Have You Tried the Coffee Nap?
I first read about the “coffee nap” during my baby’s first sleep regression. Now, we’re in this funky place where he really only naps for one sleep cycle, so 22 minutes. On the button! It’s...
View ArticleSupporting Breastfeeding at Family Functions
I’ve breastfed babies in lots of public places. I’ve nursed my boys everywhere from a boat in Belize to a bench at the zoo. I often expect to get the stink-eye. Sometimes I sort of dare someone to say...
View ArticleAre You the Default Parent?
Have you read this great article that’s been circulating, about this idea of a “Default Parent“? It resonates with me so deeply, particularly as I spent last week sitting by the computer waiting for...
View ArticleYour Amazing Montgomery Glands
I’m tandem nursing my toddler and my infant. Currently, my toddler has some sort of virus. I’m nursing him more frequently to help hydrate him and sometimes that means popping one kid off the breast...
View ArticleBreastfeeding Without Birthing: Latching An Adopted Newborn
When Pittsburgher Danielle Edwards found out she would be unable to have children biologically, she says she felt totally fine with the idea of adoption. What made her upset was the idea of losing out...
View ArticleCrying Rooms: Do You Breastfeed in Your Place of Worship?
My family checked out a new church this weekend. When we got there, we were greeted by some very friendly members, who escorted my toddler to the nursery and showed our kindergartener where to go for...
View ArticleBreastfeeding Without Birthing: Exclusive Pumping
Angela Soo Hoo gave birth to her eldest sons, Nicolas (11) and Landon (7), and breastfed them without issue. She and her husband, Luke, planned to adopt a third child. For Angela, breastfeeding is...
View ArticleWhat Is Domperidone, Anyway?
In the past few weeks, we’ve been blogging about mothers who have induced lactation and used Domperdione to help do so (see here and here). Other mothers we’ve been in contact with have used...
View ArticleScheduling Pump Breaks at Work
As a freelance writer, I enjoy a very flexible schedule. This is fantastic in terms of pumping milk for my baby during my work day. Ordinarily, I just set my timer to pump, put down my work, and hop to...
View ArticleBreastfeeding Without Birthing: Changing Plans
Christine Barker was still nursing her third biological child, a toddler, when her family began looking to adopt a fourth child. Barker had had no issues nursing her first three children and was...
View ArticleCoping with Colic: Tips for Mom
I spent my first months of motherhood pacing barefoot around my neighborhood, bleary with exhaustion. Does he have colic, people used to ask when my first son was born. It seemed like such an...
View ArticleDo You Ever Dream of a Vacation?
This morning, when I went to the bathroom, my kids became so frantic looking for me that the five-year-old proposed making a map to find me. Also? It’s February and -5 degrees F. Today, dear readers,...
View ArticleFree Grocery Store Childcare? Sold!
One of my favorite days as a parent so far was July 17, 2012–the day my oldest son turned 3 and, thus, eligible for the free childcare at our grocery store. This happened about a week before my...
View ArticleBecoming a Milk Donor: Shipping Liquid Gold
I did it! I saved and donated 200 ounces of breastmilk to the Mother’s Milk Bank in Columbus, Ohio!Earlier, I posted about my journey to get here, how I needed to supplement my milk for my first son...
View ArticleFamily Info Cards for Babysitters
Once I had more than one child, it got trickier to keep writing notes for new caregivers. We had to repeatedly write out our address, both of our contact information, allergy info…it just got to be a...
View ArticleKeeping a Crawler Safe from Big Brothers
Image sourceMy older two boys have become accustomed to trashing our house by now. I’m either changing, nursing, or napping the baby and haven’t been very present to intervene, you see. Every surface...
View ArticleHow to Spend Your Maternity Leave
While pregnant with my first child, I had visions of a decadent maternity leave. The first week, I imagined, I’d probably be a bit sore and tired, so I’d likely sleep a lot and just chill with my...
View ArticleCommon Root Causes of Supply Concerns
Lots of breastfeeding mothers have concerns about their milk supply, especially if they don’t haveImage sourceclose friends and family members who breastfed to set an example or offer support. If you...
View ArticleLet Elomi Elevate Your Enormous Bosom
I’ve always had an ample bosom. That’s not entirely true–I still feel the sting of hurt from eighth grade math class when AJ slid a calculator across the table and it said “BOOBLESS.” I sure showedLook...
View ArticleSorting Kids’ Seasonal Wardrobes
I need some pointers. I’ve finally reached a point where my bins of kids’ clothes are not organized, where I have no idea if anyone has pants that fit, and what to do with all the extra stuff that...
View Article