Baby Led Weaning is Fantastic!

Alan and I are loving Baby Led Weaning (BLW)

Why you ask???

1.  Sutton is over 6 months old, he doesn't NEED purees.
2.  We won't have to deal with transitioning textures.
3.  Sutton loves to sit and eat with us.
4.  We eat healthier as Sutton eats what we eat.
5.  We are able to sit and eat our meals without entertaining Sutton or holding him.
6.  Going out to eat is easy...nothing for us to bring.
7.  Learning is constant, he is even starting to use a pincer grip!
8.  It is so cute!!!

Many people as us if we are scared he will choke.  Of course we are,  but anytime he has food no matter what age he is, the risk of choking will always be present. He has gagged many many times, and even vomited a few.  This is a safety mechanism and will prevent him from truly choking.  He can handle pieces that are too large well, and often spits food out.  Sutton is always supervised, we never leave his side.  He is almost 7 months old, and can sit well, has an interest in food, can move food around with his around, and can chew and swallow.  Pureed baby food is commercially produced in mass quantities and sold everywhere; it has been this way for years and years, but due to the fact that we (most of us) no longer wean our babies at 3 or 4 months doesn't make it an essential product anymore.  BLW is not a new concept at all, in fact it dates back as far as breastfeeding....also known as the beginning of time.  BLW is a natural transition for Sutton, especially because he is breastfed, he has experienced different tastes, just through my milk. 

I do understand why people do purees though.  The same with breastfeeding, not everyone does it, and not everyone does it as long as I intend to.  I respect this, and I don't judge.  I do feel that BLW is great for my family though.

Sutton has tried so many foods, and his favourites change almost daily.  He loved bananas at the beginning and no longer goes for them first.  He does seem to have a way in which he eats, but I haven't figured it out yet.  Occasionally we use the mesh bag thing, it is a great little tool, especially for some meats, fruits which aren't an ideal size for him, and popsicle type things.

Sutton usually only wants to eat food at suppertime.  Sometimes he will snack on an apple or something I eat throughout the day.  He is still breastfed as his main source of nourishment, but enjoys to eat, and does swallow some.

Here are a million photos of our fantastic suppers!

He started with Oatmeal Cereal



Toast!

                                             He sure can mangle a banana well!

Watermelon!

                                           A happy baby is a baby with yogurt!!!

Mmm, meat!!!

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.

Breastfeeding...it is for EVERYONE!!!

Question: "Will you breastfeed?"

Answer: "Gross, no!  Why would I do that?  They make formula you know, and I was formula fed, and I am smart-ish, and am rarely sick.  Besides, it seems like such an inconvenience.  And then the Dad doesn't have to do anything, and everything will be left onto me.  And my boobs will be hangy and saggy and ugly.  And like as if I want my boob hanging out all the time.  And leakage, I hear horrible stories about this, and never want to deal with that.  It freaks me out that my child will be sucking on my tit, sick, boobs are for sex, and sex only."

Who would say something so foul...ME, a couple years ago.  Anyone who knows me knows I do not think this way anymore!!!  I am so ashamed it brings me to tears!!!  I cannot believe that I almost deprived my son of what is best for him.

I remember the day I decided breastfeeding was for ME and should be for EVERYONE!  I was visiting friends on Ontario a few years ago and I saw my friend breastfeeding her daughter.  I stared in amazement.  You could see their bond and their love, and their naturalism.  Then, that same day a friend told me she was pregnant.  I looked at her, looked at my friend with her boob out and I was so jealous.  These bitches...they have what I want.  I want a baby, and I want to breastfeed...like, immediately.  I will remember this day forever, it was one of my greatest days.  Of course the day I got married, found out I was pregnant and delivered my son are also high ranked.  But this day I feel was the most important, it was the day that my life changed so much.  This is the day I think I fully acquired my mothering gene.  I was surrounded by friends and  without their knowing it, they helped me make the decision that I wanted to be a mother, and wanted to give my child the best start in life by breastfeeding.

