Since this is exactly where I've been at the past two weeks, I decided to journal my efforts and the results of those efforts. After 8 days of supplementing 2 month old Johanna while being on a round of very strong antibiotics, this is my diary of how we've gotten back to full time nursing:

Wednesday, October 21

I just took my very last dose of antibiotics. It feels good to be a free woman again, lol! I'm so grateful that Johanna has made it through all of the formula/donated breastmilk as well as she has. Praise God. I'm so eager to nurse my sweet babe but won't start again until tomorrow. This last dose should be fully out of my body within about 8-10 hours and I could feed her safely at that point, though I aim to wait more like 15 hours, which is pretty conservative but I just want to be cautious. We'll see how it goes.

I've been pumping to the best of my ability during these 8 days. It's a whole lot of extra work, pumping over an hour a day when I'm already spending more than twice as long to prepare her bottles and feed them to her. I've had the odd day where I just haven't pumped as much as I wanted, and I know that my supply is definitely down. Praying that it will return quickly to get my little girl off of this formula and back onto the best milk ever.

Thursday, October 22

So much for my ideal of 15 hours. We were out at the doctor's office at the 13 hour mark with a very hungry baby and a mommy who needed to pump. My husband made the official decision that we'd let Johanna do the pumping, right into her hungry little tummy! It felt soooo relieving to be able to nurse her again. I'd missed it so much, and I think she did, too.

No medication this morning (whohoo!), only a heaping dose of probiotics to start replacing all that lost good bacteria. I'm also taking extra doses of the nursing herbal tea that I usually take, in hopes that it will boost my supply more quickly.

We've been a happy nursing pair all afternoon and evening, but I know that my supply is pretty low. I've let her nurse completely on demand all day. Not much of a let-down at all, so I know the milk is minimal, but she's still getting something. I was grateful to receive one last batch of donated breastmilk from a friend and gave it to her this evening before bed, to ensure her tummy was truly full for the nighttime. Hopefully things pick up a bit tomorrow.

Friday, October 23

Our first full day back at it. No need to supplement so far, as Johanna seems satisfied (as I write this in the mid-afternoon). I'm feeding on both sides, rather than only one as I usually do. I'm hoping that this will ensure that she gets enough, and that the extra stimulation will help my supply to pick up again that much more quickly. Trying to make sure that I drink plenty of fluids as well. Actually had a small let-down this afternoon, which was so encouraging! Praying things continue on this trend...

Had to give a bottle in the evening. That's not too bad for first full day. Hopeful that things will improve. We'll try again tomorrow.

Saturday, October 24

Seem to have enough milk for most of the day, but by the late afternoon, I knew things were really low again. Going to have more to drink, have some nursing tea, and I'll put her to the breast again in an hour or so. Hoping to not have to supplement again tonight. We'll see...

Later in the evening- By about 7 pm, she was really hungry so I gave her a bottle again. I could be discouraged, but I'm not allowing myself to be. After 8 days of not nursing, to only have to supplement once a day is pretty minimal. Soon, the evening bottle won't be necessary. We'll just keep at it!

Sunday, October 25

Started off the day with oatmeal, a good food for increasing milk supply. Still needing to feed on both sides at most feeds, but my let-down is increasing so I know that my milk is coming back little by little. We got through the evening tonight without a bottle (whohoo!) and instead I will give her a nice big feed when I go to bed (which I don't usually do but I think she'll need it in lieu of being supplemented). The more often I feed, the more my milk supply will increase so extra feeds aren't a big deal. We'll get back on our regular schedule soon enough.

Monday, October 26

Started the day off with oats again. Tried to be conscientious of keeping well hydrated all day. Was sad that by 4pm, my supply was waning again. Gave little girl a bottle around dinner time.

It's important to keep nursing like crazy, even when you know it's a dry well. Despite the fact that I had barely any milk, I still nursed Johanna 4 times between 4-8pm. Sure, I didn't have much at each of those feeds, but my body will start to pick up on those stimulation cues, "Must... make... more... milk." Knowing this, I just keep putting her to the breast as often as I can, whether there's anything there or not.

Tuesday, October 27

Felt like my supply was great this morning. Let's hope it continues all day!

Later: Made it through the evening without a bottle!!! Gave an extra feed or two, but was just so glad that I actually had some milk in the evening.

Wednesday, October 28

She didn't sleep through the night (woke at 4 am to eat), but I expected this as she didn't have as much as usual in the evening. At least she made it through that long! Yet again, oatmeal for breakfast (as I have had every morning this past week!). Drinking tea, taking nursing herbs, etc. Still doing all that good stuff! Another day without a bottle!

Thursday, October 29

Didn't get nearly enough sleep last night, due to being out on a very late double date. I know that it affected my supply. Getting adequate rest is big for ensuring a good milk supply. With it already being somewhat low, the lack of rest was just too much. By mid-afternoon I had to supplement with a bottle to let my milk build up a bit more. Fortunately, with some extra fluids, calories, protein and rest, we finished off the night well.

Friday, October 30

Another bottle-free day! We're starting to have more good days than bad days, a very good sign that things are looking up!

The last three days have been very hectic around our home, and I haven't been eating quite as sufficiently as I should be. I can tell whenever I postpone eating or don't eat enough that my milk is a little lower. When I have a good meal, it picks back up again. Consuming enough calories really does make a difference. No skimping on food for nursing mamas, ok?

Hectic days or not, with some determination on my part to keep forcing myself to drink and eat more and to just keep nursing really frequently, we made it through all day. She might wake for a night feed, but that's just fine with me.

