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I was recently in Las Vegas and took the Zappos.com tour. When their bus came to our hotel to pick us up, I was both surprised and pleased to see that it had seatbelts (and yes I put one on)! I can't remember ever riding on a bus with seatbelts and in fact, I always wondered why they didn't have them especially when you hear of the busloads of school children seriously injured or killed after being involved in an accident.
This got me thinking about an oft-discussed, "remember when" conversation amongst my sisters and I... "Remember when we were kids and Mom and Dad both smoked in the car WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED ALL THE WAY UP? And remember how we used to tuck the seatbelts in behind the seat because no one wore them? And remember how mothers used to ride in the front passenger seat with babies on their laps? And remember when Dad used to go out for drinks with the guys after work and drive home drunk all the way from downtown Vancouver?"
IT ALL SEEMS SO WEIRD NOW. I feel quite uneasy if I ever ride in a motor vehicle without a seatbelt (e.g. in a taxi, bus or limo). Our babies are in 5-point harness, rear-facing car seats. My Mom NEVER smokes in the car - in fact, she doesn't even smoke in her own house, or anyone else's for that matter (even if the homeowners themselves do)! In fact, many US States and Canadian Provinces (BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia) have passed laws prohibiting smoking in your car if you have children with you. And who risks driving drunk anymore? Not I, and I'm sure, not you either.
It's all what we're used to - the cultural norm. These changes didn't happen overnight. When the change first occurs, people resist because generally, people don't like change. I remember HATING to have to wear a seatbelt when it became law. Today, when I get into the car, I couldn't imagine even backing out of the driveway without a seatbelt. It feels weird NOT to have it on! So gradually things change and then everyone thinks back to "remember when" and how, in contrast, their past behaviours feel so odd and distant and CRAZY today!
And speaking of "what we're used to", what other mammals do you know that drink milk from another species? And what other mammals do you know that drink milk past infancy? The fact that we have been brainwashed by the Dairy Industry to think we should ingest cow's milk as the "norm" is a perfect example of the blinders we wear in our culture. When you REALLY sit down and think about this, humans drinking cow's milk is NOT NORMAL. Yet many of us do it without ever questioning it.
The same goes for the Formula Industry and their marketing campaigns that have brainwashed both health care professionals and consumers to really believe that artificial feeding is as good as breastmilk. I believe that formula should only be available by perscription and in a tin with a generic label - no brand names, pictures or promotional messages such that it is in Iran. But I digress. That is a whole other post.
Another example is fashion, albeit a bit less significant societally, but may resonate with some readers all the same. Do you remember when skinny leg jeans came into style? (yes I know I am dating myself). I remember thinking I would "never" wear them. Yuck! I loved my bell bottoms! But there we were a few months later enmasse.
My sister sent me an article that she had ripped-out of the October 2009 issue of Canadian Family magazine entitled "Bunch of boobs". It is a true story by Catherine Connors, citing a situation she found herself in - with painfully engorged breasts, sans a breast pump and an offer to nurse another woman's hungry baby - an act that would solve both problems - settling the hungry baby and relieving her painful engorgement. The article also appears on her blog bearing the title, They Shoot Wet Nurses, Don't They?
I think Angie Felton of ParentDish sums it up quite nicely in her article, Cross Nursing - Natural extension or disgusting and weird?, in which she writes, "When I was in the midst of my own nursing years (I nursed all four of my kids) nursing a friend's baby wouldn't have been more intimate to me than giving them a bottle, simply a means to END THE CRYING. However, I was in a completely different mindset where breasts were purely utilitarian baby feeding devices. I'm no longer at that point, and can understand people being grossed out at the thought of breastfeeding someone else's child."
But shouldn't we all take a step back, adopt a similar mindset and realize that breasts ARE utilitarian baby feeding devices? I know it is hard to wade through all the sexual images we are inundated with in our culture to achieve clarity on this, however, this is the reason women have breasts and men don't. Think about it. I also realize that this task may be more difficult for non-moms - I didn't become a mom until I was 38 years old and thus had formed opinions (albeit misinformed ones) about many subjects around breastfeeding and motherhood. For example, my opinion about the length of a mother's breastfeeding relationship with her child was summed up in a statement such as, "If they're old enough to ask for it, then it is time to wean." How naive was I? Today I am quite irritated by the term "extended breastfeeding" because it labels it as an "outside the norm" activity. How can we view breastfeeding a toddler as "weird" when the experts at the AAP, the AAFP, Health Canada and the WHO all recommend exclusively breastfeeding your baby for the first six months of life and continuing to breastfeed for up to two years and beyond? I was wrong. I was misinformed. Educate yourself. It's your responsibility to do so before voicing an opinion.
