Normalizing breastfeeding is very important to me, but I was going about it the wrong way. Why did I decide to let my inner warrior go? I’d like to share my story with you.

I’ll admit, when it comes to dealing with life’s challenges, I have always been more of a furied fighter than a patient yogi. If I have a vision I go for it. Quickly.

But when my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child, the warrior in me relaxed. I took off my armour and settled into my safe place.

Even in the womb, I could feel how this baby was shifting my priorities.

I was shifting away from “not gonna let anyone stop me,” and towards, “appreciate this moment before it’s gone.”

It’s amazing how new life creates new ways of looking at life.

Then the baby arrived.

And I was caught totally off guard by a battle I never expected. My sword and shield were packed away in a closet so when the first shot flew at me I was shocked.

“Your baby won’t get enough nourishment if you breastfeed like that.”

Huh?

I slowly lifted my head up from my newfound mindfulness.

“It’s really unsafe to sleep with your baby.”

What? Another one?

“If you breastfeed too much your baby will be spoiled.”

Yikes. This was really happening.

Then, on the news, “Woman accused of indecent exposure for breastfeeding her baby in public.”

That’s it.

Forget mindfulness.

The warrior in me was back.

Every time I went out with my baby, my eyes darted around like a cat sensing danger, ready to retaliate if necessary.

On an airplane, I saw a woman nursing with a cover. I wondered why. Who would say something if she took it off? I was ready to defend her. And breastfeeding.

I learned about the other warrior mothers out there, just trying to raise and feed their babies the way they choose. Court cases, pumping laws, talk show hosts who tell their viewers to “be discrete.”

“Breastfeed Wherever You Want.” The ad for a Latch On that was held in Rome this past May.

I learned that this battle is so big that women need to join forces in Latch Ons around the globe, just to get the message out there that this. is. normal.

To learn about Breastfeeding World’s Big Latch Ons that will take place on August 4th and 5th, 2017, visit our home page.

I live in Italy and I can tell you that the struggle is real here, too. The ad for a Latch On in Rome shows a breastfeeding mother with the ultimate warrior look.  And here’s a video of a Latch On in Bologna.

Like all these mothers I was reading about and getting to know at La Leche League meetings, I was on a mission. The mission was to normalize breastfeeding. To educate. To defend my choices in motherhood.

I memorized my breastfeeding rights in case anyone challenged me.

I didn’t buy a nursing cover.

The pediatrician told me that my child was “too dependent” on me and I flipped out.

Back off, people!

So I started firing back. I was waving my sword around like a mad woman.

I preached the benefits of breastfeeding to whomever would listen (especially pregnant women). And I was ready to attack whoever challenged the bond, the antibodies, the right to feed my baby the way I wanted to.

I had to win. Yet, I was so confused as to why this was even an issue.

 

 

 

And then.

It was quiet.

 

 

In part because I ran out of ammunition. In part because I realized that I was firing randomly and “the enemy” was actually not on the battlefield.

I thought that there were a bunch of people out to get me. Out to change me.

But really there was just an absence of knowledge and experience.

In so many families, breastfeeding is not normal. Many pediatricians are not trained in the physiology of breastfeeding.

But no one is out to get me, really. A lot of people just don’t know. They don’t know what a gift this is.

They don’t know that giving my milk to my babies, like pregnancy and giving birth, is like pure magic.

I put down my sword and shield.

And I picked up my baby.

I unfurrowed my brow.

And shifted my focus.

There is no war. Only ignorance. I can’t fight ignorance.

I can educate, but I can’t force that either.

All I can do is breastfeed my babies, with a smile, knowing that I am doing what’s right and good for us.

The critics will come and go, and I’ll hear their words. But their words won’t hurt me, because I know that they are coming from a place of “unknowing.”

People can sense if you are living your life with calm resolution. The naysayers will have less and less to say if they realize that this, for me, is a non-issue.

I’m just going about my business, breastfeeding or not, pacifier or not, co-sleeping or not, when I want, where I want, how I want.

I’m still a warrior at heart, and living in the moment is still something that I have to consciously choose, but at least I have left this battle behind.

With the Third Annual Times Square NYC Big Latch On approaching, I applaud all of you mothers who proudly breastfeed, showing the world what is normal, natural, not always easy, but magical.

We can make this normal again. And there doesn’t need to be a battle. Just a bunch of mothers breastfeeding will do. With a smile. In peace. Together.

 

 

What about you? How do you normalize breastfeeding? Please share your experiences with us in the comments below. It would make my day.

 

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Anne Kathryn Rice

Anne Kathryn Rice is an American mother of two strong willed children living on the Italian Riviera. She writes about motherhood and listening to your inner voice, even when cultural expectations, baby books, and impromptu advice seem to challenge your instincts. You can read more about her personal experiences on her blog.

www.lovegrowdiscover.com

The post Normalizing Breastfeeding: Why I Decided to Let Go of the Warrior in Me appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

A few weeks ago my colleague Lauren wrote a beautifully passionate piece called This is why I am fed up with “Fed is Best.” She reminded us of the nutritional superiority of breastmilk, and of the struggle that breastfeeding mothers face in trying to feel normal as we do the most normal thing – breastfeed our kids.  She also expressed her solidarity, noting that we are all mothers making the best decisions for our families, and that there’s no need to get defensive. But the problem is not that women are overly sensitive. Being sensitive is what makes new motherhood a powerful and transformative time. In short, it’s a good thing. The problem is that there are even two sides at all. We are blinded by competition. We are like teenagers looking for pokemon and missing the Justin Bieber concert.

Both of these campaigns have overlooked the most important piece when it comes to raising the next generation. And women and babies are suffering because of it.

The most important piece is mom.

New baby. New mom. Both are learning. Both are sensitive.

She’s new, too.

New mothers are learning.

They are learning to listen to their instincts. And they matter more than breastmilk or formula. Food doesn’t raise babies. Moms do.

In an airplane the flight attendants tell you that if there is an emergency, put your own oxygen mask on first, then your child’s.

