HANDS-DOWN: THE BEST ENVIRONMENTAL CHOICE FOR ALL!
This poster is awesome! It says it all! These are available through the following link: http://www.mumsmilk.org/posters.htm THIS is the kind of thing we should be seeing on billboards, don’t you think? There are also many other precious posters available through the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Enjoy! Spread the Good Word and Spread these Precious Images! These days, it seems I am back in breastfeeding la la land! As my life with children continually passes through many phases from pregnancy through the teenage years, all I can say about this current moment is Sweet, Sweet, Sweet and how lucky and blessed I am!
Granny Pants
Excerpt from “THE NEW PHYSICS OF CHILDHOOD”
” 10 WAYS EVERY ADULT CAN
SUPPORT A BREASTFEEDING MOTHER “
People in a Mother's Environment Influence Her Breastfeeding Success or Failure
“1. WHENEVER YOU SEE A NURSING MOTHER, PRAISE HER FOR HER CHOICE TO BREASTFEED. For new mothers, the first few weeks can be a challenging adjustment, but difficulties do not mean failure. Persistence will result in success and many, many precious moments. (If a new mother has questions or doubts, encourage her to seek help from informed and knowledgeable professionals or successful, experienced nursing mothers instead of from trendy blog posts or mothers who did not have breastfeeding success. (For a reputable site, go to: http://www.llli.org/)
2. BE AWARE THAT THERE CAN BE RISKS IN INTRODUCING ANYTHING OTHER THAN BREASTMILK DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS. Risks may include a higher incidence of illnesses, ear infections, all allergies, obesity, diabetes, diarrhea, malnutrition, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
3. REINFORCE MOTHER THAT SHE HAS PLENTY OF MILK FOR HER BABY. Remind her that breast milk is produced by supply and demand. Supplementing her baby with other fluids will reduce a mother’s milk supply. Plenty of healthy fluids help mother produce plenty of milk. (Offer a breastfeeding mother a glass of water, milk, or juice every time she sits down to nurse.)
4. PROVIDE NURSING MOTHERS WITH A COMFORTABLE & SUPPORTIVE PLACE TO FEED her baby without shame or self-consciousness—even in public.
5. OFFER TO HELP MOTHERS WITH NON-FEEDING NECESSITIES like cooking, cleaning, and shopping so mothers can rest and enjoy dedicated feeding and crucial bonding moments with their babies.
6. INSIST THAT ALL THOSE AROUND A MOTHER REFRAIN FROM CONVERSATIONS THAT INSTILL DOUBT IN HER MILK SUPPLY. If a mother is feeling nervous, frustrated, inadequate, or fearful that she is starving her baby, her ‘let-down reflex’ may not release her milk, due to a stress response—even when she has plenty of milk! Babies with a higher need to suck are not necessarily hungry and may benefit from a pacifier in between feedings.
7. ENCOURAGE A MOTHER TO EXTEND HER TIME AT HOME WITH HER BABY BEFORE RETURNING TO WORK. Encourage mother to continue nursing while working with a breast pump and supportive caregivers/employers.
8. PLAN AHEAD FOR TRAVEL STOPS during outings, vacations, or extended travel. Normal stops are about every two hours for feedings and diaper changes.
9. VISIT THE MOTHER AT HOME. Bring the entertainment to Mom, or make it easy for her to get out with her baby. Do not pressure a mother to leave her baby at home during feeding times.
10. ALWAYS TELL A BREASTFEEDING MOTHER THAT SHE LOOKS GORGEOUS. Maintain a socially acceptable attitude towards a mother’s body image and physiological changes during the breastfeeding period because this first year is the most important investment in a child’s health and development.
REMEMBER: PLENTY of REST, PLENTY of FLUIDS, FREQUENT NURSING, and ABOVE ALL a SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WILL HELP MOM & BABY THRIVE in THEIR NEW RELATIONSHIP.”
This page is taken from Chapter 3 in
THE NEW PHYSICS OF CHILDHOOD: Replacing Modern Myths with Simple Strategies
by Christina Ivazes, a.k.a. Granny Pants © 2009
While THE NEW PHYSICS OF CHILDHOOD explores all stages of a child’s life from fetus to adult, Chapter 3 covers the many myths surrounding breastfeeding today. These myths are exposed to give babies and mothers a better chance to succeed in their breastfeeding relationship.
What we really need to have healthier children is more support for parents to make better choices!
Please pass this important information on to anyone you feel will benefit, while respecting copyright laws.
PRE-ORDERS FOR THE BOOK ARE BEING TAKEN NOW!
THE FIRST 65 PRE-ORDERS WILL BE SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, yours truly.
Visit:
http://TheNewPhysicsofChildhood.com to find out more about the book, author Christina Ivazes, and order your book today so you can receive it in time for the holidays!
