the stats are in... and they're not pretty

The National Center for Health Statistics released a new report on January 7. Here are some facts highlighted in a New York Times article:

More babies were born in 2006 than in any year since 1961.

3 percent more Cesarean deliveries in 2006, a record high of 31.1 percent of all births.

Labor was induced in 22.5 percent of births, a slight increase over 2005 and double the rate of 1990.

The percentage of babies born at low weight rose to 8.3 percent, the highest in 40 years

This is ridiculous. Women's bodies were designed to give birth vaginally and in their own time. Although in a small percentage of cases Cesareans are necessary, for the most part they just 'cause unnecessary complications and pain for mama and are an outcome of a hospital system that is untrained to effectively help women give birth. And induction makes labor more painful, often slows down labor and leads to more medical interventions... This stuff makes me angry.

For more information on natural child birth, midwives and analysis of hospital labor/delivery practices here are a few resources:
Spiritual Midwifery -- a book by Ina May Gaskin, a well-known American midwife, with basic information for those interested in become a midwife and tons of "psychedelic" birth stories
The Business of Being Born -- a amazing documentary by Ricky Lake that is an introduction to the injustices of hospital labor/delivery practices and profiles a number of women choosing to give birth at home
Mothering Magazine -- a great magazine focused on natural family living with lots of articles and resources on pregnancy
Baby Catcher: Chronicles of A Modern Midwife -- a book of Peggy Vincent's experiences as a mid-wife in the Bay Area (a great read that helped relax me and Ben before giving birth to Soluna)

I believe that it is of great importance that women find the strength and courage to take control of the birth of their children and their birth as a mother, to not lay idle in this amazing rite of passage. Just this small act can transform our world. It all begins with babies.

got milk? .... what kind?

Soluna is 1 years old and in many parents and pediatricians calendars, it's time for cow's milk! Living in the Berkeley/Oakland area and being connected to non-mainstream mama circles through yoga and ColorfulMamas, it's interesting what baby-raising norms get questioned, challenged, and deconstructed.

Ben and I were raised as milk drinkers. Benji still sits down almost every night with a glass of milk and cookies. I, on the other hand, love milk and cereal every morning. We often get through a gallon of milk a week (with just the two of us)! We grew up with our carton of milk or chocolate milk on our lunch tray and sexy got milk? mustache adds. Until becoming a mom I had never even thought for a second that milk was anything but healthy mojo. But here are a few facts to make you wonder:

Milk consumption is the #1 cause of iron-deficiency in infants today according to the American Association of pediatrics.

Almost 90 percent of African Americans and most Latinos, Asians and Southern Europeans don't have the genes necessary to digest lactose.

60% of ear infections in kids under 6 years of age are milk-induced.

There is a $450 million a year industry creating lactose intolerance products.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University to Harvard University are starting to link consumption of milk to prostate cancer, asthma, osteoporosis, and other health complications.

The Bovine Growth Hormone used in the US increases the cow's likelyhood to have pus in its udders because the hormone leads to mastities, a udder infection.

Hmmm... makes you wonder. My question is: How much is the milk industry in this country is worth?

Some Suggested Readings
Don't Drink Your Milk, Frank Oski, M.D. and Chairman of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University
"White Poison", Shanti Rangwani of Colorlines Magazine
Recommendation from Dr. Sear
"Why we should think Twice about Milk", from the Blog WAVE of the Future

The Colorlines Article is particularly interesting because it talks about how milk may be okay for white people, but has many side effects for people of color. Since those affected are people of color, mainstream media has yet to pick up on the idea that milk might not be for everyone. Hiro, are you really not lactose intolerant? ahahha...

Anyhow, I do believe in balance and I don't think it's time to pull the plug on milk in this household. We will just limit our intake as parents and share milk every once in a while with Soluna. Dr. Sears suggests to make sure that calcium and fats are in any baby's diet so we'll definitely be feeding her cheese, yogurt and breastmilk!

grow! grow! grow!

Soluna had her one year appointment this week.

The stats: 19lbs 4oz, 28.5 inches long, 45.3cm around her head

Our doctor said she looked great, despite falling a little on the growth chart. He was not worried at all. For those non-parentals reading my blog, a growth chart is used to monitor the height, weight, and head circumference of your baby over time. It shows where your baby fits in compared to babies similar in age and gives you a percentile of how many babies weigh less, are shorter and have a smaller head then your baby. Another way that science tries to dictate what is normal...

