How Much is Enough - Quantifiying Breast Feeding

The most common question I hear asked by new breastfeeding moms is "How do I know my baby is getting enough to eat?". Being that we live in a world where we quantify everything it is understandable that new moms would be concerned with this. New moms are often asked by those who have chosen not to breastfeed, "How much does the baby take?" "How many ounces does the baby want?". While some people look at not being able to quantify how much milk a baby is drinking as the down side to breastfeeding, I look at it as a good thing. It forces mom to learn the natural feeding cues of their baby. It builds a closeness and awareness of the baby.  I ask my patients when they ask me the question, "Is your baby gaining weight?" "Is the baby wetting after each feed?" "Is the baby happy and seemingly satisfied after feeding?". If the answer to all these questions is "YES" then that is how you KNOW your baby is getting enough to eat! So often new moms feel inadequate to make this assumption because those kind hearted good intentioned "helpers" (often times Grandma) are at the house welcoming the new baby. There was a generation or two of American women that missed out on breastfeeding all together. Doctors and the formula industry just assumed for those women that formula was easier and just as good for the baby. Some women weren't even given the chance to breastfeed. There is a big gap in breastfeeding education and understanding by that generation which in turn makes it difficult to understand that a baby can be getting plenty even if mom can't report how many ounces the baby is taking. I have found if mom is armed with this education before baby is born it can boost the confidence of the new mom so that in her sleep deprived state she can stand up to even the toughest mother or mother-in-law who is armed with a bottle and a kind heart and explain to them that breast is best.

Singing and Dancing Toddler

Parenting is never easy. There are a million books and a million friends willing to give you their opinion on how you should raise your children. My parenting philosophy is moderation and common sense. Since Savannah has turned two, I have needed to use a lot of moderation and common sense. She tries my patiences every day! One idea I have come up with to help us out on a daily basis is letting her dance and sing to positive music! I purchased Cedarmont Kids Praise CD 3 pack on sale for $9.99 at the Family Christian Book store. We listen to at least one CD every day. When she starts to misbehave or starts on one of her melt downs, I turn the music on and she immediately starts singing praises to God and running around the house. She forgets what was making her so frustrated and instead turns her focus on singing and having fun. She doesn't realize that at the same time she is learning valuable life lessons and memorizing Scripture. Even the baby gets involved. I give him a shaker and he laughs and has fun. I have found this idea to be a very valuable tool for my children and it works for me!

I am linking this up to Works for Me Wednesdays, ABC Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday, Homemaking Link Up, Mommy Club, Fridays Favorite Things, Frugal Fridays. Spiritual Sundays, The Diaper Diaries

Giving back by breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

You ask how I can consider my choice to breastfeed as a post for Give Back Thursday. Well, I truly feel that I am giving my baby the best possible start I can by breastfeeding. I know you can read endless blogs and websites about why breast is best but I'm writing this post so my readers can see why I give breast milk to my babies.

• Bonding and attachment. Breastfeeding gives you the most special bond with your newborn. By breastfeeding you and your newborn form firm attachment to his/her mommy.
• Decrease risk of SIDS and severity and length of illness and infection.
• Decrease risk of obesity in childhood and possibly even adulthood.
• Nutritious. No matter what the can says, they can not match what is in breast milk. When scientist have spun down breast milk to analyze it they have never been able to fully replicate it. They have also found that the components of your breast milk change day by day, made specifically for your baby that day.
• Comforting. Nothing comforts a baby like being at mommas breast. Babies desire to suck is very strong and it sooths and comforts them. Don't let anyone tell you that you are spoiling your baby by putting them to the breast to often. That is where they belong and what comforts them the most.

Whatever you do, don't give up on your baby. I see so many new mothers who struggle with first time breastfeeding and want to just give up. I struggled with my firstborn who was 5 weeks early and had difficulty latching. I would get so frustrated that she wouldn't latch correctly. I consulted with a lactation consultant and never gave up. With the help of supportive friends and family she finally became a pro and didn't wean until she was 16 months. If you ever have any questions concerning breastfeeding, please feel free to ask me and I will try my best to help you or direct you to the resource that can help you.

