I started using it that very next day.

I have to tell you that I live in Texas and its knee deep in an awfully hot summer right now (we are talking 106-108 degrees without the heat index!). So, I was really going to be able to put this to the test. I have now been using it for over a week with amazing results.

Not once have I been stinky. Not once. I have been so very impressed with this deodorant.

It doesn’t irritate my skin like some of the other natural ones have, the scent is very light (almost non-existent), and it really works. I have yet to wear it with a white or light-colored shirt that has sleeves though, so I am still interested to see if it would discolor them when I do. I will be sure to include this in my follow-up post about these products!

It was almost as if they knew exactly what I needed right then!

First, the packaging. It was simple and understated, and fit the products perfectly. Each of the two products were wrapped individually and a note about their company, Fabula Nebulae, and products was included. I

loved their motto, “farm to tub naturals.”

This really spoke to me and I was excited to try both products! If you use natural products, you know how challenging it can be to find an all-natural deodorant that actually works. I was surprised to see that when I opened this one, it was a dark gray. I was a little hesitant, to be honest, because I was worried it might stain or leave that color behind on my clothes.

The second product was a skin calming salve.

While I was out taking pictures of the products and their packaging for this post, an ant was nice enough to bite my arm.

I instantly applied Quiet the Storm.

It helped with the stinging and itching right away. I did re-apply throughout the day, but it was able to keep it at bay when I did so. I also started to apply it to a few dry spots I get here and there, and it seemed to help them as well. Again, the scent with this product too is very light, almost a bit citrusy. I really like it! It also goes on very smooth and absorbs with no oil or residue left behind.

Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post Farm to Tub Naturals with Fabula Nebulae appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

To me, to us, it’s just our normal, our life. My friends often tell me that they don’t know how I do it or that I’m Super Woman. But in all honesty, I’m just me, doing the very best I can to be the mom he so deserves.

But some days, I feel that I come up short.

I lose my cool.

I yell despite my best intentions.

I just want to sit on the couch for one minute and not play every minute of every day.

I let us eat out more often than I’d like.

I don’t clean as good and as often as I should.

I get frustrated.

I get cranky.

And coffee. So much coffee.

But for all my shortcomings, all my misgivings, and despite all of this and so much more, he loves me.

And he’s growing up to be the most caring, empathetic, and smart little guy.

So often we focus only on the negative in ourselves. Single mom or not. But what if we all just took a minute to stop and see all of the good.

The ‘round the clock breastfeeding sessions, diaper changes, burping sessions that I did with no help day after day and night after night.

The hours I worked grading and working at night so I could spend the time during the day playing and being there for him.

The hot evening summer walks pushing him in his stroller, frozen teething rings in hand and nothing but a cloth diaper on.

The first time he signed ‘more’ or ‘please’ or ‘I love you.’

The awe in his eyes staring up the Christmas tree all decorated and lit up.

The cuddles he shares with our two dogs and the love he shows all animals.

The three meals a day that we usually cook together, and always eat together.

His smile.

His laugh.

How he stops and picks every single flower he sees to give to me.

How he asks to hold my hand and tells me holding my hand is his favorite.

His hugs.

His kisses.

His love.

When you stop and look back, there really is so much good and so much happiness.

Our children don’t see us in black and white, as good or bad.

They see us, all of us, and love us unconditionally. Isn’t it about time we did the same for ourselves?

Being a mother is hard, and we are only human.

Let us show our children how to make mistakes and then ask for forgiveness, how to lose your temper but then apologize and do better the next time. But most of all, let’s learn to love ourselves and give ourselves the grace we deserve, so that they are able to do the same as they grow up and when they are grown.

If no one has told you lately, you are an amazing mother.

You little one is beyond lucky to have you as their mother, and you are doing a great job.

Celebrate yourself this Mother’s Day, because you more than deserve it.

Be sure to join us on our social media accounts and be up to date with the progress of our project.

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

#BreastfeedingWorld

Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post Unconditional love appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post Our Mother Earth: Earth Day Activities appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post My Favorite Things: Breastfeeding Must-Haves appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

I knew I wanted to breastfeed

And, to breastfeed exclusively. But, I gave little thought to the timeline. I would have said a year, because that is what tends to be the socially acceptable timeframe in our society…and I had yet to be enlightened about extended breastfeeding.

