1-in-4 children took drugs for chronic conditions in 2009! Appalling!

 Image from www.revolutionhealth.com

Reuters reports that 1 in 4 children took drugs for chronic conditions in 2009. That is 25% of children! I am blown away. As a person who takes no drugs for anything (except the occasional headache at work), I am flabbergasted! As parents we're here to protect our children, and the sad thing is, our over-protection is leading to a new form of abuse- over-drugging children.

This quote scares me: " Children were the leading growth demographic for the pharmaceutical industry in 2009, with the increase of prescription drug use among youngsters nearly four times higher than in the overall population, according to a report by Medco Health Solutions Inc." Have we become so complacent with immoral marketing tactics that we allow the pharmaceutical industry to infiltrate our homes, schools and doctors offices? Why are children the targets and what are we doing to protect them?


I am so sick of the argument that pharmaceutical companies are out to "make the world a better place with medicines and vaccines." People need to wake up and see that IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY!!! It has always been about money. If they find a cure for something, they make a lot of money. 

The article seems to blame obesity on the rising use of medications on children, but truly, is obesity to blame? I know plenty of obese individuals who take no drugs. 


Hopefully this article is a wake up call to many parents out there. My heart breaks!

Come on Missouri-We Can Do Better!!

I ran across this article this morning while reading the daily news.

Hopefully with resources and more media coverage people will begin to realize how normal it is to feed your child they way they were intended to. Again, as Rachel and I both have said, there are reasons why some children cannot get breastmilk but I have to think that there are many kiddos who could have breastmilk but the Momma for one reason or another doesn't do it.

I know how hard it is and I know how hard it is to continue to breastfeed once you return to work, so I get it Momma's, I know why you don't keep going, but being a Mom also means a lot of self sacrifice and I don't regret one minute of my sacrifices I have made to give Ardun what I have.

Even if you didn't breastfeed or couldn't, it's important to support those who are and encourage it for others. I am so lucky my coworkers, some who have breastfed and some who tried but didn't continue, are all super supportive of me doing this for Ardun and have even offered to feed me while I pump! Let's make Missouri a better place, support breastfeeding and let people know it is NORMAL!

One More Reason Breast is Best!

Browsing around this afternoon I came across this article from the LA Times. It's encouraging information to see!

A new study suggests that breast milk may not combat common infections of infancy unless it is the exclusive source of food for the first six months of a baby’s life. That’s right, sleep-deprived new moms: This would mean that you might have to ditch that occasional, sanity-saving bottle of formula if you want to keep the ear infections at bay. Researchers from the University of Crete followed 926 infants, interviewing their mothers in the first year of the babies' lives, at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age.

They recorded whether the babies were breastfed and for how long, and if and when the babies also ate other liquids or solid food. Over the course of the year, the team tracked which children contracted common infections, such as gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, thrush and respiratory, urinary and ear infections — as well as whether those babies were hospitalized. Babies who were exclusively breastfed for six months — in accordance with World Health Organization recommendations — experienced “fewer infectious episodes than their partially breastfed or non-breastfed peers,” according to the researchers’ findings, which were published online Tuesday in the Archives of Disease in Childhood. The infections the exclusively breastfed babies contracted were less severe, as well. A shorter duration of exclusive breastfeeding offered less protection, and partial breastfeeding “had no substantial protective effect,” the researchers found.

It’s potentially compelling stuff, but this won’t be the final word on breastfeeding. As noted in this controversial and well-reported essay on breastfeeding from 2009, the antibodies in breast milk don’t enter a baby’s bloodstream. Scientists don’t really understand how breastfeeding might boost a baby’s immune system. What’s more, it has been hard in studies to separate the effects of breastfeeding itself from the effects of the circumstances in which many breastfed babies are raised (i.e., more comfortable ones.) Maybe breastfed babies are more robust simply because it’s usually wealthier, healthier mothers who choose to nurse their babies. Or perhaps not. The babies studied in Crete all had access to adequate healthcare — including state-funded vaccinations — so socioeconomic differences may not have effected this study to the same extent. Without a doubt, we’ll be hearing more. -- Eryn Brown / Los Angeles Times

Starting a new job as a pumping mother!

I just put in notice at work that I am moving back home to California to be near my family. I have been so blessed to have such a supportive workplace of my parenting and pumping. I have had a safe space to pump, paid breaks, and loads of support.