Who are the flight attendants for new moms? Occasionally you meet one or two people who ask how mom is doing before examining the baby, but they are few and far between. Most people go right to the baby.

How can she learn to trust her instincts, if time after time, she is ignored?

Moms need encouragement, not advice. Telling someone how to feed her child sends the message that she does not know. If enough people tell mom that she is not equipped to make her own decisions (even indirectly), guess what happens. She might start to believe it herself. That she needs to rely solely on a book, advice, or WHO guidelines in order to raise her baby.

It’s sad. It’s dangerous. It’s preventable. But not with campaigns like these.

When my baby girl was a year old, several people, including our pediatrician, told me that I should stop breastfeeding. I felt gravely misunderstood and profoundly alone. I immediately realized what it must feel like if the tables were turned. How would I feel if I knew that formula would be the only way that my baby or I could survive, but someone told me, “you know, breast is best?” I would feel the same way I felt then: undermined, belittled, and misunderstood. Telling new mothers what to do, no matter how sweet your voice is and no matter how many scientific studies you cite, if you do not listen to her, you send the message that she is not worth listening to. And then the doubts start to immerge like those creepy black shadows in the movie Ghost.

Every woman has her own story, and we can’t pretend to know someone else’s story unless we ask.

If another mom makes a decision that is vastly different than your ideal, remember that the human species is crazy smart when it comes to survival. She is surviving the way she knows best. Following your ideal will likely end in failure if she’s not totally on board.

If you are a new mom, I encourage you to listen to your instincts.

If someone in your life is a new mom, I encourage you to listen to her, to her story, to her ideas about what’s best for her and her baby. By encouraging her to explore her new role without judgement, you empower her to make the best decisions for her baby’s healths, her health, and her entire family’s wellbeing.

The most important piece is mom. Moms are raising the next generation, not breastmilk or formula.

The breast is best and fed is best campaigns draw followers, and unfortunately they are directing our focus to the second priority and bypassing the first.

Moms need their oxygen, they need a cup of tea, a leaned ear, clean clothes. Then maybe, just maybe, there will be enough quiet in the room for their inner voices to immerge.

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#BreastfeedingWorld

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Anne Kathryn Rice

Anne Kathryn Rice is an American mother of two strong willed children living on the Italian Riviera. She writes about motherhood and listening to your inner voice, even when cultural expectations, baby books, and impromptu advice seem to challenge your instincts. You can read more about her personal experiences on her blog.

www.lovegrowdiscover.com

The post Breast Is Best And Fed Is Best – The Danger In Choosing Sides appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

I hate to break it to your “Fed is Best” slogan: Fed ISN’T Best. Fed is minimum. Of course you should feed your baby. That’s like saying “changing a dirty diaper is best.” or “Putting your child in a car seat is best.”  No. It’s necessary. Because feeding your baby is an essential part of raising a child. They need to eat in order to live.

Many Families, for whatever reason, have to use formula. Or they choose to. It doesn’t matter, and there is no shame in it. But it is also important, to inform new parents about the actual, scientific fact that breastmilk really is best source of food for infants. Its because of the now outlawed marketing schemes by formula companies in the first half of the 19th century, and the “we did it and we survived” mantras of our mothers and grandmothers. Society’s psyche plays such a huge role in parenting choices, and it took a huge hit on the more biologically normal way of raising children. So much so, that it’s taken breastfeeding advocates decades to overcome it. (Read more about formula companies impressions on the American public here.

Such ads continued apace through the first half of the 20^th century, during which time American breast-feeding also steadily declined, from being near ubiquitous in 1900, to 70 percent of new mothers in 1915, to 50 percent in 1930, to 25 percent in the 1950s. By then, pediatricians, caught up in the “scientific parenting” vogue, were pushing formula hard—and new mothers, eager to live up to the Eisenhower housewife ideal, were reluctant to disobey; formula companies advertised with corresponding enthusiasm.

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Let’s talk about statistics.

As a childcare provider, mama, and breastfeeding advocate, I LOVE me some fact-based research. So if your argument is that the slogan “fed is best” is more supportive than “breast is best”- know that it just isn’t factually correct. Saying that “Fed is Best” takes away the message behind “Breast is best” the exact same way that “All lives matter” takes away from “Black lives matter”- it is completely missing the point of the campaign in the first place.

Medically, breast milk v. formula is the difference between rear facing your infant and forward facing. Rear facing infant seats are found to be 5x safer. It’s just factually safer. Well guess what? The World Health Organization states that globally,

If every child was breastfed within an hour of birth, given only breast milk for their first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding up to the age of two years, about 800 000 child lives would be saved every year”

800,000 infant lives. Breastfeeding does that. Not feeding. Not “fed is best”. The biological norm is what keeps babies alive.

Why Breast is Best:

• Breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
• If your baby receives breast-milk for at least 6 months lowers their chances of childhood leukemia by 19%.
• The La Leche League published that: “One long-term study of children who were breastfed showed that breastfeeding reduces food allergies at least through adolescence (Grasky 1982). Protection from allergies is one of the most important benefits of breastfeeding. The incidence of cow’s milk allergies is up to seven times greater in babies who are fed artificial baby milk instead of human milk (Lawrence 1994).”
• Breast milk contains antibodies, vitamins, proteins, and fats. All which help baby grow, develop, and fight off bacteria and viruses.
• Breastfeeding helps baby ward off and fight ear infections.

I could go on and on… and on. But I won’t, because it will take away from my point.

Companies are using our guilt, mom wars, and shame to profit. Enough is enough.

Just because research says that “Breast is Best”, does not mean that breastfeeding advocates think Formula is the Devil.

Please, put down your pitchforks, and understand. Lactation Consultants, Doulas, midwives, breastfeeding advocates- even lactavists– are NOT SHAMING parents who choose formula when we try to promote the benefits of breastfeeding. We are just trying to help parents who WANT to breastfeed. This is where my pet peeve comes in.  Our goal behind promoting Breastfeeding has nothing to do with “shaming” parents who choose to feed their infant formula- for whatever reason. Scheduling “nurse-ins”, latch on’s, demanding the media represent breastfeeding fairly– this is for breastfeeding mothers everywhere. In no way, shape, or form is anyone saying that formula sucks (it doesn’t!). So unbunch your panties- promoting one way of life doesn’t negate another way. If you don’t like it, move on, and stop trolling us!

