attempting to coax baby back to breast

so ive been MIA for awhile...between school and two children and my work as a bf peer counselor ive been busy! 

but here i am, with a 10 month old daughter (11 on the 15th) and i am attempting one final time to coax he back to the breast. 

where did this crazy idea come from? well I HATE PUMPING. i pump 4-5x a day right now (used to be 7-10 and i have no idea how i functioned). i hate it. it takes away from being a parent. i am stuck on the couch. and i feel disconnected. my schedule every day is around pumping.i cant just go on a day trip without worrying about scheduling pumps. ive had to pump in the car, while driving, in bathrooms, in closets. and its not fair! so when asked when i was planning on stopping by my husband (i also have to plan intimate time around pumping blarg!) i realized i had no answer. the automatic thought is..."well why not stop at a year?" but then i think...well...i would still nurse after a year if i wasnt pumping...so why would i stop pumping and giving her my milk if i know how beneficial it is? so many people dont understand why i pump...and others do...but tell me they wouldnt blame me if i stopped. but i dont want that! sooo i figured...lets try one more time to get her back on and then make a plan. we'll worry about that all later!

im hoping enough time has passed to overcome any mental aversion she had, and for any sucking problem to have corrected. the reflux is a non issue now, and so maybe the stars have aligned. our big problem right up front is odds. i can find VERY little information here on teaching an older baby to nurse or coaxing them back to breast after a bottle. im kind of making it up as i go along with all ive learned and logical common breastfeeding sense. 

so here i go. 

i had to change my mindset...and some days im convincing MYSELF of the mindset because its hard. there is so little information and SO FEW people who have done it successfully. so few in fact that i have not read one single account of a mother being able to get her baby back to the breast at Narae's age. 

and then i realized this: My child isn't who she is based on a statistic...a statistic is a statistic based on who my daughter is.

so i need to find out who she is, what she prefers, what she will and wont do and go from there before i set a precendent based on her. 

so we have begun. 

now first off she does have an actual aversion to the breast for whatever reason. she for months would not allow me to place her in a nursing position. so i have finally gotten to the point where about 98% of the time i try, she will allow me to lay her in a nursing position to sleep. i have now increased that to bare skin...i remove my nursing tank flap and she lays with her head resting on my exposed breast...

and slowly i will inch her closer to the breast. she has shown no eagerness to get on, no rooting or any signs of interest. my nippe can be touching her lips...and she doesnt care. so i knew it was going to take a ton of work. 

(when this happened...i was in heaven!)

for now she gets bottle nursing, head on exposed breast and bottle feeding. i have not referred to her bottle as such, it is milk..and im hoping by that simple fact, i can share that milk is indeed coming from my breasts. she has a methodical way of things and she is very curious. when close to my breast she will bat at them, or even try to pincher grab my areola...im trying to let her be curious but im worried for my nips! :) 

i should also say...my husband worries that im setting myself up for failure...but he is supportive. its just so hard for me to see continual rejection! but im going to give it 100%. 

so now we are at the place where we are trying to switch up her bottles. we want her to be uncomfortable with a bottle...not the same old security/ she gets her milk...but we switch up the delivery. 

also important is getting her back in our arms to be fed. she has always been an on demand bottle fed baby. she tells us when she is hungry and full and she doesnt finish a whole bottle in one sitting, even in the night. she will finish a 5 oz bottle over the course of an hour or more. shes called the shots but she also, having hated nursing positions and being held, has always held her own bottle on the ground or in bed. 

so we have to get her back in arms. Milk is somethign we do while held! we must convince her...all the while making sure she opens wide for the bottle nipple and has a decent bottle latch to ensure we arent setting ourselves up for a willing baby with a shitty latch. its so much to think about.

we will do this for a couple weeks before trying any additional steps. 

a friend reminded me "dont get too antsy to offer the nipple!" and she is right. this is a very delicate thing. i might only have one shot at this. she might just turn away and get angry if i am not respectful of her. 

after a couple weeks im going to start putting on a nipple shield at each bottle nursing and offer the nipple first. if she rejects it right away i might have to get an SNS or Lact-aid system and thread the shield to get milk right away. she has been on a Slow Nipple since birth but its still faster than a breast! 

i dontknow what this will look like. its likely going to be a 5-6 week process. maybe longer. im trying to not look at statistics and numbers and forge our own path. this is our process and i cant discount it. Narae has never ceased to amaze me...maybe she will here right?

Komen race for the cure - first family 5k!

Registered for my residency hours!

each aspiring IBCLC must log 1000 hours whenfollowing the educational path i am taking, and i start mine next month! how nervewracking to start something so important to the process. i know there will come a time i am done and ready for the next chapter, but for now..i stand at the beginning of these 1000 hours and i look on excited and nervous! bring it on moms, im here for ya!

name change?

contemplating a name change.
right now i go on the tag best-feeding.blogspot.com and the title being The Best is Breast.
yes the best would be breast. and the breast is best. but i dont want to isolate. i want to EDUCATE.
i dont want anyone to feel bad about their choice, but i want moms empowered to make a choice for their littles that nourishes them as much as possible.
i dont want anyoen feeling put down or defensive.
i aim to be a safe place. a happy place. a booby place.
:)

hmmmm thinking thinking...

