PARENTING FREEDOM

carol | August 20, 2010

DISCLAIMER:
Follow your doctor’s advice and all warning labels for ALL issues regarding your baby.

This will be my fifth “Attachment Parented” baby. I have mothered in this way more intensely with each child, and I have no regrets in that area. I praise and thank God for leading me to “Attachment Parenting”.

I promised you pictures of my “Attachment Parenting Nursery”, and naturally, you get my opinions thrown in, so here we go… It might make you feel better to read a different blog.

We have the means, but not the will, to have a separate nursery for Baby. I believe a traditional nursery is NOT in the best interests of a baby. I believe a nursery only satisfies the mother-to-be’s dreams of having a beautiful baby room, as well as peer and family’s expectations and traditions.

What about Baby?

Baby not only WANTS to be with Mother, but EXPECTS and NEEDS to be with Mother.

What is the perfect nursery for a baby?

Mother’s eyes. Mother’s voice. Mother’s arms. Mother’s breasts. Mother’s love. MOTHER.

Contrary to what you might think, nesting is a big deal for me. I prepare for months to get things ready for Baby, but I do nurseries differently than most mothers. I prepare the nest in the location where I actually intend to nest.

During the past few months, we redecorated our master bedroom, and it was completed today with the arrival of our two new swivel/rocker recliners. And now for details…

NESTING AREA
~ large bed
~ comfortable chair for mother (Mine is the patterned one.)
~ comfortable chair for father (My husband wanted his in leather which I find too cold.)
~ Baby’s dresser (with a drawer on one end for mother and a drawer on the other end for father)
~ coasters for glasses on each end of the dresser
~ night table
~ lamps

(The flash made the colors a little brighter than they actually are. The reds are darker in real life.)

NURSING CHAIR
~ swivel/rocker recliner
~ My Brest Friend nursing pillow
~ blanket
~ book basket on floor next to chair for reading to older child

SIDE TABLE / NIGHT TABLE
~ tissue box
~ touch lamp (so important for Mother’s panicky concerns for Baby in the night)
~ telephone with the ringer off (I can hear the phone from the kitchen.)
~ intercom where I can call for help when Baby poos all over me or when my throat is so dry that I desperately need water (My family is great to help!) The intercom also doubles as an audio baby monitor when necessary.
~ white noise machine (Thanks, M&C!)
~ place for TWO water glasses (in wooden container where I won’t knock them over during my sleep-deprived nights) (Experience tells me that TWO glasses of water are needed for nursing mothers.)
~ same container also holds remote controls, cream, pens/pencils, notepad
~ phone book in a drawer
~ Bible/books in a drawer
~ notebook in a drawer for my middle-of-the-night inspired writing and list making
~ night light that I can cover/uncover when needed (I prefer darkness, but need to be able to check baby quickly.)
~ diaper change basket (includes diapers, waterproof change pad, tissue box, container with soap, water container)
~ garbage can on floor

FAMILY BED
~ king-sized bed (We downgraded! The biggest we have had in the past was a queen and double side-by-side.)
~ waterproof mattress pad for king-sized bed
~ waterproof change pads for Baby to sleep on (with soft material on one side)
(If Baby’s diapers tend to leak, sleeping on these tend to protect the mattress and save unnecessary work.)
~ king-sized bed is also used for changing wet diapers during the night or naps

GUARD RAIL ON BED
~ extra tall with anchor for king-sized bed
~ has attached case to hold easily accessible diapers, waterproof change pads, receiving blankets, undershirts, my books, etc.

BED NEST
I have never been able to nurse lying down, but I still like to be comfortable in my bed during night feedings, etc.
~ two 12-inch foam wedges
~ at least two pillows (one for my head)
~ My Brest Friend nursing pillow (a substitute for a nursing pillow is a regular pillow folded in half and stuffed to the end of a pillowcase with a knot in the end.)
~ pillow seat (I use a foam medical supply pillow for my sore you-know-what following birth)

FLOOR DIAPER CHANGING AREA
I always thought change tables were ridiculous. I prefer to SIT when I do diapers. I also like the safety factor of a floor changing area which means Baby will NOT roll off when being changed. I can go get more supplies without any concerns.
~ thin foam mattress with crib mattress pad and crib sheet for cover
~ waterproof change pad
~ diaper change basket (includes diapers, waterproof change pad, tissue box, container with soap, water container)
~ jungle gym blanket where we will hang our mobile/toys overhead Baby to entertain Baby and siblings during diaper changes and playtime (not pictured) (Thanks, Grammie and Grampie!)

