Chandler, Arizona
Sweet Pea ​Births
Sweet Pea ​Births
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
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La Leche League of Arizona Area Conference 2016
| Posted on August 29, 2016 at 11:17 AM |
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 La Leche League of Arizona hosted the "Taking Care of Mom, Making More Milk for Baby" conference for Parents and Professionals last weekend, August 26-28, 2016. The highlight of the weekend was keynote presenter, Diana West, IBCLC, who is also a La Leche League leader currently living in New Jersey. Diana is an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) in private practice, Director of Media Relations for La Leche League International, and an accomplished author. She is the co-author of Sweet Sleep: Nighttime Strategies for the Breastfeeding Family, the 8th edition of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk, Breastfeeding After Breast and Nipple Procedures, and ILCA's popular Clinician's Breastfeeding Triage Tool. Here is her entire bio from the conference pamphlet:  I was able to attend these presentations from the 8 that she offered over the course of the weekend conference:
I can't wait to apply what we heard this weekend to the information we share in classes.  THANK YOU FOR ALL THE AMAZING SESSIONS!! I also learned more about how to better support exclusively pumping mothers (Jennifer Widdows), and mothers who are going back to work after maternity leave (Desiree Allison, IBCLC). There was also a very interesting presentation on community milk sharing through private arrangement and milk banks (Dr. Angie Bond). And it was wonderful to attend an art session led by Rochelle Trotman-Norman - exactly what I needed to decompress after all the information I was acquiring over the weekend. Here is a visual look at the weekend: SPB at LLL  SPB Gift Basket:Hair Bow Baby Rattle The Night Before Your Birthday Book by Joni Rubenstein SPB Tote SPB Water Bottle SPB reusable nursing pads SPB Pen SPB notepad  It's official - made it to the conference!!  SPB Gift Basket was a raffle prize for the LLL Live, Latch, Love event on Friday evening  Room is ready for my presentation early on Saturday morning! *Birthing From Within *The Bradley Method *What to do when your birth plan twists and turns  The "mommy trading cards" we made in the session with Rochelle Trotman-Norman. We made one to take home and one to trade.  After two days without Mommy, Otter insisted on coming to the conference on Sunday so that we could be together. She was well-behaved and an absolute pleasure, as many breastfed, AP children are. She colored and read quietly, and had fun playing with her dolls! I am also curious to know what she picked up from the two presentations she heard...I am guessing I will find out as we have our car conversations over the next few days. LOCAL IBCLC PRACTICES Arizona Breastfeeding Center www.azbreastfeeds.com 8400 S Kyrene Rd #126, Tempe, AZ 85284 480-442-8491  Central Arizona Lactation http://centralarizonalactation.com/ 15720 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop, Suite 8A Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480.800.7707 | 480-208-1490  The Milk Spot 2922 N 18th Place Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-529-5159  SPEAKERS Some views from the audience and still shots around the conference  Diana West, IBCLC: Infant Sleep Training  Marian Tompson, one of the seven LLL foundersHolding the original copy of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding... a school folder with 33 copy pages collated by children of the founders  Laraine Lockhart Borman, IBCLC and Director of Outreach at Mothers' Milk Bank, largest donor milk bank in N. America. Pictured here with Michelle Hottya, IBCLC, director of the MMB Outreach and Donation Center located at The Milk Spot in Phoenix.  Desiree Allison, IBCLC, speaking on supporting the breastfeeding mother who will be going back to work outside the homeFRIENDS+BRADLEY TEACHERS  My LLL Bestie and Bradley colleague, Frances Landreth with LLL founder, Marian Tompson - oh my wow!! What a thrill to meet this living legend.  With Olga Kregci, Bradley Teacher and LLL leader. Another living legend - she has been teaching Bradley Method and leading LLL meetings for over 20 years, has homeschooled ten children, and never let being blind stop her from doing anything she sets her mind to.  Joan, who had two of her babies delivered by Dr. Bradley!! Former Bradley instructor and currently a LLL leader in Tucson, AZ  Jacqueline Kincer, IBCLC and Grace Burnham, Director of Arizonans for Birth Options  Jesse Franks & Anne-Marie Chun, ICAN of Phoenix (They were LLL speakers on Friday)  With Diana, creator of Amorini Pure Silver Nipple Soothers  Belinda Hodder, CNM and Diane Ortega, CNM Owners of Willow Birth Center LLL Speakers on Sunday morning  Marissa Honey-Jones, IBCLC at Central Arizona Lactation She hooked up all the conference attendees with these awesome water bottles!! LLL Speaker on Saturday AM  Christy Jo Hendricks, IBCLC, CAPPA educator, doula And all around awesome birth work supporter!! She owns Birthing, Bonding & Breastfeeding, where she sells products for the birth professional as well as her own invention, the Lactation Lanyard LLL Speaker, too!!  Jacqueline Norris, Doula & Dancing For Birth InstructorMichelle Hottya, IBCLC VENDOR HALL  Fynn Baby soothe with organic cotton comforting essentials www.fynnbaby.com  Dr. Hannah Hancock Prenatal & Pediatric Chiropractic 1920 N Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85257 480-994-0072 www.drhancock.com     Usborne Books Back to Essentials Ruth Ann Solomon, IBCLC and Doterra Consultant 520-560-0859 mydoterra.com/backtoessentials Birth to Five Helpline 877-705-KIDS(5437) www.birthtofivehelpline.org Southwest Human Development 2850 N 24th St Phoenix, AZ 85008 602-266-5976 www.swhd.org Amorini Silver Nipple Soothers Pure Silver Antibacterial Hypoallergenic Natural Made in Italy www.AmoriniUSA.com  I hope you enjoyed your inside look at the LLL Conference. Thank you to the amazing team at LLL that put together this amazing conference, and congratulations on a very successful weekend!! Disclaimer: The material included in this blog is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional
medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider
to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own
situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and
Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the
consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and related videos contain
