'Tis the Season

Often I reflect upon my blessings when I am nursing.  It gives me a chance to sit down, most times (as I have perfected the walking-nursing-getting-the-second-child-food- position ;).  And, I notice that my older child slowdowns as well, from my lead. As the media hypes these coming weeks as the "busy season," know that the time spent with your nursing child is such a blessing to them and to you - both in body, mind and spirit! 

The holidays approaching us are all connected by the genuine love of community and feelings of making this world a better place. Thank you for being a part of the LLL community, you have made our area of the world a better place.  May you and your family fully rejoice in all the blessings of this times, the joy in each other, and the peace in your hearts.

Many BLLLessings,
Erin Abrams, LLL Leader of Sturbridge, MA

Previous Meeting Notes: Weaning the Four Chambers of the Heart. 
This month's meeting we talked about how weaning begins as soon as your child starts eating their first foods, some is mother-led and the luckiest children are self-weaned.  The attached doc. helps with if you are struggling with the question: "Is it time to wean my child or should I let it be self weaned?"  Each chamber of the heart represents you and your child's needs - which ever has the most filled or the strongest values, should be that person's choice.  Please see ATTACHED WEANING DOC.

LLL Leader Meeting:
Monthly meeting of Leader, Leader Applicants and potential Leader Applicants that would like to explore how they can support breastfeeding mothers in our community.
Date: Dec. 4th
Time: 12:30 PM (just before the Toddler Playgroup)
Location:  Southbridge Saving's Bank on Rt. 20 in Sturbridge
Bring snacks/lunch for your kids.
If you have ever thought of giving back, please join us or click on this link: http://www.llli.org/LAD/TaLLL/TaLLL.html  to see if becoming a leader is something that fits into you and your family's lives. 

Toddler Playgroup:
Open to all mothers that have toddler's nursing and siblings or plan to nurse through toddler-hood.
Date: Dec. 4th (**2nd Tues. of the month - this month is the 1st due to the Holidays))
Time: 1 - 3pm
Location: Southbridge Savings Bank - Sturbridge on Rt. 20
Please join us in some early Holliday celebration as we do craft and story that focuses on all religions.  The craft will be a celebration of lights with candle holder making and stories that span many spiritual backgrounds. Please respond to the evite that Beth sent out, so we have a general headcount - If you did not receive an evite - please email info@lllsturbridge.org.

Moms Night Out
This is a time for us moms to have some "me" time with friends.  Come join us for some well deserve fun!!
Date: Dec. 7th
Time: 4-6pm
Location: Thai Place on Rt. 20 (next to Country Curtains)
Beth Sadecki's cell phone: (508) 207-5759.

LLL Family Gathering
Holiday Gathering
Date: Dec. 13th, Saturday
Time: 4PM
Location: Home of Laryssa Robideau: 626 Henshaw St., Rochdale, MA 01542
If you did not receive an evite - please email info@lllsturbridge.org.

Thanks Laryssa for hosting!!

Every few months we would like to have the whole family come together where father's can meet, older children can play and us moms can marvel at how wonderful our families are and deepen our community.  If you would like to host a gathering, please email Erin Abrams at info@lllsturbridge.org.

Nighttime Meeting:
Open to all nursing mothers and mothers that have nursed, nursing children welcomed to meeting.
Date: Dec. 18th (3rd Thurs. of each month)
Time: 7-8:30PM
Topic: Medical Miracle of Mother Nature's Perfect Food (Your questions and concerns are top priority.)
Location: Earth Spirits on Rt. 20 in Sturbridge
Our night time meeting is a time for mothers to uphold the LLL traditions - mother-to-mother support.  If LLL has helped supported you and your child in breastfeeding, please consider attending a meeting and offer another new nursing mom your support with your experience and stories of your adventure through breastfeeding.  Even though we have a leader facilitating the group, other stories and experiences are valuable to helping other nursing moms.
Click here for directions.

