TulipGirl

John Calvin, in commenting upon Genesis 21:7 states:

“. . .the Lord does not in vain prepare nutriment for children in their mothers’ bosoms, before they are born.

But those on whom he confers the honor of mothers, he, in this way, constitutes nurses; and they who deem it a hardship to nourish their own offspring, break, as far as they are able, the sacred bond of nature.

If disease, or anything of that kind, is the hindrance, they have a just excuse; but for mothers voluntarily, and for their own pleasure, to avoid the trouble of nursing, and thus to make themselves only half-mothers, is a shameful corruption.”

(Posted on TulipGirl in December 2005. Found quote via Pastor Lane)

This post is part of a World Breastfeeding Week 2006 series.

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action has chosen the theme of Code Watch: 25 Years of Protecting Breastfeeding for this year’s August 1-7 World Breastfeeding Week.

By the term Code Watch, they are referring to the 1981 International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, which was designed to limit the undermining of breastfeeding through advertising.

As in years past, I’ll be posting this week in support of breastfeeding. Just my little online contribution to World Breastfeeding Week. If you are posting about breastfeeding, too, let me know!

So, hooray for all those who are blogging on breastfeeding for WBW!

August 1st:
This Classical Life
Heart, Mind and Strength
Mom Squawk
The Marmot’s Hole (Korea)
Domestic Psychology
BurmaNet News
Belly Tales
Celebrity Baby Blog
Women’s Health News
Susan D’Arcy
Knitted in the Womb
IrwanIrah (Singapore)
And Baby Makes Four
Wired for Noise
Sazz (Australia)
Blogging Baby
Got Sophia
Mom’s Milk Anywhere
Footprints
dotMoms
Pieces of Us
MumSpotting (Singapore)
Basta
Crunch Mama
Cigar Theology

August 2nd:
No Such Thing
Charity Grace
Count It All Joy
View from the Prairie Box
Dorian Kaye
The Juggling Act
Birth Write
Amanda’s Blog
I’m a Geek in Your Country
Aurelia Ann
And the Seasons Go ‘Round
Confession Time
Dry Eraser Thoughts
Kitten Licks
Christi’s Blog
Blogging Kellan
What’s Hot for Tots
Plantain

“When DD3 pretends to be a Mommy, she is a very good one. She rocks her babies, she sings to them, she snuggles them in a blanket. And then she says she needs a paci and a bottle. She has no memory of the hours I spent nursing her. She has no memory of seeing anyone nurse. Heck, she has no memory of seeing people do most of the things I did with her as an infant. . . .

I so want DD3 to grow up knowing that it is normal, natural, healthy, and God

1 Comment »

Via an e-mail from Ted Greiner, breastfeeding advocate, I heard that the World Health Organization has updated its infant and child growth charts. Greiner says, “Based on careful studies of breastfed babies living under “ideal” conditions in several countries, WHO has determined that they grow at similar rates and that this growth pattern is the ideal one. Thus they have issued a series of new growth charts. . . The previous international ones were based on how largely bottle fed American babies grew.”

The new charts can be found here:
Child Growth Standards
WHO Child Growth Media Centre

I’m warning you.

(Via darjeelingirl)

Thanks to Lydia, Nathan’s Helpmeet, who has drawn my attention to the works of William Gouge–specifically his pages upon pages of reflection on the Bible and breastfeeding. Lydia quoted a passage on cry-it-out and breastfeeding, but the section below really stood out to me.

Among other needful things, the milk of the breast is fit for young babes, and with it they are to be nourished. I think none doubt of the equity of this. It hath in all ages, and in all countries, been accounted the best food that can be for young babes. The metaphor, which S. Peter useth, taken from young infants [in the words, As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word (1 Peter 2:2)] confirmeth as much. So doth also the desire which such infants have to the milk of the breasts: and the ability, and promptness which is in them to suck: and God’s providence in causing a woman’s breasts to yield forth such milk: and the constant manner of nourishing little infants after this manner, commended in the Scripture: and [to conclude] the natural instinct which many unreasonable creatures have thus to nourish their young ones.

. . .

God hath given to women two breasts fit to contain and hold milk: and nipples unto them fit to have milk drawn from them. Why are these thus given? to lay them forth for ostentation? There is no warrant for that in all God’s word. They are directly given for the child’s food that cometh out of the womb; for till the child be born, there is no milk in the breasts: anon after it is born, milk ordinarily floweth into the breasts: yea a great part of the meat which they eat turneth into milk. They make this admirable work of God’s providence to be in vain, that dry up this spring, and suffer not their children to partake of the benefits of it.

–William Gouge, On Domestical Duties

Related:
Martin Luther: Theologian and Cloth Diaper Advocate
John Calvin: Theologian and Lactivist
Breastfeeding and the Bible

Ezzo discusses “trade-offs” with Babywise:

“We wish everything in this book worked perfectly for each mom/baby combination when it comes to lactation.

