I connected at "Mommy Connections"

One of my many fears while being pregnant included being at home alone with a baby all the time.  I am such a social person, how could I possible handle the adjustment to not working and not being with other adults?  Wouldn't I go crazy?  After mentioning this to some other mommies, they suggested I join a post natal moms group, which sounded like a lot of fun, and a nice weekly getaway!  I was excited to get out of my pj's, do my hair, make up and choose a cute outfit for both me and baby. 

I decided to start looking for one.  This did not come without many challenges.  There were so many, some far, some close, some free, some had a fee, some in houses, some in cafes, some for babies, some for kids, some with structure, some without.  I ended up not choosing one, as I basically wasn't able to choose or bother with contacting people.  For a couple they had you fill out forms and almost be accepted. 

I was in a restaurant one day, when I was talking to another mom there.  She mentioned she went to Mommy Connections.  As quickly as she mentioned it, I inhaled my burrito, grabbed my baby and went home to google this group.  Well, was I suprised! I could apply online, and the application was just my contact information.  There were several locations in the city that had the same program, so naturally I chose the one closest to me!  Now, to wait for the following Monday.

I loved that every session, we started out talking about our babies and anything that had happened in the last week.  Babies learn so much everyday, so there was always something for all of us to share. Actually it was one Monday morning at MC that my baby fully learned to roll over, maybe watching the other babes insipried him.  I also liked that the days were structured.  I didnt want a moms group at a coffee house because what if I didn't click with the other moms there, I would have to sit in silence and just wait. Well, knowing me, there would never be silence, but I wanted structure.  I wanted to learn while socilaizing.  Mommy Connections offered this.

The days were all the same in structure.  We had 2 presenters each Monday for 8 weeks.  Some of the topics included Itnellidance Babies, First Aid, a lacatation consultant, Kindermusik, introducing solids, Discovery Toys, and infant massage, sleep, just to name a few. One of my favourite sessions was when the North Edmonton Mommy Connections Director, and Tiny Gems consultant Lyndal spoke about cloth diapering and baby wearing.  Those are 2 things I am passionate about so it was great to learn lots and chat with other moms about it.  She also did a demonstration on different baby carriers.  Oh, and we had a professional photographer from Island in the Mist Photograhy come in and take "Mom and Baby" Photos.  She did a wonderful job, the photos are amazing!

The location was great, especially if you had other children, they could play at Gymboree and have fun for the full 90 minutes, while the moms and babies all sat together.

I have made several friends through Mommy Connections, who I will keep in touch with. They were down-to-earth women who were all there for the same reason.  One thing that stuck out the most in my mind was that for the most part we all breastfed.  Even though breastfeeding is so natural and best for baby, some people do not like to see you do this in public.  It was great to sit and breastfeed with sometimes 10 women....AT ONCE!!!

I enjoyed this program so much that I joined again.  I decided to try a different location so that I could meet new women and hear some different presenters.  It is great to get out once a week and see the same people, get to know them and their babies.  We have a common bond in the fact that we are raising our little babes.  I have great friends outside of Mommy Connections, but those without children, or with older children simply cannot relate to me right now, and sometimes it is just nice to talk to someone who is going through the same changes in life as yourself. When we were learning about sleep, we got to ask questions to the presenter, and one mom turned to me and said "I'm glad it's not just me!"  Sometimes it is reassuring to know you aren't the only one who is having challenges or joys, and sharing it can mean so much.  It is also exciting that my 5 month old baby has friends!!!!  Today at Mommy Connections, he even held hands with a little girl....uh oh, now I am in trouble!!!

'No Cry Sleep Solution' Book Review

As mentioned in an earlier post, I had started reading the book 'No Cry Sleep Solution'.  I had really started to enjoy the book, but hadn't yet got into the "how to" section.  As I was reading I knew this was going to be a lot of work, as everything involving parenthood is. As the book progressed, I had to start the logs, this is where the challenge came in.  When I started this book, Sutton was sleeping the first half of the night in his swing, and the second half in our bed.  I was supposed to write down what time he woke, how long he nursed, and what time he fell back asleep.  This was almost impossible for me to do, because in order for me to write it down, I would have to turn over to the bed side table, risking waking Sutton.  I also would have to stay awake.  Sometimes I cannot tell if Sutton is comfort sucking or if in fact he is nursing.  (I know, 5 months in, and I still don't always know!)

The thing I love about co-sleeping, is that I get a full nights sleep...for the most part.  This may seem selfish or lazy, but sleeping is important for me, Sutton and Alan.  Alan doesn't wake at all, but is very aware of Sutton's presence in the bed.  We do what works, and this is the best decision for our family.

For 5 months now I have gotten much "advice" about how to get Sutton to sleep in his crib.  Some advice is from friends or family or people who genuinely care, this is fine.  But  many people tell me that he will never sleep in his crib if we don't make him do it now.  We all know this is not true...don't we?  Am I the first person to ever co-sleep?  What about cultures where co-sleeping is the norm?  What about large families in small houses?   Why are some people so oblivious to the fact that I am not crazy or making bad decisions?  We all judge I guess, but it's no fun when people judge me.

Alan and I decided that co-sleeping was good for us, it was something that worked, and something that we felt Sutton needed.  We have been trying the crib on and off the last couple weeks, and it is going really well.  He falls asleep at the breast as usual, and then we place him in his crib, he always lies on his tummy, looks around, then cries.  Instantly I pick him up and hold him chest to chest.  He quickly falls back to sleep, and then after a minute or 2 I place him back into his crib on his tummy and pat his little bum.  He settles just fine, and sleeps for about 4 hours.  At this point, he comes into our bed, and I nurse him and he stays the rest of the night. 

