Reading now

... and still learning a lot (a wonder if someday I will learn enough about this topic, probably not). Great book, recommend!

The sun is shining today...

... and we have to use this opportunity!

Santiago and Greta went for a walk in the forest, while I finished another orienteering map as my running training. And I got the book I wanted to read so much. So far I like it a lot. It offers some king of attachment patenting style of making children sleep better at night. It makes a good sense, and does not use those stupid "cry it out" methods.

And Greta made us eat dinner outside today, and it was nice, even considering Santiago's pollen allergy :-)

Bu the way, yesterdays movie was incredibly good. Very syntemental, I kinda need it these days. With the tragedy in Russia with lots of people dead in the boat, and another good person that died last week and had a funeral today, I think about this kind of things a lot these days.

Also, Greta now drinks my smoothies. It is so good, now I can put all I want in them and try to sneak it to her :-)

PS. I went to the police station today and made invitation papers for my parents so that they can visit in September. We already booked a cabin in Melsomvik in south-east of Norway. It will be nice, especially because we decided not to have vacation just now in summer.

Have a good Thursday tomorrow!

Ksenia

believe it or not...

but Greta for the first time in my life fell asleep with me without breastfeeding. it is just that she was spitting up today, so today I tried a new method. two books and she is asleep! incredible. I hope it is nothing serious and she will get better soon.

Kitchen games

One of the tricks I used these days to get Greta "help" me in the kitchen is to let her play with the water. She thinks it is fun, too. Other times, the stands there and looks what I cook, or eats some of the ingredients (by the way, this helps and I think she started eating a bit more).
Tomorrow is the birthday celebration here. I made the pizza dough, and the cake too. Tomorrow we just have to put the pizza ingredients on top of it, and to make cake cream. Less stress for tomorrow!
Grate says more phrases now. She car say "the carrot fell", "there is no more chocolate", and things like that.
Today we had another baby-wearing experience, since Greta did not want to sit in the shopping cart and needed breast at the same time. Good thing was to have a ring sling with me.
And we got a present from Santiago's sister. Greta got a new sorter, and Santiago and me some clothing that look very nice. Thank you, Ines!

Dr.Seuss for nursing moms

from breastfeeding.com

You Can Breastfeed Anywhere
by Laurie Coker

You may breastfeed in a store,
on the floor,
in a roar.
You may breastfeed in a jam,
eating fried green eggs and ham.
You may breastfeed on the stair.
You may breastfeed anywhere!

Your baby can latch on in a swing,
on the wing,
in a ring.
He can latch on in a car,
where you are,
at the barre.
She can latch on in a storm,
on the farm:
that's her charm.
She can latch on in a train,
on a plane,
without pain.
They can latch on to a rhyme.
They can latch on any time.

You can nurse Jane or Joe.
You can nurse Clyde or Moe.
you can nurse Betty or Sallie.
you can nurse at a political rally.
You can nurse any time, anywhere.
You can nurse clothed or bare.
You can nurse unshaved of hair.
You can nurse Tim, Tony or Tom.
Who can nurse? Any mom!

Or this one:

Would you nurse her in the park?
Would you nurse him in the dark?
Would you nurse him with a Boppy?
And when your boobs are feeling floppy?


I would nurse him in the park,
I would nurse her in the dark.
I’d nurse with or without a Boppy.
Floppy boobs will never stop me.


Can you nurse with your seat belt on?
Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?
Though she may pinch me, bite me, pull,
I will nurse her `till she’s full!


Can you nurse and make some soup?
Can you nurse and feed the group?
It makes her healthy strong and smart,
Mommy’s milk is the best start!


Would you nurse him at the game?
Would you nurse her in the rain?
In front of those who dare complain?
I would nurse him at the game.
I would nurse her in the rain.


As for those who protest lactation,
I have the perfect explanation.
Mommy’s milk is tailor made
It’s the perfect food, you need no aid.


Some may scoff and some may wriggle,
Avert their eyes or even giggle.
To those who can be cruel and rude,
Remind them breast’s the perfect food!


I would never scoff or giggle,
Roll my eyes or even wiggle!
I would not be so crass or crude,
I KNOW that this milk’s the perfect food!


We make the amount we need
The perfect temp for every feed.
There’s no compare to milk from breast-
The perfect food, above the rest.


Those sweet nursing smiles are oh so sweet,
Mommy’s milk is such a treat.
Human milk just can’t be beat.


I will nurse, in any case,
On the street or in your face.
I will not let my baby cry,
I’ll meet her needs, I’ll always try.
It’s not about what’s good for you,
It’s best for babies, through and through.


I will nurse her in my home,
I will nurse her when I roam.
Leave me be lads and ma’am.
I will nurse her, Mom I am.

I recognize myself... a bit

I get a newsletter from a webpage for moms "Babyverden". And today they had had a link to an article about moms that get an "obsession" to have lots of things for their babies. One collects hats, other has lots of cloth diapers, and the third one has lots of slings. I understand very well the last too. I myself have many slings:

1. Stretch wrap SimplyGood

2. Stretch wrap with rings Close Baby Carrier

3. Manduca

4. Ergo

5. Ring sling SakuraBloom

6. Ring sling Vindunderbarn

7. Water ring sling Mam

8. Woven wrap Didymos

9. Meitai Du Og Jeg

Greta does not use them so often anymore, but I am sure they will be used with the next baby too, when the time comes.

