Look in the First Environment: the Womb

I have read a little about Autism, but I am still learning. I thought it was interesting that the British Physician responsible for the first studies showing a link between autism and vaccinations turned out to be a fraud. So the search for answers continues....

This article from AutismToday.com was interesting to me. I would be curious to read the findings from the official research study on the 15,000 births they mention that will be included in their statistical analysis. Its a fascinating thought they are considering.

Here are a few quotes from the article:

"Public health authorities have identified an enormous increase in the incidence of childhood autism.[...]A recent news report on National Public Radio noted 775 news cases, a 33% increase over the previous quarter in which only 550 new cases were identified.[...]Autism is now thought to affect one person in 500, making it more common than Downs syndrome or childhood cancer. According to Dr Marie Bristol Power from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, it is a not a rare disorder but a 'pressing public-health problem'.

[...T]here is data associating autistic disorders with the use of an artificial hormone (Pitocin) which is given to pregnant women to induce or speed up labor.[...]Dr Eric Hollander of New York's Mount Sinai School of Medicine, a physician who specializes in treating autistic kids[...] reported that several years ago he noticed that 60% of the autistic patients in his clinic had been exposed to this drug as a fetus. Material published by the World Health Organization also notes an association between the use of Pitocin and autistic disorders.[...]

In spontaneous labors the mother's pituitary gland makes an endogenous (i.e. internal) oxytocin that triggers the physiological onset and progress of labor. The hormone oxytocin is also produced during breastfeeding (causing the let-down of breast milk) and it accompanies sexual orgasm. For this reason it is referred to as the "love hormone" by obstetrician Christianne Northrop, MD as each of these biological events are associated with experiences of great emotional bonding and include meaningful social interaction between the individuals involved. Since autistic disorders produce an inability to make or maintain affectionate bonds or have normal social relationships, one cannot help but wonder if perhaps there is an causal relationship between these disorders and exogenous sources of an artificial form of oxytocin.[...]

The use of Pitocin to induce or augment labors and concomitant use of epidural anesthesia has been steadily climbing for the last 20 years - about the same period that the increase in autism has been reported.[...A] 1992 survey by a medical anthropologist at the University of Texas found that 81% of women in US hospital receive Pitocin to either induce or augment labor. Epidural use is as high as 95% in many urban hospitals. When one factors in a Cesarean rate of 23% (acknowledging some overlap), the proportions of these facts is staggering as virtually 100% of medically-managed births are subjected to a high level of pharmaceutical interventions that have never been approved for use in fetuses. It certainly seems prudent to research the possible association with pharmaceutically-augmented labors in an attempt to discover the cause of the rising tide of autistic disorders. It may be necessary to amend our current obstetrical practices to prevent an epidemic of this expensive and emotionally-crippling disorder."

For research purposes it seems only logical to utilize the subset of healthy childbearing women who received physiological management of the intrapartum and experienced no medical treatments during the labor and birth (i.e. - no Pitocin or other labor-inducing drugs, no narcotic pain medications, no general or regional anesthetics and no operative deliveries, etc) as a control to determine if intrapartum medical treatments are causative or contributory to the development or exacerbating of autism disorders. In the early 1990s the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) embarked on a retrospective statistical study of domiciliary birth outcomes.[...] To date they have compiled statistics on about 15,000 births.This would provide the demographic data for follow-up questionares to ascertain the rate of autism within this substantial group of babies who were unmedicated during the labor.[...]

An informal survey among the dozen or so community midwives practicing in our geographical area and spanning the last 20 years, failed to identify any babies born at home who have since been diagnosed with autistic disorders.[...] Admittedly this is not a rigorous scientific study but it does raise questions as to whether strict adherence to physiological management of intrapartum events, either alone or in combination with the self-selection of healthy women choosing home-based midwifery care, may confer some protective effect relative to autistic disorders."

You can read the full article HERE.

Also, there is another great article: "Is Pitocin Associated with Childhood Autism?" found HERE.

Here are a few quotes from the full article: "[...]Oxytocin is already being used therapeutically in a nasal spray for autistic adults.[...]The findings of a recent study published in the February 16, 2010 issue of The Washington Post explored the implications of oxytocin-based therapy. When inhaled by autistic adult patients, the hormone has been found to have a positive effect on social behavior, sensitivity, generosity and trust. In other cases, it has been demonstrated to increase eye contact, facial recognition, social cues and identification of emotions.

Previous research has demonstrated that people with autism generally have low levels of oxytocin; and Dr. Eric Hollander, Director of the Compulsive, Impulsive and Autism
Spectrum Disorders Program at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, stated, 'All the data seem to suggest that manipulating the oxytocin system has a powerful effect on the core symptoms of autism.' He suspected then that “Pitocin somehow messes up the newborn’s oxytocin system, producing the social phobias of autism.” While oxytocin replacement therapy may be beneficial to autistic adults, perhaps we need to question why the natural oxytocin balance went wrong in the first place. Humans first experience oxytocin in the womb. What happens when the natural flow of natural oxytocin is interrupted by synthetic Pitocin? If autism presents symptoms of oxytocin deficiency, could that be connected to synthetic Pitocin?"

Choosing the Right Stroller for You & Your Baby

I've had several people ask me about my stroller, why I picked it and what they should look for in a stroller. I've also heard a lot of moms complain about their strollers and talk about things they wish it did/didn't have. So, I thought I'd just type up a list of things I had in mind when shopping for a stroller. Feel free to add comments to the post about which stroller you have, why you like it and what you were wanting from your stroller. Hopefully it will save someone the hassle of getting a stroller they don't like or having to return strollers over and over.

When I was looking for a stroller, I knew I wanted to invest a little into a good one, but not spend a fortune. After all, I would like to send my kid to college one day! ;) So, I made a list, read lots of reviews and changed my list a few times. This is what I ended up with:

First and foremost, I wanted an umbrella-style stroller because I wanted something small, compact and light. I just knew I wouldn't use a stroller, no matter how awesome it was, if it was huge and heavy. So, be honest with yourself about your needs/wants and what is realistic for your lifestyle and family situation.

