The Trials of Breastfeeding an 18 Month Old

Can I be honest?  This is not my favorite age to nurse.  In fact, I loathe it!  I know- that sounds horrible!  But he is just so handsy!  His little fingers are all over the place- in my mouth, up my nose, in my belly button, scratching me, picking at me, poking me.  He drives me crazy!

Squinty, silly face!

And he grazes!  A little here, a little there, ten minutes later a little bit more.  As I am nursing him right before bed I feel like I am being slowly tortured to death.

So, if it's that bad, why in the world do I keep doing it, right?!  Well, too many reasons to stop for, obviously.

-I know all the health reasons for a toddler to still be drinking breastmilk and I cannot deny them.

-I know that it should hopefully help ward off ear infections, which he is already prone to, so whatever I can do to help seems worth it.

-It is still such a useful tool!  It helps him (and therefore me) sleep at night and calm him if he is especially upset or crazy.

-There are those rare shining moments that he contently looks up at me, his eyes light up and he smiles (nipple still in mouth) and it is precious. (although he does usually follow such a look up with a slap to the face- kinda ruins it.  Oh, wait- these are supposed to be my reasons to continue... oops)

-I don't feel that he is old enough yet to understand why he would be cut off.  I weened Roman at 2 years old and he "got" it.  I don't think it would be fair to him to sever the supply just yet.

-There are health benefits to me too!  Any less risk I can have of getting breast or other female-related cancers is good by me!  Especially since I wasn't breastfed.

-I would get totally engorged if I quit right now!  I know that over the next 6 months he will slowly nurse less and less which will lead to less discomfort for both of us on quitting day.

First play in the snow!

I know this is all controversial.  Some people look at me in amazement (and as though I just grew a third eye in the middle of my forehead) when they find out I am still nursing him (keep in mind how big he is!).  Others try to force a smile and offer a simple "Hmmm," or "Oh" when they find out that I will not let him nurse until he is 4 (which he probably would if I let him) or whenever he decided to quit.  I find very few people who land in the middle with me, but that's ok.  Offending people has never been a factor in my deciding to breastfeed or not, it has always been about my babies, myself and my family and it always will be.

So for now- I will forge ahead for Lion Cub.  I will tolerate his antics (and possibly resort to putting him in a straight jacket) and deal with it.  I will even do my best to have a good attitude about the whole thing!  Although, deep down, I will probably be looking forward to the day that we are done.

Be sure to visit my sponsor- Marmee's Bread Market- for recipes and everything else you need to easily make fresh baked goods for your family!

BOBA!!

So for those of you who haven't heard, on October 1 the makers of Sleepy Wrap released a brand new carrier for kiddos 15-45lbs and 1-4 years old called Boba (stands for Boulder Baby).  The Boba is a soft, structured carrier that can be worn on either front or back and has ingenious foot straps for toddler's feet to rest in, keeping their legs aligned at the proper 90 degree angle for maximum support.

We were generously sent a Boba to review and were so excited to try it since I had recently been looking into getting a more structured carrier.  Although Lion Cub is only 4 months old, he is already 16lbs and has very good head and back control, so carrier tailored more to a bigger child seemed to be becoming necessary if I was going to be able to keep wearing him.

So, what do I think?  Well, I first tried the carrier on with R-Man who is 3 1/2 and about 28 lbs.  I was thinking, "This is probably going to be really uncomfortable!" But I was pleasantly surprised to find that the carrier dispersed his weight across my back and shoulders very evenly, making me think that if I needed to, I really could carry him in the Boba.  Plus he LOVED it!  I believe his exact words were, "This is so cool mom!"

The next test was with Lion Cub!  I have primarily worn him on the front, since at this stage of the game that is the easiest, and I really can say that I like the Boba a lot!  We have worn it just about everywhere- the apple orchard, the store, breastfeeding group- you name it, we use it!  The straps are really well padded and pretty easy to adjust.  The bottom belt offers a generous amount of support to my back, which is especially important to me having scoliosis (it tends to get worse with the more children you lug around!).  The buckles are both very secure and the length of the back support for the child is nice and long to accommodate a long child (which Lion Cub is!).

