Posted on 13th December 2008 by Mish in breastfeeding
breastfeeding
After receiving a particularly vehement comment from a young mother who claims that formula feeding is the best choice for all infants, I felt it necessary to re-post this article from last year:
http://organicallyinclined.org/2008/02/04/breastfeeding-versus-pumping-versus-bottle-feeding/
To read the young woman’s comment and my reply, please visit here.
It is disheartening to see such a young woman so convinced that formula is the best option – and that just because she can afford it, it means that it’s the best choice. Please help me, fellow nursing moms. I want this young mom and many others like her to understand the benefits of breastfeeding – and why formula, while an adequate solution, is not the best one!
Oh, and I am well aware that I am opening myself up to attacks on this issue…but I am unwilling to yield. Breastfeeding is best. There, I said it…and I’m not willing to waiver in my belief!:-)
Technorati Tags: breastfeeding
Posted on 4th December 2008 by Mish in breastfeeding
baby, baby formula, breastfeeding
I was watching the news the other day, and watched this story about a five-month-old who was nearly killed by watered-down baby formula.
The mother told the story of how, in order to save money, she waters down her baby’s formula – never thinking that the extra water could hurt her baby!
This is quite possibly the saddest thing I have ever heard! This mother is struggling to buy expensive baby formula for her baby – thinking it is what is best for him…when she could have been feeding the child plentifully – and without watering down – if she had simply chosen to breastfeed him.
(more…)
Technorati Tags: baby, baby formula, breastfeeding
Posted on 29th May 2008 by mishakennedy in breastfeeding | co-sleeping
baby, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, family, family bed, mothers, nursing
A Blast from the Past
Co-Sleeping is better, overall, for moms and babies. It allows moms and babies to sleep better and comforts babies in a way that is unparalleled by sleeping alone. If you have had questions about co-sleeping, check out this post from last year. And please, tell us your stories of co-sleeping – we’ll post them if you like.
Technorati Tags: baby, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, family, family bed, mothers, nursing
Posted on 7th April 2008 by mishakennedy in breastfeeding
breastfeeding, family, health, mothering, mothers, nursing
This is probably the most frugal and green tip I can give! There is nothing more natural – and cheaper – than breastfeeding. And any mother can do it.
But first things first. Breastfeeding is the cheapest way to feed your
baby. Period. It is estimated that families will spend over $1000 a year on formula and related costs alone. Add in extra money for doctor visits because formula fed babies are more prone to ear infections and food allergies and the cost goes up even more!
Breastfeeding is easy and way more convenient than bottle feeding. One mother I know couldn’t believe that I would nurse my baby. “Isn’t it a pain?” she asked. “Why don’t you bottle-feed?”
I don’t bottle feed, I told her, because I’m too lazy. (more…)
Technorati Tags: breastfeeding, family, health, mothering, mothers, nursing
Posted on 4th February 2008 by Mish in breastfeeding
breastfeeding, family, health, kids, mothering
Looking over the news this morning, I wandered over to Mothering.com one of my favorite sites for all things parenting, and came across a blog post that someone wrote about this article on Babble.com.
The post was fairly typical, but the comments that followed it were what appalled me…not because I found them unusual, but because, frankly, they bored me. There were probably 14 comments all detailing why you should breastfeed, how you should only nurse, how bottlefeeding is bad, etc., etc. Now, I am completely in favor in breastfeeding. I encourage it to new moms whenever I can. I have written many articles detailing the benefits of nursing…and I fully support the Nestle boycott – as well as vilify the formula companies that try to make moms believe that formula is just as good as breastmilk.
(more…)
Technorati Tags: breastfeeding, family, health, kids, mothering
Posted on 25th October 2007 by mishakennedy in breastfeeding | cloth diapers | frugal
breastfeeding, cloth diapers, family, frugal, kids, mothering, parenting
Although that’s the first thing I’m going to suggest you do with it – put a cloth diaper on your baby or toddler’s butt. As you can see from this post, there are many reasons to do that. Not the least of which is that potty training is easier!
