Warmest Greetings,
I apologize
to anyone that may have attended our last two
LLL meetings and I was not able to be there.
The first one I had to cancel due to illness and
the June meeting conflicted with another
commitment. I would like to gratefully
thank Loretta McHugh and our regular members for
holding the space at our meetings.
La Leche
League was originally founded by 7 women who sat
in each others home and talked about their
adventures, joys and challenges in
breastfeeding. I am honored that so many
of our community of nursing mothers have
continued that tradition.
Please join
our next meeting - Nighttime Parenting - and
share your experiences, learn that infants have
a shorter sleep cycle then adults and more
myths/facts about what happens when bedtime
falls.
Many BLLLessings,
Erin Abrams
LLL Leader of Sturbridge, MA
Please forward this to any pregnant or nursing
mothers that you may know.
If you would like to
opt out of this newsletter - just hit "reply"
and put "remove" in the subject line.
LLL of Sturbridge
Nighttime Meeting:
Date: July 21st
(3rd Wed. of each month)
Time: 7-8:00PM
Topic: Nighttime Parenting
(Your questions and concerns are top
priority.)
Location: Southbridge Savings Bank,
Rt. 20
in Sturbridge
In the tradition of LLL, please join in the
discussion and support our community . All
you have to bring is your experiences that you
have encountered with breastfeeding or help
support another mother that could use a bit of
breastfeeding wisdom. ;)
Breastfeeding babies, toddlers, and
breastfeeding children who would be unhappy away
from their mothers are welcome.
Click here for directions.
LLL of
Worcester Daytime Meeting:
LLL of
Worcester has daytime meetings on the 2nd
Tuesday of every month at 551 Pleasant St in
Worcester. In addition they are offering a Sat.
morning meeting soon. Contact LLL Worcester
Leader: Jenn Dziejma
dziejen@yahoo.com or visit
http://www.llleus.org/web/WorcesterMA.html
for more information.
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Are you on
Facebook?
Then join LLL online! Many of us
have busy lives and can't connect during our
meeting times. Facebook allows you to post
a question to fellow breastfeeding mothers and have an
instant community when you need
support. We also use it to announce what
we are doing that day and if any other
like-minded moms want to join in. Search
for
LLL of Sturbridge and
ask to join! |
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This month's
topic is
Nighttime
Parenting.
Article
taken from La Leche League
Internationals
website at:
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/sleep.html
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When Will My Baby Sleep Through the Night?
Just as you can't know when your baby will first smile or start to talk or decide to give up morning naps, there's no way to predict when your baby will sleep through the night. More importantly, there's no "right age" at which your baby should. As with any developmental milestone, your baby may be earlier or later than other babies in developing new skills.
In the early weeks, remember that your baby may not get enough nourishment if he sleeps through the night. Breastfed babies need to breastfeed at least eight to twelve times every 24 hours, usually every two to three hours. Most babies will gradually sleep for longer stretches at night, but they will continue to need night feedings for months. You may find this article about biocultural approaches to breastfeeding reassuring that this is normal. This overview of the research by sleep researcher, James McKenna is also reassuring.
You may have heard that giving your baby cereal will encourage sleeping longer at night. This simply isn't true. A baby's immature digestive system isn't ready for solid food until some time around the middle of the first year, and solids given too early may actually upset a baby's tummy. You will find information about this topic here.
Being awakened during the night can make mothers (and fathers) tired during the day. Especially during the early weeks, try to nap whenever your baby does. Resist the temptation to use baby's naptime to catch up on chores. Put off all non-essential household tasks, and tell your friends and relatives they can help you by bringing meals, running errands, or cleaning house. Lying down when you breastfeed your baby can also help you get a little extra rest. This NEW BEGINNINGS article suggests ways of coping with the lack of sleep.
Many mothers find that keeping baby close all night makes nighttime parenting less tiring. Throughout history, babies and mothers have traditionally slept close to each other. The idea that a baby belongs all alone in a crib is a fairly recent notion. Many have found "shared sleeping" or "the family bed" a good way to meet babies' nighttime needs with few interruptions to the parents' sleep. Rolling over to nurse your baby and drifting peacefully back to sleep is so much easier (and warmer in the winter!) than getting out of bed, going to the crib, sitting up to breastfeed the baby, and then struggling to get both of you back to sleep. This article discusses nighttime parenting.
Some authorities believe that parents need to teach babies to comfort themselves when they awaken at night, and some go as far as suggesting how long parents can allow a child to "cry it out" before responding. While such methods may work for some families, many other mothers and fathers have found peace in trusting their instincts and responding to their babies' cries. It helps to remember that babies' sleep cycles are very different from those of adults, and a young infant needs to awaken during the night in order to get enough nourishment.
Resources for Additional Information
In BREASTFEEDING ABSTRACTS you will find additional information about the work of Dr. James McKenna. Dr. McKenna also spoke at the 2001 International Conference and his session is highlighted in our donor newsletter as well as at the conference session reports.
These items may be available from the LLLI Online Store:
THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING, published by La Leche League International, is the most complete resource available for the breastfeeding mother. (Softcover, 465 pages.)
