The Doula

The Doula...
Protects the sacred birth space


that moment gave me strength...

Listens, listens and listens more
May not understand the mother's feelings, but does not minimize her feelings
Helps the mother feel heard
Keeps the mother safe and secure
Does not compare, judge, belittle or criticize
Validates the mother's wishes and decisions
Respects the mother and her birth choices
Empathizes that some decisions can be hard to make, but might be necessary
Sympathizes when a dream is shattered
Understands that birth plays a very significant role in shaping a woman into a mother
Realizes that every aspect of the birth, good or bad, will replay in the mother's head for the rest of her life
Knows that birth can be traumatic
Rejoices when birth is healing
Believes in the innate birth process
Witnesses miracles everyday

Be the Change

"Be the Change You Want to See in the World" - Gandhi

Gandhi said to BE the change; not say, lecture, advise or even expect people to make the change because of you. Pressuring people to change before they mentally are ready will never work, and they usually end up resenting you.

I think this is hard for most people, because as humans, we really DO want what is best for the people we care about. What is "best"? What WE think is best. What works for us. Where we found success. And this is where the problem lies. What is "best" or what works for one person, is not always what works for the next. Sometimes, people feel judged and criticized if you make a suggestion, offer advise or question their ways, especially if they are already uncertain about their decisions.

This is something that I struggle with personally, because as a doula, childbirth educator and yoga instructor, I have a lot of information, research and knowledge - plus all the health info I get from my chiropractic husband. As a mother of two, I do not think that I am better mother, but perhaps a more "seasoned" mother, having parenting experience for the past 4+ years. My many "jobs" involve me teaching, sharing, coaching and counseling - it's inherently in me! I love to help; Its hard for me to say no. I am a giver.

Maybe I give too much? Maybe I should wait for them to ask first? It is hard for me not to let my opinion slip, especially if the topic is on something I feel passionate about - like attached parenting, breastfeeding, chiropractic or nutrition.

I am inspired by the mothers that I know go confidently into their parenting journey. I learn from them everyday. Everything we do may not be exactly the same, but they are a resource, a sounding-board, a shoulder to lean on. I am already confident in my decisions, and being around these ladies builds my confidence even more.

I have made this resolution before, but I am setting my intentions again:

Be the Change.
Lead by Example - Quietly.  
The Only Person You Can Change is Yourself.
Live Gently, Love Unconditionally.
Smile.

The Natural Mama's Guide to Growing a New Baby

As I am growing Baby #2, I thought I would share what I have found the best way to "grow" a healthy baby throughout your pregnancy. With Nolan, I was very unaware of how my body worked; my cycles were never regular and I had no idea of when I was ovulating. Getting pregnant was by luck. At that time, I thought I ate healthy (looking back, I did, but not as well as I do now). I did exercise all the time, got adjusted regularly and eliminated toxins.

After Nolan was born and I started getting my period again (about 1 year post-partum), I really began to notice how my body worked. My cycles were very regular, like to the day. I knew exactly when I was ovulating. My husband and I practiced Natural Family Planning, and for us, it works. I will let you in on a little secret...I did not get pregnant until I wanted to; it only took one try - and voila - I was pregnant!

The Natural Mama's Guide to Growing a New Baby:

The Awesome Avocado

1) Eat FOR Your Baby: Fetuses need the same things as infants - highly nutritious food with proper supplementation. This can be a little tricky during the first trimester when "morning sickness" can seem like "all-day sickness". I really like ginger, so ginger tea, ginger ale (Zevia brand only - stevia sweetened, no HFCS, preservatives or artificial ingredients like regular soda), and ginger chews. For both pregnancies, I craved fruit, especially watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, orange, apples and pears. Wet and sweet. I can not eat hot food, I prefer cold or cool. Like a huge salad. Tons of water. Supplements are a must, more now then ever - Omega 3, Probiotics, Vit D, Spiralina (pill form) and Prenatal Vitamins. We prefer Garden of Life for our supplements since they are all raw and organic. Since mornings are worse for me, I take the vitamins at lunch and dinner. I try to get in as much healthy fats as possible - Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Walnuts and Almonds, and tons of avocados - all those essential fatty acids for baby's brain development! Have you ever noticed how when you cut open a avocado it resembles a pregnant belly with baby (seed) inside? It also takes  - amazingly - 9 months to grow an avocado! The Perfect food for Pregnant Mommies.

2) Yoga, Yoga and More Yoga - I still continue to do yoga daily. I enjoy quiet meditation times. I relish in sloooooow stretches. The thing I love about Yoga is that you make it your own, and you don't need to go to the gym or studio to do it. In the early months, you might just want to practice at your own pace and in your own way. That's fine.This is when those instinctual "mommy hormones" start kicking in - listen to them! Yoga helps your body to de-stress and the deep breathing and deep stretching can help eliminate toxins. Cultivating a strong yoga practice before your pregnant can make it easier to create your own practice by yourself. Taking up a Prenatal Yoga class later on in your pregnancy is ideal.

 3) Sleep Like a Mama Bear - I sleep whenever I want, and I don't care! Sleep is good - this is when the body repairs, heals and little New Baby is growing. Nolan still loves to cuddle with me, so he is my nap partner.

4) Turn the Power On - As always, I get adjusted regularly. I want to make sure everything in my body is functioning properly, my immune system is strong and nervous system is firing to help grow this new Little One. Baby needs to be getting all proper nutrients and hormones from me, so my body has to be in tip-top condition to grow - and birth - this baby!

Beyond the Bottle

"You will feel fulfilled when you do the impossible for someone else"

Breastfeeding is the normal and natural way to feed a baby. However, this does not mean it does not come without problems or complications. For the majority of women, most problems can be easily solved with the the support and advise from La Leche League or a Lactation Consultant (LC). The more extreme cases should seek for the advanced expertise of an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Luckily, we have an amazing MD, IBCLC, Dr. Punger, right here on the Treasure Coast. She has had clients visit her throughout the State of Florida and even come as far as New York!

When the common issues of flat/inverted nipples, thrush, poor/improper latch, over-supply/under-supply and tongue-tie/lip-tie are quickly solved, breastfeeding can resume to normal. But what if you don't have those "easy to solve" problems? What if you so desperately want to nurse your child, but your body just does not make enough milk, or release the milk?

I want to share two beautiful stories from friends, Ivalee and Veronica, whose courage and perseverance to nurse their children is felt through their words. Both uses a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS), which is a small bag that holds formula or doner milk and has a very thin tube that attaches to the bag on one end and attaches next to the nipple on the other. This allows the mother to still nurse her baby, as the baby will get milk from the SNS tube, and maybe some of the mother's own milk coming out also. Mother can either maintain or build back up her supply (no matter how small amount it might be) while still providing warmth, bonding, love and those amazing immunologic properties of breastmilk.

