Milk Please! (or not)

As a mom I have to make decisions for myself and my child. One of those decisions is to allow my daughter to self wean and not give her cows milk. I often get the question "What's wrong with cows milk?" and usually I respond with "nothing!" because I don't like confrontation. However, now I feel the need to explain myself (so people stop thinking I am so crazy!!)

Reason #1:
If you know me you know that I LOVE ice cream and milk chocolate and pretty much anything with dairy in it. BUT, it makes me sick. I am just one of the 66% of people who have lactose intolerance. That's right, you heard right, 2/3 of the worlds population have lactose intolerance. Why is that so, you may ask. Humans need an enzyme called lactase in order to digest lactose. We stop producing that enzyme between 2 and 5 years old. (Makes sense right? That's when babies naturally wean from their mothers breast!)

Reason #2:

Did you know that we are the only mammal that drinks another species milk? ALSO, did you know that we are the only species that drinks milk past infancy? 

Human milk is the perfect mixture of fat, protein, lactose and vitamins made for baby humans.
Cows milk is the perfect mixture of fat, protein, lactose and vitamins made for baby cows.
I am not raising a 200 pound child with 4 digestive compartments. (She is barely 20 lbs actually.)
Cows are much larger than us and grow much larger and much faster for a reason!

Reason #3:
Cows milk has 59 active hormones and tons of allergens, cholesterol and fat. In fact, most cows milk sold in America is genetically modified! Have you ever wondered why the average American cow is twice the size of a naturally grown cow raised elsewhere?


See the difference in size? That's what those lovely growth hormones do to a cow, what are they doing to obese America?

Reason #4:
The number one reason people drink cows milk is because, milk has a lot of calcium and calcium builds strong bones. In a way, that logic could make sense. But let's think about that for a moment. There are approximately 35 mg of calcium/100 ml in human milk and a whopping 130 mg of calcium/100 ml in cow milk, but those facts look only good on paper. The amount a child will actually absorb into their non-cow body is less than 30%! So at most they are getting 39 mg/100ml but their bodies won’t use it the same. Studies have shown that people that consume dairy on a daily basis actually have less calcium in their blood than those that get their calcium from leafy green vegetables. Interesting isn't it? Let me show you a study showing that calcium from cows milk does NOT make strong bones.  <<Click here to see the full text!

In the Harvard study, women consuming greater amounts of calcium from dairy foods had significantly INCREASED risks of hip fractures, while no increase in fracture risk was observed for the same levels of calcium from nondairy sources.

Reason #5:
Three of those 59 active hormones found in cows milk are  testosterone, estradiol and progesterone. They sound familiar huh? That's because two of the three hormones are found in birth control!! These hormones are used to prevent pregnancy. Ever wonder why there has been such a decline in fertility in the Western World? This may answer that question.  

I have barely touched the subject as there are many more reasons scientists believe that cows milk is detrimental to our health. These are my personal reasons to have made the decision not to wean my daughter and give her cows milk. That said, I am not against cow's milk. I believe that everyone has the right to make an educated decision for themselves and their children. All I ask is that you respect ours!

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Why I Became a Doula

Me and Faye Rosalina

Why I Became a Doula

By: Chloe Chrysanthus

When I got pregnant I became determined to birth naturally. I did research day and night on ways to stay comfortable during labor, practices in hospitals, and things that could go wrong. I educated myself on every possible decision I could make. I decided to use a midwife at a local hospital that was known for it's birthing options. After having a very long and hard labor I did more research to determine what I could do differently for my next birth. That's when I learned about doulas. At the time I thought it was silly to hire someone you don't know to support you during labor. But after attending a friends birth, I realized how important that extra support really is. It became important to me to provide the support women need during their pregnancy, labor, birth, breastfeeding and postpartum. I believe that every woman should be able to birth the way they choose and I want to be there to help make that happen.

I fell in love with birth. While that seems silly to many, to me birth is the most amazing, passionate and beautiful experience of a persons life. After attending just one birth I was hooked on the adrenaline rush you receive as baby makes their entrance into the world. I have never felt such a connection to anything before I started with labor, birth and breastfeeding support. Birth gives me a calm and peaceful feeling for days after. Working as a doula gives me purpose and clarity in a messy world.

I hope to spread awareness of the importance of doulas. I also hope to offer my services to those who may not normally be able to afford such support. In conclusion I'd like to quote the wise Dr. J.H. Kennel, "If doulas were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it." 

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5 Most Important Rules of Being a Mother

1. Go with your gut. Your body, your baby, you DO know whats best!! Don't let others second guessing (which they will) effect you. Mom DOES know best.

