The Mechanics of Breastfeeding

It's been a few months since I've posted anything, but I am back to share a really cool, informative breastfeeding video. I originally found this video posted in a Facebook group about breastfeeding. It's not a very long film. The video quickly, yet efficiently explains a newborn's anatomy and the vital part it plays in breastfeeding. Enjoy!

Happy Black Breastfeeding Week!

Today kicks off Black Breastfeeding Week.

What better way to start things than with this short video of this AMAZING breastfeeding mother.

Happy Black Breastfeeding Week! Be encouraged!

Upcoming Community Baby Shower!

Babies Love Breast Milk will be hosting their very first community baby shower June 18, 2014.

Expecting and new moms are encouraged to attend!

This event is absolutely free so please mark your calendars and tell a friend!

Space is limited so be sure to register here to reserve your spot.

Donations are also being accepted! Refer to the website linked below if you're interested!

Babies Love Breast Milk also offers free breastfeeding support classes (open to breastfeeding mothers and mothers interested in breastfeeding) every 3rd Wednesday of each month from 7:30pm - 9:00pm and held at the West College Hill Community Center.

Please visit http://www.babieslovebreastmilk.com/ for more information on breastfeeding and postpartum services.

Breastfeeding Debate? Again? What Is There To Debate?!

Excuse the misspellings, but I just wanted to share with you all my comment to a post regarding the latest article going around about a mother breastfeeding her daughter at the age of 5. I was in the minority with my views. Sadly it's the mindset of majority of people in our society. Damnit ya'll! We have to do better!

"I see nothing wrong at all. Personally would i breastfeed my 5yr old for everyone to see? No. But in the privacy of my home it would be a go. i breast fed my youngest til she was 3 (most of it was comfort nursing by that age and no simply expressing milk into a cup would not do. Sucking at the breast provided a sort of soothing that would calm her fits, restlessness, and sickness)... she weaned herself, but i would have continued if she wanted to. i hate the stigma attached to breastfeeding. Our milk does not lose any nutrition or use when a child hits a certain age. It purposefully changes it's properties to accommodate a growing child. It's neither demented nor sexual. i dedicate my work to encouraging and supporting breastfeeding mothers of color... a demographic who suffers the lowest rates of breastfeeding. And i know many who wants to breastfeed as long as they can whether the age be 1, 2, 3, or 5, but stops early or don't do it for as long as they could or want because of uninformed backlash. 'They're too old. If they can ask for it they don't need it. If they can chew and swallow the they need to be weaned.' etc. It should be encouraged rather than shunned. Maybe not the same scenario as this person in the pic because her demographic has the highest rates of breastfeeding and support. But that doesn't negate the positive attributes of extended breastfeeding."

Here's the article: http://www.kpho.com/story/25345687/breastfeeding-mom-still-feeds-daughter-at-age-5

Let's stop demonizing and sexualizing a mother and child's choice to continue breastfeeding beyond the societal norm.

World Doula Week

Beginning today until the 28th of March the world will celebrate the hard work and dedication of doulas and birthworkers alike.

In honor of this week I will post "Did You Know" facts, hold a few contests and highlight wonderful doulas doing great things!

Here are the rules to the contests:

*The first person to email me (my email is jcherise1@gmail.com) with the correct answer to the challenge will win a prize.
*Prizes are not revealed but they will be guaranteed useful!
*Those who win will not be eligible to participate in future contests during the week (just want to keep it fair!)
*Upon winning I will communicate with you via email to gather information in order to ship your prize to you in a timely manner. So be sure to check your email!


And don't forget to tell a doula that you appreciate them!

Be back in a few!

Making Milk with Quinoa

I've been trying to find unique ways to aid in milk production and I've found a few.

Today I'll share with you a lesser known grain that may help with your milk supply.

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) has not only been purported as a way to boost milk supply, but it is also a superfood. Linked below are in depth (but easy to read) details regarding quinoa's nutritional facts.

Nutritional facts about Quinoa

In order to keep up milk production, a high protein and water intake is needed. With a total of 12g per one half cup, Quinoa offers just that.

Now, I don't have any recipes to share this go round, but I can share with you all some ideas on how to prepare it for any meal at any time of the day.

Breakfast: Quinoa can be eaten as a hot cereal in the morning.

Lunch: Quinoa can be added to a salad.

Dinner: Quinoa can be used as a side dish.

These are only suggestions so I know your creative minds can concoct great dishes that hopefully you won't mind sharing ;) The grain cooks just like rice so it's not difficult to make.

Hopefully this serves as a help and alternative to what's commonly suggested. If it doesn't work at least you can rest assured that you're eating healthy!

It's Hot and Baby Needs Water!

I've heard it all throughout the summer while I breastfed my 3. "You need to give that baby water. She's gonna dehydrate in this heat!"
Let me be the one to put your worry to rest. A baby needing water in addition to breastmilk due to hot weather is a MYTH.


Yes, it's true that a baby needs extra hydration in the hotter months, but breastmilk will provide all of the hydration needed. Furthermore, foremilk contains a high content of water to quench baby's thirst. Frequent nursing may be in order and that is fine. Just be sure that you're getting enough water. Being thirsty won't affect your production, but to avoid any possibility of dehydration on your behalf it's best to have some extra water nearby.

More Recipes to Boost Milk Supply

Sometimes cookies just aren't an option. I understand! So I wanted to share with you a smoothie recipe to up your milk supply.

Overnight Booby Smoothies: Energy-Boosting Banana Oatmeal

Happy Nursing!

Reservations About My Relactation Journey

A couple of weeks ago I made the decision to try to relactate.

Why? Well, I'll dedicate a post going into detail why I've decided to do so.

