Tuesday November 2. 11th Meeting of LLL of Murray.
We had 8 moms in attendance. 3 leaders, 5 returning moms (1 of whom is expecting her 1st in December). There were 4 tots and 6 babes. Liz lead the meeting on Weaning and Nutrition, and did a fabulous job.
We introduced ourselves and shared as an "ice breaker" something in our own diets we were proud of. The answers ranged from a focus on whole foods to introducing new things into the family diet that were healthier, even ingredients that the individuals previously thought they didn't even like.
Then we each took a sheet of paper with a diet discussion item on it, read it out loud and shared our own tips for the discussion item, as well as got feedback.
For the following I am stating specific ideas which were shared in the meeting, such as thoughts on "organic" eating. La Leche League's philosophy is "Good nutrition means eating a well-balanced and varied diet of foods in as close to their natural state as possible." Whole foods, organic, "dirty dozen" and "top ten" are all things that were discussed specifically at the meeting. The idea is that we are all at different places in our nutritional needs, understanding and goals, so the information shared here and at the meetings is just part of the journey to better understanding and moving towards a more balanced and healthier diet for ourselves and our families.
Tips for eating "well" on a budget: If you are interested in organic foods but can not afford to eat WHOLLY organically, find the "dirty dozen" or "top ten" list of items that are recommended for organic choosing (tubers, apples, fruits and veg with edible skin, berries, etc), consider leaning more towards a "whole food" diet instead of an "organic" diet, shop bargain bins for items you would normally put in your diet that are in dinged cans, etc. Consider purchasing artisan breads at the "day old" price and freezing them for future use, or buying up "whole foods" when they are on sale and freezing what you can or learning new recipes to incorporate them. Also consider purchasing from a co-op or CSA. This will not only help alleviate some of the cost of your whole foods, it will also push you outside of your usual box of cooking and force you to find new recipes. Think up new recipes for leftovers. Example, Last night I had some leftover noodles and leftover homemade fries in the fridge, not enough for a meal for the family, but I put a little chicken, a couple of carrots and a parsnip in some broth. . . and two previous meals, became a third meal. Leftover homemade chicken nuggets were put into a stir fry tonight. Soups are an awesome way to stretch your dollar, especially when using meats which can be expensive. Consider having a "vegetarian" night (or two) to try a variety of proteins and save on meat costs. There were a lot of really awesome tips on eating well and eating whole foods on a budget.
Tips for adding healthier foods into your family's diet: Pizza was a big topic of discussion here. Kids love pizza. It's a fun way for everyone to pick their own toppings, making your own crust you know what you're getting, just a few ingredients. It's easy to sneak dark greens into pizza sauce by wilting down kale, chard or spinach in just TBSP or 2 of water and some garlic or garlic powder and then blending it in it's own liquid. Carrot puree can also be added to red sauce (for pizzas or pastas and even into a chili base). Making food fun is another great way to get picky eaters to eat healthy, making food faces, anything through a straw, smoothies and DEFINITELY letting kids help when appropriate. It has often been said that when kids are involved in the making of their food, they are more likely to eat it.
Tips for healthy snacks for the early weeks of pregnancy: Thinking ahead. Having some whole grain crackers, or something very simple in the early weeks and being sure to eat first thing. Making meals when you are feeling well, so you're not tempted to eat poorly when you don't. Being sure to take snacks with you while you're out so that you don't feel 1)nauseous and 2) tempted to eat out.
Tips for eating well when traveling: Stock a cupboard with quick foods. Packaged foods aren't off limits, certain granola or "power" bars, easy snacks, prepackaging little bags of nuts or homemade trail mixes so you don't get bored. And again, thinking ahead.
