Every child loves the fun and excitement of wearing costumes and pretending. Now imagine if you got the chance to dress up and ride in a Mardi Gras parade. That is exactly what happens to the main character in D.J. AND THE ZULU PARADE . Yet riding on the popular Zulu parade on Fat Tuesday, dressed as a page to the queen of Zulus, he finds that along with the thrills comes some concerns. Like any child thrown into anew situation, young D.J. finds that it can be quite overwhelming. D.J has to cope with his fears of falling off the float, of what his costume will be, and about the make-up he will have to wear.This book answers many questions children have about the customs and traditions of their own heritage, and it does so in a way children can understand and relate to. They can see their own fears and worries in D.J.’s view of the experience. The appeal of the book is to both the children of New Orleans who experience Mardi Gras every year, and children in general. The message of the book and the mystery of the traditions of New Orleans have a universal appeal.

A book for children aged five to eight, D.J. AND THE ZULU PARADE is based upon the experiences of McConduit’s son who actually rode in the Zulu Parade. A busy mother of four, Ms. McConduit also finds time to write poetry and participate in the New Orleans Poetry Forum.

There are a number of reasons a parent may seek breast milk.  Although it is very rare that a mother cannot breastfeed, this does sometimes happen.  Women do have babies after mastectomies, some women have congenital breast abnormalities, some women truly do have low supply, some must take medications that are incompatible with breastfeeding, and sometimes there isn’t a mom to provide the milk. Adoptive mothers can induce lactation, but this is not always successful and often does not result in a full supply for a baby. Adoptive fathers are also in need of breast milk for their babes, and while some, like Neil Patrick Harris can afford to purchase milk from a milk bank, others seek private donors.

Milk banks have done a great job of marketing – you can tell because pretty much everyone knows what one is or has heard of it.   Milk banks are a good option when they work for you.  Donors are screened by questionnaire and the milk is tested for HIV and pasteurized.  However, according to Eats On Feets the pasteurization process is questionable and perhaps out of date, and milk is not screened for alcohol or tobacco.  Women donate their milk free of charge and ship it to the milk bank if there is not one nearby.  The milk is then sold to those who can afford it.  Sometimes insurance may cover this, but in many cases it is only the wealthy who can afford to procure breast milk this way.

So, what about the rest of us who haven’t hosted major award shows.. .  . the 99%?  Well, there are a number of options to obtain mom-to-mom milk.  Sometimes women sell their milk, but I caution anyone from purchasing milk from a lactating woman as motives may cloud judgment.

Eats on Feets is a national organization that provides a platform for donors and those in need of breast milk to find one another.  Locally, there is an Eats on Feets Louisiana Facebook page that is always busy.  Sometimes donors pump regularly for a baby in need and other times a donor may be a person who has a stock pile of milk that they aren’t going to get to before it expires.

Milk Share is another forum for connecting moms with donors.  This works the same way – donors and those looking for breast milk post what they have available/what they need.   This forum was started by a mom who was unable to breast feed her babe due to a congenital breast abnormality, but has successfully breastfed her son by donated milk!  Milkshare can also be found on facebook but they ask that requests for milk and donor offers be communicated on their forum.

Organizations such as these do not allow the selling of breast milk, but promote sharing it in a safe way.  Eats on Feets has developed the 4 pillars to support the safe sharing of breastmilk.  They are:

Informed Choice – Mothers are responsible for understanding the options, including the risks and benefits, of all infant and child feeding methods.

Donor Screening – Mothers can communicate with donors by asking questions about their health and lifestyle, and by requesting blood screening test results.

Safe Handling – Mothers and donors should handle milk with clean hands and equipment and use proper storage methods.

Home pasteurization – If in doubt, mothers can pasteurize milk at home; on the stove top in order to inactivate HIV or using a single bottle pasteurizer that performs the Holder method of pasteurization

When looking for breast milk it is important to screen potential donors and to be clear about what you are comfortable with.  Be specific with questions, concerns and limits you place on over the counter medications, prescription medications, and even dietary requirements.  It is not uncommon to see a family seeking a soy-free, dairy-free or gluten-free donor.  For religious and/or cultural purposes some seek milk from vegetarians, vegans or those who do not eat pork products, etc.  As a donor, it is equally important to be open about your use of medications, alcohol, lifestyle and diet.  Also, be sure to continue this dialogue and share any changes that may occur if this is a situation of ongoing donation.

If you would like more information about Milk Donations here are some additional links you may enjoy.

Nearby Milk Banks: Mississippi, Texas, and another in Texas.

Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition and Milk Banking

Becoming A Milk Donor- One woman’s story.

