[email protected]

Hi there, I happen to be one of those terrible moms who didn't breast feed
my children. I think with my first daughter the decision was made because of
a lack of information on my part. When my son was born 2 years later I did
try to breast feed him. It was quite pleasurable, as long as I was nursing
on the left side. The right side was another story. I can't describe the
strange sort of pain I felt. It wasn't anything like the normal pain I was
feeling on the left side, and it didn't go away. For some reason my right
breast (especially the nipple) is very, very sensitive (all the time). I
talked to my doctor who dismissed me saying " no one's body is perfectly
symmetrical. We're not exactly the same on both sides - not in shape, size
or sensation". So, I stopped breastfeeding my son. I didn't even try with
my next daughter. I was very discouraged at that point. When my fourth baby
was born, 14 months ago, I did try to nurse her. She was injured at birth
(by the same doctor who gave me the advice on symmetry) and because of low
muscle tone she had problems latching on and sucking. I was totally stressed
out! There was just too much going on. It was our first year of
homeschooling, my baby was hurt, and I knew that to successfully breastfeed
her was going to take lots of time and energy (especially since I'd basically
be doing it for the first time). Besides all that I never did figure out
what the problem with my right breast was...or is. So, I quit. I spent the
first few months of her life avoiding some of the very people who
could/should have been supporting me. You know why? Because I didn't want
to hear the breastfeeding lecture...again. I know it's best for the baby! I
know! I know! I know! And guess what? I think homeschooling is best for
kids. But I don't go around preaching about it to every person I meet. In
fact, I don't even talk about it unless someone asks me to. I figure that
everyone has their reasons for doing things the way they do. Most people are
doing all they know they're capable of doing for their families with the
circumstances they've been given. Notice I didn't say ARE capable of doing.
We've all had times when we were capable of doing more than we've actually
done. Maybe I just got lucky, but all of my kids have been very healthy. No
ear infections, no allergies, and only the occasional cold. They're right on
target for weight, and have met all of their developmental milestones at the
"appropriate" time ( except for my youngest, but that has nothing to do with
what I'm feeding her) Oh yeah! They're really smart too. BG. And when the
young daughter of an acquaintance said to me as I was bottle feeding my baby
one day last sumer " Ugh! why are you feeding her that yucky stuff"? I
explained the best way I could. Then I said a silent prayer of thanksgiving
that she was alive and that I was able to feed her at all. The birth of my 1
year old was a major life altering event for me. I no longer worry about the
trivial things in life (well, not as much as I used to anyway). Who cares
what the house looks like? Or, the clothes, or my hair, or the car? I'm too
busy loving the children I've been blessed with to worry about what other
people think. And I for one, have certainly got better things to do than to
monitor the parenting choices of others. Okay, all that being said...I do
want to say that if there is a baby number 5 in my future I will most
definitely try again to breastfeed. When that time arrives, I believe I'll
need lots of advice. And I think I know just where I can find it. Baby
needs me...gotta go.

Jodye

Dorinda Oakes

This is totally an unschooling topic it follows that parents who choose to let there children wean
will also let there children choose when to learn any new skill. There is no way to disimate the
topics. As far as bottles go that is a personal issue too. I BF all for one month only(except #2
who BF untill I got Pregnant with #3) and they gave up there bottle when they got good and ready.
Andrew age 9 months (when he learned to walk)
Linwood age 4 (because his Baby sister didn't have one anymore!)
Felicia age 2ish (I don't exactly remember because it wasn't important to us.)
It always struck me as hipocritical that those who claimed to have there children weanned allowed
there kids to run around with a sippy water bottle or one of those koolaid bottles hanging out of
there mouth. The only difference I could see was that the bottle doesn't spill as easily!
Dorinda

> Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2000 15:57:22 -0500
> From: Bob & Tiffany <bobntiff@...>
> Subject: Re: nursing
>
> I am new here. Please don't take offense, but isn't this an unschooling
> list??? I have not seen a post yet that had to do with unschooling. Since the
> current topic seems to be breastfeeding/weaning, I thought I would add my 2
> cents: Why would you nurse any longer than you would bottle feed? I think you
> folks would agree that a 4 or 5 year old with a bottle would be a bit
> ridiculous! What is the difference with the breast?
> Please inform me now if this list goes off-topic habitually. If so, I must
> unsubscribe. I find it a bit ridiculous to have to keep deleting breastfeeding
> posts on an unschooling list!
> Tiffany