What don't I like?  Well, sometimes the buckles seem a little too secure- the large, bottom buckle has a double latching system that can be a little tricky to unclasp when it is on your back.  Also, when wearing the baby on the front, the top clasp (that you hook behind your shoulder blades) can be a little hard to reach.  With that said, however, it hasn't detoured me from using it.

In fact, especially as Lion cub gets bigger and older and I am able to wear him on my back more, I am quite sure that Boba will be our go-to carrier!  It is so well designed with both baby and mama in mind that I think it is pretty hard to beat.  It is rare to find a company who puts as much research and development into making an all around wonderful product such as this, and the fact that it is 100% Organic and made in the US is just the icing on the cake!  Oh, and did I mention that it can easily be adjusted for moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas to all get in on the babywearing action?!  Gotta love that!

I can say with confidence that if I were looking into buying a carrier right now, Boba is the one I would get.  I think I would go so far as to challenge families to try it and not like, because once you use it you can't help but fall in love!  And hey, who doesn't like getting stopped in public and complimented on their beautiful carrier (as has happened to me!)?  The Boba just attracts that kind of attention!  :-)

So, have I convinced you?  Want to try one too?  Head on over to BobaCarrier.com and use the code mamakenz for a 10% discount through November 11- you won't regret it!!

Summer has officially left!

The leaves are beginning to turn and summer has officially departed, and with it my ability to throw my hair into a wet ponytail!  How under-appreciated my wet ponytails have been!  I hadn't realized how beneficial having a spring/summer baby was for this very reason- when I could manage to get a shower but not dry my hair because of my fussy little man, it didn't matter!  I could throw my hair up and I was set!  Well, those days are now gone and my blow dryer is back in business... now I just have to figure out how to make Lion Cub understand mama's need to get ready in the morning!

This getting ready time is especially important now that we are heading into a busier month!  We are going from virtually no activities in September to something nearly every day in October!  I think it will be good though- I tend to be more organized and motivated when I have more to do, and there certainly is a lot!  On top of keeping up on home-preschool and co-op I am also going to start attending a women's study again and a breastfeeding group to go towards my Certified Lactation Educator training (which I am beginning to pour time into again). 

Oh, and I'm working on a curriculum for a Chic & Savvy Mama's- Preparing for Birth and Baby class I would like to start offering this winter.  I am really excited about my ideas and think that it will shape up to be a very informative and fun class.  It is going to be a hybrid of preparing couples for birth while also teaching them about postpartum health, breastfeeding, attachment parenting and natural baby care!  I plan to offer a "tester" course to a few couples for free this winter and then start offering the class "for real!" 

Offering classes feels like the perfect fit for this point in my life.  I have poured so much time into my birth and postpartum doula training but with two small kiddos it is difficult to actually be able to put it into practice.  Teaching classes will give me the ability to work when my husband is home and can watch the boys and also bring in a little extra income which we could really use!  Plus, teaching is such a passion of mine!  I have been so positively influenced by the wonderful doulas, lactation consultants and midwives that I have learned from on my parenting journey that I just want to be able to pass that knowledge on to other families who will appreciate it and benefit from it!

I also want to say a HUGE thank you to all my bloggy friends who have been so supportive recently!  You have no idea what your kind words of encouragement and empathy have meant to me!  It is so nice to know that you are all out there when I am feeling quite alone and frustrated!  So THANK YOU!!

Where I Babywear- trying on pants!

Lion Cub was especially fussy (very tired) and I had no choice but to wear him while I was trying on jeans the other day! My grandma was shopping with me and did have to help me actually get the pants on and off, but it worked!

Have you had any especially a adventurous babywearing outings lately?  Any just regular ones?  Share them here!  Include the Where I Babywear button and post your direct link!!  Can't wait to see!