Actor Ryan Gosling September 1, 2003

Fast forward three and a half years, and this momma bear was still going strong and actively breastfeeding. It wasn’t planned, but just happened naturally.  A year came and went, then two years. By that time, it was my intention to let him decide when he was ready for our breastfeeding journey to come to an end. I had seen close mom friends do the same with much success and was going to leave it up to him. It just felt right to let him make that call.

Then life happened

Not long before his third birthday, I fell ill and only got sicker and sicker as time went by.  Before I knew it, a major surgery was on the horizon. My heart was breaking. Such a beautiful and special time in our lives, as mother and son, would be abruptly ending whether either of us was ready. This was not the ending I had planned or that I wanted. Yet it was unavoidable.

I nursed him up until the morning of my surgery. We talked at length about the whats, whys and everything in between. He knew it was coming. But, he was sad. He wasn’t ready either. Leaving him that morning, I thought that our journey was at its end and that we had closed the book on this chapter in our lives ever.  Yet, after surgery and recovery, we continued on for almost two more months, until my health and the medications would just no longer allow it. The last time wasn’t anything special or big, yet I don’t think I will ever forget it.

When I look back on how our journey ended, it reminds me of his birth

While I didn’t have a concrete birth plan, how he came was so very unexpected and unplanned. I wanted and planned on him coming when he was ready, and on his terms. Yet my body had other ideas. You know what they say about the best-laid plans….

He nursed for longer than most littles in our society. We had, had an amazing run in the breastfeeding department.  While I knew I shouldn’t, I still felt guilty.  I had to learn to give myself some grace.  I had given him so much throughout our time breastfeeding, and how it ended wouldn’t and didn’t take anything away from that.

Three and a quarter years. Thirty-eight months. One-thousand-one-hundred-and-eighty days

I will cherish every moment forever…no matter how or why it ended. From the first time he nursed to the last, every moment was special and every moment belonged to just him and I.

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Be sure to join us in our social media accounts and 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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Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post The End appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

If you are breastfeeding, you have probably heard of fenugreek and brewer’s yeast; one of which makes you smell like maple syrup and the other makes everything it’s in taste like beer (ick!).  But, you have also probably heard that breastfeeding mothers should try to eat oatmeal each and every day.  This I could definitely do.  There are so many ways you can eat oatmeal, besides just a bowl of it with fruit in the morning. For the first year of breastfeeding, and beyond, I ate oatmeal at least once day.  And now, two years in, I continue to eat it regularly still.  I know that not everyone loves oatmeal (that used to be me), so I thought I would share two of favorite oatmeal recipes.

I was told early on that I needed to be eating oatmeal that was not instant oatmeal, but that was the regular old fashioned rolled oats.  As you know, these can take awhile to cook on the stovetop.  This oatmeal recipe below became one of my favorites because it takes 2 minutes to throw together and it is ready when you wake up in the morning!  It is also very easy to make diary free, which is how I make it!

You have probably heard that Breastfeeding mothers should try to eat oatmeal every day…

1/4 cup rolled oats
1/3 milk of choice (I use coconut milk)
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 large dollop yogurt of choice (I use coconut milk greek yogurt)

Place all ingredients in a mason jar. Seal lid and shake until well mixed. Place in the refrigerator for 8 hours, or overnight.  Take out, stir in some of your favorite mix-ins and enjoy!

Source: Sprouts

My favorite mix-ins are a little strawberry jelly or peanut butter with a dollop of pure maple syrup.  What’s great about this recipe (besides being super easy), is that when you’re little one is ready to start eating, they will love it too!  And the sky is really the limit with the mix-ins!  You can try almonds with raw honey, apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon, bananas and walnuts, and anything else you can think of!

One of the things I have struggled with most while breastfeeding is keeping up with my own nutrition.  I never seem to be able to eat enough.  This recipe is a quick and easy one (no cooking or baking required) that provides some yummy and much-needed protein to your diet…plus quite a few other nutritional powerhouses.  Plus, they really help satisfy my sweet tooth in a healthier way!

