tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27736693587844446252024-03-12T22:29:55.742-04:00Difficulture ShockLactation Consulting. Breaking through cultural barriers. Being wifey, mommy, and student. :)
Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-27424270528971215912017-04-25T11:51:00.001-04:002017-05-12T10:44:19.571-04:00Listening: the Tricky Task<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjUZ4oVCFPTRyD6bmdjbMLA-5SNF6bgSnlAgTN3i9WoH1mEZAu8tRYHT9ssYT-7uc6VhxJ9atFepTIrZQjXlMN0RHZ9YBUfI1pLAgiH5_AV6T5jI64cfjgg9oIHS_j1EQyTTLwgmxPy8/s1600/listening.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjUZ4oVCFPTRyD6bmdjbMLA-5SNF6bgSnlAgTN3i9WoH1mEZAu8tRYHT9ssYT-7uc6VhxJ9atFepTIrZQjXlMN0RHZ9YBUfI1pLAgiH5_AV6T5jI64cfjgg9oIHS_j1EQyTTLwgmxPy8/s400/listening.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> I've been contemplating the whole concept of <u>listening</u><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>recently and how crucial it is to both
the parent and the child. As infants, our children depend on our listening
abilities for us, as parents, to read their minds and meet their non-verbalized
needs. We as mothers tend to fall asleep with one ear perked, constantly
listening and ready to spring to the baby's call at any given hour. And as the
child grows and begins to try his skill at words, we attentively listen to help
him form his tiny sounds and complete his short, simple sentences. It's from
this moment on that the<span class="apple-converted-space"> <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":df.1" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">dialogue </span>between parent and
child begins and the give and take slowly forms their relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v6elFlrmVShZfFturLSRNeeEJNHFdnVLLNq2RjksTjmyTM_EN2oI4cgb_059uGaLHpTPxUTK7CT6cUkTPw5pagSymeQGxxJvj7Rj24uvtJ3FzFJmkGLdRc0zNIaWb5MGdm3c9o6iFao/s1600/Conversation-father-and-son.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v6elFlrmVShZfFturLSRNeeEJNHFdnVLLNq2RjksTjmyTM_EN2oI4cgb_059uGaLHpTPxUTK7CT6cUkTPw5pagSymeQGxxJvj7Rj24uvtJ3FzFJmkGLdRc0zNIaWb5MGdm3c9o6iFao/s1600/Conversation-father-and-son.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> The way we, as parents, listen
to our sons and daughters also leads to the establishment of their own self worth.
Depending on our openness to what they have to say or our quick dismissal of
their side of the conversation, our babies could grow up to value themselves
and feel assured in their choices as adults, or struggle with indecision and
self-love throughout their lives and future relationships. Like it or not, we
determine our children's success of independence and maturity through the
simplest and most difficult task of listening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> It's a tough thing to admit
that even as full-grown adults, we thrive on being listened to as an
affirmation of self-importance. I realize that listening well, more than
anything else that I can do as a counselor, can change the entire direction of
a conversation as well as shift the mood of the environment from impossible to
possible. It's a crucial skill and one that I need to practice at regularly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXblNDT1k8k9LFVv44QAaoC-Fo2iABGRmrFPslcFxnXAuJQkoX2VSzDNMxY5HCKROjrVV5nNra_PvEIddcdbSCaItIoPBq1B-qYU0pa2bov17ZwE8m7PG0-Tc9v7vPuw1n-aDEVPgGtk/s1600/conversation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXblNDT1k8k9LFVv44QAaoC-Fo2iABGRmrFPslcFxnXAuJQkoX2VSzDNMxY5HCKROjrVV5nNra_PvEIddcdbSCaItIoPBq1B-qYU0pa2bov17ZwE8m7PG0-Tc9v7vPuw1n-aDEVPgGtk/s320/conversation.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Some
days I just don't listen well. I'm too stuck inside my own head, or too eager
to solve the problem that I miss extremely important nuances that could clue me
in to what is at the core of an issue. This isn't just with clients, but also
with my family. My spouse will point out how he doesn't feel listened to, or my
boys will say my name umpteen times, desperate to tell me something that
matters to them. If I'm honest with myself, sometimes I actually just</span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> do not
care </span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">about whatever is significant enough to my family members that they</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><b style="font-size: 13.5pt;">HAVE<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">to share it with me. Sometimes I'm
just distracted by whatever seems more crucial to me at the moment. Sometimes
it's</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <i>painful<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">for me
to patiently sit and listen ...and not interject. But when I stop being selfish; when I halt my own thoughts for a moment; when I realize that these people are what's MOST important to me, then I can make room for what's important to them. I can make a silent space for them to express themselves openly and completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Today I leave you with a challenge: Make the effort to listen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">No matter how challenging, frustrating, or excruciating it may be, LISTEN. And when you feel yourself forming your response or you notice your thoughts wandering off while your loved one speaks, draw yourself back into this person and their words. In the end, you will build a new level of mutual trust and support in your relationship. You will show your genuine care for that person and give them the feeling of being understood. Isn't that the one thing we all desire? Who knew that listening was the answer to so many pursuits.</span></div>
Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-43916738560790143222016-06-02T15:30:00.000-04:002016-06-03T13:17:12.217-04:00Dear Working Mom<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTsRPanhSzXeGUK0s6J86wheXDUJXyOox_XZ8Wb7BUNFMwVTpKYnJQZbecxEuiAfd-R428nBPV2w5fpHnGn_0IaHntiTQ72w0pGveZRtqsZO9Iz1MT2GSQO-BJ4Uy7aSUe0NVQ9lQmbk/s1600/working+ethnic+mom+title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTsRPanhSzXeGUK0s6J86wheXDUJXyOox_XZ8Wb7BUNFMwVTpKYnJQZbecxEuiAfd-R428nBPV2w5fpHnGn_0IaHntiTQ72w0pGveZRtqsZO9Iz1MT2GSQO-BJ4Uy7aSUe0NVQ9lQmbk/s640/working+ethnic+mom+title.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My love letter to working moms</td></tr>
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This is my letter to the mamas who are committed to breastfeeding their little bundles of joy <i><u>and</u></i> to their outside employment. Juggling life is especially tricky as a working, lactating parent, and even more so here in the United States. So I am writing to you supermoms who work outside the home to help you with the specific challenges of simultaneously breastfeeding, pumping, and working for the man. ;)<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6slXpzMCsAfBCRubB_wkRYlM8QDwBvoxbFE3IzPFSTaxHIV7kMbtl1XEpvQ6LN8RoZZjKEsFez7DBQ4N2LWyGBkl9zH8DDAHylmqovSM2tqeBROpdKXSNyS4uH16GogVIgYrS4xECzcc/s1600/pregnant-working-mother-j0408902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6slXpzMCsAfBCRubB_wkRYlM8QDwBvoxbFE3IzPFSTaxHIV7kMbtl1XEpvQ6LN8RoZZjKEsFez7DBQ4N2LWyGBkl9zH8DDAHylmqovSM2tqeBROpdKXSNyS4uH16GogVIgYrS4xECzcc/s200/pregnant-working-mother-j0408902.jpg" width="198"></a>The best possible piece of advice I have is: Prepare, Prepare, PREPARE... You have roughly 9 months to educate yourself, your partner, your supervisors, your family members, and any potential daycare centers of your goals and plans that come with becoming a mom. I HIGHLY recommend reading "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" as your starting literature. La Leche League sells it on their <a href="http://www.llli.org/thewomanlyartofbreastfeeding" target="_blank">website</a>, you can probably borrow the book from your local LLL group or WIC clinic, or you can buy it on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Womanly-Breastfeeding-Diane-Wiessinger/dp/0345518446" target="_blank">here</a>. Sure, there are plenty of other very helpful books, including "<a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/what-to-expect/landing-page.aspx" target="_blank">What to Expect When You're Expecting</a>," but to be honest, their are <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wte.view&hl=en" target="_blank">apps</a> on your phone that could get you all the info that is in that book and at certain pregnancy markers as you are able to absorb it.<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGmTCB6dVn8XinjmE_LEB6XWOL1uaeV9OenqIFzHLKXtv-1g5uCLqwEbGs3bpuITZ0SxvbH1Wo1m3Jj1TCI9On1IEl06pUsq7JO9j4p_qgsu7legimCCfSKN1R9irjReTojUs4jxwdi0/s1600/Working_Mom_909948+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGmTCB6dVn8XinjmE_LEB6XWOL1uaeV9OenqIFzHLKXtv-1g5uCLqwEbGs3bpuITZ0SxvbH1Wo1m3Jj1TCI9On1IEl06pUsq7JO9j4p_qgsu7legimCCfSKN1R9irjReTojUs4jxwdi0/s200/Working_Mom_909948+-+Copy.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="133"></a>Start making a plan with your HR rep and/or boss of when you'll be returning to work, whether you'll come back full-time or part-time (at least at first), how frequently and where you will be needing to pump and your rights protecting your pump breaks under<a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title29/pdf/USCODE-2011-title29-chap8-sec207.pdf" target="_blank"> federal</a> (and <a href="http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/breastfeeding-state-laws.aspx" target="_blank">state</a>) laws, what measures, if any, you can/will take to store your pumped milk, and anything else you can think of to cover with your supervisors for your unique work/home situation. Virtually as soon as you see that positive signal on your pregnancy test, start formulating your goals and plans to present to your job as well as with your partner and daycare provider. Attending birthing and labor classes and infant feeding education classes with your partner or a support person will help you form a plan as it provides perspectives that maybe you hadn't considered on your own.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHWji1vrsK_0xZwFAd0-JPiNXSgON_Mh9PWqPM2KavDejOdtxnh1tvxhEPt630LscoqJte9W0rdnwmVfY0HQhXg4X1OXrzM9ekNbeBs0vc0Ra-gmXXqVGboBIhZFKI5t6CJJoP4ZqsY4/s1600/working-mothers-quote+-+Copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHWji1vrsK_0xZwFAd0-JPiNXSgON_Mh9PWqPM2KavDejOdtxnh1tvxhEPt630LscoqJte9W0rdnwmVfY0HQhXg4X1OXrzM9ekNbeBs0vc0Ra-gmXXqVGboBIhZFKI5t6CJJoP4ZqsY4/s400/working-mothers-quote+-+Copy.png" width="400"></a>Next, is the matter of pumping and building a nice stock of expressed breast milk. When pumping milk for the time that you'll be away, keep in mind that babies may eat a bit more from a bottle, especially if the care-giver is not<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH4T70OSzGs" target="_blank"> pacing the bottle feeds</a>. Normally, I don't encourage moms to start pumping or introducing bottles until after 6 weeks. Of course, that's the entire maternity leave of most moms, and some more unfortunate moms go back much earlier than that. The next best timeline to give is the first 2 weeks focusing on exclusively breastfeeding, to get down the routine, and get in plenty of practice to perfect latching on, before adding in pumping, storing, and bottle feeding. If you're going back to work before 2 weeks postpartum, reconsider. Your body has gone through serious changes and, dare I say, trauma and it is not recommended that any postpartum mom be on her feet too much or do any strenuous activity while the body is healing. This is regardless of whether you had a c-section or delivered vaginally, although each has it's own particular precautions to consider. When it comes to pumping, I recommend pumping more often than the baby nurses, at least in the beginning. Fitting in pumping <i>while</i> nursing can help ease the extra work that comes with pumping that often.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN9-l-J9Enej6YiiRn1pulLxM2VHv1Sxg75bY86HMHsQrnlNH-o7H0rrgFOwOcrJ8oLtW0dSIEC8iX87qyq9OvC7w5NUbix0zEBmRCOyKqIT3-afePLC_taVc9phnF4jhe3fuIWqaLnc/s1600/working-mom-experiment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN9-l-J9Enej6YiiRn1pulLxM2VHv1Sxg75bY86HMHsQrnlNH-o7H0rrgFOwOcrJ8oLtW0dSIEC8iX87qyq9OvC7w5NUbix0zEBmRCOyKqIT3-afePLC_taVc9phnF4jhe3fuIWqaLnc/s320/working-mom-experiment.