Chandler, Arizona
Sweet Pea ​Births
Sweet Pea ​Births
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
Blog
A Letter To You, The New Mother
Posted on April 1, 2014 at 9:19 AM |
![]() |
April 2014: What You Wish You Knew Remember when you got your first positive pregnancy test? What do you wish that woman knew? Write a letter of love and encouragement to that awesome mama just starting her journey. Dear New Mama: Yes, you. I skipped
over the “mother-to-be”. You are already
growing life, and you are already aware of that life and protective of that
life…as I see it, there is no “to-be” in mothering. It is a state of being since you got your
BFP. Your mother’s instinct is no joke:
trust it always, even in the face of a “lack of evidence” or just “having a
feeling”. No mother has ever regretted
doing the best for her child from a place of love and concern…the only regret
is not listening to that voice. Your
mothering instinct will not fail you in pregnancy or parenting. At times, pregnancy may feel equally miraculous and
uncomfortable. First trimester: the
unquenchable excitement of being pregnant (it happened!!)…and nausea. Second trimester: interesting sounds and
smells, and maternity clothing as your waistline grows. Third trimester: the disappearance of your
feet beneath your belly, maybe nausea (again!), and the OMGosh moment: this
baby has to come out of me – through *there*!
Through it all, the miracle and awe of growing another human
being is constant. There are two hearts
beating, two minds working, two souls living in one body. The first time you feel your Sweet Pea stir
inside of you…their hiccups, the reaction to voices and touch…and those
sensations continue. I believe they
exist as a reminder that the sacred and divine is happening right now. You want to do the best for your baby. You want to have a perfect pregnancy that
leads into your perfect birth story.
While those are worthy ideals, you can only control finite amounts of
conception through the Birth-Day, and at some point you must surrender the rest
of it to the universe. I encourage you to learn as much as you can about birth,
breastfeeding and parenting!
You are never alone on this journey. Birth and parenting have happened for
eons. There is so much wisdom available
to you, and so many people to walk and learn with as a new parent. Read, connect, be willing to say hello to the
person sitting next to you in your childbirth or breastfeeding group. Once your Sweet Pea is earthside, get out and
about. Say hello at the breastfeeding or
postpartum support group, story time or playgroup. A simple hello can lead to a beautiful
friendship for you and your Sweet Pea. Since this is a birth blog, here are some more details about
preparing for the Birth-Day…
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. You are already an amazing parent – you have
chosen to carry this life, and by doing that, you have undertaken the essence
of mothering: living outside of yourself and considering the needs of
another. Best wishes to you as you
continue to grow in love. Blessings, Krystyna 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®. |
Wordless Wednesday: Breastfeeding Here, There, and Everywhere
Posted on August 7, 2013 at 3:43 AM |
![]() |
Today's Wordless Wednesday is prompted by the theme for the final day of Nursing Freedom and San Diego Breastfeeding Coalition's Blog Carnival. Enjoy these images of breastfeeding mamas around North America, and be sure to check out breastfeeding toddlers over on our Sweet Pea Families blog. |
Humans Feeding Humans
Posted on August 5, 2013 at 9:29 AM |
![]() |
![]() Welcome to the World Breastfeeding 2013 Blog Carnival cohosted by NursingFreedom.org and The San Diego Breastfeeding Center! This post was written for inclusion in the WBW 2013 Blog Carnival. Our participants will be writing and sharing their stories about community support and normalizing breastfeeding all week long. Find more participating sites in the list at the bottom of this post or at the main carnival page. *** Celebrating Each Mother's Journey: Not every
breastfeeding relationship looks the same. There are mothers who exclusively
breastfed, exclusively pumped, breastfed with supplementation, breastfed for
three hours or three years, never breastfed but wanted to, or did some
combination of these. The important thing is that each mother is supported and
given accurate information. Today let's discuss how we can celebrate every
breastfeeding relationship. We can celebrate every breastfeeding relationship by acknowledging the variety
of ways that women can feed their babies.
