly, one nurse even commented that my nipples were perfect for nursing. I was pretty proud! But mybaby was getting more and more frustrated at my breast, my nipples began to hurt , bleed and scab. On my baby's 3 day check-up we sadly discovered that she had lost 10% of her birthweight. Something was wrong. So I met with the lactation consultant again and she hooked me up to the pump. In 15 min I roduced a total of.5 ounces(both breasts combined). The lactation consultant gave me a tub of formula, samples of mothers milk tea, told me to eat oatmeal for breakfast and to take fenugreek.

Well I bought a $270 pump because I still haven't given up hope of breastfeeding so if my little one is asleep and it's been a while since my last feeding I pump to keep my pitiful supply up. I average 1oz (both breasts combined) for 15 min of pumping. She is growing and seems fine but the vast majority of her food is formula at this point.

Maybe you guys can tell me what else I can do. It's been a month. Is it too late?

posted in Breastfeeding - 16 replies

Oatmeal for supply issue works for me

Khaduja — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:28:17 GMT

With all of my breast pain issues, I took to expressing my milk and bottle feeding only. I was generally getting between 13-16oz total from one 15 min pumping session every 4 hrs while I was still on leave. A few days after I started back to work I noticed that I was only producing about 8-10 oz every session every 4 hrs. The only thing that has really changed is that I wasn't taking the time to eat my bowl of oatmeal every morning like I had while on leave. So I bought a bowl and spoon from the $1 store and have started to eat a bowl of oatmeal at work every morning. I've done this for the past week and I am back up to pumping between 10-13 oz every session.

I had read on a few forums that this worked for some people and not for others, so I figured I'd go back to eating my oatmeal everyday and see if it helped. I know now that I am one of the people that it works for, yeah for an easy fix. Oh I don't use the instant kind in that comes in the little packets, I use the "original" Quaker Oatmeal that you have to let boil for a few minutes and add my own brown sugar and maple syrup.

posted in Breastfeeding - 16 replies

fiddlin and twiddlin

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 04:52:45 GMT

Please tell me they outgrow this at some point, all this stretching, tuning into Tokyo, pulling, twisting and "discovery" is starting to hurt like the initial feedings did. I have a nursing necklace that works 15% of the time, but lately it's the mouth on one boob and the hand sliding in the bra on the other one. He's 8 months and I'm hoping he'll fixate on something else soon, or do they always do that?

posted in Breastfeeding - 17 replies

Breast feeding fashion. What works and what doesnt.

HUNNYDUMELONS — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:46:08 GMT

Ok, I have not begun shopping yet, and probably wont for some time. But Im looking bras, tanks, and jammies that will allow me the most convenient, comfortable nursing. Im a big lady, before pregnancy a 36-F. So going braless is not an option. Im not so much concerned about modesty, but what can I get that I can undo with one hand, and that wont give me a weird shape under my clothes. Bonus if it comes is gigantor sizes.

Give me links to what worked for you AND show me what was a waste of money, or totally impractical.

Thanks!

posted in Breastfeeding - 17 replies

Clogged up!

rosey-elf — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:01:38 GMT

I think I have a clog my boob is sore and red, I've had them before and would normally nurse a ton and switch positions, but we are so close to weaning... Down to only before nap, bed and maybe once during the night... Any suggestions how to get rid of this...

posted in Breastfeeding - 7 replies

How do I get her to stop biting and how do I get the swelling down.

Gab — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:05:25 GMT

as tooth #2 works it's way to breaking through she has much pain.
She has found that if she bites down on things like her teethers and
her spoons and etc and then drags tooth #1 across it, this pressure
helps with some of her pain. Thus she also does the bite and drag
when she is nursing and it FREKIN HURTS. On one side I'm swollen and
bruised. On the other side 1/2 as swollen and not bruised.
I don't want to stop nursing and I don't want her to think she has to
suffer with the pain (we do give her hylands and baby tylenol and
when it seems really bad a little bit of gel on the gum) but I need
her to stop using me to relive the pressure in her mouth. Also, she
doesn't do it when she is sleep nursing, she does it when she is
awake... her eyes are open. I've tried several things to get her to
stop and the only one that has had moderate success is to hold her
hand/wrist and squeeze when she is biting and then she eases up....
pulling the nipple out and then giving back to her only seems to make
it worse.