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[email protected]

In a message dated 10/3/02 4:24:50 PM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< . Thankfully, I had no problems or I don't know if I would have been able
to work them out. My only problem now is my little princess has gotten teeth
and is not afraid to use them! LOL >>

Don't let that make you give up! My guy is 20 months, mouth full of teeth and
enjoying his "nursies" very much.
LLL advice to me was if the child tries biting, simply end the nursing
session right away. This will end your pain and teach the child to not
bite....it can be tough when they're teething. But Jalen has never really bit
more than a couple times. No big deal.
My other two longer nursed children never tried biting after the first year.

Ren

sal3school

My 5 month old has just started 'chewing' on me tonight! I did end the
session this afternoon and tonight, but I am worried I will engorge. I don't
do well pumping, so any suggestions? Will my little guy get the message and
then nurse longer? Amy
----- Original Message -----
From: <starsuncloud@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 7:30 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Breastfeeding


> In a message dated 10/3/02 4:24:50 PM Central Daylight Time,
> [email protected] writes:
>
> << . Thankfully, I had no problems or I don't know if I would have been
able
> to work them out. My only problem now is my little princess has gotten
teeth
> and is not afraid to use them! LOL >>
>
> Don't let that make you give up! My guy is 20 months, mouth full of teeth
and
> enjoying his "nursies" very much.
> LLL advice to me was if the child tries biting, simply end the nursing
> session right away. This will end your pain and teach the child to not
> bite....it can be tough when they're teething. But Jalen has never really
bit
> more than a couple times. No big deal.
> My other two longer nursed children never tried biting after the first
year.
>
> Ren
>
>
> ~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
>
> If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email
the moderator, Joyce Fetteroll (fetteroll@...), or the list owner,
Helen Hegener (HEM-Editor@...).
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address an
email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>

-------------------------------------------
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Bronwen

> My 5 month old has just started 'chewing' on me tonight! I did end the
> session this afternoon and tonight, but I am worried I will engorge. I
don't
> do well pumping, so any suggestions? Will my little guy get the message
and
> then nurse longer? Amy

Hi Amy!

There are many more things you can do instead of ending the nursing session
that work much better and dont cause broken five month old baby hearts and
missed nursings. (in fact- not nursing him could lead to other problems,
like nursing strikes and like you mentioned, engorgement)

To really help you, I need more information- but here goes

*pull him in towards you as he is biting, he will let go

*a baby can not bite while he is nursing, his tongue covers his teeth while
he nurses. put your hand right by his jaw, and be ready to feel when he
pulls his tonge back- when he does, put your finger between his jaws and
stop the bite.

*if he acts like he wants to nurse *nurse him*, if he goes to bite, do the
above- then offer your breast again. Listen to if he really doesnt want to
nurse or if maybe he would rather have the other side . Babies are extremely
aware of milk flow and supply- and know which breast they want and when they
want it if allowed to decide for themselves.

* babies bite for lots of reasons: teething, maybe he has a pacifier or
sippy cup that he has enjoyed biting and tried it on you, frustration (maybe
he didnt really want to nurse, maybe your milk wasnt coming fast enough,
etc)- also it depends on the age of the baby- your little guy is a tiny one!
Don't think of this as "discipline" or "punishment"- he is trying to
communicate something to you- hanging back and listening to him will go a
long way to developing trust and solving this problem.

Good Luck Sweety!
Happy nursing
Bronwen

Myranda

Oh, I'm not going to give up! She won't eat anything else still, so no chance of stopping anytime soon. Thanks, I'll try that next time. She's only had a tooth for about two weeks, and hasn't bit in 4 days now, so I'm happy! I guess teeth take a little getting used to when you haven't had any for 8 months!
Myranda
Don't let that make you give up! My guy is 20 months, mouth full of teeth and
enjoying his "nursies" very much.
LLL advice to me was if the child tries biting, simply end the nursing
session right away. This will end your pain and teach the child to not
bite....it can be tough when they're teething. But Jalen has never really bit
more than a couple times. No big deal.
My other two longer nursed children never tried biting after the first year.

Ren

~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~

If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email the moderator, Joyce Fetteroll (fetteroll@...), or the list owner, Helen Hegener (HEM-Editor@...).

