Someone I know had a baby yesterday afternoon and that is the inspiration for today's (albeit completely unplanned) blog. This new mama posted a picture of her newest addition this morning on Facebook at about 8 am and a bunch of memories rushed back to me from my hospital stay.
Lane was over 24 hours old when I was able to wake up from my 1st night sleep as a mom (which I must say was probably the best sleep I had in almost a week). We decided that Mark would stay home to sleep, for both our sanity and the sanity of our dogs, and the previous day was full of visitors from the moment Lane was returned to our room at 7 am until I went to bed at 10 pm.
I will NEVER forget that first morning that it was just Lane and I together before Mark arrived. It was also the first time that we were able to spend a single moment alone that didn't include him being attached to my boob. To be able and stare at the most beautiful thing in the world was priceless. Actually just thinking about it is bringing tears to my eyes! Before that moment, I would've never thought something so simple could be so meaningful.
It's a moment I'll cherish forever and seeing these new babies lets me relive it all over again!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Mooo
For the past 1 year and 3 weeks I have more or less felt like a dairy cow. My son has officially decided that he was done last week with nursing. It seemed as though my mission in life was to try my hardest to make enough milk to feed little B Dub (aka Lane). Don't get me wrong, this journey has been incredibly tough but worth everything I had to give up completely or have in small moderation. To be completely honest with you, I didn't really give up anything. The only thing I didn't do was tobacco or drugs which I never did anyways. Chastize me if you want but yes I still drank in moderation and yes my little boy turned out to grow and develop just fine.
I only planned on breastfeeding for 6-9 months but it was such tough work those first couple months (for a multitude of reasons that I won't go into here) that there was no way I was going to stop. Luckily I had some people in my life that encouraged me and were great examples to follow. My sister in law breastfed her babies for a very long time and she is one of the busiest people I have ever met so if she could do it.....I could sure as hell find time in my life to feed my baby or pump if necessary. She's also my inspiration for making baby food! Doing the best for B Dub became my mission! If I had to take time out of work, my lunch, a concert, a visit from a friend....all could take a moment while I gave him the best of what I could give.
This post is definately not meant to sway a future mom one way or another but just to give some insight into the reasons of my journey. Some of the following are the most interesting facts I learned throughout the past year:
1. 73% of mothers get outside help or advice - this was definately true in my case. I had some major issues the first couple months so the lactation consultant at the hospital was my saving grace. Her positive reinforcement was exactly what I needed...after I got over the wierdness of having a stranger touch my boob. Awkward.
2. Breastfeeding helps prevent cancer & reduces the risk of osteoporosis
3. The milk sprays out of lots of holes, not only 1 - this is probably the most shocking to me. Which shouldn't have considering my animal background. I've milked sheep & horses so I really shouldn't have been surprised to see a crap ton of milk spraying in all directions.
4. about 3/4 of all moms produce more milk with the right breast - very strange fact but it was true with me and oddly enough it has nothing to do with which side dominant you are
5. Approximately 65% breastfeed in the hospital, that drops to 14% at 6 months and less than 5% at 1 year. These percentages are slowly getting higher year by year.
I have nothing against formula or what it does for a baby because I know lots of people that do it! Their babies turn out great so no judgement here but there will always be people that are against one way of feeding or another. It all comes down to personal preference just like choosing to cloth diaper or use disposable (if you care to know I'd cloth diaper in a heartbeat if I had a husband that was willing). Both options are safe and my best friend and brother/sister in law both cloth diaper...they love it but it's not for everyone. I will say that I was shocked at some of the comments that people gave though!! 'You're still breastfeeding?' Why yes I am...is that a problem? 'Formula isn't that expensive.' I understand that for some people formula is the only option or the cost doesn't matter vs. the time & effort....but some months of living paycheck to paycheck and those formula cans could've made a huge difference. If I could do something, hard or not, and save us some money then I was going to give it my all.
I apologize for the personal boasting but I just feel incredibly proud to have made it as long as we did and plan on doing the same with future kids. All in all I thought it would be like God came down from heaven the day I was done breastfeeding but it was a little like a let down. I was hoping to end on my own terms....not B Dubs. He's just showing me that he is going to run the show!
I only planned on breastfeeding for 6-9 months but it was such tough work those first couple months (for a multitude of reasons that I won't go into here) that there was no way I was going to stop. Luckily I had some people in my life that encouraged me and were great examples to follow. My sister in law breastfed her babies for a very long time and she is one of the busiest people I have ever met so if she could do it.....I could sure as hell find time in my life to feed my baby or pump if necessary. She's also my inspiration for making baby food! Doing the best for B Dub became my mission! If I had to take time out of work, my lunch, a concert, a visit from a friend....all could take a moment while I gave him the best of what I could give.
This post is definately not meant to sway a future mom one way or another but just to give some insight into the reasons of my journey. Some of the following are the most interesting facts I learned throughout the past year:
1. 73% of mothers get outside help or advice - this was definately true in my case. I had some major issues the first couple months so the lactation consultant at the hospital was my saving grace. Her positive reinforcement was exactly what I needed...after I got over the wierdness of having a stranger touch my boob. Awkward.
2. Breastfeeding helps prevent cancer & reduces the risk of osteoporosis
3. The milk sprays out of lots of holes, not only 1 - this is probably the most shocking to me. Which shouldn't have considering my animal background. I've milked sheep & horses so I really shouldn't have been surprised to see a crap ton of milk spraying in all directions.
4. about 3/4 of all moms produce more milk with the right breast - very strange fact but it was true with me and oddly enough it has nothing to do with which side dominant you are
5. Approximately 65% breastfeed in the hospital, that drops to 14% at 6 months and less than 5% at 1 year. These percentages are slowly getting higher year by year.
I have nothing against formula or what it does for a baby because I know lots of people that do it! Their babies turn out great so no judgement here but there will always be people that are against one way of feeding or another. It all comes down to personal preference just like choosing to cloth diaper or use disposable (if you care to know I'd cloth diaper in a heartbeat if I had a husband that was willing). Both options are safe and my best friend and brother/sister in law both cloth diaper...they love it but it's not for everyone. I will say that I was shocked at some of the comments that people gave though!! 'You're still breastfeeding?' Why yes I am...is that a problem? 'Formula isn't that expensive.' I understand that for some people formula is the only option or the cost doesn't matter vs. the time & effort....but some months of living paycheck to paycheck and those formula cans could've made a huge difference. If I could do something, hard or not, and save us some money then I was going to give it my all.
I apologize for the personal boasting but I just feel incredibly proud to have made it as long as we did and plan on doing the same with future kids. All in all I thought it would be like God came down from heaven the day I was done breastfeeding but it was a little like a let down. I was hoping to end on my own terms....not B Dubs. He's just showing me that he is going to run the show!
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