Friday, December 24, 2010
Enjoy
Maybe in the new year this blog will gain some cohesiveness. Then again, maybe it won't. These post subjects bounce around so much, but I like saying what I do and meaning it. Today's subject? Happy Holidays, be them already celebrated, currently celebrating, or to be celebrated soon. I hope you all are enjoying whatever you're doing :)
Monday, December 20, 2010
What's wrong with "extended" breastfeeding?
Well, to start, what defines "extended?" For some people it's going beyond 6 months, for some a year, and for others they don't feel it's extended until they surpass the WHO's recommendation for nursing until at least 2 years old.
It seems like there's been a lot of talk about extended breastfeeding these days, from the well-educated and articulate Mayim Bialik (aka the former Blossom), to the, well, lesser so naysayers (I feel so bad for the mom in that article, I hope she had some warning about what a negative light she'd be cast in).
What do the opponents say? I've heard that it's gross and wrong. That the mother must forcing the child to continue. It's for the mother's pleasure, not the child's benefit. If they're old enough to ask for it they're too old. If they're old enough to ask for a glass of milk, they should have that instead. It's creating a child that's too dependent and can't self-soothe. There's no nutritional need after a year--it turns to water, doesn't it?
Double-u.
Tee.
Eff.
Pardon me while I bang my head on the wall for a moment.
For starters, I'd like to see any baby or child that can be FORCED to breastfeed. I'm sorry naysayers, but that's impossible. For babies less than a year that go on a nursing strike for whatever reason, the mother should absolutely make all efforts to remedy it. These mothers know just how hard it is to coerce a baby to nurse. Now add into that the stubborn will of a toddler and you know what I'm saying here. If my daughter didn't want to nurse, she wouldn't.
And to follow up, I don't like being made out to be a pervert. That's the thing that gets me the most. Because breasts can be enjoyed sexually, the general public jumps off the deep end and dares to think I'm somehow getting off on breastfeeding? Shame on THEM for thinking those thoughts, and *gag*. Seriously. I'm not getting off on it. If your toddler grabs your butt is it the same as when your partner does? When you kiss your child is it the same kiss you give your partner? No? Really? So lay off on the perverted argument. It is not valid.
Oh, and babies are BORN asking to breastfeed. They naturally root and display all sorts of hunger signs. This is their age-appropriate way to ask. As these babies grow in ability, finding their hands and their voices, they learn to sign (if their parents teach them) and eventually speak. Should the 9 month old that learns to sign "milk" promptly be weaned for being clever enough to ask for what he wants? What about the articulate 18 month old that can say and/or sign "more milk please?" Biologically, communicative ability has no relation to the necessity of breast milk. So stop arguing that it somehow does, please.
A common point proponents make is that it's common practice to feed our children the breast milk of another species (that'd be cow milk), and yet human milk is shunned despite its purpose being obviously for the nutritional benefit of humans. Ironic much?
Dr. Jack Newman (and many others) back me up in saying that extended breastfeeding does not create an over-dependence. A child that is secure in knowing his mother is there for him will grow up confident and assured of her love and support. And what mom doesn't want that?
And for the opponents that argue "well just pump it into a cup and feed them that way!" Um, no thanks. To start, a cup of milk doesn't offer the same closeness and emotional comfort that nursing does. Also, not all moms respond to breast pumps as they do their own child, especially later in the breastfeeding relationship when an oversupply is much less common. And lastly, YOU come over here and clean the pump and glasses if it's so important I use them.
I'm not saying everyone should breastfeed; I'm not laying on a guilt trip for those that didn't try, those that tried and were unsuccessful, or those that chose not to go the extended route.
What I am saying is to lay off on the judgment of those mothers and children that choose to continue their nursing relationship beyond whatever arbitrary age you've applied as being acceptable. I can pretty much guarantee the mother is not forcing the child. She is not getting any pleasure other than knowing she is providing nutrition, immunities, and comfort to her child. She is doing what is right for her and her child and that's it. You are not a part of that relationship.
And for those that like this sort of thing, science backs me up here (thanks for all the well-organized quotes, KellyMom):
-The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).
-Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986).
-In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breast milk provides: 29% of energy requirements, 43% of protein requirements, 36% of calcium requirements, 75% of vitamin A requirements, 76% of folate requirements, 94% of vitamin B12 requirements, 60% of vitamin C requirements (Dewey 2001).
-The AAP even 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." (AAFP 2008)
And a thanks to the medical professionals who are a voice of reason and encouragement. Dr. Jack Newman has a nice little .PDF about extended breastfeeding. Even Dr. William Sears has written on how to handle the criticism.
So, nurse on, mommas, if you so choose! I hope some day our society will not only grow tolerant but encouraging of such a special gift we can give our kids.
It seems like there's been a lot of talk about extended breastfeeding these days, from the well-educated and articulate Mayim Bialik (aka the former Blossom), to the, well, lesser so naysayers (I feel so bad for the mom in that article, I hope she had some warning about what a negative light she'd be cast in).
