The Truth about Lactivists

In honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month I want to clear up common misconceptions about lactivists (lactation activists). I do not speak for all lactivists, and I am sorry if you have been treated rudely by any breastfeeding advocates.

Myth: Lactivists judge formula feeding moms.
Truth: Lactivists judge formula companies. We understand that formula is a needed and life-saving food for many babies, and because we care about babies getting the best, we demand more responsibility and accountability from formula companies. False claims, incorrect breastfeeding advice, recalls, and unsafe preparation guidelines are avoidable problems moms should not have to face.

Furthermore, we want to help women make informed choices. While we support the legitimate needs many have to use formula, we do not think moms should base formula feeding on perpetuated falsehoods such as formula and breastmilk are not different, breastfeeding is disgusting or sexual, or breastfeeding ruins breasts (which, even if it did, I unapologetically think is a very shallow reason not to do it). We are here to give the knowledge and support some women need to make the choice to breastfeed.

We are also human, so things we say or do may be insensitive and we apologize for any hurt feelings or judgment passed.

Myth: Lactivists believe that only 2 percent of women cannot breastfeed.
Truth: True, but that doesn't mean we believe breastfeeding is easy and natural for the remaining 98 percent. It may only be possible after an overwhelming amount of time, effort, money, help, pain, frustration, supplements, pumping, etc., which not all women are understandably willing or capable of doing. Or it may not be possible due to problems the baby has. So yes, only 2 percent truly cannot produce any milk at all, but many more women experience setbacks that make it just as impossible. Even those who have mostly easy breastfeeding journeys experience at least one problem, like clogged ducts or over supply.

Myth: Lactivists believe all women should nurse in public, uncovered no less!
Truth: Lactivists believe all women should have the right to nurse in public, including uncovered, if they choose to. Nursing rooms are most welcome too since not all women (or babies) desire to nurse in public places or in extreme weather. The point is to make breastfeeding normal and not such a big deal, no matter where or how it's done. We actually don't want all the attention! (Though I'm sure there are extremists out there who enjoy making a scene.)

Myth: Lactivists think babies should be nursed until 4 years old.
Truth: Lactivists support nursing however long both mother and baby are comfortable with. We do not believe in setting an artificial age limit. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends "continued breastfeeding beyond the first birthday as long as mutually desired by mother and child." According to the World Health Organization, most toddlers naturally wean between 2 and 4 years old. Since that is an average, of course there are littles ones who wean sooner and later. The AAP confirmed breastfed toddlers are "certainly still benefiting from the nutritional and immunologic benefits" and "emotional support is a perfectly legitimate aspect of breastfeeding."

Are there any other myths I overlooked? Do you consider yourself a lactivist?

A New Zoo & a New 'Do

Tuesday morning we went to the tiny Utica zoo, a new experience for us after being spoiled with the Phoenix zoo (and the San Diego zoo/Wild Animal Park for me). The flora was very different as well, woodsy instead of deserty. But it was the perfect size for little walkers and had great animal variety, including sea lions, and fun exhibits. The food was really cheap too. It was much better than expected and we had a good time. Caden loved the playground best!

The peacocks got out. I've never seen a white one before!

Yesterday morning Justin cut off Caden's locks. It's always a drastic change because we only do it a couple times a year. No worries to those of you who are upset--his curly q's always grow back, as long and crazy as ever!

Gabe's First Words

Gabe is a gabber and makes lots of sounds, but his first real words as of last week were all done. He learned that phrase because he doesn't like going potty anymore, though he uses it for everything now. At first he pronounced it "ah duh" but now says "ah dun." He can also sign all done, waving his hands up and down just as Caden did. He is finally starting to sign more, though still not consistently. He can do milk perfectly. For more, he taps his thumb against his other palm, and for eat, he taps his palm against his mouth. He still bangs on his chest caveman style for bath. The only other words I think he can say are "wha za / izzat?" (what's that).

First time on the grass

Caden still messes up words very cutely: peena bwead (pita bread), pinano (piano), basketball whoop (hoop), vegebles (vegetables), sunscream (sunscreen), stashew (cashew, confused with pistachio). When Gabe bit me hard while nursing one day, Caden told me to go to the milk doctor, and when I was shopping for a swim suit, he pointed at the bikini tops and said, "Those are for milk." Today he's been going around the house with a set of old keys, calling himself "Lock-Up Man." But the funniest is from a couple weeks ago when he told me I have a big bum bum and it's going to hit something!

scratching his back, as learned from Sesame Street

These boys are just too cute and silly!

