Tag: katy doula

Preparing For Forever Weaning

hollymilkowski April 30, 2020

I have two children: one is seven, the other just turned four. The oldest nursed until he was six (plus a handful of times in the year afterward, but I still say his official weaning was at a full six years). The younger one, my current and final nursling, has some time left to go — he’s still going strong! But I’m already thinking about what his weaning will look like, and what affect it will have on our lives.

I imagine once he’s done, he’ll be really done. Based entirely on the behavior of my eldest, M, of course. M talks about “nanoo” fondly, albeit matter-of-factly. He thinks it’s both sweet and ridiculous how much his younger brother falls apart at the seams for nanoo, and is put right again with ease when provided mother’s milk. He offers to take photos of us nursing, either cooing “aww” or rolling his eyes at his little brother’s milk-inspired silliness. Read More

That Time We Made Breast Milk Soap

hollymilkowski April 12, 2020

Disclaimer: I did not receive any money, promotion, commission, or sponsorship from the manufacturer and/or company in exchange for this post or for sales of this product. I did receive a free sample of this product from the manufacturer. In this post, my own honest opinions are described.

Today was a good day for making breast milk soap. Stir-crazy kids, trapped in the house due to quarantine, needing to spice up the bathtime routine, breast milk for the taking… I’d say this project sounds like a recipe for sudsy success. Read More

Breastfeeding While Separated From Baby

hollymilkowski April 4, 2020

“In the early years the baby has an intense need to be with his mother, which is as basic as his need for food.” – La Leche League International

Babies are separated from their birth parents at varying degrees for many reasons, including maternal or infant contagious disease, traumatic birth, surgical birth, adoption or surrogacy, NICU stay, travel, return to work, quarantine, imprisonment, detainment, natural disaster, maternal medical emergency, and more.

I’ll expand upon a few of these here, but in general I hope the resources and tips can be adapted as needed. I intend to update this article with attention to other reasons for separation and their respective resources.

For the purpose of this post, I’m focusing on the effects of separation in infancy specifically on breastfeeding / feeding. Read More

Breastfeeding After a Cesarean

hollymilkowski April 1, 2020

Many studies have noticed the comparative difficulties in breastfeeding between those who experienced surgical and natural births.

One study found that “women who had a cesarean section experienced a significant delay in initiating breastfeeding compared with women giving birth vaginally, with or without instrumental assistance.”

Another paper concluded that “the inability of women who have undergone a cesarean section to breastfeed comfortably in the delivery room and in the immediate postpartum period seems to be the most likely explanation” for decreased rates of exclusive breastfeeding among surgical births.

The key to a sustained future with breastfeeding might be getting through the recovery period, which is usually more grueling and physically limiting for those who have undergone major surgery. That said, those wishing to breastfeed can feel encouraged that an emergency or elective surgical delivery mustn’t necessarily and negatively interfere with their plans.

In fact, Dr. William Sears believes a cesarean section should not dramatically impact breastfeeding, and those who birthed surgically can be as successful as vaginal birthers “as long as their commitment to breastfeeding remains high” (see these other Dr. Sears tips). In other words, breastfeeding people need to be thoroughly informed about what they can expect. Read More

Responsive Breastfeeding: Watch Your Baby, Not The Clock

hollymilkowski January 5, 2020

Once upon a time, scheduled feeding was the norm for infants. You may have heard of breastfeeding “on-cue” or “on demand,” also known as “responsive breastfeeding.” So what’s the difference? Why is this difference important and why does it matter?

First, absorb this couldn’t-be-truer quote by Dr. Nils Bergman: “Breastfeeding’s worst enemy is separation.” Read More