Newborn breastfeeding in the hospital. Photo courtesy of Daquella Manera

Sutter Davis Hospital in Davis, California

Stephanie Cassidy emailed me the following:

I just wanted to say that my experience at Sutter Davis Hospital in Davis, CA was great! They are pro breast feeding and fully support it. The nurses are encouraging and lactation consultants are available to support and educate you. The thing I liked was that if you chose not to breastfeed, use a pacifier, or supplement you have to sign a waiver. So no one is going to give your baby something you do not want them to have. They encourage breastfeeding on their website: “Breastfeeding allows you and your baby to emotionally bond in a special way that cannot be matched, because breastfeeding meets both the nutritional and nurturing needs.”

I love the use of a waiver! It emphasizes the importance of the decision not to breastfeed.

A Not-So-Good Experience

Kelly wrote to share her less-than-ideal interaction with a hospital lactation consultant:

I had my third daughter one year ago yesterday and I am still breastfeeding. I have now breastfed for a total of 5 1/2 years. I LOVED the hospital she was born at. The only bad experience I had was with the lactation consultant. When I got pregnant with my newest addition I was still nursing my almost 2 1/2 year old. I was slowly weaning her off but once I found out I was pregnant I went ahead and called it quits. I never really dried up completely. When I gave birth to my newest little one I had an emergency C-section (yuck) and I wasn’t able to nurse her until about 5 hours after she was born. They had to keep her in the nursery and as soon as I could feel my legs they let me go down to feed her, she latched on perfectly. I got her in the room that night and was able to feed her with no problem. The next afternoon I was already engorged. The lactation consultant came in and I was very open to her being there. I explained to her that this was my third daughter and I breastfed my oldest for two years and my second for 29 months and that my milk never dried up while I was pregnant. My husband hadn’t brought my pump up yet and that I was so engorged that I wanted the pump for a little relief from the pain, so that I wouldn’t get mastitis and so Chloe could eat more comfortably. She basically told me there was no way that my milk was already in and that I shouldn’t pump the milk out. So I then squirted the milk out across the room. I felt like she thought that I no idea what I was talking about. She basically shrugged off everything I said. At least that’s what I felt. Then she told me how I was holding the baby wrong. I was thinking in my head, You know she is making this very stressful. If I hadn’t been so comfortable with breastfeeding she would possibly be making me not to want to do it at all. Breastfeeding is overwhelming enough to have someone like that making you feel like an idiot. Someone else finally brought the pump to me and I did what I need to with no help from her and everything is still fine today. On a positive note, I was surprised to see the diaper bag for breastfeeding mothers. With my other two daughters there where only the formula bags. It’s nice to see that hospitals are more involved in helping mothers breastfeed. That they even have lactation consultants is wonderful I just happened to get someone that thought she knew everything. All I can say to that is everything isn’t written in black and white, there are other circumstances to what she thought was correct, mine was one of those. I’m not saying that every mother will need to pump like I did. I am now going to school to become a nurse and I will then do what is needed to become a lactation consultant.

Kelly, I laughed out loud at the image of you squirting your breast milk across the room to make a point for that lactation consultant! Good for you! Best wishes for your career training — I can tell that your experience will make you a compassionate and helpful LC!

Other Carnival Participants (Stay tuned as links are posted as they come in!)

The Milk Mama: Newborns, Nursing, and Hospital(ity)
Momma’s Angel: My Hospital Experience in Norway
Hobo Mama: Breastfeeding Support: A Tale of Two Hospitals
Whozat: The Nipple Intervention
The Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog: Had a Good or Bad Experience in the Hospital? Tell Them!
BreastfeedingMums: Top Tips for Breastfeeding Success
The Beautiful Letdown: Breastfeeding in the Hospital

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Having said that, I had reached a point where I needed some extended time to myself — some time when I was not in charge of one or more of my three children. The problem was that I do not enjoy leaving a child who will surely cry for me if I am not there. I don’t find that relaxing! My first daughter was a high-needs child who absolutely could not separate from me for significant periods of time until she was nearly three years old. Sure she would have survived, but not without tears, and not without crying until she threw up (I never let it get to that point, but I could tell in our early (aborted) attempts at night-weaning that that would be the case). So with her, I learned to take breaks at home — a long, hot bath, a nap, a movie in bed. Something where I could be summoned if needed but could relax in knowing that my child was happy and nearby.

