Breastfeeding: Bringing Nursing Back

I figured there's no better time to reshare how I became a self-proclaimed lactavist than during the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week. So, here's how I was liberated from hiding in the bathroom while nursing.

Much like spring break tends to liberate even the prudest of college girls, hanging around the senior citizen crowd unleashed a whole new side of me during a recent vacation from snow-covered Chicago to sunny, warm Fort Myers.

Just like those spring break girls, I now am equally unashamed of baring some boob. Of course, though, I'd like to think mine is for a nobler reason than winning a wet T-shirt contest. After all, I'm nourishing a baby with my girls not just feeding the bare-skin desires of some 20-something guys at the local beach bar. Friends, I have become an unabashed, unashamed lactavist.

A lacta wha?

You know, a mama who isn't going to go hide out in the corner of any restroom to nurse her babe while dining out because she doesn't want to offend anyone who just might get a glimpse of breast while her baby is (gasp!) breastfeeding.

I used to be that kind of breastfeeding mother. I used to care about other people's comfort while I was feeding my child. I used to feel like I needed to be politically correct about nursing -- didn't want to accidentally have baby give anyone a peep show during a nursing session because baby deemed something else more interesting than eating. I'd spend nursing sessions wrestling to feed my baby while shielding the world from him and my breast with a nursing cover only for baby to squirm out from underneath and abandon his lunch because he didn't want to be hidden. I'd leave interesting dinner table conversations to hide in a restroom and nurse my little guy so no one around us would feel uncomfortable if they got a glimpse of skin.

I assure you I didn't know it before we hauled our suitcases through the gated, ritzy golf-club community my grandparents call home during the brrr-cold Chicago winters. But those seniors, well, they inadvertently unleashed the breastfeeding advocate living inside this (formerly) politically correct nursing mother.

We were at the pool. We were seated next to some older gentlemen who were lounging in chairs under the warm Florida sun. They must have thought I couldn't hear what they were saying because they were discussing how nice spring break time is because of the change of landscape among the pool crowd. They very obviously were not referring to the rose bushes but rather the young ladies clad in bikinis who were now poolside instead of the older ladies sporting full bathing suits and swim caps during water aerobics. And they were very, very happy to have this change of scenery.


Fast forward to eating at the classy club house located next to the pool where these young ladies sun themselves with their cleavage showcased nicely for anyone to see through the windows.

One of my dining companions leaned over and suggested that perhaps if my little baby wanted to nurse during dinner, I could sneak over to the Billiards room because it would be quiet.

"A lot of these people are old fashioned and conservative," she whispered.

My mind raced back to the gentlemen's poolside conversation; and just like that, I exploded volcano style into a lactavist.

"If the baby wants to eat, I'll feed him in here," I said. "This is a dining room. And if he wants to eat, he'll be dining here in the dining room."

She looked a little taken aback by my answer because I've always been conservative. But you know what -- I still am! I'm a conservative lactavist, and for me, the two go hand in hand.

You won't see me out at the beach displaying my goods for all to see in the name of sexy. You won't find my girls popping out of my shirt in the name of fashion. And you certainly won't find me scampering around the beach busting out of my bathing suit in an attempt to be visually appealing landscape.

But you will find me baring some boob in name of nourishment, in the name of bonding, in the name of snuggling and in the name of loving my baby and giving him the very best nutrition I can.

Because if I hide in a bathroom to nurse my baby or bury him under a nursing cover in an effort to shield my breast while doing the very thing my breasts were made for, I'm not doing anything except for perpetuating the societal myth that breasts are only for bringing sexy back.

And, mamas, though I care about sexy, I'm using these bad boys for bringing nursing back.

***

I’m celebrating World Breastfeeding Week with Natural Parents Network!

You can, too — link up your breastfeeding posts from August 1-7 in the linky below, and enjoy reading, commenting on, and sharing the posts collected here and on Natural Parents Network.(Visit NPN for the code to place on your blog.)

This article was orginally published at Chicago Moms Blog in April 2010.

Bigger Picture Moment: The Tango that is Nursing a Toddler

After 39 months of nursing two little ones, 21 of these last months spent solely nursing E, I've been giving considerable thought to weaning.

But as with any tango, it takes two to dance, and it takes two to call it a night as well.

A self-proclaimed lactivist, much of my inner dialogue balks at the idea of even thinking of weaning my little one before the music's ended and he's taken the lead to move us off of the dance floor.

But, alas, here I am wondering how much longer I can dance at this intensity.

More accurately, here I am, a dancer who's all touched out.

Despite all of the reasons I adore our nursing relationship and passionately support breastfeeding from newborn well into toddlerhood or beyond, I'm finding myself at a complicated place of really wanting my body back for a few months before possibly sporting a brand-new pregnant belly again as well as really wanting to take my few scheduled trips sans kiddos without a pump permanently attached to my breast.

I'd be quite happy to simply slim down our sessions to ones just before bed or nap ... but at 21 months old, E pretty much thinks that the land of flowing mommy milk and honey is a God-given right to all toddlers in search of life, liberty and the pursuit of warm mommy snuggles.

So weaning?

Thems fightin' words.

Literally.

Currently, I need a drawbridge and mote to escape my persistent toddler when he is insistent on nursing. My linebacker child has been known to rearrange an entire dining room set and scale the entire dining room table only to plop down right on my lap and sign for milk after completing the obstacle course.

For those who have never nursed a toddler or even a baby, I know probably it seems strange to think that I'd still be nursing a little one who will turn two this fall.

And the above scenario? It probably sounds extremely weird. To the pre-baby me, it would have sounded absolutely ludicrous to continue nursing a child who could wash down his hamburger with some breastmilk.

