Recently I attended my very first nurse-in. A nurse-in is a form of protest. When a nursing mom gets asked to leave a public place or store because she's nursing it often creates an uproar in the "lactivist" community. As a result, supporters of nursing in public will gather together and openly nurse their children in a group to raise awareness and acceptance of nursing. Some of these events gain quite a bit of public attention. This one did not.
The whole thing started because a local mother with asked to find another place to nurse her child when she stopped to nurse him one evening at a Target store. This resulted in planning a nurse-in at Target stores across the country. I figured I'd go support moms that choose to nurse in public, as this is an issue I feel very strongly about. I believe that seeing nursing moms in public is how we teach society that breastfeeding should be the norm, how we show children the proper way to feed a baby, and how we show other breastfeeding moms that don't have adequate support that it's ok, and normal to feed your baby wherever you are and they shouldn't feel like nursing dampers their ability to function in society.
The event was a bit of a "fail" (at least in my opinion). I've seen pictures of other nurse-ins at various locations that look like those protests you see in movies. Several moms nursing their babies while other supporters hold up signs about a mom's right to nurse her baby wherever she has a right to be (as this is the law in Texas). This nurse-in, though, was little more than a group of nursing moms hanging out and chatting in the Target Starbucks Cafe. Sure several of us nursed while there, but as we were sequestered in one area that's tucked away from shopping traffic, and the group was rather small (maybe half a dozen moms), it didn't quite draw attention of passersby - or even the Target staff.
This event certainly didn't appease the "lactivist" in me. While I'm not one to want to cause a public uproar, I would have wanted a little bit more attention to be given to the group. As it was, I doubt our little gathering did much to promote a woman's right to feed her child anywhere. I hope that nurse-ins in other locations were more successful at fulfilling that purpose. In any case, I will continue to feed my child wherever I am, as I already do. I might take the opportunity to join another nurse-in if it occurs, and I certainly hope it is more successful than this one seemed to be.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
On Juggling Two Young Kiddos
In a group forum post that I read recently, in a mom group, one mom was asking for suggestions on juggling two kids. There were several suggestions here and there but one really caught my attention. To be perfectly honest, this is the only suggestion that I actually remember. The reason this one caught my attention was because it was so blatantly against all of my mothering instincts. This is especially interesting considering that before I ever had kids I probably wouldn't have blinked twice at the suggestion.
The inquiry regarded what to do when you have a young crying infant that needs to be tended to and also a toddler that needs attention. The response that caught my attention was as follows, "Let the baby cry and tend to the toddler. The baby won't remember." Now, I may not have quoted that verbatim; however, that was essentially what this suggestion was saying. On the surface, I suppose that this seems to makes sense. There are so many different things that can go on with babies however, and there really is a better alternative.
If you've read my earlier post on Cry It Out, you may already know my position. I have read and believe that leaving a baby to cry can lead to some damage that may affect their life as they continue to grow into a child, teenager, and adult. This damage is and sort of chemical damage caused by the release of excess cortisol as the baby cries and continues to become more and more stressed. The release of cortisol is a human (and animal) stress response. Babies left to cry have been proven to mature into children and adults who do not trust others because when they were a baby they were basically left to cry and fuss and their needs were never (rarely, or only intermittently) met by their caretaker. Many people only talk about crying it out when discussing sleep training, ways to get a child to go to sleep independently. Probably less commonly discussed is the topic we're talking about now, what happens when a baby is crying and has needs but an older sibling needs attention as well in a situation completely unrelated to sleep.
The fact of the matter is, babies cry because they have a need that needs to be met. They're virtually incapable of seeking attention alone (not to be confused with the need for comfort). They merely have a need and have only one way in which to communicate with their caretaker. The biggest problem in this situation is that, contrary to popular American beliefs, babies shouldn't cry that much. Babies thrive when they're kept close to their caretaker, i.e. their mother, and their needs are met as they occur. Having a toddler around certainly does throw you for a loop as to how you're supposed to be able to readily tend to the baby's needs while still handling your toddler.
My solution? Simple. Wear your baby.
The benefits of baby-wearing are astounding. I've discussed many of them in my baby-wearing post. When you also have an older toddler, in my book, baby-wearing is essential. By simply wearing the baby he or she is kept close, and that takes care of a number of needs that the baby may have right away. You're right there in contact with the baby, and are likely to easily recognize a dirty or wet diaper. The baby is kept warm and comforted by being right next to mama. For many baby-wearers nursing can also be taken care of completely hands-free (with the exception of adjusting position). Here's the kicker, baby wearing leaves you hands free to do any number of tasks. In this situation, it allows you to tend to your toddler. There's no need to leave the baby to cry to check on your toddler. The baby is right there with you, you're hands free and can turn your attention to your older child. It's win-win. Your baby gets the close personal attention he or she needs, and your toddler has their needs addressed as well. Not to mention that by having the baby right there next to you, the frequency of having a crying, fussy baby in general is decreased.
Check out my baby-wearing post for more information on the benefits of baby-wearing as well as a description of some different carriers that are available. Happy baby-wearing!
The inquiry regarded what to do when you have a young crying infant that needs to be tended to and also a toddler that needs attention. The response that caught my attention was as follows, "Let the baby cry and tend to the toddler. The baby won't remember." Now, I may not have quoted that verbatim; however, that was essentially what this suggestion was saying. On the surface, I suppose that this seems to makes sense. There are so many different things that can go on with babies however, and there really is a better alternative.
If you've read my earlier post on Cry It Out, you may already know my position. I have read and believe that leaving a baby to cry can lead to some damage that may affect their life as they continue to grow into a child, teenager, and adult. This damage is and sort of chemical damage caused by the release of excess cortisol as the baby cries and continues to become more and more stressed. The release of cortisol is a human (and animal) stress response. Babies left to cry have been proven to mature into children and adults who do not trust others because when they were a baby they were basically left to cry and fuss and their needs were never (rarely, or only intermittently) met by their caretaker. Many people only talk about crying it out when discussing sleep training, ways to get a child to go to sleep independently. Probably less commonly discussed is the topic we're talking about now, what happens when a baby is crying and has needs but an older sibling needs attention as well in a situation completely unrelated to sleep.
The fact of the matter is, babies cry because they have a need that needs to be met. They're virtually incapable of seeking attention alone (not to be confused with the need for comfort). They merely have a need and have only one way in which to communicate with their caretaker. The biggest problem in this situation is that, contrary to popular American beliefs, babies shouldn't cry that much. Babies thrive when they're kept close to their caretaker, i.e. their mother, and their needs are met as they occur. Having a toddler around certainly does throw you for a loop as to how you're supposed to be able to readily tend to the baby's needs while still handling your toddler.
My solution? Simple. Wear your baby.
The benefits of baby-wearing are astounding. I've discussed many of them in my baby-wearing post. When you also have an older toddler, in my book, baby-wearing is essential. By simply wearing the baby he or she is kept close, and that takes care of a number of needs that the baby may have right away. You're right there in contact with the baby, and are likely to easily recognize a dirty or wet diaper. The baby is kept warm and comforted by being right next to mama. For many baby-wearers nursing can also be taken care of completely hands-free (with the exception of adjusting position). Here's the kicker, baby wearing leaves you hands free to do any number of tasks. In this situation, it allows you to tend to your toddler. There's no need to leave the baby to cry to check on your toddler. The baby is right there with you, you're hands free and can turn your attention to your older child. It's win-win. Your baby gets the close personal attention he or she needs, and your toddler has their needs addressed as well. Not to mention that by having the baby right there next to you, the frequency of having a crying, fussy baby in general is decreased.
Check out my baby-wearing post for more information on the benefits of baby-wearing as well as a description of some different carriers that are available. Happy baby-wearing!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
On Writing a Birth Plan
When I was pregnant with my first, I had an idea of what I wanted and though I had heard of writing a birth plan, I didn't think it was necessary because I knew what I wanted. It turns out I didn't get what I wanted. I'm not sure if that was actually related to not having a written birth plan, but I figured writing it down the second time around was something I wanted to do. After the birth of my first son, I felt I had a pretty good experience, however, I still wanted things a bit different. First, I didn't want medical augmentation of the labor. I really felt I fell victim to a snowball effect and that one intervention lead to another. I wanted the second time around to be different.
I did more research and reading on natural childbirth, focusing most of my time reading "HypnoBirthing" and learning relaxation techniques. The book also covers a decent amount about writing up your "birth preferences," known colloquially as a birth plan. The book offered several suggestions that I found useful and I incorporated some things into my birth plan that I had not even known about prior to reading the book.
I did run into a snag though. When I actually went to put on paper what I wanted, I was a bit unsure of what to add. Sure, there were a few things I knew I wanted, no drugs, rooming in with the baby, etc. There were a few things that I learned about in the book like the benefits of letting the umbilical cord finish pulsing prior to clamping and cutting it. But what I was still confused about was how to write it all up and how to phrase my birth plan. I turned to the internet as we do for many things and tried to look for some templates and while I found some things here and there or forms specific to breastfeeding after the birth, I didn't really find what I was looking for and I couldn't even find much in the way of other birth plans that people had written up (I think I found one). I felt a bit on my own, but taking from the form I found, the book, and the one birth plan I had found online and a few other things here and there, I came up with what I wanted. In discussing with an expectant mom today about labor plans and expectations we came across a few things that she hadn't thought of that she may have wanted to include in her birth plan. I am adding mine below so that perhaps another expectant mom can find some use for it and maybe having one more available online will help other moms to put together their own and possibly identify some things that she may have not thought about previously.
One thing I found disappointing, sort of after the fact, was that one of the nursery nurses mentioned that when they see that a mom has a birth plan, they worry. She said that a birth plan usually means a c-section. I'm not sure why this phenomenon is the case, but in my situation, I got what I wanted. I firmly believe that most moms can get what they want, but having a supportive nurse and staff when in labor is a good way to go about getting what you want. I added that to my birth plan too.
In any case, here is the list of my "birth preferences" for my second son:
I did more research and reading on natural childbirth, focusing most of my time reading "HypnoBirthing" and learning relaxation techniques. The book also covers a decent amount about writing up your "birth preferences," known colloquially as a birth plan. The book offered several suggestions that I found useful and I incorporated some things into my birth plan that I had not even known about prior to reading the book.
I did run into a snag though. When I actually went to put on paper what I wanted, I was a bit unsure of what to add. Sure, there were a few things I knew I wanted, no drugs, rooming in with the baby, etc. There were a few things that I learned about in the book like the benefits of letting the umbilical cord finish pulsing prior to clamping and cutting it. But what I was still confused about was how to write it all up and how to phrase my birth plan. I turned to the internet as we do for many things and tried to look for some templates and while I found some things here and there or forms specific to breastfeeding after the birth, I didn't really find what I was looking for and I couldn't even find much in the way of other birth plans that people had written up (I think I found one). I felt a bit on my own, but taking from the form I found, the book, and the one birth plan I had found online and a few other things here and there, I came up with what I wanted. In discussing with an expectant mom today about labor plans and expectations we came across a few things that she hadn't thought of that she may have wanted to include in her birth plan. I am adding mine below so that perhaps another expectant mom can find some use for it and maybe having one more available online will help other moms to put together their own and possibly identify some things that she may have not thought about previously.
One thing I found disappointing, sort of after the fact, was that one of the nursery nurses mentioned that when they see that a mom has a birth plan, they worry. She said that a birth plan usually means a c-section. I'm not sure why this phenomenon is the case, but in my situation, I got what I wanted. I firmly believe that most moms can get what they want, but having a supportive nurse and staff when in labor is a good way to go about getting what you want. I added that to my birth plan too.
In any case, here is the list of my "birth preferences" for my second son:
Birth Preferences for B. E. (April/May 2011)
Howdy! Thank you for being a part of my birthing experience to welcome my newest little one into the world. I am looking forward to a natural birth with limited to no medical intervention, therefore, if there is a nurse who is partial to natural birth, I would enjoy working with him or her. I have listed several items which are important to me for my baby's birth and I greatly appreciate your cooperation in these matters.
Fluids – I prefer only a heparin block.
I am well aware of the importance of hydration during labor as well as the advantages of having a vein readily accessible should medication need to be administered. I am not anticipating needing medication and I would like the freedom to move around while I labor, therefore, I appreciate being free of a fluid pump and line.
Monitoring – I prefer intermittent monitoring if at all possible.
As mentioned above, because I would like freedom of movement during my labor, I prefer intermittent fetal monitoring if it is available. I am happy to comply with hospital regulations for minimum monitoring times and appreciate the opportunity to have the freedom to move around and change positions at will.
Environment – I would like a calm, quiet, dim environment to labor and birth in.
I understand that nurses and doctors are an integral part in ensuring the safety and health of me and my baby. I believe that a calm, quiet, minimally interrupted environment is also an integral part in ensuring the healthy natural progression of my labor. Therefore, please limit monitoring, checks, and traffic to the minimum. Should visitors arrive, please consult me or my husband before directing them to our room. Please limit lighting if at all possible during the birth as well, so my baby can be born into a welcoming environment.
Pain medication – I would like to avoid medications which can lessen the experience for me and my baby.
I am well aware of the systemic and anesthetic medications that are available to me for labor. I do not wish to be offered any medications. Please do not ask me to rate my pain level as I will respectfully decline to answer. If I feel medication is necessary, I or my husband will request it.
Assistance with labor progression – I do not wish to receive artificial forms of labor assistance.
If for some reason my labor stalls or slows for an unreasonable amount of time, as some pauses are the body's natural way of resting, I would like to try natural ways of helping the labor to progress. I would like to discuss any artificial interventions with my doctor and be allowed adequate time to discuss and decide on a course of action prior to proceeding.
Episiotomy – I do not wish to receive an episiotomy.
My doctor has let me know that this procedure is not typically performed in most cases, however, I want to express my preference again. I prefer a tear to an episiotomy.
After the birth
– I would like to have my baby placed on my stomach or chest immediately following the birth.
- Please allow the cord to stop pulsing before cutting it.
- Please perform initial evaluations, suctioning, only necessary cleaning, etc. with the baby on my chest. Please check weight and other measurements as quickly as possible and return the baby to me.
- I would like to initiate breastfeeding as soon as the baby is ready after birth and holding him skin-to-skin is the best way for me to know when he is ready.
Placenta – I would like to deliver the placenta naturally if possible.
I plan to donate my placenta and have discussed it with my doctor. Because of this, I would like the placenta to be free from damage of artificial delivery if avoidable. All portions of the umbilical cord that are separated from the baby will also be donated with the placenta. Please wrap the placenta and all portions of the detached umbilical cord in a biohazard bag and place it in the freezer bag and cooler I will provide.
Recovery
- I wish the baby to room in with me and only be removed or taken to the nursery for procedures that absolutely can not be performed in my room.
- For the short time(s) that my baby must be separated from me, do not offer him any pacifiers, bottles, or formula as he will be learning to breastfeed.
- I am expecting a boy and will have him circumcised. Again, I do not wish for him to be given a pacifier. Please use a finger or other way to administer the glucose water during the procedure.
- Please allow the room lights to remain dim for any procedures or checks of me or the baby as I would like him to be comfortable.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
On Breastfeeding Awareness - The Big Latch On
So today was no ordinary Saturday. Ok, it was a little. Rather than head to our favorite mommy/baby consignment shop for our normal Saturday meeting, we headed there for this year's Big Latch On. The Big Latch On is an event sponsored by Le Leche League to organize record numbers of moms all around the country to breastfeed simultaneously to raise awareness of , well, breastfeeding. While not reaching out for the Guinness record, the aim is to collect as many moms as possible to participate. It just turned out convenient for me since I was going there anyway, but I probably would have attended at another time and place if that's where it was being organized since I tend toward "lactivist" habits and beliefs.
