My daughter has a birthday coming up and family member's have been asking me what she wants for a present. She's certainly old enough now to voice her wants, so I've started asking her what she'd like for a gift. She knows that birthdays equal cake so she wants a special cake. Sometimes it's a princess cake. Sometimes it's an astronaut cake. Sometimes it's a veterinarian cake. Other times it's a princess-astronaut cake.
But, for presents, she doesn't say much. Though we're not as "screen free" as I'd like at this point (I admit to letting her watch classic Sesame Street episodes from the '80's) she is not exposed to commercials. In particular, she's not exposed to commercials targeting children. She doesn't know she "needs" the latest plastic toy from China. There isn't a screen telling her she needs it. In her world, she's pretty content to play with her "spice people" (jars of spices in the pantry that come out to play and have parties while I'm cooking) and the toys she already has.
Nonetheless, I let her browse through a few natural toy catalogs and asked her what toys she wanted for her birthday. Wouldn't you know, she opened the Palumba catalog and saw two boys playing on the first pages. She cried out excitedly, "Oh, Momma! I want a brother for my birthday!" She held up the catalog and pointed to the models in the picture. Having totally missed my attempts to push consumerism on her, she surprised me with what I was warned about by the likes of Kim John Payne and other natural parenting experts. These kiddos tend to be more people-oriented vs. stuff-oriented and don't place a lot of value in materialism. I have to admit, I'm so thankful that she hasn't started the "Mommy-I-want-this-toy" whining yet. I'm relieved that she's showing evidence of a commercial-free childhood. That was one of the goals I had when we first started out with her and one that I pray will continue.
Monday
Going with FuzziBunz
This second pregnancy of mine has just flown by. With only seven more weeks to go, I've only begun to chip away at my "to-do" and "to-get" lists. One of my major decisions was deciding on a cloth diapering system since we won't be using disposables (except for a package right at the beginning). I started cloth diapering with my first child and made a lot of mistakes...it was such a learning process. Wanting to keep things simple this time-- and use my newfound knowledge-- I ordered some new FuzziBunz Elite One Size Pocket Diapers in neutral colors. I discovered this diaper after my first baby turned a year old and discovered how to undo the velcro on her BumGenius's...in the middle of the grocery store! From that point on, a FuzziBunz with snaps carried her through until she completely potty trained.
I did order a whole package of BumGenius one size pocket diapers with the first baby only to discover that she couldn't fit into them until she was about four months old. Yes, they're advertised as being all you'll ever need from birth to potty training, but I found that not to be true. For us, it was four months to when-they-figure-out-how-to-unfasten-the-velcro. Like many other moms, I was disappointed with the velcro closures losing their sticky-ness after a year of use and I'm not willing to sew on one of the refresher kits sold by the company to replace them. However, with the FuzziBunz I was happy with the snaps and adjustable hidden elastic. I had fewer problems with leaks, too. Not to mention, I'm able to adjust it to a much smaller size than the BumGenius ones. I've seen online reviews with moms using these for newborns and I'm hoping I can start using them within the first month of the baby's life.
I did order a whole package of BumGenius one size pocket diapers with the first baby only to discover that she couldn't fit into them until she was about four months old. Yes, they're advertised as being all you'll ever need from birth to potty training, but I found that not to be true. For us, it was four months to when-they-figure-out-how-to-unfasten-the-velcro. Like many other moms, I was disappointed with the velcro closures losing their sticky-ness after a year of use and I'm not willing to sew on one of the refresher kits sold by the company to replace them. However, with the FuzziBunz I was happy with the snaps and adjustable hidden elastic. I had fewer problems with leaks, too. Not to mention, I'm able to adjust it to a much smaller size than the BumGenius ones. I've seen online reviews with moms using these for newborns and I'm hoping I can start using them within the first month of the baby's life.
Sunday
It's time for B.I.R.T.H. Fair!
Join us Oct 6th! This is a family friendly event, with fun children's activities. We will be posting our complete speaker schedule for Saturday soon on www.houbirth.org. Topics cover everything from healthy pregnancies, peaceful parenting, vaccines, alternative education options for your children and much, much more! Not to mention the nearly 60 local vendors that will be available for you to browse!