1 cup dry, old fashioned oats
2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (any nut/seed butter would work)
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
2/3 cup chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life brand mini chocolate chips which are diary free)
1/3 raw honey
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients and mix until well incorporated. (I threw all of them into a stand mixer.)  Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Remove and roll into balls.  Wet your hands to help with the stickiness.  Can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container or in the fridge. (I personally love them straight out of the fridge!)

Source: Chew Out Loud, adapted from givemesomeoven

**Just a side note, I am also gluten free, so to make these two recipes gluten free, just make sure you get gluten free rolled oats…it’s that easy!**

I hope you like these recipes and they make their way into your oatmeal regimen! :).  Have you ever tried crock-pot oats?  If not, that’s another one of our favorites to look up and try!  

What are some of your favorite oatmeal recipes? Have you found creative ways to get more oatmeal into your diet while breastfeeding?  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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Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post Oatmeal and breastfeeding appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

When I was first introduced to night weaning, I had a lot of questions.  I also was very concerned how I could effectively make it happen, with no one at home with us to help soothe him throughout the night (someone who doesn’t have breasts full of milk, that is).  But, I knew we had to try.  He was old enough to be able to sustain himself throughout the night and I wouldn’t be taking anything away from him that was vital to his nutrition or well-being.

I decided to start with the earliest feeding and work my way through the night from there.  My son is a stickler for routine and falls into them quite quickly. I wasn’t quite sure if that would help or hinder the process, but I dove in feet first.  The first night, I nursed him and laid him down to sleep.  A few hours later he was asking for milk.  I went in, did not pick him up, but instead, laid him back down, kissed his little head, and began rubbing his back.  It took him a little while to settle him back down and back asleep, but I didn’t mind that at all.

I continued this process over and over again. I would find different things to rub or massage to calm him down and soothe him (his back, ear lobe, check and temples, etc.).  When he continued to ask for milk, I would tell him that mommy’s breasts were sleeping too and he could have milk when we all woke up in the morning.

There was crying, there were fits.  There was no avoiding it and no getting around it.  My son loves his milk, and he was not used to hearing no.  I just did the best I could to soothe and comfort him when he was upset, without picking him up.  I would be lying if I said this wasn’t hard.  These nights were some of the hardest we had to date.  But, I just had to keep reminding myself, this was what was best for us both.  And with time, the crying dwindled down and became less and less.

My goal was to completely wean him from the time he fell asleep until the sun came up.  This didn’t happen overnight though, and took quite a few very long nights to finally happen.  But I had to remember there was a light at the end of the tunnel. His night time feedings became spaced out more and more, until eventually he made it until around 5 am without nursing at all.One thing that I found to help in this process was to make sure he was eating plenty of healthy food throughout the day.  A full belly was very important to making it through the night without nursing.  I made sure he was getting enough healthy fats and proteins to keep his little, precious belly full.  What I didn’t expect was that he actually started eating better and eating more as he became night weaned.  It was as if his body made the adjustment all on its own.

There was, and is, a small part of me that misses, and will always miss, those precious moments in the dark with him nestled against my chest nursing.  Those were some of our quietest and most intimate moments.  But, as I have written before, breastfeeding is a journey and it was time for this part of our journey to come to an end (as I sit here crying while writing this…oh this journey is such an emotional one for me and each transition, such as this proves to be, is so very bittersweet for this momma).

Have you considered night weaning?  I know moms that have night weaned at twelve months all the way up through their little’s second birthday.  When did you choose to night wean?  I found my son and I right in the middle and it was the right time for us and for this transition in our breastfeeding journey.  Sleep is important for us to be the best mommies we can, but is also important for our littles to grow and develop.  Have you given yourself and your little the gift of sleep?  Or are you considering night weaning? Comment below, I’d love to hear about your night weaning experience!

