Peach Fuzz.

It is important for me to always remember my babies like this. Little pudgy backs, still covered with delicate peach fuzz from life inside of the womb. Tiny little necks and dimpled elbows. Gummy smiles and milk breath. Yes, my friends...this is what makes life worth living.

Upping your supply and maintaining it through nursing and pumping.

Bags of milk ready for donation.

I get asked constantly by my fellow dairy cows, how I keep my milk supply up. Well, I'd like to say it was the placenta pills I took (more on that topic later) but the fact of the matter is, I have had this crazy abundance of milk since I nursed my first baby. I have been bound and determined to nurse my babies for at LEAST 2 years. I have a little system I have always used, and it has unfortunately but fortunately led me to overproduce. It can be painful sometimes, but because of this overproduction I am able to donate milk to babies in the NICU, and to babies with food allergies whose parents have made the decision  to breastfeed their babies, but for one reason or another, their mothers weren't able. I'll write a separate blog post about milk donation. Below, I will list my tips and tricks on upping your supply. Let me know if anyone gets the same results as I do!!!

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• The first thing I do is make sure I put a warm compress on my breasts right before I pump or nurse. I am fond of the booby tubes (pictured above) made by Earth Mama Angel Baby. It really helps aid in the letdown process. It also helps to remove any clogged ducts going on in there as well.

The prenatals of the Gods.

• I always make sure I don't pump or nurse on an empty stomach. Gotta make sure you have those calories to burn!
• If I have finished nursing (and this is key when the baby is brand new) I will go to my pump and pump for an additional 10 min or so. It signals the body to make more milk. Tandem nursing is also great for this. 
• Having a good pump is necessary as well. I use the Medela double electric breast pump This is a pricier pump, some insurance companies provide it for free. You can also check around at local baby supply stores, some places will allow you to rent pumps as well. There is a let down mode on it that really helps your milk come in.
• It's also necessary to make sure your breastsheilds are the proper fit. That can make ALL the difference in the world. 
• You can also try drinking some Mother's Milk Tea, which I have done on occasion. It contains necessary ingredients to help stimulate milk flow. Most grocery and health food stores carry this.
• Some people have raved about drinking a beer, especially dark beer before nursing or pumping. Something to do with the barley and hops that REAAALLY makes your milk come in. I have tried this and it works like a charm. BEWARE though. Make sure to wait at least 2 hrs per beer before nursing or pumping again so you don't pass any alcohol to the baby. Or some people claim that if you are able operate a car, you can still nurse. Who knows...
• Make sure you are also getting enough sleep at night. I know it's almost impossible with a new baby, but your body won't cooperate if you aren't resting. 
• DO NOT STRESS ABOUT IT. That can make your milk fade away faster than a hooker in sketchers.
• I also recommend taking a good prenatal vitamin. I have been taking Rainbow Light Vegan prenatals One A day for years. It's amazing. Makes your hair and nails grow too. 
• Sometimes during pumping, if your milk flow stops, you can point the bottles in different directions or even rub the top of your breasts in downward motions, it helps stimulate more milk flow. 
• You can also try adjusting the suction lower or higher on your pump as well. Pumping can be uncomfortable, but it should never hurt you. Check fit and suction settings. It matters greatly!
• Some people swear by supplements or lactation brownies. I haven't tried them personally! 
• And I always make sure to nurse or pump  on demand as well as every 3 hours. I go for a four hr stretch at night so I can rest, but in order to keep your body making milk, you have to continue to pump and nurse, to give your body the queue to make milk!!!! Getting up in the middle of the night sucks and is not ideal for most, but I find it helps keep my supply going strong!
  

I hope this post helps anyone that needs to up their milk supply! Happy nursing!!!

Unmedicated, VBAC, Water labor. Beautiful. My birth plan:

A few of my friends that are keen on the idea of natural labor asked what my birth plan looked like. I used a free printable PDF found on earthmamaangelbaby.com . It's awesome because the plan itself is already geared for a natural labor experience anyways, so it worked for us. Below is the way I filled mine out. Hope this helps anyone hoping for a natural labor! Happy birthing!!

Before Labor Begins:

As long as the baby and I are healthy, I would like

to go at least 10 to 14 days over my due date before

inducing labor.

If NST observation becomes necessary after my due

date, I am flexible and support this procedure.