As described in today’s topic prompt, there are more ways to feed an
infant than breast to baby. Besides breastfeeding, there are relationships where the MotherBaby, “exclusively pumped,
breastfed with supplementation, breastfed for three hours or three years, never
breastfed but wanted to, or did some combination of these.” In addition to those scenarios, there are also women who educated themselves and participated in human milk sharing, or maybe allowed a friend or relative to wet nurse. These are all available options besides the two most commonly acknowledged and debated food delivery systems: exclusive breastfeeding and formula feeding. As a childbirth educator, it is my honor and privilege to offer information about breastfeeding in our classes and to introduce our students to the wide world of breastfeeding support for their journey. Although I am not a certified lactation consultant, I have been the ear for mamas on their path to feed their children with their own milk. The mothers in our student base have run the gamut all of those options. Due to the amount of support our mamas have, so far all the families have found a path to breastfeed for at least the first six months of infancy as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. I have heard their tears of disappointment, and wept with joy when they share the news that their baby finally latched. We celebrate when they are no longer pumping and cleaning pump parts and bottle-feeding systems. These MotherBabys succeed in their pursuit of a breastfeeding relationship because they do not feel judgment for their inability to exclusively breastfeed. Instead, they are provided with a plethora of options to support them in their journey to feed their human babies human milk. They are provided with lists of breastfeeding support groups in our area that offer information and camaraderie. They are offered names of lactation consultants when they need one-on-one support. Even if a MotherBaby does not live in a metropolitan area with face-to-face support options, the age of the internet has given rise to video resources and websites available 24/7 via the world wide web (see some of our student's favorite resources at the end of today's post). In order to celebrate the variety of ways that families feed their babies, I propose that we find some new ways to communicate about breastfeeding that are not so divisive. In our eagerness to share the joy of breastfeeding, it is easy to forget that the questions we ask may unintentionally put people on the defensive. Instead of asking, “Are you breastfeeding,” with the implication that they should be, we can ask, “How are you feeding your baby?” If the answer is not breastfeeding, then we can ask, “Did you want to breastfeed?” If the answer is another “no,” we can share the benefits of skin-to-skin and eye contact when a baby is being bottle-fed, maybe let them know about babywearing, and then move on, making our best effort not to pass judgment. We can also share information about milk sharing to open the door to the possibility, and offer to share more information in the future: “I don’t know if you knew that some families are choosing to supplement with human milk instead of formula. If you ever want to know more about that, I would be happy to send you some resources so you can look into it.” If the answer is something akin to “I tried and it hasn’t been working out for us”, we can follow up with “Would you let me help you find the resources to help you breastfeed? Although it is natural, it is not always easy and there are many women who have needed help getting off to a good start.” By asking gently, the door is open for us to share any and all information to help the MotherBaby develop the breastfeeding relationship that works for them. We must also focus our ire on the lack of information about all the different ways to feed infants human milk where it originates. Instead of pitting the breastfeeding camp against the formula feeding camp, we need to go back to the source of the challenge: the formula manufacturers. It is not in the formula companies best interest to have the majority of the population exclusively breastfeed, so the lie that formula is “as good as” breastmilk has persisted. I am not anti-formula. I know that formula is a great option to provide the necessary nutrients when there is no other option available. However, the wholesale equality that has been attributed to formula has kept women and children from taking advantage of nature’s best nutrition simply because we are trusting. We trust that our doctors would not withhold information, we trust the advertising campaigns, and we do not question the status quo. So do celebrate breastfeeding in all its forms. Commend the mother who is exclusively breastfeeding. Praise the woman who exclusively pumped, because that is the mother of all commitments. Support them women who breastfed with