FLOOR BED
The change area also makes a great floor bed. It is also a very safe place for Baby to sleep when mother has to leave the room and Baby can roll over.
~ thin foam mattress with crib mattress pad and crib sheet for cover
~ blanket to match our king-sized bed blanket

BABY’S DRESSERS
~ waterproof change pads
~ receiving blankets
~ towels/washcloths
~ undershirts (My babies always wore undershirts to bed because sleepers were too warm for them. I like the one-piece style with no snaps or buttons on the chest, but just three snaps at the bottom.)
~ diapers
~ baby toys basket (Baby toys range from 17-years-old to brand new.)
~ blankets
~ bathtub rack liner
~ socks, hats, etc.
~ slings and wraps and carriers (see picture below)

BABY’S CLOTHES (IN MY CLOSET)
It took me five babies to figure out that I should HANG the baby’s clothes on hangers instead of keeping them in a dresser. Hanging them enables you to see the lengths, and Baby won’t grow out of them without wearing them if you can see the sizes.

BABYWEARING NEST
When Baby and Mother are not in the nest described above, Baby still gets to be close to Mother in a carrier/sling/wrap. Here are some of my slings and wraps all washed and ready. I wouldn’t want to count how many carriers/slings I have owned over the years. They are much more important to me than any other article of clothing that I have. I am not a shoe or purse or clothes girl, but definitely a sling girl.

EXTRA THINGS IN THE MASTER BEDROOM
~ definitely a TV with remote controls
~ clock
~ paintings
~ pictures (I have to wait for Baby to get born to get a huge family picture for over the bed)
~ flowers
~ teddy bear

DIAPER BAG
~ my new red leather diaper bag ready for hospital

(The flash made the colors brighter than they are. The reds are darker in real life.)

~ diapers
~ waterproof change pad
~ tissues
~ water bottle
~ soap and container
~ diaper wipes
~ opaque lunch bags with ties for dirty diapers
~ clothes
~ receiving blanket
~ ring sling
~ and more…

Almost 17-Years-Old Going-Home-From-the-Hospital Baby Outfit Worn by All Four of My Children and Ready for #5

That sums up everything I can think of now. When Baby actually arrives, I will no doubt see areas that need to be changed to make things easier. I like things to be practical and efficient. It’s hard to remember everything since it has been six years since I’ve had a baby in the house. AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, everything will soon be MESSY, and I will be embarrassed to show you when you visit. I tend to make people and things look better in pictures.

If you have any suggestions that I would like, please write them in the comments, or send me a note. I love new attachment parenting ideas.

MY SHARING SLEEP NOTES
The following are my personal observations of sharing sleep with my baby.

~ I like to listen to those soft little coos in his sleep.
~ I like to watch him sleep.
~ I like to reach out and pat his back.
~ It is so touching to catch those little sleep smiles, and he sometimes even chuckles out loud in his sleep.
~ I feel secure when I hear his quiet steady breathing, and contented sighs.
~ I know he is safe.
~ However unlikely, I never fear having to go get him if there is a fire or emergency.
~ I like to cover up his little shoulders.
~ I like to be certain he is warm during our Canadian winter nights.
~ I am there to help him regulate his body temperature.
~ I am able to unconsciously teach him to sleep with my body rhythms.
~ If he starts to stir, I can sometimes comfort him back to a deep sleep.
~ Feeding baby couldn’t be easier or more convenient.
~ I am there to massage his tummy to relieve that uncomfortable feeling.
~ I am able to prevent him from completely waking up when his tummy feels empty, thus making it easier to get him back to sleep after nursing.
~ I never have to try to lower him down into a cold crib, desperately hoping not to awaken him.
~ I get more sleep.
~ Sleep sharing extends postpartum infertility.

MY ATTACHMENT PARENTING ESSAYS
William Sears, M.D. and Martha Sears, R.N. are credited with coining the term, attachment parenting, to summarize the following practices:

* Connecting with your baby early.

