breastfeeding

How to Make Your Own Moby Wrap

March 2, 2015 by Jackie Ritz 5 Comments

Today I’m welcoming Darla from Dear Darla on the blog! You are going to love this post from Darla and see how easy it is to make your own “Fauxby” Moby Wrap (don’t you just love saying that?!). Mama’s, she is giving you your hands back and your little ones are going to love being safe and snug next to your heartbeat again!

“Help! My Baby refuses to be put down!” Oh Mama, I have been in your skin. You have this new baby that you have waited so long for and you are beaming with love for your little one, but you’re also starving and you have to do a load of laundry or your daughter is going to have to wear her Elsa dress to church (again). This is when we choose between making a salad with one hand, or put the baby down and risk waking him and hearing him cry in protest. Well, there is another option. You can wear your baby.

It is growing in popularity to wear our babies. Not just because of the cute wraps and carriers available but also because of our baby’s needs and how they develop after birth. The concept of the “Fourth Trimester” is a helpful way of looking at it. My son, for example, spent 40 weeks happy and comfortable in the womb. He got to hear my heartbeat, breathing, speaking and singing. He was able to feel the ebb and flow of my body as it naturally moved throughout my day. It’s the only comfort he has ever known up to this point. Then, he was born. There were bright lights and the noises were much louder. All of a sudden, his world went from the close and quiet quarters of the womb, to the infinite and terrifying open air. It’s no wonder his instincts drove him right to mother’s skin. It is no wonder he “refuses to be put down” sometimes. It’s no wonder he screams in protest and fear when he can’t find me.

The transition from ‘Womb to World” takes a long time. Our patience and sympathy will help our babies along the way. You cannot spoil a newborn. They don’t have the cognition to muster manipulation, they just need your comfort and to know they can trust you. Wearing our babies kissably close helps them feel secure while helping us eat more than granola bars for the first few months.

My favorite carrier is the Faux Moby Wrap I made at home. The “Fauxby”, if you will. It’s lightweight and easily transitions to fit as your and your baby’s bodies change. It’s easy to make, cheaper and you get to customize it for yourself. If I had to put it in terms we can all understand, it’s about as easy to make as putting a king size duvet cover on. It takes a little math and calculated fineness, but it can be done and you’ll feel really proud of yourself afterwards.

I didn’t need much. I have this rotary cutting set. These are essential for crafting because I can’t cut a straight line to save my life. I would highly suggest using one for this project because we aren’t sewing so our edges will remain raw and visible.

You’ll need 5-6 yards of a fabric of your choice. I made this wrap for a summer baby so I was looking for something lightweight and breathable. You want something stretchy, like a t-shirt or a jersey skirt. This is the hardest part of making your wrap! I know. Don’t be discouraged, there are so many options and it’s pretty intuitive and easy to figure it out once you get to the store. A few key words to look for in the fabric descriptions are: knit, rayon, polyester blends. Basically, anything stretchy in that section will work. The original Moby is 6 yards long, I’ve found that to be too long for my small frame, so I trimmed mine to about 5 yards. Anywhere between 5 and 6 should be fine. The fabric comes wide enough to get three wraps out of the deal too! So, you can be a really great friend and give a couple away as humble brag baby shower gifts. You’re awesome.

One more note on buying fabric, check coupons! There is always a sale going on!

Ok, enough chatting…let me show you how to make your own moby wrap!

How to Make Your Own Moby Wrap:

ITEMS NEEDED:

5-6 yards of fabric
Rotary Cutting Set

Step #1:

Measure the width of your fabric and then fold your fabric in half “hot dog style” so your salvage ends are together. Divide the width by three. (Mine was 66 inches wide so I had enough for three 22-inch-wide wraps.) Take the folded end, and measure and mark in half of that number from the edge towards the lose ends. For me, that was 11 inches. Cut the whole length of the fabric 11 inches from the fold so when it opens up, you have three 22 inch wide strips of 5-6 yards.

Step #2:

Now you taper the ends so that they are more manageable to tie up. Leave your first cut folded “hot dog style” and then fold it “hamburger style” so now the ends of your wrap are together and you have 4 pieces of fabric you’re cutting through.

Step #3:

At this point, my wrap had to taper from 11” to 2”. I did this over the course of 4’. I marked the ends at 2“, then 2’ in made a mark at 6” and then 2’ in again I marked the top at 11”. I drew a line to connect each mark and cut.

