Sometimes you discover something in the natural world that is so special, so perfectly orchestrated, so amazingly complex as to cause one to wonder at the Creator who designed it all--the metamorphoses of the caterpillar into a butterfly, the earth's tilt, turning, and perfect distance from the sun, the wonder of the science behind the functioning human eye. The breastfeeding crawl is another one of these wonders. Ever heard of it? Well, I hadn't either until my doula mentioned it to me in a prenatal visit. "Look it up on YouTube," she said to me. So, I did. Watching it was very cool, but understanding what all was taking place in the … [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.
Tucked away in the sprawling corn fields of Northwest Iowa, Lael Griess is a busy mother of four and wife to a pastor. Her twin four-year-old sons keep her picking up messes, her precocious 3-year-old daughter keeps her answering questions, her 10-month-old baby daughter keeps her smiling, and her faith in Jesus Christ keeps her eyes fixed on things eternal. In her spare time she enjoys cooking and baking, walking, crafting, gardening, entertaining, and reading. And when she finally has a chance to sit down, she is usually breastfeeding.
laelanglee@gmail.com
Babies, Bottles and Breasts: The Best Breast Pump for Twins
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Ideally, all moms of multiples could breastfeed their babes--simultaneously--without a hitch. But, in reality, there are innumerable difficulties which can spring up and make breastfeeding difficult (or even occasionally impossible) for mothers of multiples. Twins are more likely to spend time in the NICU, where they are often tube-fed or intravenously fed, and sometimes complications from surgeries or prematurity continue even after the babies are brought home. Consequently, many mothers of twins end up pumping, either temporarily or permanently, for one or both babies. If you find yourself facing the prospect of spending hours in front … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding Twins Unassisted: What to Do When You Are All Alone
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When I was pregnant with twins, I knew I wanted to breastfeed them but I wasn't sure how it would work logistically. Where would all those limbs go? How would I hold them? Keep them still? Burp them? What about when one needs a diaper change and the other wants to eat? I knew there would be help in the hospital, but once I took my bundles home, what would I do all alone with them? And is breastfeeding twins unassisted even possible? If you're expecting twins or just recently brought home a pair of squirming babes, you might be feeling a tad...overwhelmed. The first thing I want to say to you is, take heart! You can do it! Breastfeeding … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding as a Spiritual Activity
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I know what you're thinking. "C'mon, seriously?" "Breastfeeding as a spiritual activity?" "What, are you gonna tell me to meditate and pray while I have a baby attached to the front of me in the middle of the night?!" Just hear me out. What Makes It Spiritual? Admittedly, breastfeeding is a physical act. Hormones, chemicals and bodily processes inside you produce a substance to physically sustain another human being. However, it's also emotional, psychological/mental, and spiritual. If Christ lives in your heart, then everything you do is for His glory, to serve His kingdom. If Christ lives in your heart, then everything, … [Read more...]
An Extraordinary Breastfeeding Story (Part 2)
In the first part of this post, I shared a story of extraordinary breastfeeding obstacles, but now I come to the point in the story when we reached extraordinary success. After both of my boys were released from the hospital, we settled into a routine at home. I was successfully breastfeeding Simeon, and he was gaining weight and thriving. JohnOwen was still fed by a tube from his nose to his intestine, and his stomach was completely unable to process food. The first night at home he pulled the tube from his nose, and we found ourselves back in the hospital having it replaced. Feeding from the Tube After about a month at … [Read more...]
An Extraordinary Breastfeeding Story (Part 1)
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I always wanted to be a mom. With a big family. Wanted to start right away after getting married. And, of course, breastfeeding was a given. But God had other plans. After two years of trying, I finally saw two pink lines. And if the story had continued down a traditional path—baby showers, new maternity clothes, What to Expect When Your Expecting, birthing classes, and a little bundle arriving on time—well, then there would be no extraordinary breastfeeding story to share. Instead, two pink lines were followed by months and months of extreme hyperemesis, so that by the time of my 20-week ultrasound, I looked a bit like a skeleton with a … [Read more...]