What do the opponents say? I've heard that it's gross and wrong. That the mother must forcing the child to continue. It's for the mother's pleasure, not the child's benefit. If they're old enough to ask for it they're too old. If they're old enough to ask for a glass of milk, they should have that instead. It's creating a child that's too dependent and can't self-soothe. There's no nutritional need after a year--it turns to water, doesn't it?
Double-u.
Tee.
Eff.
Pardon me while I bang my head on the wall for a moment.
For starters, I'd like to see any baby or child that can be FORCED to breastfeed. I'm sorry naysayers, but that's impossible. For babies less than a year that go on a nursing strike for whatever reason, the mother should absolutely make all efforts to remedy it. These mothers know just how hard it is to coerce a baby to nurse. Now add into that the stubborn will of a toddler and you know what I'm saying here. If my daughter didn't want to nurse, she wouldn't.
And to follow up, I don't like being made out to be a pervert. That's the thing that gets me the most. Because breasts can be enjoyed sexually, the general public jumps off the deep end and dares to think I'm somehow getting off on breastfeeding? Shame on THEM for thinking those thoughts, and *gag*. Seriously. I'm not getting off on it. If your toddler grabs your butt is it the same as when your partner does? When you kiss your child is it the same kiss you give your partner? No? Really? So lay off on the perverted argument. It is not valid.
Oh, and babies are BORN asking to breastfeed. They naturally root and display all sorts of hunger signs. This is their age-appropriate way to ask. As these babies grow in ability, finding their hands and their voices, they learn to sign (if their parents teach them) and eventually speak. Should the 9 month old that learns to sign "milk" promptly be weaned for being clever enough to ask for what he wants? What about the articulate 18 month old that can say and/or sign "more milk please?" Biologically, communicative ability has no relation to the necessity of breast milk. So stop arguing that it somehow does, please.
A common point proponents make is that it's common practice to feed our children the breast milk of another species (that'd be cow milk), and yet human milk is shunned despite its purpose being obviously for the nutritional benefit of humans. Ironic much?
Dr. Jack Newman (and many others) back me up in saying that extended breastfeeding does not create an over-dependence. A child that is secure in knowing his mother is there for him will grow up confident and assured of her love and support. And what mom doesn't want that?
And for the opponents that argue "well just pump it into a cup and feed them that way!" Um, no thanks. To start, a cup of milk doesn't offer the same closeness and emotional comfort that nursing does. Also, not all moms respond to breast pumps as they do their own child, especially later in the breastfeeding relationship when an oversupply is much less common. And lastly, YOU come over here and clean the pump and glasses if it's so important I use them.
I'm not saying everyone should breastfeed; I'm not laying on a guilt trip for those that didn't try, those that tried and were unsuccessful, or those that chose not to go the extended route.
What I am saying is to lay off on the judgment of those mothers and children that choose to continue their nursing relationship beyond whatever arbitrary age you've applied as being acceptable. I can pretty much guarantee the mother is not forcing the child. She is not getting any pleasure other than knowing she is providing nutrition, immunities, and comfort to her child. She is doing what is right for her and her child and that's it. You are not a part of that relationship.
And for those that like this sort of thing, science backs me up here (thanks for all the well-organized quotes, KellyMom):
-The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).
-Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986).
-In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breast milk provides: 29% of energy requirements, 43% of protein requirements, 36% of calcium requirements, 75% of vitamin A requirements, 76% of folate requirements, 94% of vitamin B12 requirements, 60% of vitamin C requirements (Dewey 2001).
-The AAP even 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." (AAFP 2008)
And a thanks to the medical professionals who are a voice of reason and encouragement. Dr. Jack Newman has a nice little .PDF about extended breastfeeding. Even Dr. William Sears has written on how to handle the criticism.
So, nurse on, mommas, if you so choose! I hope some day our society will not only grow tolerant but encouraging of such a special gift we can give our kids.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
My short and easy guide to natural child birth
I'm partially baby-feverin' over here, and that means my brain wanders back to birth often. It doesn't hurt that oodles of my friends either have new babies or are pregnant too; birth and babies are all around me!
I had a normal natural birth with Lily, just as I had set out to do. There were a few things I would change (or rather one big thing--move the whole thing back home and out of the hospital), but overall it went well. I didn't take a birth class. I'm not even sure I finished a single childbirth book from start to finish. I had a doula and my husband present, but the former provided more support to the latter, I think, and I mostly kept to myself.
Here's my Short and Easy Guide to Childbirth (tm)
-Keep vocalizations low instead of high pitched
-Keep brow relaxed instead of furrowed
-Keep jaw relaxed instead of clenched
Add to that educating yourself on what's normal (say, going to 41 weeks and beyond), what to expect (oh, perhaps, transition), and what you might have to fight against (the typical cascade of interventions, for example), and you're good to go.
