When David and I found out we were having a son I was beyond happy. Yes, I would have loved having a girl but I REALLY wanted a boy. I knew that I wanted to keep my son intact because I believe that foreskin is there for a reason and that circumcision is an "elective" surgery. However, being that I was the Mom and not the Dad I decided to ultimately leave it up to David (after many days of giving him my point of view, of course!!). David is a circumcised man like most Americans. He was raised with the idea that this was the normal way a penis should be. Once I started showing him my research - botched circumcision, that foreskin has a purpose, that is does cause trauma, even though they say they can't feel it (see video below) and that babies do die from it- he soon realized he had been misinformed and changed his point of view. He actually got quite upset that he was circumcised. He began to feel like something was taken from him, a piece of his body that should have been left intact was not and he got really upset about it. Especially when he found out that uncircumcised men have an increased sense of pleasure during intimacy. What man wouldn't get upset about that? He decided that he wanted his son NOT to be cut and tortured. He wanted to give his son the best life he could and with that comes an intact penis. He believes, we believe, that babies should be left the way they come out. I am so thankful that David chose to keep our son intact even though he will look different from his Father. I asked him what he will tell Lochlan when he asks why he looks different and he said, "I will tell him that I love him and I wanted to give him the happiest life I could. I wasn't given the choice so I am leaving it to YOU to choose." And yes, men can be circumcised later in life if that is THEIR choice.
Here are some wonderful links to sources of information on KEEPING OUR SONS INTACT!! Please join in trying to make this the normal state of being for the future generations.
Peaceful Parenting
Raising Intact Sons
Moms Keeping Sons Intact
Saving Our Sons
Why did you choose or not choose to circumcise your son?
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Nursing my Toddler
My son, Lochlan is 22 months now and YES I still breastfeed him. And I am proud of it.
I get asked ALL the time when I am going to stop nursing him and I love saying to people, "Well most likely before he can drive."
Lochlan is a healthy, happy and an extremely well-mannered almost 2 year old. There are tons of benefits to nursing a toddler and two of the major ones, for me, is maintaining his nutrition and mood swings.
Most toddlers are fairly picky eaters, at least Lochlan is. One day he will eat everything I put in front of him, including my food and then the next day all he wants are crackers. Even though Lochlan eats a mostly plant and grain based diet he still does not get all of his daily nutritional needs from his food, which is where my breast milk comes into play. It's almost like how I take a multi-vitamin a day...health reassurance.
When it comes to mood swings those are becoming more and more rampant. It is like he's manic. One second he is laughing hysterically and the next he has hurled himself on to the floor and screaming at the top of his lungs in a language that I can not understand. It's frustrating for both Mom and child to not be able to communicate. Luckily, the use of sign language helps that a bit but there are many moments in the day where I don't know what he wants. But the one thing I know I can do for him when he is very frustrated is pick him up and nurse him. He immediately calms down and goes back to a "normal" state of play. I love it. It also allows my busy toddler to take a break and reconnect with Mom. We get 5, 10, 15 minutes of closeness before he goes back to his daily adventures.
Here are some resources for breastfeeding information along with a few quotes that I love.
La Leche League International has this to say on the benefits of breastfeeding toddlers.
"Breastfeeding a toddler helps with the child's ability to mature. Although some experts say a toddler who is not weaned will have difficulty becoming independent, it's usually the fearful, clingy children that have been pushed into situations requiring too much independence too soon. A breastfeeding toddler is having his dependency needs met. The closeness and availability of the mother through breastfeeding is one of the best ways to help toddlers grow emotionally."
"Just as babies do, toddlers receive health benefits from breastfeeding. Your milk continues to provide immunities and vitamins, and can help protect your toddler from illness and allergies. If your toddler does get sick, nursing will help comfort him. In fact, a toddler with an upset stomach may be able to tolerate nothing but human milk."
Per the World Health Organization , "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness."
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychological or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer."
If you are having issues or concerns with your breastfeeding relationship contact your local La Leche League leader. They are a wonderful free resource of information and support.
So, no I am not weird or crazy for nursing my child that is walking around. He is doing exactly what he needs to be doing.
I get asked ALL the time when I am going to stop nursing him and I love saying to people, "Well most likely before he can drive."
Lochlan is a healthy, happy and an extremely well-mannered almost 2 year old. There are tons of benefits to nursing a toddler and two of the major ones, for me, is maintaining his nutrition and mood swings.
Most toddlers are fairly picky eaters, at least Lochlan is. One day he will eat everything I put in front of him, including my food and then the next day all he wants are crackers. Even though Lochlan eats a mostly plant and grain based diet he still does not get all of his daily nutritional needs from his food, which is where my breast milk comes into play. It's almost like how I take a multi-vitamin a day...health reassurance.
When it comes to mood swings those are becoming more and more rampant. It is like he's manic. One second he is laughing hysterically and the next he has hurled himself on to the floor and screaming at the top of his lungs in a language that I can not understand. It's frustrating for both Mom and child to not be able to communicate. Luckily, the use of sign language helps that a bit but there are many moments in the day where I don't know what he wants. But the one thing I know I can do for him when he is very frustrated is pick him up and nurse him. He immediately calms down and goes back to a "normal" state of play. I love it. It also allows my busy toddler to take a break and reconnect with Mom. We get 5, 10, 15 minutes of closeness before he goes back to his daily adventures.
Here are some resources for breastfeeding information along with a few quotes that I love.
La Leche League International has this to say on the benefits of breastfeeding toddlers.
"Breastfeeding a toddler helps with the child's ability to mature. Although some experts say a toddler who is not weaned will have difficulty becoming independent, it's usually the fearful, clingy children that have been pushed into situations requiring too much independence too soon. A breastfeeding toddler is having his dependency needs met. The closeness and availability of the mother through breastfeeding is one of the best ways to help toddlers grow emotionally."
"Just as babies do, toddlers receive health benefits from breastfeeding. Your milk continues to provide immunities and vitamins, and can help protect your toddler from illness and allergies. If your toddler does get sick, nursing will help comfort him. In fact, a toddler with an upset stomach may be able to tolerate nothing but human milk."
Per the World Health Organization , "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness."
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychological or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer."
If you are having issues or concerns with your breastfeeding relationship contact your local La Leche League leader. They are a wonderful free resource of information and support.
 |
| Lochlan at 12 months. Photoshoot for Nevada Breastfeeds 2012 Calendar |
So, no I am not weird or crazy for nursing my child that is walking around. He is doing exactly what he needs to be doing.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Messes happen
So, I have been sick for the past two weeks and having a partner who works 15 hour days almost 7 days a week makes cleaning up after a toddler very hard when you are under the weather. Mom's need help. We can't be perfect on our own. Sometimes you have to let "things" go so you can keep your sanity. Just so all you ladies know you are not in it alone when your house is a mess check out my video here....
Till next time.
Till next time.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The First steps
Hello and welcome to Know Mommy. On here we will discuss ways to parent your children naturally with an emphasis on lactation, nutrition, cloth diapering and more.
I want to know what issues or concerns you have been having and together we will find a solution. I hope you find this page to be educational, insightful and a place where you know you are not in it alone.
Thank you for stopping by.
I want to know what issues or concerns you have been having and together we will find a solution. I hope you find this page to be educational, insightful and a place where you know you are not in it alone.
Thank you for stopping by.
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