Big Latch On!

Yesterday I came across a website: BigLatchOn.org. After perusing the site, I came to a conclusion: I have GOT to be a part of this.

Basically, it’s a worldwide nurse-in. Local chapters can meet at the park, somebody’s back yard, a business, a WIC office, anywhere! As long as there are two or more women and their babies present, it’s considered part of the Big Latch On. Nursing mothers and witnesses meet in their pre-chosen location and at 10:30 am (local time) the women put their babies to the breast and have them latch on for at least one minute. The witnesses count the women with babies latched on, and after the event is concluded the event host/hostess reports the numbers back to BigLatchOn.org. Last year’s total was over 8,800 latches!

This year, the event is being held on two days. Friday, August 2^nd and Saturday, August 3^rd. I decided, within an hour of learning about this, that I was going to host the local chapter of The Big Latch On. I can’t help it, I’m impulsive and spontaneous like that. Anyway, my new friend Cynthia has offered to assist me in hosting this event. We have already made a Facebook page for our local event and begun to brainstorm about possible local sponsors.

Militant Lactivists of Garfield County, Colorado UNITE!

We have exactly one month to plan and prepare for this event. We are holding ours on Saturday, August 3^rd. I figured a weekend would work better for the majority of possible participants. I’ve even contacted our local parks & recreation department about reserving one of the larger parks for the event. Hopefully we’ll have a big turn-out.

Because I’m so excited about this, don’t be surprised if I blog about it a lot in the next 30 days. And possibly after that, too, if all goes well.

And if you’re a nursing momma in Garfield County, be at Two Rivers Park on August 3^rd to join The Big Latch On!

BIP-- Animal Style!

 Armadillos do it.

 

 

 Cats do it.

 

 

 Cheetahs do it.

 

 

 Dogs do it. To tigers.

 

 

 Dolphins do it. Underwater!

 

 

 Foxes do it.

 

 

 Pigs do it.

 

 

 Polar bears do it.

 

 

 Doing it on porpoise.

 

 

Even seals do it! Aren't they sweet??

 

 

 

Don't you just love baby animals? Isn't it cute when their animal mommies feed them? Look at that dog, she's even cross-nursing baby tigers. It's so adorable, I could spray milk across the room! (I'll let you guess from where.)

 

Why is it that nobody freaks out and says "EEEWWWW" or "Gross!" or "Ugh, cover up, will ya?" when animals nurse their babies? I'm pretty sure everybody who looks at those pictures says "Awwww" or "How sweet!" or "ERMAGERD SO KYOOOOT!" And if you don't actually say it out loud, that's only because you are dumbstruck by the adorableness of it all. Don't lie, you know it's true.

 

How ridiculous, then, to expect a human mother to be ashamed and cover up while nursing her own baby. Even worse is when women are expected to feed their babies in closets or public restrooms. Breastfeeding is nothing new. If it was wrong to breastfeed, then the milk wouldn't be coming out of our breasts in the first place.

If animals (who can't even READ, for Pete's sake) are allowed to breastfeed in public, what harm can a little human BIP do?

Most Brazen BIP Yet!

Today I breastfed my daughter at the bus stop. Facing traffic. Without a cover. Who's your momma?!

We were on our way to the carnival. Lander had a great time on the rides, and Janet slept in her Baby Bjorn. It was a great afternoon. Then we came home and the boys ate pizza (I had a salad, thank you) and watched Finding Nemo.

Poor Lander is a little bit sick with a cough and a runny nose. So, being the weird mom that I am...I spiked his chocolate milk with breast milk. Let's see if that helps.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and BIP it up! And send me your photographic evidence!

Milk Donor!

So it's official, I am a milk donor! After placing ads on Human Milk For Human Babies and Eats On Feets (both are Facebook pages), I have been contacted by two ladies who need breast milk for their babies! Both women are unable to provide the milk their children need and went to those Facebook pages to find help.

Milk sharing is not a new idea. What do you think women did before formula was invented (only a little over a hundred years ago)? Once upon a time, wet-nursing was a common profession for women with a large supply of milk. To wet-nurse for royalty would set a woman up for life.

And yet, for some reason, now the practices of milk sharing and wet-nursing are frowned upon, viewed as gross or weird. Why is that? Not so very long ago (especially once you consider the vast history of the human race) these women would be honored for helping other mothers out. After telling a few people that I planned to donate my milk to needy babies, I saw some very funny expressions on the faces of people who know me well. And while I will admit to being weird, I am most certainly NOT gross!

Milk banks that supply hospital NICUs can charge up to $5/oz for "donated" breast milk. What they are really paying for is all the screening and paperwork involved. On OnlyTheBreast.com a woman can buy breast milk for as low as $0.75-3.00/oz and pay shipping. And while this is honorable in it's own way (wet-nurses were traditionally paid for their services), I have found a sense of pride in giving my milk freely that selling it would not have given me. In a way, you might consider it charity.

Donating breast milk is not for everyone. For one thing, you need to have plenty of milk for your own baby first. But for those women who have a large supply, I encourage you to consider milk donation. Even if you only do it one time, or only donate a few ounces per week.

BIP once more!

This was taken at a McDonalds off of I-70 east of Denver, CO. I also got to BIP on their lawn, because I didn't make it more than a few steps outside before Janet was hungry AGAIN!

 

Oh, and that gorgeous blanket was sewn by my Aunt Lori, who also made a dinosaur-themed blanket for my son Lander. Thanks, Aunt Lori!

Vacation Report- BIP photos included!

 We had a wonderful trip to Kansas! It was a really long drive, though. Especially with three small kids! We are all bad-asses, though, so we made it just fine. 

 

 A little BIP before heading out.



Janet looks a little concerned. Probably because Mommy is sitting in the back for a change.



Lander wasn't worried. He was ready to go!



One of the rest stops felt it was necessary to cage the Coke machine. You know, so it wouldn't wander off.



At last! All the kids knocked out!



Another BIP break on Interstate 70.



Lander played in the water and got his pants wet.



He didn't mind running around in just a diaper.



Clairessa was ready for a snack.



My Aunt Lori holding Janet.



Sleepy head!



I don't know if it's technically BIP, but we were at somebody else's house.

 

At some point I managed to find a pet store and pet a bunny. Yay!

Lander vs Goose.

Lander loved to watch the baby geese at the park!


We took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese. Lander wanted to dance next to Chucky.



Grandma helped Lander play a few games.


Janet had a snack.


 And another!


And another!

My Aunt has a chalkboard wall in her kitchen, which the kids LOVED.


Ready to head home!



Janet gets through the trip the best way she knows how.


The other kids eventually followed suit.


One more BIP stop on the way home!

Busy week! And another coming up!

Been working more than I expected the past few days. Apparently my work is really hurting for help right now, so there's more hours to go around than usual.

Then, on Tuesday, I'm on vacation for 8 days! My mother, sister, and I are packing up the kids (my two plus my sister's baby) and heading for Olathe, KS to see my grandparents, aunt and uncle, and cousins! I'm excited, I haven't seen any of them for three years!

I'll be sure to take lots of pictures along the way and while we're there. Hopefully I'll get a BIP photo or two to share. Lately, Janet's been asleep every time we go out! She's growing like a weed, and it makes her very tired.

So, in case you don't hear from me for a while, now you know where I am! Have a wonderful week and Happy June!