information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is
not the official website of Birthing From Within or The Bradley Method®. The
views contained in this video and on our blog do not necessarily reflect those
of Birthing From Within, The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of
Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth
classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert,
Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson |
Inside Look: SPB at the LLL Conference
| Posted on July 29, 2016 at 1:23 AM |
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 August is shaping up to be an amazing month for a
celebration of breastfeeding in Arizona…culminating with the La Leche League of
Arizona’s Area Conference from August 26-28, 2016.I am honored that I was invited to submit an abstract, and then
selected, as conference presenter. My
talk will be on Saturday, August 27 at 8:30 am. It may be early…but it will be worth it!! Of
course, I can’t “teach” without offering a snack, so besides coming for the tea
and the yummy breakfast snacks, come chat with me about three topics near and
dear to my heart. My morning session is from 8:30 am – 10:00 am. Here is how we are going to spend our time
together. For each childbirth
preparation class, I will share a little about the core principles of the
series, and I will also offer you an opportunity to experience a portion of
what you would learn in a full series. 8:30 – 9:00 Exploring the Birthing From Within approach to
the childbirth journey
9:00 – 9:30 Exploring The Bradley Method®
9:30 – 10:00 Taking Care of Mom and Making Milk for Baby
even if the plan changes Thanks to the support of my amazing family, I get out and
spread the word about childbirth education several times a year. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard,
“I wanted a natural birth, but…” Or, “I tried for a natural birth, but…” Newsflash: however it happened, YOU GREW AND
BIRTHED A HUMAN BEING!!! That in and of itself is incredible. During our last half-hour together, we’ll take a look at
some of the things to consider if your birth plan twists and turns to help you
preserve the breastfeeding relationship, and what you can take away from every
birth experience, even if you think that you “failed”. We will leave some time to talk about this
perception of “succeeding” or “failing” at birth. You might be surprised at what you might discover
about the birth journey that prepared you to be the mother that you are today. I hope to see you at the conference for the whole weekend,
and of course I would be honored if you choose to spend some time with me on
Saturday morning! If you can RSVP and help me get a better idea of a head
count, I would be very grateful. As a
thank you for your help, I will bring you a special gift…so call or text me
today and let me know if I should save a seat for you! Conference Registration: RSVP for my presentation on Saturday, August 27
at 8:30 am 602.684.6567 CELL or TEXT [email protected] EMAIL ALSO...our upcoming classes   Other events for Breastfeeding Awareness Month:    Disclaimer: The material included in this blog post is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method® or Birthing From Within. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method®, the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®, or Birthing From Within.  |
Hello from SPB
| Posted on July 26, 2016 at 6:18 PM |
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Hello, readers <3 Coming up!!  It has been a huge season of change for us at the Bowman House. A season of grief, a month of moving, and now we are back. We thank God for our good health and a happy family - there is much to be grateful for in spite of all the upheaval. Here is our first installment back on the VLOG, announcing all the events happening for Breastfeeding Awareness Month that starts next week! Thank you for sticking with us - we look forward to recording and writing regular installments back to the VLOG and blog now that we are settling into our new home. We appreciate all of you in our community <3 <3 <3 Submit your breastfeeding story to inspire, inform, and
encourage other breastfeeding mothers – send it to me here: [email protected] Links to explore here: Events BLO August 6, 2016 Milk Spot: https://www.facebook.com/events/273963726303479/ ABBP: https://www.facebook.com/events/149441345460569/ Global: http://biglatchon.org/ August 26-28, 2016 Arizona LLL Conference http://www.lllofaz.org/area-conference  Disclaimer:
The material included in this video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.
 |
Top 10 PostPartum Tips
| Posted on May 22, 2015 at 7:12 PM |
comments (207)
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 Disclaimer: The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
UPCOMING EVENTS: May 12-16, 2014
| Posted on May 13, 2014 at 11:23 AM |
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Sorry this is a day late this week - good news is that there are still lots of amazing events to choose from in the next four days! New this week: check out our listing of splash pads in the East Valley, as well as a link to find other splash pads around the Phoenix, Arizona area. They generally open in May and will remain open until September or October. They are a great reason to get out of the house and change your space on a day that needs fresh energy ;) Planning Ahead Vaccination Education for Parents: Class #1 - MMR+ Varicella
Thursday, May 15, 2014 Educate yourself about risks, benefits, and choices when it comes to vaccinations! This is the #1 of a four part series - this class focuses on Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Chickenpox. Taught by Kari Hanks, this class is only $5 per couple! Contact Kari Hanks by email at [email protected] to sign up. Nurturing Hearts Birth Services @ 7:00 pm 40 W Brown Rd Suite 108 Mesa, Arizona 85201 C-Town Suitcase Club Tuesday, May 20, 2014 Travel through time and explore everyday objects. Designed for 3-5 year olds and their caregivers. Third Tuesday of the month. 10am, Chandler Museum. Free. This month’s theme: May 20 Stinkers McCullough-Price House @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am 300 S. Chandler Village Drive Chandler, AZ 85226 480-782-2717 Bounce, Bike & Boogie Wednesday May 21, 2014 Kids can play with an assortment of wheeled toys or venture
within a bounce house while enjoying some music. Cost: $3; $2 Chandler residents Tumbleweed Recreation Center @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am 745 E. Germann Rd. Chandler, AZ 85286 Vaccination Education for Parents: Class #2 – DtaP Thursday, May 292014 Educate
