World Breastfeeding Week 2011 (Day 4)

Today is the last day of World Breastfeeding Week 2011! I thought I would leave you with some great {general} breastfeeding techniques from WebMD!

Proper techniques are crucial for successful breastfeeding. Although some aspects of breastfeeding come naturally, learning new skills is important. Before your baby is born, take classes, read books, and watch videos that demonstrate breastfeeding techniques. If you have concerns about your ability to breastfeed, talk to a lactation consultant while you are pregnant. After your baby is born, it is helpful to have one-on-one instruction with a lactation specialist or other knowledgeable health professional.

Basic Techniques

• Get Comfortable. Find a position that is comfortable for both you and your baby. For all positions, make sure the baby's head and chest are lined up straight and facing your breast. Have 2 or 3 pillow and a glass of water or juice nearby.
• Decide which breast to start with. Although it is best to offer your baby both breasts at each feeding, alternate which breast you start with. If the baby takes only one breast at a feeding, which is common in the first day or two, start the next feeding with the other breast. Try to offer both breasts at each feeding.
• Get the baby latched on properly. An improper latch is painful and frustrating. A proper latch helps prevent problems such as sore nipples, blocked milk ducts, breast infections, and poor infant weight gain. Position your baby's chest against your chest with his or her head and body aligned straight. Skin-to-skin contact while breastfeeding, especially during the first few days, helps promote bonding with your baby.
• Start by lightly touching the middle of your baby's lower lip with your nipple until the baby opens his or her mouth. The baby's mouth needs to be wide open, like a yawn, before attempting to latch.
• With your fingers under your breast and your thumb resting on top of your breast {the "C hold"}, bring the baby quickly onto the nipple and the areola, so it goes deep into your baby's mouth. You may feel pain briefly, but the pain should go away in less than a minute. If the pain does not go away, remove the baby from the breast and re-latch the baby. If that fails, try a different position. 
• As you are getting started, if the baby does not immediately get the idea to such, squeeze a little milk into his or her mouth.
• Look for signs that your baby is getting enough milk. Listen for a regular sucking and swallowing pattern. If you cannot see or hear a swallowing pattern, watch the baby's ears, which will wiggle slightly when the baby swallows.
• If the baby's nose appears to be blocked by your breast, reposition him or her by raising the baby's hips or relaxing the baby's head back slightly, so just the edge of one nostril is clear for breathing. Do not press on your breast to clear baby's nose, because this pulls on your nipple and may cause nipple soreness. 
• Remove your baby from the breast. Anytime you need to remove your baby from the breast, put one finger into the corner of his or her mouth and push your finger between your baby's gums to gently break the seal. 
• Switch to the other breast. Offer the other breast when the first feels empty and the infant sucks more slowly, pulls off, or loses interest. Usually the baby will continue breastfeeding, though perhaps for less time than on the first breast. Let your baby feed until he or she is satisfied.
• Burp your baby. When your baby is satisfied, gently pat his or her back to help him or her let down any swallowed air. After the baby burps, offer the breast again. 

Keeping it Calm and Relaxed

Breastfeeding may go more smoothly in the first days and weeks if you and your baby are relaxed.

• Keep the room darkened. Bright light makes it difficult for newborns to open their eyes.
• Make sure the room is quiet and warm and that you are able to relax. Eliminate or ignore distractions, such as the phone.
• Keep something to drink nearby. Most women get thirsty as they breastfeed. Drink enough to satisfy your thirst.
• After your baby latches onto your breast and is feeding well, try using a pillow or receiving blanket to maintain a comfortable position for both of you. Many women get sleepy while breastfeeding: having your baby fully supported while you doze allows you to get some needed rest.