Other thoughts: leaning towards a whole food diet, knowing what's in the food you eat (be a label reader), less is more (when a list of ingredients is concerned), make as much as you can from scratch so you know what's going into your food and into your body (or that of your children), none of us is perfect, consider an 80/20 diet (or a ratio that suits your family) 80% whole foods/healthy foods 20% indulgences. Try not to make food an "issue," and listen to your children's "needs" they are wonderful at hearing their own bodies and letting you know what nutrients they are in need of at any given time. Try for a balanced WEEK, not a balanced meal or a balanced day even, especially when it comes to tots. Have a "super hero" focused kid? Call healthy foods "grow foods" or "things that make you big and strong" and see if that doesn't persuade your Superman wannabe!
If you weren't at the meeting but are interested in a list of CSA's/Farmer's Markets/Co-ops/recipes and recipe sites that were discussed, feel free to email lllofmurray@gmail.com
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Birth Control and Breastfeeding
This article was recently sent by one of our area leaders and with permission I posting it here:
We are receiving more and more reports from mothers of a decrease in milk production associated with the Mirena IUD. Today I received two such reports. Given the constant chronological relationship between the placement of the IUD and the mother’s decrease in milk production (1 to 2 weeks), it is quite possible that the decrease in milk production is a result of the IUD.
Of course, it is also likely that not all women will have a significant decrease; nobody contacts me when they don’t have a decreased production. But it is also likely that only a tiny percentage of women who do have a decrease actually contact me.
I think we need to be prudent and warn women about this possible side effect of the Mirena. All hormonal contraceptive methods should be avoided by breastfeeding mothers if possible.
Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC
We are receiving more and more reports from mothers of a decrease in milk production associated with the Mirena IUD. Today I received two such reports. Given the constant chronological relationship between the placement of the IUD and the mother’s decrease in milk production (1 to 2 weeks), it is quite possible that the decrease in milk production is a result of the IUD.
Of course, it is also likely that not all women will have a significant decrease; nobody contacts me when they don’t have a decreased production. But it is also likely that only a tiny percentage of women who do have a decrease actually contact me.
I think we need to be prudent and warn women about this possible side effect of the Mirena. All hormonal contraceptive methods should be avoided by breastfeeding mothers if possible.
Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Avoiding Difficulties
This month's meeting was lead by Haley, our newest leader. Our discussion was Avoiding Difficulties. We had 9 in attendance, one pregnant mother, three with newborns, a "regular" and 4 leaders, plus three tots and 7 babes.
We began with introductions and answering the question "What is one thing you have done, are doing or are going to do, to take time JUST for you?" Answers ranged from taking classes, exercising, bubble baths, and finding time to read to going to the symphony.
Our Series Discussion centered around fact or fiction statements that we each had on slips of paper. We went around the room reading off such myths as. . . .
~I have to wean because I have mastitis: In fact it is best to continue to nurse through mastitis, maybe even more often than "normal" (whatever is normal for you and baby). This will help with engorgement. If it is painful to nurse on the effected side, you may pump until infection subsides, or try nursing on the other side until let-down, so baby is not sucking so vigorously to begin, on effected side.
~I have to wean because I'm on medication: many medications are compatable with breastfeeding. Be sure to discuss the importance of continuing to breastfeed, with your doctor, to find a suitable solution. Contact a LLL leader, she will either read to you directly from Medication and Mother's milk, or direct you to a leader who has a copy of this book.
~My baby is lean, so he's not getting enough and I have to supplement: Those growth charts are not based on breastfed baby "stats." Long and lean may just be your baby's body type. To be sure baby is getting enough from your milk, ask yourself if baby is having enough wet/dirty diapers each day (6-8 wet), is baby growing and is baby showing signs of meeting developmental milestones. If the answer to any of these is "no" you may want to consider how to add extra calories. You can fortify your baby's milk with your own milk by pumping and "skimming" the fattier hindmilk from your pumped milk, and adding this to your baby's "diet." Therefore, fortifying your own milk. (LLL does suggest holding off on artificial nipples until 4-6 weeks or until breastfeeding is well established. You can give baby pumped milk by cup, spoon, syringe or finger feeding).
