Breastfeeding

Hello everyone,
       As I am working to get back into the groove of blogging. I figured I would start with something that I could talk about for hours....literally, I could bore you for hours if you had the time...however, I will try to keep it short and interesting for your sake.

Breastfeeding is something that I put a lot of thought into. I knew that if I wasn't 100% committed to it, I would fail. So I researched the crap out of it. Here are some things I found:

10 benefits for mothers who choose to breastfeed:

1. Mothers who breastfeed are less likely to develop breast cancer
2. are likely to return to their pre-pregnancy weight more quickly
3. breastfeeding produces a hormone which helps bonding with baby and promotes relaxation.
4. saves money (Formula here is around $20/can)
5. no need to pack a bottle
6. can be provided on-demand (in most cases)
7. reduces risk of postpartum depression
8.  allows for quiet time with baby
9. less likely to develop osteoporosis
10.  less likely to develop heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol

10 benefits for breastfed babies:

1.  Provides all nutrients baby needs (aside from vitamin D)
2. Protects baby from illness by passing live white blood cells to the baby.
3. Less likely to develop food allergies
4. Promotes healthy brain development
5. Less likely to develop asthma or respiratory infections.
6. Provides the exact amount of food the baby needs when fed on-demand.
7.  Most easily digested form of nutrients.
8. Colostrum (the first milk breasts produce) acts as a laxative to help baby pass their first stool.
9. Less likely to become overweight
10. Satisfies emotional needs.

Things you might not know about breastfeeding/breastmilk:

• Breast milk has foremilk and hindmilk. Foremilk is the first part of milk released during a feeding and has less fat and is the "thirst quencher". Hindmilk is the fatty nutrient filled milk that collects in the breast and  is expressed as the breast empties. 
• Breast milk has 2 types of fat; whey and casein.
• Breast milk produces less waste (poop) than other forms of food.
• The only other milk that is even close to as nutritious for humans is coconut milk. 
• A study showed that breast milk left in the fridge for 2 days had less bacteria than when it was first expressed (proving it's anti-bacterial abilities)
• Average breastfeeding time is 16 minutes
• Most women produce more milk in their right breast.
• Let down usually occurs within 56 seconds of feeding (let down is when the milk is released through the nipple)
• Breastfed babies feed until they are full; which isn't always when the breast is empty. Most often a baby only empties 67% of the breast.
• Breast pumps are becoming more efficient by more closely mimicking a baby's feeding.
• Your nipples have more than one hole.
• 73% of breastfeeding mothers get outside help for breastfeeding.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nothing aside from breast milk for the first six months after birth.

Tips for breastfeeding:

• ASK FOR HELP
• Ask your hospital if they have a lactation consultant or a nurse that's a pro.
• Ask your "silly" questions; most often they aren't silly.
• Ask your husband for his support and to get you things when they are out of reach.
• DON'T BE SHY
• Whip that boobie out when your baby is hungry. 
• Ask for help
• Expect it to be rough the first couple weeks; commit to it. It does get easier.
• Buy lanolin and soothies for the hospital bag.
• Have a few different styles of nursing bras so you can find your favorite.
• Don't spend too much money on nursing shirts; you will find ways to make regular clothes work.
• Research feeding positions and try each one until you have one that works best for you.
• To encourage let-down while pumping, imagine your baby's face (or hearing your baby cry) and pump in a quiet room.
• Relax. It is stressful at first, but if you consciously think to relax, it become easier.
• If you want to breastfeed, it is most likely to happen if you exclusively breastfeed.
• Always have spare breast pads 
• Although it is the most natural thing ever, that doesn't mean it's going to be the easiest thing ever.
•  Make sure your baby is properly latched (covering a majority of your nipple).
• Break the latch if it is ever painful by inserting your pinky finger into your child's mouth.

I will post tomorrow about my experience breastfeeding. If you have breastfed, please tell me an experience you had or a tip. If you haven't, please post a question

I'm excited to share my knowledge and learn more...or even hear a funny story. ;)

Top 10 Crazy Questions to Scare Your Doc About Pregnancy

Hello Readers,
     It's only been about 10 weeks since my last post...There's an art to blogging and I'm like the kindergarten kid eating the craft glue at the table next to the kid drawing at a 5th grade level. Admittedly, I am a failure. In an effort to redeem myself, I created a Tumblr account; the lazy bloggers dream. You can follow me here.  Anyways, since it's been near 10 weeks since my last post, I decided to post 10 crazy questions.

