About Nurshable

My name is Sarah, I’m a 34 year old mama of three kids. An 8 year old third grader who I will be calling “Isaac” on this blog, a four and a half year old “Alexander” “Mister Four”, and a two and a half year old daughter who I call a variety of things from Kneedlebeedle to Kneepers, Anne Marie, Annie Cannon or Keenie. My partner Alex contributes sporadically to Nurshable in the form of the comics, the occasional guest post, and many ideas for what to write about.

I publish a variety of things here. Letters to my children explaining different parenting choices that I/we make. Information about breastfeeding, attachment parenting babywearing and other topics that fall into the category of “gentle parenting”, and whatever comes to mind.

I don’t welcome debate but I do welcome discussion in the comments section. The difference being that debate is focused on changing the other person’s practices or thoughts.. Discussion is focused on talking about our experiences.

I am the “creator” of the Wait It Out Method, or at least the one that seems to have turned it into a bona-fide method for sleep training.

I have also run out of things to put here. 🙂

29 responses to “About Nurshable”

Eunah Hunter

May 10, 2012 at 11:20 am

Great testament to your daughter and sons. One small typo if I can suggest. After referring to the lactation consultant, the “I as told” should be was.

I’m just a stickler for proper online grammar. You’re a great writer. I like the personal tone.

Eunah

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chelsea

May 11, 2012 at 5:34 am

You are a fabulous writer! I’ve just spent the last hour reading through some of your posts. Seriously – what talent and skill you have. Thank you for sharing with the world!
I was surprised however, after doing a search – to see no mention of La Leche League anywhere. Your values seem to be so in line – helping other women, etc.

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1. sarah
  
  May 11, 2012 at 11:31 am
  
  The La Leche League is awesome in some areas and have been a huge help to a lot of my. friends. I tried contacting a few local branches when my oldest was born and I was living in NYC, and then again when I moved to NJ and never got a response. (I was asking questions about meetings, I believe). I gave up. Either the leaders for the chapters I contacted were innundated with email, or they were catching my emails in spam filters.
  
  Women that are about to nurse for the first time should definitely try to connect with their LLL chapter. 🙂 Seeing other moms nurse IN PERSON and having people to ask questions is essential. Websites like mine pale in comparison to face to face support.
  
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Libby

May 12, 2012 at 4:31 pm

Thank you for this wonderful website! You are an inspiration and I am so glad that someone is out there writing and sharing these things! I wish I would have found this sooner!

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Jennifer

May 14, 2012 at 3:37 pm

Dear Sarah,
I’ve been reading your site for a couple of weeks now. It is beautifully written and a lovely gift you’re giving not only to your daughter, but to everyone who has the privilege to read it. Thank you for expressing many of my own thoughts much more eloquently than I can. I look forward to following it and sharing it with others.
With gratitude,
Jennifer

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1. sarah
  
  May 14, 2012 at 3:46 pm
  
  Dear Jennifer,
  
  Thank you so much. While these letters are for my daughter, they are also for the daughters of others. It is my wish that someday in the future each new mother will be surrounded by people that are supportive and that can pass the culture of breastfeeding on to each new mum.
  
  Recieving positive comments makes me smile, as it lets me know that these letters and the information I gather will be of benefit to my little nurshling someday when she has a nurshling of her own.
  
  -Sarah
  
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Eric

June 26, 2012 at 5:02 pm

Love your website Sarah. Who can I send info to about advertising on it?

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Heather

July 26, 2012 at 7:30 pm

Sarah,

I read most of your posts last night for the first time while I was rocking my 12 week old daughter to sleep. It was a rough day for all of us. My daughter was fussy, my son (he has clubfeet and was put into new braces recently) kept crying because they hurt, I was tired and my husband did not come home from work until 8pm that night. Many of your posts (if not all of them) hit home with me. When days like this happen most of the time I fall asleep sad or crying because of how the day went but after reading your blog I was surprisingly happy. I have many things to be happy about and you made me realize them. Even though my son has clubfeet and they are regressing I know that the braces will help him in the long run and this too shall pass. Even though some days my daughter wants to nurse all day long and I feel like I am ignoring my son, I know I am doing my best. I got into bed last night and realized something both of my kids are happy, safe, and loved and that is all they expect of me. Thank you for writing this blog and please continue.

Heather

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1. sarah
  
  July 26, 2012 at 9:17 pm
  
  This is why I write the letters to my children (I wrote letters to my sons as infants as well, I just published them elsewhere or kept them private), and this is why I share the letters on my blog now.
  
  I’m glad that you went to sleep happy last night instead of tearful or frustrated.
  
  Most of my posts are written as a process of my talking myself down from frustration, anxiety or sadness. That is why I tend to write them alongside growth spurts, or after I’ve gotten advice that has been frustrating for me. Writing helps me put it all into perspective for myself.
  
  I am very very thankful for all of the people who have let me know that these letters are helpful to them, because it makes me smile knowing that I have these written for my children to read in their future sleepless days and nights as new a new dad or mom. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
  
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  1. Louise
    
    August 21, 2012 at 8:55 am
    
    “Most of my posts are written as a process of my talking myself down from frustration, anxiety or sadness.”
    
    That must be one of the reasons why they wash away my feelings of the same kinf so beautifuly. Love your writing! Both form and content.
    
    As I have just discovered your blog I will be spending some time reading old posts, fortunatley it’s an ideal passtime while my 18 month old has her daily nursing nap. I’ve briefly considered nudging her towards a nurseless nap, but since that only means all the more nighttime nursing I can’t really se the point.
    
