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This week, our edition of The Leaky Boob newsletter we are discussing breast health. Taking care our bodies, and being aware of the warning signs for potential health concerns, is a big part of our breastfeeding journey. This week we are discussing how to identify thrush and mastitis. We are also featuring a great article by Dr. Bobby Ghaheri on how tongue-tie can effect your breastfeeding relationship. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, find out how you can properly give yourself a home exam for early detection. We have a wealth of information so dive in, sit back, and we hope you enjoy the weekend before us!

-TLB Team

Dear Leakies,

Can you imagine hiring someone to take care of your children who didn't take care of their own physical, emotional, and mental health? From their depleted state, the care they could provide your children could be compromised to such an extent that your child may not receive the attention and safety they need. Most of us would want our child's caregivers to be taking care of themselves to ensure that our children are well cared for.

Yet, as mothers, many of us regularly neglect our own care. Busyness, fear, and even shame keep us from taking care of our bodies, minds, and spirits leaving us depleted and run down. And it's not surprise, life with children rarely goes according to plan, it usually looks more like this. Still, we need to remind ourselves that our children deserve healthy, happy, cared-for moms.

This extends to our breasts.

For many of us, talking about, thinking about, and taking care of our breasts is weird. Within the context of breastfeeding we may slowly begin to feel more comfortable with them but it can be a long time before "breast" doesn't sound like a dirty word. In fact, even having a pair of breasts can lead to many of us wondering if we're even fully human.

October is breast cancer awareness month and while most people are certainly aware, many still just don't think about preventing and detecting breast cancer for themselves. Breastfeeding provides some amount of protection, which is wonderful, but in caring for our children's mothers, we shouldn't be riding on that small percentage (see how reduced risk doesn't mean no risk). We need heart to heart breast talk.

Take care of you, you are the most important part of your child's life when they are young and even as they get older, your presence is vital. They need you. Take care of your precious child's most precious person.

Happy Parenting Leakies!

Peace,

Jessica Martin-Weber
Founder, TheLeakyBoob.com

P.S. We have some resources here for breast cancer information because while breastfeeding may reduce your risk of breast cancer, it doesn't eliminate it so know what to look for.

This Week On TLB

The Red-Eyed Breastfeeding Monster- Mastitis

#MyStoryMatters

I didn’t always know that I wanted to breastfeed. When my closest friend gave birth at 19, I was happy when she supplemented her milk for the short time she nursed so that I could feed her baby from a bottle. When she became exclusively formula fed, I had made the decision to feed a specific formula to my baby because it didn’t stain clothing or stink as much as the first formula my little goddaughter had. READ MORE

Plan vs. Reality- Parenting Time Warp

The best laid plans of… parents. We try. We pick clothes out the night before, have breakfast made ahead, (or even a lactation one to help make more milk), have the alarm set early enough to leave time for whatever comes up, have the diaper bag packed, have a pinterest worthy station by the door, you name it. We’re doing it. And still, we have to apologize for being late or unable to get to all the errands on our list.

It’s like we’re sabotaged. Sabotaged by the cutest little warriors armed with poop bombs, spit up amo belts, and growth spurts. What do you mean those shoes don’t fit? Didn’t you wear them yesterday? READ MORE

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies

(If you’re looking for a more traditional soft pumpkin cookie recipe, check out this one using regular flour and sugar.)

Ingredients:

1 16 oz jar unsalted almond butter
3 large eggs, or 3 Tbsp flax meal mixed with 6 Tbsp water
3 Tbsp raw honey or maple syrup
1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 tsp natural sea salt (I prefer kosher style)

Directions:

In a small mixing bowl, combine eggs (or flax mixture), almond butter, pumpkin, vanilla extract and sweetener. Stir well.
Add baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Combine thoroughly. (You can use a mixer, but I prefer using a sturdy spatula.)
Fold in chocolate chips.
Spoon batter onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Remove from oven and transfer to a baking rack to cool for 15 minutes.

I hope you enjoy cuddling all of your little pumpkins this fall!
~ Carrie

See full recipe and info here.

Parenting and Feeding Around the Web

How Tongue-tie Affects Breastfeeding Mechanics

Breast Cancer Awareness: The Home Self-Exam

Is it Thrush?

