musings from a mom

I have a friend who has just entered her second trimester with her first baby. She has asked a couple questions re: baby things and she knows I’m always looking for fodder for my blog, and so we agreed that I would post the answers as blog posts (note: they’re pretty much just my opinion, lol, you can talk to ten other people and get 10 other answers!)

There is one question that she asked me and I answered her via email, but said I would throw it out there to any other readers for some answers (they will ALL be open for other readers’ to answer of course, but I’m hoping someone else can give her some more info!)

Here was her question:

We want to breastfeed, but don’t know how long we’ll be able to do so because of my job. I am guaranteed 6-8 weeks…but beyond that, I would have to pump at work. Is it practical to do so? There is a fridge at work that I could store the milk in. But it’s an hour to get home, plus however long it takes to get baby from wherever s/he is staying. I mean, how fast does this stuff spoil? I certainly wouldn’t want to make baby ill.

I directed her to my absolute favorite breastfeeding site, kellymom.com and specifically to the sections on pumping/working/handling pumped milk. I did pump with both the boys, but it went straight to bottle or to freezer. Can any one else chime in here? Thanks!

My friend has NO idea I’m about to “spotlight” her! But, I’ve been meaning to for a very.long.time. And something this morning made me think of her and I knew today was THE day.

For starters, I for real know this sweet person. Not just a fun, bloggy friendship (although, with crazy schedules and family life, we talk more on our blogs than in real life, lol)

My friend Carrie is a seamstress extraordinaire. I kid you not. Every time she posts her lastest creation, I just gasp …

Take a look…

And she gives amazing instructions on how to do just what she does! (I mean, I guess they work…I’m not daring enough to try, lol)

She helped me make our mei tai carrier that both our boys love

(Mother’s Day Weekend before Benjamin was born)

So anywho, I just had to show her off because she’s awesome

Oh, and the book that made me think of her, Sew What, Skirts! SUCH a fun book…I can’t wait to get started on some of the projects in there!

One of my “goals” for 2010 is to have a paperless kitchen (ie: no napkins/paper towels). It’s made my stomach turn for sometime at how many rolls of paper towels we go through (I won’t even tell you a time frame!)

So — cloth napkins, lots of dish towels and rags here we come…and of course, I want to make them myself — so pass along any ideas!

If you follow our family blog, you may have heard the news, if not…

::Drumroll Please::

We are expecting our 3rd little one!

We are so excited, we just can’t keep our mouths shut about it

I mentioned a couple things on our family blog and I’ll summarize here:

I’m about 5 weeks along, sick, tired, hormonal (stay out of my way, I may cry, scream or eat you, lol)

We will not be finding out the gender of this baby nor will we be sharing names — call us mean (just watch out, I may cry, scream or eat you…lol)

The plan/goal/desire is for another all-natural VBAC with the midwives I saw with B.

I’m showing already (or I just never stopped looking preggers after the last two)…mention it…I may cry or scream… But yeh, I think I wore my jeans for the last time yesterday and my favorite corduroys, well, I never got to say goodbye…they were gone before the two lines showed up on the test. Good thing I love my maternity clothes (ok, they’re more stylish than my regular clothes, lol)

So that’s the latest here!

I’ve started a book blog, not of what I’m reading, but my boys. It’s nothing earth shattering (lol), I honestly wanted to do it so I could keep track of what we’ve already read …then I decided to throw in what they liked and didn’t like. So come on over and share your favorite kids’ books!

**side note – I have NO idea why there are smilies in odd places…I will try to fix this, lol!**

I had a reader ask me to blog about doula and birthy things. Since I could talk all week long about that, she asked specifically:

I’d like to know about how to find a doula in my area. How do I know if they are properly trained/certified? How do I know if I want to even have one?…Are there any books that you would say I just can’t live without reading?

Of course, I was way too excited to talk about this! I have previously shared my personal reasons for having a doula, I’ll try to make this more informational and not as personal (but as a doula in training, that’s a bit hard, ha!)

So, without further adieu!

First, you may be asking, what the heck is a doula (doo-lah) A doula is simply a woman that you hire to assist you throughout your labor. She will NOT take the place of your birth parter/coach, and she is not hired to perform medical tasks. She is there for support, encouragement and a “clear mind” (to remind you of your desires and goals throughout labor and birth).