I wish all Mammas knew: 1st draft-unfinished.

i want to dispel some myths about breastfeeding. i want to be candid, and to be honest. i dont want to offend. and i dont want anyone to feel bad. i want this all in the open.

to all parents that formula feed. first and foremost: i believe NO ONE should make you feel negative about your method of baby feeding. whether it is intentional and breastfeeding wasnt right for you, or you tried and it didnt go as planned, or whatever reason. FORMULA feeding does not make you a bad parent, just like BREASTFEEDING does not a good parent make. i dont support anyone making you feel like less of a parent for this at all. this Breastfeeding vs Formula Feeding debate among mothers HAS GOT TO END. because ultimately it isnt anyone else's business how you feed your child. (my business, however, is the business of education on breastfeeding. so if you have questions, lactation consultants are there to help. they are professionals and will help you make educated decisions about breastfeeding) no one knows your story but you and whoever you choose to tell and i strongly wish that everyone would leave well enough alone. seek out information. make your choice, and end the hate between mothers over something that only makes up a SMALL portion of motherhood.


so theres that. that being said there are some things i want to say for breastfeeding mothers, in support of breastfeeding, to dispel any myths that a LOT of mothers, both breastfeeding and non, may not be aware of. these myths could damage the breastfeeding relationship and discourage you from continuing if you dont know how to get through them :) hope they help some!

Myth #1: breastfeeding and formula are made equal.
TRUTH: this is very untrue. the World Health Organization (WHO) have regulations on labeling for formula companies. these companies are reqired to post on their label that it is secondary nutrition. it is not superior to, or equal to breastfeeding. the reason for this is science. there have been numerous studies done to show that while formula feeding is acceptable and an option in nourishment for your child, it is not medically superior. formula is not a generic breastmilk, it is a substitution. think of it like this. the formula will get the job done, it is approved for consumption, but its not a replacement if breastmilk is available. that is because after study after study, it has been found that formula increases the risk of many diseases. SIDS, necrotizing enterocolitis, respiratory illnesses, even cancer risks are increased with formula feeding. the list goes on. does it CAUSE these things? no medical journal will say as such, but they will readily admit that it does raise the risks, and as other studies have shown, there are so many complex nutrients and antioxidants in breastmilk, that not all of them have been discovered or logged or researched yet. formula companies will repeatedly try and try to make it as close as possible for the benefit of the babies using it, but as of yet, none have been found to be as nutritious.
i HATE when people call it POISON. it makes it have a bad name and makes those who use it feel horrible or feel as though they are being attacked for how they feed their baby. there is a place in this world for it, and its should never be outlawed or taken away from those who need it, for whatever reason. its an important back up once all avenues of breastmilk feeding have been exhausted, or if an educated mother chooses to use it.

MYTH #2: my supply ran out.
TRUTH: we've ALL heard this from someone. i can think of ten people EASILY who told me they stopped nursing because their supply ran out. i was one of them. when i had my son, my supply dropped when i went back to work, and i had VERY little information on how to bring it back. the truth of the matter is there are SO many ways we can impact our milk supply both negatively and positively. so many things can cause it to drop a little and because we dont KNOW better, we think its gone. so many unassuming things can drop a supply: peppermint, sports bras, too little calories, dehydration, too much alcohol or caffeine use (without proper hydration) just to name a few. i mean heck, the first day of a sickness i had, my supply dropped TEN OUNCES. so many things can influence how much you make, and if you dont know how to boost it, you might lose it. but even then its not one forever. (see MYTH #3.) things to increase? Pumping can help boost by stimulating, nursing on demand or offering the breast frequently, teas like Mothers Milk Tea has been known to help, supplements like Fenugreek and Blessed thistle are helpful, there are even RX medications that may help. these are thigns to talk to your LC or doctor about. having an LCs number is SO important. the new insurance regulations Obama just passed ensure you have enhanced support. talk to your insurance company about LC coverage. it doesnt have to end! i know its hard and it may temporarily take a little extra time out of your day. but if you want it, you can get it back and resume nursing just like normal as if nothing ever happened.

MYTH #3: i adopted my baby/i weaned already, so i cant breastfeed.
TRUTH: if you want it, you can get it! it is VERY possible to nurse and lactate for an adopted baby, or if you regret weaning and want to go again. babies are often responsive to it, and it is very good for bonding and nourishment of a child, especially if your child has been sick frequently, or came from a country with less development that needs a little extra nourishment.  this is a great thing to talk to an LC about. youll need some very strong support and care from a certified lactation consultant. its worth it!

