Breastfeeding saves lives and money - BIG money

Breastmilk is amazing.  "The United States incurs $13 billion in excess costs annually and suffers 911 preventable deaths per year because our breastfeeding rates fall far below medical recommendations"  "...95 percent of these deaths, are attributed to three causes: sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); necrotizing enterocolitis, seen primarily in preterm babies and in which the lining of the intestinal wall dies; and lower respiratory infections such as pneumonia."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/05/breastfeeding.costs/index.html?eref=igoogle_cnn

I know from experience that it isn't always easy to breastfeed, though.  Families need support (LOTS of it) and education.

I was impressed this winter when my family got a bad stomach bug.  It killed my 92 year old grandfather.  DS (4 years old) was still throwing up a week into it.  I was sick for days and days.  DD (over 1 year old) was sick for about 4 hours!  She still nurses.  Amazing.

Love my new widget!

Most weeks I try to check the watering index in Southern California so that we can adjust our irrigation system accordingly.  Some "intelligent" timers adjust on their own, but I think they require a paid subscription.  Instead, we check the index.  This helps us to water how much our plants need but not use too much water, which besides being wasteful, is becoming increasingly expensive. 

Well, now I have a widget on my blog that tells us the watering index!  I'm so excited!  Check it out.  It should be over there on the right.