yourself about risks, benefits, and choices when it comes to vaccinations! This is the #2 of a four part series - this class focuses on Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Taught by Kari Hanks, this class is only $5 per couple! Contact Kari Hanks by email at [email protected] to sign up. Nurturing Hearts Birth Services @ 7:00 pm 40 W Brown Rd Suite 108 Mesa, Arizona 85201 MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014 National Geographic Kids Club The Arrowhead Towne Center Kids Club is a great opportunity for your child to learn in a fun, interactive setting. Meet in the JCPenney wing now through mid-November! May 12th Find the birds in your yard and
sing "Robin in the Rain" NEXT WEEK: May 19th Persephone tells a story about Prairie
Dogs. Arrowhead Towne Center @ 10:00 am 7700 W. Arrowhead Towne Center Glendale, AZ 85308-8612 623-979-7777 Central Phoenix ICAN Meeting - this meeting will be repeated at the East Valley meeting on Wed, May 18th Topic: Baby Blues, PPD, PTSD and Cesarean Depression This meeting will cover the many signs and symptoms of Postpartum Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you've suffered from any of these after a cesarean or vaginal birth, please come and share your experiences. We will discuss the difference between the different disorders and how to tell the difference between "baby blues" and something more serious. We will offer a place to share, support each other and will talk at length about how to get help so you can start to heal. Kids Rising! @ 7:00 – 9:00 pm 4332 N 24th Street Phoenix, Arizona 85016 TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 Tumbleweed Tots This indoor play area is designed for children 5 years of age and under to play under parental/guardian supervision. This fun, safe and clean area will have plenty of toys, equipment and activities that are sure to keep the kids entertained. There is a maximum of four children per adult. Cost: $3.00. Fee included in all TRC family passes. Tumbleweed Rec Center @ 9am – 11am 745 E. Germann Rd. Chandler, AZ 85286 480-782-2900 La Leche League – Tempe LLL is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. All women, especially pregnant and nursing mothers, are welcome to attend our meetings. http://www.lllofaz.org/ Desert Cross Lutheran Church @ 9:30 am 8600 S McClintock Dr. (Just north of Warner Rd) Tempe, AZ Homebirth
Circle Come join the beautiful space and share thoughts about life, babies and love. The circle is open to any adult and lap babies only. Feel free to bring a healthy snack to share. Freedom and The Seed Office @ 12:00 pm – 2:00
pm 714 W Marlboro Dr Chandler, Arizona 85225 480-528-1689 Fish Feeding Come see an 18,500 gallon freshwater aquarium that offers an up-close view of trophy-sized catfish, bass, striper and blue gill. Feeding includes an informative presentation about the fish. Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm and Tuesdays at 6:00 pm. Also, every day kids can help us feed the trout in our Trout Stream at 1:30pm. Bass Pro Shop Trout Stream @ 1:30 pm Bass Pro Shop Aquarium @ 6:00 pm 1133 N Dobson Rd Mesa 85201 602-606-5600 Prenatal Yoga + Fitness This prenatal yoga + fitness class will have all the elements of a traditional vinyasa (flow) yoga, designed for your prenatal needs, with added options for any mommas seeking a little extra fitness to compliment and enhance pregnancy, as well as help you to prepare for you upcoming birth journey. Any stage of pregnancy is welcome (including postpartum), as is any fitness level. Classes are $10 drop in or $30 for 4 classes. Emerge Acupuncture & Community Center @ 5:30 – 6:30 pm 123 E. Baseline Road, Suite D102 Tempe, Arizona 85283 480-466-2004 WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2014 Inn Families Moms, Dads, and Babies are all welcome for Inn Families at
The Nest at Babymoon Inn. Meet with other parents or families and chat about
parenting or any other topics of interest while the babies play. The Nest at Babymoon Inn @ 9:30 – 11:00 pm 220 E Lexington Ave Phoenix AZ 85012 602-314-7755 National Geographic Kids Club The Chandler Fashion Center Kids Club is a great opportunity for your child to learn in a fun, interactive setting. Meet in the Gap wing near the Food Court now through mid-November! This week’s theme: In your backyard you may have ducks that go quack with yellow bills and pretty feathers on their back. Chandler Fashion Center @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am 3111 W Chandler Blvd Chandler, AZ 85226 (480) 812-8488 Music Time Enjoy singing, simple instruments and movements with your child. For children ages 5 and under and their caregiver. Bookmans Mesa @ 10:00 – 10:30 am 1056 S. Country Club Dr. Mesa, AZ 85210 480-835-0505 Blossoming Moms Breastfeeding and Postpartum Support Pregnant moms are welcome too! Facilitator: Michelle Hottya, IBCLC 818-606-5687 Blossom Birth and Wellness Center @ 11:00 am 2928 N 16th Place Phoenix, AZ 85016 Dignity Healthcare Breastfeeding Support Group With the exception of major holidays… For more information, please call the ResourceLink toll-free 1 (877) 728-5414, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5:30 pm Chandler Regional Medical Center @ 11:00 am to 12:30 pm 1955 W Frye Rd Chandler, AZ 85224 Pregnancy And Postpartum Depression Support Group Free support group to help moms support each other through the adjustments of pregnancy and postpartum anxiety/depression. Partners, Babies & Toddlers are Welcome. No Registration Necessary. Free parking available off of Frye Road. Meeting held in the Morrison Building (blue roofed building just east of Chandler Regional) – follow signs. For Questions Call: Resource Link 480.728.5414 or 480.728.5617 (Recorded line with more information) Group Contact: Missy Beauchamp 480-728-5620 Chandler Regional Medical Center @ 1:00 – 2:30 pm 1955 West Frye Road Chandler, AZ 85224 Inn Mommies: Cuddlers Group (birth-around 7 mo) Please join us Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.! This is a group for
expecting and new mommies with babies that are not yet crawling and is open to
women giving birth at home, at Babymoon Inn, or in a hospital. This is a
wonderful group where you can come and meet other new moms and their babies. We
usually have a topic each week and also time to get to know each other. Open to
the community, for all mommies and their babies (expectant mommies too). Bring
your lunch if you like, the Babymoon Inn coffee and tea bar will be open :-).
