2 Years of Breastfeeding!

Snowflake turned 2 this week, and she also officially weaned a few weeks ago. My original goal with her was 18 months and I was able to make it to just about 2 years! Although the last few months were short feedings in the evenings only, we still enjoyed the time together and she was able to get some more of that wonderful milk, concentrated and sweet I'm sure! I feel very blessed to have breastfed her so successfully and to have met a milestone I know most never see. It was truly not something that came easy for me, as I have trouble making a lot of milk. My body in fact does not respond well to a pump (I can barely get an ounce even when feeding a newborn), and because of that I never gave Dahlia a bottle. She has never had a sip of formula either. This required a lot of commitment on my part- I never left her for more than 4 hours at a time, and I did nightly feedings for over a year. I nursed on demand to keep up a decent supply, so most days I nursed every 2-3 hrs in the first year. I was happy to do it though, I knew it was good for her and good for me. Breastfeeding relaxed me immensely, something that I needed a lot of having children just 18 months apart! I am so proud to have extended breastfeeding, and I just want to encourage any other mothers out there that it can be done and be a beautiful thing.

Another Campbell Has Arrived! The Birth Story of Baby Snowflake

'Baby Snowflake' is our little "drama" queen! She really knows how to play tricks on her mommy! After 2 bouts of false labor, she finally decided to come at the last minute before 2011 was over- our New Year’s Eve baby!

Here is the full story of her birth:

On Saturday, Christmas Eve, the day before my due date, I started having contractions about 7 minutes apart around 1pm. The night before, I had been having contractions on and off, which really hindered my ability to get a good night's rest. Friday morning, I nested like crazy, cleaning the whole house thinking baby would be here soon. Daddy C was feeling sick like he might have the flu, which made me even more anxious. Between all the cleaning, I tried to feed us all good, nutrient dense foods and supplements to ward off the sickies. By 1pm, the contractions had returned with regularity. I went on a walk, and they got stronger and closer together. I decided to call the midwives and tell them to come at 4:30pm. Daddy C took Peanut to a relative's house just in case, and the midwives arrived around 5:30pm, by which time the contractions were now coming 5 minutes apart. They were not really painful though, and since I had back labor with Peanut, I wasn't sure if this was just what regular labor contractions felt like. I decided to be checked to see how far along I was since Daddy C was trying to decide whether or not to miss the Christmas Eve Worship service he needed to lead. They checked me and I was just 1-2cm, so he left and my sister who was there with us stayed and hung out with me while we waited for him to get back. During this time my contractions did not get any closer together and they varied in intensity.

When Daddy C got back, the midwives went out for a Chinese dinner and me, my sister and Daddy C took another long walk. It was kinda pretty walking around after dark on Christmas Eve, looking at all the lights. I had quite a few intense contractions while walking, and by the time I got back I sat on the stability ball to work through them. They were coming 2 minutes apart and were pretty intense. I was so worn out by time point I decided to try and lay down on the bed for a while. During this time about 10pm, the midwives came back and checked me again to see if any progress had been made. I was still the same 1-2cm. I pretty much knew it was not going to happen that night and we sent them home. I then took a long hot shower and had a good cry. I was more upset over not having our Peanut home with us than anything- it was the first time she had ever been away at night and we did not want to wake her up just to bring her back home when we could just get her in the morning.

The next few days came and went without any contractions. On Tuesday, I was feeling crampy in the evening, but nothing like I had on Saturday. Daddy C and I went to bed, and contractions started coming soon after around 9:30pm. I had to really work through these contractions which were much different from the ones I had on Saturday. It was eerily reminiscent of Peanut's labor and birth, so we called the midwives over at around 10:45pm and they got here shortly before midnight. We had been timing the contractions to be 4 minutes apart and lasting around a minute each. My sister also came soon after since she was going to take care of Peanut if she woke up. Unfortunately, she also brought her dog, which I didn't expect, and I got needlessly upset. The stress slowed the contractions down considerably. I was checked and found to be 4-5cm, 80% effaced and -2 station. Because the contractions were slowing, the midwives suggested I take a shower and see if that stopped them. I did and it seemed at that point they were slowing. My body was extremely tired by now and all I wanted was sleep. I think my body knew this, and everything stopped by 2am and we sent everyone home once again. I still had very irregular contractions all throughout the night before they stopped completely in the morning. I was so sore the next day, disappointed, and thinking the baby would never come.

Friday morning, I decided to go get adjusted one last time at my chiropractor. I was so stiff and sore from the stress the past week had brought on me. I felt so much better after being adjusted, thinking that the next time labor started I would probably stay in labor. We then went out to eat at a Mexican joint for lunch so I could eat some spicy foods.

