Contact her at 613-989-3841(hm) or 613-314-0534(cell).

By e-mail: gina.merlin@sympatico.ca

The owner Louise Arsenault is a La Leche League Leader and is always willing to consult/talk to you regarding and breastfeeding issues you may have.

What a multipurpose place…. go visit.

Check out her store online : www.villagebin.com

When we had our second child had the pleasure of having a physiological birth experience at home.  It was the most empowering experience of my life.  My midwife (Tatiana) was a member of the St. Lawrence Valley Midwives (Winchester Office) but has since moved on to a new practice based out of Brockville, ON.   The new practice is called Leeds Grenville Midwives and I am super excited that we have more maternity care choices in our community.

Check them out at www.leedsgrenvillemidwives.ca

I have belonged to the Informed Choice group since it had 50 members, its a great group full of information. If they think Emma has done something wrong and disabled her account for it..fine BUT, I question why they also had to deleted her posts as they are ultimately punishing everyone in that group…. almost 300 people.

I’ll also add that I was one of the people who joined in the M.I.L.C online “nurse-in” in protest of Facebooks ignorance.  The photo I had up featured me tandem-nursing my kids (that means nursing a toddler and baby at once).  I removed it myself the next day.

Here’s the e-mail…

Please forward this message on to all your relevant contacts ! I am desperate to get my research back, so I am going public with my story.
****************************************************************************************

Hello,

My name is Emma Kwasnica. I am a 30-year-old Canadian tandem-nursing mother living in Montréal, whose Facebook account has now been entirely disabled over the breastfeeding photos controversy. The official petition group on Facebook is called Hey Facebook, breastfeeding is NOT obscene! . I am reaching out because I think you might be interested in the Facebook fiasco over breastfeeding images, and them being classed as “obscene, sexually explicit and pornographic”. Yes, I said breastfeeding. The most loving, selfless act on Earth.

For the record, my entire Facebook account has now been deleted, with no explanation from the administrators of Facebook. While they have not confirmed the reason for disabling my account, I can only suspect it stems from the fact that, in the days leading up to the disabling of my account, I had photos of me breastfeeding my daughters deleted, and was given a “warning” for having had uploaded “obscene” content that renders Facebook “unsafe for children” (please see attached screen shots).

Given the amount of obscene, pornographic, and truly disturbing photos, applications and groups that proliferate across Facebook, I am stunned that this has happened to me. I am an aspiring midwife/Childbirth Educator/ Breastfeeding Counselor; I run a lively discussion group on Facebook called Informed Choice : Birth and Beyond, and have been sharing all of my summarised research, studies, links regarding pregnancy, birth and motherhood with a group of nearly three hundred people, since July 2008. And now, everything that I ever wrote, all my photos, all of my midwifery-related research, has been deleted –right off the face of Facebook. Furthermore, this does not concern me alone, as many (over a hundred ?) other Facebook users had their posts deleted, too, since whole discussion threads were deleted into oblivion, if it was indeed me who began the thread (which, 80% of the time, I had started the threads, since this was my group/me sharing the most recent research relevant to the childbearing/-rearing woman).

Facebook has not responded to my e-mails politely enquiring why my account has been disabled. They remain faceless. Hence the reason why I am now reaching out and going public with my situation. I am desperate to get my words back, and most importantly, the general North American public needs to be made aware of Facebook’s disgusting double-standards regarding “decency”. I am revolted to report that Facebook allows the likes of a group called “Dead Babies Make Me Laugh”, and yet, someone such as myself, who wants nothing but to inspire and help women on their journey to birthing healthy, vibrant babies, has her whole account deleted.

I have now done radio station interviews (a Sakatoon one, as well as Montréal’s 98.5 FM), and was interviewed for ‘La Presse’ newspaper here in Montréal, the article for which appeared in yesterday’s edition of ‘La Presse’ (the English translation for which you will find below). I may be doing another one-hour long segment on the same Saskatoon radio station at some point this week.

There is a Canadian slant to this whole Facebook fiasco, in that the tireless organisor of the original online protest is from Ottawa (Stephanie Muir), the site that is currently the “safe haven” for breastfeeding photos which have been deleted by Facebook is a Canadian one (TERA), is coordinated by Paul Rapoport of Hamilton, Ontario, and now, the only (known) person so far to have had their Facebook account fully disabled over this issue –me, a Montreal mother.