Hope to see you there! Please no older siblings in the Cuddlers group. The Nest at Babymoon Inn @ 1:00 pm 220 E Lexington Ave Phoenix AZ 85012 602-314-7755 Phoenix Art Museum It’s never to early to start art appreciation with your Sweet Peas. You can enjoy PhxArtKids, an interactive space for children, along with galleries of art showcasing American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission every Wednesday afternoon and on First Fridays. Phoenix Art Museum @ 3:00 – 9:00 pm 1625 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-256-7539 Wildflower Kids Every Wednesday, Wildflower kids enjoy a complimentary cookie, milk & activity. Program offered at all locations. Find your nearest store HERE Wildflower Bread Company @ 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm Chandler Fashion Center 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 1100 Chandler, AZ, 85226 480-821-8200 Phoenix Public Market “our Open-Air Market is a natural gathering place that celebrates neighborhoods and the neighbors. It offers an eclectic high-quality mix of: Fresh in-season fruits and vegetables, produce, flowers, jams, baked goods, dried beans, free-range eggs and honey, live plants and unique local arts and crafts, tasty hot foods, music, and more. Open Air Market @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm 721 N Central Phoenix, AZ Prenatal Yoga Prenatal yoga is an excellent exercise and helps prepare your body and your mind for labor and birth. Each class is an hour long and incorporates a birthing theme, birthing affirmation, breathing techniques and guided relaxation. Prenatal classes are open to pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters. It is recommended that women take it easy the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy and allow their body that time to become accustomed to the changes of pregnancy. Beginners are welcome, no previous yoga experience is required. If you practiced yoga before becoming pregnant, variations and different levels are offered. Classes will educate, empower and encourage you through heart opening poses with philosophy and techniques of a healthy, calm and joyful yoga practice preparing you for a beautiful and peaceful birth experience. Classes are $10 each. The Nest at Babymoon Inn @ 6:00 pm 220 E Lexington Ave Phoenix AZ 85012 602-314-7755 THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014 Tumbleweed Tots This indoor play area is designed for children 5 years of age and under to play under parental/guardian supervision. This fun, safe and clean area will have plenty of toys, equipment and activities that are sure to keep the kids entertained. There is a maximum of four children per adult. Fee included in all TRC family passes. Tumbleweed Rec Center @ 9am – 11am 745 E. Germann Rd. Chandler, AZ 85286 480-782-2900 National Geographic
Kids Club The Superstition Springs Center Kids Club is a great opportunity for your child to learn in a fun, interactive setting. We've teamed up with National Geographic Kids to create activities and games that focus on discovery through play. Hosted by Persephone with Dewper the Prairie Dog every Thursday in the JCPenney Court. This week's theme: Birds come in all kinds of colors and sing many different songs. Some tails are short, some are very long. Superstition Springs @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am 6555 E Southern Ave Mesa, AZ 85206 480-832-0212 Chandler Farmer’s Market This Farmers Market hosts a variety of vendors including produce, baked goods, salsa, jams and honey, olive oil, seafood, granola, beauty products, and much more! The Craft Market will be held once a month on the first Thursday of each month. Come find hand made and hand crafted items from local artisans. Dr. AJ Chandler Park @ 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm 3 South Arizona Avenue Chandler, AZ 480-855-3539 FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 Mesa Community Farmers Market May include depending on season: fresh produce, baked goods, jams & jellies, salsas, spices, natural pork, beef and fish, hand-made craft products, lotions and soaps. Free admission, free parking. Accepts AZ Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers. Located near downtown Mesa and cafes, coffee shops, museums, and antique stores. Rendezvous Green @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm 263 N. Center St. Mesa, AZ 85201 602-290-5067 Dignity Healthcare Breastfeeding Support Group With the exception of major holidays… For more information, please call the ResourceLink toll-free 1 (877) 728-5414, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5:30 pm Mercy Gilbert Medical Center @ 10:00 am to 11:30 am 3555 S Val Vista Dr. Gilbert, AZ 85297 Groovy Kids Music Groovy Kids Music is for babies and kids of all ages. Class participants can expect music and movement, singing, rhythm, instruments, and fun!! This class is for children of all ages. The cost is $10 for one child, and $5 for each sibling. RSVP if possible, but drop-ins are welcome! As always, the Babymoon Inn snack and drink bar will be open. We hope to see you there! The Nest at Babymoon Inn @ 10:00 am & 11:00 am – two sessions! 220 E Lexington Ave Phoenix AZ 85012 602-314-7755 Storytime at Barnes & Noble Charlie and the New Baby, by Ree Drummond, Diane deGroat (Illustrator) Charlie the Ranch Dog receives plenty of loving care and attention. When the new baby comes along and seems to take his attention, he must learn that love only grows. Barnes & Noble @ 10:30 am 3111 W. Chandler Blvd #2054 Chandler, AZ 85226 480-792-1312 Fun Fridays Children 1 to 4 and their caregivers can enjoy themed events, including hand motion songs, sing-alongs, dancing, stories and games. Activities are designed to enhance musical, social, physical and memory skills. Caregivers must remain in the store. Microsoft Store @ 10:30 am to 11:15 am Scottsdale Fashion Square 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 1288 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480-308-0800 Food Truck Friday Phoenix Public Market @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm 721 N Central Phoenix, AZ Enchanted Island Family Night There’s never a charge to enter Enchanted Island. You simply pay for the rides you want to ride on, the games you want to play, and the food you want to eat. Friday nights, enjoy special pricing for unlimited rides: $6.50 for Children or Adults Wristbands Enchanted Island Amusement Park @ 5:00 – 9:30 pm 1202 W. Encanto Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85007 602-254-1200 Free Outdoor Concert – Tempe Bring the family out to enjoy great live music performed by a variety of musicians. Choose from two stages of entertainment. For more information click HERE Tempe Marketplace @ 7:00 pm 2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy Tempe 85281 480-966-9338 Free Outdoor Concert – N. Phoenix/Scottsdale Bring the family out to enjoy great live music performed by a variety of musicians. Choose from two stages of entertainment. For more information click HERE Desert Ridge Marketplace @ 7:00 – 9:00 pm 21001 N Tatum Blvd Phoenix 85050 480-513-7586 SPLASH PADS Click HERE for a more complete listing around the Phoenix area AHWATUKEE Mountain Vista Park: spray pad, splash pad area open daily, approx. through October 1 from 5:30 am – 11:00 pm 13647 S. 50th Street (48th Street and Knox Road) Phoenix, AZ 85044 (602) 262-6111 (South Division) CHANDLER You can find water play areas at these three parks. Hours are from May 1 – August 31; 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Call (480) 782-2752 for details. Chuparosa Park Spray Pad (Dobson Rd., between Queen Creek & Germann roads) Amenities: 1 ground spray, 4 spray rings, and 1 candy cane-shaped shower. 2400 S. Dobson Rd. Chandler, AZ 85286 Desert Breeze Park Spray Animals (between Rural Rd. & McClintock Dr.), Amenities: 3 Dolphins, 1 elephant, and 3 ground sprays 660 N. Desert Breeze Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85226 Espee Park Spray Pad (between Arizona Ave. & McQueen Road) Amenities: 1 water tower, 3 candy cane-shaped showers, spray rings, ground sprays 450 E. Knox Chandler, AZ 85225 GILBERT Splash Pad at San Tan Village The Splash Pad, located in the Children's Play Area, is now open. Through October 26 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm daily 2218 E. Williams Field Rd. Suite 235 Gilbert, AZ 85295 (480) 282-9500 SCOTTSDALE Agua
Linda Park,
8732 E. McDonald (Pima Road and McDonald) Chesnut Park @ 8:00am to 5:00pm. 4565 N. Granite Reef Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 General: (480) 312-2771 Scottsdale has "spray
poles" on the playgrounds at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park,