Saturday, October 31

Bottle-free again! It took some extra nursing and really guzzling water around dinner time and in the early evening to make sure she had enough for the night, but we made it through. Giving her an extra late-night feed helped to ensure that she slept through the night.

Sunday, November 1

As of today, I would say that we are officially back to nursing full-time. Yes, I'm still struggling with a bit of a low supply in the late afternoons and evenings. I still need to be conscientious of what I eat and drink, of how much I nurse, of getting enough rest. I'm still taking supplements to encourage a healthy milk supply. It's gratifying, though, to have made it through these last 3 weeks and know that my baby girl is getting what she needs!

For those struggling with low milk supply, here are a few resources:

Herbs for the New Mama (my own recent post, which includes info on which herbs to use for milk supply, as well as links to the specific nursing tea that I am using)

Increasing Milk Supply: Homemade Mother's Milk Tea

Building Milk Supply (a current topic in the new forum here at Keeper of the Home- this topic has some great replies and advice in it! Have you checked out the forum yet??? )

Are you struggling with a low-milk supply yourself? What are some of the ways that you have found helpful to increase your supply?

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Either way, they are a hindrance to living in good health. Of course, we seek to eat clean foods and keep our homes as toxin free as possible, but it just isn't possible to avoid toxins completely. Over time, we all need to do a bit of "housecleaning" and help to rid our bodies of these built up chemicals and foreign substances.

I mentioned recently that I was going to do a little bit of detoxifying while taking a short break from nursing my baby (due to being on medications that I didn't feel were safe for her to receive through breastfeeding). Many of you asked how I was going to do this cleansing, and so I thought I'd share just a few ideas and ways that I chose to detoxify my body.

I'll let you know straight up that this is not an area of expertise for me. Though I have studied some about detoxifying and different methods of doing so, my knowledge in this area is not as strong as some other areas. I present this as the ways that I haven chosen to aid my body in cleaning itself out, not as the ultimate guide for how you ought to choose to do your own detoxing regime. I am still learning much in this area!

Perfect Cleanse Kit

This kit is through Garden of Life (you can read more about the product through this link) , a supplement company whose products I believe are of a very high quality. This is Dr. Jordan Rubin's company and he is the author of The Maker's Diet, an excellent book that I highly recommend (very much in line with a traditional, whole foods diet like Nourishing Traditions, and includes much other useful information for health especially in regards to having a healthy digestive system). I like this kit because it does not require a special diet or fasting, although of course it is always best to be eating well if you expect to get the most benefits out of any cleanse (ie. no junk while you're doing it!).

Knowing that I only had about one week that I would not be breastfeeding, I had little time to prepare myself to do anything more elaborate, and even less time and energy to actually think about preparing special foods, juices, etc. I had previously bought this kit, intending to do it the day I actually found out I was pregnant (so there went that idea!). I wasn't able to do it for the full 10 days, but did do it for 6 days which is certainly better than nothing. I appreciated that I could use it while eating normally, because I did not want to restrict my calories while trying to maintain my milk supply. I found the cleanse very easy to use, gentle on my system, but it still felt as though it was being effective and making a difference.

Chlorella

Chlorella is a type of green algae. Aside from boasting many nutrients, including powerful antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, DNA and RNA (for cell growth and repair), it is also widely known as an powerful detoxifier. Most particularly, chlorella is known for binding to heavy metals, removing them from the body and purifying the blood.

It's important to use a high quality source of chlorella for the best results. I used ChlorEssence by Sequel, a local Canadian company. Dr. Mercola also carries a chlorella tablet that looks to be superior in quality, and this page on his site includes a bit more information about the benefits of using chlorella. I was taking between 4-6 tablets a day, in addition to using the above kit.

Flora Diulaxa Tea

This is an herbal tea that combines many herbs known to have detoxifying and blood purifying properties. I couldn't find many websites with a good description of it, but here is what one said about it: "Effectively cleans the blood and helps remove body wastes by stimulating excretion through bowels, kidneys and skin."

This tea can be taken 1-3 cups a day, and is recommended for a 6 week period. I didn't have that kind of time, but just decided to add a cup of it every day to what I was already doing. Using a prepared tea like this isn't necessary, as there are plenty of herbs out there that aid the body in detoxification, but this is an easier and safer way to do it if you aren't knowledgeable about herbs or don't care to source out the individual ingredients yourself. Most health food stores will carry either this tea or something similar.

Why not just cleanse by fasting or using a specific diet?

Great question! You can definitely do a cleanse or detoxification through diet alone. In fact, fasting is a very effective way of cleaning out the body, whether it is a brief water fast, or a longer juice fast or mono-diet (only one food is consumed- for instance, brown rice or apples).

I personally chose not to do a fast of this sort for two main reasons: 1) I was still overcoming a sickness and felt that I needed the nutrients from eating a wholesome diet, since I had been struggling to take in enough food and fluids during the previous week of being ill. 2) I was pumping to maintain my milk supply for my young baby and was worried that restricting my calories would compromise that milk supply.

For those who are certain they are not pregnant, and are not breastfeeding, using some type of fasting to clean out the body is definitely a worthwhile option to consider. I would suggest consulting with an experienced practitioner (like a Naturopath) who is skilled in leading people through this type of cleansing as it should be done carefully in order to reap the most benefits from it and to avoid doing anything that may actually cause your body more harm than good. At the very least, read up on the subject very thoroughly before attempting to do any fasting yourself to ensure that you know how to do it safely.

Another way to use diet to clean out the body is to go on a more restrictive diet (only eating certain foods), but without restricting caloric intake. One of the best diets of this sort that I know of and have personally used is The Maker's Diet. Here are a few of my own thoughts on doing this diet.

