In part 1 I shared some of the benefits I found in extended breastfeeding. If you have not read it, please do so as it sets the stage for this post.

Reasons I found not to Practice Extended Breastfeeding

As wonderful as breastfeeding both kids well into, or even beyond, toddlerhood there were reasons I chose to actively wean both of them, as well as cons to the fact that I did do extended breastfeeding.

Tandem Nursing issues- I nursed Christopher through my pregnancy with Natalia. I honestly do not know if it was the best choice. I am glad that I got to nurse him for so long, but there were many issues with our tandem nursing experience. It hurt. It was exhausting. It was a crazy stressful time for us and I further stressed my body. The entire pregnancy I struggled with depression and though times of nursing was relaxing I am not sure I was asking too much of my body.

Most of all though, one day it caused my uterus to contract terribly hard and set off a chain of contractions leading up to me being on partial bedrest. Do I think it was due to nursing? No, at least not directly. I think there was other things going on which meant my body could not handle the extra strain.

I did not nurse him for three weeks, then ended up nursing him again after it was safe for baby to come. I did not nurse him much because it did lead to painful long contractions, but I did.

Gungho/legalism- I felt a lot of pressure from reading articles (like this one I am afraid) that talked about the benefits of extended nursing. I had it in my mind I wanted to reach to 3. After the birth of my daughter I enjoyed nursing both kids- for a few weeks. Then we were moving. I had a not quite two year old, a newborn, and an entire house to pack as I was not able to get to it before Natalia’s birth.

One morning as I laid there nursing Christopher I cried out to God “I just can’t do this anymore!” The beautiful bonding and relaxation were gone and I was doing it out of the legalism need to “give my kid the best”. God answered my cry and I felt at peace with not nursing him. We stopped and I told Christopher I just needed to focus on nursing baby Natalia. He was heart over head in love with her and accepted that answer with only a few tears.

A few weeks later after the move was complete I let him nurse again because I could handle it then and it was once again that beautiful experience. I did have to cut back on his nursing though because he would have nursed 4-5 times a day if I let him and with a newborn that was not happening!

Nursing can take a lot out of you! I urge you to pray about it, and then do what you feel is right for you and your family and not let a list of rules dictate you. I actually chose, based on my first experience, not to nurse my daughter past the first few months of pregnancy. I did not want to cold wean her and she was nursing full time when I got pregnant, so it took a while to fully wean.

Why I actively weaned both kids:

I would have loved to self wean, but when my three year old still would have nursed multiple times a day and I was dealing with a lot of health issues last summer I knew it was time. I just could not handle it anymore. It was once again not that beautiful time of relaxing and bonding but something I did because I felt like I should. We still snuggled and had plenty of one-on-one time just not nursing any longer.

The decision to wean Natalia when I got pregnant with baby #3 was incredibly hard. She was still nursing at night, and many times during the day. She in no way seemed old enough to wean. But, like I just mentioned I had a lot of health issues over the summer. My hormones were so out of whack I had morning sickness symptoms without even being pregnant. I really struggled to eat enough to be able to nurse, much less to be nurse during pregnancy. I had pretty extreme fatigue. I had many signs of magnesium deficiency Looking back over my pregnancy I am so glad I chose to wean her even if I get sad when she still (4 mo later) asks to nurse.

Dreams for the future:

I would love to nurse future kids for as long, if not longer, then I did with Christopher because it was such a beautiful time of bonding. I will however have to listen to my body and decide each time if I can still handle, and enjoy, it.

Have you ever breastfeed past infancy? What were some of the pros and cons you found?

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photo credit: flequi

The gut flora of every human being will make or break your overall health. The human gastrointestinal tract constitutes about seventy percent of the immune system. You know, that complex system within our bodies that protects us and keeps us healthy.

In your belly, your baby is in the safest place in the world. While your little one is in your belly he or she is receiving the protection from your, the mother’s, immune system. You have spent many years being exposed to different microbes and pathogens. Your immune is strong because of your gut flora. Our gut flora is the game changer in moderating our immunity. Our gut flora is like the gate keeper and has the job of not allowint any garbage to penetrate the boundaries. When they do come across garbage this is when they signal the immune system to take action.

Our immune system offers different levels of defense against foreign invaders. Besides the anatomical barriers – such as the skin and mucous membranes- our immune system is broken into two distinct courses or progressions. First, we have the innate, or non-specific, part of the immune system in which our bodies elicit a broad, general response to foreign invaders such as bacteria or viruses. Second, we have the humoral, or adaptive and specific, immune system in which our bodies learn and improve on repeated exposure. Remember back when you were young and your mom sent you to chicken pox parties? This is so you would get chicken pox and your body would learn how to fight it off, so then when you become older your body can combat chicken pox and shingles effectively.

The most important thing you can do for your new baby is facilitate the development of their gastrointestinal tract and immune system. This is the best defense you can give your child against the outside world. Forget about all the future life’s lessons and book reports. Those are beneficial. However, if your child does not have a healthy functioning immune system he or she will not thrive.

When a baby is born, they basically have a blank canvas as far as microbial content is concerned. The second they enter this world they are being exposed to microbes, good and bad, trying to seek refuge in a new host, your infant.

Vaginal birth and cesarean birth have a significant impact on the gut flora of the newborn. Once the bacteria hit the gut, it immediately establishes a home. When the infant is born vaginally, this is where the infant receives the first dose of microbes via the mother’s vaginal canal and surrounding tissues. There is a difference in the colonization of bacteria in a vaginal birth as compared to a cesarean birth. Babies born vaginally have mostly Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus. These come from the mother’s vaginal and fecal flora. While babies born via cesarean section exhibit Clostridium and Streptococcus in their gut flora. However, these come from the shiny tools.

The bacteria that originate from the mother’s vaginal canal play a huge role natural development and growth. Bifidobacterium aids in digestion of the breast milk and has an immunomodulatory effect on intestinal immune cells. Lactobacillus plays a role in digestion, stimulates the immune system, and inhibits growth of pathogenic bacteria by keeping the pH low and regulating it’s own enzymatic activity. Escherichia coli is also known to produce crucial vitamin complexes.

