So I guess Obama does have some good ideas for women...

Obama orders new federal breastfeeding policy   By Ed O'Keefe

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/12/obama_orders_new_federal_breas.html

Your Latest Reading Assignment

December 13, 2010, 8:16 pm

The Human Incubator

By TINA ROSENBERG

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/the-human-incubator/?ref=opinion

and thanks to Ves for sending me this article.

Watch this video: Some people are simply absurd

Extended Breastfeeding Is Like Giving Babies Soda

http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/113300/extended_breastfeeding_is_like_giving?utm_source=cafemom&utm_medium=cmi&utm_content=sendtofriend&utm_campaign=General&email_id=525062824

Milk Share: Now this is humanism at its best

Breastmilk Donation

http://milkshare.birthingforlife.com/

And, once again, mother's are told how to mother by those who are not mothers

My girlfriend was over last night with her 4-month-old monkey (who is oh-so-cute!) and I gave her some Hyland's Tablets to soothe his aching gums.  I had used these tablets with my babe because I did not want to give him any non-herbal medication unless absolutely necessary.  The tablets worked wonders for him, and we have shared them with many friends who have returned to us with joyous thanks.  When suggesting the tablets, I am always sure to tell parents that they contain belladonna- which can be poisonous.

My opinion about Hyland's Tablets- 1. pharmaceutical companies own a lot of the government (not really, but you know what I mean) so I am not surprised the FDA would ban something that doesn't bring in money to big business- 2. the FDA also has to protect itself just in case something goes wrong with a product, so I would not be surprised if they did this ban because they were pressured and are simply protecting themselves.

Here are some links to help you better understand the product and help you to make a more informed decision:

http://www.gaia-health.com/articles301/000321-fda-bans-hylands-homeopathic-teething-product.shtml

http://www.hylands.com/news/hylands-teething-recall.php

http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2010/10/25/hylands-teething-tablets-recall/

http://healthland.time.com/2010/10/27/beloved-hylands-teething-tablets-recalled/

Your Posts

Hi Monkeys!

I have had many suggestions for sites and links to add to this blog.  I decided that I should simply create a post that enables you all to add these gems yourselves.  So if you have any suggestions for: links, books, stores, etc., please add them on here as a post comment. 

Thanks!

Why I Buy Non-Bleached Diapers...

Pampers have been the diaper used for babe since he was born; we tried Huggies and Luvs, but both caused rashes (this was true for my sister's son, too).

Up until recently, I have used Pampers.  I stopped using them and started to buy non-bleached diapers (e.g., Earth's Best and 7th Generation)just a couple months ago because I suddenly thought, "Hmm...why would I want my child to have a bleached anything on his body- especially a bleached diaper, which is in direct contact with his skin every moment of the day (minus bath-time).

Interestingly when I started using non-bleached diapers, something wonderful happened...my son, who has had eczema since infancy, suddenly did not have eczema anymore!

Now just this past week my husband ran to the store to get diapers (my son was wearing a swimmie at this moment!) and he returned with Pampers.  Okay, I thought, we can use this one box- don't be so crazy about this!  But once again, something interesting happened...my son's eczema came back.

So I decided to look into bleached diapers this morning and I found this news story...guess this isn't new, but I didn't know about it til today:

Parents claim new diapers cause severe rashes

Fri Apr 30, 10:13PM PT - KVUE-TV Austin 2:48 | 794 views

DALLAS - Calling it the biggest innovation in 25 years, Proctor and Gamble's new Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers diapers with Dry Max have only been on the shelf for a little over a month and there are…

http://news.yahoo.com/video/austinkvue-tv-15750583/parents-claim-new-diapers-cause-severe-rashes-19408680

Now my son's eczema is not as horrible as these rashes, but for those of you who have it or have a child who has it, you know it is at least uncomfortable and, at times, very painful.

Like all things, a change from bleached to non-bleached diapers might not be right for you, but just think about it- that can't hurt, right?