Wednesday
Donor breast milk at Texas Children's Hospital
The Houston Chronicle reported on the use of dontated breast milk at Texas Children's Hospital. I learned about milk banks and donation when I was pregnant and had great hopes of being a donor. However, my low supply meant I didn't even have enough for my own child, let alone the supply needed for donation. I certainly thank the donors and the service they do for improving American health. It's nice to have a mainstream publication highlight the importance of human milk for human babies.
Texas Children's Hospital provides donor breast milk to new moms in need
http://www.chron.com/life/article/Texas-Children-s-Hospital-provides-donor-breast-3872011.php
"Breast milk remains in high demand in Houston. Mothers who wish to participate in the program may donate frozen breast milk up to 12 months after it has been expressed. To donate, visit www.texaschildrens.org/milk or call 832-824-6455.
Texas is the first state to have a licensed milk donor bank."
Texas Children's Hospital provides donor breast milk to new moms in need
http://www.chron.com/life/article/Texas-Children-s-Hospital-provides-donor-breast-3872011.php
"Breast milk remains in high demand in Houston. Mothers who wish to participate in the program may donate frozen breast milk up to 12 months after it has been expressed. To donate, visit www.texaschildrens.org/milk or call 832-824-6455.
Texas is the first state to have a licensed milk donor bank."
Laura Grace Weldon's "How Cooking Advances Learning"
Here's another inspiring gem from Laura Grace Weldon! As we head back to school this week, I'm reminded to include that all-important "meaningful work" in our fall curriculum. This is the idea that children benefit academically, socially, and developmentally from household chores-- started in toddlerhood if possible. I love this excerpt from the article:
"Research has shown that children who participated in household tasks starting at age three or four were more likely to succeed in adulthood. I’m talking about educational completion, career success, and good relationships with family and friends. Even I.Q. scores had a weaker correlation with success than giving children early responsibilities."
http://www.culinate.com/articles/features/a_childs_place_is_in_the_kitchen
I hear this over and over again from those in the simplicity and/or slow movements and I've tried to take it to heart. It's difficult for me to slow down and be in the moment with my child. It's even more difficult to deal with the mess involved in cooking with kiddos. Yes, it does take longer and the recipe might not be perfect, but I am reminded that it is the process itself, not the final product.
Interestingly, this made me think of chef Jamie Oliver's crusade to fight obesity and the poor eating habits of the majority of Americans. He has claimed that one cause of our nation's obesity crisis-- and resulting health care costs-- is because we have stopped cooking at home. Instead, we eat from a drive-thru or just defrost, microwave, or warm-up processed foods. No one takes the time to cook proper meals as a family at home made from whole foods. So, in addition to the academic benefits of cooking with children, it gives kids a fighting chance against obesity-related health problems.
Happy learning!
"Research has shown that children who participated in household tasks starting at age three or four were more likely to succeed in adulthood. I’m talking about educational completion, career success, and good relationships with family and friends. Even I.Q. scores had a weaker correlation with success than giving children early responsibilities."
http://www.culinate.com/articles/features/a_childs_place_is_in_the_kitchen
I hear this over and over again from those in the simplicity and/or slow movements and I've tried to take it to heart. It's difficult for me to slow down and be in the moment with my child. It's even more difficult to deal with the mess involved in cooking with kiddos. Yes, it does take longer and the recipe might not be perfect, but I am reminded that it is the process itself, not the final product.
Interestingly, this made me think of chef Jamie Oliver's crusade to fight obesity and the poor eating habits of the majority of Americans. He has claimed that one cause of our nation's obesity crisis-- and resulting health care costs-- is because we have stopped cooking at home. Instead, we eat from a drive-thru or just defrost, microwave, or warm-up processed foods. No one takes the time to cook proper meals as a family at home made from whole foods. So, in addition to the academic benefits of cooking with children, it gives kids a fighting chance against obesity-related health problems.
Happy learning!
Friday
Real pioneers! The original La Leche League women!