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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Lastly, not everyone struggles with a little thing we call "mommy guilt," but if you happen to feel the burden of leaving your newborn and consequently the guilt of "abandoning" your baby for periods of time, take a deep breath. While going back to work when the baby is so very little is not an ideal situation, it is the reality for a huge number of moms. A reality that I don't see changing anytime soon. But remember that motherhood in and of itself is the hardest job you will ever have and there's no right or perfect way to be a mom. If you love your child and you do your best to provide your baby with the strongest, most ideal start to life, then pat yourself on the back because that is all anyone could ever ask for.<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71Jo73yfgrhXVR9OmP5T9z-PRsCsGnGKJL9Xc-wFLasheT2_WH_BwmZdk77H4cxCEj4M009U83KLbCFuD1URsR7P9wAL2ZW1OFg4rv6PW0kelxJYpiAqbE0nyxUrEdtm-5S5Wv7VYGMU/s1600/WorkingMomGuilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71Jo73yfgrhXVR9OmP5T9z-PRsCsGnGKJL9Xc-wFLasheT2_WH_BwmZdk77H4cxCEj4M009U83KLbCFuD1URsR7P9wAL2ZW1OFg4rv6PW0kelxJYpiAqbE0nyxUrEdtm-5S5Wv7VYGMU/s200/WorkingMomGuilt.jpg" width="200"></a> Being a mom is hard whether you stay at home for the first 10 years of your child's life or you're out the door to work while your baby is still a baby. Neither situation makes parenting easier, trust me. I'm speaking from my own personal experience here. While I stayed home with my oldest until he was 3, I was putting my youngest into daycare when he turned one to go back to school/work. Both situations had their own unique struggles and while I preferred being at home with my teeny, tiny little guys, I also welcomed the freedom of sipping coffee quietly in a cafe while studying without interruption. Either way, if you can nurse your baby while home and if you're even able to exclusively feed your baby your (pumped) breast milk when you're away,<i> know</i> that you are giving your baby <b><i>liquid<u> love </u></i></b>with every drop. So good job, mama!!! Feel guilty no more. Take heart in knowing that your baby is well cared for just by the fact that YOU care for, worry about, and love him/her with every thought, breath, and ounce of breast milk.<br>
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Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-10291038208686070112016-03-21T15:45:00.000-04:002016-03-21T16:42:50.456-04:003 Thoughts I Had When I First Met My Husband<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think of all the complexities of life, falling in love is the most mysterious. </div>
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I often look around at my home and family and marvel at how I ended up here. Thinking back at the first interactions with my now husband of almost 8 years, I could never have imagined this is where we'd be. I am truly amazed and grateful on a daily basis for how God has blessed me and guided my path. Despite my best efforts to do my own thing and divert my future from where I stand today, God was faithful to bring someone into my life who grounded me in a way I wasn't (I thought) prepared for.</div>
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The year I met my man, I was in a very dark place mentally, emotionally, and financially. I had a string of bad dates and relationships that went nowhere. The pressure of bills without a roommate had led me to take a management job to avoid working multiple jobs, which I'd been doing for too long. Once thrown into a position I was barely trained for with no support from staff nor upper management, I knew that my new position was a huge mistake and very negatively affecting me, crushing my spirit a little more every day. I had become the kind of employee I'm intolerant of and didn't recognize myself at work nor in private. So, I chose to up and quit spontaneously. Immediately after, I jumped in my car and drove to my parents' house to spend one of the last opportunities I had for a Christmas with my <i>entire</i> family. From there, I left my apartment and moved back to my parents' home, compelled by my deep depression. I was fully aware how dangerous my depression had become and knew I needed to be surrounded by people who loved me and would keep me accountable. Under all these circumstances, I still somehow found the capacity to fall in love.</div>
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Although I had sworn off men and intimate relationships, <span style="text-align: justify;">I was determined to make new friends, start the healing process, and repair my spiritual life one step at a time. My sister had become the door to a new world of friends and social events, and I took the opportunities that came which led to my meeting my husband.</span></div>
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So, today I'm going to share with you the first thoughts I had the day I met my hubby-wubs:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1</span>. The very first thing that struck me was how tall he was. I'm not sure what I was expecting when I went to his house for a dinner "party." I was just initially stunned at how tall he was. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2</span>. His height wasn't the only thing that was bigger than I expected... Hey now, dear readers. Get your minds out of the gutter, I was only referring to his personality! He was so friendly, non-judgmental, hospitable, and such a fresh breath of air. I felt comfortable and relaxed in his presence, which led to great conversation, which led to us finding out how much we agreed on and how compatible we were. Even if I wasn't immediately hearing wedding bells, he was definitely a candidate to become a very, very good friend. I can't overstate how much that helped with my recovery. Hope was reborn in discovering his new friendship.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3</span>. He was exotic to me. He came from a different world both figuratively and literally. He spoke a new language, cooked savory, distinctive food, listened and danced to exciting music. He had such an original perspective on life. I <i><b>LOVED</b></i> that. Still do, by the way. ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJP64CRpjcscJ6Fwof0yJuv0rFz18qhhobf1Ff_wn4JY8bB7bD8DCz2CgGgmBnZ44OExui5OOf5JdONu6H65m1DFuAviiRlJFxL3FW6xOhbW6fbTh7BVp_nJF2OsglNJRP7X-DdkPpeI/s1600/autumn+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJP64CRpjcscJ6Fwof0yJuv0rFz18qhhobf1Ff_wn4JY8bB7bD8DCz2CgGgmBnZ44OExui5OOf5JdONu6H65m1DFuAviiRlJFxL3FW6xOhbW6fbTh7BVp_nJF2OsglNJRP7X-DdkPpeI/s200/autumn+love.jpg" width="200"></a>Through all the challenges we've faced separately and together, we were both shaped and stretched into better people. Today when obstacles come, as they often do in life, we choose to take them head on and grow stronger together. This has been our glue in marriage. Bonded we stand, divided we fail. If there is any advice I could leave, it would be: STICK TOGETHER. Fight everything that tries to pull you apart. Life is filled with distractions and tests that will try to keep you apart and drive a division between you and your partner; <i><b>fight </b></i>against those things with all of your will. And if you both battle to be united, you will succeed in finding each other and building a stronger union with your spouse and companion. </div>
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Now, it's just the two of us against the world! </div>
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Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-46572402380781227112016-02-04T15:00:00.000-05:002016-02-06T13:29:24.459-05:00Is your baby or toddler ready to wean?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_T5scgr_fYKj4MxAHK1-NtgVoMxA0i5i5OA377VeabmLSjHSDxDIGnCnWMb4TAhyphenhyphenUgLi857p01M3QNu9zDHRSP8qzur4-Jp9YTN9DxwtmsR5Q6dwoS5CFFPaM1bSb8d4hprE5tETIhdI/s1600/toddler+bf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_T5scgr_fYKj4MxAHK1-NtgVoMxA0i5i5OA377VeabmLSjHSDxDIGnCnWMb4TAhyphenhyphenUgLi857p01M3QNu9zDHRSP8qzur4-Jp9YTN9DxwtmsR5Q6dwoS5CFFPaM1bSb8d4hprE5tETIhdI/s640/toddler+bf2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Recently, I have often been asked about<i> weaning</i>. So, before I give you my best suggestions, ask yourself these Questions: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>+ Is your baby at least a year old?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> If not, reconsider weaning altogether. Remember that a 6 month old who has begun solids is already starting the weaning process."<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.04px;"><a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/129/3/e827.full" target="_blank">The American Academy of Pediatrics</a> reaffirms its recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 26.04px;">or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant."</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 26.04px;"> What's more is that the </span><a href="http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 26.04px;" target="_blank">World Health Organization</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 26.04px;"> affirms that "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>+ Is your baby teething or going through growth spurts? </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> If so, consider that the discomfort he is experiencing may drive him to the breast more frequently throughout his day. Nothing soothes physical and emotional discomfort like mommy's breast milk and cuddles.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>+ Do you see that your baby/toddler seeks out nursing when she is out and about or with other friends/relatives?</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> If not, that is a good indicator that you can successfully begin fully weaning her from the breast without too much adverse affects on or reactions from your toddler.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>+ Are you and/or your family making big changes to your life, routine, etc?</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> If so, consider that your child may be more resistant to weaning as it is his place of comfort and normalcy in his new, unfamiliar day. Maybe wait a month or so for things to settle down and for the new changes to become more routine. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQ4E6xUBY7jGAyaeJZN6YwEqJgWNK6VoKFBmyH5qMcicAVGc95na1bRzszRVPZz5FQmX8T8ZsKvpfXm7GnyXNVI_BkAQ2W-t0q9vHzmtLc8OZofylRDayfrxhPC7WOWqTbQ28wW99VHc/s1600/toddler-breastfeeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQ4E6xUBY7jGAyaeJZN6YwEqJgWNK6VoKFBmyH5qMcicAVGc95na1bRzszRVPZz5FQmX8T8ZsKvpfXm7GnyXNVI_BkAQ2W-t0q9vHzmtLc8OZofylRDayfrxhPC7WOWqTbQ28wW99VHc/s320/toddler-breastfeeding.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>So, Are you really ready to wean completely? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sometimes
just cutting back on the amount of times you breastfeed can really improve your experience and how your overall weaning process goes. If your baby is under a
year, you will still have to supplement a bottle or cup feeding for a missed
breastfeeding. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">If weaning is your decision, it's best for you and
your baby to do it gradually, and<i><b> with love.</b></i> If you wean "cold
turkey," your breasts will likely become painfully engorged, and you might
develop a breast infection or other complication. Your baby will probably fight the switch from your
warm, soft breast to a plastic substitute. He might mourn the loss of
"his" breasts.<i> Keep in mind that babies nurse for more than just milk, and a bottle or cup will not comfort or support his development the way breastfeeding does.</i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">An older baby may accept a drink from a cup, a
nutritious snack, or just a distraction in the form of a game, a toy, or change
of scene.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">To wean a baby under a year, if the baby won't accept
the bottle from you, (he knows the breast is near!), see
if Daddy or Grandma can succeed. Let the baby have a few days (or weeks)
between each time you substitute a breastfeeding session with a bottle. If you
become engorged , express a little milk from your breasts to your own comfort.
