Mama wants MudPie!

Today's post is a guest blog by Amanda Argo. She asked if she could do something to help us get Mud Pie!

Until my daughter was born, I had never favored frilly, cutesy clothes.  We frequently bought our Godson clothes as an infant and toddler, but I always seemed to prefer the ones that made him look like the little man that he was – Button Up shirts/Collared Polo Shirts with khakis or blue jeans and a belt.  The 2 years we were able take him to church with us on Easter, I didn’t buy cutesy rompers or the cotton overalls (I think they’re called Johnny somethings...), he wore a button up with matching tie with khakis and dress shoes one year, and the next he had a suit (ages 2-3).  

Once my daughter was born, I discovered the popular line MudPie.  There are only 2 suppliers of MudPie here in Huntsville, and while they shall remain nameless, I went in both stores while pregnant and was made to feel extremely uncomfortable and snubbed by the way I was talked to, and in how they never offered help finding something.  Several times I have asked if A Nurturing Moment would be getting the line, and it wasn’t until recently that Glenni said yes :0).  

I checked with Glenni today because I wanted something cute for my daughter to wear to the Easter Egg Hunt at our church next weekend.  I was sad when she told me they weren’t able to get MudPie because the Sales Rep felt that the 2 local stores who already carry the line were sufficient.  So, long story short, I contacted MudPie Customer Service and was directed to the regional Sales Rep who could offer nothing but an apology when I told her I would no longer be ordering their items online or even buying them second hand in consignment shops.  

My theory is that if I’m going to pay that much for a single outfit, I want to buy it from someone who values their relationship with their customers.  She also mentioned that the stores were strategically located in town, but what about the population from the south end of town or those of us who frequent ANM?  I know that with gas being $3.80 a gallon in most places I want to consolidate my trips and I’m not going to drive that far out of my way just for an outfit.  

SO, I would like all my MudPie-adoring-ANM-loving-Rudeness-hating-Gas-saving-Action-taking mommy pals (and fellow customers) to join with me in standing to bring this line to our favorite store :D  The regional sales rep’s name is Sherry and her number is 205-533-4447 and feel free to tell her I gave you the number :D

ANM Mommies Unite!

Breastfeeding Isn't Just a Lifestyle Choice

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently taken its strongest stand ever in favor of breastfeeding. In the current issue of Pediatrics, they make this statement: "Given the documented short- and long-term medical and neurodevelopmental advantages of breastfeeding, infant nutrition should be considered a public health issue and not only a lifestyle choice." This is encouraging news for breastfeeding advocates because it reinforces the message we've been giving mothers for years. It isn't a matter of breast milk being a superior food. The fact is that human milk is the standard food for human babies. Anything else is an inferior substitute.

I will be the first to aggressively defend a mother who, for reasons beyond her control, has had to resort to using some infant formula to help her baby. It's kind of like using medication when you have to. Nobody wants to keep a child on medication unnecessarily, but what a blessing that the medication exists for those babies who need it!

However, I hope that this AAP statement will open the door for more honest dialogue between doctors (both Ob/Gyn's and Pediatricians) and their patients. When a doctor tells a mother that it doesn't really matter how she feeds her baby, it may serve to undermine her confidence and her belief in breastfeeding. With the advent of this new policy statement, any doctor who doesn't actively support and encourage every patient to breastfeed is either unaware of the research contained in this document, or truly doesn't sincerely care that his or her patients might receive substandard immunological protection.

So what has happened over the last ten years to warrant such a strong statement from the AAP? The statement acknowledges that methodological issues have been raised about some of the studies that have been done. However, the data upon which this statement is based comes from the report prepared by the Evidence-based Practice Centers of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) of the US Department of Health Human Services. It clearly shows that babies who are not exclusively breastfed for 6 months have a 77% higher chance of developing ear infections and a 63% greater chance of contracting an upper respiratory infection.

In many public health sectors, there is a growing emphasis on wellness and prevention of illness as opposed to treatment. The illnesses that breastfeeding helps prevent include asthma, RSV, Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), Leukemia, Celiac Disease, atopic dermatitis, gastroenteritis and Diabetes (Types 1 and 2), and numerous other conditions. It also reduces the risk of SIDS by 36%.  Another way to look at this data is to see that using infant formula increases an infant's chances of having these conditions.