Again I don't want to stop nursing but this is going to be a deal
breaker if I can't get her to stop. Also, I'm sure if I can get the
swelling down I won't be quite as sensitive when she only lightly
bites which right is excruciating.

Any advice is appreciated.

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

beer and boobie milk

HUNNYDUMELONS — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:22:48 GMT

the only thing I really miss about being not pregnant is a good beer. A rasputin, or anything by lagunitas. Ive read a little about booze in breast milk, but I want to know your opinions on having a beer post delivery. Im weighing it out in my mind and leaning towards no. But seasoned advice is welcome.

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

Video: Salma Hayek Breastfeeds Starving Infant in Sierra Leone

SiMoNe — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:43:56 GMT

http://www.babble.com.au/2009/02/09/salma-hayek-breastfeeds-starving-infant-in-sierra-leone/

posted in Breastfeeding - 7 replies

Weaning my toddler

Saratonin — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:53:02 GMT

Hello, I need to make some steps toward weaning my 22 month old son. He is and always has been absolutley obsessed with breastfeeding. I practice a lot of "attachment parenting". We co sleep with him and I breastfeed with him through the night and also nurse him to sleep (though when he's with just his dad he goes to sleep with daddy's tricks). I am a working mother, my husband is more "stay at home". I work evenings and often have come home to a sleeping baby. There's another thing though, we just got back from a 5 week trip to Thailand where I was with him all day and night and have been the one putting him to sleep at night often while breastfeeding. So I know not to rush into things since he's still adjusting to being home and I go back to work in a few days. Any useful tips that would work with my unique situation? I would love to just let him wean himself, but at this rate I'll be giving him his boob crack till he's 4 (and I'm not about to do that, I'll go crazy).
Thanks
Sara

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

anxiety/depression meds

jade moon — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:34:49 GMT

Dear moms,

I have experienced some very intense burn out, anger, depression, stress in the past few months. (We immigrated to a new country where I have no friends or family..)
My husband and I are trying various things to decrease the stress, burnout, etc in the form of some hired child care, couples counceling, trying to join local parent groups, etc. I was also given a presrip by the doctor for Ativan in case I get really overwhelmed again and resort to yelling, crying uncontrollably, etc in front of our one year old son..

I am wondering if anyone has experience with Ativan or any natural remedies for depression/anger/stress?
I am breastfeeding and wonder if Evening Primrose Oil decreases milk supply?
What about Cal/Mag? Does this decrease supply?

Any advice greatly appreciated.
Bless you and your babies,
Jade Moon

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

thanks for taking over this tribe!

chrissb — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 09:10:11 GMT

i haven't been on tribe in centuries. i did today. what a difference a moderator makes!

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

I need mommies to take a survey for my final research project

jezebelsmommy — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:50:38 GMT

I'm studying the effects of childhood sexual abuse on length of pregnancy, labor and breastfeeding. If you have a moment, you you mind completing a brief survey for me? You don't have to have a history of abuse to participate. Thanks!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pd1oa_5iJj89qiYdDLawjDw&hl=en

posted in Breastfeeding - 7 replies

activism- cute!

aargh — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:47:05 GMT

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/around_town/the_scene/Lactating-Women-Getting-Second-Looks-in-Marin.html

"Each cut-out figure is holding a card which reads, “When breastfeeding is accepted, it won’t be noticed.” "

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

nipping/biting

Lyla — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:00:33 GMT

how do i discourage my little man from biting/nipping...he mostly does it as he is falling asleep right before he unlatches but is now somewhat nippy if he is distracted while nursing. Today he drew blood with his one bottom tooth.

What i have been doing:
pulling him off boob at 1st nip and putting him down...letting him cry for 15 sec or so and then trying to nurse again..sometimes we do this 3-4 times before he stops
keeping my finger near his mouth so i can pop myself out (i do this at night when he is nursing and going into a heavy sleep)

I really want to keep nursing but i find myself getting stressed about it. Advice would be great. Thank you.

posted in Breastfeeding - 10 replies

Boob juice = breakfast of champions!!