Don't express a whole feeding's worth of milk; just take the pressure off. Your
body will get the signal to make less milk over time.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjxVirguWyQBupfwR-TPPhZ35tTswbBL3z7q3N_ZHzYTVZRaRAchUJ3GMgjgjMyRDLBZumS6uKE9tU-Qp5WykgzR75nHyYGWIe2b9jgQdRytas63l7aJo-rxWEaq3RisglidG4tL74MQ/s1600/bf+awareness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjxVirguWyQBupfwR-TPPhZ35tTswbBL3z7q3N_ZHzYTVZRaRAchUJ3GMgjgjMyRDLBZumS6uKE9tU-Qp5WykgzR75nHyYGWIe2b9jgQdRytas63l7aJo-rxWEaq3RisglidG4tL74MQ/s400/bf+awareness.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">A useful resource is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><em><span style="font-style: normal;">The Nursing Mother's Guide to Weaning</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">by Kathleen Huggins and Linda Ziedrich, available from<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://store.llli.org/">the
LLLI Online Store</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span><br />
<b><u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></u></b>
<b><u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Other Tips:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">-</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>A lot </i>of extra love
and attention in other forms will be needed now. Try getting out more: to the playground,
a friend's house, shopping, museums, anything your child will be distracted
with and stimulated by.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-Talk to your child
about what's going on. She may understand more than you think.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-Read stories, rub or
scratch his little back, sing and dance. It's a whole new stage in your growing
child's life. You will still be needed, just in different ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-Substitute her least
favorite feeding first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">- At mealtimes, try
to offer food first, with a short session at the breast for later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">-Avoid sitting down
in your special favorite "nursing chair." Put away your favorite
nursing pillow, if you have one.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">-</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Substitute a cup of
water, juice or cow's milk (if tolerated), or solid food, for your toddler's
least important feeding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">- Dad (or another
relative) can help by taking the baby to the kitchen for a good
breakfast--Daddy style. This can become a special time for both of them. (And maybe
you get some extra sleep!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">- To wean a baby who
is about a year, or older, all you may need to do is stop offering the breast.
"Don't offer, don't refuse" may work for you.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">–</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The nighttime
feeding is usually the last to go. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Completely change the order of bedtime routine items to confuse
him/her, creating less demand to nurse when it is not part of a new routine.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">-Make a bedtime
routine not centered on breastfeeding. A good book or two will eventually
become more important than a long session at the breast. Your child may be
content just to rest his head on your breast instead of feeding</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">–<span class="uficommentbody"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346242045845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346242045845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346242045845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Have daddy take over the bedtime routine. It’s
good bonding for them. So if you have someone else that can put her to bed,
that will help. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="uficommentbody"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346242045845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346242045845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346242045845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejMeZWiV2_H3KopN-83WCkBc7su2wq5vwJVAgNBHJ6D4FxmwPtxDx8FWjjb-b_itc2lKM_0i5UJYBFKuFu3oPjdx_GhuDj2tWvIZwoPmejbwdGvd0tUtCPLgP8cdjSffhWNHcapI628U/s1600/cute+bf+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejMeZWiV2_H3KopN-83WCkBc7su2wq5vwJVAgNBHJ6D4FxmwPtxDx8FWjjb-b_itc2lKM_0i5UJYBFKuFu3oPjdx_GhuDj2tWvIZwoPmejbwdGvd0tUtCPLgP8cdjSffhWNHcapI628U/s1600/cute+bf+baby.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="uficommentbody"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-Instead of breastfeeding,
give him a bottle with just water. He will learn that it’s pointless to wake up
at night, just for water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">–<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346253730845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346253730845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346253730845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346253730845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346253730845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Try <span class="uficommentbody">putting a drop of
ginger extract on the areola (not on the nipple). It’s so bitter that it will
put her off. The next day, rub some on your shirt near the breast to keep
her away from the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-T<span class="uficommentbody"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346343760845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346343760845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346343760845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ry just holding him. A lot of the times
it’s not so much the milk but the warmth, smell, and sound of you that calms
him. Make sure he ate enough at dinner and just try being with him. <b><i>Eventually,
he’ll realize that losing the milk doesn’t mean he is losing his mommy</i></b>.</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">–<span class="uficommentbody"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346345475845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346345475845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346345475845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Put band aids on your nipples and your baby will
see that you have an “ouchie”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">–<span class="uficommentbody"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152347013525845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152347013525845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152347013525845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Put Vegemite on the areola and tell her it’s a “boo-boo”! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">–<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346244305845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346244305845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346244305845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="box-sizing: border-box;">With food coloring, <span class="uficommentbody">draw
black dots or lines on your breasts/areolas to deter the baby from wanting to
latch. Babies/toddlers love familiarity, but if his favorite place to eat looks
drastically different, he may not want it anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346244305845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346244305845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346244305845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="uficommentbody"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346244305845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346244305845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10152344262615845_10152346244305845:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="uficommentbody">Basically, like everything in the life of parenting, keep trying different things until something begins to work. But keep in mind that weaning can be a bit like potty training in that you can keep trying to make it work, but if your child isn't ready, it'll be that much more difficult. It may actually mean less stress and frustration if you wait a little while and try again, when your baby may be ready. In the meantime, mamas: Keep Calm and Nurse ON!</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-79585383335005352472016-01-19T14:34:00.001-05:002016-01-19T14:34:20.998-05:00The Relentless OptimistMy husband is amazingly optimistic.... did I say amazingly? .... I meant annoyingly....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTBmol-wGNtAoyxFSWegvvCN5x5E7LNT3sQBy1mO8SqqTJwbB-spsQqH22pOozzTtQragnmqUJwL59Tx6Jb9kdf1tCkfWEixXtFmFGwN5Sy01HBXkti3BteldjCv54x3_CZ_RivjkOsg/s1600/optimism+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTBmol-wGNtAoyxFSWegvvCN5x5E7LNT3sQBy1mO8SqqTJwbB-spsQqH22pOozzTtQragnmqUJwL59Tx6Jb9kdf1tCkfWEixXtFmFGwN5Sy01HBXkti3BteldjCv54x3_CZ_RivjkOsg/s400/optimism+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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His smile is seen more often than his frown. He loves to laugh, even at depressing or difficult times. He doesn't give in to reality telling him he won't get that promotion that he's only partially qualified for. He's probably not the guy you want to vent to because he'll find a way to put a happy spin on your misery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6Y2HM_fWcY5lamJqTQo9I5K0PBxivKB0Hk8NG-6iS2cUlo4CqgJ2S6frjzGobhONedgsbmTAWiw804sp_UZYY_lZpKwbXpPlS8nsen1_XY-BoMRUHVhTu0fyU5Mmt1dNKCLJyM-XYgY/s1600/optimism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6Y2HM_fWcY5lamJqTQo9I5K0PBxivKB0Hk8NG-6iS2cUlo4CqgJ2S6frjzGobhONedgsbmTAWiw804sp_UZYY_lZpKwbXpPlS8nsen1_XY-BoMRUHVhTu0fyU5Mmt1dNKCLJyM-XYgY/s200/optimism.jpg" width="200" /></a>Don't get me wrong, I'm not a pessimist at heart. I just have a slightly more realistic perspective. For example, I understand real time frames, where my hubby tries to fit everything plus the kitchen sink into his day-to-day schedule. One day off means he'll attempt to wash the car, bathe the dog, fix the leaky sink, take the kids grocery shopping with him, pay every bill 2 weeks in advance, and cure world hunger. And he'll actually be surprised if he can't get it all done by the end of his day. While I won't be surprised if something gets missed, I have to admit that he does impress me more times than naught. His lofty goals truly do push him to go further, climb higher, and achieve more in less time than most would ever dare. This man could be knocked down and told "no" a million times and he'll still get up and try to change the answer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWah36Xyqm7uaroavpOkTbKRQ9j9z0hThqQYtTq5r2s48dToGMcItuXbsUYquDHCk43nGjpka4lFnWflMq7Qruy1E00iDIGEfG39tV9I1LGNtYuz8QSz-YVWt1G88ZXVtaTLmFUVg6Pk/s1600/optimism+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWah36Xyqm7uaroavpOkTbKRQ9j9z0hThqQYtTq5r2s48dToGMcItuXbsUYquDHCk43nGjpka4lFnWflMq7Qruy1E00iDIGEfG39tV9I1LGNtYuz8QSz-YVWt1G88ZXVtaTLmFUVg6Pk/s320/optimism+%25281%2529.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
But guess what? His persistence got him that improbable promotion... it also got him,... me. ;) Whether or not he thought I was "out of his league," his optimistic attitude did not deter him from trying to win me over, and it paid off BIG time!<br />
Now we have a loving marriage filled with unconditional security in each other's commitment to one another and mutual respect that binds us tighter every day.<br />
He insists that it's his heritage that causes him to see the world through rose colored glasses. Admittedly, Dominican history does show that his people have overcome many hardships and much oppression and just maybe it's this "relentless optimism" that has brought them through the fire time and time again. I can't say for sure, but I can assert that his optimistic attitude, even when it annoys me from time to time, does make my days brighter, refocuses my mind from negativity, and my life overall is happier than it's ever been!<br />
Thank you, my love, for being my sunshine. Especially on my cloudy days.<br />
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Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-14203556019412390282016-01-14T14:25:00.005-05:002016-01-14T14:33:22.176-05:00Is "Dieting" An Option When Breastfeeding?Happy New Year, Dear Readers!!!<br />
As 2016 comes into full swing, I think we all look down at the scale and make some resolutions that include our diet and exercise habits. The holidays have definitely been good to me and I, myself, would like to change the numbers on my measuring tape. I'm often asked by many a lactating mom, how to lose weight safely without affecting her milk supply. If your supply is already established and you are past your 6 week postpartum checkup, you can most certainly make some dietary changes in your (and your waist's) favor. Honestly, it's not as complicated as we make it seem, but first, I always recommend you talk to your Dr. first before making significant changes to your diet and activity level. Plus, you'll want to rule out other potential issues, like thyroid or glucose problems, etc.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqqrIh1KAGAL96738rHTNwnXePx64P-9jtmP8Jwui6sS2qn8hmOnAcN0avZ7TOM4D3Pdeu1slFlJs6AOGK8m9JeFCrGzPcVdiWT0kkF31vKImiOlFopkuyg_4D9d84I5YaqLcchcmWks/s1600/Heart-of-fruits-and-vegetables-184383741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqqrIh1KAGAL96738rHTNwnXePx64P-9jtmP8Jwui6sS2qn8hmOnAcN0avZ7TOM4D3Pdeu1slFlJs6AOGK8m9JeFCrGzPcVdiWT0kkF31vKImiOlFopkuyg_4D9d84I5YaqLcchcmWks/s200/Heart-of-fruits-and-vegetables-184383741.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
