Welcome to the May Carnival of Breastfeeding! This month participants share stories related to breastfeeding (see entries at the end of this post). My story represents the end of the story — how it turns out when a mother practices extended breastfeeding.
When I had my first daughter, I fumbled my way around until I found my parenting style. It happened naturally. I couldn’t stand to hear my baby cry; what mother can? So I breastfed her on cue, wore her in a sling, and co-slept with her in my bed. Those things worked for me, my husband, and my baby. …read more

For inspiration and support, it can be helpful to read other women’s breastfeeding stories. For the May Carnival of Breastfeeding we ask you to share a story: your birth story as it relates to breastfeeding, your breastfeeding experience, overcoming a particular challenge, a cute or funny story about your nursling, or your weaning story.
Have a story you want to share in a carnival post on your blog? Email me your submission by May 18, 2009, for consideration for the carnival on May 25, 2009. As a reminder, here are the guidelines that will increase the chances a post will …read more

Today I am privileged to bring you a conversation with former La Leche League leader Carrie Lauth. Carrie writes at her natural parenting blog Natural Moms Talk Radio and her business blog, CarrieLauth.com. Carrie shares her long-term experience as a volunteer breastfeeding counselor.

It has been two months since Nicole was born. I have yet to capture a good picture of her wonderful smile, so this photo will have to do. She cracks me up!
Yesterday I took her to our family practitioner for her two month well baby visit. She’s doing great, nursing well, and meeting all of her developmental milestones (in spite of my inability to capture them on film!) She weighed 12 pounds 9 ounces, and measured 23 inches in length and 15.5 inches in head circumference. When the doctor told me that that put Nicole in the 25th, 10th and …read more

Welcome to the June Carnival of Breastfeeding: Pumping It Up! Check out all the contributions on the topic of pumping and hand expression at the end of this post.
Here at Breastfeeding 1-2-3 I am pleased to share this guest post from Holly, whose son has benefited from her exclusive pumping over the last 10 months!
Breastfeeding, Pumping, and Cleft Palate, by Holly
The breastfeeding relationship I share with my son is nothing like I expected it would be.
He was born last August, healthy in every way but one–he had a cleft palate. Nine days after his birth, we ended up …read more

Some women end up with a bountiful stash of frozen breast milk — be it from oversupply, a baby in the NICU, or an infant who turns out to be allergic to something in the milk pumped so far. Some of those women are moved to donate the excess milk to a non-profit milk bank. In the past few days, I have heard two women express (no pun intended) frustration at the restrictions posted on women who wish to qualify as breast milk donors. One, whose oversupply and dairy-free diet could certainly have benefited a milk bank, was turned away …read more

Welcome to the April Carnival of Breastfeeding, “Thrush and Mastitis and Blebs, oh my!” This month several contributors share their experiences with different breastfeeding challenges and offer links and resources for overcoming those challenges. First I will talk about using gentian violet or grapefruit seed extract as alternative remedies for thrush, but make sure to read on for links to the other contributions at the end!
Oversupply
When my first daughter was born, I struggled with oversupply. In theory oversupply sounds great because it eliminates any worry about having enough milk for the baby. In reality, it can cause a lot of …read more

~ Janya, a regular commenter here at Breastfeeding 1-2-3, shared her breastfeeding article OUCH! When Breastfeeding Hurts: The Lacto Files over at the new online women’s magazine Betty Confidential. Her description of thrush sounds just like what I hear from so many moms!
~ Whether or not to vaccinate is a hot debate among breastfeeding mothers. If the question is on your mind, check out this informative book review from The Leery Polyp of The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child by Dr. Robert Sears.
~ Add the new Breastfeeding Mums Forum to our list of breastfeeding bulletin boards …read more

Do you support breastfeeding in public? What does “public” include? The mall, the park, a restaurant? What about in church (or any house of worship)? That last category seems to be really problematic. Some churchgoers feel very strongly opposed to babies breastfeeding in church. Apparently babies belong in the nursery or the “cry room” (what an awful name). Personally, I think people should focus on the sermon and not on the nursing mother and baby. I can’t imagine nursing is so distracting (certainly not any more so than a crying baby being rushed out of the service). Furthermore, it can …read more

Today’s guest post comes from Kate at Babylune. She tells the beautiful story of how she has found creative and loving ways to identify and meet her daughter’s needs throughout the weaning process.
Now I Just Cuddle on Demand
Weaning. I’ve wanted to do it for almost a year, but I am just getting around to it now. My daughter is almost 2 years-old.
Weaning, many women will tell you, is completely unnecessary. Children, they maintain, stop when they want to. Which, in my experience of watching children left completely to their own devices, is when they are 4 or 5 years-old. Others …read more