Next week's meme will be I Was Here... Breastfeeding, so come back prepared with your latest BFing pic or story on Tuesday!

I Was Here Breastfeeding- In a Boat!

We went back out to the lake this past weekend and my in-laws finally put their boat in (they hadn't because during our horrible winter their shed collapsed and broke the whole windshield- frame and all). It has been really warm so it was great to get out on the water! Lion Cub and R-Man loved the new adventure!

I do breastfeed in a boat, I would breastfeed with a goat!
I like to breastfeed, yes I do! I like to breastfeed, how 'bout you?!
Post (include the I Was Here... Breastfeeding button) and Link!

I Was Here Breastfeeding- At My Grandma's!

We went over to my grandma's house this week so that I could do some uninterrupted work on the computer (she has a big beautiful new Mac!) and R-Man could play with my young cousin. So here we are nursing and visiting!


Share your nursing photos for the week! Post, include the I Was Here... Breastfeeding button, and link up!

Where I Babywear- Cleaning the House

Lion Cub is getting so big that I don't wear him as much when we are at home, unless he is having a particularly fussy day. Well the last few days have been just that- particularly fussy- so yesterday I gave in, strapped him on my back and got down to getting some much needed cleaning done! Here are the pictures that my professional little three-year-old photographer snapped:

Here I am vacuuming

Washing Diapers

Putting fresh sheets on the bed! Thank goodness for my Mei Tai!

Link up your babywearing pics from this week (and include the Where I Babywear button)- we would all love to see!!

I Was Here... Breastfeeding- Nursing Rules!

A few weeks ago a friend of mine posted these rules for nursing on her Facebook status and I just couldn't help but post them for an I Was Here... Breastfeeding Meme! I hope you all get as big of a kick out of these as I did!

1. No acrobatics
2. Keep all pinching, hitting or twiddling hands to yourself
3. No favorites, treat both sides as equals
4. No suck, pull back, and let go
5. If you bite, you will be placed firmly on the floor
6. Ask nice
7. Baby kisses or snuggles are not required but are a nice tip
8. I reserve the right to remind you of all the things you did to me when you have little people in your life. ;)

Aren't those great?! So, now I want to hear from all of you! For this week's meme I would love for you to blog about your own little "Rules for Nursing," I am sure this could get hilarious! As always, if you can't think of any rules for yourself (or if you would just rather) you can post a nursing pic of you and your little one(s). Write your post, include the button and come back here to link up in the MckLinky to your direct post! Happy Nursing!

Two Memes in One!

Alright everybody, I got a little behind this week- it was a looooong week! So, please forgive me for the absence of two of my normal memes! To make up for it I am doing a two for one deal- you can link up any post your have that is Breastfeeding or Babywearing related, right here, right now!

Just make sure to place the appropriate button on your blog and then come back and leave the direct link to your post! Can't wait to see what you contribute!

Introducing A Babywearing Meme!

There are few things I love more in life than babywearing! It sounds crazy, and of course there are those times when a mama just needs her space, but I can think of only a handful of things that are as precious as having my little one nestled closely to me in a carrier! Along with the shear fact of the experience, I also thoroughly enjoy trying a variety of carriers! So, the meme I will introduce to day is, of course, all about babywearing!

Much like I Was Here... Breastfeeding, Where I Babywear will be all about the places and ways we wear our babies! Along with my posts I will include a Mr. Linky for all of you to share in the fun, and inspire us with the creative and adventurous ways you wear your babe (or toddler!). Just link to your direct meme post and show us your daily triumphs and trials with a little one attached! Oh, and make sure that you post the Where I Babywear button (code in left sidebar) on your blog post if you would like to be included!

Little ways to fight back & a new Meme!

