Is breastfeeding after a breast reduction surgery possible?My breasts had been a troubled subject for some time, in many ways I’m sure others will relate but equally a bit of backstory is required and may give anyone else the reassurance I have to offer. I never thought that breastfeeding after a breast reduction would be a possibility. Long-legged in my running shorts, my completely undeveloped body, complete with ‘boyish’ (as I was repeatedly informed) haircut, I envied the more developed girls of high school. They got the attention. They could wear the fashion (although I realize now how in the late 90s/00s fashion was a rather questionable term- the two strand gelled fringe…need I say more?!) and there I was in my baggy sports gear and braces. But as karma or some dramatic hocus pocus would have it, the year I turned 15, I went from cotton crop top wearing flatness to bolder holding underwired DD cups. My hair grew, my clothing marginally feminized, and some male heads occasionally turned. Add on another 6 months and I was an FF cup, my weight generally hadn’t altered and I was still trying …(underneath the 2 sports bras I relied upon) to run and compete in athletics competitions. My school leavers book was a consensus of ‘good luck Flipping Fantastic’, and ‘see you soon FF’. It had already gone too far. My breasts were already larger than my mums by several cup sizes and my grandmothers both had petite frames and chests to match. I’m eating healthily (for a teenager) and exercising daily, why was my body growing in this way. READ MORE: WILL BREASTFEEDING GET ANY EASIER? RELATED: BREASTFEEDING, PARENTING AND THE RELATIONSHIP IT BRINGS When I started university, I had long hair, below my shoulders, a lovely boyfriend and accepted a crevice of a cleavage was part of the daily package to consider and learn to dress. I had to embrace it because it would take a tent to conceal the now GG cups. Running was getting harder. I heard every pun along the lines of ‘you must get two black eyes running with those’, such original comedy from EVERYONE. This led to increasing difficulty from a psychological point of view. Running was my sanctuary outside of the house but now having a guaranteed round of toots if traffic lights gave opportunity, I had to force myself to put my trainers on. I wore sunglasses in hope of projecting ignorance to this crude attention. Amongst the vans and work vehicles, I had fire engines and even ambulances honk horns and shout out pretty awful things. Ironically I’m now married to a firefighter! These were grown men gawping at my ‘bouncing norks’ (yup that’s one word I heard frequently) even adding in hand gestures whilst their partners sat oblivious next to them. RELATED: DECISIONS YOU NEED TO MAKE BEFORE GIVING BIRTH READ MORE: HOW I GOT RID OF MASTITIS Rounds of photos and surgeon’s artwork put into place the new boobs coming my way. I had a complete freak out in the lead up to this operation, breaking up with my boyfriend, leaving university and transferring to one closer to home and generally feeling panicked. I was told the operation would mean I wouldn’t be able to breastfeed after a breast reduction, but having children wasn’t even on my newly single radar. The op itself was apparently harder than planned because my running and persistent exercise had caused my breasts to be very fibrous and more like a water balloon rather than a chunk of fat to cut away. Reconstruction was required and then an attempt to get the other breast to look as symmetrical as possible. READ MORE: INFANT TUMMY TROUBLES; REFLUX AND GAS RELATED: VEGAN FOODS TO BOOST YOUR MILK SUPPLY Acupuncture (woven through the scar lines), reiki, massage and so many lotions were used to break down the scar lines and promote healing. This went on for years. And reactivity settled to what I can only hope are normal levels. I got pregnant and due to the severing and snipping involved with my op, I had been told breastfeeding wouldn’t be an option. Too many ducts and glands had to be removed and the nipple too damaged to connect any remains ducts to the areola. The internal scarring was expected to also cause issues. But when in the early stages of labor I felt irrationally compelled to make breastfeeding after my breast reduction an option, a wonderful lactation consultant visited me and taught me there and then, whilst bounding on the birthing ball, how to hand express. There it was, the golden yellow liquid. This meant breastfeeding after a breast reduction was possible. Though my lactation consultant advised, the next few weeks would require some persistence to build supply from the few glands I had left to get them to cater for my baby. Fast forward 4 years and those glands have worked throughout, tandem feeding 4-year-old and stepping up a notch when my twins arrived last year prematurely. It took a few weeks but with frequent feeding & expressing we got there.