7301 E. Indian Bend Road (Scottsdale Road, north of Lincoln) Paiute
Park @ Sunrise - 10:30pm 3210 N. 66th Street (South of Osborn Road) Scottsdale, AZ 85257 480-312-PARK (7275) Pima
Park 8600 E. Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 312-PARK (7275) Vista
del Camino Park @ Sunrise – 10:30 pm (Indian Bend Wash complex) 7700 E. Roosevelt St
Scottsdale, AZ 85257 (480) 312-2330 TEMPE Spray pads are conveniently located in the following parks. Hours: 9:00am-7:00pm (Daily, Monday-Sunday) Jaycee Park (located near the Westside Community Center) 817 West 5th Street Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 350-5200 Esquer Park (just east of the Loop 101 and north of Apache Blvd.) 2407 E McArthur Dr Tempe, AZ 85281 Hudson Park (south of Apache Blvd on Cedar Street between Rural & McClintock) 1430 S. Cedar St. Tempe AZ LIBRARIES: Chandler, AZ http://www.chandlerlibrary.org/ Glendale, AZ http://www.glendaleaz.com/Library/index.cfm Mesa, AZ http://www.mesalibrary.org/ Payson, AZ http://www.paysonlibrary.com/ Phoenix, AZ http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/default.jsp Peoria, AZ http://library.peoriaaz.gov/polaris/default.aspx Scottsdale, AZ http://library.scottsdaleaz.gov/ Tempe, AZ http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=1588 Monterey, CA http://www.monterey.org/library/Home.aspx To submit your event: Please follow this format (same as above). Anything that is not "copy-paste" ready may not be posted - it will depend on how much time I have between homeschooling and loving on four littles. Event Name Description & Cost Location Name & Time Address Contact Phone Number Send your event information to [email protected] Disclaimer: The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
In Their Own Words: Kelly
| Posted on August 9, 2013 at 9:22 AM |
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This is part of a "In Their Own Words" series in honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month 2013. Here at Sweet Pea Births we celebrate and honor all breastfeeding relationships, and want to share these stories with you to empower and inspire you that no matter what the journey, with help, support, and persistence, most mothers can achieve the breastfeeding relationship they want with their nurslings. If you would like to submit your story, please email me at krystyna{at}sweetpeabirths{dot}com.When I got closer to the end of my pregnancy with Cruz I knew without a doubt I was going to breastfeed him. I thought it was odd that so many people were curious about if I was going to or not. More than just close friends and family, acquaintances and random strangers even asked. It wasn't an option for me. Of course I would breastfeed him, why wouldn't I? Growing up I had been told a few times my mom breastfed us. It was natural, normal. She told us how she'd have to feed us TWINS at the same time and when I was younger I never fully appreciated how difficult and draining that must have been. I didn't hear my mom tell me how hard it was. She mentioned how she was in contact with La Leche League (LLL) members and how her milk was so rich she was told she should consider donating her milk to milk banks. Even though I knew she did this for us, with us, I didn't blink an eye when all my dolls were fed through a bottle. I remember their puckered lips and fake bottles whose nipple fit perfectly in those lips. Thankfully, pop culture didn't steer me away from breastfeeding. My natural instincts knew it was the only way to go. When my nephew was born, I had the profound privilege of being a part of his first few weeks. Every moment I had I drove to my twin sister's house and helped in any way I knew how. Not having been around a lot of newborns in the past, and never having seen the difficulties of breastfeeding, it was surprising how much work it was! We'd get up in the middle of the night, he'd latch on, and either her husband or I (sometimes both at the same time) would help with the SNS (or Supplemental Nursing System, typically given to moms who have had given birth through Cesarean, or to moms whose milk wasn't coming in fast enough). It was tough, he was hungry, we were tired. My sister tried as best she could for as long as she could in those first few weeks and even contacted help through her hospital. In the end, she decided the best thing for him was to give him formula. Although she felt as though she couldn't breastfeed him, she didn't give up without a fight. I'm thankful for spending those weeks with her, watching and helping her with that fight because I knew it would help me when I had my own children. Before Cruz was born, I was ready. I knew it was going to be hard. I knew that as natural as breastfeeding is, it's a skill that takes a while to hone. A skill that many women all over the world hone on their own, but for me, I'm grateful for the people in my life that were there to support me and for the ones who let me be a part of their struggles so I may be more knowledgeable. I attended a LLL meeting in my weeks before his birth and I was adamant that a lactation consultant come to my room within 24 hours of Cruz's birth. I wanted to get support immediately so I didn't have to make the choice to give him bottles unless I knew I had tried everything and it was totally necessary, just as my sister had done. In the first few days home, I suffered painful engorgement and was on the phone with the lactation consultant almost daily. At his first well visit only a few days after his birth, I went to see the lactation consultant *again* to make sure his latch was good and I was “doing it right”. She reassured me everything was great. By the time Cruz was three weeks old, I was still in a lot of pain every time he latched. It was so severe I would cry out in pain or silently cry. At that point I made yet another appointment with the lactation consultant. She referred me to the Ear Neck Throat doctors to look at a possible tongue-tie. She warned me it was considered a controversial procedure to correct it because many ENTs don’t consider tongue-tie an issue since “structurally” or physically there’s nothing “wrong” with the tongue. We went anyway. A $5 copay later and he had told us he saw nothing wrong with Cruz’s tongue. Still in pain, I went to my local LLL meeting that week and described what I was going through. Although the leader prefaced the meeting that she was not an expert, but had two children with tongue-ties, she referred me to the head ENT at Oakland Children’s Hospital. It turned out Cruz didn’t have a classic tongue-tie in the front…he had an anterior tongue tie, in the back, on the sides. A simple swab of local anesthetic, a quick incision, not even a cry, and his latch immediately improved. Not only did it not hurt at all but he seemed happier too.  Fast forward to Cruz’s well check at 7 months…the pediatrician told us he had not gained one ounce since his last visit at 4 months, and although he had grown in length, his head did not grow at all either. We had three different nurses measure, including the one who usually does all of his measurements at these checks. I was told to get him to gain weight yesterday and hope that with the weight gain comes head/brain growth. I even questioned the growth charts they used at that office, asking to not compare him to formula fed babies, or babies who had started solids at four months old. It didn’t matter. At 7 months, he was deemed failure to thrive. I asked the pediatrician what to do. He was an exclusively breastfed baby who had just started solids but that was just for practice. She recommended less solids and to follow each nursing session with as much formula as he wanted. In the meantime, she recommended blood tests to rule out any diseases. Not wanting to have to draw blood unless we needed to, I asked what the worst-case scenario was. She told me she wished I didn’t ask…she said worst cases were leukemia, or some rare childhood disease (I can’t remember what it was called) where he would not see his first birthday. I immediately contacted my LLL leader for advice. He was a happy baby who not only made every age appropriate milestone, but he had made them earlier than his peers. He was even sleeping through the night for the entire month before we found out something was wrong! I had been nursing Cruz mostly on demand for months now. He would sometimes go even 4-5 hours and still didn’t show signs of hunger. Not even crying. Usually by the fourth hour, I would be painfully engorged so I would nurse him anyway, even if he didn’t show the signs. He happily nursed at any time, whether it was four minutes after nursing or four hours.  