Speaking of Dr Newman...

This fabulous article by Dr Jack Newman (mentioned in my last post) was just published on one of my favorite parenting sites this morning.  Entitled "Breastfeeding Advocacy and Formula Feeding Guilt", the article identifies misinformed health professionals and the marketing of formula companies as the antagonists in breastfeeding challenges. 

(Side note: I was shocked a few weeks ago when I entered a doctors' office that was supposedly very friendly to more natural types of birth and parenting and everywhere I looked was formula paraphernalia.  Next time I'm in there I'm definitely saying something.  As Dr Newman says in his article, free formula and pamphlets have been shown to decrease rates and duration of breastfeeding.)

Dr Newman gives some illustrations of how there is a cultural double-standard with regards to formula and stresses the importance of accurate knowledge and knowledgeable support, neither of which are norms in our society (did I not just say this yesterday?).  I appreciate how Dr Newman does not blame women but addresses root causes of the issue.  Have a read, and let me know what you think!

Book Review: Breastfeeding Made Simple

Every once in a while I get really amped up about breastfeeding and here I am in that space.  Who gets to benefit?  You!  Onward!

The most helpful book I've found on breastfeeding has been The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, the epic classic put out by La Leche League.  I read this during my third trimester and I felt it really prepared me for breastfeeding Elijah.  However, it is a tome, with the latest version coming in at almost 600 pages, and if all things pregnancy- and birth-related don't make you as ecstatic as they do me, if may be a *bit* more book for your buck than you are looking for.

I've been wanting a book that has equally good information but in a more condensed form that I could recommend to people wanting to read something without having to sacrifice their social life.  Additionally, there's a lot of misinformation out there so it was important to me that the book be solid.  I was at a doula conference recently and ran into a tableful of IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants - the cream of the crop, usually).  I asked them what they recommended, and Breastfeeding Made Simple was it.  I picked up a copy (not the most recent edition but close enough) and thought I'd review it here.  I'm going to go chapter-by-chapter and summarize the high points and add any thoughts I might have.  I'm not sure how quickly I get through the book, but I've read enough so far to feel comfortable recommending it to you if you're in the market for a good breastfeeding book.

Today I'll just share a little bit from the forward, written by Dr. Jack Newman, a Canadian pediatrician who has extensive knowledge on breastfeeding.  Note that this is not always, or even usually, the case; many peds, L&D nurses, ob/gyns, etc... do not have much formal training in breastfeeding.  If you hear yourself being told "a little formula never hurt" or "you can't breastfeed with those breasts" or "you don't make enough milk, s/he's starving!" realize that you already know more about breastfeeding than that person, and get out of there.  Many a breastfeeding relationship has been challenged, complicated, or ended by remarks such as these with no alternative information available.  I am convinced that the biggest benefit to a breastfeeding relationship is support, support, support!  I needed it, my friends have needed, so many women whose stories I've read have needed it.

Back to that forward.  Dr Newman opens with this:

"How did breastfeeding become so unnecessarily complicated?  As the years go by, I am often astounded by how we manage to add new wrinkles of complexity to something that should be so easy, natural, and uncomplicated.  Of course, breastfeeding itself has not become more complex than it was, say, 200 years ago.  Rather, it is the way we think about breastfeeding that has changed." 

 Dr Newman goes on to talk about working in Africa during the 1980s where hardly any breastfeeding problems existed.  There were no rules, like you should feed every X amount of hours for X amount of time.  Some babies nursed six times a day and others 14 times.  Newman notes that when problems did occur that woman was surrounded by many other women who had breastfed and could troubleshoot.  In America, where only 13.3% of babies are exclusively breastfed until six months of age (and the few generations before us were "formula babies"), it isn't surprising that this community support is not a given but instead a rare privilege for a new mom to encounter.

To be continued...

Summer

Summer's Heat has arrived.  It took a while, and Spring had to get displaced in the process, but now that Summer's here there's nothing to do but go with it. 

Melon Slushies.  Tomato plants. Open windows.  Running around in diapers. Mid-day showers after hot, outdoor work.  or indoor work.  or after no work at all because simply existing is sweat-inducing.  Thunder storms.  Fans. Early morning walks.  Ants in the kitchen.  Laundry in the sun. 

Welcome.

