Another benefit of cosleeping?

At 1:30 am last night, Willem woke up vomitting up his dinner. He was on his back at the time. Peter, my husband, woke up quickly and turned him over on to his stomach. Willem was barely awake, or even aware that he was throwing up so he tried to go back to sleep. We wouldn't allow it because he was rubbing his face in the puddle of vomit. We then cleaned him up as best we could without totally stripping the sheets and bathing him.

I'm just glad that we were cosleeping with him because he was so quiet throughout the whole thing that if he had been sleeping in the other room, we would not have known until the next morning. Not only would it have been an awful, disgusting mess, there's a chance that he may have aspirated vomit either when he was on his back throwing up, or when he rolled over and rubbed his face in it.

I have never heard of this benefit of cosleeping, that we'd be able to quickly attend to our child in a scary situation like that, but I've learned that cosleeping in this case may have prevented a potentially dangerous situation.

Childhood Vaccines: Questions All Parents Should Ask

Conscious Woman. org sponsors online seminars, called "webinars" on a variety of topics that are relevant to parents and women, particularly in their roles as mothers. They provide easily accessible, affordable information and evidence based research on topics like natural birth, circumscion, breastfeeding, vaccines, midwifery and being an effective advocate. As a stay at home mom, I am able to participate without interfering with my child's schedule as I can use a portable phone and headset to listen to the presentation and view the slide shows on my computer with internet connection.

I first became acquainted with Conscious Woman when I discovered that they were offering a series on Postpartum Mood Disorders, which Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after childbirth is one. I took the two part series to learn about my condition, what I could do to heal and move forward, as well as to learn about the academic research on the topic so I could be an effective advocate for change.

The most recent series I participated in was Childhood Vaccines: Questions All Parents Should Ask I was very glad to participate because, like many other parents, I have been concerned over the rumors about vaccines causing autism, asthma, chronically ill children, even death and other neurological disorders.

From the Conscious Woman website, here is an outline of the material presented in the webinar:

Part I: Myths vs. Realities
This workshop will explore common misconceptions regarding vaccination efficacy, and how tests are conducted to determine vaccine safety. Questions that will be addressed include:

What are the present legal requirements for mandatory vaccinations?
How effective are vaccinations?
Are vaccinated children healthier than non-vaccinated children?
Are vaccines safe? Do the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks?
How is vaccine research conducted? How thoroughly are vaccines tested? How long are test children observed?
What is congenital rubella syndrome? Does the rubella vaccine prevent it?
Do vaccines cause meningitis?
Tedd will also discuss transplacental immunity and how it relates to current vaccination practices.

Part II: The Shots
Many parents still consent to routine vaccinations - believing that the “removal” of thimerisol (mercury) has taken away the major risks associated with the vaccines - without considering whether vaccines contain other toxic ingredients and what their potential side effects may be. This workshop will focus on the following questions:

What’s in a vaccine?
Are there benefits to infectious diseases of childhood?
What is herd immunity?
This workshop will explore the controversial research on SIDS and vaccinations, the relationship between polio vaccine and cancer, and whether or not polio has disappeared as a result of the vaccine. Epidemiology of childhood diseases, mortality and morbidity, and the Hygienic school of disease will also be addressed.

Part III: Risk and Conflict
This workshop will involve an exploration of Juvenile diabetes, Crohn’s disease, autism, post-encephalitic syndrome and a multitude of other chronic diseases and conditions that are associated with vaccinations. The focus will be on how conflicts of interest have played a significant role in the introduction and proliferation of unnecessary and harmful vaccinations into state immunization requirements and ultimately - into your child’s body.

This workshop will conclude with a discussion of the age old debate between expressive and suppressive healthcare.

The series is being offered again, in three parts starting June 8, with part two on June 22 and part three on July 6. Its a very good way to spend a Sunday morning: learning while in your jammies.

What did I learn from the series?

I learned that there is not enough research to dispute the claims that vaccines cause autism, or death; therefore making putting their safety into question. Until vaccines are proven (by quality, reliable research) to not cause injury to children, I will not feel comfortable following the recommended immunization timetable published by the Centers for Disease Control. It seems to me that pharamceutical companies, doctors and public health officials are not addressing parent's concern about safety and effectiveness, instead are running smear campaigns implying that parents whose children suffer vaccine injury are seeking to blame someone, and those who chose not to vaccinate are irresponsible and neglectful parents.

Educational Guide to Plastic Problems

Here's another topic that as a mother gets my attention. When I hear that plastics (that are used in most all children's toys, feeding utensils, and food packaging) contain dangerous chemicals that lead to adverse health effects, I start listening and finding out what I can because I want my children to be healthy, protected from dangers, especially those that are present (unknowingly) in my home.