There has been a lot of controversy over these charts since some say the actual charts were done in the 70s when the norm was to formula-fed babies and start solid foods way before the 6th month. Sometimes these charts are misused and LLLI has stories about how breastfeeding moms are pressured by doctors to supplement feedings with formula just because babies growth curve is falling. They lable this occurence as "failure to thrive" and fail to take into consideration other factors of why the babies curve may be a little different.

So Soluna is smaller than average in weight and height and average in terms of head size, no big deal. Breastfed babies usually weigh less than formula-fed babies, then catch up later as shown on this growth chart found on Kellymom.com and was created by the WHO:

Soluna would fit a little below the 50% for breastfed babies.

A UCDavis researcher suggests that this difference in weight has to do with how formula-fed babies retain more water and have a different composition in body fat.

We keep fielding comments like: "Oh! She's so tiny!" "She's a little thing, isn't she?" And in both Ben and my families, it always seems like fatter babies are seen as healthier. A few relatives keep giving her clothes that are sizes smaller than her actual age (which totally don't fit). With all the formula feeding trends in our world.. yea she is smaller but a totally happy, healthy, active and funny 1 year old!!

Just because I love advocating for breastfeeding here are 7 Ways Breastfed Babies Become Healthier Adults from Dr. Sears!

"What I want for you -- And every child in America"

"I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much-although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential."

President-elect, Barack Obama, wrote an open letter in Parade Magazine to his daughters. It has been such a long time since I've had this kind of hope for America. And now I can share that hope for Soluna and all our children.

Our first family! Wow!

oaktown mama: gotta go to miyozen!

(Picture stolen from Yelp. Uh oh.)

We actually wondered if it was Family Night at Miyozen. I was craving some sushi so we headed over to our neighborhood sushi joint at 1147 40th Street, Oakland. I've posted on Miyozen before and I just want to say it again. This place is baby-friendly! And, we should support them, because I am sick of going places without changing tables, without enough high chairs and that don't acknowledge you have a baby with you. Not only do they have a kids play area, but they now have a changing table in the women's restroom. The staff brings kids a kids cup of water with a straw, know to give the miso soup with a spoon and are always so friendly to Soluna. Tonight, there were like 10 tables of parents and their children ranging in age from newborn to around 8. For more info: Miyozen.

mama community

ColorfulMamas had a Winter Holiday Dance Party this past Sunday. And it was NICE. Really. To be surrounded by families of color. To watch Soluna play and giggle and be so excited to be around other babies. We're looking forward to more events to come.

Thank you Mitzi for these great pictures!

This little boy was honestly hitting on Soluna! hehehe. He's 11 months, has a history of liking older women, and went in for a kiss. Check out his hand on Soluna's foot!

Broccoli even your baby will love!

For New Years we headed down to San Diego to visit my Auntie Julie for a little stay-cation. She cooked dinner for us one night and Soluna loved her broccoli. This was a pleasant surprise considering Soluna has hated broccoli for the past few months. There was a time when she liked it, but that was short-lived. It's an easy recipe. So here goes:

Auntie Julie's Garlic Broccoli
olive oil
6 cloves of garlic (mashed)
broccoli with stems cut
water
salt and pepper (for taste)

Pour a small amount of olive oil into a pan and heat. When warm enough, saute the 6 cloves of garlic. Once lightly browned, add broccoli and add water so that broccoli is 1/2 submerged. Sprinkle salt and pepper, if desired. Cover pan and cook for 10-12 minutes until broccoli is desired consistently. Strain and serve!

Soluna turned 1!! ... like 4 weeks ago

Nearly four weeks ago Soluna turned 1. She has been laughing more, cruising fearlessly and dancing to her own beat. We had a small family party, by our Mexipino definition of small (nearly 25 people packed into our small bungalow - immediate relatives and godparents only). In celebration and reflection of a year of motherhood and a year of life, I write.

I had no idea what I was getting into when my husband and I decided to take the "wait and see" approach to getting pregnant after being married for only 3 months. I had never held a newborn baby or changed a diaper. After giving birth on December 23, 2007 my life and mama perspective has changed as dramatically as Soluna has grown. As I hold my little one year old, some may already call her a toddler, in my arms and nurse, life feels so sweet even knowing that things will inevitebly get harder.

