Wordless Wednesday: 15 Months of Nursing!

Why Nurse a Toddler?

This post was written for inclusion in the April Carnival of Breastfeeding brought to you my Elita of Blacktating and Tanya of The Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog.  This month's theme is on Extended Breastfeeding.  Please check out the other submissions listed at the end of the post.
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Little Man on his Birthday!

I guess to really answer this question I have to start at the beginning.  Our start was extremely difficult - I was told I was not nursing him correctly and to use a Supplemental Nursing System and to supplement with formula or pumped milk.  This was so awkward to do and I did not want to use formula that I resorted to exclusive pumping.  I did this round the clock for two, very long and stressful months.  During month three I finally got help from a lactation consultant and was able to learn how to nurse properly.  At month six, I returned to work, which meant back to pumping.  I struggled to maintain an adequate supply for my son while I was away at work.  I ended up having to supplement because I could not keep up.  At month ten, I read a great article from Natural Parents Network and began bed-sharing to increase my supply and to get some much needed sleep.  Finally, I was getting the hang of this nursing thing after months of struggling.

Squiggling during Christmas Festivities

So we've continued to nurse now at thirteen (almost fourteen) months.  I have finally found the light at the end of our tunnel that most nursing moms struggle with and overcome earlier.  Our plan of action will be to continue nursing until we decide it is no longer right for us.  Hopefully, this will continue to be his decision and not mine.
This newly discovered ease of nursing has arrived just in time for toddler antics.  My son - who probably knew what to do all along anyway - can now nurse while trying to stand on his head.  He can walk up to me at home, lift my shirt, nurse and then off he goes.  He can nurse while thwarting my attempts at writing (or pepper it with his own little flair).  Or he can have days where he is so distracted that he ignores me completely and only settles down for a marathon feed at bedtime.
Nursing, has magic healing powers.  If he falls while trying to chase down the cat - nursing makes it better super-quick so he can be off again!  If he is feeling awkward, nervous or shy in a new place, we can quietly nurse until he feels confident enough to engage the situation.  We nurse when he is cranky or tired because he feels relaxed and peaceful in my arms.
Our nursing bond has helped me as well.  When I've had a stressful day at work, I can reconnect and let go with my child in my arms.  His wiggling and squiggling remind me of the love we share and how much fun we have together.  All the day's stresses melt away when I look in his eyes.  That moment is ours and ours alone to share with each other.
Now that we have reached this point in our nursing journey I have been able to assist other mothers who may be struggling with their own nursing relationship.  I have been able to share my story with others and help them find the resources that they need in order to continue.  I model breastfeeding as normal no matter where we are so that future parents see it and become comfortable with it.  I share my extra milk with mothers who need it to feed their children.  I nurse a toddler - because I can nurse a toddler.

Carnival Participants:

Mamapoeki from Authentic Parenting: Extended Breastfeeding?

Mama Alvina of Ahava & Amara Life Foundation: Breastfeeding Journey Continues

Elita @ Blacktating: The Last Time That Never Was

Diana Cassar-Uhl, IBCLC: Old enough to ask for it

Karianna @ Caffeinated Catholic Mama: A Song for Mama’s Milk

Judy @ Mommy News Blog: My Favorite Moments

Tamara Reese @ Kveller: Extended Breastfeeding

Jenny @ Chronicles of a Nursing Mom: The Highs and Lows of Nursing a Toddler

Christina @ MFOM: Natural-Term Breastfeeding

Rebekah @ Momma’s Angel: My Sleep Breakthrough

Suzi @ Attachedattheboob: Why I love nursing a toddler

Claire @ The Adventures of Lactating Girl: My Hopes for Tandem Nursing

Elisa @ blissfulE: counter cultural: extended breastfeeding

Momma Jorje: Extended Breastfeeding, So Far!

Stephanie Precourt from Adventures in Babywearing: “Continued Breastfeeding”: straight from the mouths of babes

The Accidental Natural Mama: Nurse on, Mama

Sarah @ Reproductive Rites: Gratitude for extended breastfeeding

Nikki @ On Becoming Mommy: The Little Things

Dr. Sarah @ Good Enough Mum: Breastfeeding for longer than a year: myths, facts and what the research really shows

Amy @ WIC City: (Extended) Breastfeeding as Mothering

The Artsy Mama: Why Nurse a Toddler?