Now I must venture into a new world. As a librarian, I am surrounded by child-less women and men. I don't know what it is about the profession, but many choose to forgo parenthood. I don't understand it and I have a friend writing her PhD. thesis on the phenomenon.

Ill go through my experience of finding a new job, dealing with the trials and tribulations of attempting to pump, and we'll work through it together.

Thank you to my current bosses for their amazing support through this first 5 months of being a pumping mamacita!

The accidental breastfeeding mommy!

I just came across a story about a mother who accidentally started breastfeeding because her child rooted up and latched on without any help. What a lovely story from a lovely blog!

"This baby after some time began to root towards mom's nipple. She was astonished and watched with amazement. The baby continued in his quest and latched on with no assistance. "Wow!" shouted the new mom. She was so shocked and delighted she just let him continue. "I guess I'm breastfeeding," she announced."


The Newborn Baby

I don't blame you, formula feeding mommies!!!

As a very proud and successful breastfeeding mother, I would like to extend an olive branch to you, the formula feeding mommies of the world. When I say that formula is disgusting, I don't blame your choice, I blame the formula manufacturer. When I say that breast is best, I don't say this to make you feel bad, I say this because it's medically proven and we as a society need to wake up and support new mothers. The new CDC report shows that 75% of women attempt to breastfeeding postpardum and only 17% are still exclusively breastfeeding by 6 months. This shows that 75% of women are trying to make it work. I stand up and applaud you!!! Those 25% that didn't even try, many have reasons, such as medical reason, reasons relating to HIV status, drugs prescribed or other reasons, I understand, those who just chose not to, shame on you.

Hospitals and formula manufacturers are to blame. I don't trust them, I don't like them and I sure as hell don't want them to have anything to do with me or my baby (unless we're very ill, and then I'll consider going to a hospital).

Why are babies hijacked the moment they're born and given a bottle within the first few hours of their life? Why aren't doctors and nurses called in to help a women establish a healthy breastfeeding relationship? A study published in the journal Pediatrics shows that if 90% of women breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months of life, 900 babies lives would be spared. Talk about pro-life!  This article by MSNBC states "The magnitude of health benefits linked to breast-feeding is vastly underappreciated, said lead author Dr. Melissa Bartick, an internist and instructor at Harvard Medical School. Breast-feeding is sometimes considered a lifestyle choice, but Bartick calls it a public health issue."

This isn't to be taken lightly. We're programmed by corporate America  to trust them with what is best for our families. We have learned through trial and error that many things promoted as "healthy" and "natural" are neither healthy or natural.

The book Selling out Mothers and Babies by Marsha Walker examines the marketing tactics used by formula companies on the health care industry. A National Library of Medicine abstract on the book states: "Walker reports that, in 1984, the World Health Assembly established the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and specifically targeted the feeding of infants as a health issue rather than an economic issue. However, the United States was the sole rejecter of this code, stating that infant feeding was an economic issue. Since that time, the marketing strategies of formula companies have purposely circumvented the code and its mandates."

 I am sympathetic to you mommies who have tried and failed. Instead of being pitted mommy against mommy, why don't we take a stand as mommies against the formula industry. Lets start demanding a higher quality product, consumer protection, honest marketing strategies! Lets rise above the corporate evils and start supporting the breastfeeding mother as friends, co-workers, bosses. Lets not sneer at women who breastfeed in public, or banish pumping mothers to dirty public restrooms. Lets rise as parents and unite. It shouldn't be us v. us, it should be us v. them. Lets do what is best for our children, the best way we know how. Lets advocate for more support, higher quality formula and an understanding that breast is best, but formula is okay too as long as you gave it your best try.

No more fighting... in the end, its the babies that matter, right?

A week without pumping... It was nice!

I took the week off. I deserved it dammit!

My family and I took a vacation home to see family in California. I was a little nervous about traveling with Eliza since she was almost 5 months old. I was nervous about breastfeeding on the plane sitting next to strangers, I was nervous about the dirty looks we were going to get... I am not generally a nervous person, but I think I may have psyched myself out.

It wasn't bad at all!!! Nursing on the plane was easy, nobody bothered me, I don't know (or care) if anyone saw. I recommend wearing a nursing top so you dont have to lift your shirt or pull it down, because I was able to nurse very discreetly. Save for my little brat of a child drooling all over the shirt, it was great!