My third daughter is different. She more readily accepts being comforted by my husband. Still, I wasn’t sure that she could manage more than a couple of hours without me. That’s not arrogance talking, either; that’s love and concern for my 16-month-old. So when I mentioned to friends that I was in desperate need of a break, I was a little surprised when they asked, “Couldn’t you just leave a bottle for her?” I know that many mothers separate from their nurslings far before the 16-month point either out of necessity or desire or both. But when you are a stay-at-home mother with a nursling who is used to having you around to comfort her on cue for the last 16 months, it’s not about the milk. It’s not about substituting a bottle for the breast. It’s about substituting another person for the mother and for comfort at the mother’s breast. My toddler drinks cow’s milk and water. She doesn’t need breast milk (although she continues to reap its benefits). What she needs and wants is comfort from me, and one way I provide that is by nursing her.

My husband is an attached parent too, and he has learned ways to provide comfort to my toddler as well. He carries her in the sling, snuggles her to sleep, takes her on adventures. So when I needed some time to myself on Saturday morning, I trusted that he would be able to keep her happy. I headed out the door at 9:30 a.m. and I used my free time to see the matinee movie of The Twilight Saga: New Moon. (I enjoyed it in spite of all the bad reviews!) I even had time when I got home to read a little and take a nap from which I woke up naturally (a nap is a rarity; sleeping as long as I want without being wakened by someone else is almost unheard of!)

So how did it go? My toddler was a trooper! She took a nap at home, then enjoyed a car ride to Whole Foods, a good amount of time grocery shopping while being worn in the sling, and the car ride home. We were separated for about five hours and I think she handled it better than I did! And no, I had not left a bottle of milk for her. I left her in the capable hands of her attached father.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Sec. 302. Except where permitted by law, a person shall not: (a) Deny the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of a place of public accommodation or public service to an individual because of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, or marital status or to a woman because she is breastfeeding a child.

To have breastfeeding viewed as a civil right is a wonderful and powerful thing and I hope all Michiganders will speak out in support of the bill!

How Michigan Mothers Can Help

MI State Rep. Rebekah Warren

Mark S. Meadows (D), Committee Chair, 69th District (markmeadows@house.mi.gov)
Ellen Cogen Lipton (D), Majority Vice-Chair, 27th District (EllenLipton@house.mi.gov)
Lisa Brown (D), 39th District (LisaBrown@house.mi.gov)
Bob Constan (D), 16th District; (bobconstan@house.mi.gov)
Marc R. Corriveau (D), 20th District ( marccorriveau@house.mi.gov)
Andy Coulouris (D), 95th District (andycoulouris@house.mi.gov)
Andrew J. Kandrevas (D), 13th District (andrewkandrevas@house.mi.gov)
Bettie Cook Scott (D), 3rd District (bettiecookscott@house.mi.gov)
Rebekah Warren (D), 53rd District (rebekahwarren@house.mi.gov)
Tonya Schuitmaker (R), Minority Vice-Chair, 80th District (tonyaschuitmaker@house.mi.gov)
Justin Amash (R), 72nd District (justinamash@house.mi.gov)
Joseph Haveman (R), 90th District (JosephHaveman@house.mi.gov)
Rick Jones (R), 71st District (rickjones@house.mi.gov)
Eileen Kowall (R), 44th District (EileenKowall@house.mi.gov)
Tory Rocca (R), 30th District (tonyrocca@house.mi.gov)

Malika Abdul-Basir, Committee Clerk 517-373-7256 (mabdul@house.mi.gov)

A resident may find out who his or her own Representative is at the Find a Representative tool.

