For all mothers

This is for the moms who use artificial baby milk instead of breastmilk to feed their babies and for some reason take offense to my bulletins, blogs, etc. Sometimes the truth hurts. But I am NOT trying to pick a fight, I am trying to educate women about the health and welfare of their babies!!!

I am surprised that people have chosen to take such offense about an obvious truth, breast IS BEST. I never once made any type of claim to be better than anyone because I breastfeed. All mothers do what they think is best and that is the best we can do. No one is perfect, I’ll be the first to admit that I am not If reading the facts about breastfeeding is that upsetting for you then you should probably shield yourself from the truth to prevent further upset. You also should probably stop reading my blog, bulletins, etc. because I am a breastfeeding counselor and advocate. You can simply remove me from your friends list, blog roll, or whatever so you won’t even be tempted.

I never said that breastfeeding was the only acceptable way to feed a baby. For me, yes, it is the only acceptable way, but I want to do what is healthiest and natural for my child. If other mothers choose to use artificial baby milk then sobeit. To each his own. I simply state facts. I am not on any type of “high horse.” I think that the lack of breastfeeding education and support in our country is what has led to such a decline in breastfeeding initiation rates so I make every attempt to put out the good word about breastfeeding everywhere I can! I have a lot of childless friends and MANY have replied to me with thanks for all the articles and information I put out there. I am sorry that you don’t feel this information is of any benefit to you. But I see this as no reason to attack me.

In addition to this – I don’t make anyone feel anything. We are all adults here and chose how we respond to certain situations. If someone feels bad, they choose to feel bad. I think it’s great that you think I have some kind of magical power to control how other people feel, but unfortunately I don’t. If I did, I would make sure everyone cared enough to do the research about all the health risks involved with formula feeding. It’s a fact, there are in fact very many things wrong with infant formula in comparison to breastmilk. In fact, the World Health Organization recommends that babies receive artificial baby milk as the FOURTH option for food.
#1.Breastmilk via the mothers breast
#2.Expressed bm in a bottle from the mother
#3.Banked bm from a donor
#4.Artificial baby milk.

This not something that I made up to create controversy on the subject. Breastfeeding is the healthiest and best choice for babies. There are no questions about it. Will a child survive on artificial milk? Certainly! But are there risks involved? Absolutely! And is it 100% safe? Absolutely NOT! Do a little research before you state your opinions as fact.

Me stating facts about the benefits of breastfeeding and the risks associated with formula feeding have NOTHING to to with postpartum depression. And as far as postpartum depression goes, guess what? You’re gonna LOVE this! Breastfeeding helps with that too!
See article here

The full study on it is found here.

In the future, try to refrain from lashing out at someone who is simply stating facts on a subject that upsets you. I seriously have done nothing wrong here. I am only trying to help educate and promote breastfeeding.

Love, peace and breastfeeding,
T

Update on Jinx- Visit to the GI yesterday…

The appointment was today…I saw the ARNP, she was great. She was super sweet and very sympathetic. She said I was amazing Oh right, this is about Jinx

The Dr and NP seem to think that the antibiotics I had (IV @ 3days pp, then a 10 day round, then another 7 day round at 3 weeks pp) have caused inflammation in Jinx’s intestines. They think a bacteria called “C. Difficile” is growing there (also due to the abx). Weird that antibiotics would CAUSE a bacteria when that’s what they are supposed to kill, but go figure. Apparently the abx left her gut sterile, and a sterile gut with no bac at all will grow whatever is opportunistic.

Side note: We dropped off a stool sample for a 48hr culture on Friday and apparently they can’t find Jinx in the system, nice But the GI took another sample today and they are gonna culture that to see what’s up.

The NP did a rectal exam <insert screaming baby smilie here> and said everything felt normal from what she could feel (doesn’t mean everything is though, kwim?). After she did the exam, J pooped like you would not believe. I changed her, she pooped again, I changed her and she pooped again…okay we went through 4 diapers before she was done. But I am glad b/c the NP got to see firsthand how watery her poop actually is.

She was not surprised that the Tylenol with Codeine didn’t work at all anymore (even though Jinx has only ever had it 4 times) but she WAS surprised that the Levicin/Hyoscyamine Drops didn’t work She said the Probiotics were a good idea (something I knew already but always good to have confirmed by a professional). She was very adamant about how well Jinx is, that made me feel great. I so didn’t want anything bad to be wrong with my baby. I will be happy to know she has a bac in her gut that is treatable that will make the inflammation go away which in turn will make her comfortable in her own body again

Now for the treatment of the C Diff (if that’s what it turns out to be) is, yep, you guessed it ANTIBIOTICS! Wow, I am amazed that antibiotics can cause such a problem in my baby, then in turn be the only thing that can fix it! Glitch in the Matrix? Must be.

If it isn’t C Diff then we just chalk it up to “an immature digestive system.” I am so glad that it isn’t something more serious (unless of course her poo culture comes back wacky ).

Now for the weird part…the NP was going on about how great Jinx is and how well she is growing and she even pulled up a chart to show me from birth till now yadda yadda, look at the curvy line, etc. But OVER TWO WEEKS AGO (17 days) my baby weighed 12lbs 4oz and today she was 11lbs 13oz. I know the whole different scale thing and all but even if she was the exact same weight and not under from then, isn’t it weird that she hasn’t gained anything in that amount of time? I dunno, the NP and DR didn’t seem concerned. But I just had to throw that out there.

