Thank god I had food for my baby tonight.

[rbnyc]

Thank god I had water and milk for him to drink.
Thank god I had a fresh clean diaper to put on him.
Thank god I had a safe, dry place to sing him a song.
Thank god I had a clean, safe crib where I could put him down to sleep.

Thank god my baby is healthy. Thank god my baby is not in danger.

And dear god-goddess-creative-energy-universe-force-power-string-theory-magical-mystery-love-unseen-beyond-language-hope, please be with all the mommies tonight, and all the daddies tonight, and all the babies who are thirsty, hungry, scared, lost, desperate, please bring them relief. Please keep them safe, be with them and bring them what they need.

[Splatter Phoenix]

1. Amen.

A very interesting and heartfelt prayer...

Our thoughts are with these people, and hopefully once Bush milks his publicity shit they'll get the help they've been needing for days now.

[rbnyc]

2. I usually don't talk much about god...

...and I have a very personal, hard-to-share take on the whole divinity thing. But sometimes you just have to try to share.

Thanks.

[tigereye]

5. you are cool, RB

that was really sweet. I feel very lucky over the last few days to have a home, work, know where my family is. It is hard to see so many people suffering and not be able to do more than send them heartfelt prayers and money to the charities that are there.

[rbnyc]

10. Thanks. I'm with ya'.

My assistant goes to some quaker, or UU or other non-credal type church. I'm bringing her a bunch of clothes, baby clothes and stuff that I haven't worn in years, because they're sending people and supplies down there.

No matter what you do, it's not enough. But I guess that's why there's more than one of us.

:loveya:

[tigereye]

12. aw that makes me feel better, too

:hug:

[Splatter Phoenix]

6. Oh, trust me...

I'm actually quite anti-god, and that sometimes gets in my way when dealing with Christians...

I, personally, looking at this, can more envision Loki of Norse chaotic fame clapping his immortal hands in glee than an all loving God yawning and saying, "Ah, well, they were just poor assholes."

[rbnyc]

11. right on (nt)

[progmom]

3. i hear you

:hug:

[KamaAina]

4. "Just think about all the children..."

"Little bitty babies/In the mother's arms.."

-N.O.'s mighty Neville Brothers, "Fear, Hate, Envy, Jealousy"

edit: Capital E. Definitely.

[wildeyed]

7. Been thinking about that, too.

Grateful for the small stuff, like having a glass of cold milk to give my child.

It is amazing how being a parent changes one's perspective on these disasters.

[rbnyc]

8. I've been wondering if I would re-lactate...

...if we had nothing to give him. I mentioned this in another thread. It's one of the many recurring thoughts that's been haunting me these days.

[Splatter Phoenix]

9. I'm not sure. x_X

But I think you would. Isn't that an automatic mommy response to crying baby? ._. I really don't know much about this, I could try to look it up...

[rbnyc]

13. It's an automatic response to delivering the plcenta, then it's supply...

...and demand. The body produces as much as is taken out. So once you ween, I think it's probably not that easy to start up again.

But then, how do wet-nurses do it?

[Splatter Phoenix]

16. O_o according to this...relactation doctor...? ._.

"My milk is gone. Can I relactate?"

"ANSWER:
Relactation is definitely possible, but many are unfamiliar with it, even doctors. In one survey of 366 women who relactated, most of the mothers surveyed established a full milk supply within a month. It took another 25% of the mothers more than a month to fully relactate. The remaining 25% both nursed and gave suppplements until their baby weaned. Mothers who attempted relatation within two months of childbirth reported greater milk production than those who attempted it later on.

The best way to relactate is to begin putting baby to breast as many times per day as possible. Eight to ten times per day is ideal. Some mothers use a device called a nursing supplementer to provide formula at the breast while they're bringing back their milk, so they don't have to feed their baby again after nursing. This device has a container that holds the formula and thin tubing that the mother tapes to her nipple, so that when the baby latches on he gets the supplement as well as any milk the mothers is producing. Sucking at the breast releases the hormones that stimulate milk supply.

There are also herbal and prescribed medications that can increase milk supply. Taking three capsules of fenugreek (at least 500 mg) three times per day (nine per day total) is one popular way to boost milk supply. Prescription medications, such as metoclopramide (Reglan) have also been found to increase milk supply. If you are interested in using a prescribed medication, talk to your doctor (not the baby's doctor).

Relactation can be an intensive process. If you are motivated to do it, I'd suggest you see about the possibility of getting some extra help at home, especially at first. In hindsight, three-quarters of the mothers who were surveyed felt relactation was a positive experience. One mother wrote, "I would suggest a mother decide what she honestly wants and do it and not listen to 'wait til your next one.'"

I never want to hear those words repeated again...x_X...maybe I've got the smallest sliver of fundie in me, but hearing about bodily functions like breastfeeding and ...sex, and things...make me go "Eww". xD And I'm almost of voting age.

._. I'm guessing wet nurses have...some kind of...strange...I have no idea how to finish that sentence, and I think everyone knows it.

[rbnyc]

That's wild!

Thanks for posting that.

;-)

[Splatter Phoenix]

19. You're welcome.

I want to grow up to be one of those doctors. ._. it must be a very narrow field of study. >_> I wonder if any guy-doctors get into it. XD

[wildeyed]

17. Maybe more than you want to know.....

But a friend of mine had a mammogram recently. They saw something and were afraid that she had a tumor. But when they did the biopsy, turned out her milk glands were still active and had some milk 1-1/2 years after she weaned her son. So maybe she could get something going in an emergency. Probably not enough to save a starving child, but maybe enough to stave off dehydration for awhile.

It is also possible to induce lactation in adoptive mothers who have not given birth. They don't usually have as much milk as a mother who gave birth.

I would try if I was in a desperate situation.

[Splatter Phoenix]

18. Wow.

That was TMI, yes indeed, but that's fine, I've got to learn sooner or later. XD

[wildeyed]

14. You might, at least a little.

I think that is why women breast feed for so long in other countries. If there is no clean water and spotty food availability, your body will cannibalize itself so you child can survive. Perfectly sterile nutrition available at all times.

[rbnyc]

15. breast milk rules! (nt)

[rbnyc]

20. I'm kicking this myself.

While my brain slowly checks out...I at least want to keep this message out there.

:kick:

[GreenPartyVoter]

21. Thank god. and please lord help the people who are going without

-----------------------------------------------------
Save New Orleans, then save this country!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[rbnyc]

22. I like your link

and thanks for your post

[GreenPartyVoter]

23. Thank you :^)

[jus_the_facts]

24. what if god was one of us......