To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address an email to:
[email protected]

Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/4/02 2:40:30 AM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< My 5 month old has just started 'chewing' on me tonight! >>

I would think at five they are old enough to understand why you don't like
it. I would just explain how it hurts and to please not do that.

Ren

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/4/02 2:40:30 AM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< that work much better and dont cause broken five month old baby hearts >>

OOOPS! Sorry Amy. I thought it said five YEAR old.
duh.
I was just sharing what the LLL suggestion was....It did work for me well. I
didn't just not feed him though. I ended it for a period of minutes and then
tried again. He caught on very quickly and never went hungry.

Ren

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/4/02 2:40:30 AM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< Since there is all this BF talk, I was wondering if anyone could help me
with weaning ideas. My daughter is almost 27 months and I feel the time to
wean is growing closer. >>

Why do you feel she "needs" to wean? Is there a reason, or is there just some
societal view you are accepting that says she's "old enough"?
I don't believe in weaning, I think children wean themselves when they are
good and ready.
I have read that when the child gets older, you neither offer the breast nor
refuse it.
But it sounds like she is still asking. Listen to her.

Ren

Mary Bianco

>From: starsuncloud@...

<<Since there is all this BF talk, I was wondering if anyone could help me
with weaning ideas. My daughter is almost 27 months and I feel the time to
wean is growing closer. >>


Just curious why you feel that way? I think it should be the child who
decides when they are ready. Believe me they won't wait until they are 16!!!
I had unsuccessful attempts to bf my first 3 for very long. Only a few
months with each one. No support system and I really didn't know what to do.
Never even heard of LLL then. With my 4th, being in a homeschool support
group who was very pro nursing, I was ready for the long haul in spite of
what my in laws were saying. Unfortunately for me, my Alyssa weaned herself
at a year and half. I would give anything to have those days back. I would
ask her like every 15 mintues if she wanted to nurse. I was so upset. But
she was just ready to stop even though I wasn't. Enjoy this time, it won't
last forever.

Mary B


_________________________________________________________________
Join the world�s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.
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Mary Bianco

<<My 5 month old has just started 'chewing' on me tonight! I did end the
session this afternoon and tonight, but I am worried I will engorge. I
don't do well pumping, so any suggestions? Will my little guy get the
message and then nurse longer?>>


Amy, Bronwen gave some great advice and I do say also to hang in there. From
my own experience and also that of others, the biting doesn't seem to last a
long time. If they are properly latched on, they can't bite so just be aware
when the baby is losing interest or just playing around. My last one did it
a couple of times I think to just try out something new. They have no idea
at that age that they are hurting you. I think mine did it like 3 times and
each time startled and hurt me so much I actually yelled out. Startled her
too and of course I pulled her away and stopped nursing. It was always when
she was ready to stop that she would fool around anyway. Then she just never
did it again.

Mary B


_________________________________________________________________
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Mary Bianco

<<My 5 month old has just started 'chewing' on me tonight! >>

<<I would think at five they are old enough to understand why you don't like
it. I would just explain how it hurts and to please not do that.>>


Ren, did you read that right? Her baby is 5 'months' old!!!!

Mary B





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[email protected]

In a message dated 10/4/02 11:05:36 PM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< >From: starsuncloud@...

<<Since there is all this BF talk, I was wondering if anyone could help me
with weaning ideas. My daughter is almost 27 months and I feel the time to
wean is growing closer. >> >>

I just want to make it very clear that the above comment was NOT mine!!
Somehow when a person pasted the comment, it looked like it came from me.
ACK.
I even got an email with weaning suggestions.
Just for the record, I do not agree with weaning a child (unless there were
some very real physical reason to do so, which I can't even think of one)
I let my children wean themselves, AND I don't even have a 27 month old.

Ren

[email protected]

In a message dated 4/28/03 12:04:56 PM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< NOT in florida ... Female flesh is illegal!! >>

Well, not exactly. :)
But topless would get you arrested here probably. Depends on who saw you I
suppose, MY dh sure wouldn't turn anyone in. hehe
I do see topless people on the beach, but they're always turned front down to
suntan and cover back up when they go in the water.
We see a lot of thongs, so what's the point? I don't get it.

In Hawaii there was usually at least one topless female sunbathing.