Daytime Playgroup:
Open to all ages
Date: Dec. 19th (4th Friday of each month - this month is the 3rd due to the Holidays)
Time: 10-11:00 AM
Location: Sturbridge Federated Church
Click here for directions.

Help Support the Efforts to Appeal the Southbridge Dump by Celebrating our Community!  Join fellow citizens at a fundraising dinner and gift auction to support current and future efforts to preserve and protect our local environment and the viability of our community.  Friday, Dec. 5th at 6:30 PM at the Publick House.  Tickets are $50.

There will be dinner, live music and an auction.  Please come and have a great time! If you can't make it, please send in a donation.  R.A.T.S need help with costs associated to fighting this battle.  Read more about it and purchase tickets! 

I plan to attend!!,
Erin

More that you can do:
Please go online and sign the petition to support the actions of R.A.T.S. and oppose Casella's plan: http://www.petitiononline.com/41308/petition.html

Recent Study Published: Breastfeeding Leads to Better-Behaved Kids!

Wed, Oct 29, 2008 (Reuters Health) — Breastfeeding may have a positive influence on behavior in early childhood, according to results of a study presented Wednesday at the American Public Health Association's annual meeting in San Diego.

In the study, parents of 1- to 5-year-old children who were breastfed as infants were 15 percent less likely to report concern for the child's behavior than parents of kids who were not breastfed.

In addition, breastfed children were 37 percent less likely to have doctor-diagnosed behavior or conduct problems or to have received mental health care.

The findings -- based on more than 100,000 interviews with parents or guardians on the health of their children conducted as part of the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health -- also support studies that have showed that breastfeeding enhances intellectual ability in children.

Specifically, parents of breastfed children were 23 percent less apt to report concern about their child's ability to learn, according to study presenter and lead researcher Dr. Katherine Hobbs Knutson from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

"Although correlations between breastfeeding and childhood cognition are well supported by research, our findings provide new evidence for a lesser understood issue of whether breastfeeding may also influence childhood emotional development," Knutson told Reuters Health.

"Our research is promising, indicating that human milk may be protective against childhood behavioral disorders," she concluded.

Powdered Baby Formula Could Be Dangerous For Some Infants by Dave Savini

CHICAGO (CBS) ― A warning for parents: Milk-based powdered formula could put premature babies at risk. 

And it is a possible cause for the death of an infant born at Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora and other babies across the country. 

Connor McGray and his twin brother, Logan, were born prematurely on Nov. 16, 2007, at Rush-Copley. 

Connor appeared to be the healthier of the two — until a week later when their parents, Amanda Carlin and Tim McGray of Somonauk, received a call from a doctor at the hospital, saying the infant was lethargic and refusing to eat. 

Doctors discovered Connor had meningitis, McGray said, and "they basically told us, all we could do (was) pray." 

The baby died at home on May 3, 2008, five months after he was born. 
The cause of death listed on the baby's death certificate is hydrocephalus and bacterial meningitis. The bacterial infection, according to a memo from the Illinois Department of Public Health, "may be associated with the consumption of a powdered breast milk fortifier." 

Full article, click: http://cbs2chicago.com/local/baby.formula.tainted.2.863980.html
 

Every Friday from 1-3PM some LLL friends and other local homeschooling families take over the top gym at the YMCA in Southbridge.  Kids have a place to run around, play, participate in non-structured sports, and have space to be a kid. It is $4/child and if you pay $15 for the family you are allowed to come back that evening for the family swim (6-8:15PM).  Come join in the fun!

If you are in need of a book, please email Sylvie Dugas: shastadreamers@charter.net for any book that may be in our library. Sylvie can email you a list of books that range from breastfeeding, attachment parenting, discipline, tandem nursing, and more.

If you have a breast pump that you are no longer needing, please email Erin at info@lllsturbridge.org as we have a mother in need.