~Putting cereal in night time formula will help baby sleep better & longer: There is no absolute method to making baby sleep longer and better. In fact, cereals make it difficult for baby to absorb iron from your breastmilk and cause a bloated tummy. If baby needs to eat during the night or baby needs mom during the night, it is appropriate for baby to wake and let you know.
Many other myths were shared and dispelled. Not sure if something you've heard is a fact or fiction with regards to breastfeeding? Check out one of our monthly meetings and a LLL leader will be happy to spend some one-on-one time with you after the meeting, or even answer your questions during the meeting when appropriate.
During the meeting a leader met with one mom who had a very upset baby. It was their first outing together, alone. And after the meeting another set of leaders helped a mother with latch questions.
Our group will be changing as the winter months come upon us. Jaclyn has already begun a group in Tooele and been meeting for a couple of months with mothers out there. So she will continue her local group and join the Murray group when the weather permits. Liz is involved to some extent with the Layton group and will also be trying to stay more local when weather is poor, joining us when weather permits. Timbra and Haley will be the two leaders left to leading meetings with the Murray group on a regular basis. We are excited about having a new leader with our group, the start of the new Tooele group and the possibility of our leaders starting other groups throughout the area in the future. Thank you to all the awesome moms who make up our group. I am enabling comments from now on, they will be answered privately and will not show up on our blog.
We began with introductions and answering the question "What is one thing you have done, are doing or are going to do, to take time JUST for you?" Answers ranged from taking classes, exercising, bubble baths, and finding time to read to going to the symphony.
Our Series Discussion centered around fact or fiction statements that we each had on slips of paper. We went around the room reading off such myths as. . . .
~I have to wean because I have mastitis: In fact it is best to continue to nurse through mastitis, maybe even more often than "normal" (whatever is normal for you and baby). This will help with engorgement. If it is painful to nurse on the effected side, you may pump until infection subsides, or try nursing on the other side until let-down, so baby is not sucking so vigorously to begin, on effected side.
~I have to wean because I'm on medication: many medications are compatable with breastfeeding. Be sure to discuss the importance of continuing to breastfeed, with your doctor, to find a suitable solution. Contact a LLL leader, she will either read to you directly from Medication and Mother's milk, or direct you to a leader who has a copy of this book.
~My baby is lean, so he's not getting enough and I have to supplement: Those growth charts are not based on breastfed baby "stats." Long and lean may just be your baby's body type. To be sure baby is getting enough from your milk, ask yourself if baby is having enough wet/dirty diapers each day (6-8 wet), is baby growing and is baby showing signs of meeting developmental milestones. If the answer to any of these is "no" you may want to consider how to add extra calories. You can fortify your baby's milk with your own milk by pumping and "skimming" the fattier hindmilk from your pumped milk, and adding this to your baby's "diet." Therefore, fortifying your own milk. (LLL does suggest holding off on artificial nipples until 4-6 weeks or until breastfeeding is well established. You can give baby pumped milk by cup, spoon, syringe or finger feeding).
~Putting cereal in night time formula will help baby sleep better & longer: There is no absolute method to making baby sleep longer and better. In fact, cereals make it difficult for baby to absorb iron from your breastmilk and cause a bloated tummy. If baby needs to eat during the night or baby needs mom during the night, it is appropriate for baby to wake and let you know.
Many other myths were shared and dispelled. Not sure if something you've heard is a fact or fiction with regards to breastfeeding? Check out one of our monthly meetings and a LLL leader will be happy to spend some one-on-one time with you after the meeting, or even answer your questions during the meeting when appropriate.
During the meeting a leader met with one mom who had a very upset baby. It was their first outing together, alone. And after the meeting another set of leaders helped a mother with latch questions.