Christina @ The Milk Mama: The best thing about breastfeeding

TopHot @ the bee in your bonnet: From the Mouths of Babes

Beth @ Bethstedman.com: Extended Breastfeeding: To Wean Or Not To Wean

Callista @ Callista’s Ramblings:  Pressure To Stop Breastfeeding

Amanda @ Postilius: Nursing My Toddler Keeps My Baby Close

Sheryl @ Little Snowflakes: Tandem Nursing- The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Zoie @ Touchstone Z: Breastfeeding Flavors

Lauren @ Hobo Mama: Same old, same old: Extended breastfeeding

Tanya @ Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog: Six misconceptions about extended breastfeeding

Jona (Breastfeedingtwins.org): Breastfeeding older twins

Motherlove Herbal Company: Five reasons to love nursing a toddler

Special Inclusion:
Dulce de Leche: What is it Like to Breastfeed an Older Child

Alternative Teething Solutions

Last Thursday the FDA issued a warning about the use of the topical pain medication benzocaine.  Benzocaine is the active ingredient in teething gels and other topical pain medications.  The FDA received reports that have linked this drug with a rare condition methemoglobinemia, which is serious and can result in death.  In the warning the FDA said that OTC or over the counter medications should not be used on children under the age of two without a health professional's advice and supervision.
So what is a mother to do when even if she is advised by her healthcare professional she still has reservations about applying the teething gel?  Here are a few of the options that have worked for us.

Frozen Washcloth
That is always the first thing I reach for when Little Man shows signs of teething.  I take a regular terry washcloth wet it and squeeze out the excess water.  Then I stick it in a freezer bag and place it in my freezer.  I usually keep one in there for quick use.  If you don't have one already you can wet one and stick an ice cube inside.  I secure it with a clean piece of yarn or string.  Little gnaws away on it and is happy with cool, massaged gums.

Oh Plah! Teething Cuff
I use the Oh Plah! when Little Man cannot get soaked because of a wet washcloth or if we are out of the house.  Its shape and texture allow it to get into his mouth and apply pressure to his gums.  If you haven't checked out my review/giveaway yet - you should!  It is great because I don't have to worry about it breaking or leaking water or gel because there is none.  I can freeze it too if I wanted for some added comforting measures.

Nursing
I know what you are thinking - "she's going to put a teething baby to her breast for comfort while he is cutting teeth!? Is she nuts?"  No, I'm not nuts.  Nursing offers yet another comforting sensation to teething infants and no they do not always bite.  I did not even know that Little Man had his first tooth until my mom found it.  Also Little Man and I practice nursing manners.  If he bit me, he was removed.  It did not take him long to learn not to do that.  I wrote about our experience here.  Nursing is very comforting to a breastfed baby.  The closeness and the warmth is familiar and can release a lot of the stress of teething.

Now on to some things that I have yet to try myself but I have heard work wonders from other moms.  These will be acquired for any additional siblings for Little Man.

Amber Teething Necklace
These get a thumbs up from me without having to try it myself because I use an amber pendant for my own pain.  Teething necklaces are small beads of baltic amber that are hand-tied into a short necklace or even a bracelet.  Babies should not be left unattended while wearing the necklace and the necklace should fit well - not too long or too short.  My friend Amanda used one with her son and she wrapped it around his ankle while he slept so he would not choke.  Otherwise he wore it on his neck.  They are not meant to be chewed on.  The baltic amber secretes a healing oils when it is warmed by the skin.  Your baby absorbs this pain relieving oil and it soothes his teething pain.  They have been used for many years in European countries.

Spiral Mama - from USA!

Pure Comfort - from Canada

Baltic Amber Teething Necklaces - from Lithuania

Amber for Sale - from Latvia

Natural Material Teething Necklaces
On etsy there are a few varieties of teething necklaces made from natural materials.  There are unfinished hardwood pendant teething necklaces and knotted wooden bead necklaces in beautiful fabrics.  Here are just a few of the shops I found with some really beautiful products.

Real-Wood Toys- wooden pendant necklaces
Painted Turtle Wooden Toys - wooden pendant necklaces
Taryn Stuff - wooden pendant necklaces
Grits and Giggles - fabric and wooden bead knot necklaces
Little Headbands - fabric and wooden bead knot necklaces
KangarooCare - crocheted and wooden bead necklaces
The Little Things Boutique- Fabric and wooden bead necklaces
Marine Parents [the shop] - Fabric and wooden bead necklaces

All of these options are safe and do not involve your child eating anything or you risking giving them too much of something.  There are also homeopathic teething tablets but I would rather exhaust all of these options first before giving Little Man something to ingest.  What methods do you use?  What works for you and your little ones?