We cloth diapered the entire trip. I wanted to use disposables for the flight, airport, travel days, but I panicked last minute because I didn't want to use the natural diapes and have them leak on me, or use the chemical dipes and have them give her a chemical burn, so I panicked (common theme, huh?) and just packed our BumGenius. Good choice, they were great. She did blow out a diaper on the plane ride home (thanks lovey) that we changed out quickly, and discretely. Thank god for breast milk poop, it doesn't smell bad!

I did pump once so I could leave my mom with the baby, but she ended up boycotting the bottle and waiting until I got home from dinner to nurse. Oh well!

I did get a little sore from the constant nursing, but it was really nice. We took Eliza to the ocean for the first time, to San Francisco, to Sonoma County, to meet her namesake, my brother, my aunts, uncles and cousins! What a terrific trip! 

CDC's 2010 Breastfeeding Report Card... Its bad folks...

Percent of Children Who Are Breastfed at 6 Months of Age, Among Children Born in 2007 (Provisional)

Source: National Immunization Survey, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services

http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm


"The CDC's highlighting of exclusivity rates is important. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other major medical organizations around the world recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and breastfeeding for a minimum of 12 months.

Currently, 43 percent make it to the six month marker, with 22.4 percent making it a full year. Exclusive breastfeeding rates haven't budged either, with 33 percent of moms breastfeeding exclusively at three months, and only 13.3 percent at six months."

Borrowed from ByMomsforMoms

I am proud to say that my child is just over 5 months old now and is 100% exclusively breastfed. That makes me a minority, a HUGE minority. Call me stubborn, but this wasn't hard. You want to talk about struggles, facing obstacles, and wanting to give up? Talk to Becky, she faced everything yet still manages to pump and exclusively breast feed her little man each day.

BABIES DIE FROM FORMULA USE!!!!!!!! Look at Becky's post about the pre-term drug addicted baby who is surviving on donated breast milk.

The Onesie that Started a Protest

So, seriously Old Navy, I'm cool with this onesie as long as there is one that says "Boob Powered" or "Breast Powered" or something similar. I mean, I understand not every baby is breastfed and Moms everywhere try to do what is right for their kids but at least present both sides of the fence.

Amazing Story

I was surfing around this morning, avoiding work, and I came across this. You must go read it now.

If you don't believe that breast milk is the most important thing an infant can get you are crazy. This little girl is thriving because of it and because of the amazing moms in Michigan.

We have to get the general public to understand that breastfeeding isn't taboo and it isn't "gross" it is what we were intended to do, and I wish more women had the support and the understanding to do it. Thank goodness Jayden's foster family is pushing to get her as much breast milk as possible.

What a beautiful little girl!

Issues

Getting massages while breastfeeding is painful. I don't mean, getting a massage while you are actually feeding your child but while you are lactating. I have been getting massages weekly, well, let's be honest, for two weeks now, and each time my nipples are on fire by the time it's over. The first time I chalked it up to his sheet and it just being too rough to lay on for 40 minutes so the second time I laid on my shirt that was soft and I know I don't react to it because I wear my clothes all the time without fire nipples, but, 30 min in I could feel the tingling and burning. My muscles tightened and I laid there just wishing my massage was over and over quick. I put my hand under my breast and my massage therapist (who is well aware I'm breastfeeding) asked "is it okay, your breast?" I was kind of embarrassed and didn't know what to say so I just said "well, it's okay, but it's on fire." He then didn't know what to say and just quickly finished up. I gotta figure this out, because honestly, the massages are amazing up until the last ten minutes and then they are torture, so, suggestions? Rachel suggested leaving my bra on, but I'm thinking this is a friction issue and anything besides skin is going to cause the burning. maybe some of that nipple cream runners use, maybe just band aids.

Also I've been bad, I keep forgetting to pump at work. You might think "how can she forget?" me too...how on earth can I forget, but I keep doing it. I keep putting it on the schedule and keep forgetting until about an hour too late. So, for two days this week I have forgotten to pump mid morning and had to wait until lunch to get some relief. What will it take? A picture of my kid won't do, I've got that. Swollen boobs, got that too. I can't figure out the best way to do this, should I get an egg timer, should I get a watch with a timer, should I get a troll to sit under my desk and kick me when it's time to pump?