Letters in issue 25

Tandem breastfeeding

I have just discovered (happily!) that I am pregnant with our second child. I am currently breastfeeding my toddler about five times per day and am really looking forward to the adventure of breastfeeding throughout pregnancy and possibly even tandem feeding (unless he self-weans in the next 8 months).

Before becoming a mother, I would never have dreamt that I’d breastfeed an 18-month-old child, and certainly not breastfeed while pregnant, but here I am! I am really glad that I have been able to ‘go with the flow’ and not have to think about it.

I am confident that I can continue breastfeeding my son for as long as he likes, but am now really curious about how the composition of my milk will change throughout this year, and how it will affect my toddler as well as how my baby will be affected by sharing with a toddler. I am also interested in how other mothers have dealt with breastfeeding through pregnancy (with sensitive nipples, morning sickness and a growing tummy) and how they have managed to feed a baby and a toddler.  Could you please do an article on this topic?
Janet deLaurence, Email


A great resource

A few months ago, every day with my three-year-old felt like a constant struggle. I started telling my friends that I was just overwhelmed and had decided to just give up and let my child do whatever he wanted because nothing I was doing ‘worked’ anyway. One of them mentioned a book her attachment parenting group had recommended. She let me borrow it and after reading a couple of pages I decided I needed a copy of my own.

The book is Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves by Naomi Aldort. I read the book and started putting Naomi’s advice to work. It has completely transformed our family. I now enjoy our days together and I see our interactions as a chance for me to evolve as a person. After the success we had with the information in the book I felt like I had to hear everything I could from Naomi. I read all of the articles she has available on her website, NaomiAldort.com, and even had some phone counselling sessions with her.

One of the best ways to hear Naomi’s ideas on specific issues is through her monthly teleclass. She answers questions that parents submit to her. Every month I come away from the class with new ideas and insights. I bought Naomi’s CDs for my husband to listen to. As a result our son has finally bonded with his father. My husband used to come home from work and our son would not have any response at all. Now, our son cheers ‘Yay! Daddy’s home!’ Everyone is happier.

It has been such a dramatic change I feel compelled to spread the word the best I can. My hope is that every child be raised with the level of respect, trust, and love that is the cornerstone of Naomi’s approach. I am forever grateful to Naomi for her work that has given me the courage to trust life and be the Mother that I always wanted to be (at least most of the time).

Sarah S.
Email 


A new life without television

I found your magazine in a pile at the chiropractors, having to go there quite often after the ‘birth’ of my daughter (I use the term loosely); the damage the stirrups did to my pelvis and lower back, but that’s another letter. I searched high and low to find a copy to buy but had to keep my appointments to get my fix.

I read the articles about the evils of TV; it didn’t really sink in until the latest mag and it mentions the dulling effect. So off it has gone, and I can’t believe how peaceful our house has become, no horrible ad noise, no bright flashing lights. We spend our time talking, laughing and eating together. It has really changed all our relationships and the way we relate to each other. How wonderful and how easy .... Thanks.

Lisa Email


The risks (and gifts) of ultrasounds

Oh I wish I had read your article on ultrasounds (Kindred, issue 24 Dec 07–Feb 08) before I had my 20-week scan.

It was such a horrible experience. All I wanted was to know what the sex was. I wasn’t worried about the routine scan but the sonographer ignored my wishes and said I HAD to have the full scan.

I felt very uncomfortable throughout the scan and my baby moved constantly. I had the feeling he wasn’t very happy about the whole thing.
As soon as I walked out of the room I realised I was in quite a lot of pain. I started having contractions that ended up lasting for 24hrs. My baby was still moving so I just monitored the pain for a week.

When the pain didn’t subside I visited my doctor who diagnosed me with strained ligaments in my lower abdomen due to the rough handling of the sonographer.

It’s now been three weeks since my scan and the pain is only now slowly easing. I’m on restrictions and have been told not to carry my 19-month-old boy around which is impossible as he practically lives on my hips.

I now wish that I had never had that scan. There was no real need for it, I just wanted to know the sex of my child so that I could prepare. Now I wish I had left it for a wonderful surprise at the birth.

Christina
Email


I found your article in regard to ultrasound very interesting. It was something I struggled with during my pregnancy, but knowing I have such an irregular cycle (varying 28-68 days) and my pregnancy was a blessing (aka surprise), I had a scan when according to my cycle I was approx 11 weeks.

The scan actually showed I was three weeks behind and only eight weeks pregnant. Thanks to the scan, my baby was able to come when he was ready. Even though I had 100 per cent midwife care, it would have been difficult to push for an extra three and a half weeks without intervention and mentally to cope with that would have been a trying time.

We were able to use calm birth to deliver a 10lb bub, with no intervention, no pain relief or stitches and because he came when he was ready he has been the most relaxed little soul I’ve ever known. Many thanks for your great work, I’ve really enjoyed my last 12months of subscription and am looking forward to the next 12 months of great and challenging reading.

Zanthe, email


Love letters

Kali, what a beautiful piece your editorial was for me to read [To Belong, Vol 23, Sept – Nov 2007].  Your personal insights and childhood story moved me and spoke to a part of my soul that has been waiting to be recognised by others. I find your perspective inspiring and refreshing. 

I feel a sense of homecoming to our humanness when I read your editorials. The one you wrote on The Secret once again helped me understand what I believe in ways that have not yet been articulated until I connect with your words. So thank you for your willingness to speak your mind in such a meaningful, thoughtful and clear manner.

John Email


Congratulations on another groundbreaking issue! Tackling such tough stuff as plastic! Even the earthiest amongst us have some degree of plastic in our lives and I really appreciate the risk you have taken of confronting your readership with the potential dangers these products pose to our health and the planet’s. Not many parents have the time to do the research themselves and in sharing these facts, code names etc, you have really done us a great service. 

I also loved seeing the Ultrasound article in print because (I’m a big fan of Sarah Buckley’s writings) it is soooo incredibly well researched and raises such profound and poignant issues about where such testing leads. Not many people seem to consider these questions before they do the tests, and hopefully this article will lead more parents-to-be to do so. Or will be a good resource for those who chose to go without ultrasound, to share with their concerned families.

Personally I feel like sending the whole Kindred issue #24 to my mum, who may understand me and the decisions I make for my young family so much the better after reading it!

Nicole Moore
Email


I am so in awe of your magazine! It is totally amazing! Every time it brings me so much deeper into my gratitude for the gifts I receive from Mother Earth and a longing to offer a healing to Her, including my forgiveness of my own and humanity’s limitations.

I find such a profound inspiration to give the best of me to my daughter, my husband, my friends and family and to Life itself. All this while feeling the vulnerable fact that all I know is that I, and everyone I know, will die one day.

It might sound a bit full on, but this is truly where the articles, the energy and especially your editorials bring me to… 

Thank you!!!

Susanna Nova
Temple of Spirited Living
Sweden