Normalizing breastfeeding is about making breastfeeding normal. So mom’s who ARE struggling and DO choose to breastfeed, can do so without concern about societal norms. Because let’s face it: while you may feel some mom guilt when you hear “breast is best”, no one has ever been kicked out of a restaurant for bottle feeding their baby.

“Fed is best” isn’t a necessary campaign. Formula is necessary. Loving your baby is necessary.  Being informed, and making the best possible choice for your baby- and for your family- is necessary. That may mean formula. That’s O.K. Many parents, for whatever reason, can’t always provide breast-milk for their children. That’s OK. It really is. No one is judging you for it.The perceived judgment you feel is your own. So quit. Quit judging yourself for your parenting choices. And for the love of God, Stop judging other’s because their parenting choice is different than yours.

No one can make you feel ashamed with out your consent.

First, feeding your baby is never, ever wrong. You should never feel ashamed for doing what you feel is right for your child, formula or breast. Second, breastfeeding your baby doesn’t make you a “good” parent any more than formula feeding makes you a “bad” parent.Lastly, you alone decide whether to feel shame, no one else is doing that to you. You alone can give someone permission to live in your head and make you second guess yourself.

You are a parent who love’s their baby. So stop allowing someone’s support of breastfeeding to cause you to feel shame because you gave your baby formula.  So please, don’t use your shame to shame someone else, it only perpetuates the cycle. You have no control over how someone feels about you. Stop allowing your “mom guilt” supply ammo to shame other parents for their feeding choice.

Parenting is so, so hard. Daily, we question ourselves and our parenting choices. Parents don’t need help attacking and bringing other parents down- we do a good enough job of that, ourselves. As mother’s, we need to start respecting each other’s choice to feed our babies as we see fit. Respecting each other, respecting ourselves, and leading by example a lifestyle of love, acceptance, and understanding for our children is the best possible thing we can do for them.

Want to read more related this piece from our writers at Breastfeeding World?

• End Mommy Wars: It takes a Village By Samantha Sykula
• Moms need to be told they are enough, By Betty Cortez
• You Can Support “Breast is Best” but not be “Anti Formula” by Gloria Brooks
• Bottle VS. Breast and the Fight not to be Ashamed by Lauren Lewis
• How a Bottle saved my Breastfeeding Relationship by Amber Castro

Love this post? Then don’t forget to Pin it!

Join us in our social media accounts and subscribe to our website, and get up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

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Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post This is Why I am Fed Up with “Fed is Best” appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Chances are, if you are a mother, then you’ve been a member of one of those teams. And unfortunately, with social media today, you may have experienced “mommy shaming” from the formula or breastfeeding camp.

Well I have a confession to make…I’m on BOTH teams.

Let me explain…

During my breastfeeding class- before my son was born- I learned all about the benefits of breastfeeding. The bond…the antibodies…and the cost! My goodness, formula is expensive! I knew I wanted to breastfeed my baby for all these reasons. But things didn’t exactly go according to plan.

After my son was born we dealt with a poor latch and a lot of pain. Despite a consultation with the lactation specialist and a few weeks of (unsuccessful) attempts, I switched to exclusive pumping. But my supply could never keep up with his appetite and we had to supplement with formula.

This was a hard blow for me, personally. I so badly wanted to have that contact and bond with my son without the bottle. I did extensive research on different formula brands and didn’t like some of the ingredients I was reading! I’m somewhat of a “granola” mom, and want everything to be pure and natural, and I didn’t feel like any of these formulas added up to the purity of my breastmilk.

But then…I got over my aversion to formula.

I had to. At this point, I really had no choice. I had to feed my baby. I accepted the fact that although the formula didn’t come directly from me, it is designed to give babies what they need in order to grow. Millions of babies are fed formula, and they are perfectly healthy! In fact, we are lucky to have access to such nutrition in our country.

I will always believe that breastfeeding should be attempted first, for the health benefits and the bond between mother and baby. But it is certainly a challenge too great for many women, and mother’s health and well-being are important too! But before becoming annoyed with the labor and delivery nurses for being “pushy” about breastfeeding, remember that they are not trying to be judgmental or rude. They are encouraging new mothers, not pressuring them. There are many resources to help breastfeeding moms today, from social media to local meet ups. From a member of the breastfeeding community, we are here to support and guide you…not make you feel guilty for choosing not to breastfeed.

I am currently exclusively breastfeeding my eight-month-old daughter, and couldn’t be happier.

I’m proud of myself for powering through another rocky start in our breastfeeding journey, and the bond I have with my baby is indescribable. I do get sad that I didn’t have this with my son, and wish I would have known then what I know now. I hope this article can inspire other women to attempt breastfeeding, even when it feels impossible!

This post is meant to encourage mothers to be supportive of each other no matter what. Our country is facing a great deal of judgment and disagreements right now, and we all just need to respect one another. We can offer our knowledge and experience while keep our minds open to other’s feelings and views.

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

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Gloria Brooks

I was born and raised in New Jersey, but now live in Tampa,FL with my husband David and 2 babies, Noah (2) and Cecelia (3 months). I went to the University of Florida to study special education and I’m currently an Autism teacher in Tampa. I’m currently extending my maternity leave to be home with my babies, and will return to teaching in January. Being a full time mommy right now is the most wonderful (and exhausting!) job in the world.

The post You can support “Breast is best,” but not be “Anti-formula” appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

8 smart ways to use “It’s for the breast milk.” to your advantage

1. When you want third servings of anything

• I mean, I already had seconds, but it’s just too good to stop there. If they judge me, they should know I’m doing this for my daughter.

• “Please pass the BBQ ribs this way – it’s for the breast milk.”

2. When you want cookies… just because

• Works best if the package has the word “lactation” on it, but if it doesn’t, you can still get away with convincing the family of your rights.