SiMoNe — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:23:28 GMT

Loved this blog post, had to share!!

http://blacktating.blogspot.com/2009/01/breast-milk-breakfast-of-champions.html

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

Positive activism in Missoula

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:31:26 GMT

This is a fabulous idea, just thought I'd share.

http://missoulian.com/articles/2009/01/22/news/top/news01.txt

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

Breastfeeding and the Working Mother

ivydee — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:50:06 GMT

I'm currently 17weeks pregnant, so not even half way, but I'm trying to get a handle on the when and hows of returning to work after childbirth. I plan to take the full three months of maternity leave, but will have to go back to a 9-6:00 schedule after that and put our child into daycare.

I want to breastfeed as much as possible, for at least a year. Can anyone give me some insight as to how you handle breastfeeding and your work schedule?

Obviously, you pump. How often do you do it? How long does it take? Do you do one at a time, or use a double pump? Do you freeze your milk then bring it home with you?

Where do you pump? My office is a giant fishbowl, so I will have to find a private place to do it, but the only available option may be the bathroom, which doesn't sound too appealing.

Any input you could provide would be great!

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies

tell me your public breastfeeding stories!

HUNNYDUMELONS — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:47:59 GMT

Did someone give you a hard time for nursing? Did a complete stranger tell you that your kid was too old to still be
on the boob?

Did you come up with something witty at the time ( or afterward?)

I want to build up an aresnal of snappy retorts to people and their nosey opinions, plus Id love to hear some funny stories.

posted in Breastfeeding - 20 replies

Boobiefed.com

Duracell — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:19:58 GMT

Today is an exciting day as we launch www.boobiefed.com to the world. My friend Matthew and I have been hard at work to get it up and running and we are delighted to share it with you. It is a work in progress so please send us your comments and feedback. We aim to keep improving it as we go along.

Breastfeeding and encouraging those around me to nurse their babies is a huge passion of mine. I have benefited tremendously from nursing Connor and I know it has helped form him into the independent and confident little person he already is. Boobiefed.com highlights the many reasons for breastfeeding and provides an introduction to the techniques used to help give you and your baby the best start in your nursing relationship. We will have weekly blog updates so please keep checking back and will continue to add more relavent resources as we grow. There are also a few hot topics so don't forget to check those out too.

Thank you for all your love and support on this exciting project. We look forward to sharing our passion with you.

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

vitamins?

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:54:02 GMT

Did any of you do the vitamin drops when they were < 1 year? Did the baby have any stomach pains with them? I'm thinking my baby (7 mos) doesn't need them now, but the ped keeps suggesting. Thoughts?

posted in Breastfeeding - 15 replies

nursey burnout

saidee — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:46:49 GMT

Hi there, I haven't posted in a while but I am in need of some good nursing vibes as I am tired of the nursey show being on 24/7. My little one is just 1 and has no interest in food except as a smearing sport. She loves to nurse. She is very cozy and loving. We are in a clingy phase as she is getting ready to be a full fledged walker. I don't want to carry her all day but she tweaks when I step two feet away from her. She is also teething and with it cold symptoms. We have given her homeopathy and some clove oil, water. She is our third baby and I intend to nurse her for atleast another year but the road is looking extra long from where I stand. cabin fever, nursing extravaganza, dirty dishes, neglected house, snappish mama. sometimes nursing sucks.

posted in Breastfeeding - 7 replies

Moisture wicking nursing tops?

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:09:09 GMT

Does anyone know of any good moisture wicking nursing tops. I like the Bravado tanks, but they are heavy cotton and I have a tropical trip coming up (where I will sweat up a freakin' storm). Ideally, I would love to get like a Patagonia nursing top, but darn it, they don't make any.

Has anyone come across something like this?

Thanks

posted in Breastfeeding - 0 replies

I can't believe this happened in Missoula!

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:08:07 GMT

Missoula is so damn kid-friendly and breastfeeding friendly I can't believe this happened. I've nursed everywhere (though I don't go to Red Robin myself). We think the manager is the one who had a problem with it and used the excuse of "customers". Geez Louise, if it bothers you, then don't stare!!!

http://missoulian.com/articles/2009/01/01/news/local/news05.txt

posted in Breastfeeding - 2 replies

Expressing the most milk?

dandysparkle — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:31:52 GMT

Hello!