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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Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post Sleeping, breastfeeding, and night-weaning appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

I also wanted to see if I could limit the nipple stretching and pulling as much as possible, so I learned to limit distractions.  Toys are (usually) out of reach, screens are off, and we have a recliner that is our nursing chair.  This definitely made a difference.  I also explained to him that we had to be gentle while we were nursing.  While he does still roll over and play with my hair or face, the worst of the acrobatics have almost all but disappeared.

As my pediatrician calls it, drive through snacking at the breast, was not one of my favorite developments either.  The quick suckle, off to play, back to suckle, and lather, rinse, and repeat.  Sitting down, breasts out for endless amounts of time, just wasn’t conducive to getting anything done. Again limiting distractions was key here as well.  But, providing him my full attention while he is nursing made a big difference too.  Talking to him, playing with his hair and hands and anything else I can tickle, eye contact, all keep him in the moment and concentrating on nursing and not his airplanes or trains that are waiting in the sidelines.  Along with this, no cell phone while nursing.  This is time to connect and concentrate on one another, everything else can wait.
As he has grown though, I’ve have seen such an awareness, appreciation, and empathy begin to develop in him for our breastfeeding journey, along with the acrobatics.  He recently has started loving his ‘Teddy’ and loves to hold him and include him in all of his adventures, including nursing.  My son always lets Teddy nurse first.  He puts Teddy’s snout up to my breast and just smiles the biggest smile.  He loves nursing and loves mommy’s milk, and he loves to share it now too, with Teddy, with his sheep, with his horsies, the sharing is endless.  There is nothing sweeter!  It makes my heart swell that he has grown to love and value nursing so much.

Even though our breastfeeding relationship continues to grow and change as he does the same, every minute is another minute to cherish and connect.  I loved nursing him as a newborn and I love nursing him as a toddler, and I will forever be grateful that our breastfeeding journey has been as faceted as it is.  And I look forward to what is yet to come, acrobatics and all!

How has your nursling developed over the course of your nursing relationship?

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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Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post Cirque de Sol-breastfeeding appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

I just feel like there is so very much wrong with this before I even get to the actual full term breastfeeding article itself.

As a mother, and a breastfeeding mother of an almost two-year-old, I am quite taken aback.

The insinuation here is that you have to be some type of SUPER mom to be able to breastfeed your child past infancy.  While I am more than willing to admit extended breastfeeding can be challenging at times, I would hardly say that you must don a cape and superpower to make it happen. 

Read this: “Normalizing Breastfeeding: Why I Decided to Let Go of the Warrior in Me” 

No mom should feel like they are less of a good mom for not choosing to breastfeed full term.
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No mom should  feel like they are less of a good mom for not choosing to breastfeed full term.  Just as we are all very different mothers, and our Littles are all very different children, it’s only expected that our journeys are all unique.  And yes, I do know who Dr. Sears is. I have read a few of his articles. But my decision to breastfeed and/or to continue on an extended breastfeeding journey had nothing to do with him, his research, or any of his publications.

No mom should be made to feel as if they are less of a good mom for not choosing to go on a full term breastfeeding journey.

And what exactly is so extreme about full term breastfeeding?  I get to nourish and comfort my child anytime, anywhere. It feels natural to me. What’s more, it seems anything but extreme.  To me what seems extreme is making my child go without or wait until we get home to nurse, or weaning him all together when neither of us is ready for that.

What it comes down to pure and simple, is that our society sexualizes the act of breastfeeding.  If it involves breasts, it must be inappropriate.  And if the child is old enough to walk or talk, how dare you offer them your breast?

READ THIS: If you support breastfeeding, “but”, you may be a breastfeeding butter.

 Now THAT is extreme, and completely inappropriate and unnecessary.  While it is somewhat acceptable for women to nurse their infants, our society still expects them to cover up and hide the act itself even if that is anything but comfortable for the mother and baby.  And let’s not even broach the idea of a mother nursing her toddler in public, covered or not.

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No matter what you believe, women have breasts for one reason and one reason only.

To nurse our children. 

The end.  There is nothing wrong, nothing extreme, and nothing inappropriate about this, no matter the age of the child.

Worldwide, breastfeeding well into early childhood is the norm.

Most children aren’t weaned until they are over four years old, well exceeding the age of the child on the Time cover.  Yet these mother’s aren’t seen as being extreme or SUPER moms, they are just viewed as natural and normal. 