You can also use a cloth diaper…
…as a cleaning rag. They don’t leave streaks and are great for polishing furniture (not that I really ever do this).
…in place of a paper towel – they are superabsorbant, after all.
…as a baby spit-up cloth.
…as a breast pad when nursing – just cut them into little squares or circles.
…in a first aid kit. They are great for stopping blood, padding splints, or rolling up behind someone’s head.
…for craft projects – they are great organic batting. I have a great kneepad for the garden made with a few cloth diapers sewn inside some pretty, waterproof fabric.
…as dishtowels.
…as a pad under a baby’s butt in the bath.
That’s just a few…have another idea? Let us know!
Technorati Tags: breastfeeding, cloth diapers, family, frugal, kids, mothering, parenting
Posted on 25th October 2007 by Mish in breastfeeding | cloth diapers | family | frugal | frugality | green living | homemaking | housework | money | mothering | nursing mothers | organic | saving money | simple living
cloth diapers, family, kids, mothering, parenting
Although that’s the first thing I’m going to suggest you do with it – put a cloth diaper on your baby or toddler’s butt. As you can see from this post, there are many reasons to do that. Not the least of which is that potty training is easier!
You can also use a cloth diaper…
…as a cleaning rag. They don’t leave streaks and are great for polishing furniture (not that I really ever do this).
…in place of a paper towel – they are superabsorbant, after all.
…as a baby spit-up cloth.
…as a breast pad when nursing – just cut them into little squares or circles.
…in a first aid kit. They are great for stopping blood, padding splints, or rolling up behind someone’s head.
…for craft projects – they are great organic batting. I have a great kneepad for the garden made with a few cloth diapers sewn inside some pretty, waterproof fabric.
…as dishtowels.
…as a pad under a baby’s butt in the bath.
That’s just a few…have another idea? Let us know!
Technorati Tags: cloth diapers, family, kids, mothering, parenting
Posted on 5th October 2007 by mishakennedy in attachment parenting | birth | breastfeeding | cloth diapers | co-sleeping
, attachment parenting, baby, birth, breastfeeding, childbirth, cloth diapers, co-sleeping, new baby
Well, my apologies for not posting lately, but I have been a bit preoccupied…
Our sixth baby – and second girl – arrived on Oct. 3! Kiara was born at our local birthing center after about five hours of labor. She is 9 lbs 2 oz and not my biggest baby – but in the top 3! We had another natural birth – although no tub this time, which I kind of missed. But I was a little too erratic this time to stay in one place.
She was born at 7 am and we came home that night. We are happily ensconced in loafing on the couch, catching up on email and light publishing duties, and watching DVDs from Netflix!
Thanks to all the subscribers and posters who have wished us well. I will post the “official” birth story a little later.
And yes, the cloth diapering, breastfeeding and co-sleeping have begun…and I love every snuggly second of it!
Best,
Misha
Technorati Tags: , attachment parenting, baby, birth, breastfeeding, childbirth, cloth diapers, co-sleeping, new baby
Posted on 5th October 2007 by Mish in activism | attachment parenting | barter | birth | breastfeeding | childbirth | christmas | cloth diapers | co-sleeping | cooking | eating local | family | food | frugal | gardening | global warming | green living | homemaking | homeschool | housework | knitting | michelle kennedy | money | mothering | news | nursing mothers | organic | saving money | simple living | social issues | work from home | writing
freelance writing, green living, homesteading, submissions, writers
Our November-December print issue deadline is Oct. 15 and we could still use a wide variety of frugal tips – particularly holiday-related! Also, any holiday craft or cooking-themed articles would be appreciated. Please email your submissions to Michelle Kennedy Hogan at kennedy.mish@gmail.com
I am also accepting submissions for future issues, so if you have an idea, send it to me! I’ll pay up to $25 plus a one-year subscription
Technorati Tags: freelance writing, green living, homesteading, submissions, writers
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