They said what?!

It's amazing how the information that's available differs so drastically, depending on who you talk to.  Nursing in public tends to bring up conversation freely and lately, I've spoken with some moms and moms-to-be about breastfeeding. I am absolutely floored about the things that they have heard from others, read about and even what their pediatrian or OB has told them.  Now I do not claim to know all about bf by any means, but I do research using breastfeeding friendly sites (not endorsed by formula companies), La Leche League recommended books, attend support groups and educational classes, etc. I recently met a mother that is currently pregnant again. She is still nursing her 1 yr old and wants to continue throughout her pregnancy, but her doctor said because she's pregnant she should wean her nursling due to the dangers it posseses to her unborn baby.  Wow.  She was obviously upset by this and I suggested that she attend a local La Leche League Support Group and gave her the info for the one I attend.  I mentioned that tandem nursing is very normal and told her to check out kellymom.com and to get a different opinion.  I do not know this moms history, but if she has a healthy pregnancy, she shouldn't have to stop nursing.  It baffles me the things that OB's tell their clients.  When a gorilla or chimp gets pregnant and they have a nursling, do they tell their nursling "oh, no honey.  No more milk for you," before they are ready? No.  Those babies typically nurse to five - seven years of age!  The contractions that a pregnant woman in a healthy pregnancy may experience while nursing are the SAME contractions that she would experience as she would during sex. Unless there's is no bleeding, weightloss or signs of preterm labor, nurse on!
Another mom made mention that her OB told her that her milk wasn't enough and she needed to supplement with formula.  Now, I'm not against formula supplementing if their are true issues, like glandular or you had your breasts removed, severe difficulties with low supply, etc.  However, these are rare cases and not the norm.  The norm is that a bf mom can nurse her baby just fine without any additional assistance.  But it seems that its the other way around, and that's a problem.  Too many moms are not being supported by their pediatricians to continue to bf but offer alternatives, i.e formula, instead.  They give their reason and then offer a sample can of formula!  This doctor is clearly not breastfeeding friendly - run quickly.  I don't understand the mindset other than they receive perks, just as some doctors do for prescribing certain medications.  If a mom does formula, it's almost a gaurentee that she isn't told that if she mixes formula with her breastmilk in the same bottle, she is essentially killing her breastmilk and it was basically pointless.  The proper way to supplement is to give the breastmilk in either nursing session or in it's own bottle THEN give the formula.  Why?  Breastmilk is alive and formula isn't.  Simple as that. The problem of forced supplementing can start as early as your baby's birth during your hospital stay.  A mom told me that she had her heart on exclusively bfing, but the nurses forced her to give formula because the baby was "hungry".  I'm sorry. This nurse needs to have her license revoked or moved out of the nursery.  Is she aware that aa mothers milk doesn't come in for three to seven days and that the baby during this time needs only the colostrum that mom provides being that his stomach is around the size of a quarter? Best for Babes Foundation calls these situations "Booby Traps" that stand in the way of moms everywhere to have a successful breastfeeding experience.  We need to give moms the knowledge and power to stand up against these traps and to know that they are doing what's best for their babies.  If formula supplementing is what's best, that's fine, too.  But if a mom knows that she is capable of having an enjoyable bf relationship that helps her baby to thrive and creates a beautiful bond, show her support to make that happen.  It's more than a desire for most moms, it's a need.  It breaks my heart everytime I hear a mom say "I wanted to breastfeed longer, but we just couldn't." with their reasons ranging from low supply, being too painful, but the biggest one was they didn't have support from their loved ones or physicians.  Attend support groups, find other moms who have been successful, and educate yourself.

Birth Beliefs

My husband and I are very passionate about how we were going to have our daughter and what kind of birth experience we wanted.  Before I talk about my experience, I want to give you some insight to my beliefs on birth. I believe that to give birth is one of the most beautiful and natural experiences that women are blessed to be able to go through.   I believe that a woman's body has the power and strength to go through natural childbirth and that we should listen and trust our bodies to do so.  I believe that when a baby is naturally born, meaning without any drugs and vaginally, that the baby receives what's called a "love cocktail" that assists in mom and baby to fall in love.  Being born vaginally, regardless of drugs also exposes the baby to neccessary bacteria that aids in the building of their immune system.  I believe that postponing cutting of the cord until it stops pulsating allows for important nutrients, including iron, to get to the baby.  I believe that the first hour after the baby is born is the most crucial time for a mother and baby to begin there bond which is why it is important that hospitals delay in weighing the baby and taking for observation and making the baby scream to make sure the lungs are clear (which I deem unneccesary in a healthy baby and making them cry only strains the heart and puts stress on the baby).  I believe a baby should be put skin to skin with their mother and that they have the time to get to know one another, as we are still considered animals and that is, for the most part, instinctual.  Now I begin each statement with "I believe" for the simple fact that there is so much "research" out there that does not support and so much research that does.  This is what I chose to believe because I believe in natural childbirth.  The research that typically goes against this is usually supported by hospitals, OB's, Surgeons and even some midwifes.  To each his own, however when a persons beliefs become ignored because the OB feels that there may be complications, that's a problem.  This is why I do not believe in hospitals or OB's for a healthy pregnancy and birth.  Hospitals are for sick people, not healthy babies.  Many doctors feel the need to find something wrong and create pathology where there is none.  This can lead to unneccessary intervention which more  than likely, especially these days, will lead to an emergency c-section.  Then they claim, "Oh we saved you and your baby!" No, you created a situation in which it became needed for you to do this when I wouldn't have needed you to start with! The proof is in the numbers, and boy are the numbers high.  It irritates me when people opt for a scheduled c-section becuase they don't want to deal with labor and they don't want their vagina to get all out of whack.  I have to say that I consider these woman to be uneducated in the realm of birth.  Never in my life would I think that a major surgery is a "preferable" way to give birth.  It robs both you and your baby of so much.  Now, this does not mean that women that it is truly medically neccessary for it is not a benefial thing to save lives.  The problem is that it's being used almost as a recreational tool and offered so casually that it's disturbing.  If you couldn't already tell, I have a bit of disdain for the medical field, especially when it comes to the birth process.  If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of a natural birth and what interventions can cause, the Ricki Lake documentary The Business of Being Born is a great place to start.  More of a reader? Some great books are Henci Goer's The Thinkig Woman's Guide to a Better Birth and Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth.  I can only end with the thought to educate yourself, I'll save my experience for another day.

Why Blog?

I've never been one to put my thoughts out there in such a public manner. Well, I guess that's a lie since I used Xanga, Myspace and Facebook! Although, status updates are much different from a persons "diary" entry.  Over the last few months, I've found myself having much to say, as well as ways to cope with recent traumatic events of my daughters entrance into this world.  I've found that by reading others blogs, especially those related to births and breastfeeding, have helped me overcome ppd and to find confidence in myself again.  Not only do I think this may be very theraputic, but maybe some of what I may have to say may help another get through one of life's hurdles. I'm not saying every entry is going to be this long, life changing story; but who knows what this could turn into.  I think I may encourage my husband to even start one. :)