For more information, read Pregnancy, Natural Childbirth, Birth Comfort.

http://parentingfreedom.com/pregnancy

* Reading and responding to your baby’s cues.

For more information, read Cry it Out, Sleep Training: Is CIO Biblical?

http://parentingfreedom.com/cry-it-0ut

* Breastfeeding your baby.

For more information, read Breastfeeding, Extended Nursing, Spacing Babies.

http://parentingfreedom.com/breastfeeding

* Wearing your baby.

For more information, read Babywearing: Why Should I Carry My Baby?

http://parentingfreedom.com/babywearing

* Sharing sleep with your baby

For more information, read Sleep Sharing, Family Bed: Where Should Baby Sleep?

http://parentingfreedom.com/sleep

DISCLAIMER:
Follow your doctor’s advice and all warning labels for ALL issues regarding your baby.

Category: Baby #6, Homemaking, Journal 2010, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Cry it Out, Parenting Pregnancy, Parenting Sleep Sharing | 5 Comments »
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carol | August 16, 2010

I am looking forward to using the “Dunstan Baby Language” for the first time (in addition to experience and never giving up.) Priscilla Dunstan’s DVD didn’t come out until after my last child was too old.

“Understand the meaning of your baby’s cries.”
neh = hungry, owh = sleepy, heh = discomfort, eair = lower gas, eh = burp
Priscilla Dunstan

Disclaimer: My advice is to keep trying to comfort your baby no matter what. In my experience, breastfeeding fixes most everything.

http://www.dunstanbaby.com/  

Baby Talk

Category: Baby #6, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Cry it Out, Parenting Fussy Baby, Parenting General | No Comments »
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carol | June 3, 2010

Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) on teacher unions:

Children ‘more likely to own a mobile phone than a book’
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/7763811/Children-more-likely-to-own-a-mobile-phone-than-a-book.html

Win a soccer game by more than five points and you lose, Ottawa league says
http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/06/01/win-a-soccer-game-by-more-than-five-points-and-you-lose-ottawa-league-says/?preview=true&preview_id=7652&preview_nonce=e6fa056a34

Pregnant? Forget housework, it could harm your new baby
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1282979/Housework-pregnant-lead-premature-birth.html#ixzz0pnHv3HXv

If your house is as clean as a whistle, you’ll be fit as a fiddle
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1283437/A-tidy-home-means-tidy-body-study-reveals-cleanest-healthiest.html#ixzz0pnHpNifO

Probiotic Found in Breast Milk Helps Alleviate Symptoms of Digestive Disorders
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100602193326.htm

Cry It Out: The Potential Dangers of Leaving Your Baby to Cry
http://drbenkim.com/articles-attachment-parenting.html

“The child stops crying because she learns that she can no longer hope for the caregiver to provide comfort, not because her distress has been alleviated.”

Category: Homemaking, Homeschooling Academics, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Cry it Out, Parenting Pregnancy, Parenting Stay-at-Home, Politics, Public School | No Comments »
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carol | May 16, 2010

Why Is Breast Milk Best? It’s All in the Genes
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100512172342.htm

For Comfort, Mom’s Voice Works as Well as a Hug
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100511201730.htm

Babies know the difference between good and evil at six months, study reveals
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1275574/Babies-know-difference-good-evil-months-study-reveals.html

Toddlers and TV: Early Exposure Has Negative and Long-Term Impact
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100503161229.htm

Study: 1 in 7 U.S. Babies Born to Moms 35+
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/06/health/main6465326.shtml

The Pill at 50: Unhappy Un-Birthday
http://hotair.com/greenroom/archives/2010/05/09/the-pill-at-50-unhappy-un-birthday/

Flu vaccination ban goes national after fever, convulsions in children
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/flu-vaccination-ban-goes-national-after-fever-convulsions-in-children-20100423-tglp.html

U.S. has 71 million unused flu vaccine doses
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKN0318959620100503

Proposed Law in Mexico Would Send Doctors Who Don’t Suggest Abortion to Jail
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/04/29/proposed-law-mexico-send-doctors-dont-suggest-abortion-jail/?test=latestnews

Category: Abortion, Family Planning, Feminism, Health, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting General, Parenting Pregnancy, Vaccination | No Comments »
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carol | April 28, 2010

Natural substance in breast milk destroys cancer cells
http://www.naturalnews.com/028662_brst_milk_cancer.html

“Breast milk is documented to be the best food possible for infants and breastfeeding is known to have enormous health benefits for moms, too. It turns out, however, that breast milk has even more amazing properties. Swedish researchers have found that it contains a compound that kills cancer cells in humans.”