I thought maybe my milk wasn’t fatty enough for him. I started taking twelve fenugreek (the amount at which I finally smelled like maple syrup) combined with four mothers milk plus a day. I started nursing him every two hours, both sides, for at least ten minutes each side. He was a distracted nurser and wouldn’t nurse very long if there were something else in the room that seemed fun to play with or look at and the only thing that I could do to keep him at the breast was to play some stupid fisher price app. I offered him up to eight ounces of formula after each nursing session. Sometimes he finished all eight ounces, sometimes he only wanted two ounces. I was also instructed to nurse him then offer a bottle every time he woke up in the middle of the night, assuming that if he did wake up, he woke out of hunger. We had to go in to the doctor’s office every other day for the first two weeks for weight and measurement checks (head and length). Within the first 48 hours he gained almost two pounds. By the end of the second week he had “caught up” to his own weight curve and his head had shown small growth (but any growth was a success). Within thirty days all of the blood tests came back and they found nothing “wrong” with any of it. They chalked it up to not enough calories. I was able to slowly wean him off the formula when he was ten months old, starting with the bottles in the middle of the night. The last one I cut out was the bottle after nursing before bed. By the time he turned eleven months he was back to being only breastfed every three hours and any time he woke in the night (which at this point he had begun to wake three + times a night!). By the time he turned one, we were able to increase his solid intake and I got the “all clear” to return to on demand nursing. Two weeks after his one-year birthday he contracted hand foot mouth and went on a nursing strike. Combined with no nursing and all of the supplements I was taking to maintain my increased supply for him (the fenugreek and mothers milk plus), I came down with mastitis. I took antibiotics, pumped, anf massaged it away. To get Cruz to nurse again, we took a few baths together and I didn’t offer nursing to him. I just cuddled him and by the third bath, he had felt good enough to nurse again. Cruz is now almost nineteen months old and I am no longer taking the mothers milk plus pills but am still taking four fenugreek pills a day. I’m thankful I was able to get down to only four gradually without hurting my supply or risking a plugged duct or worse. Other than nursing to nap and at bedtime, he still nurses on demand which some days feels like it’s all day, and others it feels like it’s only to nap and to bed. Cruz still wakes between two or three (sometimes four to five) times a night to nurse when he’s not teething. When he’s teething, he will either stay latched on all night or wake at least once every twenty to forty-five minutes! Because of everything we went through, especially after he was four months old, I felt like a failure. I felt like I was starving my child and didn’t even know it. I was inhibiting his growth and sabotaged my own supply by not catching on to his cues (if he even showed any). How did I miss the fact that he wasn’t getting enough? I looked for all the tell tale signs of hunger. To this day I harbor a lot of guilt and sadness. Although he’s thriving now, I can’t bring myself to trust when he says he’s not hungry or walks away from the table like most toddlers do. I’m supposed to trust that he will eat when he’s hungry. I’m supposed to trust that he will graze and barely eat some days like toddlers do, then sometimes eat like there’s no tomorrow like toddlers do. Everyday I battle with trusting Cruz and trusting my instincts. I keep a mental list of everything he consumes within each three-day period, just so I don’t miss anything. To make sure weird patterns don’t emerge. For this I am grateful I am still able to nurse him. On days he barely wants to eat or is too busy to eat, I know I can count on calories and nourishment from my milk. I will continue to battle this until I forgive myself and know that I was, and still am, doing the best thing I can for Cruz. It hasn't been a walk in the park. The challenges I've had to face in the breast-feeding world: engorgement, plugged duct, blebs, tongue tie, supply drop, mastitis, Cruz batting at me while nursing, and kneading and scratching, Cruz wanting to sit up while nursing and tear off or down right refuse the cover while in public, distracted baby nursing, being so exhausted that my arm falls when nursing him at night and the slippage results in painful, accidental biting! I'm not going to lie, there are time I absolutely hate it. It can be isolating, especially in this culture. I'm stared at in public even if I use a nursing cover (which I hardly do anymore). Often times I have to go to another room to nurse, or I'm the only one in the room who still nurses, or the only one in the room who's ever nursed. Ridiculous as it sounds, sometimes breastfeeding is blamed for Cruz's sleeplessness, attachment to me, lack of weight and even sometimes the opposite - his "thunder thighs", and also sometimes his inability (or what I think is unwillingness) to "selfsoothe". Breastfeeding is not supposed to be painful, but sometimes it is. Cruz likes to do acrobatics while nursing sometimes. And as much as I try to get him to stay still, he's strong. And active. And willful. And I'm exhausted. So I let him "get away" with it because I know it will last only 3 more minutes and then he'll be almost asleep. Or distracted and full and want to go play.  But as much as I hate it, I love it so much more. I know he's getting the best possible nourishment there is. He’s only had one ear infection (and that was after he was one year old). He's only been sick twice and thank God I was able to nurse him through both of those times. The benefits for him are numerous but I'm not a martyr; I can't deny the benefits for me! And now that he’s a toddler, any time he is having a bad day, tantrums, falls and gets hurt, or needs comforting, nursing is the best answer! But even more so than all of the physical benefits for both of us, the greatest benefit is I've been able to continue to naturally connect with him deeper than anyone else in the world can. Only a nursing mother feels the gentle eyelashes flutter and slowly close for the last time as her child falls asleep peacefully at her breast. Only a nursing child can find and latch onto his mother’s breast in the pitch-blackness of the night and be nourished and know comfort the way nature intended. These are the things that keep me going. They far outweigh any negativity society puts on breastfeeding. Even when I'm asked for the millionth time, "when are you planning on stopping?" It's a funny thing this breastfeeding relationship...people are always so curious when women decide to breastfeed and for how long. When Beyonce nursed her baby, it made headlines. Perhaps because it came on the heels of Time Magazine's controversial issue depicting an extended breastfeeding relationship between a mother and her son. Perhaps because Beyonce is a pop star and very much in the public eye. Perhaps because she wasn't ashamed or made to think she had to hide when it was time to nourish her newborn. It makes me sad that our society as a whole doesn't view breastfeeding as the norm, and that it's even a topic to discuss at all. Shouldn't something so natural to mothers and babies be something that is naturally overlooked as a "hot topic" since it's something that can and should be happening enough to be the norm? Instead of "Oh, look, that mom's nursing her baby/toddler in public <gasp>", shouldn't it be "Oh, I didn't even notice her nursing her baby because I see it often enough it's not shocking." Blessed be the day mothers can nurse their babies without making headlines. Blessed be the day no one asks a mother IF she'll breastfeed. Blessed be the day appropriate extended breastfeeding relationships between mother and child aren't questioned...more on that topic another day :)  For now, I leave you with this… My breastfeeding goal when I first had Cruz: definitely 6 months and shoot for 1 year as ultimate goal. My breastfeeding goal now that Cruz is a year and a half...that's between Cruz and I. We'll stop when we're ready :) Feel free to leave a comment - it will be moderated and
posted. The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
5 Reasons To Go: La Leche League Meeting
| Posted on March 19, 2013 at 6:43 AM |
comments (124)
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 We got to start our Spring Bradley™ series last Friday – yeah! It’s always a pleasure to meet a new group of
families that want to prepare for their baby’s Birth-Day.