Our little gathering wasn't impressive by any means, but that's ok. We had 15 moms in attendance. The oldest nursling there was about 20 months. I'm not sure how young the youngest was. It still turned out to be a nice little gathering. We even had a reporter from a local newspaper to come and take a pictures of all the participants (while not necessarily in the act, but that's ok).
This event was a great little one for me to participate in. I'm not they type to crave the attention of other "lactivist" activities that may be louder or draw more attention from on-lookers (ok, maybe, but it really does depend on the situation).
Our little gathering wasn't impressive by any means, but that's ok. We had 15 moms in attendance. The oldest nursling there was about 20 months. I'm not sure how young the youngest was. It still turned out to be a nice little gathering. We even had a reporter from a local newspaper to come and take a pictures of all the participants (while not necessarily in the act, but that's ok).
This event was a great little one for me to participate in. I'm not they type to crave the attention of other "lactivist" activities that may be louder or draw more attention from on-lookers (ok, maybe, but it really does depend on the situation).
Monday, August 1, 2011
On Co-sleeping, Bed-sharing, and Infant Death
We need some education. That's right, education. It hits the news all the time when a baby passes away in the night. SIDS is mentioned, sleeping in an adult bed is mentioned, etc. It all gets garbled and confused and we are hit with absolutes about sleeping babies. Don't sleep with the baby, never put the baby in an adult bed, etc, etc, etc.
Ok, well, here's the thing, these news reports or stories do a little bit of reporting on the incident and then jumble up all kinds of facts and if you aren't clear on the details, they'd have you believe that SIDS is caused by a family bed. All these things are mentioned in these reports but typically, they forget to differentiate. I want to lay the record straight. No matter how you choose to arrange bed time for you and the baby is your decision, but understand the differences in what they are talking about.
Let's talk SIDS. SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. What makes it scary is that no one knows the cause. Babies simply pass away in their sleep. Many news reports that talk about babies dying in their sleep mention SIDS, but then go on to talk about how the baby suffocated while sleeping with his or her mother. Well, that cause of death was not SIDS, it was suffocation. Why was SIDS even brought up? Who knows, but they bring it up anyway. If a child truly died of SIDS, it almost assuredly was not sleeping with it's parent(s) - that's not a guarantee, it's just not likely. There are many things that can be done that are suggested to decrease the risk of SIDS such as having a fan on, giving the baby a pacifier when going to sleep, having the baby sleep in the same room with the parents, breastfeeding, lay the baby on his or her back to sleep, etc. Other safe sleeping practices have nothing to do with SIDS and more to do with preventing suffocation such as making sure the crib sheet is tightly fitted to the mattress, keep blankets and stuffed animals out of the crib, etc.
And speaking of suffocation, that is most commonly the cause of death when a death is reported when the baby was sleeping with the parent. You hear many things like the baby rolled into the soft mattress or that the baby suffocated in the pillows. Alternately, you hear the tale of the baby being suffocated while the parent and baby were napping on the couch. Well, yeah, of course that is what you hear - those are all considered unsafe sleeping practices even among the people that encourage sleeping with the baby. Now, I'm not trying to make light of the situation, obviously it's a tragedy and no one wishes that upon any parent. The problem is that most of the news reports make too many generalizations and tend to confuse people and then just make people believe that if your baby sleeps with you, you will suffocate it. Co-sleeping becomes a dirty word. Which is odd considering it's actually encouraged by the AAP.
What? It's encouraged? I must be crazy to say that. Nope, I'm not. The reason it doesn't sound right is because there is a distinction between co-sleeping and bed-sharing that people don't always recognize. Co-sleeping means parents sleeping with the baby in the same room - not necessarily in the same bed. The AAP recommends that babies sleep in the parent's room on a separate surface. The "in the same room" part helps reduce the risk of SIDS since it is believed that the parents breathing patterns help to regulate the breathing of a sleeping baby. The "on a separate surface" part is to reduce the risk of suffocation. Most people that are afraid to sleep in the same bed with a baby are afraid to do so because of suffocation. Many people that do sleep with the baby in the same bed (or unfortunately couch) do not understand the safety measures that need to be taken before setting up this sort of arrangement. So, despite what the news says, co-sleeping is good and encouraged.
Bed-sharing however, is typically looked down upon or at the very least, discouraged. Bed-sharing is a type of co-sleeping, but co-sleeping does not necessarily mean bed-sharing. Bed-sharing has a long history, most notably in tribal communities where mother and baby sleep side by side - not necessarily on a bed though, typically on the ground. Studies have actually been done with mothers and babies sleeping side by side where if there is a change in the baby's breathing, the mother will, in her sleep, nestle the baby closer to her. It is believed that is action will kick-start the baby's regular breathing pattern because they are once again closer to their mother who has a regular breathing pattern. It's just my two cents, but physiologically speaking, presence of carbon dioxide in the lungs is what makes us breathe, not lack of oxygen, so it would make sense that the mother exhaling carbon dioxide near the baby's face would cause inhalation - that's just my personal conclusion - that this has something to do with reduction of SIDS risk along with close proximity of the mom helping to regulate heart rate and breathing. In any case, bed-sharing isn't inherently dangerous, but the blanket discouragement of it is due to lack of appropriate safety measures in place. Safe bed-sharing means that the baby is not near pillows or blankets, the bed is a firm surface (sorry to those of you who like your pillow-top mattresses), the baby sleeps next to the mother only - not another adult (or especially another child) because only the mother is biologically "programmed" to have an altered sleep pattern/habit because of a present baby, neither parent should be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the parents should not be over-tired, etc. Another point that is not often discussed: breastfeeding is a pre-requisite. Yes, that's right, if you don't breastfeed, the baby shouldn't be sleeping in the bed with you. One reason that was suggested by one expert was because positionally, a breastfeeding baby is safer since they typically sleep lower next to the mother where her arm will typically block upward movement of the baby towards the pillow.
Either way, no matter what you choose for your family, make sure you are educated. SIDS is not suffocation. SIDS is deemed the cause of death when they have eliminated all other causes. Co-sleeping does not always mean bed-sharing - though the news reports would have you believe so. The media jumbles it all up and confuses and scares us (unless you pay close attention to the subtleties of their reporting). This is why we need to be educated.
Ok, well, here's the thing, these news reports or stories do a little bit of reporting on the incident and then jumble up all kinds of facts and if you aren't clear on the details, they'd have you believe that SIDS is caused by a family bed. All these things are mentioned in these reports but typically, they forget to differentiate. I want to lay the record straight. No matter how you choose to arrange bed time for you and the baby is your decision, but understand the differences in what they are talking about.
Let's talk SIDS. SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. What makes it scary is that no one knows the cause. Babies simply pass away in their sleep. Many news reports that talk about babies dying in their sleep mention SIDS, but then go on to talk about how the baby suffocated while sleeping with his or her mother. Well, that cause of death was not SIDS, it was suffocation. Why was SIDS even brought up? Who knows, but they bring it up anyway. If a child truly died of SIDS, it almost assuredly was not sleeping with it's parent(s) - that's not a guarantee, it's just not likely. There are many things that can be done that are suggested to decrease the risk of SIDS such as having a fan on, giving the baby a pacifier when going to sleep, having the baby sleep in the same room with the parents, breastfeeding, lay the baby on his or her back to sleep, etc. Other safe sleeping practices have nothing to do with SIDS and more to do with preventing suffocation such as making sure the crib sheet is tightly fitted to the mattress, keep blankets and stuffed animals out of the crib, etc.
And speaking of suffocation, that is most commonly the cause of death when a death is reported when the baby was sleeping with the parent. You hear many things like the baby rolled into the soft mattress or that the baby suffocated in the pillows. Alternately, you hear the tale of the baby being suffocated while the parent and baby were napping on the couch. Well, yeah, of course that is what you hear - those are all considered unsafe sleeping practices even among the people that encourage sleeping with the baby. Now, I'm not trying to make light of the situation, obviously it's a tragedy and no one wishes that upon any parent. The problem is that most of the news reports make too many generalizations and tend to confuse people and then just make people believe that if your baby sleeps with you, you will suffocate it. Co-sleeping becomes a dirty word. Which is odd considering it's actually encouraged by the AAP.
What? It's encouraged? I must be crazy to say that. Nope, I'm not. The reason it doesn't sound right is because there is a distinction between co-sleeping and bed-sharing that people don't always recognize. Co-sleeping means parents sleeping with the baby in the same room - not necessarily in the same bed. The AAP recommends that babies sleep in the parent's room on a separate surface. The "in the same room" part helps reduce the risk of SIDS since it is believed that the parents breathing patterns help to regulate the breathing of a sleeping baby. The "on a separate surface" part is to reduce the risk of suffocation. Most people that are afraid to sleep in the same bed with a baby are afraid to do so because of suffocation. Many people that do sleep with the baby in the same bed (or unfortunately couch) do not understand the safety measures that need to be taken before setting up this sort of arrangement. So, despite what the news says, co-sleeping is good and encouraged.
Bed-sharing however, is typically looked down upon or at the very least, discouraged. Bed-sharing is a type of co-sleeping, but co-sleeping does not necessarily mean bed-sharing. Bed-sharing has a long history, most notably in tribal communities where mother and baby sleep side by side - not necessarily on a bed though, typically on the ground. Studies have actually been done with mothers and babies sleeping side by side where if there is a change in the baby's breathing, the mother will, in her sleep, nestle the baby closer to her. It is believed that is action will kick-start the baby's regular breathing pattern because they are once again closer to their mother who has a regular breathing pattern. It's just my two cents, but physiologically speaking, presence of carbon dioxide in the lungs is what makes us breathe, not lack of oxygen, so it would make sense that the mother exhaling carbon dioxide near the baby's face would cause inhalation - that's just my personal conclusion - that this has something to do with reduction of SIDS risk along with close proximity of the mom helping to regulate heart rate and breathing. In any case, bed-sharing isn't inherently dangerous, but the blanket discouragement of it is due to lack of appropriate safety measures in place. Safe bed-sharing means that the baby is not near pillows or blankets, the bed is a firm surface (sorry to those of you who like your pillow-top mattresses), the baby sleeps next to the mother only - not another adult (or especially another child) because only the mother is biologically "programmed" to have an altered sleep pattern/habit because of a present baby, neither parent should be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the parents should not be over-tired, etc. Another point that is not often discussed: breastfeeding is a pre-requisite. Yes, that's right, if you don't breastfeed, the baby shouldn't be sleeping in the bed with you. One reason that was suggested by one expert was because positionally, a breastfeeding baby is safer since they typically sleep lower next to the mother where her arm will typically block upward movement of the baby towards the pillow.
Either way, no matter what you choose for your family, make sure you are educated. SIDS is not suffocation. SIDS is deemed the cause of death when they have eliminated all other causes. Co-sleeping does not always mean bed-sharing - though the news reports would have you believe so. The media jumbles it all up and confuses and scares us (unless you pay close attention to the subtleties of their reporting). This is why we need to be educated.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
On Second Birthdays
Copied from my other blog because it fits here too:
Ok, so I should have put up this post several days ago, but what can I say, I didn't think about it. Or I'm lazy. Or I was too busy. Or whatever other excuse you can come up with can be filled in. I didn't do it on time. Deal. =)
So, yeah, this passed Sunday, my baby boy became a boy. He turned two. I dunno. Two years in my mind are really the baby years. They change so much from month to month that I can't stop thinking of him as a baby at the age of one. I look at him now though and he really is a boy. He runs, plays, climbs, and throws tantrums. Yeah, he's two.
It's been amazing lately seeing all he can do and all he does. He's starting to put more and more words together which sometimes is adorable (like the other day when he was saying goodbye to the baby, the dog, and the books) and sometimes is not so cute (like when he's whining about something). It is exciting to see the development and depressing because he is getting more independent. At least when he's happy. If he's cranky or upset, that's when he wants his mommy. And some of those times I want to bang my head into a wall because as much as I want to snuggle my son, I don't want him to think crying is an appropriate response (like when the doctor comes into the exam room).
I'm not really ready for him not to be a baby anymore. I don't know if I ever will be. Even with currently have another baby, I'm not ready for my oldest to no longer be one. Being a mom makes you funny in the head that way.
Ok, so I should have put up this post several days ago, but what can I say, I didn't think about it. Or I'm lazy. Or I was too busy. Or whatever other excuse you can come up with can be filled in. I didn't do it on time. Deal. =)
So, yeah, this passed Sunday, my baby boy became a boy. He turned two. I dunno. Two years in my mind are really the baby years. They change so much from month to month that I can't stop thinking of him as a baby at the age of one. I look at him now though and he really is a boy. He runs, plays, climbs, and throws tantrums. Yeah, he's two.
It's been amazing lately seeing all he can do and all he does. He's starting to put more and more words together which sometimes is adorable (like the other day when he was saying goodbye to the baby, the dog, and the books) and sometimes is not so cute (like when he's whining about something). It is exciting to see the development and depressing because he is getting more independent. At least when he's happy. If he's cranky or upset, that's when he wants his mommy. And some of those times I want to bang my head into a wall because as much as I want to snuggle my son, I don't want him to think crying is an appropriate response (like when the doctor comes into the exam room).
I'm not really ready for him not to be a baby anymore. I don't know if I ever will be. Even with currently have another baby, I'm not ready for my oldest to no longer be one. Being a mom makes you funny in the head that way.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
On Milk Donation
I donated my placenta, why not my milk? Ok, seriously though, I really wish this is something that had occurred to me when I had my first son. I really had no reason not to...
If you are not familiar with milk donation, I'll give a brief overview. There are several milk banks throughout the country, though there aren't even enough to have one per state. There are 12 milk banks that are members of HMBANA, or Human Milk Banking Association of North America. One of those banks is in Canada, the rest in the US. Milk banks work kinda like blood banks. They accept breast milk, pasteurize and test it, and then it gets packaged and stored where it is prescribed to babies in need. The babies that get preference are premature and ill babies primarily those in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). A prescription can be obtained for babies from pediatricians, however, this is not easy or cheap since there is such a high demand. Even though the American Academy of Pediatrics says that breast milk from another mother (if the mom can't nurse or pump her own milk for her baby) is a better feeding/nutrition option for babies than formula, most women are unable to obtain donated milk because there is such a low supply and a very high demand. The rate of preterm births is rising, but the number of donors is not, so the demand is even higher.
Milk donation is nothing new to me. Well, new for me actually doing it, but the concept is not new. I've known since I was a kid that my mom donated breast milk. Way back 35 years ago or so, my mom was asked to donate milk. She expressed and donated when two of my older sisters were babies (at separate times, they aren't twins). Back then, she said it worked kinda opposite of what we think of the milk man doing. In her case, they picked up the full bottles and dropped off the empty ones. My mom actually hand expressed her milk, something I can't imagine doing and I'm glad I don't have to, but apparently back then, hand expressing was much more efficient that using her manual pump that had a very small collection chamber.
In looking at the nursing relationship I had with my first son, I realized that I might have had some oversupply. He spit up copious amounts (which I'm sure you've read about if you've been following my blog) but still managed to be growing at the top of the charts. I also was able to pump a decent amount in one sitting and didn't realize until much later that most people typically pump less than I had been yielding. I decided that next time around, I would look into donating since as long as you keep pumping, your body will make more milk. It's just a matter of maximizing production.