• “I can eat all the cookies I want because it’s for the breast milk.”

  

3.  When there is ONLY ONE piece of dessert left

• You know, when you and your brother are both staring down at the last Oreo macaroon left and you need a really good excuse as to why you deserve it more than he does.

• “Bro, it’s for the breast milk.” #winner

  

4. When you’ve got a sweet tooth at work

• When your Boss constantly catches you with a piece of chocolate from the “free candy” bowl set out for guests.

• “Boss, I can’t help it – it’s for the breast milk.”

5. When you’re sharing fries

• When you’re sharing McDonald’s fries with your other half and you want his share, too.

• “Babe, do you mind if I have the rest of these? It’s for the breast milk.”

6. When your friend is paying for lunch

• I mean, don’t be greedy about it. If they’re a good friend, they’ve got your back.

• “I’ll have the fresh spring rolls, the fried spring rolls, a #8, #9…and a taro bubble tea, please. Thanks, BFF, it’s for the breast milk.”

  

7. When your other half is on a health kick, but you ARE NOT

• My fiancé once bought me a reduced-fat, organic wheat muffin breakfast sandwich from Starbucks. I was so disappointed.

• “Babe, what are you doing to me? I need all the fat I can get – it’s for the breast milk.”

  

8. When you’re picky about food

• The time you’re visiting Madre’s house and the only thing to eat isn’t one of your favorites.

• “Oh, Madre, I’m so sorry I can’t have any of this – it’s (not good) for the breast milk.”

  

   

Of course, these are all just excuses to have your way with food, which is my weakness. If you’re looking for healthy alternatives,fruit is a great substitute for the above, because eating thirds or the whole box of cookies isn’t necessary…or necessarily healthy. If you’re a foodie like I am, then give it a try!

No one dares to question a mom and her food choices “for the breast milk.” Do you have some personal favorites that get you far with food? Share them in a comment below!

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

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Betty Rose

Betty Rose is a writer and the voice behind the #MomLife Column. Born and raised on the Pacific Island of Guam, she now resides in Seattle, Washington. After having her first child, she began sharing her new role as a Chamorro mother living in the stats and continues to contribute feature stories of Pacific Island communities in other publications. She embraces the diversity, the struggles of motherhood and hopes that, through her writing, she can break and bring awareness to the barriers set on minority communities across the world.

www.facebook.com/TheMomLifeColumn/

The post How breastfeeding moms can get their way with one phrase appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Let me tell you a bit more about our guest author, Te-Anna Souffrant she is the founder of Gem2Gen Doula Serivces, a mutli-faceted organization, which offers labor, birth and post partum doula services, counseling and more recently a milk donation delivery service, she is also a wife and mother of 2. Te-Ana is currently a Certified Labor & Birth Doula, as well as a Post Partum Doula. Most recently, Te-Ana began her milk donation pickup & delivery service. The main goal of this delivery service is to connect families in need to those who are willing to offer their support, in such a meaningful and extraordinary way. 

Guest Post: Breastfeeding, a true commitment…

My first experience with breastfeeding was 17 years prior to the birth of my first son, it was with the birth of my cousin. I remember vividly my aunt’s struggles with breastfeeding and remember her dissatisfaction with burning, sore nipples, engorged breasts and leaking. The hospital that she delivered at, although there were signs that promoted breastfeeding aligning the hallways and the rooms, the hospital staff did very little to actually encourage it.

You have to remember this was 20 years ago and still a bit of a taboo for some women, especially black women. She received little support from other women in our family or her spouse and needless to say, she quit breastfeeding within months of giving birth. I realize now that being a witness to those experiences helped to shape my decision, later in life, to be a breastfeeding mother.

 …A commitment of love

There are no two ways about it. You either do it or you don’t.

My first son was born 7 weeks early, at 33 weeks, weighing only 4 pounds at birth, I didn’t get to hold him for almost 2 weeks. He stayed in the NICU for 29 days, before I could bring him home.

I never really gave much thought to the idea of breastfeeding before then, but recall that when asked early on in my pregnancy, my response was “sure, I’d be willing to try.” I didn’t know what to expect, hadn’t yet taken a childbirth education class or had any prep into the world of pregnancy and birth except from what I knew from family who had given birth and from the books that I read that helped guide me.

A few hours after my son’s birth, the lactation consultant came to my room, and in those first few minutes, she taught me everything that I needed to know, and provided me with the tools and the resources that I’ve carried with me to this day and continue to share with clients and friends.

This was all new to me, becoming a mother, and more importantly, because of my son’s health, a breastfeeding mother. Pumping, sustaining his health and giving him the best source of nourishment became my main priority.

My first time seeing milk come out of my breasts, I was in awe and couldn’t believe what this body could do. Over the next 4 days, my milk continued to come in, and I pumped feverishly and brought the milk to the NICU in the hopes of “nursing” my baby boy back to health, both literally and figuratively.

 “You can’t do what you didn’t see…”

It is so true!. I didn’t see positive examples of breastfeeding growing up, especially of women that looked like me. However, I do credit those early encounters that prepared me for my own successes with breastfeeding my 1st son for 3 months (before I developed mastitis twice and the supply depleted), my 2nd son for more than 2 years and my Godson, in his early days of life.

Those experiences showed me the very raw, real and not so glamorous side of making the commitment to breastfeed, or at least to try. I also learned that support means everything. If you do not have people supporting or encouraging you to continue, when times get tough, you may not have the strength to get through.

I am thankful for the women who chose to share images of themselves breastfeeding and for the encouragement of my friends, family and other moms I have met along my journey who continue to support me and each other through their own experiences.

It is because of you that WE succeed, that we find the strength within ourselves to keep going!

Black Women DO Breastfeed and I am proud to say that!

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

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admin

A photography project founded in late 2014 by Alexia Garcia, photographer a Alegares Photography. Breastfeeding World aims to promote breastfeeding and encourage new moms to nurse their babies through the art of photography and story telling.

