Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a special bond between a mother and child. Nation wide breastfeeding is common. Currently, I am not a mother but I have always imagined that I would breastfeed my children. Growing up I always wondered why my mother never breast fed any of my siblings. When I asked my mother why her reply was "After marriage I had all of you back to back. It would have been hard and draining to breastfeed because right after birth I had to go right back to work to help with providing for the family". A part of me understood her reasoning because it was a struggle growing up and my parents worked a lot to make sure our basic needs were taken care of. A major reason why I chose breastfeeding because it is not common at all in my family. I have 8 sisters and not one of them breast fed any of there children. I want to be the difference in my family. I want to have that connection with my children. Also, I want to be able to ensure that my child have the best nutrition.

There are many benefits to breastfeeding. Listed below are a few ways of how it is beneficial to the baby, mother, and the family

For the baby

• Protection against childhood diseases, since breast milk contains antibodies
• Breast Milk has micronutrients not found in formula
• Less Infant illness, including allergies, ear infections, stomach upsets
• Balance of nutrition (fat, protein, etc.) adjusts to age of baby

For the Mother

• Easier bonding with the child
• Reduced risk of breast cancer and oesteoporosis
• No formula to prepare; no sterilization
• Satisfaction of meeting infant basic needs

For the Family

• Less stress on the father, especially at night
• Increased family income (because formula and medical care are expensive)
• Increased survival of other children (because of spacing of births)

For more information on of Benefits of Breast-Feeding you can visit http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2010/12/breastfeeding.html

Although breastfeeding is universal the rates in other countries vary. Australia is the country I chose to research. Breastfeeding is Australia is highly encouraged.  This country even has made laws to protect women who breastfeed. Approximately 92 per cent of Australian babies are breastfed at birth However, there was a sharp decline in both full and any breastfeeding with each month post birth. A primary reason why the rate in breastfeeding dropped is because women return to work. Some other leading causes are inadequate milk supply, problems with breastfeeding, and some feel it is just a need to stop. Australia developed a breastfeeding strategy to help promote, protect, support, and monitor breastfeeding. The full strategy can be viewed at Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy.

In addition, I took the liberty of finding information about how people viewed woman who breast fed in public. In each country there are different views. In Australia the government created laws to protect mother's who wish to breastfeed in public. These laws protect them from any discrimination in the workplace, in public restaurants, as well as any where in the community. There are hotlines available for woman who experience negative comments about breastfeeding publicly. For the Full list of laws you can visit Breast-Feeding in public, your legal right.

I believe that the information I gathered can be useful to all mother's. As a home childcare provider I hope to promote breastfeeding. Woman should have the opportunity to experience breastfeeding regardless of if they have to work or not. I believe that by communicating the benefits and the importance of breastfeeding it will encourage mothers (starting with my sisters) to start breastfeeding. Also, I feel that once I have a child of my own and breastfeed this will be proof to my family that breastfeeding can be done while working. Some people say "I believe it when I see it" so I want to be the proof that people need.

Reference
Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Precious Memory of Childbirth

February 26, 2002 will be a day that will be a precious memory for me. I had the opportunity to help coach my older sister while giving birth to my nephew. Now we went to parenting classes to help prep us for the big but the experience in the classroom was way different from the hospital room. It seem like once the baby was actually coming everything was fast. I was blessed to be able to stand beside my sister because I was the only sibling with enough courage to handle the pressure. Once we got to the hospital I watch as they prep my sister and placed her in a room. Things was pretty good until that pain started kicking in faster and faster. Before I could call the doctor he was already in the room giving my sister epidural. Now let me say I have no children of my own so I don't know what contractions feel like at all. However, when that doctor came in the room with that huge needle I remember bending over asking my sister "Girl you sure you want this".  She gave me this look that gave me confirmation that she wanted this. The labor seem like forever but when it was time to push it seemed everyone was excited but my sister. The pushing was not so good for sister. After like four or five pushes I remember my nephew getting stuck. Next thing I see are these silver clamps and I'm thinking to myself "what in the world is the doctor about to do with those"? At this point I"m panicking but I had to keep it together and be strong for my sister. With the help of the clamps and some more pushing my nephew finally arrived and he was a screaming baby. He was a healthy child and it was day I will never forget.

Currently, I have no children of my own. My fiance would like at least one and I'm working on enough courage to someday give him a child. The birthing experience was scary to me but precious at the same time. I do have a fear of having children just because I know that with each one of my siblings there was always complications and i just fear that I too may have some. I chose this experience because it taught me how to be a team mate and have patience. My nephew father wasn't around when my sister was pregnant and I had the opportunity to be a good support to my sister even at a young age. From my experience with my sister I think that the classes we took together, going to her prenatal appointments, and the activities we did help with the healthy outcome of my nephew. He is extremely smart and he learned how to read a very young age.