When I got pregnant with my second, I started looking up information on donating milk and contacted the closest milk bank to me to find out what I would need to do. I had to wait until the baby was born - they wanted to make sure a good breastfeeding relationship had been established. After that point, I was able to start the screening process.
I was telling a friend the other day that I can understand to a certain extent why there aren't a ton of people that donate. It can be difficult. There are strict habits that need to be maintained. Not only do you have to pass the screening process (phone interview and questionnaire packet complete with forms to be signed by your OB as well as the baby's pediatrician) and blood work (which thankfully, they pay for); but you also have to adhere to strict rules about certain foods (or food components) to avoid - like large amounts of caffeine - medications or herbs you need to avoid (which is basically all of them with the exception of multi-vitamins or prenatals), and practices with how exactly you need to pump,what containers to use, and how to maintain your pump parts and collection bottles. It's a lot to remember and takes dedication. I still think it's worth it.
For the milk bank I'm working with, the initial donation is 100 oz. which is just under a gallon. After your initial donation, you can donate as much and as often as you like before your baby is a year old. Because the milk is primarily given to babies in the NICU, the nutritional components of your milk have to be closer to what a young baby would need and since it changes as your baby grows, the nutritional composition of milk for a nursing toddler is completely different than that of an infant, so there is a cut off point.
While I was waiting for all my paperwork to clear so I could pick up bottles to use for collection, I actually started donating to a local mom that I know that was having supply issues. Practices like this are normally not recommended since when you "casually share" there is no health screenings and it is unknown what you could be passing along. Typically if you know and trust the donor, however, there is the potential of less risk. In any case, it was nice to be able to help that mom out as well as work on increasing my supply since I was planning on donating anyway. I've recently had my blood drawn and I am waiting for the ok to drop off the milk I've collected up to this point. I actually ran out of bottles because I no longer was pumping for the mom I know (she was able to get her supply back up - yay!) so I ended up filling up the bottles faster than I anticipated.
I really do strongly urge any nursing mom who has a well established supply to look into donating. There is such a high demand and since you will make more milk to meet the demand, you won't be starving your baby, you'll just be making extra. It may be a bit of a pain or inconvenience, but it is so needed. More babies can be helped and if there are enough people that are willing to donate, the likelihood of babies being helped beyond the NICU is higher. I think all babies should benefit from breast milk and if for whatever reason they can't get it from their mom, it should be easier to get it from the milk bank than it currently is. The only way for that to happen is to have more women take the time to donate. Here is the link to HMBANA to find the milk bank closest to you and see what you can do to help: http://www.hmbana.org/
If you are not familiar with milk donation, I'll give a brief overview. There are several milk banks throughout the country, though there aren't even enough to have one per state. There are 12 milk banks that are members of HMBANA, or Human Milk Banking Association of North America. One of those banks is in Canada, the rest in the US. Milk banks work kinda like blood banks. They accept breast milk, pasteurize and test it, and then it gets packaged and stored where it is prescribed to babies in need. The babies that get preference are premature and ill babies primarily those in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). A prescription can be obtained for babies from pediatricians, however, this is not easy or cheap since there is such a high demand. Even though the American Academy of Pediatrics says that breast milk from another mother (if the mom can't nurse or pump her own milk for her baby) is a better feeding/nutrition option for babies than formula, most women are unable to obtain donated milk because there is such a low supply and a very high demand. The rate of preterm births is rising, but the number of donors is not, so the demand is even higher.
Milk donation is nothing new to me. Well, new for me actually doing it, but the concept is not new. I've known since I was a kid that my mom donated breast milk. Way back 35 years ago or so, my mom was asked to donate milk. She expressed and donated when two of my older sisters were babies (at separate times, they aren't twins). Back then, she said it worked kinda opposite of what we think of the milk man doing. In her case, they picked up the full bottles and dropped off the empty ones. My mom actually hand expressed her milk, something I can't imagine doing and I'm glad I don't have to, but apparently back then, hand expressing was much more efficient that using her manual pump that had a very small collection chamber.
In looking at the nursing relationship I had with my first son, I realized that I might have had some oversupply. He spit up copious amounts (which I'm sure you've read about if you've been following my blog) but still managed to be growing at the top of the charts. I also was able to pump a decent amount in one sitting and didn't realize until much later that most people typically pump less than I had been yielding. I decided that next time around, I would look into donating since as long as you keep pumping, your body will make more milk. It's just a matter of maximizing production.
When I got pregnant with my second, I started looking up information on donating milk and contacted the closest milk bank to me to find out what I would need to do. I had to wait until the baby was born - they wanted to make sure a good breastfeeding relationship had been established. After that point, I was able to start the screening process.
I was telling a friend the other day that I can understand to a certain extent why there aren't a ton of people that donate. It can be difficult. There are strict habits that need to be maintained. Not only do you have to pass the screening process (phone interview and questionnaire packet complete with forms to be signed by your OB as well as the baby's pediatrician) and blood work (which thankfully, they pay for); but you also have to adhere to strict rules about certain foods (or food components) to avoid - like large amounts of caffeine - medications or herbs you need to avoid (which is basically all of them with the exception of multi-vitamins or prenatals), and practices with how exactly you need to pump,what containers to use, and how to maintain your pump parts and collection bottles. It's a lot to remember and takes dedication. I still think it's worth it.
For the milk bank I'm working with, the initial donation is 100 oz. which is just under a gallon. After your initial donation, you can donate as much and as often as you like before your baby is a year old. Because the milk is primarily given to babies in the NICU, the nutritional components of your milk have to be closer to what a young baby would need and since it changes as your baby grows, the nutritional composition of milk for a nursing toddler is completely different than that of an infant, so there is a cut off point.
While I was waiting for all my paperwork to clear so I could pick up bottles to use for collection, I actually started donating to a local mom that I know that was having supply issues. Practices like this are normally not recommended since when you "casually share" there is no health screenings and it is unknown what you could be passing along. Typically if you know and trust the donor, however, there is the potential of less risk. In any case, it was nice to be able to help that mom out as well as work on increasing my supply since I was planning on donating anyway. I've recently had my blood drawn and I am waiting for the ok to drop off the milk I've collected up to this point. I actually ran out of bottles because I no longer was pumping for the mom I know (she was able to get her supply back up - yay!) so I ended up filling up the bottles faster than I anticipated.
I really do strongly urge any nursing mom who has a well established supply to look into donating. There is such a high demand and since you will make more milk to meet the demand, you won't be starving your baby, you'll just be making extra. It may be a bit of a pain or inconvenience, but it is so needed. More babies can be helped and if there are enough people that are willing to donate, the likelihood of babies being helped beyond the NICU is higher. I think all babies should benefit from breast milk and if for whatever reason they can't get it from their mom, it should be easier to get it from the milk bank than it currently is. The only way for that to happen is to have more women take the time to donate. Here is the link to HMBANA to find the milk bank closest to you and see what you can do to help: http://www.hmbana.org/
Monday, July 4, 2011
On My Friend the Moby (A Review)
Ah, my Moby. It is truly a good friend...
Here is the story of my Moby. When my first son was about 8 months old, he was a hefty fellow. I had been using my HotSling which I loved dearly especially for quick trips in and out of the store, but because my son was so large, it really started to hurt my shoulder for extended periods of time or for longer (or even normal length) shopping trips. I wanted another baby-wearing option that would spread the weight across both of my shoulders. From the various carriers I had seen, a Moby looked like one I was really interested in. After a casual mention of it to my mother-in-law, she actually got me one. I think I had just told her I was looking at them and before I knew it, she sent one to me in the mail.
Now, the Moby does have a bit of a learning curve to it since it is a lot of fabric, but the versatility is amazing. If you are not familiar with a Moby, it is a type of baby carrier referred to as a stretchy wrap (wrap carriers can also be made of a woven fabric). It is made of about 6 yards of cotton jersey knit so it is soft and comfortable. There are no buckles or straps, nothing hard so it's all soft material against yours and your baby's body. There are several configurations for wrapping the carrier to hold your baby. The Moby comes with an instruction booklet that demonstrates several wraps, but the internet is also your friend for learning new ways to wrap and carry your baby.
Mobys are very popular for newborns, but like I said, I got mine when my oldest son was about 8 months old and I loved it. I carried him in the "hug hold" which is the traditional wrap that holds the baby against your body facing you. The baby is in a seated position with his/her legs spread in a "frog" fashion. It was wonderful. After a while though, it became a bit difficult for me to carry my little one because he wasn't so little and I'm a bit short for a larger kiddo to be carried on my front side. A friend taught me a side carry that she had created which was fantastic and held the baby on my hip similar to the sling, but the weight of the child was carried on my waist rather than my shoulder. The only drawback to this carry is that you do have to hold the baby while you wrap it but it's very comfortable, very secure, and it still lets you carry the kiddo hands free. I also discovered a carry called the "double hammock" which is a back carry for a wrap. Traditionally, it is not recommended to use a stretchy wrap for a back carry, but I found that I was able to wrap the Moby tightly enough to hold my son securely and he loved it.
Now that I have an infant, the Moby is again proving to be well worth every penny that was paid for it. I wear it almost every day. With a baby and a two year old, it's invaluable. I can wear the baby in the newborn hold (which is like the hug hold except his legs are tucked in) and he is tight and close to me leaving me hands free to chase the toddler and still feel confident that the baby is safe and secure. He loves it and sleeps well in it. The Moby allows me to go grocery shopping where I place the toddler in the shopping cart and the baby in the Moby. I also take trips to the mall with a friend of mine wearing the baby in the Moby and my toddler rides in the stroller. I frequently take my toddler on wagon rides carrying my baby in the Moby. It's no fuss and hands free. I recently even learned a nursing wrap configuration (thank you, YouTube) where I can nurse the baby completely hands-free (although, this configuration does require you to hold the baby while you wrap it).
My Moby came with wrap instructions for the newborn hold, the hug hold, the kangaroo hold, a sling style hip hold, and a nursing hold (not hands-free). From what I've seen, the sling style hip hold and nursing hold are no longer included in the instructions, which is just as well, I didn't use them anyway. Well, I did use the nursing hold a couple of times but found it undesirable because it was not hands-free.
The Moby seems intimidating, but it really is a wonderful carrier that can be used from infancy to toddler-hood once you get the various wraps down and find the ones you like. The versatility is unmatched in any other style carrier I've seen. The biggest complaints I've heard about the Moby is the sheer amount of fabric which seems like a lot but it does allow for almost everyone to be able to wear it and the heat factor during the warmer months. I still wear mine in the south Texas heat, and yes, it's hot, but I would rather wear it than have the baby in the bucket carrier part of the car seat and I try to avoid going out during the hottest part of the day. Almost every day I'm out and about wearing my baby in my Moby I get comments on it. I've had many people ask where they can get one and others comment about how clever it is that something like the Moby is available (although some people think the baby is in my shirt since it's made from the same type of material as t-shirts are and it covers the greater portion of my upper body). I, of course, rave about how wonderful it is, because I probably would be at the end of my rope without it!
Here is the story of my Moby. When my first son was about 8 months old, he was a hefty fellow. I had been using my HotSling which I loved dearly especially for quick trips in and out of the store, but because my son was so large, it really started to hurt my shoulder for extended periods of time or for longer (or even normal length) shopping trips. I wanted another baby-wearing option that would spread the weight across both of my shoulders. From the various carriers I had seen, a Moby looked like one I was really interested in. After a casual mention of it to my mother-in-law, she actually got me one. I think I had just told her I was looking at them and before I knew it, she sent one to me in the mail.
Now, the Moby does have a bit of a learning curve to it since it is a lot of fabric, but the versatility is amazing. If you are not familiar with a Moby, it is a type of baby carrier referred to as a stretchy wrap (wrap carriers can also be made of a woven fabric). It is made of about 6 yards of cotton jersey knit so it is soft and comfortable. There are no buckles or straps, nothing hard so it's all soft material against yours and your baby's body. There are several configurations for wrapping the carrier to hold your baby. The Moby comes with an instruction booklet that demonstrates several wraps, but the internet is also your friend for learning new ways to wrap and carry your baby.
Mobys are very popular for newborns, but like I said, I got mine when my oldest son was about 8 months old and I loved it. I carried him in the "hug hold" which is the traditional wrap that holds the baby against your body facing you. The baby is in a seated position with his/her legs spread in a "frog" fashion. It was wonderful. After a while though, it became a bit difficult for me to carry my little one because he wasn't so little and I'm a bit short for a larger kiddo to be carried on my front side. A friend taught me a side carry that she had created which was fantastic and held the baby on my hip similar to the sling, but the weight of the child was carried on my waist rather than my shoulder. The only drawback to this carry is that you do have to hold the baby while you wrap it but it's very comfortable, very secure, and it still lets you carry the kiddo hands free. I also discovered a carry called the "double hammock" which is a back carry for a wrap. Traditionally, it is not recommended to use a stretchy wrap for a back carry, but I found that I was able to wrap the Moby tightly enough to hold my son securely and he loved it.
Now that I have an infant, the Moby is again proving to be well worth every penny that was paid for it. I wear it almost every day. With a baby and a two year old, it's invaluable. I can wear the baby in the newborn hold (which is like the hug hold except his legs are tucked in) and he is tight and close to me leaving me hands free to chase the toddler and still feel confident that the baby is safe and secure. He loves it and sleeps well in it. The Moby allows me to go grocery shopping where I place the toddler in the shopping cart and the baby in the Moby. I also take trips to the mall with a friend of mine wearing the baby in the Moby and my toddler rides in the stroller. I frequently take my toddler on wagon rides carrying my baby in the Moby. It's no fuss and hands free. I recently even learned a nursing wrap configuration (thank you, YouTube) where I can nurse the baby completely hands-free (although, this configuration does require you to hold the baby while you wrap it).My Moby came with wrap instructions for the newborn hold, the hug hold, the kangaroo hold, a sling style hip hold, and a nursing hold (not hands-free). From what I've seen, the sling style hip hold and nursing hold are no longer included in the instructions, which is just as well, I didn't use them anyway. Well, I did use the nursing hold a couple of times but found it undesirable because it was not hands-free.
The Moby seems intimidating, but it really is a wonderful carrier that can be used from infancy to toddler-hood once you get the various wraps down and find the ones you like. The versatility is unmatched in any other style carrier I've seen. The biggest complaints I've heard about the Moby is the sheer amount of fabric which seems like a lot but it does allow for almost everyone to be able to wear it and the heat factor during the warmer months. I still wear mine in the south Texas heat, and yes, it's hot, but I would rather wear it than have the baby in the bucket carrier part of the car seat and I try to avoid going out during the hottest part of the day. Almost every day I'm out and about wearing my baby in my Moby I get comments on it. I've had many people ask where they can get one and others comment about how clever it is that something like the Moby is available (although some people think the baby is in my shirt since it's made from the same type of material as t-shirts are and it covers the greater portion of my upper body). I, of course, rave about how wonderful it is, because I probably would be at the end of my rope without it!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
On Placenta Donation
Yes, you read that right. Placenta donation. Sounds weird, I know. It's my crunchy side showing up again, but as I mentioned to a friend recently, I hate for things to go to waste. That's what happens with most placentas - they go to waste. They are incinerated with a bunch of other medical waste. It's a little sad really because placentas are pretty cool organs. We all know they work wonders when in use. They provide the link between the mama and developing baby. After the baby is born however, placentas are often thrown out despite their quite awesome future potential.
In crunchier circles, placentas are known for having some amazing health properties. I'm not sure on all the details, but I did hear a story of how ingesting a piece of placenta soon after the baby is born can help to decrease excessive blood loss associated with some labors. Many people will actually save the placenta and send it to someone to encapsulate it and then the new mama takes a placenta pill every day. Ingesting placenta after the baby is born is rumored to keep away postpartum depression and help with milk supply among having other benefits. This is of course considered the more savory option for placental ingestion, but not the only one out there.