I am a couple of weeks away from having my first LO and am trying to figure out the best way to insure that I can produce the most milk possible... (And which pump works the best in getting the most milk in the shortest and least painful manner and time spent?)

I am hoping to breast feed and stock my freezer at the same time... (So that my first LO can still have milk while I am doing the *lets try to get pregnant with No. 2 dance*...)

And how soon CAN I start pumping out milk?

Thanks!

posted in Breastfeeding - 15 replies

Cute/Slang Words for breasts or breastfeeding

Duracell — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:45:49 GMT

We call breastfeeding num num and breasts are boobies. What are the other words you adn your kids use or you have heard others use too?

posted in Breastfeeding - 13 replies

IUDs and other contraceptive issues

salt — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:59:04 GMT

I had my Mirena removed today because I was irritated and crampy all the time. I know that someone mentioned somewhere in here that the Mirena insertion made a dent in their milk supply. I was wondering if anyone has had any milk issues come up from it's removal?

My OB suggested that I start the mini-pill. I'm totally reluctant to start any pill while nursing. I wish I'd never gotten the IUD, it was pretty painful and ultimately pretty pointless because I have no libido. But I don't want to make the same "oh sure, whatever you say doc" mistake twice.

Anyone else have any feelings or info about the mini pill?

Maybe I'll just wait until menopause to ever have sex again. That'd work, I bet. :)

posted in Breastfeeding - 12 replies

Ask Obama to Support Breastfeeding

Duracell — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:19:03 GMT

We hope you will take a moment to help put breastfeeding on the agenda of the new administration by asking President-elect Obama to place a high priority on breastfeeding as an essential public health issue.

There is virtually universal agreement among health care experts that, with rare exceptions, breastfeeding is the optimal method of feeding all infants, sick as well as healthy, preterm as well as full-term. In addition to myriad health benefits provided to mother and infant, breastfeeding provides significant economic and environmental benefits for families, employers, and society by reducing health care expenses, eliminating the need to purchase expensive formula, and reducing absenteeism from work to care for sick infants. Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding at: www.4woman.gov/breastfeeding.

The United States Breastfeeding Committee has created a petition to the President-elect, urging him to take several actions to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.

SIGN THE PETITION TO PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA:

www.usbreastfeeding.org/obamapetition

In the coming months, our leaders will be focused on our economic and financial future. This time of crisis also presents an opportunity to remind them that working mothers are an essential part of our nation's economic security, just as the health of our children is a critical part of our future. A full three-quarters of mothers are now in the labor force. As government and employers cut back in response to the recession, many more families are struggling to cover the rising costs of health care, groceries, and other necessities. We need your support to ensure that, in these troubled economic times, all women and families can access the resources and support they need to do what's best for their babies.

Demonstrate your support for breastfeeding by signing the petition now. And please don't forget to forward this message far and wide so as many people as possible get a chance to sign, too. Every signature counts. Sign here: www.usbreastfeeding.org/obamapetition

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

Nursing while Pregnant

snazzygina — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:24:22 GMT

So, I had noticed a drop in my milk and then noticed I had missed my period. Lo, and behold I am pregnant. I am still nursing baby G like crazy and she loves it so much. Does anyone here have experience with nursing another child while pregnant? I know the milk changes and lessens even more at some point but I'm not sure when? I would love to make it to 12 months at least. (she is 8 months and I am 6 weeks pregnant.)

I've had to supplement with 3-5oz of formula per day, so it's not so bad. I'm optimistic and I still enjoy nursing her so much. I also haven't had any uncomfortable nipple sensations that I have read about, so that's good.

posted in Breastfeeding - 5 replies

x-post for those of you flying

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:57:28 GMT

New TSA rules--you no longer need to taste your breast milk.

www.tsa.gov/travelers/ai.../formula.shtm

posted in Breastfeeding - 1 reply

Big Bird Learns about Breastfeeding

Melissa — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:43:33 GMT

Check out this wonderful segment from Season 1 of Sesame Street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3DWRhfNm4c

