Please don't take my boob away!!!

What do you mean the boob fairy isn't real???, originally uploaded by RGonzalezPHOTOGRAPHY.

So I spoke with a lactation consulatant on the phone yesterday... she suggested a few things to help... lansinoh cream... I was using already... a prescription nipple ointment... pumping at a lesser strength suction so that I didn't bleed or cause more damage... (this was to help get my left side milk production back up). Or because she is such an excited nurser... start on the Left side... until she calms down, them move over to the damaged side now that she isn't so agressive. I've been doing the last option + loading up on lansinoh ointment. And so far...so good!! No bleeding at all today!

I haven't even concidered quitting. I know certianly its an option at this age... but we both still love it and I would wan't to because of "readiness" not because of this circumstance or another roadblock.

Anyway, thank you so much for your links and suggestions!!!!!

More Milk Please!...Extended Nursing?

I have never really had an issue with low milk supply...except toward the end of the day. I hear that's pretty normal but I always feel guilty watching my babies work extra hard for every last little drop before I put them down for the night. I find myself tempted sometimes to give them a bottle just to help satisfy them (knowing full well that doing so is a complete contraindication to my overall supply)

Today a friend of mine offered me some "Organic Mother's milk" tea...as a kind gesture during a play date at her house...and she sent me home with a handful of teabags. I gratefully accepted and did not think anything of it again until my infant gulped herself to sleep tonight. (for the first time in months I might add!) I had a full supply of milk this evening, with nothing different done other than a cup of this yummy tea around 1pm this afternoon.

I must say that I am still skeptical...could one cup really work such magic??? I will have another cup tomorrow afternoon around the same time and see if still yields the same results.

On the topic of nursing, I have put a lot of thought into the "how long??" question. I feel my first two quit me long before I was truly ready. Max was almost 14 months and Katy was 13 months when they moved on to the sippy cup and left me high and dry...I felt myself really missing the experience.

It always seems to be a tough topic to share with most. There are so many strong opinions on whats really best...and when to say "enough is enough". One comment I've heard often as a spectator is. "that's disgusting, when they can pull your shirt up and get it themselves...its time to call it quits!"

WHY???? It makes it hard for a woman to have this extended and completely natural experience with her child when almost everyone who encounters you doing it will shun you like a child molester. Not even close people!

I am not a nipple Nazi and certainly respect that mothers have there personal cutoffs. I for one don't have a set number in my head for when I will wean my child and I embrace being able to hold on to that special nurturing tool for as long as I can. And I hope to find acceptance as I go on this nursing journey.

Do you have a nursing cutoff? If so, please tell me why :)

Something's Fishy

So it seems to be pretty common knowledge now that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is necessary for proper brain and eye development in fetuses and children. DHA is supplemented in everything these days...from formula, baby food, rice cereal, yogurt, infant snacks. You name it...powdered DHA is in it. What is slacking on DHA is surprisingly American breast milk! What??? Because western medicine (society) advises a fish-limiting diet during pregnancy due to high mercury levels...most women choose to avoid it all together.(and continue to remove fish due to habit after the pregnancy) Making American mothers lack 75% of DHA in their breast milk compared to the rest of the world. Whoa! Women can significantly increase DHA during pregnancy by taking fish oil supplement (if they are afraid of Mercury) eating foods rich in Flax or flax seed oil...and eating foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for DHA production in the body.

Eggs are also a great source of Omega 3's. Natures promise eggs (not shown in the picture) are also supplemented with Omega 3 by feeding the free range chicken flax seeds. Cold water fish such as Salmon and Tuna are very high in omega 3 (mackerel is not recommended because of the high levels of Mercury).

happy nakking!!!