It is a very sad day in our country and our society that mothers who take this exact same path are shunned and ostracized.  I can only hope that through movements like this, Breastfeeding World, and mothers like us, that we can change this here at home so that our sons and daughters will be able to see the beauty and intimacy in the act and will be free to openly breastfeed their children for as long as they please with no need for labels or scrutiny.  I will write for that!

We would love to hear from you, what are your thoughts on extended breastfeeding and they way it our country views it?

Like this post? Don’t forget to Pin it! Help us “Spread the Breastfeeding Love!”

Other Posts you may like:

What happens to me when my baby is weaning?

4 things I’ll Miss When My Toddler Weans

Boundaries for nursing toddlers: How to maintain a harmonious nursing relationship

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts. Like, share, and stay up to date with the progress of our project! Help us “Spread the Breastfeeding Love!”

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

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Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post Full Term Breastfeeding: Extreme or Natural? appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

The American Academy of Pediatrics had the following to stay about extended breastfeeding: “Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child… Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother… There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer.” (AAP 2012, AAP 2005)

I never intended or planned this extended breastfeeding journey that my son and I are now on.  It just happened very naturally and continues to make us both very happy.  But, once I knew we wouldn’t be stopping at his first birthday, I realized there are so many reasons to continue the breastfeeding journey well into toddlerhood.

Here are three reasons to breastfeed past the first year

First: connection, connection, connection.  There is nothing in this world like looking deep into your child’s eyes while he is nursing, and being able to lean down, take in his smell and kiss his sweet forehead.  Or those early mornings when you are lying in bed, and he holds your hand in his as he nurses.  You are mom, you are safe, you are comfort, you are home.  The bond that breastfeeding your toddler provides is just indescribable.  I feel as if this closeness helps me understand him better, empathize with him more, and really helps to lessen the number and severity of tantrums.  He feels connected, heard, understood, safe, and loved. Nothing can soothe and comfort him like breastfeeding can.

Second, health, both his and mine.  One of the most amazing things that I learned about breastfeeding is that your sick child’s saliva actually communicates with the mother’s body through the nipple to stimulate the growth of the antibodies to treat whatever illness they have.  As our children get older, they are around more and more other children, and people in general, which can equal more and more germs.  Whether they go to daycare or not, they are bound to get sick, unfortunately.  As moms, we would love to take every illness on ourselves so they wouldn’t have to experience it, and although this isn’t possible, we can do the next best thing. How amazing that through breastfeeding, they are able to get exactly what their body needs to heal naturally and organically, without us having to do a single thing but nurse them!  The immunological benefits of breastfeeding during two to three years of age actually increase and goes beyond that of the baby’s first year!  And if they health benefits for him weren’t enough, breastfeeding, for me, lowers the risks of multiple types of cancers, RA, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Third, nursing past one year has been shown to contribute to the intellectual, mental and social development of the breastfed child as well. The American Academy of Family Physicians states, “As recommended by the WHO, breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is not the cultural norm in the United States and requires ongoing support and encouragement. It has been estimated that a natural weaning age for humans is between two and seven years. Family physicians should be knowledgeable regarding the ongoing benefits to the child of extended breastfeeding, including continued immune protection, better social adjustment, and having a sustainable food source in times of emergency. The longer women breastfeed, the greater the decrease in their risk of breast cancer.” In addition, “If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned.” (AAFP 2008)

Now, I have to admit, that there are really only two reasons why we are on the extended breastfeeding path that we are. One, it makes us both happy.  And two, I know it is good for him now and in the long run.  I have no set date when our journey will end.  I am more than thankful for the time we’ve had this far and all of the amazing benefits that come along with this journey.  But, I know we will have reached the end of the road, when it no longer makes us happy, that will be our deciding factor.  In the end, it will come down to him.  It will be his choice when we stop.  I can’t imagine what life will be like when I am no longer nursing him, though I do know it will be one of the hardest and saddest transitions of my life.  For now, and for as long as I can, I will soak in every moment my son continues to nurse because it will forever be something that fills my heart with love and brings me closer to him than I ever thought possible…no matter the health or other benefits involved.