So I get it -- this so-called "extended" nursing thing is counter cultural, it's really against the grain and it's really hard to explain to those who are outside of the relationship.

I can assure you, though, that the weaning process isn't as easy as just stopping.

Because nursing is about connection, with oxytocin --the mothering hormone -- coursing through mom's body and the calming act of suckling combined with sweet milk flowing to a nursling whose pressed gently against the skin of his favorite person. Even beyond just physical connection, there's something intensely physiological and physcological occurring every time the two sit down and connect in this way.

And honestly?

Nursing has pretty much been the key to much of the relative peacefulness in my and E's everyday life together. It's calming to both of us ... except for when it's not, like now, when I'd really like my body back again before we embark on a third journey that will likely result in a few more years of nursing another child.

These thoughts of nursing and weaning come just days before John and I are going be away from E for a few nights to attend a conference.

I'm sure E will fare just fine without his beloved mommy milk for two and a half days; likely since he'll be with Buba and Grandma, he'll have all of the organic hotdogs and strawberries he could ever want.

When I'm out of sight, mommy milk is out of his mind.

However, I'm not sure sure how we're both going to survive when I return if he finds the previously generous flow of milk has slowed to a trickle.

I'm left nervously anticipating the consequences of such a situation.

Because after G weaned {much to his irritation at there being no milk by the half way point of my pregnancy}, our relationship morphed from one of relative peace and closeness to daily altercations and struggles of will.

I wonder, if an abrupt weaning like that should happen, if E's reaction would likely mirror his brother's.

And how could I blame him? What could possibly seem unappealing to a little person about sipping sweet cream and snuggling up with mommy several times a day?



So, I don't know that I'm ready for our relationship to drastically change.

And if we return home, my milk still flowing and unaffected by the separation, I don't know if I'm ready for our relationship NOT to change either. And I don't want to be the soulless dancer just going through the motions.

Because I know that nursing is more than nutrients in, breastmilk out, belly full, breast empty just like the tango is more than a few steps to the right, a few steps to the left and a swoop of the foot before the final dip.

There's heart. And there's soul. And there's love in each step that makes up the complexity, the loveliness of the dance.

So I know -- it truly takes two to dance the tango that is nursing.

And I'm praying that somehow I have the heart to keep up with the rhythm of the dance or that music slowly fades into a new song that we're both ready to learn.



Did you see a glimpse of the bigger picture through a simple moment this week? Link up with Sarah today to share the harvest of living intentionally with others on the journey.

Virtual Coffee: Eleven

Were we meeting in person for coffee today, it would likely be at a coffee shop.

You'd thank me, really, for not inviting you over to my casa as we're having an ongoing skunk-smell saga and the whiffs hit at the most unexpected times.

Skunk smell? you might ask.

I'd nod my head as we ordered our drinks -- mine a hot tea to help soothe the allergen-induced mess that are my sinuses -- and share that E wandered in the back door Saturday reeking of disgustingness.

He was covered head to toe in dirt, so I first thought that perhaps he was digging through a portion of the garden where maybe something had long past expired. But upon looking, there was nothing.

We immediately doused the kid in water under the sink, and the smell would.not.budge.

After several scrubbings, I consulted Goodle. And I landed on skunk odor being the most likely culprit.

Did you know skunk spray stays on the ground for up to THREE YEARS?

No?

I kid you not.

After much facebooking discussion, we finally found a remedy that took the skunkiness smell away: coffee grounds.

Well, it took it away until yesterday.

When he pooped.

Dirt and skunk smell really makes you thankful for regular old dirty diapers.

So I thought we got away from all of this skunkiness and then I opened the windows late yesterday afternoon.

And holy overwhleming stench -- the skunk smell was back, drifting into our open living room windows.

Anyway, long story short, we're still trying to figure out where the smell is coming from now that it's {seemingly-oh-dear-God hopefully} exited E's body.

Either you'd be laughing by now at the ridiculousness or you'd be wondering why you decided to meet me for coffee today if we were going to discuss such messes as skunks and bodily functions gone wrong, so I'd quickly the change the subject ask how this week has treated you thus far.

We'd probably talk about the stellar summer-like weather that descended on Chicago's neck of the woods {suburbs?}.

We've been basking in mild temps and enjoying almost everything spring -- except the allergies.

Last night, I woke up around 2 a.m. convinced I'd somehow developed strep while sleeping. But upon waking this morning, I realized it was all allergy related because the symptoms totally subsided.

And while we're talking sleep, I have to whisper -- I say whisper so as to not totally doom tonight -- something: we decided to night wean E this week, and we started last night.

He's been super demanding of lately, and I finally started to feel like I'd fought the good fight for the past 19 months, waking 4-5 times per night to nurse him, and, well, I'm done.

I'm not a nice mommy the day after I've been up every hour nursing and wrestling a milk-crazed toddler, so I knew something needed to change.

And last night -- whispering still -- was so easy.

He woke only once for John, and John was able to snuggle him back to sleep so easily -- no crying or anything, which is totally unlike E.

So this morning, I looked at the Farmer's Almanac -- because the last time E. slept that well, my sister had randomly remarked that she read in the alamanac that it was the best day for weaning a child.

Yeah, I'm not kidding. The Farmer's Almanac really does list best days for weaning {and so much more}, and I really did look though I don't actually put any stock into it.

For the record, today is not one of the best days; of course, we're not following the good ol' almanac, so we'll be proceeding with the night weaning again tonight.