My surgeon was amazing, better than he even realized! I’m healthier now and able to exercise, so although they’ve been bashed and bruised, mocked and teased, these beauties are continuing to exceed expectations. Love your mind & body. It’s capable of more than we are sometimes led to believe. Do you have a story you want to share? Let us know in the comments below! YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Lilli Docherty, is a mum to x4 under 4 years old, self-employed with her own craft business and raising her family vegan. Lilli writes about daily life and the challenges she faces throughout her pregnancies, breastfeeding and vegan lifestyle, with an honest and fun reflection of her journey. You can find her on Facebook
The post Breastfeeding After A Breast Reduction Surgery: My Success Story appeared first on Raise Vegan. Via https://raisevegan.com/breastfeeding-after-a-breast-reduction-surgery-my-success-story/
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A co-sleeping solution that might work for youIf your family is happy and safe with baby in your bed, go for it! But if you question having baby in bed with you, if you want baby close to you but wish you had a little space to yourself, to roll around when you need to, to get up to pee without waking baby, to snuggle your partner, or to pull those blankets right up to your chin, here’s a co-sleeping solution that worked wonderfully for my family: sidecar your crib. Sidecar your crib? What’s that mean?Baby sleeps in the same room as you, in a crib pushed right up to your bed. You take one side off the crib, so your bed is open to the crib. What are the advantages of a sidecarred crib?Baby will be right there with you, even if you can’t safely have them in bed with you (due to a medication you’re taking, for instance), your bed isn’t big enough for the whole family, or if bed-sharing just doesn’t feel right for you. You’ll be able to reach right over (to comfort, nurse, or change a diaper) and bring baby in bed with you when you choose to, but you’ll also be able to, without getting up, set baby on their own separate sleep surface, so you can then move around without waking your baby. You can even nurse your baby to sleep right where the mattresses meet, so when they sleepily unlatch, they’ll roll asleep onto their back on their crib mattress, and you can sleep right next to them on your mattress (or get up and have some grown-up time if you want, though, at the beginning, you’ll probably want to listen to everyone’s advice to “sleep while the baby’s sleeping.”) Your kid will be able to stay in this co-sleeping solution set-up for as long as feels right to you or will be well set up to move to their own room if/when your family decides. READ MORE: SHOULD WE REALLY CO-SLEEP? RELATED: WHEN DO BABIES SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT? How do I sidecar my crib?Some people recommend getting bungee cords to attach the crib to your bed, but we didn’t find the need for anything like that. Everything was quite stable, using nothing but our mattress, our box spring, and a convertible crib with a crib mattress. We just assembled our crib with one long side missing, then moved the crib all the way against the wall, with the open side opening up right to our bed. We adjusted the height of the crib mattress to line up perfectly with the top of our mattress (you can experiment with including/excluding your own bed frame/box spring to get the heights just right). We didn’t have a gap between the mattresses, but if you do, you can squeeze a pool noodle in there to close the gap. We also opted to put a toddler rail (our convertible crib came with it) at the foot end of the crib’s open side; this left a smaller gap, so as our baby started rolling/crawling, there was only one opening for her to leave the crib and come to our bed.