Category: Health, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Breastfeeding | No Comments »
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carol | April 24, 2010

Longer duration of breastfeeding reduces risk of metabolic syndrome for the mom
http://www.naturalnews.com/028646_brstfeeding_metabolic_syndrome.html 

“Women who breastfeed their children longer are significantly less likely to develop the cluster of heart disease and diabetes risk factors known as metabolic syndrome…”

“The findings indicate that breastfeeding a child may have lasting favorable effects on a woman’s risk factors for later developing diabetes or heart disease…”

For more on this topic, choose from the following:
Essay ~ Bible Verses ~ Quotes ~ Blog Posts ~ Books

Category: Health, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Breastfeeding | 1 Comment »
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carol | March 30, 2010

Breastfeeding Significantly Lowers Breast Cancer Risk
http://www.naturalnews.com/028469_brstfeeding_brst_cancer.html

“Women who breastfeed their infants have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer…”

“In addition to providing significant advantages to the infants themselves, breastfeeding has also been linked to improved long-term health for mothers, including lower risks of ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and heart disease…”

“When the researchers looked only at women with a history of breast cancer in their immediate family, however, they found a remarkably strong trend: Women who had breastfed had a 59 percent lower risk of breast cancer than women who had not, making their risk comparable to that of women without a family history of the cancer…”

“Women who breastfeed also tend to be better educated and have higher incomes than women who do not…”

Category: Health, Parenting Breastfeeding | No Comments »
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carol | March 13, 2010

With my hands cupping my womb, I could feel the baby moving around last night! The date would be just past 16 weeks pregnancy/14 weeks after conception. So far, I can only feel movement with my hands. I can’t feel it in my body yet. When I wake up each morning, a big bump sticks up when I lie on my back, but during the rest of the day, it sort of hides. (To clarify, my stomach doesn’t hide - just the womb. LOL)

I have my maternity clothes ready to go. I ordered some new things online. I hope they won’t make me look too hideous this time around. Fortunately, this was the first time I could buy tall maternity pants. What a relief!  I still wear my regular shirts, and I can comfortably button at least three pairs of my non-maternity pants, but that won’t last much longer. I recently got out my box of stored maternity clothes and made a ‘keep’ pile and a ‘give-away’ pile. It is funny how the pants style has changed so much in just six years – not only the legs, but the back pockets of jeans. I had a great laugh at myself when I tried on some of my old maternity mom-jeans. If you think regular mom-jeans are bad, you should have seen these! The scariest thing is that they are in the ‘keep’ pile until I have the energy to go shopping for a  couple more pairs in a nearby city. To my knowledge, there are ZERO places to buy maternity clothes locally. Sad, really. What do pregnant women do?

We stopped at a furniture store last night to look at their rocker/recliners. The one I used for my last baby was a very old chair that came from my grandparents. Years ago, we dragged the matching one to the end of the road on Big Garbage Day after one of the kids threw up on it. Both chairs were worn out anyway. I didn’t find a new one that I liked, but we only went to one place. There is lots of time. Then again, it’s hard to believe that in only a few short weeks, I will be half-way through this pregnancy. Yikes!

I have a new extra-tall bed rail ready for our king-size bed, and I bought new foam wedges for nursing in bed. These are two of my most needed baby items. My wish list also includes new slings, a wrap-around nursing pillow, a dresser for baby clothes, etc.

My eight-year-old daughter is knitting a blanket for the new baby. At first, she chose pink yarn, but she was encouraged to get white in case it’s not a girl! I’ll take a boy and/or a girl, but she would LOVE to have a sister. After all, when we thought she was getting a girl kitten, it turned out to be a boy when we took her to get spayed. LOL

This has been by far my most difficult pregnancy – both physically and emotionally.

