Breastfeeding Money Savings

One of the biggest natural parenting behaviors I support is breastfeeding.  It is a beautiful, healthy, and natural practice that greatly magnifies the bond I share with my son.  There is nothing else like it.

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It’s amazing that mothers are able to nourish and feed their children using their breasts.  We don’t have to warm them, shake them, or clean them before our children nurse.  All the work is already done for us.  We simply undo our bra (if you wear one), place the child to one of our breasts (or both if you have an eating machine on your hands!:)), and that’s it.  Baby fed.

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What’s more rewarding is how close I am able to feel to my son when he nurses.  It’s like we are one life.  Life (food) is passing from my body, and at the same time is pouring into my baby.  I find it to be a beautiful expression of love between us.  Nothing in the world compares to breastfeeding.

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Unfortunately, many women completely pass up the opportunity to breastfeed their babies, many times because they have been trained to believe that babies are supposed to eat formula.  Others even view the practice as weird, or perverse, because at some point in their life their thought processes were jaded.  For those women, I must say, you are missing out.

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For a moment, I am going to pretend that I am one of these women.  I believe that breastfeeding is a little odd.  I also don’t particularly care about or believe that breast milk is healthier than formula.  Lastly, I think that breastfeeding would be such a drag, and I’d rather just formula feed.

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But, wait!  My family income is only 17,000 annually, and I cannot afford formula.  So, I have two choices.  I could either get food stamps/WIC.  Or, I could breastfeed.

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Here are some charts below comparing the cost of formula vs breastfeeding.

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*Includes:

  • Kirkland’s Brand milk based formula powder (cheapest I could find)
  • 6 Dr. Browns bottles
  • Formula powder dispenser and basic bottle brush

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*Includes:

  • Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula Powder
  • 6 Quiet Nights glass bottles, and bottle covers for safety
  • Formula powder dispenser and basic bottle brush

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*Includes:

  • Neocate Infant Formula Powder (I included this because Axel would have had to be on a special formula like this because of his food sensitivities)
  • 6 Quiet Nights glass bottles, and bottle covers for safety
  • Formula powder dispenser and basic bottle brush

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*Includes:

  • 500 calories worth of food, priced at 1 dollar a day.  You can easily accomplish this with beans, rice, and a little olive oil, or a fast food cheeseburger.  (I obviously don’t recommend the second choice)

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*Includes:

  • 500 calories worth of food, priced at 1 dollar a day.  You can easily accomplish this with beans, rice, and a little olive oil, or a fast food cheeseburger.  (I obviously don’t recommend the second choice)
  • 6 Quiet Nights glass bottles, and bottle covers for safety
  • Lansinoh breast milk bags for full time pumping (enough for you to exclusively bottle feed)
  • Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with backpack

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As you can see, sticking to the basics of breastfeeding can save you a lot of money.  In my case personally, I will have saved $3485 by the time the year is up!  That’s what I call natural parenting- haha.

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You’ll notice that I also included a graph for the women who have to pump full time.  Pumping can be expensive, but when you compare it to the cost of organic formula or Neocate, you are still saving quite a bit of money. 

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Overall, I’d say breastfeeding is a much better choice, if it’s an option.  You can save lots of money, and the nutritional benefits are greatly superior to formula.  Breastfeeding also strengthens the bonds between mother and baby.  So, if you haven’t decided whether you will breastfeed your baby or not, please just give it a shot.  You won’t regret it!

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March 5, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Go Raw While Breastfeeding – Chlorella

I watched a video on YouTube earlier about whether or not it was safe to go raw while breastfeeding.  Like many people, my main concern is that the toxins my body gets rid of will be released into my breast milk, which obviously could be harmful to my son. 

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Most people I’ve talked to advise to wait until you have stopped breastfeeding before going 100% raw.  The guy on the video earlier, however, seemed to have a different perspective.

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I’m not sure if he was specifically referring to going raw, but he did bring some good information to the table.  He talked about a few different studies that basically prove that changing to a cleaner diet doesn’t significantly elevate the toxicity levels in breast milk.  What’s more interesting is that Chlorella supposedly aids in leaching the toxins from the body.  (In other words, supplementing with chlorella while going raw may help get rid of all the junk in your system.) 

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I realize that going raw isn’t the same as just “improving” one’s diet.  It is a much more serious process.  I’ve experienced severe detox symptoms first hand, and it’s not fun.  It’s just common sense that if I try to go raw while breastfeeding, some toxins will be passed along to Axel.  The question I have is whether or not it would be worth it anyway.
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I don’t want to go raw permanently, but it would be nice to do it for a couple of days.  I’d love to give my body a break by only drinking green smoothies and juice for a few days.  (I’d probably incorporate some sprouts, as well.)  I probably won’t be able to go completely raw until I’m done breastfeeding anyway, simply because we aren’t in a stable enough position financially to do so.