And I understand the lady with the cloth diapers too. One starts with something to try, then you need different sizes, different types. Night diaper, diapers for going out, diapers for kindergarten. The good thing about cloth diapers is their natural materials, no danger for environment, cool colors, and that they help with elimination communication. The bad thing - they are still diapers, and make the child forget to control their own needs and not to understand cause and effect relation. EC is the solution.

Yet another ski day, and the toilet topic

We have bought new skis to Santiago too, so today he went downhill skiing too. We take turns, while one of us goes skiing, the other plays with Greta. Greta got a new sliding device, where we can sit both and use brakes. But she used it just a few times, and did not want anymore. We have to recover the one we had before, because someone took it in the kindergarten instead of their own. I discovered, that Greta eats much better when she is outside. She ate all the parmesan cheese and norwegian brown cheese. After a while she wanted to sleep, and slept in the car, for some time. Good that we had a babycall with us. Santiago was practicing in the kids slope, and I went to the blue slope. I am progressing, too. We have been skiing for 8!!!! hours today. That is an absolute record. We were quite lucky with the weather, but tomorrow it becomes cold again.

About the toilet topic. Greta continues being diaper-free, and we enjoy it. Yesterday in the pizza restaurant she just took me by the hand, and went towards the toilet, saying "pis pis". I thought that was strange, since she went to the toilet just before be left home. But, of course, she was right again, and she needed to go. This morning right after waking up, she took of her pajama pants and said "pis pis". Then went down from the bed to the potty. How much do I enjoy that we understand each other so well.

Memories: the last time I used wrap sling

My Didymos Geckos, last time used in Fuerteventura, March 2010. Almost a year ago. Miss that time. Now there is no way Greta wants to sit in it. Maybe I should, actually, try?

Memories: oslo minimaraton 2010

Greta fell asleep just before the race, so I had to complete it for her :-) Good that we can babywear, so that we can do anything else at the same time. She slept in the Manduca the race and woke up with a medal!

How long should a mother breastfeed?

Some people are bothered by others breastfeeding, others look surprised, some do not understand.
What does La Leche League International think about long breastfeeding:
How long should a mother breastfeed?
A mother and her baby should breastfeed for as long as they wish to breastfeed. The American Academy of Pediatrics currently (2005) recommends: "Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life and provides continuing protection against diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child." * As solids are introduced, usually around the middle of the first year, your baby will shift his primary source of nutrition from your milk to other foods.

All the benefits of human milk—including nutritional and health—continue for as long as your baby receives your milk. In fact, as your baby takes less human milk, these advantages are condensed into what milk is produced. Many of the health benefits of human milk are dose related, that is, the longer the baby receives human milk, the greater are the benefits.

And good written about breastfeeding a toddler:

Dr. Jack Newman's session, "Breastfeed a Toddler? Why on Earth? Is There Any Reason to Do It?" opened with a discussion about "normal" breastfeeding. Until recently, the cultural norm was to breastfeed into the second and third year of life and beyond. This wasn't considered "extended breastfeeding" by any means. It was the norm in most societies. Breastfeeding was key to survival, and the more difficult life was, the longer mothers nursed their children. While Newman recognized that Western society doesn't support toddler nursing, he pointed out that was not a good reason to stop.

Newman went on to talk about formula being used in therapeutic instances, likening it to the use of a drug. He elaborated by saying that there are times when pharmaceuticals have great benefit to patients -- times when they save lives. However, they shouldn't be overused. Newman believes that formula should not be considered a choice or an equal alternative to human milk.

In a discussion of starting solids before six months of age, Newman commented that eating food isn't just about nutrition. It's about achieving a milestone and starting to join in as a regular member of the family. Milestones are achieved, not forced.

Common concerns associated with nursing a toddler were also addressed. Some health care professionals comment, "There is no nutritional value of human milk beyond a certain age." Newman called this an unbelievable statement. He wondered aloud how human milk suddenly became white water after a certain age when, before that age, breastfeeding had all sorts of benefits to mother and baby. The concern that extended breastfeeding will prevent a child from developing his own immunity was discussed. In reality, breastfeeding provides passive protection via mother's immunities that come in human milk, but also stimulation to a child's immune system. A breastfed child has a more mature immune system.

Another concern Newman often hears is that breastfeeding a toddler will cause dependency. He pointed out that all three-year-olds tend to be pretty dependent on their mothers. Breastfeeding provides a sense of security and love that will help foster independence rather than create dependence. Newman stated that loving human contact does not cause harm to a child.

Personally, I do not see any problem with extended breastfeeding, especially considering the fact that we are blessed with a high-need child. I realize that she will probably not wean soon, so I just celebrate that we have the good thing going here and are able to enjoy it as long as we can.

I read

a wonderful book, so kind, but at the same time written in such an easy way. easy to read, makes a lot of sense. it shows us how to teach children HOW to think, not WHAT to think. It is very respectful to children. Treats, punishment, reward and bribes do not work. Things to use with kids are feedback, encouragement, discipline (meaning teaching).

Messages to give children because they are worth it:
* I believe in you. I trust you. I know you can handle situations. You are listened to. You are care for. You are very important to me.
* You can’t really make kids do something they don’t want to. But, you can give them choices, decisions to make, and the room to make mistakes and learn from them.

The Golden Rule:

* I will not treat a child in a way I myself would not want to be treated. If it works, and leaves a child’s and my own dignity intact, do it.

What doesn’t work:
* Threats. Punishment, Bribes, Rewards.
* Teach them how to think, not what to think. With that, they can figure out new situations when a parent won’t be around to tell them what to do.

Oh, how much do I agree! And recommend! Love this book! It just does much deeper into attachment parenting.