So, first thing is first! Decide (preferably with your Dr.) how much weight is healthy for your body and keep that as your goal. None of us naturally look like super models, and to be honest, who would want to? The best thing you can do is embrace the womanly changes that come with having babies! I actually have hips and breasts now, so for me, losing too much weight would be upsetting and counterproductive to having the curvy, full body I always wanted as a scrawny teenager. So no matter what your pet peeve is, try to love your new body in every possible way, because you are doing amazing things with it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffM1u4lLQ0DyHbOPzWAqkvz6Q18vS-Q7FTPnLRSQ368sI24oQGkJLIayf7R4o_C7fUeCsemB4SrMvzjfFOTIQ-XwPNbMK_fjvHEWaaq1UJ9UwUq4WeQKu5YktjC5wcvZKJPVhDbgAw6k/s1600/Love-Your-Body.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffM1u4lLQ0DyHbOPzWAqkvz6Q18vS-Q7FTPnLRSQ368sI24oQGkJLIayf7R4o_C7fUeCsemB4SrMvzjfFOTIQ-XwPNbMK_fjvHEWaaq1UJ9UwUq4WeQKu5YktjC5wcvZKJPVhDbgAw6k/s320/Love-Your-Body.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Since my husband is a nutritionist and I've taken nutrition in college, I feel confident in telling you that without a doubt, the best diet to lose a healthy amount of weight is one FULL of veggies and fruits. Preferably fresh, though frozen produce can be just as delicious and most of the nutrients are preserved in the freezing process; whereas fresh produce that is out of season tends to lose a lot of it's nutritional value through the processes of synthetic growth or long transport to the local grocery store.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROK5iEr7rDUIDmhkCq0aSYhE-iauznTuK8oUQ7HhZWBy6UuigOffRJDd2z2XRg6BCIEtQpO3eUnNC5YwuWiJ8B152TNfzmvgJHTc7Bu2bIDSU6PA3oLTlX48wtIw-4dTE0inBTCQ1zQg/s1600/Vegetables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROK5iEr7rDUIDmhkCq0aSYhE-iauznTuK8oUQ7HhZWBy6UuigOffRJDd2z2XRg6BCIEtQpO3eUnNC5YwuWiJ8B152TNfzmvgJHTc7Bu2bIDSU6PA3oLTlX48wtIw-4dTE0inBTCQ1zQg/s200/Vegetables.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe-Pl6joAT3CU1427RMW2sqf5avJ_2EvXRq_t77hL-27te9pH5M6O71VxbngmjOo7i2NtQafhnfZuhREL1Q4l7DyiyyQbXmrmuO4akmGIySL9BRjyR1aYyzydNYst9mSbyCn7lmNuuH0/s1600/fruit-veg-rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe-Pl6joAT3CU1427RMW2sqf5avJ_2EvXRq_t77hL-27te9pH5M6O71VxbngmjOo7i2NtQafhnfZuhREL1Q4l7DyiyyQbXmrmuO4akmGIySL9BRjyR1aYyzydNYst9mSbyCn7lmNuuH0/s200/fruit-veg-rainbow.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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-But if your diet is made up of 50% veggies, fruits, and legumes, and evenly split the rest of your diet between whole grains and lean protein, you will do well and feel more energetic.<br />
-Also, look at what you're drinking. Soda, even the diet kind, only creates a pattern of addiction and you fill up on unnecessary empty calories. Lots of water isn't just what your body needs, but it will quench your thirst which could be mistaken as hunger as well. Making fresh juices or smoothies is a great snack and helps get more of the nutrients and filling fiber to kill cravings and fill up on "good for you" foods.<br />
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-Avoid the processed stuff. Basically, try to shop along the walls of your grocery store for most of your groceries rather than going through the aisles, since most of that stuff is over-processed pantry items.<br />
-Make a habit of cooking at least once a day and it becomes easier than going through a drive through, believe it or not! Trust me, before my husband, cooking was such a chore, I avoided it at all costs! Now, after years of practice and habit, I really enjoy the process of experimenting with different ingredients and seasonings to see how the finished product will turn out. And I feel good everyday knowing that my whole family is eating better because of my effort to do so.<br />
As all these wholesome, good foods work through your system and you start to feel better and have a little more energy, you can start incorporating some activity.<br />
-In this case, ANYTHING is better than nothing. So find what works for you: A nice walk in the morning to clear your head or after dinner to wind down. Yoga is great for the mind and body and just 10 minutes everyday can make a big difference in the daily aches and pains. I love dancing! There are all kinds of exercise dance classes or videos to do at home, or you and your partner can take a class together. That's good for your body and your intimacy! Whatever it is that you do, do it because it makes you feel good and you have fun doing it!<br />
Good luck to all you Milk Making Mamas who are making big, healthy changes with the new year. And remember, a cheeseburger once in a while is OK!<br />
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Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-51002152216200693872015-12-08T15:00:00.000-05:002015-12-08T15:00:01.821-05:00Certified At Last!Hey all! So, I missed last month completely. Sorry for that. I'm sure you all can relate to how crazy busy it can get around this time of year.<br />
I have exciting news to share with my readers:<br />
I am officially a certified lactation counselor!<br />
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To anyone who is interested in the program and looking into getting certified, let me give you a quick run down of the process. I went through the <a href="http://www.healthychildren.cc/" target="_blank">Healthy Children Project</a> certification training course in October. It was a week (5 days) of classes that took all day and we were thoroughly educated on everything from basic female anatomy to counseling techniques to assessing a good latch. To say it was intense is a bit of an understatement. Imagine attending school full time, no... Imagine attending school double the full time credits for a week, then add homework every night onto that plus group practice work in and out of the classroom. Then a final exam on the afternoon of the last day after your last lesson is crammed into your brain during the morning of that same day. FUN!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3qnvcxbTgydOc34iAvYFQKdNw1-i-P3VUG2VDZyt7VsTQ0pfEWR9ktPy0KQzQvnfDGZxC6o-NV-IfUh5cdpragwcG982NpRL2wctdCx-gkknxhimeC7XhiuAinVTMrtVuhOz0Z7o6Bs/s1600/a%252B+grade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3qnvcxbTgydOc34iAvYFQKdNw1-i-P3VUG2VDZyt7VsTQ0pfEWR9ktPy0KQzQvnfDGZxC6o-NV-IfUh5cdpragwcG982NpRL2wctdCx-gkknxhimeC7XhiuAinVTMrtVuhOz0Z7o6Bs/s200/a%252B+grade.jpg" width="160" /></a>So, as you can assume, there is no life to have during that week; especially if you take on a 2 hour round trip commute each of those days as I did. My family suffered through with a shell of a wife and mother whose mind was distracted and body was exhausted. The house suffered as well since its main keeper was preoccupied... the laundry was at mountainous proportions by time the weekend came. If you can prepare yourself ahead of time for all of that, you will be able to focus all of your efforts on learning and passing that exam. Now, the exam is no joke. It's a 2 part exam divided between a multiple choice part and a video assessment part. As challenging as the multiple choice questions could be, the video assessment was truly nerve racking!! You get 3- 30 second chances each to see the right and wrong of 2 different latches, you are stuck with what the camera can show you... Challenging!!! But not impossible. :)<br />
It's one week of major sacrifice and dedication but you'll emerge with an immense wealth of fresh knowledge and confidence in how to support these lactating moms on a whole new level! And if you do well, you get a piece of paper that legitimizes your hard work and a few initials you get to add to the end of your name. So, there you have it! This is an ideal program for doulas, midwives, nurses, WIC employees, pediatricians, obgyn's, daycare workers, and anyone who works with pregnant/lactating women and/or babies on a regular basis. Also great for anyone who is interested in gaining more knowledge in the realm of breast milk/ breastfeeding in general!<br />
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Next stop on the certification train, IBCLC!!!! Woot Woot!<br />
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<br />Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-15981354905278736422015-10-11T11:36:00.003-04:002015-10-11T11:37:08.674-04:00SNUGGLES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's starting to get chilly here in the Northeast. It's the time of year for chunky sweaters, extra blankets, and all things pumpkin. It's also that time of year where I love having someone to cozy up with. Whether it's my partner in life, my rambunctious little boys, or my warm, furry puppy dog, I love having someone to snuggle with. No one is better at snuggling than a tiny bundle of sweet baby!<br />
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If ever you needed an excuse to cuddle your infant, here's a good one! As the days get shorter and colder, it comes even more naturally to want to hold your baby close to keep the chill away from both your little one and yourself. But did you know with all those extra cuddles comes so many benefits? Firstly, by holding your baby you give him more opportunity to nurse! While he's hanging out right there in the "breastaurant," you can catch those subtle cues of hunger and rooting, giving you the chance to latch him before he's too upset to nurse. That's one fantastic benefit! More milk means more health benefits!!<br />
What's more is that as the outside temperatures begin to dip, mom can keep her baby's body temperature regulated and comfortable just by keeping baby on her chest. We love to bundle up our babies, trying to keep away the chill, but all our worries would be alleviated if we just hold our babies close! How simple is that?<br />
Not just that, but moms get a rush of endorphins with each warm squeeze and sweet scent of their baby, making mom feel happier and more relaxed... What mom doesn't need that?<br />
Also, research has proven that babies who are held more, cry less! What an incentive!! Not only will you solve your frustrations of "why is the baby crying?!" But the baby is less stressed allowing him/her to develop and grow more effectively. So snuggle your baby! Wear your baby everywhere and throughout your daily routine. And enjoy all the nice bonuses that come with every cuddle!!<br />
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<br />Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-16116340248495827122015-09-17T13:04:00.001-04:002015-09-17T13:04:09.818-04:00Starting to post videos on youtube! It's official! :D<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3CFjYyhxvQM" width="459"></iframe>Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-80259942617315081922015-09-15T14:33:00.001-04:002015-09-15T14:33:21.918-04:00I just want to help....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've recently had some moms who are really struggling with their confidence in themselves and their decision to breastfeed. Granted, I remember those first few months myself.... In fact, the only parts I vividly remember was breastfeeding and all the frustration, worry, anxiety, pain, and exhaustion that came with constant nursing sessions day and night. All the other details of those days are blurry. I didn't really live, I just sort of existed. So, when I hear a mom desperate to get her sanity back, all I want to do is hug her. There is no consoling her about the actual moment she's currently in. The only thing that I can say is that, if you can get through this, you'll be immersed in baby snuggles, love high, and the pride and satisfaction that only comes with persevering through the storm. Unfortunately, none of that seems very relevant or is difficult to process and grasp when you're stuck in the new mommy fog. So, what do I do?<br />
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I have a few options.<br />
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1. Attempt to convince her to keep going. Remind her of the brevity of this time and inundate her with suggestions, information, and tips she can try.<br />
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2. Try to find a compromise between latching, pumping, and formula. I believe that combining any or all of these can be just the right recipe for success for particular moms in unique situations. And any amount of breast milk is better than none at all. Is it ideal, not necessarily, but that's what a compromise is. ;)<br />
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3. Let her quit and be there through the weaning process. Encourage her that she can always try again if she has another baby and that just because she's going to formula feed, does NOT mean she's in any way a bad mother.<br />
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Really, I just want to help. I want to be supportive. Motherhood is trying and exhausting and we are ALL <i>struggling</i> to do our best. So, that's where I am. I'm trying to reassure my clients that they are doing their best and that they will get through the hard times. I try to say to them, what I would've liked to hear in those moments. I'm more than happy to be a cheerleader for motherhood.<br />
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What about you?<br />
What would you want to hear in the moments of fatigued frustration that is motherhood?<br />
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Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-61369878288808491252015-08-31T10:11:00.000-04:002015-09-01T09:44:32.845-04:00I'm baaaaaack<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey everyone. I should apologize for my small hiatus from writing.