“…in parenting there will always be tradeoffs…while most moms can [breastfeed longterm*] with Babywise, we recognize not all moms can because no philosophy comes without trade-offs.”

– Babywise, pp. 63, 64

* while “longterm” is not defined, Babywise says mothers using the program breastfeed for just over 8 months on average.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a minimum of one year of breastfeeding.

(Via Ezzo.Info)

Related Tags: GFI / Ezzo / Babywise, Babywise, Gary Ezzo, Ezzo.Info, Christian Parenting, Breastfeeding, American Academy of Pediatrics

I made the short list on The Lactivist blogroll! Thanks, Jennifer!

And in recognition of that, here are some of my favorite writings on breastfeeding:

The Original Noonie Page

A Few Of My Favorite Things 2005, 2004

Play Ball! (Militant Breastfeeding Cult)

Breastfeeding and Babywise: The Realities, The Practicalities

Contented Cows Give Sweet Milk

7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

I Thessalonians 2:7-8

Now observe that when that clever harlot, our natural reason… , takes a look at married life, she turns up her nose and says, “Alas, must I rock the baby, wash its diapers, make its bed, smell its stench, stay up nights with it, take care of it when it cries, heal its rashes and sores… ?

What then does Christian faith say to this? It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful, and despised duties in the Spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels. It says, O God, because I am certain that thou hast created me as a man and hast from my body begotten this child, I also know for a certainty that it meets with thy perfect pleasure. I confess to thee that I am not worthy to rock the little babe or wash its diapers, or to be entrusted with the care of the child and its mother. How is it that I, without any merit, have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will? O how gladly will I do so, though the duties should be even more insignificant and despised. Neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labor, will distress or dissuade me, for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight…

God, with all his angels and creatures is smiling–not because the father is washing diapers, but because he is doing so in Christian faith.

–Martin Luther

Last week we read of John Calvin’s breastfeeding advocacy. I’m beginning to wonder if this is going to turn into a series on Great Theologians and Attachment Parenting?

(Via Carol, via Cheryl.)

“Mommy, do you remember when I was screaming my head off for moonie? When I was a baby? I was crying and screaming my head off, and then you gave me moonie.” –C5, who hasn’t breastfed in years. And who only screamed his head off when we were boarding planes.

John Calvin, in commenting upon Genesis 21:7 states:

“. . .the Lord does not in vain prepare nutriment for children in their mothers’ bosoms, before they are born. But those on whom he confers the honor of mothers, he, in this way, constitutes nurses; and they who deem it a hardship to nourish their own offspring, break, as far as they are able, the sacred bond of nature. If disease, or anything of that kind, is the hindrance, they have a just excuse; but for mothers voluntarily, and for their own pleasure, to avoid the trouble of nursing, and thus to make themselves only half-mothers, is a shameful corruption.”

(Via calvinist and lactivist Pastor Lane)

Observational studies suggest a longer duration of breastfeeding to be associated dose dependently with a decrease in risk of overweight in later life. The authors performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of the existing studies on duration of breastfeeding and risk of overweight. . . . The definitions of overweight and age had no influence. These findings strongly support a dose-dependent association between longer duration of breastfeeding and decrease in risk of overweight.

Read the study here.

And remember, scientific findings in health studies show patterns, and aren’t guarantees of positive or negative outcomes. Just ask my healthy as a horse smoking, ice-cream-and-tastee-cakes eating grandmother-in-law.

Want good eyesight? Breastfeed.

Spring Nursing, Mt. Monadnock
Pastel and Pencil by Susan Wadsworth

“For you will nurse and be satisfied
at her comforting breasts;
you will drink deeply
and delight in her overflowing abundance.”

For this is what the LORD says:
“I will extend peace to her like a river,
and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream;
you will nurse and be carried on her arm
and dandled on her knees.

As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 66:11-13

The Bible is full of imagery of breastfeeding and nurturing mothers. What can we learn about God’s design for breastfeeding? Start studying with these articles by Cyndi Egbert and Nancy Campbell.

This post is part of a World Breastfeeding Week 2005 series.

For some mothers, breastfeeding comes easily. For others, it entails overcoming a series of obstacles. When one problem is solved, another one crops up. Latch problems, mastitis, low supply, reflux, thrush, working and pumping. . .

For me, my firstborn latched on like a pro. I had normal engorgement and mild mastitis, both pretty usual and minor. However, when he was a bit older I had a problem with my supply, that was related to being misinformed about how breastfeeding really works, and how scheduling can undermine breastfeeding. With my fourth, even with all the previous experience I had, I found it to be tough going to get my newborn to latch well.