A Tale of Four Milky Mamas

Welcome to the April Carnival of Natural Parenting: Compassionate Advocacy

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have shared how they advocate for healthy, gentle parenting choices compassionately. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

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The second principle of attachment parenting is to “feed with love and respect.” This means to practice full term breastfeeding if possible and to respond to baby with love and respect regardless of whether you are feeding using your breast or a bottle. I would like to share how I do both in my life and also how I help other moms to do the same.

I have nursed Little Man for 13 months and 14 days as of the publishing of this article. I have done this because it is his choice when to stop nursing. For the first 2 months he was bottle fed my milk as I exclusively pumped. I pumped my milk for him because I had been given improper medical advice. I had little support and nearly lost my supply. I had to supplement his diet. At first I did not know that I had any other option other than formula and because of my parenting choices - I felt like I had failed my son. When my childhood friend found out that I was supplementing and how upset I was by it - she offered me her freezer of pumped milk. I can never thank her enough and could never repay the debt I feel I owe her.

I returned to traditional breastfeeding and was able to raise my supply with the support of the same friend and a lactation consultant. My supply returned and I was able to feed Little Man in the way I wanted. I returned to work though and again my supply dropped and I was struggling to keep up. I found help through Natural Parenting Network and was able to begin co-sleeping to raise my supply. I was also able to start my own small freezer of milk.

A few days before Little Man's first birthday, I looked in our freezer at the small amount of milk I had been hoarding just in case I ran out and needed more. It was going to expire faster then I could have defrosted it and had him drink it. I did not want it to go to waste - I've worked so hard to maintain a milk supply over the past year. It would be a slap in the face if I tossed it out so I jumped on Facebook and searched out the page I'd heard talk of before but never paid much attention to before, Eats on Feets - now Human Milk 4 Human Babies (HB4HB). I followed the links to find my local chapter, I posted under the 'Milk to Share' discussion and waited.

Luckily, I did not wait long as I might have changed my mind. Anne contacted me in need of milk for her daughter. Her email was short and she was direct.

Hello. I saw your post on Eats and Feets and would be very interested in picking up any spare milk you may have for my daughter. Thanks so much. Anne

Since I had no experience being on the giving side I had no idea what to expect. My donor had been a lifelong friend who had offered me extra milk when I was in need. This was a stranger - who did not know me and was trusting me with the well being of her child. I replied to the email, asking her where she was located and where I was generally located. We made a plan to meet at the local Babies R Us at 10 am.

I waited apprehensively in my car. I had forwarded what little information I knew about this woman to my husband - just in case[1] It was a rainy Sunday so I did not get out of the car as I had planned to wait for her. The store was not open yet anyway. I watched out my window and the mirrors at the strangers in the parking lot for any sign of the look I had worn on my face not so long ago. It is a mixture of desperation, fear and hope. Finally I saw her, my phone rang and we connected. It was a very short exchange. I put my small donation in her cooler along with the note I had hastily written about defrosting and storage - I had no idea if she was accustomed to this method of storage and feeding. We exchanged awkward goodbyes and ran to our separate cars. I called my husband - told him I was done and drove home.

When I got there and the pit of anxiety had faded - I emailed Anne again and told her that if she ever found herself in need again to please call, text or email and I would try to give her what I could. I did not hear from her for a few days but I finally got a message. She thanked me and told me that her daughter had liked my milk and she was grateful. It was at that moment that I felt I had come full circle. I was actually on my way to see my former donor when I got that message for dinner. I thought to myself, ‘I can do this, I can help other moms.’

After the initial excitement wore off an old familiar feeling crept over me: ‘What if I lose my supply again?’  What would I do for milk?  How can I feed two babies when I struggled to feed just one a few months ago?

I decided to answer Anne’s call whenever she called me if I had spare milk. I could not stress myself out over the what-if’s in life. I have since been able to donate about 90 ounces to Anne over three separate occasions - that is a lot when you think I used to struggle with my supply day-to-day. I still do not know Anne well but she is my sister-mama. I help with what I can to ensure that Anne is able to feed with love and respect however she chooses to feed her daughter.

