Let’s talk about breastfeeding for a moment. While it would be wonderful if all babies magically nursed perfectly, well…they don’t. Similar to pregnancy, birth, and motherhood…. breastfeeding is another life lesson that can push us to our limits. It’s a *journey* all of its own. Out of six children, I have nursed four. I’ve also used formula, pumped (a lot),…
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One Z Pillow: Support For Baby And Mom {Breastfeeding}
Of all the things that I prepared for postpartum, I forgot a nursing pillow. Oops! So, I recently tried the One Z Pillow (they make the Twin Z Pillow), and absolutely fell in love with it! Not only is a great/sturdy support for breastfeeding, but it gives back support for the mom to do so ergonomically. It is so comfortable!…
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Practicing Fearless Motherhood {in Brazil}
{By Heidi Jo Haughn Palma, Maringá, Brazil.} I would like to share my journey into fearless motherhood. Maringá, Brazil. Public hospital cesarean rate 86%. Private hospital cesarean rate 98%. Who would have thought that in this murky maternal healthcare scenario, I would meet a radiant team of home birth professions. They were relatively young experience wise, but I knew that…
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Teaching Strength {I Am Strong}
I am strong because I got pregnant when my son was 10 months old. I am strong because it was after a miscarriage and I spent my entire first trimester in fear of losing this baby too. I am strong because I planned to birth at a birthing center. I am strong because after only 3.5 hours of labor I…
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I Am Strong {Breastfeeding in a Modern World}
I am strong because at 39 weeks and 1 day my son, Brendon was born. I am strong because I endured 24 hours of labor, and only dilated to 5cm and he still hasn’t dropped into the birthing canal. I am strong because after knowing I refused to have a cesarean section, my doctor told me it was the only…
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The Nursing Babe
My daughter is currently 5 1/2 months old. I haven’t introduced solids on a regular basis yet, and really don’t plan to until after she is 6 months old. When I was pregnant my whole family was against breastfeeding. “How are going to feed her in public?”, “Breastfeeding will get old, you will never get a break.” Then once I…
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Managing Breast Milk Oversupply: the MDR method
Breast milk is amazing. It provides everything a baby needs to grow into a chubby ball of cuteness. It fights disease. It’s nutritious. It’s delicious (yes!). It’s always on hand, it requires zero preparation, and it’s close to free. But sometimes, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Enter, OVERSUPPLY. Clad in stained pajamas, she runs to center stage…
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Milk! {A Story of Oversupply}
This is my third BWF post about breastfeeding. Previously, I wrote about an ad campaign depicting it as sexy and about how my husband supported me through nursing our son; today I’m sharing the things I learned from having an oversupply of milk. I wrote this story in December 2012 and have since birthed our second sweet little one. Once…
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Come and Listen to a Story about a Mama {Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding}
(To the tune of The Beverly Hillbillies theme song) Come and listen to a story ‘bout a mama lost her head A doting child-bearer keeping all her babies fed, Then one day an adoptive mommy too So many wee ones what will she do? Breast milk that is, liquid gold, Nature’s nectar. Well the next thing you know one babe…