Breastfeeding is just as significant impact on the immune system development. When the baby first latches on, he or she receives colostrum. This is specifically designed for the infant to aid in nutrition and helps pass the first stool. Infants that do not breastfeed suffer in many categories one being that they are more prone to infection because they lack the bifidobacteria. Infants that are not breastfed lack the colonization of beneficial bacteria along with numerous other issues.

Cesarean section? No big deal. However, the baby does need to be exposed to the bacteria that you, the mother, have developed. Enroll someone- the partner, the midwife, the ObGyn- to swab the vaginal canal and wipe on the mom’s breasts. This will expose the newborn baby while latching on to the mother’s breast for feeding. This is not gross. This is normal. Maybe not common at the moment, but your baby needs this exposure in order to ensure the healthy development of their immune system.

Once the first few moments of the baby’s life have passed then you can start to think about the next 24 hours, few days, weeks, and even months. The first 18-24 months of a baby’s life constitutes a whole new article, and those months are critical for establishing the infant’s immune system just as the first few moments in life are critical. The intestinal lining, the gut, takes about 18-24 months to fully form. The best advice I can pass along is to wait as long as possible before introducing grains to a new baby. Feed them real foods such as fruits, veggies, meats, fish, and healthy fats.

When new, beneficial bacteria colonize they establish a firm foundation resulting in healthy functioning immune system years later. Take action. Establishing healthy gut flora can prevent numerous ailments such as asthma, ADHD, eczema, and anything related to systemic inflammation. Give your baby’s immune system a solid foundation from the beginning.

What is the first action step you will take to establish your baby’s gut?

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I feel very blessed to have been able to not only be able to nurse both of my kids, but to nurse them for extended periods. My son until he was three and my daughter until 20 months (I sadly felt I needed to wean her, but more on that later). There were so many reasons I did chose to extended breastfeed, as well as reasons I chose to wean when I did.

I will be sharing a bit of our nursing story as well as the pros and cons I found with nursing past infancy. Please note though: these are from my personal experience. I have read every argument out there for, and against, extended breastfeeding and have come to the conclusion that everyone needs to make weigh their own decision and make the best decision for them and their child.

Why we chose to breastfeed past infancy

There was not much a decision to breastfeed extendedly as the decision to wean just did not really seem right.

My son always “fit” during that time I nursed him. I remember holding a newborn baby and worrying that as he grew he would no longer “fit” as well. My mom assured me that was not the case–that he would fit even as he got bigger. She was right! Even when I was nursing a 2 year old and a newborn they both fit into my arms, and it was a similar bonding experience with a few different aspects.

A Few More (logical) Reasons

Though bonding was the biggest reason for us, there were other reasons as well:

Nutrition- During the 2nd year (13 -24 mo) of breastfeeding, breastmilk can provide:

• 29% of energy requirements
•  43% of protein requirements
•  36% of calcium requirements 
• 75% of vitamin A requirements 
• 76% of folate requirements 
• 94% of vitamin B12 requirements 
•  60% of vitamin C requirements

- Dewey 2001 (source)

I totally did not know those numbers, it was simply a  matter of wanting him to have something I knew was very nourishing during years of very fast development.

Brain development- 75% of a person’s brain development happens in the first three years (source) during that time I felt that breastmilk, with all of it’s brain developing nutrition, was especially beneficial.

Immune system support- A child’s immune system is not fully developed until age four or five. Breast milk provides immune supporting nutrition, as well as antibodies. When a mother has the same cold as the child the antibodies are even tailored to that sickness, helping the child even more. (source)

Hydration- Dehydration in a sick child is a scary thing. I have seen my son who refused all other forms of liquid and most foods readily except the breast- actually this happened a couple times between 1 and 2. Even when nothing else was accepted my son was nourished and hydrated with some amazing nourishment.

Comfort- Though I can not say I remember it, I can tell by watching my kids that there is something extra special and comforting about nursing. This is one of the biggest reasons I miss nursing my daughter. She has had a rough few months with some food sensitivities and allergies. Her stomach hurts, her mouth hurts, her bottom hurts, her chest itches ect. Though we are working hard to try and figure out all that is going on, I just wish sometimes I could scoop her up and nurse her just for the comfort aspect if nothing else.

There are many other benefits, these were just the ones we took into consideration more then anything else.

As much as I loved nursing my son until 3, and my daughter till nearly 2 (and wish I felt like we could have gone longer) there were some cons to it as well as reasons we chose to actively (vs. self) wean both of them. Next week I will be sharing that part of our story.

Have you ever breastfeed past infancy? What were some of the pros and cons you found?

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Photo Credit: Beautiful Breastfeeding

I use the term “challenge” instead of “problem” when it comes to breastfeeding issues. They are challenges because they are very common things that most mothers go through at some point during the breastfeeding journey. Breastfeeding is not always the beautiful photo of the mother holding her squishy baby with the golden sun peeking out from behind her – some of these challenges are quite difficult to get through, but I’ve come to learn that the more you know about them, the better you can handle them. Remember – you are NOT alone!

Five Personal Challenges from 40 Months of Breastfeeding

1. Engorgement – You can find me waddling around on my tip toes, slightly hunched over with my arms out to the side for balance.

I’ve been there, the two lead-filled basketballs hanging from my chest – they don’t even feel like they’re part of my body anymore because, I mean, seriously – how is this even possible?! Will I ever feel normal again? YES! The first part of breastfeeding is when your milk supply comes in – boy, does it come in! At first, your milk hits you full force, it gives you everything it has – this can be scary if you don’t understand the process going on here. Your milk will not always be so uncomfortable.  Feed your baby when they are hungry and your body will get the hint and give you a break.

Read this article for a few more ideas to aid in engorgement relief.

2. Mastitis – You can find me curled in the fetal position on the floor – what floor?  Any floor. I will most likely be wrapped in a blanket – I will probably be crying and saying things that do not make sense to you.