I have had several moments in my life that I think "okay, NOW I get it."  But why did something so natural like breastfeeding do this for me?  I think about this often. 

I often nurse my son and talk to him.  I pet his little head, touch and kiss his hand, pat his bum and just talk to him.  I love how when he is stressed, I can nurse him, and his whimpering slows down and his body relaxes.  His heartbeat slows down and he is at peace.  He is held, loved, warmed and nourished.  But above all that, be is being nurtured, naturally.

I love breastfeeding for so many reasons.  The cost...its free, its easy, I never have to prepare bottles or clean them, I never have to listen to my baby scream while I prepare formula, and of course it is best for baby.  The health benefits are truly amazing!  Have you ever noticed that all ads for formula state that breastmilk is best. There are studies that support this, and really, in this day in age, who is going to argue this anyway?

The health reasons why we should all breastfeed are countless.  I often get so discouraged when people say that they cannot breastfeed.  I do not believe this.  I know I may offend some people here, but I truly believe that we can all breastfeed.  If your body can conceive, grow a baby and deliver a baby, you can also provide natural nourishment.

I was talking to a friend one day, and she is my friend (if I can label her) who is the most knowledgeable on everything, she is well educated, and truly is an amazing person.  She is constantly learning things, and with everything she says she can show you references and studies based on the facts.  I said to her one day "If I hear one more person say they CANNOT breastfeed, I will punch them in the face!"  She replied "I think you are being a little hard on people."  I almost died.  I have read so much, but often cannot relay these facts and studies back to someone.  I have also been exclusively breastfeeding for almost 5 months now.  I have experience, and what is better than experience.  I know she didn't mean to stun me like she did, but I felt horrible that I couldn't back that up with some actual REAL information.  So many moms put too many faith in doctors.  Doctors are just people.  They have flaws, and just because they can prescribe medications and perform surgery, doesn't mean that they are supportive or knowledgeable in natural things. 

While I was pregnant, I was seen by several doctors about a genetic health issue.  There were concerns that my baby and myself would be in danger.  I did a lot of research, got my health records from birth to now, and did my own diagnosis.  I decided to terminate myself as their patient.  I felt like I was being treated as a case study and not as mother who wanted a natural childbirth.  If I continued my care with them as a "high risk pregnancy" I knew I would be seen by an OB/GYN and would have to have a c-section and blood thinners. With these blood thinners I wouldn't be able to nurse my son.  In the end I made the right decision.  I figured that following my own instinct was best, after all, I was a mother at this point, and mother knows best when it comes to their child. 

There are many women who have problems breastfeeding.  I am one of these women.  We all go through the pain, the inexperience and the sleepless nights that make us want to give up.  Determination is key...so is my husband.  He knows how important nursing is for me, and this became important to him as well.  There were days at the beginning of Sutton's life when I sat there crying.  My baby was covered and soaking wet with my tears.  But we came through.  I had to remember that minutes after Sutton was born, I was nursing him.  I had no idea what to do, so I just put him up to my nipple and he suckled away, not the most effective way, but he knew what to do.  I have also had to deal with a low milk supply.  I don't even know if I do have a low milk supply.  I nurse Sutton so often, but I think it is because he doesn't get a "full feeding" in one session, so I just nurse him more often.  My son is happy, healthy, gaining weight, and developing as he should be.  I do drink special tea and eat oatmeal daily to enhance my milk supply.  Should that have not worked, I would have gone on medications to help me.  I also had latch problems and positioning problems.  but after a couple visits with a lactation consultant, and again determination, and of course continuation, Sutton and I worked through it.  It took us about 6 weeks to fully know how to breastfeed more efficiently.