Baseball Baby

We took the kids to there 3rd baseball game this season. Savannah and Atlanta always have a great time at the game. The Tampa Bay Rays make it very fun and afordable for familes to go to the games. Many people ask me how I can get two kids as young as my kids to be good during a baseball game. Here are some tips and ideas.

• Get them involved by having them clap, cheer and root on their favorite team.
• Remember, if they are loud, who cares it is a baseball game!!!
• At Ray's games people love to ring cow bells. What kid wouldn't have fun with that? Even my little man had fun shaking his bell!
• Bring a little activity book that fits in your purse....just in case the game gets a little long.
• Don't be afraid to get up and walk around. I usually take Savannah with me to get a refreshment just so she can stretch her legs.

This photo was taken at the end of the game.
Clearly, it was past their bedtime.

We have had a great time this summer going to baseball games and hope to catch one more before the season is through. Savannah, our two year old already says "Go RAYS!" every time she sees baseball on television. Nothing like starting them young!

This post is linked to ABC Wednesday , Wordless Wednesdays, Works for Me Wednesday and The Mommy Club.

Welcome Baby Atlanta

After a bit of a break, I am trying, with the help of my good friend, to get my blog back up and running!! Why the break? Well, I welcomed my sweet son into the world 6 weeks earlier than expected! We had a very rocky start, but he is doing very well now. I just have my hands full and busy with a 22 month old and a 2 month old. Needless to say, I wanted to share some precious photos of our first 2 months with our new baby Atlanta.





Evan's first photo....6lbs 3oz....big for a premmie!

He might have been big, but he couldn't breath on his own!

Mommy and baby enjoying kangaroo care.

Finally coming home!

The best Christmas gift a mom could ask for!

This post is linked to

Wordless Wednesday.

Beetle Larvae and insect pieces found in Similac

So, I am not going to link this up to any site, but wanted to use my blog to voice my disgust at this!!! This should be every woman's number one reason NOT to use formula. If this can happen to Similac, it could happen to any formula company. If you breastfeed your child, you probably will never have to worry about having your infant ingest beetle larvae or insect pieces. Feel free to click here and read Similac's statement about their findings. All I can say is at least they did a voluntary recall on the formula.

Babies with sensitive skin

When Savannah was born, I naturally used all the Johnson and Johnson products that people got me at my baby shower. For most newborns, that stuff works great, but my Savannah....well she's special!  She has VERY sensitive skin, she had horrible cradle cap and some eczema. I tried lots of remedies, but nothing seemed to work! I had to cut dairy out of my diet (I was breastfeeding) and I hoped that would help with the eczema and it didn't. So, I was at Target, looking around when I saw a small selection of California Baby products. They claimed to work well for kids with sensitive skin and eczema...gentle enough for newborns!! I figured it couldn't hurt to try! I was tired of my poor girls head looking like alligator skin, so I bought the body wash and some of the baby lotion. It worked wonders!! Her cradle cap was gone after 2 baths, and her skin looked so much better. I guess natural is always better (not less expensive!) so I have continued using only California Baby bath products and intend to use them for the next baby as well. I would suggest this to any mom who has a kid with sensitive skin....I loved it!

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I am in no way associated with California Baby, I am not getting paid by California Baby for endorsing their product.

Works for me Wednesday's!

The biggest life saver (and I use that as an inside joke, because everyone always said my feeding pillow looked like a life preserver) is the My Brest Friend feeding pillow! My daughter was only 6lbs 11 oz when she was born and I am very large up top. I had a difficult time trying to position her, position me, get comfortable AND try to learn the art of breastfeeding! I had read that this pillow was the number one choice of lactation consultants, so I had purchased one with a gift card I had gotten from my baby shower. It was worth EVERY penny. I literally would take it with me everywhere I went until she was to big for it. This really worked for me!!!

If you have anything that really works for you, or want to read more Works-For-Me Wednesday post's, check out their sight!!