Pray for us. :)

What's new in your world? Allergies making you wish for winter to come back? Farmer's Alamanac got you giggling? Ha! Probably I'm the only who is totally amused by such strange things. ;)

Thanks for having coffee with me today and listening to my random babbling!

Five-Minute Friday: Waking Up

His little toddler body squirms next to my own, stirring me awake at 2:03 a.m.

It's only by the soft glow of the bathroom nightlight that I see his mouth open and head turn back and forth, back and forth, eyes still closed, like a baby bird waiting for its mother to fill his mouth with food.

I thought by this point in toddlerhood that we'd be finished with this whole waking-up-to-nurse-during-the-night thing.

I have apparently underestimated the plans of a certain toddler, though, because every night, as surely as the moon rises in the darkened spring sky, I rise as well to nurse my not-so-baby baby.

And I find myself continuing because he is my baby.

Because even though I'm oh-so tired some mornings, and I'm oh-so ready for a solid eight hours of sleep most nights, I've yet to become ready for him to morph into something other than my baby.

So we wake. We nurse. And I bask in these last few moments of his fleeting babyness. Because I know we won't be waking up together anymore, like this, soon enough.

****




That's time! I have so much more emotion pumping through my heart about this one -- so much more conflict in my head; five minute just won't do it justice. But those are the rules for Five-Minute Friday posts-- write for five minutes straight with reckless abandon for grammar or style of writing the right way.
This week's Five-Minute Friday prompt at The Gypsy Mama was Waking Up.

Breastfeeding: Bringing nursing back

This article was orginally published at Chicago Moms Blog in April 2010. I'm ressurecting it in celebration of the Carnival of Nursing in Public over at Nursing Freedom.

Much like spring break tends to liberate even the prudest of college girls, hanging around the senior citizen crowd unleashed a whole new side of me during a recent vacation from snow-covered Chicago to sunny, warm Fort Myers.

Just like those spring break girls, I now am equally unashamed of baring some boob. Of course, though, I'd like to think mine is for a nobler reason than winning a wet T-shirt contest. After all, I'm nourishing a baby with my girls not just feeding the bare-skin desires of some 20-something guys at the local beach bar. Friends, I have become an unabashed, unashamed lactavist.

A lacta wha?

You know, a mama who isn't going to go hide out in the corner of any restroom to nurse her babe while dining out because she doesn't want to offend anyone who just might get a glimpse of breast while her baby is (gasp!) breastfeeding.

I used to be that kind of breastfeeding mother. I used to care about other people's comfort while I was feeding my child. I used to feel like I needed to be politically correct about nursing -- didn't want to accidentally have baby give anyone a peep show during a nursing session because baby deemed something else more interesting than eating. I'd spend nursing sessions wrestling to feed my baby while shielding the world from him and my breast with a nursing cover only for baby to squirm out from underneath and abandon his lunch because he didn't want to be hidden. I'd leave interesting dinner table conversations to hide in a restroom and nurse my little guy so no one around us would feel uncomfortable if they got a glimpse of skin.

I assure you I didn't know it before we hauled our suitcases through the gated, ritzy golf-club community my grandparents call home during the brrr-cold Chicago winters. But those seniors, well, they inadvertently unleashed the breastfeeding advocate living inside this (formerly) politically correct nursing mother.

We were at the pool. We were seated next to some older gentlemen who were lounging in chairs under the warm Florida sun. They must have thought I couldn't hear what they were saying because they were discussing how nice spring break time is because of the change of landscape among the pool crowd. They very obviously were not referring to the rose bushes but rather the young ladies clad in bikinis who were now poolside instead of the older ladies sporting full bathing suits and swim caps during water aerobics. And they were very, very happy to have this change of scenery.


Fast forward to eating at the classy club house located next to the pool where these young ladies sun themselves with their cleavage showcased nicely for anyone to see through the windows.

One of my dining companions leaned over and suggested that perhaps if my little baby wanted to nurse during dinner, I could sneak over to the Billiards room because it would be quiet.

"A lot of these people are old fashioned and conservative," she whispered.

My mind raced back to the gentlemen's poolside conversation; and just like that, I exploded volcano style into a lactavist.

"If the baby wants to eat, I'll feed him in here," I said. "This is a dining room. And if he wants to eat, he'll be dining here in the dining room."

She looked a little taken aback by my answer because I've always been conservative. But you know what -- I still am! I'm a conservative lactavist, and for me, the two go hand in hand.

You won't see me out at the beach displaying my goods for all to see in the name of sexy. You won't find my girls popping out of my shirt in the name of fashion. And you certainly won't find me scampering around the beach busting out of my bathing suit in an attempt to be visually appealing landscape.

But you will find me baring some boob in name of nourishment, in the name of bonding, in the name of snuggling and in the name of loving my baby and giving him the very best nutrition I can.

Because if I hide in a bathroom to nurse my baby or bury him under a nursing cover in an effort to shield my breast while doing the very thing my breasts were made for, I'm not doing anything except for perpetuating the societal myth that breasts are only for bringing sexy back.

And, mamas, though I care about sexy, I'm using these bad boys for bringing nursing back.

Bigger Picture Moments: Nursing me back to life

Welcome to Bigger Picture Moments, a place where we step back and take in life. There are moments where we're so caught up in it all, the hectic mind boggling pace of the day. We encourage you to take this opportunity to take a moment and view the Bigger Picture. Whatever that means to you. A moment where you recognized the role your faith plays in your every day life. A moment where you take note of motherhood and the importance of what you are doing. A moment that made you stop and smell breathe in the bigness of it all. The hugeness that is life and the small moments adding up to one huge Bigger Picture.

