Mindful Mommy Monday | 1 Year... Round 2

Cheerful Monday parents!!  Remember how you greet the day will determine what you receive from the day. <3 

I have learned to say hello to Monday with a smile on my face, even if I'd like to kick it in the chins. Lol.  So no worries on Monday.  I accomplished exactly what I was supposed to accomplish today and ended up in all places I was needed at the perfect time!

Now that I've gotten that out of the way.  I get to share!  Saturday was Hoot 2's 1st birthday!  My mother and brother came for the weekend and we had a fabulous, slightly chilly, pool party.  Lol.  I am so grateful to everyone that came by and shared in our excitement.  We also were able to celebrate the pending arrival of my God son RJ (just thinking about him makes me so excited)!!

So what does round 2 of year 1 look like?  Sleepless nights.  Breastfeeding weaning (happy Breastfeeding week by the way).  Walking 2 days before 12 months old.  Lots of cuddles.  Super huge smiles.  Stay at home woes.  Falling in love again.  Friends.  Family.  GREAT MEMORIES!

As the days and months pass I have to constantly remind myself that Hoot 1 & 2 are different boys.  They developed differently, their personalities are different, I had different pregnancies, and all around different parenting experiences.  It's been beautiful, trying, and awakening.  I'm so very excited to watch them grow together and learn more and more about them.

Daddy Hoot and I can tell that Hoot 2 is a sports kid and Hoot 1 is an arts kid.  Lol.  Hoot 1 does not really care to watch football or basketball but will draw and write stories for hours.  Hoot 2 won't build with blocks or shapes at all, he'd rather play with cars & motorcycles.  While Hoot 1 still likes to build with his big blocks and even tries to mix his designs with his Legos.  They both fill me with so much joy!  With all of the milestones we've hiked up together, 

I'm happy to say Year 1 .. round 2 .. NAILED IT!   

Since it's Breastfeeding Week I want to share one of the more stressful milestones!  Weaning!  Now, I FULLY support breastfeeding past infancy.  I genuinely believe it helps mommy and baby emotionally and physically.  The closeness you develop with breastfeeding cannot be mimicked by any brand of formula!  So breastfeed with pride and power mommies.  However, if and when you breastfeed - listen to your body, baby, and know what you're comfortable with.  I decided to wean Hoot 2 at 1 year because I felt it was best for both of us.  I had a lot of anxiety about giving him a bottle, let alone formula.



With Hoot 2 my breastfeeding barely made it 3 months.  I went back to work insanely early and got home super late (past 8 PM some nights).  After having an easy peasy bottle all day, Hoot 1 wasn't digging the boob.  It devastated me.  Coupling that with postpartum depression and I was just a mess.  So with Hoot 2 I was determined to breastfeed.  I knew I wanted to and I knew I would AT LEAST make it 1 year.  Well, I did it!  And I'm actually looking forward to having control of my body back until I can talk Daddy Hoot into a little Hoot 3.  Lol.  I started the process at about 10 months by slowly adding the bottle to his routine and finally getting down to only night time nursing.  Around the middle of month 11 - we did away with that and he's been doing well.  He still likes to reach into my (and Daddy Hoot's) shirt, pull on bra straps, and rub but he takes his bottle and sippy cup well.  He's also started sleeping a full night!!! <3 <3 <3


While I made the decision to not breastfeed through toddler years and beyond, I fully support mommies that do!  I am floored with admiration and adoration for\your power and will.  You are beautifully amazing!!  To help you be an even more awesome you I'm going to share a few links that were passed to me by a mommy friend.  They are giving away breastfeeding supplies for FREE, all you have to do is pay shipping.  Hopefully they all work and you're able to get your freebies!

Resources:
Early Moments
Nursing Pillow - Use code BFWEEK13
Seven Slings - Use code BFWEEK13
Udder Covers - Use code BREASTFEEDING2013
Breastfeeding Insurance & Reimbursement 

Happy Breastfeeding Week Mommies!!!  Don't cover up in public.  Don't feel judged for nursing your toddler.  Unsnap your bra with bride!! <3 Kudos to you.  No one will ever understand the demand on you and the BOND you create when nursing.  

How was your week whipping your routine into shape?  The Hoot Family did pretty well and guess what... We made it to Hoot 2's birthday party at the time we said we would!!!  We even beat our friends who are using super early!!  How super fab is that?!  We had a game plan, we got up, we executed, we didn't take no stuff.  Lol.  And we made it.  The birthday went off without a hitch.  Sidenote: Thank you SO MUCH Chris and Satina for being as freakn FAB-TABULOUS as you are.  Overall, I'm pleased.  It showed me that we really are capable of being on time.  Lol.  We need a plan, be prepared, and get to it!  It's possible!

Live a FabuLESS Life Archive

This weeks challenge is Rewarding VS. Bribing.  There is a REAL difference here parents.  "If you behave in the store, I will buy you 1 snack you want." - BRIBING.  "Thank you for behaving in the store.  I know how hard it is sometimes to not touch things you may want.  Pick 1 treat for yourself." - REWARD.  A bribe usually comes from times of frustration.  They are screaming and you just really want to finish shopping.  Or you're desperately trying to get them to clean their room or do homework.  Check in with your motives and intent.  Your son earns money for good grades on his report card... bribe or incentive to work hard?  If the reward is not consistent in the situation - then chances are it's a bribe.  Do you always get your little one a snack from the store when they behave (without being told) or did you only offer it because they were screaming and having a fit?  This will let you know if you're bribing or rewarding.  This week, break the bribing habit.  Check in with yourself before you offer your child something.  Make sure this is a consistent reward for work they are doing and not just something you're offering in the moment.  What is your intent?  To teach them a lesson in life and hard work or get them quiet?  GOOD LUCK parents!  Join my community on FB or follow me on Twitter & Instagram @dPaPiYON.