That is it! All you have to do now is check out the video below to learn how to put it on and carry your baby safely and you’re all set! It only took two cuts and now you have your own Fauxby wrap! You can cuddle and bond with your baby and eat a meal with both hands, you may even fold some laundry if you’re feeling bold. I’m excited for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

My name is Darla. I’m a lover and pursuer of many things. In the stage of life I’m in, there is so much to try and so much life to experience. The time is flying. The days are long but the months seem so short. I want to remember it all. I want to share what has worked for me. I want to process and protest some things that I used to just accept. Mostly, I long to grow. To become a stronger wife, a wiser, more intuitive mother and a daring and brave woman after Gods gracious heart.

Follow Darla:

Breastfeeding Results ARE NOT Exaggerated

February 28, 2014 by Jackie Ritz 11 Comments

There is a new “medical” study that is out on how the results of breastfeeding have been exaggerated. The study claims that long-term effects of breastfeeding have been inflated compared to bottle-feeding infants. Did your jaw just hit the floor like mine did? I’m surprised that something like this would surface when we live in a age when breastfeeding mothers are finding minimal support as it is.

“Breastfeeding Results Are Exaggerated” – The New Study

This study was done by David Ramey and Cynthia Colen, two SOCIOLOGISTS who set out on a mission to evaluate 655 families in the United States. They chose to study families where one child was breastfed and the other was bottle-fed.

This new study says that research that claims that breastfeeding boosts children’s IQ and protects from a vast range of health conditions later in life is flawed. Cythia and David claim that these outcomes include BMI/obesity, asthma, hyperactivity, attachment, compliance, academic achievement and competence. The study further states that typical estimates of the impact of breastfeeding on child wellbeing may be overstated.

It further went on to state that children who were breast-fed were at higher risk for asthma.

My Concerns:

I’m a little taken back by this very controversial opinion/study which contradicts an overwhelming amount of evidence and research that we have all heard and learned about. I’m seeing articles coming out saying, “Hold the Guilt“…as if this new study is a way for formula feeding mothers to rest easy and feel less guilty.

I understand that we all cannot breastfeed for difference circumstances. I wasn’t able to breastfeed my son because of a traumatic event that affected my milk supply. However, I would never underestimate breastfeeding so that I could feel less guilty or more approval to formula feed. This has nothing to do with me. This has everything to do with our babies and children deserving the nourishment that was intended for them.

The area of asthma is one to talk more in depth about. I would be very interested to know if diet and lifestyle were taken into any account when conducting this study.

13 Studies Proving Breastfeeding Results ARE NOT Exaggerated:

1. Breastfeeding should be exclusive for 6 months and then continued for AT LEAST a year.

“The AAP reaffirms its recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months of a baby’s life, followed by breastfeeding in combination with the introduction of complementary foods until at least 12 months of age, and continuation of breastfeeding for as long as mutually desired by mother and baby.” (1)

2. Breastfeeding Improves the Gut and Prevents Against Illness…Including Otitis Media (Ear Infection)

The direct benefits of breastfeeding include improvement in gastrointestinal function and host defense, and prevention of acute illnesses (eg, acute otitis media) during the time of breastfeeding. (2).

As an example, the incidence of two or more episodes of otitis media was reduced in infants breast-fed for one year compared with infants fed formula (34 versus 54 percent). (14)

3. Anti-inflammatory Agents in Human Milk May Reduce NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) and Other Infections:

Anti-inflammatory agents (eg, interleukin 10) may reduce the risk of NEC. Interleukin-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that decreases inflammation and injury to the gastrointestinal tract (3) . In addition, polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate inflammatory reactions and may protect the gastrointestinal tract from NEC (4).

4. Human Milk Has Anti-Microbial Properties:

Specific Proteins are found in human milk. These proteins are generally resistant to proteolytic degeneration, line the mucosal surfaces and prevent microbial attachment. They further inhibit microbial activity (5, 6, 7).

5. In Developing Countries, Mortality is Lower in Breast-fed Infants Verses Formula-Fed.

In addition, gastroenteritis and respiratory disease is lower in breast-fed infants (8, 9)

6. In Developed Countries, Hospitalization and Outpatient Visits is Lower Among Breast-Fed Infants in the First Year

The attack rate of acute illness is lower among breast-fed infants compared to formula fed infants (10).

