Breastmilk Soap... who would of thought?

Wow... this one was such an eye opener for me, but makes complete sense. We're told to put breastmilk on cracked nipples, in an infected eye and on a diaper rash for its healing and antibacterial properties. Breastmilk contains loads of good healthy fats that can soothe skin, especially super sensitive skin. Were all searching for the most natural, chemilcal free skincare to use for our little ones, so why not? Its also good for our adult skin too.
Obviously you cant buy breastmilk soap YET, but if you're daring enough and you have enough surplus you can try to make it yourself. http://www.inhabitots.com/rub-a-dub-dub-breast-milk-soap-in-the-tub/ If you have expired milk or milk that you were planning to dump due to alcohol or medication consumption than this is a great opportunity to put it to good use. Just make sure that you don't use breastmilk pumped during a bout of thrush/yeast as this may cause a reaction.
There are many first hand reports of how using breastmilk soap healed their childrens exzema, psorisis or even the everyday sunburn. So if any of you have ever used breastmilk soap or attempt to make it I would love to hear about it!
Breastmilk holds so many great secrets...

Marketing Food to Kids

Regulating marketing campaigns to kids is a good thing. With childhood obesity and diabetes continuing to rise at alarming rates we need to get on top of this fast. By reducing the amount of subliminal messages kids see and hear we may be able to limit what kids are eating and should have a trickle down effect for the companies of these foods. Think, if top cereal brands of sugary cereals can no longer market to children they will have to come up with a healthier alternative. By having the government regulate the advertisement of these foods then at the very least it will bring awareness! http://pulse.me/s/2haR
Many countries already have implemented such restrictions. The UK prohibits the marketing of all fast food and infant formula (except follow-on formula). Australia also has advertisement restrictions and completely bans the advertisement of all infant formula products.
I can see how some people will say, "we already have to much political involvement!" My response would be,"well who else is going to protect our children? Parents certainly aren't doing their job" Or maybe, there is such a widespread lack of nutritional education for parents. Or maybe its the the fact that unhealthy food is much cheaper than healthy alternatives Plus there are coupons upon coupons readily available. Have you seen the show Extreme Couponing? These families are buying stockpiles of processed foods because they are able to buy them at a rediculous discount. I could go on and on but the bottom line is that our next generations are getting more and more unhealthy. There must be change!!!

Results of the BIG latch.

Here we are! Paige and I officially latched on at 10:30 in Oakland, CA. We were happy to see those who showed up but hope to have more participants next year. If I had only known more about the event more than 12 hours prior! Glad that we were able to join in!

On Saturday 6th August at 10:30am in multiple locations and time zones across the globe, 4123* women and their children came together and breastfed simultaneously across 294* locations as part of the Big Latch On. (*provisional total)

Breast or bottle?

Where to begin?...
Aside from what the bottles may contain, breastmilk or formula, there are many psychological aspects involved. Have you ever considered how close contact with your baby may have many positive effects on you and your baby?
Take post partum depression, for example. Researchers have found that PPD is more prevelant in mothers who are unable to breastfeed or prematurely wean from breastfeeding. Infants of mothers experiencing PPD who are formula fed may also experience negative psychological effects. There is something to be said about being close to your infant, gazing in their eyes while providing optimal nutrition. Also, the hormones released, mainly oxytocin (AKA the love hormone), flood mothers with positive feelings which babies feed off of.
 http://www.ivillage.com/postpartum-depression-can-nursing-lessen-its-impact/6-n-137722, http://bfmed.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/does-breastfeeding-prevent-postpartum-depression/

The BIG Latch On!!!

So, today is the day that Paige and I will be able to be a part of a world record. Across the US mothers and babies will come together in open spaces to breastfeed at 10:30 am. Paige and I will be joining  some friends of ours in Oakland, CA to participate in the Big Latch On. Check out the website! I will be posting pictures soon after the event. http://www.biglatchon.org/
What a great idea... can't wait (even though I will be attending the event post night shift and it will take place during Paige's morning nap time.... we will all adjust!)

hjjjjjjj b ,.lllll7.,llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll77709k7070.,l70m7hym7l,7m7h7o..=.\e4df .iyt66i ffff fjc0p[=p=

\\ \l "v[[\\\\vvvg6666666"60=




This is a Paige blog. Her fascination with the computer is undeniable and I felt it only suitable to post as she is the reason why I'm blogging in the first place. Let's just hope that she didn't push any crazy buttons to ruin my laptop!

Getting dirty in her birthday outfit!

Loves Watermelon!

Breastfeeding and reduced risk of SIDS (cot death)

I came across this study also highlighted by UNICEF displaying how breastfeeding is linked to incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. While SIDS continues to baffle us all, studies have found that there is less risk when breastfed especially when the infant is exclusively breastfed.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/06/08/peds.2010-3000.abstract?ct=ct
I have also included a list of other SIDS prevention tips.
http://www.sids.org/nprevent.htm