The second way to support the bill is to testify before the committee. Michigan breastfeeding mothers are needed to testify on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at the meeting of the Judiciary Committee in Room 521 of the House Office Building in Lansing. The House Office Building is at 124 N. Capitol, at the corner of Capitol and Ottawa in downtown Lansing. Anyone may testify, even without advance notice. If someone would like to testify but cannot attend, he or she may mail or email their testimony to Kim Easter in advance of the hearing. Even if someone prefers not to testify, his or her attendance at a hearing and personal correspondence with committee members and his or her own legislators are important in influencing the decision-making process.

Tips for Testifying before the Committee

The purpose of testimony given should be informational so that committee members can vote on the bill with as full an understanding as possible of all sides of the issue it addresses, and the consequences of its passage. A witness should prepare testimony in advance and keep the testimony short and to the point.

When you testify, identify who you are and, if you represent a group, give the name of the group. At the beginning of your remarks, state that you are testifying in support of the bill. Relate your group’s or your own experience or views directly to the issue.

If you are asked a hostile question, keep a cool head. Don’t be afraid to stop and think for a minute to answer a question properly. If you don’t have the answer, never guess—request permission to file a detailed response at a later date.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Once I became pregnant and then became a nursing mother, I became increasingly concerned about the products I use and the chemicals they contain. This deodorant contains natural mineral salts and ammonium alum and checks out well on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. It’s important to note that this product is a deodorant and not an anti-perspirant. While you might still sweat, the crystal provides a natural barrier against odor-causing bacteria. You simply moisten the stone (or apply it to wet armpits after a shower) and thoroughly cover the entire arm-pit area. The product is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and non-staining. I have found it to be non-sticky and very easy to use. My husband immediately jumped on board and he loves it too!

Now this is not an invitation for my friends in real life to come sniffing me the next time they see me, although I’m confident I’d smell pretty darn good! I was not sent a sample and I paid my own hard-earned $4 for this product (it retails for $4.95 and is even cheaper on Amazon). That’s an incredible price given that the product claims to last for a year! My husband and I have used it for a month and the stone looks essentially the same size.

I bought the three-ounce stone which comes in a small, recyclable cardboard box, but for the squeamish or particularly sensitive the product also comes in a stick or a spray mist (the company claims the mist is the best choice for those who are allergic to traditional deodorants). I happen to like the fact that it’s unscented, but the company recently introduced several scented versions as well. Naturally Fresh isn’t the only rock crystal deodorant out there (my husband said there were four brands offered at Whole Foods) but this is one of the more popular and I can see why. Today I cleaned house and wrangled a toddler and had company over to dinner, and at the end of a long day, in my humble opinion I smell far better than I would have if I’d used a brand of main-stream scented deodorant/anti-perspirant. I can see that on the hottest days or after a heavy workout I might have to wash and re-apply the deodorant, but that is true of any other brand I’ve ever tried and I think this one out-performs them all for a fraction of the price.

Have you tried Naturally Fresh Crystal Deodorant or a similar product? What do you think?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Basic Play Dough Recipe

2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons oil
1/2 cup salt
food coloring (follow brand directions for making orange; adjust as needed)

Pumpkin Pie-Scented Add-ons

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Combine all ingredients in one pot. Over medium heat, stir continuously until the play dough starts to thicken. Adjust the amount of spices to suit your nose! Once the dough becomes difficult to stir, remove from heat and let cool enough until the dough can be worked by hand. Knead the dough until it is smooth (let your child help with this step!) Store the dough in a quart-sized plastic zip-top bag or other air-tight container. Keep the dough separate from any other food items and it will last for well over a month! Have fun with the recipe and experiment with different colors and spices.

Do you have a favorite fall craft or easy do-it-yourself recipe? Leave a comment!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Interesting to read all your experiences and to see what a common problem this is…I’m in a tough situation so your advice would be helpful.

I’ve co-slept with my son since he was 3 months old, and it has worked great for us. He wakes up to nurse, then falls right back asleep. Neither of us wake up fully, so I’ve been able to have great sleep from from about 12 mos until now (24 mos.)