We hope you'll join us. Take a few moments. Think about your week, and pour however little or much onto a page. Then share. Tell us your moment. Link up this week at Sarah's, grab our button, and share your Bigger Picture Moment. And while you're at it, share the love and check out at least one other participant's moment.


Next week, Melissa will be hosting Bigger Picture Moments. Keep an open mind and heart throughout the week and come back to participate again or for the first time! All are welcome!

I scoop my crawling baby into my arms, cradling his head full of coppery dark hair in the crook of my arm as he signs for milk while making little coughing noises in anticipation of our our nursing session.

Sadly, he's the only one looking forward to it, desiring the time he spends nestled in my arms, at my breast, me nursing him to nourishment and calm.

I'm busy. I'm scrambling around the house throwing things inside our suitcase as warm salty tears escape my eyes.

I'd gotten a call from my sister just 30 minutes before; she'd told me our dad's surgery didn't go as well as the doctors hoped. One specialist said our dad had a 50 percent shot of making it.

I try to swallow the other option, telling myself percentages cannot measure endurance or stubbornness. And certainly our dad had exhibited both in his personal life and professional career. As a captain of his south suburban fire department, I rationalize that he'd been in really hot situations in the past, and he'd always come out on the other side of the flames and billowing smoke. Certainly it'd be like all the other times, I said. Certainly, he'd pull through from an emergency surgery to remove a bowel obstruction.

Baby E. grasps the top of my shirt as he latches on to nurse. His cornflower blue eyes, wide as saucers begin to slowly narrow as the milk starts flowing. The continuous rhythm of suck, suck, suck, swallow, breathe, coo, suck, suck, suck, swallow, breathe, coo becomes the constant sound in my ears in place of my wildly thumping heart, panicky thoughts and rationalizations.

His chubby little hand begins stroking my chest just below my neck, slow, steady, gentle brushes against my skin, bringing my breathing to a slower, steadier rhythm in place of short, gasping breathes. My body sinks into the couch.

My pulse slows as his nursing does ... the rush of the let down has passed and a steady, trickling flow replaces it. Little slivers of blue peak out through drowsy eyelids.

And even though I was in a rush just moments prior, I now want him to nurse just a little longer ... gently sweep his fingers over my skin just a few more times ... I want the peace to last just a little longer. I linger, my half-sleeping, half-nursing baby still cuddled in my arms, wishing I didn't have to move him. I carry him to his car seat, quietly, gingerly strap him in, a new calm washed over my body as we drive to the hospital.

*****
It's moment by the moment, his doctors say.

His kidneys are failing.

His liver is failing.

My dad is fading quickly, but for some reason he's hanging on. His heart is beating strong.

It won't let go. Here's that determination, that characteristic stubbornness at play.

I grip my father's large, olive-complected hands and try to say everything I need to say. But I cannot get everything out through the tears. I finally have to leave his room, escape to the waiting room.

It's been a long week, filled with uncertainty. I've sat in more waiting room chairs than I can count, my heart constantly torn between two places -- his hospital bed and the home that's housing my boys.

My heart is racing, my eyes are brimming with tears, my muscles shrink and tense. As I stumble to the waiting room, I know I need to pump milk for baby E.

I settle in the chair. I have to close my eyes, pretend my baby is really in my arms until the milk flows. And as it quickly begins to plop into the bottle, my baby gifts me with a calm, though he's miles and miles away. It's enough to return to my dad's bed side and finish laying my heart out to him, all while still hoping he pulls through.

****
My cell phone rings when we're minutes away from my mother's house, minutes away from my boys after spending a long day at the hospital. All I hear is crying and gasps of breathe in between my cousin's words ... He's gone.

My husband pushes the gas pedal, accelarates, and when we arrive at my mom's, I rush into the house and scoop up my baby.

He smiles, coos and signs for milk while nuzzling his head into my soft flesh. I cry heavy tears as he latches on, but again find solace in the rhythmic suck, suck, suck, swallow, breathe, coo, suck, suck, suck, swallow, breathe, coo, suck, suck, suck, swallow, breathe, coo .... suck .... suck ... suck ... swallow ... breathe .... coo.

****
It's been a long two months since I've last heard my father's voice, live, over the phone or in person. Grief hits me in tsunami-style waves ... unexpected, towering, unbelievable in strength.

I see a little girl place her small hand in her father's large hand while at the park. My heart sinks into my stomach as I smile back tears. Three-year-old G. is playing on the swings and baby E. is happily playing near my feet, eating dandelions and trying to pick individual blades of grass.

He begins quickly crawling to my feet as the grief hits my heart square in fresh scar tissue. He climbs up my legs, saying "ma ma ma ma ma" and signs milk with his free hand as he steadies his weight on his chubby feet.

I scoop my crawling baby into my arms, cradle his head full of coppery dark hair in the crook of my arm as he continues to sign for milk, making little coughing noises in anticipation of our our nursing session.

But this time, we're both looking forward to it, desiring the time he spends nestled in my arms, nursing me back to life.

Breastfeeding: Milking it for all it is worth

I'm resurrecting this post -- originally dated March 1, 2008 -- because today I realized I have nursed both of my children for a total 25 months. And I just learned that if a woman breastfeeds her children for seven years, she has nearly elminated her risk of developing breast cancer. So, in short, this post is serving as a little bit of encouragement for me to keep on milking it for all it's worth. (Though, I think we're going to have to add another baby to this nursing mix if I plan to nurse for 7 years!).

