Hi, Welcome to Magic Milk

      

 I've been trying to write this first blog for months. I tried writing, typing, hoping it would just come out of my head and magically create itself. Instead, I would feel inspired, a span of time with no one to attend to, a great idea and then BAM, just like that it came and went. Home life keeps moving on. So please bear with me because A. I need to write this to know that I can still communicate with the outside world (I know many moms know the feeling) B. Breastfeeding is awesome and C. Did I mention Breastfeeding is awesome?

       First, a little bit of personal background: I'm a mother to three great children, two boys and a girl. My oldest son, Basketball Boy, is my c-section baby. He was my smallest baby at 7lb 14oz., and nursed for thirteen months. He self weaned due to my pregnancy with his sister, which caused a drop in supply, combined with poor knowledge of extended breastfeeding on my part. My second baby, Flower Girl, was my first VBAC (vaginal birth after a cesarean) and my biggest baby weighing in at 8lb 11oz. She nursed for sixteen months and self weaned due to her father and I separating, the subsequent divorce being too stressful for me to cope with and, again, lack of knowledge on my part. Having my first two children twenty months apart at the age of twenty-one and twenty-three was an eye opener. Needless to say, I was thrust into motherhood and all it entailed with little ones in the home. My third baby, Hoss, came at a time when I was much more experienced as a mother. I had time, education, and perspective under my belt. He still threw me for a loop and that has led me to where I am now. He has been nursing for twenty-nine months and counting. He was born via VBAC on his guess date weighing 8lb 4oz and has literally demanded I change as a parent, as a woman, and as a human being.

My  family-2011

    Now, a little bit of educational background: I have been fascinated with pregnancy and breastfeeding ever since I was a child. I remember studying the anatomical pregnancy and lactating breast pictures in a woman’s health encyclopedia of my mother's. Shortly after I had my second child, I became a certified doula, which I loved, but it was difficult to be on call once I became a single parent of two toddlers. I started college shortly after my husband and I separated and, although I tried with all of my might, going through a divorce with two small toddlers, moving back home, and attending nursing school nearly killed me (did you know you can have the flu, mono, and scarlet fever all at the same time?). I was a semester away from graduating and, due to severe test anxiety (had no clue at the time), I failed a final exam by half of a point (don't change your answers!). God was telling me that becoming an RN was not in the cards at the time. (If only I hadn't spent a crazy amount of money before I figured that out). I really would love to have a nursing career and eventually fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a midwife - just not right now. So, here I am. Since nursing school, I have been a stay at home mother and have added homeschooler to the mix. What does all this mean? Well, it means that I am passionate about my role as a mother and as a breastfeeding advocate. So why Magic Milk?

       When I was twenty, I was pregnant with my first baby and I clearly remember the flood of questions that came at me from good-intentioned and curious mothers, family, friends, and even strangers in the check out line. “When are you due?” “Boy or Girl?” “What type of paci, soap, diapers?” But the only time I remember anyone asking if I was breastfeeding (other than in my birthing class or at the Dr.'s office) was in the hospital. I had not taken any classes or asked a ton of questions, but I read a lot of books and was lucky to have a family that was supportive in my choice to breastfeed. Yet, once my son was born, the flood of unsolicited infant feeding advice was more than I could take. Already dealing with the disappointment of an urgent c-section, breastfeeding was something to keep me focused on the positive and gave me a sense of accomplishment as a new mother. After all of the breastfeeding horror/bashing stories or “formula is just like/better than breast milk” comments, I knew I would be lucky if I could nurse him at all, let alone to my projected three month mark (my ex mother in law insisted on keeping a can of formula in her house, just in case). Let the nursing journey begin!

      Luckily for me, nursing came pretty naturally for both my baby and myself; but that being said, there are still concerns, doubts, and problematic situations that arise in even the best breastfeeding relationships. Top all of that with, shall we say, misinformed (but well-meaning) friends and family and a society that is more than a bit squeamish at the *gasp* sight of a mother putting a baby/toddler/child to breast. (We all know that this same society prefers all women to keep their breasts covered at all times. Ha…ha…ha… (sarcasm). It's no wonder that breastfeeding in modern America is one of the biggest feats a woman can conquer. But, it is the most invaluable, all-love-giving, ever-abundant, full-of-sweet-yummy-germ-killing-goodness, knows-no-limits resource our world has to offer. This is why, my friends, I welcome you to Magic Milk. I want to share with you all of the great things breastfeeding our babies and toddlers has to offer not only babies, but ourselves, our partners, family/friends, and ultimately communities. The evidence-based data is there to prove it. I also believe there is nothing like being taught by experience. I want to create a place for mothers to come support and share with each other, a place where we can encourage each other through the rough patches and congratulate each other on providing the best of ourselves to our children - knowing better and doing better. Welcome Magic Milk Mamas! (And Supporters!)  

I want to give a big thank you to April and Billy at BillyFann.com. They have done all of our graphics on our Facebook page and have been working on our soon to come official website! They are a great couple as well as awesome parents and have a work ethic like no other couple I've seen!