Renattoni Knitted Baby Booties Giveaway [CLOSED]

I am very excited to have a giveaway up for you! The lovely contributors are from the shop Renattoni:

We are three sisters from Peru who love to knit and sew high-end couture clothing and accessories for babies and children, with luxurious, best-quality organic natural fibers, organic Pima cotton, and baby Alpaca wool. 

Working with traditional textures and fabrics, we make heirloom handknit pieces for babies, and adorable toddler and girls' dresses in cotton, silks, and cotton wools. 

We also sell the yarns used to knit the beautiful pieces at our other shop, Bel Punto.

 
One of you will win a pair of girl or boy booties! See something darling you just have to get right now? Use the coupon code BABYGIVE for 20% off!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fabletics Athletic Apparel

A few months ago, I saw a Facebook ad for Fabletics, an athletic apparel company cofounded by the actress Kate Hudson. I looked around and bought this fabulous outfit:

I absolutely love it! The shirt is airy, long, and comfortable, and I love the style. The shorts are modest and not too tight like other Spandex shorts. A sports bra was also included, but the only size they had left was too small, so I sold it on eBay for half of what I paid for the whole outfit! New members can get outfits for as low as $25 with free shipping. And signing up does not mean you have to continue buying. Fabletics will send you an email on the first of each month with personalized outfits, which you can opt out of buying. If you forget, they give you one free pass. After that, the fee is credited to your account, so it's not lost money but available for once you do decide to buy something again. They also accept returns and exchanges.

The best part is the reviews, which include a fitting rating to help you decide which size to buy. It was very useful for me since I usually don't buy clothes online for sizing reasons. Thanks to the advice others left, the size I chose fit perfectly!

If you are looking for stylish, bright, fun workout clothes, accessories, and equipment, then I highly recommend trying Fabletics! This is the next outfit I want to get:

Whole Wheat Sugar Free Waffles with Coconut Oil

When it comes to breakfast, I don't have much of a sweet tooth. I like hearty but healthy meals that keep me full all morning. This whole wheat waffle recipe does just that! And I love using coconut oil because it adds a hint of sweetness and makes the kitchen smell wonderful while the waffles are cooking.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour or whole wheat white flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup coconut oil (make sure it's measured in liquid form) 
• unsweetened applesauce or real maple syrup

Directions

1. Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Separate the egg yolks and whites. Beat the egg yolks and stir into the dry mixture, along with the milk and oil.
3. Beat the egg whites and fold them into the batter. 
4. Cook the batter in your waffle iron and serve the waffles with warm unsweetened applesauce or real maple syrup.

Makes 8-10 square waffles.

7 Years Married!

Sunday was our 7-year anniversary. We celebrated on Saturday by leaving the kids with our friends and going to our favorite mall by ourselves. We started with laser tag. It was just us, so we were against each other instead of teammates. Of course Justin won, though I did get him quite a few times. It was a lot of fun! Next we went inside Wonderworks, a science-based fun center. Some of the things we did:

Can you see Justin's outline?

Making my shadows dance

At home with a flight simulator

It felt really prickly!

hall of optical illusions

We also played a mind game where you move a small ball on a table to the other person's side by relaxing. I won. Thanks, Hypnobabies! I beat Justin at the basketball arcade game too. Pay back for laser tag. We also went on these crazy bikes that go upside down (though I was too chicken) and a 4-D ride. There was a kid area, which included a giant-bubble play center, that we may take Caden to sometime.

After all the fun, we ate at the Cheesecake Factory. My burger was so big I couldn't fit it into my mouth!

Then we browsed the mall a bit. I finally found new sunglasses and got my hair curled at the Herstyler kiosk. Justin found some neat beanbag-like chairs that I will have to remember next time I get pregnant!

We were gone for 6 hours, much more than planned because we had a great time together and awesome sitters. (Good thing too, because Sunday ended up being a crazy day full of church meetings and nap strikes for the boys.) Hoping for 7x7 more years with my wonderful husband!