Being a typical American with that typical cringe that comes with the thought of ingesting the placenta, it wasn't something that I felt compelled to do. Neither was taking it home and planting it under a tree which is something that many people also do. In fact, once you start talking about or researching various things to do with the placenta, you run into all kinds of interesting (or gross, depending on your opinion) things that are done including having a lotus birth where the umbilical cord is never cut and the placenta is carried around with the baby until the umbilical cord falls off on it's own. Don't ask me how this is done, but feel free to Google it.
In one of the many colorful discussions in my mommy group when I was pregnant with my second, the subject of postpartum placenta use came up. One of the moms had heard that placentas are used in the training of search and rescue dogs. This instantly piqued my interest. As it turns out, placentas are the perfect thing for search and rescue training because it is a readily available human organ. It contains so many scent markers that only a very small sample is needed for training. I wanted to know more and I wanted this to be what was done with my placenta when my son was born.
That particular mom learned about this practice because a relative of hers works as a CSI. That relative works with a woman that is active in search and rescue that works with the local police department as well as others that may need their help (they were called out to help after the destruction of the World Trade Center among other disasters).
After getting contact information, I called up and let her know I was interested in donating my placenta. I learned many things in that discussion. She was definitely excited to have another placenta for her training since despite their commonality, they are rarely donated. Mine would actually be the first that she would obtain after a hospital birth since most that she receives come from home births or are saved by local birth centers. She was actually a bit concerned that if I was going to have a hospital birth, there might be some red tape that I'd have to deal with in order to obtain the placenta. That was something I had to look into.
I called the women's center at the hospital where I was planning my son's birth and asked what would need to be done. They had never heard of donating a placenta, and said to talk to my doctor. My doctor had also never heard of donating and he said it was about 15 years ago or longer since he had any patients that were interested in keeping the placenta. He had heard of some people planting a tree over a placenta many years ago. My doctor was on-board though and said he'd do whatever needed to be done.
As it turns out, all I needed to do was bring a cooler and a gallon size freezer bag to the birth for the placenta. I added the request to save it as part of my written birth plan and made sure that I discussed it with the staff when I went in for labor. Everything worked out great and after the baby was born, the placenta was brought back to our house and stored in the freezer by my in-laws. After that, all that was required was a phone call to the search and rescue trainer to let her know I had it and to coordinate our schedules for her to pick it up. And now I know, that my placenta didn't go to waste!
If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in donating a placenta to search and rescue, I'd recommend looking into it as early as possible. After first hearing about it, I tried to look up information online, but saw a few blogs or forum posts of people that had mentioned they'd done it or knew someone who did. No info was out there as to HOW to do it and rarely was any detail included in their posts. I tried to look up local search and rescue groups which also proved difficult. My suggestion would be to contact the local police department and see if they work with any local groups and go from there. I probably wouldn't have been able to donate mine without the connection from the mom in my mommy group, but I have to say, I'm super excited that I got the opportunity to help people out - not just those working in search and rescue, but also every person they are able to find and save because my of contribution to training those dogs!
In crunchier circles, placentas are known for having some amazing health properties. I'm not sure on all the details, but I did hear a story of how ingesting a piece of placenta soon after the baby is born can help to decrease excessive blood loss associated with some labors. Many people will actually save the placenta and send it to someone to encapsulate it and then the new mama takes a placenta pill every day. Ingesting placenta after the baby is born is rumored to keep away postpartum depression and help with milk supply among having other benefits. This is of course considered the more savory option for placental ingestion, but not the only one out there.
Being a typical American with that typical cringe that comes with the thought of ingesting the placenta, it wasn't something that I felt compelled to do. Neither was taking it home and planting it under a tree which is something that many people also do. In fact, once you start talking about or researching various things to do with the placenta, you run into all kinds of interesting (or gross, depending on your opinion) things that are done including having a lotus birth where the umbilical cord is never cut and the placenta is carried around with the baby until the umbilical cord falls off on it's own. Don't ask me how this is done, but feel free to Google it.
In one of the many colorful discussions in my mommy group when I was pregnant with my second, the subject of postpartum placenta use came up. One of the moms had heard that placentas are used in the training of search and rescue dogs. This instantly piqued my interest. As it turns out, placentas are the perfect thing for search and rescue training because it is a readily available human organ. It contains so many scent markers that only a very small sample is needed for training. I wanted to know more and I wanted this to be what was done with my placenta when my son was born.
That particular mom learned about this practice because a relative of hers works as a CSI. That relative works with a woman that is active in search and rescue that works with the local police department as well as others that may need their help (they were called out to help after the destruction of the World Trade Center among other disasters).
After getting contact information, I called up and let her know I was interested in donating my placenta. I learned many things in that discussion. She was definitely excited to have another placenta for her training since despite their commonality, they are rarely donated. Mine would actually be the first that she would obtain after a hospital birth since most that she receives come from home births or are saved by local birth centers. She was actually a bit concerned that if I was going to have a hospital birth, there might be some red tape that I'd have to deal with in order to obtain the placenta. That was something I had to look into.
I called the women's center at the hospital where I was planning my son's birth and asked what would need to be done. They had never heard of donating a placenta, and said to talk to my doctor. My doctor had also never heard of donating and he said it was about 15 years ago or longer since he had any patients that were interested in keeping the placenta. He had heard of some people planting a tree over a placenta many years ago. My doctor was on-board though and said he'd do whatever needed to be done.
As it turns out, all I needed to do was bring a cooler and a gallon size freezer bag to the birth for the placenta. I added the request to save it as part of my written birth plan and made sure that I discussed it with the staff when I went in for labor. Everything worked out great and after the baby was born, the placenta was brought back to our house and stored in the freezer by my in-laws. After that, all that was required was a phone call to the search and rescue trainer to let her know I had it and to coordinate our schedules for her to pick it up. And now I know, that my placenta didn't go to waste!
If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in donating a placenta to search and rescue, I'd recommend looking into it as early as possible. After first hearing about it, I tried to look up information online, but saw a few blogs or forum posts of people that had mentioned they'd done it or knew someone who did. No info was out there as to HOW to do it and rarely was any detail included in their posts. I tried to look up local search and rescue groups which also proved difficult. My suggestion would be to contact the local police department and see if they work with any local groups and go from there. I probably wouldn't have been able to donate mine without the connection from the mom in my mommy group, but I have to say, I'm super excited that I got the opportunity to help people out - not just those working in search and rescue, but also every person they are able to find and save because my of contribution to training those dogs!
Friday, June 24, 2011
On Disposable Diapers 2
In my previous post on disposable diapers I compared several brands that I used with my first baby in the first couple of months because he was too small for the cloth diapers we had. Also, I had been given several different kinds as gifts and got to see how they all varied. If you are a follower of mine, you probably know that I cloth diaper for the most part, but I am by no means anti-disposable. I prefer the cloth because it's cheaper and I hate having to take out the trash so often with the disposables. In any case, after some time (since my last 'sposie post), I've had more opportunities to try additional types of diapers. My oldest is occasionally in disposable if we are traveling and the second one also has itty bitty hips like his brother did at first and he doesn't fit into our cloth diapers quite yet (at almost 8 weeks old). So I've been able to try a variety based on what I've been given or what I've purchased. In addition, since I started making diaper cakes as a kind of side business to being a mom with Beth's Baby Boutique, I've learned much more about what is out there and the brands available. Below, are my observations and comments based on the ones I've used.
Huggies Little Snugglers - These diapers I picked up because it is what we used with our first when he was first born. I really like the newborn diapers because they fit well and they have the umbilical cord cutout. I also have used the size 1, now that my infant is a little bigger and in using them after using the Pampers Swaddlers (you'll see my review below) I find that they are a bit smaller than the Swaddlers and narrower between the legs which I feel gives a better fit. Now, I seem to remember in my last diaper review that Huggies ran big, but I think that might be with their regular Snug and Dry line rather than the Little Snugglers.
Huggies Little Movers - For my toddler, these are the diapers I've purchased most often, though, I'll be honest, it's been a while since I got them. I've purchase Pampers more recently (I had a coupon) and been given some Pampers so I haven't needed to buy them. I like these because they fit very well and have a narrow crotch area. I don't recall having too many leaks with these that I've used in size 3 & 4.
Pampers Baby Dry - Now these diapers I've used in just about every size from when my first was a baby to now as a toddler. My main complaint with them is that they don't hold urine very well, at least not in the bigger sizes and definitely not very well overnight. My most recent experience with these was when I went to visit my mom for three weeks with my oldest (this was before I had the second baby) and my experience with them led me to vow never to use disposables for that long of a period again. The leaks drove me crazy. That and the amount of garbage. Also, the size 5 diapers, which should fit my toddler just fine right now, because he is well within the weight range for the diapers, fit kinda narrowly and his bum cheeks get a bit exposed. Maybe I'm just too used to the cloth diapers and how wide they fit, but it still seems too narrow.
Pampers Swaddlers - These diapers have the new Dry Max, a feature that Pampers added to several of their diapers to improve absorption. This addition was made after the birth of my first so I didn't get an opportunity to use them when he was little. These were the diapers that they had at the hospital in the newborn size and in general I liked them. However, after we came home from the hospital and I got an opportunity to try them again in size 1 when my baby got a bit bigger, I liked them less. The diapers contain a mesh layer that is supposed to let moisture go through it to keep the surface against the baby's skin dry. I guess it kinda works like putting a grate in a puppy's cage (not that this is recommended). In any case, what I found out was that the mesh liner sticks to my baby's bottom every time he poops. I'm not sure if this would be the case with formula fed babies or poop from older babies, but infant breastfed poop seems to not be very compatible with these diapers. They also are kinda big - maybe that's just compared to what I was using prior, but they are a bit wide between the legs and at the waist.
Walgreens Premium - These diapers my hubby picked up when we first came home from the hospital with our second. I would have grabbed something else because I'm a bit biased toward Huggies, but he likes cheap, so he picked these up in the newborn size. I have to say, I was impressed with these. If I have to go with generic diapers, these I might get again. I liked the way they fit and I didn't have any leak issues with the exception of some poo seeping out the legs.
This time around, I've had much more success with disposables with our little baby. We have yet to experience any big blowouts, but with all the diapers I've used with our infant we have had some poo seeping out the legs at one time or another. Although, the decreased incidence of poop issues may be related to the fact that he doesn't like to have a dirty diaper so maybe he tells me more than my older son did because he didn't seem to care either way. It's also entirely possible that since he's still small, the amount in the diaper is less than it will be as he grows, but hopefully, he'll be in cloth by then and only in disposable on occasion.
Huggies Little Snugglers - These diapers I picked up because it is what we used with our first when he was first born. I really like the newborn diapers because they fit well and they have the umbilical cord cutout. I also have used the size 1, now that my infant is a little bigger and in using them after using the Pampers Swaddlers (you'll see my review below) I find that they are a bit smaller than the Swaddlers and narrower between the legs which I feel gives a better fit. Now, I seem to remember in my last diaper review that Huggies ran big, but I think that might be with their regular Snug and Dry line rather than the Little Snugglers.
Huggies Little Movers - For my toddler, these are the diapers I've purchased most often, though, I'll be honest, it's been a while since I got them. I've purchase Pampers more recently (I had a coupon) and been given some Pampers so I haven't needed to buy them. I like these because they fit very well and have a narrow crotch area. I don't recall having too many leaks with these that I've used in size 3 & 4.
Pampers Baby Dry - Now these diapers I've used in just about every size from when my first was a baby to now as a toddler. My main complaint with them is that they don't hold urine very well, at least not in the bigger sizes and definitely not very well overnight. My most recent experience with these was when I went to visit my mom for three weeks with my oldest (this was before I had the second baby) and my experience with them led me to vow never to use disposables for that long of a period again. The leaks drove me crazy. That and the amount of garbage. Also, the size 5 diapers, which should fit my toddler just fine right now, because he is well within the weight range for the diapers, fit kinda narrowly and his bum cheeks get a bit exposed. Maybe I'm just too used to the cloth diapers and how wide they fit, but it still seems too narrow.
Pampers Swaddlers - These diapers have the new Dry Max, a feature that Pampers added to several of their diapers to improve absorption. This addition was made after the birth of my first so I didn't get an opportunity to use them when he was little. These were the diapers that they had at the hospital in the newborn size and in general I liked them. However, after we came home from the hospital and I got an opportunity to try them again in size 1 when my baby got a bit bigger, I liked them less. The diapers contain a mesh layer that is supposed to let moisture go through it to keep the surface against the baby's skin dry. I guess it kinda works like putting a grate in a puppy's cage (not that this is recommended). In any case, what I found out was that the mesh liner sticks to my baby's bottom every time he poops. I'm not sure if this would be the case with formula fed babies or poop from older babies, but infant breastfed poop seems to not be very compatible with these diapers. They also are kinda big - maybe that's just compared to what I was using prior, but they are a bit wide between the legs and at the waist.
Walgreens Premium - These diapers my hubby picked up when we first came home from the hospital with our second. I would have grabbed something else because I'm a bit biased toward Huggies, but he likes cheap, so he picked these up in the newborn size. I have to say, I was impressed with these. If I have to go with generic diapers, these I might get again. I liked the way they fit and I didn't have any leak issues with the exception of some poo seeping out the legs.
This time around, I've had much more success with disposables with our little baby. We have yet to experience any big blowouts, but with all the diapers I've used with our infant we have had some poo seeping out the legs at one time or another. Although, the decreased incidence of poop issues may be related to the fact that he doesn't like to have a dirty diaper so maybe he tells me more than my older son did because he didn't seem to care either way. It's also entirely possible that since he's still small, the amount in the diaper is less than it will be as he grows, but hopefully, he'll be in cloth by then and only in disposable on occasion.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
On Natural Parenting (the Mainstream Way)
I was having a phone conversation with a friend of mine the other evening and I mentioned the mom group I'm in and how many of them are a bit "granola" or "crunchy" and how I fall in line with a number of the things they do. He asked if I was always like that or if I had gotten worse since he knew me in high school. Despite being a member of my high school's environmental club, I told him it may have gotten a little worse. Then I got to thinking about it as we talked a bit more. See, I'm not necessarily idealistic. So, while I may adhere to many of the "natural parenting" habits that many other "crunchy" mamas have (and you've probably seen it before if you've read previous blog posts); my personal reasons for being "crunchy" are often much more mainstream and at times, just plain selfish. Keep reading to see what I mean. Here are some examples of my "crunchy" parenting and my less than noble motives:
Breastfeeding:
This is one area where I get pretty crunchy. I'm a huge breastfeeding advocate and I do truly believe/know that it is what is best for babes. I'm even mildly anti-formula and fall in line with the recommendation that formula be the 4th option when it comes to baby feeding. I know in some cases it's necessary so I'm glad it's available; but, most moms can feed their babies by nursing and all too often they fall victim to "booby traps," have poor education or support, and/or have a lack of discipline and/or determination. As a bonus, breastfeeding is cheap, as in free, so that works out great for me too. But that's just a cherry on top.
