Lauren asked, in the previous post’s comments, how the class on breastfeeding could possibly take up two entire hours. Well, I shall tell you.

To begin, the woman who teaches it explained that she herself was averse to the idea but that her husband was the one who, 26 years ago, convinced her to try it. Eventually, she became an RN and then a lactation consultant who now operates her own store (plug: Best Beginnings). She then went into some of the myths of breastfeeding such as: I cannot possibly produce enough milk for my child, I have to “toughen up” my nipples prior to feeding, and so on. We learned a ton of info, which all escapes me at this early hour, but which opened my eyes up to the world of breastfeeding. We learned techniques for holding the baby, cues for when he/she is hungry (before they start crying), and how to get the right latch so you don’t have cracked and bleeding nipples, which is almost always from an incorrect latch.

Yes, our ancestors thrived upon this and it is a pretty simple and natural thing.  However, our society has wandered so far from our roots that we’re afraid of breasts now. When Katrina hit N.O. and 5 day old babies were “starving” our instructor said she felt so sorrowful because if those mothers had just put their baby to the breast, then they wouldn’t have been crying in the debris-ridden streets for formula. Also, breasts sell beer, magazines, wings and so on now so when we see a woman feeding her baby in public, we as a society get all up in arms. Women get kicked out of places all the time for breastfeeding and our instructor, who said she was the most modest and scared woman when she began, explained how we have the right to do what is most instinctual for mother and child.

So yes, there was more info we could have learned but our two hours were up before I knew it. But just a few really interesting things I picked up that I want to share:

• Milk is produced on a supply and demand basis; when the baby begins the sucking reflex it signals your brain to produce two chemicals (prolactin and oxytocin) and that is what creates the “milk” molecules and brings them out.

• Breastmilk is a non-dairy product. We’re not cows.

• A newborn baby’s stomach can only hold 5 CCs of liquid, the equivalent of a small marble.

I’m not going to even think about pumping until about 3-4 weeks and by then, I will have gone into her store to talk to her more about that; we didn’t have time to go into all the details of that aspect. But I definitely want to do that so daddy can partake in the nutritive aspect of parenting.

Ok, enough about breasts and babies and all that good stuff. (But don’t you feel more educated now?) I have a lot of stuff to get done at work today but I am feeling pretty good about it. After a minor – pointless – breakdown about pregnancy in general last night, I’m in a much better and outgoing mood. It’s Wednesday, I only have to teach twice this week, and I am taking a half day on Friday. Doesn’t get much sweeter, I tell you.

I’m trying to be very positive today. For one, my little breakfast place started carrying Starbucks Frappucinos and I was so very glad to see it since the campus Circle K hasn’t restocked them in days. I thank you, my body thanks you, and even my baby thanks you for the extra boost. Secondly, my mom, sister, and aunt come into town soon so this weekend should be super fun, with meals out and maybe even a pedicure and shopping. I know, I sound so… girly. But it’s the little things, you know?

Anyway, happy humpday. I hope my friends who are moving all over the country and who are starting classes and who have lots of stuff going on are all doing well.