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What do you all think?  Have any of you successfully gone raw while breastfeeding?  Have you heard of anyone attempting to do it, only to find that it just wasn’t possible?  I could really use some help.  I don’t want Axel to suffer through detox, obviously, but at the same time, isn’t he suffering right now by not having optimum nutrition?  This really is a controversial issue, especially among raw food circles.  It’s hard to make an educated decision when there is so little information out there on the subject.

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So, if you or someone you know has gone raw while breastfeeding, please, PLEASE share your experience.  It would be so helpful to me, and I would be forever grateful.  I just don’t feel “well” right now, and I really think a couple days off of cooked food would benefit me immensely.  Thank you all.

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February 27, 2010 | Tags: , , | 11 Comments »

Unschooling Young Children – Natural Learning

Not that long ago, I probably would have mocked someone who thought like I do now.  I can hardly fathom how much I’ve changed over the past couple of years.  It’s unbelievable.

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Another thing that blows my mind is that Patrick and I both desire to unschool.  I’m so excited that we are on the same page on most of the big issues concerning Axel.  Fighting about these things would not be fun.

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I’ve been stressing out lately about how exactly I’m going to go about teaching our little boy important things.  The problem with my thinking, though, is that I have no idea what “important” is yet, because Axel is ultimately the one who will decide that.  Sure, I think reading and writing is crucial, but why does it have to be taught to every child at age 5?  Why not 7, or 3?  What if reading is something that Axel simply isn’t interested in?  Am I supposed to shove literature down his throat?  Shouldn’t I teach my child whenever he is ready and willing?  I just don’t get why every kid has to fit into the same little cookie cutter mold.  It’s frustrating.

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When we first started considering unschooling, I was completely freaked out because I thought it meant that books were outlawed, or any other “training” materials.  After researching more, I found that the whole point of unschooling is that you are basically letting your child lead his own education.  In other words, if Axel wants to play outside for 6 hours straight, that’s okay.  Or, if Axel is interested in flash card drills, we have the freedom to do them.  It’s not about what you do, or even how you do it, it’s simply about believing in your child.

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From a Christian perspective, I think it’s all about trusting that God knew what He was doing when he created your child.  We as parents don’t have to force our interests, hobbies, talents, or anything our government says must be “learned,” on our kids. My son has been blessed with special gifts, and I feel like it’s my job to nurture those gifts, and to love him as much as possible along the way.  This is the best path for our family.

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Funny thing is, Axel is already showing me that natural learning is the best route for us.  I frequently find myself trying to force Axel to do something, only to realize half way through it that he is already doing something of his own.  For instance, the other day I was trying to “teach” him how to use his toy hammer.  I was chanting, “see Axel, you hold the hammer right here, and hit it on the ground… hold it here, hit it on the ground… see how mommy does it?… now you try.”  Well, after awhile I gave up, because all he wanted to do was pick up the hammer, switch it from hand to hand, and examine the different sides.  Once I realized that he was learning something important (without my help mind you), I was able to take a step back and happily observe.  He didn’t need me to teach him to do anything.  All he needed was my love, and a smile from me every now and then when he looked up, wondering if he was making me proud.  And, I can honestly say, he was. 

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Ironically, when I stopped trying to teach him how to play, and just played, he started picking up on what I was doing.  Shortly after I let go, and just had fun, he picked up the hammer, pounded it on the ground, and smiled, like it was no big thing.  And, you know what?  To him, it really wasn’t.  He looked at me as if to say, “mom, I’ve got this, don’t worry about me.” 

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It’s hard, if not impossible, not to worry about our children.  They are so precious.  We desire them to have great lives, and the only way we know how to teach them that is to attempt to force them to act like we do, and to learn to do things the way we learned to do them.  We must remember, though, that our purpose is not to make them into miniatures of ourselves, but instead to help them turn into the people they were created to be. 

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This is gonna be a tough one.

February 23, 2010 | Tags: , | 5 Comments »

Natural Parenting Fathers

Welcome to the February Carnival of Natural Parenting: Love and partners!

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This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month we’re writing about how a co-parent has or has not supported us in our dedication to natural parenting. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

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Let me just start by saying that I have the most amazing husband in the world.  He has always been extremely supportive, especially so since Axel’s birth.  He’s been marching right beside me throughout breastfeeding, co-sleeping, EC’ing, cloth diapering, and all the rest of my “natural parenting” ideals.  I am 100% certain that I would have failed miserably at many of those things if he hadn’t been there to not only encourage me, but also to participate.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to put Axel’s undies on to wash, only to find that Patrick has already washed, dried, and put them away.  (That’s on top of him working 45+ hours a week!)  He is THE man.

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A lot of our parenting ideas actually originated with Patrick.  He wants to live naturally.  He wants me to stay home and raise Axel.  He wants to be a good example.  We have the same goals.  We have a unified focus.  I think that’s what marriage is all about.