supplementation, and ask them what you can do to help them if they want to exclusively breastfeed. Congratulate the woman who breastfed for three hours and educate her on how she can still achieve a breastfeeding-type bond with her child. Cheer the woman who breastfed for three years, and encourage her to tell her story so that other families know it has been done and they are not alone. Mourn with the woman never breastfed but wanted to, inform her that her past relationship does not dictate her future breastfeeding stories, and help her find the support groups to try breastfeeding again with her future children. Applaud the human milk donors and the wet nurses. Theirs is an ancient tradition that is coming out of the shadows of time and back into awareness. Last of all, we can celebrate by sharing a smile. No matter how you see a woman feeding her child, smile at her because we are all sisters on the journey of motherhood. Accept her, because in spite of different choices, we are all mothers doing the best we know how to do today. At the end of the day, our children may be playmates, classmates, friends and lovers. Let’s set the tone for celebration and acceptance by living love, starting with the mothers who know of our sleep deprivation in the newborn phase, the tickle in our bellies when we get to share a smile with our baby, and the pure joy that we feel every time we look at the miracle that we loved so tenderly from their first moments on earth. That really is something to celebrate. Breastfeeding Support Groups: La Leche League~ http://www.llli.org/ Breastfeeding USA~ https://breastfeedingusa.org/ Hospital Support Groups – call your local hospital to see if
they offer classes or support groups How to find a Lactation Consultant: Read THIS post that explains the different designations in lactation consultants. Training can vary from a 16-40 hour course,
with and without clinical hours, to IBCLC's who have the equivalent of a college degree in human lactation. IBCLC:The gold standard in lactation care, these support people have the equivalent of a college degree in human lactation. You can find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant HERE. Human Milk Sharing: Eats on Feets~ http://www.eatsonfeets.org/ Human Milk 4 Human Babies~ http://hm4hb.net/ On-line resources: BreastFeeding, Inc.: “aim is to empower parents by ensuring they receive the most
up-to-date information to assist them with their breastfeeding baby. We strive
to provide them this information through breastfeeding resources which include,
but are not limited to, free information sheets, video clips, and articles.” http://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/ KellyMom: “our goal is to provide support & evidence-based information on breastfeeding, sleep and parenting. I am the mother of three lovely children, and I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).” http://kellymom.com/ Stanford School of Medicine: Videos and articles about breastfeeding http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/ Infant Risk Center: "The InfantRisk Center will be dedicated to providing up-to-date evidence-based information on the use of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding." http://www.infantrisk.com 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. 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®. More Posts From Nursing Freedom and San Diego Breastfeeding Coalition World Breastfeeding Week Blog Carnival: August 5: Each Mother's Journey and Milk Sharing
|
Categories
- Why we chose the Bradley Method� childbirth classes (14)
- Birth center (34)
- Birth Centers Phoenix AZ area (8)
- Birth place options (36)
- Bradley Method� outcome (44)
- Managing or coping with natural labor (33)
- natural labor coping mechanisms (35)
- Natural labor coping techniques (35)
- Pain management (23)
- Pain management natural labor (18)
- The Bradley Method� pain management (19)
- First stage labor (29)
- Birth plans (72)
- The Bradley Method® (68)
- Birth Story (33)
- Bradley Method® birth story (16)
- Birth Circle (9)
- Midwife (36)
- Midwifery Care (32)
- Cesarean Birth (35)
- Cesarean Surgery (27)
- Doulas (50)
- Second Stage Labor (21)
- Acupuncture (5)
- Parenting (63)
- Use of vacuum extraction (1)
- Breastfeeding (232)
- Chiropractic Care (10)
- Webster Protocol (3)
- Breastfeeding support (154)
- Information Center (101)
- The Bradley Method® classes (57)
- Placenta Encapsulation (11)
- Postpartum Depression (31)
- Breech presentation (8)
- Breech turning techniques (6)
- ECV (6)
- External Cephalic Version (6)
- Infections and Pregnancy (7)
- Bradley� Coaches (47)
- Coach's Corner (14)
- Coaches (47)
- Coaching (39)
- Exercise (18)
- Modern Mommy Boutique (10)
- Nursing and Maternity Bras (4)
- Transition (11)
- Postpartum Plan (29)
- Grief Counseling and Support Services (3)
- Miscarriage or Stillbirth (8)
- Pregnancy Loss (4)
- Variations and Complications (17)