Emotionally: Pregnancy following miscarriage is extremely stressful. I never expected it to be so hard. I also have worries of my husband’s job insecurity and the threat of moving hanging over my head.

Physically: I  am thankful that the 24-hour morning sickness began to slowly ease at 11 weeks, and the last couple weeks have been much better. It was a rough first trimester. In the fall, I was feeling quite well most of the time, but within just a couple weeks of the pregnancy, the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that I have battled since I was sixteen years old kicked in big time. I didn’t expect to have such debilitating fatigue with this pregnancy. I am particularly grateful for two things in this regard:

#1 I had the house renovations and house cleaning completely ready just days before I became pregnant. That makes me feel sooooooo much better, because even though I can’t keep up, and I am getting behind with the housekeeping, it is not as overwhelming as it would have been. I pray for strength to be able to cope if we have to move, and also for the basic nesting that I need to do.

#2 As always, I am very thankful for our homeschooling method. It has been so flexible over the many years of ups and downs with my health. The three oldest children are capable of doing their schoolwork with minimum or even no help from me if necessary. I do not fret over my five-year-old because I know there is lots of time, and as long as he continues to learn a little phonics and math facts here and there, he will do just as well as his brothers and sister. There were many times I was physically unable to put much into homeschooling over the years, yet the children are doing great.

I haven’t been very chatty on my blog lately because I am just too tired. I have mostly been posting links and quotes with the occasional commentary.

One interesting change in my lifestyle has occurred after an appointment with another naturopath. I have searched for health answers since I was a teenager. I have tried many, many things – sometimes with good results, but most of the time, nothing helped. During the past few months, I have been desperate to find answers. I don’t know if this time will make the difference, but I am giving it my full effort, even if it kills me. So, with the goal of achieving better health, I have gone vegan! In the past, I was familiar with the vegetable juicing and vegetable smoothies and nut milk and all, but I have never completely eliminated meat/fish/eggs/dairy at the same time before (still using butter). I am also doing no-sugar again. It has been eighteen days, and I have seen no improvement, and unfortunately some negative effects. I will stick with it religiously for a while yet, and I hope to keep at least some of the new habits for the rest of my life. The children have been doing great as well. They are not eating vegan or even vegetarian, but their diets have improved greatly with a salad almost every day and no junk – yet. Over the years, we have gone through many times of eating healthy and eating poorly. I have always found it very discouraging when a strict healthy diet did nothing for my health. Hopefully, this time will be different.

I haven’t been doing too much during the past few months except trying to cope. One helpful thing has been our amazing winter! I have never seen a winter with such little snow and such great weather. We are having another sunny day, and the forecast is amazing! I haven’t had the strength to enjoy being outside, but in many ways, the weather has been very encouraging.

Hmmm… what else would you like to know?

Category: Baby #6, Facebook, Food, Homeschooling Academics, Journal 2010, Miscarriage, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Pregnancy, Parenting Sleep Sharing | 6 Comments »
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carol | March 5, 2010

Breastfeeding Could Save The Lives Of 1.3 Million Children a Year
http://www.naturalnews.com/028238_brstfeeding_infant_health.html

“WHO recommends that infants start breastfeeding within one hour of birth and consume nothing but breast milk — not even water — for the first six months of life…”

“If 90 percent of women met the WHO breastfeeding guidelines, the agency says, 13 percent of global deaths under the age of five could be prevented, translating into 1.3 million lives saved per year.”

Category: Health, Parenting Breastfeeding | No Comments »
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carol | March 3, 2010

Baby Monkeys Receive Signals Through Their Mother’s Breast Milk That Affect Behavior and Temperament
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100302142331.htm

Category: Parenting Breastfeeding | No Comments »
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carol | February 18, 2010

Later Introduction of Baby Foods Related to Lower Risk of Obesity Later in Life
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100216142336.htm

“One area of great interest is the possibility that being breastfed might predispose a person to being lean, and the longer the better. Extended breastfeeding, however, is usually associated with delayed introduction of complementary “baby” foods, and it is possible that this (gain rather than breastfeeding) might influence weight…”

“For instance, for each month introduction of vegetables was delayed, the risk of being overweight at 42 y of age was reduced by 10%.”