1. Umbrella-Style, small/compact/light-weight.

2. Easily folds up - preferably with one hand.



3. Easy steering, also preferably with one hand.

4. 5-point harness, necessary for infants as well as squirmy toddlers. ;)


5. Can be used from birth to 40 lbs. I didn't buy an "all-in-one" stroller/car seat combo so I needed something that I could use instead of the car seat, which was getting way too heavy to lug around. Not all strollers can be used from birth. In fact, most have a standard 6 month age requirement before use, just FYI.

6. Multiple reclining positions, especially that it would lay flat or nearly flat, so baby can nap easily/comfortably. Most umbrella strollers do not recline, or if they do, they do not lay flat.


7. Good size sun shade to protect baby and I wanted a "peek-a-boo" window so I could see baby from above while pushing the stroller. My stroller's shade has a zipper that attaches it to the back of the seat, but if you want it to move further over baby to cover them from the sun, you can unzip it. You can even remove it all together, if you want. I liked that.


Sun shade adjusts to multiple positions once unzipped from the seat:


Peek-A-Boo window:



8. Light-weight so that I could easily carry it, if needed.

9. Affordable. Now, that may mean something different to you than it does for me, but I was looking for something under $150. Mine ended up costing $105 with a coupon/sale. I did have a few other options in mind that were similar and cost around $60-90. I'll list those below.

10. Well padded seat for baby's comfort. I had heard some moms complain that their strollers were not well padded and seemed uncomfortable for their baby. This one seemed pretty well padded and comfy.


11. Front wheels lock in straight position. Some people like this for jogging. I don't really use my stroller for jogging but I do like that the front wheels lock into a straight position, so they won't swivel when I'm "rocking him" in his stroller while he is napping. I can push it back and forth without the jerky movement that would happen if the front wheels were swiveling. Those that have strollers know what I'm talking about. :)


12. Wind/Rain guard. In the manual for the stroller, they call this a safety feature to keep the child from sliding out of the seat... but wouldn't that be what the harness is for??? Anyway, I think it would work great for keeping the sun/wind/rain off of baby's legs. And its built in so you don't have to remember to bring it. Its not something I specifically looked for, but I'll take it as a bonus. :)


13. A cup holder/place to stash a cell phone/keys/etc... This stroller does have a cup holder (see pictures above) but the design makes it so that a cell phone or keys would/could fall out. That's a little bit annoying. It isn't the worst problem to have, though. I just keep my stuff in the diaper bag or the folded crease of the sun shade.

14. Sturdy. Sturdy. Sturdy. I like that it is light but I wanted something that would feel "solid" and would last with a toddler. I think this fits the bill.

Here is a video of the set-up process:



More info on the Chicco Liteway Noce HERE.

So, here are a few of the strollers that made my final list, but ultimately I did not choose. I like each of them for different reasons.

Chicco Capri - This stroller is basically the less expensive version of the Chicco Liteway. It doesn't have all the "bells & whistles" but it gets great reviews. A lot of parents use it as a secondary lighter stroller to take on trips, etc. It reclines, but not flat and you have to unzip a zipper to make it recline, which I thought was kinda a hassle. The basket below is nice, but small. It has a 5 point harness and is light and has a nice sun shade. Cost is about $80. More info HERE.

The First Year Ignite - This stroller is very popular and receives great reviews. It is light weight and compact. It has a 5 point harness and a small basket underneath. I like the parent tray/storage by the handles - nice for keys, etc. It is less expensive and most people that reviewed it said they use it as a secondary stroller. Its about $60. I didn't really like the small sun shade and while it does recline it doesn't recline flat. More info HERE.


Contours Options Cinnamon - this stroller gets good reviews, I like that you can face the child either forward or backward and that it has a cup holder for the child. This stroller does recline and one reviewer said it goes nearly flat. I also liked the large basket, parent tray up top and that it can adapt to hold an infant car seat. Very cool. I also like that there is only one wheel in the front - this makes turning very easy. The downsides are that it is kinda bulky (more so than an umbrella stroller) and people who own it say it is heavy. Its about $125. More info HERE.



I hope this helps someone. I know I was SO overwhelmed when I started looking for strollers. Good luck & happy shopping!

Pain in Labour - Your Hormones are Your Helpers

As one who strongly believes in a woman's ability to labor naturally, without any medication, I really enjoyed this article by Dr. Sarah Buckley on natural childbirth. She is a General Practitioner in New Zealand who gave birth naturally to her four children at home. Incredible!

Imagine this. Your cat is pregnant, due to give birth around the same time as you are. You have your bags packed for hospital, and are awaiting the first signs of labour with excitement and a little nervousness.

Meanwhile your cat has been hunting for an out-of-the way place - your socks drawer or laundry basket - where she in unlikely to be disturbed. When you notice, you open the wardrobe door, but she moves again. Intrigued, you notice that your observation - even your presence - seems to disturb the whole process. And, wish as you might to get a glimpse into the mysteries of birth before it is your turn, you wake up the next morning to find her washing her four newborn kittens in the linen cupboard.

Why does birth seem so easy to our animal friends when it is so difficult for us?

One obvious difference is the altered shape of the pelvis and birth outlet that is caused by our upright stance; our babies need to twist and turn to navigate these unique bends. Even our nearest cousins, the great apes, have a near-straight birth canal.

However, in every other way, human birth is like that of other mammals - those animals that suckle their young - and involves the same hormones - the body's chemical messengers. These hormones, which originate in the deepest and oldest parts of our brain, cause the physical processes of labour and birth, as well as exerting a powerful influence on our emotions and behaviour.

Researchers such as French surgeon and natural birth pioneer Michel Odent believe that if we can be more respectful of our mammalian roots, and the hormones that we share, we can have more chance of a straightforward birth ourselves.

Labour and birth involve peak levels of the hormones oxytocin, sometimes called the hormone of love, and prolactin - the mothering hormone. These two hormones are perhaps best known for their role in breastfeeding. As well as these, beta-endorphin, the body's natural pain-killer, and the fight-or-flight hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline play an important part in the birth process. There are many more hormonal influences on birth that are not well understood.

All mammals seek a safe place to give birth. This "nesting" instinct may be due to an increase in levels of prolactin, which is sometimes referred to as the nesting hormone. At this stage, as you may have observed with your cat, interference which the nest - or more importantly with the feeling of safety - will stall the beginning of labour.