There I was, sitting in a 3-hour pharmacology class when I started to feel sick – like the pollen allergies were kicking in. The rest of the day was a downward spiral – by the evening, I was shaking and feverish. This would have normally been quite terrifying if I had not remembered that I was breastfeeding an infant. Did you know that cold cabbage leaves in your bra will actually wick moisture out of your breast and help break up the clog causing the problem? Twenty minutes of cabbage in my bra and I was up cooking dinner. Make sure that you don’t overuse the cabbage trick, it can dry your milk supply up.

More helpful tried and true natural remedies for mastitis can be found in this article.

3. Am I making enough milk? You can find me pressing baby’s tummy and poking around on my breasts before, during and after every feeding – “Is there enough food in there?”

I get this question a lot – how do I know if my baby is getting enough food? For starters, make sure you are feeding them on demand. Then, are your breasts softer after they eat? Is their tummy full and plump? Are they urinating often and having regular bowel movements? All of these are signs that your baby is getting enough to eat. Remember, their tummies are small which means that they need to eat quite often – feeding on demand is the best way to insure they are getting the nourishment they need.

4. Nipple Issues – You can find me wincing or yelping during feeding time. I may be repeating things over and over while rocking back-and-forth with my eyes closed tight – “I can do this,” “It’s for my baby,” “I love my baby.”

Some women have a great transition into breastfeeding; their baby has a perfect latch and everything goes smoothly. Then you have the other side to this story – the baby may or may not have a great latch, which still causes very uncomfortable tenderness, sometimes accompanied by bleeding, scabs and dryness. Not so pretty, but it’s a process you have to get through – this normally goes away within the first two weeks. Coconut oil on your nipples and lots of bare-breasted time around the house. Just make sure that you keep nursing the sore breast!

More information on natural nipple creams read can be found in this article.

5. Lack of breastfeeding support – You can find me on the bed, trying to latch my baby – I’m crying and saying things like, “I can’t do this anymore!” “This hurts!” “Why won’t they latch?!” “What’s wrong with me?!” “Why is this so hard?”

Breastfeeding is hard, but it does get easier – trust me! Finding support can be your golden ticket to happiness during these tough transition periods. I can’t tell you it won’t be hard, but I can tell you that it will be worth it; a quote to live by! Please don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you are thinking of reaching for the formula – there are many support groups out there, in person and online. We’re all here to help each other!

Find a local Le Leche League International support group near you!

Breastfeeding support group on Facebook: The Leaky Boob.

This post is written by my good friend and doula, Elizabeth. She runs Sweet Release Doula Services and is a homebirthing, breastfeeding mama of two!

Do you have breastfeeding tips of your own?

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Infertility is a painful road to have to travel. While I cannot personally identify with that journey, I know how strong my desire to be a mommy was from a young age and I can only imagine how heartbroken I would be to discover after marriage that the path to achieving that goal was going to be a long and difficult one.

Fertilise Yourself by Natalie Kringoudis of Melbourne Natural Fertility ($19.95)

This ebook is all about priming your body for fertility, with plenty of tips and tricks for a wellness overhaul, and the ‘how to’ steps to set yourself up to win. If you’re struggling with your fertility, or even just your general health, this ebook can help you navigate your way to being fueled and fighting fertility fit!

Making Super Sperm by Bridgit Danner of Joyful Mammas ($29.00)

The genetics of your baby are 50% from the dad, and 30 – 70 % of infertility cases involve male factor. Get a strong start for your baby by Making Super Sperm from the start!

Fertility Smoothies: Elixirs for Optimal Fertility by Hethir Rodriguez of Natural Fertility Info ($19.95)

In this book Hethir shares with you how to create a wide variety of delicious superfood smoothies to help boost your fertility naturally.

Overcoming Infertility with EFT by Sarah Holland of Fertile Mindset ($20.00)

The ultimate guide and practical workbook using the cutting edge technique of EFT for emotional healing on your fertility journey. Includes detailed but simple to follow EFT instructions, and easy to use worksheets to recognize and reverse your own negative beliefs and self-talk surrounding trying for a baby, heal yourself from traumas and damaging experiences that may be harming your fertility and much much more!

Eat Your Way to Parenthood by Gabriela Rosa of Natural Fertility Breakthrough ($35.00)

Gabriela Rosa reminds us how a balanced and nutritious diet provides the building blocks for a healthy sperm, egg and baby. This book is both a guide to the process of fertility and the basics of good nutrition, as well as a manual of recipes that cleverly combine the scientific research with balanced, tasty and nutritious ingredients.

Maiden to Mother by Stephanie Brandt Cornais of Mama and Baby Love

The Mama and Baby Love Guide to a Conscious Childbearing Year, containing easy-to-understand information about everything you absolutely must know as you begin your journey to motherhood. Stephanie gives you all the juicy tidbits, and lessons she has learned from working with pregnant couples for the past decade and from her own experience with being pregnant and a new mom.

Zero in on Ovulation by Sally Moran of Get Pregnant Fast ($17.00)

Knowing when you ovulate shouldn’t be a mystery, but many women struggle to understand when their most fertile time of month is. Learn about the different methods of determining ovulation, what can delay ovulation, what herbs help promote ovulation or cervical fluid, symptoms of ovulation, problems with ovulation (including PCOS and luteal phase defect), the effects of using Clomid or Femara, and more. Bonus sections on male infertility, baby gender selection, frequently asked ovulation questions, as well as one-on-one e-mail consultation with the author.

A Modern Girl’s Guide to Natural Fertility by Marni Hotchkiss of Bridge to Baby ($15.00)

Natural fertility in today’s modern world encompasses the foods we eat, our behaviors, and our thoughts. Take a deeper look into how tools/apps as well as the right foods and other holistic approaches can positively impact pregnancy success.

Cleansing for Conception by Donielle Baker of Naturally Knocked Up ($6.95)

There are times in our life where we need to simply slow down and allow our bodies to clear out the toxins we’re exposed to on a daily basis. One of these times is when you’re thinking about becoming pregnant. This ebook will show you the many ways that you can alter your diet and lifestyle so that your body naturally and gently cleanses in preparation for conception. (pre-release copy – no one else will see it until late summer 2013!)

