Baby Einstein

Dear Junebug,

I know how you feel... this is the same look I had on my face when I was sitting in algebra class in 8th grade. Do what you can.

XO

Mommy

Mommy Tips: Got Milk?

OK... This is your definitive guide to producing more breast milk... I'm obsessed with making more more more! The goal here is to pump anywhere from 4 to 8 oz each session. It's critical to have extra because you can freeze it and it's good for six months. As a working Mommy I better come home with at least 12 oz of milk from the office or else.

Got too much frozen milk in the freezer?! Donate it to the local hospital for babies who are in intensive care and need it (I wish I had this problem). Listed below are the best tips for producing more milk:

1. Drink LOTS of water!

Drinking water is key to your milk production. Try to drink an entire glass of water every time you nurse and then drink more.

2. The law of supply and demand...

The more you feed or pump the more milk your body makes. So increase the number of times a day you either feed or pump.

3. Fenu greek capsules

According to Breastfeeding.com - Fenugreek seeds contain hormone precursors that increase milk supply. Scientists do not know for sure how this happens. Some believe it is possible because breasts are modified sweat glands, and fenugreek stimulates sweat production. It has been found that fenugreek can increase a nursing mother's milk supply within 24 to 72 hours after first taking the herb. Once an adequate level of milk production is reached, most women can discontinue the fenugreek and maintain the milk supply with adequate breast stimulation. Many women today take fenugreek in a pill form (ground seeds placed in capsules). The pills can be found at most vitamin and nutrition stores and at many supermarkets and natural foods stores. Fenugreek can also be taken in tea form, although tea is believed to be less potent than the pills and the tea comes with a bitter taste that can be hard to stomach.

4. Dark Beer

One dark beer a day is a very common way women increase milk production. Since I am sober I had to find an alternative to alcohol and it's a great one! Cuban Malta... a non-alcoholic beer and can be found at any local Cuban market. I like Malta Hatuey or India. Only one downside... it has ALOT of sugar - about 40g per serving but it works! Serve very cold... even over ice works great. Some Doctors claim that alcohol could decrease milk supply... it's the hops in the dark beer that helps so you might as well go the non-alcoholic route just to be safe.

5. Fresh Pineapple

If you look online for information on pineapple and breast feeding you will find that most people say that pineapple shouldn't be eaten while breast feeding because of it's acidic value which causes gas in babies. Well, our Nanny turned me on to this remedy and it has hands down been the best in causing a spike in milk production. I say try it.

6. Atole de Maiz (Cornflower drink)

Anyone who is latin knows what atole is. It's a gruel made by boiling Indian corn, or maize, pounded to flour, in water, and also in milk. Here's a link to the recipe - Atole de Maiz. It tastes like paste so one good tip is to add some cinnamon sticks into the mix. It works!

7. Mother's Milk Tea

There are several teas on the market that claim to benefit and increase milk production. Yogi Tea brand makes a good one. My lactation consultant told me this tea doesn't do anything for milk production but you know what? I drink it anyway! You never know! Make it into iced tea and drink tons of it... it's a healthy beverage.

State of the Union: 4 Months

Weight: 13lbs. 2 oz.

Length: 23 1/2 inches

Activities: smiling, laughing hysterically, tummy time, grabbing and gripping toys, pulling mommy's hair and scratching mommy's face, trying to crawl, screaming and screeching, trying to sit up by herself, trying to roll over, noticing the dog, enjoying music and books, sleeping 12 hours at night with one feeding in between... fighting the day time nap schedule (aargh)

The PEACE and LOVE Party...

Dear Junebug,

Your bestie Ruby had her 1st birthday party and it was the baby social event of the Summer! There were ponies draped in daisy garlands, red velvet cupcakes, peace and love gift bags, folk singers, a teepee and even an amazing baby drum circle. Ruby's Mommy and Daddy were beaming with joy and it was so great to see the outpouring of love from friends and family for little Ruby. I don't know if you'll ever see a pile of presents as big as hers but you can always pray! By the way, Ruby sent out her thank you cards within a couple days of the party... seeing as she's your older friend I hope you will learn a lot from her incredible class and etiquette.

Peace and Love,

Mommy

Guilty Pleasure: The Suri Cruise Fashion Blog!

Dear Junebug,

A guilty pleasure is known as something one considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it. Fashion and food can be examples of guilty pleasures (according to Wikipedia). One of Mommy's guilty pleasures is reading the Suri Cruise Fashion blog. Suri has great style and I love seeing her fashion choices. I want you to know that you were born into a society that worships celebrity which I think is sad and wrong. But there is nothing wrong with being inspired by someone who has great style as little Miss Suri has proven. Just look at this D+G baby dress! Stop it right now, Suri! You are too cute!