1.  My baby kicks all the time; will she actually be a soccer player?
2.  Is it safe to go in for my regularly scheduled bikini wax? Or what are new moms doing now?
3. I just got a positive result on a pregnancy test; when can I call MTV?
4. Are you testing me for STDs because it's clear I put out?
5. Do you have a house phone?
6. Is it safe to bleach my 'stache? My lip hair has roots showing.
7. Can I get a c-section? I really don't want my baby to look like a cone-head; I didn't buy a lot of hats.
8. I want to name my baby Oscar Melvin; is it true that could lead to emotional scarring?
9. My baby is half Puerto Rican; but my husband says that Puerto Ricans that aren't born in Puerto Rico are diluted to 1/2 of what their blood quantity is....so would that make my baby 1/4 Puerto Rican and 1/4 New Yorker?
10. If my baby hasn't been delivered by my due date, can we just call it good and cut her out?

How's mom doing?
    Mom is going crazy; clearly shown by the above questions. I have a lot of time on my hands with my not sleeping and all. Back-aches and potty-break wake me every hour; like clock work. I've gained 9 lbs now and feel huge. What scares me most about that is the fact that I still have 3 months to expand. I set myself a goal of 15 lbs....so I have two pounds a month now...yeah, we'll see how that works out. I've experienced some mild swelling, but luckily only a few times. My appetite is back with a vengeance; big girl is back fo' sho. And lately, all I've wanted is junk. I have to force down the healthy foods and reward myself with a bowl of ice cream...or a pizza. I am growing increasingly impatient to hold my baby girl. But I know it will come all too fast.

How's baby?
Baby is 2.5 lbs, 16 inches long, and roughly the size of a head of cauliflower. I don't feel her move as often as I did before, but that does not mean she doesn't move. She's become so big that she has less room to swim around. I feel a lot stronger kicks and jabs though. She also likes to roll. It feels so gross when she pushes her whole body against the wall of my stomach to turn around. She still loves to kick and punch my bladder; and because she's stronger, I've nearly peed my pants every day. She is most active mid-morning, after dinner, and when I'm trying to sleep. She's got the hiccups a few times, but not as much as I've heard other women report their babies to have. Her favorite game is "make mommy have to pee suddenly at inconvenient times". I love this girl, but she is just like her daddy...enjoys making me uncomfortable and slightly irritated.

Alex and I on a nice weekend together with the bump.

25 weeks, spending time with Alex and Luci.

18 weeks

Hello everyone,
    I am now 2 weeks away from being half way through my pregnancy. That is crazy to me! I have some updates for my 18th week.

Mommy:
    I'm feeling pretty great lately. I'm tired, but that's because back pain has been keeping me up. My stomach is definitely starting to stick out...More than usual. I have been extra weepy lately. Thank you hormones; like I need help being emotional. I've got that one covered. I haven't really gained any weight. Which I think is ok at this point, but I have a prenatal appointment today and I will know for sure.

Baby:
   The baby is now 6 inches from crown to rump (like a large mango) and weight a half a pound. That seems huge to me....but again, I've been monitoring it's progress since it was the size of a poppy seed. My baby is moving with more control and it's bones are becoming stronger. The disgusting fact this week is that my baby is now covered in vernix caseosa or cheese varnish in Latin. Vernix caseosa is a waxy substance that will protect my baby's skin until birth. I have been feeling my little guy or girl squirming around int here. Sometimes the kicks and rolls are more noticeable and other times I barely feel anything for most of the day. I do think that it will be getting more consistent within the next few weeks.

Cheerleading:
The cheerleaders are doing great. We are working hard at finishing up our routine. Regionals is next week, so this week is going to be killer. I think they will do well. They are all very young, but very hard workers. I am looking forward to seeing them perform...and also to having my evenings back...but mostly seeing them perform. Only 2 more weeks and the season is over. It's crazy how time flies.

Thanks for reading! :)