I too am finished breastfeeding my children, however, if I had milk today and found myself in a situation similar to Catherine's, I'm certain I would partake. As far as how I would feel about it, I think it "could" feel a little weird, almost illicit (only because of the cultural perception) to breastfeed another mother's child, however, I don't think that feeling would last more than a few seconds before it changed into exhilaration, empowerment and inspiration! I believe I would actually feel quite proud - as though I was a trailblazer for all women!
With regards to HIV and other communicable diseases, the "knee-jerk" reason most commonly heard in opposition of this issue, I trust that the mothers of today are intelligent women and will use her common sense in choosing a wet nurse or a cross-nursing partner that she trusts. I simply don't accept that as a valid reason not to cross-nurse. Mothers will protect their child in every aspect of parenting including this one. Case closed.
So the next time you witness or read something in the media that makes you feel uncomfortable or upset, perhaps take the time to do a little research. Find out the where's and the why's; if it has ever been the "norm" in the past, find out WHY it went "out of fashion" (for lack of a better word) and decide for yourself if that reason is something you agree with or if its the result of unfortunate shifts in our cultural thinking. Change isn't ALWAYS for the better.
So would you nurse another woman's baby? Tell me about it below.
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UNICEF, WHO,WABA and the scientific & medical communities all recommend initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth. Evidence shows this can prevent up to 22% of all deaths among babies less than 1 month old in developing countries. It is also known that, like other mammals, human babies can instintively initiate breastfeeding on their own (provided they are kept between mother's breasts). This is called the "Breast Crawl".
I just stumbled upon this amazing video detailing the breast crawl of a newborn - something that has been documented to take, on average, 30-60 minutes. This particularly speedy little girl found mom's nipple in just over 10 minutes! Everything that is happening here is so perfectly designed by nature: the skin-to-skin contact helps keep baby warm and initiates mother-baby bonding. Baby's "kicking" on mother's belly stimulates the womb to contract, which helps to deliver the placenta and reduce bleeding. The baby smells the food close by, begins salivating and starts her "trek" to mom's nipple. I was very moved by this video. Then I sat back and wondered why I was so moved... this is nature... this is how it should be. Best for mom. Best for baby. Simple.
The Breast Crawl was first documented over 20 years ago (Widström et al, 1987) however, I don't think many people have heard of it. I hadn't until today, have you? I would be more than happy to see widespread recommendation of the baby crawl as "the method" for initiating breastfeeding. Drop a comment below and tell me what you think.
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My husband is a worse worry wart than I am (he is sooo going to be in trouble when our girls become teenagers and start bringing the boys home). One of his biggest worries when our girls were little was SIDS - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Even though we tried to do all the right 'stuff' to reduce the risk - we are non-smokers and our house is smoke-free (check); we had very healthy pregnancies (check); we put our babies to sleep on their backs or sides (check); we breastfed (check); we used a baby sleeping bag and kept the babies' room at an appropriate temperature monitored by a thermometer (check). We did what we could but of course we still worried.
The good news is, there are many, many more things you can do to reduce the chance of your baby dying of SIDS. Here is a great complilation from Dr Sears outlining the latest research on SIDS reduction - so you can perhaps worry just a teensy weensy bit less. :-)
Drop a comment below with any questions or comments. We love to hear from you!
Another fantastic post from Tanya at The Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog: Worried about environmental contaminants in breastmilk? Get the facts. I especially like the comment from "SusanB" who is quoting Sandra Steingraber, "Contaminants are in breastmilk, but that doesn't mean stop nursing, it means stop polluting. That is the only real workable solution." Steingraber, S. (2001). Having Faith: an Ecologist's Journey to Motherhood. New York: Perseus Publishing.
I'm always taken aback by people/corporations/doctors/governments that focus on the end-result of an issue instead of what caused it in the first place. I will liken it to the medical practice of treating symptoms instead of finding out what is causing said symptoms and addressing that. Take, for example, a person that suffers from chronic headaches. Don't just give him/her a pain killer, rather FIND OUT why he/she is getting the headaches in the first place! It could be a sensitivity to something they are eating or something in their environment, eyestrain, stress, dehydration, the possibilities are endless! And yet, people seem to be OK settling for the "quick fix" - usually drugs. It is nothing but a bandaid. Maybe they don't know that they have other choices?
So the formula companies and other 'questionable parties' spearhead these studies about toxins in breastmilk while conveniently skirting around the fact that there are toxins in pretty much everything on earth INCLUDING FORMULA. Unfortunately, it is an example of the classic scare tactic that is so commonplace in American culture today - another desperate attempt to market their product to the masses. Their message? "Don't breastfeed! You will poison your baby! Feed your baby formula! Formula is safe!"