Now, on to the readers’ questions -

1 – How do I find a doula in my area? There are many doula organizations (DONA, toLabor (formerly known as ALACE), Childbirth International to name a few) and other sites that offer services to find doulas (here, here and here — just a sampling–). Other options for finding doulas include asking friends, your healthcare provider, the instructor of the childbirth prep class (if you choose to take one). You can also call the hospital or birth center and ask if they have a volunteer doula program (note that you will not meet the doula until you arrive in labor — many doulas in training serve in these programs to reach their certification hours)

2 – How do I know if they are properly trained/certified? Ask. Once a doula is certified, she will receive documentation to show as proof of completion of requirements per her organization. Typically, the requirements consist of reading a handful of books, writing 1-3 papers, attending births (either a set amount of hours or births) and/or an exam. However, don’t allow certification to be your only deciding factor. Take into consideration how your and her personalities mesh, her communication skills, and how she connects with your birth partner(s). Ask her about previous births she has attended – how she has handled stressful situations, ask for recommendations from other families (just keep asking!) ((A side note: A doula may have completed the requirements but may not have kept her certification active (ie: paid each year to allow ‘doula’ to follow her name) Some doula organizations require this payment each year – while  it may not be feasible for her to pay each year to keep her certification active, she may still be the best doula for you!))

3 – How do I know if I even want one? If you’re having a hospital birth and desiring a natural birth – I would say it’s almost essential to have a doula present at your birth. You may have a team of OB’s on board for your natural birth, but the on-call OB might only check on you a handful of time before baby arrives — it’s the nurse that will be assisting you. Many nurses have never experienced a drug/intervention free birth and are unsure as to how to handle a mom laboring naturally. Even if you are not desiring a natural birth, I think that it’s still crucial (speaking from past experience!) to have someone who has the clear head, can help you process decisions you are faced with throughout your labor, assist you with nursing your baby and keeping your baby near you after it is born. Some other things to consider: Your birth partner(s) – how will they handle you in labor (so many dads get so nervous when their wife is in the throws of labor and they just want relief for them), what if you have an extremely long labor and dad needs to step out and get something to eat, you want something to eat/drink, a doula will stay with you until baby is born (I hear so many doulas “joke” that they rely on caffeine for births – they’ll be there wide awake, might need a potty break, but they’ll be awake!) Your partner(s) schedules, communication skills, “recallability” (of all the info they learned in books/classes/your hormonal ramblings…) Only you can decide if it’s right for you to have a doula at your birth

4 – Are there any books that…I just can’t live without reading? My first choice, if you read NOTHING else, I would say Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. Phenomenal. Amazing. Incredible. Book. (Warning: It’s hippie. It’s about birth. Lots of naked women. Birthing. There’s the disclaimer).   While I was looking up the amazon link, I saw that Ina May has a breastfeeding book as well (obviously, I’ve not read it, but if it’s even CLOSE to as amazing as her birth book, I’d say read it!) Some other books I love:

• Pam England’s Birthing From Within
• Henci Goer’s Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth
• Janet Balaskas’ Active Birth
• Ricki Lake’s Your Best Birth (yes that Ricki Lake!)

• My husband read Dr. Robert Bradley’s husband Coached Childbirth before our 2nd son was born ((Zach care to share your thoughts?!))

So those would be my top reads!

I hope that answered your questions, Reader If you have any other questions, you can contact me the way you did and I will do a follow up post, or if any one else has questions! I would be MORE than happy to answer them!

Each month, Emi at The Cloth Diaper Report has a Diaper Tips link-up. Click here to see past Diaper Tips and check out her blog for more link-ups!

Week 1: Share your Thanksgiving travel stories and upcoming holiday travel plans. Cloth, hybrids (i.e. Grobaby or gdiapers) or ’sposies?

We didn’t travel over Thanksgiving, but will be at Christmas and we’ll be using cloth just like any other trip we’ve taken. We only have about a 3 hour drive home to the inlaws and they allow us to use their washer to wash our diapers there if needed (depending on how many days we go, we sometimes don’t even need to wash, but it makes unpacking at home much easier!

Week 2: Do you use cloth wipes? If so, what are your favorite brands and fabrics and what do you still want to try?

We do! This was the hardest switch for us to make and once we finally did, ::face smack:: SO much easier! We have a handful of wipes, but my favorite are the Kissaluvs wipes. My least favorite are the Thirsties wipes – something about that velour just doesn’t mix with poo, ha! I have a handful of homemade flannel wipes and those really do the job with super messy changes!

Week 3: What is your favorite Cloth Wipes solution and/or recipe?

We just use water in a spray bottle and spray the wipes. I tried a couple recipes and some Baby Bits, but just plain water is much easier!

Week 4: Mama Cloth Stories: Share why do you, don’t, or can’t decide if you want to be a PT or FT Mama Cloth user?

I don’t…no real reason why, though I think it’s next on the list. I mean, why NOT?! I think it would be great for post-partum times especially.

We made this switch in our cloth diapering journey about a year ago (We tried it when we were first starting with cloth but it didn’t go over so well – I think I was a smidge overwhelmed!) But after taking the plunge, I was so glad that we did! It just makes sense, if you’re already washing the diapers, why not wash the wipes too!

During the second half of December, Emi from The Cloth Diaper Report (yes, Diaper Tips Tuesday, Emi!) will be focusing on Cloth Wipes (12/14-12/22) and Mama Cloth (12/23-12/30). So hop over and join in the fun!