I've been incredibly busy, although who isn't around this time of year?
Nonetheless, it is pretty shameful that I haven't been writing about
breastfeeding through world breastfeeding week/month. So for that, let me put
my 2 cents in about World Black Breastfeeding Month. Yes. I'm going there.
;) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> First of all, it is not as
well-recognized as the last week in August the way the first week in August is
known as World Breastfeeding Week. I think this is in part due to the fact that
it has been newly established. This is only the 3rd annual celebration, so it
truly is new and mostly unknown. This year's theme is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://blackbreastfeedingweek.org/" target="_blank">Lift Every Baby</a>.
I love that idea because it puts the focus on where it belongs. The choice to
breastfeed is really about the baby <i>first</i> and establishing good health and a deep
bond that will form a foundation of love, security, and a stronger life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Apparently, not everyone is on board with celebrating Black
Breastfeeding Week... There is <i>actual</i> controversy online and in
the narrow stream of lactation news and media. That's Crazy, right? Am I the
only one who thinks this is nuts? Honestly, <b>all</b> lactating mothers have so many
obstacles (especially in this country) to overcome: physical, hormonal,
emotional, and social. The battle to normalize public breastfeeding is an
uphill battle for us all here in the United States, why are we causing more
challenges to an already challenging goal by throwing our arms up at supporting
black mamas who want to breastfeed? I fear the upset derives from an unawareness
of the different<span class="apple-converted-space"> adversities that
African- American or Black women face in their pursuit to breastfeed their
babies. Now, I'm certainly not going to claim that I know everything that Black moms face here, because, for one, I'm not Black. I was not raised by Black parents nor did I grow up in a predominantly Black neighborhood or school. What I do know is what I hear from the Black moms that I interact with and good old polls and statistics.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">The <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/resources/breastfeeding-trends.htm." target="_blank">gap between black and white breastfeeding initiation rates narrowed</a> from 24 percentage points in 2000 to 16 percentage points in 2008."</span><span style="line-height: 25px;"> This progress doesn't just happen. It comes with specific outreach and support for the moms who don't relate with the mainstream services and counseling. A black mother has formula shoved at her by the hospitals, pediatricians, family, and friends from the first second the baby is born. She is also harassed incessantly by her community (often by those close to her) for her choice to breastfeed, and not just in public. And most Black moms don't have support groups or lactation counseling near them, often not even in the same neighborhood, as well as a lack of dependable transportation. Many don't have enough financial or marital support at home, so they NEED to work outside of the home right away, decreasing their chance of success at establishing a good latch and milk supply. And these are just the obstacles I'm aware of. Without stepping into someone else's world, we will not have a significant impact with the women we work with and it'd be a near impossibility to advise them through their unique challenges. This goes for all women, but most especially for women of different classes, backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. I encourage you to read this <a href="http://theleakyboob.com/2014/08/why-black-breastfeeding-week-is-important-to-me/" target="_blank">post</a> about the trials that a mom of mixed race faced while breastfeeding. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">In</span> the end, we need to step back from the lense we're looking through and remember that other women are trying to do their best to work through their own trials. Let's love and support each other as women and mothers. And remember to put others and <i>their</i> needs before ourselves. I don't think we're beyond applying the principles that <span id="goog_443293990"></span><a href="https://youtu.be/z-nmxnmt_XU" target="_blank">Laci and Franchesca<span id="goog_443293991"></span> </a>lay out for understanding intersectional feminism to the lactating world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Credit for the touching photos in this post goes to</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="http://mybrownbaby.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">my brown baby</a>. <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Check it out</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> for more stories.</span><br />
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Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-80073949204995410632015-08-06T21:25:00.001-04:002015-08-06T21:25:15.619-04:00The Family ReunionLast weekend my dad's family had a big Family reunion, the first in years! First one my husband has ever attended. It was something! Let me back up a minute. Both my parents come from rather large families... Rather large, LOUD families at that. The loud part isn't too daunting to a Dominican, Lord knows I've attended his rambunctious family get-togethers, but I'm OK with loud, as is he. We've done the reunions on my mom's side, which quite honestly can be a bit scary for other reasons, but we've gotten through surprisingly well. So, here we go, off to meet more paternal family... All. at. once. This is gonna be good.<br />
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My father's family is "huggy," overbearing, and chatty... And soooo generous and open-hearted. As overwhelming as it could've been (or was), I'm so proud of my hubby. He took it all in stride while I basically abandoned him. I tried to catch up a lil bit with everybody while chasing accident prone boys and dealing with unexpected poopy accidents. {Yes, we're still potty training. No, we STILL have not perfected it after the last 6 months.} But basically we could call the weekend a success. <br />
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He loved getting to know my family and I think my family embraced him as well. I give credit to his social butterfly tendencies and my sincere, loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. Bringing families together can sometimes create drama and problems. Everyone's family has some crazy in it, but it's when you embrace the crazy, rise above the drama, and remember the love that an opportunity is created to genuinely connect with long lost friends. And also with different, new members and their cultures. Regardless of our differences, I say: Long live family.<br />
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Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-37111078470942826412015-07-28T12:50:00.001-04:002015-07-28T15:40:46.851-04:00Just the Basics<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Smart
phones, MP3 players, Tablets/pads, notebook/netbook/laptop, go cameras, drones,
self-sanitizing electric toothbrushes, Bluetooth, wifi hotspots, high-tech
watches and pedometers, <a href="http://www.brookstone.com/laser-projection-virtual-keyboard" target="_blank">laser keyboards</a>, and the list just goes on! Let’s face
it, we love our gadgets!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-6mQYklmA_2cbYjanLWFdPVOGAHA_s0xQuqbFBkIyikcgeUJRZjkN54E3Riodp3Ce2_8zd0Lq7Hg_pPQK9TZz-ZIgB0h2ozbWO0QC_ETr3OijNqZovhd0P66pgvA8u8M6VzxbqjOZBs/s1600/Robot-design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-6mQYklmA_2cbYjanLWFdPVOGAHA_s0xQuqbFBkIyikcgeUJRZjkN54E3Riodp3Ce2_8zd0Lq7Hg_pPQK9TZz-ZIgB0h2ozbWO0QC_ETr3OijNqZovhd0P66pgvA8u8M6VzxbqjOZBs/s200/Robot-design.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">If nothing else, the 21</span><sup style="line-height: 115%;">st</sup><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> century has
brought us technology that keeps advancing and makes life a bit more
interesting, er… distracting. Some devices truly make life a bit easier and
more pleasant: Blenders that can pulverize ice and puree anything with the tap
of a button, washing machines that can pre-treat, pre wash, and steam clean,
and even </span><a href="http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/308706/11-tech-gadgets-for-babies" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;" target="_blank">babies</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> have it better too! Now there are baby </span><a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/44299504" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;" target="_blank">swings</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> that sense when the baby stirs and they gently rock her back to sleep!
Where was this when my kids were teeny? As I was walking among the aisles of
bottle steamers and wipe warmers, a thought occurred to me:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>“In
a world of gadgets and gizmos galore, is Breastfeeding too simplistic?”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">At
least half of the breastfeeding moms I interact with pump daily, and many of
them want a pump available to them while still waddling around pregnant. Now
don’t get me wrong, a good hand or electric pump has its place in the mommy
world, but do we automatically think of pumping when we think of breastfeeding?
Should they be associated with each other so naturally? I actually wonder if
moms aren’t comfortable with the concept: <i>all they need is the baby and the
boob</i>. <u>Nothing else is necessary to properly feed your baby</u><b>.</b> I’m pretty sure
that’s a strange concept to the younger generation, and maybe that’s also why
having bottles, nipples, and warmers involved with the feeding process feels
more comfortable to us. We want the tangibles. We want the extra steps of
measuring, mixing, and checking the temp.