On her birthday we put a tray in front of her with different objects people brought to the party to represent a possible career she might enjoy in the future. In some Asian culture they believe babies already have a preference for what their future career or passion will be in life. There was dry-ice and test tubes from her Ninong Steven, crayons from her Ninos and Auntie Diana, a stethescope from her Lola, make-up from her Auntie Lisa, a scarf for dancing from her Abuela. We also included a financial calculator, flamenco shoes, a pen, a computer mouse, red paint. Soluna grabbed immediately for the paint. Folks wanted her to choose a second thing, but she really liked that paint. A future artist, maybe...

So many more memories to make with our little one. So many possibilities for the future.

More to come later. I've been busy with my two jobs!

Summer in January? - Visit South Beach Harbor playground.

Soluna and I headed out to Ben's new worksite, the South Beach Harbor, to meet up for lunch. We did the walk from Embarcadero BART toward the ballpark. It was a BEAUTIFUL walk and long enough that this Ergo-wearing mama decided the stroller was needed. Thank goodness we brought it. (A good route for SF mamas to get some exercise.) You can check out the Ferry Building, a view of the Bay Bridge, city art sculptures, lots of restaurants to eat at and there are some displays with SF history along the path. There is a nice little surprise at the end, right before you get to AT&T Park... a cute little play area with a little climbing area, boat, sand and other things to crawl on, through and over. Soluna loved it. For more info: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMFRZ, http://www.southbeachharbor.com/.

Oakland Rebellion

Last night in our little Oakland bungalow on the edge of West Oakland and Emeryville, the choppers could be heard in the distance. Soluna slept, as my husband and I watched folks on TV take their energy, grief and anger to the streets in protest of the killing of another African American youth, a father, a friend, a son. Oscar Grant was killed by a BART police officer at 2AM New Years Day and there was enough video recording of it to make any one wonder why a shot was fired at all.

I, probably like many others who are old enough to remember, could not help but connect today's Oakland to memories of LA's rebellion of 1992 where folks took to the streets after police officers were acquitted for the senseless beating of Rodney King that had also been videotaped. That rebellion escalated as emotions ran high and displaced racial tension in the city erupted. Communities, particularly Korean American business owners, became victims of something difficult to explain. Luckily, Oaklanders did not go too far down that same road (although the vandalism had no specific targets and did not spare anyone in particular).

As a mama, an important question came to mind yet again: Is this the city I want to raise Soluna in?

Mind you, this question was not directly related to the images of youth and older folks burning garbage cans, cars, and yelling at police and city politicians. I ask this question because it's not just about violence it's about how this city fosters the anger of young people and people of color. The city fosters hopelessness and a distrust of police and government where Oakland residents feel the need to protest peacefully or not so peacefully. What I am really asking myself is:

Do we really want to live in a city where police can shoot a young man in the back while he is laying face down on the ground? Do we really want to live in a city where the city officials make no public statement to address this blatant injustice or even just to tell people an investigation will be taken seriously UNTIL violence erupts? Where is the leadership in this city?

For now, I will call this a rebellion and not a riot because the language in describing the situation must give people the benefit of the doubt. For now, I don't think of this group as just an unruly mob of people causing violence for no particular reason, which is how the media often frames it. One news channel actually said that many of the protesters were just people joining in looking to have a good time. (Some bloggers do suggest that the violence was started and escalated by anarchists and not necessarily the community of folks who have been deeply affected by this injustice. Although, others who I've talked to say it was mixed group.) For now however, I believe that these protesters were challenging authority and letting the city know that they have had enough. And, I wish folks could try to better understand that anger, because I think it comes with much more than the murder of Oscar Grant. But don't get me wrong, much of that violence and anger is displaced. I just saw a woman cry on the news about how her car was burned and she no longer has it to drive her kids to school and does not have the money to replace it. Over 100 small business owners have windows to fix. Who are these protestors really rebelling against and have they chosen the right targets?

Anyways, I digress, because this is much more complicated than one blog post could handle. There is so much more to write and to discuss. Maybe another day. Maybe every day, until Oakland becomes a better place and I don't have to second guess our decision to make Oakland home.