The AAP statement on breastfeeding

Today, the AAP released it's first statement on breastfeeding in 6 years.

Here are some highlights from the introduction:

• The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, and then continued breastfeeding to age one and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mama and baby.
• Breastfeeding is not mere a lifestyle choice; it is a public health issue.
• Breastmilk is the normal nutrition for a baby.
• True breastfeeding issue are rare.
• Babies should be asses using the WHO growth curve standard to avoid misdiagnoses of a child being underweight or failing to thrive.

I have the biggest smile on my face.  3 of my 4 kids were EBF until at least 6 months and 2 of them were breastfed beyond the age of one.  I did it to give my kids the best start. I breastfeed for the same reason I put my kids in car seats, read to them, feed them healthy foods, hug them, etc. I do it because I love them and want them to have the very, VERY best.

The document then goes on to give information about how breastfeeding is beneficial, healthwise.  It covers a number of health concerns and how breastfeeding directly impacts a child's potential of developing them.  A few of these are:

• SIDS/Infant Mortality
• Neurological Development
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Celiac Disease
• Allergies
• and more

I urge every person to read this, whether you are a parent or not because this affects our society as a whole.  The full PDF is located here.

Any thoughts?

Foto Friday, or should that be Photo Phriday....maybe Foto Phriday?

Monday, which was President's Day, was a great day to spend with the kids at the zoo. I live at ground zero for schizo weather.  It's been in the 30s in for the lows and the 80s for the highs over the past week. Anywho, I took the kids to the zoo because we are supposed to have a maternity/family photo session but a scheduling issue arose.  I just wanted to share some pics of the kiddos. 

Crossing the bridge 

My girls

My sons

Squirrel

The squirrel in the mulberry

Giant chair

El Mariachi

My hatchlings

Penguin staring match

Kinda like Sonic, only not so blue.

Side Salad and the hedgehog

Time to go home

Which is your favorite?

Picture time!

It's been a while since I've been on.  Several things have happened-I've gotten much bigger.

Me about to get my Valentine's Day massage and pedi! <3

Popcorn is still breech and I've been doing all sorts of fun things to get the kid turned. I'll try to make a  post about that later tonight.

I got a new camera, a Kodak PlaySport-super easy to use and waterproof. If only it had a flash, it'd be perfect.

Oh and my iron is up-yay for liver, collards, blood builder and vitamin C!

So, like I said, I got this new camera and I want to have some fun with it so I'm considering a trip to our local zoo and botanical gardens so I can give it a good work out. I'll post more pics later.  Til then, please be satisfied with these shots of my gorgeous babies!

Side Salad

Squirrel

Princess

Astronaut, a self portrait

I Dream of Baby....so I'm buying baby stuff!

It's taken me a while to get excited about Popcorn.  The early parts of this pregnancy were physically and emotionally difficult (this is the first time I'd ever had the words "threatened miscarriage" uttered in my direction). We didn't even tell anyone outside of immediate family until I was about 24 weeks or so. I tend to show late so it wasn't an issue.  

But now that I'm closing in on 32 weeks, I am finally getting excited.  I truly have baby on the brain!  I made a registry. I pulled out my dipes, just to hold and touch them. I bought a set of 5 onesies and a gown-coverall/hat/bootie set.  I created an event page for my Baby Sprinkle. It's a sprinkle, not a shower because I don't need much be every baby is worth a celebration.  

I've started to dream about Popcorn.  I even had a dream about labor. Yes, it hurt, but it was quick like Side Salad and I gave birth i the tub. It was beautiful. I won't tell if what gender the baby was in my dream, but I'll be happy either way.  

And then yesterday, I went to buybuyBaby and bought this:

 

Vulli Chan Pie Gnon

I am in love with it.  When I squeeze it, it sound almost like a baby laughing. It's so soft and squishy.  The little loop at the top is el perfecto for grabbing. And it's so soft and squishy. I can't wait to see the wee bairn love on it.

>>This is probably the most pointless post ever, but my little pregnant brain has to let it out<<

I love being pregnant.  It's the easiest part of motherhood.  Usually, I'm in no rush to have the baby but this time, I kinda want to hold my sweet babe, smell that sweet newborn scent, kiss those buttery soft cheeks, feel the warmness of a tiny body.  This will probably be my last baby [famous last words I said 4 years ago, too] so I just want to savor every moment.  I think that this week, I'll pack my birthing bag....

Did you start getting baby-obsessed late in your pregnancy?