Any and all advertisements you might see on this website are 100% uncompensated recommendations.
I like Sinupret because it looks clean, is well-tested and I think it works.
I recommend Erbaorganics because they're very clear about the percentage of organic ingredients in each of their products. At one time, I received some free samples from these two companies. I no longer do.
If you buy my DVD, I think I get about fifty cents. Unless you choose to buy thousands and thousands of my books, I'll never see one penny in royalties.
Jay
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Visit www.erbaorganics.com |
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Visit www.bionoricausa.com |
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Visit the Natural Child Project Website |
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By Cheryl Taylor, CBE
The identification
of a strike, versus weaning, is simple. Weaning is something that
happens gradually over several weeks or months with baby or child
dropping a single nursing at a time. A strike is something that
happens abruptly. Baby or child is nursing several times a day and
suddenly stops completely. Sometimes it is impossible to ascertain
the cause of a strike, but the solution is the same regardless of
the cause. Things
that can cause a strike:
- A separation
from mother that is longer than the child is typically accustomed
to having between nursing sessions
- An illness that
is causing a stuffy nose, making it difficult to breath while
nursing
- An illness causing
a sore mouth or throat
- Nipple confusion
caused by artificial nipples and/or pacifiers
- Teething pain
- Pain while in
the nursing position, due to an ear infection or injury
- Too many distractions
in the nursing environment, such as other children, phone, etc.
drawing the baby's attention away from nursing
- A dramatic reaction
to baby having bitten you while nursing
Tips for surviving
a strike to nurse again:
- Don't force
it. Offer the breast OFTEN but don't try to force baby to nurse
if he doesn't want to. Remain cheerful. Say "Ok, we'll
nurse later then."
- Do NOT offer
any bottles or artificial nipples!!!! This is VERY important.
If you want to offer some water or EBM, do so only in a sippy
cup. By keeping nursing as the only means by which they
can meet their sucking needs, it will help to draw them back
to nursing.
- Offer the breast
when baby is sleepy or even asleep. Sometimes "unconsciousness"
allows them to forget why they refused to nurse.
- If baby likes
baths, get in with him and offer to nurse in the bath. Often
times a change of pace/place will encourage a baby back to the
breast.
- DO NOT REPLACE
NURSINGS WITH SOLIDS OR ABM (formula). He will not starve and
he will not dehydrate in the few hours to couple of days it
takes to break a strike. If you replace his nursings with other
things, he has no motivation to return to the breast. He must
grasp the message that his needs MUST be met at the breast.
Your supply will not be irreparably compromised in the time
it takes to break a strike, but you must commit to break it
if you want to emerge on the other side nursing.
- Sling him. If
you don't have a sling at least carry him often. Keep him close
to you and close to your breasts. Try to sing to him to keep
him calm and comfortable. Try walking with him in your arms/sling
and nursing him while walking.
- If your baby's
nose is stuffy, use a few drops of breastmilk in the nose prior
to nursing. It will help to clear out the congestions by loosening
it as well as provide some of the wonderful antibacterial qualities
in breastmilk to fend off a sinus infection. A baby that is
stuffy feels like they are being suffocated when they attempt
to nurse. Alleviating that feeling that they will smother will
help them latch on with less fear.
- If you suspect
teething is the cause for the strike, you may want to consider
a pain reliever. Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen (for babies
older than six months) or a combination of the two in alteration
may give enough pain relief that baby can latch on. There are
other ways to get some pain relief, like putting a wet washcloth
in the frig or freezer and giving to baby to suck on prior to
attempting to latch. Some babies like their gums rubbed. Experiment
and find a way to give some relief
- Try other positions.
Avoid the usual "nursing chair" because if he's upset,
he'll associate you sitting in that chair with whatever's hurting/uncomfortable
about nursing.
- Remember that
a striking baby is no happier about the situation than you are.
They want to nurse but for some reason can't or won't.
- Try not to worry.
This is HARD!!! You can feel rejected, hurt, scared, and confused.
It's normal. But remember - he's uncomfortable - he's not rejecting
you. If you help him he will return to the breast. He wants
you to help him through this. You must be more stubborn than
he is.
- This is not
weaning. It helps to remember that. Weaning is a slow and gradual
cessation of nursing. A strike is sudden and abrupt. He needs
your help to return to the breast. He wants to, he just needs
a lot of reassurance that it's ok. It's your job as a mother
to know that it's too early for him to wean and is in the best
interest of his health and emotional welfare to return to nursing.
- You may need
to pump to keep yourself comfortable if baby won't nurse at
all. If you do, that's ok. Just pump and store your milk, or
hand express it if you don't have a pump. You can offer it to
him in a sippy cup or freeze it for an emergency stash. This
will also help if you're concerned about supply. But you'll
need to take care of yourself so you don't get engorged and
end up with plugged ducts or mastitis. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen
for any discomfort and don't forget to keep drinking your water.
- Try to nap/sleep
with baby. A strike is an exhausting time for you and baby and
you need to be well rested physically and emotionally to get
through it.
11/2002 |
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