I am grateful for your patience with the videos! <3 Until next week parents...

Love, peace, & sanity!

-Mama Hoot

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About Mindful Mommy Monday Blogger

Dominique is an owner of Jane Doe, LLC, a mother of two, wife, and student.  She is an experienced  Artist Manager, Event Planner, and Branding Consultant.  She pushes awareness and mindfulness to the forefront of her work.  Her community work is done with mommies and assisting people re-entering the work force.  

To contact Dominique email her at: dominiquepap@gmail.com

IG: @dPaPiYON | FB: Dominique PapillionHerr | Twitter: @dPaPiYON

www.dPaPiYON.com

Mommy, Milk, and Child Development

So you heard it hurts, or that is is an inconvenience, but truth is, the pros of breast feeding outweigh the cons BY FAR. Most of what we have come to know about breast feeding is influenced by public opinion or bashed by those who are ignorant to it's benefits.


Lactose and Lactase

Milk sugar is called Lactose.  Lactose is broken down by Lactase which makes this balance essential for the development of the nervous system.

Human breast milk contains more lactose than cow's milk (which is used in formula) but also has an equivalent amount of lactase to break it down. With a good diet, breast milk can exclusively support the baby for 6 months.

Cow's Milk is much lower in lactase which leaves formula fed babies at a disadvantage because their livers do not yet have the capacity to make this enzyme.

50 to 60 million people in the United States are lactose intolerant due to lack of lactase in early developmental stages. More than half of these people are minorities, either African American, Asian American, Native American, and Hispanic origin.


The Mother-Child Connection: Pros & Cons

Prenatally and post birth, the baby's health is largely dependent on the mother's nourishment. Some even consider preconceptional nutrition - or the health of the mother up to a year before she becomes pregnant.

PROS:

• Breast Feeding is best for both Mommy and the baby.
• stimulates uterine contractions bringing the uterus back to normal size
• reduces bleeding
• the mother can pass protective antibodies to the child
• the calorie output to the child helps to bring weight back towards it's pre-pregnancy level while the child gets all needed nutrients such as iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, potassium, and the correct amino acids for growth
• Breast Milk is convenient. You carry it with you!
• SAVE MONEY!
• Studies show that breast fed babies are healthier than bottle babies.
• fewer allergies
• leaner
• lower cholesterol levels
• these qualities typically stay true into later years and adulthood
• The invention of milk pumping devices with storage has made breast feeding and option for working mothers

CONS & PRECAUTIONS:

• The mother must be healthy or any toxins will be passed to the child
• Stay away from alternatives. Soy formula is NOT better!
• Mothers MUST remember to eat well so they do not become nutritionally drained while nursing. Water is the main ingredient of breast milk so stay hydrated!

Why no Dairy? Why not formula?

Lifelong consumption of milk is a common mistake in nutrition. By adulthood we should have all kicked the habit - that is if we even started to begin with. If your children develop reoccurring congestive problems such as excessive snot and mucous and/or ear infections, I recommend eliminating all dairy products for a minimum of a month to see if symptom's cease. Keep a food diary for this!

Cow's milk is best avoided because it has a different amino acid balance which is suitable to calves, not humans. Cow milk also contains more fat and allergens.

Formulas - which are derived from cow's milk - are not recommended due to their unnatural, synthetic makeup.

How Long Should I Breast Feed?

Infants shouldn't have their first meal before 6 months.
A healthy mommy can nourish her baby that entire time on breast milk alone. Waiting  6 months gives the baby time to develop their digestive tract and immune system to reduce chances of allergy and mal food reactions. Premature feeding leads to poor digestion, allergies, immune problems, and obesity.

A child's first food should be simple, natural, preferably organic, and pureed. Imagine coming off of a liquid fast - you can't rush right into solids! Make your own baby foods with a blender and bottle in recycled baby food jars or glass jars! These are RAW baby foods!

Foods to puree':

• pears
• plums
• apples
• sweet potato/squashes
• ANY vegetables

Breast milk should STILL be a part of the diet at this time. Continue the pureed food and breast milk combo throughout month 7.

From 8 months to a year, babies become more hungry and adventurous with food.
Make sure you teach your child the vast amount of natural fruits and vegetables that inhabit this earth and let them know that mommy likes this food too! They will often want whatever it is you have. Use this outgoing attitude as a gateway to a well-rounded diet. Breast milk should still be a part of the diet at this time.

So when do they stop breast feeding already!?
Wane your baby off of breast milk when they are ready. Begin waning after a year.

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As women, we carry a big responsibility, for the world comes through us. Give the next generation a fair chance by beginning the mother-child bond properly! You are their first teacher, their first source of food, shelter, and nourishment. Together, we can change the world <3

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Brooke Johnson aka Brooke Jay is a Social Entrepreneur, Certified Nutrition Consultant, and Wellness Coach, for RAW! on Wheels, a DMV based live vegetarian service.

RAW! offers Meal Plans, Juice Cleanses, Coaching, Catering, Care-giving, & more!  

 

http://www.RAWexclamation.com

Contact her directly at BJohnson@rawexclamation.com