I Was Breastfeeding, Until I Was Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Reasons To Love Your Body Right Now!

#LeakyLooks: Milk-friendly Fashion For All Moms!

Autumn For Everyone (with a twist!)

I was just talking to some fellow Leakies today about our very different Pumpkin Patch experiences this year. It’s currently pushing almost 100 Degrees in southern California and here in Portland we’re enjoying cooler temps and foggy mornings! This might mean some very different wardrobe choices for the both of us! So I chose to highlight some wardrobe choices that might accompany some of our different experiences. I hope you enjoy!

See more Leaky Looks HERE Do you have some great #LeakyLooks costume ideas for you and baby this year? Tag us on Instagram! We’d love to feature you!

We have an amazing online community we'd love for you to join! Needing positive support in your feeding journey? Have questions about weaning? Supplementing? Breast Pain? We're here to help! Click on our logo to get added or Join The Leaky Boob Community HERE.

Leaky Chronicles: Real Stories For Real Life

When There Is No Glow- Nymphai and Nurturing Our Own Healing

“You look terrible!” There was concern in her voice, not malice. I did look terrible, frightening even. I could have been auditioning to be an extra in Schindler’s List. I knew I looked bad. Not wanting to explain much, I tell her I’m ok, I’m just pregnant. She looks horrified and whispers “I thought pregnant women glowed.”

No, nope, nu-uh. Ok, well, some pregnant women glow. Maybe even most. I don’t glow. Unless you count the green tinged pallor I sport in pregnancy a glow.

In my head pregnancy is going to be this serene existence of light, one with the earth, I’ll feel like a goddess, my body humming with the growing life within and a sense of wisdom and peace filling me. It radiates from me as I float along my every day life where everything suddenly has more meaning. I had expectations.

Unfortunately, that isn’t what happens.

A Food-Free Halloween Guide {The Teal Pumpkin Project}

As a mom to a small child with profound food allergies, I get a little terrified around the holidays. Halloween is the beginning of a challenging food season for our family. Seasonal treats are everywhere, and impossible to ignore. As a healthy adult who tries to avoid sugar and can’t tolerate wheat, I find it hard to abstain. It’s an issue of willpower for me. But for my son? It’s a matter of life and death, or at minimum, a trip to the ER. All that separates him from a potential terrible reaction is our vigilance and the respect of strangers. READ MORE

This Week On Our Stable Table

Roasted Delicata Squash with Fennel

Feel Better Broth

Protein Packed Make-Ahead Mini Frittatas

Beyond Moi

life. family. love.

This Week On Beyond Moi

A Lesson From The Pumpkin Patch

Now that we are living up North again, there are certain things that we really look forward to doing in this cool Fall weather. Like having soup or hot cocoa when it’s actually cold enough to see your breath. Or dressing up for Halloween without fear of getting a heat stroke.

Another one that Jessica has mentioned several times these past few weeks is going to a pumpkin patch: getting away from the cookie cutter grocery store options and finding an expression of yourself in the form of a ribbed orange squash. READ MORE

Join The Conversation!

Our Key to Staying In Love: Intimacy

Jessica and I ended up having an unplanned couch date last night. Little kids were in bed, big kids were headed in that direction, and Jessica and I snuggled up and watched an episode of Call the Midwife (great show – we give it the highest recommendation). Part of what we love about that show is that it most often leads to deep and vulnerable conversations. Even though we were tired, we connected intimately, enjoying each other’s presence, intellect, depth of soul and emotion, and physical touch. The kind of intimacy that is so often sought after with dates (or with sex) and so often missed as we focus not on each other but on the experience we’re having along with the other person.

An Open Letter to Anyone That Has Waited For My Family When We Were Late.

Dear People that get upset when my family is running late,

I am sorry for the inconvenience and frustration you experienced waiting for us and I regret to have caused you any consternation. I promise, running late isn’t because I don’t respect you or your time. It is possible that it wasn’t intentional and may be a result of respecting my children and caring for my family. It is also possible that I grossly underestimated how much having children would drastically make simple tasks such as getting out of the house a feat of epic proportions. READ MORE