Scenes from my house this morning:





I never thought anything of having the tiny black and white t.v. on a lot because up until recently, Scout paid no attention to it. But she seems to be looking at it a lot more often. This morning, she was enamored by it. Shame on me.

I've been trying to remember to pump more often, because I want to be able to leave breastmilk for Scout when DH and I go out. As you can see, this morning's pumping session was not a high yeilding one....AT ALL. hhmph!

Labels: breastfeeding, pics of scout

Recently, I've noticed that my attitude toward nursing in public changes depending on who we are out with at the time. When it is just me, DH, and Scout out somewhere, I feel totally comfortable nursing in public. I'm always as discreet as possible, but I truly don't give a crap about what all the strangers around think. But if we are out with certain family members, I feel scared and awkward about breastfeeding Scout in public....as if I'm going to embarrass them or something. I wish I could get over that.

On the last evening of our recent visit up North, we went out to eat with my dad, step-mom, and uncle. Scout was tired and clingy and just needed to nurse a lot. We were at a nice (but not too fancy) steak house, seated at a table (not a booth) in a high-traffic area. I'm so glad that when I mentioned needing to nurse Scout, my dad and step-mom did not act weirded out at all. I was surprised because neither of them are very familiar with breastfeeding and my dad has jokingly asked, "How long do you plan on doing that, until she's in college or something?" on more than one occasion.

I was a little more comfortable when I realized it wasn't a big deal to them (or if it was, they didn't show it) and I think I did a pretty good job of hiding my exposed nipple every time Scout would get distracted and suddenly pop off. But it was still very stressful for me. I was sweating and flustered. Scout was being very squirmy and fussy, so I felt like that was bringing attention to what I was doing. I don't doubt that she was probably picking up on my stressed-out vibes and that probably made things worse.

When we went out to breakfast with MIL the other day, I was hoping and praying that I wouldn't need to nurse Scout while we were at the table. I don't really know her views on breastfeeding, but I get the distinct feeling it's something that makes her uncomfortable. I nursed Scout in the car before we went into the restaurant and then she was content with eating puffed brown rice and pears while she sat in the high chair. It's ridiculous, but I was so relieved that she didn't want to nurse while we were there. If it would've just been DH, Scout, and I out to breakfast, I wouldn't have even given it a second thought.

How come it's so much easier to be bold about breastfeeding around people you don't know than it is when you're with family?

Labels: breastfeeding, family

You haven't lived until you've ridden in a van for 4 hours with a gaggle of kids, ages 6 years, 4 years, 2 years, and 6 months. Added bonus: The 2-year-old and the 6-month-old cried almost non-stop for the last hour, while the two older ones fought with each other and whined incessantly. Woo. Hoo.

On a more positive note, DH took a pic of me breastfeeding Scout on a bench outside of Hooters today. I needed to feed her before we all piled into the van to head back home and Hooters just happened to be in the shopping center where we had stopped to use the restroom. It's still on DH's phone, so I'll have to post it later.

Labels: breastfeeding, family, trips

I forgot to mention one of the things that happened on my birthday. While we were at the mall, I nursed in public without a covering for the first time. I nurse Scout without a covering in the church nursery quite often, but I don't really count that, since it's just a bunch of women and babies in there. I've nursed her in public a couple times, but it has always been with a blanket draped over us.

We were eating at the food court, and I forgot to bring the diaper bag inside, which contained the receiving blanket I usually use as a nursing cover-up. I was a little nervous. Not so much about the actual nursing in public part, but more nervous about getting her latched on without flashing my nipple to all the poor unsuspecting bystanders in that high-traffic area. I think I did a pretty good job of getting her hooked up to the tap without inadvertently putting on a nudie show. Once she was on, I felt totally comfortable. I had a nursing tank on under my shirt, so I wasn't flashing pasty white belly flab either. Hooray. It was kind of empowering to sit there and sip my lemonade and eat my chicken club sandwich while breastfeeding my baby in the middle of the mall.

Labels: breastfeeding, firsts

Sleep is going much better.....because I decided not to move Scout to her own bed. I truly feel that she is safe in our bed and that it is the best place for her. She feels happy and secure next to mommy and I love that I can see, hear, and touch her. She sleeps on her side between one of those sleep positioner wedge dealies and I sleep on my side facing her. She wakes up maybe 2 times a night to eat and we don't have to move, which is REALLY nice. I move her over in the morning so she can nurse on the other side, and then we drift off into sleep again. Mommy, Daddy, and Baby all get a full night's sleep. Aaaaahhhhhh. I wish I would've thought to graduate from the recliner to the bed sooner!

I'd really love to get a king size mattress and lay it on the floor, so there is no danger of her falling when she gets more mobile (right now, she can't fall because of the co-sleeper bassinet). I think "the family bed" is a great idea and I'm glad that DH is on board. There's just something so nice about waking up next to both my husband and my baby daughter.