In this document, the AAP also emphasizes the importance of work-place support for breastfeeding mothers. They cite The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed by Congress in March 2010 which mandates that employers provide “reasonable break time” for nursing mothers and private non-bathroom areas to express breast milk during their workday.

We encourage all mothers to discuss this new AAP statement with your Ob/Gyn and and your pediatrician. Here at A Nurturing Moment, we will do all we can to help you as you nurse your baby, but it makes a big difference if your health care providers offer their support as well. If you have a particularly supportive doctor, please leave a comment so others will know how wonderful he or she is. (Positive comments only, please.)

The Truth About Teen Pregnancy

Yesterday I came across something that a young woman I know wrote.She gave birth to a beautiful little girl a couple of years ago. I had the privilege of helping her nurse in the early days. She is an outstanding mother who has graduated from high school and is now in college. But it hasn't been easy for her or for her fiancee.

I hope this post will make a  difference in the life of a teenage girl somewhere.

Teen Pregnancy
by Lizzy Joan Fairchild

I've been wanting to write a note on teen pregnancy for a while. I've been asked a lot of questions regarding what it's like being a teen mom and such, and I know there are other people with questions about it who just don't want to ask. So here's some I'm asked most frequently.

What's it like being a teen mom?

That's kind of a hard one. I mean, just like becoming a mom at any age, you're priorities have to change entirely, the way you do simple, daily tasks, your relationships with certain people will probably change, and, if your pregnancy is unplanned, your future plans are bound to change. So, being a teenager, you just add in a few more things. Minimum wage job, not having your own place, and not yet having your high school diploma definitely make things more difficult. (Although I NOW have my diploma; it's much easier to get it when you're not raising a kid at the same time.)

Did you plan on getting pregnant?

I'm surprised I get this so often... I actually planned on NEVER having any kids. I never thought of myself as a mom. I love it now; but no, I definitely did not plan on getting pregnant.

Are you still with the daddy?

Yes, and we're very happy together. But I give the credit to God entirely. He definitely was the one that made our relationship work.

Is Billy a good dad?

I think he's an awesome one! :) And not just "for a teenager." He really wants to be the best dad possible for Adalynn. However, I know for a fact that the majority of teen dads are not as caring as Billy. He's gone through a lot of stuff in his life that matured him very young and, of course, having God in his life has made him a great father.

What do you use for birth control now?

Well, the only one that's 100% efficient at preventing pregnancy! Abstinence. For religious reasons and to be good role models for Adalynn when she's older.

Are you going to go to college?

Yes, I am :) First, though, I'm going to take classes at the Red Cross to become a nurse assistant. Then, I'm going to give myself a while to figure out what exactly I want to do (probably something in the medical field, though.) But I have my heart completely set on going to college, and I have a fiance and parents who I know will MAKE SURE I do! haha :)

Now, I know there are people who don't care about statistics but I really like them. Seeing things in numbers helps me to understand and I'm hoping it'll help a few others out there. So here are a few statistics about teen pregnancy.

For the girls who think a baby will bring your boyfriend closer;

80% of teen parents never marry.

Over 60% of teenage mothers won't graduate from high school.

Almost 25% of teen moms become pregnant within two years following their first birth.

82% of teen pregnancies are unintended.

Less than 2% of women who were teen moms get a college diploma by the age of 30.

80% of teen moms who don't marry will depend on welfare.

The daughters of teen parents are 22% more likely to become pregnant as a teen, as well.

Sons of teen parents are 13% more likely to end up in prison.

Out of all teen pregnancies, only 57% end in birth.

14% of teen pregnancies end in miscarriage.

Very, very sadly: 29% of teen pregnancies end in abortion.

Some of these facts were found at these websites

http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-pregnancy/teen-pregnancy-statistics.html

http://womensissues.about.com/od/datingandsex/tp/Teenpregancy.htm

http://www.pregnantteenhelp.org/statistics/teen-pregnancy-statistics/

If you want more information, I also know of these sites

http://kidshealth.org/teen/

http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/