Three Strategies for Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Russell Davis of The Fertile Mind ($9.97)

Research shows utilizing mind-body techniques can double your chances of getting pregnant. This ebook contains practical steps to get off the emotional roller-coaster, find a sense of peace on your journey and actively utilizing your mind-body link to increase your chances of success.

2 ebooks that speak to the heart

Pain Redeemed by Natasha Metzler of NatashaMetzler.com ($4.95)

The author of Pain Redeemed takes you on a journey through her own walk with infertility and with honesty and raw truthfulness tells the story of God meeting her there, right in the middle.”

Celebrating Pregnancy Again by Francesca Cox of so this is love ($8.00)

This book is to encourage any bereaved mother experiencing pregnancy again, and help her embrace this bittersweet journey.

12 real food recipe ebooks

The Food Healing Recipe Book for Endometriosis by Melissa Meyer of Cure Endometriosis ($27.00)

Specifically chosen recipes to help women with Endometriosis. Having personally used these recipes and this way of eating, I decided to compile some of my favorite recipes. My partner, also happens to be a chef, so they are all tasty and nutritious!

Meal Planning Guide for Healthy Thyroid by Magdalena Wszelaki of The Thyroid Diet Coach ($17.00)

Struggling with meal ideas? No time to cook? Bored with the same menu each week? Confused what you can or cannot eat for thyroid health? Then this guide will equip you with tools to make cooking fun, easy and nourishing. Learn about evolving meals, 15-min meals, dressing ideas, get healthy snack lists and a meal plan.

Thrifty Food Plan Experience by Millie Cooper of Real Food for Less Money ($8.95)

You can enjoy traditional foods while on thrifty budget. 67 pages of thoughts, tips and ideas plus a 2 week menu plan, over 40 recipes and links to many more.

Divine Dinners: Gluten-Free, Nourishing, Family-Friendly Meals by Lydia Shatney of Divine Health From The Inside Out ($14.95)

A collection of recipes that can be paired together to make entire meals. All the recipes are lower in sugars/carbs than that of the standard American diet. Recipes are gluten free and tested time and time again on family and friends with great results.

Lacto-Fermentation by Wardee Harmon of GNOWFGLINS ($20.00)

A 155-page, 23-lesson digital book with detailed instruction on fermenting fruits, vegetables, beans, meats, dairy, and grains. The book will expose you to a variety of fermentation methods — using salt, whey, or other starter cultures. Recipes go beyond fermentation methodology and include spices and seasonings to improve the flavor of the final product.

Real Food Ingredient Guide by Kelly of Kelly the Kitchen Kop ($22.95)

Confused about which ingredients are good for you and which ones to avoid? Get a quick-reference list of what to look for at the store or farm, with many listings including a good-better-best recommendation. Also this newly REVISED edition includes bonus material: Bringing Your Family from Junk Food to Real Food!

The Everything Beans Book by Katie Kimball of Kitchen Stewardship ($8.95)

Fall in love with legumes because they’re frugal and delicious. Kimball’s recipes span everything from appetizer to dessert, and the introductory pages will help you cook dry beans like a pro, understand their health benefits, and even get ideas to reduce the…you know…flatulence often connected with beans.

Just Making Ice Cream my Marilyn Beard of Just Making Noise ($12.00)

Because we all deserve a special treat now and then – but it doesn’t mean we can’t choose to do it in a healthier way! It includes 113 pages and over 70 recipes to choose through all 4 seasons of the year… who says ice cream is only for the summer?!

Grain-free/Gluten-free Baking by Stephanie Brandt Cornais of Mama and Baby Love ($9.99)

If you can’t cook and you can’t bake – this book is for you. I taught myself how to cook, and then I taught myself how to bake. You can too. 20 easy recipes, full of tips and tricks for beginners; recipes for cookies, cakes, pies, pizza crusts and more!

Simple Food for Spring by Shannon Stonger of Nourishing Days ($10.00)

Simple Food {for spring} is a grain-free cookbook that emphasize real food and sustainable living. This 80-page edition contains all of the freshness of spring with a focus on cultured dairy salad dressings, wild edibles, and using all of those fresh greens. Each of the 28 recipes includes full-color photos.

Simple Food for Winter by Shannon Stonger of Nourishing Days ($10.00)

Simple Food {for winter} is the first of what I hope to be four seasonal cookbooks that emphasize real food and sustainable living. This 58 page book contains 30 recipes, 10 full-color photos, and three essays.

Happy Mom, Healthy Family Meal Planning Workshop and eCookbook by Lisa Byrne of Wellgrounded Life ($29.00)

A practical, flexible and enjoyable way to make peace with the task that comes every day: preparing meals. This workshop equips you with techniques to make truly family-friendly, whole-foods recipes through a webinar presentation, meal planning templates & worksheets, demo videos plus a downloadable cookbook filled with 89 tried-and-true delicious recipes. Who could want more? (Besides a personal chef perhaps!)

6 pregnancy and birth ebooks

Healthy Pregnancy Super Foods by Kate Tietje of Modern Alternative Mama ($8.95)

If you’re struggling with how to eat healthy to prepare for and during pregnancy, simplify it with this book. There are only two rules: avoid junk, and eat super foods. Plus 30 healthy, super-food-filled recipes!

UnBound Birth by Jenny Yarbrough of UnBound Birth ($4.99)

Unbound Birth: How to Have a Natural Birth in the Hospital is an inspiring collection of natural hospital birth stories. With determination, information, preparation, and support, Jennifer offers women hope for the beauty of a natural birth within a hospital setting.

Breast to Bib by Kate Tietje of Modern Alternative Mama ($8.95)

Make feeding babies easier with this practical guide to healthy breastfeeding, introducing solids, and handling picky toddlers. The book also includes over 30 baby and toddler-friendly recipes.