The first night we were home from the hospital with G, my husband John found the baby and me both bawling on the couch at 2 a.m.
G was crying because he was hungry; I was sobbing because I couldn't help G figure out how to get enough milk while using the nipple shield one of the hospital nurses gave me. (The nipple shield is supposed to help the baby latch on; maybe it has some merit, but we found it to be more of a frustration than a help.) To add to the mix, G and I were both tired and frustrated. That night I was seriously tempted to throw in the towel on breastfeeding and give G a bottle. Luckily, John heard our sobs and came to our rescue. I told John to make a bottle full of formula for G to eat. John, however, knew that breastfeeding was something I really wanted to do. He recognized my frustration, denied my request for a bottle full of formula and encouraged me to persevere.
"Tomorrow," he promised, "We'll call the lactation consultant and get help."
Thankfully, after we spoke to Jeanne Cygnus, a board-certified lactation consultant, I never seriously considered feeding G formula again. Though we've had our fair share of struggles (oversupply, engorgement, plugged ducts and soreness), the benefits have most definitely outweighed the hardships. Jeanne brainstormed a top-ten list of reasons why breastfeeding is excellent; consult the list whenever ...
a.) you feel discouraged and ready to give up
b.) you have to explain to your (fill-in-the-blank) why you are still breastfeeding
c.) you feel like a milk machine who barely can keep up with a serial nurser
d.) you leak all over your shirt when a baby cries on TV



10. Save some serious cash -- "With formulas costing anywhere from $150 to more than $400 per month, breastfeeding for the first year can save enough money to buy something you’d REALLY want!" Jeanne said.
Just think, you could make a monthly car payment for what you'd spend on formula. Or you could buy 3 new outfits every month to make up for the lost last few months of pregnancy when you couldn't find anything cute that didn't make you feel like a cow. Perhaps I'm just frugal, but why pay for the milk, when you can get the whole cow for free? (Yes, I just likened myself to a cow, and I'm OK with that. See those last few months of pregnancy were just preparing me for what was to come.)


9. Maintain healthy bones --"Breastfeeding decreases your risk of developing Osteoporosis as you age," Jeanne said.
Minerals leach from the bones during breastfeeding, Jeanne explained. After weaning, your body remineralizes and re calcifies bones making them denser and stronger. A 1994 study of 308 lactating mothers found that those mothers who breastfed for the first six months had bone mineral densities that exceeded those of the postpartum.(1) That's great incentive for those of us who want to be active in our post-menopausal bodies without worrying about fracturing or breaking any bones when we're out bike riding with our grand kids.

8. The smell factor -- "Breastmilk diapers have very little odor," Jeanne said.
You can gently remind your hubby of this when he complains about changing diapers. Additionally, as a cloth-diapering mama, I can assure you that breastmilk poop does not stain the cloth diapers and it washes out of cloth pretty darn easily. And I like my fluff looking nice and bright even if its sole job is to catch poop and pee.
Additionally, Jeanne said breastmilk spit-up does not stain clothing. That's good, because there will be spit up. And you wouldn't want to stain those new wardrobe pieces you were able to buy with all the money you saved by not buying formula now would you?


7. Save your kids from nicknames like metal mouth and brace face --"Breastfeeding develops and strengthens baby’s facial and jaw muscles, resulting in a lower need for orthodontic correction later on," Jeanne said. "Breastfeeding spreads the palate out and helps keep teeth where they are supposed to be."
And just think of what you can do with the money you may have had to spend on braces!
Breastfeeding also helps develop the palate in baby's mouth, Jeanne said.
"There are a lot of sleep apnea problems because [some people's] palates are too high," she added."We've had a couple generations that didn't breastfeed. Palates don't smooth out [as well] when babies are not breastfed."

6. Lessen the risk of your child developing serious illnesses -- "Breastfeeding helps to mature the baby’s own immune system properly, leading to less illness throughout their lives and a much lower incidence of auto-immune diseases such as Lupus," Jeanne said.
One New Zealand study even showed that infants who are exclusively breastfed are less likely to succumb to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; that could help a mama rest a little more easily at night.(2)

5. Promote lean, healthy bodies --"Breastfed babies have a much lower incidence of obesity in adulthood," Jeanne said.
Even the really chubby babies (no one's pointing any fingers, but, here's looking at you, G), have a lessor chance of being obese as adults, she reassured.

4. Spend less quality time with your doctor -- "Babies who do not receive breastmilk have an average of five to six sick visits to the doctor during their first year," Jeanne said. "Breastfed babies average one to two sick visits in their first year. That’s a lot of time saved from sitting in a waiting room!"
I love my doctor more than the average mom probably does, but I don't feel the need to fund his retirement account more than needed. (Half of that reason is because I'd really like him to be around to deliver and care for the rest of our future children.)

3. Have baby, will travel-- "It's easier to travel with baby," Jeanne said. "You have all the food they need, preheated, right there!"
A quick trip to the mall or grocery store is not a major adventure when you are breastfeeding because a mama doesn't have to track down water, warm the water and mix the formula. Simply unsnap the bra, pop baby on and let baby chow down!

2. Save the boobies -- "[Breastfeeding] decreases your risk of breast cancer for every month of your life that you breastfeed," Jeanne said.
That's considerably good news considering the American Cancer Society expected 178,480 women were to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. (3)

1. A gourmet meal every time -- "This food is designed especially for YOUR baby with customized fat and protein levels for your baby’s development and antibodies to the germs in your environment," Jeanne said.
I can't even get that good of a meal when we go out to eat at a fancy-schmancy, $40-per-plate restaurant. Again, the boob juice is free, tasty and nutritious. And don't we as moms desperately seek out that winning combination for our children during all of our meal-preparing days?