Other Important Tips

• In the first few days, you may need to wake the baby to breastfeed every 2 to 3 hours.
• If your baby falls asleep before finishing breastfeeding, you may need to stimulate him or her to finish the feeding. {Newborns and babies with jaundice may be hard to keep awake.} After a while, you will learn your baby's patterns and will know whether he or she needs rousing or has fed long enough.
• Avoid using artificial nipples such as bottles or pacifiers, at least until breastfeeding is well established {usually about 4 to 6 weeks}. This also means other caregivers should wait to give a bottle to the baby. Feedings should be given only by the mother at the breast. The caregivers can bond by holding, cuddling, changing clothes and diapers, and generally spending time with the baby.

Breastfeeding in Public

To feed your baby on demand, it is inevitable that you will need to breastfeed in public on occasion. It may help to think ahead about strategies that would help make these feedings comfortable for you.

• In many states and on federal property, your right to breastfeed in public is protected by law.
• Look for a private or semiprivate area, such as a fitting room or a quiet corner in a lobby.
• Ware a loose-fitting blouse or a shirt that can be raised easily {a loose t-shirt or sweater works fine}. If you are wearing a top with buttons, unbutton it from the bottom up and leave the top buttons closed. You can wear a top that is specially designed for breastfeeding, but it is not necessary.
• For added privacy, lay a lightweight blanket over your shoulder and chest to cover your breasts and the baby.

World Breastfeeding Week 2011 (Day 2)

Some interesting information from the World Health Organization

Promoting Proper Feeding for Infants and Young Children

Malnutrition is responsible, directly or indirectly for about 1/3 of deaths among children under five. Well above 2/3 of these deaths, often associated with inappropriate feeding practices, occur during the first year of life.
Nutrition and nurturing during the first years of life are both crucial for life-long health and well-being. In infancy, no gift is more precious than breastfeeding; yet barely 1 in 3 infants is exclusively breastfed during the first six months of life.

The World Health Organization recommends that infants start breastfeeding within one hour of life, are exclusively breastfed for six months, with timely introduction of adequate, safe and properly fed complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for up to two years of age or beyond.

Exclusive Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is an unequaled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also and integral part of the reproductive process with important implications of the health of mothers. Review of evidence has shown that, on a population basis, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the optimal way of feeding infants. Thereafter infants should receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.
Breast milk is the natural first food for babies, it provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child's nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to 1/3 during the second year of life.
Breast milk promotes sensory and cognitive development, and protects the infant against infectious and chronic diseases. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea or pneumonia, and helps for a quicker recovery during illness. These effects can be measured in resource-poor and affluent societies. Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of mothers; it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding, and is safe for the environment.

To enable mothers to establish and sustain exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, WHO and UNICEF recommend:

• Initiation to breastfeeding within the first hour of life
• Exclusive breastfeeding - that is the infant only receives breast milk without any additional food or drink, not even water
• Breastfeeding on demand - that is as often as the child wants, day and night
• No use of bottles, teats, or pacifiers

Cloth vs. Disposables - Worth it? (Wipes Edition)

First things first - I have exciting news! We are now legally "Tater Tots Kids LLC"!!! I am working on getting the website and the online store up and running and hopefully you will be able to shop with us soon {we will keep you updated}!

Now, down to business.
May people have neglected to realize the cost savings of using cloth wipes as opposed to disposables. Just as with the cloth diapers, I had to find out for myself how much money I was saving by going the cloth wipe route. These per wipe prices are based on the costs at a big-box store {such as Sam's Club}, so I would recommend you visit your favorite store to figure out how much money you will be saving by using cloth wipes.

Cloth vs Disposable Wipes

Brand                   Count     Price Per Box   Price Per Wipe
Huggies                720             $15.48              $0.02
Pampers                672             $16.68              $0.02
Pampers                720             $15.98              $0.02
Store Brand           810            $14.48               $0.02
                                          Average Price Per Disposable Wipe $0.02

Brand               Count     Price Per Pack       Price Per Wipe
Imagine              10            $8.99                      $0.90
Imagine              10            $6.99                      $0.70
Kissaluvs            10            $11.50                    $1.15
BabyKicks          10            $12.60                    $1.26
Thirsties               6            $10.75                     $1.79
                                                 Average Price Per Wipe $1.16