In the meantime I wanted to let you all know about my experiences so far.

I've been continuously producing milk since I've weaned my now 3 year old. I can only express by hand a few drops, but that's enough to let me know that I still have the ability to make milk. Now, my youngest child wasn't aware of my decision (she still isn't), but on the same day that I decided to begin my relactation journey she attempted to nurse. She cuddled up next to me. I thought she was on her way to sleep until I felt her tugging on my shirt. Although she's weaned herself almost a year ago, I do realize how much of a comfort it's been for her in the past. I wasn't going to turn her down. Just as soon as I thought she was going to nurse, she pulled my shirt back up, turned her head, and went to sleep.

Did she just "know" or was it simply a coincidence? I can't tell you. What I can tell you is that she was sick that day and I figured maybe it was worked like instinct. Then again she's been sick before, and she's never attempted anything like that before. I also thought that it may have been due to regression because her youngest cousin is currently nursing. I'm not so sold on that idea though. So I'm stumped as to why.

Since then she's been wanting to nurse.... I've said to myself and others over and over again that I'd never refuse her. But I've been contradicting myself by refusing her.

I never thought that the stigma of extended breastfeeding would affect me the way it does now. I never had reservations until now. As much as I've advocated for breastfeeding in both my words and actions, I am now experiencing a sort of fear that I've never felt before. For the first time I am scared!

I've read and heard the perverted arguments of those who believes extended breastfeeding is on par with abuse, rape, and other crude acts against children.
The radical in me can care less about what a person thinks of my child's decision to want her mommy's milk. I am human though. And the thought of no support near me for my relactation journey along with being shunned by an ignorant society is down right scary.

Despite this fear I find the thought of going against societal norms empowering! For those who are not aware... Rates of breastfeeding amongst people of color are just one of the MANY racial disparities that we are subject to. By choosing to NOT continue nursing my daughter as she'd like due to a perverted society, I'd not only be doing a disservice to my child, but to those who may need the support to breastfeed longer than what's socially acceptable. This relactation journey will be emotionally difficult for me. But I hope to serve as not only a healthy option for my child, but as continuous support for those in communities of color... My community.... My people.

A VERY Happy New Year

Well you all.... 2014 is almost here and I don't think I'll be able to see it come in. I'll probably fall asleep shortly after publishing this post. But I couldn't go to bed without sharing with you all some great news I that I just recently found out about.

Did you know that the IRS allows offers a breastfeeding tax deduction? I know I hear the gasps. Yes! That is what I said! A breastfeeding tax deduction. So what qualifies for this deduction? Breast pumps! Yes. Those pricey, yet oh so necessary essentials are now allowed as a medical tax deduction and reimbursed by flexible spending accounts.

Now I'm not sure whether other breastfeeding related items can be deducted, but you can receive confirmation of this ability to deduct breastfeeding supplies as well as browse the site to get a more in depth explanation of such deductions here: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Medical-and-Dental-Expenses-Podcast

I hope this was of great help to my breastfeeding mamas.

Happy New Year!

Sh!t People Say to Breastfeeding Mothers

So I thought this video was hilarious. I experienced every single one of these comments. I can laugh at the ridiculousness. But back while I was nursing my children they annoyed me terribly!

Enjoy!

Lactation Cookies!

I must tell you all! I have a sweet tooth that is out of this world! I try my best to manage it, but there are times where I must have my sweets at all costs.
So imagine the feeling that I had when I came across lactation cookies.

Wait... So you mean to tell me that helping my milk supply was just as easy as eating cookies?!?!?! Why didn't my midwife share this with me?

Never fear mommies! I'm here to share with a recipe to not only sate your sweet tooth, but also keep your milk going.

What you'll need:

*Preheat oven to 375

1 cup softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
4 tablespoons water
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons Brewer's Yeast
3 cups rolled oats (WHOLE, NATURAL oats NOT quick oats)
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1 cup chopped nuts of your choice (optional)

Now before I continue I want to emphasize that it's best to buy organic if you're able to. If not, don't let it keep you from enjoying this recipe.
The most important ingredients to insure a boost in milk supply are oatmeal, flax seed and brewer's yeast. There are many variations of this recipe, but the constant in all of them are those 3 ingredients. So be sure not to leave them out!

(OH one more thing! I'm really weird about texture. I don't care for the texture of oatmeal in my cookies so what I like to do is grind them close to powder consistency using either a food processor or high powered blender.)

Now on to the rest of the recipe :)

*Soak flax seeds while you combine the dry ingredients. This allows for them to soften a bit.
*Mix all of your dry ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
*In a separate mixing bowl cream together the butter and sugar.
*Combine the eggs, drained flax seeds, and vanilla with butter/sugar mixture.
*When evenly mixed, add to the dry mixture.

You can either line your pan with parchment paper or grease your pan with butter. I opt for butter, but use whatever suits you.

*Drop mixture on the sheet by the spoonful
*Bake for 8-12 minutes
*(And my favorite part of the recipe) Enjoy!

There are variations of this recipe and I will post others for those with dietary restrictions.

World Aids Day 2013. Know your status

It is especially important for mothers and mothers to be get tested for aids. Don't let stigma keep you from knowing your status and taking control of your health.

Down below is a link to a free pdf download with really helpful information about the risk of transmission of HIV from mother to baby. Even more interesting is that the rate of HIV transmission from a breastfeeding, HIV-positive mother to her HIV-negative infant was a lot lower than I expected it to be.

So please, click the link and download and read at your leisure!

http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/9789241596596/en/index.html

I've also posted below a link to various HIV/AIDS awareness events. Most, I'm sure, will be offering free testing.

http://www.worldaidsday.org/events/