Note that if you are in a season of breastfeeding or pregnancy, the Maker's Diet could be used in a more modified way, starting with Stage 2 or 3 only, to avoid letting the body do any heavy detoxing. It's fine to cut out harmful things from your diet during breastfeeding and pregnancy, but it's not fine to alter the diet to such an extreme that your body begins to rapidly release toxins, as these will make their way to your baby through the placenta or through breastmilk. I'm sorry to say that those who are already in these seasons of life (as I have been for most of the past 5 years, so I understand!) will have to wait it out before choosing to do any sort of heavier detox.

Have you ever done any sort of a cleanse or detox? How did you do it? Did you notice the positive effects of having done it?

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Johanna at about 1 month old, during the worst of her colic and baby acne

Colic and fussiness in young babies just isn't fun for anyone. Not for the baby. Certainly not for the parents. It can be downright exhausting, and it's difficult to see your baby in such pain and discomfort and to feel that you can't do anything about it.

There are a lot of products out on the market for colic in babies. Unfortunately, most of them use substances that only treat the symptoms, such as sodium bicarbonate which is used in antacid relief (like Tums or Rolaids), or gas suppressing medications such as Simethicone which are used in over-the-counter remedies like Ovol (basically a child's version of Maalox or Mylanta), not to mention the alcohol that is so often used in commercial infant Gripe Water.

Personally, I chose to go with herbal remedies that I felt would
support and improve my baby girl's digestion, which was where her fussiness
seemed to be originating. She was also dealing with a lot of baby acne,
which I noticed was very related to her digestion. When she had a less
fussy day and less stomach pain, the acne decreased, and on her worst
days, the acne flared up badly.

By using herbs that promote
better digestion we have seen a remarkable difference in our sweet
girl. In the course of a week of me taking a herbal tea that I put
together we saw her colic decrease immensely, to the point where she
would happily sit in an infant seat for up to 20 minutes at a time
(whereas before she constantly needed to be held, bounced, patted,
rocked, etc.). We've also seen her acne completely clear up. The change has really been amazing!

How Should Herbs Be Used With Babies?

I am still bit torn on whether to try giving something to baby directly, such as small amounts of diluted herbal tea. My basic concern is that a newborn or young baby's digestive system is just so incredibly sensitive and immature (hence the reason that they are fussy and colicky to begin with!), and the risk of introducing something to them that their systems cannot handle or may react to is very real.

In my experience with Johanna, I did try giving her some very small amounts of weak tea. I tried both a yarrow tea and a fennel tea. With the yarrow, I didn't specifically notice any difference, though I might not have tried it for long enough to really see it. With the fennel, I definitely did notice a difference. It was the first breakthrough we had in bringing some level of calm to our distraught baby.

However, I continued to feel a little bit unsettled about giving it to her, even though I know that many practitioners (such as midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, even doctors) would consider it safe. I'm not convinced that it isn't either, and I will be the first to admit that it can be very effective.

After my experience these past couple of weeks, however, my personal preference is taking stronger herbal teas myself. This way the soothing and digestion-easing properties of the herbs can be present in my milk, but have gone through the filter of my body first, rather than going into hers directly. I have found this to be equally as effective in helping my little girl, if not more effective, than giving her the herbal teas orally.

That said, if you would like to try giving them to your baby as a weak tea, here are some guidelines:

Simple vs. Combination

In my recent studies, I've learned that herbs are used both as "simples", meaning on their own, and also in combination with other herbs (and most herbs can be used in either way). When giving herbs to any infant or young child, it is always best to introduce each herb first as a simple, before giving it in combination. As with new foods, it is always possible (though not highly likely) that a baby could react to what they are being given, and if this happens you would want to know exactly what they reacted to in order to avoid giving it to them again. Once you know that baby does not react to several simple herbs, it would be fine to try them in combination.

Dosage

It is important to remember how much smaller an infant's body is than ours. At 7 weeks old, my 10 lb baby is a mere 1/13 of my body weight, and as a 7 lb newborn she was even that much smaller. Anything you give an infant needs to be in a much weaker, diluted form than what you would take yourself. In The Complete Medicinal Herbal
by Penelope Ody, she recommends giving any child under 1 year a dose that is one twentieth (1/20) of what would be a full adult dose. With something like fennel tea, if I were to make myself a tea I would probably use 1 Tbsp of fennel seas to 8 oz. of hot water. To make it for an infant (for example only- not all herbs use the same dose), I might use only 1 tsp. per  8 oz. to make a weaker brew, and then only give a 1/2 an ounce to 1 ounce at a time.

When the nursing mom is taking the herb instead, she simply needs to stick to what would be a reasonable amount of any herb (ensuring that the herb is safe for baby, of course). With the tea that I am currently drinking for post-partum health, I consume about 3-4 cups of full strength tea (1 Tbsp to 8 oz. water) throughout the course of the day. Usually 1-2 cups before noon, and another 2 cups in the evening. With this amount, we have seen nothing but excellent results in Johanna (and myself) and not a speck of a negative reaction.

Do Your Research

As I am only beginning my personal study in herbology, I would not dare tell you exactly which herbs you ought to take and in which dosage. I am learning from many different sources and am continually looking for new information and using things cautiously as I proceed.

One excellent resource that I have just come across in my studies is on kellymom.com (a fantastic resource for breastfeeding moms in general). Here you will find an alphabetized list of herbs and remedies, and whether they are safe for the nursing mother, as well as some dosage suggestions and possible uses. I would suggest that in your own research it is best to be more on the cautious side than to quickly accept ideas and suggestions from any old source. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Our sweet girl with her skin cleared up, and feeling so much happier!

