Search Results for: blog ask a baby blogger breastfeeding and bonding

Breastfeeding Preemies in a NICU is Different

Posted on by

Breast milk is absolutely the best food you can give your newborn. Not only does it provide numerous immunological benefits, but the breast milk of a mother who has given birth too early contains substantially more calorie packing fat than does the breast milk of a mother who has given birth at a full 40 weeks gestation. One difficulty in breastfeeding a preemie for some mothers is that good practices in giving breast milk to a preemie while he/she is in the NICU may well go against everything that the new mother has read or heard about breastfeeding. Here are … Continue reading →

Parenting Multiples: The Strain of Always Having to Share

My twins are almost three and now that I’m out of the fog of sleep deprivation and constant feedings, diaper changes, and other baby care duties–I have to say that having twins is a blast. Someone asked me recently if there was anything remarkable about the way they developed verses how singletons develop and what was the hardest part of parenting multiples. No doubt, had you asked me one year ago I would’ve answered that sleep deprivation was the hardest part of parenting multiples. By 5 or 6 months, all of my children woke once in the middle of the … Continue reading →

Bonding with Your NICU Baby

Recently, here in the baby blog we have been talking about preemies and the NICU experience. Emotionally draining is an understatement. Bonding is also another challenge as you might not even be able to hold your little one for awhile. NICU babies have unique needs and consequently it’s important that you give yourself permission to observe your baby’s cues and watch them closely. Your baby might not be interested in the outside world for awhile and actually, that’s not a terrible thing. NICU preemies, particularly ones who are sick, need all their energy for recovering. Once your baby is matured … Continue reading →

Benefits of Breastfeeding Are Over Stated

This is the post that almost wasn’t. If you’ve ever read my blog here, you know that I advocate breastfeeding whole heartedly. I do not believe that formula is just as good and I believe that many women who think they “can’t” simply didn’t have the support necessary to continue. Many of you have written me personally to tell me that I’ve helped you to continue by providing good information and support. (To those of you who have written me, I offer a big heart felt thank you–I’m so glad I could help.) But neither have I said that breastfeeding … Continue reading →

How Do You Get Your “Me” Time

This is a question I frequently get asked. After all, I am the very busy homeschooling mother of five kids. In all honesty, it’s much easier now that my five kids are under the age of nine. When they were under the age of five though, I had quite the different perspective. I always struggle with this question because the truth of the matter is we live in a society that places far too much weight on personal ‘me’ time. One working mother even asserted to me that I was only “half-brained” because I stay home all day with my … Continue reading →

Ask a Baby Blogger: C-Sections and Bonding After Birth

Question: Do mothers who have c-sections not bond as well with their babies? This is not a question someone e-mailed me, but rather something that was being discussed in the forums. It’s a very sensitive issue and frankly, I think there has been made much ado about nothing. Bonding is NOT a one time event. It is not this little narrow window of opportunity that once is lost, is gone forever. It is a process and to be honest, I think a lot of people don’t understand what exactly is meant by bonding when they talk about it. What is … Continue reading →

Valorie’s Breastfeeding Index

Later today I will post a review of the baby blog of 2007 so why does breastfeeding get its own category? Well, in part as an answer to readers who want to read what I’ve written on breastfeeding. I’ve written so much on breastfeeding at this point that you all have asked for an index of sorts so it’s easier to find what you’re looking for. It’s also in part because I’ve become known as the breastfeeding lady. . .guru. . .whatever you want to call it. I’ve been at this breastfeeding business for a long time and many of … Continue reading →

Nursing Nuisances: What to Do With the Tongue Tied Baby

If you haven’t read it yet, check out yesterday’s article on what it means to be a tongue tied baby, and how to identify that this might be the problem. Again, having a tongue tied baby doesn’t mean that you can’t nurse. However, it is definitely one of those situations under which you will need to consult a certified IBCLC and you will most likely have to have the baby undergo an office procedure. But I’m getting ahead of myself. In addition to the physical signs of being tongue tied, you may also suspect something is wrong because breastfeeding is … Continue reading →

How One Judge is Changing Infants’ Lives

Posted on by

It is pretty much widely known among the scientific community that babies who interact regularly with their parents are, well. . .smarter. Early development specialists have long suggested that a lack of interaction can lead to a life time of learning problems and a lack of trust. When infants cannot connect with an adult it leaves them unable to trust anyone and often leads to a cyclical life of abuse and neglect. The neglected becomes the mother who neglects. . .and the cycle never ends. Enter Judge Cindy Lederman. As a family court judge in Florida, she sees cases like … Continue reading →

Baby Blog Week in Review: May 8 to May 27

Posted on by

Oops! The last few weekends have been filled with craziness and I have simply forgotten to do my week in review blogs! Between homeschooling conventions, a bout with croup, and year end activities–the time (and my brain) just escaped from me. So if you’ve missed anything recently. . .it’s here! Saturday, May 26 Babies Have Astounding Capabilities Scientists and researchers are learning more and more about how babies learn language. It’s changing the way we define intelligent and challenging our beliefs on the best ways to enhance development. Friday, May 25 Preemies Listening to Vivaldi? Check out this exciting research … Continue reading →