My Buttered Life: Baby Edition by Renee Harris from MadeOn Skin Care ($5.00)

This ebook includes 5 recipes, each with 5 ingredients or less. The recipes include baby massage oil, baby balm, creamy baby lotion, diaper rash cream and oatmeal milk bath. Each recipe has an accompanying video, a list of where to buy ingredients and supplies, and a cost analysis to compare with store-bought products.

Forty Weeks of Pregnancy Development by Angela England of The Untrained Housewife ($9.95)

What happens during each week of pregnancy? Now you’ll hear how each week of pregnancy brings changes to both you and your baby! Enjoy the extra information about common issues such as morning sickness, back pain, and more!

Embracing Beauty: practical style for every shape and season of motherhood by Trina Holden of trinaholden.com ($9.00)

A style guide that gets to the heart of beauty, and helps women identify and embrace their personal style through all the changes of motherhood.

Bonus Material

• Six Tips to Enhance Fertility in Women with PCOS by Jess Pedersen CHCC of Be Mama Be Well
• Top Food Myths by Dr. Marlene Merritt of Merritt Wellness
• Break the Sugar Habit ebook by Lisa Byrne of Well Grounded Life
• Primal Moms Look Good Naked, audio book by Peggy Emch from The Primal Parent
• Secrets of Stress Resilient Moms, audio teleclass by Lisa Byrne of Well Grounded Life
• Making Super Sperm, audio book by Bridgit Danner of Joyful Mammas
• It Takes Two to Make a Healthy Baby (audio) with Dr. Erika Siegel of Nourish Me
• Food for Fertility daily checklist by Donielle Baker of Naturally Knocked Up

7 week long meal plans

To help you get started on a whole foods diet, we’ve also included a variety of meal plans to fit your needs!

• Jess Pedersen CHHC of Be Mama Be Well The Be Mama Be Well Meal Planner is an alkalizing plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free plan that excludes highly processed foods. The Be Mama Be Well Meal Planner is meant to help you detoxify your body, cleanse your liver, balance your hormones, eliminate food-induced mood swings, and boost your nutrient intake.
• KerryAnn Foster of Cooking Traditional Foods The Cooking Traditional Foods’ Menu Mailer covers breakfast, lunch and dinner based on the guidelines in the Naturally Knocked Up Fertility Foods Checklist.
• Mary Vance of www.MaryVanceNC.com Autoimmune plan for those who have Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis or other autoimmune conditions. Excludes the inflammatory foods most likely to aggravate autoimmune conditions: gluten, dairy, soy, grains (for the most part, at least corn), nightshades, nuts, eggs.
• Jill Marks of Modern Alternative Pregnancy Proper nutrition plays a vital role in fertility, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. This meal plan is gluten-free with real, whole foods to optimize your health and give your baby a wonderful start!
• Therese Asmus of Artistta This menu plan does it’s best to include a variety of meals that aren’t only pleasing to the pallet, but are also excellent sources of the many nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy.
• Amy of PCOS Diva Spring Meal Plan (includes: Getting Started Guide, Recipes and Shopping List) is a whole food based, gluten-free, processed soy-free, and low dairy (or easily can be made dairy-free) plan. You don’t need a crazy diet to increase your fertility, you just need to get in the kitchen and start cooking delicious, nutrient-dense meals.
• Joanna Steven, author of Well-Rounded. Plant based, whole foods based, with a mix of nourishing raw and cooked recipes for the vegan or vegetarian woman.

Bonus Offerings

• Three month meal plan subscription from My Humble Kitchen ($24.99)
• Free Fertility Relaxation Program from Circle and Bloom
• One month premium membership at Fertility Flower ($5.00)
• one hour video seminar with Russell Davis of The Fertile Mind

Giveaways worth $908.00!

But that’s not all – it’s $908.00 times two! There will be one grand prize winner who will receive each and every one of the following products/services.¹ All of which will help you on your way to growing your family. And then we’ll be giving away each of the products separately to individual winners as well, so you get more chances to win these fabulous products.

$25 gift certificate to MadeOn Skin Care ($25.00) – Choose from Simply Soothing Rash Cream, or Beesilk Jr for your baby. Or, shop for you and buy Beesilk hard lotion bars or a pack of tinted lip balms. All products are made with safe and natural ingredients. (includes free shipping)

Fertility Detox Cleanse Program from Bridgit Danner ($125.00) – Get your body primed for baby with this professionally-led detox program (food supplies to be purchased by recipient.)

Still Standing mug from Still Standing Magazine ($13.99) – Still Standing is an online magazine for those dealing with infertility and baby loss, offering resources and hope.

Making Babies DVDs from Bulk Herb Store ($75.00) – Three fun, informational, and colorful DVDs include deliciously healthy recipes, remedies and herbal concoctions that cover the fertility, pregnancy, and post-partum time in your life. At the Bulk Herb Store we want to teach you what we know and inspire you to learn and research beyond that with our homemade herbal remedies, our experiences, and the tested wisdom of others.

ibasal thermometer from FairHaven Health ($59.95) – The ibasal is a computerized digital basal thermometer that helps you maximize your changes of conceiving by accurately measuring your BBT and interpreting this data to produce a fertility prediction in advance of ovulation.

One bottle of FertilAid for Women from FairHaven Health ($28.95) – FertilAid for Women is a fertility enhancing supplement designed to help restore hormonal balance, support reproductive wellness, and optimize your chances of conceiving.

Femmenessence MacaHarmony from Natural Health International ($69.98) – Femmenessence MacaHarmony is a natural approach to hormone balance and supporting fertility without introducing hormones from outside of the body.

Medium Fertility Kit (LH and HCG tests) from Kisses from Above ($18.00) – Includes 30 ovulation and 10 pregnancy tests. Everything you need in one easy-to-order kit! Both the ovulation and pregnancy tests will come in the strip format, as shown in the picture.

Herbal kit from Mountain Rose Herbs ($56.20) – FecundiTea, Nurse-Me Rhyme Tea, “Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years” by Susun Weed, Evening Embrace Aroma Spray, and 4 oz. each of Red Clover, Dandelion Leaf and Raspberry Leaf.

