More than 4 ounces... So I know it's real....

While breastfeeding my two oldest children, I had an abundant supply of milk. I could pump up to 24 ounces in 30 minutes. Needless to say if I'd ever decided to stop nursing my children they'd do well with the milk stored.

When I had my youngest child, I could not pump more than 2 ounces on one side during a 30 minute pump session. I may have been lucky to pump 4 ounces and that was only if I missed a feeding due to my baby sleeping longer than usual. That's a huge maybe. Pumping could not even empty me properly and I went through many painful bouts of clogged ducts and unbearable engorgement. Maintaining my supply while away from my baby was excruciating.

I was discouraged and felt that she was not getting enough milk. Never mind that she was gaining just fine. I couldn't see the milk that I was producing and it made me feel defeated as a mother. I was determined to continue breastfeeding, though. And I continued until she was a month or two into her third year.

I probably would have stopped earlier if it weren't for the words of advice that I received along the way. And I'm here to share them with you!

1.) How much you're able to pump is NOT a measure of your supply. It may just be that your baby is better at emptying your breast than a pump is despite it's grade.

2.) Breastfed babies get's hungry more often than bottle-fed babies. You may think that your baby is not getting enough because he constantly wants to nurse. The difference between formula and breast milk is that breast milk is digested a lot quicker and easier than formula. This fact is usually the culprit of frequent feedings.

3.) Your baby may be experiencing a growth spurt. This may result in a baby that's more fussy than usual. Keep in mind that breastfeeding is a supply and demand kind of deal. Allow for extra or longer feedings and rest assured that he's getting all of what he needs.

4.) Beware of overfeeding. Babies will willingly take a bottle of formula or expressed milk even if he is full.

5.) Babies love to suckle. Imagine my surprise when I realized that the extended time spent on my breast wasn't baby nursing at all. Rather she just found comfort in sucking as she would a pacifier.

Now you may be convinced that baby is getting enough milk during his nursing sessions, but you're not pumping enough for, say, daycare. Here are a few tips that may help.

1.) Pump regularly. Sometimes we like to pump only when we're engorged. Or maybe you will only pump during or after nursing you baby. Unfortunately it may not be enough to support your need to produce extra milk for baby while you two are apart. Set aside a schedule to pump and then stick to it! Ideally pumping 10-15 minutes every 2-4 hours will yield results within a week or two. Be consistent and patient. You'll soon be making enough!

2.) There are natural herbal supplements that aid in the production of milk. The two most popular are fenugreek and mother's milk tea. Fenugreek comes in a pill form and can be made as a tea. Mother's milk is another tea proven useful in milk production.

3.) Are you hydrated? You will need to drink about 8 glasses of water daily. It is recommended to keep water near you while breastfeeding or pumping. Speaking from experience, I would get extremely thirsty while during a nursing session. Dehydration drastically affects milk supply.

4.) Don't skimp on the calories. I'm quite sure people are asking, "How are you able to bounce back so quickly?" Well it's because breastfeeding burns up to approximately 500 calories a day. This is great but you have to remember to eat. Burning that many calories means that you'll have to eat more than usual. Not eating enough will affect your energy level and ability to produce milk.

Remember to stay persistent. You have the ability to give your baby the best and he deserves just that.

"The History of My Chocolate Milk"

I want to direct you all to a documentary in the making titled "The History of My Chocolate Milk". In this documentary the history of the low rates of breastfeeding among mothers of color, the social stigma of breastfeeding, and the necessity of breastfeeding.

I have no doubt that this film will be good, informative, and empowering.

For more information please visit "The History of My Chocolate Milk" facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateMilkFilm

My Plan B

Every mother should have a Plan B (as in breastfeeding)!!

We all have wished at one point or another that we could just disappear. Maybe you were obligated to make a family gathering. Or maybe in the company of annoying people that you just wanted to rid of but couldn't. Or just maybe you need to get away from the New Years Eve festivities where your drunk Uncle has had one too many drinks and is now embarrassing every one within his blurred eyesight... Was that just me? lol well you get the picture! I for one have been in these sort of situations. What I would've given to have a fire escape slightly out of sight but within reach so that I could slip away at a moment's notice...

There's one thing (out of many) that I cherish about breastfeeding. That's using the need to breastfeed to get out of situations. Come on! I know I'm not the only one who has played the "my baby's hungry card" to ease out of unbearable situations. I for one will tell you that this strategy has been tried and proven effective!