Specific Herbs That are Helpful for the Fussy Baby

• Fennel seed
• Dill seed
• Catnip
• Chamomile
• Caraway
• Anise or Aniseed (not to be confused with Star Anise, which should not be given to babies)

As well, for more information on herbs that may be harmful for baby or for nursing mothers, here is more info on the topic from kellymom.

As with most natural remedies, what works for one person doesn't always work for someone else, and vice versa. Sometimes it's necessary to try a few different things before you find what works for you. Though they can be very effective in some situations, herbs may not always solve a baby's fussiness or digestive struggles. Many babies simply need more time to grow and mature and their issues will work themselves out with time. So hang in there, mama! You are doing an incredible job nurturing and caring for your little one and remember that this too shall pass!

Have you successfully used herbs to help a fussy or colicky baby? Tell us about your experience, or any other tips you have for helping a fussy baby!

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At long last, A Year of Herbs begins! Thanks to all who entered the herbal prints giveaway. The lucky winner is Kate (jknh78@), who will soon be receiving her choice of beautiful art prints from L.Herbert Designs!

Though I am eager to begin to study about individual herbs and their specific uses, my formal study of herbs has begun in a much more practical manner... finding and learning to use herbs that are helpful for both mother and baby in the early weeks and months after birth!

I've mentioned a couple of times that life has been particularly busy and stressful over the last month or so, just with some current circumstances, recovering from giving birth, and adjusting to life with a new (and fussy) baby in general and I have been feeling quite worn out as a result. In the midst of all this I was beginning to really struggle with my emotions-- sad and weepy one minute, angry and very irritable the next. I felt perpetually overwhelmed and like I was breaking a bit under the pressure of it all. In speaking with my husband and midwife, I recognized that what I was experiencing was the beginnings of post-partum depression.

I am so grateful to have realized this before things got any worse. My midwife encouraged me to discuss with my husband how I could find more times for rest and just ways to feel more like myself again and remove some of the stress I was feeling (which we did, and he was so supportive and loving to allow me to do that). She also gave me the go-ahead to do some research into herbs that I could try, that might assist my body in coping with the stress, bringing my hormones and emotions more under control, and just continuing to strengthen and rejuvenate my body so that I could better handle the demands that were on me.

I borrowed a book from the library called Natural Health after Birth by Aviva Jill Romm, a practicing midwife and herbalist. The focus of the book is on the post-partum period, a season of life that is often overlooked by most people, including new moms (and yes, especially me!). A wonderful aspect of the book is the use of herbal remedies to aid the mother's body in recovering physically and emotionally, as well as for increasing milk supply, helping fussy and colicky babies and more (though I can't recommend the book in it's entirety, as she is not a believer and there are some new age aspects of the book in some chapters). 

With the blessing of my midwife, I decided last week to put together one of the herbal tea mixes in the book, intended for helping with the symptoms of post-partum depression. Here is what I put together, partly from one of the book's specific recipes, and with some of my own substitutions (due to not being able to easily purchase all of the exact suggested herbs).

Keeping-Your-Balance Blend (slightly altered)

2 parts chamomile flowers (for relaxation)

2 parts nettle (for nutritive purposes, includes trace minerals and vitamins, to treat anemia, weakness and stabilize blood sugar. Also helpful for those feeling stressed and physically or emotionally drained)

2 parts peppermint (to energize and also soothe the nerves at the same time)

2 parts red raspberry leaves (rich in minerals, tonifying to the uterus, aids in balancing hormones, as well as adding a nice flavor to the tea)

1 part dandelion leaves (highly nutritive with trace minerals and iron)

I also added in:

2 parts catnip (a nervine herb, meant to relax and de-stress)

1 part yarrow (for reproductive organs and hormone balancing, immune boosting and digestion)

I mixed all of the dry herbs together in a glass jar and keep it on the counter with a measuring spoon. Whenever I want to make some, I boil some water and place 1 Tbsp of tea per cup of water into a french press. I let the kettle sit for a moment after turning it off so that it is no longer at a rolling boil (because this can damage the volatile oils in many herbs and reduce their effectiveness), then pour it over the herbs. With the lid on (but not pressed down), I let it sit and steep for 10-20 minutes before pressing it and pouring myself a mug. I aim to drink 2-4 cups of this tea a day.

**The original recipe did not include the catnip or yarrow, and also includes 2 parts of chrysanthemum flowers (for anger, stress and related emotions), oatstraw (nutritive, provides vigor and energy) and strawberry leaves (as a tonic and for nerves), and 1 part of both gingerroot (improves and stimulates circulation) and rose petals (relaxation, taste and possibly hormonal balancing). One substitute for oatstraw is to simply eat more oats, as they also contain most of the same qualities.

I am amazed at how much better I am feeling after only a week! Of course, it is not just the herbs. I have really been crying out to the Lord in prayer, playing worship music and meditating on Scripture truths, talking about how I'm doing with my husband and several friends, as well as just trying to take little breaks whenever I feel my emotions starting to rise up and become out of control.

I do feel, though, that the herbs I've been taking this past week have contributed to feeling much more calm and emotionally steady and more physically well than I did before. There have been many trying moments, but in general, I don't feel as overwhelmed as I did before and am more able to use self-control in how I respond to difficult situations.

As I've been reading and studying more about herbs lately, I've also been coming across some others that may be particularly useful for new mamas:

Nutritive (herbs with nourishing qualities, including protein, vitamins, minerals, etc.): Alfalfa, Ashwaganda, Gotu Kola, Hawthorn berries (and leaves and flowers), Milky oats (and oats in general), Nettle, , Red Raspberry leaf, Rose hips.

