Categories
Parenting

Induced lactation: why a woman doesn’t need to bear a child in order to breastfeed it

A viral photograph of a couple breastfeeding their twin babies has highlighted the process that allows a woman to nurse a child she has not carried. So how does it work?

A photograph of Jaclyn and Kelly Pfeiffer breastfeeding their twin babies has gone viral, highlighting the fact that it is possible to nurse a baby you haven’t given birth to. Jaclyn didn’t carry the babies but has been able to breastfeed them thanks to a process known as induced lactation. It tends to be used by same-sex couples, as well as adoptive parents and women whose babies were carried by a surrogate.

The outcome can be variable, depending on the situation and what the goal is, says Helen Gray, from Lactation Consultants of Great Britain, an organisation that describes itself as the professional voice of breastfeeding. “They might want to try to bring in a full breast-milk supply and provide all of the baby’s milk, or, if they are co-parenting in a same sex relationship, they may be hoping that each mother will provide enough so they can share the breastfeeding.” Or they may want to provide a small amount to top up bottle feeds.

Continue reading…

Read more: theguardian.com

Categories
Parenting

Parenting guides teach us everything – except how to be parents | Eva Wiseman

From breast feeding to sleep training, there is a manual to help new parents. But how useful are they really? And don’t they just make us feel even more stressed?

Visiting a maternity ward last week I saw the oddest thing. A series of posters designed to promote breastfeeding, each one a disembodied white woman’s torso. The first featured her tits being groped by a variety of hands. “Bond with your baby,” said a slogan over the tit pictured stage left, a child’s hand covering the nipple. And above the second tit, this one enclosed by a pink male hand, the words, “Bond with your man.” OK. The next poster showed the tits in a leopard-print bra, a baby sucking on one nipple, and the slogan, “Designer mum. Designer milk.” An involuntary shudder. Not just at the suggestion that the reason so many women bottle-feed their babies is to protect their “designer” bosom, but at the memory of drowning in similarly delirious mothering advice, in finding myself bleeding on a battleground, its lines drawn in crayon.

Parenting advice is big business, despite appearing to consist of just two contrasting ideas: the first, control the kid; the second, control yourself. The many millions of books written, about feeding, sleeping, carrying, playing, inevitably extend into a variety of things to buy, whether tech-driven sleep aids or parenting coaches, or “mumpreneur” networking events. And yet, despite so many parents’ shaky investments (at a time when their earnings must be impacted) much of the advice is offered without much, if any, serious explanation why.

Continue reading…

Read more: theguardian.com

Categories
Parenting

Breaking up is hard to do – divorce reforms would make it easier

The institution of marriage shouldn’t look like a Victorian mental asylum, not built for modern life

I would like to be taught how to fight. Not boxing or karate or anything you need a costume for, just lessons in common basic argument, between people who love each other. New York magazine interviewed a collection of couples, asking what they wish their partner would say in a fight. “What I need him to say is: ‘Yes, [my family] are assholes and they are snobs and I can’t imagine how much it sucks to hang out with them when you’re not biologically obligated to, but please, I need you there with me, and I’ll buy you a huge thank-you present for it.’” I wanted a stream of these truths, hooked straight to a vein. “She said I was disempowering her in front of her children and taking her voice away. I wish she said: ‘Shit, you know what? You’re right. I took it too far. I’ll check myself next time.’” MORE. “I just snapped. I said, ‘If I miscarry, it’s because you didn’t take good care of me.’ He was, like, ‘You are awful. Listen to what you just said…’ I wanted him to say, ‘Jesus Christ, get off your feet right now. You’re not lifting a finger until we know this pregnancy is healthy. I forbid you from taking any risks because I love you and our future baby too much.’” Raw, irrational, so real they sting like menthol shower gel, and reason enough, if more reason was needed, to question why we tie ourselves together, and in knots, and forever.

The current iteration of divorce requires formally trash-talking the person you once loved

Continue reading…

Read more: theguardian.com

Categories
Parenting

Hypocrisy without borders: the pomposity of Ivanka Trump’s trip to Africa | Arwa Mahdawi

The first daughter is visiting Ethiopia and Ivory Coast to promote women’s rights – yet she stays silent while her father’s administration stifles female empowerment

We don’t deserve Saint Ivanka, we really don’t. Nobody asked Donald Trump’s favourite child to devote her life to empowering women, she just knew it had to be done. Nobody elected her to serve in the US government, but she took a senior role in her father’s administration anyway. And not content with simply empowering the women of the US, the patron saint of nepotists, hypocrites and grifters has altruistically taken her talents on tour.

