Pictured above: Newly born BB-8 with her mama, Jessica (The Leaky Boob), surrounded by her loving family
"An en caul birth- when a baby is born in the amniotic sack.
Through labor I was going with the flow and listening to my body, had checked my own cervix and felt the bulging bag of waters and my baby's head, and when it was time naturally put my hand down to feel her emerge when my body pushed my baby out. As her head slipped out into my hand, I immediately knew the bag was still intact because it felt like a balloon of jelly around my baby. Feeling her, I thought I identified her ear (I'm pretty sure I did) through the sack. In the brief moment between when her head emerged and the rest of her body I wished I could see what I could feel with my hand. My kids thrilled and described what they saw "it is SO COOL mom!".
It was brief but also felt like time was suspended in this in between place with my baby inside me but also out, encased in her amniotic sack, seen by her sisters while felt by me. An emerging paused."
And why letting your oldest kid(s) be present for a birth might be the right choice for you and your family
Pictured above, left to right: Jessica (in labor with BB-8, Jeremy (Piano Man), and Sugarbaby (8yo)
At 8 years old, she was all in for this birth. Again. She was 2.5 years ago too when she was 5 and became a big sister for the first time. Through my pregnancy she asked questions and enjoyed feeling the baby move inside me. She helped find the heartbeat and asked me weekly what produce size her new baby sister was. When it was clear I was in labor, she fed me bites of food between contractions and after the birth popped fresh raspberries into my mouth. Her daddy was my primary labor support but when he needed to step away, she beautifully filled in softly telling me she loved me and that I was doing good as she held my hands and reminded me to relax and breathe.
Then she watched as her sister’s head emerged still in the amniotic sack, quietly taking it all in.
Pictured above, left to right, top to bottom: Storyteller (19), Jeremy (Piano Man), Earth Baby (21), Sugar Baby (8yo), Squiggle Bug (12), Lucky (2) Lolli (crouching, 17), Smunchie (10), Jessica (The Leaky Boob, holding BB-8 (very new)
EIGHT girls? What’s it like having all girls? What’s it like being in a family of all girls? Do you ever wish you had a boy? Are you going to try again for a boy?
Yes, we ARE going there!
After a good long break following the birth of our 8th vulva baby, we’re finally back with Muddled- The Family Happy Hour.
Muddled is a Happy Hour conversation with our family about difficult topics in a lighthearted and honest way.
TL;DR version: it doesn't always feel like how it looks
**Content Warning: postpartum depression/anxiety**
Pictured above: Fae goddess Jessica (The Leaky Boob), holding her little fairy BB-8 (newborn)
Several years ago our girls were playing at the home of a friend and neighbor and the mom happens to be a professional photographer. A few days later she sent me a text of magical photos of my children dressed up as fairies and she had added wings on them in the editing process. I mentioned this to her years later when we were doing a newborn and breastfeeding photoshoot with my youngest. She sent me this beautiful image after our shoot.
I love this photo. It is magical, special, and feels like everything I want my breastfeeding experience to be. I love real, down to earth photos too, of course, even as I enjoy the fairytale feel of a flower crown, idyllic setting, and photoshopped fairy wings.
At The Leaky Boob, we do our best at keeping you all updated with the latest news of coronavirus/COVID-19 and how that may affect your parental and feeding journey with your baby.
Shared with permission from our private Facebook group:
"Hey everyone, who else here has had COVID? My fiancé and I are almost at a week or having it. My oldest toddler was sick for, like, 72 hours. My youngest, breastfed toddler was sick for about 24 hours (which I attribute 100% to him being breastfed).
But basically, when did those of you who had it stop feeling like sh*t? This is not fun
Pic of the boob boy who’s doing better than all of us "
Having a baby during a pandemic can be scary which is why it is important to be informed and know how to advocate for you and your baby. Did you know that there is overwhelming evidence to keep babies with their moms even if the mother is COVID-19 positive? Breastfeeding is the best thing for a baby of COVID-19 positive parents (and those that don't have coronavirus too) and keeping them together is essential for breastfeeding.
See our list of studies and resources related to COVID-19 and breastfeeding by clicking here or below
We're all feeling stressed right now, and rightfully so. What steps are you taking to protect your breastmilk supply from your stress (because yes, it can impact it). Jessica's here with the fact and tips on how to protect your supply during stressful times.
About 60% of my time is spent this way. The rest is usually with her at my boob.
I’m not spoiling my baby this way, this is how we roll with tummy time.
This is more than cuddling. This is essential.
*Whisper shouts: cuddling is essential!*
Don’t ever believe, no matter what anyone says, that you are holding or cuddling your baby too much. Don’t think for a second you’re being lazy cuddling your baby on your chest. Because this is critical for baby’s development, wellbeing, and growth.
"I also feel like people don't talk about how hard breastfeeding can be," she added. "If you can BF you're incredibly lucky. I pump all day to be able to provide my girls with one ounce of my milk, and I've excepted that's the best I can do. All I can give them is my love and that's most important."
Ever heard of prenatal depression or prenatal anxiety? Have you experienced it?
Have you dealt with depression and/or anxiety in pregnancy? You're not alone. And if you're pregnant now or have been during this pandemic, your chances of prenatal mood disorders is higher.
Below is a text exchange between me and my midwife the morning I was in labor. The wonderful Carrie Duncan from Andaluz Waterbirth Center in Portland, Oregon. She said exactly what I needed to hear as I battled with my prenatal anxiety going into labor.
Most people have heard of postpartum depression and awareness of postpartum anxiety is on the rise (along with it's angry sister, postpartum rage) but many people don't know about prenatal depression.
Do you remember the first time you saw breastfeeding? Was it a photo, video, or in person?
There's been a lot of progress made with normalizing breastfeeding but there's still a ways to go when comments like this are being left on breastfeeding photos.
It's great that Ashely Graham shared such a sweet breastfeeding photo!
If only the world could see more of this. It’s just a mom feeding her baby. It’s sweet. It’s precious. For baby, it’s essential. I know there are other ways to feed babies, and they’re important too, but this isn’t a pro-breastfeeding post. For the record, I’m pro-feed-your-baby; however that works for people individually.
No, when I say “if only the world could see more of this” I mean that if boys and girls, men and women and every type of person, saw breastfeeding more often, maybe we could collectively be less weird about boobs.
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