Natural Mom Monday: How Snooki Helped Me Stop Breast Feeding

A few weeks ago I shared some painful news about my relationship with my 21 month old son Nolan. After a long and mutually beneficial relationship I decided to end things once and for all. As I suspected he kicked, screamed and protested this new separation. And as I suspected I caved quicker than a mine in Chile.

Breastfeeding is a glorious and wonderful thing when its working for both mom and baby. But the oompa-loompa looking drag queen of reality TV (no  offense to drag queens), Snooki, wasn't far off when she talked about why she won't be breast feeding her new baby, "It's kind of like you're a cow and you're just milking".

She's so freakin eloquent.

There is TONS of information out there about how to get a "good latch" in-spite of flat nipples, c-sections, family pressure, and delivery complications. But I've yet to find the holy grail on how to STOP!

I thought I had a solid plan. My husband would sleep downstairs on the couch with our son for a week, and by the end he would be weaned from the boob, at least for the night feedings. For me the issue is the incessant suckling that goes on between the hours of 12am - 9am. We are nearly connected all night long which means though I'm getting sleep, the position I'm in is dictated by an adorable 30 lb "baby".

The problem with this approach was that as soon as he came back in bed with both of us, the nursing continued with full force.

Then I tried nursing him in the room that he "shares" with his 6 year old brother. I removed the side of his crib to make it into a daybed, thinking if he felt like he had a "big boy" bed he'd be more likely to stay in it. Slap me the next time I say I'm "thinking" anything.

I would put him down, kneel next him on the floor and nurse him until he fell asleep. I looked like a circus contortionist--- propping my boob on the side of the bed, then twisting my body so I could slowly dislodge it and creep out of the room.

During the day it's FAR easier to distract him with toys, his brothers, or solid food when he asks to nurse. We've gotten it down to only two sessions, which has made leaving my house for a few hours or having my mom watch him much easier.

The Perfect Booby Storm

A few days ago something not so wonderful happened to my husband that presented me with the PERFECT opportunity finally nip this night feeding in the bud. Last Tuesday I had to rush my husband to the hospital for emergency gallbladder surgery. I felt awful he was in such excruciating pain. The doctor told him he'd be out of commission for at least 4 weeks since his job requires him to move heavy machinery.

His unfortunate news presented me with yet another opportunity to get this kid off the boob. Since my husband won't have to wake up at the butt crack of dawn for a few weeks, having a pissed-off baby crying in his ear a few nights won't really bother him....much.

His time off, coupled with the fact that in 6 weeks I'll be attending the Holistic Moms Network Conference in Chicago....by...my...self....presented me with the perfect excuse to finally wean my snuggly-wuggly milk leech.

At 4 am this morning Nolan and I began our "break-up" dance once again. I told him he was done nursing for the night and had to wait until morning to nurse more. He flailed, pouted, and held up one tiny finger in the dark indicating he just wanted "one more time". I could have so easily agreed and quickly gone back to sleep, but this time I"m determined to make it stick.

What was the final straw that made you give up breast feeding?

Taking Back my Boobs in Granolaville, 

Natural Mom Monday: Kourtney Kardashian- A New Baby & Natural Birthing Guru?

As you may, or may not be aware, sister #2 of the Kardashian trifecta gave birth yesterday morning to a healthy baby girl. Penelope Scotland Disick was born naturally-- weighing in at 7 pounds 14 ounces, to mommy Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick.

Though I'm not a fan of their mega hit show, nor do I get the hype surrounding who Kim is dating, I find it fascinating that a woman, like Kourtney, who's last name is synonymous with glitz, glam, and, let's face it, superficiality, has become this shiny, air-brushed, beacon of hope for the natural birthing community.

Is anyone as confused as I am?

OK, so on the outside Kourtney certainly does not embody my vision of über crunchy momma. I mean really who wears heels that high? But, when digging a little deeper, there may be more to her than a household last name and staged filmed family drama.

I, like you, would have envisioned the birth of her first child, Mason, to include all the spectacle of Kim's 5 minute wedding. However, it was shocking to me when I saw footage of the actual birth.

It took place in a calm, dimly-lit hospital room, surrounded by staff, her sisters, mama Kris, and Scott. The crazy part was---there was no screaming, no frantic nurses, or even much grunting. Kourtney pushed that baby out like a seasoned birther and caught him as he entered the world.

I don't know about you, but that shocked the shit out of me.

I couldn't believe someone so seemingly concerned about aesthetics (she put on a full face of make-up while in labor) could be so centered and in-tune with the way nature intended for babies to be born.

"...my experience last time was so peaceful and calm and everything you don't see in the movies. And I really wanted to share that with people so they knew it doesn't have to be a crazy screaming session."

YES! Thank you Kourtney for showing young women, all over the world, that birth doesn't have to be this scary, dangerous, or hell even painful experience. Don't get me wrong, birth is hard work. It requires mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual strength. If done naturally magnify that 10 fold. But here's a little secret----women were MADE for it!