Should I buy an Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper?We opted to sidecar our crib as a co-sleeping solution, rather than buying an Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper for a few reasons. Specialty items made just for bedside babies are generally small, so they serve their purpose for a while, but then they’re just one more expensive baby item to pass on. Cribs, on the other hand, works just like co-sleepers, but your child will continue to fit in them for much longer. This allows you to keep up the sidecar co-sleeping situation longer. Or, when you’re ready, you can transition your child into their own room, using the familiarity of the bed they’ve slept in all along. For us, this made for a very easy transition. My almost-4-year-old still sleeps in the same convertible crib that she slept in as an infant. READ MORE: THE EXHAUSTED PARENTS GUIDE ON GETTING A BABY TO SLEEP RELATED: WHAT IS JUNK SLEEP? How do you transition from a sidecarred crib to their own room?We chose to go right from sidecarred crib to toddler bed (meaning leaving the 4th side off of the crib and attaching the toddler rail attachment) when she was 21 months old, but you would also have the option to go from sidecarred crib to regular 4-sided crib. Either way, your little one can keep the familiarity of the bed they’ve had their whole life. We had the forethought to get a convertible crib that came with a matching toddler rail, but toddler rails can also be purchased separately. RELATED: RAISE VEGAN PARENTING MAGAZINEI’m freaking out. I’m so tired! Am I doing this right?I do want to emphasize that, in the beginning, you will probably try out lots of different sleeping arrangements. If you’re being safe and your baby’s needs are met, there’s no shame in any sleeping arrangement. Maybe you need a room for yourself sometimes to just get some sleep. Maybe you can only sleep if the baby’s right there with you. You might kick your partner out of bed to spread out with the baby. Maybe you enlist a friend to sleep with your baby while you try to nap. The beginning, being so sleep-deprived, can be so tough. I offer this “co-sleeping solution” just as one more thing to try, something that worked very well for our family. Good luck—you’ve got this! YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Darcy Reeder’s been a journalist, a vegan pastry chef, owned a vegan pizzeria, and now she plays with kids all day (as a mama and a Kaleidoscope Play & Learn facilitator). See more at her blog Vegans in Love, her Etsy shop ItsyPunx, and on Instagram @darcyreeder.
The post Sidecar Your Crib: A Co-Sleeping Solution appeared first on Raise Vegan. Via https://raisevegan.com/sidecar-your-crib-co-sleeping-solution/ Mom shaming on social media.Unfortunately, this is something we’ve all seen if we’ve been on social media for more than five minutes. Mom shaming on social media is everywhere, and everyone has an opinion on how you should be raising your child, even if they don’t have kids themselves. “Breast is always best” “You’re not breastfeeding anymore?” “Put your boob away, people are eating” “Wow, you’re going back to work already?” “So, you’re just going to stay home with the baby?” Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, you’ll get judged. Whether you’re a new mom or not, you’ll get judged. Whether you’re a stay at home mom or a full time working mom, you’ll get judged. READ MORE: ARE YOU A TOXIC PERSON ONLINE? RELATED: SHOULD WE RETHINK THE ‘GENDER’ REVEAL PARTIES? Unfortunately, this is the world we live in. People think they have the right to tell people how to raise their kids and how to be a parent. While all advice is welcomed (most of the time), opinions will always be opinions. Here’s the thing. It’s YOUR body, it’s YOUR baby, and YOU’RE the mother. It’s not THEIR body, it’s not THEIR baby, and THEY’RE not the mother. It’s as simple as that.
The three most common mom shaming on social media situations are: 1. Breastfeeding vs. Formula feeding.Now, surprisingly I’ve come to notice that this topic is highly debatable in the vegan community. Yes, breastfeeding does provide your little one with all the essential vitamins and nutrients he/she needs during their developing years. However, if a mother chooses not to breastfeed for whatever reason is up to THEM, not an outsider. Moms should not be expected to explain to anyone why they’re not breastfeeding. If moms emotional state is well and baby is fed and is healthy, all is well in the world. RELATED: WHY HOMEMADE FORMULA SIMPLY ISN’T SAFE 2. Breastfeeding in public.Breastfeeding is natural. If adults eat at the table, and a woman wants to feed her child at dinner, let her. If you’re bothered by it, don’t look in that direction. Society has caused breastfeeding in public to be some type of taboo when women have been breastfeeding their children for ages. However, it is always up to the mother to feed her child wherever she feels comfortable. RELATED: EFFECTS OF AUTHORITARIAN STYLE STRICT PARENTING READ MORE: THE DIFFICULTY OF TALKING ABOUT MISCARRIAGE 3. Stay at home moms.If you’re a stay at home, it doesn’t mean you stay home all day laying on the couch. If you’re a full-time working mom, it doesn’t mean you don’t love your child. Everyone has their own family dynamics, whether you stay home and raise your children or work a job that causes you to leave your child with someone else during those hours it doesn’t make you any less of a mom. No one knows your story behind what they see in public. Therefore, live your life the way you want to live it, and raise your kids the way you want to! Please stop the mom shaming on social media and simply support one another instead.