Nervines (herbs which support the nervous system, have a calming effect and help to relieve stress and tension): Ashwaganda, Catnip, Chamomile, Hops, Lavender, Lemon balm, Milky oats, Motherwort, Skullcap, Vervain

Galactagogues (herbs which support the nursing mother, particularly with maintaing an ample milk supply): Blessed thistle, Dandelion leaf, Fennel, Fenugreek, Nettle, Saw palmetto, Vervain, Vitex (this one is a little more controversial)

Herbs to AVOID while nursing:

Alkanet, Aloe Vera (externally is fine, but not internally), Aloes, Basil (as a food seasoning it's fine), Black Cohosh, Bladderwrack, Borage**, Bugleweed, Cascara sagrada (again, externally is fine), Chinese rhubarb, Coltsfoot, Comfrey**, Elecampane, Ephedra, Garlic (as with basil, fine for use as a food seasoning or ingredient), Joe Pye, Licorice, Male fern, Pugring buckthorn, Senna, Stillingia, Wormwood.

**I have seen conflicting information about comfrey and borage. Some books say they are fine, and even recommended for use as galactagogues. However, Romm suggests in Natural Health after Birth that they should not be used, though no specific reasons are given and I cannot seem to find any in my own research. I will have to continue to study, and so I can't really recommend them to you, one way or the other. Use your discernment in choosing whether to use them or not. 

I am currently also taking a herbal nursing tea, made by Rhea's Herbals Extractions (the products are great, but the site doesn't offer much information). I began taking it right after Johanna was born, to help establish a really solid milk supply, something which I struggled with a bit after Caden's birth for various reasons. It includes:

Red Raspberry, Chamomile, Lemon Grass, Borage Leaf, Fenugreek Seed, Star Anise, Marshmallow, Coriander, Fennel Seed, Galega. 

I have found that, despite feeling quite stressed and busy (usually not helpful for maintaining a good milk supply), I haven't really had any problems with having enough milk. There have been only a few days (and really, only one or two feeds on those days) where I felt it was a bit lacking, and I usually felt that was in response to me being too on-the-go, and not having had enough to eat and drink. 

For more great information on maintaining a good milk supply and a wonderful recipe for homemade mother's milk tea, check out this post. 

My next herb post will focus on some things that I have been learning about herbs for soothing the fussy, colicky or restless baby!

Has anyone else found herbs to be helpful in recovering after giving birth, for post-partum depression or for increasing milk supply? 

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Most of us are already aware that breastfeeding has many benefits, just a few of which include:

• Better digestive health for baby
• Higher immunity in baby
• Perfect, complete nutrition, that is always available, always sterile, always frugal
• Less chance of osteoporosis for moms
• Protection for nursing moms from breast cancer

I was so happy to recently come across yet another reason why breastfeeding is not only the best food for babies, but also beneficial to their mamas!

Here's a little clip from an article I read the other day:

            Read Moms Who Breastfeed Gain Healthier Hearts

Want a healthier heart and cardiovascular system? Go ahead and give that sweet baby of yours all the milkies they want, and you'll both benefit!

Want to know more of the benefits of breastfeeding? Check out 101 Reason to Breastfeed Your Child!

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The Shower Hug

This creative idea was conceived by (you guessed it) a mom, who understands some of the discomforts that can go along with pregnancy and nursing. Anyone ever had incredibly tender breasts during pregnancy, so tender that you winced if you accidentally brushed up against something, or when you tried to take a shower? How about when you're post-partum, your milk has come in, and your sweet new baby wants to nurse approximately 13 times a day? Ouch... talk about tender!

The Shower Hug is made out of very, very soft knit terry velour, and is intended for helping to shield and cushion that tenderness, obviously for when you're in the shower (hence the terry fabric and the name) but it can have other purposes as well. One I thought of in particular was as a nursing bra during the night, in the early weeks of nursing, to avoid having to wear a constrictive bra and to catch heavy leaking in the soft, thick, absorbent fabric.

I tried wearing it in the shower one day, and it was sooo comfortable! I could totally see how one of these would be soothing and would make showering very bearable during periods of tenderness or soreness. I liked mine so much that even though it was too big for me, I decided to keep it and sew it to make it fit me.

If you know of a mama who is struggling with a lot of tenderness, this just might make a very thoughtful pregnancy or post-partum gift!  To find out more about The Shower Hug, check out their website, www.showerhug.com.

PumpEase

Ask me just how much I admire moms who struggle to breastfeed, but continue to pump: enormously!!! 

In fact, one of the most inspirational breastfeeding stories I know of is a friend of mine who was badly burned on her chest as a young child, and had extreme pain and difficulty nursing her first baby due to her burns and scar tissue. She turned to a professional pump in order to give him the much-needed milk that he just could not get at the breast, and although it was continually painful, even agonizing, and very time-consuming, she persevered and gave her little boy 6 entire months of every ounce of breastmilk she could pump out, until she finally had to give in to her body's limits. How's that for a mother's sacrificial love?

Though I personally have not had to do much in the way of pumping, I
know of many moms who have needed to, for one reason or another.
Obviously, breastfeeding is simpler when it can happen sans pump and
bottle, but I applaud those moms who are struggling with it or have
some reason that they cannot, and yet desire to keep giving their baby
the very best milk they can give!

That's why I loved PumpEase! I can only imagine how helpful it would have been for my friend to have had a tool like this, to make two-sided pumping a hands-free experience and allow her to redeem some of the precious hours she had to spend doing it.