Shortly after meeting Anne I began an extreme fitness program which has an included diet plan. I was initially worried that the plan my hinder my milk production. Well quite the opposite is true - my milk has increased and some of the worry I felt about feeding Little Man and Anne’s daughter has disappeared. I met another mom, Joy on Natural Parents Network who was struggling with her supply and thought that her only option would be to wean. I reached out to Joy and shared my experience and advice with her.

This was her response which still brings fresh tears to my eyes.

First, thank you so much for taking the time to write me your advice! The nerves, the uncertainty I was feeling left as soon as I started to read. It's amazing what other's words can do for you! You made me realize how I had slowly let myself forget about still eating for 2 and needing to get [all] my calories! The same day you wrote I heard from another lady about how I should be having a lot of protein and that was a first. I'm not big into meat but I'm working on getting protein into my diet. I do eat a lot of spinach but hadn't touched it once in the last week so I went right back to that too! It all WORKED!!!!! My milk has been dropping, and [now] I'm getting more!!! It's wonderful!!!!!! Thank you so much for you[r] advice! I prayed that God would see me through this, however that needed to happen, and you were an answer to [my] prayers! Thanks again SO much![2]

I cannot express how happy any of this makes me to be able to not only continue my own choices in parenting but to help other moms to do the same. If someone pays you a kindness today - look for the opportunity to do the same for someone else. You never know how far you can go.

Resources

Calorie Calculator for Women from About.com
Which foods can boost your milk supply? from Motherwear Blog


1. In retrospect this seems very silly. However, being the daughter of a retired police officer, living in the region of the US that I do my guard is always up. Even more so since Little Man came along and was in the car.
2. Response edited for readability only.

