Breastfeeding And Bottle Feeding - my experience

We have recently had some very negative feedback about the information provided on this page of our site - www.downtoearthorganics.com.au- some of which has been rather abusive to say the least! Despite the tone in which it is delivered, we welcome feedback and take on board everything that is expressed to us. There were some comments made on the site which were based on personal experience and opinions (aren't we all entitled to this?) - that may have appeared to be pro formula and anti breastfeeding - which of course is not our intention. We do apologise that these comments have offended some people and as a result they have been removed.

I wish to make it clear that we are neither pro breastfeeding or pro formula feeding. We are merely trying to provide information (including personal experiences) and chemical free products for those mothers who can not, or choose not to breastfeed.

Like most things in life, the choice to breastfeed is a personal one, but sadly not a choice that all mothers are presented with. I solely breastfed my beautiful angel from the second she was born, however after a couple of weeks I visited my lactation nurse and was horrified to find that she had lost a considerable about of weight. Honestly, it was one of the worst days of my life - I felt I was a failure as a mother. I was reduced to tears, my poor baby - she must be so hungry - how could I let this happen! I fed her as often as I humanly could, but unfortunately I was unable to produce enough milk to satisfy her - particularly as she was a very large bubba (10 pounds 7 at birth). I ate well, took vitamins and herbs such as blessed thistle and fenugreek to help my flow, but unfortunately I still did not produce enough. It was suggested to me that I could take a particular drug to assist with my milk flow, but I have a strong anti drug policy (particularly when breastfeeding!) so this was not an option for me.

My lactation nurse recommend that I supplement feed her with formula, and within a week she had gained weight, started sleeping well, and I started to regain my sanity. I continued to feed her with both bottle and breast until she was ready to be weaned, and whilst I adored breastfeeding her - she was never as satisfied after a breastfeed as she was after a bottle feed. This would not be the case for everyone of course - but it was certainly the case for me. Of course, I suffered a great degree of guilt and a sense of failure that I could not solely breastfeed her - but as I watched her thrive and develop in to a beautiful healthy child, I knew that all that mattered was she was happy and healthy - regardless of where she was getting her milk from.

She is now 2 and a half and she has never been sick - despite being unimmunised - and is the most beautiful, healthy. happy child in the world (well, we think so anyway). From 12 weeks old, she has slept 12 hours straight every night, and 2 hours every day, she has no allergies, is tall and strong, and is as bright as a spark. Now - there is no doubt that my child enjoys the blessing of optimum health due to her being breastfed - however I have to say that I believe formula also provided her with wonderful nutrients, and prevented her from being hungry. I received a comment from on lady who claimed that formula fed babies are "deprived". Of course I find this comment highly offensive - as would all mothers who formula feed. My child has never, and will never be "deprived" of anything - especially nutrients! So, I have to say that feeding my precious angel with formula was in no way detrimental to her health. But again - this is simply my experience.

Unfortunately, when I was struggling with breastfeeding and trying to find the most natural way of bottle feeding my child - there were very few sites that sold organic formula and it was almost impossible to find baby bottles that did not contain Bisphenol A in them. This, was one of the main reasons we had for starting this business. I want to be able to provide those mothers who can't, or choose not to breastfeed - with chemcial free alternatives - and help alleviate the guilt they may suffer as a result of not breastfeeding.

I have many friends and customers who have had differing experiences with breastfeeding. Some have breastfed up until their children are 2, some until 6 months, some, like me have breast and bottle fed, and some have chosen not to breastfeed at all. Whilst I may not agree with some of their decisions, I still embrace them and understand that this is a very sensitive subject for some mothers - therefore I would never dream of criticising them for the choices they have made. Acceptance brings peace. And lets be honest - the last thing we need in those first few months of parenthood is criticism. So, next time you see a baby being fed from the breast, or from the bottles, smile, and be happy that that child has someone to love and care for it and that it is being nourished.

Love and light

Siobhan

Further information:

Australian Breast Feeding Association - here
Information regarding formula - here
Information regarding herbs that may assist with milk flow - here
A wonderful lady Michelle who lives in our local area in far north NSW, who offers incredible advice on all things bubba related - here
World Health Organisation information on breastfeeding - here
Australian Government information on bottle feeding - here
All about the pros and cons of bottle and breastfeeding - here

Shopping For Mother Earth - The How To Guide

1. Stop the shop: grow your own vegetables.
2. Use a bag: keep your shopping trip short by using a bag instead of a trolley.
3. Smart shopper: do not buy products with palm oil and that are genetically modified.
4. BYO bag: ditch the plastic for something a little cooler, see eco-bags.
5. Wasted on food: buy only what you need.
6. Bulk foods and natural cleaning products: save on food miles and reduce packaging by eating local foods and by buying highly concentrated natural cleaning products.
7. Organic: rid the world of fossil fuel thirsty pesticides and eat organic foods.
8. Fresh foods: avoid processed foods as huge amounts of energy are used in the packaging of foods.
9. Seasonal food: only eat what is in season, this will reduce the need to have food stored (storage emissions) and of course reduces transport emissions.
10. Walk it: keep shopping at a walking distance which is not only good for you, it’s good for your wallet, the car & your carbon footprint.

Interesting Environment Facts

Here are a few facts that we at Down To Earth Organics having been digging up for the last few months that may give some the motivation to make their lives just that little bit greener:

• One polystyrene cup contains as many as 1 billion molecules of CFC's.
• Every minute we are pumping 16000kgs of sewage into our oceans, worldwide.
• Every year roughly 100,000, marine mammals, 1,000,000 birds and 50,000 seals are killed by floating plastic.
• Amazingly, 25 billion polystyrene cups and 2.5 million plastic bottles are thrown away every hour.
• 85% of household rubbish can be recycled.
• If one famous London paper used recycled paper on one printing run , on any day, it would save 70,000 trees.
• It takes 100 years for a plastic bag to decompose.
• 40,000,000 acres of lush tropical rain forest are being destroyed through logging every year.

