A sick little one

My little Aya was sick this week. On Wednesday night she woke up around midnight and was burning hot. As a breastfeeding mom, I was so grateful I could instantly comfort her by feeding her. I wasn't surprised she was sick. The little boy at her sitter's house had come down with an ear infection and strep earlier in the week. The rest of the night was fretful for Aya. She called out in her sleep often. As I lay in bed listening for her, I felt so grateful I am still breastfeeding. I felt like it enabled our Aya to keep resting despite the fact she was miserable. I wondered what the mother who doesn't breastfeed does to comfort her sick baby and help her to sleep. Does she continue to warm bottles? Does she rely on rocking? As I drifted back into sleep, while still on high alert for Aya, I felt comforted knowing I could let Aya breastfeed all night long if she needed to. Having an option that guaranteed comfort and rest for her was a relief to me and a proud moment.

The next day we took Aya to the doctor and ruled out an infection. I also took her to the chiropractor for an adjustment. Mostly though, we nursed. She wasn't happy with solids as she often takes during the day. Instead, she just wanted me, and often. Two naps were spent laying close to me, nursing. She was easily comforted by nursing and easily nursed into peaceful, healing slumbers. I expected Aya to be sick for longer than she was because her buddy next door was sick for an entire week. But Aya seemed to rebound really quickly. I owe it all to breastfeeding, its antibodies, its comfort, and its healing. I read later it is good to nurse a sick baby as often as they will drink to speed healing. I wouldn't have had to read this however; Aya's body let me know that was what she needed. Amazing.

Breastfeeding a Sick Infant

Another breastfeeding Perk

In the past, Winter has been hard to embrace in the morning. Getting up when it is cold and dark was always very difficult for me; it seemed no matter how much sleep I got it was still too hard to get up. Yet this November, I am not dreading Winter mornings any longer. Provided I go to bed early enough, getting up in the dark has become rather simple--almost joyful-- thanks to nighttime nursing and routinely getting up early enough to have a little time to myself before Aya wakes. I haven't missed a sunrise in a long time and I'm starting to really like it.

Teeth

Aya is on her way to 9 months now, and people at work are starting to ask me how much longer I plan to breastfeed. Many are wondering what I will do when Aya gets teeth. One of my friends had a terrible experience when her son got teeth around 6 months. She ended up weaning because the pain was too great. Mom told me all it took for her when I got teeth was to let out a yell the first time I bit her and I never did it again. At a La Leche League meeting, moms suggested ending the nursing sessions when your child bites to give her the message it isn't okay. I haven't had to experiment yet, but I thought it might be a good idea to be proactive and look up some helpful hints ahead of time. Here is what I found.

When your baby starts teething

Making the Most of Pumping Sessions

I don't think pumping is any mother's favorite thing to do. It is not as cozy or as comfortable as nursing a little warm child, but it is important and necessary for many moms, including me! There are a few things I have learned about pumping that have helped me get more out of my sessions, and I'd like to pass these ideas along. It is disappointing to go through an entire pumping session only to get a little return for your time. Here are some things that have helped me add volume to my bottles!

Relaxing my shoulders. It is amazing how my body responds to being comfortable.

Massaging my breasts as I pump.

Returning to the stimulation phase on the pump after the initial letdown is over.

Pumping a full 15 minutes. I find I often get more milk in those final 2-3 minutes that I otherwise would have missed.

Lifting my breasts while pumping and leaning forward. Is it gravity?

What has helped most however, is doing nothing...if I do and think about something else while I'm pumping, I get far more milk than if I'm aware of just how how far away I am from my desired goal.

It has also helped me to realize that it is okay if I don't get a lot of milk from one session. I can pump again or more often for a day. The milk will come; I might just have to spend a little more time loving my baby by pumping more often for a day.

Where I've Nursed

It is funny to think about the places one can nurse. I thought I'd share a quick list...to remind you of some of your own funny moments. One of the things I've decided I love most about babies is that they wear their feelings on their sleeves. They aren't afraid to be open and are naturally vulnerable. I can learn from my Aya's nature: it is okay to need care and it is good to ask for it.

Here are some places where I've nursed: at the park on the bench and on the grass, in dressing rooms at GoodWill and Talbots, while leaning over her car seat, at the coffee shop, in the backseat, while on the move, while sitting still and while lying down. My favorite was while I walked her in her soft carrier. She just couldn't wait until we got home.

Working and Nursing

I have been thankful these days that I am still nursing while working. I love knowing that although Aya can be fed, cared for, tickled, held and rocked by anyone, only I can nurse her-and sometimes that is the only thing she wants. Going back to work has been an adjustment on many levels. I have had to realize that someone else will know Aya's daily routine better than I will. I have had to realize that someone else might have a better idea of how much food she needs, which kinds she likes better than others, and exactly when she has had enough. Someone else may see her do things first and have a better sense of her daily rhythms. I have had to learn to listen to what my sitter has learned about Aya, rather than tell the sitter what I know about Aya. I have had to learn that it is good and okay that Aya will bond with another caregiver and love her, too. All the while, through my learning and letting go, I still know Aya needs me to nurse her. For that, I am very grateful.