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Visit Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• Natural Parenting Advocacy by Example — Jenn at Monkey Butt Junction uses her blog, Twitter and Facebook as her natural parenting soapbox.
• You Catch More Flies With Honey — When it comes to natural parenting advice, Kate of The Guavalicious Life believes you catch more flies with honey.
• From the Heart — Patti at Jazzy Mama searches her heart for an appropriate response when she learns that someone she respects wants his baby to cry-it-out.
• I Offer the Truth — Amy at Innate Wholeness shares the hard truths to inspire parents in making changes and fully appreciating the parenting experience.
• Advocating or Just Opinionated? — Momma Jorje discusses how to draw the line between advocating compassionately and being just plain opinionated. It can be quite a fine line.
• Compassionate Advocacy — Mamapoekie of Authentic Parenting writes about how to discuss topics you are passionate about with people who don't share your views.
• Heiny Helpers: Sharing Cloth Love — Heiny Helpers is guest posting on Natural Parents Network to share how they are providing cloth diapers and cloth diapering support to low income families.
• Struggling with Advocacy — April of McApril still struggles to determine how strongly she should advocate for her causes, but still loves to show her love for her parenting choices to those who would like to listen.
• Compassionate Advocacy Through Blogging (AKA –Why I Blog) — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama shares how both blogging and day-to-day life give her opportunities to compassionately advocate for natural parenting practices.
• A Letter to *Those* Parents — Zoie at TouchstoneZ shares how to write an informed yet respectful reply to those parents — you know, the ones who don't parent the way you do.
• Why I Am Not A Homebirth Advocate — Olivia at Write About Birth is coming out: she is a homebirth mom, but not a homebirth advocate. One size does not fit all – but choice is something we can all advocate for!
• Why I Open My Big Mouth — Wolfmother from Fabulous Mama Chronicles reflects on why she is passionate about sharing parenting resources.
• Watching and Wearing — Laura at Our Messy Messy Life advocates the joys of babywearing simply by living life in a small college town.
• Compassionate Advocacy . . . That's The Way I Do It — Amyables at Toddler in Tow describes how she's learned to forsake judgment and channel her social energy to spread the "good news" of natural parenting through interaction and shared experiences.
• Compelling without repelling — Lauren at Hobo Mama cringes when she thinks of the obnoxious way she used to berate people into seeing her point of view.
• I Am the Change — Amanda at Let's Take the Metro describes a recent awakening where she realized exactly how to advocate for natural parenting.
• Public Displays of Compassion — The Accidental Natural Mama recounts an emotional trip to the grocery store and the importance of staying calm and compassionate in the storm of toddler emotions.
• I will not hide behind my persona — Suzi Leigh at Attached at the Boob discusses the benefits of being honest and compassionate on the internet.
• Choosing My Words — Jenny at Chronicles of a Nursing Mom shares why she started her blog and why she continues to blog despite an increasingly hectic schedule.
• Honour the Child :: Compassionate Advocacy in the Classroom — Lori at Beneath the Rowan Tree shares her experience of being a gentle and compassionate parent — with other people's children — as a classroom volunteer in her daughter's senior kindergarten room.
• Inspired by the Great Divide (and Hoping to Inspire) — Rosemary at Rosmarinus Officinalis shares her thoughts on navigating the "great divide" through gently teaching and being teachable.
• Introverted Advocacy — CatholicMommy at Working to be Worthy shares how she advocates for gentle parenting, even though she is about as introverted as one can be.
• The Three R's of Effective and Gentle Advocacy — Ana at Pandamoly explains how "The Three R's" can yield consistent results and endless inspiration to those in need of some change.
• Passionate and Compassionate: How do We do It? — Kelly at Becoming Crunchy shares the importance of understanding your motivation for advocacy.
• Sharing the love — Isil at Smiling Like Sunshine talks about how she shares the love and spreads the word.
• What Frank Said — Nada at miniMOMist has a good friend named Frank. She uses his famous saying to demonstrate how much natural parenting has benefited her and her family.
• Baby Sling Carriers Make Great Compassionate Advocacy Tools — Chante at My Natural Motherhood Journey shared her babywearing knowledge — and her sling — with a new mom.
• Everyday Superheroes — Who needs Superman when we have a community of compassionate advocates?! Dionna at Code Name: Mama believes that our community of gentle bloggers are the true superheroes.
• Words of advice: compassionately advocating for my parenting choices — MrsH at Fleeting Moments waits to give advice until she's been asked, resulting in fewer advocacy moments but very high responsiveness from parents all over the spectrum of parenting approaches.
• Peaceful Parenting — Peaceful parenting shows at Living Peacefully with Children with an atypical comment from a stranger.
• Speaking for birth — Lucy at Dreaming Aloud soul-searches about how she can advocate for natural birth without causing offense.
• Gentle is as Gentle Does — Laura at A Pug in the Kitchen shares how she is gently advocating her parenting style.
• Walking on Air — Rachael at The Variegated Life wants you to know that she has no idea what she's doing — and it's a gift.
• Parenting with my head, my heart, and my gut — Charise at I Thought I Knew Mama shares her thoughts on being a compassionate advocate of natural parenting as a blogger.
• At Peace With the World — Megan at Ichigo Means Strawberry talks about being an advocate for peaceful parenting at 10,000 feet.
• Putting a public face on "holistic" — Being public about her convictions is a must for Jessica at Crunchy-Chewy Mama, but it takes some delicacy.
• Just Be; Just Do. — Amy at Anktangle believes strongly about her parenting methods, and also that the way to get people to take notice is to simply live her life and parent the best she knows how.
• One Parent at a Time... — Kat at Loving {Almost} Every Moment believes that advocating for Natural Parenting is best accomplished by walking the walk.
• Self-compassion — We're great at caring for and supporting others —from our kiddos to other mamas — but Lisa at Gems of Delight shares a post about treating ourselves with that same sense of compassion.
• Using Montessori Principles to Advocate Natural Parenting — Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now tells how she uses Montessori principles to be a compassionate advocate for natural parenting.
• Advocacy? Me? — Seonaid at The Practical Dilettante discovers that by "just doing her thing," she may be advocating for natural parenting.
• Feeding by Example — Mama Mo at Attached at the Nip shares her experience of being the first one of her generation to parent.
• Compassionate Consumerism — Erica at ChildOrganics encourages her children to be compassionate consumers and discusses the benefits of buying local and fair trade products.
• The Importance of Advocating Compassionately — Kristen at Adventures in Mommyhood acts as a compassionate advocate by sharing information with many in the hopes of reaching a few.
• Some Thoughts on Gentle Discipline — Darcel at The Mahogany Way shares her thoughts and some tips on Gentle Discipline.
• Compassionate Advocacy: Sharing Resources, Spreading the Love — Terri at Child of the Nature Isle shares how her passion for making natural choices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting have supported others in Dominica and beyond.
• A journey to compassion and connection — Jessica at Instead of Institutions shares her journey from know-it-all to authentic advocacy.
• Advocacy Through Openness, Respect, and Understanding — Melissa at The New Mommy Files describes her view on belief, and how it has shaped the way she advocates for gentle parenting choices.
• Why I'm not an advocate for Natural Parenting — Mrs Green at Little Green Blog delivers the shocking news that, after 10 years of being a mum, she is NOT an advocate for natural parenting!
• Natural Love Creates Natural Happiness — A picture is worth a thousand words, but how about a smile, or a giggle, or a gaze? Jessica at Cloth Diapering Mama’s kids are extremely social and their natural happiness is very obvious.
• Carnival of Natural Parenting: Compassionate Advocacy — Even in the progressive SF Bay Area, Lily at Witch Mom finds she must defend some of her parenting choices.
• A Tale of Four Milky Mamas — In this post The ArtsyMama shares how she has found ways to repay her childhood friend for the gift of milk.
• don't tell me what to do — Pecky at benny and bex demonstrates compassionate advocacy through leading by example.