The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley
Many parents feel as if there are two schools of thought for encouraging babies to sleep through the night: let the baby "cry it out," or simply grin-and-bear-it. If you don't believe in letting your baby cry it out, but desperately want to sleep, there is now a third option, presented in Elizabeth Pantley's The No-Cry Sleep Solution. There is no strict plan to follow, rather ideas that you can adapt to fit your child and your family.
NIGHTTIME PARENTING by William Sears, MD
This newly revised edition includes the latest research on how sharing sleep may reduce SIDS risk. It also offers tips on safe sleep-sharing and an update on the benefits of breastfeeding at night as well as advice on other nighttime dilemmas such as how to get your baby to sleep and stay asleep; whether or not you should let your baby "cry it out;" dealing with toddlers who wake at night; and getting children to bed without a struggle. (Softcover, 201 pages)
Attachment Parenting by Katie Allison Granju
Looking for a practical guide for parents who want to be responsive and respectful of their baby's needs? Attachment Parenting is the book for you! It is filled with research and personal experience, and features extensive references relating to issues such as breastfeeding, wearing your baby, minimizing baby-parent separation, and co-sleeping. Foreword by Dr. William Sears. (Softcover, 312 pages)
Crying Baby, Sleepless Nights: Why Your Baby Is Crying and What You Can Do about It by Sandy Jones
What do you do when your baby just won't stop crying? How can you possibly know what to do once you've tried everything? This book may be what you need to regain your sanity and help your baby to settle down. Written in a warm, loving tone, this is a great book for frustrated parents. (Softcover, 162 pages)
The Family Bed: An Age Old Concept in Child Rearing by Tine Thevenin
This book explores the pros and cons of sharing a family bed and suggests that sleeping together will help solve bedtime problems and create closer family bonds. (Softcover, 195 pages)
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Read
more great articles from New
Beginnings e-Magazine
with your $40/yr. LLL Membership.
More info>> |
Advertise with US!
If
you or someone you know would like to
advertise in our monthly newsletter, please
spread the word. Money received will help
support our group and the community we
share. Our newsletter goes out to over 70
people and is hopefully shared with more as
some on our list are doulas, nurses and
midwives. We are a specific
market of mothers, families, nursing moms,
nutrition focused and many homeschoolers.
Advertising rates begin at $10/month!
WHAT A DEAL!!
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Massachusetts Midwives Alliance (MMA)
Basic Midwifery Course
8/2010-6/2011
11
Classes, 9:00am-5:00pm, the 1st
Sunday of each month
11
Workshops, 9:00am – 1:00, the 2nd
Saturday of each month
Classes taught by practicing
Massachusetts midwives and birth
professionals.
-
Increase your knowledge about
the childbearing
year and learn to support women
in pregnancy, birth and
lactation.
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Eligible for
college credit depending upon
your college’s requirements.
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Certify as a
Birth Doula.
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Prepare to
apprentice with a home birth
midwife.
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Taught by a very
diverse group of practicing
midwives from across New England
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Use this course
as the didactic learning portion
required to become a certified
professional midwife (CPM).
More info:
Nechama Wildanah, CPM at
motherrootmidwifery@gmail.com
or phone: 617-717-8598. |
Items and events in this category are not
associated with LLL and are listed here as a
service to the community.
If you know of a community event, please email
Erin at
info@lllsturbridge.org
by the first of the month.
Feast & Fire: July 3rd; 2-10PM
Celebrate an old fashion Independence Day on
the Sturbridge Town Common. Parade, Music, Food,
Fun, and Festivities all capped with a large
evening Bonfire behind the Publick House
Historic Inn. The celebration begins with a
Parade - led by a Bagpipe Contingent
-originating at the Sturbridge Host Hotel,
traveling West to the Visitor's Center, then
back East along Main Street - ending at the Town
Common. Events Details can be found
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B2n4QylJ4MxEOTgxODZhY2QtZjYxOS00Nj
AwLTlmMzEtN2Y2YzhhOGIzNDQ5&hl=en
Old Sturbridge Village:
Fourth of July Celebration: An evening
capped off by 21st-century fireworks follows a
day typical of Independence Day celebrations of
the 19th century. Gates re-open at 6pm with
music, magic, and more, followed by fireworks at
dusk.
http://www.osv.org/orders/listprograms.html?ID=29
Home Depot Craft day in Auburn, MA
1st Saturday of the month Home Depot brings
out wonderful projects for kids to create
and celebrate the season. Drop in
during the AM hours and earn a pin for your
children's apron.
Concerts on the Common:
Every Thursday night at 6:30pm bring a
blanket, dinner or snacks and enjoy local music
under the stars while the kids run and play.
Hitchcock Academy Farmer's Market
Every Sat. from 9AM-2PM::Organic vegetables
and plants, and more. Changes weekly
based on seasonal offerings. Great
local market right down Rt. 20.