2. Baby will bump their head, fall, get ouchies and cry. It's not your fault!! Try to relax, it's going to happen sooner or later and baby will be fine!

3. Opinions are like noses, every one has one and they all smell. Other people will give their opinion, their horror stories and their own experience. Learn to block it out because it will effect the way you think.

4. Let go of the fear. Every woman goes through the stages of fear. Where they are scared of the birth, the recovery, being a good mom, being alone with baby, breastfeeding or even all of it. You have to believe in yourself. Know that everything WILL be ok. Have faith in yourself, know that you were made to have babies, it is a normal function. Your body knows what to do and so does that maternal instinct ;)

5. Remember you. You are important too! Go take a nap, have plenty of help lined up (it doesn't mean you fail, it means you are human !) Pin It Now!

10 Breastfeeding Tips to Make Life a Little Easier

When I was pregnant, the one thing that scared me the most was being unable to breastfeed my baby. Everyone seemed to have an opinion. Some were horror stories and always emphasized how hard it was. Some told me it's easy and the only reason some people have problems is because they are selfish. Here are some myths I heard over and over again. A note to all those people out there, that doesn't help. (Here are some positioning and latch tips that WILL help). But breastfeeding was and is very important to me so I did my best to understand what was about to happen to my precious boobies. I started doing research, stocking up on tips, taking classes and reading books! In just a few months I had learned enough to educate a village. Even then, I was scared. According to many researchers, only 1%-3% of women truly can't breastfeed their children. With that statistic I decided, I CAN do this, no matter what.  So below I am going to tell you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Then I am going to give you ten tips that will make your life SO much easier.

Source 

The Truth:
        Breastfeeding can be hard. There are moments where you are exhausted, your breasts hurt, and you just want your body back. But breastfeeding is also very rewarding.

Some benefits for baby include:

• Reduced risk of SIDS
• May protect from allergies and long term illnesses.
• Boost IQ points
• Protect from childhood obesity.

Some benefits for you include:

• Reduce stress and chance of postpartum mood disorders (formally known as postpartum depression)
• It's free!!
• Weight loss (You burn about 500 calories a day when exclusively nursing)
• Helps uterus return to normal size
• Reduces your risk for some types of cancer
• Easier night! (no having to get out of bed and make bottles)
• Bonding moments
• (My favorite one) You get a little time without a Period WOOOO!
• Helps with keeping you NOT pregnant (doesn't prevent, you WILL need birth control of some sort)

The lists could go on. There are so many reasons that breastfeeding is worth it. So why does it have such a bad reputation? Why do people think it is SO hard? Learning to breastfeed is the hardest part. Like I stated above, there are nights when you are exhausted. However, this comes whether you are formula feeding or nursing. Those first few weeks are hard as you try to establish a good latch and are nursing on demand. I had a few break downs myself. A baby makes you exhausted no matter what but add sore nipples and that is some women's breaking point. At first, you and baby have to learn a good latch. If you don't, your nipples may chafe, crack and even bleed. You never want to get to this point. If it really hurts, break the latch and try again. A good latch should not bring you to tears. <<Ha. That statement is so funny to me because any nurse or lactation consultant will tell you, "if it hurts it isn't right!". THEY LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any breastfeeding mom will tell you, it hurts at first. Initially you will feel a stinging sensation but it should go away within a minute or so. Regardless, your breasts will be sore. They will feel heavy and when your milk comes in, they will get engorged. My best advice, stick it out. in a couple weeks, this will pass. Once you establish a nursing relationship, breastfeeding is pretty easy. The hardest part for me is pumping. If I have a birth to go to (as a doula) or a long class, I have to prepare weeks ahead of time. I don't mind pumping, but nursing is simply so much easier I have been spoiled. Despite the moments when I want my body back, I wouldn't change a thing. Breastfeeding is so much easier than formula feeding for me. I do not have to make any bottles, wash or disinfect any bottles, or run out of formula in the middle of the night and have to run to the store. Plus, the diapers don't smell so bad ;)

See that belly? Looks like I didn't make enough milk ;)

The honest truth: Breastfeeding is worth it if it means enough to you. Never let others scare you into thinking you aren't making enough milk. If baby has wet diapers daily, you ARE making enough. Weightloss in baby means nothing. (Most baby's lose weight right after they are born but then gain it back a couple weeks later, this is normal.) As for the lovely ladies who breastfed when we were babes, they mean well but we have learned so much about breastfeeding since then that recommendations have changed.