Emi at The Cloth Diaper Report hosts a MckLinky each week with cloth diapering tips…I’m WAY behind, so I’m going to combine all three today and hopefully be on the ball for the next Diaper Tips Tuesday!

Week 1: How To Build a CD Stash – How Did You Decide on What Styles and Brands to Purchase?

When we first started out, I was so overwhelmed by where to begin! A friend sent me two Pocket Change diapers – I immediately fell.in.love. (these were the ‘old school’ style…not the newer ones). I’m a very indecisive person and although I loved the PC, I wanted to explore more. I simply read reviews and tested the waters by only buying one or two of a brand of diapers at a time (minus our BG fail, ha!)

Week 2: How Many CD are in an Ideal Stash Per Child? What is your reality?

My answers are simple.

How many is ideal? 2.5 days worth (wash every 2, have enough for ‘messy days’)

My reality? There will never be enough! ha!

I’ve struggled with having the “Right” amount of diapers since we started CDing. I just adjust my wash schedule as needed which is cheaper than buying more (and more…and more…ha) diapers Sometimes that means washing every day (ie: teething/sick spells) and some times I can make it 3 days… I don’t think there is a “right” answer for everyone.

Week 3: What was your budget and how did you spread it out? If you didn’t set an initial budget how much do you think you spent per child on your stash?

Honestly, about 99% of our stash was bought by family (as new baby/birthday/Christmas gifts), won in giveaways or given by friends. I think we have actually only bought 5-7 diapers ourselves. We feel very blessed in that when we email family and say, “OK, we would like Cloth Diapers for our 15 month old for Christmas…” we don’t get laughed at, but in return, get those diapers! On a one-income budget, it’s SUCH a blessing! The diapers we HAVE purchased ourselves were used, off of Craigslist for a STEAL…and I got 15 prefolds off of freecycle.

I had a running total going about this time last year of what would have been spent, but, we’ve acquired so many since then, I wouldn’t know where to begin!

Come back next week for: Where and how do you get what you want on a budget (i.e. buying used, making your own, swapping, etc.) (opps…looks like I already answered that, LOL)

We have finally had the crud out of our house for a week! Fall is really hard on our family (esp. with K’s asthma), and I’ve pretty much come to dread this season and winter. Last year, we all passed crud around from October (really mid-August, as K was sick and at the dr. the day before I went into labor w/ B) when K was diagnosed with asthma through March. We just couldn’t kick it (we kept sharing!)

Mid-October of this year, I read on a blog that Boiron was giving away a sample pack of new products to mom bloggers. The sample pack included Children’s Oscillococcinum, Children’s Coldcalm Pellets, and Children’s Chestal. I decided why not?! and filled out the form (it was funny because I had read JUST a week before on another blog, all about ‘Oscillo’ and was very eager to have some on hand).

It arrived quickly in a HUGE box. I was amazed that they sent full size products – no ’samples’ here! The box arrived on a Thursday. Friday, my inlaws arrived. That night we headed out to dinner. Throughout dinner, I started to feel kind of run down and yucky, but just attributed it to a long week. They kept the boys for us so we could have a quick date night. While out to dessert at a super fun Popcorn & Candy shop, my throat started to hurt and I was so cold. We came home and I immediately took some of the Oscillo – not really caring that it was for kids, I just wanted to feel better. I was running a low-grade fever, and the chills continued throughout the night….Fever was gone by Saturday morning, along with chills, the sore throat was gone by Sunday morning, with just a cough lingering – it stayed for about a week.

The ColdCalm and Oscillo are for children 3 and older and the Chestal is for 2 and older. Thankfully, B was healthy! We did adjust the dosage per my mother-in-laws directions (why her? why not?! ) and tested out the coldcalm on K who did indeed have a pretty bad cold…And I will say that he quickly started to clear up, with just a lingering ‘wet’ cough. I gave him the honey Chestal (which he LOVED) and in about a day and 1/2 the cough was completely gone!

While my in-laws were in town, she purchased some more Oscillo for us on a trip to our local natural foods store, to have on hand (esp. since it lasts for about 4 years!) I ended up using more of it just about a week ago, as I thought I was coming down with more crud. 1 dose and by morning, I was better. My husband told me yesterday that he felt like he was coming down with something, so I tossed him the Oscillo…we’ll see how well it helps him too!

While we were at the natural foods store, I was trying to figure out if we should get the Children’s Oscillo or the regular adult version (since it is kind of expensive and we weren’t getting both….) There was a lady there who knew her stuff and told us that they were the exact same thing (same ingredients, same amount, same in each dose – exact SAME) Just that the adults version was $2.00 more! She said it was probably one of those things where parents feel better giving their child something that says “children’s” on it. Boiron has been running deals (printable coupons) on their website since I first heard of this stuff (upwards of $2.00 off coupons!) And each box (even my sample boxes!) came with $1-$2 off coupons!

Will we continue to have these items on hand to fight the seasonal gunk? You bet!