For more on this topic, choose from the following:
Essay ~ Bible Verses ~ Quotes ~ Blog Posts ~ Books

Category: Health, Parenting Breastfeeding | No Comments »
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carol | January 18, 2010

Breastfeeding for more than six months leaves children less likely to suffer mental health problems later in life
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1244184/Breastfeeding-months-leaves-children-likely-suffer-mental-health-problems-later-life.html#ixzz0czXwLIO1

“Children who are breastfed for more than six months are less likely to have mental health problems in later life, according to new research.”

“Experts believe that nutrients in mothers’ milk, and the bonding process, may have a long-lasting effect…”

“‘There are a number of ways extended breastfeeding could assist child development. We know that breast milk is packed full of nutrients that help with the rapid brain development that occurs in the early years. It might also signal a strong mother-child attachment and these benefits may last.’”

“UNICEF and the World Health Organization recommend infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months and ‘that breastfeeding should continue to contribute an important part of a baby’s diet through the second year of life and beyond’.”

Category: Depression, Health, Parenting Breastfeeding | No Comments »
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carol | December 31, 2009

I am sure you have watched Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride 2. Well, they are based on movies from the early fifties. The original sequel was called Father’s Little Dividend and it was filmed in 1951. I found the following section very interesting in regard to attachment parenting. The father, Stanley Banks (Spencer Tracy), and his daughter Kay (Elizabeth Taylor) were saying that everyone should stop interfering in her pregnancy. She went on to explain her doctor’s radical views which certainly shocked her father.

Kay: “I guess they just don’t understand the new way of looking at things. As Dr. Nordell says, birth is a perfectly natural thing, a glorious thing, and wants you to be conscious every minute so you they don’t miss a second of it. He believes a woman should be aware of the wonderful thing that is happening to her. And another thing, he doesn’t believe that a woman should be separated from her baby for one second after it’s born. You should carry it with you, right back to your room, and keep it there with you, sleeping right there with you in your hospital bed.”

Stanley Banks: “That is a little new isn’t it.”

Kay: “Oh, Pop, that’s not new! Primitive woman has always done it. Dr. Nordell was in the Pacific and he said the women there, why, they were never separated from their babies. They kept them slung on their backs for the first two years of their lives. He said it was wonderful for the baby. He said if he had his way, all of his mothers would do that. You would carry them on your back while you were doing housework and when it got hungry, you would swing it around and feed it, and swing it back again. He says it gives the baby a wonderful feeling of security.”

Father’s Little Dividend 5/12 (1951) (Clip beginning at 3:40)

Category: Books, Movies, Television, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Pregnancy, Parenting Sleep Sharing | 1 Comment »
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carol | December 15, 2009

NHS maternity services in meltdown: A former midwife reveals how understaffed wards are sinking into chaos
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1235921/Midwives-meltdown-A-NHS-worker-reveals-understaffed-maternity-wards-sinking-chaos.html#ixzz0ZoE2NjQd

“Welcome to the modern NHS maternity ward. A world of shoddy practice, poor hygiene standards and a shocking disregard for patients’ individual needs…”

“We offer them strong painkilling drugs such as pethidine or diamorphine – which is a form of heroin.”

“Drugs keep the mother nice and quiet which, of course, suits staff.”

“But they also likely to make her and her unborn baby terribly sleepy.”

“Although these drugs can sometimes increase contractions, they all too often slow them down.”

“The end result at the woman will need more drugs, not fewer, and labour will take longer.”

“But, of course, we don’t explain of that as we dole out our pain killers. Besides, on a busy ward, what’s the alternative?”

“Once a woman is in full labour, you’d thought we’d put her needs first. But I’m embarrassed to admit that, all too often, we were not allowed to.”

“Most hospitals rigidly enforce the rule that, once in labour, a woman’s canal must dilate at the rate of 1cm an hour.”

“If that isn’t happening, midwives are encouraged to tell the her that her baby may be getting in distress – even if that isn’t the case.”

“Terrified and exhausted by a haze of drugs, the woman agrees to anything which is offered.”

“In practice, this means we give her extra drugs to intensify the contractions and so speed the arrival of the child.”

“Her pain levels increase and she’ll need an epidural injection in her spine to numb the pain around her groin.”