Are you on an extended breastfeeding journey?  What is the driving force behind your decision to continue well past the standard age in our society?  Do you feel supported in your decision?  Comment below, I would love to hear about your journeys and motivations!

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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Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post Three reasons to Breastfeed past the first year mark appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

 While I’m sure the support of a spouse is an amazing plus when breastfeeding, as a single mother, I hardly agreed that it is crucial.

My son and I have been breastfeeding over twenty-one months strong, just him and I, and we have had, and continue to have, an amazing and very successful breastfeeding journey.  Although, I had no spousal or significant other support during any time during my pregnancy nor our breastfeeding journey, I did not go at it alone by any means. So the sharing of my photograph really caused me to pause and think about who deserved my sincere and utmost gratitude for being a supportive part of our breastfeeding journey, just as I hope reading this post will cause you to do the same.

To those doctors, nurses, and lactation counselors at Presby Plano

Thank you for starting us off on the breastfeeding path and giving us to the tools we needed for success from the beginning.  This hospital was phenomenal, and we came to know the staff quite well in the last six weeks of my pregnancy. You see my son felt determined to arrive weeks before his estimated arrival date.   But, from day one, they were advocates of breastfeeding.

They offered mothers, and spouses, a free breastfeeding class.  I remember attending and just soaking in the wealth of information, just waiting for our ‘Golden Hour’ and the first time my son nursed.  But, it’s not that easy.  They aren’t just born and BAM!! on the breast, easy as pie.

Thank goodness I had the support of the most amazing lactation consultants from the minute my son was born.  They were there, by my side, any time I needed them, and in one word, were just amazing!  Even after being discharged, for the last twenty-one months, they don’t miss a beat when I call with a question or stop by.  They truly care about our breastfeeding journey and have continued as an incredible support system for my son and I.

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To Sharni, Lydia, and Cheyenne, you gave us community, and for that I will forever be grateful.

As a teacher, I had to return to work for about eight weeks after my son was born.  Once out for summer though, I decided to visit our local Nappy Shoppe for their Breastfeeding Café.  The idea of meeting other new-er moms who were ‘crunchy’ like us sounded wonderful, plus it was free, with free access to a lactation counselor there for any questions I may have.

After the first visit, we were hooked!  We found ourselves spending almost entire Wednesdays at the store with the other breastfeeding mammas and their Littles.  We had found our niche, our community, our home-away-from home.  Cheyenne and Lydia, the lactation counselors, were so very knowledgeable and were so sweet.  I still go to them for advice and truly value what they say.  We also met some of our closest friends through this group.  There is nothing like other breastfeeding mammas, who will stand beside you and proudly nurse their Littles too, through think and thin!

To Angela, Stephanie, and Christine, you are my village.

I don’t know where I’d be without you three mothers (and friends).  I love you and your Littles!  You are so much more than just friends, you are the sisters I never had.  It means the world to me that I get to share motherhood, breastfeeding and all, with you three.  Thank you for being there. Day in and day out, and I so look forward to watching us grow as mothers and watching our Littles grow up together!

And finally, there are my parents and their spouses.

Mom and Rich, Dad and Terry, there are no words to tell you what you mean to us and to tell you how much we love and cherish you.  I know that things are very different now when it comes to breastfeeding than they were when I was little.  I’ve known for as long as I can remember that my mother breastfed me until I was eighteen months old, but it wasn’t until recently she told me that she never, ever breastfed me in public.  It was something she only did in the privacy of our home.

So, I understood that my openness in my breastfeeding journey might be hard for them to swallow.  But, while at times it may have been hard for them when I openly nurse my son in public, they continue to support me in my choice and our journey.  Whether I am walking through Hobby Lobby, holding and nursing my son, or breastfeeding him after a nice dinner out, they have always done whatever they can to help with our breastfeeding journey and support us. And that means the world to me.

So, I may not have had a spouse’s help. But I did (and still do) have an incredible amount of support behind me.