She also said that the choking on her spit up, losing her breath, etc., was normal. She said that if she turns blue or is struggling to breathe (very rapid breaths) I should be concerned. But she didn’t seem to think it was an issue. So should I cancel the appt I have with the Pulmonologist?

The reason her belly button pops out when she screams is because she has an umbilical hernia, apparently that’s no big deal either. They said that once she starts sitting up her belly muscles will be stronger and it’ll be fine.

So, that was our day.

Breastfeeding in public (warning – offensive content)

Women who breastfeed are constantly indecently exposing themselves. It really is quite offensive and someone should make it stop.

Look at this gal, did the modesty gene skip her?

Wait…Well, this is a bad example. Let’s try again.

Hmm…Just a minute. I’m sure I can find better ones than these…

Eh, still not offensive enough. I’ll check one more time.

That is better. LOOK AT THAT! I see about a half inch of boob. DISGUSTING.

UGH. Look at that indecency! She must be from some third world country to be exposed like that!

Now that’s just…There are no words to describe how inappropriate that is. Something needs to be done!

But why stop at breastfeeding women? There are boobs everywhere. Beware! If you thought the above photos were offensive, you WILL DEFINITELY be offended by the photos below.
Not this one, though. This one was in plain view on news stands and in mail boxes in 19 countries world wide!

Not this one, either. This one actually won an award!

Oh, and I guess this one is fine too. Everyone knows you can’t sell jeans without someone being topless.

Or beer, for that matter.

Or sunglasses.

Or movie tickets.

Or CDs!!!

You know something just isn’t right with the world when the first series of photos are seen as offensive yet the second series are applauded and paraded around the country for all the world to see.

People who live in glass bras:

Shouldn’t throw stones:

Which message is healthier?

Breastfeeding which is medically approved to give HUMANS the best start in life. . . or

Images that promote unnatural beauty standards, sexual promiscuity, plastic surgery, and just plain true indecency?

Which would you rather your daughter live up to?

If you think women have the right to breastfeed their children no matter where they are, please re-post this. Let’s support mothers in the most important health choice they make for their baby! Breastfed babies have lower instances of obesity, asthma, allergies, certain childhood diseases, learning disabilities, and other health problems. For each woman who feels like she shouldn’t be breastfeeding right where she is, there is an innocent baby who is losing out. Breasts were put there for a reason. And as pretty as they may be to some, their original purpose was intended for the sustenance of our young. Support breastfed babies and their right to eat in public like the rest of us.

If you loved this post, then you’ll love THIS!

The fifth image on this blog is courtesy of Imagery by Saci: Model Deshaine with son Jet.

1 month, 3 weeks & 5 days…UPDATE!

Things have been insane with Jinx.  We’ve had episodes of screaming for 12 hours, serious gas, stinky dipes, serious spit-uppage (yes I made up a word).  After being on a Total Elimination Diet for a while now I have discovered that she has issues with dairy, soy, wheat and I am not sure what else.  Even with that cut out and on a very restricted diet (turkey, green beans, sweet potatoes, pears, zucchini, onions and cabbage) she was still having some serious discomfort.  I’m talking we had to give her prescribed Tylenol w/Codeine to get her to sleep after 12 hours of upset.  I’ve done it all, rocking, swaying, shushing, swaddling, belly massages (with my homemade belly oil containing Peppermint and Fennel Seed Essential Oils), wearing her, warm baths, nothing comforts her.  The Ped prescribed these Hyoscyamine Sulfate drops for intestinal cramping and they helped some in addition to the Gripe Water, but not really.  I recently stopped EVERYTHING.  All of my supplements b/c my prenatals have Iron, I was also taking Garlic and Cranberry, so I quit it all, the B-Vitamins, the Omegas, all of it.  I also quit all of Jinx’s meds (the Hyo drops and the Gripe Water both have citric acid) and the only thing I am administering now is her Zantac with a probiotic mixed in.  We had the best day and night yesterday that we have had in a long time.  Things still aren’t quite right though.  Often time when she is nursing she chokes on the milk and stops breathing, it is not due to Over Active Let-down, it makes no difference where she is in the feeding, it still happens.  She throws her head back and gulps and tries to breathe and can’t and then finally catches her breath.  She does this not just when nursing, but also when medicine is administered and sometimes when she’s just sitting around (I think she spits up and then chokes on it).  I don’t know if she’s inhaling the fluid or not.  But it’s really freaky and it scares me to see her struggle to catch her breath.  We see a GI on the 18^th and a Pulmonary specialist on the 27^th.  Just wanted to update you all.  Things have been crazy, but hopefully all will be well soon and we will be at the bottom of this all!!

 I did have a substantial amount of Ibuprofen during the last month of my pregnancy due to pain (6 ribs out of place, etc.) cause the chiro just wasn’t cutting it and I couldn’t afford accupuncture or accupressure.  I also had 2 rounds of antibiotics and IV antibiotics during the first three weeks postpartum.  So I think I may have ruined any chance her gut had.  Here’s hoping the probiotics help and in the end I hope these specialists just laugh at me and tell me she has a bad case of reflux and nothing more!