Even after labour has started, there are certain conditions that will slow, or even stop the process. If the fight-or-flight hormones are activated by feelings of fear or danger, contractions will slow down. Our mammalian bodies are designed to give birth in the wilds, where it is an advantage to postpone labour when there is danger, and to seek safety.

Many women have had the experience of their labour stopping when they entered the unfamiliar surroundings of a hospital, and some women can be as sensitive as a cat to the presence of an observer. Giving birth away from our natural environment can cause the sorts of difficulties for us that captive animals experience when giving birth in a zoo.

Michel Odent cautions that even hunger, which also causes the body to release fight-or-flight hormones, can stop labour from progressing. He advises women to eat- if they are hungry- in the earliest stages of labour; many hospitals, though, have a policy which prevents labouring women from eating once they are admitted.

Oxytocin is the hormone that causes the uterus to contract during labour. Levels of oxytocin gradually increase throughout labour, and are highest around the time of birth, when it contributes to the euphoria and receptiveness to her baby that a mother usually feels after an unmedicated birth. This peak, which is triggered by sensations of stretching of the birth canal as the baby is born, does not occur when an epidural is in place. Administration of an epidural has been found to interfere with bonding between ewes and their newborn lambs.

Synthetic oxytocin is often given by drip - that is, directly into the bloodstream - when labour contractions are inefficient. Oxytocin given in this way does not enter the brain, and so does not contribute to the post-birth "high", and in fact can lead to a reduction in a mothers own oxytocin production. Nipple stimulation is sometimes used to stimulate contractions because, like breastfeeding, this causes oxytocin levels to increase.

Oxytocin has another crucial role to play after the birth. Oxytocin causes the contractions that lead to separation of the placenta from the uterus, and its release as the "after-birth". When oxytocin levels are high, strong contractions occur that reduce the chance of bleeding, or post-partum haemorrhage.

Putting your newborn baby to your breast is the easiest way to increase oxytocin levels, but Michel Odent also emphasises the importance of privacy during the hour following birth. This gives the opportunity for uninterrupted skin-to-skin and eye-to-eye contact between mother and baby - conditions that optimise oxytocin release.

Oxytocin helps us in our emotional, as well as our physical, transition to motherhood. From the first weeks of pregnancy, oxytocin helps us to be more emotionally open and more receptive to social contact and support. As the hormone of orgasm, labour and breastfeeding, oxytocin encourages us to "forget ourselves", either through altruism - service to others - or through feelings of love.

The fight or flight hormones- also called catecholamines (pronounced cat-e-kol-a-meens), or CAs- can interfere with oxytocin release during labour and after the birth. However they do have an important role to play in the second stage of labour, which is when birth actually occurs.

Early in second stage, when the cervix is fully open but the urge to push is not yet strong, a woman can feel the need to rest for some time. This is known as 'transition'- or the 'rest and be thankful' time. After this, she may quite suddenly experience the dry mouth, dilated pupils and sudden burst of energy that are all characteristic of high levels of CAs.

This burst of CA's gives a mother the energy to push her baby out, and Michel Odent observes that, when unmedicated, women usually want to be upright at this time. Some traditional cultures have used this fight-or-flight effect to help women having difficulty with the delivery by surprising or shouting out at this stage. It makes sense, at this point-of-no-return, for fear or danger to speed up the birth, so that a mother can gather up her newborn baby and run for safety.

CA levels drop quickly after the birth, which can make a mother may feel cold or shaky. At this stage a very warm atmosphere is essential, according to Michel Odent, to keep CA levels low and to allow oxytocin to work effectively to prevent bleeding.

The other major birthing hormone, prolactin is most noteworthy for its effects after the birth. Prolactin is the major hormone of breast milk synthesis. Suckling by the newborn baby increases prolactin levels; early and frequent suckling from the first days makes the breast more responsive to prolactin, which in turn helps to ensure a good long-term supply of milk.

Like the other hormones, prolactin has effects on emotion and behaviour. Prolactin stimulates 'aggressively defensive' behaviour in breastfeeding mothers- what I call the 'tiger mother' effect. As well as this, prolactin helps us to put our babies needs first in all situations by increasing submissiveness, anxiety and vigilance.

When prolactin is combined with oxytocin, as it is soon after birth and during breastfeeding, it encourages a relaxed and selfless devotion to the baby that contributes to a mother's satisfaction and her baby's physical and emotional health.

Beta endorphin (pronounced beet-a en-door-fin) is one of the endorphin hormones which are released by the brain in times of stress or pain, and is a natural equivalent to painkilling drugs like pethidine.

During labour, beta-endorphin helps to relieve pain, and contributes to the "on another planet" feeling that women may experience when they labour without drugs. Levels of beta-endorphin are reduced when drugs are used for pain relief.

Very high levels of beta-endorphin can slow labour by reducing oxytocin levels, which may help to 'ration' the intensity of labour according to our ability to deal with it. Moderate levels of beta-endorphin help us to deal with pain in labour, as well as encouraging us to follow our instincts. As part of the hormonal cocktail after birth, beta-endorphin plays a role in bonding between mother and baby, who is also primed with endorphins from the birth process.

Beta-endorphin also switches on learning and memory, perhaps explaining why we remember our labour and birth in such amazing detail. Like oxytocin, endorphin hormones can induce a euphoria and are also released during lovemaking and breastfeeding. In fact endorphins are actually present in breast milk, which explains the natural high that babies can get after a breast-feed. Beta-endorphin helps the body to release prolactin, underlining the elaborate interplay between these hormones of labour, birth and breastfeeding.

So there you are, at the door, with your bag in your hand and a strong contraction. You remember the oxytocin and endorphins, which you also carry with you, and with your next relaxed breath, you breathe out all of your fear and tension. You've packed your new nursing bra, and you know that prolactin will come to your aid as well. As you take a last look around the house, you notice your cat.

She's lying down as her kittens attach to her nipples, and as you catch her eye, she winks at you.

HERE is the link to the original website: BirthInternational.com.

Nutrient by Nutrient: Why Breast is Best

I found this article very interesting. Enjoy.