1.F. POLATTI, E. CAPUZZO, F. VIAZZO, R. COLLEONI, and C. KLERSYBone Mineral Changes During and After LactationObstet. Gynecol., July 1, 1999; 94(1): 52 - 56.
2.Ford RPK, Taylor BJ, Mitchell EA, Breastfeeding and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Int J Epidemiol 1993; 22:885-890
3.http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2007PWSecured.pdf

Chicago Mom Blog: Breastfeeding: Formula-Fed America

I'm writing for Chicago Moms Blog today about breastfeeding in Formula-Fed America.
And, yes, I do realize I've opened a can of breastfeeding [or formula-feeding] worms. I hope we can still be friends even if we do not agree. :)

Breastfeeding Help: Preparing for a new baby

My first experience breastfeeding a brand-new baby was not what I had envisioned before our first-born son exited the womb.

It was difficult; he wouldn't latch correctly because he was groggy from medical interventions, and he couldn't figure out how to suckle because of his incorrect latch. It was a rough four days before we saw International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Jeanne Cygnus. And by the time we got there, my baby was actually getting milk, but my poor body was bruised and battered.

Admittedly, I was one of those women who just assumed she would not face many dilemmas with nursing because it seemed so natural. I prepared slightly. I read a little; I attended one La Leche League meeting; I spoke with other breastfeeding moms. I honestly thought I had done my homework. This time around, I didn't want to be caught off guard; I wanted to be prepared to establish a healthy breastfeeding relationship with our new baby from the moment he arrived, so I sought Jeanne's guidance and asked her what moms can do to prepare for breastfeeding success. As always, she was a wealth of information, and I've been able to establish a wonderful breastfeeding relationship with the new babe; at four days post delivery he already regained his birth weight! Look how much he's already grown!


What can moms do to ready themselves physically and mentally?
"I always tell moms that physically their bodies are already doing everything they need to prepare for breastfeeding," Jeanne said. "Their areolas may become darker. The little bumps around the nipple (Montgomery Glands) may become more prominent; these actually secrete a very tiny amount of lubricating substance that helps keep the areola soft and pliable, and it also acts as a mild disinfectant, inhibiting the growth of bacteria. They may experience changes in their nipple. The body starts to produce colostrum during pregnancy, and some women will notice they start to leak later in pregnancy. Many women do not have leaking, but their bodies are still producing plenty of colostrum.
Mentally the best preparation is having some idea of what to expect. Reading a good breastfeeding book (Breastfeeding Made Simple is great… or any of the books by Dr. Sears), and taking a good breastfeeding class can help a lot. I also recommend attending a breastfeeding support group, such as La Leche League, while they are still pregnant. It’s a great way to get a glimpse as to what’s coming up and to hear different moms tell their stories.

What should moms have on hand before delivering to help ensure success?
"The great thing about breastfeeding is that contrary to what some product marketing people will tell you it does not require a lot of ‘stuff," Jeanne said. "Really! It’s nice for mom to have a comfy chair, since she may be spending a lot of time in it. A couple of nursing bras will help make feedings a little bit easier. And nice music helps!"

What are some items moms may need, and how can she distinguish between the helpful and not so helpful ones that are marketed?


Nursing pillows:
"A nursing pillow is sometimes helpful but often not. Even when helpful, they’re kind of like training wheels – you’re not going to it forever," Jeanne said. "If you do want to get one, look for a pillow designed for breastfeeding such as the My Breast Friend rather than a Boppy. Boppies were designed to prop babies up to play – and they’re great for that – but were never designed for breastfeeding, and are too rounded to help much. Babies tend to roll into or away from mom. True breastfeeding pillows will be flat on top."

(HFW's own personal note -- we love the Anna Pillow for the newborn stage. For us, it has been helpful both times and has provided the exact support and position help needed.)

Pumps:
"If you KNOW you’re going to need to pump (going back to work, etc.) AND you know which one you want, then by all means get it before the baby is born so that you have it available. HOWEVER, if you’re not sure – wait!! You may never need a pump… or you might only need a hand-pump for occasional use, etc. There’s no sense spending a lot of money on something you might never need, and you might want to wait to see which one will best suit your needs if you do end up wishing to get one," Jeanne said.

Lanolin creams/ ointments:
"You do NOT need to use these products before birth – they will do no good then," Jeanne said. "After baby is born, I still don’t recommend them! They function by forming a protective barrier over the nipple skin to promote healing of damaged nipples… the problem is, they also create a slippery surface on the nipple, causing baby to slip while latching and can actually cause the baby to have a shallow latch! This causes pain… and hence, sells more lanolin products! If you experience nipple damage / soreness it is much better to use a hydro-gel pad to provide the protection and soothing your nipple needs – and these leave no residue on your nipple so it won’t affect your baby’s latch. And be sure to get help early to find out WHY your nipples are getting damaged in the first place!. "

What are the first steps in a breastfeeding relationship mothers should take with their newborns?
"I would say the most important step moms can take is to spend as much time skin-to-skin (mom without shirt / baby just in diaper) as possible in the early hours and days after birth. This skin-to-skin time actually releases hormones in both mom and baby and can help with milk production and can help baby latch more easily and more effectively! Babies stay warmer and have more stable breathing / heart-rates while skin to skin with mom as well! A light blanket can be draped over the two of you while you’re doing this if the room is chilly. This is the best way for mom and baby to bond and connect after the stressful transition of birth! Breastfeeding is a natural result of this intimate time together!"

I couldn't have said it better myself; breastfeeding success certainly makes for a happy mom and a happy baby!