The big idea behind PumpEase is that you wear it around your chest, over your nursing bra, and proceed to hook up either your single or double breast pump. Start pumping, and pull out your book, computer keyboard, or even a sandwich or a cup of tea. Depending on how you feel about nursing in front of other children, you could even snuggle up your toddler beside you and read to them while you pump. What a great invention for helping moms to redeem some of the time that goes into all that pumping!

PumpEase comes in several different fabrics and their new spring patterns look cute. You can purchase directly through their website, at www.pumpease.com. Did I mention that they're Canadian-made? (Go Canada!)

Has anyone ever used either of these great products? Do you know of any other helpful products for encouraging moms in their efforts to breastfeed?

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Last week, Caden and I celebrated 13 months of being a happy little nursing couple, and I anticipate many more "anniversaries" to come.

I was blessed to be able to nurse Abbie until she was 20 months, at which time I sadly weaned her (of my own choosing, not hers- she would have continued on for quite some time, I think). Naturally, the first question that statement usually stirs up is "How long is it appropriate to keep breastfeeding? Isn't it weird (wrong, strange, adjective of your choice) to nurse a toddler?"

The answer, of course, is no, not at all!

By the time I weaned Abbie, she was speaking in full sentences, could lift up my shirt, tell me exactly what she wanted and which side she preferred. Did it feel strange? Nope!

When I was first pregnant with her, my original goal was 1 year. Although I had romantic and idealistic notions that went far beyond that, I also knew that I knew nothing about being a mom, and didn't want to arrogantly presume anything (though I suppose even presuming a year suggests that I thought that much would be easy).

When we hit a year, I hadn't even introduced her to any form of milk yet, she still loved her milkies 4-5 times a day, and I saw absolutely no reason to cut her off from something that gave us both so much enjoyment. And so we went on... in fact, the only reason that I finally weaned at 20 months was simply because it appears that I am one of those moms that just cannot get pregnant while nursing.

(To be a bit vulnerable, this breaks my heart just a little and really forces me to trust and rely on my sovereign and fully trustworthy Savior. As we are hoping to have many children, as many as the Lord gives us, it is a struggle for me to continue on with extended nursing, knowing that it is preventing more babies from joining our family anytime soon. On the other hand, I feel a strong desire and compulsion to continue on with nursing and to give my children the absolute best for as long as I feel that they need it. Can you understand the tension? I'm sure I'm not alone in this struggle!)

So what makes me love nursing so dearly and believe in it so strongly that I am willing to allow a greater age gap between my children, and have walking, talking toddlers pulling at my shirt? Here are just a few reasons:

• Convenience- Unless I had to, I absolutely cannot imagine that hassle of buying formula, mixing it up and heating it, sterilizing bottles and nipples, etc. Breastmilk is always the perfect temperature, the perfect consistency, and perfectly available. I have breastfed pretty much anywhere you can imagine (in the car at the border line up, in a Home Depot aisle, on the bus, while answering the front door, in a bathroom stall) - you name it, I've nursed there! And if we end up out somewhere long than we anticipate and don't have baby food with us, at least we've always got milk!
• Nutrition- It doesn't get any more natural and perfectly nourishing than breastmilk. Of course, good milk is made by a good diet, and our own nutrition really does affect our milk. So as long as I keep eating well, I know that my baby is getting the healthiest milk possible, full of all the right fats and protein and cholesterol and vitamins.
• That lovin' feeling- Don't you just love nursing hormones? I can be a totally frustrated, angry mom one minute, practically losing it with the kids and ready to pull my hair out, and then I sit down to nurse my sweet baby and within moments, I'm crooning softly and gently stroking his forehead. Seriously, it's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!
• Avoidance of allergies and sickness- I have often been amazed at how I can be sick with a horrible cold or flu, and my babies seem to escape it. I learned early on in nursing Abbie that a mother's milk has natural antibodies to whatever the mother is fighting, which increases the baby's resilience and helps to prevent them from getting sick. As well, breastmilk boosts a baby's immune system (especially through healthy bacteria in the early days and weeks after birth), and reduces the chances of severe allergies developing.
• An excuse to stop and enjoy- One of the things that I think is so helpful for me as a really busy, go-go-go kind of person is that I have to actually stop and sit down and just snuggle my baby several times a day (or 9 times a day when they're newborn!). Even now, Caden and I have our special times in the morning when he wakes, in the afternoon after his nap, and in the evening before bed, with the occasional other feed mixed in here and there. It is so good to have an excuse to just stop and enjoy him, or sit on the couch and read to both kids as I nurse.

If you need a few more reasons, here's a fabulous list I found of 101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child- the most thorough one I have ever found!

And so, I celebrate the 13 months we've shared so far, and look forward to continuing down this beautiful path. I'm not phased by the strange looks I receive, or the charming "Will you still be nursing when she goes to kindergarten?" kind of questions I received with Abbie.

I am in good company with much of the rest of the world, as I practice this gentle art of motherhood. In third world countries, it is not uncommon to nurse a child to 2 or 3 years old! In fact, the World Health Organization recommends that babies be breastfed up to 2 years and beyond.

Perhaps I should go buy myself a shirt I just saw recently... "Why yes, I am still breastfeeding!"

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"On a cleanse diet"? are you still breastfeeding?  do the toxins leach in to breastmilk?  I'm just curious, because I'm interested in doing a cleanse and I'm breastfeeding my baby.  Any info you have regarding that would be great.
Erin

Erin's comment was in response to the fact that I am currently on a Candida cleanse, for yeast and parasites, which I wrote about in this earlier post.

The actual reason that I even sought help at all from my Naturopath while still breastfeeding was actually for the sake of my son, not really for myself. He has had eczema since late November, and I was very concerned about him being sensitive to things that were in my diet.