If you have anything gently used and would like to donate to someone in the group or do a swap (please no selling), email Erin Abrams by the 1st of each month.  Also if you are in need of anything, please email me.  info@lllsturbridge.org.

 
Isador's Fruit & Deli
Organic & Natural Foods
 
250 Main Street, rear lot
Oxford, MA 01540
508-987-1211
www.isadors.com

They can deliver fruit and veggies to your door weekly or bi-weekly, small or large shipment, and you choose how much fruit or veggies you'd like to receive. The prices are reasonable, the assortment is great.
 

Local Photographer, Kellie Moats: www.tbhphotography.com is reaching out to our group to  be a part of a families birthing experience - whether is is a home or hospital birth. She would like to offer someone a free session of Maternity pictures and give them a CD of the pictures in return.  She is asking for a mom that would allow her to let me come into the room or home to take pictures at the birth of their child or children. She would not take any pictures of the baby coming out but of the mother laboring, the father or loved one helping, the baby as they are being handed to the mother for the 1st time. Things like that. All pictures would be in black and white.  If you would like to contact her or know of anyone who may be interested, please pass her information along to them. Thank you for your help.  

Kellie Moats
TBH Photography
www.tbhphotography.com
508-347-3421
 

Hitchcock Academy Community Center will join the free Artist Studio Tour as one of the 15 stops on the Open Studio Tour. Sat. December 6th 10-4. For a full map of Artist location visit www.hitchcockacademy.org or call (413) 245-9977 located at 2 Brookfield Road Brimfield MA 01010.

At Hitchcock...
Watercolor instructor, Beth Parys, invites the public to participate in a progressive painting, inviting anyone who wishes to try their hand at a section of a painting. Additional featured artists will include:
Watercolors Artists:
            June League               Heather Wettlaufer
            Jackie Birchenough    Gloria Rousseau
            Caryl Macleod             Dot Gerrish
            Tina Galati                   Francine Bloch

Aline Girouard - Photo cards
Mary Fife – Greeting Cards
Emma & Cathy Johnson – Jewelry & Home Decor
Stacia Caplanson - Rainbow Kids tie dyed Children’s Clothing
Bob Arnold - Civil War “Battle of Brimfield” Reenactment photos
Hitchcock Academy - Glass Plate prints from the early 1900’s, ornaments and silent auction                                                           

Preschoolers 2.9-6 years can join a Christmas Theme Adventure with Gina Babineau as they create crafts, hear stories, sing together and role play as Santa’s sleigh.

 Fee $6 please pre-register.  Repeat classes held at: 10-11, 11-12, 1-2 and 2-3

Youth ages K-10 years may join Linda Fuchs to create a Holiday Decoration with greens for a Table Arrangement and/or a Decorative Door Hanging.  Fee $ 15 per project or 2 for $25 Table Arrangements held at 10,12 & 2; Door Hanging held at 11, 1 & 3. Please pre-register. 

Free!!! Try it out DansKinetics® a free yoga-like, 20 minute movement class to international music ages 14-adult with Deb Kelly-Dominic Times: 10:30-10:50, 11:15-11:35 & 12-12:20.  

Special Fund Raising efforts will include:

Sadie Moore from Simple Indulgence offers mini-foot massages 10-4 for a suggested donation of $5 to benefit Hitchcock www.simpleindulgencedayspa.com 508 347-5505 Gift certificates available.

Paula Hellene LMT Enjoy a 10 minute chair massage 10-4 for a suggested $5 donation to Hitchcock Academy. www.healingartsmassage.com  508 641-2675 Gift certificates are available.   