But over the last 2 weeks his sleep has been terrible. He won’t go to bed until 10:30 (used to sleep easily at 8:30) and wakes up 3 times a night nursing voraciously (like, 30-40 minutes!). I’m pregnant (2 mos) and get so irritated with this! I take him off the breast but then he cries and cries. My husband then comes and tries to comfort him but he won’t go to him at all during the night, and gets really agitated.

I’m so worn out and am thinking of night weaning, but hate the thought of having him cry for long periods of time. Partly cuz I don’t want to cause him upset, but also cuz it is horrible to listen to during the night.

Any suggestions?

Rosemary, congratulations on your pregnancy! Breastfeeding while pregnant can be a challenge emotionally and physically. My guess is that your milk supply has started to diminish a bit (which is normal during pregnancy) and/or your milk has started to taste a little salty (also a normal change). Some nurslings (like my first daughter) continue on nursing as if nothing had changed, but others are affected by the changes.

Photo by Jessicafm

I highly recommend that you check out a copy of the book Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Beyond by Hilary Flower. It describes the experience of breastfeeding while pregnant and the various emotions it triggers in both mother and nursling. You are not alone! Two other books that might be helpful are Mothering Your Nursing Toddler and How Weaning Happens.

As for more immediate, practical advice, try offering your son a bedtime snack and some extra fluids (my suggestions would be water, milk or a cow’s milk alternative like almond milk). Does he drink from a cup, a sippy cup, or a cup and straw? Offer him his alternative drink in that cup. Have the same cup — this time filled with water only — available for drinking during the night. You can still nurse him for as long as you are willing, then offer the cup. I found that it helped to give my nursling some warning, either by offering to nurse for the length of the ABC song, or by counting down at the end of a nursing session (10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-done!). Be sure to talk to him about the plan ahead of time, during the day and not just as you’re going to bed. “Mommy is extra tired and would like to get a good night’s sleep. We will nurse while I sing the ABC song, and then you can have your special cup! If you wake up in the night, your cup will be right there and I can sing you back to sleep.” Keep repeating your plan, whatever it might be, throughout the day and then remind him at night. “Remember how we talked about nursing to the ABC song?” He might still be upset, and you might have to keep working on a plan that suits you both. If he is verbal enough, you might even try asking him to help come up with a solution. “Mama’s mum-mums aren’t making as much milk, are they? What would you like to drink instead? Would you like your sippy cup or this special straw?” You never know, your son might surprise you! Different children have different temperaments, and you know what will work best with your son.

Does anyone else have advice for Rosemary? If you breastfed while pregnant, what was your experience like?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

The workbook is divided into 12 chapters with accompanying audio portions for each provided on two CDs. The audio exercises take you through 12 different sample conversations featuring doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, WIC peer counselors, and breastfeeding support group leaders. The woman’s voice is pleasant and clear. I found the vocabulary exercises particularly helpful and was pleased to see tear-out quick reference sheets for common words and phrases. By working through the exercises, IBCLCs can earn up to 12.8 L-CERPs.

In addition to the comprehensive instruction in the Spanish language, the book provides a solid base of current and accurate breastfeeding advice. It demonstrates how to offer both informational and emotional support. It works as a self-guided course or as a textbook in a classroom setting. Spanish for Breastfeeding Support is a gorgeous book and an excellent reference guide!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Photo by TheTruthAbout...

As a reminder, here are the guidelines that will increase the chances a post will be selected for inclusion in the carnival:
– A well-written, grammatically correct post
– Thoughtful commentary directly on point for the carnival subject
– Overall quality of the rest of your blog and whether the general subject matter is something of interest to our readers (breastfeeding, parenting)

If your post is selected for inclusion, you will be asked on the day of the carnival to publish or re-publish your post with links back to each of the other participants in the carnival.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

1. To the 9 people searching for “Halloween snacks”: My little 15-month-old loved her Halloween snack of breastmilk, thank you for asking. Chocolate is not for my toddler, but it’s okay for nursing moms in moderation. (By the way, I’m not sure about the irony here, but when I gave my toddler her choice of Halloween hand-me-down costumes — a fairy princess, a cow, or a tiger — she chose a cow. ‘Nuff said.)