Co-sleeping/Bed-sharing:
While some moms are fans of bed-sharing (all too often confused with co-sleeping) because it brings them closer to the baby for bonding or because of studies that have shown a decrease in SIDs, I do it because I'm just plain lazy. Yep, that's right. If the baby is right there with a boob in his face, I don't have to get up when he awakens me at night. I just plug him in and go back to sleep. I actually used to be against bed-sharing and thought that it was dangerous and it was likely that I'd smother the baby in my sleep. After falling asleep nursing from sheer exhaustion multiple times with my first, I finally gave in and let him sleep in the bed on purpose. I also did some more research and learned that many doctors actually recommend it as long as you follow certain safety measures to prevent accidental suffocation. So, after having my fears relieved a bit by my research (and discovering that I literally do not move when I sleep next to the baby), I let my laziness take over as well as my desire to get some sleep at night. With baby number two, I thought of having him co-sleep (in the room but on a separate surface) but my laziness took over and I just let him sleep in the bed.
Cloth Diapering:
Save the earth! Don't fill up the landfills with non-biodegradable petroleum based diapers! Don't put those chemicals on your sweet sensitive babies! Meh. Sorry, I can't say that any of that motivated my decision to cloth diaper. My husband actually suggested it and I agreed. Our reason? It's cheap. Yep, that's right. We looked at the bottom line. While we could probably swing paying for disposables, it would put a strain on our pocket books from time to time and prevent us from making other purchases or payments. So, while other mamas are looking out for the earth, we are looking out for our finances. It really isn't much of an inconvenience even with the extra laundry so that's a non-issue, and no, it doesn't impact our water bill either. I've heard cloth diapered babies potty train sooner, so that's cool, makes my life easier - lazy me. =)
No Baby Food:
No, I don't worry about all the preservatives in artificial foods (ok, maybe some...). Again, I'm cheap. I had intended to make my own baby food. I'm too lazy for that. Starting some at 6 mo but really picking up around 8 mo when my oldest really started showing an interest in foods, we just fed him whatever we had on our plates (we did make sure to introduce new things one at a time though). Sure, I prepared foods that were softer or easier to chew at first or overcooked the veggies to make them squishy, but puree? Nah, too much trouble. I've heard that feeding this way makes it easier to introduce regular foods with varying textures. Ok, bonus, but really, I'm just cheap and lazy.
Baby-wearing:
Research says that baby-wearing comforts babies and makes them more secure by keeping them close to mama or papa. It also says that babies that are worn, learn to be more sociable since they are carried higher up and see more faces as they are carried around in public. For me, these facts are all bonuses. I like to baby-wear because it makes my life easier. See that laziness popping up again? Here are some examples: At the grocery store, I don't have to lug around that heavy car seat carrier and I don't have to worry about leaving my kid in the cart when I reach for something on the shelf. When going to the park, for a walk, or to a craft fair or similar event, I don't have to mess with that bulky stroller. Sure the carrier and stroller have their uses, but if I can just strap the baby to me, I know they are safe and I can be hands free without excessive weight to lug around. Even better, now that I have two, my stretchy wrap is a life-saver so I can wear the infant and chase my toddler.
So, yeah, in many ways I fit in with the "crunchy" moms in my mom group. I'm glad for all the benefits my kiddos get from the choices I've made, but I'd be lying if I said those were my primary motivations for doing a bunch of these things. Let's be honest, we all want what's best for our kids, but sometimes our own motives get in the way. I lucked out in some of these ways where I can be cheap and lazy and my kiddos still get some great benefits. =)
Breastfeeding:
This is one area where I get pretty crunchy. I'm a huge breastfeeding advocate and I do truly believe/know that it is what is best for babes. I'm even mildly anti-formula and fall in line with the recommendation that formula be the 4th option when it comes to baby feeding. I know in some cases it's necessary so I'm glad it's available; but, most moms can feed their babies by nursing and all too often they fall victim to "booby traps," have poor education or support, and/or have a lack of discipline and/or determination. As a bonus, breastfeeding is cheap, as in free, so that works out great for me too. But that's just a cherry on top.
Co-sleeping/Bed-sharing:
While some moms are fans of bed-sharing (all too often confused with co-sleeping) because it brings them closer to the baby for bonding or because of studies that have shown a decrease in SIDs, I do it because I'm just plain lazy. Yep, that's right. If the baby is right there with a boob in his face, I don't have to get up when he awakens me at night. I just plug him in and go back to sleep. I actually used to be against bed-sharing and thought that it was dangerous and it was likely that I'd smother the baby in my sleep. After falling asleep nursing from sheer exhaustion multiple times with my first, I finally gave in and let him sleep in the bed on purpose. I also did some more research and learned that many doctors actually recommend it as long as you follow certain safety measures to prevent accidental suffocation. So, after having my fears relieved a bit by my research (and discovering that I literally do not move when I sleep next to the baby), I let my laziness take over as well as my desire to get some sleep at night. With baby number two, I thought of having him co-sleep (in the room but on a separate surface) but my laziness took over and I just let him sleep in the bed.
Cloth Diapering:
Save the earth! Don't fill up the landfills with non-biodegradable petroleum based diapers! Don't put those chemicals on your sweet sensitive babies! Meh. Sorry, I can't say that any of that motivated my decision to cloth diaper. My husband actually suggested it and I agreed. Our reason? It's cheap. Yep, that's right. We looked at the bottom line. While we could probably swing paying for disposables, it would put a strain on our pocket books from time to time and prevent us from making other purchases or payments. So, while other mamas are looking out for the earth, we are looking out for our finances. It really isn't much of an inconvenience even with the extra laundry so that's a non-issue, and no, it doesn't impact our water bill either. I've heard cloth diapered babies potty train sooner, so that's cool, makes my life easier - lazy me. =)
No Baby Food:
No, I don't worry about all the preservatives in artificial foods (ok, maybe some...). Again, I'm cheap. I had intended to make my own baby food. I'm too lazy for that. Starting some at 6 mo but really picking up around 8 mo when my oldest really started showing an interest in foods, we just fed him whatever we had on our plates (we did make sure to introduce new things one at a time though). Sure, I prepared foods that were softer or easier to chew at first or overcooked the veggies to make them squishy, but puree? Nah, too much trouble. I've heard that feeding this way makes it easier to introduce regular foods with varying textures. Ok, bonus, but really, I'm just cheap and lazy.
Baby-wearing:
Research says that baby-wearing comforts babies and makes them more secure by keeping them close to mama or papa. It also says that babies that are worn, learn to be more sociable since they are carried higher up and see more faces as they are carried around in public. For me, these facts are all bonuses. I like to baby-wear because it makes my life easier. See that laziness popping up again? Here are some examples: At the grocery store, I don't have to lug around that heavy car seat carrier and I don't have to worry about leaving my kid in the cart when I reach for something on the shelf. When going to the park, for a walk, or to a craft fair or similar event, I don't have to mess with that bulky stroller. Sure the carrier and stroller have their uses, but if I can just strap the baby to me, I know they are safe and I can be hands free without excessive weight to lug around. Even better, now that I have two, my stretchy wrap is a life-saver so I can wear the infant and chase my toddler.
So, yeah, in many ways I fit in with the "crunchy" moms in my mom group. I'm glad for all the benefits my kiddos get from the choices I've made, but I'd be lying if I said those were my primary motivations for doing a bunch of these things. Let's be honest, we all want what's best for our kids, but sometimes our own motives get in the way. I lucked out in some of these ways where I can be cheap and lazy and my kiddos still get some great benefits. =)
Friday, May 6, 2011
On the Birth of My Second Baby
With my first little one who is now 21 months old, I didn't do a very good job writing up his birth story. It's still partially done. I decided I'd go ahead and write up my experience with my second little one who was born just under a week ago.
After my last labor, I was happy with the care I received and the overall experience, but I still wanted some things to be different, and after experiencing it that time, I felt I knew more what to expect and could plan a bit better. I felt more empowered that I could make the decisions rather than being lead in a particular direction.
The major thing I wanted to be different was that I wanted to avoid medical interventions and medications. I wanted this with my first, but it didn't work out that way and after reflection, I felt that I had gotten so stressed out by the traffic in and out of my room during labor and the constant emphasis on time. I was hoping for less stress and less traffic. I actually got that!
After a pretty uneventful pregnancy (I lucked out and had nausea, severe heartburn, and backaches in the later stages but otherwise I avoided a number of other normal pregnancy discomforts), I neared the due date with a sense of calm and relaxation. I was in no rush to have the baby and I felt I had all the time in the world. it actually took my father-in-law visiting for a week and getting on my case to get things done like pack the hospital bag and get the baby clothes ready. I also had been reading HypnoBirthing, a book I borrowed from a friend, to try to gain some skills to keep myself less stressed during my labor and help me tune out the traffic in and out of my room. Inspired by that book and a few other factors, I wrote up my birth preferences (which I had not done with my previous baby) and printed out a copy to take with us. Among my preferences I listed the desire for a heparin block (vs. fluids) and intermittent monitoring so I could move around and change position during labor; reduced lighting, traffic, and checks during labor and delivery; no to limited medical interventions; breastfeeding immediately after the birth; weight checks, evaluations, and other newborn procedures to take place in my presence; avoid taking the baby to the nursery if at all possible; return the placenta to me for donation; and a few others.
My labor started on Friday afternoon. I was getting contractions throughout the day and in the afternoon I noticed they were getting a bit more frequent. Duration and spacing were not in a regular pattern, however. I called my in-laws (both nurses) to let them know I had started getting contractions. They were going to come and watch our older one while we were at the hospital and needed advanced notice since they live about 5 hours away. The rest of the evening was low key. I took a nice long shower and my husband kept our 21 month old from climbing on me too much. I gathered up the rest of the items I wanted to bring with us to the hospital. My husband went and picked up dinner for us to eat and I headed to bed a little early. I wasn't feeling very tired, but I lay down anyway, watched a bit of television and continued to monitor my contractions and practice the relaxation techniques I had read about. My in-laws arrived while I was resting. From about 10:45-11:30 they were coming fairly regularly with almost all of them being about 4 minutes apart. We decided we'd go ahead and pack up and head out.
We arrived at the hospital and checked in around midnight. We went to the triage area where I was hooked up to monitors and we filled out paperwork. My husband handed the nurse my list of birth preferences which she copied and placed in my chart, but barely looked at it. I was a little bit worried, but since I knew my preferences I figured we'd discuss it all as it came up. My contractions continued to be every 4 minutes and I was dilated to 3 cm. We were moved to a labor and delivery room where we filled out more paperwork. With a bit of difficulty, I was able to receive a heparin block rather than being hooked up to fluids and we then settled in for the night. It was a long night. I tried to rest, but it was difficult with the contractions and my very active little boy that didn't seem to like being squished. Eventually, with the help of my MP3 player, I did get intermittent sleep. When the morning came, things seemed to have slowed down some which was a bit unsettling. My new nurse came in and the first thing she told me was that she had read my birth preferences and everything looked great. She asked if I wanted to get up and take a walk, which I was more than happy to do to see if we could get things moving along. We took a stroll around the labor and delivery area but I didn't really feel any different. Around 10, the doctor came in to see how things were going and he check my progress. My contractions were really spread apart and so I wasn't progressing much at all. I had only dilated 1 more centimeter since we had arrived. He talked to me about various augmentation options which I told him I'd prefer to delay some more and see if we could get labor started up again naturally. He suggested I walk around for an hour or so (briskly) and he'd check me again in a few hours. My nurse told me no strolling that she wanted me to come back huffing and puffing and told us we could go further than just the labor and delivery unit. Off we went to wander the hospital - briskly.
We returned after an hour and continued the monitoring. My husband headed out to grab lunch and returned shortly after. When the doctor returned after 12 to check me, I hadn't made much progress. The doctor spoke again of possible interventions that were available to help move things along. Despite his assurance that this kind of intervention is "normal" for obstetrics today, I still was very hesitant to have anything done because I feared the snowball effect that seems to happen and had happened during my previous labor. Eventually, I opted to let him break my water and see if labor would progress some more - after all, it's the least detrimental of the interventions they can do and your water has to break at some point anyway. My nurse suggested that after he broke my water, we could wait a bit and then take a walk around to help things move along some more. This time, we needed to stay a bit closer. We walked around the unit and I was feeling more contractions which was great. We returned to our room where we relaxed for a bit. I sat on my exercise ball some, but eventually decided to lay back down in the bed. My contractions started to pick up and were not only more frequent, but were also stronger. I could feel them throughout my entire abdomen. I was able to incorporate the breathing techniques that I had read about and tried to keep in a relaxed state between them which seemed to work well. The contractions were far from the easy painless ones that I had before.
Around 3, the doctor returned to check me again. He had seen that my contractions had picked up so he was pleased with that. I had dilated another couple of centimeters and was now at 6. I have to admit, this news was disappointing to me. I really had hoped I was further along. I began to stress out a bit because I didn't want them to start talking to me about more interventions. Luckily, despite the "slow" progression, the doctor was happy to continue to watch and wait since I was making some progress. While this made me feel a bit better, I was still a bit on edge. My nurse asked if we wanted to walk around again, but at this point, I really didn't feel like it, so I decided to stay where I was. I did sit on my exercise ball again and leaned up against the bed when the contractions came along. Another nurse came in to check on me because the monitors were not reading as well when I was on the ball, but my nurse came in and said it was fine since the baby had been doing well and I could stay on the ball as long as I was comfortable. The contractions were getting stronger and I really wanted to get back in the bed. My nurse came back in and let me know that if I laid on my side and switched from time to time it might help things progress. I liked this idea since the firm bed was uncomfortable and laying on my side/stomach would be more comfortable. It was, except when I had a contraction.
My nurse was definitely right. Laying on my side/stomach definitely made things pick up and the contractions came stronger and longer. I also started experiencing back labor. I breathed through the contractions and tried to stay calm which was not very easy at all, but I managed. My husband started massaging my back which made a huge difference and really helped me get through the contractions. After a bit, I wanted to switch sides. We called my nurse in since the monitors were not reading well as I had been laying in that position so she readjusted them when I turned over. Again, the contractions picked up. Stronger and longer. The back pain was horrible. I felt I couldn't make it though a contraction without my husband rubbing my back. I'd tell him as each contraction came up. He decided he needed to run to get something to eat since things were starting to speed up. While he was gone, it seemed like an eternity. The contractions were so bad and I had fleeting thoughts of asking for meds as I tried to breathe through them. Each time they subsided, I tried to recenter myself and calm down again, but they came so quickly it was hard to do. I felt the slightest urge to push during one contraction but ignored it. The next few contractions, I felt the urge again and it was getting stronger. My husband returned (and, poor guy, got a not-so-happy me complaining that he was gone too long and I really needed him to massage my back - that he should have brought the food back instead of eating away from the room). After another few contractions, the urge to push was so strong I couldn't ignore it any more. I told him - mid-contraction - that I needed them to come in and check me because I was feeling the urge. He said it was too early, which I agreed, but there it was and I needed them to check me. He tried to leave, but since I was in the middle of a contraction, I wouldn't let him go just yet to get them. When that one was over, he went to get the nurse and another contraction started almost as soon as he left. I was feeling the urge to push so badly. Apparently, despite both of us thinking it was too soon, it wasn't and I was ready to go. I was begging to push but they kept telling me not to. I needed to change positions so they could de-construct the bed and get things ready. I was so close to crowning and they had to rush. The doctor came in right around then and before I knew it, it was go time.
It was all of three pushes, if even that, and they told me to look down which I did and there he was. I couldn't believe he was out already. I heard a nurse call out 6:31 as his time of birth. They placed a very blue, very fussy baby on my stomach and I heard the doctor repeating to the nurses to be careful because the cord was short. The little guy was screaming, which I instinctively tried to calm while my husband was in my ear telling me he needed to cry to get oxygen. I watched as the precious blue little baby cried on my stomach and eventually started to get pinker. When the cord stopped pulsing, they cut it. I had torn some which the doctor repaired and then shortly thereafter, I delivered the placenta with an easy push.