NUTRIENT BY NUTRIENT WHY BREAST IS BEST

MOTHER'S MILK: IDEAL NUTRITION FOR HUMAN BABIES

HERE is the link to the original website at AskDrSears.com

Milk is milk, right? Mammals make it (humans are mammals) and babies drink it. There's more to the story than that. Each species of mammal makes a unique kind of milk, which meets all the nutritional requirements of its offspring at the beginning of life. Each species' milk has specific qualities that insure the survival of the young in a particular environment. This principle is known as the biological specificity of milk. Mother seals, for example, make a high-fat milk because baby seals need lots of body fat to survive in cold water. Since brain development is crucial to the survival of humans, human milk provides nutrients for rapid brain growth.

No matter what animal it comes from, milk contains the basic nutritional elements of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Let's look at each one of these nutrients in human milk, comparing them to the same nutrients in formula or cow milk, so you can further appreciate how your milk is custom-made to meet the needs of your baby.

Unique nutrition for unique humans. As hormones levels change in the days after birth, the mother's body starts to make more plentiful amounts of milk. Colostrum gradually changes into mature milk--the stuff babies have been thriving on for thousands of years. Milk's basic ingredients are fat, proteins, lactose, vitamins, minerals, and water. This is true of milk from all kinds of mammals. Yet, the proportions of these ingredients differ, as do the kinds of protein and fat. This is what makes each species' milk uniquely suited to its young. It's also why cow's milk and cow's milk-based formulas are not the ideal food for human infants.

HIGH QUALITY PROTEIN

Protein is a prime example of how human milk is unique nutrition for human babies. Human milk is low in protein, at least when compared with the milk of other species, especially cow's milk. This isn't a nutritional deficiency; there are good reasons for this. Human infants are designed to grow slowly. While it's important for humans to develop strong bodies, even more important is brain development and the learning of social skills. The experiences that shape the brain come from close contact between mother and baby when baby is held and carried. If human infants doubled their birthweight in less than 50 days the way baby calves do, and then continued growing, how could their mothers carry them and talk to them and keep them close? Baby cows need to learn where to find the best grass in the meadow; baby humans need to learn how to work with others so that everyone's needs get met.

Though the protein content of human milk is generally low, the types of amino acids that make up these proteins are important. One particular amino acid, taurine, is found in large amounts in human milk. Studies show that taurine has an important role in the development of the brain and the eyes. The body can't convert other kinds of amino acids into taurine, so its presence in human milk is significant--so significant that some formula manufacturers have begun adding it to artificial baby milks.

If you let milk stand out of the refrigerator and sour, you will see that milk proteins fall into two categories, curds and whey. (Remember Miss Muffet?) The curd portion, the casein proteins, are the white clots; the liquid is the whey. Cow's milk is mostly casein protein, which forms a rubbery, hard-to-digest curd in babies' tummies. Human milk has more whey than curd, and the curds that are formed are softer and more quickly digested. Breastfed babies get hungry sooner than babies who are formula-fed because human milk proteins are digested so efficiently. It doesn't take as much energy to digest human milk as it does to digest formula. Frequent feedings also ensure that human babies get lots of attention from their mothers.

SELF-DIGESTING FATS

There's another reason why babies digest human milk so quickly: the fat in human milk comes with an enzyme, lipase, that breaks the fat down into smaller globules so this important nutrient can be better absorbed into the bloodstream. Fat is a valuable source of energy for babies, so the presence of lipase makes the fat in human milk more available. This is one of the reasons human milk is so good for premature babies, who need lots of energy to grow but whose digestive systems are very immature.

A changing nutrient for changing needs. The fat content of human milk changes constantly. Typically, fat levels are low at the beginning of a feeding and high at the end. Babies nurse eagerly to get the low-fat, thirst-quenching foremilk, then slow down and linger over the high-fat dessert at the end of their meal. Babies who nurse again soon after the end of the last feeding get more high-fat milk, so babies who breastfeed more frequently during a growth spurt get more calories. Longer intervals between feedings bring down the fat content of the milk stored in the breast. This nutritional fact of human milk is one of the many reasons why the rigid 3 to 4 hour scheduled style of feeding is biologically incorrect.

Smarter fats. The special kind of fat in human milk is important to brain development. As newborn babies grow, the nerves are covered with a substance called myelin which helps the nerves transmit messages to other nerves throughout the brain and body. To develop high-quality myelin, the body needs certain types of fatty acids--linoleic and linolenic--which are found in large amounts in human milk. (See "Breastfeeding Builds Brighter Brains")

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

The vitamins and minerals listed on the formula can are no match for those in the milk made by mom, even if milligram by milligram comparisions suggest otherwise. When formula researchers want to know how much of a particular vitamin or mineral babies need each day, they look first at how much of that nutrient is present in human milk and how much milk a baby of a given age takes in a day. But just doing the math doesn't tell the whole story. More important than the amounts of nutrients in the milk is the amount that is available for the infant to use, a nutrient principle called bioavailability. The bioavailability of a nutrient is influenced by many factors, including its chemical form and the presence of other substances.

The three important minerals calcium, phosphorus, and iron are present in breastmilk at lower levels than in formula, but in breastmilk these minerals are present in forms that have high bioavailability. For example, 50 to 75 percent of the iron in breastmilk is absorbed by the baby. With formula, as little as four percent of the iron is absorbed into baby's bloodstream. To make up for the low bioavailability of factory-added vitamins and minerals, formula manufactures raise the concentrations. Sounds reasonable, right? If only half gets absorbed by the body, put twice as much into the can. Yet, this nutrient manipulation may have a metabolic price.

Baby's immature intestines are required to dispose of the excess. Meanwhile, the excess unabsorbed minerals (especially iron) can upset the "ecology of the gut," interfering with the growth of healthful bacteria and allowing harmful bacteria to flourish. This is another reason formula-fed infants have harder, more unpleasant smelling stools.

To enhance the bioavailability of nutrients, breastmilk contains facilitators - substances that enhance the absorption of other nutrients. For example, vitamin C in human milk increases the absorption of iron. Zinc absorption is also enhanced by other factors in human milk. In an interesting experiment, researchers added equal amounts of iron and zinc to samples of human milk, formula, and cow'd milk, and fed them to adult volunteers. More of the nutrients in the human-milk sample got into the bloodstream compared to the formula and cow's milk. In essence, breastmilk puts nutrients where they belong - in baby's blood, not in baby's bowels.