As part of the classes, we encourage all of our students to attend at least two
before the end of the series.
Here are some of the questions that came from this assignment, and I
thought I would share them today in case any of our other students or readers
are wondering why La Leche League meetings are beneficial. When should I start going to La Leche
meetings? Do I wait until after the baby
is born or do I start going now? What is the ideal starting time?
I know it seems weird to ask this, as
I'm sure there are good things about every group, but how do I find the right
community? I want to make sure I find
the right group.
We are fortunate to have a lot of choices in the Phoenix area. You can click to get to a listing of meetings in Arizona.
La Leche League is an international organization, and is their international search page.
As a regular attendee since 2010, I definitely appreciate and value the dedicated
volunteer force of LLL leaders and the information, support and encouragement
they offer to women who make the choice to breastfeed. They were invaluable as I nursed through a
pregnancy, established a tandem nursing relationship, and now we are in the
toddler stage – probably my last! I am definitely going for the encouragement these days! Even
with though I am on our fourth nursling, I am still learning since Otter has
presented .
Preview: Cassandra is planning to write
about her experiences breastfeeding a toddler in April. I look forward to reading her perspective. It has been a while since I was a “first-timer”, and it will be neat to
see what she is learning with her first breastfed toddler. What
are your thoughts or experiences with La Leche League? Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and posted.
*I think* that the amount of traffic you so generously generate has led to a
lot of spam posting. In an effort to keep the spam to a minimum, I am
taking the time to moderate comments now.
LINK LIST
About La Leche League as a Support Group
http://www.sweetpeabirths.com/blog/2012/06/29/Breastfeeding-Support-Groups-La-Leche-League.aspx
Chronicle of a Nursing Strike
http://www.sweetpeabirths.com/blog/2012/10/20/Chronicle-of-a-Nursing-Strike.aspx
Arizona LLL Chapter Meetings
http://www.lllofaz.org/meetinginformation.htm
International LLL Chapter Listings
http://www.llli.org/
Disclaimer: 
The material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical
advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to
determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House,
LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences
of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our
classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website
of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily
reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached
Childbirth®. |
Chronicle of a Nursing Strike
| Posted on October 20, 2012 at 11:54 AM |
comments (99)
|
| So I have officially weathered my first nursing strike. I would hear about them at La Leche League,
or see a thread posted on a message board. I would read them with a question mark over my
head and nothing to say since nursing has been a dream since we started having
the babies under chiropractic care from infancy. I found out what a nursing strike is in a big way last
week. With our fourth child, the one who seems to be filling in any remaining gaps I had in regards to labor, and now breastfeeding. I was in denial at first, then in despair,
and now I am feeling relieved and grateful for the experience and for coming
out on the other side with a renewed dedication to breastfeeding. What a nursing strike is: A baby
who has been nursing well for months that starts refusing the breast. To quote a La Leche League pamphlet, “A
nursing strike is a baby’s way of communicating that something is wrong, and
most babies who “go on strike” are obviously upset about it.” What a nursing strike is not: The
end of breastfeeding. With patience and
persistence, most babies will come back to nursing. Here is our chronicle. Day One: It started with a bite from our baby in the
middle of a feed. I made an “ouch” face
and then broke the latch and pulled baby off the breast. I was with the other kiddos and they laughed at
my “ouch” face, and the baby laughed…not quite the same reaction I was having
to the incident!! It continued like that the next time I put her to the
breast, but being late in the day, we were able to avoid any more nursing
sessions until bedtime. Bedtime arrives
and we have more biting. I try a little
“reset” and we are able to nurse at bedtime. Day Two: Baby would bite at the beginning of the
feed. Bite and turn around to see if her
siblings had noticed, and see if they were laughing. So my suspicion that maybe she is teething
starts to come apart. Ah ha – maybe it
is an entertainment or a newfound skill of being able to control an
interaction. I did what our pediatrician
had told me to do, and which had worked with the other kiddos – I had only
needed to do it two or three times and the biting stopped. He had told me to tap the mouth, say no
firmly, and then try to nurse again. The
kiddos commented that I should not be hitting the baby! No success with that attempt…another day without really
being able to nurse her during waking hours.
I was only able to get any sizeable amount of liquid in her at night
when she was asleep. In her sleep, she
wanted to eat, not mess around. In this
instance, it was a relief to have a learned behavior to fall back on. Day Three: The biting continues. Now my breasts are sore. It is more of a joke than ever. I am able to get baby to nurse when she is in
a sitting position, but not enough for her to get the fluids I know she
needs. She only nurses a minute before I
get bitten and I need to pull her off the breast – after three times, I am
done. I am in denial. I
figure we are seeing our chiropractor that afternoon – I have faith he will
have some answers. We go in for our
weekly visit. He checks both of us and
cannot find a physical or emotional reason on either of us. Now I am starting to freak out. I get a suggestion from a trusted source to flick the baby
on the cheek with my fingers when she bites.
This again throws all the kids into a panic that I am “hitting” the
baby, besides the fact that it doesn’t work.