7. Respiratory Illnesses are Less Frequent in Breast-Fed Infants Compared with Formula-Fed Infants

In one study, breast-fed compared with formula-fed infants had a lower incidence of respiratory illness during the first 13 weeks of life (25.6 versus 37 percent). (11)

Two studies reported a decrease in the incidence of wheezing and lower respiratory tract infections during the first four to six months of life (12 and 13).

8. Breast-Fed Infants Have Less Urinary Tract Infections:

In one study done, infants who were hospitalized for urinary tract infections were less likely to have been breast-fed. This protection is suggested based on the fact that breast-fed infants have greater content of anti-microbial components in their urine. (15)

9. Post-Breastfeeding Protection Appears to Increase the Duration of Breastfeeding

The longer you breastfeed, the better protected the infant is. This was illustrated in a study done with children between 6 and 24 months of age. Infants who were exclusively breastfed for four to six months compared with those who exclusively breastfed for MORE THAN 6 months were more likely to develop pneumonia, have more ear infections during the 12-month period preceding the study. (16)

10. There May Be a Relationship Between Breastfeeding and the Prevention of Chronic Disease

Obesity – There may be a relationship between breastfeeding and the prevention of obesity. Several studies have been done on various ethnic children and the results are the same. Prolonged breastfeeding was associated with a reduced risk of being obese. (17, 18, 19)
Cancer – Breastfeeding has been associated with an overall reduced risk in childhood cancer as well as lymphoma and leukemia. (20, 21, 22)
Type 1 Diabetes – Breastfed infants appear to have a decreased risk of developing type 1 diabetes mellitus compared to formula-fed infants. The difference is thought to be due to a cell-mediated response to a specific cow’s milk protein, beta-casein, which may be involved in the development of type 1 diabetes. (23)

11. Cognitive Development is Improved Later in Life with Breastfed Infants

There have been several reports that breastfeeding slightly improves cognitive development later in childhood and adolescence. (24)

One particular study done on ten-year-old children discovered that those who were predominately breastfed for 6 months or longer in infancy had higher academic scores than children who were breastfed for less than 6 months. (25)

12. Breastfed Infants Have Improved Visual Function Compared to Formula-Fed Infants

This is said to be benefited to the DHA which is present in human milk (26) . DHA plays a major role in brain and visual development.

13. Breastfed Infants are Less Stressed

There is an analgesic effect of breastfeeding, which is, most likely, due to the maternal-infant bonding that happens when nursing an infant (27). Breastfed infants experience less stress than formula fed infants. This could also be due to the higher cortisol levels of breastfeeding compared to formula-fed infants (28).

Conclusion:

The benefits of breastfeeding are astounding and nothing to undermine. Reading these studies should not make anyone feel guilty or less of a mother because you are not able to breastfeed. Everyone should be aware of the incredible benefits of human milk.

Breastfeeding for all infants is strongly supported by the right professional organizations. If you cannot find the support you need, reach out to La Leche League or call a hospital to talk to a lactation consultant. Many times a decrease in milk supply is because of improper latch which can be easily corrected.

Books to Help the Nursing Mother:

Sources:

Breastfeeding Triplets: One Mother’s Journey

February 6, 2014 by Jackie Ritz 16 Comments

“Well, the good news is – it’s triplets!”

Not the sentence I was expecting to hear from a doctor I’d never seen before.

The day I learned my husband and I were expecting spontaneous triplets was one of the most memorable days of my life. I had a deep desire to birth any babies we were blessed with – naturally. I had a midwife, we were planning a home birth. I wanted to breastfeed.

But…three babies??

At the time I knew no one else who had triplets – lots of twins, but no triplets. And things just changed with a third baby in there (for instance, I had three babies and….well, not nearly enough boobs!).

And then.

My God-given, powerful maternal instinct kicked in, and I said, “I’m gonna do this!” We spent the next weeks and months working towards a natural, vaginal delivery. I researched and discussed with my chiro my options, went through all the potential challenges and plans with my OB team.

God had other plans, though, and my water broke at 32 weeks and 3 days (past term for triplets!) and less than 18 hours later, my three breech babies were born via c-section. It was a beautiful day – memories piercing my heart for decades to come. I watched each of my 3 lb, 12 or 13 oz babies being lifted from my body via mirror. Surreal. Breathtaking.