Breastfeeding help: Night weaning the serial nurser

note: In order to bring you accurate information concerning hot parenting issues, I've teamed with some local professionals who have agreed to share their knowledge in each of their fields of expertise. I will regularly consult with the professionals when writing about topics like breastfeeding, babywearing, health and natural childbirth, prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care and child rearing. This post includes information from International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Registered Lactation Consultant Jeanne Cygnus. You can read Jeanne's Snapshot profile here.

It's no surprise that Gabe loves milk more than almost anything else in his little world. As the former Fat Kid Club President, I also can assure you my child has inherited the love for anything food or drink related. So, while considering both of those facts, I'm sure you can understand why I was [nervous, scared, frightened] absolutely freakin' terrified to begin the night-weaning process at 16.5 months in late Dec. But I couldn't hack it anymore. I began to feel like a walking zombie during the day after waking up every two hours to give my all night-nurser his favorite cuisine.

Plus, I was beginning to feel like my toddler, who eats enormous amounts of solid food and drinks quarts of cow milk and breastmilk during the day, no longer needed milk during the night. Actually, I began feeling like he was just waking up because mom's diner was open 24 hours, so why not indulge in all of those late night snacks.

So I spoke with John, who quickly got on board, and we began devising a plan to night wean our serial nurser. First, thought, we consulted Dr. Sears' The Baby Book for some tips on night weaning, and I also spoke with Jeanne Cygnus, our lactation consultant.

After hearing my diagnosis of the situation, Jeanne reassured me that Gabe was at the age where he could go all night without needing to nurse.

"As far as age goes many babies start sleeping through around 3 mos (with interruptions around 4 mos!)," Jeanne said. "Some aren't ready until 6-8 months; most babies should be able to by the time they are 10-12 months, but there are always exceptions."

And those exceptions make it hard to give an exact age where parents can definitively say their child is ready to night wean.

"The problem with giving any concrete answer here is that there are many different reasons babies nurse at night," Jeanne said. "Some babies nurse at night because they are so active during the day that they do not stop long enough to take good feeds and need to make up calories during the night to maintain their growth. Some babies also do this if they don't feed well from bottles while at day care --they'll eat enough to get by [during the day], and then make up for it by eating during the night. Trying to force these babies to forgo eating at night can cause them unnecessary hunger and poor weight gain."

Jeanne said other babies have very vivid dreams, wake themselves up, become frightened and need the comfort of nursing to settle back down into a sleep-mode.

"These babies may not nurse for very long, but they rely on the comfort of the connection with mom in order to feel safe and secure again. These babies can be 'trained' that they have to cry it out alone, but it may not be the best message to send for their long-term emotional health."

And finally some babies seem to just get into a rhythm of sleep/wake cycles and become "used" to nursing as part of this cycle.

"These are the babies that really don't 'need' to nurse, but are in a habit," Jeanne said. "These are the night-nursings that are generally fairly easy to eliminate and doing so can actually be beneficial to both mom AND baby as baby starts sleeping for longer stretches."

Overall, no one can tell a mom when to start night-weaning better than mom herself!

"Most moms often have an idea of which of these is going on, based on their baby's temperament and patterns," Jeanne said.

I could tell Gabe, at 16 months, was waking because his body simply had become accustomed to waking several times per night and then nursing back to sleep, so we proceeded with night-weaning plans.

Dr. Sears recommends asking dad for help during the night so that baby will accept forms of comfort other than the breast. He also recommends in his book talking to your little milk monster and then sticking with the plan. There will be rough nights, Dr. Sears, says, and I agree. But those first few nights were not as hard as I thought they were going to prove.


The first night we began night weaning, we laid down in Gabe's big-boy bed (a full size mattress on a box spring on the floor), and explained that Gabe was going to "night night" (our word for sleep), mama was going to go night night, dada was going to night night and milk was going to go night night. He looked at me, smiled and asked for milk. I nursed him before bed, and then again told him that everyone, including milk, was going night night until it was light outside. I doubt much of that sank in because like clockwork he woke up two hours later expecting a boob. John then went into Gabe's room, laid down with him and snuggled him back to sleep. Gabe cried. He wailed for mama. John calmly explained that everyone, including milk, went night night.

But it worked. Gabe went back to sleep. And after a few nights of crying for milk, he finally accepted the new form of comfort from John. After about a week, Gabe began sleeping in his bed until about 4 or 5 in the morning every night. Gabe also comes to bed with us after waking and snuggles with us until about 7 or 7:30. When he wakes at 5, I do nurse him, and he falls right back asleep.

I had a few concerns about my day-time milk supply dropping, so Jeanne gave me a few tips. She said because my supply had dropped so much and Gabe was nursing so frequently through the day, I might want to consider waking up about 5 hours after his last night nursing to pump. Little did we know when she offered that advice that my supply actually dropped because I was pregnant, so pumping would not have helped.
"The only time I recommend pumping after 5 hours is if you experience a dramatic decrease in supply during the day and are trying to increase over-all milk supply OR in the early months of breastfeeding when babies really aren't meant to be sleeping through the night and your breasts need that nighttime stimulation," Jeanne said. "In most cases, with most moms and babies, sleeping through the night at [Gabe's] age is normal, and mom should not be concerned as long as she's comfortable, as the body does adjust."

Generally, though, most moms who are ready to night wean need not wake to pump.

"As [baby grows] older and is taking solids, going longer at night should be fine as long as you are not waking up uncomfortable or engorged, which could put you at risk for mastitis," Jeanne said.

Need Jeanne's help? www.cygnuslacation.com.