When I took him in for a food screening, it was also recommended that I have myself screened as well, since he wasn't really eating solids at the time, but was basically 100% breastfeed. What we discovered was that I was a 9/10 on the Candida scale, and even though he isn't eating "food" yet, he was already a 3/10 on the scale and showed possible parasites as well.

So, although the purpose of my cleanse is somewhat for me, it is actually mostly for him, as he is receiving much of the unhealthiness in my body right now, through my milk. As well, my Naturopath is a mother of young children herself, and a strong advocate of breastfeeding, and would not have put me on a diet or supplements that she did not believe were safe for my son.

When most people talk about a "cleanse" or a "detox", they are talking about a very extreme diet where they are partially or completely fasting, a mono-diet (where they eat only one type of food, such as rice or apples), a juice fast (where they consume only fresh vegetable and fruit juice), etc. Usually it involves caloric restrictions, and does not contain a full spectrum of nutrients.

The particular diet that I am on, while it may appear extreme to many, is actually much more mild than these types of cleanses. I am allowed to eat as much as I need or want to, and am supposed to continue to eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, a few non-allergenic grains, good protein sources, nuts and seeds, healthy oils, etc. Many of my favorite foods (wheat, dairy, eggs, tomatoes, etc.) have been cut out, but my diet is still quite varied and is extremely healthy.

The main point of my diet is to weed out the foods that are currently causing a sensitive reaction in me (and therefore also in my son), as well as to cut out all forms of sugar (except for fruit, since I need the nutrients for nursing), yeast, mold, chemicals, caffeine, and many complex carbohydrates. By doing this, I will be effectively "starving" the yeast into extinction.

To assist my body in doing this, I am on one homeopathic anti-yeast remedy, which was tested to see if I or my son would react to it, as well as pro-biotics (healthy bacteria to help re-establish good intestinal bacteria for proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients and a healthier immune system) and lastly l-Glutamine, which is simply an amino acid that helps to heal up a "leaky" gut that develops through Candida and creates many of these food sensitivities.

I think it is important to stress that a breastfeeding mother should never, ever diet or restrict her calories while nursing! Nor should she eliminate complete food groups (all carbs, all protein, etc.), nor should she juice fast or anything of that nature. It is perfectly reasonable to reduce consumption of harmful foods, and this is actually a very healthy lifestyle choice to make permanently! We could all use to cut out our sugar, caffeine, etc.

But please, do not hear me saying that it is safe to fast, or do a heavy detoxification or cleanse while breastfeeding! This will allow toxins being released from your body to enter your breastmilk, and may be harmful to your baby, and will quite likely also affect your milk supply, as well as the nutritional content of your milk. If you desire to do a full cleanse or detox, please wait until you are ready to wean your child and are sure that you are not newly pregnant, and most importantly, do not do it by yourself! Consult a respected Naturopath or nutritionist (or doctor, if you know one who is in tune with alternative medicine) whom you trust, who knows and is fully supportive of the fact that you are breastfeeding, and receive their assistance with whatever you do.

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Although I was already somewhat interested in nutrition when I became pregnant with my oldest child, I hadn't really thought about the impact that my diet would have on her development and overall health in the years to come. Early in my pregnancy, I was lent the book What to Eat When You're Expecting, which was really the catalyst to developing a conviction that what I ate was of the utmost importance. While I do not agree with all of the nutritional theory in the book, the foundational principle is that what we eat goes a long way towards determining the health of our pregnancy, reducing the risk of complications, promoting a better labor and delivery, and most importantly, supporting all the developmental needs of our baby.

It has also been demonstrated over and over again (through studies which examine the quality and content of breast milk) that what moms consume has a direct effect on the milk that they produce (it's vitamin, mineral, fat and cholesterol content- all very important!). Although breast milk is always, absolutely, 100% the best choice when it comes to our baby, how we eat affects the nutritional content and quality of our milk. Several studies have shown that the amount of certain crucial fats, as well as many vitamins and minerals, can be very different from mother to mother, depending on her diet (not to mention pesticides, trans fat and other, which actually get into mother's milk!). Read more about the impact of nutrition on breastfeeding here.

And, just to add to the importance of this issue (in light of our overall topic- raising kids who are healthy and that know how to eat in a healthy way), there is now some evidence that what mothers eat while pregnant or nursing may actually influence their children's taste buds! It seems that the flavors from the foods eaten by the mother are actually passed into their breast milk, and that those babies who have been exposed to stronger flavors (such as green vegetables) will accept vegetables more readily when it comes time to feed them solids.

So nursing moms, eat your veggies!!! In fact, eat a wide variety of healthful foods, exposing your baby to many different tastes (greens and other non-sweet veggies, beans and legumes, all different fruits, etc.). Although you will likely still need to be persistent in offering foods such as green beans or broccoli, your child will be more likely to take to them than a child who was not exposed to them through breast milk.