One bottle of cod liver oil from Green Pasture ($44.00) – Green Pastures is dedicate to providing their customers with high-quality sacred-food oils just as they were made prior to the industrialized food and farming revolution. They are committed to providing the community with nothing but pure, unadulterated, non-industrialized wild-caught fish liver oils.

Set of six essential oils from Plant Therapy ($48.68) – Romance Set Includes 100% Pure, Therapeutic Grade of: Sensual, Peppermint, Energy, Headache Relief, Tranquil, & Invigor-Aid. 10 ml each

Natural Cycle Relaxation Program from Circle and Bloom ($59.00) – Start today to feel in greater control over your fertility success with our downloadable program which includes 28 unique guided meditations to support you in communicating with your body and tapping into your innate ability to create.

Year subscription to Fertility Flower (sympto-thermal charting) ($40.00) – Fertility charting is simple, effective and teaches you about your body. When you “chart”, you learn to recognize when you’re fertile and when you’re not so that you can target your baby-making activities at the most fruitful time.

Complimentary consultation at the Metabolic Treatment Center ($100.00 value) – Dr. Schuler or another metabolic treatment specialist at Metabolic Treatment Center will review an individual’s history, medication, supplementation, diet, and symptoms and provide an initial assessment review (phone, Skype, or at the Bloomington office).

SpermCheck Kit ($39.99) – The only at-home sperm test for men! Results in 10 minutes, 98% accurate, private and convenient!

Preseed lubricant from Baby Hopes ($21.50)- Pre~Seed lubricant replenishes your natural moisture while providing an optimal environment for sperm.

A Practical Guide to Children’s Health ebook by Kate Tetje of Modern Alternative Mama ($17.95) – A well-researched ebook on raising healthy children.

The Woman Code book by Alisa Vitti ($25.99) – WomanCode by Alisa Vitti will guide you on how to Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source.

Naturally Knocked Up book by Donielle Baker ($18.95) – Your guide to increasing the odds of conception through natural living and nourishing foods.

Rebuild from Depression book by Amanda Rose ($19.97) – This book on depression describes the research basis for the nutrient-depression link, highlighting the nutrients with the strongest basis in research. With seven specific nutrients in mind, the authors review each of the food groups recommending how to improve the diet for the long-term.

Extra discounts for bundle purchasers

• 25% off ebooks from Kate Tietje at Modern Alternative Mama
• 25% off any purchase at Cooking Traditional Foods, including our renewable menu plan subscriptions.
• $3.00 off a large Simply Soothing Rash Cream from MadeOn Lotion
• 20% off products from Sarah Holland at Fertile Mindset
• 40% off any ebook from Katie Kimball at Kitchen Stewardship
• 20% off books by Millie Cooper at Real Food for Less Money
• 10% off essential oils and products at Plant Therapy
• 40% off all Making Babies products from the Bulk Herb Store
• 15% off products at Kisses from Above
• 25% off BeMama Fertility Cleanse Programs with Jess Pedersen CHHC of Be Mama Be Well
• 10% off at FairHaven Health (excludes OvaCare and Preseed)
• 25% off your first visit at the Metabolic Treatment Center
• Receive 2 boxes Femmenessence MacaHarmony, 3 boxes of pH Quintessence, and 1 box Sole Stones for only $99.00 (52%off) at Natural Health International
• 20% off all programs at The Fertile Mind

Important fine print to read

1) All purchases are non-refundable due to the short duration of this sale and no late sales will be offered. 2) All giveaway products are sponsored by the individual companies, most of which are limited to shipping within the United States. The grand prize package will be shipped by Naturally Knocked Up LLC and is available to US and Canada, excluding the consultation which is available only in the US. ¹To enter the giveaway without purchase send a 3×5 postcard to Naturally Knocked Up LLC PO Box 26 Burnips, MI 49314 by May 14, 2013. 3) All products are downloadable ebooks and audio files. You will not be shipped any physical goods with your purchase of the natural fertility ebook bundle, but will be sent a link where you can download all of the material. 4) It is your responsibility to download all the files before June 1th, 2013. 5) Bonus offers are only eligible once per purchase, expire at midnight on May 31, 2013 and are the sole responsibility of the sponsor. 6) The above links are affiliate links, thank you for supporting this affiliate partner. 7) Please understand the information shared through this natural fertility ebook bundle is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, but rather to encourage perhaps a new discussion or conversation with your own physicians and health care providers and to inspire you to continue to research healthy alternatives.

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This past Tuesday I had what might be considered a monumental midwives’ appointment.

It’s interesting because at this point in my other pregnancies I felt like I had finally reached the third trimester, like I had been pregnant for such a long time, and I was just so ready to enter the home stretch.  Ben (my husband) had come with me to most or all of the appointments and our whole “birthing team” was well-versed in what was happening.  We were immersed in the pregnancy.

Not so this time.

Tuesday was my 28-week appointment, yes.  But it was only my fifth visit for the pregnancy and the very first time that Ben joined me.  He flat-out refused to go with me earlier in the pregnancy, not because he didn’t want to be there, but because he said if we had to take all the kids that he would just spend the whole time trying to get them to be quiet and he wouldn’t be able to pay attention anyway.  Which was probably true.  He preferred to keep them home so I could just go and have an actual conversation.  (Still I did take them all once by myself!)

The Appointment

It was nice because this time we had a babysitter so we both got to actually pay attention.  I also had a finger stick (blah) to check for anemia.  In my second pregnancy I was slightly anemic and was given spirulina pills to try to raise my iron levels.  I couldn’t handle more than 4 per day, despite that they had wanted me to start at 6 and move up closer to 20 (which was what many women took).  I tend to be very sensitive to everything and tiny doses make a big difference for me, so 4 ended up being enough.  Thankfully, once we started eating grass-fed beef, I was not anemic in my third pregnancy and did not have to mess with this.

This time, I was also not anemic.  They read the machine as “at least 12″ which is what they wanted to see.  Now that’s no concern.  The reason that anemia is a concern is because it can lead to excessive bleeding and possibly hemorrhage during birth, and that’s not something the midwives want to deal with at home.  Women who are and remain anemic (they do retest several weeks later to see) will be “risked out” and have to deliver in a hospital.  Interestingly, when they did the test for me, it took them a minute of having me relax and squeezing to get me to bleed at all!