Check out this photo and blog by Mothering's wonderful Peggy O'Mara. It's a tribute to the original founders of La Leche League, now an international support organization for breastfeeding mothers. My heart-felt thanks goes out to these women who were largely responsible for rescuing Americans out of the sharp breastfeeding decline in the 1950's. Because of them, breastfeeding rates have increased and we now live in a society where it is becoming increasingly "normal" to nurse an infant. I love the retro photo. Thank you Ms. O'Mara for reminding Americans about this aspect of their history.
http://mothering.com/peggyomara/breastfeeding-2/breastfeeding-champion-la-leche-league
http://mothering.com/peggyomara/breastfeeding-2/breastfeeding-champion-la-leche-league
WARNING: You could get sampled!!!
I thought it was a prank at first. A box big enough to fill my mailbox arrived today during International Breastfeeding Week. (So, happy International Breastfeeding Week to everyone!) It was from Meade Johnson & Company, i.e., the makers of the infant formula Enfamil. Somehow I got on their mailing list and they sent me a most unwanted sample of their product. This is what I've read about for the past several years and here it was right inside my home! I got sampled by a major formula company!
I'm in the process of filing a written complaint in addition to calling and making sure I was taken off their mailing list. I have no idea how I got on their list in the first place. It could have been from numerous maternity and baby shops I've signed up for. So, let this be a warning to mothers that you could easily be targeted by these large corporations. If so, file a complaint and let your consumer voice be heard.
It's a big deal because the practice of "sampling" is not in the consumer's best interest. These cheap samples of formula hook moms onto specific name brands right when the baby's born and yeild huge profits. In my case, this sample was specifically labeled as a "hospital kit"!!! And I haven't even had my baby yet! Perfect timing on their part in order to get their foot in the door and to disuade newbie moms from breastfeeding. Again, why would most mothers need formula in the hospital? Babies aren't even consuming "milk", they're eating that valuable colostrum, the perfect food for their nutritional needs for those first several hours. A woman's milk comes in when the baby's body needs it.
This unsolicitated mailing has be irrated beyond belief. I'm taking it very personally. Now, I'm even more determined than ever to breastfeed for a solid two years (per the World Health Organization's recommendation). I don't appreciated being pulled in the direction dictated by marketers. I don't need your pretend-breastmilk, Enfamil. I need a lactation consultant. I need support. I need a little encouragement in my own body's God-given ability to produce the best food on the planet.
A woman makes better milk than any factory. That's for sure.
I'm in the process of filing a written complaint in addition to calling and making sure I was taken off their mailing list. I have no idea how I got on their list in the first place. It could have been from numerous maternity and baby shops I've signed up for. So, let this be a warning to mothers that you could easily be targeted by these large corporations. If so, file a complaint and let your consumer voice be heard.
It's a big deal because the practice of "sampling" is not in the consumer's best interest. These cheap samples of formula hook moms onto specific name brands right when the baby's born and yeild huge profits. In my case, this sample was specifically labeled as a "hospital kit"!!! And I haven't even had my baby yet! Perfect timing on their part in order to get their foot in the door and to disuade newbie moms from breastfeeding. Again, why would most mothers need formula in the hospital? Babies aren't even consuming "milk", they're eating that valuable colostrum, the perfect food for their nutritional needs for those first several hours. A woman's milk comes in when the baby's body needs it.
This unsolicitated mailing has be irrated beyond belief. I'm taking it very personally. Now, I'm even more determined than ever to breastfeed for a solid two years (per the World Health Organization's recommendation). I don't appreciated being pulled in the direction dictated by marketers. I don't need your pretend-breastmilk, Enfamil. I need a lactation consultant. I need support. I need a little encouragement in my own body's God-given ability to produce the best food on the planet.
A woman makes better milk than any factory. That's for sure.
Wednesday
Bravo "Latch On NYC Initiative"!!!
I was so happy to read this morning's article regarding the Latch On NYC Initiative aimed at reducing the use of baby formula in hospitals. http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/nyc-hospitals-baby-formula-plan-rankles-mommy-bloggers-212928162--abc-news-health.html
I've known about the whole "Ban The Bags" movement, a similar campaign to stop the illegal marketing of infant formula and company kick-backs to hospitals. These movements truly deserve praise in such a commercial, artificial environment. Breastfeeding is a serious public health issue. To see a hospital move towards something that is free of charge, and unprofitable for them, is shocking. http://banthebags.org/
What I don't understand is why the vast majority of newborns need formula anyway. Forgive me-- I had a homebirth. But, from what I remember, I was still producing colostrum by the time I would've been discharged from the hospital. Why would a baby, only a few hours old, need formula if they aren't even biologically ready for their own mother's milk?