We want to SEE what exactly is going into the baby’s tummy, because
trusting ourselves and the inherent process of nursing is too mysterious for
us. Precision is the name of the game, and breastfeeding is anything but
precise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I
am of the belief that all these devices can be absolutely helpful,... but </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">sidetracking. I think we need to
pause and take a break from the “tools” and soak in the quiet, focused moments
of watching your baby eat, listening to him swallow and breathe, and enjoy every
touch to your face his tiny fingers make while he scrupulously looks at you. That is what motherhood is made up of. I can
almost guarantee you won’t be warmly looking back on your memories of pumping alone in
a room while trying not to spill a drop of your expressed milk. The small,
fleeting moments with our baby in the <i>quiet peace</i> of nursing; that’s what leaves
a lasting impression.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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How has pumping been implemented into your breastfeeding experience? </div>
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What are your thoughts on the pumping vs. nursing experience?</div>
Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-35867611881271449612015-07-15T20:26:00.002-04:002015-07-28T12:56:37.399-04:00Dear insurance companies: what are you thinking?<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a time when insurance companies didn't cover almost anything without a good fight from the recipient or carrier. Apparently, that time is still present. Although I'm not the biggest fan of socialized healthcare, the Affordable Care Act <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/breast-feeding-benefits/" target="_blank">(1)</a> has put into motion a fantastic idea that should have been part of all insurance policies prior to this act. It is now federally and state mandated that insurance companies cover equipment and services for lactating women and breastfeeding babies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This should be common sense for insurance companies because not only does it improve the health of the baby which equals fewer doctor visits thus fewer payouts, but it also comes with health benefits to the mother; again fewer problems equals less money to pay for the insurance company. However, from my experience of dealing with the insurance companies to cover pumps and other services it is as painful as pulling teeth. It's a lot of denial and a constant battle on the part of the pregnant hormonal Mom, as well as her health care providers. So I ask: insurance companies, what are you thinking? It is in your best interest to help the client by covering preventive medicine so that it will cost less to cover the client in the long run. And by the way, in case you weren't aware, [exclusively] breastfeeding your baby for 6 months to a year is preventive medicine. It's a small initial investment with a huge, rewarding, long term pay off. Why are you fighting this? And why is it even an issue to fight? This is in your best interest as well as in the best interest of society as a whole. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ziVNIouuvi6ot63knoPFytAVlECcylVicowxZ4F92x5b9r9puSOCYaHBAF68RN4_UfwA3d2-A9Eqi1edXRyo7Eie7wlxYCJyw3keJnriQ0MkSv5OwoeMVSVDS76MjnHTx0Nidi4hQEc/s1600/happy-nursing-baby.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ziVNIouuvi6ot63knoPFytAVlECcylVicowxZ4F92x5b9r9puSOCYaHBAF68RN4_UfwA3d2-A9Eqi1edXRyo7Eie7wlxYCJyw3keJnriQ0MkSv5OwoeMVSVDS76MjnHTx0Nidi4hQEc/s320/happy-nursing-baby.gif" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I'm not just pleading with the practical economical side of your rationale, I'm also imploring with the moral, just side. Now I understand that as an insurance company there's a slim to 0 chance that there are any ethics or morals attached to your way of doing business, but all joking aside, is there one company that doesn't want to step forward to say, "hey let me lead the way in making a brighter and better life and future for this country?" And not just for this country, but to lead the way for the world to follow by showing that we support moms and babies who want to do what's best for them. To all the moms who are struggling for coverage for electric or manual pumps, consulting services to help with latch issues, supply issues or whatever, don't give up hope. Call that Complaint Centers of your insurance providers and make some NOISE! That way we can start seeing change. And if you're denied, don't give up! Go to your nearest WIC clinic, hospital, or pregnancy and/or pediatric center to get the help and support you need. There are people employed to help you get all the equipment and services that could ensure your success as a breastfeeding mom. Persevere through this trialsome time and I pray that we will see change very, very soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I'm curious:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you struggling or have struggled with your insurance coverage on any sort of breastfeeding services/support?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What have you done to get what you need?</span>Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-88922895876722517372015-06-30T15:25:00.001-04:002015-08-31T10:21:23.040-04:00Mixed Married Life So, today is the day I write my first post about my crazy, fantastic, confusing, blessed marriage!<br />
First, I'd like to start by saying that, for those who didn't know, I fell in love and married a wonderful Dominican man. God has truly blessed us and brought us through <i>many</i> trials early in our marriage. One of those was plain, all out culture shock to each others' way of life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HWt-vmqarFAYf3D4ZZXNfb0SmTJf-5HHnsV-RsLsHbkKUsW2j1e_Vj2YGVM9mkeo52vzIUlRCNm5FPl40zV_yOjJ7nfnYZgPzM6Mh7WmyljFEqnpINDWKy70ZBz5Ej_o8oHfdDbqUnw/s1600/Flag-map_of_the_Dominican_Republic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HWt-vmqarFAYf3D4ZZXNfb0SmTJf-5HHnsV-RsLsHbkKUsW2j1e_Vj2YGVM9mkeo52vzIUlRCNm5FPl40zV_yOjJ7nfnYZgPzM6Mh7WmyljFEqnpINDWKy70ZBz5Ej_o8oHfdDbqUnw/s200/Flag-map_of_the_Dominican_Republic.png" width="200" /></a></div>
I look back now and laugh, but it was pretty jolting then. I think the first time I realized I was in deep was the first time I went to visit him and his family in New York City. We'd been dating long distance for a couple of months, we decided it was time I came down to see him instead of only him making the trips. Imagine, if you can, me: a petite, white, country girl coming to a big city I was not very comfortable in to meet them: loud, dark, island strangers from a far away land (so it seemed). It was like I stepped into an entirely different country, let alone a different area. Very little English (read: NO English) was spoken in his mom's home. Although she made an effort for me, her husband spoke nada but Espanol! Which was really fun for me, a student of french for years in high school and college. Come to think of it, I studied lots of languages: French, Italian, Hebrew, even dabbled in sign language. Why did it <i>not</i><b> <i>once</i></b> cross my mind to take a Spanish class? At least not until I visited hubby's fam... kicking myself for that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobFh1SxsTfmlUnE9pZ760UOopR-RxPF36PH8ZnL8-oADZhEN3LIZXoTEPONxtHdYq33uMhgBaDFSfi82aFaHRKq37OeupV9JhR4t_h2TrTgDpCKrj0dBsYL5cuLJh0Wnc9GyLe52PuBs/s1600/d%2527oh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobFh1SxsTfmlUnE9pZ760UOopR-RxPF36PH8ZnL8-oADZhEN3LIZXoTEPONxtHdYq33uMhgBaDFSfi82aFaHRKq37OeupV9JhR4t_h2TrTgDpCKrj0dBsYL5cuLJh0Wnc9GyLe52PuBs/s200/d%2527oh.jpg" width="168" /></a> I had started teaching myself basic phrases with the help of my sister (a Spanish teacher now). I started to listen to every piece of Latin music I could get my hands on, just to decode a line of chorus or <i>anything</i>. I desperately wanted to be able to keep up with their rapid tongues and hold a little of my own in conversation. It took a lot of time and frustration, but 7 years later I can speak Spanish like a Kindergartner. As you can see, my very first obstacle was a language barrier, and that continues to confuse full understanding to this day. Even with my hubs, who is well educated in both languages, the meaning sometimes gets lost or misinterpreted. I resolve to warn anyone who decides to join their life with a person of a very different background,<b><i><u> B</u></i></b><i><b><u>e Prepared</u></b></i>! And please, if there's a different language or dialect involved in communicating with their family, <u>TRY</u> to learn it. As difficult and impossible as it may seem, the effort is worth it. To gain even just tiny grasps of connection with your new family, <i>every</i> painstaking measure and drop of energy poured into learning how to talk to them is 100% worth it.<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">We visited this waterfall (el Limon)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"> on our honey moon -------></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOqUXh17UG0MADiInwQZK7Db9oK8RNnAYVWBfiJ8IrmrhbrQIrkgNWfbqwcrXrXhcOqYYpRoilT8mySHDXdOXLd5BcFChVPom-5c1UqacRsDMq7V__CTxeN7hyphenhyphenY1R_3wRU7Wz7M9BdG8/s1600/el+limon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOqUXh17UG0MADiInwQZK7Db9oK8RNnAYVWBfiJ8IrmrhbrQIrkgNWfbqwcrXrXhcOqYYpRoilT8mySHDXdOXLd5BcFChVPom-5c1UqacRsDMq7V__CTxeN7hyphenhyphenY1R_3wRU7Wz7M9BdG8/s1600/el+limon2.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was magical. :)</span></div>
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A question for you all:<br />
Have you ever traveled to another country or at least another part of this country and gone through a moment of not being able to understand or communicate? What did you do to get through it?Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-38847301747648031152015-06-24T22:58:00.000-04:002015-06-24T22:58:08.531-04:00Certification WoesLet me start out by saying that this post will be written in frustration; Reader BEWARE.<br />
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Among several other pieces of bad news I've received in the last few days, I have recently been informed that my CLC training has been cancelled and I will need to reschedule at a new time and location, possibly even in a new state. You may or may not have known that I 'm in current pursuit to become certified in my field, ultimately to become an IBCLC. But as some of you may be well acquainted with, becoming certified in <i>anything</i> basically means that you've been a designated hoop jumper for several years and have jumped through enough of them that you get to add some initials to the end of your name.Best of all, those initials are usually temporary and required hoops need to be jumped every few years to keep them! Isn't that wonderful? For me, this process has been ongoing for almost 3 years now. There is little to no clarification as to how to obtain all the requirements to be able to even sit for the exam, and I have chosen to take baby steps so as not to miss anything; acquiring other certifications along the way.<br />
Fighting for my job to pay for some of the expenses hasn't exactly been fun, however my boss is super supportive and actually somehow convinced her boss to approve payment of my CLC training and certification. No cheap feat. Over the last several months we've worked on getting time, location, travel expenses, and the like, approved. It's a slow go but I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as my registered July dates were nearing. And as one door opens another one closes.<br />
