And where are you from?

I know this question seems pretty clear to many of us. However, to my 4 year olds it doesn't seem that simple. They seem to have mastered the art of questioning. They are full of questions......I mean tons of questions! When I got home yesterday it was a typical evening for us, shower first, dinner after and story time then bed time. Sometimes it doesn't go in this order necessarily but we manage to keep up with the routine. Well, after shower yesterday, we were having a rather interesting conversation. The boys wanted to know where Daddy & I were from. I told them mommy is from Africa, they went OH? then I said daddy is from America and another OH? I stopped to look at them as they seemed preoccupied with this new information and ready to ask more questions. I then said so, where are you boys from? Kailen answered in a very assertive tone, we are from the Hospital! and I couldn't stop laughing!! There it is...the moments that make parenting a true joy. I told them from now on you will always be from the Hospital, it's your country!

World Breastfeeding Week 2009

The World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is the greatest outreach vehicle for the breastfeeding movement, being celebrated in over 120 countries. Officially it is celebrated from 1-7 August. There have been many controversies surrounding breastfeeding for women of the 21st Century. I personally breastfed my children only for about a month. Now granted I had three preemies to breastfeed virtually at the same time. I would've liked to continue on but it was very difficult for my babies to latch on and it ended up being more of a chore for them. I resorted to the breast pump as an alternative. My mother on the other hand had a huge problem with this. She breastfed all 4 of her children and didn't know any other way to do this. Breastfeeding is the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is six months old. With the evolution of time and technologies, a lot of controversy has surrounded this issue for many women all across the globe. We now live in a very sophisticated and scrutinized society where even breastfeeding your child has become a "private" matter. I personally think breastfeeding is a personal choice. It is very important for mothers to have all the information and knowledge they need. There is a lot of literature providing guidance and support to first-time moms about breastfeeding. Consulting with a lactatian is also a good avenue to get more information on breastfeeding your child. Busi Bellies recommends consulting with a lactatian or attending workshops and classes on breastfeeding prior to the arrival of your baby. This way expectant moms can make informed decisions on whether or not this is the right choice for them and their baby. Busi Bellies works with lactatians and breastfeeding consultants to bring you all the answers to your questions.

Below is a list of things we can all do to support breastfeeding week or help a new mom:
Call your lactation consultant and say thanks! Send your La Leche League Leader a quick email card. Give your pediatrician a thank you card. Donate a breastfeeding book to a pregnant friend. Sit down and nurse your baby.

For more information on World Breastfeeding Week, please visit http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

Baby Planner in a nutshell

One might wonder, what exactely is a baby planner? It is true that it sounds pretty unusual and even trendy, some might say. Simply put, a baby planner is to parents what wedding planners are to couples. We take care of all the details to help you prepare for the arrival of your new baby. The baby planning industry is very new and has started to get considerable attention. I have a feeling this is just the beginning too. Becoming a baby planner first crossed my mind when I found out I was having triplets, 5 months into my pregnancy. I'd never felt so unprepared in my life. Not knowing what to expect was the most challenging part. As they say, the unknown is always scary. I found the "multiples community" to be very limited. Finding a triple stroller alone might've taken me at least two months and it came from a store I found on-line through my research. Anyway, that's when I thought, it would've been so much easier if I had someone to guide me through the process. Needless to say, I didn't have the time nor the energy then, to put a business together. 4 years later, I feel like I am still limited for resources, always researching to find the right answers. The internet is a great place to obain information. However, sorting through the different opinions available to find what will work for you can be exhausting! And notice I said opinions. Baby planners are guides to help you obtain information and reliable resources, without compromising your decisions. But more importantly, baby planners are not here to take away from your experience of becoming a parent as many might think. On the contrary, baby planners will allow parents to enjoy spending precious time with their little one, something you never get back. I've always longed for that. I just never had the time to bond with my boys the way I wanted to when they were little. I was on the clock non-stop, feeding, changing, preparing, packing, un-packing, you name it. So, Busi Bellies Baby Planners are here to support you from your pregnancy all the way through birth and thereafter..... We hope to be able to serve your needs and help you parent the way you've always dreamed of. For more information about baby planning visit http://www.nationalbabyplannerassociation.com