Latching Problems?

• One of the biggest struggles for me was the beginning of breastfeeding with both of my babies.
• I used what is called nipple shields with my first son, Mica.

• At the time I had never heard of them.

• If you are having a difficult time getting your baby to latch on ask your doctor or a lactation consultant about nipple shields. They do come in different sizes, so it's important to ask for help when it comes to getting them.

Babies may have a difficult time latching because:

1. Weak muscles in the tongue or cheeks. It could be that they are premature, and haven't fully developed. Once they gain weight; you probably won't need to use nipple shields anymore.
2. If the mommy has inverted nipples. This makes it hard to latch on.
3. Nipple confusion (if they've had bottles already they may not want to work as hard to breastfeed. Babies use different muscles in the face to nurse then they do with a bottle.)
4. My case was rare. I used them because my son was born with a cyst under his tongue. One side of his tongue just wasn't developed as much as the other. It made it difficult for him to nurse.

Somethings to watch out for when using nipple shields:

1. It's one more thing to deal with. Even though they make breastfeeding easier, they are another thing to deal with. You have to have them centered to use them, I kept losing mine because they are clear, small and I was lacking on sleep anyhow.
2. Babies sometimes do not get as much milk with the nipple shields in the way. I was instructed by the boy's pediatrician to stop using them because Mica wasn't gaining enough weight. It was frustrating to stop cold turkey. He and I were crying one whole night. The next day was much easier.

Breastfeed and Have a Baby That is Less Feverish After Immunization

• I just got an email from Medela. 
• I am excited because I asked if they'd make a button for people to put on their blogs if they post about breastfeeding. They sent me coding to do so. Their button is now on my sidebar! ;)
• They also sent along a whole article about how babies tend to be less feverish after immunizations if they breastfeed! You can read the whole article here.

Desk or Changing Table?

• When I was pregnant with my youngest, I knew I needed to find ways to save space in his soon to be nursery.

• I took an old desk that was left in our house from the previous owners and decided to convert it into a changing table.
• I ripped paper, glued it all over the desk, painted it dark brown and put three coats of acrylic varnish on top. The texture is subtle.

• The idea of this desk being a changing table appealed to me because it had a hole in it where a chair would normally sit, which was perfect for a hamper.
• I imagine a large trash can, or diaper pail would work in this hole as well!
• The drawers on the sides were used for baby socks, onesies, BabyLegs, sleepers and more.

• We still had room on the top for the wipes, spit up rags and anything else that we needed.
• The diapers hung above the changing table.
  

• We used the middle drawer for a baby brush, lotion, thermometer and the many samples that we got in the mail.
• When our son got sick with Meningitis we had to treat him at home with home IV antibiotics. This was the spot we made sanitary and reserved for treatment. Our baby had to lay down for half an hour three times during a 24 hour period. The middle drawer was pulled out, and we fit our many supplies inside a lined cake pan for his treatments.
• As you can tell it's served many purposes.
• Now that our son Isaak is a toddler, I've taken the changing pad off and it's now back to being a desk. I love that this old desk was something that we're using.

{Trash Turned to Treasure}

Setting Up Your Own Toy Bin For a Nursery

• I got a set of shelves from a friend that was moving away.
• He was just going to trash the shelves, so I took them in.
• I put a subtle texture on them. I applied white Gesso on the shelves with a spatula. After the texture was the way I wanted it to be, I moved on to the next step.
• I painted it with a mint green, and put three coats of acrylic varnish on top. Note that the varnish does yellow the paint slightly.
• I found baskets at Michaels that were just the right size for the shelves.
• Baby toys fit perfect in them!
• Now that my son is a little older, we've replaced the baby toys with cars, balls and stuffed animals.

{Trash Turned to Treasure}

Diaper Rash

• My toddler has diaper rash. It's been a long time since he's had it.
• Any ticks up your sleeve readers as to how to treat it?
• I use baby wash clothes instead of wipes to clean his bottom. They are soft, and do not contain alcohol like manufactured wipes do. I'm going to put a recipe on here soon to make your own wipes.
• I use Bag Balm for the majority of time when it comes to a sore bottom. It can be found in any pharmacy. You do need to ask for it. It is not in the baby section. It's original use was to treat cow utters. You get a lot (10 ounces) in this cute tin for an reasonable cost.
• It works very well for a dry sore bottom.

• When my little one gets a yest diaper rash I make my own diaper rash cream. Usually a yeast diaper rash is from diarrhea.
• I mix 50/50 Milk of Magnesia and Ponds Cold Cream. The Milk of Magnesia kills the acid and the Ponds Cold Cream moisturizes his red bottom.
• I got this recipe from my boy's pediatrician. It helps within a day or two.

Fun Follow Friday

• Fun Follow Friday is a chance to get to see other blogs out there, and have other blogger's see your blog.
• All you have to do is go to these great sites: My Wee View and Simple Stacie to link up your blog on Fun Follow Friday.
• Join in on the fun!