Japan has different views and beliefs when it comes to child birth. What I have learned from the research is that Japanese mothers are not allowed to have anyone in the room but the doctor, nurse, and significant other. Here in the US I along with both of my parents were permitted to be in the room. When giving birth vaginal deliveries are preferred without pain medication or an episiotomy (surgical incision made to prevent tearing of the vagina). As soon as that pain start kicking in my sister requested pain medication. I don't think she would have agreed to a natural birth. Listed below are some more key things about the Japanese culture.

After the child is born the following things happen in the Japanese culture:

• The mother is not to wash her hair for 1 week because it is not good to flex her neck.
  
• In Japan, the new mom usually goes to her parents home for about 20-30 days.  The grandmother will perform all household duties, because the new mom is not allowed to touch water for washing dishes or doing laundry.  She is also not allowed to drive anywhere.  After that time period, the postpartum mom returns home to her husband with their baby.
• Between 30 and 32 days, the family will then return to the shrine to pray, pay respect, and to offer thanks for a safe delivery and healthy child. The ceremony is called "omiya maeiri".
  
• In Japan, the babies are frequently named after their grandparents.
• An ideal family would be made up of a married couple with 2 children. If a couple were to have 3 or more children, they are thought to be wealthy.

To find out more visit  http://www.hawcc.hawaii.edu/nursing/RNJapanese_04.html

A Note of Thanks and Support

To all my colleagues,
I couldn't have ask for a better group of colleagues than you. I have leaned so much from each of you and I truly hope that it doesn't end here. I would love for everyone to keep checking out my blog and keep your blog going also. I feel that thru the blog we can continue to learn from one another and stay connected. Your encouragement throughout this course has motivated me to not just get my Master's Degree but also my Doctorate Degree! I'm still fired up to change children lives and I know you are too. Thank you all for your thoughts and kind words and I look forward to talking to you all soon........

Examining Codes of Ethics

The NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and DEC (Division for Early Childhood) both have codes of ethics that every Early Childhood Professional should be aware of. These codes of ethics is to help ensure that as professionals we know to conduct ourselves in and out of the workplace. List below are a few of ideals that I chose and why they are significant to my profession.

NAEYC- Ethical Responsibilities to Children

I 1.2 ~ To base program practices upon current knowledge and research in the field of early childhood education, child development, and related disciplines, as well as on particular knowledge of each child.

I believe that as professionals we have to be updates on all information that we teach. The way things worked 10 years ago may not be what is best today. Each child is different and we as professionals should be able to adapt to their needs. Having knowledge of current programs and data will not only help us but help children as well. We have to keep in mind that what we teach should always be what is best for the child.  Currently, I use programs that the government provide to help the children I care for. Also, I keep track of what becomes available or is updated. I want to make sure that the tools I'm using for learning is current.

NAEYC- Ethical Responsibilities to the Family 

I 2.3 ~To welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program.

It is very essential for parents to be involved in their child development. My desire is to build strong relationship with parents so that the process of educating there child will be peaceful and enjoyable. Not keeping parents involved makes the job harder and not connected with the program. From the first day of any program to the last day parents should on board and involved! On the first that a child is enrolled in my care I have a sit down with the parents and have a meet and greet. I use this time to tell the parents what type of environment the children will be in as well as what programs i use. I ask what the parents expectations are from me and how I can make the experience with their successful.

DEC- Professional Collaboration  

2. ~We shall honor and respect the rights, knowledge, and skills of the multidisciplinary colleagues with whom we work recognizing their unique contributions to children, families, and the field of early childhood special education. 

Sharing is caring. As professionals we have to keep in mind that not all minds thinks a like. Respecting each other ideas can keep the workplace professional and smooth. Also, learning from each other is always a plus. My goal is to learn something new everyday. I'm determine to rise above the mentality of "every man for themselves". Teamwork makes the dream work and this can be done if we use the above code. Every other weekend I meet with my two siblings to discuss things that happen throughout their week at the day care centers. I use this time to learn from them and they ask me what new programs I discovered. I think us sharing ideas helps make our job easier.

DEC- Professional Development and Preparation

3. ~We shall be responsible for maintaining the appropriate national, state, or other credential or licensure requirements for the services we provide while maintaining our competence in practice and research by ongoing participation in professional development and education activities. 

Knowledge is Power! I believe every professional should have all their creditials, licenses, and degree before beginning to teach any child. Children are depending on us (professionals) to give them the best education. There should always be room improvement and we (professionals) should always be looking for programs or activities to better the lives of children. It is my ultimate goal to always be educated and have all necessary paper work for working with children. Currently, working on CDA license, MA Degree, CPR, and First Aid certifications. It is important that I stay update on everything so that I'm always prepared to teach.