The nurses proceeded to bustle around and clean up as I held my new little baby taking it all in. They weighed and measured him: 8lbs. 5 oz., 19 1/4 in long and returned him to me to hold and nurse. He latched on right away and we had our first nursing session with my champion nurser.
My husband proceeded to make calls letting everyone know the baby had been born. Before too much longer, my in-laws arrived with our older son and bringing supper for me. I was so elated to see my little man whom I had been missing all day long. He was fascinated with the baby and proceeded to point out body parts, like nose, eye, hands, feet. It was such a beautiful moment.
We were moved to the recovery wing and settled in for the night. There were a few more visits from the nurses to check on the baby and me. Throughout the night we had only a few interruptions for checking vitals, etc. which was a nice change from my previous labor and, according to the nurses,can be credited to my birth plan which indicated a calm, low traffic environment. We spent two nights in the hospital and returned home Monday morning to start our new life as a family of four.
Welcome to the world my new little baby boy!
After my last labor, I was happy with the care I received and the overall experience, but I still wanted some things to be different, and after experiencing it that time, I felt I knew more what to expect and could plan a bit better. I felt more empowered that I could make the decisions rather than being lead in a particular direction.
The major thing I wanted to be different was that I wanted to avoid medical interventions and medications. I wanted this with my first, but it didn't work out that way and after reflection, I felt that I had gotten so stressed out by the traffic in and out of my room during labor and the constant emphasis on time. I was hoping for less stress and less traffic. I actually got that!
After a pretty uneventful pregnancy (I lucked out and had nausea, severe heartburn, and backaches in the later stages but otherwise I avoided a number of other normal pregnancy discomforts), I neared the due date with a sense of calm and relaxation. I was in no rush to have the baby and I felt I had all the time in the world. it actually took my father-in-law visiting for a week and getting on my case to get things done like pack the hospital bag and get the baby clothes ready. I also had been reading HypnoBirthing, a book I borrowed from a friend, to try to gain some skills to keep myself less stressed during my labor and help me tune out the traffic in and out of my room. Inspired by that book and a few other factors, I wrote up my birth preferences (which I had not done with my previous baby) and printed out a copy to take with us. Among my preferences I listed the desire for a heparin block (vs. fluids) and intermittent monitoring so I could move around and change position during labor; reduced lighting, traffic, and checks during labor and delivery; no to limited medical interventions; breastfeeding immediately after the birth; weight checks, evaluations, and other newborn procedures to take place in my presence; avoid taking the baby to the nursery if at all possible; return the placenta to me for donation; and a few others.
My labor started on Friday afternoon. I was getting contractions throughout the day and in the afternoon I noticed they were getting a bit more frequent. Duration and spacing were not in a regular pattern, however. I called my in-laws (both nurses) to let them know I had started getting contractions. They were going to come and watch our older one while we were at the hospital and needed advanced notice since they live about 5 hours away. The rest of the evening was low key. I took a nice long shower and my husband kept our 21 month old from climbing on me too much. I gathered up the rest of the items I wanted to bring with us to the hospital. My husband went and picked up dinner for us to eat and I headed to bed a little early. I wasn't feeling very tired, but I lay down anyway, watched a bit of television and continued to monitor my contractions and practice the relaxation techniques I had read about. My in-laws arrived while I was resting. From about 10:45-11:30 they were coming fairly regularly with almost all of them being about 4 minutes apart. We decided we'd go ahead and pack up and head out.
We arrived at the hospital and checked in around midnight. We went to the triage area where I was hooked up to monitors and we filled out paperwork. My husband handed the nurse my list of birth preferences which she copied and placed in my chart, but barely looked at it. I was a little bit worried, but since I knew my preferences I figured we'd discuss it all as it came up. My contractions continued to be every 4 minutes and I was dilated to 3 cm. We were moved to a labor and delivery room where we filled out more paperwork. With a bit of difficulty, I was able to receive a heparin block rather than being hooked up to fluids and we then settled in for the night. It was a long night. I tried to rest, but it was difficult with the contractions and my very active little boy that didn't seem to like being squished. Eventually, with the help of my MP3 player, I did get intermittent sleep. When the morning came, things seemed to have slowed down some which was a bit unsettling. My new nurse came in and the first thing she told me was that she had read my birth preferences and everything looked great. She asked if I wanted to get up and take a walk, which I was more than happy to do to see if we could get things moving along. We took a stroll around the labor and delivery area but I didn't really feel any different. Around 10, the doctor came in to see how things were going and he check my progress. My contractions were really spread apart and so I wasn't progressing much at all. I had only dilated 1 more centimeter since we had arrived. He talked to me about various augmentation options which I told him I'd prefer to delay some more and see if we could get labor started up again naturally. He suggested I walk around for an hour or so (briskly) and he'd check me again in a few hours. My nurse told me no strolling that she wanted me to come back huffing and puffing and told us we could go further than just the labor and delivery unit. Off we went to wander the hospital - briskly.
We returned after an hour and continued the monitoring. My husband headed out to grab lunch and returned shortly after. When the doctor returned after 12 to check me, I hadn't made much progress. The doctor spoke again of possible interventions that were available to help move things along. Despite his assurance that this kind of intervention is "normal" for obstetrics today, I still was very hesitant to have anything done because I feared the snowball effect that seems to happen and had happened during my previous labor. Eventually, I opted to let him break my water and see if labor would progress some more - after all, it's the least detrimental of the interventions they can do and your water has to break at some point anyway. My nurse suggested that after he broke my water, we could wait a bit and then take a walk around to help things move along some more. This time, we needed to stay a bit closer. We walked around the unit and I was feeling more contractions which was great. We returned to our room where we relaxed for a bit. I sat on my exercise ball some, but eventually decided to lay back down in the bed. My contractions started to pick up and were not only more frequent, but were also stronger. I could feel them throughout my entire abdomen. I was able to incorporate the breathing techniques that I had read about and tried to keep in a relaxed state between them which seemed to work well. The contractions were far from the easy painless ones that I had before.
Around 3, the doctor returned to check me again. He had seen that my contractions had picked up so he was pleased with that. I had dilated another couple of centimeters and was now at 6. I have to admit, this news was disappointing to me. I really had hoped I was further along. I began to stress out a bit because I didn't want them to start talking to me about more interventions. Luckily, despite the "slow" progression, the doctor was happy to continue to watch and wait since I was making some progress. While this made me feel a bit better, I was still a bit on edge. My nurse asked if we wanted to walk around again, but at this point, I really didn't feel like it, so I decided to stay where I was. I did sit on my exercise ball again and leaned up against the bed when the contractions came along. Another nurse came in to check on me because the monitors were not reading as well when I was on the ball, but my nurse came in and said it was fine since the baby had been doing well and I could stay on the ball as long as I was comfortable. The contractions were getting stronger and I really wanted to get back in the bed. My nurse came back in and let me know that if I laid on my side and switched from time to time it might help things progress. I liked this idea since the firm bed was uncomfortable and laying on my side/stomach would be more comfortable. It was, except when I had a contraction.
My nurse was definitely right. Laying on my side/stomach definitely made things pick up and the contractions came stronger and longer. I also started experiencing back labor. I breathed through the contractions and tried to stay calm which was not very easy at all, but I managed. My husband started massaging my back which made a huge difference and really helped me get through the contractions. After a bit, I wanted to switch sides. We called my nurse in since the monitors were not reading well as I had been laying in that position so she readjusted them when I turned over. Again, the contractions picked up. Stronger and longer. The back pain was horrible. I felt I couldn't make it though a contraction without my husband rubbing my back. I'd tell him as each contraction came up. He decided he needed to run to get something to eat since things were starting to speed up. While he was gone, it seemed like an eternity. The contractions were so bad and I had fleeting thoughts of asking for meds as I tried to breathe through them. Each time they subsided, I tried to recenter myself and calm down again, but they came so quickly it was hard to do. I felt the slightest urge to push during one contraction but ignored it. The next few contractions, I felt the urge again and it was getting stronger. My husband returned (and, poor guy, got a not-so-happy me complaining that he was gone too long and I really needed him to massage my back - that he should have brought the food back instead of eating away from the room). After another few contractions, the urge to push was so strong I couldn't ignore it any more. I told him - mid-contraction - that I needed them to come in and check me because I was feeling the urge. He said it was too early, which I agreed, but there it was and I needed them to check me. He tried to leave, but since I was in the middle of a contraction, I wouldn't let him go just yet to get them. When that one was over, he went to get the nurse and another contraction started almost as soon as he left. I was feeling the urge to push so badly. Apparently, despite both of us thinking it was too soon, it wasn't and I was ready to go. I was begging to push but they kept telling me not to. I needed to change positions so they could de-construct the bed and get things ready. I was so close to crowning and they had to rush. The doctor came in right around then and before I knew it, it was go time.
It was all of three pushes, if even that, and they told me to look down which I did and there he was. I couldn't believe he was out already. I heard a nurse call out 6:31 as his time of birth. They placed a very blue, very fussy baby on my stomach and I heard the doctor repeating to the nurses to be careful because the cord was short. The little guy was screaming, which I instinctively tried to calm while my husband was in my ear telling me he needed to cry to get oxygen. I watched as the precious blue little baby cried on my stomach and eventually started to get pinker. When the cord stopped pulsing, they cut it. I had torn some which the doctor repaired and then shortly thereafter, I delivered the placenta with an easy push.
The nurses proceeded to bustle around and clean up as I held my new little baby taking it all in. They weighed and measured him: 8lbs. 5 oz., 19 1/4 in long and returned him to me to hold and nurse. He latched on right away and we had our first nursing session with my champion nurser.
My husband proceeded to make calls letting everyone know the baby had been born. Before too much longer, my in-laws arrived with our older son and bringing supper for me. I was so elated to see my little man whom I had been missing all day long. He was fascinated with the baby and proceeded to point out body parts, like nose, eye, hands, feet. It was such a beautiful moment.
We were moved to the recovery wing and settled in for the night. There were a few more visits from the nurses to check on the baby and me. Throughout the night we had only a few interruptions for checking vitals, etc. which was a nice change from my previous labor and, according to the nurses,can be credited to my birth plan which indicated a calm, low traffic environment. We spent two nights in the hospital and returned home Monday morning to start our new life as a family of four.
Welcome to the world my new little baby boy!
Monday, April 25, 2011
On Stored Baby Clothes and Stains
All the while I had my oldest munchkin breastfeeding, he was a major spitter. Spit-upper. I'm not sure of the grammatically correct term, but you get the idea. One of the great things about breastfeeding, I was told was the lack of staining since breastmilk doesn't stain clothing. I was thrilled to discover that was correct and happily went about with all the spit-up coming out easily in the wash. At least, I thought.
It turns out, that even if you don't see it, the stains can still be present. As my little one out-grew his clothing, it was cleaned, packed in storage containers, and placed in the attic until it was time for our next little one. With the anticipated arrival of baby number two (coming in a few days - theoretically) the clothes were brought down from the attic and I started the process of sorting through them and washing them in preparation for the new baby.
I was shocked to find that about half of the wardrobe for the smallest size I had was covered in yellowed spit-up stain. How was that possible? I am too particular about stains to have packed away clothing with visible stains on them. And breastmilk isn't supposed to stain. My only conclusion was that apparently, the stains were still there, but not visible. The heat in the attic over the past year or so must have brought them out again. I was so upset, thinking I'd have to get rid of a bunch of the clothes. Before I did so, I wanted to give it the "good ol' college try" and see if there was anything I could do about it. I'm glad I did.
An initial wash was not sufficient enough. In true form of how I do my laundry, however, I never dry anything with stains on it (although, all those now stained clothes technically were dried before they were packed away). I took all the items with stains damp out of the washer treated them directly with Clorox 2 and let them sit. They went through the wash again until they came out clean. About half of the stained items came clean on the first wash, but all showed big improvements. I only had a few items that needed up to three or more washes.
I now have even more reason to love Clorox 2. I already sing it's praises when it comes to getting my diapers clean and now, I have one more reason to keep it as my primary choice for stain removal. A whole set of clothing that not only went through the dryer, but also sat in a warm/hot attic for over a year came clean! I'm super excited that I don't have to worry about getting half a wardrobe of new clothes. All it took was a bit of patience!
It turns out, that even if you don't see it, the stains can still be present. As my little one out-grew his clothing, it was cleaned, packed in storage containers, and placed in the attic until it was time for our next little one. With the anticipated arrival of baby number two (coming in a few days - theoretically) the clothes were brought down from the attic and I started the process of sorting through them and washing them in preparation for the new baby.
I was shocked to find that about half of the wardrobe for the smallest size I had was covered in yellowed spit-up stain. How was that possible? I am too particular about stains to have packed away clothing with visible stains on them. And breastmilk isn't supposed to stain. My only conclusion was that apparently, the stains were still there, but not visible. The heat in the attic over the past year or so must have brought them out again. I was so upset, thinking I'd have to get rid of a bunch of the clothes. Before I did so, I wanted to give it the "good ol' college try" and see if there was anything I could do about it. I'm glad I did.
An initial wash was not sufficient enough. In true form of how I do my laundry, however, I never dry anything with stains on it (although, all those now stained clothes technically were dried before they were packed away). I took all the items with stains damp out of the washer treated them directly with Clorox 2 and let them sit. They went through the wash again until they came out clean. About half of the stained items came clean on the first wash, but all showed big improvements. I only had a few items that needed up to three or more washes.
I now have even more reason to love Clorox 2. I already sing it's praises when it comes to getting my diapers clean and now, I have one more reason to keep it as my primary choice for stain removal. A whole set of clothing that not only went through the dryer, but also sat in a warm/hot attic for over a year came clean! I'm super excited that I don't have to worry about getting half a wardrobe of new clothes. All it took was a bit of patience!
Friday, March 18, 2011
On Making Shoes
You may have read in my previous posts my position on shoes for babies. This position remains the same even now as my little one is 20 mo old and walking and running quite well. He still wears soft soled leather bottomed shoes, but I have run into an issue with my determination that he wear appropriate footwear.
My little one is on the big side. What can I say, he takes after his dad. As you may have seen in previous posts, I've probably mentioned this before in struggling with clothing sizes from time to time. It also seems to extend to his feet. Aside from his feet being on the large size for his age, they are also wide which he likely could have gotten from me. At 19 mo of age, he outgrew the commercially available soft soled shoes which are only available from most manufacturers up to 18-24 mo sizes. Many shoes are available in his size that still have flexible soles, but I feel he needs less structure since developmentally (even though he's and adept walker as far as I can tell) he's still young. Aside from that, among the flexible soled shoes, many have much more structure than I would prefer not to mention the cost of said shoes is astounding. Purchasing those shoes would mean spending what I spend on a pair of shoes for myself; and, when you need to replace a toddler's shoes every couple of months, it's not always feasible or friendly where the pocket book is concerned.
So, what is one to do? My solution? Make the shoes. I am fortunate in that I learned to sew when I was younger and from time to time, though I don't sew often, the "need" arises and I'm thankful that is one skill I learned.
The process to make the shoes did take a little bit of research and effort. First, I needed to establish the sort of materials I'd need. The shoes needed to be breathable and durable. A leather bottom was, of course, needed to protect the bottom of the foot outside; however, the entire shoe needn't be made of leather as long as the material used was sturdy and breathable. Next, I planned on examining the shoes he'd worn previously to see how they were made and then I would create my own pattern. Luckily, I was saved from this effort by my sister-in-law who helped me locate a pattern for cloth infant "booties" that were put together very much the same way as the shoes my boy was wearing. A change in materials used and an increased size was all that was needed to adjust the pattern for shoes that were safe to wear for walking outside and appropriate for his size.