The post Black Women do Breastfeed appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Nothing Better <3

Although bed–sharing is becoming more and more a topic of open conversation in parenting choices in the U.S. these days, before I became pregnant I thought it was kind of strange and not for me. I could not imagine having my baby in bed while still getting sleep and forget trying to have time with my husband. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the idea of ever choosing that for my family. I read in the most popular (at the time) parenting books when to have baby in his own crib and room; how to get a bedside bassinet at first then to move baby to his own room only after a few months. To be honest, that sounded fine. As a new mom-to-be, three months of having my baby in my room seemed long. Plus, I wanted my babies to all be independent and learn to soothe themselves and to sleep through the night.

Co–sleeping at it’s most precious moment. <3

Well, let me tell you, my pre-mama way of thinking disgusts me, now! I can’t believe I thought that was normal. I can’t believe society and our culture taught me to think this was normal in the beginning.
I’m beyond happy that after I gave birth I listened to my mommy instincts, did research for safe co-sleeping and I kept my baby right next to me. Co-sleeping is one of the best parenting choices I’ve ever made, especially for breastfeeding!
Not only has co-sleeping helped me get more sleep, it helps with my babies sleeping more, too, because breastfeeding is right there when it is needed. No extra yelling or crying for me to come and feed them, therefore no extra waking up and becoming upset. Co-sleeping helped increase and keep my supply up always having my babies right next to me all night; and for me, practicing safe co-sleeping always helped relieve my mommy (postpartum) anxiety because I knew my baby was okay.

One of the only co–sleeping pics my husband snapped of our first. Thank God he got a few with our baby boy. <3

Each baby is different so co-sleeping with each might look different. For my son, I started with him in a bedside bassinet, but he and I both hated it. We would both fully wake up at each feeding and we were so uncomfortable. About a month postpartum I finally breastfed him lying down, with him on the inside of our bed and we slept better that night than ever! We co–slept until 13-14 months, and we still snuggle in the mornings, now at 3.5 years old. With my daughter, she is a kicker and LOVES her own space, but does not like being alone. I always babywore her and nursed her to sleep but would put her in a bedside bassinet until about six months old. Then we co–slept in our bed until after her first birthday, and her crib was in our room for a few months after that. I always had monitors on both cribs and check on them a few times (at least) a night once in their own room.

“Each baby is different so co-sleeping with each might be different…”

My <3

TRIGGER: As I sat down to finish this post this week, I coincidently saw a post on Facebook of yet another young infant died from SIDS. It frustrates me and upsets me to tears that specialist, doctors and scientists still majority of the time in our country say they cannot know for sure exactly what causes SIDS and disapprove co-sleeping stating they are connected. I’m a journalist and I know better than to contradict the supposedly non-biased facts out there done by these so-called professionals, especially the specialist; however, as a mom, a well-educated, thoughtful, and passionate mom, who uses commonsense (every action has a reaction) I say BS. Because if you do research there are studies and enough data out there that does prove when co–sleeping is done correctly it is the safest form of sleeping for baby. The type of language used in the studies, giving different scenarios of how a baby 0 months–1 year died from SIDS easily confuses the interpretation of the data to put the findings in to a clear answer: Should my baby co–sleep or should he be in a crib?

So peaceful <3

Another factor that confuses the data’s findings is that co-sleeping WITH exclusively breastfeeding saves thousands of babies per year, and “cuts SIDS risk and may cut overall infant death risk in half” – not just co–sleeping on it’s own.
You will find many organizations with conclusive evidence stating while following safe guidelines for proper co–sleeping (and preferably exclusively breastfed), it is what is best and commonly practiced around the world. Organizations such as La Leche League, Breastfeeding USA, and birth professionals and authors such as Ina May Gaskin, McKenna, J. and McDade, T., all support and encourage safe co–sleeping, especially while exclusively breastfeeding.

My baby boy right next to me <3

According to Le Leche League, “The four biggest issues associated with SIDS are 1) smoking, 2) laying a baby facedown for sleep, 3) leaving a baby unattended, and 4) formula feeding.” For majority of babies, these are not always top factors for the chance of SIDS; however, for babies who majority die from SIDS, “it happens in a small group of vulnerable babies who have very specific but undiagnosed health issues.” Therefore, it is unknown if your baby is more vulnerable before, so there is a greater need for a vulnerable baby to be in arms reach of his/her mother to prevent dying from SIDS. Safe co-sleeping provides the biological and instinctual reaction to assist a vulnerable baby and can prevent SIDS. Maybe if our culture accepted and encouraged safe co–sleeping, like in other countries, new and experienced parents would know the benefits of co–sleeping and less babies would die from SIDS.

Breastfeeding and co–sleeping <3

Let us know your experience with breastfeeding and co–sleeping and please practice safe bed–sharing. Much love to you!

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

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Page Rose

I am a 27-year-old WAHM to two intelligent and amazing toddlers (3 and 1.5 years), and two stepdaughters (12.5 and 8.5 years). I am a very active and passionate birth advocate working to change regulations, laws and cultural norms in the U.S. to provide parents to be educated and empowered to know all birth rights and options. I am a proud emergency, unplanned c-section, turned all natural, non-medicated VBAC experienced mama! I am a modern-hippie mama practicing attachment parenting, who loves babywearing and toddlerwearing, and of course breastfeeding! I love to laugh with my amazing husband/best friend and to travel to new places with our beautiful family.
For more of my lifestyle and mommy blogging updates, check out my Instagram page @PRbabywearingMama.

The post Co-Sleeping and Breastfeeding appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

My Birthday Selfie.

Wednesday, February 17^th, 2016

Tomorrow is my 28^th birthday and I don’t know why but this is a big one for me. It got me thinking a lot about time, life, and what’s led me to who I am today. Specifically, there’s a lot that’s happened in the last 11 months, leading up to this birthday. I’ve learned more about myself in the last year than I ever have; I’ve worked on and changed all my relationships I have in the last year; and, I’ve really reflected and tried to slow myself down to cherish and focus on my relationship with my husband and children.
Being a mom has always been a top priority for me, but I’ve always been anxious and so hard on myself if things didn’t go how I ‘thought’ they were supposed to go. And because of that there are things I might have missed if I didn’t slow myself down.