I would live to go into more details as to why we can all breastfeed, and touch on some of the misinformation out there.  At this moment, I cannot, I must get ready to nurse my son, as I see he is starting to wake!  I did come across this website though on low milk supply.  It is very informative.  As always my research will continue.  I want to look more into a mothers diet and babies having problems with nursing because of lactose issues and such.  Is this fact or fiction?  I will find out, and not to prove to anyone, but because knowledge is power, and maybe the more we all know can help ourselves, and help others. 

I breastfeed my son everywhere!  Whenever and wherever he is hungry or needs comfort I nurse him. (I have even pulled the car over to nurse him in a parking lot.) 

When breastfeeding; support is so important.  If it weren't for friends, and my husband, I may have given up.  I will never know for sure though, as this wasn't my case.  Again, I was determined, and my determination paid off!  I plan on continuing to breastfed well after a year.  I know many people may think this is irrelevant and gross, but it isn't.  Even though Sutton will be getting nourishment from solid foods, breastmilk still has benefits, even after the first 12 months.  Research it!  In many cultures extended breastfeeding is normal.  They however, may not have access to formula....point proven once again!  If friends and family cannot support you or provide assistance, there are several health centres with lactation consultants and of course there is the Le Leche League for support as well.

I will state that I wish I could write this better.  I wish I could express my feelings and beliefs with facts and studies, and in a better mind set to relate these facts.  I do not want to offend anyone who doesn't breastfeed, or believes they cannot do so.  I just want to express my love of breastfeeding.

A New Perspective

Three weeks ago if someone asked me the definition of: love, time, patience, sleep, food, breasts, marriage and family, I would have answered very differently then than I would today.  It is amazing how your life can change in the blink of an eye.  Even though I had a full 40 week planned pregnancy, the feeling of holding your baby in your arms, is not something you can be prepared for.

I can't even describe how it feels to be rocking your baby to sleep at 3:00am, sobbing, tears falling onto his head, completely frustrated, and then to look at your baby and tell them how much you love them, and how long you waited to meet them.  Love has a whole new meaning to me now.

Breastfeeding....it is hard....it is learned...and it is trying.  Even though breastfeeding is so natural for women and children, it is by all means not easy.  It is something that the baby and mother have to learn together, by trial and error.  I have shed many tears of frustration over this wonderful experience.  Even 3 weeks later we are still working on perfecting the latch, timing and of course nursing to soothe.  I have received so much advice/opinions on all topics.  I have taken offense to some advice, and I am sorry that I let my emotions get the best of me.  I know that people mean well, but I think sometimes it can come across as overbearing and rude.
I have had a couple people tell me to let my baby cry, or to offer a soother to calm him, and also not to let him sleep in his bassinet.  Funny thing is, we didn't want a bassinet, but it was a good purchase.  It is much easier to stay in bed and gather my baby, rather than to fully wake up, turn on lights etc.  As far as rocking, soothers, etc go.  I had a friend tell me that they rock their child to sleep and don't always offer a soother.  They might offer their breast and simple comforts like being held.  I thought this was great to hear.  This friend explained it by saying that she wants her child to know that she will always be there for them.  They can always count on mom, and sometimes, even as an adult, a hug can make everything better.  How true is that!?!?!?!?!

Anyway, it has been 3 weeks since my life changed dramatically.  It is great, and definitely a learning process.  I am beginning to learn what my baby needs and when he needs it.  Sometimes it is a guessing game, other times I truly know.  I know his signs of hunger, which I presume are the same for all babies.  I think I know when he has gas, needs changed, and I know when he wants to be cuddled (which is always!!!!)  I can tell how deeply he is sleeping, and I can also tell when he will wake.  The things you learn from staring at and spending all day with someone are infinite!  But, he is my baby, and I do know him best!!!

So, from the new me, the MOM, I do want to apologize to everyone who I may have been short or harsh with.  This is an adjustment time for me, and I think all new moms learn best by following their instincts and not always by advice, which often comes across as opinions and pressure.