I found this guide to be helpful in educating me about what is contained in plastics and what their effects are.

Smart Plastics Guide

I hope that guide is helpful to other parents!

Ban the Bags (cont)

In the newest issue of Mothering magazine, an article added more information on the history of "Ban the Bags" a movement that would restrict hospitals, and infant formula makers from distributing free samples of formula to new mothers. The reason for this ban is because research has shown that women who are given free samples of formula are less likely to continue breastfeeding as long as recommended (2 years by the World Health Organization, and at least one year and longer by the American Academy of Pediatrics). Women use formula feed their babies spend on average $2,000 on formula in the first year, whereas breastfeeding is free. Obviously the formula companies have a financial incentive to get as many mothers as possible to breastfeed, and through hospital giving out free samples, "mothers will assume that the brand [of formula] is sanctioned by the health care provider and safe to use."

The sour note to the article was learning about the history of the Ban the Bags bill from the Massachusetts state legislature. It appears that former presidential candidate Mitt Romney gave into the temptation of letting special interests and money get in the way of promoting what is healthy for infants and mothers.

He then defended his actions by saying that not giving women formula when they left the hospital with their new babies interferes with a woman's "choice" to feed their baby in whatever way they view as appropriate. What an awful argument! A woman has the choice to go to the store and buy formula if she chooses to formula feed her baby. Nothing is stopping her! She's going to have to feed her baby, so if she's not using the milk produced by her breasts, then she needs to go to the store. Simple enough solution to protecting a woman's choice.

If Romney wants to argue that hospitals are not offering equal time to the various methods of infant feeding, then we can say that hospitals need to become objective when it comes to issues relating to infant feeding. If this were to happen, hospitals would not be allowed to advocate or assist mothers in establishing the breastfeeding relationship. Hospitals would either need to remain mum on the topic or provide information (but information, only!) on the benefits, disadvantages and risks of both breastfeeding and infant formula. In this way, mothers would be given knowledge and then the opportunity to make the choice for themselves.

Unfortunately (rather, fortunately), the public health arena realizes the risks to the overall health of our society that comes from not advocating breastfeeding. Research has shown that breastfeeding is the optimal way to feed infants, so much so that hospitals across the country are employing specially trained professionals known as Lactation Consultants who counsel women and often provide around the clock assistance to women who have questions and concerns with breastfeeding. Women, of course, have the freedom to choose to employ the LC's assistance or to go to formula. Not providing bags of formula doesn't interfere with choice: just with the finanical incentives of hospitals, formula manufactures and now we see, politician who are courting the big business constituency.

More Silly Songs

The newest one is to the tune of "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes":

Getting Dressed
Shirt, pants, socks, shoes and coat
shoes and coat
shoes and coat.
Shirt, pants, socks, shoes and coat
Now we are ready to play.

This one is to the tune of Laurie Berkner's "I Really Love to Dance"

Willem Loves to Dance
Willem loves to dance
Willem loves to dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance
Willem loves to dance.

Alternate versions of "I really love to dance" are to skip the remainder of the verse and just sing the chorus using different actions. In Laurie Berkner's version, a child's friends spin, paint, etc but the child only wants to dance which is what she does! But we like to sing it so we love to do all sorts of things!

Our favorites are:
I really love to sing
I really love to laugh
...to play
...to love
...to hug
...to kiss
...to run
...to jump
...to climb
...to sign
...to read
...to eat
...to drink

So yeah, basically any one syllable action word that we do!

I'll take these vacines

In my descent to motherhood, I've been encountered with topics that I had never considered, let alone questioned before. One of which is immunizations for my child. I'm finding more and more evidence that is making my distrusting of the recommended immunization schedule. My husband and I decided at birth to delay the first vacines and then have since decided to use a delayed schedule and selecting which immunizations our child would not receive.

However, I found a list of vacines and a schedule that makes more sense to me, and one that I'm on board for. It is Dr. Bob Sears's "The 12 Childhood Vaccines." His list includes extended breastfeeding (2 years), eating organic and unrefined foods, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, omega-3 supplements, and probiotics as well as adequate intake of Vitamins A, C and D.

Another I would like to see added to this list is limitting the usage of antibiotics for childhood diseases. Frequent antibiotic usage can perpetuate recurrences of childhood illness like ear infections, sinus infections, and UTIs. I found that I had to stop the cycle of illness by not taking antibiotics when I had the above illnesses. Simply waiting for them to resolve themselves, while maintaining proper health and diet and using appropriate comfort measures meant fewer illnesses in the long run and none of the complications of prolonged antibiotic usage (i.e. resistant bacteria, yeast infections, etc).

I am constantly learning more about the topic of immunizations and will share any more insights I learn.