I am aware that I should sit up, nurse him and put him back in his crib, but we have come so far with him sleeping for any amount of time in his crib, that we will slowly progress to the full night.

The most important part of all of this is that every morning I wake up to little hand in my face.  To smiles and kicks and little chatter!  Sutton obviously has slept well, and is well rested.  That is key, Sutton gets the sleep and comfort that he needs and is entitled too.

However....I really really wanted to read the entire book, and apply the techniques.  In the meantime though, we have found a technique that works for us.  I will read the rest of the book, but not do any of the logs.  We have already established a good nighttime routine and are getting our baby to sleep without crying it out!

I cannot upload a picture of Sutton sleeping in his crib, because I do not dare go in there and risk him waking to the startling "bright lights of heaven" of a flash I have on my camera!  Another good parenting move on my part!!!  Yeah!!!!! 

Milk Maid Tea Experiment

I must start this post by mentioning I am VERY pro breastfeeding.  I do not look down on mothers who use formula, but I always wonder why.  If it comes up in conversation, it is always the same thing "I wasn't producing enough milk"  What does that even mean?  Breastfeeding works best if you do it.  I know it can be hard to wait it out; especially, if you feel your baby isn't getting enough milk, usually they are though, but if you continue to feed the baby it will work out, and if your supply is still low, there is much you can do to increase it.  Assess your lifestyle, your diet, your stress level, your determination. 

I must also mention, I am not in the medical field and do not in any way possess a medical degree except for the one I issued myself in the ability to 'Self Diagnose'.  I am also not a Lactation Consultant.  I am not going to provide any studies or research in this post, I will simply speak from experience and conversations I have had with others. 

My son has been exclusively breastfed for 4 and a half months....his entire precious life.  At first I wondered if I wasn't producing enough milk.  Now I think that maybe I just don't store a lot, I have small storage tanks maybe!!!  My milk came in right away which was wonderful.  At our 1 week check up I mentioned to my doctor that I was concerned I had a low milk supply,

and she was not at all concerned as Sutton was back up to his birth weight in less than a week, on average they say it takes up to 2 weeks.  She did give me a prescription for a medication which can aid in more milk supply.  In fact, she said she had a patient who adopted, and was able to breastfeed because of this medication.  I did not fill the prescription as when talking with a friend about my concerns, she basically told me that my body knows what to do, and if the baby doesn't suck the body doesn't produce.  Tough it out, hang in there, and most importantly to keep at it.  I consider her a hero in my breastfeeding adventures.  Another thing she told me was to not have any formula on hand, it will only make me want to use it when I am struggling the most.  I had to follow my instinct, by body and my son.

Here, almost 5 months later, I still wonder.  I think just because I cannot pump very well.  It takes me at least 2 days and 4 pumping sessions to get a 5oz bottle.  Everyone knows though that a baby sucking at the breast is far more effective than a breast pump ever will be.

Regardless of the fact that I KNOW I am producing enough milk, I still regularly eat oatmeal as it does enhance my supply, and it is so healthy and yummy too, and I get to eat copious amounts of brown sugar! 

I was at one of my favourite children's boutiques when I came across the Earth Mama Angel Baby Products.  They had a 'Milk Maid Tea' for breastfeeding mothers.  I figured I would give it a shot. It contained 16 tea bags for $9.99.  That works out to $0.62 a cup. 

Man oh man does it ever work.  I was going to try it for 10 days, but I just quit last night and did it for 6 days.  It really does work.  My breasts were definitely larger, huge even.  Alan and I pointed and laughed that I was going to topple over.  I was also able to pump more than usual.  I was slightly engorged, but not too engorged that I was in complete discomfort.

As I mentioned in a previous post....all (or close to all) women can breastfeed.  I often hear people say that they cannot, as they didn't have enough milk.  How did they know?  One cannot determine how many ounces of milk they have.  The more you feed the more you produce, and a pump can never replace a baby. 

For the first month or so, Sutton was ALWAYS on the breast.  Several people told me he was comfort sucking and to put an end to it immediately.  I didn't want to to deprive him comfort at all, and I wanted to wait it out.  I now truly believe that he was increasing my supply.  My son and my body worked together.  There are still times when Sutton 'comfort sucks' and sometimes I know he is just needing comfort and other times I think he is increasing my supply.  Breastfeeding is a 'Supply and Demand' business after all.  The more the baby sucks, the more you produce.  Just as your body can conceive a child, carry a child and deliver a child, it can also nourish a child.  I am sure there are some circumstances where mothers cannot or do not produce enough milk, but I also believe that determination plays a huge role.  If a doctor says you aren't producing enough milk do you believe them?  How do they know?  Their medical degree doesn't enable them to see through your skin and into your milk ducts.  As long as your child is healthy, content and gaining weight properly that is indication that you ARE producing enough milk.  Never trust a pump alone.  Had I have done this, it means that my son is only getting 2 oz of milk per day.  I know this isn't true.  I make sure my breast is emptied as much as possible to aid in my body's ability to continue the supply and demand.

So, to conclude my experiment, the Earth Mama Angel Baby Tea is very effective.  Please see the ingredients below.  I am sure the main ingredient of Fenugreek is the reason it is so effective.  I have heard of doctors who prescribe Fenugreek pills as well for the reason of increasing milk supply.  I will use this tea again if I want to quickly enhance my supply to be able to pump a few bottles.  It seemed to work very quickly.  I noticed by the next day for sure.  The taste wasn't bad.  I could smell and taste the peppermint most. 

It also states not to use if you are Pregnant.  I am not sure why.  I assume it has something to do with the Red Raspberry Leaf in it, or maybe because you do not want to stimulate milk supply too early in your pregnancy.  I am not sure why, but I wasn't concerned as I am not pregnant.  As with anything, do your research and ask a professional.  Most places who sell these products are very well informed as well.