HORMONES AND ENZYMES

Every year medical journal articles describe more valuable substances discovered in human milk. Scientists are only beginning to write the story on other factors in human milk that may be important to baby's growth and development. For example, other enzymes besides lipase are available to aid infant digestion. Epidermal growth factor, present in human milk in significant amounts, may promote the development of tissues in the digestive tract and elsewhere. Other hormones in milk may influence a baby's metabolism, growth, and physiology. The effects may be subtle, but they may also have far-reaching implications. Being breastfed has advantages that reach into adulthood. Science is only beginning to learn what these benefits are.

Is "Bed-sharing" Safe for Baby?

We have tried several different sleep arrangements with our baby and some of them worked better than others, but I wanted to understand more about what constitutes a safe sleep environment and what would work best for our family.

These are some interesting articles I found:

{the first two articles are by Dr. James J. Mckenna, PhD. who works at the University of Notre Dame Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory and has published several articles on infant-child sleep. Dr. Mckenna specializes in: Infant Sleep, Breast Feeding, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Evolution of Human Behavior (especially parenting and infant development), Evolutionary Medicine, Primate Social Behavior, Human Evolution}

In Defense of Maya's Mother, by Dr. James J. Mckenna, PhD. - published in the Contemporary Pediatrics Journal, 2000.

Why Babies Should Never Sleep Alone: A Review of the Co-Sleeping Controversy, in Relation to SIDS, Bed-Sharing and Breastfeeding, by Dr. James J. Mckenna, PhD. - this is an article that was published in Pediatric Respiratory Reviews in 2005. It is long, just FYI, but very interesting information.

Kellymom.com defines "Bed-Sharing" and "Co-Sleeping" and if you go HERE you can read more about these options and why there are some really positive reasons to "Co-Sleep" & "Bed-Share". Also, if you scroll to the bottom of the page, there are many, many more articles from various authors on this topic.

May we all sleep well and feel rested! :)

Will Giving Formula or Solids Help Baby Sleep Better?

I found this info at kellymom.com and I thought it was a good bit of "just so ya know" and might give you something to consider when looking for a "sleep remedy". Good luck and happy reading! :)

The idea that solids will help your baby sleep is an old wives' tale that has been disproven by medical studies. Feeding your baby solids or formula in an attempt to make baby sleep longer is not a good idea for several reasons:

There's no evidence that it will help. Some babies will sleep worse, due to reactions to the formula or solids (tummy ache, etc. are not uncommon), particularly if baby is younger than around 6 months. Two studies have indicated that adding solids to the diet does not cause babies to sleep longer. These studies found no difference in the sleep patterns of babies who received solids before bedtime when compared to babies who were not given solids. Here are the two studies:

Macknin ML, Medendorp SV, Maier MC. Infant sleep and bedtime cereal. Am J Dis Child. 1989 Sep;143(9):1066-8.

Keane V, et al. Do solids help baby sleep through the night? Am J Dis Child 1988; 142: 404-05.

Formula requires a baby's digestive system to work overtime as baby tries to digest something not specific to the human body. Formula is harder to digest than human milk; thus formula-fed babies tend to go longer between feedings. While this may seem like a benefit, it's probably not something we want for our babies' bodies unless there are no other alternatives. There are also risks to formula use (see What should I know about infant formula?). It certainly has a place in infant feeding but probably shouldn't be used whenever mom's milk - either directly from the source or expressed - is available.

Early introduction of solids (before six months) carries its own set of risks.

Recent research suggests that longer stretches of deep sleep are associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and babies who sleep longer/deeper may be more vulnerable to SIDS (see in particular the research of James McKenna, PhD at the University of Notre Dame). Some scientists are saying that it appears that long sleep stretches are not "natural" for human infants and that sleep interruptions in the early months may provide a protective factor against SIDS. More research is needed on this subject, but parents might want to think twice about significantly manipulating baby's natural sleep pattern in the early months.

You can read the full text HERE.

Its Normal for Baby to Wake During the Night

Did you know that it is totally normal for babies to wake up during the night? Mostly they wake up because they want to eat, but there are other reasons, too. Babies cry and wake up for a reason. This is how they get their needs met.

I'm not a believer in letting baby "cry it out" for two reasons: 1) they are in the developmental stage of trust vs. mistrust. They need their mom and they need to know that she will be there for them. They are used to always having mom around (i.e. 9 months in the womb) and it is normal and natural for them to cry out for comfort and reassurance. (Dad can comfort baby, too!) In college I studied Reactive Attachment Disorder in children and I can tell you from my own observation that children who consistently do not get their needs met when they cry out, do have problems. There is a wide range of consequences but their are consequences. 2) babies need things. They need their diaper changed. They need to eat when their body tells them they are hungry. They need help staying warm or cooling off when they get too hot. They are helpless and therefore cry out for us to meet their needs.

There are many interesting studies on infant sleep patterns. You can read them HERE. I think a lot of what helps us as parents to cope with the many changes a baby goes through is to know what is normal & what we should expect. No two babies are exactly alike, though. As with most things regarding babies, use these recommendations as a guide, not a rule.

Before 6 weeks old, babies should not be sleeping longer than 4 hours at night. If they do, they should be woken up to eat, if mom is breastfeeding as this would greatly effect mom's milk supply in a negative way. After 6 weeks, its really a toss up. Baby may sleep 6 hours a night. Or maybe wake up every 2 hours to eat. Every baby is different and each baby will begin to sleep through the night when they are developmentally ready.

HERE is a great link with information and suggestions on sleeping through the night. Oh, and just FYI, what you have heard about giving babies cereal at night to help them sleep longer isn't true. Kellymom.com has some great links on this topic.

Swaddling

For anyone having trouble getting their baby to sleep well, I found this article in the American Academy of Pediatrics Journal, about swaddling to put baby to sleep and help them sleep better. You can read it HERE.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends putting baby to sleep on their back until they are physically able to roll back and forth, to prevent SIDS.

Use Caution with Teething Tablets

Because of my nursing background, I'm always checking out the back of the box for ingredients. I had heard a friend talk about the success she had using "Humphrey's Teething Tablets" and decided to pick up a box at the local pharmacy while I was out. On the box they advertise that they are "all natural" and "homeopathic" teething relievers.