Kid-Friendly, Breast-Friendly Places

melon bean eatery
1308 buffalo road, rochester, ny 14624
www.melonbean.com

the living room cafe
118 monroe avenue, rochester, ny 14620

This is an incredible little story.

http://www.babble.com/mom/relationships/magic-father-daughter-relationship/?utm_source=Babble&utm_campaign=563ec33ecd-10_16_2010&utm_medium=email

some light reading

accidents

by Marcia Popp

i broke a vase at my great-grandfather's house when i was five here come sit on my lap
he said don't feel bad about that vase i didn't like it anyway you helped me get rid of it i
knew better but let him comfort me while i felt secretly bad inside did you know that my
own mother said i was her worst boy no i said that can't be true oh yes he said and she was
right i made accidents happen all the time i didn't really mean to do bad things they just
came upon me when i wasn't paying attention when i was five my brother and i chased the
goose in the barnyard until it fell over dead we propped her up in the fence so she would
appear to be interested in the grass on the other side what happened my father noticed
that the goose did not move all day we got spanked should i get spanked too for the vase
not in my house he said.

"accidents" by Marcia Popp, from Comfort in Small Rooms. © Black Zinnias Books, 2009.

ORGANIC FOOD OR, AS MY HUSBAND CALLS IT, "CONSPIRACY FOOD"

So I was raised in a healthy-eating household. My father, the main cook, is vegetarian- so we always had those weird funky meals growing up. (Heya, Dad- tell the story about your one son's first fast-food experience!)However, we also ate some "naughty" things, too. I think my parents did a good job educating us about food- that is why I prefer food from the real old macdonald over his fast-food counterpart. Here is an interesting piece I just read:

Junk Food for Kids

My kids are healthy and they eat fast food

by Bari Nan Cohen

http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/healthy-eating/fast-food-junk-kids-healthy-nutrition/?utm_source=Babble&utm_campaign=a1acb9e481-10_6_2010&utm_medium=email

1 monkey, 2 monkey...

So, surprise, surprise...we found out we're having a little Murphy coming to join our family.  Wow this was an unexpected occurrence, yet one that we are totally psyched about.  And the pregnancy journey so begins....

Any suggestions for local prenatal yoga and/or pilates?

Working dads entitled to 'breastfeeding' leave: EU

Thanks to my dad for finding this, among others.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iovh_IvbU0fyWeZ3IyaOUW_NBEEQ?docId=CNG.c854b7329bfb2a22fe5de7910550071b.121

For those who fear cosleeping

I respect that many people do not feel comfortable with cosleeping and, therefore, should not do it.  But we, who do it, should not be made to feel it is anything less than perfect...people have been practicing this since...umm...forever! If you are interested but so too nervous, check this out:

Humanity Family Sleeper
http://humanityorganics.3dcartstores.com/

It's less expensive if you get it at Abe's
http://www.abesmarket.com/

Also, you might want to read about infant sleep positioners http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10358.html?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4ca4df7d04750559,0

the next best after breast

So I have been wondering what milk I will introduce to my son once he finally weans.  Being lactose intolerant myself and being aware of the sick things done to dairy cows today, I am leaning towards Almond Milk or Rice Milk.  Here is some research.  What do you think?

http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=984989

loving these links

Promoting Breastfeeding
http://tensteps.jbpub.com/?utm_source=Publicaster&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Promoting%20Breastfeeding%20%e2%80%94%20One%20"Click"%20at%20a%20Time&utm_term=tensteps.jbpub.com

should we be drinkning cow's milk?
http://www.babble.com/kid/kid-health-and-safety/nutrition-kids-milk-raw-lactose-intolerance/?utm_source=Babble&utm_campaign=ae1e33c556-9_24_2010&utm_medium=email

Blacktating: breastfeeding news and views from a mom of color
http://www.blacktating.com/2010/09/why-african-babies-dont-cry.html

Science and Sensibility
http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/

Be a Star
http://www.beastar.org.uk/

I breastfeed because...
http://www.ibreastfeedbecause.ameda.com/

InfantRisk Center
http://infantrisk.org/

The Liedloff Network
http://www.continuum-concept.org/

The Connected Mom

http://www.theconnectedmom.com

ecobuns

http://www.ecobuns.com

Joyful Tie Dyes

www.JoyfulTieDyes.com

Labor Creations

http://www.laborcreations.com/

Mommy Necklaces

www.mommynecklaces.com

Organic Mama's Shop

http://OrganicMamas.Etsy.com

What Does It Mean To Be GOOD???