Sidebar: Did you know that if you Google "help with breastfeeding" or "breastfeeding problems" the top (sponsored) search results are links to formula companies' websites? grrr....
I believe that the information that should instead be shared as a result of these studies and many others is, "The earth is polluted, so much so, that there are toxins in everything from soup to nuts including breastmilk AND formula. What are we going to do to stop the pollution?"
"If a medicine were to be developed that could prevent the deaths of a million or more children per year, greatly reduce childhood illness and disease, produce healthier and perhaps even smarter adults, and, in its administration, contribute to preventing ovarian and premenopausal breast cancer and osteoporosis in women, it would certainly be hailed as the greatest miracle in the history of medical science.
If, furthermore, this medicine had no ill side effects, and its production had absolutely no adverse environmental impact, we would scarcely be able to believe our good fortune as a species. Now, what if the fantasy were to be extended a bit, so that we imagine this miracle substance to be not only all of the above, but also free of charge? In other words, no one stands to profit economically from its production, promotion, or distribution. In fact, the only adverse impact at all would be an economic one on a billion-dollar multinational industry built upon a competing but clearly inferior product..." - Barbara Quick
Guess what? She's talking about breast milk.
If you remove all the cultural stigmas, red tape and white noise, it is really a no-brainer, isn't it? Tell me what you think.
Thank you to Tanya Lieberman over at The Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog once again for tracking down such great material! I don't know how you do it but I sure am glad you do!
I have a new-found respect for Mr Rogers after watching the elusive "Episode 364", (originally aired in 1968 - the show's first season) where he discusses how baby animals and human babies drink their mother's milk. I stand corrected on the date of this episode; it was originally aired in 1984. Thank you "MarFv"! The clip includes wonderfully detailed footage of moms nursing their babies that ironically would most certainly be pulled from Facebook today. Apparently Mr Rogers was a heckuva lot more open-minded and forward-thinking over 41 years ago, than a good percentage of people today.
Ever since I saw that clip I have been obsessed with finding out more about the much-parodied Fred Rogers and his "Neighbourhood". I think I'm in love.
Fred Rogers wrote every episode as well as composed all the music for every one of his "Neigborhood" shows. He regularly dealt with many issues that other children's programs glossed-over like divorce, war, competition, anger and death. He was concerned with teaching children to love themselves and others. In fact, research confirms that 'Mister Rogers Neighborhood' can help children develop the important skills they need for learning in and out of school. How many of today's programs would even come close to this? I think I'll be buying some DVD's for my girls to watch.
Here are some other little-known facts (at least to me) about the famed Mr Rogers: He was a vegetarian that swam every morning and neither drank or smoked. 'Mr Rogers Neighbourhood' had no commercials when it was on the air, running for 28 minutes solid. He was an ordained Presbyterian minister. One of his heroes was cellist Yo-Yo Ma whom appeared as a guest on his show. 'Mr Rogers Neighborhood' won four Emmy Awards and Fred Rogers won a 5th for Lifetime Achievement in 1997. Fred Rogers was cited as one of the most prominent witnesses influencing the Supreme Court decison in the case Sony Corporation of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc (Betamax v. VCR). He held 40 honorary degrees and won numerous awards.
Fred Rogers died on February 27, 2003 from stomach cancer, shortly before his 75th birthday. 'Mr Rogers Neighbourhood' aired for over 33 years (that's 998 episodes - the longest running program on PBS).
"Can you say 'breastfeeding'? I knew you could." (Sorry I couldn't resist).
Please share any special stories you have about 'Mr Rogers Neighborhood' and its beloved creator. I'd love to hear more!
I think today's moms and moms-to-be are aware that benefits exist for themselves and their babies when they choose to breastfeed, however, I stumbled across this post from The Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog (one of my faves) which has an excerpt from a 2007 US Department of Health and Human Services meta-analysis with actual percentages - très cool (and I'm not even French!)
Breastfeeding reducesbabies' risk of the following diseases as noted below:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): 36% Type 1 Diabetes: 19-27% Type 2 Diabetes: 39% Leukemia (acute lymphocytic): 19% Leukemia (acute myelogenous): 15% Asthma: 27% Gastrointestinal infections: 64% Lower respiratory tract diseases: 72% Atopic dermatitis: 42% Acute otitis media: 50% Breastfeeding reducesmothers' risk of the following diseases as noted below:
Type 2 Diabetes: 4-12% Ovarian Cancer: 21% Breast Cancer: 28%
OR if you want to see the flip side...it seems to have more impact:
Artificial feeding increasesbabies' risk of the following diseases as noted below:
Artificial feeding increasesmothers' risk of the following diseases as noted below:
Type 2 Diabetes: 4-14% Ovarian cancer: 27% Breast cancer: 39%
You should be aware of the fact that this is NOT a complete list. Breastfeeding protects against many more diseases and scientists continue to do research around this topic. Enough said - BREAST IS BEST - always has been, always will be!
