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Milk sharing aka wet nursing or cross-nursing is really common among my group of friends! Many of us have nursed each other’s babies, toddlers, and kids out of necessity or even just to boost our little ones’ immune strength! It’s a truly wonderful way to bond with your most cherished friends; my kids now have milk siblings. Their milk mamas have shared the bond of physical closeness as well as the antibodies that comes from one’s own milk. I can’t think of a more perfect way to show love as a mommy friend!

It’s sad but true that for many years, I felt tethered to my babies who were each exclusively breastfeed for almost 12 months. Until I found my community here in Southern California, I couldn’t physically leave my children without a back up feeding source but once I found my village, I allowed myself to leave my young baby in the care of dear friends who would breastfeed her as needed. My plight of not bottle training and yet desperately needing to go on a date with my husband was solved with one simple statement. “Please feed her when she seems hungry!” Suddenly, our options widened, and PAXdaddy and I have enjoyed quite a few dates since the birth of our daughter in 2013 by leaving she and our 6 older children with friends as well as having provided childcare for other friends wanting to escape the clutches of their little milk monster for a few hours!
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paxbaby

I myself have been able to feed many of my friends’ babies for a plethora of reasons! I was very proud to put my lactating breasts to work one night when I was a doula at a friend’s birth. She had a trauma shortly after delivering her baby so I nursed her newborn through the night while also taking care of my own sweet 5 month old baby. The next morning I put out a call for help, and an army of mutual friends arrived to help with the new baby and also to keep baby’s tummy full of 100% breastmilk! I still marvel at that amazing week and how a group of women could come together to keep one little baby well nourished, clean, comforted while her mommy was under the weather.
paxbaby

paxbaby
At 32 months old, my daughter, Cate, was still breastfeeding and enjoying the mommy cuddles that it’s hard to find in a large busy family! When our 8th baby, Blaise, was born at just 15 weeks, my milk dried up leaving Cate high and dry. Luckily for her, an entire herd of lactating friends came during the month of May to care for me, my husband, and my children as I recovered from the loss of our beloved baby. She nursed from several mothers over the course of the month and now refers to one of our closest friends as “Mama Milk.” I am so grateful to each and every friend who offered to breastfeed my sweet girl. It means so much to me and made the transition to being a non-lactating mother much easier and less emotional.

 paxbaby

paxbaby
At PAXretreat last week, PAXfriend Evonne had a little snuggle time with #toddlerCate. My lovie was over the moon with the fresh milk, and Evonne was happy to fill her little tummy with liquid gold. I cannot wait to have another baby, have my milk come in, and be able to feed someone else’s baby straight from the tap!
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paxbaby

paxbaby

*happy breastfeeding*

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What brings you JOY?

No matter how tiny, we’d love to hear it! Is it that first sip of coffee in the morning? The tiny breaths of a baby sleeping on your chest? A solo Target trip?

Sometimes as a caregiver, we get so caught up in making everyone else happy that we forget to take care of ourselves, too. How does that saying go?
“You can’t pour from an empty cup”
Well, it is true.
Sometimes all we need is to take a step back, breathe and focus on one calming, joy-filled moment just for ourselves.
Now, that moment is not going to look the same for everyone.
For some, that moment may even be at midnight when the entire house is silent: a hot, essential oil filled bath without interruption.
For others, that could be driving to school pick up with the radio blasting and the windows down.
A joyful moment, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend money, either.
Relish in the leaves changing color, splashing in the puddles, taking one extra moment to lay in bed before the kids jump on you, choosing the comfy clothes…

Whatever it may be, please try to challenge yourself this week to find the joy in the chaotic.
Get back to us and tell us what you did! <3

Love,

The PAXmoms

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*happy babywearing*

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The post What brings you JOY appeared first on PAXbaby.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the WAHMs behind PAXbaby.com‘s amazing products??? See how these artistic moms got started? See how they are able to create magic with little children under foot all day?! Now you can!
The PAXmoms are happy to introduce to you the talented Hannah from Judy & Park! 