The Challenges I Faced with Breastfeeding Triplets

NICU Days

They spent 28-30 days in the NICU as “feeders and growers.” During that time, I battled to get my supply up. You see, in all the craziness of an unexpected delivery, delivering three babies and trying to get my post-op body to spend time with my brand new babies…I missed the critical window for telling my body, “Yep, you delivered three babies! Now, make milk for them!!!”

Add to that, my sweet babes were born before they learned the “suck, swallow, breathe” coordination in the womb. So they were being fed my milk and formula by a tube that went to their stomach. Then we taught them how to take from a bottle.

Initially, I had hoped to breastfeed two and pump for the third, rotating who was bottle-fed. But, once they were born I realized I should be able to breastfeed all three. So I read books. And websites. And blogs. I found online communities of triplet mamas. I talked with several different lactation consultants. I took herbs and medication. I drank gallons of water. I pumped around the clock.

Turning Bottle-fed Triplets into Breastfeeding Triplets

After the shock of bringing three babies home from the hospital (nearly 33 weeks didn’t prepare me for what that would be like!), I quickly realized teaching three babies to breastfeed was a monumental task. On top of getting my supply up.

After more and more research and conversations with my LC, and around two and a half months, I began working with my son to breastfeed. A week or so later, one of the girls. One feeding looked like this:

Attempt tandem feed. If it didn’t work, feed one at a time.
Top off with bottles.
Bottle-feed the third.
Pump.
Start over in about an hour and a half. All day and night.

My third refused the breast for weeks. I cried. A lot. I tried positions and supplementing before, supplementing after. I tried a supplemental nursing system, a nursing shield. I tried pumping while breastfeeding her. I tried nursing her first, last, with a sibling, without. Refusal. Rejection.

My heart was so defeated.

Then I got in the bath tub with her. And there, she nursed. She nursed with the warm water gently surrounding her, feeling my heartbeat matching hers in that thrilling moment as I fed my daughter. My heart soared and I cried with joy and thankfulness.

Breastfeeding Triplets – 1, 2, 3 Babies

It wasn’t long after this moment that I had the second most memorable day in our breastfeeding journey.

One afternoon, one of the girls woke and I brought her into bed with me. I nursed her. Soon after, her sister and brother woke and I fed them. What??!! I fed all three babies and everyone was happy! No bottles were needed!

My body worked.

The demand was there and my body created the supply. From that moment on, I realized I could do this thing.

A Glorious Journey – My Journey

The road was the most difficult one I had ever walked. I was now making decisions that affected three tiny people – my children!

Do I drop a bottle now? Not yet?
Are they gaining enough? Did everyone have enough wet diapers?
Was that a “hungry” sign or are they just digging their hands these days?
Should I drink more water? Pump more? Eat more?
Can I start weaning off the supplements? The medication? What would it look like for my supply to tank?
How do I know if they really got enough?

Every day I fought against fear and fought to trust that God was causing my body to work the way He designed it to. I had to choose to walk in what I knew and make adjustments with what I learned.

My breastfeeding journey didn’t look like what I thought it would. At all! In many ways, it’s far more glorious than I ever dreamed it could be. And in other ways I fell short:

In the post-whirlwind of having three babies, I can clearly see the things we missed and what we could have done differently. But you know what? I was doing the best I could and I’m learning to be ok with that.

These days, at two and a half, we’re working on different things – like how to slowly wean. Yep, these beautiful babies are still nursing! We just weaned to one feeding when we all wake up in the morning. It’s one of my favorite times of the day – especially as I know those days are coming to a close. I hope to let them wean on their own at this point.

We’ve enjoyed a long, crazy, beautiful, fantastic journey. I couldn’t be happier.

Did your breastfeeding relationship include challenges? How did you overcome those?

Jennifer Fountain is the founder of Growing Up Triplets and is a contributor to other blogs, including Breastfeeding Place and Modern Alternative Mama. She writes about raising and breastfeeding their 2½ year old triplets, taking the family back to living simply, and endeavoring to honor God in the midst of it all. She will be releasing her first book soon – on breastfeeding multiples. Jennifer has been married to her hubby, David, for four years and is madly in love with him! You can follow Jennifer and the three peas on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and their blog.

What’s in My Natural Postpartum Kit?

January 23, 2014 by Jackie Ritz 15 Comments

I’ve been blessed to have amazing births with both my kids. Both of them were very different. My first child was an induced hospital birth with an epidural. My second was a 100% natural birth in a bathtub with no meds or epidural. I’m sort of glad that I have been able to have both experiences because I’m able to talk about the differences in both. Many people think they can’t stand the pain of a natural birth, however, I found the pain very minimal compared to my hospital birth.