All of the mental and physical qualities needed to complete this amazing, miraculous deed are in each and every one of us. We are stronger and more kick-ass than the media would have us believe. Obviously Kourtney didn't buy into the hype surrounding birth....and her family damn near created the word!

There seems to be a growing community, among female celebrities, who are abandoning medicated deliveries, and in some cases, even the hospital. Giselle Bundchen, Idina Menzel, Nicole Richie, Jessica Alba, and Halle Berry all gave birth to their babes with nothing more than a push and a prayer. Actresses Alyson Hannigan, Demi Moore, Alanis Morissette, and of course Ricki Lake delivered their babies in the comfort of their home.

Now, I'm not one to follow celebrity trends (who the hell thought Ugg's were EVER OK?), but showing women their power in birth is something I can definitely stand behind!

I applaud Miss K. for becoming such a public advocate of natural birth and breast feeding. In her blog she shared how much she enjoyed extended nursing, and only weened, her now 2 year old son Mason, once the time felt right, saying, "I seriously could cry just thinking about it being over."

Kourtney Kardashian and baby Mason

Hopefully, by Kourtney sharing her birth experiences with Mason, and now Penelope, she will help her millions of fans see the beauty and benefits of natural birthing. If not, at least we'll get some entertaining reality T.V.

Do you think celebrities have helped natural birthing and breast feeding become more "normal"?

Kommending Kourtney in Granolaville,

Natural Mom Monday: Does Baby Sign Language Work?

I think my son was switched at birth. Except I know logically that's not possible since there were no other browish babies present at our home birth. But somethin' just does not add up.

Somehow the sweet little human child I expected, has turned into a creature more closely resembling a pterodactyl.

Let me explain.

Nolan (the alleged human 18 month old baby) has a particular way of expressing himself. He uses this technique when his 6 year old brother steals his basketball or when he's insisting we go outside to play lacrosse....in the rain.

It's not so much a polite request, consisting of 'please' or 'thank you'. It's more like a high-pitched shriek, or the mating call of a prehistoric animal.

I never experienced this with my other boys. My oldest was the only child for a long time, but he was very laid back and at all not demanding. My middle son still whimpers like a lost puppy, but it's usually only in the morning when I'm trying to get him up for school.

Nolan on the other hand will scream, over...and over again until SOMEBODY gives him what he wants, or acknowledges what he needs.

I've mentioned this behavior to many of my crunchy momma friends and they all ask me the same question, "Have you tried using sign language?"

A high school friend of mine once told me that she taught her son to sign (who was about 18 months at the time) so that he could learn to express himself, without throwing a tantrum. I have to admit....I thought she was a wack-a-doo. I mean, she is a loving and attentive mom, but I thought it was kinda weird to teach a child with perfect hearing to sign. I remember thinking, "My kids NEVER threw tantrums at that age."

In the wise words of Justin Bieber, "Never say never".

Turns out my friend was right. A study, conducted at Michigan State University concluded that:

·         reduces frustration and aggression in the classroom.

·         allows infants and toddlers to express both emotions (e.g., happy, sad, afraid,mad) and feelings (e.g., sleepy, cold, hurt) both to label their own states and to comment on the states of other children, showing early evidence of empathy.

·         helps teachers be more observant and responsive to children.

·         helps daily routines proceed more smoothly.

·         increases "active" learning.

·         encourages babies as early as 9 months to engage in multi-utterance conversations with teachers.

·         provides a "universal language" that facilitates interactions in multi-lingual classrooms.

So after the 3rd or 4th person said to me I should try signing to Nolan and I got tired of the ringing in my ears, I decided it was worth a shot.

I asked another friend to show me some simple words I could use to help Nolan tell me what he needed. Some of these I knew from watching HOURS of Blues Clues, but here's what I started with:

 

I don't think there was a better first word for Nolan to learn, since he clearly only yells when he wants something. So the other day he had grapes as a snack. Each time he wanted another he would point to the bag and go "Eh eh eh". I knew that if I didn't respond quick enough those harmless whines would turn into full-fledged pterodactyl cries so I said to him about 3 times, "Say please", and made the motion above.

I could see the wheels turning in his head as he was putting together what I was doing. 30 seconds later he brought both hand to his chest and sweetly said, "Peeees". 

Wouldn't you know my kid isn't a related to a flying ancient creature after all!

It was seriously the cutest damn thing I ever saw. We did it over and over. Each time he wanted a grape I would sign please and say it, and then so would he.

At Nolan's age his vocabulary is limited, but he seems to be adding new words all the time. Until them I think this simple arsenal of signs could really help us all.

Once he's mastered these, I'd love to move on to some of these:

There are so many books and online resources available for those just starting out like Baby Sign Language & Signing Baby. Hopefully by giving Nolan a new way of communicating we have seen the last of his screeching alter-ego.

Have you used sign language to help your baby communicate? Share your tips below!


Hoping this works in Granolaville,