Close up and beautiful.

I also started my Instagram account in the last year and I started blogging. When I started documenting my babies, my journey of motherhood, and my breastfeeding journey with my daughter I received more positive feedback than I expected; especially, my posts about breastfeeding.

My first post, my first #brelfie, I made it because I realized I basically had no breastfeeding photos with my first, my son, who breastfed for an amazing 15 months. I was already a year in to breastfeeding my daughter and I only had a few of pictures but no brelfies. This is also when I realized this was something I am so proud of, a relationship I’m so honored to have with my daughter, and one I had with my son but have no photos to remember it by.
Breastfeeding is something to be proud of not ashamed of, so why shouldn’t I take more picture and brelfies of myself with my daughter? It’s beautiful and I know I’ll regret it later if I don’t capture this moment in time. So, 30 weeks ago I made a post about breastfeeding, with a brelfie, and it was my top post. I had mamas congratulating me for breastfeeding that long and a few shared their breastfeeding stories, as well. I knew then this was something I had to keep sharing because I think every mama should take more brelfies and not feel ashamed, embarrassed or even just shy about their breastfeeding journey with their baby. Before you know it, that baby of yours is going to stop nursing and not be a baby anymore. And when that time comes you’re going to want to remember those beautiful nursing moments. You’ll want to remember all those sleepless nights when all your baby wanted was you, and those lovely milk-loving days that your baby or toddler just calmed the moment you put her on your lap to nurse. You can’t turn back time and get those moments back, but taking pictures helps keep them.

“…my first #brelfie, I made it because I realized I basically had no breastfeeding photos with my first, my son…”

Nursing and loving our The Vintage Honey Shop breastfeeding necklace.

At 28 years old, I have had three pregnancies, one angle baby and two amazing, beautiful and independent babies born, and for the past three years I have been able to nurture and nourish my two little’s through so much. It’s hard to put in to perfect words why breastfeeding moms are so attached to this part of motherhood with growing and raising their babies because it’s never flaunted with intentions to judge or shame formula-feeding moms. I think the sooner we stop this war between each other by just being compassionate, loving and kind to one another, we can listen (key word*) to each other instead of jumping to conclusions. We post pictures or selfies to share our lives and world with others because we are proud and happy.

Just another morning routine nursing.

For me, sharing a brelfie is me being vulnerable, honest, sensitive, emotional, and proud because I love this part of my journey in to motherhood. I love and appreciate the bond breastfeeding has brought me with both my babies. It’s about my family and me, not what I negatively think about others, which I don’t.
Breastfeeding is natural, beautiful and unexplainable in just one post. And at 28 years old, I’m more confident, calm, patient, and wise to know it’s important to post and take brelfies because I’m so freaking proud of breastfeeding my babies! For me, breastfeeding is an important part of my motherhood and I’m not going to forget it.

One of the first photos my husband took of my daughter and me breastfeeding just a few days postpartum. He used a “fun” filter with his new camera.

Posting on Social Media isn’t for everyone, so I’m not suggesting you must do that in order to properly document or be proud of your breastfeeding journey. I do encourage you to take more pictures if it’s a time in your life and motherhood that you don’t want to forget. What are your favorite nursing or motherhood moments you’ve captured?

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

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Page Rose

I am a 27-year-old WAHM to two intelligent and amazing toddlers (3 and 1.5 years), and two stepdaughters (12.5 and 8.5 years). I am a very active and passionate birth advocate working to change regulations, laws and cultural norms in the U.S. to provide parents to be educated and empowered to know all birth rights and options. I am a proud emergency, unplanned c-section, turned all natural, non-medicated VBAC experienced mama! I am a modern-hippie mama practicing attachment parenting, who loves babywearing and toddlerwearing, and of course breastfeeding! I love to laugh with my amazing husband/best friend and to travel to new places with our beautiful family.
For more of my lifestyle and mommy blogging updates, check out my Instagram page @PRbabywearingMama.

The post Breastfeeding on my Birthday appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Us doing our normal thing.

Don’t be the Scrooge of Breastfeeding this Christmas!

Do not be the Scrooge of Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding your baby is important. I say this as a matter of fact- medically recommended, not as a judgment. The American Academy of Pediatrics certainly states so and so does WHO (World Health Organization), recommending that babies be breastfed until 2 years of age.
In 2012, the U.S. ranked last (LAST!) on the Breastfeeding Policy Scorecard for the World’s Mother’s Report for 2012. For many reasons, American women face many challenges and many avoidable obstacles with breastfeeding. So, if you are anti-breastfeeding, please keep your opinions to yourself and don’t be the Scrooge of Breastfeeding this Christmas and holiday season.

Know Your Rights, Don’t allow anyone to be a Scrooge of Breastfeeding this Season!

Nearly all 50 states protect mothers’ rights to breastfeed out in public, wherever they want and whenever they want. When babies are hungry, babies need to be fed right away. Babies are too small and immature to understand how to manipulate and lack the years of practice to gain patience to know how to wait to be fed, which a baby should not have to wait – it’s a baby! So, if you see one of us nursing out in public and you disagree, please keep it to yourself. Don’t be the Scrooge of breastfeeding this Christmas and holiday season.

Beautiful Breastfeeding!

Many of us breastfeeding mothers go through challenges and must relax while nursing, so don’t make it harder for us to feed our babies. Look the other way or leave if you are uncomfortable with a mother taking care of her baby to survive the best way possible, with love and nutrients. Don’t be the Scrooge of Breastfeeding this Christmas or holiday season.
Let’s not be at war with each other on what parenting group is “better” (breastfeeding or bottle feeding) this holiday season. We should know by now that America is driven by money-hungry corporations and formula companies are very aggressive towards new mothers and all parents. This puts so much pressure on moms when feeling defeated and exhausted from breastfeeding in the beginning. Don’t be the Scrooge of breastfeeding this Christmas and holiday season. We need to stick together, educate one another, support one another to be the best parent each of us are, in our own ways. Just remember, breastfeeding can be hard, so just try to love and support all mamas and parents feeding their babies. Don’t be the Scrooge of Breastfeeding this Christmas and holiday season.