I plan on writing a comparison post on both these births to educate women and moms-to-be on my experience and the things that I went through. Regardless of if you plan on having an induction, epidural, caesarean, or natural birth, it’s important to be prepared for your body to heal. A woman’s body is incredible and as I went through labor and delivery naturally, I was able to experience what my body was capable of. With my first child, I was NOT prepared for the postpartum aches and pains, which made the healing process take forever. I was ready with my first and prepared a natural postpartum kit that helped remedy the experiences I had after birth.

My Natural Postpartum Kit:

Mother’s Milk Tea (I like these) – this tea helps to promote healthy lactation and is made with high quality, organic herbs. I made sure I ordered a few boxes of this beforehand, however, if you want to, you can make this tea yourself.
Perineum Spray – I could not get enough of this stuff when I was recovering from birth. It’s simple to make and I made a large batch before labor began. Take a empty spray bottle (I like this one cause it’s glass) and fill it to the top with witch hazel. Then add about 40 drops of essential oils. I recommend using a combination of frankincense and lavender (where to buy) to promote healing.
Nipple Cream – I recommend using my All-Purpose Salve on your nipples. Apply after each nursing session so you don’t have to worry about washing it off for the next nursing session.
Healing Sitz Bath (I like this one) – this is a blend of herbal ingredients that help to reduce swelling, speed healing, soothe vaginal soreness and perineal bruising and comforts hemorrhoids. You can make this yourself if you would like to!
DIY Witch Hazel Pads – these were my ABSOLUTE favorite thing I had prepped and ready to go at home. Buy a box of overnight maxi pads (you’re gonna need them regardless from the bleeding). Take your prepped perineum spray (listed above) and spray the pad with the mixture. Get it all nice and damp. Then wrap the pad up in aluminum foil and throw it in the freezer. It feels unbelievable after birth! I only needed a few days worth…so about 10 pads.
Essential Oils for Post Contractions – Contractions, are inevitable. Your uterus has grown the past nine months and your body needs to contract it back to it’s normal size. This can take from 4-6 weeks. Post labor contractions feel like menstrual cramps and can be very painful. With each child, it’s gets a little bit worse. It can feel very intense and uncomfortable, especially during breastfeeding sessions. I have found that using lavender and white fir essential oils (where to buy) can provide instant relief. No need to dilute, just apply a few drops of each directly to the abdomen. These are both very gentle oils so if your baby touches your belly, these oils won’t be too harsh for the baby’s tender skin.
Chick Flick – order a movie that you know will make you cry and watch it on the fourth day after your baby is born. Sounds crazy, but trust me…this works to help release your feelings of being overwhelmed in a way that is normal to others, so you don’t have to explain them. My go-to emotional release is The Notebook or a Walk to Remember…heck, anything buy Nicholas Sparks does it for me!
Essential Oils for Baby Blues – The baby blues affects 10-15% of women. Essential oils are a great way to help you get through the Baby Blues. They can support and uplift you during this changing time. Some of the best oils for this would be: Tangerine, Grapefruit, Bergamot, geranium, wild orange, clary sage, cypress, frankincense, lavender, Roman chamomile, rosewood, or sandalwood. Use any of these as a personal perfume and wear it daily. Diffusing it is another way to get these oils into your system (I like this diffuser).
Placenta Pills – more and more women are becoming open to the “not-so-new” idea of encapsulating your placenta. The placenta is an organ that has nourished your baby for the past 9 months. As hormones are going crazy, the placenta can give back to you what your body is needing. It helps to reduce the risk of postpartum depression and helps to increase your milk supply. Read one mother’s account on how placenta encapsulation saved her sanity.
A Good Nursing Bra – you are definitely going to want to have this ready before your baby arrives. Some mothers prefer to wait till their milk comes in to find a good nursing bra, however, the first few weeks of breastfeeding are not a good time to determine what your new breast size will be. You are going to want to know how to size yourself and get 3-4 good nursing bras. Don’t go cheap on this!
Meal Registry – If you don’t do anything above, DO THIS! This is a huge lifesaver. Go to Take Them a Meal and set this up. It’s free and easy and your friends will love you because they want to help, but just don’t know how to! Set up aschedule and post it on your FB page and email it to your friends who are asking to help.