So, I’d like to ask those who have overcome breastfeeding struggles, What motivated you to keep breastfeeding? What helped you deal with the challenges you faced while breastfeeding?

This post is part of a World Breastfeeding Week 2005 series.

You can contact artist Jennifer Staumbaugh at jenstumby at sbcglobal dot net.

This post is part of a World Breastfeeding Week 2005 series.

Some of our favorite things about breastfeeding are. . .

“How my now-weaned preschooler rubs my belly affectionately and tells me about when he was little and ate noonie.” — TulipGirl

“How it forced me to stop and relax. Boy, do I miss that when stressed. :)” — Andrea R.

The loving caress of my daughter’s hand on my skin, her sweet nursing smiles and the way she looks when she drifts off to sleep happy and milk-drunk. –Kristen

The baby’s breath after breastfeeding–the sweetest smell ever. –Pam

The way my 15 month old giggles when he says “nah-nah” and then settles down as he starts to nurse. –Mel

The reminder that there is always something simple and beautiful under all the chaos of the world. –Jess

the “take some time out to put your feet up, drink a cold glass of something refreshing, and snuggle with baby” relaxation. It often meant that I had to consciously focus on myself and my baby, instead of everything else that I thought was “important.” –CarolynM

“The milk drunk look of bliss on my babys’ faces.” –Deputy Headmistress

“But one thing I love are the grins while they are still latched on and the “smack smack smack” sound that makes. :-)” –Keer

“My seventh child used to happily hum while he was nursing.=)” –Deputy Headmistress

“when my toddler would stop and look up at my face, and smile with that wide milky grin, as if to say “oh, that’s where you are”.” –Tracy

“When her eyes roll back into her head when she first latches on as if to say, “Oh yeah, that’s the stuff.” :)” –Amy

When my boys. . .tandem nurse, look up at me when nursing and start giggling and give me big milky smiles…. it just makes me relax, breathe and concentrate on the good things in life… –Melissa

The playful way she swats mother breast while she nurses.
We co-sleep so her meals are always available. –Vegan Momma

The way my 2yo can seem so old and independent until she nurses and I catch a glimpse of the newborn she was once again. –Jess

And on a more selfish level, how easy it is. Both of us hardly wake up to nurse at night, somehow it just happens - and we sleep so well because of it. –Mel

Have your say! What are your favorite things about breastfeeding?

This post is part of a World Breastfeeding Week 2005 series.

(Thanks to Heather Cushman-Dowdee for permission to post Hathor in all her Cowgoddess glory.)

This post is part of a World Breastfeeding Week 2005 series.

It’s World Breastfeeding Week! Here are some great posts I’ve read in that encourage breastfeeding. If you don’t see your name here, just leave your name and url in the comments, so we can all come over and read your breastfeeding writing!

Cam @ Ms. Understood

Tracy @ The Secret of Living (and she has a new blog look!)

Vegan Momma @ Vegan Momma

Lawanda @ Lovin’ Life

Kristen @ This Classical Life, and yet again

Kristen @ This Classical Life, even yet again

Umm Zaynab @ Muslim Mother’s Thoughts

Umm Zaynab @ Muslim Mother’s Thoughts, again

Umm Zaynab @ Muslim Mother’s Thoughts, and again

greenemama @ fresh milk delivered daily

gid (a guy!) @ the gidcumbs

Mommy Blawger @ The Mommy Blawg

Carol @ Parenting Decisions

Carol @ Parenting Decisions, again

Andrea @ Atypical Life

Anne @ Our Homeschool

David @ Starbellys
Christine @ Mumspotting

Christine @ Welcome to my Brain

Jennifer @ My One Long Day, again

Jennifer @ My One Long Day, and again

Jennifer @ My One Long Day

Crystal @ Mama Domain

Kristen @ This Classical Life

Kristen @ This Classical Life, again

Kristen @ This Classical Life, and again

Amy @ Musings of a Crunchy Domestic Goddess

Roxanne @ Adventures of a Breastfeeding Mother

Marvel @ TreeHuggerz

Beanmom @ Partial to the Bean

Beanmom @ Partial to the Bean, again

Beanmom @ Partial to the Bean, and again

Angela @ Oh Baby Baby

Angela @ Oh Baby Baby, again

This post is part of a World Breastfeeding Week 2005 series.

Mother and Child, by Joanne Burns

(Via the ProMom Gallery)

This post is part of a World Breastfeeding Week 2005 series.

Check out these lap-baby computer games with a breastfeeding theme. Seemed a bit weird when I first heard of them, but they’re pretty cool.

Breastfeeding Left and Right Game

Dress the Breastfeeding Baby

Breastfeeding Coloring Pages

Breastfeeding Games in French and Spanish

(Via Kym at GCM.)

This post is part of a World Breastfeeding Week 2005 series.