I measured his foot in comparison to the size of the pattern and calculated the scale difference and was able to enlarge the pattern to fit his foot. I then started with a practice pair of shoes. For this, I used some sturdy materials, but I did not have the leather on the bottom (as this was the most expensive part of the shoe). For the practice shoes, I used scraps of materials that I'd used for other projects in the past. Mostly, I wanted to work out any kinks and see how the shoes came together. I also wanted to ensure that I had scaled up appropriately so that the shoes would be comfortable for my little one to wear. This is a picture of the practice shoes. I'm happy with the way they turned out, though I did run into issues with the thickness of some of the materials I used and it may certain aspects of the shoes difficult to sew together. As an added bonus, they fit well and my little boy loves to wear them around the house.
I decided it was time to proceed with the actual shoes so I purchased the materials I'd need. I purchased the leather, heavy duty thread, and a sturdier needle (to use with the leather) which were items I didn't have to ensure the shoes would hold up and function as intended. Since I had already gone through the entire process before, it only took a couple of days (during naps and after bedtime) to complete the shoes. I did experience some tension issues when using the leather, but I managed to work it out and ended up with a pair of shoes I was proud of. A few days after I completed them, they experienced their first real test. We went to a crawfish boil at a friend of my husband's and we spent the afternoon outside. My little one was able to get his shoes scuffed up and worn in and had no problems. He even got them soaked by walking in a puddle of water. I left his socks and shoes on and they dried out in no time, which I think is a great testament to the breathe-ability of the shoes. The "real" shoes fit well too, though they have more extra width than they have length. When it's time to make the next pair, which won't be too long from now, I'll probably adjust the pattern more for length and keep the width close to where it is currently is since he has a lot of side room.
My little one is definitely happy to be in shoes that fit again which is nice. I'm happy because I can keep him in the optimum style of shoe for his stage of development. I really wish they were available and more affordable at larger sizes for other moms that are in the same position with a larger munchkin like me, especially if they don't know how to sew. If you do sew, or if you know someone who does, this is definitely an option to try out. I'm definitely happy I did.
My little one is on the big side. What can I say, he takes after his dad. As you may have seen in previous posts, I've probably mentioned this before in struggling with clothing sizes from time to time. It also seems to extend to his feet. Aside from his feet being on the large size for his age, they are also wide which he likely could have gotten from me. At 19 mo of age, he outgrew the commercially available soft soled shoes which are only available from most manufacturers up to 18-24 mo sizes. Many shoes are available in his size that still have flexible soles, but I feel he needs less structure since developmentally (even though he's and adept walker as far as I can tell) he's still young. Aside from that, among the flexible soled shoes, many have much more structure than I would prefer not to mention the cost of said shoes is astounding. Purchasing those shoes would mean spending what I spend on a pair of shoes for myself; and, when you need to replace a toddler's shoes every couple of months, it's not always feasible or friendly where the pocket book is concerned.
So, what is one to do? My solution? Make the shoes. I am fortunate in that I learned to sew when I was younger and from time to time, though I don't sew often, the "need" arises and I'm thankful that is one skill I learned.
The process to make the shoes did take a little bit of research and effort. First, I needed to establish the sort of materials I'd need. The shoes needed to be breathable and durable. A leather bottom was, of course, needed to protect the bottom of the foot outside; however, the entire shoe needn't be made of leather as long as the material used was sturdy and breathable. Next, I planned on examining the shoes he'd worn previously to see how they were made and then I would create my own pattern. Luckily, I was saved from this effort by my sister-in-law who helped me locate a pattern for cloth infant "booties" that were put together very much the same way as the shoes my boy was wearing. A change in materials used and an increased size was all that was needed to adjust the pattern for shoes that were safe to wear for walking outside and appropriate for his size.
I decided it was time to proceed with the actual shoes so I purchased the materials I'd need. I purchased the leather, heavy duty thread, and a sturdier needle (to use with the leather) which were items I didn't have to ensure the shoes would hold up and function as intended. Since I had already gone through the entire process before, it only took a couple of days (during naps and after bedtime) to complete the shoes. I did experience some tension issues when using the leather, but I managed to work it out and ended up with a pair of shoes I was proud of. A few days after I completed them, they experienced their first real test. We went to a crawfish boil at a friend of my husband's and we spent the afternoon outside. My little one was able to get his shoes scuffed up and worn in and had no problems. He even got them soaked by walking in a puddle of water. I left his socks and shoes on and they dried out in no time, which I think is a great testament to the breathe-ability of the shoes. The "real" shoes fit well too, though they have more extra width than they have length. When it's time to make the next pair, which won't be too long from now, I'll probably adjust the pattern more for length and keep the width close to where it is currently is since he has a lot of side room.My little one is definitely happy to be in shoes that fit again which is nice. I'm happy because I can keep him in the optimum style of shoe for his stage of development. I really wish they were available and more affordable at larger sizes for other moms that are in the same position with a larger munchkin like me, especially if they don't know how to sew. If you do sew, or if you know someone who does, this is definitely an option to try out. I'm definitely happy I did.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
On Washing Diapers
In various forums and discussion groups (both live and online) the topic of diaper care has come up and there seems to be a lot that goes into it and a lot that can confuse people. We hear that cloth diapering is better for a number of reasons related to baby health, financial ease, environmental factors, etc., but then when the conversation comes up about caring for those diapers, everything seems to get really confusing. There are special detergents, special diaper creams to use for the baby that are safe on the diapers, line drying, stripping, and more that comes up and it can seem almost overwhelming to the point where you'd want to throw in the towel just based on that! I hope here I can simplify things a bit to make it seem less cumbersome.
First off, don't get too worried about what others are doing to care for their diapers compared to what you are doing. The reason? Most people like different types of diapers (and these days the variety of cloth diapers is astounding). Different diapers have different care instructions. So, consider that before you worry that you aren't doing all the stuff that someone else is. Consider first what diapers they have versus what you use. That in and of itself may make a big difference.
When purchasing diapers, take note of the care instructions. Take these things into consideration when chosing diapers and caring for those that you have purchased:
- Do you need to pre-wash before use? How many times?
- What kind of pail should be used? Wet or dry?
- Do you need to use particular detergents for cleaning?
- Will you need to line dry or can you use a traditional dryer?
- Should certain diaper rash creams be avoided when using these diapers?
- What stain removers are safe to use? Is bleach allowed?
- Are there different care instructions for covers, diapers, AIOs, or pockets made by the same manufacturer?
Try not to get overwhelmed, but prepare yourself with how to care for the diapers. Take note also, if the instructions vary if you choose several different types of diapers to use. How you care for your diapers can affect how long they last, so make sure you follow recommendations.
Here is a more detailed write up of how I care for my diapers:
- First off the diapers - I use Mother-ease cotton terry OS (one-size) fitted snap closure diapers, snap-in cotton terry liners, and Mother-ease Air Flow covers. I also use bamboo terry wipes.
- The pail - I use a 5 gallon bucket from a local home improvement store. Nothing fancy. I add a splash of vinegar and a splash of Clorox 2 (it's bleach free) and fill the bucket about 2/3rds full. Used diapers are emptied of solids in the toilet and placed directly into the pail to soak before washing which is roughly 2-3 days max.
For the diapers:
- Washing - Sometimes I pour off the excess water from the bucket in the toilet, other times the whole thing goes into the washer (I have a top loader). The water level is set as I would for a normal load based on how many diapers I'm washing. I first run the diapers, liners, and wipes through a double rinse cycle (I start the cycle on the rinse setting of a normal wash and have the extra rinse cycle function turned on). When the two rinses are complete, I then add detergent - I use Tide liquid in the same amount as I would any other similar sized load - and run a regular wash cycle on the casual setting (with the extra rinse cycle still on). I will then reset the washer for another double rinse like I did at the beginning. If the diapers are particularly malodorous, I will add a splash of vinegar before the final double rinse cycle.
- Drying - All of my diapers and liners go into the dryer if they have been washed clean. I do not put anything in the dryer that has staining on it. I dry the diapers and liners on a medium heat setting. According to the care instructions for the wipes, they do not go into the dryer. I'll leave them damp and place them back in the warmer adding excess water if necessary.
- For stains - For the diapers, liners, and wipes that have staining, I treat directly with Clorox 2 (as mentioned, it's bleach free) and spread it to coat the entire stained area - this must be done quickly since the diapers and liners will start absorbing the stain remover making it harder to spread out. I let them sit for at least 15 minutes. They are then washed again as mentioned above without the initial double rinse.
For the covers:
- My covers are washed with the rest of the baby laundry. I use Tide liquid detergent, wash on a gentle cycle, and tumble dry on low. Similar to the diapers if there is staining, they are pre-treated and washed again before being dried in the dryer.
So, in a nutshell for me, the process is: Rinse, wash, rinse. Don't dry if stained.
One more note: Stripping
- Many moms notice that their diapers begin to have decreased absorbency after some use. Occasionally this happens because of build-up of detergent, stain removers, or creams on the diapers. "Stripping" is simply a series of rinses to wash away any impurities that may have built up over time and could be affecting the absorbency of the diapers or causing irritation to the baby's bottom. Some times this needs to be done every couple of months or so, but is usually done on an as needed basis. I'm not sure if it's because of the type of diapers I use or the excess rinses I run on my diapers (admittedly it's a lot of rinse cycles) but I have never had to strip and have never noticed a decrease in performance.
I'm sorry if this is long, but I hope it's useful. If you do run into problems, seek the advice of the manufacturer or other moms that use the same types of diapers you do. It will be the most helpful!
First off, don't get too worried about what others are doing to care for their diapers compared to what you are doing. The reason? Most people like different types of diapers (and these days the variety of cloth diapers is astounding). Different diapers have different care instructions. So, consider that before you worry that you aren't doing all the stuff that someone else is. Consider first what diapers they have versus what you use. That in and of itself may make a big difference.
When purchasing diapers, take note of the care instructions. Take these things into consideration when chosing diapers and caring for those that you have purchased:
- Do you need to pre-wash before use? How many times?
- What kind of pail should be used? Wet or dry?
- Do you need to use particular detergents for cleaning?
- Will you need to line dry or can you use a traditional dryer?
- Should certain diaper rash creams be avoided when using these diapers?
- What stain removers are safe to use? Is bleach allowed?
- Are there different care instructions for covers, diapers, AIOs, or pockets made by the same manufacturer?
Try not to get overwhelmed, but prepare yourself with how to care for the diapers. Take note also, if the instructions vary if you choose several different types of diapers to use. How you care for your diapers can affect how long they last, so make sure you follow recommendations.
Here is a more detailed write up of how I care for my diapers:
- First off the diapers - I use Mother-ease cotton terry OS (one-size) fitted snap closure diapers, snap-in cotton terry liners, and Mother-ease Air Flow covers. I also use bamboo terry wipes.
- The pail - I use a 5 gallon bucket from a local home improvement store. Nothing fancy. I add a splash of vinegar and a splash of Clorox 2 (it's bleach free) and fill the bucket about 2/3rds full. Used diapers are emptied of solids in the toilet and placed directly into the pail to soak before washing which is roughly 2-3 days max.
For the diapers:
- Washing - Sometimes I pour off the excess water from the bucket in the toilet, other times the whole thing goes into the washer (I have a top loader). The water level is set as I would for a normal load based on how many diapers I'm washing. I first run the diapers, liners, and wipes through a double rinse cycle (I start the cycle on the rinse setting of a normal wash and have the extra rinse cycle function turned on). When the two rinses are complete, I then add detergent - I use Tide liquid in the same amount as I would any other similar sized load - and run a regular wash cycle on the casual setting (with the extra rinse cycle still on). I will then reset the washer for another double rinse like I did at the beginning. If the diapers are particularly malodorous, I will add a splash of vinegar before the final double rinse cycle.
- Drying - All of my diapers and liners go into the dryer if they have been washed clean. I do not put anything in the dryer that has staining on it. I dry the diapers and liners on a medium heat setting. According to the care instructions for the wipes, they do not go into the dryer. I'll leave them damp and place them back in the warmer adding excess water if necessary.
- For stains - For the diapers, liners, and wipes that have staining, I treat directly with Clorox 2 (as mentioned, it's bleach free) and spread it to coat the entire stained area - this must be done quickly since the diapers and liners will start absorbing the stain remover making it harder to spread out. I let them sit for at least 15 minutes. They are then washed again as mentioned above without the initial double rinse.
For the covers:
- My covers are washed with the rest of the baby laundry. I use Tide liquid detergent, wash on a gentle cycle, and tumble dry on low. Similar to the diapers if there is staining, they are pre-treated and washed again before being dried in the dryer.
So, in a nutshell for me, the process is: Rinse, wash, rinse. Don't dry if stained.
One more note: Stripping
- Many moms notice that their diapers begin to have decreased absorbency after some use. Occasionally this happens because of build-up of detergent, stain removers, or creams on the diapers. "Stripping" is simply a series of rinses to wash away any impurities that may have built up over time and could be affecting the absorbency of the diapers or causing irritation to the baby's bottom. Some times this needs to be done every couple of months or so, but is usually done on an as needed basis. I'm not sure if it's because of the type of diapers I use or the excess rinses I run on my diapers (admittedly it's a lot of rinse cycles) but I have never had to strip and have never noticed a decrease in performance.
I'm sorry if this is long, but I hope it's useful. If you do run into problems, seek the advice of the manufacturer or other moms that use the same types of diapers you do. It will be the most helpful!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
On Trying to Breastfeed
On a networking site I belong to for moms I was recently intrigued by a poll that someone posted in a pregnancy forum. The poll asked if moms were planning on breastfeeding or formula feeding. Many of the votes (at least when I originally looked at it) were for breastfeeding. The additional comments had a number of responses saying how moms were going to try and see how it worked out.
I was kind of taken aback. I got the impression that many women, especially first time moms think that breastfeeding is a huge challenge and they get the impression that there is some reason they won't be successful. I really wanted to see if this impression was true so I added my own post to the forum asking moms what "try" meant to them. I straight up told them I was a breastfeeding advocate and for me, formula feeding is not an option. I asked them to what extent they would try and mentioned many possibilities such as lactation consultants, supply boosters, breastfeeding aids (nipple shield, SNS, etc.), support groups, etc. I asked what their breaking point was to where they would decide their trying wouldn't work and why they used the word "try" as though they had the impression there would be problems.
I got a pretty decent response from the moms, though many of them did not answer the questions specifically. There were several that seem to have the same impression that I do that if you say you are going to "try," it assumes that you anticipate problems and it allows a less successful nursing relationship that may turn to using formula instead. Many responded that to them there was no "try" they would or did do it and that their determination helped them. Much like me, it was an "I will" vs. "I'll try."
The vast majority of responses was exactly what I predicted, however. Many moms had previous experiences where they nursed and had challenges and eventually switched to formula feeding and therefore figured they would follow the same course with a new baby. I received many responses with varying degrees of hostility about how not everyone can breastfeed, there were too many complications, and how breastfeeding is "shoved down everyone's throat." Only a few moms discussed how the resources they used when difficulties presented themselves helped them overcome the hurdles and they had very successful nursing relationships with their babies. Another few mentioned how with previous pregnancies, they were uneducated and didn't know any better. This, I believe is at the heart of the matter.