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What Does 125 Gallons of Donated Breast Milk Look Like?

November 6, 2013 by Jackie Ritz 30 Comments

A friend asked me yesterday what my most popular, or most viewed post was. I shared with her THIS POST. It was written about a little under 2 years ago during a very challenging time. I re-read it and was in tears. Every emotion came back to me and I remembered every terrible detail of that period in my life.

I’ve shared with you all that I lost my younger sister 2 years ago to suicide. My son was a newborn at the time, well, he was 2 months old, and I was breastfeeding him. He actually was so easy to breastfeed compared to my daughter. I had horrible issues with my daughter, including her completely taking a chunk of my nipple off. And, yes, stubborn me, I nursed right through it all. I was super-mama. I could nurse with a missing nipple…even though I, secretly, despised every whimper or cry my daughter made to nurse when she was hungry.

My son was a completely different story. I was so happy that we had such a good nursing relationship from the start. I guess this is how it usually is with your second child. However, the day my sister died, my supply immediately tanked. I talk about my experience more in depth in THIS POST. But, I remember sitting on the curb outside my sister’s house 15 minutes after we discovered that she had taken her own life. My son was hungry and I had to feed him. I had to give life in the midst of death….and I couldn’t. I couldn’t.

I will never judge another mom who I see give formula to their baby. I was so ashamed. I felt so guilty. I felt so inadequate as a mother. I drove myself crazy trying to get some milk out of my deflated breasts. I pumped while I was grieving. I took herbal supplements while eating care-meals that were delivered to us. I wore an Supplemental Nursing System in the middle of my sister’s funeral. I tried and I tried and I tried…and I failed. My body was telling me I needed the rest. My body was telling me to focus on myself…on my grief…on my loss. But I could not just let it go. Here I am trying to care for my 2 year old and my newborn baby …but my body was not able to keep up with the high demand that I was giving it.

Embarrassed by what I had to do…I shamefully, purchased baby formula in secret. I put that formula in my Medela bottles so people would think that it was pumped breastmilk. I even wore a nursing cover while feeding my son out of a bottle UNDER THE BLANKET. I was so ashamed.

My healing…

This is what 125 gallons of donated breastmilk looks like…

Two years later my son is a brilliant, strong, and healthy little boy. I made it. I got through the toughest season of my life. For a short while, I thought he was my curse. How could something so tragic happen when I had a newborn? I was so mad at God for giving me this “burden”. I loved my son so much, but, why? How? How could I celebrate this new life given to me while grieving the death of my sister? We think miracles are flying angels, or healings, or someone someone walking out of a wheelchair. But, I’ve come to realize they aren’t always like that.

Miracles come in the form of plastic baggies and styrofoam coolers and little notes saying that 10 ounces is all I could pump. They come in the form of a stranger handing you a cooler of pumped breast milk and giving you a hug. They come in the form of friends pumping while nursing their babies then giving you their milk. They come in the form a UPS man handing you a regular package, but inside you know that there is 2 months worth of milk for your baby that you weren’t able to produce.

Two years later I have a new appreciation for the community of mothers. They pump and they nurse and they drive 50 miles to give you something that you so desperately need. They don’t ask questions and they don’t ask for anything in return and when you give them flowers to say thank you, they say that they didn’t think twice about it.

My son is thriving today, 2 years later, because of those mothers. You are the reason I got through this. You are the reason I have hope in mankind again. You give birth to your own babies and then you nurse them and pump for mine. Who does that?

This is what 125 gallons of breastmilk looks like…

This is because of you. Thank you for donating. Thank you to all the mothers who have ever donated to ANYONE. You are amazing. You are the angels that walk this earth. Thank you.

Confessions of a Breastfeeding Failure: Real Food Solutions to Nourish Your Baby

March 24, 2013 by Jackie Ritz 24 Comments

milk

I am not a health expert, provider, or doctor. I am a mom who has resourcefully sought every avenue of redemption when it comes to breastfeeding and saving my milk supply. I failed breastfeeding…but I did not fail my babies.