Do these numbers surprise you? alarm you? make you even happier that you are/did/plan to breastfeed(ing)? Tell me what you think.
Alhtough I don't recall who first shared these words with me, I have been holding onto this little tidbit for years now. It is a good reminder of the countless benefits of breastfeeding and therefore I thought I would now share it with you.
A - helps avoid allergies; immediately available; antibodies are passed from mother to baby through her milk; nutrients are more easily assimilated
B - creates close bonding between mother and child; reduces risk of breast cancer; contributes to optimal brain development; breastmilk doesn't stain clothing
C - comforting for baby; convenient; changes as baby grows; no constipation; colostrum is the perfect first food
D - digests more easily; cannot be duplicated; allows delay of solids; fewer dental problems (promotes proper jaw, teeth and speech development so there is less need for expensive orthodontics later)
E - easy; enjoyable; enhances relationship with your baby
F - fulfilling; always fresh; gives you a free hand for reading, etc; fewer health problems means a happier baby
G - giving of yourself; a great way of meeting emotional and physical needs; less garbage and other environmental wastes
H - breastfed babies are healthier; babies are meant to have human milk
I - inexpensive; immunity factors are only found in breastmilk
J - joyful experience; ready in a jiffy
K - spend less time in the kitchen (mixing, washing, sterlizing, warming...)
L - loving; you can join a fun mother's group like La Leche League; less spitting-up and stomach upsets
M - delays the return of postpartum menstruation (but not necessarily ovulation); something only a MOM can do for a baby
N - perfect balance of nutrients; night feedings are easier; natural
O - prevents overfeeding; less diaper odour; reduces the chance of obesity later in life
P - prolactin helps you feel motherly; helps prevent serious health problems; milk supply is pure
Q - quiet time together; best quality nutrition; pratically unlimited quantity
R - relaxing; less rashes for baby; recommended by the Canadian Pediatric Society, the World Health Organization and The Breastfeeding Committee for Canada; completes the reproductive cycle: conception, pregnancy, birth, lactation
S - satisfies all the senses; superior infant food; saves time, effort money and resources
T - always the right temperature; travel is easier; time-tested through the ages
U - uniquely suited to each baby; contracts uterus helping to expel the placenta and control blood loss; universality of breastfeeding is a link with mothers all over the world
V - especially valuable in special situations (prematurity, jaundice); taste of breastmilk varies from skim to creamy during each feeding
W - helps mother's weight loss by using extra calories; no need to worry about baby's food supply; encourages normal weight gain for baby; called "white blood" because of the life-giving properties
X - x-tra cuddling builds strong ties of love
Y - it's yummy of course!
Z - these are only a few of the zillions of advantages to breastfeeding your baby!
I'd love to hear about any other ABC's of Breastfeeding that you can think of!
adapted by Sandra Yates, 2003, from the original by Mary Clarke, Andrea Meyer and Mary Jo Rodgers, Minot, ND, USA, with a few additions by yours truly, Wendy Armbruster Bell, 2008
Snugabell™ Mom & Baby Gear is proud to announce that $2.00 from the online sale of every PumpEase™ will be donated to the Best for Babes Foundation to help moms achieve their personal breastfeeding goals woot! woot!
I was recently in Las Vegas and took the Zappos.com tour. When their bus came to our hotel to pick us up, I was both surprised and pleased to see that it had seatbelts (and yes I put one on)! I can't remember ever riding on a bus with seatbelts and in fact, I always wondered why they didn't have them especially when you hear of the busloads of school children seriously injured or killed after being involved in an accident.
IT ALL SEEMS SO WEIRD NOW. I feel quite uneasy if I ever ride in a motor vehicle without a seatbelt (e.g. in a taxi, bus or limo). Our babies are in 5-point harness, rear-facing car seats. My Mom NEVER smokes in the car - in fact, she doesn't even smoke in her own house, or anyone else's for that matter (even if the homeowners themselves do)! In fact, many US States and Canadian Provinces (BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia) have passed laws prohibiting smoking in your car if you have children with you. And who risks driving drunk anymore? Not I, and I'm sure, not you either.
unfortunate shifts in our cultural thinking. Change isn't ALWAYS for the better.
My husband is a worse worry wart than I am (he is sooo going to be in trouble when our girls become teenagers and start bringing the boys home). One of his biggest worries when our girls were little was 
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