Stem Cell Research

The area of study cell research has been highly controversial due to where stem cells are harvested: aborted fetuses, human embryos, umbilical cord blood, etc. Scientists are very excited about the potential uses of stem cells to develop many other types of tissue, making it possible to grow organs and other body parts. Its an exciting proposition and breakthough in biomedical research.

But.

And its a big but. There are moral issues of fertilizing human eggs for the purpose of using those potential human beings by harvesting cells for research that prevents that life from beginning.

What if stem cells can be found elsewhere?

Like in breastmilk?

A researcher out of Australia was astonished to find that human breastmilk contains stem cells. Further research will determine if these stem cells can be used to grow other tissues. At this point all that is known is, "these cells have all the physical characteristics of stem cells. What we will do next is to see if they behave like stem cells,” says the researcher.

See full article here

Jenne's Silly Songs

Those who frequently call me on my cell phone get to hear what I mean by Jenne's silly songs. I do not write my own melodies typically but I will use well known melodies from a variety of sources: popular children's music, traditional children's music, religious hymns, popular music, etc.

Some examples:

Come follow Me, your mama says.
Its time to sleep in your bed.
Come lay down with your blanket.
Close your eyes and fall to sleep.
(to the tune of Come Follow Me, Hymn 116, LDS Hymnal)

(Or to the tune of Once There was a Snowman from the LDS Children's Songbook)
Once there was a Willem, Willem, Willem.
Once there was a Willem, small small small.
With proper nutrition, 'trition, 'trition.
With proper nutrition, he grew tall.

2nd verse
One there was a Willem, Willem, Willem.
Once there was a Willem, small small small.
With the mama milk, milk milk milk milk milk milk
With the mama milk milk, he grew tall.

And my current cell phone message:
You have called a Jenne a Jenne a Jenne
You have called a Jenne, on her phone.
Please leave her a message, message, message.
Please leave her a message, after the tone.

A previous cell phone message:
Hello, hello! Hello, hello!
You've called to me this day.
Hello, hello! Hello, hello!
I'm glad you've called my way.
To share with me a conversation.
Calling you back is my idea of fun.
Hello, hello! Hello, hello!
Please leave a message now.
(to the tune of Hello, Hello, LDS Children's Songbook)

And to the tune of Laurie Berkner's Song in My Tummy:
I've got a baby in my tummy and it wants to come out.
I've got a baby in my tummy.
I've got a baby in my tummy and it wants to come out.
I've got a baby in my tummy.
I've got a baby in my tummy and it wants to come out.
And when it does, I'm going to sing and shout! La la la!
I've got a baby in my tummy!

I've got some love in my heart and it wants to come out.
I've got some love in my heart.
I've got some love in my heart and it wants to come.
I've got some love in my heart.
I've got some love in my heart and it wants to come out.
And when it does, I'm going to sing and shout! La la la!
I've got some love in my heart!

To the Venga Boys "We Like to Party"
We like the boobies!
We like, we like the boobies!
we like the boobies.
We like, we like the boobies!
(what babies say about the preferred food source)

If any one really wants to hear my renditions of these tunes, let me know and I'll post some video for your viewing pleasure.

The Mama Milk

Willem has always loved what I call the mama milk. He's a snob about his milk like Peter and I are snobs about chocolate. Willem has typically refused formula so he's always gotten breastmilk except on one or two occasions, and even then he'll only take it if mixed with breastmilk. Recently, he's starting doing some really cute things to tell me how much he likes the mama milk.

The newest thing is "talking" to my nipple when I'm breastfeeding him. He will be nursing, stop, look at my nipple until he goes almost crosseyed and then babble. It usually sounds something like "Wab, wab, blab, blab, blab." Then he'll look up and smile at me. It melts my heart.

Another cute, breastfeeding related thing (hey, good food is a powerful motivator!) is that he has learned to recognize some words. Milk being one of them. He loves his mama milk. When he's hungry, he will usually start grunting at me and pulling on my clothes. Pretty much general excitement ensues. I then ask him if he wants milk and I show him the sign for milk. (Its opening your hand and then closing it in a fist repeatedly--imagine that, its like milking a cow!) When I asks him that, the excitement level usually increases until he's at the breast and content.

So basically this blog is my expression that I love breastfeeding my baby. I was so proud of myself that he was so healthy and strong just off my breastmilk before he started solid food. Just because he eats lots of different foods now doesn't mean that he doesn't still need the mama milk. Breastfeeding has taught me to be amazed at the woman's body. Between producing a perfect and powerful food for babies and incubating and then birthing babies, a woman's body is amazing and wonderful!

We have made it almost 10 months in our breastfeeding relationship and I know it'll keep on going for awhile to come. I have no plans of weaning him before 2 years old, if he weans himself, I'll be sad but okay with it because it will be his decision.