Please help me by spreading the word of Facebook’s appalling actions (such as by posting this to your blog), and consider this an official plea to get the word out ! For the sake of the next generation of babies, people everywhere need to understand that the larger issue of normalising breastfeeding is deeply important here. In 2009, it is unacceptable that women feel shamed, or are sexualised, while providing the most normal, the most physiologically appropriate food for their babies : breastmilk.

Sincerely yours,
-Emma Kwasnica, Montréal
emma.kwasnica@gmail.com

PS You will aslo find attached the scanned, full-page image from Le Journal de Montréal, in which I am breastfeeding my daughters. This is particularly relevant as Facebook has said that no major newspaper in North America would publish the type of breastfeeding photos that they have deleted. This simply isn’t true - this newspaper image (from October 2008) is living proof ! If Montreal, a city of over 3.5 million, can handle seeing this image in a daily newspaper, they why can’t Facebook ?

*********************************************

MOTHERS CRUSADING AGAINST FACEBOOK
Daphné Cameron, La Presse
January 04, 2009

“Cover up this breast that I do not want to see.”

Even though it was written in the 17th century, Molière’s famous refrain is still à la mode for those who run Facebook’s networking site.

For several months now, photographs of mothers breastfeeding their children have been being deleted. The restriction has provoked anger in women all over the globe. In protest, 11,000 women replaced their profile picture with the image of a breastfeeding mother.

This online protest was organized for December 27th by Stephanie Muir, an Ottawa mother outraged by the website policy, that says that no “pornographic or sexually explicit” material may be uploaded to the site.

“It is unthinkable that in 2008, such a loving image, one of a mother breastfeeding her baby, can be perceived as sexual or offensive,” she said. “It’s because we stigmatise women in this way, that mothers make the choice not to breastfeed, or breastfeed for a shorter length of time.”

In additon to the web protest, a few dozen women assembled in front of the Facebook headquarters in California, and nursed their babies there.

The response by Facebook administrators was immediate. According to Stephanie Muir, accounts of several protestors were disabled.

This is the case of Montrealer Emma Kwasnica, who no longer has access to her personal account, since January 1st.

“Facebook began deleting photos of me breastfeeding my daughters on December 28th”, stated the 30-year-old who is studying to become a midwife. “A few days later, the administrators disabled my account with the only explanation being that I had uploaded obscene content. Breastfeeding is the most beautiful thing in the world. How does one automatically associate that with sex ?”

The protest organised by Stephanie Muir has provoked a media frenzy in the United States. Facebook reacted by publishing a press release that specified that only photos showing nipple or areola are banned.

Facebook reiterated that it is a private company which has the right to decide which content it hosts on its site.

I was impressed that Andrea (the owner) actually carries Allen’s Detergent which is the recommended laundry detergent for Fuzzi Bunz and other diapers. I went on a bit of a tour of her business and was impressed at the variety of different cloth diapers which includes the Canadian made Annie Marie Padorie (AMP) diapers which are very similar to the Fuzzi Bunz but maybe better (I am going to have to try these with our next babe). Baby Bits are also a bit cheaper here, too!

I found out about the Cloth Diaper Market while participating in the Breastfeeding Challenge in Ottawa, she very conveniently put a business card in the gift bags with a code for 10% off. Of course I like when I get a coupon. I have only ever received a coupon once before from a site I have ordered from. Very smart, Andrea!

So be sure to check it out by clicking on the links above!!

I got some good info on Doula’s although the lady was kinda pushy so I certainly wouldn’t be choosing her for the birth of any of my children.

Overall, its a decent show to go to but New Momma’s beware the formula company and all there money are trying to suck you in. Breast is BEST(and cheapest)!!!

Which brings me to today… which was Walmart picture day. Our day is of course stressful trying to get everyone ready… matching outfits, happy babe, happy parents, pretty hair and makeup….. BLA! We left in ok spirits and were optimistic about the pictures. We get there and the lady looks at me and says “OH, we are just running a little late…”, I wondered how late was “a little” since children don’t have unlimited good behavior time and I was starting to worry about how our little one would make out. So, we waited. Turns out that “a little late” was about 3 families/people behind. We finally get our turn behind the camera and holy heck was it a BIG RUSH!! The family shot went off fairly well and we got that one pretty quick.. maybe too quick. But regardless onto the babe, after placing the babe on the cute little white fur covered table the painful task of getting a picture began. The first was was great… full body, smile…cute! So we saved that one. Then the photographer wanted to try a close up… but of course the babe kept moving and wasn’t in the middle of screen (go figure its a baby). Anyways, we tried to get one more good one but oh was the rush on. The photographer actually said I can only do one more cause we are so busy today. Grone.

