Use The Boob!

Did you know the multimetric alpha-lactoferrin in human milk KILLS cancer cells??????

Breast milk is powerful, use it!

:-), V

brittanyduke:

talking to my mom on the phone.

(LOL @ this post!!!)) - Valencia <3

(Source: t0uche)

Hello Tumblinas!

Today’s topic is about breastfeeding after being exposed to radiation.  It was inspired by an article I read by breastfeeding guru, Dr. Ruth A. Lawrence.  Click here to read it!

Dr. Lawrence states that breastfeeding is safe if a mother is exposed to radiation. Many people are worried about the radiation people are being exposed to after that horrific earthquake hit Japan.  According to Dr. Lawrence, “(breastmilk) is safer than contaminated water.  If postassium iodide is recommended, the mother should take the recommended dose.  Iodine moves into milk by a positive pump, wheras most substances move slowly into the milk and at reduced levels.  The infant under 3-4 months will no need KI directly if fully breastfed.  Older and bigger infants will need one dose of KI directly.  Mothers should continue breastfeeding unless they receive life threatening dose of radiation” (2011).  

In any extreme weather condition or natural disaster, infants and children are most vulnerable.  We need to understand that human milk provides nutrition, hydration, and protection against infection and disease, as well as comfort, warmth, and security (Lawrence, 2011). 

Our milk is powerful.  Use it!

<3,

V

Work Cited:

Lawrence, R. (2011). “Disasters at Home and Abroad”. Breastfeeding Medicine. 6(2). pg 53-54.

Hello Tumblinas!  (I’m still trying to figure out a cool way to start off my postings lol)

Lately I’ve been helping a lot of moms breastfeed their twins…. YES! TWINS!

It’s challenging, but I’ve got to say, it’s doable.  Here are a few helpful hints on breastfeeding multiples:

1. Get Support - Without support from family, friends, and professionals, breastfeeding for any woman could be very hard. Surround yourself with positive people and those who are on board with your plan to breastfeed.
2. Take Baby Steps -  Try to latch one baby at a time.  Once you feel that baby is breastfeeding well, ask someone to assist you with the second baby.  You can put baby A down and try giving baby B the same individual attention, or work it out so that both babies can feed at the same time.  Take your time.  
3. Positions - There are a few ways you can position your babies.  Finding that perfect position can prevent pain and other breastfeeding issues, as well as making your experience successful. Here’s a great photo with several positions: 
4. Use Props - Try using pillows, rolled up blankets, boppies, etc. to assist you in positioning your babies.  
5. Pump - I’ve worked with babies who were pre-mature and had to use bottles before being introduced to the breast.  When they became mature enough to breastfeed, some babies rejected the breast.  If this is your situation, the next best option is to pump your milk.  Pump as often as you can.  The more you pump, the more milk you should get.
6. Skin to Skin - This promotes bonding and breastfeeding!  I’ve witnessed babies that were exclusively bottlefed begin breastfeeding on their own because of skin to skin contact.  Sounds too easy! Sounds impossible! But try it! Even if the babies end up not latching, that bond you get is everlasting.

Okay! Well, that’s all I can think of right now.  I hope this was somewhat helpful. Feel free to comment and add more helpful tips!

<3,

V :)

OKay Okay OK! I know we’ve all talked about this already, but I just had to post my thoughts here on Tumblr .. So bare with me pleeease lol Thank you.

Well, I must say my fellow tumblinas, that I am not completely against this doll.  It’s a shame we have to label a doll as a breastfeeding doll, but in the society we live in today, it’s like we have to!  Let me explain…

Most dolls are equipped with bottles; of course this is natural to most of us, because bottles have quickly become the norm in many cultures.  To be honest, I’ve never thought anything negative about a doll having a bottle because it was embedded in my head since I was a child that that is how a baby is fed (Again, I was a formula fed baby).  Now that I am well educated about breastfeeding, formula companies, capitalism, psychology, advertisement tactics, etc… I now understand why many of us would feel disgust and disdain toward this doll.

My 3 year old daughter automatically puts her dolls (who come with bottles) to her chest.  I never instructed her either.  Her instincts to “breastfeed” her dolls came naturally from her own experience, which she truly enjoyed!  I’m sure a lot of you out there that have breastfed your children up to their toddler stages (boys included!) can relate ;-)

Let’s chat about the moms who have breastfed and are still a bit uneasy about their daughters putting the baby to breast because the mom is ashamed of breastfeeding in public.  Society has shamed breastfeeding so much, that we have to hide the most important way we nurture and grow our species.  

To the moms who breastfeed and are shy, here’s a message to you: At the end of the day, no stranger will contribute to the love and care you give your baby.  Whether you put a breast or bottle in your child’s mouth, it is YOU, not that stranger who is responsible for your baby.  So, forget that stranger and liberate yourself and your baby from that stranger’s cold stare and clouded thoughts, for it’s all about you and your baby! 

To the extemists out there, here’s a message for you: FREE YOUR MIND! Breasts are for feeding.  If you want to be extreme about this breastfeeding baby doll, why not say baby dolls, in general, promote young girls wanting to have babies at an early age????  

Overall, it sucks that we need a breastfed baby doll to properly show young girls the natural way of feeding, but at least it gets the conversation started.  Think about it - isn’t there always a time when our children approach us and say “Mommy, where do babies come from?”  I hope this doll can prompt children to ask something along the lines of “Mommy, how does a baby feed?” It’s even started a conversation amongst us adults!

What about the flower? You know, the one where the little girl should place the doll to breastfeed?  Well, at least she doesn’t have to lift up her shirt! (I know we live in a world filled with perverts, pedophiles and people who believe breastfeeding in public is indecent) Give the makers some credit here!

I welcome your opinions…..

Respectfully,

Valencia <3