We also talked through Jacob’s birth since it was my most recent, so they could get an idea of how it went and what to expect this time.  I let them know that it’s in my head that the baby won’t show up until between Mar. 21 – 25 (although baby is technically due almost two weeks earlier) and that labor, from the first strong contraction (the “I-have-to-focus-only-on-this”) will be only 40 minutes.  I had the feeling with Jacob’s birth it would be 3 hours from that point…and I was right.  They took me seriously, just in case it does turn out that way.  And it could, especially with a fourth baby.

Now we just have two more appointments — at 32 and 35 weeks — and then my home visit at 37 weeks, then weekly 1/2 hour appointments until the baby arrives!  That is going to go by so fast.

The Pictures

Today (Thursday) we went to get our Christmas pictures done!  And while we were there, we went ahead and got a few maternity shots.  First time we’ve ever done that.  It was pretty cool.  Here are a few shots from it (and the one at the top is one too):

It was so fun because I like getting pictures taken, and I was able to get the Christmas shots of family, the individual kids, the kids together, plus I was able to get the maternity shots and even some headshots to use professionally.  It was definitely a kill-multiple-birds-with-one-stone kind of afternoon.  The kids were pretty good, although my oldest has never liked cameras and still doesn’t.  She frowned and even cried through most of it!  The boys loved the camera and smiled and posed.  My youngest (16 months) did have a bit of trouble sitting still, but not as much as I would have thought.

Now there are just 5 days left until Christmas, I’m totally not ready, and I need to get moving!

How is your Christmas prep going?

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During our last sale, Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, and many of our readers experienced prolonged power outages, were evacuated from their homes, and dealt with damage as a result of the storm, which meant that you missed out on the sale entirely. So many of you specifically asked if there was any way that you could get your own copy of the eBook bundle that we decided to bring the sale back just for you!

(Keep reading below for details about the Modern Alternative Mama family’s newest book, Festive Traditions!)

And so, for 48 hours only, the Healthy Living eBook Bundle is available again! 27 prominent Healthy Living authors have joined together to bundle 34 of their most popular eBooks, valued at just over $300, for the incredibly low price of $29, plus receive more than $63 of bonuses from healthy living companies.

That’s only $0.87 per book to gain inspiration, encouragement, and the practical resources you need for your own healthy lifestyle.

What’s Included in the Sale?

When you purchase the Healthy Living eBook collection, you will get instant access to each of the 34 eBooks listed below.

PLUS $63 of FREE Bonuses

Each Healthy Living eBook Bundle comes with $63 of FREE Bonuses from several of our favorite healthy living companies. Offers include a variety package from Redmond Trading (up to $29.99 value), a 4-pack of lip balms from Hard Lotion ($10.50 value), a FREE Sourdough Starter or Traditional Buttermilk Starter from Cultures for Health ($13 value), and a $10 coupon to use on your choice of bone broth, sprouted grain breads, raw fermented vegetables or anything else from Wise Choice Market ($10+ value), and a $10 store credit towards natural toys and gifts from Hazelnut Kids ($10+ value). Click here for more details.

Click here to purchase your Healthy Living eBook collection (with FREE bonuses) today!

Please note: This collection is only available for 48 hours, from 8 a.m. EST on Monday, November 26th to 8 a.m. EST on Wednesday, November 28th. There will be no late sales offered.

Real Food Meals For The Whole Family

• Have Your Fruits… and Veggies, Too! by Laura Coppinger @ Heavenly Homemakers ($5.95)
• Real {Fast} Food by Trina Holden @ Trina Holden ($6)
• 20 Minute Meals by Leigh Ann Dutton @ Intentional by Grace ($4.99)
• Real Food… Real Easy by various bloggers @ The Humbled Homemaker ($9.95)

Baking, Snacks And Desserts

• Smart Sweets by Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship ($8.95)
• Healthy Snacks To Go by Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship ($8.95)
• Sourdough A to Z by Wardee Harmon @ GNOWFGLINS ($20)

Homemade “Everything” (Condiments, Pantry Basics, Etc.)

• Restocking the Pantry by Kresha Faber @ Nourishing Joy ($7.99)
• Easy. Homemade. by Mandi Ehman @ Life Your Way ($3.99)

Grain Free And Paleo/Primal Eating

• Grain Free Meal Plan Cookbook by Cara Faus @ Health, Home & Happiness ($18)
• Toadally Primal Smoothies by Todd @ Primal Toad ($9.95)
• Simple Food {for spring} by Shannon @ Nourishing Days ($10)
• Simple Food {for winter} by Shannon @ Nourishing Days ($10)
• Well Fed (Paleo Recipes) by Melissa Joulwan @ The Clothes Make The Girl ($14.95)

Saving Money On Real Food

• Real Food on a Real Budget by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($18.99)
• Plan It, Don’t Panic by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($4.99)
• Don’t Compost It, Cook It by April Patel @ An Apple a Day Wisdom ($2.99)

Skincare And Beauty

• My Buttered Life (Baby edition) by Renee Harris @ Hard Lotion ($5)
• My Buttered Life (Gift edition) by Renee Harris @ Hard Lotion ($5)
• My Buttered Life (Summer edition) by Renee Harris @ Hard Lotion ($5)
• Simple Scrubs to Make and Give by Stacy Karen @ A Delightful Home ($3.99)
• Food on Your Face for Acne and Oily Skin by Leslie @ Crunchy Betty ($7.99)
• Holistic Mama’s Guide to Homemade Skincare by Roxanne King @ The Holistic Mama ($19)

Homesteading, Gardening And Preserving

• Your Custom Homestead by Jill Winger @ The Prairie Homestead ($4.99)
• Guide to Gardening and Preserving by Laura Coppinger @ Heavenly Homemakers ($7.95)
• Apartment Gardening by Jami Leigh @ Young Wife’s Guide ($2.99)

Healthy Lifestyle

• Simple Living by Lorilee Lippincott @ Loving Simple Living ($2.99)
• Herbal Nurturing by Michele Augur @ Frugal Granola ($8.95)
• Simple Natural Health by Nina Nelson @ Shalom Mama ($17)
• Healthy Homemaking by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($12.95)
• Music: An Essential Ingredient for Life by Resound School of Music ($6.99)

Pregnancy And Babies

• Breast to Bib by Kate Tietje @ Modern Alternative Pregnancy ($8.95)
• Healthy Pregnancy Super Foods by Kate Tietje @ Modern Alternative Pregnancy ($8.95)
• Unbound Birth by Jenny Yarborough @ The Southern Institute ($4.99)

If you’re intrigued, you can buy through any of my links.  I do earn commission on sales made through my links, and I appreciate you clicking them.