THE NEW PHYSICS OF CHILDHOOD
The “Toe Sugar” That Just Keeps on Givin’
Twinkle Toes
A Single Foot is Better Than No Foot At All
Toes on Blue
When Moments of Imperfection Become Blessings!
My Entire Brood 2 days after Hudson's Birth
- Elora
As parents
We try
And we try
And we try.
There are times we hit the mark
There are times we bomb out.
No matter how old we are
Or wise we become
We are still as vulnerable to faltering
As we were during those first years
Those first days
Those first moments
With that tender new life in our hands.
But
However things go
No matter how many mistakes we make
Let us always ensure
Our children
And our grandchildren
Know we love them unconditionally
Despite ourselves!
I am so blessed to have
3 Incredible Daughters, Roanne, Sara, and Amber
Who have walked with me through painful, joyful, and tearful times
I am incredibly blessed to have
7 Precious Grandchildren in my life:
Elora
Tayler
Dawson
Jared
Narayan
Parker James
& Hudson (who is turning 1 this next week).
They continue to bring more Love & Joy
Into my life than I ever thought possible.
And yes
I am still making mistakes
Even as Grandma
Even as Granny Pants.
But despite my many imperfections
Children remind me to
Retain my curious nature
To remember to always search for more
To never settle for the ordinary or the mundane
And to always maintain my humility.
I had a moment like that this week
It reminded me to take a breath
To step back
To listen
And to learn a lesson
From my eldest grandchild, Elora.
She taught me diplomacy
And tact
And perspective
And wisdom
Through the power of her written words.
Yes, all of this
Started with yet another
Moment of
Imperfection
But tonight
I feel so blessed
And promise to remember
Elora’s words and
Her wisdom
And try just a little bit harder
To be a better person
The next time around.
Thank you Elora!
I Love You So!
You are an incredible young woman
I am so grateful you are in my life!
Love, Your Grandma
The Backfire No One is Talking About
Everyone Wants To Get In On The Action!
When something becomes taboo, it is normal for curiosity to follow. If a child sees something hidden from them, they naturally gravitate towards it.
The curiosity to know is human nature and no one demonstrates this better than a child.
When children are told they can do something that others cannot, those who are left out feel like the losers, even if it is just the ‘purple cup’ . They will try to get whatever it is, no matter how insignificant it may be.
I remember when my four siblings and myself used to fight over the ‘baby spoon’. Who cares! We cared! It was special because only one person could have it when we ate our cereal in the morning. As I reflect back today, it must have drove our Mother crazy.
We all want to have access to what others have. When we feel left out of this equation, we will end up focusing more attention on whatever it is we don’t have to change the feelings of being left out. Deep down, we all want to belong and yet at the same time we still want to feel special too.
When a child cannot eat what other kids eat at school, it is almost guaranteed they are going to figure out a way to get that food, even if it means swapping, because the other kids will want what ‘novelty’ they have too!
When a parent has an ‘off-limits’ area in the house, a child will try to find a way to get in. Curiosity, the desire to belong, and the desire to feel special are powerful motivators.
Creating a more ’matter of fact’ approach around ‘off-limits’ areas will minimize the attention they get. Unsafe, unhealthy, and unproductive items and behaviors can easily be avoided if they are made unimportant and unattractive by removing them from sight, sound, and suspicion.
Out of sight out of mind is usually a safer, more effective approach. Especially if it is combined with engaging, healthy alternatives!
Following this train of thought, isn’t it interesting that President Obama’s speech to schoolchildren caused such a stir from people who viewed it as taboo and against their political ideology.
Unfortunately, what could have been a ‘matter-of-fact’ moment became a highly publicized and politicized event. It garnered more attention as a result and really in the end, what was a very productive speech to empower schoolchildren to take responsibility for their education, surely caused some students across the country to feel very left out!
Is this really the result parents were looking for?
Next time a parent is so afraid of something they don’t want their children to be exposed to, maybe they shouldn’t give it so much attention!
Music To My Ears
There are a few sounds
That make me grateful to be alive:
The joyful cries of parents
The moment a child is born;
The sounds of children laughing
No matter what age they are;
The first time someone calls me “Mommy”
Or “Grandma”
Or “Granny Pants”.
But one of the most gratifying sounds
I have ever heard
Is the sound of parents
Tenderly caring for
And guiding 
their child
Using direct, affectionate language.
These moments gratify me
Because I know that child
Will grow up feeling loved;
That child will have
The support they need in life;
That child will have
A better chance in every way.
These moments give me hope
Because I know there are
So many other children
Who don’t have patient parents,
Who don’t have loving environments,
Who don’t have parents who make them accountable.
Yet at least one more
Child in the world
Has better odds
Because they have loving
Parents
Who are teaching them to survive!
Yes,
Loving parents
Are music to my ears.
I am fortunate to be around
Two of these parents every day
At this time in my life.
Thank you Andrew and Sara
For taking such good care
Of my Grandson Hudson!
(Grandchild # 7)