Ivalee: "I am a mom who uses a supplemental nurser (SNS) with my child. For the second time now I cannot provide nearly enough to sustain my children. I had to hospitalize my first son at 6 days old for fear that he was failure to thrive. I had to give him formula the very day that it was publicly announced that babies were dying from melamine in the formula. That was so heartbreaking and difficult, along with knowing that my body was just broken and couldn't do something so natural as nursing my child. I don't match a single marker for why I may have hypoplastic breasts but, alas, there I was. At the moment I couldn't even think straight and wasn't even thinking of donor milk. I talked it over with my husband later and he wasn't comfortable enough with the process so we, reluctantly, settled with formula. Thankfully we have two beautiful, healthy boys who survived formula. If I get to have another child and have the same issues I'm sure to push the issue more. I've lived and learned so much through this process. I just wish I had more information on the alternate breastfeeding options ahead of time.

Ivalee using the SNS, baby at 6 months

With my second I did a weigh, nurse, weigh at the local hospital and in 45 minutes my son only got something like .15 of an ounce and he was about 11 weeks old. Luckily I had a wonderful lactation consultant who directed me to Dr. Punger. She has been amazing and when I suggested an ultrasound to check the function of my ducts she was immediately on board. We did some full and empty ultrasounds against the wishes of the local radiology group where the tech made it clear in painfully nasty tone that my breasts "just don't look like lactating breasts and I should just go ahead and stop." Ever have someone fuel your fire like that? How very tiring it can be to use an SNS and then still pump after every feeding for something like 2 days just to collect enough breastmilk to give your baby 2 ounces. I did this for well over a year before returning my rented "beast of a pump", the Medela Classic, because it was supposed to pull the most milk while pumping. I'm happy to say that I'm currently nursing a 22 month old on demand during the day (probably more as comfort because he does eat/drink solids) and once at the end of the evening with the supplemental nurser.

I have been able to supplement with an SNS and keep him at the breast for almost 23 months so far and for that I am forever grateful! Every chance we get to nurse is a gift that HE gives to me at this point. Try to remember that even though your previous experience doesn't fit the picture that you thought it might, that doesn't mean that it isn't success. Our little ones help give us experiences that make us better people and allow us to help others as well. I know that sharing is my outlet for dealing with the loss of the experience that I had dreamed of that didn't come true. So far I've been able to help a handful of girls hang on to a nursing relationship that wasn't quite the same as mine but using an SNS helped them to keep their baby at the breast while they built back up their supply and worked on getting baby to latch properly. I am very involved in my local LLL. For new moms, it can be confusing to see me use the SNS. I don't want women to think right off the bat that it can be that hard or near impossible but I also wish that I had been prepared more the first time around for the possibility of it. I can say, I'm happily still producing at this stage but probably only drops. I'll take it though. Every single drop counts."

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill

Veronica and Elijah

Veronica had a breast reduction due to debilitating back pain. She remembers the doctor telling her she would not be able to breastfeed and feeling devastated, but at that point in her life she was not married or even thinking of children. Within months of her surgery, however, she met and fell in love with her husband-to be. She was determined to breastfeed their first child, Daniel. Although he latched on well, he was not gaining weight. Her breasts would fill up and become engorged, but there was no way for all the milk to get out. Eventually, Veronica had to bottle feed with formula. Daniel was fussy and cried alot; Veronica felt distant from her child. In preparation for their second child, Veronica started to research "breastfeeding after reduction" and learned about supplementing options. Sadly, she did not get to use it. Her daughter, Vivianna, had a traumatic birth, was born with brain damage and has to fed via a feeding tube. Finally, with her third baby, Elijah, Veronica was able to breastfeed with the SNS system. Elijah was receiving a little breastmilk directly along with home-made formula of all organic ingredients in the SNS. Veronica did use doner milk when she could. Between her 1st and 3rd child, Veronica learned about baby wearing and the bonding that it creates. She told me, "The kids are so different. Between the baby wearing and breastfeeding, it was a totally different experience." Elijah prefers the breast. He has always been a happy, smiling baby. Even though not much comes out at all, he loves to nurse, and prefers Mama. Veronica says he recognizes the difference of nursing for food and for comfort. He signs for the SNS when he is hungry, but will nurse without the SNS for comfort. (This proves exactly why breastfeeding goes beyond nourishment. And, when you "wean" a child off too quickly, or before they are ready, there are dramatic consequences. They nurse for comfort too!) Veronica rarely uses bottles. The SNS has different flow tubes for different ages, and is much more cost effective in the end compared to bottles. Plus, she is able to provide Elijah with the bonding and the small amount of precious breastmilk that does come out. "It IS a commitment. But, the benefits far outweigh the issues. Even with normal nursing, there are issues. But if you want that relationship, the rewards are priceless".

As Dr. Jack Newman states in his book, The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book Of Answers, "There are several methods of supplementing  that do not require the baby to receive an artificial nipple. The best is what I call a 'lactation aid' or a 'nursing supplementer'. This devise is best because: Babies learn to breastfeed by breastfeeding, Mothers learn to breastfeed by breastfeeding, the baby continues to get milk from mother's breast even while being supplemented, thereby increasing her milk supply, the baby will not reject the breast and there is more to breastfeeding then milk alone." The last reason is my favorite!

And then there are our Motherly Earth Angels, who selflessly donate their "liquid gold" to those mothers and babies in need. Their donations allow mothers that might have physical limitations, chronic low supply, birth trauma and even adoption to feed their babies with human milk through a SNS or bottle.

My good friend, Eugenie, shares her success story on how - and WHY - she donates her breastmilk to help other moms and babies:

"I always knew that I would breastfeed. It just made sense to me that it was the healthiest thing to do for my baby. When I got pregnant I tried to eat right for my growing baby. I ate things I didn’t like because I knew it was good for her brain, eyes, etc. I took every precaution to ensure that she was going to be perfect. When I was 22 weeks along, my sister-in-law had her baby 6 weeks early. I was so scared! I had nightmares for weeks. I was so emotional about her tiny baby struggling to stay alive that I could not even go to the hospital to visit. I was scared that it would happen to me too. I could not imagine my daughter coming that early, so every day after 34 weeks was a blessing to me. When anyone would ask me if I was ready for the baby to come I would say, 'No, she can cook as long as she needs.' She came at 40 weeks and 3 days. I was so relieved. She is perfect.

Eugenie and Gabriel

We started nursing right away. With the help of a lactation consultant, we were on our way with very few problems. From the first night my milk came in (at 3 am), I had so much extra milk. She would nurse on one side for a few minutes and then be full. The other side would leak a whole ounce while she was latched on. I had to pump just to release the pressure. I had so much extra milk; close to 75 oz in the freezer within a couple of weeks. I had no plans on going back to work and I knew that I would always be there to nurse my daughter when she needed me. I did a Google search online for milk donation. Out of the few I found, the one which stood out to me was Helping Hands Milk Bank. They collect milk for preemie babies who are younger than 36 weeks. I was moved because of what happened with my sister-in-law.

I applied online to be a donor. After I pre-qualified online, they mailed me a donor kit and emailed me some medical release forms for my doctor and pediatrician. The donor kit was a mouth swab, blood tubes, and a thermometer for the freezer. I had to qualify my freezer by emailing them my freezer temp. They scheduled someone to come to my house and take my blood. The mouth swab and blood sample are for a DNA match. It was a relatively easy process. The ladies were so nice and answered any questions I had. They did not provide a pump, but they do provide all the storage bags and a few other supplies too. When I have enough milk to send, I call them and request a cooler. They mail it to me with everything I need to send it back. There are 2 gel bricks that have to be frozen for 2 days. Once frozen, I call FedEx to come pick it up from my house. Helping Hands pays to have it overnighted back to them. I have donated more than 100 oz already.

I was a little concerned at first. It was easy to ship off half of what I had saved because I knew that it was extra. When I started to pump just to pump I was scared that I would pump and then there wouldn’t be any left for my daughter. There were times when she would nurse and nurse and there wouldn’t be any left to pump. I found that even the best pumps do not ‘get all the milk out’. I could pump a couple of ounces and she would always have whatever was left if she needed to nurse. I tried to offer her the other breast after she was done with the first but she never wanted it. It would just wake her up more and get milk all over both of us. After the first 3 months, her nursing/sleeping schedule stabilized and so did my pumping schedule. She is 8 months now and can go more than 2 hours without nursing so I am not worried about having 50 extra ounces on hand. I 'clean out' my freezer every 25 bags. If she does need some milk while she is with daddy, usually at night around bed time, we have no reservations about using what we have. Our baby comes first. Helping Hands makes sure that baby is getting everything she needs. They call about once a month to see how everything is going."

Trust Creates Peace...Why We Don't Vaccinate

Vaccines are such a controversial topic these days. As with birthing practices, breastfeeding and co-sleeping, you will find pro-and anti-vaccine debates, books and "experts" weighing in heavily from one extreme to the other.

I feel that every parent has the right to choose if and when to vaccinate their child. They should be allowed a revised/delayed schedule at any point in their child's life and for any reason (not just because of a "religious exemption"). And, every parent should be informed much, much more on vaccine ingredients, side-effects and statistics. Their concerns and questions should be honestly answered, not brushed off. Doctors should not be denying patient visits because of their vaccine choices.

I want to state right now that I am not a doctor or expert by any means. This post is strictly my own opinions and personal research and studies. I am just sharing information that I have come across. Whatever decision a parent makes for themselves and their family needs to be THEIR decision - all I hope for is that it is an educated decision, well thought-out and planned and NOT because "my mother/husband/doctor/TV show said so".

Thanks to my mother's diligent record-keeping throughout my childhood, I have a detailed account of my early health history. Upon investigating it, I saw a surprising correlation between my vaccine schedule and illnesses, listed below. Not to mention the poor gut integrity! I was only breastfed for 1 month, and then on formula. My mother started me on rice cereal at 3 months, fruits at 4 months, meats and egg yokes at 6 months. What happened to exclusively breastfeeding for at least a year? I am not sure of AAP's stand on infant nutrition in the late 70's/early 80's.

My first series of vaccines (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and Polio) was 3 months after birth, and then the boosters for those were at 4 and 6 months. Next, a series of MMR was administered at 15 months. Within 3 days of being vaccinated, I developed red bumps and was diagnosed with a "coxsackie" virus. About 3 months later the final booster to the first series was administered. About a month later, I developed "Roseola" with a 104* temp and rash. 4 months after that, I developed a "viral infection" with a sore throat and vomiting so bad that I was admitted to the hospital for 3 days and given and IV. So basically, within the first 2 years of my life, I had only a months worth of "liquid gold", and then given HFCS mixed with cows milk (formula), nutritionally-void rice cereal, solid food way too early for my body to know what to do with it and large bouts of chemicals and heavy metals (nothing compared to what the kids get today though!) every 2-3 months...no wonder I was always sick!

I don't blame my mother. She, just like most other Americans, thought that what the pediatrician said and what was advertised on TV was the best. No need to question anything. Fortunately, I was a very active kid, outside all the time, and was not as sick as I could have been if I were sedentary.

Fast forward almost 30 years and now I'm pregnant with my first baby. My husband and I decided not to vaccinate our child. Through his chiropractic college, we were lucky to have access to several books, research papers, and discussions with professors on the subject. My husband and his brother were never vaccinated as children. They received chiropractic care their whole life (dad and grandpa are both chiropractors). We know that our child's body is innately intelligent. It is strong and knows HOW to fight off disease. We believe that we gave our child's body the proper tools to live in ultimate health: a healthy, natural birth, bonding & co-sleeping, exclusively breastfeeding for almost a year and continued breastfeeding for well over 2 years, only highly nutritious food, sunlight, exercise, regular chiropractic adjustments and elimination of ALL TOXINS - chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, GMO's, sulfates, BPA's, stress and negative thoughts! Removal of toxicity and plenty of sufficiency! When the body is given what it needs - and NOT subjected to CRAP - the results are perfect health! And that is what happened - Perfect Little Baby Boy! Nolan has never been really sick, and never had taken a medication or antibiotic. A few sniffles or a cough here and there, slight fevers a few times, but nothing severe enough to warrant even a doctor's visit. We just continue to breastfed, rest and eat nutrient-dense, vitamin-packed, crazy-healthy-for-you food! When he is sick, it is a GOOD thing! It is building up his immune system to fight off the next cold or virus he comes in contact with. It is not genes, good luck or random chance - it is our lifestyle! And for almost 3 years now, Nolan is a perfect example of that.

"TRUST CREATES PEACE".....I Trust that everything I provide for my family is pure and sufficient; I Trust that what God put on this Earth for us is exactly what we need and nothing more....I am at Peace with my decisions. I do not worry, I do not stress. Our bodies are incredibly powerful, amazingly strong; We are prepared...Nothing can Break Us!

Most medical doctors, the media and the CDC will tell you that vaccines are completely safe;  they do not cause autism or seizures. But you can not deny the numerous claims against vaccines. There are too many parents that claim their child was totally normal and then, after vaccination, they "changed", or worse. I personally know families that are suffering. Although the CDC website claims that vaccines are safe, there is a link to direct you to VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) to report an adverse effect. (QUESTION - If they are safe, then why would you need to report an adverse effect??) From that website, you can continue down the "rabbit hole" to numerous other sites that list number of negative reports, cases, compensation paid, etc.(http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/statisticsreports.html#Stats) Clearly, when you see how many cases there are against vaccines, can you truly say "they are proven safe"??

There will always be the "what ifs": If you vaccinate and your kid has seizures or develops autistic traits, you will always think "I should not have vaccinated". If you don't, and your kid gets a disease that impairs, disables or kills them, you will always think "I should have vaccinated." Do your homework. Make an educated, rational decision. Look at the severity and probability of the diseases. Dr. Sears' book, The Vaccine Book, does a great job at explaining this. He tries to stay impartial, and although he lets his opinion slip a little (he prefers a revised/delays schedule), this is the book that convinced me NOT to vaccinate. I also like Dr. Mendelsohn "How to Raise a Healthy Child Inspite of Your Doctor". This book is why we don't run to the doctor with every little sniffle (except for the incredibly boring and time-consuming "well visits" mandated in the 1st year by the insurance company)...Mother Knows Best!

We must remember that statistics are not black-and-white. They are many, many shades of gray. When they say that X number of children die from X-disease each year, we must ask: Where these children already sick? Maybe they had an auto-immune disease? Were they cared for, dressed, fed properly? Were they living in poor, sub-standard conditions? Were the parents unable, or unwilling, to get them immediate medical attention? I have to believe that a normal, healthy child that received proper and prompt medical attention would easily "survive" Measles or Mumps, and even Pertussis.




LIES and SCARE-TATICS
from the Pharmaceutical Companies

Pure, Perfect Baby-
THIS is our Health-Assurance

The Natural Mama's Favorite Beauty Products



EO Soap



I am the first to admit that I do not know much about make-up or "beauty products". I try to find products made with as few ingredients as possible, as natural ingredients as possible, reasonably priced and that works well for my skin and hair.

My new favorite Bodywash/Shampoo is EO Soap Everyone Soap "3-in-1" Shampoo, Body Wash and Bubble Bath. The Citrus Coconut smells AWESOME! I like that I only have to buy one product and the whole family can use it! Easy for traveling, too.

For a bar soap, I like Kiss My Face Olive Oil/Shea Butter Bar Soap.


Whole Foods 365 puts out a very reasonably priced shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion. Favorite scents are Herbal Mint and Citrus. I also LOVE their Gentle Face Wash.

Dr. Bronners



Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap works good for baby and as a body wash. I do not like to wash my hair with Castile soap as it makes my hair feel very dry. Since it is very concentrated, it lasts forever! I like to put the date on bottle of soaps or lotions so I know how long it lasts and if it's worth it's price. I have been using a 16oz bottle of Castile Soap for Nolan (Probably cost about $12.00) and it has lasted me almost a whole year!!!


Dr. B Leave-in Cream



Dr. Bronner makes an Incredible "Lavender Leave-in Conditioner". Smells great and makes your hair feel really silky. I will comb a little through my hair after a shower. Definatly use this if you do wash your hair with Castile soap. Whether I let my hair air-dry, blow-dry immediately, or blow-dry the next day, it always looks great, and I don't need to use any other hair products. This is a Must-Have product for me...don't know what I would do without it!

Body Lotions - I switch it up between Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Whole Foods 365 Emollient Body Lotion and Ver-e-Nice Pure African Shea Butter. It depends if it's day or night that I'm applying lotion (I don't like to be to greasy if I'm going out or teaching), if I have a sunburn, or if it's winter and my skin feels really dry. At night I use a drop of EVCO on my face as a lotion and wake up with smooth, soft skin. For baby, the ONLY lotion I recommend is EVCO, or a pure Shea butter. Great for diaper rashes, sunburns, or any other skin irritations.

Make-up - My favorite that I have been using for a couple years now is Ecco Bella. I LOVE the way their products work with my skin; they have all-natural, plant-based ingredients, which help clear up blemishes with the vitamins and minerals. For makeup brushes, I like EcoTools.




EVCO!!



A little jar of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil sit on the counter and is used as make-up remover, face, hand & body lotion, leave-in deep hair conditioner and natural healer of blemishes, scrapes and cuts.

I also like to make a sugar-scrub with EVCO, Sugar and a few drops of essential oil (I have been using Sweet Orange). With the water OFF, scrub up your entire body. A sugar-scrub is great for removing dead skin and eliminating toxins. And this homemade version costs only pennies compared to the store-bought stuff! The coconut oil keeps your skin super soft, so when you get out of the shower, very lightly towel-off. That way you will keep the coconut oil on your skin.

The Joys of Toddler Nursings

"Love is to Live for Each Other"

Nolan is now a little over 2.5 and still nurses. Many people think he has weaned (or should be weaned!) by now. But, he is still going strong and I don't see the end in sight for awhile. But that is fine with me, because I find so much joy in still nursing him.

Our nursing sessions have certainly changed over the years, as one would suspect. While some mothers (or their children) decide to wean early, or not breastfeed at all, I have had the joy of really learning from my son on why he nurses. At one point in my life, I told myself that once they can talk and ask for it, they are too old to nurse. But I have realized that when a younger baby cries or signs to nurse, that is the same as an older child verbally communicating. My child, at different ages and in different ways, IS communicating with me! Looking back, I find it silly that I though that. Why should his chronological age or his way of communicating with me dictate what he is "too old" for?  How can I deny him? That is everything to him: warmth, comfort, love. I know there is not much in there anymore, but what he does get is still AMAZING stuff! As a mother, I am comforted by the fact that my breastmilk can serve a purpose more then nutrition. We have used it on scrapes, cuts and pink-eye, and when Nolan is not feeling well, breastmilk boosts his immune system and he is over that little cold in a few days - without drugs. He has never really been sick, never on an antibiotic.

When Nolan was an infant, I could tell from his face that he enjoyed nursing: He would come at me ferociously, latch on with a wide open mouth, then his eyes would roll back and close, and he would have the cutest smile on his face. As he got older, he learned to pull at my shirt and say "ba-ba". And, then he would just flat out say "I want ba-bas". Now, he can have a real conversation with me. He tells me that "Those are mommy's ba-ba's". But if my husband wants a feel, Nolan will jump in quickly defending his treasure and yelling "My ba-ba's, don't touch!".

Nolan - 2.5 years old

I love when we lay down for a nap and he will say that he "loves mommy's baba's". When I ask him why, he will answer "they taste good!", or "your milk is yummy!". When he gets hurt or is upset, he wants to nurse. I ask him why and he replies "it makes me feel better/happy." I always knew that breastfeeding was meeting his needs, but now it is so satisfying to hear him actually say it.

One night, my husband and I were out to dinner, and we were talking about parenting. I asked him if there was anything that bothered or frustrated him about how we parent. He said the only thing is that when he is watching Nolan alone and if he can not get Nolan to calm down. After he has tried all his tricks, he knows that all Nolan really wants is to nurse. He sometimes wonders if it would be easier if Nolan weaned so he would not be looking to nurse. I understand how that can be frustrating. I really don't think that weaning would solve the problem, though. These occurrence are so far and few between, that the positives of extended breastfeeding outweigh this (one!) negative. I empathized with hubby. I reminded him that although we live in a modern society, with modern needs/wants (such as mama being away from her baby to work), Nolan's genes are the same as the ones from a child 40,000 years ago - which means he has an intense need to be with Mama. In 2012, we think that it is perfectly acceptable, and even necessary, that a child of 1 year be completely independent of Mama. However, in that ancient era of hunter-gatherers, a child would not wean until 2.5 or later and was carried by Mama in a babywrap approx 8,000+ miles over the first few years of its life. These Paleolithic families slept in small tents all together. A child did not leave his Mother's side until he was ready to join in the adult duties of the tribe, which may not be until age 8 or older. (Also see: Paleo Diet or Paleo Lifestyle.) We must remember that our child is hardwired for certain innate needs.  When we follow and meet our child's needs, they become stronger, healthier, more independent little people, and ultimately by meeting their needs, our adult needs will also get met. (Also see: Attached Parenting).

The Paleo Diet or Paleo Lifestyle

"The Paleo Diet" , developed by Dr. Loren Cordain, Professor at Colorado State University, has gained quite a bit a popularity over the past few years. The Paleo Diet Book has been studied, dissected and embraced by fellow professors, students, health professionals, namely Chiropractors, athletes, CrossFit enthusiasts and many more. The Paleo Diet recommends that we follow the diet of our Paleolithic ancestors or "hunter-gatherers". These people had virtually no heart disease, no diabetes, no cancer. They were lean and strong, with clear skin, healthy hair and nails. This is because of what they ate. And what would a person living 40,000 years ago eat? Fruits and veggies, nuts and berries, lean meats, fish and seafood. No dairy, no grains, no refined sugars. The things that God put on the earth and nothing else (not that they had much of a choice!) These are the foods that are innate for our body, the ones that allow our body to function properly and fight off disease.

The book briefly touches on exercise, and has inspired many other health and exercise professional designing programs around "hunter-gatherer" primal movement patterns: jumping, climbing, pulling, pushing, lifting, running, throwing, etc. If this is the way our ancestors moved to build, hunt, fight and live then that is how our modern body should be moving too. And, it is more fun this way then running on a treadmill!

But this is where the "Paleo Diet" ends, with food and exercise only, and where the "Paleo Lifestyle" picks up. Never heard of it? Let me share.

In the Paleolithic era, women would have birthed their babies at home, with a skilled midwife. In fact, up until the early 1900's, all babies were born at home. 90% of pregnancies are completely normal and uncomplicated. For the majority of women (and their babies), it is actually safer, quicker and easier to birth at home then the hospital. The hospital should be for emergency care only - not for a normal everyday occurrence.

The "hunter-gatherer" mother would breastfeed her child for as long as they wanted. The average weaning age (if left up the child) is between 2.5 years and 7 years. That child was carried approx 8000+ miles over the first few years of it's life, nursed on demand, sleep next to mother and was with it's mother constantly until it was old enough to join in the daily jobs of hunting or gathering. This child never got vaccinated, exercised outside all day, and ate healthy, nutrient-dense foods. This child's immune system was never compromised by toxins or chemicals.

The Paleo Diet book, although wonderful and informative, does not touch on any of these subjects. How great would it be to teach modern parents that living like our ancestors it easier, healthier and the innate way to live, the way that we were designed to live. Before your child is ready to eat the Foods of our Earth, that breastmilk (not formula) is superior, for alteast a full year, and then for as long after that that the child/mother agree on. Just like F&V and lean meats are the innate foods for our bodies, breastmilk is the innate, perfect food for a baby, full of probiotics, EFA's and immunoglobulins. When a baby is carried by mother, close to mother often and sleeps with mother, her milk supply stays strong and baby feels safe and secure. Baby is less stressed, therefore less prone to illness and disease. And, if baby is not feeling well, he is not pumped full of antibiotics, Ni-quil and left alone. Mama stops what she is doing to tend to baby so he will recover quickly without drugs.

The Paleo Book touches only briefly on the QUALITY of food, which I feel is a huge void in the book, since Dr. Cordain reiterates over and over again to be eating like our ancestors. 40,000 years ago people did not have to worry about GMO's, pesticides, irradiation, antibiotics, growth hormones and soil run-off. But today we do! He does mention briefly grass-fed and free-range beef and chicken. However, we also need to look for "hormone-free" and "no-antibiotics" on all meats and chicken and "wild caught" on all fish. As for Fruits and Veggies, I always buy organic to avoid GMO's and pesticides. Eating the best, highest quality food is VITAL for optimum health!

I am also a huge fan of raw foods. The Paleo Diet Book does not make a formal statement either way, they just encourgae you to eat F&V. I feel eating as raw as possible is the best way to keep all the nutrients and living enzymnes intact in your food. If you do decide to cook your veggies, lightly steam only, so they still have a little crunch.

I encourage everyone to read "The Paleo Diet" book. It is an easy read and highly informative, with some great recipes. Just remember the quality of your food is just as important as the type of food it is. Eating an apple is great; its full of vitamin and minerals, fiber and antioxidants. But none of that matters if the apple is genetically modified or full of pesticides. Why put those chemicals INTO your body, when the reason your eating the apple is to eat healtier!?

What is your kid REALLY drinking?

I have dedicated many posts on what's healthy and what's NOT healthy to eat. I have given numerous examples of what our family does and WHY.

I recently came across an article in a parenting magazine on beverages. It started out well, taking about the empty calories that are in fruit punch, soda and Gatorade. They then mention the various names of sugar that you might find on the label. BUT THEN....they go on to say that "milk does a body good", and to try these beverages with little or no calories: Crystal Light, Diet Pepsi, unsweetened tea and water! They finish the article with stating that "water is the best beverage you can consume", and lists 8 reasons why. Thank you. The article was written by a Dietitian in a very one-sided view on food: looking at ONLY calories, or ONLY sugar, or ONLY carbs (this is how they are trained) - but NOT looking at the big picture - the INGREDIENTS! Crystal Light or a Diet Soda might only have 5 calories, but it DOES have aspartame and artificial colors, both known to cause ADD/ADHD and cancer. And milk...well, as humans, we not only do not need it, we should NOT have it. Almond, rice and hemp milk can give you the same flavor without the inflammation. As Holistic Lifestyle Coach and Chiropractor, this is what me and my husband educate our patients on:  If you eat what is innate for your body, what God put on the Earth, then you do not need to worry about calories, fat and carbs. Your body will know what to do with that food perfectly - sending the good Essential Fatty Acids to your brain, Calcium to your Bones, Magnesium and Proteins to your Muscles.

In our family, water IS the best thing to drink, with coconut water as a very close second. And real, fresh, raw fruits and veggies as a homemade smoothie or juice is next. Water and coconut water can be "dressed up" with a few lemon/orange wedges or frozen strawberries and blueberries added in. I will also pour a smoothie/juice into an ice cube trey, and then pop the fruity ice cubes into a half filled bottle of water for Nolan. Smoothie and juice recipes are endless, and a glass will usually fill you up, so your not looking for another, like after drinking a soda. (Sometimes I feel bad when someone comes over and all I have to offer them to drink is water! I'll usually offer to make them a juice or hot tea.)

Many parents think that a bottle of fruit juice is fine to give their kids because after it, it IS fruit! But what is the quality of that fruit? How many glasses of apple juice is your kid drinking every day? How much juice is actually in an apple? And, more importantly, how much sugar is in that juice? I have "conducted" my own experiment to prove exactly that - "What is your kid REALLY drinking?"

I have recently been able to gather 3 different types of kid's juice boxes. Mind you, I did NOT pay for these - they were samples or give-aways that I happened to come across for my experiment. I refuse to "vote" (by paying for) commercial fruit juice!

When I juiced an organic medium Apple (approx. 3" dia), I got 1/2 cup of juice, or 4 oz. A medium Apple contains APPROX. 4 grams of fiber, 19 grams of sugar and 25 grams of carbs. (Remember these are GOOD carbs that give you energy, unlike breads! And REAL sugar in the perfect amount that an Apple should have!)

My samples



Mott's for Tots
Ingredients



This juice is from concentrate, contains apple and grape juices, "natural flavors" (whatever that really is!?), and Vitamin C added as a preservative (that is fairly standard). It was pasteurized, which means it was brought to such a high temp as to kill bacteria, as well as all the vital enzymes and nutrients. Amazingly, compared to the Organic Juice below, no additional preservatives were added.

 

Mott's for Tots
Nutrition Guide

The box says it is 6.75 fluid oz, but when I measured it, it was really 8oz!! That means that all the nutritional info is off. The sugar and carbs are probably closer to 16 grams.



Apple & Eve Organics
Nutritional Guide and Ingredients

This juice is a little over 4oz. Although it uses USDA Organic Apples, it is still concentrated. It clearly says on the box "not a sufficient source of fiber", where the real Apple contains about 4 grams of fiber. Fiber helps to flush sugar and toxins from the body. Oddly, Calcium Lactate and Calcium Gluconate are added, both of which treat calcium deficiencies and preserve foods. Even more strangely, Malic Acid is added, which is used in foods to create a "sour" taste that apples and grapes naturally have. Why would they add a flavor that naturally occurs with apple juice anyways? Oh, I know - because when the juice was pasteurized and diluted down it lost all its flavor along with all its nutrients!






Mott's Original Apple Juice
Nutritional Guide

  The bottle states that it is 8oz, but when I measured it, it was slightly over that. It also is concentrated, and states "not a sufficient source of fiber", so see my thoughts on that above.

Mott's Original Ingredients

Vitamin C was added, so they could claim "an excellent source of Vit C", and also for the preservative. I was actually surprised that nothing else was added.

Conclusion: The real apple might have more sugar in it ounce for ounce, however, it is organic (no GMO's), contain fiber, is filling and supplies the body with hundreds of thousands of phyto-nutrients, minerals and more then we can even count. I would go with the real apple (whole) or juiced apple with water.

"My Baby Will Be Adjusted For Life" - Guest Blog

I am excited to share this guest blog by one of my best friends, Victoria Rechcygl. Victoria and her husband, Dr. Chad, own and operate Rechcygl Family Chiropractic in WI. They are blessed with two beautiful children, Gemma and Roman. Victoria explains perfectly why "My Baby Will Be Adjusted For Life"!

Baby Gemma getting
adjusted by her daddy

"I did a lot of work to keep my pregnant self, and growing baby healthy. My first priority was to get adjusted by my Chiropractor, regularly though out my entire pregnancy. When she came out I did not stop, and I was sure to get my newborn baby's spine checked to make sure nothing had shifted from her birth. I learned a lot during my pregnancy. What my body and baby need, and how she was developing. I was amazed to find out that the babies spine and nervous system is the first thing to develop. It makes sense, because the brain and nervous system run everything in our bodies from our beating hearts to our breathing lungs and immune systems.


The immunity part is my favorite. Everyone who spends time with us and sees our daughter, is amazed by her. She is 1 1/2. She gets the sniffles sometimes, she sleeps like a rock, she eats fruits and vegetables, she has been alert from day one, and she is always happy. Of course, We did not vaccinate her. We know She is stronger than any chemical that could go into her body and hinder her health. Chiropractic patients immunity goes up 48% after an adjustment. We might get sick, but it will not last long.

Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York’s Preventive Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York University measured the immunity of Chiropractic patients in this study. His initial three-year study was of 107 individuals who had been under chiropractic care for five years or more. The chiropractic patients were found to have a 200% greater immune competence than those people who had not received chiropractic care, and they had 400% greater immune competence than those people with cancer and other serious diseases. The immune system superiority of those under chiropractic care did not appear to diminish with age,  Dr. Pero stated.


Knowing this, I felt much more powerful and in control of my daughters spine, and ultimately her total health. People say to me, "You're such a calm Mom, what's your secret?" Honestly, it's knowing a Chiropractic adjustment, and the perfect structure in my daughters spine, is the key to ultimate health, and longevity. I don't have to worry if she falls over, or gets a few sniffles. I know that her body heals, from her brain down through her spine, and out over her nerves to her organs and body, it simply needs no interference. That is why I am so grateful for my Chiropractor, who is also my husband.


Adjustments, and perfect curves in your spine, will keep your baby healthy for life. That is the greatest Peace as a Mother, I could have. So Get Your Family Checked! Get Your kids in for xrays! Even if you had a beautiful, drug free birth, at home with a midwife, vaginally, something still could have shifted, or been misplaced. Then Our kids grow, and develop and You want NOTHING to hinder perfect function, healing, and Immunity, while they grow. We have seen hundreds of Autistic Children, some who can't speak, even think, begin to sing, and then form their own words, within months. We've seen kids on antidepressants and ridalin, get off their medication and be happy, healthy, focused Children. We've seen babies who are scheduled to get tubes put in their ears, with "chronic" ear infections, get adjusted once, and the next day they are healed. It is possible!

This is why my daughter, and any future children we have will get adjusted from the moment they are born, for the rest of their life.


Also because Health affects the whole family. How much is Your child's health worth? We would all do Anything to keep them healthy for life. Investing a little money now in your families health NOW, Guarantees life long health, prevention, even reversal of dis-ease, and wealth. According to Harvard, Medical bills are the number 1 cause of bankruptcy after retirement, and that study was on people who had insurance. We all want what is best for our kids. You have the power to ensure Their Powerful health and happiness right now. This is the Greatest Peace of Mind a Parent can have.

Gemma, age 2.5, with
Baby Brother Roman

Today Know that You have everything to gain by getting your kid's and new baby's, spines checked, and adjusted!"


I could not agree more! Please check out Victoria's website and blog: http://www.innatemama.com/ for more posts on pregnancy, chiropractic, positive living and delicious, healthy food!

Model Behavior

"Do Not Live by Emotions; Instead Live by Intuition and Consciousness"

Seems kinda of philosophical. But...this was the tag on my Yogi Tea this morning, and this is what really got me motivated to write this post today. (You never know where you'll find inspiration!)

According to a recent study published in Public Health Nursing, toddlers were less likely to consume fruits and vegetables if their moms weren't big produce eaters. "Kids form food preferences during the first four years of their life. And the biggest influence on their palates is what they see their mothers eating" says Mildred Horodynski, Ph.D., the study's lead author. She goes on to explain, "If you encounter resistance the first time you present a new food, don't give up. It can take up to 15 tries for a child to learn to like something."

Makes sense. As the saying goes, "Kids will see, Kids will do." No matter what excuse you have or what far-fetched story you come up with, kids will do what you do. They learn better from your example then your words.

Green Smoothie Time!

They will want to eat what you eat: That is why Nolan insists on eating off my plate even though he has the exact same thing. And why after I peel an apple for him, he wants to gnaw on mine. He wants what mommy has! This has kept us very "honest" when buying/making snacks at home. Nolan is now old enough to see what we eat and want it too. Instead of ice cream, we make yummy almond butter, banana and cocoa smoothies. I have numerous healthy (and quick!) cookie recipes that I can refer to for a sweet snack. (see any of my Recipe posts) Granola and Greek yogurt, fruit, even fresh juice in a fun cup turns into a "dessert"! As for eating out, a side of fruit or salad replaces fries and potato salad. This is where my Yogi Tea quote comes into play... Instead of indulging in the sweet potato fries (emotions), I use my intuition to teach Nolan about making healthier food choices. In turn, I also benefit from the healthier choice!

Mama&Baby Yoga

They will exercise if you do: My little Yogi gets so excited when we get to do Family Yoga! We also have access to tons of free Kids Yoga videos through our cable company. When I'm just practicing or playing around in the house, he stops whatever he is doing and joins in. He even knows most the asana names! Not only is he getting physical activity, but I am challenging his imagination, recollection and muscle memory.

They will mind their P's and Q's: We all get upset. There are days that I am mad, annoyed or in a hurry. But, how I react in front of Nolan teaches him manners and respect for others. I try to be very conscience of saying "Please" and "Thank you", speaking in a pleasant tone, and explaining things to him, like why we are waiting in line for food or to use the bathroom. In turn, he does imitate alot of what I do, and I am very proud of how polite he is.

As a mother, I MUST be very conscience about my decisions. I am teaching Nolan through my actions, responses, and decisions - and what he learns will be with him forever. I can remember the things my mother did and said when I was a child. I can remember how I felt. I want to instill in Nolan (even at this young age) the things I know to be true: Your body is a temple - treat it as one; to love yourself; eat the food that God provided; get outside in the fresh air and sunshine; run; live your life to the fullest; breathe.

Traveling with Baby - and keeping your sanity!

I'm sure there are alot of Mamas out there that have traveled way more then us, but I still wanted to share our traveling experiences with the parents that are nervous to travel with little ones. Having a baby is no reason not to take day trips, long weekends or even cross-country excursions. In fact, I think it is easier to travel with a baby then a toddler!



Waiting to board the plane


One of the easiest ways to keep the trip cheap and stress-free is to Breastfeed! Baby is satisfied, Mom and Dad are less stressed, no need to carry bottles and formula and Baby will get those awesome immunities from the breastmilk to help fight off any colds.

For trips that required plane rides, we found it much easier to bring enough diapers, wipes and snacks for the plane ride, but then purchase those items once we arrived at our destination. That way we did not have to carry-on or pack a huge amount of stuff. We also did not pack shampoo or soap. We just went to the local health food store and picked up a small container of castile soap - gentle enough for baby, can be used on hair and body and you can even wash clothes and dishes with it.

If you are staying in once location for a few days and you can find one, a hotel room with a kitchen is sooo worth it! We stayed in one of these for over a week and saved a ton of money by not eating out and eating healthier food. Next time, I will bring the blender - Seriously! At the end of that trip, we were desperate for a green smoothie!

Snag stuff from the hotel. It's ok...that's why its there! In the morning, we would grab a bunch of bananas, apples, plain yogurt, oatmeal, and peanut butter & honey packets. Then we would have little snacks throughout the day. You can pick up or even bring (its so light!) a bag of Quonia Flakes. These cook up like instant oatmeal. Add in some honey, cinnamon, raisins and bananas from the Breakfast Buffet and you got a healthy, filling meal that your kids will enjoy too!