These Ideals and codes of ethics are available if you would like to read more. I hope that this information has help you. Below are the following links:

The Division for Early Childhood Education  

Code of Ethical Conduct and statement of committment  

Resources

My resources are located at the bottom of my page. I really enjoyed this week assignment because I was able to learn about what is available for children and their families. Working in the child care field there are so many resources available to help me better the lives of children. I hope that more of my fellow classmates were able to use some these resources.

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

“All of us have to recognize that we owe our children more than we have been giving them.” –Hillary Clinton

“Probably my worst quality is that I get very passionate about what I think is right.” –Hillary Clinton

“To me it's a failure every time we keep a child in foster care for that child's entire life. You know, there should be a decision made to either re-unite a child by helping a family get back on its feet and take care of its children or we should remove the child and try to find a good loving home with the foster care system but much more importantly, trying to find a permanent home, ” –Hillary Clinton

"We know that teachers are the key to good child care - and as long as teachers are undervalued, American children, too, will keep getting less than they deserve" –Marcy Whitebook

The high turnover rate among poorly paid child-care workers...creates an unstable environment precisely when stability is most needed in a child's life. "Turnover among childcare workers is second only to parking-lot and gas-station attendants," –Marcy Whitebook

"There is more to life than just what is in your neighborhood" -Raymond Hernandez

"I'm not here to save the world, I'm here to just make a difference in the community that I am working" -Raymond Hernandez

"It's not all about you. You got to take your ego out of it and think about whats best for the child" -Renatta M. Cooper

"Parents need support and with resources and access with resources" -Leticia Lara   

Personal Childhood Web

My Father

This awesome man right here is my father. Growing up he was my inspiration. He was very stern about my education. Most kids got to go outside and play. In my father house we read books, played chess, and just enjoyed each other company. I use to think who teaches there kids how to play chess at such an early age. I honestly couldn't stand that game. I t wasn't until I got older that I understood why my father played that game with me. He told me that playing chess stimulated my mind and made me think slowly instead of quickly. My father is the reason I made it to college. He always sat with me to do homework, read books, and he never missed a parent teacher conference. Although he is no longer with me whenever I enroll in school or graduate from school I thank him for his guidance. I miss you dad and your sunshine is still furthering her education!

 

 

My Big/Little Sister

 My sister is my best friend. We are actually 16 months apart. I always say she is my big/little sister because she is the oldest but I'm taller than her. As a child we did everything together. My favorite childhood memory of us have to been when we played school together. Although she was the oldest she would always allow me to be teacher because she told me "Lynette your smart". That always made me feel special because I was the little sister teaching the big sister. I love my sister very much and I am thankful that she kept me close to her. She walked me to school and she always protected me. Nobody couldn't mess with her little sister. Now my parents have 11 children however, everyone always said that my sister and I were like twins. Currently, she still pushes me even when I want to give up and I'm still reminded constantly that "Lynette your smart"

My Grandmother

 I love and miss my grandmother dearly. She was the heart of the family. My grandmother always made me feel important. Every holiday she made sure the family came together for dinner.She taught me the importance of being strong and always follow my heart. Sundays was always spent with grandmom. I knew that every Sunday consisted of going to church, dinner, and fun time. She showed me what UNITY really meant and how it was essential for the family to always stay connected. Before leaving my grandmother home she would always give me a hug and kiss and say I love you. I would give anything for one of those warm hugs.

 

 

 

My Mother

My mother is truly a blessing. Most of my childhood I lived with my mother. On the weekends and during the summer is when I stayed with my father. Living with my mother taught me many things. I learned how cook, clean, and be responsible. I loved how she me taught how to cook and then allowed me to have one day out of the week to cook dinner for the family. Now of course in the beginning the food probably was nasty but with much practice my mother taught me how to make it better to everyone liking. She always made my siblings and I eat dinner together at the family table. During this time is when everyone could talk about there day and what exciting news they had. My mother is my number one supporter. No matter what I wanted to do she was always right there. I remember when I wanted to play football in school how she never told me no. I knew it was a sport for boys and that it was a rough sport. However, my mother still supported me. She came and watched me get knocked down at trial outs. I love her for that because she knew it was a crazy idea but she stood by side with the first aide kit.

I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for these people playing a key role in my life. Although my father and grandmother are no longer with me I carry them in my heart. I always remember what they taught me and any chance I get I try to teach what they taught me to my nieces and nephews. My sister believes in me which pushes me to further my education. When I made my decision to switch careers my mother already knew and she said "You can do it". I'm very thankful for my support system because they are the ones who keep me on track.