*Assuming 2 wipes per change for disposables*
*Assuming 1.5 wipes per change for cloth*
*Assuming a cloth stash of 30 wipes*
*Assuming 10 changes per day*
*Assuming 2.5 years in diapers*

Average Cost for Disposables                 $365.00
Average Cost for Cloth                            $34.80
Cost Difference                                        $330.20

If you choose to purchase or make your cloth wipe solution {I just use water} then there will be some added costs to this total. I have found that if you are using cloth diapers, it just makes sense {environmentally and monetarily} to use cloth wipes as well: you will use fewer cloth wipes per change, and you can choose what ingredients you use to "wet" the wipes.

So many people fail to realize the amount of money they spend on disposable wipes, because the per-box cost is relatively low {especially in comparison to disposable wipe costs}. But, as you can see the savings can be significant if you choose to use cloth wipes.

'Til Next Time,
Have a whimsical {spontaneously fanciful and playful} day!
Sam

Cloth vs. Disposables - Worth it?

During my time of research on cloth diapering {which is still going on today because I find it so fascinating} I couldn't help but notice what people everywhere are saying about the cost savings. According to most, cloth diapering could save you thousands in only a few years per child; but there have been some naysayers out there claiming that the savings you acquire aren't worth the time and effort you must put in to rinsing, washing, and assembling all of those diapers. Now, I understand there are an inordinate amount of options for cloth and disposable diapering which will change each individual's cost analysis {not to mention number of changes per day, cost of living, etc}. 
I have concluded that I cannot go around telling people about the wonderful savings available for parents who cloth diaper without doing the math myself.

So without further ado - here is my cost analysis disposable vs cloth diapers.

Diaper Cost Analysis
*Assuming 8 diaper changes per day using disposables*
*Assuming 10 diapers per day for cloth {Pocket, AIO and Hybrid}*
*Assuming 12 diapers per day for prefolds*
*Assuming 2.5 years in diapers*

Disposables

{Cost for disposables were determined according to pricing at a big-box store such as Sam's Club - and not including the amount of a membership. A variety of sizes was used to help acquire a more accurate average}

Brand                    Count     Size     Price Per Box       Price Per Diaper
Pampers                186           3              $42.98                 $0.23
Pampers                204           2              $42.98                 $0.21
Pampers                192           4              $42.98                 $0.22
Store Brand           176           5              $35.38                 $0.20
Huggies                 184          2               $38.98                 $0.21
Huggies                 200          4               $42.98                 $0.21
                                                               Average Price Per Diaper $0.21

Cloth Pocket/Hybrid/AIO

{Cloth diaper costs were determined by general online pricing for popular brands}

Brand               Size/Type                Price Per Diaper                  
Blueberry         One Size Pocket        $19.95
BumGenius      One Size Pocket        $17.95
Fuzzibunz        One Size Pocket         $19.95
Kiwi Pie           One Size Pocket        $24.95
GroVia             One Size AIO               $22.95
GroVia             One Size Hybrid        $16.95*
                                                           Average Price Per Diaper $21.63
*The GroVia Hybrid diaper does not come with inserts due to the fact that you can choose to use flushable or cloth. I have added the cost of a cloth insert into the cost of this diaper.

Econo Cloth

{Cloth diaper costs were determined by general online pricing for brands. For a Prefold/Cover the cost of the prefold is included in the overall diaper price, for a Prefold Cover the prefold must be purchased separately and is not included in the cover cost}

Brand               Size/Type                            Price            Price Per Diaper
Swaddlebees    One Size Prefold (flat)        $15.95/6       $2.66
Econobum        One Size Prefold/Cover        $11.95/3        $3.98
Blueberry         One Size Prefold Cover         $16.97
Thirsties            One Size Prefold Cover        $12.00
Flip                   One Size Prefold/Cover          $19.95
                                                                                  Average Price Per Diaper $4.63

