• I never knew the love I would feel for them would be the most powerful love in the World.
• I never knew that I would be happy to give up every moment of my time to share it with them.
• I never knew that work and life would become unimportant when I looked into their little faces.
• I never knew that I would give up all that I was to share my body and soul with them.
• I never knew that the rewards I received in return would be the most bountiful ever.
• I  never knew that even now as they are grown and half grown at 20, 15 and 10....that the rewards would keep coming.
• I never knew that I would not regret one single moment of time with them.

• Formal milk sharing is done by utilizing milk obtained from a Milk Bank.  Milk Banks are facilities that collect human milk donations, batch process the milk and pasteurize it before sending it to families in need.
  
• Informal milk sharing is the sharing of breastmilk from one mother to another.  There are websites set up for milk sharing but often it is done via word of mouth or local area mothering groups.

Breathing is regulated by the autonomic nervous system and is subconscious.  Breathing and our breath are things that we mostly take for granted.  So, why am I writing a blog post about breath?  

Recently I was attending a birth (as a Birth Doula) and I realized how much I focus on helping mothers to breathe during labor.  The following day I was working with a mom as a Lactation Consultant and again I found myself focusing on her breath.  That led me to think about how much I use breath/breathing slowly as a parent and in my day-to-day life to keep myself calm and focused.  I felt the topic deserved to be explored.

During labor....

• Mothers who control their breathing tend to be calmer and able to keep their body more relaxed.  
  
• By breathing slowly and steadily the mother is helping to deliver a steady flow of oxygen to baby through the placenta.
• Deep breathing with vocalization can help to manage discomfort and pain during the final stages of labor.
• If baby's heart rate was to drop it can raise right back up if mama does some good steady breathing. 
  
• Breathing that resembles panting can help a mother who feels the urge to push but is not completely dilated and is asked to wait.
  
• Slow focused breathing during the pushing stage can ease a baby out and help to avoid tearing of the perineum.  
  
• Some mamas will almost "breathe the baby out" by barely pushing and just allowing baby to ease out with mama's breath.
  
• Mother and partner breathing in unison can create a calm atmosphere in the birth space and help both to focus.
  

Once baby is born.....

• Baby's first breaths are what parents are waiting to hear.  They let us know that our baby is ok.
  
• Once the umbilical cord is cut the baby is now required to breathe on its own for the first time.
  
• Slow steady breathing can help mama deal with the discomfort of the first postpartum contractions of the uterus.
  
• If any repairs to the perineum are necessary, your partner or Doula can help you control your discomfort by talking to you about breathing out and breathing slowly.
  
• Making sure we control our breath while breastfeeding can help us to relax while mama and baby learn to latch.
  

While breastfeeding....

• There may be times when breastfeeding is uncomfortable.  Breathing slowly can help us to deal with that discomfort.
  
• When I work with new mothers as an IBCLC I often talk to them about their breath as I gently press down on their shoulder to show them that they need to relax.
• As we go on to nurse our babies into toddlerhood, we often struggle with discomfort during ovulation and our menstrual cycle.  Taking the time to breathe calmly can help us to not snap at our innocently nursing toddler even when the feeling is grating on our last nerve.
  

As Parents....

• Over the years I have found myself in some pretty frustrating situations...understatement....and breathing has helped guide me through.  
  
• When a toddler throws a tantrum in a restaurant....just breathe, smile and then pick them up and remove them from the situation.
  
• When a school-aged child talks back....breathe then respond calmly.
  
• Oh and when a high school-aged child openly defies you....breathe and then let them know what the consequences to their actions are.  
  
• As you watch your first-born child depart for college....just breathe.  They will be fine.

Breathing and Breath are so incredibly important!!  Start paying attention and using it to help you deal with all that life throws at you. 

• Cook as much of the food ahead of time that you can.
  
• Take cooking shifts with your husband so that you can sit down to breastfeed baby while hubbie takes over.
  
• Go potluck!  Instead of taking on all of the responsibility this year spread the jobs out and do a potluck meal.
  
• Crock pot some of the Holiday meal.  Lots of things can be cooked in a crock pot.  Borrow a few extra crock pots if you need to.
  
• Let someone else host the gathering this year.  Give yourself a much needed break!
  
• If you are doing the cooking then make sure that you take frequent breaks to nurse the baby and to hydrate yourself.
  
• If you are dairy-free due to baby's food intolerances then plan ahead changing up ingredients and host the party so that you can be in control of the food.
  
• Lastly....let your family cook for you.  You can always host the party then sit back and watch everyone else work.