My first child, Arianna, was born February 2009. I KNEW I wanted to breastfeed because I had been a huge advocate for real food. Nothing comes closer to real food for a baby, than breastmilk. I had already started to ease my way into the natural way of living, so breastfeeding just felt right. My daughter was born and I held her to my breast. She nursed hard and her latch was tight. The first 3 months of nursing Arianna, I dealt with blisters, thrush, and one of my nipples completely fell off. Her tight latch made me quiver in pain when she latched on. I dreaded our nursing sessions and had a pillow I would bite to get through it. I had a lot of milk though so I just couldn’t justify giving up. Pumping made my blisters burst open so I avoided it. My lactation consultant looked at my bleeding nipples and told me it was ok to quit. I’ve done my best. I was stubborn and kept nursing my beautiful little girl.

_MG_3393 — My beautiful Arianna who is clearly no longer “failing to thrive”!

At around the 3-4 month mark, my nipples healed and I had an amazing month of nursing my daughter. Then she started dropping weight. Her Pediatrician told me to keep an eye on it and come back in 2 weeks. She told me if I felt like I needed to supplement, then to not hesitate. I did hesitate….supply and demand right? I started supplements to increase my supply. I started eating oatmeal. I started pumping every 2 hours in the night. I took my daughter back after those 2 weeks. She dropped almost a pound. I cried. I failed. I couldn’t do the most primal thing we are supposed to do as mothers. I had to supplement with formula. That was all I knew and was told by our Pediatrician. Arianna eventually grew fond of the bottle loaded with milk and started slapping my breast away. I failed and at 6 months my daughter was 100% formula fed.

Two years later on July 22, 2011, my son Frankie was born beautifully and naturally into this world. I chose a natural birth to increase my success at breastfeeding. He nursed GREAT from the start. Then about a month in, I developed Mastitis in both breasts. I nursed through it. Another month went by and I developed it again in both breasts. I nursed through it again in pain. Then the phone call came…

My sister Dinah, who was 2 years younger than me, had tragically lost her boyfriend in a car accident. I drove to be with her. She was always my best friend….we were very close. As I shared her grief with her I continued to nurse my son, take my antibiotics to combat the Mastitis, and try to push through the pain of it all. My sister became overwhelmed with her grief and loss of her boyfriend, snuck away, and made the ultimate decision to take her own life.

This is Arianna and her Aunt Dinah. Unfortunately, I never got a picture of Frankie and Dinah, but I imagine this is what it would look like.

I felt like I had failed my sister. I failed my daughter. And I was, slowly, failing my son.

No too long after we discovered what my sister had done, my son was hungry. He was 2 months old at the time. I held him to my breast and NOTHING came out. My supply had immediately tanked. The tragic death of my sister had taken the last bit of hope I had in breastfeeding. I tried everything to save it. I was back on the supplements, oatmeal, and pumping. I was grieving the loss of my sister and the loss of my milk supply at the same time. My son lost weight and my husband pleaded with me to end it. I felt like, once again, I failed at breastfeeding.

I have learned a lot during the time of being a mother, being around other mothers, and being in a community of women. There are other options when breastfeeding is impossible. But, seldom, you hear these options talked about. I want to share with you what I have learned. These real food solutions may show you that there is another way than formula.

Real Food Solutions to Nourish Your Baby

1. My quick option, which is what I needed at the time, was to get my son on the best formula, Baby’s Only. Baby’s Only is the one that is recommended by the trustworthy, Weston A. Price Foundation if you are in a crunch. I ordered it from Amazon and prayed this would work. However, it didn’t work. Many have great success with this formula, but my son, was intolerable to it. We learned that my son was intolerable to any form of dairy formula.

2. My next course of action was to attempt to make a homemade Baby (Cow or Goat) Formula. There is a great recipe for a homemade Cow’s Milk Formula (can purchase the ingredients for this homemade formula in a bundle from here (I found them cheaper on Amazon though)but with my son’s reaction to the dairy in formula, I wanted to stay away from any dairy. So, I grabbed my Nourishing Tradition’s cookbook and checked to see how I could make a Goat’s Milk Formula. I did a little research online and found this awesome recipe that is adapted from Nourishing Tradition’s recipe. I could not find a local source for RAW goat’s milk, so I ordered the powdered Meyenberg goat milk. My son was on this formula for a few weeks. He did really good on it. He tolerated it MUCH better than the Baby’s Only and it was not that hard to make. I included the links for all the recommended brands from the Weston A. Price foundation.

Raw Goat Milk Formula 36 ounces:

Disclaimer: It must be said that you should consult your health care practitioner for any and all infant feeding questions, and be certain that you have taken all measures in order to increase your breast milk supply if in fact you are supplementing for lack of milk as I was. Since I had thoroughly exhausted my efforts at increasing supply, I sought the most high-quality alternative . Also, make sure to get a supply of goat milk from a farmer you can trust. If you must use pasteurized goat milk, you can do so as well.