Should Your Child be Drinking Other Milk at a Year?

I've been urged, as I'm sure other mothers have been as well, to give Little Man whole cow's milk. Our pediatrician said to give him at least three glasses a day. Um, yeah we'll see about that. I have so many food sensitivities myself and my father is allergic to milk (not just the lactose) and since Little Man inherited my latex allergy, I'm not giving cow's milk a chance.

I know that there are other concerns about cow's milk and what is in it. Some people have stated that just cow's milk in general is too harsh for our systems being that baby cows have four stomachs to break this stuff down and we (last time we all checked) have one. That alone might give some of us cause not to drink milk.

However, it gets better or should I say worse. In this article from The Tech, MIT's oldest and largest newspaper by Michael Borucke, "What's That in My Milk?" the word 'cancer' is thrown in the mix. I'm not going to quote the whole article but it is something you should definitely read if you are still on the fence about this. Basically the bovine growth hormone that they inject into cows to increase their milk production affects us too because we have similar hormones in our body. Since we are smaller then cows though it affects us a lot differently. Now I'll quote:

What could an increase of a hormone that stimulates cell production mean to the average person? There have in fact been plenty of studies that link higher levels of IGF-1 hormone with increased risk of cancer. One such study was conducted at Harvard University. In a sample of 15,000 white males, those with IGF-1 levels in the range of 300ng/mL-500ng/mL were four times more likely to develop prostate cancer that those with IGF-1 levels in the range of 100ng/mL-185ng/mL. Other research suggests potential links between increased IGF-1 hormone in the body and an increased likelihood of breast, colon, pancreatic, and lung cancers.

Did you see that statistic about white males? Little Man is white and a male, so do I really need to increase his risk of cancer by four times? I think not. The end of the article talks about how Monsanto the company behind that artificial hormone has kept the FDA and Congress on their side and prevented dairy farmers from labeling their cows "rBGH-free".

So what is the argument for milk? It is a source of calcium and has added vitamin D to aid in its absorption. There are other sources of calcium such as spinach greens, turnip greens, collard greens and mustard greens. Not to mention you could just grab some Tropicana with Calcium and vitamin D if you are completely against eating greens.

Sure you can get certified organic milk or raw milk but what else is out there? Alternative milks that you can consider if you are switching from nursing or formula feeding coconut, soy, goat, rice, almond or other nuts, hemp and oat milks. There is a nice chart and list from Go Dairy Free that compares a lot of brands. That chart however just lists whether they are Gluten Free, Vegan, Country of availability and whether it is stored cold or is shelf stable. But it does list the websites for each of the brands. Ask.com laid out more of the specifics of the pros and cons of each type of milk including the texture, taste and use of each of these alternatives in "Milk Alternatives and Dairy-Free Beverages" by Victoria Grace.

If you are concerned about soy allergies or GMOs there is a great article by Becky Striepe, "5 Soy-Free Milk Alternatives" My personal favorite coconut milk makes its debut in this article. I love coconut milk! I only discovered it when I was researching coconut oils benefits and checked to see if they had a milk. Also if you are looking for an alternative to sports energy drinks definitely try coconut water. I am going off on a tangent though. Back to milk.