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Lynda Landaverde Hi, I’m Lynda! I’m a new vegan mommy of one baby boy. I became vegan a few months pre-pregnancy, and am currently raising my son as Vegan. I hope to inspire other mama’s through my love for writing about veganism. Aside from being a mommy and writer, I also have a love for fitness. I’m a Pilates instructor who loves Yoga, hiking, and weightlifting. You can follow my vegan mommy journey on Instagram @theplantbasedmommy.
The post Mom Shaming On Social Media. Why On Earth Do People Do It? appeared first on Raise Vegan. Via https://raisevegan.com/mom-shaming-on-social-media-why-do-people-do-it/ Teething medicines unsafe for infants?As a parent, we’ve all been through the everlasting teething stage. We’ve turned into zombies on those endless, sleepless nights trying to comfort our babies through their teething pain. We’ve sung all the lullabies a mom can think of and have tried every home remedy in the book. Sometimes, to reach the calming stage, we turn to teething medicines to help subside any pain. Because let’s face it, hearing our little ones cry in pain is the worst! Toofers are the cutest, yet one of the hardest stages to go through during your child’s first two years. RELATED: MOMS DON’T GET SICK DAYS, DO THEY? READ MORE: HOW TO ENSURE YOUR VEGAN KID IS EATING WELL Just recently, Federal health officials warned parents about the dangers of teething medicines that contain a popular numbing ingredient, Benzocaine. They have just asked manufacturers to stop selling their products intended for babies and toddlers. One of the most popular medicines containing Benzocaine is Orajel. The Food and Drug Administration stated that gels and creams containing benzocaine can cause rare but deadly side effects in children, especially those 2 years and younger. As a result, teething medicines containing Benzocaine are finally being taken off the market.
Here are our top 3 recommended Benzocaine-free and vegan-friendly teething products:
We hope these natural products can help you and your little one gets some rest and have a pain-free teething stage. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Lynda Landaverde Hi, I’m Lynda! I’m a new vegan mommy of one baby boy. I became vegan a few months pre-pregnancy, and am currently raising my son as Vegan. I hope to inspire other mama’s through my love for writing about veganism. Aside from being a mommy and writer, I also have a love for fitness. I’m a Pilates instructor who loves Yoga, hiking and weight lifting. You can follow my vegan mommy journey on Instagram @theplantbasedmommy.
The post Are Teething Medicines Unsafe For Infants? appeared first on Raise Vegan. Via https://raisevegan.com/are-teething-medicines-unsafe-for-infants/ Managing obesity can be quite a difficult task.Today more than 50 percent Americans worry about losing excess weight. With junk food ruling the planet, it is getting difficult to slim down despite a large number of vegans products coming up. Though it sounds easy, slimming needs a lot of effort to shed those extra pounds. Apart from exercising, you also need to eat healthy to stay fit. If you have tried all the methods of shedding pounds, it is better to try and listen to your inner voice and start eating a healthier diet that will help in managing obesity. Do not be afraid, take the first step, and tell your friends and family that you have made a decision to start eating healthy. To change your shape, you need to change your eating habits. Here are a few tips to help in managing obesity with healthy vegan eating. Cut down on your calorie intake.Calories make you put on weight and thus you should keep yourself away from sweets and foodstuff that are high on calories. It is better to take low-calorie sweetener in all the sweet dishes you tuck into. To lose weight many people adopt the wrong path and starve; that can deprive them of essential minerals making them weak. You need to have balanced complete meals. RELATED: WHY IS THERE MILK IN THAT?! READ MORE: CHILDHOOD OBESITY: VEGANS ARE NOT IMMUNE Eat more of leafy vegetables and fruits.Leafy vegetables and fruits provide you with all the required amounts of vitamins. Have small meals and in any case, eat less than you would otherwise. Replace white bread with brown bread. According to a WHO report households should select predominantly plant-based diets rich in a variety of vegetables and fruits, pulses or legumes, and minimally processed starchy staple foods. The evidence that such diets will prevent or delay a significant proportion of non-communicable chronic diseases is consistent. A predominantly plant-based diet has a low energy density, which should help in managing obesity.