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It’s not as if we never disagree.  That’s hardly the case.  We have differing opinions on many things, but we usually talk it over, and come to an agreement of some sort.  It just so happens that most of the time we end up with the same thinking on the issues we discuss.  (Although, I’ll admit, sometimes I am quick to throw out Patrick’s ideas, only to later decide that he was right.  I’m a stubborn woman.  Nobody is perfect. :) )

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Luckily, Patrick isn’t perfect either.  He has jumped quite a few hurtles along this natural parenting road.  Co-sleeping is a great example.  Logically, he understands the concept, and truly believes it’s the best possible sleeping situation for our son.  I know that he would have a hard time keeping Axel in a crib, especially in a separate room. 

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Despite all that, he misses me.  Of course, that’s very understandable.  He had me all to himself before our baby boy was born, but now it seems like all my time, love, and above all, both my breasts, are devoted to Axel.  We don’t get to cuddle as much.  We don’t get to talk to each other at night after Axel has gone to sleep due to fear of waking him.  Worst of all, we don’t get to get down and dirty in our own bed!  As Patrick says, he “just needs some lovin’!”

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None the less, he has been the ultimate trouper.  I don’t think I’ve heard him complain even once!  I can sense his annoyance, though.  I don’t think it’s gone as far as him being resentful, but it has caused him some grief, which I hate.  He has been an amazing, and understanding daddy.  I want him to be as happy as possible, which is why I’ve started to find other ways of pleasing him (i.e. – getting naked).  Unfortunately, at this point, there’s not much to work with.  I’m really debating having my sister in law watch Axel for an hour or two every once in awhile, so we can have some time for just us.

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So far, I’ve only left Axel once, for about 2 1/2 hours, and it wasn’t at all planned.  My friend went into labor, and Patrick was unable to get home from work immediately, so I had to leave Axel with his sister.  It was horrid.  I’ve never been that anxious in my life. 

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Maybe I’m the only one who feels this way, but leaving my baby while he’s this young really feels unnatural to me.  I think he’s supposed to be with me right now, all the time.  I realize doing that isn’t even possible for most people, but for me it is, and I think I should take advantage of that privilege.

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I know Patrick gets that.  He trusts my judgement, even when it means he loses out on a little extra attention.  I am so blessed.  I know there are people out there who wish that their spouse was as understanding as mine, so I really need to step up and treat him well.  I want to be as good a wife as he is a husband, even if that means silently doing the deed in our 4 by 4 foot closet at 6am.  He deserves it.

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Carnival of Natural Parenting -- Hobo Mama and Code Name: MamaVisit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

(This list will be updated Feb. 9 with all the carnival links, and all links should be active by noon EST. Go to Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama for the most recently updated list.)

February 9, 2010 | Tags: | 11 Comments »

We Have A Code Wheat, I Mean White

I was reading a book yesterday, and the author brought up something I had never heard before.  It had to do with assigning color codes to people’s levels of awareness (I think it may have originated in the military).  The codes are as follows:
  • White – Unaware
  • Yellow – Attentive
  • Orange – Focus is directed
  • Red – There is a definite threat
  • Black – You are actively fighting

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All of this to say, I recently had a completely code white moment. 

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I decided a few days ago to make apple pie, but I had to substitute oat flour for wheat to make the crust.  I successfully did this without much trouble at all.  Afterwards, I started to heat the sugar mixture on the stove to coat the apples.  At that point, I had forgotten that the syrupy liquid called for a few tablespoons of flour to thicken it up.  Seems like a simple enough dilemma, right?

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Wrong. 

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All I had to do was substitute oat flour like I did with the crust, but I somehow managed to miss that step. 

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I seriously scooped the flour out of our big 5 gallon bucket we keep it in, and it didn’t even dawn on me that I couldn’t eat wheat flour.  Even after going through all the trouble of specifically buying gluten free oat flour!  I couldn’t believe it.  I knew it tasted too good to be true. 

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The sad part is that I didn’t even realize I had eaten wheat until yesterday, four days after the incident.  I was making Patrick an apple pie, yes, another one, with a buckwheat crust (which I wouldn’t recommend, by the way, unless you load up on the sugar!).  I once again started making the sugar mixture on the stove and I almost used the regular white flour… AGAIN!  I stopped myself right before I opened the bucket, and all of the sudden realized that I had done this before, just four days prior.  Ugh.  Talk about frustrating. 

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The somewhat good (and bad) news is that Axel had a reaction to the wheat (or gluten, not sure).  The day after I had eaten it, he broke out with little bumps on his cheeks and his back.  I had attributed it to the oats, which was why I used buckwheat yesterday instead.  I was upset, too, as that meant I had to eliminate those from my diet as well (not that I was eating them often, but occasionally it’s nice to have something other than beans, rice, or potatoes). 

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At least now I know it wasn’t the oats, and I also know that I officially can’t have wheat.  Bummer.  Oh well, it’s all worth it for my baby boy.

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Tomorrow I’ll be doing a blog post for the carnival of natural parenting, so check it out if you like!  Also, on Wednesday, I’m going to try to write about our vegan batch cooking experience last Saturday.  There doesn’t seem to be much info on the subject, and I’m sure there is someone out there who could use some.  Thanks to all who read (my blog, that is, although reading in general is okay, too :) ).

February 8, 2010 | Tags: | No Comments »
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