Saturday morning, New Years Eve, I really needed to get my mind off things now that I was nearly a week overdue. We went hiking at a nearby nature preserve and I flew down the trail, hiking with gusto. This was so abnormal for me since I normally take my time climbing hills! I didn't really think too much of it though. Later that afternoon, Daddy C and I made love (for like the millionth time that week, haha!) and then went out shopping at Lowes. At Lowes, I started having contractions that were pretty strong, but I didn't want to

get my hopes up so I didn't think too much of them. They were coming every 10 minutes so nothing to get excited over. We went home, made dinner, and I started timing them around 6:30pm and they were coming 6-7 minutes apart. I made the call to alert one of the midwives, but did not tell them to come yet.

We put Peanut to bed, and I took a shower to see if that would stop the contractions. Shortly before the shower, I had a very small amount of "bloody show" which was really just pink twinged mucus, and not much of it- it certainly wasn't as much show as I had with Peanut. The shower seemed to intensify the contractions, and I was moaning and trying to get through each one. At 8:15, I had DH summon the midwives. He then worked on getting arrangements for Peanut while I worked through the contractions on my stability ball. I had to visualize myself getting through each one, like riding a wave. By the time the midwives arrived, I was having them very close together. Moving around seemed to intensify them so I

stayed on my ball. Despite the intensity and pain of each contraction, I was able to get through them with visualization and chanting "I can do this" over and over. I was determined to remain as relaxed and positive as possible throughout labor this time around. I held on tight to DH's hands through each one, and everyone was very encouraging throughout, telling me how great of a job I was doing.

Around 11, I decided to be checked to see my progress, since things were really picking up. I was starting to feel nauseated and getting chills. I was checked and found to be 7-8cm. I remember asking if I was going through transition and they told me I was. A few of the contractions became horrible at that point and someone suggested I get in the shower for a bit to see if that might help. I got in, and was relieved to feel the hot water. I couldn't really stand at that point, so I dropped to my hands and knees. We decided to fill up the tub for better relief, which helped a bit. The contractions were so intense at this point, I was afraid I would not get through them. I tried as hard as possible to remain as controlled and relaxed as I could, but a few of them I sorta lost it and everyone tried to bring me back down. I knew this baby needed to get out and now. I could not stand this a minute longer! I tried to get out of the tub and make my way to the bed, but as I stood up, I felt like I needed to push right there. I decided to stay in the tub. The uncontrollable urge to push came over me and after the first push, one of the midwives put my hand down to feel that the baby's head had crowned. I remember being freaked out and said "I don't want to feel it!" but it was actually very encouraging to know baby was close. I think my water broke sometime before that happened as well. Daddy C said the water suddenly got very cloudy when that happened. The last 4 minutes or so of pushing were agonizing, I was screaming partly in fear of it lasting forever. But within 3 more pushes, baby shot out like a rocket. I couldn't believe it- such relief! She made a wimper as soon as she was lifted out of the water and placed on my chest. I was in shock! I thought she should be crying more, but everyone was saying how gentle her birth was, she had no reason to cry! She was so warm on my chest, with the blankets all around her. After a minute, I had Daddy C look to see if it was a boy or a girl, and I was thrilled when we saw she was indeed a baby girl! (everyone was saying it was going to be a boy but I thought girl from the start!). She came into this world at 11:37pm on New Years Eve- just in time for that 2011 tax deduction, haha! She weighed 7lbs 4oz and was 19 inches long.

Afterwards, I got out of the tub and dried off, and got in our own bed and snuggled with our new baby girl. She took to nursing right away, and probably would have crawled up my chest if I had let her! I was a little distracted during the nursing session though from my after pains, which I knew would be bad (as a side note, can I say how unfair after pains are? I seem to have them pretty bad compared to most moms, boo!). I also was afraid I had tore really bad since I was having some sharp pains down there. However, later, one of the midwives checked me for tears and was actually surprised to tell me I was completely in tact! I wasn’t even swollen or bruised! I was so happy to hear this since I tore with Peanut's delivery and had needed stitches. The pain I was feeling was just because I had a natural delivery- hello just pushed a baby out, haha- and was normal. After nursing for a while, it had pretty much subsided though. I was, and still am, in awe of the fact that I could immediately go to the bathroom without any problems or pain! This has been wonderful!

After nursing and bonding for a while, I took a shower, and put on some clean clothes. About this time, I got to cut Snowflake’s umbillical cord and the midwives bagged up the placenta. After looking at the placenta, they said it was very healthy and had no signs of aging whatsoever. Even though Snowflake was technically a week late, she seemed to have been born right on time!

I really could not have asked for things to go any better than they did for our first homebirth! Total time spent in active labor was just over 3 hours. I went from 7cm to pushing in less than 30 minutes and then only pushed for just 4 minutes. I didn’t have any back labor either, which I was trying very hard to avoid this time around! The difference between back labor and "normal" labor was incredible- part of the reason I was in such shock that she came so fast was that I was expecting to be in excruciating pain for hours before the actual delivery, since that was how it went with Peanut. I am so thankful to have experienced birth without back labor, it made the whole labor process so much more bearable and positive.

So far my recovery has been going very well, and Snowflake is doing great. She is a such a little bundle of joy and we never get tired of just watching her!