As many of you are probably aware, The World Health Organization (WHO) has a code, that most of the world (other than the US) abides by, which outlines appropriate practices of formula companies so that they do not undermine the mother-baby breastfeeding relationship. Among the items on this list is not marketing formula directly to mothers as it makes them feel as though at some point they will fail and need to supplement- it sends the message that mother's milk can't possibly be adequate all of the time (which is of course, untrue!).

Regardless, US formula companies host one of the largest advertisement campaigns of any industry and continue to market to us mothers not only through the mail, but also through our reading materials (magazines & websites), and even doctors and hospitals- all of which are against the WHO Code. In addition, I have even seen advertisements from Enfamil lately that specifically promote what they call a "breastfeeding support kit"... which includes formula! Doesn't sound very supportive of breastfeeding to me!


Obviously- this is a huge frustration for me as a breastfeeding mother, doula and lactation educator in training! So, I do what little I can to fight back. First, of course, by helping educate mothers- informed consumers make the best choices, and really, breastfeeding mothers have no need to be "consumers" of infant food anyway! Second, I try to send a message back to the companies- hence the pictured envelope! I send it back and make the message clear! Also, if I attend an event or appointment at which any formula propaganda is distributed, I refuse it.


What else can we do? How about call the companies or write a letter? We can also boycott other products distributed by formula companies (such as Nestle'). We need to let these companies know that their practices are not acceptable and are directly contributing to the horrendous rates of breastfeeding in the US! Every little bit helps!

Of course, beyond "fighting the man" directly we can also do so by simply breastfeeding, and doing it publicly! By this I don't mean that we should be flashing our breasts everywhere, but rather modestly feeding our babies in public locations so that the breastfeeding image returns to the norm in America. The general public needs to be educated in order for any change to occur.

In honor of this idea I will be introducing a new Meme in the coming weeks for all of us BFing mamas out there! It will be called: I Was Here... Breastfeeding!

Each week I am going to try to post a new picture of some place I have breastfed that week- whether it be the park, the mall, the lake, or my son's baseball practice, it doesn't matter as long as I am out there doing it! And I want you all to join me! I will have a Mr. Linky for you to post the direct link to your own post with a pic of where you have been out breastfeeding! Oh, and make sure that you post the I Was Here... Breastfeeding button (code in left sidebar) on your blog post if you would like to be included!

Come on ladies- let's form an army of publicly breastfeeding mamas, share our experiences and help change public perception! This Meme will begin just as soon as this little person pops out of my belly, so keep watching!

Check out the Give Aways!

Alright all you cloth diaper mamas out there (heck, even if you aren't a cloth diaper mama)- you have to check out this blog! It is called The Cloth Diaper Whisperer and it is hosted by Kelly of Kellyscloset.com, diapershops.com (and a few other diapering websites!). It is an adorable blog with lots of great info, best of all- they have a giveaway EVERY WEEK!! With lots of opportunities to enter it is worth a shot! I know I am absolutely hoping to score something for the babe on the way! Enjoy!

So, who the heck am I anyway?

Well, I am so glad you asked! It's an interesting question- one that not even I have the complete answer to, but I will definitely give you some kind of idea of what kinda crazy mama I am (and yes- the fish bowl did seem to distort my face a little! My heart goes out to the fish!)!

So, first and foremost I am a Christian which pretty much defines every other role I have. I got saved when I was 13 but in the last year I have been seeing God work more dramatically in my life than ever before! Needless to say, I am a work in progress and the Lord has really been showing me changes that need to happen in my life to be the kind of wife and mother I envision being. Change is never easy but it is oh so sweet!

In December our family began attending a family discipleship church and it has literally saved my marriage and I believe the future of my family! It is unlike any church I have ever been to- they actually show you how to disciple your children to follow the Lord and they back it up with Biblical evidence! It is wonderful and refreshing! Small, intimate and family oriented- we actually all keep our children in service with us (without any raised eyebrows and sneering glares when our kids make noise- pure bliss!)!