PAXbaby.com

PAXbaby.com

Visit Judy & Park’s Facebook page here!!!!

“Judy & Park started out as a creative outlet, making bows and ears as a hobby while working full time as a preschool teacher. Now I’m lucky enough to say it’s my full time job! I work around my 9 month old son’s sleep schedule, squeezing in as much sewing time as I can during naps, and packaging orders late into the night while my family sleeps. I think that’s pretty typical for all WAHMs. We are always moms and wives first.

The name “Judy & Park” is a combination of my husband’s mother’s name, Judy, and my grandfather’s name, Park. These are two of the most influential people we’ve had in our lives. People who believed in us, and taught us important life lessons. By naming my business after these two amazing people it keeps their legacies alive and motivates me to do my best day after day. I have a creative soul, making things with my hands is soothing and calming for me. It’s something I look forward to being able to do everyday.

My favorite items I make are always customs ears. When I can take someone’s general ideas and make them come to life as a tangible object it’s beyond rewarding.”

Thank you SO much, Hannah for sharing your passion with us, and giving us a little history lesson on Judy & Park!! Keep on creating, and we will keep on loving what you do!
Shop at PAXbaby for PAXexclusive Judy & Park goodies right here!!!!

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*happy babywearing*
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The post Introducing Judy & Park appeared first on PAXbaby.

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Being a vegan mom has its benefits as well as its downfalls. Perks are being an amazing role model for my children, teaching my kids how to cook creatively, showing my family healthy living, and being able to bring snacks into Disneyland that don’t have to be refrigerated or purchased in single serving containers. The downside to being a vegan mom is the need to eat every two hours because really, who has time for that!?! I am assuming that because the foods I am choosing to eat have less bulk, they take less time to digest. So while I would have eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white bread previously, now foregoing the bread and simply having the same serving of nut butter and jam (sugar free!) keeps me feeling full for fewer hours. As a result, I am learning to have foods on hand that can create a quick and easy snack in between larger meals. For instance, today’s schedule was a bit hectic so I ate my lunch and my afternoon snack on the run :

Breakfast – Date and peanut bar
Snack – Bubbie’s sauerkraut

Lunch – a peach, mini carrots dipped in olive hummus and kombucha

Snack – a quinoa bowl with pine nuts, barbecued diced white onions and vegan dressing

Dinner – vegan cheese pizza on a masa harina crust with purple onions and tomato toppings made by my talented husband
Snack – protein smoothie

I recently met with a nutritionist, thanks, Kelly, and after hearing my daily menu she exclaimed, “if everyone ate like you, I wouldn’t have any clients!” I’ll take that as a compliment! At the end of the day, my belly is full, I ate amazing food, and I can’t wait for tomorrow to try a new recipe – for me, tomorrow includes date coconut bars! YUM!

Are you vegan??? What are some of YOUR favorites???

 
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*happy eating*

PAXbaby

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How has babywearing made YOU feel like a superhero lately???
What are you able to get done because you are wearing your LO?

**Thanks to Je Porte Mon Bébé (jpmbb) for this amazing graphic**

The post Babywearing Superhero appeared first on PAXbaby.

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Thank you PAXfriend Amanda B. for the adorable babywearing pumpkin!!!

Do you have a babywearing photo or joke for us!??

Share it on our Facebook wall or, email us at help@PAXbaby.com! We would LOVE to feature your contribution next!

paxbaby

paxbaby

*happy babywearing*

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The post Babywearing humor! appeared first on PAXbaby.

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“I believe in birth.”

Find a great compilation of positive and spiritual birth affirmations here : http://motherbabybirth.blogspot.ca/2012/02/birth-affirmations.html
We just love the pure joy depicted on this mama’s face.

Did you have any specific affirmations that you used that helped you on your birthing journey?

Credit for this stunning image goes to Amy Haderer

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*happy babywearing*

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