One thing's for sure, American mothers do not receive enough breastfeeding support and quick offerings of formula only undermine the natural process. Not to mention, with one in three U.S. children classified as obese or overweight, it's scary that we are introducing babies to artifical food during their first few days of life! A Nestle product is NOT the first food a child should consume! Click below for one of many articles on the link between breastfeeding and obesity reduction. From the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/pdf/breastfeeding_r2p.pdf
Breastfeeding is a huge priority for me and I did have problems with a low supply with my first baby. However, I did all I could and managed to nurse for 22.5 months. It was supplemented, but breastmilk was a major part of my child's diet for almost two years. Now that I'm pregnant again, I have a better plan in place to prevent the same problems from occuring. Here are some ideas:
--Attend Le Leche League or hospital breastfeeding support groups (most are free)
--Make sure the hospital staff's lactation consultant stops by your room!!!
--Request that hospital staff not feed your baby formula. The lactation consultant will most likely back you up on this.
--Buy a Milkies Milk Saver. These are smooth, plastic disks that collect your breastmilk from the unused breast. When your milk lets down, especially in those early months, both breasts release milk. That means a lot of milk gets wasted. The Milk Saver is inserted into your nursing bra and catches the milk to be stored for later consumption. This is great for moms who need every ounce!
--Take fenugreek. 3 capsules, 3 times per day.
--Eat oatmeal
--The "24 hour Cure" described by Penny Simkin in The Birth Partner
--Information from KellyMom.com
--Limit visitors, chores, and outside activities for the first couple weeks while your milk supply is being established
I've known about the whole "Ban The Bags" movement, a similar campaign to stop the illegal marketing of infant formula and company kick-backs to hospitals. These movements truly deserve praise in such a commercial, artificial environment. Breastfeeding is a serious public health issue. To see a hospital move towards something that is free of charge, and unprofitable for them, is shocking. http://banthebags.org/
What I don't understand is why the vast majority of newborns need formula anyway. Forgive me-- I had a homebirth. But, from what I remember, I was still producing colostrum by the time I would've been discharged from the hospital. Why would a baby, only a few hours old, need formula if they aren't even biologically ready for their own mother's milk?
One thing's for sure, American mothers do not receive enough breastfeeding support and quick offerings of formula only undermine the natural process. Not to mention, with one in three U.S. children classified as obese or overweight, it's scary that we are introducing babies to artifical food during their first few days of life! A Nestle product is NOT the first food a child should consume! Click below for one of many articles on the link between breastfeeding and obesity reduction. From the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/pdf/breastfeeding_r2p.pdf
Breastfeeding is a huge priority for me and I did have problems with a low supply with my first baby. However, I did all I could and managed to nurse for 22.5 months. It was supplemented, but breastmilk was a major part of my child's diet for almost two years. Now that I'm pregnant again, I have a better plan in place to prevent the same problems from occuring. Here are some ideas:
--Attend Le Leche League or hospital breastfeeding support groups (most are free)
--Make sure the hospital staff's lactation consultant stops by your room!!!
--Request that hospital staff not feed your baby formula. The lactation consultant will most likely back you up on this.
--Buy a Milkies Milk Saver. These are smooth, plastic disks that collect your breastmilk from the unused breast. When your milk lets down, especially in those early months, both breasts release milk. That means a lot of milk gets wasted. The Milk Saver is inserted into your nursing bra and catches the milk to be stored for later consumption. This is great for moms who need every ounce!
--Take fenugreek. 3 capsules, 3 times per day.
--Eat oatmeal
--The "24 hour Cure" described by Penny Simkin in The Birth Partner
--Information from KellyMom.com
--Limit visitors, chores, and outside activities for the first couple weeks while your milk supply is being established
Friday
Last summer in London
With the Summer Olympics taking place in London I started missing our brief--but memorable-- time in the UK last year. Our family took a vacation last summer overseas and made the most of a two-day layover in London. We weren't there for very long, but we saw most of the major sites, ate some great British food, and enjoyed the cool summer weather. Here's my daughter just outside of Buckingham Palace.