Even after the reprimand, I get bitten the next attempt to put her to
the breast (within a minute). I am
definitely NOT interested in flicking this sweet child all day long, so that
idea is out and I tell Bruss I think I am getting ready to quit and wean. I start expressing milk into a sippy cup so that I know that
she is getting some fluid during the day.
At my mom’s suggestion, we also start counting her wet diapers and make
sure we are offering water when she isn’t drinking out of her milk cup. Day Four: We run
into Debbie Gillespie, the IBCLC we know at Modern Mommy. I explain our situation and ask her for input. Since the biting is at the beginning of the
feed, she says it’s probably not teething.
She wonders if maybe the baby is doing it for attention and maybe
exercising a little “look at me!” She suggests
telling Angelika, “Ouch! Hurt Mommy!” and take her off the breast for ten
seconds before trying to nurse again. Try that when we get home – not working. Even though the baby asked for the breast three
times, each time she bit me – HARD. More
night feeding – this time after the baby has cried herself to sleep – second
night in a row that Bruss has to take her for a car ride to get her to sleep. The trust is broken. I
do not trust her not to bite anymore. It
broke my heart to have her cry herself to sleep, at the same time, I was
relieved that she nursed in her sleep and at least I do not feel like a
complete failure. Day Five: I have been contemplating what has been going
on. If the biting is not teething and really
driven from the desire to illicit a reaction from siblings and me, then maybe
we are better nursing off on our own. I
go into the bedroom, use the old standby of going skin-to-skin, and try again. Baby wants nothing to do with the breast,
goes so far as to arch her back and roll around as far away from me as she
can. This is not what I expected. I really want to quit now. I keep going back to the thought that this
really can’t be it. I can’t really be
weaning our baby when her toddler brother is still nursing, can I? I bring to mind the mantra, “I can do this
for one more day. I only need to do this
one more day.” I express more milk into
a sippy cup and we head off to teach class.
We get home, from class and baby has fallen asleep in her abuela’s arms
and later, gets put straight into the crib.
I am a little bummed that my mom did not bring her to me groggy, so I
just go back to bed and decide to let it go because at this point, a good
night’s sleep is what I need to keep things in perspective. Day Six: I do not even try to feed the baby. I consider calling my La Leche League
leaders, but I know the next meeting is in three days and I figure I do not
want to bother them on a weekend. By now
I am sure this is a nursing strike and they are probably going to tell me to do
the things I have been doing: skin-to-skin, change environment, change
positions, be patient, “one more day” mantra that I learned at
meeting…attendance does pay off (small consolation). I decide that we both need a break since the breast is not a
“happy place” for either of us right now.
If Debbie (our IBCLC) taught me anything, it is that we need to keep the
breast a happy place if we have any prayer of nursing again. I take my mom to the airport, go to a baby
shower, and meet another mom who understands my sadness. She gives me a piece of cake to drown my
sorrows – perfect! Just what I needed! I get to talk to the guest of honor who gives me some ideas
to try (role playing), and then I run into our IBCLC again (one of the benefits
of social calendar that includes events with your birth-/breastmilk junkie
friends). I ask her if we can set up a
home visit for Monday, and she says I do not need her! (Tears!) She suggests that we try Hyland’s
teething tablets, and offers to send me some reading via the Internet. I also tell her how the kiddos have objected
to the physical reprimands (and confirmed my gut feeling that flicking or
tapping is not for us). She suggests
pulling the baby’s nose into the breast to force her to open her mouth to
breathe and let go if she bites. She
makes the analogy that it’s like a game of “chicken” to see who can hold
out. I know that I can handle pain if I
know it’s going to end – this is something I can do. I go home a little nervous that if Debbie does not think we
need her we may be sunk, and with a little more spirit since I have some new
ideas to try, and tell myself again, that I only need to do this for one more
day. “This” being expressing into a cup
to see if maybe, just maybe the teething tablets will do the trick and ease our
baby’s gums enough for her to nurse without biting. On our way out that night, we pick up some Hyland’s teething
tablets and give the baby her first dose.
We are still continuing with the nursing during sleep – still the only
way the baby will take the breast without biting. Day Seven: We use Hyland’s teething tablets again. Angelika is asking for the breast now. I am nervous to feed since there is pain and
emotion tied to the biting. I try once
and she bites. We play “chicken” – she
lets go! No laughing this time – just a
look of surprise before she goes back to nursing. Baby asks for the breast again throughout the day. Each bite is responded to with a pull into
the breast. Baby releases and then
continues to nurse without incident – and she is nursing!! I can’t believe it!! By the fourth nursing session that day, there
is no biting. Just nursing. Dare I hope that this is it? We are nursing again? Day Eight: Baby is asking for the breast again. Sometimes she bites and we play “chicken”,
but she is getting a full feed. We go
see our chiropractor. He looks in her
mouth and declares that she is cutting molars.
What! Did all this start with
teething pain that turned into a seven-day nursing strike? I try Hyland’s teething tablets again – this
time she just spits them out and we are nursing without incident. Day Nine: Nursing is back on track. I only had to pull her to the breast once
today. Done. I am a nursing mom again. Relief!
Gratitude! Amazement at the
process. I go to our La Leche League meeting on that night. On the table is a pamphlet, “How to Handle a
Nursing Strike”. Argh! Where was this a week ago? I read it when I get home. It’s everything I needed to hear last week to
confirm what I was going through and to encourage me not to give up yet and
wean. I am also encouraged that I did
the right things – skin-to-skin, changing environment, trying different
positions, nursing during sleepy times, keeping track of wet diapers, using a cup instead of a bottle for breastmilk…all of
those are in the pamphlet. I am lucky, blessed, whatever you want to call it: I am a confident, supported mom. I am glad that I have been attending La Leche
League and that I learned the lessons that got me through the last week without
this pamphlet. I am working on ordering this pamphlet and scanning it so that I
can share it with other moms that may not have the experience or support system
that I had to draw from. What would my
advice be to someone going through a nursing strike? Take it a day at a time. Own the mantra, “One more day – I only need
to do “this” one more day.” It’s been a thirteen days since the first biting experience. We are now back to our regular nursing
relationship. We nurse in the morning,
throughout the day for nourishment, at naptime, for comfort, and then again at
night. The week-long nursing strike made
me put away books and gadgets that I had gotten used to having during our
nursing times and made me look at my baby.
It has reminded me just how precious this time is and not to take it for
granted. What is your
experience with a nursing strike? Any
words of wisdom to share? Disclaimer: It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |