Cloth Diaper Love - Our Journey & Helpful Information

Yep, we're a CD'ing family.

That's CLOTH DIAPERING. For all you soon-to-be crunchies out there. And there were the nay-sayers. The "we tried it but it smelled HORRIBLE after two days so we switched" (specific example...I think they're germophobes.) And the "oh you're a good one, just wait till you see how much work..."

Well, its been 9 months. Correction. 9 months and 1 day. And I'm SO OBSESSED with getting new fluff for my little one that the only thing that stops me is that, well, we're supposed to be SAVING money while doing it! Hahahaha, which we totally are, but how can I resist new fluff???

***feel free to skip the journey and head to the useful bits that begin after the last photo***

(pictured below - new sweetly pre-used fluff and delicious 9 month baby chunks)

So, what is the discerning mom to do???

Shop smart. Take top-notch care of the fluff you do have so that it retains value (YEP - for resale one day). We started with newborn diapers. Just 6 of them, which I loved (Rumparooz Lil Joeys). I figured hey, every claims babies grow so fast we'll need them for a week or two tops. Well around week 4 I bought 2 more new ones (probably getting these pre-owned for #2, unless a pattern catches my eye) because keeping up with when to wash was too much with our breastfeeding troubles. Those two diapers bought me a few more hours!!! AND we apparently make tiny babies, so my son technically never got to grow out of them! At 2 months old, we switched to our OS (one size) diapers because he was wetting completely through the Lil Joeys EVERY TIME HE PEED. His bladder outgrew the diapers before his body!

Well next we tried the pretty cool (and expensive new) G-Diapers. Let me first mention that there is a VERY cool consignment shop about 20 minutes from where we live that carries CLOTH DIAPERS. Gently loved and love the prices! So I picked up 3 G-diapers in size small and about 5 inserts to fit. These are some pretty cool concept diapers, and we loved them while our son was still a little too small for the OS (skinny little dude) and too heavy wetting for the newborn. The best part? Just lift out the wet insert and lay in another! (pictures to come later) Very very easy and convenient...until his bladder outgrew those too.

At this point some would size up, but I also figured out that my little guy was a VERY heavy wetter, so I wanted something bulletproof. Well, I thought the $8/each used G-diapers were my best purchase. Nope.

I found a BestBottom stash that blew my mind. It was a chunk of money, but not when you added up the goods: 6 covers, 15 small inserts, 11 medium inserts, and a large and a small wetbag. WHAT?! Score of the year!!! 

Needless to say, it's still LOVE for our BestBottoms. We just sized up to the medium inserts, and we use BumGenius pockets at night, with 2 inserts (no nighttime changes). If we ever need the large inserts, I'm sure eBay will do me one good! We also are looking into trying a Sustainablebabyish fitted diaper with the BestBottoms cover or maybe a Workhorse fitted. I'm intrigued. We have 1 Bumkins AIO we just got as well (pictured at top, reserving judgement, seems to have a rather short rise) and 1 Applecheeks size 1 which will only fit him for a couple more weeks but it's LOVE (pictured below).

So...I suppose I'll provide a summary of the relevant points:

Our Favorite Diapers...

Rumparooz Lil' Joeys (newborn)

G-diapers with G-cloth inserts

BumGenius 2.0 Pocket (with 2 inserts for bedtime)

BumGenius Freetime (no inserts needed, also good for bedtime)

BestBottoms covers & BestBottoms snap-in inserts

Applecheeks Pocket

Now here's the real good stuff - Helpful Information!

Cloth Diaper Glossary of Useful Terms & Abbreviations - i.e. the "Lingo"

• CD - cloth diaper(s)
• OS - one size (for 8-24+ lbs)
• AIO - all in one (1 piece - no stuffing or adding required - just put on and take off)
• AI2 - all in two (2 pieces - can have a snap or lay in insert but no "stuffing")
• Pocket - has an inner pocket to "stuff" an insert inside
• Prefold - old school cloth with pre-marked folding pattern in some way; requires a cover
• Flat - also an old school diaper but resembles a "flat" piece of cloth, no guidance there! Requires a cover.
• Fitted - a cloth diaper that is NOT liquid-proof and should have a cover or woolies work over it to prevent leakage
• Insert - the absorptive multi-layered fabric that can be used to "stuff" a pocket diaper, or increase absorbency for any type of diaper
• Soaker - Similar to an insert but with fewer layers, intended to be laid on the inside of a diaper and touching baby to increase absorbancy. More often used with fitteds than pockets.
• Liner - A single layer of fabric or disposable material laid inside a diaper usually to protect the diaper from potential poo stains
• Cover - liquid-proof "shell" that is needed for diapers that are not already liquid-proof
• PUL - Polyurethane laminate. Basically the fabric process that results in those adorable and liquid-proof diapers. You can see and feel the PUL on the inside of a cover or pocket diaper, but you cannot access the PUL in an AIO diaper - but believe me, it's there.
• Snappi - a really cool device that was thought up to hold together flats, prefolds, and snapless fitteds without safelty pins. Its basically hard plastic "teeth" attached to silicone that hold the diaper together.

Ways to Strip Your Cloth Diapers - i.e. remove the "stink" or fix leaking

1. The Rinsing Method - basically this means wash your diapers as usual, but with no detergent, over and over and over and...well repeat about 5 or 6 times.
2. Original Blue Dawn - if you decide to go this route, just remember a little goes a LONG way. 1 tablespoon for regular or 1 teaspoon for HE washers. Rinse at least 2-3 time and keep on going until there are NO MORE SUDS.
3. Bleach - my personal go-to for pre-loved diapers since it stips AND disinfects. 1/2 cup of bleach in the liquid bleach compartment, or in the washer once the water is full and BEFORE adding the diapers, not directly onto the diapers. Do a few rinses to be sure all is removed before putting back on baby.
4. RLR - while I haven't done this one yet, people swear by it. One packet into a hot wash with no detergent, rinse until there are no more suds.
5. Bac-Out - simply add during the wash cycle per their instructitons. Another I haven't used yet but have heard good things about.
6. Rockin' Green Funk Rock - besides cool packaging, it's the one I probably use the most. 4 tablespoons in a hot soak, preferably for a few hours, then wash. 

Spilled Milk Indeed

Obviously, this sign was not run by the breastfeeding moms that have pumped milk before.

Even our babies were acting weird over it! Alex thought it was hilarious, while Jayden was sincerely concerned about anyone spilling his booby milk.

So we left. And went to a bookstore for some fun reading. I came across these books that I would willingly BURN if I ever see them in a friend's house that has a new baby. In a fire pit. With singing and dancing. Perhaps I'll do a post on why. (HINT: it has to do with breastfeeding.)

But before all of these shenanigans, I made a very yummy breakfast and DEVOURED IT. And had to take a picture because it was pretty good looking too.

How was your day?

My Keys to Succeeding at Breastfeeding

No, I'm not a professional of any kind, nor have I written any books or personally conducted any studies. I am however a breastfeeding mother. An educated breastfeeding mother. One that did not have everything "click" and go smoothly somehow from day one. One that struggled, was given MANY professional opinions, and had to dig through the research and sleeplessness with the support of my husband.

But, we made it. My 8 month old son is happily breastfed on demand and is the most adorable chunk I ever did meet. Below are some of the ways we succeeded, and hopefully they can help YOU succeed too!

1. ASK FOR HELP. Quickly. Breastfeeding should not be painful. There may be some new mom discomfort, the equivalent of chapped lips on a chilly day. More than a minute of PAIN and you should seek help, before bigger problems ensue.
2. HAVE A LOW PAIN THRESHOLD. Seriously. See #1.
3. ASK QUESTIONS. Don't just listen and obey the pros. Ask questions. Contradict them. Ask for proof or research to support their proposed course of action. Tell them when/if another professional suggested something else. Find out where their breastfeeding "expertise" is from. 
4. DO YOUR RESEARCH. There are plenty of actually useful breastfeeding help sites and forums with supportive moms willing to help. If an answer seems confusing or wrong, or you just can't get one, chances are the answer is out there, even if it isn't in person. You may be exhausted and nursing at all hours, maybe some helpful reading will make you feel better. And, you know, help.
5. ACCEPT YOUR SITUATION - THEN CHANGE IT IF NECESSARY. I know it can be really really hard to accept that it's just not working, or its exhausting, or not what you imagined. But you NEED to accept it. The sooner you do, the sooner you can relax, or seek help if something is wrong. The long long nights won't seem so long when you stop waiting for sleep and it just happens. The pains will be less painful when you know that you will seek help and they won't last much longer. But first you have to accept your situation. Sometimes denial can bite you - hard.
6. GET REFERENCES. Not all help is equal. Not all professionals are experts in every aspect of their field. If you think you have a specific issue, find out from those in your area who was most helpful, and what personalities would mesh best with yours. You may learn that you don't like being ordered how to treat your child, or you're not willing to accept being told to just learn better positioning. Parenting and breastfeeding groups or forums are a good resource here.
7. TRUST YOURSELF. Stand up for yourself. Be willing to get a second, third, fourth, fifth, etc opinion. Read my breastfeeding story here. I was told so many conflicting things. Once I analyzed my meeting with each professional, I either dismissed them and their opinions or saw them again (if necessary). Of the group, there ended up being only two that felt right. Plenty that disagreed with me. But I learned to trust myself as the only mother of my son, and I alone ultimately knew what felt right for our breastfeeding relationship. And it applies in oh so many other areas of parenthood (which is helping me NOT be a first-time helicopter mom hahaha).
8. BE PREPARED. Something I was not. I wasn't prepared for nothing to go right with breastfeeding. So I prepared myself to do whatever necessary when it did. Through the blood, tears, sleepless nights, crying, conflicts, appointments...we did it. WE DID IT. Because when I wasn't prepared, I changed that.
9. HAVE SUPPORT. We wouldn't have succeeded at it without it. You had support for your birth, right? What makes breastfeeding - something still so taboo in our society - any easier? I'd give birth again over having such a hard start breastfeeding, but I wouldn't give breastfeeding up. If it weren't for all the all-night texting and calling and emailing and Facebook-ing...I would've lost it. I needed that social/emotional/mental support. And my husband was pretty dang AMAZING too. Get support people. Kick out the non-supporters until your breastfeeding foundation is firm and smooth. Surround and immerse yourself in your support. 

I had clogged milk ducts...again

A few days ago my little one's first cold hit its peak and he was so congested it was heartbreaking. A positive point of this was that unlike his first stuffy nose, he does now have the ability to breathe out of his mouth, an ability newborns DO NOT HAVE as they are obligate nasal breathers.

Well, the flip side of this benefit is that he was only using his nose while nursing...meaning that it became incredibly congested in between and made nursing for any length of time difficult. Thanks to my strong letdown (i.e. milk ejection reflex) he wasn't going hungry, but he also wasn't putting much effort into sucking. Which brings us to my problem.

The lack of my sweet boy's desire to suck meant that my breasts did not get properly emptied. After a couple days of uncomfortable nighttime soreness, it began to extend into the day. So I tried pumping while massaging, twice. The first time after about half an hour of vigorous massage it was softened enough - not completely but enough. The second time it barely softened at all. It was at this point that it crossed my mind that the was getting ANOTHER plugged duct. Well, it was my husband that pushed me into action - he told me to do something to fix it because he did NOT want me sick again. Well, remembering the 103 fever from my almost mastitis, I agreed.

Well, I decided to do an overnight run of one treatment that I didn't put much effort into before - especially since heat wasn't helping. So I did an alternative castor oil pack. Specifically, I

1) soaked a cotton ball in castor oil
2) placed it over the plugged duct
3) covered the cotton ball with a disposable breast pad
4) made sure that the pad was nicely tucked into a comfy bra to be held in place while I slept
5) applied heat over the area until bedtime

*It's important to note that the oil should NOT be allowed to come into contact with your nursling.

Well...lo and behold, it WORKED! I woke up with a wonderfully empty breast from my little one's improved night nursing and the disappearance of my clog. A little sore from my vigorous massage, but I'll nurse on!

♥

"You're freaking nasty"

Yep, you read it. That's a direct quote from my instagram. And what could it be in response to? A photo of my umbilical cord keepsake from Jayden's birth. Which I will include below.

But seriously? "Freaking nasty"?! I actually understand things like "ewww" and "gross" and "weird". Normal reactions for people who are so far removed from the ideas of natural birth, parenting, and living. The same people think "gross" and "indecent" when seeing a breastfeeding mother in public not cover up... which also includes me. Yet those same people are ok with teenage girls wearing what looks like denim underwear for pants and a brassiere for a shirt.

No, I don't think that everyone should just jump on the all natural bandwagon. It's a decision that should be well thought out. You have to determine if it's something that belongs in your own life, and to what degree. Eating organic? No GMOs? Only grass fed beef? Vegetarian? Vegan? Natural remedies? Birth? No chemicals or solvents in your home? There are many aspects and we are far from following them all in our home. You need the money, time, and dedication.  Of course I think it would be awesome if everyone did incorporate natural aspects into their lives, but that isn't really the topic here.

The problem is judging people for living and doing differently from yourself. Something we all do to some degree, try as we may not to. But to follow through with judging something you don't understand? Well...to me that's a bit childish.  Maybe it isn't for you.  Maybe you think it's disgusting. That doesn't mean anyone else has to agree, or that you have to bash that person.

And no, it's not a big deal that someone thinks my umbilical cord keepsake is "freaking nasty". But I'm sure someone also thinks that about my uncovered breastfeeding, my placenta encapsulation, or my water birth. Sometimes what is so different and "nasty" is actually what's natural and rooted in the history that has kept our species alive...

Food for thought.

Featured on the Birth Without Fear {BWF} Facebook Page!

Total awesomeness!!! A bit of our breastfeeding story can be found HERE on the BWF Facebook page! -the story is either below or beside our photo - I'm so honored to have our story featured among the many strong Mommas out there to share and support others. Be sure to like their page and check out the BWF blog as well! It's full of amazing stories of strong women...I pour over the birth stories whenever I want a good emotional read :-)

Also, if you haven't read our FULL breastfeeding story yet, the post can be found HERE. Our birth story can be found HERE as well.

Have a great day! (below is my nice & fat breastfed boy...I love those chins!)

16 Ways I Blew My Marriage

Hahaha, no silly, we're not divorced already! But I came across this blog post by a guy and took a look at it....let's just say he's found some wisdom after his two divorces. I'd say EVERY MAN that is or wants to be married...even the women...should memorize this list. And remember it. And carry it out. So far I think we're doing pretty good. But I wont re-write it here and take his views, the link to the blog post is below :-)

16 Ways I Blew My Marriage

I'm on INSTAGRAM!

Follow me on Instagram - www.instagram.com/jessjanoff - thanks all! I'll be adding more to this post once my crazy nursling settles down :-)

@jessjanoff

Home Birth in North Carolina

After our wonderful birthing experience at Women's Birth & Wellness Center, I began thinking about what our next birth will be like. Obviously its great that the birth center is an option for us here, however it was so much like birthing at home, my husband and I wouldn't mind leaving out the 30 minute+ drive each way.

*insert - I must say I'm BLESSED to have a husband that TRULY wants me to birth however I want, and has never once fought me or debated me on our out-of-hospital first birth. EVER.*

Well, I started looking into it a little. Of course we want to purchase a home first, especially since I DEFINITELY want another water birth...and I think they frown on full-sized blow up pools in apartments haha. I also know a few people that had home births after hospital and birth center births and they, like me, successfully avoided interventions (I probably would have been termed "failure to progress" since Jayden was born about 4 hours after I hit 9.5 cm dilated - had a lip - and most hospitals give you a 2 hour window at that point. Ironically I only pushed for 45 minutes once I started feeling "pushy".) Well, I'd been listening to the homebirth conversations around me since one of my friends is again pregnant and planning one, when I realized what I was hearing...there are TWO OPTIONS for midwives here. That's right, you counted it. TWO. FOUR, if you count the ENTIRE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. And of course no physician will even attend an out-of-hospital birth, much less one at home.

Well wow. Talk about limited choices. Of the certified nurse-midwives who can legally attend home births in NC there's Deb O'Connell of Carrboro Midwifery, though her site seems to be down at the moment, so I'm not certain she's available in the Cary/Raleigh/Morrisville area that I'm in. There's also Nancy Harman (nwharman@gmail.com) in Bear Creek near Sanford and Siler City; Donna Galati of Monarch Midwifery in Fayetteville; and Olivia Marshburn of Midwifery Services in Hampstead in Pender County (nowhere near me). Let's recount: Deb, Nancy, Donna, Olivia. FOUR. And I think my only options are Deb & Nancy, unless I can get Donna here (who mentions on her website that she serves Fayetteville & Raleigh, probably since there is a huge natural parenting community here).

Which got me thinking...I've been trying to pinpoint what to do once my nurslings are older, what to study next. I've got an undergraduate degree in Boichemistry, which I loved...but I've been slowly feeling that tug back to the medical world, and especially towards the breastfeeding and natural parenting communities that are so alive here. Hmmm...what better way that to go against my years-old anti-passion and get my nursing degree...so that I can then get an advanced degree in midwifery! I also want to get the IBCLC certification (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) so that I can help other nursing Mommas the way I was helped so much in our early days..and help empower them to avoid those nasty pitfalls of false/misleading/uninformed/inaccurate information like we were given.

So, to recap again - I want to become a homebirth midwife in NC and an IBCLC that does house calls. MAYBE works part time for an institution, to instill some true understanding into the help given to brand new moms, instead of handing out nipple shields every five minutes. Now, I've figured out where to begin for each, just haven't figured out which to do first. I also know that both will take years...which is perfect really, because I don't really want any more full-time leave the house work until all our nurslings are no longer nursing, or at least not as often and can go hours in between/eat solids. So. What do YOU think?  Fighting the good fight for informed parenting and breastfeeding as a mother is one thing, but its so much more potent as a provider. I've been called to childbirth my entire life, and of all the things I've wanted to do/be, this finally sounds and feels right. Oh yeah, and throw in a little photography (pregnancy/family/birth/breastfeeding) in there :-) I even helped my Barbies "give birth" as a little girl, and start their families, all with lots of Barbie babies haha. 

I obviously got a bit off topic in the middle there, but the bottom line here is that we NEED more homebirth midwives in North Carolina, and I want to be one of them. It's a shame that as I look forward to my second birth (NO, we ARE NOT pregnant yet lol) I have maybe 2-3 options for a safe assisted home birth in my area, and only 4 in the entire state. And while I commend the women that have unassisted births, that's not quite right for us right now.

What options are in YOUR area?

Happy 5 Months Jayden!

Our baby boy is FIVE MONTHS OLD today!!!

Happy 5 months of breastfeeding, cloth diaper wearing, smiling, laughing, baby talking, and loving!

Stats:

Almost 15 lbs 

Increasingly ticklish

Loves when Daddy gets home (INSTANT SMILES)

Dislikes diaper changes without singing acts from mom

Will chew on ANYTHING he can get his hands around - including YOU

Will chew on a teething paci sometimes, but will look at you like you're crazy if you try to get him to take a normal one.

Will NOT take a bottle

Sleeps most of the night & with Mommy & Daddy

Has morning and sleepytime conversations

~

We love you so much little bean, you're growing so much every day that it makes mommy a little bit sad...her little newborn seems so long ago!

It's World Breastfeeding Week!

HAPPY WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2013!!! 

I know I'm a little late since today is the 4th and its officially August 1st through 7th 2013, but its still awesome!!! Besides, its hard to write often or complete a post with a VERY ATTACHED *almost* 5 month old baby boy :-)

I've included some breastfeeding pictures of me and my itty boy, and would love to see/post any that are sent my way! We're also on instagram @jessjanoff and are posting all the time.

I've also included the official link to the WBW website at the bottom after the pictures, and the Big Latch On is already over, but plenty more events are planned!

Have a great week!!! Happy nursing!!!

http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

We're changing our name!!! HELP!!!

Hey there!!! SO...I'm starting to like the direction this blob is taking, BUT I don't think that that direction is reflected in the title or web address...the problem??? I REALLY don't want to change the web address so that readers can still find the blog, and I'm not yet savvy enough for redirects...and as for the name, I HAVE NO CLUE!!! Well, a few ideas are below, can anyone help me out with more?! The general blog theme will be natural parenting, birth, pregnancy, breastfeeding, opinions, interesting news, family life. Etc.

HELP!

Oh yeah, and the list of potentials....

• Purely Ingenious
• Small Happy Fam(ily) - for obvious reasons
• Janoff Journey
• A Mother's Journey

Please leave suggestions in the comments, and if your suggestion is picked, there may just be a treat in it for ya!

Thanks all!!!

Why African Babies Don't Cry

It may be an odd thing to comment on, in our country, with the constant focus on race, skin color, etc. But its not a phrase that I came up with, or even ever thought about personally. I read an article entitled just that: Why African Babies Don't Cry (all links at bottom of post). And it did make me think. Perhaps the civilizations that haven't bothered to "progress" as much as Westernized cultures, still have it better than us at child rearing. More specifically, the baby year(s).

In the article of interest, the author, of African descent, describes the all-encompassing cures of breastfeeding and baby wearing in her native culture. It isn't considered "crunchy" or "attachment parenting". There aren't support groups or information filled forums for people that want to join the lifestyle and try parenting differently from all their neighbors and acquaintances and family. It just IS. Baby cries? Nurse him. Upset? Nurse him. Won't sleep? Nurse him. After nursing? Wear him.

Such a simple response, and so natural. Yet here...the American baby needs to be trained. Or isn't a good sleeper. Or is too fussy - better switch to formula. Let him cry it out in the crib, its healthy, otherwise he'll NEVER sleep alone...except I've never heard of a teenager that slept with his parents, no matter where he slept as a baby. So what is our obsession with isolating and formula feeding American babies? So that they fit into our fast-paced lifestyles? I cringe just thinking about weaning my nursling, knowing how brief this relationship is, compared to a lifespan.

**note: this is NOT a dig at those who legitimately cannot nurse their babies...those who choose not to without medical reasons, it's a personal decision that at least deserves careful consideration**

So let's look at a few issues with the way we view sleep for a baby. According to a blog post by Psychology Today (link below), 'Whether it’s every hour, or every two hours, or even three, parents are often concerned when their young infant is waking regularly for feedings. This concern is not surprising given the focus on “sleeping through the night” that our culture pushes. But sleeping through the night is not biologically normal, especially for a breastfeeding baby.' This statement speaks volumes to the style of parenting that is prevalent in our society. We are expected to have success at forcing upon a baby something that is "not biologically normal". Especially for a breastfeeding baby, who is getting such a perfect form of nutrition that it is rapidly digested...meaning that baby is ACTUALLY HUNGRY again quickly...not just manipulating you for attention, as American parents are led to believe.

Another view of this issue is simple evolutionary biology. Another article from the Psychology Today blog, also linked below, tells the biological view of the "sleeping issue" so wonderfully that I included an excerpt that describes how we used to live...before modern civilizations, agriculture, domestication, settlements, towns, empires, westernization. We were hunter-gatherers, which is a constantly moving, temporary lifestyle unlike the homes we strive to provide for our children today.

" Until a mere 10,000 years ago we were all hunter-gatherers. We all lived in a world where any young child, alone, in the dark, would have been a tasty snack for nighttime predators. The monsters under the bed or in the closet were real ones, prowling in the jungle or savannah, sniffing around, not far from the band's encampment. A grass hut was not protection, but the close proximity of an adult, preferably many adults, was protection. In the history of our species, infants and young children who grew frightened and cried out to elicit adult attention when left alone at night were more likely to survive to pass on their genes to future generations than were children who placidly accepted their fate. In a hunter-gatherer culture only a crazy person or an extremely negligent person would leave a small child alone at night, and at the slightest protest from the child, some adult would come to the rescue."

So...with most of the world, and the evolutionary biology of our children, being against the sleep methods of our country's culture, why is cosleeping still so taboo? Or "crunchy"? Or "hippie"? Not to mention breastfeeding (anywhere), comfort nursing, and babywearing. Maybe this is why American babies DO cry...though I do as much to prevent my nursling from crying as possible. How do you decide to parent?

http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/claire_niala.html

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201302/normal-human-infant-sleep-feeding-method-and-development

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201110/why-young-children-protest-bedtime-evolutionary-mismatch

Birth Without Fear...an amazing concept in a clouded country

I was fortunate to know that I had choices. I made informed decisions, I researched. I found a freestanding birth center near my home, to avoid the traps a hospital birth hide behind shining lights and professional "suggestions". I took a birthing class and a breastfeeding class with my husband. I constantly voiced my opinions and thoughts, so that in the end, I didn't even need my birth plan, which I didn't have the opportunity to finish typing up anyways since I went into labor instead. I was fortunate to have the disposition to face things head-on, and follow through on decisions I consider major. This is why I did not ask for pain medicine, and why I birthed in a place that it was not an option, in the event of weakness.

I was lucky too. I labored at home from 11pm until around 3pm the next day. I arrived at the birth center 8 cm dilated, and exhausted. I was allowed to do whatever I wanted to get comfortable. My permission was asked before each cervical check, before each doppler monitoring. Even before my blood pressure was taken. We were left to labor without intervention, my husband, my doula and I.
But so many women don't trust their bodies. So many are successfully scared by the horror stories and what-ifs. Bullied by professionals that are supposed to care more about their well being than the bottom line. Then comes Birth Without Fear. An awesome blog run by Mommas, full of inspirational stories of every kind of birth, from unassisted to cesarean, meant to empower women to TAKE BACK CHARGE of their care and do what's right for them. This blog has been fueling my inspiration to help future breastfeeding and birthing Mommas find their way amongst the rubbish. The link is below. Visit. Breathe. Empower yourself :-)

http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/

YouTube!!!! We're going live :-)

Hello all! So, the hubs finally has granted my request for a new(er) camera, and WE'RE GOING LIVE FOLKS!!! The link to my public channel is below. There are already videos up of my adorable little one taken with my phone, for those of you curious about our little nursling. Soon to come, opinions, information, and updates!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, I can't wait! Look out YouTube Mommas, you're about to get a new member!!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/jessjanoff

A small treat to finish it off:

Have a great day!

Ugh...I got a milk bleb

So, the other week I noticed that the first time of the night that I nursed my little guy in bed that it twinged a little. I figured, he's mostly asleep, maybe its just a poor latch. The next morning, I notice a white spot on the nipple in question. So I freak a little..."Okay you..." I think to myself "people get thrush all the time, no biggie, you know that GSE (grapefruit seed extract) treats it just fine, you just need to know the specifics." Well, all I can say is thank GOODNESS for knowing a VERY GOOD lactation consultant, as well as the support of La Leche League meetings.

Since I always prefer to be completely sure of what to do, I decided to text an IBCLC friend about what to do to treat me & baby for thrush so that we wouldn't pass it back and forth. Well, I described what it felt like (sharp pain just in the nipple, mostly at initial latch) and that there was a white spot, and that it looked a little stretched after nursing. Her response? "Sounds like you have a bleb.."