As healthy as breastfeeding is, many people still view it as some sort of ungodly act that should never be spoken of let alone witnessed. As unfortunate as this is, it gives you the ability to duck off into a vacant room without much worry about others coming in. And if they do they'll leave faster than they came. Can you say peace? To this I say don't feel bad. As it's one of the many perks of choosing to nurse your baby.

Use it to your advantage!

Breast milk kills cancer!!!!

I'll leave you with a few links:

http://www.med.lu.se/english/labmedlund/mig/research_groups/the_svanborg_group/the_hamlet_project

http://www.naturalnews.com/028662_breast_milk_cancer.html

http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0009384

Enjoy. And happy breastfeeding!

My addiction

For those who don't know. Yes I used to smoke. Cigarettes to be more specific. I stopped smoking about 2 months after finding out I was pregnant with my now 2 year old. I've gone cold turkey for close to 3 years now... But this past January, after being away for a weekend, my youngest daughter showed disinterest in nursing when I got back home. It was kind of bittersweet. I kind of enjoyed the fact that I'd have my "body back" finally. At the same token I knew that my pregnancy and breastfeeding is what kept me from giving in to those cravings that had been taunting me lately.

I went to the midwife for my annual check up and told her about my youngest daughter's sudden disinterest and that it's fueling my intense desire to light one for the first time in a long time. I told her that I felt bad because I'd been nursing her to fight off that desire. And now that she's "done" I don't know what to do. I also worried that if she so happens to want to nurse again then it couldn't happen because I would have started smoking again. I had no idea what to do. Then my midwife gave me this bit of information...

http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/lv/lvaugsep04p75.html

Touchy subject.
I know some will have some VERY strong opinions regarding smoking and breastfeeding. To some this will come as a relief. As it did with me.
My 2 year old began showing interest in nursing again. And I've given in to my habit again during her short hiatus. Granted she's not nursing as much as she'd been before her first rejection. She may go a few days without nursing. Then when she decides she wants it again she will only do so in the middle of the night. Or when she needs to wind down. In the meantime my need to smoke is restricted to 1 or 2 a day and this is not daily. The need is so sporadic that I am confident that I pose no risk because whenever I do nurse her I am way past the nicotine's half life.

I am not here to convince anyone in any specific way when it comes to this situation. I just want to make people aware.
I respect the opinions of all. And don't mind the opinions of those who oppose this. I will not accept bashing though. I like to think of this place as a safe place of some sort. So demonizing will not be tolerated.
With that said I'd love to hear experiences and thoughts.

2 yrs later....

2 years later....
2 years later my youngest is almost 3 years old.
2 years later I'm still breastfeeding.

Obviously not as frequently as before but she will still nurse from time to time. Did I mention that she's almost 3? I'm sure that most people will give me the side-eye. She'll be preschool age next month. She'll be eligible to attend public school pre-school all day. Her formal induction to life as an assimilated child. No longer under the constant supervision of what's been her life. Me. Her home. Yes, she's been to daycare but it's so different from the dynamics of public school. With that comes the expectation that she/we abandon all things that identifies her as a baby/toddler. Breastfeeding being one of those things.
I find it so funny in the most annoying way when people complain about "not letting children remain  children" and "kids growing up so fast" yet these are the same people who will chastise a mother for continuing to feed her child in the most natural, healthiest way that she knows how. My belief is that despite these age markers put in place by society a 2 year old is still just a baby. A 3 year old is still just a baby.

I'm not here to rant, though. I'm only here to inform and support. And I just want those who have made it this far not to doubt their decision to do so.

Breastmilk Remedy

A few posts ago I posted this list of remedies involving breastmilk. Well, I tried one of them!

My youngest daughter caught pink eye a few months ago. I had no insurance and the medicine was way too expensive to pay out of pocket! It was about $150 for a little bottle of eyedrops. That wasn't an option. So I thought to myself, "Let me use the information that I found. And hey! I can report back to you all how it worked for me." So I did it. I used my milk as I would have used the medicine prescribed for my daughter. And don't you know? It cleared it right up after a couple of days!!! No lie. Believe me when I say it has worked for me. And I should add that her pink eye was a bit worse than her previous bouts with pink eye. She would wake up with a swollen, crusty eye (gross, right?). Then when  her eye was open it was red and constant drainage (puke!). But that home remedy worked like a charm!

So to my fellow, breastfeeding mamas. If you have the ability or desire to try it then I suggest you do. Because it worked for me!