XO

Mommy

Junebug takes Manhattan!

Dear Junebug,

You survived your first trip to the "Big Apple"... New York City. It doesn't surprise me that you are that kind of tough little cookie.... I guess this little apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

XO

Mommy

A rainy day in East Hampton...

Dear Junebug,

Your Uncles David and Bob let us stay in their lovely East Hampton cottage and we had a blast. Even a rainy day in East Hampton feels magical. We love all the purple hydrangea, the great shops, the yummy food... and how surprisingly friendly everyone is (Mommy has snobby rich people phobia). We can't wait to go back!

XO

Mommy

Mommy Tips: All hail Dr. Karp!

There is one topic that I never thought I would have to blog about... "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Dr. Harvey Karp. I thought EVERYONE knew about Dr. Karp and his "5 S's" technique in soothing a crying baby. Well, apparently I was wrong! I keep meeting people that don't so I must share now. If there is one thing you need to watch, listen to, practice it should be this technique because it is a lifesaving God send. I have no idea how I would've gotten through the first 4-6 weeks of June's life without it. Dr. Karp teaches that the first 3 months of a baby's life should be treated like a 4th trimester and that babies don't need to cry for more than 60 seconds. Babies should live in an environment that resembles the womb in order to keep them calm and soothed at all times. This is achieved through the 5 S's... Swaddle, Side, Shhh, Swing and Suck. You start with swaddling and then you go from there. You MUST have this book to survive... Trust. Above is a picture of Junebug swaddled, on her side, white noise coming out of the sleep sheep in her ear (shhhh) and sucking on a pacifier all at the same time... happy as a clam.

P.S. get the DVD over the book

P.P.S.S. I hear his technique on dealing with toddlers is horrible so don't buy that thinking he knows it all. I guess Harvey Karp isn't God but he sure is a genius when it comes to infants.

(www.amazon.com)

Mommy Tips: Inspiration!

Gwen Stefani has informed the world that her six pack abs are the result of nursing and jogging... well, i got one of those down... i guess i better start jogging and stop eating pasta!

Mommy Tips: Just sing... sing a song...

Any Mommy book you buy will tell you - sing to your baby. Singing to your baby is very important because it helps them develop language skills and it's a great way to soothe and calm a baby. When Junebug first came home the whole singing thing kinda stressed me out. First of all, I don't think I'm the greatest singer so I got worried that I sound like an idiot... you get over that real quick as the baby really doesn't mind when you don't hit the notes. But worst of all - what song do I sing?! You want to sing something pretty and soothing but most times in the moment, it's hard to think of a song that fits all of the above. So I just threw all those self imposed rules away and just started singing whatever came to mind. What's most important is to sing... sing anything! Here are the most sung tunes around the nursery:

1) "The Oompa Loompa song" - Don't ask me why... it's easy and it's rhythmic and one day it just started coming out of my mouth -

"OOMPA LOOMPA DOOMPADEE DOO

I'VE GOT A PERFECT PUZZLE FOR YOU
OOMPA LOOMPA, DOOMPADAH DEE
IF YOU ARE WISE YOU'LL LISTEN ME...
OOMPA LOOMPA DOOMPADEE DAH
IF YOU'RE NOT GREEDY YOU WILL GO FAR
YOU WILL LIVE IN HAPPINESS TOO
LIKE THE OOMPA LOOMPA DOOMPADEE DO

DOOMPADEE DOO"

2) The Free Credit Report dot com jingle- You can file this one under Mommy watches too much TV!

"F-R-E-E that spells FREE... credit report dot com baby; blah blah blah blah blah blah; credit report dot com baby!"

3) The Pirates of the Caribbean Disneyland ride song - come on! you know how it goes - "yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me"... that's right... this one can be chocked up to Mommy is going delirious and having flashbacks to childhood.

4) Tito's Tacos jingle - I guess only someone who watches too much TV would sing this to their baby - "I love titos tacos, you love titos too, I love titos tacos, what else can you do -oo? you know we've got delicious burritos, tacos, enchiladas too... the only thing better than tito's tacos is TWO!"

5) "This Little Piggy Went to Market" - this is probably the sweetest, nicest song in my repertoire. I stole the arrangement from a CD called jazz lullabies. Most of it goes the same as the rhyme but when you get to the "this little piggy went weeeeeeee.... all the way home" it's changed to "this little piggy went wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee.... all the way home" - Junebug goes crazy - she loves it!