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!
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)