I am allowing Little Man to be on breastmilk for as long as he wants and I am able to sustain him. I already compiled enough research to know that my own milk has once again changed its composition to fit his needs as a toddler. So as long as he is nursing there is no need for him to have an alternate source of milk and he doesn't have an aversion to greens or the sun so calcium absorption isn't really a big argument for either. So I'll keep nursing and if he wants some of my coconut milk I feel confident in my choice that there isn't anything in it that does not belong like some creepy growth hormone and the farming industry has yet seen the need to genetically modify coconut trees so for now I feel safe.

The preceding statements are opinion and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have questions about any of the above products or statements please consult your health professional. In other words what is right for me may not be right for you.

Bravado and Medela

Was I the only one confused by this?  I know that answer already is no because I saw a post about it this morning on Facebook from Just West of Crunchy.  When I got home today I was greeted by an email from Medela, I was a Medela Mom Maven for 5 minutes and still apparently am on their email list.  I read the email before deleting it and I was struck by the quote included from Kathryn From, CEO of Bravado.

“We have long recognized that Medela’s core values and mission are completely in tune with those of Bravado’s, and this has been re-affirmed over the past 18 months as we have gotten to know the wonderful people at Medela. We share the same passion, enthusiasm and belief that every mother should have a wonderful breastfeeding experience however she chooses to define it. We are thrilled to join the Medela Family. For Bravado and our customers, business will be even better than usual!” says Kathryn.

I highlighted the text that is bothering me.  A nursing wear company is applauding and stating that a company that does not uphold WHO guidelines and is completely open and honest about the fact that they never will is completely in tune with those of Bravado's?  Come on people why oh why would you ever make that statement? When the core group of your repeat customers (read extended nursers) are fully aware of this larger company's shortcomings when it comes to supporting breastfeading.

Anyone know of a good company willing to stand by their own moral code and not sell out to a larger company who obviously could care less if what they are doing possibly contributes to the death of infants in developing countries?  Okay I can hear my hubby now, I sound like a militant leader of a breastfeeding army.  Well hello, people how many of us are there?  And who drives the market but consumers, so I'm asking maybe the public should send a message to Bravado that we are less then enthused with their choice in bedfellows!

Really, My Breastmilk is Turning to Water!?

I recently asked a question on an online forum for natural parenting about whether the exercise program I was planning to use would effect my supply.  It was reposted by the moderator and I got really positive answers and support - that told me to monitor myself and if I saw changes modify my routine.  Awesome I thought - now I'm going to jump right in there.  A friend of mine check my original post and asked if I had seen the lone reply?  So I checked and it was not something I was expecting from a forum full of extended nursers and natural parents.

Nursing with Teeth

As of last night, Little Man has eight teeth plus a few tell-tale angry looking whitish bumps. Did I ever think I would be nursing a baby with teeth? Nope. Do I have plans of weaning? Nope. Is it as bad as you would think? Not in the least.

What My Selfishness Did Last Night

I'm actually writing this right after this happened but I am holding it for posting until tomorrow.  I need to talk about it but I feel it is to important for me to hide it tonight.  I was selfish tonight and it hurt my relationship with Little Man.  I grew impatient and put my needs before my child's and in turn lost something tonight that I treasured.  I am most certainly not looking to be forgiven either for what I did.  This post is for me so that I will not forget what I did tonight and the immediate consequences of my actions.

A little sad

So for the past two nights Little Man only nursed from one side and only got up once last night. I thought I would think this is great after three straight weeks of struggles to go to bed and then two to three wakings during the night but now I'm not sure.
Granted my supply has dipped so this extra opportunity to pump at night and somewhat fuller breasts in the morning has helped these two mornings but...I'm sad that I'm missing out on the nursing time. I didn't realize how important it was to me.
I never set a goal as to when I would end breastfeeding I just felt I would nurse as long as he wanted to unless there came a situation that I wasn't able to continue. But lately weening and extended breastfeeding have been on my mind. (Check out Breastfeeding Moms Unite) How does it all work. No one I know has done extended breastfeeding except one cousin in England but we aren't all that close and she was a stay at home mom.
I also now worry that one day he will self-ween and I won't be ready. I know he still values it because he bumped his head today and immediately reached for "milk-milk" and settled right down.
Still not sure which is better though: his needing it more and my lost sleep or his needing it less and my worried heart.