Relaxation at the Pump

• Sometimes women do not pump as much as they'd like.
• I've been there. I worked full time with both of my babies.
  
• One of the key things is to find some way to relax.
• Getting my mind off of work was hard for me. I was in somebodies office, other then my own. I had a classroom of students waiting for me to get done. They of course didn't know what I was doing. Time had to be made up somehow, so I was always in a hurry. The result was less milk being produced.

Here's a few things you can try to be more relaxed at work. A few things I have tried, and other relaxing techniques I've heard from women I know.

• Have a picture of your baby in your pump bag that you can look at.
• Call to check up on your baby during this time. I found that this would not only take my mind off of work, but sometimes I'd hear my baby crying in the background. This would make me produce more milk.
• Drink something. Mother's Milk Tea or water while pumping. It's putting those needed fluids back in your body and again helping you take your mind off of everything else.
• Dim the lights and/or put on soothing music if possible.
  

Treating Pink Eye

What is Conjunctivitis, otherwise knows as Pink Eye?

• When someone experiences redness, irritation, itchiness, and watering of the eyes. Some individuals may encounter an itch or tightness in the throat, and/or ‘gritty feeling’ in one or both of their eyes.
  
• During the night, discharge seeps out of one or both eyes to form a crust. In the morning, victims of pink eye may awaken to dried mucus sealing their eyelids shut.
• Eye infections that have a colored, foul-smelling or "creamy" discharge are usually the result of a bacterial infection. You should see a doctor if this occurs.
• Pink Eye is very contagious, so try and stay away from other people until symptoms clear up.

Natural ways to cure Pink Eye:
Breastmilk

• A natural way to treat Conjunctivitis, otherwise known as Pink Eye is to put drops of breast milk into the child's eye. It is because of the natural antibodies it possesses. Use a medicine dropper to place a few drops into the eye, repeating every couple of hours.
• Other natural ways to treat pink eye are:

Organic Green Tea Mixture

• Combine filtered water, two organic green teabags, the juice of ½ small lemon, and two cap full of peroxide to treat their symptoms.
  
• Fill a small 6-ounce juice glass halfway with filtered water and steep all ingredients for about 20 minutes. Take one teabag out of the mixture and allow it to drain into the infected eye. Stinging may occur for a couple of seconds, but after about an hour improvements are seen. Repeat overnight for soothing relief.
• Remedy #2 combines teabags, honey, and about ¼ teaspoon of salt. After brewing two teabags to create one cup of tea, remove the tea bags allowing them to cool. Pour the tea into a small jar, adding the honey and salt. After everything is dissolved and the liquid is completely cooled – use a Q-Tip to apply two to three drops of solution into the infected eye, and the base of the eyelashes. Finally, cover the eyes with the teabags, using a warm washcloth to hold them in place. Honey offers antibiotic results, while the salt works as an astringent.

Aloe Vera

• Use pure aloe vera from a plant that contains antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties to avoid the stinging sensation that may come with over-the-counter products. Repeat throughout the day and overnight.

Apple Cider Vinegar

• Use distilled water and apple cider vinegar as a wash to ease the pain of pink eye.

Peroxide

• Green discharge can be treated by gently rubbing the eyelids with a cotton ball soaked in peroxide. Repeat several times per day to see results. While this treatment may cause stinging, patients have expressed instant relief.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunctivitis
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/STD/messages/434.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pink-eye/DS00258/DSECTION=risk%2Dfactors
http://media.www.pittnews.com/media/storage/paper879/news/2006/10/05/HealthScience/Pink-Eye.Strikes.Most.In.The.Winter.Months-2333330.shtml

Can You Breastfeed an Adopted Baby?

• The answer is, "YES"!
  
• I have one sister that is adopted. My mom didn't know that she could breastfeed her. During those times, it would of been hard prepping to nurse an adopted child. They didn't have the breast pumps that they do today.
• Through history they had what is called, "A Wet Nurse" take care of someone's baby. They nursed their own baby, and already had milk, or would just start lactating due to putting the baby on their breast.
  
• This process is much easier now because there is such advanced breast pumps that can be used before the baby arrives.
• Breastfeeding is such a positive way to bond and it's good for the baby and mom too!
  
• Medela has a whole article on the subject here.
  

Nursing Someone With Special Needs

• Once again Medela has surprised me!
• I was browsing their site, and came across a product that would of helped me so much in regards to nursing Mica. Mica was born with a cyst under his tongue making his tongue misshaped, plus he needed a Frenectomy. I had to get a medicine syringe to feed him my breast milk at first.
• Medela makes this product called, Medela Mini-SpecialNeeds® Feeder with 80ml Collection Container. It's for Special Needs babies, but my son could of used this. Preemies that are not able to nurse yet can use this as well.
  

Mom4Life Weekly Contest

• Did I mention how I love the site: Mom4Life? I do, and I have mentioned it.
  