Christmas time in the Rose house, filled with love and respect for breastfeeding.

And last, don’t be too hard on yourself and never give up on what you think is the best for you, your baby and family. Please know breastfeeding support and help is out there and you’re never alone. So, don’t be the Scrooge of Breastfeeding this Christmas by shamming something so natural, nurturing and beautiful.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Do you have a difficult family member or distant friend who is unsupportive of your breastfeeding? Are you having to be around them this holiday season and feel stressed from it? Or are you surrounded by love and support?

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

Page Rose

I am a 27-year-old WAHM to two intelligent and amazing toddlers (3 and 1.5 years), and two stepdaughters (12.5 and 8.5 years). I am a very active and passionate birth advocate working to change regulations, laws and cultural norms in the U.S. to provide parents to be educated and empowered to know all birth rights and options. I am a proud emergency, unplanned c-section, turned all natural, non-medicated VBAC experienced mama! I am a modern-hippie mama practicing attachment parenting, who loves babywearing and toddlerwearing, and of course breastfeeding! I love to laugh with my amazing husband/best friend and to travel to new places with our beautiful family.
For more of my lifestyle and mommy blogging updates, check out my Instagram page @PRbabywearingMama.

The post Don’t be a Scrooge of Breastfeeding appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

What my Monday morning looked like.

Early Monday morning, on Dec. 1^st, around 2 a.m., my 3-year-old son came into our room, woke me up and climbed into bed with my husband and I. He had been sick with what we thought was a cold since the Tuesday before, but by the fourth night he was wheezy and breathing deep while sleeping. He would wake about half way through the night for two nights but would fall back asleep with us the rest of the night. But by the third night of wheezy breathing (sixth night total of being sick), this early Monday morning, there was just something different and worse this time.
The morning of Dec. 1^st, from 2 a.m. until 6 a.m. felt like many more hours had past because all three of us were falling in and out of sleep, but not actually getting any sleep at all. He was starting to have a really hard time breathing, struggling in fact, and was feeling a little feverish.

Breastfeeding in emergency situations can be very handy and specially nourishing for your children

My babies in arms in a hospital bed. My poor boy.

After getting our son in a steaming shower and calling the on-call nurse by 6:30 a.m., we were told to go to the ER. We were shocked and I felt it was all happening so fast. He seemed fine in the day, almost seemed like he was improving, he just had some minor cold symptoms. By 8 a.m. we were at the ER and back in a room with a doctor and nurses. My husband had to go to work but was going to try and get off early and meet us there, so I told him not to worry and I would keep him updated. Never did I think we would be there all day and he would be admitted to stay the night. With in 15 minutes of being in the ER, he was diagnosed with Croup (severe) and was given breathing treatment and steroids. He was in a lot of pain, exhausted, confused, and just wanted to go home.
I had babyworn my 19-month-old daughter in, so she was with the two of us, in the hospital bed during all of it. Now, I was trying to be prepared and packed a snack bag, but I forgot it in the car in all the chaos. Little Miss and I were starting to really need food even though she had morning nursed already before getting there. The nurses did what they could and brought us a few snacks but we were still hungry.

Breastfeeding in an emergency.

So conveniently, even under stress and with little to no food, I breastfed her all morning! This made caring for my son so much easier because I did not have to worry if my daughter was starving to death and she got what she needed. My daughter stayed calm and helpful (90% of the time), just sitting in the bed with her poor sick brother and myself because she could nurse. She didn’t get grumpy and act out, she didn’t feel left out or ignored, and she didn’t need special attention. All because of breastfeeding! I didn’t need to get out of bed, stop holding my son, stop helping the nurses with him to get or make food or milk for her because of breastfeeding. I am so grateful for being able to breastfeed and sticking with it. I love that because of breastfeeding, I was able to nurture my very sick son in a scary situation, while also nurturing my 19-month-old all by myself!

Our sweet nurse pulling my babies in the hospital’s pediatric wagon after 10 hours of being there. They were getting restless.

Because of breastfeeding, both my babies were taken care of and I felt like a supermom never missing a thing for my babies.

We want to hear from you: What’s your breastfeeding in emergency situations story? Drop us a comment below!

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

–

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Page Rose

I am a 27-year-old WAHM to two intelligent and amazing toddlers (3 and 1.5 years), and two stepdaughters (12.5 and 8.5 years). I am a very active and passionate birth advocate working to change regulations, laws and cultural norms in the U.S. to provide parents to be educated and empowered to know all birth rights and options. I am a proud emergency, unplanned c-section, turned all natural, non-medicated VBAC experienced mama! I am a modern-hippie mama practicing attachment parenting, who loves babywearing and toddlerwearing, and of course breastfeeding! I love to laugh with my amazing husband/best friend and to travel to new places with our beautiful family.
For more of my lifestyle and mommy blogging updates, check out my Instagram page @PRbabywearingMama.

The post Breastfeeding in Emergency Situations appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Wearing one of my favorite Victoria’s Secret’s sweatshirts 5 years ago.

Whether it was years of brainwashing marking or cultural obsession with cleavage being the definition of a woman, I felt good shopping at Victoria’s Secret. It was when I became pregnant with my son that I started using chemical-free body products, therefore I stopped going to Victoria’s Secret for lotion and other body products. Then, somewhere during my pregnancy I started to think the store just didn’t have appropriate underwear that was fitting for my lifestyle anymore.

Why doesn’t Victoria’s Secret have breastfeeding bras?

My breast started to lactate and leak very early in my pregnancy and changed in shape, so delicate bras with thin straps and underwire weren’t working any longer. Even Victoria’s Secret cotton bras I hated because it wouldn’t cover everything.

Sublime Nursing Bra from Bravadodesigns.com.
I have it in this color!

Cake Lingerie Maternity Nursing Bra, I SO want to order!

