Interesting article

In doing some research on feeding Jack dairy and meat products, I came across this really good article.  We've made a lot of "different" decisions in regards to parenting, but the one I'm most passionate about is the importance of breastfeeding and extended breastfeeding.  And YES, of course Jack is still nursing as he approaches his 1st birthday! 

I feel sad that there isn't more push from doctors and at hospitals to breastfeed.  I mean, my OB/GYN gave me a lovely bag of formula samples and coupons when I was pregnant - what message does that send? 

Here is the article - check it out!!  Like I always say, when you know better you DO better!


On another note, this is an exerpt that I found interesting from another article.  It's a dietician's experience working in the NICU.  See the whole article HERE.

"I conducted my own small study. During my first year working in the NICU, 94 percent of infants were discharged with a diet of commercial infant formula. One hundred percent of the new mothers of these infants were able to breastfeed or pump their breast milk. And 100 percent of these same mothers were provided with prescriptions to enter the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) government program. This program provides free formula for the infant for the first six months of life.

The geographic area of this NICU has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the country. Many young mothers confess their intention for having a baby was a larger government paycheck for the family unit, or the fact that they would receive free health insurance if they were pregnant. Often one would find a teen mother living with her parent or grandparent. The infant’s father was rarely present or involved, and was in fact usually unknown.

The average taxpayer cost for an infant in the NICU per day is approximately eighty-five hundred dollars. The average stay in our NICU was thirty-two days. The cost to taxpayers for infant formula provided by the WIC government program in 2009 was approximately eight hundred fifty million dollars.

When I asked these moms why they did not want to breastfeed the typical responses were:

“Breastfeeding is gross.” (This was the most common response.)

“My mom did not breastfeed and I want to do as she did.”

“It is easier to use the formula.”

“Why should I take my time? I have other things going on and I get the formula free.”

“The company says the formula is better for my baby.”

“I don’t get enough milk from the breast pump.”

When I asked nurses, other dietitians and physicians why they do not insist on breastfeeding the typical answer was: “It is not my job. That information should have been discussed at their gynecologist’s office before delivery.”

I feel the true reason many caregivers do not encourage breastfeeding is simply in order to feel better about their personal decisions regarding this topic. Many did not breastfeed their own children and seeing other women choose not to breastfeed helps them justify their own choice."

Boob Man

I know, I know....I love to talk about breastfeeding because it's been such a rewarding, magical (yes, magical!  my boobs are magic!) experience. 

However.  Sometimes I wish my son weren't such a boob man.  Sometimes momma needs a night out!  A night out where she doesn't have to worry about her wine tainted breastmilk being needed!  You see, last Friday night I had dinner and drinks planned with some of the women in my neighborhood.  I had 2 bottles of pumped milk ready to go for my loving husband who is fully capable of taking care of Jack on his own.  He already does our night time routine until we switch so I can nurse Jack.  Yes, most times I nurse him to sleep rather than putting him in down to "self soothe" (don't get all up in arms....there is a place and time for self soothing!).

Anywho.  A couple weeks ago my mom and dad were babysitting and my mom tried to give Jack a bottle before bed and he promptly threw it back at her.  Luckily, she was able to get him to sleep by rocking him.  I figured Matt would have more luck.  Jack sure does love his dadda!

Not so much. 

Apparently Jack will not be fooled by this artificial nipple coming from someone that is certainly not his momma.  Again, Jack threw the bottle on the floor and would have none of that.  Even when Matt pretended (pretended!  just try the stuff already!) to drink it himself.  This was at 8:00pm. 

Fast forward to 9:30pm when I got home.  Matt looks exhausted and exasperated laying in bed with a fussy Jack trying to get him to sleep.  I know he pulled out all the tricks.  He was just missing the best trick of all.....the boob! 

So I pick up my sweet little boy and take him into his room, nurse him for 3 minutes and he is OUT!  I come downstairs (literally 5 minutes after I got home) and Matt gives me this look of jealousy. 

Sorry honey, he's a boob man! 

Funny!

Feeling inadequate?

If you've checked out my Facebook page lately, you may have found some parenting/facebook drama going on. 

Here's the scoop: 

One of my "friends" posted a status that, in part, stated "My kids call me Mom. Not "natural, organic, granola, cloth diapering, breast feeding, non-immunizing, baby wearing, co-sleeping, home birthing Mom." They just say Mom.". Now if you know me, you know that I did not take to reading that kindly, being that I felt like this was directed towards me and/or one of my good friends.  I do not take any major parenting decision lightly and didn't appreciate what I interpreted as mocking and being disrespectful of my choices.  

After lots of comments by moms who supported her status (of course all disposable diapering, formula feeding, immunizing, take my baby in a car seat everywhere, sleeping in a crib and hospital birthing ones) she ended with a comment stating that "Several of my friends have stated they feel inadequate when they are bombarded by all these decisions and choices regarding their children.". 


Seriously?!?!?!  I'm sorry that you can't just put blinders on and follow the path of standard parenting and have been exposed to a different way of doing things via a sharing of articles/opinions on Facebook.  If MY decisions regarding MY child and MY family make you feel inadequate, then maybe you should reevaluate why you make your decisions. Because I'll never let anyone make me feel inadequate....especially when it comes to caring for my family.  


I hate that the posts turned into an US ("natural" moms) vs THEM ("less natural?" moms) because I don't ever look at it like that.  I have many friends that have made different choices than I have and I DON'T CARE!!  They are doing what is best for them and that deserves respect. 

Besides, in 10 years I'd rather my child look back fondly on the times spent sharing a book, singing songs, exploring the outdoors, doing art projects and bath time with his dad.  Those moments make a good parent....putting him in an adorable orange cloth diaper is just the icing on the cake!  


End Rant.  

Sh*t New Moms Say

Profile pictures

Even before I was pregnant, I was always bothered by those people that have their child(ren) as their Facebook profile picture.  I mean, I get it, you love your children and you want to show them off....but Facebook is for adults and I want to see a profile picture of the actual person I'm friends with, not their offspring!  This rings especially true if you want to "Request" me as your "Friend"....I have 2 requests that I haven't responded to because all I see is a newborn and 2 kids with a dog.  Who are you even?!?

Plus, I feel like if you have your child as your profile picture you have completely lost all sense of self and individuality.  Show off what YOU look like, or at least hop into that picture with your child!

No offense to some of my favorite mamas of course - just another one of my opinions and I still love you!  That's all.  :)

$25 Cold

This past Sunday we did what every new parent must do at one point during the first year.  We brought Jack to Urgent Care to be diagnosed with.......

A cold.  A plain old fashioned cold.

The thing is, he woke up early Sunday morning with this horrible cough and if you've been flooded with that whooping cough/pertussis commercial as much as I have, you'd head straight to Urgent Care too!  Of course, once we got there he had slowly progressed into his happy, smiley self, which was even more embarrassing.  I mean, he smiled at the doctor and didn't even do his cough once while being examined!  Way to make us look like crazy parents, Jack!

Anyway, he's fine, and the rest of the day was spent on a blow up bed in the living room.  Not a bad way to spend a Sunday!