Beetles Everywhere!

Always shake out your clothes after hanging them on the line. If you don’t, a Japanese beetle might find his way into your toddler’s onesie. He might die in the hamper, still in the onesie. You might put the onesie on your toddler, not knowing about the beetle hiding inside. The beetle might fall down into your toddler’s diaper. You might find the beetle in your toddler’s diaper after a nap. You might feel a sinking sense of dread as you wonder if the beetle hurt your little one. You might search his skin for bites and breathe a sigh … Continue reading

Breastfeeding in Public

Ladies and gentlemen, allow my to introduce you to a concept that has been providing for the human race since the beginning of time: Breastfeeding. Without it… none of us would be here. “But I was formula fed” I hear you saying from the back. Sure… but what about your mother? Your mother’s mother? Your great great grandfather bill? If you’re really honest then you’ll realize that you don’t have to go back too many generations to find a relative above you on that big family tree who was sustained through infancy by a breast. The secondary part, of course, … Continue reading

Valorie’s Breastfeeding Index

Later today I will post a review of the baby blog of 2007 so why does breastfeeding get its own category? Well, in part as an answer to readers who want to read what I’ve written on breastfeeding. I’ve written so much on breastfeeding at this point that you all have asked for an index of sorts so it’s easier to find what you’re looking for. It’s also in part because I’ve become known as the breastfeeding lady. . .guru. . .whatever you want to call it. I’ve been at this breastfeeding business for a long time and many of … Continue reading

Why You Shouldn’t Set a Breastfeeding Goal

I’m really not against setting breastfeeding goals. If you’ve read any of my blogs you probably could’ve figured that out. The problem, however, is what happens when we don’t achieve those goals. I have spoken to countless women who for one reason or another felt like a failure for not meeting her breastfeeding goals. I do think moms need to actively pursue breastfeeding as they would good nutrition later in childhood, but not meeting your breastfeeding goals does not a failure make! It Wasn’t Working It is rare that women, medically speaking, cannot breastfeed. Unfortunately though, there is not a … Continue reading

Un-confusing the Nipple Confused Baby

Just in case I didn’t make the point perfectly clear in my last blog, the easiest thing to do is to avoid nipple confusion entirely by not giving the baby anything besides your breast until breastfeeding is well established–this includes pacifiers and/or bottles of expressed milk! However, if your baby is hospitalized that just might not be possible. For us, we already had other children at home and I simply couldn’t be at the hospital for every feeding. There was no other alternative but to feed Meghan bottles while I was not there. While most babies transition easily between breast … Continue reading

“You’re Not Still Nursing Her, Are You?”

Immediately after church last week a dear older woman walked up to me and said, “You’re not still nursing her, are you?” Her tone was full of accusation and condemnation and her opinion was clear: If I was still putting my fourteen-month-old daughter to breast, I was completely deranged and likely damaging my daughter as well. As a breastfeeding advocate, I should have confidently replied, “Yes, and I’m proud of it because it’s the best thing for my baby.” Instead, I found myself completely defensive. I actually felt as though nursing my daughter at her age might be wrong. I … Continue reading

Baby Blog Week in Review for Jan 13-19

From breast feeding to formula warning labels to baby massage and acid reflux, this week has been packed with great information and much, more. Let’s take a look at our week in review: Let’s Be Honest About Formula vs. Breast Milk continues a frank and open discussion about the benefits of breast milk and the concerns of mothers every where doing the best for their babies is concerned. The discussion continues in Should Formula Cans Contain Warning Labels? advising mothers that breast milk is better for their babies? The Cost of Breastfeeding Intervention vs. Formula Feeding discusses the issues that … Continue reading

The Cost of Breastfeeding Intervention vs. Formula Feeding

I have written before about my beloved Meghan, who was the absolute worse nursing baby in the whole world. She was cranky, didn’t latch properly, made breastfeeding a nightmare. . .and so on. She was my third baby though, so I was willing to seek out qualified professional help. . .at the hefty price of $135 per hour! Our insurance company does not cover a visit to the lactation consultant. I am not aware of any in this area that do nor am I aware of any pediatric practices that have them on staff. (Some pediatric practices near us have … Continue reading