Hitchcock’s new On-Line Auction fund raiser will close on December 6th at 3:45 including a live silent auction. 

 http://www.cmarket.com/hitchcockcommunity

Mothers & Company
284 E. Temple Street (2nd Floor)
Inside Cyprian Keyes Golf Club
P.O. Box 407
Boylston, MA 01505

In honor of the biggest shopping day of the year, MoCo (Mothers and Company) will now have open hours!  On December 1, "Holiday Hours" begins with new regular hours, popular classes in signing, singing, diapering, childbirth ed, green cleaning, henna, breastfeeding, etc.  and lots of great supplies such as diapers, slings, nursing supplies, bras, etc.  The studio is located one mile off Route 290 and  eight miles/eleven minutes from the Route 290/Route 495 junction/Solomon Pond Mall, Marlboro. 
More info: http://www.mothersandcompany.com

New Playground is up in Sturbridge at the Town Rec. Area off of Cedar St. The main playground seems to be more gears for 4 yrs. and up and there is a small toddler section.  Check it out!

Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sturbridge Rec. Committee presents 2008 Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec. 5th at 6PM.  Santa, local guitarist Rob Adams and Tantasqua Choralleers will provide entertainment and Debbie Sichol's Dance Center will provide Refreshments.  Donations accepted and appreciated for Food Baskets and Toys for Tots. Weather permitting.

Joshua Hyde (Sturbridge) Library
Location: Rt. 131 in Sturbridge
Fees: Free
Dates: Check out schedule for ongoing events for different ages including story time and yoga.
More info: http://www.town.sturbridge.ma.us/Public_Documents/SturbridgeMA_LibCal/?FormID=158

Music Man
Location: Sturbridge Coffee House
Fee: Free
Date(s) and Time(s): Tuesday in Nov. from 4-5PM; Fridays from 10-11am
More info: Friday mornings have been so popular that SCH has added him to Tues. afternoons.  Armed with his guitar, harmonica and childhood classic songs, the Music Man gets the kids full of energy.  www.sturbridgecoffeehouse.com  

Old Sturbridge Village Homeschooling Day
Location: OSV
Fee: $7/person
Date(s) and Time(s):
More info: http://www.osv.org/orders/listprograms.html?ID=14

Story time for PreSchoolers at Broad Meadow Brook Programs
Location: Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester
Fee: Adults $5.00 m/ $6.00 nm, Children $5.00 m/ $6.00 nm
Date(s) and Time(s):
More info: http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Broad_Meadow/index.php

Family Yoga: FlowForms Yoga on Lake Ave. in Worcester offers Family Yoga (and PreNatal workshops) each month.  Taught by LLL friend, Jen Faldetta, she offers a heart opening class to share with your whole family - all ages are welcomed, it is worth the trip (and Trader Joes is right around the corner to make it more worth while ;).  The next workshops is Sunday, Dec 14.  More info: www.flowformsyoga.com.
 

If you know of a community event, please email Erin at info@lllsturbridge.org by the first of the month.

La Leche League offers 24 hour toll free helpline providing information, education and support for women who want to breastfeed and healthcare providers. Visit www.breasfeedinghelpline.com for more information or call 1-877-LA-LECHE (1-877-452-5324).

EarthSpirits - http://earthspirits-herbals.com - Located on Rt. 20 (East bound side) above TJ O'Brien's.  After entering Sturbridge from the MASSPike, drive down Rt. 20 West, go to your fourth traffic light (at Rt. 20 and Cedar St.) and make a left hand turn to reverse your direction onto Rt. 20 East - immediately you will see the entrance to EarthSpirits.

Sturbridge Federated Church - Located between the Town Hall and Library.  take Rt. 131 off of Rt. 20 when entering Sturbridge.  Travel up a 1/4 mile and you will pass the Post Office (red building) on your left.  At the traffic light, take a left and park on your right side.  If you need additional parking you can park across the street in the back of the Town Hall.  The Federated Church is adjacent to the Joshua Hyde Library. Enter through the side entrance and take the elevator down to the nursery.  From the elevator, take a right and enter through the doors and the nursery is on your left.

Submission are accepted by the first of each month, if not they will be included in the following month's newsletter.  Please send submissions to info@lllsturbridge.org.

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