Once I became pregnant and then became a nursing mother, I became increasingly concerned about the products I use and the chemicals they contain. This deodorant contains natural mineral salts and ammonium alum and checks out well on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. It’s important to note that this product is a deodorant and not an anti-perspirant. While you might still sweat, the crystal provides a natural barrier against odor-causing bacteria. You simply moisten the stone (or apply it to wet armpits after a shower) and thoroughly cover the entire arm-pit area. The product is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and non-staining. I have found it to be non-sticky and very easy to use. My husband immediately jumped on board and he loves it too!

Now this is not an invitation for my friends in real life to come sniffing me the next time they see me, although I’m confident I’d smell pretty darn good! I was not sent a sample and I paid my own hard-earned $4 for this product (it retails for $4.95 and is even cheaper on Amazon). That’s an incredible price given that the product claims to last for a year! My husband and I have used it for a month and the stone looks essentially the same size.

I bought the three-ounce stone which comes in a small, recyclable cardboard box, but for the squeamish or particularly sensitive the product also comes in a stick or a spray mist (the company claims the mist is the best choice for those who are allergic to traditional deodorants). I happen to like the fact that it’s unscented, but the company recently introduced several scented versions as well. Naturally Fresh isn’t the only rock crystal deodorant out there (my husband said there were four brands offered at Whole Foods) but this is one of the more popular and I can see why. Today I cleaned house and wrangled a toddler and had company over to dinner, and at the end of a long day, in my humble opinion I smell far better than I would have if I’d used a brand of main-stream scented deodorant/anti-perspirant. I can see that on the hottest days or after a heavy workout I might have to wash and re-apply the deodorant, but that is true of any other brand I’ve ever tried and I think this one out-performs them all for a fraction of the price.

Have you tried Naturally Fresh Crystal Deodorant or a similar product? What do you think?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Basic Play Dough Recipe

2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons oil
1/2 cup salt
food coloring (follow brand directions for making orange; adjust as needed)

Pumpkin Pie-Scented Add-ons

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Combine all ingredients in one pot. Over medium heat, stir continuously until the play dough starts to thicken. Adjust the amount of spices to suit your nose! Once the dough becomes difficult to stir, remove from heat and let cool enough until the dough can be worked by hand. Knead the dough until it is smooth (let your child help with this step!) Store the dough in a quart-sized plastic zip-top bag or other air-tight container. Keep the dough separate from any other food items and it will last for well over a month! Have fun with the recipe and experiment with different colors and spices.

Do you have a favorite fall craft or easy do-it-yourself recipe? Leave a comment!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Interesting to read all your experiences and to see what a common problem this is…I’m in a tough situation so your advice would be helpful.

I’ve co-slept with my son since he was 3 months old, and it has worked great for us. He wakes up to nurse, then falls right back asleep. Neither of us wake up fully, so I’ve been able to have great sleep from from about 12 mos until now (24 mos.)

But over the last 2 weeks his sleep has been terrible. He won’t go to bed until 10:30 (used to sleep easily at 8:30) and wakes up 3 times a night nursing voraciously (like, 30-40 minutes!). I’m pregnant (2 mos) and get so irritated with this! I take him off the breast but then he cries and cries. My husband then comes and tries to comfort him but he won’t go to him at all during the night, and gets really agitated.

I’m so worn out and am thinking of night weaning, but hate the thought of having him cry for long periods of time. Partly cuz I don’t want to cause him upset, but also cuz it is horrible to listen to during the night.

Any suggestions?

Rosemary, congratulations on your pregnancy! Breastfeeding while pregnant can be a challenge emotionally and physically. My guess is that your milk supply has started to diminish a bit (which is normal during pregnancy) and/or your milk has started to taste a little salty (also a normal change). Some nurslings (like my first daughter) continue on nursing as if nothing had changed, but others are affected by the changes.

Photo by Jessicafm

I highly recommend that you check out a copy of the book Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Beyond by Hilary Flower. It describes the experience of breastfeeding while pregnant and the various emotions it triggers in both mother and nursling. You are not alone! Two other books that might be helpful are Mothering Your Nursing Toddler and How Weaning Happens.