Thursday
We have a heartbeat!
The unmistakable wooshing sounds of an 11-week-old fetus were recorded by husband's i-phone this week. We had our midwife and her assistant over to our house for our first listen with the doppler. It was a nail-biter getting to this point, so far along into the pregnancy. This baby follows a prior miscarriage and there's always that fear of another loss. Now, the baby seems "real". And, being this far along makes me more confident that we'll have a viable pregnancy.
I wanted to wait until we got to this milestone before I wrote anything about the pregnancy. One important topic of disucssion is my decision to hire a midwife for a homebirth. Only about 1% of births in the US are delivered at home. Though this is quite common in my circle of friends, I realize that this is not the norm for the rest of the nation. My first child was born at home with a certified nurse midwife, a hospital labor and delivery nurse, and my doula who was also an RN. I fired my OBGYN after we took the hospital tour at 27 weeks. I originally wanted an "out-of-hospital" birth but that translated to 100% "out-of-pocket" in insurance terms. At that time, I went along with the standard OBGYN care until I just couldn't stand it any longer. There was no way on God's green earth that I would deliver at a hospital in the Houston area. I called my doula and told her we were birthing at home. Get me a midwife. Now. She made a few phone calls, gave me a list of midwives, and the rest is a story of a powerful homebirth. It was worth the cost and then some to have the healthiest and most profound experience of my life.
With this birth, I wanted to make sure that I had midwife care from the very beginning. Since I only switched to a midwife at 28 weeks, I feel that I missed out on that early personal care. I did opt out of the usual first trimester tests and early ultrasound. I really didn't want to waste time and money on bloodwork until I knew we had a living baby on our hands. Also, I had a difficult time deciding on a provider. The Houston area is blessed with many skilled CNMs and CPMs, birth centers, doulas, and it took me a while to find the perfect match. Being a veteran homebirth mom with this second one, I knew what I wanted and what I didn't want in my care and labor.
Let me say that one of the main differences in midwife care vs. OBGYN care is that with a midwife I have:
--Longer appointments (a few hours long, not a few minutes!)
--Holistic care (the whole patient is treated)
--House calls (some midwives operate out of offices and this one comes to your house for appointments)
--The benefits of other medical providers if necessary (I can always transfer to an OB if needed, have access to labs, ultrasounds, etc.)
--Informed consent (technically you have this with a doctor, but it's much more thorough with a midwife)
--A provider who is experienced in the art of delivering a baby while keeping the mother in tact as much as possible (episiotomies are rare)
That's a very abbreviated list, but hiring a midwife instead of the usual OBGYN is worth looking into if you're a low-risk mother. I would do it no other way.
I wanted to wait until we got to this milestone before I wrote anything about the pregnancy. One important topic of disucssion is my decision to hire a midwife for a homebirth. Only about 1% of births in the US are delivered at home. Though this is quite common in my circle of friends, I realize that this is not the norm for the rest of the nation. My first child was born at home with a certified nurse midwife, a hospital labor and delivery nurse, and my doula who was also an RN. I fired my OBGYN after we took the hospital tour at 27 weeks. I originally wanted an "out-of-hospital" birth but that translated to 100% "out-of-pocket" in insurance terms. At that time, I went along with the standard OBGYN care until I just couldn't stand it any longer. There was no way on God's green earth that I would deliver at a hospital in the Houston area. I called my doula and told her we were birthing at home. Get me a midwife. Now. She made a few phone calls, gave me a list of midwives, and the rest is a story of a powerful homebirth. It was worth the cost and then some to have the healthiest and most profound experience of my life.
With this birth, I wanted to make sure that I had midwife care from the very beginning. Since I only switched to a midwife at 28 weeks, I feel that I missed out on that early personal care. I did opt out of the usual first trimester tests and early ultrasound. I really didn't want to waste time and money on bloodwork until I knew we had a living baby on our hands. Also, I had a difficult time deciding on a provider. The Houston area is blessed with many skilled CNMs and CPMs, birth centers, doulas, and it took me a while to find the perfect match. Being a veteran homebirth mom with this second one, I knew what I wanted and what I didn't want in my care and labor.