Many of the moms that presented difficulties mentioned using some of the resources I mentioned in my original post that can help overcome hurdles of breastfeeding, but most didn't scratch the surface or go very far beyond one or two things to discover what was wrong and find a solution or management plan. Some list seeing several lactation consultants, but I wonder if they were looking for a quick fix or if they only sought help from a single consultant once (none that stopped breastfeeding said they saw consultants for multiple visits or long-term consultations - of course, they may have, I just don't know). One mom who ended up formula feeding said consultants didn't tell her anything she didn't already know, she didn't take a preparation class, and that she was too intelligent for support groups. She also didn't know what nipple shields or supplemental nursers were. Sorry, but I hardly think she knew everything she claimed to know - or at least enough to allow her to continue.
So, after all this, what do I figure out? My suspicions were true. So many breastfeeding relationships fail because of lack of education, support, and will. I beg every new mom that is looking forward to breastfeeding - especially if she's had trouble in the past or if this is her first child to educate herself and find local support. Breastfeeding rarely succeeds without it.
And one more thing I learned - many moms think that a low milk supply means the end of nursing. Not true! People talk about supplementing with formula when what they actually mean is formula feeding. Supplementing means "in addition to." Some low milk supply issues can only be helped so much - that is true. That doesn't mean that nursing has to be given up completely. Nursing and supplementing can work together and the baby will benefit from any amount of breast milk that he or she gets.
So, for those that are looking to breastfeed for the first time or looking for a better experience than before, please consider the following:
Breastfeeding Classes: Classes are available through community centers, hospitals, birthing centers, and many other places to help you get prepared. They will teach you about how to hold the baby, how to get a proper latch (when the baby attaches to the breast), how milk production works, how to maintain appropriate levels of milk production (supply and demand), what is an appropriate amount for a newborn and how to tell if your baby is getting enough, what are some common challenges and how to overcome them, and many other things. I came from a very strong breastfeeding background and I still learned an astounding amount of information from my class.
Breastfeeding Aids: Many breastfeeding aids are available. They come in the form of nipple shields (for nursing with painful nipples or inverted nipples), herbal supplements or prescriptions for boosting milk supply (if this is an issues), creams and pad for sore nipples, breast pumps and accessories, breastfeeding pillows, nursing covers, supplemental nursing systems, and many many more. Some of these are discussed in breast feeding classes, others you can learn about from consultants or support groups - not to mention where to get them. There are many things that can help breast feeding go smoother or assist you when you meet challenges.
Lactation Consultants: Lactation consultants are invaluable. They can help you on a one-on-one basis to make sure you have a good latch, they can help monitor intake, offer solutions to problems, identify the source of problems you may encounter. It is very common for moms that had c-sections or premature babies to experience challenges to breastfeeding especially in the early stages and consultants can help to turn around some of the negative breastfeeding related effects of the birth and early days and assist moms in having a very successful nursing relationship with their baby. Consultants come in many forms with varying degrees of education. For common problems, a Community Breastfeeding Educator (CBE) or La Leche League Leader (LLL Leader) can be a wonderful asset. For more challenging issues, a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC), Licensed Lactation Consultant (LLC), or International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can help. Seek out local consultants so you know where one is in your area and consider a prenatal consultation.
Support Groups: Support groups are not just for the down and broken. With so many challenges and perceived challenges to breastfeeding support groups are wonderful. They provide a low pressure environment to discuss anything you have questions about. Many of the moms may have experienced something similar and can tell you what worked for them. You may also learn about breastfeeding challenges you never knew were a possibility and how they can be overcome. You also are more likely to learn to more confidently nurse in public and learn some tricks to doing so discreetly. By being surrounded by other nursing moms, you are more likely to succeed with your breastfeeding goals. Support groups are available at community centers, hospitals, churches, shops, through La Leche League (which also offers educational discussions), and many other places. Consider finding a group and joining before the baby is born for an eye-opening and educational experience.
I was kind of taken aback. I got the impression that many women, especially first time moms think that breastfeeding is a huge challenge and they get the impression that there is some reason they won't be successful. I really wanted to see if this impression was true so I added my own post to the forum asking moms what "try" meant to them. I straight up told them I was a breastfeeding advocate and for me, formula feeding is not an option. I asked them to what extent they would try and mentioned many possibilities such as lactation consultants, supply boosters, breastfeeding aids (nipple shield, SNS, etc.), support groups, etc. I asked what their breaking point was to where they would decide their trying wouldn't work and why they used the word "try" as though they had the impression there would be problems.
I got a pretty decent response from the moms, though many of them did not answer the questions specifically. There were several that seem to have the same impression that I do that if you say you are going to "try," it assumes that you anticipate problems and it allows a less successful nursing relationship that may turn to using formula instead. Many responded that to them there was no "try" they would or did do it and that their determination helped them. Much like me, it was an "I will" vs. "I'll try."
The vast majority of responses was exactly what I predicted, however. Many moms had previous experiences where they nursed and had challenges and eventually switched to formula feeding and therefore figured they would follow the same course with a new baby. I received many responses with varying degrees of hostility about how not everyone can breastfeed, there were too many complications, and how breastfeeding is "shoved down everyone's throat." Only a few moms discussed how the resources they used when difficulties presented themselves helped them overcome the hurdles and they had very successful nursing relationships with their babies. Another few mentioned how with previous pregnancies, they were uneducated and didn't know any better. This, I believe is at the heart of the matter.
Many of the moms that presented difficulties mentioned using some of the resources I mentioned in my original post that can help overcome hurdles of breastfeeding, but most didn't scratch the surface or go very far beyond one or two things to discover what was wrong and find a solution or management plan. Some list seeing several lactation consultants, but I wonder if they were looking for a quick fix or if they only sought help from a single consultant once (none that stopped breastfeeding said they saw consultants for multiple visits or long-term consultations - of course, they may have, I just don't know). One mom who ended up formula feeding said consultants didn't tell her anything she didn't already know, she didn't take a preparation class, and that she was too intelligent for support groups. She also didn't know what nipple shields or supplemental nursers were. Sorry, but I hardly think she knew everything she claimed to know - or at least enough to allow her to continue.
So, after all this, what do I figure out? My suspicions were true. So many breastfeeding relationships fail because of lack of education, support, and will. I beg every new mom that is looking forward to breastfeeding - especially if she's had trouble in the past or if this is her first child to educate herself and find local support. Breastfeeding rarely succeeds without it.
And one more thing I learned - many moms think that a low milk supply means the end of nursing. Not true! People talk about supplementing with formula when what they actually mean is formula feeding. Supplementing means "in addition to." Some low milk supply issues can only be helped so much - that is true. That doesn't mean that nursing has to be given up completely. Nursing and supplementing can work together and the baby will benefit from any amount of breast milk that he or she gets.
So, for those that are looking to breastfeed for the first time or looking for a better experience than before, please consider the following:
Breastfeeding Classes: Classes are available through community centers, hospitals, birthing centers, and many other places to help you get prepared. They will teach you about how to hold the baby, how to get a proper latch (when the baby attaches to the breast), how milk production works, how to maintain appropriate levels of milk production (supply and demand), what is an appropriate amount for a newborn and how to tell if your baby is getting enough, what are some common challenges and how to overcome them, and many other things. I came from a very strong breastfeeding background and I still learned an astounding amount of information from my class.
Breastfeeding Aids: Many breastfeeding aids are available. They come in the form of nipple shields (for nursing with painful nipples or inverted nipples), herbal supplements or prescriptions for boosting milk supply (if this is an issues), creams and pad for sore nipples, breast pumps and accessories, breastfeeding pillows, nursing covers, supplemental nursing systems, and many many more. Some of these are discussed in breast feeding classes, others you can learn about from consultants or support groups - not to mention where to get them. There are many things that can help breast feeding go smoother or assist you when you meet challenges.
Lactation Consultants: Lactation consultants are invaluable. They can help you on a one-on-one basis to make sure you have a good latch, they can help monitor intake, offer solutions to problems, identify the source of problems you may encounter. It is very common for moms that had c-sections or premature babies to experience challenges to breastfeeding especially in the early stages and consultants can help to turn around some of the negative breastfeeding related effects of the birth and early days and assist moms in having a very successful nursing relationship with their baby. Consultants come in many forms with varying degrees of education. For common problems, a Community Breastfeeding Educator (CBE) or La Leche League Leader (LLL Leader) can be a wonderful asset. For more challenging issues, a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC), Licensed Lactation Consultant (LLC), or International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can help. Seek out local consultants so you know where one is in your area and consider a prenatal consultation.
Support Groups: Support groups are not just for the down and broken. With so many challenges and perceived challenges to breastfeeding support groups are wonderful. They provide a low pressure environment to discuss anything you have questions about. Many of the moms may have experienced something similar and can tell you what worked for them. You may also learn about breastfeeding challenges you never knew were a possibility and how they can be overcome. You also are more likely to learn to more confidently nurse in public and learn some tricks to doing so discreetly. By being surrounded by other nursing moms, you are more likely to succeed with your breastfeeding goals. Support groups are available at community centers, hospitals, churches, shops, through La Leche League (which also offers educational discussions), and many other places. Consider finding a group and joining before the baby is born for an eye-opening and educational experience.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
On Weaning
When it came to weaning my oldest, I wanted to take the easy approach - I wanted him to self-wean. I had heard horror stories about how difficult it was to initiate it as a mom. I also would have been comfortable nursing until the age of two which is recommended by the World Health Organization, but much longer than that, I wasn't too keen on. At 15 months, my little one showed no sign of slowing, which was fine, but I wondered if he would call it quits on his own (which I preferred) or if I'd have to step in once he got a little older.
My "easy" approach, and what I really hoped for, was to get pregnant, have my supply drop, and then have him wean because of a lack of supply. Well, it kinda happened that way. But, as my sister once told me, we make plans and God laughs. I really believe this is true sometimes.
I did get pregnant. My little one was about 12 months old when I got pregnant. As I said, at 15 months he was showing no sign of slowing, so the reduction in milk supply seemed to not be an issue. Until it was. Around 16 months, he started to be really bothered by it. We had weeks, I'd say 2-3 at least where he'd ask to nurse so I'd oblige. I followed the recommendations for easier weaning that said, "Don't offer, don't refuse" - a supposedly gentler way to ease them through the process of self-weaning. But that time period was pure torture. He'd ask, and I'd nurse him, but after several moments of not getting much of anything, he'd sit up and show me the signs for "milk," "more," and "please." I'd change sides so he could nurse on the other side. Again, after a few moments, he'd sit up and request, "more milk please" signing frantically. We went back and forth several times, each time, he'd get more and more frustrated. Fussing and crying was added into the mix of frantic sign language. Eventually, he'd climb down off of my lap and stand in front of me, tears streaming down his cheeks, crying and signing incessantly. It broke my heart. I was helpless. And this happened several times a day for weeks. Every time I'd sit down, no matter where, he'd beg me to nurse. Every time, I was completely lost. There was no way I could help my little boy. I felt like a terrible mother. His world was falling apart, and it was my fault. What had I done to him? Occasionally, I'd try to offer him a sippy cup with milk. He had started drinking cow milk by this age, but when he wanted to nurse, he refused the sippy cup and swatted it out of my hand. I cried along with him many of those times because I had no clue what to do about it. There was no way I could ease his pain.
It did get better though. Eventually, he would take the sippy cup here and there. Then, he'd take it more frequently. We were able to reach a time when he'd nurse even with little supply for short sessions and then go about his business. Our main nursing sessions became when he went to bed for a nap or for the night. He started sleeping through the night more frequently by this point too. Some nights he'd wake up and scream and cry and I'd nurse him back down. Other times, he'd awaken, but go back to sleep on his own. This was around 17 months of age.
After a while though, the lack of milk available made him nurse for even shorter periods of time. It wasn't long enough to settle him down for sleeping. I'd always offer milk in a sippy cup before bed, but turned instead to standing and swaying to settle him down for naps and bed time. We've been doing this for a couple of weeks now.
Looking back, I really don't want to experience those early times of reduced supply ever again. It was horrible, heart-breaking, and made me question my mothering ability. After he came to terms with it, weaning was a dream and couldn't have gone smoother. I had no angst about him not continuing for longer (after all, I really had no intentions to tandem nurse. Kudos to those who do it, but it's not for me). I was at peace with letting him grow up and ease away from it. I miss the cuddle time with him immensely, but the nursing itself, I'm not mourning the loss of. It happened like I wanted, but not how I expected. I really thought it'd be easier, but I didn't anticipate his reaction. I only hope that other moms that experience forced weaning due to pregnancy acknowledge that this can happen - it may not, but it is a possibility. I don't think anything can really prepare you for it, but there you go - the info is out there.
My "easy" approach, and what I really hoped for, was to get pregnant, have my supply drop, and then have him wean because of a lack of supply. Well, it kinda happened that way. But, as my sister once told me, we make plans and God laughs. I really believe this is true sometimes.
I did get pregnant. My little one was about 12 months old when I got pregnant. As I said, at 15 months he was showing no sign of slowing, so the reduction in milk supply seemed to not be an issue. Until it was. Around 16 months, he started to be really bothered by it. We had weeks, I'd say 2-3 at least where he'd ask to nurse so I'd oblige. I followed the recommendations for easier weaning that said, "Don't offer, don't refuse" - a supposedly gentler way to ease them through the process of self-weaning. But that time period was pure torture. He'd ask, and I'd nurse him, but after several moments of not getting much of anything, he'd sit up and show me the signs for "milk," "more," and "please." I'd change sides so he could nurse on the other side. Again, after a few moments, he'd sit up and request, "more milk please" signing frantically. We went back and forth several times, each time, he'd get more and more frustrated. Fussing and crying was added into the mix of frantic sign language. Eventually, he'd climb down off of my lap and stand in front of me, tears streaming down his cheeks, crying and signing incessantly. It broke my heart. I was helpless. And this happened several times a day for weeks. Every time I'd sit down, no matter where, he'd beg me to nurse. Every time, I was completely lost. There was no way I could help my little boy. I felt like a terrible mother. His world was falling apart, and it was my fault. What had I done to him? Occasionally, I'd try to offer him a sippy cup with milk. He had started drinking cow milk by this age, but when he wanted to nurse, he refused the sippy cup and swatted it out of my hand. I cried along with him many of those times because I had no clue what to do about it. There was no way I could ease his pain.
It did get better though. Eventually, he would take the sippy cup here and there. Then, he'd take it more frequently. We were able to reach a time when he'd nurse even with little supply for short sessions and then go about his business. Our main nursing sessions became when he went to bed for a nap or for the night. He started sleeping through the night more frequently by this point too. Some nights he'd wake up and scream and cry and I'd nurse him back down. Other times, he'd awaken, but go back to sleep on his own. This was around 17 months of age.
After a while though, the lack of milk available made him nurse for even shorter periods of time. It wasn't long enough to settle him down for sleeping. I'd always offer milk in a sippy cup before bed, but turned instead to standing and swaying to settle him down for naps and bed time. We've been doing this for a couple of weeks now.
Looking back, I really don't want to experience those early times of reduced supply ever again. It was horrible, heart-breaking, and made me question my mothering ability. After he came to terms with it, weaning was a dream and couldn't have gone smoother. I had no angst about him not continuing for longer (after all, I really had no intentions to tandem nurse. Kudos to those who do it, but it's not for me). I was at peace with letting him grow up and ease away from it. I miss the cuddle time with him immensely, but the nursing itself, I'm not mourning the loss of. It happened like I wanted, but not how I expected. I really thought it'd be easier, but I didn't anticipate his reaction. I only hope that other moms that experience forced weaning due to pregnancy acknowledge that this can happen - it may not, but it is a possibility. I don't think anything can really prepare you for it, but there you go - the info is out there.
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