I had a normal natural birth with Lily, just as I had set out to do. There were a few things I would change (or rather one big thing--move the whole thing back home and out of the hospital), but overall it went well. I didn't take a birth class. I'm not even sure I finished a single childbirth book from start to finish. I had a doula and my husband present, but the former provided more support to the latter, I think, and I mostly kept to myself.
Here's my Short and Easy Guide to Childbirth (tm)
-Keep vocalizations low instead of high pitched
-Keep brow relaxed instead of furrowed
-Keep jaw relaxed instead of clenched
Add to that educating yourself on what's normal (say, going to 41 weeks and beyond), what to expect (oh, perhaps, transition), and what you might have to fight against (the typical cascade of interventions, for example), and you're good to go.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
WeeEssentials giveaway!
I love her soap bits for using to wet our diaper wipes :) Go check out this post to enter!
http://weeessentials.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/giveaway/
http://weeessentials.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/giveaway/
Friday, December 10, 2010
Oatmeal raisin cookies
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups oats
Combine eggs, vanilla, and raisins in a bowl and let stand for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350F. Cream the butter and sugars. Sift the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda; add with creamed mixture. Then mix in egg/raisins and oats. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
I probably made them a bit too big and I still had enough left over to bag and freeze after baking 2 dozen. Both Lily and I approve of this recipe! Above is my modified version (I halved the sugar, added the nutmeg, took out the nuts), but the original is here: allrecipes.com/Recipe/Oatmeal-Raisin-Cookies-IV/Detail.aspx
Note to self: 21 months is too young to understand that cookies aren't cookies until you bake them, though she did enjoy putting the oats into the mixer with me.
1 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups oats
Combine eggs, vanilla, and raisins in a bowl and let stand for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350F. Cream the butter and sugars. Sift the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda; add with creamed mixture. Then mix in egg/raisins and oats. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
I probably made them a bit too big and I still had enough left over to bag and freeze after baking 2 dozen. Both Lily and I approve of this recipe! Above is my modified version (I halved the sugar, added the nutmeg, took out the nuts), but the original is here: allrecipes.com/Recipe/Oatmeal-Raisin-Cookies-IV/Detail.aspx
Note to self: 21 months is too young to understand that cookies aren't cookies until you bake them, though she did enjoy putting the oats into the mixer with me.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Truly enjoying the season
It seems a common theme out in blog world to write about the stresses of the impending holiday right about now. But I'm not feeling it. Maybe it's because I started my Christmas crafting in July and finished 90% of them the week of Thanksgiving. Or maybe it's because we only put up our tree and stockings for decorations so there's no chasing a toddler away from breakables. Or maybe it's that our tree is only decorated with any ornaments from about three feet and up.
I've got a (sort of surprise) gift swap coming up next week, but I'm well on my way to completing that project too. I skipped out on a mass cookie baking event with some friends and opted to play with the kids while they cranked out dozens of delicious cookies. Art and I will bake some cookies one of these weekends together without the stress of making sure half a dozen kids aren't killing one another. I'll wrap presents soon during one of Lily's afternoon naps. We'll celebrate with my parents early so we only need to go to one place on Christmas Eve and two places on Christmas Day. That's about the busiest we'll be.
I'm really slowing down this year and not feeling rushed at all. I literally slow down while driving past every decorated house on our side streets so Lily can admire them. Maybe one of these nights we'll take a drive to the little outdoor village a couple towns over so she can look into the tiny houses they set up with various holiday scenes. We've played in the snow and drank hot chocolate too. I picked up some candy canes yesterday and anticipate Lily eating her first one soon.
Maybe I'm foolish and it's still too early in the month to tell, but I don't anticipate that hurried feeling sneaking up any time soon. The giggle fits though? Let's keep those coming :)
I've got a (sort of surprise) gift swap coming up next week, but I'm well on my way to completing that project too. I skipped out on a mass cookie baking event with some friends and opted to play with the kids while they cranked out dozens of delicious cookies. Art and I will bake some cookies one of these weekends together without the stress of making sure half a dozen kids aren't killing one another. I'll wrap presents soon during one of Lily's afternoon naps. We'll celebrate with my parents early so we only need to go to one place on Christmas Eve and two places on Christmas Day. That's about the busiest we'll be.
I'm really slowing down this year and not feeling rushed at all. I literally slow down while driving past every decorated house on our side streets so Lily can admire them. Maybe one of these nights we'll take a drive to the little outdoor village a couple towns over so she can look into the tiny houses they set up with various holiday scenes. We've played in the snow and drank hot chocolate too. I picked up some candy canes yesterday and anticipate Lily eating her first one soon.
Maybe I'm foolish and it's still too early in the month to tell, but I don't anticipate that hurried feeling sneaking up any time soon. The giggle fits though? Let's keep those coming :)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Snow!
We woke up to SNOW! And not just a light dusting, but a nice thick layer of packing snow that was perfect for Lily's first excursion of the year.
She tentatively walked out...
She agreed to mittens...
And by the end she was all "MORE DADDY BALL!"
She tentatively walked out...
She agreed to mittens...
And by the end she was all "MORE DADDY BALL!"
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