On Sunday, the first daughter and presidential adviser set off on a four-day trip to Ethiopia and Ivory Coast to promote the US government’s Women’s Global Development and Prosperity initiative (W-GDP), which aims to benefit 50 million women in developing countries by 2025. The programme was launched with a $50m (£38m) fund, which is less than the cost of the president’s trips to Mar-a-Lago (by one estimate, the president’s Florida sojourns have cost taxpayers at least $64.6m). Of course, that doesn’t factor in Ivanka’s time and expertise, which is priceless. Who knows how many Ethiopian women she has empowered already. I am sure she has taught Sahle-Work Zewde, a respected career diplomat and Ethiopia’s first female president, a thing or two.

Continue reading…

Read more: theguardian.com

Categories
Baby

How to boost confidence – In Your Child

How to Increase Self Confidence in Your Kids

 

Having self confident kids in today’s world is quite the challenge.

Everywhere you look there are images of what “beauty” is considered to be.  Sadly most of these images are of body shapes and looks that are just not obtainable by the majority of the population.  Trying to curb the effect that these images have on your kids can be tough.

There are some things that each parent can do to try and boost their kids’ self esteem.  The following tips can really help you, I know because they have really helped me.

Child Development and Building Confidence in Children

Tip 1 – Be a Good Role Model

Many parents, myself included, fall into the trap of talking bad about ourselves around our kids.  This is terrible for your children because it teaches them to be critical of their own appearance.  It can also teach them to think that you do not see them as beautiful because if they look like you and you hate how you look how could you love how they look?

Kids who have parents that have a good sense of self and high self esteem are more likely to have high self esteem themselves.  Children will learn how to act in different situations by watching how their parents act.  So show your kids how confident you are and if you are not confident, learn to fake it for your kids’ sake.

Tip 2 – Be Sure to Use Encouragement with Your Kids

Many kids feel overwhelmed in new situations or with new experiences.  You need to be ready to encourage your kids so that they are willing to try new things.  Encouraging your child will help your child to have a higher sense of self self and more self esteem.

You should encourage your kids the first few times that they try anything new.  This is important because it will help them to get up the nerve that they need to do something for the first time.  No matter how hard the task is for them make sure that you stay encouraging.

Pay attention to what you say to your kids when they are completing new tasks.  Even sweeping the floor for the first time is going to take some work and might not be done right but over time kids will improve.  Make sure that you do not make your kids feel inadequate at any time.

Tip 3 – Have Your Kids Try New Things

It can be natural for a parent to try and protect their kids in a new situation.  If your kid has not experienced something before make sure that you encourage them to try it.  When you encourage your kids to try new things, you teach them to not be afraid of the unknown.  This is a life long lesson that will help your kid when they are older as well.

Each new experience that your kids have helps them to gain more self confidence.  So when your kids want to try new sports, attend different classes, or go to places that you might not have been encourage them to try it out.  Do remind them with a sport or class that there is a commitment that they will have to stick to.

Tip 4 – Do Not Compare

One of the worst things that parents can do is compare their kids to each other.  This not only attacks their self esteem but it also causes them to have resentment towards each other.  When you do not compare your kids you teach them that they are each unique and that this is okay.

There are times when a comparison might be appropriate to teach one of your kids how they should be acting in a certain situation.  However this is something that should not be done on a regular basis.

Tip 5 – Do Not Overreact

One of the things that you should try not to do is overreact to things.  No matter what your child does you should react calmly.  Learn to not make things such a big deal.  If you overreact then you are attacking your kids’ confidence.

When you overreact to a small mistake it can make your kids feel stupid.  It can also make them feel like a failure or like they can not do something the right way.  This will result in your child having a low sense of self and a very low self worth.

The next thing that you teach your kids when overreacting is that life is tough and that even the small things in life are hard to handle.  This will make them less willing to face the world around them.

Tip 6 – Take Adventures

Parents who are adventurous will teach their kids that they should not fear the unknown.  Trying and doing new things teaches your kids to try and do new things.  It also teaches them that it is acceptable to do new things that they might not have done before.

This way of thinking is going to encourage kids to try new things in the future.

Tip 7 – Show Your Kids Trust

Trusting your kids is a great way to instantly boost their self esteem and self confidence.  One easy way that you can show that you trust them is by giving them a specific chore or responsibility and resisting your urge to control that situation.

Different ways that you can show that you trust your kids include allowing them to purchase something at the store on their own or even asking them to help take care of younger siblings.  To pick the right task to help your kids raise their self esteem think of something that they have not previously done, that they have the ability to do well, and that will be safe for them to complete.

Tip 8 – Give Them Time to Grow

When your kids are learning new skills do not rush them.  Let them learn at their own pace.  Each one of your kids might learn the same skill at a different pace as well.