Let me say that one of the main differences in midwife care vs. OBGYN care is that with a midwife I have:
--Longer appointments (a few hours long, not a few minutes!)
--Holistic care (the whole patient is treated)
--House calls (some midwives operate out of offices and this one comes to your house for appointments)
--The benefits of other medical providers if necessary (I can always transfer to an OB if needed, have access to labs, ultrasounds, etc.)
--Informed consent (technically you have this with a doctor, but it's much more thorough with a midwife)
--A provider who is experienced in the art of delivering a baby while keeping the mother in tact as much as possible (episiotomies are rare)
That's a very abbreviated list, but hiring a midwife instead of the usual OBGYN is worth looking into if you're a low-risk mother. I would do it no other way.
Free Tele-Seminar Parenting Classes
I have a new tool in my parenting toolbox! A friend recently introduced me to Hand in Hand Parenting created by Patty Wipfler. http://www.handinhandparenting.org/ It's a website with articles and resources for parents as they strive to build closeness with their children, fix discipline dilemmas, and to understand their children's needs. I've already participated in one of their free tele-seminars and it was very professionally done. I highly recommend this particular service for parents because:
-it does not require physical attendance (simply call in on your telephone and listen to the speakers)
-other tasks can be done while you're on the phone (laundry, nursing, painting your toenails, cooking, etc.)
-there is no charge
Patty Wipfler's approach to parenting will resonate with all sorts of parenting styles. Whether it's the articles from their e-newsletter or her tele-seminars, I always take something away from it. Parenting is a real job and it's always good to brush up on those skills!
Here's the link for upcoming tele-seminar classes:
http://www.handinhandparenting.org/schedule/online
-it does not require physical attendance (simply call in on your telephone and listen to the speakers)
-other tasks can be done while you're on the phone (laundry, nursing, painting your toenails, cooking, etc.)
-there is no charge
Patty Wipfler's approach to parenting will resonate with all sorts of parenting styles. Whether it's the articles from their e-newsletter or her tele-seminars, I always take something away from it. Parenting is a real job and it's always good to brush up on those skills!
Here's the link for upcoming tele-seminar classes:
http://www.handinhandparenting.org/schedule/online
Learning to focus through mud soup
I attended a parent meeting at my daughter's Waldorf school this morning. She excitedly played outside with the rest of the class during a mild-weather spring morning. I thought she might be on the swing set or building in the sandbox or munching on an organic apple by the picnic table. Nope. My three-year-old was making soup. Apparently, the older kids had created an "outdoor kitchen" with some big sticks and furnished it with second-hand enamel pots and cups and wooden spoons. Dirt served as the main pantry staple and she had plenty of mud on her dress to show for her hard work.
I saw why she wouldn't leave her post. Her soup was getting better and better as she added water from the watering can, tiny leaves, and sweetgum balls. She was deep in her play, very preoccupied with this soup coming out perfectly. As I told her we needed to go, she added her finishing touch. Plop went a gaint rock into the pot! Maybe it was for presentation or maybe for flavor. Either way, I couldn't ask for better focus and concentration on a task. This is the work of her age group in a Waldorf setting. Creativity is cultivated to invent and focus is cultivated to see the task come to fruition. The goal is that she'll take this ability to focus and carry it through the rest of her academic life. When other kids are watching video games, eating junk food, and medicated with ADHD drugs, this is a beautiful alternative.
I saw why she wouldn't leave her post. Her soup was getting better and better as she added water from the watering can, tiny leaves, and sweetgum balls. She was deep in her play, very preoccupied with this soup coming out perfectly. As I told her we needed to go, she added her finishing touch. Plop went a gaint rock into the pot! Maybe it was for presentation or maybe for flavor. Either way, I couldn't ask for better focus and concentration on a task. This is the work of her age group in a Waldorf setting. Creativity is cultivated to invent and focus is cultivated to see the task come to fruition. The goal is that she'll take this ability to focus and carry it through the rest of her academic life. When other kids are watching video games, eating junk food, and medicated with ADHD drugs, this is a beautiful alternative.
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