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

dramatic milk drop

Gab — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:39:47 GMT

My DD is 6 1/2 months old and in the last month a lot of changes have occurred including, solids once a day, regularly sleeping through the night, and teething. Also in the last few weeks my milk has dropped dramatically. Since I work during the day and am away from her for 8 hours I need to pump so she has milk (I have yet to give her any formula) when she is at the sitters or at home with daddy. I used to be able to pump 3-4 bottles a day.... so much that I would usually pump one freezer bag a day as well and I almost never pumped on the weekends and for awhile before I started doing the freezer bag, at the end of the week we found ourselves dumping some of the milk because it was spoiling. At one point I was up to 30 bags of frozen and now I'm down to 7 bag and I am struggling to produce a botle and 1/2 each day but she is drinking nearly 3 bottles a day in addition to nursing.

2 days ago I started taking fungreek once in the morning and once in the evening. I also started drinking Mother's Milk tea also 2 times a day though it says 4 - 5 times a day and if I don't see improvement by tomorrow I will increase the tea to at least 3 times a day. Also, I've been told beer is good but unfortunately beer makes me physically ill so that is out of the quesition. And I only occasionally drink wine, mabye I should start having a glass of red wine each night??

Is there anything I should NOT be consuming because it reduces the milk supply? Does cafeine reduce one's milk? I too am trying to get to one year nursing and really really don't want to give her formula if I can help it.

posted in Breastfeeding - 3 replies

i'm sick

Lyla — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:39:48 GMT

i've been fighting a stomach flu and this is the third day...I'm exhausted and can't seem to rehydrate enough. I feel nauseous when i think of food/drink but I'm making myself eat and drink some things. Baby is going through a growth spurt and wants to nurse every 2 hours even throughout the night. It's killing me and i'm scared i'll be mummified soon. I have a hard time holding him (too tired) so my husband had just been bringing E to me for nursing and napping. I feel like i've been hit by a bus...repeatedly..

Advice from the BFing or previously bfing mamas would be appreciated. I need some support : ( Even listing why Bfing is so valuable would help to keep me going.....

posted in Breastfeeding - 7 replies

halfway there!

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:11:50 GMT

My goal is to make it to 1 year--2 would be great, but I'm setting realistic goals for us--and we're halfway there! We've had a hard time with my initial slow-to-come-in milk, followed by an intense reflux bout resulting in a nursing strike. I never thought we'd make it to six months and in the first couple weeks it seemed like a lifetime away, but here we are. I'm not saying I'm eager to wean, but more excited that we've lasted this long. (However, my husband promised that once our baby is weaned he is giving me a full week off from nighttime duties.) I'm also just amazed that through all of our ups and downs, my baby is sticking with it so far, even though he's so anxious to get mobile it's pissing him off.

posted in Breastfeeding - 10 replies

Fwd: UPI - Mother wants right to breastfeed in pool

SiMoNe — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:11:13 GMT

Wanted to post this - actually, what I think is the most striking about the story is the last few lines in the article. It honestly made me laugh out loud. Oh, what she doesn't know yet!

Mother wants right to breastfeed in pool
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/11/12/Mother_wants_right_to_breastfeed_in_pool/UPI-52291226497245/

NEWMARKET, Ontario, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- A Toronto-area woman claims her rights were violated when she was asked to stop breastfeeding while half immersed in a public swimming pool.

The incident happened Oct. 24 in Newmarket, northeast of Toronto, when 32-year-old Cinira Longuinho began breastfeeding her daughter while sitting midway down on steps of a pool so she could chat with swimming friends, the Toronto Star reported.

Ellie Karkouti, owner of the private AquaCenter Swim Pool, asked Longuinho to move to a changing room or the viewing gallery. Instead, Longuinho resumed swimming with her daughter and later fed her in the changing room, she said.

Meanwhile, she petitioned the Ontario Human Rights Commission to investigate the incident, the Star said.

Karkouti defended her actions, saying she is four months pregnant with her first child and wouldn't consider breastfeeding around a pool because of "people's pee and sweat and body stuff" in the water chlorine and chemicals don't kill.

"Am I ever going to stick my baby's mouth on a breast that's been in a pool without cleaning it (first)? Never, ever," she told the Star.

There was no word on when the rights commission would respond.

posted in Breastfeeding - 9 replies