Avg. cost for disposables     $1534.05
Avg. cost for cloth $519.12 + $30.88 (for extra inserts) = $550.00
 {assuming a stash of 24 diapers}
Avg. cost for econo cloth $138.90 + $50.00 (for extra prefolds) = $188.90
 {assuming a stash of 30 prefolds}

Cost Savings

Cloth vs disposables                              $984.05
Econo cloth vs disposables                    $1345.15

Whew! I know that's a lot of numbers, but I wanted to make sure everyone could see where I was coming from and that I didn't just pull numbers out of thin air. Keep in mind that these are {very} conservative numbers...not everyone will spend $0.21 on disposables because they won't shop at a big box store - and to be fair, the price of membership should be included in the price per diaper. Some people will also want to have a larger cloth stash on hand so they don't have to do laundry as much.  They might also have fewer diaper covers and more inserts which will make the cost for cloth smaller.

To get a more accurate analysis of the cost of cloth diapering - one has to factor in the cost of washing all of those diapers! {Electric, water, and detergent}. Personally, I like to wash diapers every other day - that is on average what the diaper manufacturers suggest for the amount of time you leave the diapers in the pail. With my diaper estimates you should be able to have 2 days worth of diapers plus a few more {just in case there are *issues*}. Here goes...


Laundry Cost Analysis
*Assuming 2 Cold/Cold rinses and 1 Hot/Cold wash*
*Assuming washes every other day*
*Assuming electric {gas is cheaper}*

Laundry Setting     Heater Type     Cost Per Load
Cold/Cold               Electric                $0.26
Cold/Cold                Gas                     $0.26
Hot/Cold                 Electric                $0.65
Hot/Cold                  Gas                     $0.43

Detergent                        Loads Per Pack     Cost Per Pack     Cost Per Load
Rockin Green Classic       135                        $26.95                  $0.20
Tide Total Care                 60                          $17.99                  $0.30
Method                               50                           $14.99                 $0.30
                                                                     Average Per Load $0.27

Average cost per wash session     $1.44
Average total laundry cost           $657.00

So...if we factor the cost of doing the laundry $657 into the cost of the actual diapers $188.90 - $550...
Econo Cloth + Laundry Costs     $188.90 + $657.00 = $842.90
Cloth + Laundry Costs                $550.00 + $657.00 = $1207.00
Disposable Costs                                                            $1899.05

Econo Cloth vs Disposable     $1056.15
Cloth vs Disposable                $692.05

For my family, these are significant savings...but, I will not be the one to tell you that the work of cloth diapering is so totally worth the money you'll save. I, honestly, love everything about cloth diapering {how soft and fluffy they are, how they bop around when my little man walks, how - with all of the adorable fabrics out there - they are like little outfit accessories, the money they save my family, the wonders they do for little man's booty, how good they are for the environment, and the list goes on...}. However, I am not so naive to think that every mother and father in the world feel the same way that I do about it. You have to decide for yourself if cloth diapering is worth it for you - I am a wholehearted believer that one person alone cannot make the decision to cloth diaper - it has to be a family commitment.

I would suggest that you go to your favorite store and determine the cost of disposables there to get a better idea of your savings. Here's how...
{Get information for at least 4 diaper brands/types and sizes. Make sure you write down the diaper count and price per box}

-Divide the cost of the box by the diaper count to get the price per diaper. Add all of the individual diaper costs together and divide by the number of boxes you got information for - this will give you the average price per diaper.
-Multiply the average price per diaper by 913.125 {number of days} then multiply that number by 8 {changes per day}. This will give you your total cost of using disposables.
-Take your total disposables cost and subtract $550 {if you're planning on using pockets, AIOs, or hybrids} or $188.90 {if you're planning on using prefolds/econo cloth}.  Then subtract $657 {laundry costs} - and there you have your total cloth diaper savings!

Tomorrow, I will do a cost-analysis of cloth wipes vs disposables - that's where the real savings are!

Until tomorrow,
Have a whimsical {spontaneously fanciful and playful} day!
Sam