Festive Traditions

Great news!

Jill, our editor at Modern Alternative Kitchen, just released their first ebook – Festive Traditions.  The book is geared towards those who want to celebrate the holiday in style, but who also want to stick to real food.

If you’re struggling with what to make for holiday parties, or what to serve for brunch, or even make for Christmas dinner, look no further.  This book has totally real food versions of spinach artichoke dip, butternut squash soup with ginger cream, coconut hot chocolate, pastured eggnog, crock pot beef stroganoff, sweet potato casserole, cheesy potatoes, pumpkin cheesecake bars, apple cake with caramel sauce, gingerbread muffins, and more.  Many are gluten- or grain-free!

I am really excited to try more of the recipes in this book.  I made the eggnog last week and was very happy to have a version that didn’t have a lot of weird junk in it.  And it’s actually really healthy, since it relies mostly on pastured egg yolks, raw milk, and raw cream.  It’s an indulgence that’s worth it (and really great for pregnant women — make sure you source your eggs and milk from a local farm, though!).  The apple cake and the pumpkin cheesecake bars both sound amazing, and we may try these for breakfasts or treats between now and Christmas.

The best news is that this book is 40% off today, for Cyber Monday/launch special!  Use code FESTIVEMONDAY40 to get this deal.  It won’t be on sale again for awhile, so snag it will you can and enjoy your holiday food celebrations with real food!

What is your favorite book in this sale, or which one do you most want to read?

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I get a lot of questions about prenatal vitamins and supplements on how to stay health during preconception, pregnancy, nursing, and postpartum recovery.  I really don’t recommend most supplements on the market because they are largely synthetic, poorly absorbed, and poorly balanced.  They won’t, in the long run, keep you especially healthy.

However, there are a couple I recommend.  One you’ll read about more in a few weeks.  The other is Green Pastures fermented cod liver oil.

After two years of trying various approaches to health, I have to say that using Green Pastures’ fermented cod liver oil blended with butter oil is probably THE most significant thing we do.  I can’t count how many times I’ve started to get cold symptoms — slight sore throat, bit of a sniffle — and I’ve taken a big dose of the FCLO and woke up fine the next morning.  It never fails.

Last August, my husband had a terrible case of poison ivy.  It was bad enough that he went to the urgent care center and got a steroid shot (which did nothing).  He tried various alternative remedies with little relief.  It was dragging on…and on…and on.  Finally I told him to start taking the FCLO.  He did, and soon turned a corner and began to heal.  We credit it to the FCLO.  Three weeks of no alternative or mainstream treatment helping…then a couple of doses of FCLO and he began to heal.

I just cannot stress enough how important it is to us.  I’d pay more for it than it costs (and it’s expensive), although I’m grateful I don’t have to!  It is simply the most important supplement that we take.  All the rest (that we’d use in times of illness; we don’t use many on a regular basis at all and the only other one is the liquid herbal multivitamin) kind of fill in the gaps and just help ensure that stuff “goes away.”  I could still give it all up if I had my FCLO.

The Expense

I’ve had several readers tell me that FCLO just isn’t in the budget for them.  I understand that it’s hard — a bottle of the blend “gel” (so-called because of the texture of blending the liquid FCLO with the solid butter oil) costs $50 plus shipping.  This would last about 6 weeks for one adult, or 3 months for one child.  Especially if you have a bigger family (as we do now), the cost can add up fast.

First, I would suggest a few things to you:

• Cut out other supplements use: Spend your money on the FCLO if you have to choose just one
• Take smaller doses: Taking a lesser amount is going to be more beneficial than taking none
• Take some every other day: Same idea…spread out the cost
• Rearrange other financial priorities: I don’t know anyone’s particular financial situation, but if I needed to spend less on food, clothes, entertainment, whatever variable costs I could…I would.  This saves so much money in the long run because we don’t have doctor bills!

I can’t, in good conscience, recommend any other brand.  I have tried a few different types of fish oils and noticed no real difference in my health.  I balked at the price of the Green Pastures product for a long time too, and I investigated every cod liver oil I could find in the health food stores.  Nothing seemed as good and nothing worked as well.  I rarely endorse a product this strongly, but this one I have to.  It has just made too great a difference in my family’s health for me to recommend anything else.

Win It!

However, right now, 5 lucky winners are going to have a chance to win a bottle FREE!  That’s right…FREE!

This giveaway is for a $50 gift coupon (per winner) so that you can choose which product you would like to try and give it a shot.  It’s a way that you can see how beneficial it really is to your family before deciding to take the plunge and spend your own hard-earned money on it.

This giveaway will be run by Rafflecopter (see below).  You may enter from any of the Modern Alternative Family websites (Modern Alternative Mama, Modern Alternative Kitchen, Modern Alternative Pregnancy, or Modern Alternative Health).  It’s open to U.S. residents over the age of 18, and will close on Sunday.  The winners will be announced on Monday next week.  Winners will need to provide their full name, email address, mailing address, and phone number in order to claim their prize (Green Pastures requires this to issue gift coupons).  Winners must respond within one week of the announcement or a new winner will be selected.

Comments on this post (other than as mentioned in the Rafflecopter) DO NOT count as entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Why do you want to win?

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