Thank you for cheering me on and making our extended breastfeeding journey possible.  It is to you all, that from the bottom of my heart, I say Thank You.  There are no words to describe how I will cherish this journey for the rest of my life.

I will always remember the part you played in it.

Who has helped you in your breastfeeding journey?  Would you be where you are in your journey today without them?  Have you been able to breastfeed longer and more successfully because of their support?  Maybe now is a great time to let them know just how much they have helped you. Show them how truly grateful you are!

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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Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post To My True Support System: From a Single Mom, with Love appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Extended Breastfeeding, is it for everyone?

Earlier this summer, after trying every homeopathic and natural remedy I knew of, I finally unenthusiastically called to make an appointment to see my doctor.  The receptionist informed it was his half day and I would have to see another provider in his practice.  Another strike for that week and that sick spell, but I agreed.

I showed up with my son in tow expecting to see a professional and ethical doctor of western medicine.  What I did not expect was a lecture about my lifestyle and parenting choices.  The appointment started out as any other, vitals, symptoms, etc.  The doctor came in and did a quick exam.  He began going over my history and I informed him that I was breastfeeding and any treatment must be safe and conducive for that.  He stopped typing, looked up, eyebrows raised, and asked “And how old is he?”  I told him that my son was sixteen months. And let the judgmental stare and comments ensue.  He proceeded to tell me that I needed to stop soon and definitely by twenty-four months.  I, still with my nice pants on, let him know that we would be continuing as long as possible.  This was not the answer he wanted to hear and he pushed forward and went as far as to tell me that I really needed to stop at two years because anything after that was “just creepy,” and they only do it for comfort after that age, which just isn’t okay.  This momma’s nice pants had about all but disappeared at this point.  Breathe, I told myself and just do what you came here to do.  I just couldn’t let it go though, it ate away at me as I checked out, as I drove home, and hasn’t stopped since.

And again a few weeks ago, after a lovely dinner, our waitress felt the need to tell me my son was too old to be nursing as she smiled and cleared our table.  I found myself gritting through my smiling teeth, as I nicely told her that he wasn’t and he could nurse as long as he so chose to.

Flashback to a little over a year ago, my son was just over four months old and we were doing great.  He was healthy and happy, and breastfeeding was such a good part of lives. We had been so lucky in that department even with him being born a month early.  It wasn’t until school let out for the summer and I started attending a local Breastfeeding Cafe that my life really changed.

Before I became a regular at this Nappy Shoppe mom’s group, I always attempted to cover up in public when I breastfed my son, though we both hated it.  But, here, I found empowerment as a breastfeeding mother.  I no longer covered up in public or at all, ever.  I no longer apologized to those who saw.  I owned what it meant to be able to nourish my son anytime anywhere and was proud of the beauty and intimacy that can only come from a mother breastfeeding her child.

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My views also shifted.  I started to notice other breastfeeding mothers wherever we went.  I now felt a sacred and special bond with them that only we could share.  One year was no longer my cutoff for breastfeeding.  We would go as long as it was beneficial to both of us and made us both happy.  My goal was now at least two years but had no plans of stopping even then.  It would be up to my son when he was ready to stop. This journey is one that must end and only happens once in a child’s life.  It is a time that should be treasured and cherished, not shamed and rushed.  The day my son stops nursing will be one of the saddest days of my life.

Fast forward back to now, and this breastfeeding momma can’t help but feel sorry for people like the doctor I saw and the waitress that night.  Instead of choosing to see the beauty and the love, they, like so many in our society, chose to sexualize the act and judge and shame.  But this momma refuses to be shamed.  I  will continue to stand tall, son nursing, no matter his age, for all the world to see because I love him more than life itself and what better way to show him, and to teach him how to be true to himself and what he believes in.

We love to hear from you! What are your thoughts or experience on extended breastfeeding?

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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Allyson Lux

I am a single mom to the most amazing little boy in the entire world. He is the light of my life! We also have the two sweetest doggies who complete our little family. I am a high school teacher and a photographer, and am very passionate about breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, and raising my son in the most natural way possible!

www.myluxphotography.wix.com/home

The post Our Extended Breastfeeding Journey appeared first on Breastfeeding World.