2 cups raw goat milk (Why raw? Raw milk provides numerous enzymes, and allows the proteins to stay in tact while pasteurization renders them denatured. While raw milk will give optimal nutrition, it is my opinion that pasteurized and even powdered goats milk may be preferable, in some cases, to cow’s milk for children with extreme sensitivities.) I used the Meyenberg Powdered Goat Milk.

2 cups filtered water (As the child grow, you should adjust this water-to-goat milk ratio by increasing the amount of goat milk and decreasing the amount of water. This can begin gradually at about 9 months. If stools become more difficult for the child to pass, then increase the amount of water and try again in another month).
1/4 cup liquid whey from goat yogurt or kefir (contains lots of good probiotics and is very nourishing; making it more like breast milk. To get whey simply strain goat milk yogurt. (I get a lot of questions about the whey. You can also make it by straining plain cow milk yogurt, as long as there is no severe intolerance. Some people omit the whey, but I think it’s very important)

1 -2 tsp organic blackstrap molassas (start with less, add more if needed. This provides B-vitamins, iron, trace minerals, and helped relieve constipation.) (If stools are too loose, decrease amount!)

2 tsp Grade B Maple Syrup (adds carbs, necessary for brain growth)

1/4 tsp of bifodobacterium infantis

1/2 tsp high-vitamin cod liver oil

1 tsp unrefined sunflower oil for Vitamin E

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil for monosaturated fats

2 tsp virgin coconut oil (this is very important, as it contains lauric acid which is a medium-chain fatty acid. It’s an important antiviral, antifungal that’s found in breast milk)

2 tsp nutritional yeast (this is also very important as it contains the B vitamins.

1/4 teaspoon NOW acerola powder

***Blend all ingredients together in a blender. Pour into individual glass bottles or one large. To warm, place in a pan of simmering water. Never use a microwave. This formula is best made daily to preserve freshness and to optimize nutrition.***

3. The last option that I stumbled upon was using donated breastmilk to feed my son. After talking it over with my husband, praying about it, and researching, we decided that donated breastmilk was the best option for our son. We would take precautions when choosing our donors, but the risk of feeding our son commercial formula was higher than feeding our son nourishing breastmilk. I started sharing my story and the world started sharing it. Mothers from ALL over the world came to my rescue. I, seriously, had enough breastmilk to last my son till he was 15 months old!!! My son was on donated breastmilk for a year! There was a few times that we couldn’t find a donor, and in that situation, we whipped up a batch of homemade goat’s milk formula. But, the majority of the time, we had an abundance of it. In this post I share my story and plea for breastmilk. It still brings tears to my eyes to think of how many mother’s selflessly gave me their precious milk to feed my son.

My son with a donation from a mother who lost her baby. She wanted to give her baby's milk away. — My son with a donation from a mother who lost her baby. She wanted to give her baby’s milk away.

Drinking a special mommy's milk! — Drinking a special mommy’s milk!

If you are interested in this option, here are a few places you can look into to finding local donating mothers:

A. Human Milk 4 Human Babies – each state has a Facebook page, so find your state and read the board to see if any mothers are looking to donate.

B.Eats on Feets – this is another Facebook page. So, find your state.

C. Milk Share – a small donation is required. I had more success with Human Milk 4 Human Babies and Eats on Feets…but this one is worth looking into if you are in need.

Every circumstance is different. Mine may look more extreme than yours. However, EVERY baby deserves the best. With all the formula recalls, and even a peak at commercial formula ingredients, you may want to choose something that is healthier and less processed for your baby.

Loosing my milk supply was devastating. It makes you feel so inadequate as a mother. Please don’t beat yourself up about it. We all do the best we can for our families. I pray that by sharing these 3 real food alternatives, you will research them more and then choose the best option for your baby. Also, be sure to reach out to your local La Leche League for assistance with nursing before giving it up. There are some great supplements out there that may give your milk supply the boost that it needs and the leaders are trained to help you with your breastfeeding experience.

And, please, if you didn’t read my latest post called, “I’m Not Perfect but I am Enough“ go read it! You are enough for your babies! In the words of a friend who made me cry this week, when I look at both my babies, I do not see a child who is lacking. They are healthy and full of love and life!