Avoid fatty foodsFatty and fried foods have the tendency to make you put on weight more easily. Instead, try to bake foods in the oven. Joan Salge Blake, a clinical nutrition professor at Boston University says “For the money and your blood pressure, you can’t beat a traditionally baked spud”. Australian Popular Science reports white potatoes do contain all the essential amino acids you need to build proteins, repair cells, and fight diseases. Stay hydratedDrink liters of water to save yourself from fake hunger and avoid eating except at mealtimes. Maintain a schedule for meals and stick to it without fail. Cut down on alcohol since alcohol promotes a feeling of hunger. Try to be focused and keep informed and educate yourself how to maintain a vegan healthy lifestyle to stay fit and slim down soon. To get better results, it is good to not eat bakery products, saturated in calories to give you those extra pounds. READ MORE: VEGAN CURRIED CAULIFLOWER RELATED: 5 WAYS TO SNEAK IN EXERCISE AS A PARENT There are several disadvantages of unhealthy eating habits, however, with a plant-based diet, it can help you to lose extra pounds and stay fit. Obesity can give rise to several other health disorders, thus it is necessary to fight it at the right time. You can always consult a doctor to come up with a healthy and plant-based diet. Apart from healthy eating, increase your activities to help burn off all those extra calories. Healthy eating when combined with the right exercise, results in the slim and healthy body. Learn to control your temptations and eat vegan options even when you are in a restaurant.
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The post Managing Obesity With A Vegan Diet appeared first on Raise Vegan. Via https://raisevegan.com/managing-obesity-with-a-vegan-diet-davor/ Who doesn’t love a good cinnamon spice cupcakes recipe?I don’t know about you, but I love cinnamon spice flavors regardless of what season we’re in, these cupcakes have the perfect amount of those classic fall-flavors that leave you craving them all year round! Most cupcakes are packed with gluten, dairy, and eggs, but not these! After much trial and error, I have created a delicious moist cinnamon spice cupcakes recipe that is gluten-free, vegan and if you leave out the icing… refined sugar-free! So basically guilt free. You won’t feel bad about serving these to your little ones on their birthday, and guests certainly won’t know they are much healthier than the standard cupcake! READ MORE: CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES RELATED: VEGAN BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE Ingredients:
Icing:
Instructions (for the batter):
Instructions (for the icing):
Optional Decorations:
And there you have it, a super simple cinnamon spice cupcakes recipe with amazing flavors that is sure to please everyone! The best part is, no animals were harmed in the creating of this delicious dessert. Did you enjoy this cinnamon spice cupcakes recipe? Check out more recipes HERE. What is your favorite cupcake flavor? Let us know in the comment below! YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Emily Kru. I grew up on the West Coast of Canada and currently live in Northern California with my amazing husband and our beautiful vegan daughter. I love researching all of the amazing benefits that go hand in hand with being plant-based, so I was thrilled to find Raise Vegan and become an active writer for this inspiring team. When I’m not writing for Raise Vegan, you can find me on Instagram!
The post Delicious And Easy Cinnamon Spice Cupcakes Recipe appeared first on Raise Vegan. Via https://raisevegan.com/cinnamon-spice-cupcakes-recipe/ Our Favorite Vegan Dog ToysAre you vegan and wanting to know if your dog can enjoy some cruelty-free treats? The answer is YES! There are lots of alternative vegan dog toys for your pooch that will keep them from chewing on your shoes and satisfy their need to knaw. (Special thanks to everyone who helped me make this list of our favorite dog toys from the Vegan Pregnancy & Parenting Facebook Group — if you’re not a member, definitely check it out! It’s a wonderful resource and an amazing community of like-minded people.)