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Then, I got the call... the call I should have <i>at least</i> half expected: "I'm sorry, ma'am but the CLC training you were registered for has been cancelled. Would you like to reschedule?" <br />
Never mind that I had to get my husband to get approved corresponding vacation time with that week as I'd be staying in an area about 3 hours from where we live.We have 2 young boys and low funds. What were we supposed to do?!<br />
Every move toward progress is a serious struggle of a juggle between family, personal, academic, and, of course, actual paid work time.It's a <u>trying,</u> <b>exhausting</b>, <i>complicated </i>venture to be a dedicated mom and wife and still pursuit your dreams and goals. Any woman who has attempted to do so, knows that I speak the truth. And any wife and mother who puts her dreams on hold for her family can imagine and understand the difficulty of which I speak. Frustration upon frustration. Anyway, I'm prepping myself for the next hoop to jump for these people. And you wanna know why? Because I am determined. I am able. I am a woman! Hear me ROOAAARRRR!!!! ;)<br />
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How about you? Any experiences out there about juggling/pursuing your career as a family woman that you'd like to share? Any tips to maintaining your sanity in the process? Please share, I'd love to hear from you!Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-72231656216735590292015-06-16T11:46:00.000-04:002015-06-16T11:46:06.608-04:00Skin to Skin: Tout or Truth?<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re a new mom, then you’ve probably heard this a time
or two: “Spend more time in skin to skin contact with your baby.” As sweet a thought that is, who seriously has
the time or that much privacy (especially if you have older children running around) to go
skin to skin for the recommended time frame? Is it really as important as these
professionals say or is it an overrated dynamic that is no more important than
avoiding nipple confusion? Let’s take a look at the practicality of it, what the research says, and, also, I’ll make a comparison to my own personal experience and observations. </div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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Let’s be honest. As sweet as snuggling your new bundle of
joy is, it’s certainly not that easy or comfortable to keep this little person
on your <b>bare</b> chest while you have visits from family and friends, as well as, constant
check-ins by doctors, nurses, and whoever else needs to come in and give you
more information or check on the baby and/or you. It’s not the most practical idea in the
modern way that we birth babies. So should we revert to the old school ideals
and values of home births and keeping mom with baby home for at least a full
month, or is this one piece of advice blown out of proportion? Can we ignore
this mantra or at least cut back on how long/frequently you practice skin to
skin? Can dad take on some of the skin to skin time and still give/get the stated
benefits from it?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The latest research tells us that it really does make a <b><i><u>significant</u></i></b> difference, especially if baby is struggling with latching correctly or was born early or in a traumatic way. What’s more, skin to skin is beneficial no
matter who decides to give that opportunity for contact to the little babe! "The
father can facilitate the development of the infant's pre-feeding behavior in
this important period of the newborn infant's life and should thus be regarded
as the primary caregiver for the infant during the separation of mother and baby<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17542814" target="_blank">(3)</a>.” Of course, if you’re looking to improve latch and ease of
breastfeeding, mama should be performing skin to skin <u>more often</u>, but the truth
is, babies truly benefit from skin to skin contact, no matter if it’s with dad <i>or</i> mom; it all counts!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0cE01UdwCwouwLWJp3gxwAL_OrFmOEUTezgDLuD5HywxuKAI7ADg9PCBlZKhkEEHq5I1CU_ekOiRv55dSpzc1UcmkVlt_SeC9j-Tn5m6V0J8msawJuhwW3wY9XDTUHRoyFDaInjVxpw/s1600/skin-to-skin-baby-daddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0cE01UdwCwouwLWJp3gxwAL_OrFmOEUTezgDLuD5HywxuKAI7ADg9PCBlZKhkEEHq5I1CU_ekOiRv55dSpzc1UcmkVlt_SeC9j-Tn5m6V0J8msawJuhwW3wY9XDTUHRoyFDaInjVxpw/s320/skin-to-skin-baby-daddy.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first moments after birth are the most necessary. “There
is good evidence that normal, term newborns who are placed skin to skin with
their mothers immediately after birth make the transition from fetal to newborn
life with greater respiratory, temperature, and glucose stability and
significantly less crying indicating decreased stress <a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/806325" target="_blank">(1)</a>.” Mothers who had
spent time skin to skin kissed their babies more often and had a stronger,
quicker bonding experience. Not only that, but there are long term benefits
to this idea. “Skin-to-skin contact
activates the amygdala via the prefronto-orbital pathway and thus contributes
to the maturation of this vital brain structure<a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/806325" target="_blank"> (1)</a>.” In other words, as the baby bonds via skin to
skin, his attachment to his mother directly affects how his brain is developing
in the first 2 months of his life. This particular neurological development
lasts the rest of his life and influences the way he learns and develops from there on out. He runs a high risk of being negatively impacted
if these crucial parts of his brain are not fully, properly developed within
this time frame. <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who
knew cuddles were<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17542814" target="_blank"> </a><u><i><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17542814" target="_blank">this</a> </i></u>important?!</span></span> Furthermore, babies born by C-section need uninterrupted time
skin to skin with their mama more than if they’d been born naturally, to
stabilize from a traumatic birth experience and have better success at latching
well. Skin to skin statistically increases latch success and duration of
exclusive breastfeeding. “Skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding seems
to immediately enhance maternal positive feelings and shorten the time it takes
to resolve severe latch-on problems in the infants who started to latch. An
underlying mechanism may be that skin-to-skin contact with the mother during
breastfeeding may calm infants with earlier strong reaction to “hands on latch
intervention” and relieve the stress which may have blocked the infant’s inborn
biological program to find the breast and latch on <a href="http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/8/1/1" target="_blank">(2)</a>.” I think the research is
sound and overwhelmingly convincing. Skin
to skin is not just hype; there is <i>truly</i> something to it. Practical or not,
time <i>NEEDS</i> to be made for as much opportunity to have skin to skin with this
fragile, beautiful, tiny person.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o6j0tDNtF0AKENHyHjGFTXmflu7rvq_Paj-_WeiwidO2gsmFMDLMqeRee0lXFl6KMZDfh0Fk8-lSw2snAW-NuEQR4yomRMAzcXYlPz5RznscFHp82gSzAtIDMr8878dpWowy5moHWGM/s1600/sarah+pp17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o6j0tDNtF0AKENHyHjGFTXmflu7rvq_Paj-_WeiwidO2gsmFMDLMqeRee0lXFl6KMZDfh0Fk8-lSw2snAW-NuEQR4yomRMAzcXYlPz5RznscFHp82gSzAtIDMr8878dpWowy5moHWGM/s320/sarah+pp17.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Personally, with my first born I struggled with getting
comfortable in the skin to skin mode. A lot of adjustments, more visitors, and
struggling with nipple soreness all contributed to my hesitancy. Thankfully, my
husband wasn’t shy and more than happy to facilitate that nurturing environment
for his lil' guy. Second time around I was much more willing, but opportunity
was scarce when chasing a toddler most of my days. So mostly, I could only fit
in skin to skin during naps and, more often, at night when winding down for
bed. I think with my second baby boy, it came more instinctively and we didn’t
struggle as much as my firstborn and I did with latch and good nursing habits.
I have taken note that each mother that I encounter is very different in this
arena. Some are excited and enthusiastic about skin to skin, some give it a try
and, usually, embrace it with time, and others seem a bit squeamish with the whole
concept and need a little convincing. Overall, most moms try to have skin to
skin contact at least once while they’re in the hospital/pregnancy center. So, I say, give it a shot! There are only all around benefits by trying it and you may feel compelled to plan more chances for that special moment in time when you can snuggle your sweet bundle skin to
skin. <3 p=""><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, answer me this! What are your thoughts on all the
information about skin to skin? IS it
something you enjoyed when you had your little baby? <o:p></o:p></div>
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</3></div>
Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-11677089930617916402015-06-09T13:37:00.004-04:002015-06-09T13:48:49.936-04:00To the New Mom<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Dear first time Mom,</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having a baby changes your life. Let me say that again...
Having a baby changes <i>Your</i> life. More than you would ever imagine. You will
never have a true, uninterrupted 8 hour night of sleep EVER again. Those
"just pick up and go" situations are a thing of the past. Being
selfish or possessive about anything: food, the house, your bed, personal
space, bathroom time, even your own body, is virtually <u><span style="color: red;">impossible</span></u>. I'm sure
you're prepared for things to change, but I guarantee you aren't aware to what
extent it will change. I sure didn't and I attended all the classes, read all
the books, talked to my mom and my suegra (mom-in-law), and was still in utter
shock when my first boy arrived... still am from time to time. Motherhood is a
trip!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Something I've realized from all the interaction I've had
with lots of different moms, not one of them realizes they can't go back to the
way life is/was. A baby cannot be just an addition to your lifestyle. Becoming a
mom isn't like getting hired for a new job; You are now embarking on a
<b><u><span style="color: red;">permanent</span></u></b> new chapter in your life. It's not going back to the way it once was.... ever. I have so many women call me or tell me how frustrated they feel because they
have to plan their trips (whether to the grocery store or cross country) around
the baby and his schedule/routine, They truly believed that after the first
week of baby being home, they could just do laundry, make dinner, or clean the
bathroom as usual and they become so discouraged when that just isn't the case.
Then I get the desperate texts that sound much like this: Why is my baby crying all the time unless I'm holding him/her? I don't think I'm producing enough because my baby
just wants to be latched on 24/7! How can I get anything done around the house
with a colicky baby? I have to go/do/take care of ...[<u>fill in the blank</u>] but I can't because of the baby. What
can I do???<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wanna know how I respond to these mamas 9 out of 10 times?