Ren
"They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible
spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, they danced by the light of the
moon."
--The Owl and the Pussycat
Edward Lear

[email protected]

In a message dated 4/28/03 1:32:31 PM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< No we actually do have topless and nude beaches here. >>

Same here. But get this, the nude beach I know of is on the NAVY BASE!! Go
figure.

Ren
"They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible
spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, they danced by the light of the
moon."
--The Owl and the Pussycat
Edward Lear

[email protected]

In a message dated 4-28-2003 8:15:35 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
starsuncloud@... writes:

> In Hawaii there was usually at least one topless female sunbathing.
>
The kids and I drove thru Sturgis last year during the bike rally. We were
stopped in front of a bar and suddenly everyone with a *Y* chromosome began
screaming, the kids asked why ~ mama found herself in a quandry~ I just came
out with "They want to see that woman's breasts?" "But WHY mommy?" "Because
they miss nursing" My answer was well accepted <g> but they noticed LOTS of
men sure miss nursing! hee hee hee

diana,
The wackiest widow westriver...
“I'm just a human being trying to make it in a world that is very rapidly
losing it's understanding of being human" John Trudell


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 28/04/2003 23:01:28 Pacific Daylight Time,
HaHaMommy@... writes:


> Because
> they miss nursing" My answer was well accepted <g> but they noticed LOTS
> of
> men sure miss nursing! hee hee hee
>
>

Ok Diana, that post just made wading thru all the "mathphobia" worthwile. I
am rolling on the floor, and calling my husband to read this.I will remember
to tell my son that when he asks. To cool!!!!!!!!!
Nancy, drying my eyes in BC


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

Awesome answer...reminds me of the line in the book "The Mammy" where her son
asks why he's growing hair on his "willie" and she says "to keep it warm when
you go swimming." Love that book...

Nancy

>>>>The kids and I drove thru Sturgis last year during the bike rally. We
were
stopped in front of a bar and suddenly everyone with a *Y* chromosome began
screaming, the kids asked why ~ mama found herself in a quandry~ I just came
out with "They want to see that woman's breasts?" "But WHY mommy?" "Because

they miss nursing" My answer was well accepted <g> but they noticed LOTS of
men sure miss nursing! hee hee hee <<<


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 4/29/2003 1:01:19 AM Central Daylight Time,
HaHaMommy@... writes:

> The kids and I drove thru Sturgis last year during the bike rally. We were
> stopped in front of a bar and suddenly everyone with a *Y* chromosome began
>
> screaming, the kids asked why ~ mama found herself in a quandry~ I just
> came
> out with "They want to see that woman's breasts?" "But WHY mommy?"
> "Because
> they miss nursing" My answer was well accepted <g> but they noticed LOTS
> of
> men sure miss nursing! hee hee hee
>

That was kind of funny. But why didn't you just tell them the truth?
Wouldn't they wonder why the women in the crowd weren't getting all riled up?


Oh, I know...they have their OWN breasts! Anyway, I think I would have said
something else, like "some men like to see women's breasts. Some women like
to show them."

Tuck


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 4/29/03 8:18:20 AM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< Oh, I know...they have their OWN breasts! Anyway, I think I would have
said
something else, like "some men like to see women's breasts. Some women like
to show them."
>>

The kids and I saw a segment about New Orleans on tv the other night.
There were the typical Mardis Gras scenes, with women showing their breasts
to get beads. The kids and I talked about how our country is so wacky about
nakedness.
That guys wouldn't get so riled up over seeing a pair of breasts if it was
common place or acceptable at the beach at least.
I doubt many European males will throw beads at a woman just to get a quick
glance at her breasts!! Crazy.

Ren
"They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible
spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, they danced by the light of the
moon."
--The Owl and the Pussycat
Edward Lear

[email protected]

In a message dated 4-29-2003 10:04:34 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
starsuncloud@... writes:

> some men like to see women's breasts. Some women like
> to show them."
>

But evolutionarily speaking {is that a word??} the *reason* men like women's
breasts is because they're picking out *good feeders* for future offspring.
I didn't want to sexualize a part of my body that has a much larger purpose
in the scheme of things. Plenty of time of society to do that part! hee hee
diana,
The wackiest widow westriver...
“I'm just a human being trying to make it in a world that is very rapidly
losing it's understanding of being human" John Trudell


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 4/29/2003 12:33:19 PM Central Daylight Time,
HaHaMommy@... writes:

> But evolutionarily speaking {is that a word??} the *reason* men like women's
>
> breasts is because they're picking out *good feeders* for future offspring.
>
> I didn't want to sexualize a part of my body that has a much larger purpose
>
> in the scheme of things. Plenty of time of society to do that part! hee
> hee
>

But it was still an untruth. You couldn't know that those men missed
nursing.