I need to add a side note at this point:

In general, I like using alternatives to drugs and when I do, I use them as little as possible, however, what most people do not realize is that herbs and other "natural ingredients" are actually drugs, by definition. "A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function"(definition found HERE.).and they can be just as potent or more so than what you will find with a prescription at the pharmacy. Please use caution when using natural remedies. Do your homework.

I got home and looked at the list of ingredients and became concerned. The first ingredient that concerned me was "Belladonna", also known as "Deadly Nightshade". You can conclude from the former nickname that it isn't a substance to be taken lightly. Below I have added some information about "Belladonna"; how it works and why it is dangerous.

Atropa belladonna or Atropa bella-donna, commonly known as Belladonna, Devil's Berries, Death Cherries or Deadly Nightshade, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Solanaceae, native to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. The foliage and berries are extremely toxic, containing tropane alkaloids. These toxins include scopolamine and hyoscyamine which cause a bizarre delirium and hallucinations,^[1] and are also used as pharmaceutical anticholinergics (See below for definition of an Anticholinergic agent). The drug atropine (See below for definition of Atropine) is derived from the plant.

It has a long history of use as a medicine, cosmetic, and poison. Before the Middle Ages, it was used as an anesthetic for surgery, the ancient Romans used it as a poison (the wife of Emperor Augustus and the wife of Claudius both used it to murder contemporaries) and predating this it was used to make poison tipped arrows. The genus name "atropa" comes from Atropos, one of the three Fates in Greek mythology, and the name "bella donna" is derived from Italian and means "beautiful woman". (The above is from Wikipedia.com and can be found HERE.)

An anticholinergic agent is a substance that blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and the peripheral nervous system. An example of an anticholinergic is dicycloverine, and the classic example is atropine (See below for definition of Atropine). Anticholinergics are a class of medications that inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses by selectively blocking the binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to its receptor in nerve cells. The nerve fibers of the parasympathetic system are responsible for the involuntary movements of smooth muscles present in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, lungs, etc. (The above is from Wikipedia.com and can be found HERE.)

Atropine is a tropane alkaloid extracted from deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) and other plants of the family Solanaceae. It is a secondary metabolite of these plants and serves as a drug with a wide variety of effects. It is a competitive antagonist for the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. It is classified as an anticholinergic drug. Being potentially deadly, it derives its name from Atropos, one of the three Fates who, according to Greek mythology, chose how a person was to die. (The above is from Wikipedia.com and can be found HERE.)

Moms, please don't make medical decisions based off of opinions and well meaning suggestions. Do your own research and trust your instincts.

Teething tablets are drugs. I don't say that to scare anyone. I only want to draw the necessary attention to it. The actual ingredients in them are concerning. We, as parents, need to really consider everything that we give our kids because it can seriously effect their health and well-being, even their brain development.

These are the ingredients in Humphrey's (FYI: Hyland's teething tablets were recalled because they were not regulating the amount of these dangerous ingredients in their product which could be damaging and even fatal to our babies)

Active Ingredients:
Calcarea Phosphorica (Calcium Phosphate) 3X HPUS
Chamomilla (Chamomile) 3X HPUS
Coffea Cruda (Coffee) 3X HPUS
Belladonna 3X HPUS (Alkaloids 0.0003%).

Inactive Ingredients:
Lactose N.F.

Calcium phosphate can be found in some cosmetic products, as well as many industrial chemicals and cements. It is poisonous in large doses. (google for more information)

Chamomile is derived from a plant, either Anthemus nobilis or Matricaria recutita. It has long been used for its sedative effects. Since it is a member of the daisy family, anyone allergic to this family, such as ragweed, should not use it. (for more info see http://wilkes1.wilkes.edu/~kklemow/Matricaria.html)

Coffea Cruda is unroasted coffee (i.e. caffeine) "Caffeine works by changing the chemistry of the brain. It blocks the action of a natural brain chemical that is associated with sleep." - http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/drugs-alcohol/caffeine-awake.htm

"It's important to know that caffeine is an addictive drug. Among its many actions, it operates using the same mechanisms that amphetamines, cocaine, and heroin use to stimulate the brain. Relatively speaking, caffeine's effects are milder than amphetamines, cocaine and heroin, but it is manipulating the same channels in the brain, and that is one of the things that gives caffeine its addictive qualities." - http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/drugs-alcohol/caffeine1.htm

Belladonna is also known as Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna). It is "one of the most toxic plants to be found in the Western hemisphere. Children have been poisoned by as few as three of the berries, and a small leaf thoroughly chewed can be a fatal dose for an adult. The root, however, is often the most toxic part, though this can vary from one specimen to another." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belladonna).

Here is a link to more information on "belladonna" the plant, also known as "deadly nightshade" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belladonna_%28plant%29

I worked as a nurse in the new born nursery and NICU and I know how seriously we consider and monitor any medications/drugs being given to babies. Their little bodies and all the organs in them are so immature. They do not have the ability to process drugs and toxins like an adult body would. Any drug you give them runs the risk of building up in their system and becoming toxic.

I called a friend of mine, who is a nurse in the OR and PACU and asked her about "belladonna" since I know it has medicinal use for adults. She said they use it with an opiate (very strong pain reliever) for cancer patients, as a last resort drug for pain from bowel spasms, meaning nothing else is working well enough. In the hospital, medications are kept on the floor where nurses can easily access them through-out their shift, as they are needed. This medication, however, is so dangerous that it is carefully monitored and must be walked down from the pharmacy by the pharmacist himself anytime a patient needs this medication. It has some serious possible side effects. She said they rarely use it.

The FDA has received reports of "serious adverse events in children taking this product (Hyland's Teething Tablets) that are consistent with belladonna toxicity."

Symptoms of belladonna poisoning are depressed level of consciousness, seizure, difficulty or slowed breathing, lethargy, sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, and agitation.

You can read the full article here: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20101025/hylands-teething-tablets-recall-possible-poisoning-risk

Other risks are listed here: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-56595-belladonna.aspx?drugid=56595&drugname=belladonna&source=1&pagenumber=6

Two of the major side effects of belladonna are constipation and decreased sweating. Now these may seem like no big deal, but as a medical professional they are concerning to me.