What comes easily or naturally for one might be difficult for the others.

If there is too much pressure for a kid to perform at a level that they are not ready for then it will bring down their confidence in themselves.

 

You can help your kids to have more self confidence.  Raising kids is hard but these tips can help you to ensure that you are going to be able to give your kids the confidence that they need to conquer the world.

Most parents do not attack their kids’ confidence on purpose either which is part of what makes the whole thing so difficult.  Be careful that you are constantly reminded that your kids are just kids and not adults so do not expect too much out of them.

However it is a great idea to let your kids learn how to do things on their own so that they will build their own confidence and have a higher self esteem.

Confidence – In Your Child

 

[video_page_section type=”youtube” position=”default” image=”https://peekbaby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/801_hqdefault-e1518265118581.jpg” btn=”light” heading=”” subheading=”” cta=”3 tips to boost your confidence ” video_width=”1080″ hide_related=”true” hide_logo=”true” hide_controls=”true” hide_title=”true” hide_fullscreen=”true”]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_NYrWqUR40[/video_page_section]

 

Jessica Ruby When faced with a big challenge where potential failure seems to lurk at every corner, maybe you’ve heard this advice before:

“Be more confident.”

And most likely, this is what you think when you hear it:

“If only it were that simple.”

But what is confidence?

Take the belief that you are valuable, worthwhile, and capable, also known as self-esteem, add in the optimism that comes when you are certain of your abilities, and then empowered by these, act courageously to face a challenge head-on.

This is confidence.

It turns thoughts into action.

So where does confidence even come from?

There are several factors that impact confidence.

One: what you’re born with, such as your genes, which will impact things like the balance of neurochemicals in your brain.

Two: how you’re treated.

This includes the social pressures of your environment.

And three: the part you have control over, the choices you make, the risks you take, and how you think about and respond to challenges and setbacks.

It isn’t possible to completely untangle these three factors, but the personal choices we make certainly play a major role in confidence development.

So, by keeping in mind a few practical tips, we do actually have the power to cultivate our own confidence.

Tip 1: a quick fix.

There are a few tricks that can give you an immediate confidence boost in the short term.

Picture your success when you’re beginning a difficult task, something as simple as listening to music with deep bass; it can promote feelings of power.

You can even strike a powerful pose or give yourself a pep talk.

Tip two: believe in your ability to improve.

If you’re looking for a long-term change, consider the way you think about your abilities and talents.

Do you think they are fixed at birth, or that they can be developed, like a muscle?

These beliefs matter because they can influence how you act when you’re faced with setbacks.

If you have a fixed mindset, meaning that you think your talents are locked in place, you might give up, assuming you’ve discovered something you’re not very good at.

But if you have a growth mindset and think your abilities can improve, a challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Neuroscience supports the growth mindset.

The connections in your brain do get stronger and grow with study and practice.

It also turns out, on average, people who have a growth mindset are more successful, getting better grades, and doing better in the face of challenges.

Tip three: practice failure.

Face it, you’re going to fail sometimes.

Everyone does. J.K. Rowling was rejected by twelve different publishers before one picked up “Harry Potter.

” The Wright Brothers built on history’s failed attempts at flight, including some of their own, before designing a successful airplane.

Studies show that those who fail regularly and keep trying anyway are better equipped to respond to challenges and setbacks in a constructive way.

They learn how to try different strategies, ask others for advice, and perservere.

So, think of a challenge you want to take on, realize it’s not going to be easy, accept that you’ll make mistakes, and be kind to yourself when you do.

Give yourself a pep talk, stand up, and go for it.

The excitement you’ll feel knowing that whatever the result, you’ll have gained greater knowledge and understanding.

This is confidence..

As found on Youtube

 

[video_page_section type=”youtube” position=”default” image=”https://peekbaby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018-02-10_12-19-29.jpg” btn=”light” heading=”” subheading=”” cta=”” video_width=”1080″ hide_related=”true” hide_logo=”true” hide_controls=”true” hide_title=”true” hide_fullscreen=”true”]https://www.youtube.com/watch?=57&v=6hfz0ZaaC_I[/video_page_section]

 

Confidence first. How do children find their self-esteem?

Kids build self-confidence from learning new things, so when they have an opportunity to try out a new game or to climb a new climber or to pull on their shoes for the first time, that’s when they master something, and you build up a sense of mastery through competition, and that’s when you built confidence.

It’s trial and succeeding.

The more and more of those you have, the more confident and self-aware and happy you become. Our kids do learn not only from successes but mistakes, or they’re not quite there or failures.

We as parents often don’t want our parents to struggle or feel don’t if they don’t succeed, and yet, that’s how they learn is through that trial and error and through really trying to build up their knowledge and experience base. So parents have a two-fold job in teaching their kids about self-confidence and self-esteem.