Tuck


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

nellebelle

But how they look doesn't correlate with how well they will function to feed
a baby.

Mary Ellen

----- snip----- But evolutionarily speaking {is that a word??} the *reason*
men like women's
breasts is because they're picking out *good feeders* for future offspring.

[email protected]

In a message dated 4-29-2003 12:46:19 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
tuckervill@... writes:

> But it was still an untruth. You couldn't know that those men missed
> nursing.

but you couldn't know they didn't <g> so it's a *possible truth* and not the
only...
diana,
The wackiest widow westriver...
“I'm just a human being trying to make it in a world that is very rapidly
losing it's understanding of being human" John Trudell


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 4/29/03 3:10:00 PM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< But how they look doesn't correlate with how well they will function to
feed
a baby. >>

Thank goodness!
I am as flat as a pancake normally. But I've nursed four babies
successfully....and always seemed to have enough mild for twenty babies!!
Sheesh.
I still leak through my clothes and Jalen is 2.3.
Will it every stop?

Ren
"They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible
spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, they danced by the light of the
moon."
--The Owl and the Pussycat
Edward Lear

jmcseals SEALS

I'm pretty dang well rounded up top <g> but I'd give anything to have enough
milk for twenty babies! We're doing ok, but in between full feedings, I'm
dry as a bone. It makes Chloe SO MAD! I've only leaked once, on an
overnight trip to Houston without the baby. It took me three days to play
catch up. Jennifer




Thank goodness!
I am as flat as a pancake normally. But I've nursed four babies
successfully....and always seemed to have enough mild for twenty babies!!
Sheesh.
I still leak through my clothes and Jalen is 2.3.
Will it every stop?

Ren


_________________________________________________________________
Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online
http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Mary

This whole breastfeeding thread reminded me of Fear Factor the other night.
The contestants had to milk a goat and drink the milk. But they had to milk
it with their mouths. What a hoot. I wasn't a bit surprised when all the
guys won out and did so much better than the girls!!!! The girls were all
squeamish and the guys just got right in there.


Mary B

[email protected]

In a message dated 4/29/2003 10:10:13 PM Eastern Standard Time,
starsuncloud@... writes:


> I am as flat as a pancake normally. But I've nursed four babies
> successfully....and always seemed to have enough mild for twenty babies!!
> Sheesh.
> I still leak through my clothes and Jalen is 2.3.
> Will it every stop?
>
> Ren
>

You are a goddess of abundant milk...or something like that....think
positive! :o)

Nancy


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Heidi

--- In [email protected], "jmcseals SEALS"
<jmcseals@m...> wrote:
>
>
> I'm pretty dang well rounded up top <g> but I'd give anything to
have enough
> milk for twenty babies! We're doing ok, but in between full
feedings, I'm
> dry as a bone. It makes Chloe SO MAD! I've only leaked once, on
an
> overnight trip to Houston without the baby. It took me three days
to play
> catch up. Jennifer

That's me. I always managed to feed my babes, usually for a full year
(but not Katie. I plain dried up on her at 6 months :( Never able to
pump, only got engorged one time, with Middle Boy and I drank a
mother's milk tea with him. I simply was not a lactater. L My boy's
girlfriend, now! She is feeding my baby grandson marvelously, thank
goodness. Jennifer! have you tried a mother's milk tea or anything?

peace, HeidiC

>
>
>
>
> Thank goodness!
> I am as flat as a pancake normally. But I've nursed four babies
> successfully....and always seemed to have enough mild for twenty
babies!!
> Sheesh.
> I still leak through my clothes and Jalen is 2.3.
> Will it every stop?
>
> Ren
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online
> http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

nellebelle

Nearly all of the milk a baby gets is produced during a feeding. Only a
tiny amount is stored between feedings, although it sure can feel like a
lot, for some women!

One of the best ways to increase production is take a "baby vacation". Wipe
everything else off the calendar, and spend all your time hanging out with
the baby, letting her nurse whenever and how much she wants.

Mary Ellen

----- snip----- but in between full feedings, I'm
> dry as a bone.