Constipation can lead to hard stools which can cause inflammation and tearing of the intestinal tract. Tearing causes loss of small amounts of blood that may not be visible to the naked eye but result in losses of iron and other vital components for healthy blood which provides nutrients and oxygen to the baby's vital organs including the brain.

Constipation also means that baby is not eliminating waste which means his/her body cannot get the toxins out of his/her body effectively.

Decreased sweating is dangerous. It doesn't sound bad, but it is. Especially if the baby happens to be teething or has a cold and is running a fever. Sweating is how the body regulates temperature. Babies bodies are immature, and do not regulate temperature very well on their own, but if you give them a drug that causes them to sweat less then you are making it that much harder on their little body and potentially causing their fever to spike higher which can lead to other very harmful effects such as febrile seizures, to say the least.

What is also concerning about "belladonna" is that it chemically affects the brain. A baby's brain is rapidly growing and developing, so much so that by the age of 5 years old, 96% of a baby's brain development is completed.

Babies have been teething for hundreds of years and there are safe remedies to help them during this time. And as a mom, I totally understand wanting to comfort your little one when they are in pain. I have a baby, too and I would do just about anything to make him feel better when he is hurting. But with everything there are PROS and CONS. You need to ask yourself, do the benefits outweigh the risks? Do I know enough about what this drug may be doing to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks? Is the harm worth the potential pain relief?

Also, remember that this phase will pass. Teething doesn't last forever (though sometimes it feels like it). Talk to a pharmacist at a local drug store. They are very knowledgeable on all types of drugs and their side effects. They are also very willing to help you and give you information. Just ask. Also talk to your pediatrician. No matter which side they are on, ask them why they recommend either using or not using the homeopathic teething pellets. Always ask why.

We live in a day and age where science can prove things with research and studies. Don't rely on opinion. Ask for facts.

And finally, go with your gut. When all else fails, you are a Mom and you can trust that your instincts are valid. Do what feels right and best for your baby.

Financial Costs of Not Breastfeeding

I just thought this was fascinating. It shows how much it costs to formula feed your baby per day/week/month/etc. Check it out HERE.

Isn't it awesome that Breastmilk is amazing AND free!?!

Average Weight Gain for Breastfed Babies

Baby's Age	Average Weight Gain 1	Average Weight Gain 2,3
0-4 months	5.5 - 8.5 ounces per week	5 - 7 ounces per week †
4-6 months	3.25 - 4.5 ounces per week	4 - 5 ounces per week
6-12 months	1.75 - 2.75 ounces per week ‡	2 - 4 ounces per week
[click here to see tables in Metric Units] † It is acceptable for some babies to gain 4-5 ounces per week. ‡ The average breastfed baby doubles birth weight by 3-4 months. By one year, the typical breastfed baby will weigh about 2 1/2 - 3 times birth weight. 1 Sources: World Health Organization Child Growth Standards, 2006. Available at: http://www.who.int/childgrowth/en/. To figure average weight gain, we used the weight-per-age percentile charts for birth - 5 years. The range is a combination of boys and girls 5% to 95%, rounded to the nearest quarter-ounce. Click here for more details on calculations [PDF file]. Riordan J. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation, 3rd ed. Boston: Jones and Bartlett, 2005, p. 103, 512-513. Mohrbacher N and Stock J. The Breastfeeding Answer Book, Third Revised ed. Schaumburg, Illinois: La Leche League International, 2003, p. 148-149.

A few things to keep in mind when evaluating weight gain

A 5-7% weight loss during the first 3-4 days after birth is normal. A 10% weight loss is sometimes considered normal, but this amount of weight loss is a sign that the breastfeeding needs to be evaluated. It's a good idea to have a routine weight check at 5 days (baby should be gaining rather than losing weight by day 5), so that any developing problems can be caught and remedied early.

Baby should regain birth weight by 10 days to 2 weeks. If your baby lost a good bit of weight in the early days, or if your baby is sick or premature, it may take longer to regain birth weight. If baby does not regain birth weight by two weeks, this is a sign that the breastfeeding needs to be evaluated.

Go HERE for more information at kellymom.com

The Distractable Breastfeeding Baby: age 2-6 months and 8-10 months

Latch on, suck a moment, pull off... latch on, suck a moment, pull off. Nurse a minute, pull away to smile at mom. Nurse a minute, pull away to see who just walked in the room. Nurse a minute, pull away to listen to the TV. Nurse a moment, pull away because the dog wagged his tail.

Sound familiar?? Baby starts to nurse and just as soon as your milk starts to let-down, baby pulls off and wiggles around in your lap. Babies aged two to six months are notorious for pulling off the breast at any distraction (real or imaginary) and tend to forget to let go before they turn around (ouch!).

This is a passing developmental stage that can be quite a nuisance - it's usually at it's worst between four and five months. At around 2 months, your baby will become able to see things clearly across the room. At around 3 months, he'll start to stay awake longer and take a greater interest in the world around him.

Distractibility is also common around 8-10 months, and can lead mom to think that her baby is trying to wean. If your baby is younger than a year, it's highly unlikely that this temporary disinterest is self-weaning. It's very rare for a baby younger than 12 months to self-wean.

What Can You Do?

Until this stage has passed, baby may need a quiet place to nurse and/or more night nursing until he's figured out how to deal with distraction. Do take advantage of night nursing during this time - it doesn't matter when baby takes in his calories during a 24-hour period. One study showed that older babies can consume as much as 25% of their total daily intake of mother's milk during the night, probably partly because of daytime distractibility.

Nursing in a quiet, darkened, boring room often helps. Talk in quiet, soothing tones (if you talk at all). Nurse while lying down; nap nurse. Cover baby with a shawl or put him in a sling to nurse. Nursing while in motion (walking, rocking) can also help baby to focus better on nursing. Try to catch your baby when he's more willing, such as when he's just waking up, already a little sleepy, or actually asleep. Baby's initial pulling off is probably not an indication that he is finished - just an indication that he saw/heard something interesting across the room. When he pulls off, try to coax him back to the breast a few more times before giving up.

If baby is not nursing as much because of distractibility, offer the breast often (even when he doesn't "ask" to nurse). Make up for lost time by nursing more often during the night. Older babies may nurse better if you try different and novel nursing positions in which they have more control - baby standing up, sitting on your lap facing you, etc.