After birth, I needed different size underwear and that seemed to be impossibly hard and uncomfortable to do there (but that is a challenge in general postpartum). Some were too big, some were too small; some lacked coverage, and others gave too much coverage.
After finding amazing nursing bras at the hospital maternity shop after giving birth to my son, I didn’t enter a Victoria’s Secret again until nearly a year later. It was so different and so awkward. I thought why would I want any of this uncomfortable stuff now? It didn’t look uncomfortable before. But then I thought why doesn’t Victoria’s Secret have a nursing line?

HotMilk Lingerie Mode Black Nursing Bra.

Giselle Bundchen and Miranda Kerr breastfeed and they are two of Vistoria’s Secret’s top models. Victoria’s Secret, you are missing out on a huge opportunity for major business. I LOVE my amazingly comfortable and beautiful nursing bras. And let me tell you, a woman confident in her postpartum, nursing body is far more attractive than lost, socially pressured, marketing brainwashed, over sexualized girls’ or young women’s. In fact, I’ve never loved my body more until I became a mom. Each pregnancy and birth has challenged me and made me realize how amazing and beautiful my body is for growing the most perfect little people!

No makeup, first thing in the morning breastfeeding my baby girl, and feeling more beautiful than ever!

So, maybe I actually don’t want you to make nursing bras, Victoria’s Secret. I actually fear (not really) you are dying off all together with this huge feminist movement right now on self–acceptance and self love, driven by confident women and mothers. I mean, what did you really think when you came out with a bra that gives a woman 2 or more added cup sizes. Why? That’s also false advertising and just fake. All women no matter what breast cup size is beautiful and can find other ways to be feminine. I understand certain circumstances are different for women who want reconstruction or added padding to feel and look the way they want; however, I highly doubt you are marketing towards these amazing women for your target audience.

 A woman confident in her postpartum, nursing body is far more attractive than lost!

Thankfully, there are companies that picked up on the demand and offer a great selection for nursing moms. The options are getting better and better every year, and each time I have a baby. I’m so happy I found my nursing bras by Bravado! by Medela, Gilligan and O’Malley at Target, and Motherhood. Now I’m truly sexy and comfortable while being the most beautiful woman ever: a mom!

Dear Kate Campaign. Source: mic.com

We would love to hear from you so leave us a comment below! What was your favorite nursing bra during your breastfeeding journey?

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

–

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Page Rose

I am a 27-year-old WAHM to two intelligent and amazing toddlers (3 and 1.5 years), and two stepdaughters (12.5 and 8.5 years). I am a very active and passionate birth advocate working to change regulations, laws and cultural norms in the U.S. to provide parents to be educated and empowered to know all birth rights and options. I am a proud emergency, unplanned c-section, turned all natural, non-medicated VBAC experienced mama! I am a modern-hippie mama practicing attachment parenting, who loves babywearing and toddlerwearing, and of course breastfeeding! I love to laugh with my amazing husband/best friend and to travel to new places with our beautiful family.
For more of my lifestyle and mommy blogging updates, check out my Instagram page @PRbabywearingMama.

The post Victoria’s Secret has Nothin’ on My Breasts! appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

All nursing moms dread the moment when their sweet nursing babe that has been all gummy smiles and bright eyes until this point, sprouts their first tooth! Don’t get me wrong, getting teeth is a big step for our babies, and I was so excited for my son, as it meant there was a whole world of foods he was getting ready to explore, but what would it mean for my nipples? And then it happened…

My son bit me, and hard enough to draw blood.

There is no perfect way to deal with biting. The experts say “don’t yell because then you will scare the baby and they might go on a nursing strike” which is horrible, because I have a goal of nursing my son at least 2 years, so I didn’t want that to happen, and yet it is very hard not to let out a shreak when your nipple was just bit, and those cute little teeth dragged from the base of your nipple to the very tip, leaving a nice little slice in their wake.

Our biting season went on for 2 weeks, which may not sound like much but 2 weeks is a LONG time to have your nipples munched on several times a day, every day. For a few days I even resulted to pumping and giving it to him in a sippy cup, more because I was afraid of being bit than the actual bite itself. I think the worst part for me, was that he would bite me, and I would immediately take him off and give him a very stern “no, that hurts mommy” and my sweet, precious son would laugh! Even though I KNOW that it isn’t logical, and he didn’t really understand what I meant, that really hurt my feelings.

If your are going through a biting season, there are so many things you can try. My sister-in-law swears that her son bit her once and she screamed and that scared him enough he never do it again (like I said above, experts don’t recommend that technique). I was advised by one friend to pinch the back of his arm or leg so he would’t know it was me doing it but he would begin to associate the bite with mild pain (as I’ve said before, no judgment here) and what I found worked best for me was, I would immediately stop nursing, and put him on the floor facing away from me for a few seconds, maybe a minute and then try nursing again later. Also be very aware during your nursing sessions, watch your little one’s face and mouth for signs that they might be done and a bite is coming. That way you can take them off before IT happens.

Whatever you choose to try, I want to encourage you by telling you that it doesn’t last forever. Your baby will catch on, and he or she will stop biting. It may be a few days, or it may be 2 weeks, but your nursing relationship can continue, and your nipples will heal! Hang in there mama you are not alone in this biting season!

We would love to hear from you! Please share with us what helped you and your baby during your own biting season? Any techniques you know of that may help the process? Leave us a comment below!

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

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Hailey Mugica

I’m a stay at home mommy to my precious son Ryker, and a wife to my hunky husband Richard. I remember being completely shocked and discouraged by the difficulty of breastfeeding in those early days so I am so excited to get to come up alongside you and to be a source of encouragement on your breastfeeding journey. I am passionate about breastfeeding, baby-led weaning, baby wearing, and joining women together with the common goal of nurturing our families and homes with a Christ-centered focus. Follow me on Instagram and Pinterest @gracebeyondblog to keep up with our day-to-day.

www.gracebeyondmeasuringspoons.com

The post Encouragement for the dreaded breastfeeding through “biting season” appeared first on Breastfeeding World.