As a lactation educator counselor and someone who struggled to breastfeed both of my sons, I’d like to weigh in on this measuring breast milk stuff (in which a new device measures how much milk is in your breast before and after a feeding; Carla Naumburg wrote about it on Kveller yesterday).

What I think is important to know is something I learned when I went to the Los Angeles County Fair several years ago. (It was the first and last time, since I did not expect pig races and that was totally not cool with me nor will it ever be.) There was a “dairy” display and they had dozens of different types of cows on display. Next to each cow’s pen was a little sign with their name, and the type of cow they are, and a list of what their milk is best used for.  Read the rest of this entry →

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• Tags: breastfeeding, featured

I just returned from a trip to Denver. I spoke for the Hillel there at a funky art gallery. Awesome venue. I always like to speak for college students, and especially to Hillel donors. I share what a huge influence Hillel had on me during my 12 years of undergraduate and graduate school at UCLA, and how Hillel shaped my Jewish adulthood and life in ways no other organization ever has. It was a very nice trip.

Here are three things I am grateful for from the trip:

1. Breastfeeding mama on my airplane. When I see babies boarding planes I am also boarding, I get nervous. I am very jittery on planes as it is, and a screaming small person on planes makes me even more jittery. Kids and babies are like a fuse about to burst at any minute; they make me anxious even though I know it’s normal and natural blah blah blah. Read the rest of this entry →

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• Tags: breastfeeding, featured, speaking, travel

As a Certified Lactation Educator/Counselor, I feel the need to respond to the recent post about “I Had to Stop Breastfeeding & I’m Relieved” published on Kveller. It would be a disservice to women who are new to breastfeeding or don’t know about it to spread information about breastfeeding that comes from a writer’s particular situation and choices.

There are two main points I’d like to make:

1. You don’t have to stop breastfeeding because you need medication. Read the rest of this entry →

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• Tags: breastfeeding, featured, medicine

Earlier this week Kveller’s editor, Debbie Kolben, asked for some advice for dealing with her daughter’s transition to being a big sister. Kveller writers Carla Naumburg, Tamara Reese, and Jordana Horn have chimed in. Here is Mayim’s contribution.

I’m not a poet but I write poetry. Mostly sad mopey existential stuff, and in the past 4 years, song lyrics for the pieces I’ve written on piano. None have I ever shared.

The poem I am sharing here today is one I wrote about 4 years ago, just weeks after my second son was born. In those weeks, my older son (not yet 3 at the time) was so sad and so distraught, and seemed so impossibly big in every way. The feelings I had for and about him ranged from pity to rage to regret to profound passionate mama love, often within 3 minutes of each other. He was never violent or angry at the baby, but as many of you know, that’s not the only way #1 shows us they are adjusting to #2. Read the rest of this entry →

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• Tags: breastfeeding, featured, life with two, newborn, second child

Fred is no longer nursing at night.

About six months ago, I wrote a post for Kveller about my 3-year-old’s nursing patterns. I suggest you read it before reading this one, but here’s the recap:

• Posted in Uncategorized
• Tags: breastfeeding, extended breastfeeding, featured, weaning

Need I say more?

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• Tags: breastfeeding, featured

If you know anything about Mayim Bialik, chances are you know she’s a huge proponent of breastfeeding. And not just breastfeeding, but extended breastfeeding. As a certified Lactation Educator/Counselor, she’s more than comfortable with taking the scientific approach to the matter, and throughout her time writing for Kveller, she’s shared plenty of her stories and opinions. Here are some of our favorites:

1. I Breastfeed My Toddler. Got a Problem with it?

In which Mayim tackles the common questions from naysayers, like, “If he’s old enough to ask for it, isn’t he too old to have it?” and, “What does your husband think?” and, “Do you even have any milk anymore?”

2. It May Be Time to Wean My 3-Year-Old

In which Mayim discusses Fred’s shifting demand for milk, her “no ask no refuse” policy, day-weaning, Elimination Communication, and how it’s not actually time to wean her 3-year-old. Photo of Mayim nursing on NYC subway included.

3. New Moms Don’t (Usually) Need Breast Pumps

In which Mayim recommends new moms to stay away from the breast pump if there is no pressing need for it, for reasons including the science, the sensibility, and “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

4. Mayim Bialik Not Done Defending Attachment Parenting Yet

In which Mayim assures you that breastfeeding is the recognized best way to feed and nourish your baby, and giving “an ounce or two” of formula statistically leads to more formula, less demand, and eventual weaning.

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• Tags: attachment parenting, breastfeeding, extended breastfeeding, featured, weaning