In the recent months my husband and I (pictured up top) have really been seeing just how important our Biblically defined roles are and how blurred they have become in our culture. He is the man and our leader and I am his helper- and I am okay with that because that is the way it was designed (even though it may not always be easy to follow!)! My job is to aid him in his pursuits, raise and educate our children and be the keeper of our home. This is not the menial, redundant job the world makes it out to be- it is a rewarding position that honors God and requires intelligence, creativity, organization and ingenuity! I am not just a housewife- I am a home keeper and glad to be! (For more in this stance you should really check out Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald- it changed my world!)

In my role as the keeper of my home and caretaker for my child (which will hopefully be children sometime next year) I believe it to be paramount that I am well informed about things regarding my family's health and safety. In my research I have found the attachment approach to parenting along with the amazing benefits of cloth diapers, natural homemade household cleaners, natural skincare products and much more, which I like to share with other mamas through my blog and my natural parenting consulting business- Chic & Savvy Mamas. I am also an aspiring doula for birth, postpartum and pregnancy loss (www.hopeforhealing.weebly.com). I am a woman of many hobbies as well! I enjoy knitting, quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, and freelance writing in my spare time- just to name a few!


So that give you a glance of who I am! Christian, wife, mama, homemaker, lover of all things (or almost all things) natural and pursuer of many interests! I would love for you to frequent my blog and follow me on my little journey- we may even exchange some tips and tricks along the way!

Slacker!

Okay- I know! I have been a total slacker on my blog! But all my time lately online has been spent updating my Due-Date Club on MDC (I'm in charge of the due date thread) and Diaper Hunting! Yes, yes, my dears- I have been hunting for diapers! It sounds crazy I know, but twice annually Diaper Decisions holds a Great Cloth Diaper Hunt where you search a bunch of different WAHM sites for a specific diaper icon and the more you find the more prizes you are entered to win! I participated in the one they held in May, but came nowhere near finishing it! This time however I only have 24 more icons left- that means I have found over 100 so far! Waahoo! I really want to win some stuff this time, although it is pretty fun just to see all the different shops and cute things to buy! I have been adding to my online baby registry left and right! Very exciting!

Speaking of babies- I'm still growing one! Although, it still doesn't feel real. My lower stomach is starting to bulge a bit (only enough for me to notice) and so far I haven't had much sickness to speak of- however I do feel more tired this time around and my sense of smell is MUCH more acute! I will probably make my initial appointment with our midwife soon- it would be fun (and reassuring) to hear the heartbeat and such.

Roman is doing well- as crazy as ever! he was Nacho Libre for Halloween! It was hysterical! We took him up to the mall with Elijah and Evalina- both of whom were terrified of him with his mask on! Everyone in the mall kept stopping and saying, "Hey Look! It's Nacho! What an awesome costume!" It was a lot of fun to see him running around in it- he even kept his mask on almost the entire time! I will post pictures soon!

Well, I think that is all for now, but I will try to be better about posting! I am always happy when I do, I just need to make a point to do it!

BOLD Red Tent Event

I am so excited for next weekend! Chic & Savvy Mamas will be doing our very first show- and what a show it will be! It is called The BOLD Red Tent Event (BOLD Stands for Birth On Labor Day). It is going to be at SFCC for 1:00 to 5:00, featuring Birth: A Play by Karen Brody at 2:00. Admission is $5.00. Basically, these events are being help all over the nation in hopes of getting communities to offer Mother-Friendly maternity care. Our area is desperately in need of such an event and for a turn in how our community approaches birth. Along with the play there will be products and professionals all relating to birth, breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapering- pretty much anything natural parenting related. If you aren't into the whole "natural parenting thing" you should still consider coming, however. This event is for all women who have had babies or plan on having babies- we need to be informed!

So, if you haven't already guessed, I have been doing a lot of preparing for this show and therefore have not had much time online to blog (as I would have liked!). Darn it! I will try to get on during the next week, but if I can't and you happen to be in the area, I would love to meet you in person at the BOLD Event! Just look for Chic & Savvy Mamas! See you there!