MYTH#4: i have a medical condition/take a medicaton and cant nurse.
TRUTH: you might not think you can, or google may tell you that you cant, but this is not always the case. talk to your doctor. if you want to nurse, other medications may be available, or they may monitor you if you arent going to take it. and some medical conditions were once thought to NOT be safe, but are found to be safe for nursing. its very unusual or a condition to not be safe! talk to your doctor and a lactration consultant. do not be afraid to ask questions and express your desire to breastfeed. more often than not, it IS possible.

MYTH#5: i had to stop because i went back to work.
TRUTH: recent changes to law in many of the united states have been changed to accomodate the breastfeeding mother. a mother in these protected states are required to have have a private safe clean place, NOT a bathroom or high traffic area, in which to express milk. they are required to have an unpaid break for pumping for about 30 minutes every 4 hours. in some cases, a note from a  doctor enables more breaks if you need to boost supply. look into your states breastfeeding laws. you can still breastfeed after youve gone back to work! :)

MYTH #6: giving my baby a bottle or pacifier early on isnt too bad.
TRUTH: this can be detrimental to a baby in the beginning weeks. a little infant can become permanently confused or begin to prefer a faster flow. waiting to introduce these things a little longer can be SO supportive to your relationship with breastfeeding. if this is needed, there are ways to do it correctly o ensure your relationship with breastfeeding isnt permanently damaged.

MYTH#7:once my baby has solids, they dont need as much breastmilk.
TRUTH: the American Academy of Pediatrics now reports that babies should not be fed any cereals, purees or foods of the like until after 6 months of age. and at that point, breastmilk should be offered first, and then food slowly introduced and not to be used as a primary source of nutrition for babies under one (and then some accoring to other journals as well). introducing any other foods or sources of nutrition before breastmilk can lower your supply and is not conducive of a healthy lifestyle. solids of any kind arent even necessary  right at 6 months. talk to your pediatrician and LC about the right path for you.

MYTH #8: my baby wasnt gaining weight. we had to switch him to formula.
TRUTH: while sometimes, in rare cases, your doctor may suggest a supplement, you can express your desire to EBF and work out a plan that is right for your individual baby. even if supplementation is necessary, it does not have to be an outright switch to formula. very little can go a long way in helping your baby, and just because your baby is not growing at a fast rate, does NOT indicate a problem with your breastmilk's nutritive values. lots of mothers only temporarily substitute, or are preparing for their child to be introduced to solids which help weight gain also, or their baby hits a growth spurt shortly after and they end up not needing to supplement. this is a huge one to talk to your doctor about, and get support from an LC to ensure if you NEED to supplement that you can evenutally go back to breastmilk only.

ill update more later. but if you are a breastfeeding mother and want to continue, but are facing struggles, dont think its the end. there are lactation specialists that can help!
and as always moms, love each other, support each other.

affordable care act statute:

COOOOOOLLL!
check THIS out!
SOURCE: http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/08/womensprevention08012011a.html
Breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling: Pregnant and postpartum women will have access to comprehensive lactation support and counseling from trained providers, as well as breastfeeding equipment. Breastfeeding is one of the most effective preventive measures mothers can take to protect their health and that of their children. One of the barriers for breastfeeding is the cost of purchasing or renting breast pumps and nursing related supplies.

YAY OREGON!!!

SOURCE: http://www.mnn.com/family/babies-pregnancy/stories/cdc-report-more-moms-in-us-are-breastfeeding

CDC report: More moms in U.S. are breastfeeding

According to state-by-state data, nearly 50 percent of moms in Oregon still breastfeed their babies at 12 months.

By Melissa BreyerTue, Aug 07 2012 at 12:14 PM EST

Photo: OLJ Studio/Shutterstock

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its Breastfeeding Report Card for 2012, and the results are heartening for breastfeeding advocates: More moms in the U.S. are nursing their babies.

 

Nearly 47 percent of moms breastfed their infants for six months in 2009 (the latest year for data), up from 44 percent in 2008. And more moms tried breastfeeding as well, from 75 percent in 2008 to nearly 77 percent in 2009, which marks the biggest increase in the past decade.

 

The Breastfeeding Report Card, now in its fifth year, provides perspectives on state and national trends in breastfeeding data. 

 

The report card noted the disparities in breastfeeding rates from state to state. Less than half the women in Mississippi have ever breastfed, as opposed to nearly 90 percent of women in Washington state who at least tried it. In Oregon, 49 percent of moms were still breastfeeding at 12 months, compared to 11 percent of mothers in Kentucky.

 

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby’s life, with breastfeeding in combination with other foods for up to two years and beyond.

 

The report coincides with World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1–7), an awareness campaign launched by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. The first World Breastfeeding Week was celebrated in 1992, and now involves more than 170 countries and is endorsed by UNICEF, WHO, FAO and IPA.