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Ashley

August 6, 2012 at 11:37 pm

Thank you for your eloquent writing! I am a mama of a ddelightful girl turning 1 in just a few weeks. My breastfeeding struggle has been very difficult, but I never gave up. It is so worth it as I had no idea how amazing it is to nurse your babe. Anyway, your blog hits home. I really enjoyed reading your entry about “waiting it out”. Luckily, my husband and I agree fully on this subject! I tried explaining to my mother about why I don’t let her CIO and she just didn’t even try to understand. At the risk of arguing with her. I may show her your beautiful letter. We’ll see… Keep writing and I will keep reading. 🙂

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Teaching A Child To Love Who They Are « fromamummysheart

August 17, 2012 at 5:13 am

[…] was reading over at Nurshable this morning and came across this fabulous post which I had to share. It is definitely a must […]

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Natalie Kull

August 31, 2012 at 7:42 pm

I have just subscribed to your beautiful blog. And the first thing that caught my eye on this page? All the Google ads to the right of your text are for “cheap baby formula” and “baby formula brands”. Sheesh.
Thanks for your honesty and your sharing.

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1. sarah
  
  August 31, 2012 at 7:56 pm
  
  Yeah, I’m doing away with the google ads soon. I keep adding the filters to exclude baby formula, but it’s uncontrollable. Apparently baby formula is the new spam. sigh
  
  In fact.. Soon is now.
  
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Jessica

September 20, 2012 at 1:49 am

Hi, again. I literally NEVER comment on blogs (you don’t know me so that may not sound flattering, but I mean it to)…because I like lots of them. However, I am so moved and impressed by what and how you write, that I must comment (for the second time tonight). I could shout a whole-hearted “amen” for each of your posts that I’ve read(cartoon and image included). You are eloquent and you just “get it”. I’m thankful I found your blog. You must be a lovely mama!

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1. sarah
  
  September 20, 2012 at 10:35 am
  
  Jessica,
  Thank you 🙂 I love the feeling of finding other parents that parent in a similar way. Makes me feel less alone in a world where babies are often treated as nuisances.
  -Sarah
  
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Kim @ The Bird’s Nest

September 21, 2012 at 7:08 pm

I was looking for an “email me” option so I could send you my thoughts privately, but I will post them here instead. You may have noticed my name as a frequent commenter lately. My son is 6 months old, and I believe in WIO, gentle parenting, breastfeeding, etc. I didn’t know this is what I believed in until he was born – I always assumed I would parent as my own parents did. However, as you’ve mentioned numerous times in your posts, my instinct doesn’t allow me to do anything differently than I do it now.

Your blog has become a daily source of comfort, strength, confirmation, and general “chicken soup for the soul” for this mama. I want to thank you for being there for me and countless other parents as we trust our instincts regardless of the scrutiny we often face by those who don’t understand. I frequently implore other similarly minded parents to visit your site and send links around to anyone I think will read. I just want everyone to read your posts and benefit in the way I have from your wonderful, loving words.

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1. sarah
  
  September 24, 2012 at 11:06 pm
  
  Kim,
  
  I have noticed your comments and have come to view “Kim @ The Bird’s Nest” as a friendly face. 🙂 I don’t always have the time or ability to respond to comments although I’m trying to get better at that. But I have noticed your words.
  
  You have given your son a beautiful gift by coming to your way of parenting through having been parented in a different way. Many cannot move past what they know. It makes me smile to hear stories like yours where a mama or a daddy have opened their heart to the child in their arms rather than parenting through a method that they heard and follow to a T.
  
  Your comment leaving thanks was chicken soup to MY soul. Thank you.
  
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Jenoman.rmt@rogers.com

January 16, 2013 at 1:40 pm

Love it!

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Maggie

March 19, 2013 at 7:55 am

Are there ideas on your site about how to get a better let-down when pumping? I’m having an issue there. once the let-down starts, i get 5 oz. but it takes 10-15 to start!

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1. Louise
  
  March 19, 2013 at 4:42 pm
  
  Hm, tried replying to you, seems I wrote my own post instead. See under.
  
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2. sarah
  
  March 20, 2013 at 8:49 am
  
  Yes, I do. It’s from the old custommademilk archives, I have to dig it out and re-post it for you. 🙂 Sorry for the delayed response!
  
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Louise

March 19, 2013 at 4:40 pm

Hi! I’m a member of Norwegian breastfeedinghelp association, and felt like awnsering you. Please exuse my late evening spelling.

Tips for stimulating let down:
Gently roll or tickle nipples (may very well, or even preferably, be done while bra is still on)

Smell a garment the baby has recently worn.

Listhen to music you like and are relaxed by (! Yes, it has a physological effect)

Read/watch tv – think about something else than the milk (not) flowing.

Have someone give you a shoulder massage.

Anything relaxing and comfortable is good for let down. Anything stressfull or uncomftorable; not so good.

Hope this was helpfull!

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1. Maggie
  
  March 19, 2013 at 5:47 pm
  
  Thank you so much! I will definitely work on these.
  
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Anonymous

July 9, 2013 at 2:33 pm

I think one of the best ways to be a parent is to not let our children swim in future debt. No amount of helicopter parenting will fix the debt that our parents have given us and that we will give our children.

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Grounded Parents | Round Table: Where Do You Look for Parenting Advice?

July 7, 2014 at 2:29 pm

[…] it’s entirely possible to parent like this without the woo. I favor GP support groups (such as Nurshable). I find that many studies include only developmentally and physically “normal” children and […]

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barnraised

January 6, 2015 at 12:46 am

Lovely blog! So glad to have just found it!

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Sandra janovitch

January 13, 2015 at 8:53 pm

Pls add me to your list

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Cassie

December 6, 2017 at 10:00 am

Your posts are wonderful and encouraging. I appreciate them and you!

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29 responses to “About Nurshable”

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