They to have provided experiences and be an emotional pillar and someone for no matter success or failure, someone to come home to.

That’s right.

Our kids need that secure base.

They need to know their parents are going to love them, be predictable.

They are the foundation.

From there, they can explore.

The more we can give them those Jen riching experiences with arts, with music, with foods, with physical challenges, the more they get to explore what are their limits and what things they enjoy and want to learn more about. I think we’ve come back to the same theme so often when we talk about improving the lives of your kids.

It’s spending time with them.

Right, and exposing them to new things, it’s not about the status quo.

That’s right. It’s always the balance of learning from your child, let them lead some of the games, some people call it a child’s play, bring them to the experiences, to the museum, musical show, to the library and read to them.

All of those things where you expand their world and also allow self-direction is building self-confidence.

Parents are hesitant to let their kids explore they hate the negative.

They hate when it doesn’t work out.

How can you learn from the negative moments, too?

When we give our kids a chance to struggle a bit, like with my twins that I have at home, the 4-year-old’s getting direction in the morning, when they struggle and put their shoes on on the wrong side.

We say whoops, something went wrong here, what happened?

Oh, the shoes are on the wrong side, so then they can switch them.

Learning from the struggle from mistakes helps to cement, right is right and left is left, and I can do it myself.

I feel right about that.

There is a difference when someone tells you something, and you learn it on your own, and you’ll remember it if you figure out the mistake on your own.

That’s right.

There are three sentences that I want to hit home while we finish up.

First is mastery comes through repetition.

Our kids, we see this in their play.

They play certain games over and over again.

I the mommy, you’re the daddy, we’re having a baby.

We’re cooking in the kitchen.

That’s mastery through repetition, doing things over and over again to feel a sense of control over it.

Your next is self-confidence comes through success.

Like our kids when we were talking earlier have those challenges that are just challenging enough and succeed at those, that’s self-confidence.

Your last tip is self-esteem comes from self-respect, and that is so important to develop.

That’s right. Self-respect is learning to control yours, learning your limits and learning to challenge yourself.

That self-esteem disgust of feeling good about yourself.

Again, that comes back to that secure base, that foundation of this training.

Developing a Healthy SelfEsteem in Your Child

Children with healthy selfesteems try hard in school, get along well with others, hold a “cando” attitude about life, and feel positive about their environment.

They can accept ups and downs graciously.

The opposite is true of children who suffer from low selfesteems.

These children compare themselves to others and never feel they have done well enough.

They are frustrated easily and fear risk and challenge.

Children with low selfesteems can easily fall prey to peer pressure, eating disorders, and other dangers.
You can help a child who has a low selfesteem by examining the reasons behind it.

You can also encourage the continuity of those children who have healthy selfesteems.

By using a positive, cando attitude in your home, you will pass that attitude on to your child.

Try the following ideas to encourage a positive selfesteem:

EXAMINYOURSELF AND YOUR ATTITUDE

Children learn by example. If you hold a high selfesteem and think positively, odds are your child will to.

If you suffer from a low selfesteem you will need to examinyour current patterns of thinking and work on changing them.

SEEK OUT THE POSITIVE
This does not mean you need to be a Pollyanna but you should search for the positive side of things.

When your child comes to you with a problem, ask questions and pursue the positive side.

The same goes for how you act in your own endeavors. When things go wrong look for the up side.

RELATE TO YOUR CHILD
Parent’s often will sit and tell the humorous stories of their past.

There is probably much more your child would like to hear.

When your child comes to you with a dilemma, share your own experience. Even though you may be years apart your child may find relief that you have had times of selfdoubt and concern.

WHY ASK WHY?
If your child uses statements like “I can’t” or other statements that show he is frustrated or giving up, ask “Why can’t you?”

Asking these questions may frustrate your child and you may hear answers like “I don’t know… I just can’t!”

Try bringing the subject up later when the intensity of the situation has lessened. Then ask “Earlier today you said you could not solve that puzzle, why don’t you think you could solve it?”

By exploring reasons together you may find the source of a low selfesteem.

IDENTIFY STRENGTHS
Another way to increase selfesteem is to emphasize a child‘s strong points.

If he is good in art but doesn’t do well in sportswork with him and praise him on his art.

By developing a feeling of confidence in one area, that confidence may spread into another area of a child‘s life.

PRAISE AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Praise and encouragement are essential vitamins for a child.

Encourage all children and praise them for situations where they put their “all” into it, no matter what the result.

Fillinyour vocabulary with positive statements and providing a positive environment are big steps in helpinyour child build a healthy selfesteem.

>
Malcare WordPress Security