 ....

Toy Safety In The Home

Every year in Australia, and all around the world, toys are involved in thousands of accidents so it is vital to take care when buying extra toys and when leaving toys lying all around the home.

Because of the stringent regulations imposed on toy manufacturers, the safety of toys themselves isn't the major problem. Instead, the majority of accidents occur when toys are left lying around the home and when young children have access to toys intended for older children.

Safety tips around the home:

* Check toys methodically for tiny, removable pieces before giving to your children (especially those under 3)


* By no means give babies under the age of 3 balloons, small balls or marbles or anything else they could put into their mouths


* Ensure you keep all magnets and toys with magnetic parts away from children under 6 years of age

* Do not allow children to play with toys made of fluffy fabric or 'hair' that can easily be sucked, chewed or pulled out


* If possible try to avoid giving children under 6 toys with long ribbons or ropes attached


* Make sure children use the correct safety equipment when on a bike, skateboard or roller skates


* Regularly test the state of your children's toys and get rid of any showing signs of wear and tear

* Make sure older children tidy their toys away following use as falling over toys is one of the most frequent household accidents


* Persuade your children to play with just one toy at a time so they are easier to control

By taking the above safety tips into consideration and you provide your children with constant supervision whilst they are playing, the risk of toy connected accidents will be lowered considerably.

How To Have Your Baby While On A Budget

Any of us cannot turn around presently without all the forms of the media screaming about the global financial crisis and how hard things are for all of us. But without doubt, a slow news arrives, and the media begin tallying up exactly how many hundreds of thousands of dollars it’s going to cost us to raise our children.. However how much does it really cost to have a baby?

The answer is completely in your hands. You can buy a new Bugaboo, or a pram on Ebay for a 1/10 of the cost. You can buy the latest baby seat and capsule, or you can buy second hand one from your best friend.

Having a baby costs as much as you want it to. If you want a new nursery in your home think about ways to lower the costs involved - beg and borrow.

As with a lot things in life, there is a big difference relating to desires and requirements. Babies are truly very straightforward creatures and require little more than love, somewhere warm to live, food, someone to change them and a lot of love - that is the easy part.

As a result if you’re planning a baby, or perhaps a new one, plus your budget could do with a little bit of help, below some guidelines that may help ease the financial pressure of a baby.

Borrow, Beg but don't steal

You might have friends that may have a baby that has outgrown the cot or bassinette it has been using, make use of it for the few months that your baby will need it. Do any of your relations have a spare cot? Possibly even the cot you slept in while a baby? Always check that baby equipment is secure and complies with the Australian Standards, but using second-hand items makes excellent monetary and environmental sense - that is it will lower your carbon imprint. Save your money for a new cot mattress, a reasonable stroller and a new baby car seat.

Buy only what you require and no more.

It can be so enticing to dream away the pregnant days thinking of things you might need then spending time at the shops purchasing masses of gorgeous things that your baby won’t ever actually use. If this is your first baby, try and restrict yourself to just buying plain things like singlets and jumpsuits. You may well be shocked with the amount of hand-outs you will receive for your baby. More often than not babies grow too fast to be dressed in all the outfits they are given, as a result it makes sense to limit yourself and then see what you really do need to buy.

Swap parties & toy libraries

Ask your buddies who have had babies what baby things, products or items they suggest and what they rarely used. Swap parties are a really great idea. If friends have babies that are slightly older or younger than yours, arrange to swap clothes with each other. Go ‘shopping’ at a girlfriend’s house for your baby’s new sized wardrobe and return the favour. Swap or lend maternity clothes once you do not want them anymore. When your baby is older, keep toys clean and stimulating by trading with all your friends once a month, or try a toy library which are increasing in recognition and are a brilliant idea.

Breastfeed!

Breastfeeding is the cheapest means to feed your baby. The health benefits are well-known, however from a monetary view point, making your baby’s milk yourself is the ultimate as it’s totally free.

Modern cloth nappies (MCNs) and wipes

Reusable nappies save money and the environment. Modern cloth nappies are a world away from old fashioned terry-towling squares that countless parents were subjected to when they were babies, made from renewable fabrics like bamboo. Now in marvellous colours and designs, they are more like disposables in fit and purpose.

Making use of cloth nappies and baby wipes for subsequent babies make it even cheaper. And hey, what’s one more load of washing every two or three days compared to buying a pack of disposable nappies every week? But if cloth is not your thing, try using a less expensive disposable nappy in the day-time when you are changing baby regularly, and saving the more absorbent/expensive nappies for night-time use.

Cook or make your own baby food

It could sound like difficult work, but it doesn’t have to be any more hassle than regular cooking. Cook up some extra vegetables with the family meal, then puree or mash the vegetables as baby requires. Spoon them into an ice-cube tray, pop on the lid, and you have a week’s worth of baby food in your freezer!

If you have any leftovers left after you have served dinner for the family, spoon into a little container and freeze. Your baby can eat a array of family meals without any additional effort or cost on your behalf.

Get Dad to make some toys

Make your own toys. Little babies like to grab an orange bag filled with loud paper. Crush up some newspaper and let them play with it. Pack a little Tupperware container with rice and tape shut to make a shaker. Fill a soft drink bottle with water and bits of coloured sponge and food colouring and watch them roll it around the floor for hours.


Make use of park - swing the days away.

Go to your local park, play on the swings, dabble at the beach, read a few books, have a picnic in your backyard. They are all free!