 Winter Wonder - A Nourishing Thought - Shazi! :) As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. The truth is that I am grateful for some time to relax during the Christmas break. As well as it is a time to celebrate, this is also a nice time to take some time for the self, to replenish. It is cold, snowy, icy. It feels good to be wrapped up in cozy blankets. For these I am grateful.  Relax, Breathe, Imagine, Smile - Shazi :) I was just taking the time, watching the kids. It seems like yesterday, that son was born, a tiny four pound baby Premie. He dropped down to about three pounds the day after he was born, It was a happy time, but also a scary time, as I watched him being attached to wires, tubes, and all sorts. He was tiny. He developed jaundice. This is a common condition that develops in babies, after they are born. So I (teen mum) decided to do some research about jaundice, and why it occurs in babies. I found that it is common and goes away after a few days, but it can also be very dangerous. Son's did not improve. So the doctor decided that phototherapy would be a good option for him. This is a type of fluorescent light treatment that helps to normalize the levels of bilirubin in the baby. The nurses told me that I had to increase the amount of breast feeding times. This was how I could help the most. So I was feeding baby son, about 8 - 10 times per day. I was happy because I was doing something good for his healing. And with time, patience, and great care, I am thankful to the medical practitioners who were able to guide me, for the care of my new - born. As a first - time mother, it has to be said - it does not matter how many books you read about the topic, the information is very helpful, but the experience is truly one that you learn with. I am glad that we were able to work with the medical practitioners to obtain his care. This point hits at my previous thoughts - although my stance was anti-medicalization, and that a holistic approach needs to be thought of. I still stand firm upon this thought, but also value the contributions of the medical community,who save lives, and find medical solutions on a daily basis. Ever since the time I received the words from the nurse, as a new mother, I decided to continue to breast feed my son. It ended up being for two years. This was the same in the case of our two daughters as well. It was convenient, natural, nourishing, and what else but : free! Also, breast milk is easily digestible, can eliminate many stomach aches for the baby, as compared to baby milk formula, and animal milk. I also found that there are essential anti - bodies that can strengthen the babies immune system. The same anti - bodies that the baby receives through the placenta, are the same that are also found in breast milk. So with that said: I thought that breast milk was a vital source for a babies transitions, from the womb, to the world. Properties and Components Of Breast Milk: Source - www.gentlebirth.org Anti-infective factors - During the first 10 days there are more white cells per ml than there are in blood.Macrophages and neutrophils are amongst the most common leucocytes in human milk and they surround and destroy harmful bacteria by their phagocytic activity. Secretory IgA and interferon are important anti-infective agents produced in abundance by lymphocytes in human milk. Immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, IgM and IgD are all found in human milk. Of these the most important is IgA, which appears to be both synthesised and stored in the breast. It 'paints' the intestinal epithelium and protects the mucosal surfaces against entry of pathogenic bacteria and enteroviruses. It affords protections against E. coli, salmonellae, shigellae, streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, poliovirus and the rotaviruses. Lysozyme is present in breast milk in concentrations 5000 times greater than in cow's milk. It is a well known general anti-infective agent and its activity appears to increase during lactation. Lactoferrin is abundant in human milk but is not present in cow's milk. It effects the absorption of enteric iron, thus preventing pathogenic E. coli from obtaining the iron they need for survival. The bifidus factor in human milk promotes the growth of Gram-positive bacilli in the gut flora, particularly Lactobacillus bifidus, which discourages the multiplication of pathogens. Babies who are fed on cow's milk formula have Gram-negative (potentially pathogenic) bacilli in their gut flora.  Newborns are susceptible to infections. As parents or new mothers, I think that if we can reduce these through breast milk, then why not? Sometimes breastfeeding a newborn like I did for two years (each child), will be difficult for a mother who is working, or on the go. However, there is the option of breast pumping the milk. I have done this, I found that the baby will sometimes reject this because he / she prefers the natural breast. It is unfortunate that some mothers find it difficult to breastfeed. These are also due to the demands of the family unit, the busyness, social, financial, and economical reasons as well. The mother has to sacrifice time and energy, making sure that she is also taking good care of her own nourishment. My thoughts can also be linked to this very idea of thought itself. Speaking at the level of the macro - Society has become obsessed with speed, and output. But reflection and thought demand a type of stillness, so that matters and topics can be thought about. Thought is being highly devalued in today's technological era. Output is seen, or it's value is tangible, it can be held, etc. A thoughts true value can only be seen when it has been acted upon. This also requires time.   As I am in the process of developing my thoughts about this topic. I think back to the breast milk and wonder, how many infections could be prevented if there was more choice for a new mother who does not feel constrained because of social circumstance. Could there be more pro - choice for breast feeding babies if mothers were supported? And I think about the danger of neglecting thought. Thoughts are necessary to bringing about positive social change. Change / continuous improvement takes time. It does not happen overnight. It is simply important to remember that everyone is unique. It is within our own divinity, that we find our uniqueness. It is what makes up each individual, woven - the fabric of our society.  Dedication: These thoughts are dedicated to all children of the world, you are loved. They are also dedicated to all beings, and to Fred Cuellar, and Lateace, thank you for loving me. My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)
Notes: These thoughts were originally hand - written on December 19th 2016 I am currently still thinking about the idea of reflective thoughts, and its devaluation or not. Image 1 Web Link Image 2 Web Link Image 3 Web Link Image 4 Web Link Image 5 Web Link Image 6 Web Link
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