Huh?! A what's that again??? A disease or something??? So she sends me a link to the KellyMom description: http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/nipplebleb/

Well now. That sounded exactly right. So bleb = nipple blister. Well crap. I've never been much of a self-wound inflictor, and the only real way to actively get rid of one of those is to, well...POP IT. Yes, pop it. A milk blister. ON MY NIPPLE. ON IT. NO WAY.

However, as the day went on, and I started feeling icky, and nursing that side hurt more and more as the blister stretched but didn't break (yes, I did try moist heat, but instead of softening the skin enough to pop...it looked like my brown nipple had a white nipple on it), I gave in. To the popping idea.

Whew. Wash needle - check. Flame sterilize needle (i.e. HOT FREAKING NEEDLE) - check. Clean nipple - check. Homemade all-purpose nipple ointment on standby to help prevent infection. Here we go.............

I popped it!

Yes, the first nursing was freaky. And still hurt. But WAY LESS. And  I could finally empty the other half of my boob. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

These things are hard...

So, I'm taking advantage of a daddy/baby nap time to put a few thoughts down. I've FINALLY set up my Etsy Shop with a few Momma-oriented items (lactation cookies & mix, sitz bath, nipple cream, DIY lotion kit...if I forgot anything its there in my shop!) and I'm thinking about running an "opening special" discount to get some purchasing traffic in there...but I don't know! Maybe even a contest or two...which brings me to my newest (yet oldest) idea, that my friend Emerald (seen below with our gorgeous kids) solidified for me as a good idea...we're going to start doing videos!!! Now, it most likely will have to wait until we have a new camera, probably around Christmas, but since our closest family is about two hours away, and the rest quite a bit further, I think its a great way to keep everyone updated :-) 

That being said, I've got to figure out a way to get the things in my shop to the people that could use them...any suggestions?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JaydensCraftyMom

SOME PICTURES...

 Emerald, Kaine (3), Karsyn (1.5), and Jayden (11 wks)

A few views of my baby boy, Jayden (above & below)

New Find - Milk Increasing Tea?

So, I heard about this tea through a FB group I'm part of for natural parenting, which can be found at Tin Roof Teas in Cameron Village in Raleigh, NC. It's called Nurse Me Rhyme Tea and tastes pretty dern good. It definitely has a friendlier taste than the Mother's Milk and Milkmaid teas commonly drank to increase milk production.

 

As for a personal increase in production, its hard to say since I mostly exclusively nurse our son, and pumping with a baby that won't be put down is a pain. I was able to pump an ounce from one side AFTER he'd nursed himself happy though, which is a TON of leftover milk for me :-)

 

If nothing else, its tasty and relaxing...so enjoy the experiment!

 

Met a new WAHM Today!

I had a great chat in my neighborhood today with WAHM (work at home mom) Allison from Wonderland Pictures! Who knew so many cool moms could live in the same place???

Well, I've added her website below, we may be using her services from time to time, and hopefully we can help promote each other's ventures in the family-oriented world we're in.

Great to meet you today Allison!

http://www.wonderland-pictures.com

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

 

First, I'd like to recognize three AMAZING MOTHERS in my life, that I don't know what I'd do without.

 

FIRST, MY MOTHER, TAMMIE JONES WHITFIELD. You've been there more for me than for yourself, and have been the strongest and most amazing mother my entire life.

 

SECOND, MY GRANDMOTHER, MARIE JONES. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have my wonderful Mommy. You helped shape both our lives, and have been there for us when no one else was. And I do not hold a grudge for you locking me out of the house when I was twelve and was told I could come back when I could ride my new bike...better late than never :-)

 

THIRD, MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, PAULA JANOFF. If it weren't for you I wouldn't have my loving and crazy husband, and you've been the most amazing second mom a girl could ever want.

 

 ~ ~ ~

 

As for my day, I woke up to this:

 

 

 

 Then got to eat out for free at the Hibernian:

 

Then got to enjoy my guys at the park. Perfect day!