I was totaling up the other night how many years I’ve spent nursing my children. After four children, it’s just under seven and a half years and counting. Our youngest is 18 months old and still loves to nurse, showing no interest in weaning. After that long, I feel like it's okay that I'm tired of breastfeeding! I’m fully committed to breastfeeding past one year. The physical, emotional, and mental health benefits are incredible, and I believe it’s good for moms, too! However, I wouldn’t for one moment lie that breastfeeding is always full of fuzzy, lovely, rose-hued moments, especially at this point in the game (for me). Sometimes I … [Read more...]
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Disclaimer: The information in this post is for educational purposes only. I am not a doctor. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. None of the opinions are meant to diagnose or treat any disease or illness. You should always consult your healthcare provider.
Kristen is a Christian, wife to her high school sweetheart, and mother to a growing brood of sweet little people. She spends her days keeping the home, homeschooling, making real food, gardening, blogging, and working from home as a Lilla Rose consultant, often with a little person on her lap wanting to nurse. You can find her at Smithspirations and on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Breastfeeding, Essential Oils, and Safety
Essential oils are becoming extremely popular in both mainstream and natural health circles. Since it is a young field in the United States, it can be hard to find solid information. This can lead women to wonder how breastfeeding, essential oils, and safety mix. Essential oils are highly potent substances, and our nursing babies have immature systems that are still developing. The safety of breastfeeding essential oils is a really important topic to consider! There are many misconceptions about essential oils, so be sure to check the sources for any advice that you find on breastfeeding, essential oils, and safety. I've … [Read more...]
Is Cold Medicine Breastfeeding Safe?
It's about the time of the year when we all start to stock up on tissues, cough drops, and other remedies for the common cold. Colds are typically harmless, and many moms will forgo a trip to the doctor and grab an over-the-counter cold medication instead. But if a woman has a baby, she may wonder: is cold medicine breastfeeding safe? Caffeine, alcohol, and yes, medications typically pass through breast milk. Depending on the substance, it might pass through in larger quantities than others. Since we can expect any medication to pass on to our babies through breast milk, it really is important to know if we can safely take a particular … [Read more...]
Why I’m Done With Cheap Nursing Bras
There are so many expenses when a new baby arrives, especially with your first child. Car seats, diapers, clothing, baby carriers, nursery items, and more abound. It can be so tempting for the breastfeeding mom to settle for cheap nursing bras so that money can be spent on other things! Yes, that was me. In fact, I'm almost embarrassed to admit that it took me five babies to finally give up my cheap nursing bra habit. For nine years I couldn't justify spending more than $20 on such a small amount of fabric! But you know what? By the fifth time around I finally decided that I'm done buying and using cheap nursing bras. They are a pain. … [Read more...]
Natural Remedies for Mastitis
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Mastitis is a dreaded breast infection that can literally send chills down a nursing mom's spine. The fever, achy body, breast pain, headache and more is really awful! Typical treatment for mastitis involves seeing your OB/GYN or midwife, getting an antibiotic prescription, and then resting at home. However, many moms try to avoid antibiotics if at all possible, leaving some to wonder if there are natural remedies for mastitis. I can personally say that I have successfully used natural remedies for mastitis multiple times to get rid of the infection without ever taking an antibiotic. It's very important to note, though, that I am not a … [Read more...]
Do I Need to Switch to Infant Formula for Colic?
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Colic can be an extremely trying time during a newborn's life. Mothering a newborn can be overwhelming in the first place; adding extended periods of inconsolable crying from your baby adds a whole new dimension. Friends, family members, and acquaintances may offer advice and solutions, and one of them may be to stop breastfeeding and switch to infant formula for colic. But is that really necessary? What Is Colic? First, it's important to understand what colic is. It may be more accurate to talk about what it isn't, since colic doesn't really have a concrete definition, cause, or cure that applies to every instance. Colic can be thought … [Read more...]
How to Deal with Breastfeeding and Afterpains
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After what can often be an uncomfortable third trimester (or maybe even entire pregnancy) and then the hard work of labor and delivery, there's certainly not a single mom on the planet who wants another round of intense pain or discomfort right after her baby is born. However, after a second or subsequent labor and delivery, many moms deal with strong afterpains. These afterpains are most coming during breastfeeding, too. What is the best way to cope with breastfeeding and afterpains? What Are Afterpains? Before you can learn to cope with after pains, it is helpful to know a little bit about them. Afterpains are caused by the uterus … [Read more...]
Tips for Choosing a Breast Pump
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Many breastfeeding mothers will find use for a breast pump at some point in their nursing years. Choosing a breast pump can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, though. They all look so similar and use such interestingly descriptive words! Let us help you navigate the breast pump waters. Choosing a Breast Pump Breast pumps, though certainly not necessary, can be great tools for relieving a bit of engorgement, keeping your supply up should you need to go on medication, or having some breast milk stored in the freezer for times you may be away from your baby. There is a huge variety in pumps, though, and it can be overwhelming for a mom to choose … [Read more...]
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: One Mom’s Thoughts {Book Review}
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When it comes to breastfeeding support, few organizations are as well known as La Leche League International (LLLI). When it comes to breastfeeding resources, few are as time-tested and thorough as the La Leche League guidebook The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. This book, now in its eighth edition, is a 550+ page volume covers breastfeeding basics, the stages of baby and toddlerhood, breastfeeding troubleshooting, and so much more. It's truly more than just your average book on breastfeeding! The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding to My Rescue Eight and a half years ago I became a young, inexperienced, insecure, and terribly overwhelmed new mom … [Read more...]
Natural Ways for Increasing Breast Milk Supply
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Why Try to Increase Breast Milk Supply? Many nursing moms feel the need to boost their milk supply from time to time during their breastfeeding years. There can be all sorts of reasons for this: nighttime weaning, growth spurts, and a baby enthusiastic over solids can all have an impact on milk supply. We can easily start to get nervous when it seems we aren't producing enough milk, but in most cases, there are some very simple and natural ways for increasing breast milk supply. Simple and Natural Ways for Increasing Breast Milk Supply This section contains two Amazon affiliate links. Purchasing through these links comes at no cost to you … [Read more...]