• They have weekly giveaways on their blog.
• This week they are giving away three pair of Shapely Lace Washable Nursing Pads that originally cost $9.99.
• How do you win? You just need to look at their daddy items on their site, and comment telling them which one thing the dad in your life would like.
• The contest ends June 15.
  

Earth Mamma Angel Baby Organics

• I was so excited to hear about a fun contest that Earth Mamma Angel Baby Organics has going on.
• Click on the link above and towards the bottom of the page it has an email where you submit a story about your most classic/funny/embarrassing moment you've had while breastfeeding.
• If you win, Earth Mamma Angel Baby Organics will send you some of their Organic Milkmaid Tea that helps with healthy lactation.
• If you'd like to purchase some of their tea it is $6.19.
  

What is Mastitis, How Do You Know if You Have it?

What is it?

• Mastitis is inflammation of one or both breasts. It usually occurs in only one.
• Mastitis is pretty common among women who are breastfeeding.
• The best thing to do is to call your OB doctor.

Causes:

• Mastitis occurs when a milk duct becomes blocked, or the skin around the nipple becomes cracked. Both scenarios allow bacteria to enter, leaving the breast tissue infected.
  
• Both of these situations allow bacteria to enter and infect the breast tissue.

Some of the Risk Factors are:

• Skipping breastfeeding, pumping helps with this
• Wearing anything on top that is too tight
• Too much pressure on the breasts caused by sleeping on your stomach, holding the breast too tight while feeding and doing active things without a supportive bra
• Yeast infection in the breast
  
• Previous mastitis
• Abrasion or cracking of the breast nipple
• Wearing a bra or clothing that is too tight
• A yeast infection in the breast
• Sudden weaning, weaning slowly can prevent this

*There are other risk factors, these are just common ones.

Weaning

• Both of my kid's were difficult to start with nursing, and didn't want to quit when it came time to wean them.
• Mica, my oldest stopped nursing at 1 1/2, I think...it all seems to be a blur. My son Isaak just turned two. He's still nursing once or twice a day some days.
  
• The hardest time for Isaak to stop is when I go to pick him up in the evening after working all day. He jumps up and down because he misses me so much. He wants to nurse right away. Many times, I try and hurry up to get out of my sister's or mom and dad's house because I just want to keep his mind off of nursing.
• In the morning I've found that if I'm up, dressed and breakfast is made, he is less likely to want to nurse. He has a nice meal waiting for him instead. But...I never know for sure when he's going to wake up.
  
• If Isaak has something to keep him occupied then he's mostly ok with not nursing.
  
• Sometimes if he nurses, gets distracted, I'll cover up. He wants to latch on a min or two later. I'll just say, "Mommy's bottles are empty". I've always called nursing, "Mommy's Bottles".
  
• Ending breastfeeding and sucking a thumb is a lot different then giving up a binky or blanket. You can't just take it away to hide it, or throw it away in the trash can...it's there in front of them.
• Does any body have any other weaning tips for me?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

• The availability of resources to help employers create a supportive workplace for nursing moms has recently changed.
• The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed by President Obama on March 23 includes a new requirement for corporations with more than 50 employees to provide nursing mothers reasonable breaks and private, non-bathroom spaces so they may express breast milk.
• I'm not thrilled that it extends the right for only up to 1 year (I pumped longer for my son's), and why only work places of 50 + workers? I am thrilled about the difference this would make for mothers in the many states, mine included, that do not extend this right under state law!
• Medela has resources and services available to help employers understand the new requirements, create corporate lactation programs and support moms returning to work. Visit Medela to help your employer better understand what help they can be to you.

A Taste For Whatever

• I hear a lot of people say that their kids will only eat SpaghettiOs®, Mac and Cheese or PBJ's. I'm fine with all those things in small doses. I just don't want my kids to get locked into eating only one of those and wanting it all the time.
  
• I've never had this problem with my kids. Sure sometimes they are cautious about eating something that looks different. I think that's pretty normal.
• We put a little of everything we are eating on their plates and we expect them to try everything.
  
• Our kids love a few odd things compared to most kids. They like red peppers, humus and Lima beans. They'll eat any kind of fruit. Isaak (our two year old) is not too fond of bread (which the rest of us like) and he likes curry in things, which is a little odd for someone his age. Now...both kids love ice cream and chocolate, so we're not by any means perfect eaters.
  
• Studies have shown that if you want your child to be more of an adventurous eater...start initially at the breast. They get flavors of whatever their mom is eating.
• As a mom, try and eat a variety when you're pregnant and nursing. Your baby will be more open to trying new things if you are.

Over 100 Ingredients

• Human breast milk contains at least 100 ingredients that can't be found in cow's milk.
• Formula manufacturers have not been able to duplicate all the ingredients.
  
• Breast milk is not as hard on babies tummy's as formula.
• Nursed newborns suffer less from constipation and diarrhea.
  
• Some babies might be allergic to cow's milk or soy alternatives. This does make nursing harder because many things have to get cut from a mom's diet if she's nursing.