As for more immediate, practical advice, try offering your son a bedtime snack and some extra fluids (my suggestions would be water, milk or a cow’s milk alternative like almond milk). Does he drink from a cup, a sippy cup, or a cup and straw? Offer him his alternative drink in that cup. Have the same cup — this time filled with water only — available for drinking during the night. You can still nurse him for as long as you are willing, then offer the cup. I found that it helped to give my nursling some warning, either by offering to nurse for the length of the ABC song, or by counting down at the end of a nursing session (10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-done!). Be sure to talk to him about the plan ahead of time, during the day and not just as you’re going to bed. “Mommy is extra tired and would like to get a good night’s sleep. We will nurse while I sing the ABC song, and then you can have your special cup! If you wake up in the night, your cup will be right there and I can sing you back to sleep.” Keep repeating your plan, whatever it might be, throughout the day and then remind him at night. “Remember how we talked about nursing to the ABC song?” He might still be upset, and you might have to keep working on a plan that suits you both. If he is verbal enough, you might even try asking him to help come up with a solution. “Mama’s mum-mums aren’t making as much milk, are they? What would you like to drink instead? Would you like your sippy cup or this special straw?” You never know, your son might surprise you! Different children have different temperaments, and you know what will work best with your son.

Does anyone else have advice for Rosemary? If you breastfed while pregnant, what was your experience like?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

The workbook is divided into 12 chapters with accompanying audio portions for each provided on two CDs. The audio exercises take you through 12 different sample conversations featuring doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, WIC peer counselors, and breastfeeding support group leaders. The woman’s voice is pleasant and clear. I found the vocabulary exercises particularly helpful and was pleased to see tear-out quick reference sheets for common words and phrases. By working through the exercises, IBCLCs can earn up to 12.8 L-CERPs.

In addition to the comprehensive instruction in the Spanish language, the book provides a solid base of current and accurate breastfeeding advice. It demonstrates how to offer both informational and emotional support. It works as a self-guided course or as a textbook in a classroom setting. Spanish for Breastfeeding Support is a gorgeous book and an excellent reference guide!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Photo by TheTruthAbout...

As a reminder, here are the guidelines that will increase the chances a post will be selected for inclusion in the carnival:
– A well-written, grammatically correct post
– Thoughtful commentary directly on point for the carnival subject
– Overall quality of the rest of your blog and whether the general subject matter is something of interest to our readers (breastfeeding, parenting)

If your post is selected for inclusion, you will be asked on the day of the carnival to publish or re-publish your post with links back to each of the other participants in the carnival.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

1. To the 9 people searching for “Halloween snacks”: My little 15-month-old loved her Halloween snack of breastmilk, thank you for asking. Chocolate is not for my toddler, but it’s okay for nursing moms in moderation. (By the way, I’m not sure about the irony here, but when I gave my toddler her choice of Halloween hand-me-down costumes — a fairy princess, a cow, or a tiger — she chose a cow. ‘Nuff said.)

The Google Chrome logo looks suspiciously like a nipple and areola.... Image by Randy Zhang

2. To the 9 people searching for “leukemia in toddlers“, I’m sorry. You put my week in perspective.

3. To the 8 searchers for “breastfeeding123 blog angela”: thank you.

4. To the people looking for “woman 3 breasts video”: Extra nipples are not all that uncommon. I’ve read that up to three percent of the population will have a third nipple away from the normal location on the chest.

5. To the person who asked “what should I name my baby girl”: I think Angela is a lovely name.

6. To the person searching for “newscaster nipples”: now that’s a really specific fetish. Sorry you didn’t find what you were looking for.

7. To the 5 people looking for “123″: I say “456.” Let’s see how popular that sequence is!

8. To the people looking for “freezer paper”: I’m in favor of it.

9. For those looking for a “minimalist baby registry“: I applaud you. All you really need are you, your breasts, and your baby!

10. To the righteous looking for “nestle unethical action“: I think you just gave me an idea for a new post tag.

11. To those looking for a “breastfeeding contest”: it’s totally not a contest. But I win.

12. Regarding “Stanford hand expression”: I’ve never found them to be an overly demonstrative people. Oh wait, you mean this.