As for correct pregnancy and nursing nutrition, I will touch on some of the most important elements only, since the focus here is on teaching children to eat well. However, I will likely post more on prenatal and nursing nutrition at a later time (and please email me, if you have specific questions and I will try to answer them!). Here are some of the basics (and for more details, see this article and many others on the Weston Price site):

• Eat more than usual (300 extra calories a day for pregnancy, 500 extra for nursing- approximately, everyone is slightly different)
• Water needs increase dramatically- rather than 6-8 glasses a day, aim for 10-12 or more
• Adequate protein is important for babies growth and supporting a healthy pregnancy and a sufficient milk supply.
• Our need for all vitamins and minerals increase- so in order to get the most nutrients possible, we need to make the most of each and every one of one food choice. Make every bite count for your baby!
• In order to get these extra nutrients, more fruits, vegetables, a variety of whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds are all important, in addition to excellent animal protein sources (natural meat, poultry and fish, eggs, and dairy).
• Avoid processed foods, chemicals, additives, caffeine, preservatives, food colorings, MSG, trans fatty acids (hydrogenated and partially-hydrogenated oils), sugar (as much as possible) and all other unnatural substances in foods.
• Eat more sources of Omega 3 fatty acids (very important for growth, and brain development)- sources include fatty fish (ocean caught salmon and tuna), cod liver oil, free run/organic eggs, fresh ground flax seed and flax oil, walnuts, etc.
• Ensure you are getting enough Vitamin A and D from good food sources- cod liver oil, butter, seafood, egg yolks and liver (Beta carotene comes from primarily orange and yellow vegetables and fruits- this can potentially be converted to Vit A, although much of it is not, and these are great foods, but it is not the same as Vit A from animal and fish sources).

As we will talk about more in-depth later in this series, one of the most important ways that we can influence our children's health and eating habits is by setting them an excellent example. Pregnancy and nursing are the perfect opportunities to re-examine our eating habits and overall nutrition. Using these seasons of life to make crucial changes in our own diets and eating patterns will enable us to provide a strong example of nutrition for our children.

I know that with my own little Abbie-Monkey (as she is affectionately called), it is "Monkey see, monkey do". Even at 3, she notices what I do, say and eat, and often holds me accountable by commenting on inconsistencies that she sees! I'm so glad that God, in His kindness, used the seasons slightly before and during my pregnancy with her to begin to prepare me for a lifetime of cooking, teaching and modeling healthy eating for my family!

Image from The Spirit of Motherhood .

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Laboratory tests of canned infant formula conducted by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) and a certified commercial laboratory reveal
that a plastics chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) leaches from metal
can linings into formula. According to a new EWG analyses, the amount
of BPA ingested by some bottle-fed infants exceeds the doses that
caused serious adverse effects in animal studies.

Read entire article

If you are using infant formula, or considering ever using it, either completely or supplementally, please, please, please, read this article!!!

We should not be surprised to see yet another finding of this type. When we try to substitute man-made items for the perfect provision that God intended for us, we are bound to discover dangers and flaws.

Breastfeeding is God's gift to mothers and babies. It is simple, readily available, delicious (not that I would know, but my babies sheer delight at having "milkies" would suggest to me that this is true), and perfectly designed to give babies complete nutrition, so that they are healthy and not lacking anything.

I know the arguments, and have even experienced a few of these bumps in the breastfeeding road myself. Not enough milk (due to diet, stress, and sometimes, regardless of trying other methods for the unfortunate mother), extreme pain, cracking and bleeding, unexpected pregnancy while nursing, infections, and the like.

My advice is simple. Do not stop breastfeeding your child, as long as you are physically able to, in any manner, in any quantity, even if it is once a day. If your milk is insufficient, please examine first whether you could do anything to to improve the supply, and if all else fails, read these informative articles on breastfeeding and homemade formula.

If you are finding that your supply is low, as I have on many occasions with this current little nursling of mine, here are a few suggestions that have greatly helped me:

• Rest. Even if you can't nap, even if it's just sitting or lying on the couch for 20-30 min. while you read to other siblings, etc. Resting, especially in the middle of the day (when milk supply can be at it's lowest), can be very instrumental in replenishing milk supply.
• Drink water. Most adults require 6-8 glasses of water per day, just for good health and hydration. When you are nursing, you need to virtually double that amount of water. My suggestions are to choose special water bottles or jugs to fill up and use throughout the day, to help you guage how much water you have actually had, and still need to have. Another thing that has been key for me is to get a glass of water before I sit down to nurse each time. I also try to have a drink (water or herbal tea) each time I sit down to the computer.
• Eat more. Pregnant women require (keeping in mind everyone is slightly different) 300 extra calories a day to nourish their babies in utero. Nursing mothers require more like 500 extra calories. And one of the best places to get your calories (aside from nutrient dense foods like vegetables and whole grains) is through protein. Ensure that your calories are coming from the highest quality and most nutrient dense foods possible. Not only is it difficult for our bodies to make milk when they are lacking in certain nutrients, but the quality of the milk produced will be inferior as well.
• Nurse your baby more. The more we put our babies to the breast, the more stimulation is created to let our bodies know to produce more milk. If you are on a strict schedule or routine with your baby, adding in one extra feed a day can often make a huge difference. I have a very established routine for my little guy, but when I notice my supply is down, I will feed him first right after his nap (as is my usual routine) and then again 30-45 min. later, after I have eaten a snack and downed a couple glasses of water. This works well for me.
• Try a natural supplement. Consult with your midwife or naturopath first. There are many supplements and herbs out there, that have traditionally been known to increase milk supply. Personally, I am using a tea called Mother's Milk, made by Traditional Medicinals (you can often purchase it at health food stores, or even Walmart!). I drink a mug when I feel my supply slipping a little. I'm not sure if it's truly the supplements helping, or just that I feel more relaxed and more hydrated, but either way, it works for me.

I wasn't intending to write such a long post, but this is a subject that I am passionate about. I desire to have the healthiest babies possible, and see it as my responsibility to do everything I can to ensure that my body is capable of nourishing them thoroughly.

And may I add to that very small percentage of women, who despite everything, truly cannot nurse their babies- there is no condemnation. I believe that God knows your heart and desire to provide for your baby. But I just want to encourage you to take ownership over whatever you are able to reasonably do, to continue breastfeeding. And when you come to the end of the line, and the options have run out, then trust God and ask him to meet your babies needs and to guide you in deciding which route to take.

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