Please obtain my permission before stripping my

membranes during a vaginal exam.

During a vaginal exam, I prefer at no time to have

my membranes broken unless there is an emergency

situation.

Induction:

If induction becomes necessary, I would like to try

natural induction techniques first (with the

guidance of my practitioner):

·       Breast stimulation Walking

·       Sexual intercourse

·       Stripping membranes Rupturing membranes

Talk to my practitioner about alternatives to treatments such as antibiotics

Environment:

Upon arrival at the hospital, I prefer to have my

partner with me at all times.

Birthing room Room with a shower and/or bath

Birthing ball Birthing tub/pool/shower

I would like to have dimmed lights. I would like for people entering the room to speak

softly.

I would like to wear my own clothes during labor and

delivery.

I would like to have a TV available.

I would like to have my birth photographed. I would like to wear my glasses or contact lenses

unless removal becomes medically necessary.

Pain Relief:

Please only offer pain medications if I ask for them.

·       Breathing techniques

·       Distraction techniques

·       Acupressure Massage

·       Water/bath/shower

Ideally, I want to be able to walk around and move

as I wish while in labor.

I would like to feel unrestricted in accessing any

sounds of chanting, grunting, or moaning during

labor.

Monitoring:

Please always keep my door closed while I am in

labor.

Intermittently monitored to allow for as much mobility as possible

I am seeking my practitioner's assistance with this

technique.

Second Stage Labor:

As long as the baby and I are healthy, I prefer to have no time limits on pushing.

Squatting Hands and knees

Standing upright Whatever feels right at the time

I prefer to have no episiotomy and risk tearing (unless I'm having a medical emergency)

Apply hot compresses Use perineal massage

Encourage me to breathe properly for slower

crowning.

Please use a local anesthetic for repairs.

The Delivery:

I prefer to have the lights dimmed for delivery or,

if it is daylight, to access only natural light.

Please tell me when to push

As long as my baby is healthy, I would like my baby

placed immediately skin-to-skin on my abdomen with a

warm blanket over it.

Please do not separate me and my baby until after my

baby has successfully breastfed on both breasts.

Please delay all essential routine procedures on my

baby until after the bonding and breastfeeding

period (i.e., bathing).

Cesarean:

My partner is to be present at all times during the

c-section.

Ideally, I would like to remain conscious during the

procedure.

I would like the baby to be shown to me immediately

after it's born.

I would like to have contact with the baby as soon

as it is possible in the delivery room.

I prefer to have a hand free to touch the baby. We would like to film or photograph only the baby

after delivery.

I prefer a low transverse incision on my abdomen and

uterus.

If my baby is healthy, I would like to hold my baby

and nurse it immediately in recovery.

I would like to sign any waivers necessary to permit

me to be with my baby in recovery.

As long as my baby is healthy, I would like my

partner to be the baby's constant source of

attention until I am free to bond with it (i.e.,

holding, skin-to-skin contact, etc.).

Third Stage Labor:

Please wait for the umbilical cord to stop pulsating

before it is clamped.

Please allow my partner to cut the umbilical cord.

I would like to delay routine pitocin after the

placenta is born unless there are any signs of

hemorrhaging.

I would like the option of taking home the placenta.

Newborn Procedures:

If the baby has any problems, I would like my

partner to be present with the baby at all times, if

possible.

I would like to have routine newborn procedures

delayed until bonding and breastfeeding have

occurred.

I would like all newborn routine procedures to be

performed in my presence.

Please do not administer eye drops to my baby, I am willing to sign a formal waiver if need be.

Please do not administer vitamin K to my baby, I am

willing to sign a formal waiver if need be.

I prefer any immunizations be postponed to a later time

We would like to give our baby his/her first bath

using our own non-toxic baby products.

Please do not circumcise my baby.

We would like to wait, and delay the PKU testing until we are ready to leave the hospital

My baby is to be exclusively breastfed.

Formula Pacifiers

Any artificial nipples Sugar water

To be transported with my baby if possible. To breastfeed or express my milk for my baby.

To have as much bodily contact with my baby as

possible.

My Hospital Stay:

As short as it can be.

I prefer to have my partner stay with me for the

duration of my hospital stay.

I would like my other children (regardless of age)

to be allowed to visit with me for as long as they

wish or as long as hospital policy permits.

We are vegan, if food is given during stay, please

note we do not intake dairy or meat.