Officer Breastfeeds Quake Orphans

A Mother Donates her Premature Daughter’s Milk

Written by Amanda Devereux, RN, doula, CHBE

Blissborn: Birth Hypnosis Class gives you the best of mind-body therapy and childbirth education in a fun and inspiring 5-week class for moms and partners. Learn simple but powerful techniques to control pain, relax your mind and body, stay in control, release fears, and gain confidence using the time-tested and natural self-hypnosis techniques that put you in charge of your birth experience!  Blissborn is taught by

Mariah Sinclair, Clinical Hypnotherapist & Birth Hypnosis Educator.  With a strong belief that helping people eliminate fears and phobias is a path to a peaceful world, Mariah became a hypnotherapist. Through her work as a hypnotherapist, she realized that the key to a happy, peaceful world is helping parents produce happy, peaceful babies.  Class cost is $265 and includes materials; 200 page book and 6 CD set.  Find upcoming class dates and register online at www.nolablissborn.com

Balance Born Childbirth Services Childbirth Preparation Course

This 8 class prenatal childbirth preparation series is taught by Crys April at Touro.  The course focuses on natural, family centered birth and parenting preparation.  Topics include breastfeeding, early physical and emotional processes of labor, birth and the postpartum period; natural, non-drug comfort measures for pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, partner participation and support during labor through the postpartum period; birth care options: understanding common labor variation, non medical coping techniques and medical intervention.  Crys is a birth doula and has been teaching the class for many years.  Crys also offers AquaDoula labor/birth tub rentals, refresher childbirth consults for #2, #3…, and Prepared and Positive, a one day labor/birth workshop.  Contact Crys at 352-8521 for more information.

Prepared Childbirth

This 6 week series taught by Jessica LeBlanc of River Parishes Childbirth Education and Services is based on the most current medical evidence available. It can help reduce the use of unnecessary interventions and improve overall outcomes for mothers and babies. I teach expectant mothers (and partners) many ways to work with the labor process to reduce the pain associated with childbirth, and to promote normal (physiological) birth. I encourage women to be proactive in their health care and make educated decisions about their bodies and their babies. My classes are comprehensive; it doesn’t end with the birth, but also incorporates the post-partum period and newborn care. This interactive, fun class will help you understand all of your childbirth options and give you the resources you’ll need to plan for your birth.

Jessica LeBlanc is a wife and mother of two very busy toddlers.  She is a CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator, Education Forum Committee Member of the South East Louisiana Birth Network and Birth Doula. Jessica became a childbirth educator because of her experiences with having two children. She empowers women by helping them find the answers they are looking for. It’s your birth, know your options!  Contact Jessica at 504.669.3143 or rpchildbirtheducation@gmail.com for more information.

Nola Nesting

Nola Nesting offers both group and private childbirth education classes taught by doulas, mothers and childbirth educators Amanda Devereux and Erin Majorie. Their course covers not only pregnancy, physiology of birth, coping techniques for labor, breastfeeding and early infant care, but they also work to help the mother identify and use resources she holds within herself.  Nola Nesting believes that when women are truly informed and empowered they feel strength in their decisions and love their birth, whatever type of birth they may plan.  Their private, in home course allows them to tailor the class to fit your needs and desires for your birth.  Nola Nesting also offers The Happiest Baby On the Block Class, Infant and child CPR, birth tub rentals, placenta services, and birth and postpartum doulas.  Their goal is that through childbirth classes the mother and her partner are empowered to make the best decisions for themselves and their baby.

Belly Talks

“Belly Talks” is a 5-class childbirth education series taught by the Birthmark Doulas and the Maypop Community Herb Shop herbalists. This class is unique in the herbal emphasis they offer.  Pregnant mamas and their support people are invited to gather to discuss their bodies, babies, and bellies in the Maypop Herb Shop in the Marigny, at 1036 Franklin Avenue. Classes will cover all the basics of prenatal preparation, labor and birth, breastfeeding, and new baby care, with a strong emphasis on knowing your options, informed consent, natural and herbal remedies, and comfort measures to manage labor. Contact to register or for more info: 504-457-8332, birthmarkdoulas@gmail.com, www.birthmarkdoulas.com.

Prepared Childbirth is a six week series on natural childbirth taught by Jessica LeBlanc.  This class emphasizes birth as a normal, natural and healthy process. It is designed to empower women to make informed choices, to assume responsibility for their health and to trust their intuition. This class will instruct women and their support person(s) on the processes of labor and delivery and equip them with various, hands-on comfort measures, relaxation techniques and understanding  medical options and interventions. The series will also include basic information on breastfeeding, what to expect during the  postpartum period and basic newborn care.