Thanks for playing and have a good weekend!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Amber Strocel wearing her son Jacob (Strocel.com)

1. Wear your baby. Babywearing keeps your baby safe and happy while giving you two hands free to get some work done. If you can master carrying your baby on your back, you can even accomplish some more rigorous cooking and cleaning jobs. Just the other day my refrigerator stopped working and I had to empty both the fridge and freezer and allow them to defrost. The fridge was fairly clean already (I swear!) but I knew I needed to wipe it down. My toddler was fussing but was having trouble settling for a nap. The solution? I put her in a backpack carrier and started wiping down the shelves. Within minutes she was asleep. She stayed asleep even as I took her out of the carrier and laid her down for her nap.

2. Take advantage of freezer meals. I don’t mean buy frozen dinners, I mean make meals ahead to freeze for later. Have a baby shower at one of the various shops that allow you to assemble several meals to freeze. After the birth when your friends or relatives ask how they can help, ask for a lasagna for the freezer! And when you have time to cook, double the recipe and put one batch in the freezer for later. Once-a-month cooking is a lifesaver!

3. Lower your standards to raise your standards. I’ll let you in on a little secret. The sheets and towels don’t have to be folded before you put them in the linen closet. It’s better to get those bulky items tucked away unfolded than to have them sitting on your couch, waiting to be folded. Same goes for baby blankets, underwear, even your toddler or preschooler’s clothing that doesn’t need to be completely wrinkle-free. By lowering your standards a bit, you will actually keep on top of the laundry better than if you are a perfectionist.

4. Use natural cleaners. I don’t like to use harsh or toxic cleaners in general, much less around my baby. I feel comfortable scrubbing my sink with baking soda and wiping my counter tops with vinegar rather than brand-name cleaners.

5. Accept help and decide how best to use it. You might be surprised who just might be willing to help out here and there. Last year after I had my third baby, my second child’s preschool teacher was looking to volunteer some time with a family who could use the help. She came over for a couple of hours one or two afternoons a week. While I spent some time with my baby, she folded laundry and played with my preschooler. If I had preferred, she would have held the baby while I got a few things done around the house. It was lovely to have that support and it made a big difference.

If you do not have a relative, neighbor or friend willing to help, can you afford to hire a cleaner once or twice a month? What about a mother’s helper — a preteen or younger teen who will play with the baby while you clean, generally for significantly less than the cost of a babysitter. Then as your baby gets older, see if you have a friend who is willing to trade babysitting time with you. Sometimes you have to get creative and make your own support network!

Do you have some tips on how to get things done around the house while caring for a baby?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Photo by Easternblot

When my child is an infant, my child comes first — first before the dirty dishes in the sink, and first before the unfolded laundry. Those dirty dishes don’t pose a hazard to my baby, nor does the unfolded laundry. So when my baby needs to be nursed, changed, carried or otherwise tended, the baby comes first. And when the baby naps, my needs come next. My needs do not include a sparkling clean home, but rather are often a hot bath, a rest, or eating food when I actually have the opportunity to savor the flavor and not just inhale it.

Now that my baby is a toddler, my standards are rising in keeping with my abilities. My 15-month-old can play independently while I wash her lunch tray and do the dishes. That often was not the case when my daughter was first starting solid foods. The second she started fussing in her high chair or in my lap, we stopped lunch and moved on to her next need — to be cleaned, changed, or entertained. Feeding time needed to be a happy time, and I wasn’t about to let her fuss in her high chair while I tried to clean up. The tray and dishes often went forgotten for hours. Yes it would have been easier to clean them right away, but I prioritized my baby’s immediate needs over the need to keep things sparkling clean at all times. This was true when my baby was an only child, but was even more so when I had two children (and now three).

How does breastfeeding play into all of this? I think breastfeeding makes everything easier. I didn’t have any bottles to sterilize, and breast milk stains are a lot easier to get out of clothes than f*ormula stains! I rested while my baby nursed, and I benefited from the feel-good breastfeeding hormones.

