Let Her Cry, pt. 2

Woman Uncensored posted a followup to her post "Let Her Cry," and I thought I'd share:
http://womanuncensored.blogspot.com/2010/01/hell-no-cio.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WomanUncensored+%28Woman%2C+Uncensored%29

Nutshell: CIO is against your baby's nature, and against yours--and the baby isn't the only one who suffers. She includes a good resource: http://www.pinky-mychild.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22:the-con-of-controlled-crying&catid=11:sleep&Itemid=36

Why Choose a Midwife?

Let Her Cry It Out

I've heard this well-meaning advice offered to a bunch of tired, freaked-out new parents. I have strong feelings about it, and I think I scared off anyone who may have wanted to offer it to me, but regardless, it is common, and usually I don't say much when hearing it other than to offer a confrontation-free "here's another way to do it that worked for us."

This blog post changed the way I think about letting one's baby cry. I knew it wasn't optimal for them--it raises their stress hormones, which impedes their ability to learn and grow, and makes it difficult to learn the first lesson a newborn has to learn: that his or her parents are there and will care for them. But Woman Uncensored offers her own perspective as a victim of the Cry-It-Out method and thinking.

http://womanuncensored.blogspot.com/2009/12/just-let-her-cry.html


Nutshell: In early pregnancy, WU was ill to the point that she could not care for herself and was dependent entirely on her husband for her every need. He took wonderful care of her during the day, but at night he completely ignored her pleas for food, to go to the bathroom, even for the comfort of his arms. He was counseled by his mother to 'let her cry,' that she was only manipulating him. Eventually she stopped asking--not because she learned to be satisfied, but because she despaired of receiving help. To an adult invalid, this is called abuse. What is it to a baby?

Further resources:

Science Says: Excessive Crying Could Be Harmful to Babies

A comparison of Dr. Ferber's method of sleep training (Ferber is frequently associated with cry-it-out philosophy) with Dr. Sears', an attachment parenting authority.
I just have to note that this one attributes Dr. Ferber as saying that a child throwing up or defecating on himself out of frustration and/or fear isn't reason to stop. Consult your instincts.

My website!

I has one! This blog continues, but if you're looking for contact info, my doula practice or how to get yourself a gorgeous baby carrier (pictures are coming!), this is the place:

goodhands.vpweb.com

A note on doula stuff - I have received my training (it was awesome!) and am available for births, so if you're looking for a woman to help you get the info you need to make decisions about birth and baby and, when the time comes, to help you and your family through the wonders of labor and birth, come talk to me :)

Delayed Cord Clamping, from a physician's perspective

I can't do this article justice with a nutshell, but it is a good one to give to an OB who doesn't see why not to cut baby's cord immediately. Dr. Nicholas Fogelson, an OB/GYN, writes to an audience of doctors about his personal experience with early cord clamping and why he now waits to clamp or cut the cord. He addresses all the "what-ifs" and cites a boatload of studies, including links.

http://academicobgyn.com/2009/12/03/delayed-cord-clamping-should-be-standard-practice-in-obstetrics/

How Mother's Milk is Made

An excellent explanation of the most common reason mothers stop breastfeeding (and what helps): not enough milk.
http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVJunJul01p54.html

In a Nutshell: Milk production is continuous and governed by how much milk is left in the breast. If the baby empties about 80% of the available milk, the supply will remain constant; more and it will increase, less and it will decrease. Trouble with milk supply is almost always due to not enough sucking--either too much time between feedings, interrupted feedings or, sometimes, a baby whose suck is ineffective at getting the milk out.

Formula-Fed America

This is on my must-watch list.

http://www.formulafedamerica.com/

Nursing your baby provides the best food, the best medicine, the best comfort for your baby. It's well-nigh free, doesn't take any preparation, and the hormones released during breastfeeding make moms happier parents (a scientifically-documented phenomenon). Your baby gains weight faster, and you lose that baby weight quickly (As of 9.5 months post partum, I'm 25 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight, all through eating wholesome foods that sound good in the quantities I want them and breastfeeding on demand). You're at a lower risk for developing breast cancer and osteoporosis. Your baby is at lower risk for obesity, allergies, learning disorders, ear infections and colic, among many other things.

So why don't more women do it? Our parents didn't, our friends don't and we've never seen a woman breastfeed. Our doctors don't understand it, and are subject to the wiles of formula companies. We receive no support, no help and in some cases active hostility. We hear

• "I didn't make enough milk" (correctable with general advice--ask!)
  
• "I have blue milk," (utter fallacy, no such thing)
  
• "The baby doesn't like my milk," (could be allergies and fixable with diet)
  
• "It hurt so much I couldn't keep doing it" (preventable and treatable with good advice, a support system and a few inexpensive tools!).
  
• "My baby wasn't growing fast enough" (the growth charts at pediatricians' offices are often based on formula-fed babies, the growth curve is different for breastfed babies)
• "Formula will make my baby sleep through the night" (false--there is no connection between formula feeding and sleeping through the night, which is a brain development issue. If anything, breastfed babies are more likely to go down easier since they are less likely to have gas, reflux and colic).
  

The rate of breastfeeding success in 3rd-world countries where there is no other option approaches 100%. You can breastfeed your baby.