Website:
www.hitchcockacademy.org
Joshua Hyde Library/Sturbridge
Children's Events:
http://www.town.sturbridge.ma.us/Public_Documents/SturbridgeMA_LibCal/?FormID=158
Jacob Edwards
Library/Southbridge
508-764-5427
Charlton Children's
Events:
http://www.charltonlibrary.org/charlton/children.asp
Outreach Play Group
For preschool'ers and siblings, the CPC has
three locations of an open style preschools
where caregiver and child(ren) play and do
crafts. All groups are facilitated by
Sharon Champoux, Infant/Toddler & Preschool
certified. Questions or Pre-register by calling
508-867-2232 or email:
sinkop@tantasqua.org
At the following locations & times:
Wales Elementary School – Preschool room Monday
(all ages) 9:00 -10:30 am 41 Main Street Wales,
MA
Brookfield Elementary School Union 61 Community
Partnership room (CPC) Monday 1:00 – 2:00pm
Infant/Toddler (pre-registration required)
Tuesday (all ages) 1:00 -2:30pm Thursday (all
ages) 9:30 -11:00am Brookfield Elementary School
37 Central Street Brookfield
Holland Elementary School – Preschool room
Thursday (all ages) 1:00 -2:30pm 28 Sturbridge
Road Holland, MA
Merrick Public Library
2 Lincoln Street
Brookfield
508-867-6339
Babytime: Wednesdays 11:00am – 12:00pm
Pre-School story time and singing with Ms.
Coro: Fridays 11:30am – 12:00pm
Drop-in Arts & Crafts: Fridays 2:30pm –
4:30pm, all ages welcome to attend.
Yoga for kids: Thursdays 2:00pm.
Breastfeeding Management
for Palm, iPhone, & Blackberry
The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition (www.massbfc.org) has developed Breastfeeding Management, a reference for supporting breastfeeding mothers, for today's most popular handheld devices!
This is a great reference for healthcare providers - please share it with yours to continue to educate and bring awareness to breastfeeding.
You can download Breastfeeding Management for the iPhone and iPod Touch
directly from the iTunes App Store.
Visit their software page to download Breastfeeding Management for the Palm OS and new version for the Blackberry Curve, Bold and Pearl!
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Would you like
to see our LLL group reach out to more
mothers and bring more awareness to
breastfeeding? If you have ever
thought of volunteering or giving back a
small amount of your time while making an
amazing shift in our area's thinking, I can
not express how rewarding being a Leader is.
For me, it has given me the opportunity to
connected with so many amazing mothers and
families that they have made me a better
mother and wife. I am truly blessed to
be in this community and help support it. If
you would like to help support our community
and would like to help lead our group,
please contact me.
What is our purpose as LLL Leaders?
Leaders know the importance of one mother
helping another to recognize and understand
the needs of her child and to find the best
means of fulfilling those needs. Leaders
provide information and support so that each
mother can make the decisions which are best
for her family.
What does a Leader do? Most Leaders fulfill
the basic responsibilities of leadership,
which are:
• Helping mothers one-to-one by telephone,
email, or in person.
• Planning and leading monthly Series
Meetings.
• Supervising the management of the LLL
Group.
• Keeping up-to-date on breastfeeding
information.
• Upholding the LLL philosophy
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LLL Philosophy
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Mothering through breastfeeding
is the most natural and
effective way of understanding
and satisfying the needs of the
baby.
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Mother and baby need to be
together early and often to
establish a satisfying
relationship and an adequate
milk supply.
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In the early years, the baby has
an intense need to be with his
mother which is as basic as his
need for food.
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Breast milk is the superior
infant food.
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For the healthy, full-term baby,
breast milk is the only food
necessary until baby shows signs
of needing solids, about the
middle of the first year after
birth.
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Ideally, the breastfeeding
relationship will continue until
the baby outgrows the need.
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Alert and active participation
by the mother in childbirth is a
help in getting breastfeeding
off to a good start.
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Breastfeeding is enhanced and
the nursing couple sustained by
the loving support, help, and
companionship of the baby’s
father. A father’s unique
relationship with his baby is an
important element in the child’s
development from early infancy.
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Good nutrition means eating a
well-balanced and varied diet of
foods in as close to their
natural state as possible.
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From infancy on, children need
loving guidance which reflects
acceptance of their capabilities
and sensitivity to their
feelings.
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LLL of Worcester holds monthly
meetings to help leaders become
accredited. Please email me if
you are interested in attending and
seeing if leadership is right for
you. |
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You don't have
to join LLL to come to our meetings but
by joining LLL of Sturbridge you help
support YOUR breastfeeding community.
The $40
LLL Regular Membership
includes a discount in the
LLLI Online Store,
a subscription to New Beginnings
e-Magazine and much more. To find
out more benefits and other levels of
membership, visit
http://www.llli.org/membership.html.
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New
Beginnings e-Magazine
Free with a
1 year membership - LLL Online
Bi-Monthly magazine is filled with
valuable information on breastfeeding
and mother-to-mother sharing.
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Please mail
it directly to our group as your money
will be directly contributing to your
local community. You can send
check made out to LLL of Sturbridge, MA
and mail it to PO Box 523, Sturbridge,
MA 01566. |
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