I just wanted to point out that maybe they should have called some of the people to let them know that they were running late and maybe to show up later hence eliminating the fact that there were zillions of people waiting in a small space with progressive getting crankier kids.

I also wanted to point out that just because the camera breaks and you don’t get it fixed for several days doesn’t mean that customer service should suffer. This rushed atmosphere isn’t the way to sell the service and have people come back. Yes, Christmas time is busy but this is when the game should be on.

So, I don’t think that we will be going back to Walmart for photos anytime soon. Yup, its cheap but I would rather pay a bit more and at least not feel rushed and overwhelmed when its supposed to be fun and exciting. From Walmart, I would expect better BUT maybe not cause it is Walmart afterall. For a family that is trying our hardest to be green, this is certainly not a good place to shop (but its a cheap one!).

huh.. maybe i’ll just write a complaint. That might get me further.

After such great luck with the Diva Days I decided to buy some panty protectors for everyday use. I bought 9 and have been very satisfied. My only gripe is that they are a bit long for my liking at 9.5 inches but I have managed to figure out how to make them more comfortable by just adjusting where they sit once snapped on.

Here is what they look like in real life - these are the Pure Organic ones:

Here are the panty protectors:

Here is a comparison in size for the two:

So as you can see they come in some pretty funky colors which at first i thought was odd but they work so well it doesn’t matter what they look like anymore.

Now you are probably asking yourself about washing them… right? Well, its pretty simple I just put the used pad in a small bucket of water near the toilet and change the water everyday for about 3 days. Then I wash the dirty pads by chucking the water and all into the washer and washing on hot with a small amount of Allen’s Naturally Detergent. Once washed they are either hung up to dry or put in the dryer. So, you really don’t have to touch any nastiness.

Chalk this up to another eco-friendly feat for our household. No unnecessary disposable “convenience” items for us. I wish more people would open up their minds to small changes like cloth diapers and menstrual pads… the difference is amazing!!

Continuing on my saga…. I recieved my exchanged diapers back in August and barely used them and VOILA the green one has now lost its elastic in the back. So within 2 months of being barely used they are failing again. This is completely unacceptable. Here is a pic of the diaper…. its fleece is still nice and new and the front elastic is still plenty tight.

They are cheap for a reason and the only thing I like about them is the hemp insert which had some issues at the beginning (took many washes to become absorbent). I have now purchased some medium Fuzzi Bunz to make up the slack in my diaper stash. I do plan on using the hemp inserts from my pocket change diapers as inserts for my new Fuzzi Bunz.

Here is one Disappointed Customer. Thanks Montana’s Diaper Store and The Natural Baby Company for nothing… you’re diapers are a waste of money.

To read more about my experience with these diapers.. check out more of MY BLOG!

Anyways.. here is a pic of the current stash of free stuff that I have acquired over the last little bit.

I got one can and a blue cooler bag (not pictured) before my babe was born. One green cooler bag and can of formula at the Baby Boom Show and then just this week I got ANOTHER green bag and 2 cans of formula (advanced and isomil) in the mail. Holy Moly!! So now I have 4 cans of Similac formula to give away or throw out. However, the cooler bag is great!!! Its the perfect size for a short outing and as you can see I have come up with a way to NOT advertise for them.. that’s right… the beautiful brown patch over the embroidered logo. Now I don’t feel so bad.

It all really makes me think about marketing and how new Mom’s are targeted in a time when they are most venerable. Smart marketing I guess but still just awful for the babe who deserves breastmilk not formula.

Of course its not only Similac that does all this…. Enfamil is just as bad although I only got a sample can from them…. no gifts. Nestle is however the worst violator of not following marketing requirements for infant food. See Baby Milk Action. If i HAD to use formula I would try to use Similac since its made by a company that pretty much only makes nutritional supplements… not stuff like chocolate syrup and bottles of water (aka Nestle).

Anyways… Thanks Abbott Labs/Similac for the nice bag!