About the Instructor:

Jessica LeBlanc is a wife and mother of two beautiful children. Through first hand experience she understands and appreciates the impact that education can have on the birthing experience-and sometimes even the outcome.  Jessica is a CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator, education forum committee member for the Southeast Louisiana Birth Network and birth doula. Her passion is for my family and to equip and advocate for the health of mothers and families.  You can contact Jessica at 504-669-3143, by email: rpchildbirtheducation@gmail.com or via facebook:www.facebook.com/rpchildbirtheducation to register or for pricing and more information.

Pregnancy is a wondrous time period in a woman’s life, but it can also be an uncomfortable one. Despite the additional aches and pains, expectant mamas are limited in the types of prescription and over-the-counter medications they can use since most drugs have side effects for mom and baby. That is why pregnancy is a great time to incorporate “alternative” types of care into your life, no matter your beliefs about conventional medicine. Seeking relief without nasty side effects? Herbs, tinctures, acupuncture, massage, yoga, and other natural remedies are your answer!

Unfortunately, not too many folks know where to get reliable information about natural remedies. Your physician probably does not know much about these techniques (though you should always get their “okay” before trying something). And your hospital prenatal classes are definitely not going to cover any of this (though you should still take the classes to learn about hospital procedures during labor).

That is why, we—the birthmark doula collective— have decided to launch a new childbirth education series with a focus on natural remedies. Starting in 2012, we will be co-teaching our childbirth classes with the herbalists of Maypop Herb Shop at their cozy little store (1036 Franklin Avenue). We’ll still cover all the basics—Prenatal Prep, Labor 101, Breastfeeding, and New Baby Care. But we have two whole classes dedicated solely to Comfort Measures for Labor and Herbs for Pregnancy, Labor, and Postpartum. These classes are not just for people who want a natural birth either; anyone is welcome! But if you want to learn how to use herbs, labor positions, relaxation, and other methods to improve you and your baby’s health outcomes, this is the class for you!

Top 10 Ways to Incorporate herbs and natural remedies into your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum:

1. Raspberry Leaf tea to tone uterus in preparation for efficient labor and postpartum healing
2. Keep away those pesky yeast infections with probiotics and natural inserts
3. Stop the dizzies/ nausea with ginger chews, protein snacks, or sea bands
4. Get your cervix soften with some evening primrose oil (and then use it to keep your flow regular postpartum).
5. Use positioning for a more efficient labor.
6. Get labor going naturally with nipple stimulation, herbs,  squats.
7. Lower your anxiety with soothing scents, massage techniques, and teas.
8. Minimize back labor pains with counter-pressure.
9. Bust the baby blues with your encapsulated placenta pills.
10. Take a soothing sitz bath to heal your bottom post-delivery.

But we’re not gonna spill all the secrets! Sign up for “Belly Talks,” our childbirth series on your body, belly, and baby. Visit www.birthmarkdoulas.com for more information.

Written by Latona Giwa.  Latona is a birth doula and childbirth educator with Birthmark Doulas as well as Director of Southeast Louisiana BirthNetwork.

You can purchase wool covers in many different styles and weights.  Knit wool stretches for a gentle comfortable fit over bulky nighttime diapers.  Felted wool is thinner for a trimmer day time fit.  Wool covers come in pull on or wrap styles with Velcro or snaps and even adjustable one size styles.  I started with a wool soaker, pull on style cover at night time and fell in love.  I found wrap style covers for day time use over my fitted diapers and pull on hand made wool covers that are absolutely adorable.  Wool longies make life even easier; they are a cover and pants in one!  Wool is cool in the summer and warm in the winter because it is so breathable.  My daughter was born late June in New Orleans, and let me tell you, there is nothing hotter than summer in New Orleans.  I never had a heat rash with my wool covers, and she wore those suckers all night.

Wool is a must for the family bed or a heavy night time wetter.  Wool first repels.  But if the diaper underneath is soaked the wool cover will absorb moisture.  Wool virtually never leaks because of its ability to absorb.  Wool is also naturally antibacterial so it doesn’t retain odors.  Wool does need to be hand washed, but only occasionally, sometimes only once a month.  Wool easily airs out between uses.  A proper wool wash is important.  Regular woolwash will strip the lanonin from your wool cover and cause it to leak.  For complete wool washing instructions click here.  Washing wool is fun and easy. Plus, the breathability and comfort of a wool cover cannot be beat by any PUL cover.

Top Ten Reasons to use Wool

1. Wool is natural and pure
2. Wool is breathable
3. Untreated wool is wonderfully soft
4. Wool is naturally antibacterial
5. Wool does not retain odor
6. Wool is absorbent
7. Wool virtually never leaks
8. Wool is cool in the summer
9. Wool is warm in the winter
10. Wool only has to be washed occasionally

If you are brave enough to try it, you too may become a wool convert.

Written by Erin Reho Pelias, owner of ZukaBaby