I was speaking with some mothers about their reactions to the common question "Is he a good child?"  Man oh man.  I was reminded of a paper I wrote in grad school; I have posted it here.  The word "Student" needs only be replaced by that of "Child."

You have to copy and paste the link in order for it to work.

C:\Users\Murphy\Documents\The Good Student.pdf

tell me if the ads are bad

hey all- please do let me know if you see any bad ads on this blog. i recently saw one for scientology...hmmm...

listening to what my child wants and needs even when my feelings may be hurt by those wants and needs

My son is now approaching one year, and he has rarely used a bottle. From the outset, he nursed when physically and emotionally hungry.

I recall buying a package of bottles prior to his birth- thinking I should be prepared to bottle feed at times. My mother delicately snickered at my purchase and asked how many bottles I planned on using in a given day. Hmm...I decided two bottles would suffice. And they have- I have sparsely used them. My son actually preferred a cup to a bottle when he couldn't have the breast.

Anyways, I digress...

Today Declan was too busy for me. This is becoming a regular thing- the world offers too many possibilities- he is letting me know he is ready to explore- he is not missing out on the goings on even if it means a hungry belly.

Not wanting him to starve...well, you know...I pumped into a bottle and handed it to him. I honestly did not think he would accept it- really, in my heart of hearts, I did not want him to accept it. But he did. He grabbed that bottle like it was the holy grail and went on his way merrily.

Well, my heart broke a little at that moment. But in listening to his wants and needs instead of my own, I had taken a new step in motherhood and so too given him the freedom to take a new step in childhood.

And don't worry- my broken heart was soon mended when he later approached me, reached up longingly, and dropped the bottle. Oh sweet victory.

To watch or not to watch

In response to your post about tv, Ves:

Before I even gave birth to Declan, I swore I would not let him watch any tv until he asked for it (and even then it would be minimal). However, I must admit I changed this for a couple reasons. First, because I have many family and friends with children, it is difficult to keep the tv totally off at all times (so inevitably Declan will be around it when it is on). Secondly, I love some shows and love to share them with my babe. Declan watches only the following: Sesame Street, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Baby Signing Time.

I did, however, find that the AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS had this to say about TV for young ones:

Pediatricians should urge parents to avoid television viewing for children under the age of 2 years. Although certain television programs may be promoted to this age group, research on early brain development shows that babies and toddlers have a critical need for direct interactions with parents and other significant care givers (eg, child care providers) for healthy brain growth and the development of appropriate social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Therefore, exposing such young children to television programs should be discouraged.
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;104/2/341

I think the concern is that children watch too much tv. Even for the most aware parents, it is easy to lose track of how much tv your child watches. This is why Declan watches only select media- it makes it easier for Chris and me to keep track. Some days he watches none. What do you think?

This is not a "Girl's Only!" club

Just wanted to be clear in that this blog is not just for women or mothers.  Men and fathers are an integral part of the family unit and, therefore, it is essential that they too be in this dialogue.  I just started reading The Continuum Concept aloud to my husband last night- this way we can better our parenting together- we can have a unified understanding of what we want to do.

Get the Book!

THE CONTINUUM CONCEPT
Start reading so we can talk, people!

what this blog is all about

So I started this blog for three main reasons.  The first being that I wanted to create a safe and comfortable environment for mothers to share their experiences.  In our current day in age, I think mothers are told what to think and do by people who have no clue.  Remember, we are the mothers so we know how best to raise our babes.

The second reason I started this blog is because it is a way to interact with others.  I grew up with very social parents. (They are actually at their "Old Lovers" club as I write this!) My parents have both started and joined into all sorts of gatherings (e.g., book clubs, neighborhood orgs., and activism groups). As an adult, I can now truly appreciate the significance of such gatherings. We are a social species and it is fullfilling to be among one another.

My third and final reason for doing this is because I love to write.  I love words and the power they have.  I appreciate that we own our words.  I think the written word is something taken for granted.  Too bad.