The Google Chrome logo looks suspiciously like a nipple and areola.... Image by Randy Zhang

2. To the 9 people searching for “leukemia in toddlers“, I’m sorry. You put my week in perspective.

3. To the 8 searchers for “breastfeeding123 blog angela”: thank you.

4. To the people looking for “woman 3 breasts video”: Extra nipples are not all that uncommon. I’ve read that up to three percent of the population will have a third nipple away from the normal location on the chest.

5. To the person who asked “what should I name my baby girl”: I think Angela is a lovely name.

6. To the person searching for “newscaster nipples”: now that’s a really specific fetish. Sorry you didn’t find what you were looking for.

7. To the 5 people looking for “123″: I say “456.” Let’s see how popular that sequence is!

8. To the people looking for “freezer paper”: I’m in favor of it.

9. For those looking for a “minimalist baby registry“: I applaud you. All you really need are you, your breasts, and your baby!

10. To the righteous looking for “nestle unethical action“: I think you just gave me an idea for a new post tag.

11. To those looking for a “breastfeeding contest”: it’s totally not a contest. But I win.

12. Regarding “Stanford hand expression”: I’ve never found them to be an overly demonstrative people. Oh wait, you mean this.

Thanks for playing and have a good weekend!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Amber Strocel wearing her son Jacob (Strocel.com)

1. Wear your baby. Babywearing keeps your baby safe and happy while giving you two hands free to get some work done. If you can master carrying your baby on your back, you can even accomplish some more rigorous cooking and cleaning jobs. Just the other day my refrigerator stopped working and I had to empty both the fridge and freezer and allow them to defrost. The fridge was fairly clean already (I swear!) but I knew I needed to wipe it down. My toddler was fussing but was having trouble settling for a nap. The solution? I put her in a backpack carrier and started wiping down the shelves. Within minutes she was asleep. She stayed asleep even as I took her out of the carrier and laid her down for her nap.

2. Take advantage of freezer meals. I don’t mean buy frozen dinners, I mean make meals ahead to freeze for later. Have a baby shower at one of the various shops that allow you to assemble several meals to freeze. After the birth when your friends or relatives ask how they can help, ask for a lasagna for the freezer! And when you have time to cook, double the recipe and put one batch in the freezer for later. Once-a-month cooking is a lifesaver!

3. Lower your standards to raise your standards. I’ll let you in on a little secret. The sheets and towels don’t have to be folded before you put them in the linen closet. It’s better to get those bulky items tucked away unfolded than to have them sitting on your couch, waiting to be folded. Same goes for baby blankets, underwear, even your toddler or preschooler’s clothing that doesn’t need to be completely wrinkle-free. By lowering your standards a bit, you will actually keep on top of the laundry better than if you are a perfectionist.

4. Use natural cleaners. I don’t like to use harsh or toxic cleaners in general, much less around my baby. I feel comfortable scrubbing my sink with baking soda and wiping my counter tops with vinegar rather than brand-name cleaners.

5. Accept help and decide how best to use it. You might be surprised who just might be willing to help out here and there. Last year after I had my third baby, my second child’s preschool teacher was looking to volunteer some time with a family who could use the help. She came over for a couple of hours one or two afternoons a week. While I spent some time with my baby, she folded laundry and played with my preschooler. If I had preferred, she would have held the baby while I got a few things done around the house. It was lovely to have that support and it made a big difference.

If you do not have a relative, neighbor or friend willing to help, can you afford to hire a cleaner once or twice a month? What about a mother’s helper — a preteen or younger teen who will play with the baby while you clean, generally for significantly less than the cost of a babysitter. Then as your baby gets older, see if you have a friend who is willing to trade babysitting time with you. Sometimes you have to get creative and make your own support network!

Do you have some tips on how to get things done around the house while caring for a baby?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3