If you are staying with someone at their house, or in a hotel for more then a few days, consider bringing less clothes and doing laundry a few times throughout the trip. You will save space when packing, and maybe can get all the family's clothes in one suitcase (like we do!). Only one bag check fee and less hassle. Most hotels have a laundry area and laundry-mats can be a "fun" outing for the kids.

We have always rented the carseats with the rental car. You save on buying an extra seat on the plane and lugging that heavy carseat through the airport.



Sightseeing in St. Augustine at 2 months



Bring a soft carrier or sling, even you plan on bringing your stroller. It's nice to have options, and this makes it very easy when exploring a place that strollers just don't belong (hiking, beach, medieval castles and most of Europe!).

For babies and toddlers, bringing a few familiar things from home can be comforting (books, special toys, DVD's). Bedtime can be tough, so a special blanket or lovey can help. If you already co-sleep, like we do, this will be a much easier transition. I have found exploring the hotel can be fun for a toddler and something special to add to the trip. Create a vacation "routine" and sticking some of your regular at-home routines can keep kids calm because there is consistency. Nolan loved helping with the clothes at the laundromat, pushing the elevator buttons, looking for our "new car" in the parking lot, and saying "HI" to the front-desk staff every time we passed by.

Do your homework. Find out where the health food store, laundromat, library, parks, storytimes, kids playgroups or kids yoga, malls and kid-friendly places are ahead of time. This helps when you need to get something fast or prevent a melt-down!!

This is a great post: 10 Benefits to Breastfeed during the Holidays. Also applies to anytime traveling.

And most important....Remember to BREATHE!! and LAUGH!

Amazing Home Birth

Baby Roman

One of my best friends, Victoria, just had her second baby at home...and so quickly that her Midwife didn't make it in time and hubby Chad caught Baby Roman. Read her amazing story as she shares how a woman's body innately knows what to do and how to birth her baby. Victoria, fellow yogi and mommyhood blogger, is truly an inspiration to other mamas. We were both pregnant as the same time with our first children, Gemma and Nolan, who were born just a day apart. Congrats to Victoria and Chad on another beautiful birth!

"Nature needs no help, just no interference "- BJ Palmer
http://www.innatemama.com/1/post/2011/12/0-to-baby-in-15.html

Mama's Pissed Off

"Whether you give or share, are kind or not, never let your grace fall."

This have been kinda hard for me to do lately. I try, really I do, to be a patient and loving person, and especially to demonstrate those qualities to Nolan. But my crazy little man demands so much from me. Sometimes when my patience is wearing thin, something, or someone, else takes my focus, my "grace", and turns me into a real B!%#$!!

As the mom of a potty-training toddler, using the handicap bathroom (especially with a stroller) is very convenient. Of course, I always look for a family bathroom first, but if that is not available, the handicap one is second-best. I am sure other moms in my situation can relate to how frustrating it is when a perfectly capable person emerges from the handicap stall when there were plenty of empty regular stalls to use. It's even more annoying when that able-bodied person is yapping away on their cell while sitting on the toilet in the handicap stall. My heart breaks for the truly handicapped person who relies on the bars to literally use the toilet.

All public bathrooms need attendant to make sure that the faucets work, soap is full and there are plenty of TP and paper towels. Employments rates are low - here's a good job for someone!

This has happened to me on numerous occasions. With Nolan in the stroller, I am approaching the front door of a store. A person is either in front of me or coming out of the store, clearly sees me (makes eye contact), and then does not hold the door for me! I am usually so close that I catch the door before it closes all the way. How hard would that be to hold the door? On one occasion, it was an EMT/Fireman. As we both approached the door, he got to it first. I though he would hold it for me, but no, he just walked in and let the door close behind him. (he was off duty, getting lunch).

I was recently in a church's family bathroom. The room was large and had a little nook, with a plastic desk chair and a boppy. Is this where they expected their breastfeeding patrons to nurse their child? In a bathroom? And what about the other families that need to use that bathroom - wouldn't it be easier for everyone if the breastfeeding mom used another location? Strange.

Next time, just think about all the things a breastfeeding, stroller-pushing, potty-training, chasing-after-her-kid mom has to deal with everyday, and HELP HER OUT!

Humans....Animals Living in Captivity

"To forget how to dig the Earth and to tend the Soil is to forget Ourselves" - Ghandi

Ok, this is something that I have been thinking about lately and I'm gonna go a little far-out there on this post. Not because I think we should literally live like an animal. No, I enjoy modern technology, living in an air-conditioned house and shopping for my food (not hunting for it!). But, because I do want people to remember that we ARE animals, and to understand that we still have the same basic needs, physiology and instincts as an animal, even if we DO live in a modern world.

Food: You would not feed a dog something other then dog food and water. Treats are exactly that - a treat, to be given sparingly, maybe once a day. (I am also very picky about my dog's food, and prefer to feed her mostly real meat, quinoa and veggies as she would find in nature). You would not feed a dog a cookie or candy or soda - that would make them sick! So then why would you feed yourself or your kid that stuff? Eat what is innate for your body and prepare to be amazed how good you feel!

Exercise:  All people can agree that animals need exercise, but rarely make time to exercise themselves. Most people will take their dog to the dog park to run around while they sit on the bench. We feel guilty if the dog doesn't get to play because we know that they need it; its VITAL to their life! Guess what? Exercise is also vital for human life, too!  

Birth: Would you drive your dog to the vet to birth her puppies? That seems odd. No, you would leave her alone to nest and let her birth her babies when she is ready. You would not induce her, monitor her or even be with her. You would quietly wait, excited for the miracle of life. But when a human mother is in labor, it turns into an emergency. How quickly can we get her to the hospital? How quickly can she get the baby out? As humans, we enjoy the support of others with us during birth. But we have forgotten our instincts and trust in our bodies to do exactly what they were designed to do.



Mama looks happy and relaxed as she nurses her 4 pups

 Bonding and Breastfeeding: No one would even think about seperating a puppy from it's mother after birth. In fact, many species will reject the newborn if touched by a human. When you get a puppy, the owner will not give it away until the puppy has naturally weaned from the mother. For animals, we can all agree that Mother's Milk is all the baby needs. They all sleep together, nurse on demand, and are rarely interfered with. Why is this any different for humans? Why are human babies wisked away from the mother, cleaned off and given a bottle immediatly?

Someone once told me, "You're really calm and relaxed for a first-time mother." Am I? I try to follow Mother Natures path when parenting Nolan. I follow my instincts, and stay strong to what I believe. It may be different then other parents, but it is what works for us and I think it is what Nature intended.