What about you? Have your standards of clean changed since you’ve become a parent?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

“Attached at the Heart Through the Years” is the theme for AP Month 2009 and a statement that healthy, secure attachments between parents and children is a dynamic process that extends throughout childhood and does not end with baby bonding. During AP Month, parents are challenged to re-examine their daily activities and traditions and learn new ways to grow with each other and remain close and supportive.

I found breastfeeding to be a natural and easy way to bond with my children and to stay close to them through toddlerhood. Remaining close and attached was practically effortless during that time. The real challenge came after each child had weaned. Of course we could still hug and kiss and snuggle, but staying attached to active and independent children requires some additional attention.

Five Ways to Promote Attachment with the Older Child

1. Read to your child. Of course we read to our children when they have not yet learned to read, but it’s important to continue reading to your children even after they can read to themselves. Reading with your children not only promotes vocabulary building and comprehension, but it also offers the opportunity for snuggling together on the couch or in bed, and gives the children the gift of your undivided attention. Sitting quietly and talking with a child about a book often leads to the child talking about other things like her friends and school. Favorite reads in our family have been Little House on the Prairie, Caddie Woodlawn, Pippi Longstocking, and The Swiss Family Robinson.

2. Establish traditions. Holiday and everyday traditions bring family members together and lend a sense of stability and security to the family. In my house our traditions center around food! Wednesday nights we have a “feast” made from the contents of the Community-Supported Agriculture basket we pick up Wednesday afternoons. Friday night is pizza night (I love this pizza dough recipe from Allrecipes.com — it makes three crusts so I can use one and freeze the other two portions of dough for future pizza nights! If you want you can substitute an additional cup of whole wheat flour for one cup of the all-purpose.) Saturday morning we have a special breakfast, often these oatmeal pancakes which can be made fresh or frozen ahead of time and popped in the toaster. The kids look forward to these special meals. Best of all we are guaranteed to all sit down at the table together, a practice that many studies show is important for staying connected as a family and keeping children out of trouble at school.

3. Embrace the outdoors. Many of our happiest family memories are of the times we have gone on a bike ride, taken a hike, or spent the weekend camping. This is one of the best ways for the whole family to be entertained and enjoy spending time together. The fresh air and exercise are bonuses!

4. Spend time in the kitchen. Even young children love working in the kitchen with Mom or Dad. My kids often help with the preparation of the family tradition meals mentioned above. At the suggestion of Family Fun magazine I have taken these shared cooking activities one step further by taking pictures of us cooking particular favorite recipes. I plan to compile the recipes and photos in a special family “cookbook” for the children to have when they are older.

5. Snuggle for bedtime and consider co-sleeping. My seven- and four-year-old girls enjoy the sense of security they get when they are peacefully snuggled to sleep each night. After story time, either I or their dad snuggles them to sleep. Half the time the adult will fall asleep too, but often after five to ten minutes of snuggling, both girls will be asleep and the adult gets up to have a nice, quiet evening. It’s such a small investment of time on the parent’s part and yet it’s so meaningful to the child. I don’t understand why some parents would rather listen to their child cry than spend those precious moments snuggling in bed. It’s a privilege to have your children want to be with you, and it’s a privilege I intend to work hard to continue to earn as my children grow older.

Staying “attached at the heart through the years” is a joy for the whole family!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

I have put a hold on the book at one of my county libraries (25 cents gets it shipped to my local branch!) and I can hardly wait to get started reading next week. The timing is good because I just finished reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver (quite a dense and informative read — one worth plowing through. Oh, did I just go with the farming pun? )

The Wet Nurse’s Tale is a historical novel set in Victorian England and it features a heroine who unexpectedly finds herself in the occupation of a wet nurse. I won’t say more because I never like to have the plot to a book spoiled before I get a chance to read it. But I laughed when I read the review from Carolyn See at the Washington Post’s Book World:

From the title and the cover, this book seems a little dubious — lots of breasts and steamy sex and way too much romping. But “The Wet Nurse’s Tale” turns out to be informative, unusual and intelligent.

Sounds good to me! So, are you in? Let’s read The Wet Nurse’s Tale together! If you want to get your thinking cap on ahead of time, here is a link to some sample discussion questions from the Penguin.com reading guide to the book.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3