Wood Root – An alternative to sticks that can splinter and harm our furry friends, try non-splintering wood root for your dog to chew on. They make great vegan dog toys!
Whimzees – These non-GMO, gluten-free and veggie friendly chew toys are great for keeping your pup’s teeth clean while keeping him or her away from your favorite pair of shoes!
Kong – This durable rubber vegan dog toy can be filled full of peanut butter, dog food, or dog treats and will keep them busy for hours! Check out their website for more ideas and tips.
Frozen carrots – Did you know that dogs could eat carrots? I didn’t! Frozen carrots are a great treat for dogs in the summer months and super affordable, too!
Ropes – Rope chew toys are a great alternative and can give your dog something softer to chew on. Check your local pet store or online for these popular chew toys.
Deer/Elk Antlers – This one may be a little controversial, but here’s the thing about deer and elk antlers. These animals shed their antlers naturally every year, so they aren’t harmed or killed in order to get them. It is an option for those who are looking for a rawhide alternative without contributing to the animal agriculture industry. Our locally owned pet store carries elk and deer antlers, but they’re also available here.
Are there any treats or vegan dog toys you give your dog but don’t see on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
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Siri Steven is a midwest mama, passionate about delicious vegan food, animal rights and caring for the Earth. She loves to write, take photos, make music with her husband and spend time exploring national parks with her family. She’s the creator of The Vegan Steven which features recipes, interviews and more! Follow her on Instagram @thevegan.steven
The post 6 Of Our Favorite Vegan Dog Toys appeared first on Raise Vegan. Via https://raisevegan.com/6-favorite-vegan-dog-toys/ Green Pea Hummus RecipeGreen peas often get a bad rep. For some reason, it’s the cliché food that many kids simply won’t eat. But because they’re super affordable and a great source of plant-based protein, it’s nice to have a few recipes in your arsenal that make good use of them – like this Green Pea Hummus! Now, when I first put together this hummus recipe, I honestly wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did. After all, is hummus really hummus without chickpeas? Technically no, but making it with green peas is a light and refreshing change. It’s also got a tad bit of sweetness which is a nice balance to the garlic. The optional basil leaves take these attributes to another level and I highly recommend using it them if you have some lying around. Be sure to save a few for garnishing as well! One other advantage of this pea hummus recipe is how easy it is to make. Chickpeas are much denser and thus typically require a high-powered blender if you want to get it smooth in a reasonable amount of time. Because green peas are so soft, you can do this with pretty much any blender to get it smooth. READ MORE: CARROT & GINGER SOUP RELATED: VEGAN PROTEIN? BUT WHAT ABOUT FIBER?! You can also use a potato masher, fork or even a mortar and pestle if you don’t have any high-tech gear on hand. If you do go the mashing route, you may want to try overcooking the peas slightly so that they don’t roll everywhere as firm peas sometimes do. For this hummus recipe, you can even use split peas that have been cooked and cooled which will be easier to mash with a fork. INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Side Note: If you want to learn more about blenders along with easy vegan recipes (many of which are great for kids!) – you can find me testing them on YouTube and on ThriveCuisine.com. Special thanks to Joey Bruno for this contribution to Raise Vegan.
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The post Delicious Green Pea Hummus Recipe appeared first on Raise Vegan. Via https://raisevegan.com/green-pea-hummus-recipe/ |
Raise VeganWelcome to Vegan Pregnancy & Parenting. We have a closed group, where you can discuss everything related to being vegan and raising little ones. A goal of Raise Vegan is to provide caring education and support to Vegans and to people who want to become Vegan. Our belief in living a peaceful life is never ending and is always striving for improvement. This peaceful living includes extending goodwill to those who don’t currently live our lifestyle. In the pursuit of eliminating the consumption and abuse of animals, we believe that educating with love, kindness, and respect is far more effective than judgment and contempt. Archives
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