- Going to your birthplace (9)
- Homebirth (58)
- Hospital Birth (57)
- Informed Consent (29)
- Patient Bill of Rights (2)
- Dehydration and Pregnancy (5)
- Fluid Retention (3)
- Heat Comfort Measures (7)
- Hyperthermia and Pregnancy (2)
- Pre-term Labor (4)
- Swelling in Pregnancy (2)
- Full term (9)
- Past due date (6)
- Postdate (7)
- Postmature baby (2)
- Crying (8)
- Newborn Care (23)
- Fussy baby (11)
- Support Groups (17)
- Pregnancy (69)
- Avoiding harmful substances (32)
- Toxins, pesticides, chemicals and pregnancy (18)
- Starting Solids (14)
- Drinking during labor (11)
- Eating during labor (12)
- NPO (2)
- Nutrition (37)
- Due Date (9)
- Planning for Baby (34)
- Child Spacing (3)
- Sibling Preparation for Newborn Arrival (9)
- Breastfeeding 101 (24)
- Debbie Gillespie, IBCLC, RLC (8)
- Circumcision (2)
- Lactivist (3)
- In Their Own Words (36)
- NIP (25)
- Nursing In Public (28)
- Childcare (17)
- Infant Classes (5)
- Photographer (5)
- Epidural (15)
- Depression (12)
- Allergies (3)
- Dairy Allergy (2)
- Breast Pumps (19)
- Postpartum Doula (11)
- Jaundice (2)
- Newborn jaundice (1)
- RSV (4)
- Postpartum (55)
- Labor Marathon (20)
- Labor Sprint (17)
- Belly Cast (2)
- Maternity Keepsake (1)
- Natural birth (34)
- Obstetrical Care (16)
- Engorgement (2)
- Uterine Rupture (3)
- Berman's Law (1)
- Back Labor (3)
- Healing (8)
- Hearing Screen (1)
- Perineum (4)
- Herbalist (2)
- Tandem Nursing (5)
- Breastfeeding Challenges (91)
- Tongue Tie (2)
- Tongue Tie Procedure (2)
- Bradley Day Family Picnic (5)
- Cephalo-Pelvic Disproportion (3)
- CPD (3)
- Failure to Progress (10)
- Fetal Distress (2)
- FTP (5)
- Pain (4)
- Prolonged Labor (3)
- Baby games (4)
- Playing with baby (5)
- Sensory games (2)
- Cesarean Support Group (16)
- Baby blues (8)
- NAP (5)
- Natural Alignment Plateau (6)
- Baby-led weaning (2)
- BLW (2)
- Comfort Measures (15)
- Flower Essences (4)
- Relaxation practice (4)
- First Foods for baby (2)
- Babywearing (21)
- Nursing (31)
- Sling (2)
- Soft-structured carrier (1)
- Wrap (2)
- Weaning (2)
- Co Sleeping (6)
- Family Bed (6)
- Relaxation (6)
- Meet the Doula (24)
- Bradley Method® (37)
- Bradley Method® for next baby (4)
- Bradley Method® for second pregnancy (5)
- Bradley™ classes and the next baby (4)
- Bradley™ classes for next pregnancy (3)
- Bradley™ classes for second pregnancy (3)
- Next baby (5)
- Next pregnancy (7)
- Repeat Bradley™ classes (1)
- Bedtime Routine (5)
- Children's Books (3)
- Breast Pumps and Workplace (10)
- Breastfeeding in Public (37)
- Communication (8)
- Labor Support (25)
- Amniotomy (5)
- AROM (6)
- Artifical Rupture of Membranes (5)
- Bag of Waters (5)
- Premature Ruptture of Membranes (4)
- PROM (4)
- ROM (4)
- Rupture of Membranes (4)
- La Leche League (8)
- Nursing Strike (2)
- Galactogogues (1)
- Increase Breastmilk (2)
- Milk Supply (2)
- CIO (4)
- Cry It Out (4)
- Teething (1)
- Hyperemesis Gravidarum (1)
- Morning Sickness (3)
- Nausea (2)
- Eclampsia (1)
- Healthy, Low-Risk (16)
- Pre-eclampsia (5)
- Rights for Homebirth (6)
- Traditions (2)
- Midwifery Scope of Practice Committee (5)
- Scavenger Hunt (1)
- Sweet Pea Births (5)
- Cassandra Okamoto (6)
- Mommy-Con (9)
- Phoenix Mommy-Con Mini (2)
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (18)
- Vaginal Birth After Multiple Cesareans (10)
- VBAC (21)
- Monitrice (1)
- Baby Concierge (4)
- First Birthday (1)
- Oxytocin (2)
- Warning Labels (3)
- Inside Look (19)
- Induction (12)
- Induction of Labor (8)
- Labor Induction (11)
- Episiotomy (3)
- Info Sheet (22)
- Information Sheet (22)
- Augmentation (4)
- Labor Augmentation (9)
- Cord Clamping (2)
- Delayed Cord Clamping (2)
- Immediate Cord Clamping (2)
- Birth Mantra (19)
- Rally to Improve Birth (4)
- Eye Drops (1)
- Eye Ointment (1)
- Eye Prophylaxis (1)
- Neonatal Eye Drops (1)
- Neonatal Eye Ointment (1)
- Neonatal Eye Prophylaxis (1)
- Wordless Wednesday (37)
- Big Latch On (1)
- Blog Carnival (3)
- IBCLC (11)
- Lactation Consult (3)
- Lactation Consultation (3)
- WBW2013 (1)
- World Breastfeeding Week (51)
- Thoughtful Thursday (3)
- Family Fun (18)
- Weekend Activities (1)
- Upcoming Events (81)
- Breastfeeding Awareness Month (76)
- Sleep Sharing (1)
- Newborn (12)
- Newborn Procedures (3)
- Preemies (4)
- Twins (1)
- Vitamin K (1)
- Vaccines (3)
- Fertility (10)
- Premature Baby (4)
- Babymoon (4)
- Green Nursery (4)
- Gowning (1)
- Affirmation (20)
- Birth News (5)
- First Trimester (1)
- Membranes (3)
- Stripping Membranes (2)
- Sweeping Membranes (2)
- Fear-Tension-Pain Cycle (2)
- Third Trimester (2)
- Baby (26)
- Infant Care (9)
- Contest (1)
- Family Fest (9)
- Giveaway (1)
- Birth (33)
- Nursery (3)
- Bradley® Dads (3)
- Mantra (8)
- Waterbirth (3)
- Essential Oils (1)
- Gestational Diabetes (1)
- Q&A with SPB (23)
- NICU (3)
- Placenta (4)
- Birth Story Listening (1)
- Meditation (3)
- Birthing From Within (3)
- Ask the Doula (1)
- Monday Mantra (4)
/