Bed Time

After 17 months of Elijah sleeping in our bed, tonight, for the first time, I put him to sleep in his own bed.  I'm pretty sure he'll end up back in ours before the night is over, but it feels significant none-the-less.

Keith and I spent several months debating the merits of our bed choices, and finally settled on one that was delivered a few weeks ago.  I took my time finding a bed frame and then randomly came upon one in a thrift store for 10 bucks, head and foot boards included.  I bought some paint so I could give it a makeover, and Keith cut some wood slats to fit into the frame and support the mattress.

While I was setting up the bed tonight Elijah was super excited about it.  He kept climbing up on it and laying down, then wriggling all over.  I'm using some of our sheets and a duvet from Sweden (from when Keith and I had twin beds, remember?) which to me is a nice reminder of where Elijah was born and spent the first year of his life.

When Elijah does start sleeping through the night in his own bed, I'll feel bittersweet about it.  I'll love the longer stretches of sleep and having more room in the bed.  But I'll miss having Elijah be the first thing I'm aware of in the morning, the warmth of his little-big body next to me, and the security that comes knowing he's safe and sound as long as he's latched on and contentedly nursing away.  But I'm sure that's a long, long way away... right?

Gardening Update

 The Gardener and Assistant to the Gardener upon ground-breaking

I've been having lots of fun in the garden recently and I'm so excited to actually to think that I might actually have some produce to eat in a little bit.  A couple weeks ago I bought some seedlings and planted several things.  While a couple died almost immediately and bunnies found some others, my cauliflower, parsley, beets, kale, and chard are doing fabulously.  Yesterday I just planted the basil plant and two tomato plants I bought at the farmers' market the other week.  All three of them had been inside on my window sill and had grown amazing amounts in just a week and half; I can't wait to see how they do outside.  I also ordered a bunch of seeds from Seeds of Change that arrived last week (Thanks, Audrey!).  This morning I started some seeds on my window sill, and will plant more in the garden later this week.  In addition, I have about a million red and green leaf lettuces that have shot up in random parts of the garden.  I transplanted some of them into a row, and I'm trying to figure out what I'll do with the rest... I'd kind of like to have the garden be more orderly, but I don't want to disturb them too much, either.

Progress!

I just submitted my final assignment needed for my doula certification.  Assuming I don't fail it, I'll be "official" in no time!

It's interesting how my feelings about certification have shifted since beginning this process over two (!) years ago.  The best doulas I know aren't technically certified and it certainly hasn't adversely affected them.  If anything, they operate with a confidence that comes from true experience, not a piece of paper.  My hope is that I will do the same.  That said, it feels like a huge personal accomplishment to have completed the check-list that earns the paper.  I'm not always known for my follow-through, so this feels significant.

Now... about that party!

Random Round-Up

1. Happy Easter! Keith forgot his suit and I forgot to even think about an Easter Basket or anything remotely Easter-y for Elijah, but we had a wonderful time up in Wisconsin visiting two sets of extended family (who did, in fact, supplied a fabulous Easter bucket). 

2. What's cooking?  Well, I'm making my way through this book by the author of this sight, and she doesn't disappoint.  Keith's mom pre-ordered this book for me for Christmas, but it wasn't actually released until a few weeks ago.  I'm in love!

3. Friends - we had our dear friends from Boston visit last week, and got them for two extra days thanks to JetBlue canceling a flight last-minute.  We talked, we didn't talk, we ate, we reminisced, and pretty much had a gay ol' time.  Oh yes, and we got to be adult and to the Hancock Tower (funny, Boston used to have one of those...) for afternoon drinks while Elijah was in the good hands of [more] extended family.

4. Music - Oddly enough, we've been listening to a lot of Jason Mraz.  What can I say, Elijah loves it.  I have also been putting off rehearsing my choir music for the show we have in June.  But, that's what weekly rehearsals are for, right?!

5. Play, play, play! - We've been going to lots of play groups this month.  Great for Elijah who lurves to socialize, and great for mama who... lurves to socialize.  We hosted a couple here as well, which I really enjoy... Keith and I hope to have many, many, many people in our home over the years, from random drop-bys, to overnighters.  And yes, I really mean that!

6. Composting - this is my goal for this week.  I keep putting it off because I don't know what I'm doing.  But basically, I need to get a bucket, put our food scraps in it, and check it off my list.  So, I'm gonna.