14 Months of Breastfeeding

Today marks the 14th month anniversary of breastfeeding my daughter. It's a wonderful day.

If you would have told me I would make it this far back when she was a wee little newborn, I probably would have laughed! I never thought I would be able to stick with something so challenging and so life-altering for so long. I never would have thought I had the strength to endure low-supply issues, growth spurts, bottle rejections and night nursing every 2 hours for 9 months straight. But God has seen me through it all, giving me the strength I didn't know I had, as well as blessing me with those little moments of pure bliss while nursing that encouraged me to stick with it even when it was hard.

Breastfeeding my baby is the most accomplished thing I have ever done. I am so proud of myself, because I know many other mothers struggle and are not able to make it nearly as long as I did. I count myself blessed to have had this experience. I feel more empowered as a woman, wife and momma. I was able to provide the sole nutrition for my baby for the first nine months, giving her the precious gift of mother's breastmilk that will continue to positively affect her entire life. And I'm thoroughly convinced, that I if I can do it, anyone can!

Although I have made it this far, this will probably be the last day I nurse my daughter. She is moving on, and my supply has vanished in order to properly provide for our new growing baby. I was able to continue to nurse the first 5 months of this pregnancy, something I never thought I would or could do as well. But now the time has come, and I will be enjoying this break before another baby comes along and changes my life in new, wonderful ways.

10 Months of Breastfeeding!

We recently reached our 10 month milestone of breastfeeding!

Here's a recent photo of me and Peanut, all dressed up for Easter just 2 days prior to her turning the big 10 months!

I can't believe my baby has gotten so big! The fact that I have been able to provide her almost all of her nutrition during this time is amazing! She currently has chubby wrists and thighs, compliments of Mommy's milk!

She has changed so much over the past 10 months, it is just hard to believe. Breastfeeding her during this time has been challenging, but so incredibly worth it. Now that she is on the move more, the nursing sessions are much shorter, as this child doesn't have patience for eating when there is so much to explore!

I hope to continue nursing Peanut until the one year mark (which, GASP! is only 2 months away!), and after that we will take it day by day. But considering how much she loves it, I'm willing to bet she will nurse as long as I let her, whether it be one year or three!

Holiday Advice

I can't believe it's already the week of Thanksgiving! Time sure has snuck up on us, and Peanut will soon be chowing down on turkey and mashed potatoes. (Ok, well, maybe not turkey and mashed potatoes, more like breast milk! - hopefully)

We will be traveling to my original hometown for Peanut's first Thanksgiving, and I think she will be smothered by all her extended relatives who are anxious to see her.

What I'm not looking forward to...

• "Are you STILL breastfeeding?!"
• "She's still hungry, give her a bottle!"
• "Why is she crying, she shouldn't be doing that" (after being handled for 2.5 hrs and needing a nap)
• "She's not sleeping through the night YET? Something must be wrong, give her some cereal!"
• "She's not bundled up enough. It's 50 degrees outside, she should wear a snowsuit!"
• "You aren't giving her cereal? She needs it."
• "Here, give her a spoonful of cranberry sauce. See if she likes it!"
• "I don't think she's eating enough."
• "She should be going 5 hours in between feedings by now."
• ect. ect. ect.

My family does mean well, but sometimes advice and comments like the above are exhausting and demeaning. This is just the beginning of the holiday season (we will also be traveling for Christmas and New Years), so I guess I better get used to it quick.

So here's a reader question of the day - How do you handle unwanted advice and comments from relatives who disagree with your parenting choices?

Breastfeeding Lessons

Last week I took Peanut to her 4 month checkup. She weighed a whopping 12 lbs! Although I thought this was pretty good for her, her doctor advised me to see a lactation consultant since she seemed to have dropped down on the weight charts. I had been worried for the past couple of weeks that my supply had dropped, so I was not surprised to hear this. The next day, I went ahead and scheduled a visit with the LC.

Peanut definitely wasn't taking in as much as she could, after being weighed both before and after feedings, so the LC advised me on ways to get my supply back up to par. She gave me this delicious tea, Mother's Milk, which I was to drink 3 times daily. I also was instructed to pump more often and offer each breast for a feeding (I had previously only been offering Peanut one at a time since she had seemed satisfied in the beginning from it).

After a week of nursing nonstop, drinking tea and pumping, I went back in to see how much Peanut weighed and if my supply had gone up. Well, she gained a full 4 oz in that week! AND she got 2x as much milk as last week in a feeding! I was so happy! And Peanut surely was too!

I'm proud of each moment that I am able to continue breastfeeding and that I have made it this far (4.5 months) without having to supplement with formula. However, because my mother and grandmother did not breastfeed, I don't have a close support network to draw from concerning this issue. I am thankful I was able to visit with an LC who could give me some much needed insight on things! Support, I am realizing, is extremely important for a successful breastfeeding experience. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who supports me wholeheartedly in this endeavor!

Here's to more successful breastfeeding milestones I hope to meet in the future!