Take a deep breath and do your best to enjoy this moment. Soak up the cuddles
and bonding and the very fact that your baby wants to be close to you. In just
a short period of time, for some, only a few months, your baby will be
crawling/cruising/running away from you and you will long for these agonizingly
long days of stopping and soothing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP7HekaMKUoBGf1RFqTamkX-JLi9Xk51uA1ruhGUOdMchmukBBG4YDn2Bk_r8Eu6zk-2tXFJGePun4KsjlR_Rv4K3de0mhfG5SSEIm467gnXbU3TlG8w0XzuudHlHxqhwRPa68zIa204/s1600/exhausted+mom+clingy+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP7HekaMKUoBGf1RFqTamkX-JLi9Xk51uA1ruhGUOdMchmukBBG4YDn2Bk_r8Eu6zk-2tXFJGePun4KsjlR_Rv4K3de0mhfG5SSEIm467gnXbU3TlG8w0XzuudHlHxqhwRPa68zIa204/s320/exhausted+mom+clingy+baby.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with my firstborn in the thick of it. Motherhood was kicking my ass in this picture, but I was still trying to soak it all up.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So, what am I really getting at here? I just want to raise awareness among all moms and mothers-to-be that there are some seriously long days and nights that come with being a mom, Don't be shocked when your baby is unyielding to fuss. Don't blame <i>yourself</i> or <i>your breast milk</i>. There's even some well researched <a href="http://theboobgeek.com/blog/tincture-of-time.html" target="_blank">proof* </a>that most babies go through a cycle of being unhappy and wanting only mommy </span><span style="font-size: small;">within their first year</span><span style="font-size: small;"> (also called "mamitis" by my Dominican family). The best thing you can do is wait it out and soak up the snuggles while you can.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And here's a question for you:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What sort of changes surprised you the most when you became a mom?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">*http://theboobgeek.com/blog/tincture-of-time.html</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-75174437625228049302015-06-04T12:32:00.000-04:002016-03-04T10:31:19.046-05:00Where's the Community Today?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQoXjwowbic6PV1ifk4tsqUKpIg_70RFFXgYSAIRf_3QGRsviCMlR8JwG2OIo8cEIQSFD6kHsDkv8ygusjTlRE0KVhMAs-0JglkFDLbQi6H8dBrlE-LmZseCik52OAZA_NiR66H8bSsA/s1600/sun+group+of+women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQoXjwowbic6PV1ifk4tsqUKpIg_70RFFXgYSAIRf_3QGRsviCMlR8JwG2OIo8cEIQSFD6kHsDkv8ygusjTlRE0KVhMAs-0JglkFDLbQi6H8dBrlE-LmZseCik52OAZA_NiR66H8bSsA/s320/sun+group+of+women.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">As a professional
looking to change the breastfeeding trends of our culture, I am constantly
questioning what the biggest obstacles are to not achieving our goals of
exclusivity, longer duration, and public acceptance. It's challenging not only
to understand our stumbling blocks but how to overcome them. I have concluded
that a breakdown in family community leaves a woman unprepared for specific
challenges of motherhood, one of them being lactation but also, a lack of and
dire need for a community of women in general. Not only do we moms need to be
able to lean on our moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, cousins, but we desperately
desire having friends, peers, even coworkers who will be supportive and who
would find ways to encourage our pursuits as mothers. Very few areas in this
country nurture an environment of community and unity of like-minded ambitions.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YddVYFpgdy4YMzYq0FAfMnjsponwY63aPnJbGPFTpAZrpQhv-u1dJauTCTlY1BOdC603hjWMb7nKlgHzpooy_2ci8Bo2lnRL9FbPibjXNGMn5EaeiI25CQl_w8C0BhZWOzabKu5VFYg/s1600/women-holding-hands-on-hill-sunset.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YddVYFpgdy4YMzYq0FAfMnjsponwY63aPnJbGPFTpAZrpQhv-u1dJauTCTlY1BOdC603hjWMb7nKlgHzpooy_2ci8Bo2lnRL9FbPibjXNGMn5EaeiI25CQl_w8C0BhZWOzabKu5VFYg/s320/women-holding-hands-on-hill-sunset.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">...And so, we look to
the Internet! A place of information overload and tons of "friends"
across seas and countries; the internet is the new facet for
community. I'm not gonna knock it because, for many of us, it feels like the
only place we can go to escape judgment and befriend people with whom we
actually see "eye to eye" and can raise our spirits without having to change out
of our PJ</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">'s! However, not only is face to face contact with others important to
our sanity and vital to keep a balance of normalcy and humanity, but it has a
much more significant positive impact on how we feel about our trials.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyH2jkxN9-x2NvVUfQpYP5haVcM3LPSJ3jzq54G4ubLIHRll1Ca23_jWczk5zwwEQbofxqBiNYfgbGcp5FdsuNf5WTq8M189oMKDte8J9PTvCLXBQssPYq-ZaNlNqN7cbUBK0OzaT8YQ/s1600/Breastfeeding_in_Public.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyH2jkxN9-x2NvVUfQpYP5haVcM3LPSJ3jzq54G4ubLIHRll1Ca23_jWczk5zwwEQbofxqBiNYfgbGcp5FdsuNf5WTq8M189oMKDte8J9PTvCLXBQssPYq-ZaNlNqN7cbUBK0OzaT8YQ/s200/Breastfeeding_in_Public.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Prenatally, it can also help us build the confidence necessary to have the
courage just to<i><b> try</b></i> breastfeeding our babies. Breastfeeding is daunting, and
motherhood itself can be very lonely at times. When you feel like you're on
your own, you don't know if what you're doing is right or not and you can
quickly lose all confidence in your ability and instincts. You need that person
behind you telling you to trust yourself and how great a job you're doing,
especially during those hormonal swings and anxiety-ridden nights. In my job, that's
where I come in. I am that person to take your 1 or 2 am texts and calls, listen
to your fears and frustrations, and turn everything upside down by, not only
giving you tips and suggestions, but even more so by being your cheerleader! Every
mom needs her own personal 24/7 cheerleader (or even group of cheerleaders). We
need to push every state, county, city and neighborhood to create more places
in the lactation field for people like me. But even before accomplishing that, we need to unite as women and support each other as mothers. We're all struggling to do this job right; let's come together and applaud one another for putting in her best effort EVERYDAY!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBJo3mUQQNOxRTiWnGNDBobzCiOJJjzWkQRgX6MXi_ZpFleY9LIGQyOxErjoKl9DwPOW66AychTgqX2oCeKw8B10-5HkU-n5jvfWnMvCoDXMxh9CEmDxLFFRzRBvaF2UZC5CkXAjKKTQ/s1600/women+hugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBJo3mUQQNOxRTiWnGNDBobzCiOJJjzWkQRgX6MXi_ZpFleY9LIGQyOxErjoKl9DwPOW66AychTgqX2oCeKw8B10-5HkU-n5jvfWnMvCoDXMxh9CEmDxLFFRzRBvaF2UZC5CkXAjKKTQ/s200/women+hugs.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">So, I leave you with
this question:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Did you have someone key
to your success in breastfeeding; if so, who?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">If you're pregnant or
planning to become a mom, who would you want cheering you on to reach your
goals with nursing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-15992279759772231292015-06-01T13:39:00.001-04:002015-06-02T17:02:19.214-04:00Dad makes a Difference<div class="MsoNormal">
Researchers have been hypothesizing about the father’s role
in the life of his child. It has been suggested that the father’s support of
mom’s choice to breastfeed can <b><i>significantly</i></b> impact her success: “69%
of the mothers were still breastfeeding at six months postpartum, compared with
a national average of 21%<a href="http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/2007/fatherhood-institute-research-summary-fathers-and-breastfeeding/" target="_blank"> (1)</a>.” There is
even a study that shows how breastfeeding for any length of time can actually
improve the quality of relationship and intimacy of the mother and father <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3411344/" target="_blank">(2)</a>. Who knew? My own life experiences can
validate these studies 100%. I am always
encouraging the moms that I work with to bring the baby’s father if possible.
The more he knows about the breastfeeding experience, the more he can directly
assist and cheer on his wife/girlfriend in the moments of anxiety and panic.
His involvement will impact them as a family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3_P6ddsaoP8i2FmzwnHi5gxZLoWYZ6-hJf1kNIe765ui8j_qIph9nrY0uc-sTHVhvGxDK8tNZAA_YcsBeWbYNwMdxE6NrDTPKIkGSz4kEMDbErPQ4Cjs54_fGDMS0VWz3UXjGIim2fY/s1600/Dad+and+Baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3_P6ddsaoP8i2FmzwnHi5gxZLoWYZ6-hJf1kNIe765ui8j_qIph9nrY0uc-sTHVhvGxDK8tNZAA_YcsBeWbYNwMdxE6NrDTPKIkGSz4kEMDbErPQ4Cjs54_fGDMS0VWz3UXjGIim2fY/s320/Dad+and+Baby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I know that my husband would often say how, while the
children were babies and very young, his presence wasn’t as important. Mommy is
the person they want and need. And while that is true, I used to argue that he
made a difference whether they remembered (which they did) or not and whether
or not he could notice the difference. Since I was there with or without him, I
watched how the children’s dispositions changed throughout the whole experience
based on daddy’s nearness. And more importantly, how my own disposition would
waver as well, which affects everything (aka: everyone) within the household.
I’m not sure I can emphasize enough this truth: Dads matter. They impact their
child from the first seconds of baby’s life on the other side, to the first
steps, first words, first full night of sleep all through to the major
decisions of adolescence and adulthood. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgO_BS0sTZ8CnCFZPfqDjZm8Z_YqkSmTuaKhN17W3fafdBgXQANmTf3ccOPBMt2AQlAe0u2CJQcBAsKIYZNiecdqw45LvzZDsmXzGwQWVXiHiDfHBCycR2V82u3vB7RCwmwCB9sFOHGk/s1600/Family+BF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgO_BS0sTZ8CnCFZPfqDjZm8Z_YqkSmTuaKhN17W3fafdBgXQANmTf3ccOPBMt2AQlAe0u2CJQcBAsKIYZNiecdqw45LvzZDsmXzGwQWVXiHiDfHBCycR2V82u3vB7RCwmwCB9sFOHGk/s320/Family+BF.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first year of our oldest son was one of the most trying
since he was living and working in NYC and I had chosen to stay in central NY,
in our home, near the baby’s Dr., and my side of the family. Every other
weekend or so, he would come join us in our home that I had continuously worked
on in his absence. Then once every couple months, I would make an extended trip
to stay in NYC with him in his mom’s teeny apartment, with no room for a small
family, with a newborn who refused to sleep, and cried, a lot…. It was NOT
easy. His love, support, and
encouragement got me through those trial-ridden days of struggle, adjustment,
and hormonal swings. Without him
cheering me on and advocating for my (our) choice to breastfeed exclusively, I
can honestly say that I would not have been so successful with my new venture
into motherhood. He made every difference for the better and he most certainly
can take plenty of credit for the health and behavior of our children. So, despite the distance and lack of his
company 24/7, his verbal and emotional support still had an amazing impact on
my spirits and determination. I suppose that only love can have such a strong
influence over the miles, and if we have nothing else, we truly are blessed
with much love. Love for each other, love for our beautiful boys, and love for
and from our families and friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/2007/fatherhood-institute-research-summary-fathers-and-breastfeeding/<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3411344/<o:p></o:p></div>
Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773669358784444625.post-10031516021875905592015-06-01T11:41:00.000-04:002015-06-01T11:41:55.119-04:00Welcome! Why I'm here doing this...<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am really happy that you are here checking out my blog! </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been wanting to do this for years and I'm finally committing to do this. I am most excited to try to rally more community for moms, and women in general, to empower them through this difficult venture of motherhood and, more specifically, through the breastfeeding experience. I am planning on documenting my journey to becoming an IBCLC and I'm very open to any suggestions or specific questions/topics that you guys would like to see me touch on. I have seen A LOT and I've heard EVERYTHING! There is no judgment, no shaming, and no stupid questions here. </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also have been through quite a bit in my own personal breastfeeding journey, and in general, my life. So, I will be writing off-topic about other aspects of married life, motherhood, being an unconventional student, and whatever else strikes my fancy. </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A very literal moment of culture shock was when I married into a different culture and there have been moments of real shock, for sure. But there are other, more subtle surprises within becoming a mom and handling the cultural pressures of my own peers. So much to write about and I hope to really connect with some of you in one way or another.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please feel free to wander around my page as I will be posting once a week, every Wednesday. I look forward to hearing from you!</span>Difficulture Shockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04915386189316535048noreply@blogger.com0