When it came time to wean my 2 year old I found I was venturing into uncharted territory somewhat, as both my girls I'd weaned at 19 months. Suddenly I found I had a full little personality on my hands, who by 2 years old knew what he wanted, was fairly vocal about it, but was also a lovely affectionate little boy who enjoyed the connection with me. I decided to take a gentle approach rather than completely stop overnight, and although it took a few months to transition, it was a comfortable process for us both. My approach to weaning a two year old was: Ensuring his nutritional needs were all adequately met; Ensuring his … [Read more...]
Please Note: This post may contain sponsor, affiliate, and/or referral links. Read my full disclosure statement.
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.
Best Practice for Pumping and Storing Breast Milk
By 2 Comments
By now you must be aware of how awesome your body is at keeping up with your baby's needs! Assuming you continue to create a demand for milk, your breasts will continue to supply the awesome nutrition that your baby needs until he or she weans. This isn't always done through the tap, however. Oftentimes mothers find themselves pumping and storing breast milk for various reasons. Whether it be to keep up with a NICU baby or so that mom can return to work, there are several things to take into account when pumping and storing breast milk for your baby. Supply & Demand Breastfeeding is supply and demand. That means that the more of a … [Read more...]
What is Breast Milk Jewelry?
Not too long ago, I stumbled across a discussion about breast milk jewelry. I was baffled. What is breast milk jewelry? I soon discovered it's exactly what it sounds like. Breast milk jewelry, also known as breast milk pendants, are keepsakes of your body's most precious gift to your baby: your breast milk. How is Breast Milk Jewelry Made? Although each artist has their own unique system for creating breast milk jewelry, the overall process is similar. You express about 2 tablespoons of breast milk into a baggie, then send the small sample to the jewelry artist. The artist then takes steps to preserve or prepare the milk, molds it into a … [Read more...]
The Breastfeeding Crawl
By 1 Comment
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...]
Twin Manibreasto Review
By 1 Comment
So you're pregnant and you just found out you're expecting twins. You intended on breastfeeding but are at a loss right now. How will you succeed? Where will you go to for advice? The Twin Manibreasto is a brand new book by Mercedes R. Donis, blogger at Project Procastinot. Twin Manibreasto is an inspirational eBook for all moms who are expecting twins and want to breastfeed, filled with experiential advice and lots of tips and tricks and reviews. As a first time mom to twins, Mercedes shares the highs and lows of attempting to breastfeed her two little ones. Read the full review at Authentic Parenting. … [Read more...]
Leaking Breast Milk: What to Expect and How to Stop It
Is leaking breast milk normal? Yes! Leaking breast milk is normal and healthy! It is a sign that breastfeeding is going well! Yet leakage can also be an unpredictable and, maybe, inconvenient part of breastfeeding! When will my breasts start leaking? How long will this last? Similar to many other aspects of women's bodies it is very individual and different from person to person. Some women start leaking colostrum while they are still pregnant. Most mothers only leak breast milk for the first few months while they are establishing a supply that will soon be regulated by their babies. Yet some mothers leak the whole time they nurse and … [Read more...]
How Bottles Lead to Overfeeding Infant Formula and Breast Milk
Oh, those early days and weeks of motherhood are rough, aren't they? We are filled with worry as we are suddenly in charge of the life of another human being while being sleep deprived beyond belief. Whew! We've done a lot of research prior to giving birth and now we just want to do the best we can with what works for our families. One thing that is often overlooked in all the pre-baby research, and often not even touched on by doctors, is how bottles lead to overfeeding infant formula and breast milk. You'll often hear mamas bragging in forums about how their babies are eating like champs and how they had to increase their bottle amounts. … [Read more...]
Milk Banking – the New, Old Story
Have you struggled with milk production? Or just with breastfeeding in general? Maybe you were on the opposite side of the scale and you have had an abundance of milk! Read about my struggles and experience with milk donation, milk banking and all the taboos that come with it . . . Milk – the New, Old Story … [Read more...]
The Evolution of Breastfeeding-from My First to Second Child
By 1 Comment
Have you ever noticed after you buy something new, everyone seems to have it? It’s called perceptual vigilance. The same thing happened when I became pregnant and, subsequently, when I started breastfeeding. I can’t recall ever noticing anyone breastfeeding in my pre-mommy days, nor can I ever recall seeing news headlines about "nurse-ins." Now that I am a mother of two daughters, 23 month old Sophia and 6 month old Harper, I see such headlines pop up on my newsfeed pretty regularly and I got to thinking about my experience...and the evolution of breastfeeding from my first to my second. The Evolution of Breastfeeding When I became pregnant … [Read more...]
How to Pump Long-Term Successfully
By 1 Comment
Isn't it funny how our plans can change once our little one(s) is here? I know mamas who had absolutely no desire to breastfeed, but decided to breastfeed once their baby was born. Or mothers who were adamant about breastfeeding but, because of a collision of circumstances, found joy in giving a bottle. Others plan to pump for "just a little while" but soon find themselves flying right past original goals and wanting to pump long-term. If you're a mama who's chosen to pump long-term for whatever reason, you'll find many helpful tips for getting started with pumping n my post, 20 Tips for Pumping Breast Milk. Once you've gotten your body … [Read more...]