Ten Tips to Make Life Easier:

1. Take a breastfeeding class. As I emphasize in all of my posts, education is KEY in making life easier. A breastfeeding class will help you understand how the breast functions, what a good latch is, what a bad latch looks and feels like, different positions, etc. The information I learned in my breastfeeding class was priceless!! There are also some informative videos you may want to check out.
2. Do NOT keep formula in the house. It is too easy to 'supplement' if you are worried you aren't making enough milk, if your breasts hurt or even if you are tired and want to give dad a shot. Those first few weeks are the hardest, but of you supplement with formula, it will be harder. Your milk supply will drop. Baby's virgin gut (hey there's that phrase again, HINT: research) will disappear and all that hard work will go to waste.
3. Have a pump available from day one. Once your milk comes in, your breasts will get engorged. Having a pump helps relieve even the worst pain and helps you store up a stock for later. When buying a pump there are some things to think about. The brand DOES matter. The only two brands I would ever recommend are Ameda and Medela. Pumps made by formula companies rarely work (they are produced by formula companies, think about it for a minute...). Ameda and Medela pumps work very well and usually come with warranties. This is important. Also, please remember that how much you pump has no reflection on how much milk you are making. Baby sucks in a different way than a pump therefore producing different results!
4. Have/Create a good support network. Support is just an important as education. If no one supports you and people constantly either brush nursing off as easy or push supplementing/quitting, you will get discouraged. You need support. Why I say have/create is because many new mama's don't have a good support network. Our parents grew up in a time where formula was a luxury. Many of our moms never breastfed and others breastfed differently. (I was one of the lucky ones with a great support system, my mom was the bomb diggity!) If you do not have the support you need, you can create a network for yourself. La Leche League has some wonderful forums where you can talk to other moms struggling and often times, there are breastfeeding support groups in your area. Do some research :)
5. Nurse when and wherever you are comfortable.  Know your state laws on breastfeeding, they protect you. Do not let others dictate how you feel about breastfeeding. You may be comfortable nursing in public with or without a cover. You may want to nurse in your car or in a private stall, however YOU make that decision, not anyone else. I would never eat my dinner or feel comfortable feeding my child in a bathroom public or not. Each state has their own laws that protect breastfeeding moms. In the state I live in this is the law:  Find out your state law here.
   ________ permits a woman to breastfeed her infant in any public or private place and prohibits anyone from restricting or limiting this right.   Find out your state law here.
6. Cluster feed for a few hours before bed time. This is one I wish someone told me in the beginning. Remember those 'break downs' I mentioned having earlier? Funny story, one night my daughter was up every forty five minutes and eating for about a half hour each time. Resulting in, well you do the math. I started crying and trying to wake up my husband because I just needed something (I had no idea what it was). I was at the end of my rope. Picture me, holding a newborn, hunched over, half asleep and just letting it all out. It was so pathetic. So I did some research, I found out about cluster feeding. Nurse every hour, or even closer together, for about 4 hours. I nursed every half hour from 7-10 when my babe was a newborn. This resulted in longer stretches of sleep. (aka instead of waking every forty five minutes and feeding for thirty, I would get about a 3-4 hour stretch of sleep.) I feel like cluster feeding saved my life haha.
7. Keep baby close at night. Even if you decide not to bed share, keep a bassinet or pack n play next to your bed. This way you can pick baby up, latch them on and snooze while they eat. Remember that adorable nursery you decorated? Forget about it for a couple months. Which leads to the next tip...
8. Learn different positions, ESPECIALLY side lying. Side lying has a bit of a learning curve, but once you master it there is no going back. Sweet sleep will return to your life and all will be well. Side lying is a position where you and your babe face one another whist lying on your sides. Baby latches and you fall asleep all cuddled up. Peace will return in your life.
9. Before sitting down to nurse, prepare. There is nothing worse than that moment when you are nursing and realize "OH MAN, I have to pee" or "I am soooooo thirsty". Keep snacks, water, entertainment, pillows and your phone close by. Having a designated area helps reduce the chaos when baby gets hungry. 
10. Check your breasts often. Is there a lump or hard spot? Try to massage it out. Many breastfeeding woman get blocked ducts, mastitis and other painful issues. Keep track of cracked nipples and use Lansinoh Lanolin (purple bottle) on them. You have to take care of yourself. Stay hydrated, eat enough, pay attention to any changes.

More information:

12 Signs of a good latch.

Latching and positioning resources.

Side lying position.

Baby led Breastfeeding.
How long can you store breastmilk?

Remember, it gets easier with time. Only 1%-3% of women truly can't breastfeed, so if this is important to you, you can do it!!!!! If you ever need personal support, there is always a lactation consultant somewhere or feel free to contact me. I am a good listener and may be able to help.

Good luck with your little nurslings, may the milk be with you.

What did I miss? 

Any tips you've learned over the years?

Comment below with your thoughts!

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