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Denise Cortes- On Art And Breastfeeding | Parent I’d Like You To Know
Parent I'd Like You To Know

Denise Cortes- On Art And Breastfeeding | Parent I’d Like You To Know

by Jill
written by Jill

I met Denise Cortes of PearMama.com on a media trip a couple years ago and have been following her work ever since. She’s not only a beautiful and vulnerable writer (and person!), but she’s also an amazingly talented artist.

Her colorful paintings brighten my IG feed, and when I saw this one when she first shared it I insisted she let me know when it would be available for sale so I could tell all of you. It’s finally available in her Etsy shop, just in time for World Breastfeeding Week/Month!

The description on her Etsy listing for this Milk|Leche, Body Positive Art Print reads:
If I have forgotten who I am, remind me. — Rumi 
We celebrate bodies of all kinds. Your body is beautiful. I make art to remind you.

Denise is offering $3 off this print the entire month of August.

I asked Denise a few questions about her art and motherhood and breastfeeding in honor of World Breastfeeding Week. Here’s what she generously shared:

You have 6 children, right? Did you breastfeed any/all of them? What were your own breastfeeding relationships like with them? Did it vary from baby to baby?

I go into it a little on my most recent blog post but yes, I breastfed all six of my children. With my first baby, I didn’t really know anything and didn’t have a support system in place so we stopped around 3 months. With my other five children, I was obsessed with the idea of fully breastfeeding. I just felt like it was so important for their growth and our health. The bonding aspect was a big deal to me as well — I really wanted that relationship with my babies. Sadly, I struggled with low milk production after each of my subsequent five births. I did it all: nursing on demand, I pumped, I took fenugreek pills, I drank copious amounts of Mother’s Milk tea (one whiff of licorice these days and my stomach turns) and used an SNS (supplemental nursing system) filled with a little bit of formula. I even rented a scale so I could make sure they were gaining enough weight. It worked. I was able to maintain a breastfeeding relationship with all of my babies and they were able to grow and thrive. The longest I breastfed was around 18 months.

What inspired you to paint this?

My inspiration was my own mother. She did not breastfeed her four children because it “just wasn’t something women did any more”. She was discouraged from breastfeeding and it always made me so sad. Her healing came when my sister and I began having babies. She watched us breastfeed, she encouraged me to keep trying even after one of my babies was diagnosed as failure to thrive and she was so happy to witness the bond we had with our babies as they nursed and that was so rewarding to me.

You are an experienced mom who has raised babies into teens and young adults now, so what wisdom would you pass onto a first time expecting mom, especially as it relates to feeding their baby?

The time you will spend breastfeeding your baby is so brief — enjoy it. Consider it a moment in your life when you have permission to slow down and really enjoy motherhood. There were moments I just wanted a break, when I wanted that particular stage to quickly pass us by, when I wanted some freedom and some space for my body! I mean, we all do. That doesn’t mean you’re a terrible mom. But looking back, I’d give anything to be able to lay chest to chest with my baby again. What a really, really special time in a mother’s life.

You can follow Denise on IG @PearMama, find her writing at PearMama.com, and her art on Etsy.

This is part of a new #ParentIdLikeYouToKnow series where I’ll share some of my favorite parents who are making and doing amazing things. I hope you’ll stay tuned!

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Cloth Diapers

Doing my part for the cloth diaper revolution!

by Jill
written by Jill

This is a post that’s been months in the making and I’m so freaking happy to finally be able to publish it. It all began after the two posts I made on our cloth diapering experience (here and here). I was amazed at the response and interest, and have used those posts many times since then to help explain to others why and how we cloth diaper. In all the conversations about cloth diapers that I have read and heard, the most common hurdle keeping people from making the switch and trying cloth isn’t the washing or the poop, it’s the cost. Even though you will most likely save a substantial amount of money over the long run, it is pretty steep to get started.

Thus, the idea for my first ever blog giveaway was born. I hit up vendors who I have personally worked with and know provide excellent cloth diapering products and services, and was overwhelmed by their generosity. The sentiment seems to be the same. We all love cloth diapering so much and think if more people could try it, it would certainly become a more popular choice among the modern parent. It was this desire for cloth diaper advocacy that lead the following companies to participate in the Baby Rabies Cloth Diaper Giveaway.

Our featured sponsor is Sunshine Diapers. This is the company that does the oh-so convenient Kissaluv newborn rental package! The rental package was our first experience with cloth diapers and it went so smoothly that I now recommend it to anyone who will listen, and have remained a loyal customer of Sunshine Diapers since. Rhea is amazing to work with. They are responsive and always available to answer any questions, and their website is very helpful.

Modern Diapers has such a wonderful selection of accessories and diapers. I especially LOVE this “Skin Deep” tattoo diaper cover! As soon as Kendall is ready for a size large (which won’t be too long!) this is the first thing I’m getting. Lillian is sweet as can be and very educated on the whole cloth diaper process. Plus, she is always running great sales!

Baby Belle has a wonderful Etsy store with everything from fun and funky fleece pants, which work great over fitted diapers in the place of a cover, to fabulous diapers and customizable covers. This girl can put just about anything on your baby’s bum! This site is the perfect example of how much fun you can really have with cloth diapers.

Artsy Fartsy Foo Foo is an Etsy seller, as well, and a truly talented seamstress. Not only has she made me some luxurious, yet still very functional nursing pads, but she’s also made Kendall a green and tan plaid KCK One pocket diaper with minky on the inside! It’s one of our favorites. She specializes in custom orders and always comes through with an awesome product.

Shortly after moving to the Dallas area, I was delighted to learn that there is a brick and mortar store not too far from me that sells cloth diapers and accessories! In fact, I bought all but one of our Bum Genius 3.0s from Peppermint, along with my wet bag and some other fun items. Currently, I’ve got my eye on a new carrier for Kendall. He’s a tad too big for the Moby now, so I’m going to have Marni help me pick something else out after we get our tax return. If you live in the Dallas area, I strongly recommend stopping by sometime and checking out what they have to offer.

Crunchy Clean is the most delightful thing to ever happen to my laundry room, which just so happens to also be home to the cat litter box. In fact, my husband has begged me not to use up all the Crunchy Clean diaper detergent (in Crisp and Candied) because he prefers this smell over that of the cat’s ass. I assured him I have no problem keeping a steady rotation of Crunchy Clean around and am already trying to figure out which scent I want next.

Now, for the part you are all waiting for… to find out more details and to ENTER TO WIN, click here!

Kendall is 7 months and 1 week old (and loves his cloth diapers!)

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