Go HERE for the full article and more links at kellymom.com

90%+ Car Seats are NOT installed properly

Have you read your car seat manual? Did you read it before or after you installed your car seat? Did you check to make sure it was installed properly according to your car's manual? These are important questions to ask yourself and you may even want to find a local certified car seat technician to make sure that your child is actually safe if you were to get into an accident. Most fire stations have a certified car seat technician or can tell you where you can find one.

This article states that more than 90% of car seats are not installed properly. Scary.
Go HERE to read the full article.

This blog has a list of Common Car Seat Installation Errors. Check it out to see if there are some easy things you can check to make sure your baby is safe in his/her seat.

National Breastfeeding Rates

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that only 73.8 percent of physically capable U.S. women attempt breastfeeding.11 By three months after birth, only 30.5 percent and by six months after birth, only 11.3 percent breastfeed exclusively.11 Figure 1 illustrates the percentage of infants in the United States who are being breastfed at six months of age by state.13

You can read more HERE.

Only 11.3% of babies are breastfed exclusively till they are 6 months old. What do you think are the main reasons that this number is so low? What are the barriers keeping Mom's from breastfeeding exclusively to six months?

The Benefits of Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy

Here are a few main points that I thought were interesting "food for thought":

- In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides (Dewey 2001):

29% of energy requirements
43% of protein requirements
36% of calcium requirements
75% of vitamin A requirements
76% of folate requirements
94% of vitamin B₁₂ requirements
60% of vitamin C requirements

- The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).

- "Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation" (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991).

-Many studies have shown that one of the best ways to prevent allergies (including life-threatening allergies) and asthma is to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months and continue breastfeeding long-term after that point.

• Breastfeeding can be helpful for preventing allergy by:
  1. reducing exposure to potential allergens (the later baby is exposed, the less likely that there will be an allergic reaction),
  2. speeding maturation of the protective intestinal barrier in baby's gut,
  3. coating the gut and providing a barrier to potentially allergenic molecules,
  4. providing anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of infections (which can act as allergy triggers).

- Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest.

- According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):

• "Research reports on the psychological aspects of nursing are scarce. One study that dealt specifically with babies nursed longer than a year showed a significant link between the duration of nursing and mothers' and teachers' ratings of social adjustment in six- to eight-year-old children (Ferguson et al, 1987). In the words of the researchers, 'There are statistically significant tendencies for conduct disorder scores to decline with increasing duration of breastfeeding.'"

- According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in "Extended Breastfeeding and the Law":

• "Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood."

• Baldwin continues: "Meeting a child's dependency needs is the key to helping that child achieve independence. And children outgrow these needs according to their own unique timetable." Children who achieve independence at their own pace are more secure in that independence then children forced into independence prematurely.

- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)

- The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "As recommended by the WHO, breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is not the cultural norm in the United States and requires ongoing support and encouragement. It has been estimated that a natural weaning age for humans is between two and seven years. Family physicians should be knowledgeable regarding the ongoing benefits to the child of extended breastfeeding, including continued immune protection, better social adjustment, and having a sustainable food source in times of emergency. The longer women breastfeed, the greater the decrease in their risk of breast cancer." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2008)

- A US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. (Novello 1990)

- The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond (WHO 1993, WHO 2002).

- Scientific research by Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD shows that 2.5 to 7.0 years of nursing is what our children have been designed to expect (Dettwyler 1995).

Breastfeeding Benefits Mom, Too!

- Extended nursing delays the return of fertility in some women by suppressing ovulation (References).

- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer (References). Studies have found a significant inverse association between duration of lactation and breast cancer risk.

- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer (References).

- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of uterine cancer (References).

- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of endometrial cancer (References).

- Breastfeeding protects against osteoporosis. During lactation a mother may experience decreases of bone mineral. A nursing mom's bone mineral density may be reduced in the whole body by 1 to 2 percent while she is still nursing. This is gained back, and bone mineral density may actually increase, when the baby is weaned from the breast. This is not dependent on additional calcium supplementation in the mother's diet. (References).

- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. (References).

- Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease insulin requirements in diabetic women (References).

- Breastfeeding moms tend to lose weight easier (References)

The Case of the Virgin Gut

I found this really interesting article called "Even the Occasional Bottle of Formula has its Risks: The Case of the Virgin Gut"

Benefits of Baby Wearing

Using a baby sling or wrap can make life easier for you and is good for your baby. Following are some of the advantages of "wearing" your baby (from The Baby Book by William and Martha Sears):

• It's convenient. You can breastfeed discretely in a sling while working, getting things done around the house, shopping or eating in a restaurant. If you have a baby who wants to be held all the time, this is an easy way to meet her needs while doing other things.
• It helps moms care for older siblings. Carrying your baby in a sling can give you the mobility to care for your older children.
• It helps some babies to breastfeed better. Some babies, particularly those who are tense or tend to arch their backs, breastfeed better while moving. Also, babies who are slow to gain weight (for no apparent reason) have been known to gain better if carried in a sling for several hours a day, since proximity to mom encourages babies to eat more frequently.
• It reduces crying and colic. A 1986 study of 99 mother-infant pairs (reported in Pediatrics) showed that carrying babies at least three hours a day reduces crying and fussing 43% during the day and 51% at night. Babies are happier because they have less need to cry, and parents enjoy their babies more as a result.
• It enhances learning. Carried babies have enhanced visual and auditory alertness, and increased "quiet alertness" times. Carrying a baby promotes cognitive development and speech development, since babies are exposed to more experiences and conversations.
• Carried babies are involved in their parents' world. They participate in life, rather than see it as a spectator.
• Carrying your baby promotes bonding and enhances parents' feelings of competence. A higher frequency of feeding and touching stimulates mothering hormones, and frequent carrying encourages and speeds the development of a mutual reading of each other's cues.

You can read more HERE.

This is a great website - Peppermint.com - with lots of baby wearing options and explanations on the pros & cons of all the various options. I use the Moby Wrap and I love it. Happy Baby Wearing!

As always, this information is for you to consider and decide if it is something you think might work well for you and your baby. You are the expert when it comes to your baby. :)