“It’s a vicious circle. I felt terribly mean persuading women to go along with it. I knew I wasn’t always acting in their best interests. But what could I do?”…

“The truth is that breastfeeding rates are plummeting in the hospitals I’ve worked in.”

“The reason is simple. Midwives don’t have the time to spend helping mothers to feed properly.”

“And without that vital support in the early days, women give up…”

“Weak and in pain, they don’t have the knowledge or strength to stand up for themselves.”

“Instead, they end up being patronised by doctors and bullied by midwives into taking drugs they don’t want.”

“But what makes me most sad and angry is that those hospital staff – everyone from managers down – are taking advantage of women when they are at their most vulnerable.”

Category: Health, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Pregnancy, Sex Education | No Comments »
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carol | November 15, 2009

Sesame Street turns 40: Segments promote breastfeeding over the years
http://www.examiner.com/x-29156-Minneapolis-Breastfeeding-Examiner~y2009m11d14-Sesame-Street-turns-40-Segments-promote-breastfeeding-over-the-years

“One well-known clip from 1977 features a mother named Buffy and her infant son, Cody. While she nurses her baby, Buffy explains to Big Bird why some mothers feed their babies at their breast. ‘He likes it because it’s nice and warm and sweet and natural; it’s good for him. And I get to hug him while I do it!’”

Sesame Street – Buffy Nurses Cody

“The original clip (see below) was aired in the mid-1980s and briefly shows a mother breastfeeding her baby at approximately the 1:10 mark. This segment was updated for the 21st century and, sadly, the breastfeeding clip was replaced with that of a baby being bottle-fed.”

Sesame Street – You’re My Baby (original version)

“The most recent video promoting breastfeeding on Sesame Street is also from the 1980s and shows the popular character Maria nursing her (very covered up) daughter. Like Buffy in the first video, Maria explains why she enjoys breastfeeding her baby. ‘I like feeding her this way [at the breast] the best; it’s natural, it’s good for her, and I get a chance to hug her some more!’”

Sesame Street – Maria breastfeeds

Category: Health, Parenting Attachment, Parenting Breastfeeding | 2 Comments »
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carol | October 25, 2009

Saving My Baby
http://fiercemamas.blogspot.com/2009/10/saving-my-baby.html

“In the hallway, the cardiologist turned to me and quietly told me that it was my parenting – the constant carrying – that had allowed her to survive against all odds.”

“My daughter never cried alone, left in a room. Had I ever practiced CIO, I would have woken to a lifeless baby.”

Hat Tip: Megan (Thanks!)

For more on this topic, choose from the following:
Essay ~ Bible Verses ~ Quotes ~ Blog Posts ~ Books

Category: Parenting Attachment, Parenting Babywearing, Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Cry it Out | No Comments »
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carol | October 18, 2009

Cosleeping and Biological Imperatives: Why Human Babies Do Not and Should Not Sleep Alone
http://neuroanthropology.net/2008/12/21/cosleeping-and-biological-imperatives-why-human-babies-do-not-and-should-not-sleep-alone/

“It is absolutely wrong to say, for example, that ‘cosleeping is dangerous’ when roomsharing is a form of cosleeping and this form of cosleeping (as at least three epidemiological studies show) reduce an infant’s chances of dying by one half…”

“When done safely, mother-infant cosleeping saves infants lives and contributes to infant and maternal health and well being. Merely having an infant sleeping in a room with a committed adult caregiver (cosleeping) reduces the chances of an infant dying from SIDS or from an accident by one half!…”

Hat Tip: http://www.tulipgirl.com/

More reading: http://parentingfreedom.com/sleep/

Category: Parenting Breastfeeding, Parenting Cry it Out, Parenting General, Parenting Sleep Sharing | No Comments »
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carol | October 10, 2009

Ice, Ice Baby: Perfectly Frozen Mammoth
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Frozen-Woolly-Mammoth-Lyuba-Heads-To-Chicago-For-Exhibit-In-Field-Museum/Article/200910115399522?f=rss

“A baby woolly mammoth, frozen in soil for 40,000 years in Siberia, was so well preserved that traces of her mother’s milk were still in her stomach.”

Category: Out of this World, Parenting Breastfeeding | 1 Comment »
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