Our group will be changing as the winter months come upon us. Jaclyn has already begun a group in Tooele and been meeting for a couple of months with mothers out there. So she will continue her local group and join the Murray group when the weather permits. Liz is involved to some extent with the Layton group and will also be trying to stay more local when weather is poor, joining us when weather permits. Timbra and Haley will be the two leaders left to leading meetings with the Murray group on a regular basis. We are excited about having a new leader with our group, the start of the new Tooele group and the possibility of our leaders starting other groups throughout the area in the future. Thank you to all the awesome moms who make up our group. I am enabling comments from now on, they will be answered privately and will not show up on our blog.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
New Addition & New Arrival
Timbra is pleased to announce that a second baby girl joined their family August 24th.
And as of October, we have a fourth leader with our Murray group. . . Haley. Congrats on your hard work Haley!
And as of October, we have a fourth leader with our Murray group. . . Haley. Congrats on your hard work Haley!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Series Meeting Topic 4: Weaning and Nutrition
Today we had our most intimate group yet. A "regular" mom and her tot, another mom who I've met in another area meeting, her tot and little one, and a new mom with a little one as well, then there was myself, one pregnant leader. We have two new babies born to leaders in the past month, so it's been a bit busy in our group to say the least.
This was certainly the most unique situation I've come across as a leader. A very small group and everyone was at a very different stage in their nursing relationships/situations. Each mom came in at staggered intervals as well, so I chatted with our "regular mom" for a about 20 minutes, and then the "new mom" came in, and we focused our attention on some of her concerns with a preterm baby (obviously NOT really ready for weaning and nutrition information as the nursing relationship is just getting off the ground), then our "other area meeting" mom showed up and she had some questions about tandem nursing and gentle weaning (more along the lines of our topic but not necessarily along the lines of how I'd prepared for the meeting).
It was wonderful to have time to focus our attention individually on each mom today and just get to know a few of the moms a bit better, but I guess I'll be saving my little bag of tricks for the next time "Weaning and Nutrition" comes around, because it certainly would not have been most appropriate to use today.
Our conversation swung from signs of "getting enough" including. . . weight gain, wet/dirty diapers, and nipple confusion, as well as tips for getting a fussy & "quick" nurser to more peacefully nurse, all the way to the other side of being ready to limit toddler nursing times, finding other ways to mother, and ideas for gently weaning a tandem toddler so as not to resent nursing altogether (jeopardizing a nursing relationship between mom and second baby). Thank you to the three moms who were with us today, what wonderfully rejuvinating conversation and information was shared between us.
This was certainly the most unique situation I've come across as a leader. A very small group and everyone was at a very different stage in their nursing relationships/situations. Each mom came in at staggered intervals as well, so I chatted with our "regular mom" for a about 20 minutes, and then the "new mom" came in, and we focused our attention on some of her concerns with a preterm baby (obviously NOT really ready for weaning and nutrition information as the nursing relationship is just getting off the ground), then our "other area meeting" mom showed up and she had some questions about tandem nursing and gentle weaning (more along the lines of our topic but not necessarily along the lines of how I'd prepared for the meeting).
It was wonderful to have time to focus our attention individually on each mom today and just get to know a few of the moms a bit better, but I guess I'll be saving my little bag of tricks for the next time "Weaning and Nutrition" comes around, because it certainly would not have been most appropriate to use today.
Our conversation swung from signs of "getting enough" including. . . weight gain, wet/dirty diapers, and nipple confusion, as well as tips for getting a fussy & "quick" nurser to more peacefully nurse, all the way to the other side of being ready to limit toddler nursing times, finding other ways to mother, and ideas for gently weaning a tandem toddler so as not to resent nursing altogether (jeopardizing a nursing relationship between mom and second baby). Thank you to the three moms who were with us today, what wonderfully rejuvinating conversation and information was shared between us.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Another New Arrival
LLL of Murray is excited to announce the arrival of Baby Boy #2 for leader, Liz on July 5th. . . . Congrats Liz and family, we look forward to meeting your new little guy at our August meeting!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
New Arrival
LLL of Murray Leader, Jaclyn, announces the arrival of Baby Girl #2!!! Congrats Jaclyn. We can't wait to meet your new little one at our July meeting.
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