Snapshot: Jeanne Cygnus, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

note: In order to bring you accurate information concerning hot parenting issues, I'm teaming up with some local professionals who have agreed to share their knowledge in each of their fields of expertise. I will regularly consult with the professionals when writing about topics like breastfeeding, babywearing, health and natural childbirth and child rearing. Here is the first of four profiles, each of which will help you get to know the professionals who will be interviewed for other posts!


Meet Jeanne Cygnus (say: Jean with an "e" on the end), an international board-certified and registered lactation consultant. Jeanne has helped hundreds of mothers and babies become happy breastfeeding duos, including yours truly and my obviously well-nourished, 19-pound, six-month-old Gabe "the tank" Worth. I first visited Jeanne to get a nursing bra when I was 34 weeks preganant. I could not find a comfortable bra during those last few weeks of pregnancy when every part of body seemed to turn the size of a large watermelon; long story short, I was uncomfortable! Jeanne was very compassionate and knowledgeable during my bra quest, and she immediately helped find a bra that didn't make me feel like a stuffed sausage. She also commiserated with my being pregnant in the dead of a hot, humid summer, and what pregnant woman doesn't need just a little sympathy when it's 100 degrees outside and there's a bun in the already-overheated oven? I liked her.
I immediately turned to her when I needed help with breastfeeding Gabe because of her compassion and knowledge. Gabe and I visited Jeanne when he was just three days old so she could help Gabe get a good latch. (And oh-my-word does it hurt if the baby doesn't properly latch onto the breast!) I also had an oversupply problem; my body was producing more milk than Gabe could handle, which made eating very tough for him. But it was nothing Jeanne had not seen before!
"That's what's nice about private practice," Jeanne said. "I'm seeing everything from newborns all the way up to babies who are one year old. Private practice tends to see the largest range of issues. We tend to see some of the most complex cases."
Jeanne has worked with babies who have special needs, and she has helped moms who have special circumstances.
"I've worked with moms who have had breast surgeries or lost a breast to cancer and are only bringing milk in on one side," she said.
While she's experienced in helping mamas and babies with special circumstances, Jeanne said many of her clients come in with the same types of breastfeeding issues. The most common problem moms report is a perceived lack of milk supply.
"Sometimes that's the case, and sometimes it's not," she said.
During a consultation, Jeanne teaches mama and baby about breastfeeding and helps mama discern whether baby is getting enough milk. Jeanne weighs baby before and after a feeding so she and mama can see how many ounces baby drank. When a mom doesn't produce enough milk, Jeanne can also work with her to help her increase her milk supply so that it is adequate for baby.
Jeanne said she also sees quite a few babies who have tongue tie, which occurs when a baby's tongue is anchored too tightly to the bottom of his mouth. Tongue tie often prevents a baby from nursing efficiently, and the baby then has a hard time gaining weight.
"I tell moms it's like saying you have to eat all of your meals with your right hand, but that hand is anchored to your body," she said. "It tends to cause a lot of pain for mom, too."
Tongue tie is easily remedied by a simple surgery, and Jeanne refers her patients to a pediatrician who can correct it.
Jeanne works closely with her clients as well as their pediatricians and obstetricians.
"Every issue is looked at on a one-on-one basis," Jeanne said. "There is a lot of individual evaluation."
It's easy to see that Jeanne enjoys helping new moms and babies with their breastfeeding issues after speaking with her for only a few minutes, so it's surprising that lactation consulting was not the profession in which she started. Before her daughter, Kyla, 13, was born, Jeanne worked in veterinary medicine. In fact, before she had Kyla, she disregarded the practice of lactation consulting.
"I refused to take any breastfeeding classes because I thought it was ridiculous," she said. "I thought, 'there's a boob, there's a baby -- how hard could it be?'"
Luckily, Jeanne did not have any problems breastfeeding. In fact, her experience was so normal, she was invited to be the "normal breastfeeding mother" on a breastfeeding panel at Evergreen Hospital in Seattle, which is where she delivered Kyla.
"That's when I started hearing all of the struggles other moms were going though lot of lactation consultant get started because of their personal struggles but not me. ... I used to mock the book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, so it's ironic where I ended up," she said.
The book is now displayed on a shelf in her office among other breastfeeding books that are meant to encourage, help and inform the breastfeeding mother. Jeanne encourages expecting mothers to learn about the benefits of breastfeeding by either reading one of these books or speaking with a pediatrician or lactation consultant.
"Breastfeeding is not better -- it's normal. We are made to breastfeed babies," she said. "It's what our bodies are made to do; it's what our babies are made to do. ... It helps mature [babies'] immune systems. It prevents all kinds of trouble later in life from allergies to orthodontic issues. It enhances all of baby's bodily functions and reduces mom's risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding also teaches moms to read their babies."

Here are some quick stats about Jeanne and her practice:
Area of expertise: Jeanne aids mothers and babies in their breastfeeding endeavors through one-on-one consultations
Where: Cygnus Lactation Services, 420 N. Seymour. Mundelein, Illinois (She also makes home visits!)
Experience: Jeanne has been doing lactation work since 1994. She formally trained with Nancy Mohrbacher, who co-authored Breastfeeding Made Simple and The Breastfeeding Answer Book. After she finished 2500 hours of counseling women on breastfeeding issues, she took her board certification exams in 2002. She began her private practice the same year.
Credentials: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Registered Lactation Consultant
Education: University of Delaware, BS -- background in biology and veterinary medicine
Life Away From Work: wife to Marc, mom to Kyla and Chris
Need her help?: http://www.cygnuslactation.com/ or (847) 837-4091 or http://us.f821.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Jeanne@CygnusLactation.com