I breastfed her in the sanctuary at church this morning. I pondered getting up and going to the nursery, but I thought I'd try my luck at hiding everything under a light receiving blanket. It worked! I didn't feel like I was putting on a peep show and it was nice not to have to leave. I don't think I could've done it if she would've been fussy, though. It would've been tough to latch her on under the blanket with flailing arms and such.

Labels: baby sleep, breastfeeding, the family bed

Sorta kinda figured out how to nurse in the sling. Now, will I be able to do it again? Not sure. I wish my sling fabric wasn't so bulky....or maybe it needs to be a smoother fabric, I dunno. It's just a little difficult to adjust.



Scout and I got dressed to take a walk yesterday....got her all situated in the stroller, and it started raining. Phooey. I just had to take a picture of her cuteness before taking her hat off and getting her out of the stroller, though.

Labels: baby gear, breastfeeding

Labels: breastfeeding, outings

.....I'm nursing my kiddo first thing in the morning and all of the sudden I have to go to the bathroom so bad, that it feels like I'm gonna wet myself (or worse). I have to interrupt the poor darling in the middle of her meal, run to the kitchen to grab her bouncy seat so I can take her in the bathroom with me, and then hope that I make it there before I have an accident. All the while, my boobs are leaking like a faucet all through the house.

Labels: breastfeeding, general complaining

Still feeling like a giant boob, but it doesn't bother me. Like some of you have mentioned, my baby girl is just getting my supply established. I wonder sometimes, though, if she is getting angry when milk comes out and she is just wanting to comfort-suck. I notice sometimes at the end of a feeding that she'll flail around and make herself pop off of my nipple without unlatching first (youch!) and then acts angry and wants the nipple back.....this usually repeats a few times before she gives up....like she's too full, but stll wants to suck.

I'm still not crazy about using the pacifier, although I have given her a Soothie brand one on a few occasions. It just seems like she has to open her mouth wider for the Soothie than with a Nuk....so I thought it would be better for avoiding nipple confusion. She's not fond of any pacifier - I have to force her to take it - so I don't even know why I'm trying....I just need to face the fact that I am her pacifier. And that's alright. I'd do ANYTHING for her.

My mom and Grandma are leaving on Friday and I am really nervous about that. They have been doing ALL of the shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, driving, yardwork, etc. I will be lost when they are gone!!!!

Labels: breastfeeding, family

Scout wants to nurse almost every hour today. Sheesh. We've used a pacifier a few times here and there, but she doesn't seem to like it too well.....and when I do give it to her, I feel guilty because I think, "What if she's really hungry and I am giving her this piece of rubber to suck on because 'It's not time to eat'?" So now, I've just been feeding her every time she starts fussing and rooting around or licking her hands.

Labels: breastfeeding

My sister, who is graciously being a surrogate for a momma who can't grow her own babies, is currently visiting the family of the baby she is carrying. She's staying with the parents for 5 days. Their ultrasound to determine the sex of the baby is tomorrow. I spoke with my sister this morning and she said she's having a great time, although she really misses her own kids, who are at home with their daddy. The baby's mom bought my sis a ton of maternity clothes yesterday when they went on a little shopping spree.

Although I'm not willing to carry someone else's baby for the chance to get a bunch of nice maternity clothes, I'm still jealous! :) While pants were an issue for me for a while, now I fear that I am running out of shirts that fit. I'm SO thankful for all the maternity clothes my friends have passed on to me, but bad thing about that is you automatically forfeit your own sense of style when being resigned to wearing only other people's hand-me-downs. I feel like I dress a lot more....I dunno....preppy, or "mainstream" than I used to. I long to wear something a little more my style. Oh well. If that is the extent of my problems, I would say I am amazingly blessed!!!

We have another appointment with the midwife tomorrow. It almost seems like a waste to drive nearly 4 hours (round trip), when I am feeling wonderful and baby seems healthy and SUPER active. She may be able to tell how the baby is positioned, though, so that would be cool. And I'm hoping that she'll be able to find baby's heartbeat with the fetoscope instead of the Doppler this time around. Other than that, she'll just check my blood pressure and my urine for protein and other levels. I know all of that's important, but I guess I'm just feeling lazy about it.

I leave for my trip North on Sunday. My sis said that my mom is ordering the cake for the shower tomorrow and is going to pick up all the cutesy little decorations. I am a lot more excited about the shower than I had anticipated. Maybe it's because I've never had anything like that before. DH and I eloped, so I didn't have a bridal shower. I admit, I do like the idea of a bunch of friends and family gathered around to dote on my big belly and give me a bunch of stuff!

My mom is going to make me a nursing cover-up similar to this one:

I think I like the poncho-type covers more than the ones that look like a funky apron:


They look super easy to make. I may even see what kind of fabric I have lying around and drag my sewing machine out today and experiment a little. I know that I am going to need to nurse in public a lot and I'm not sure how skilled I will be at keeping my boobies under wraps at the beginning. I'm very supportive of women feeling free to nurse in public....but until I can keep most of my boob concealed while nursing, I think I'll feel a lot more comfortable wearing something over my chest.

Labels: baby gear, breastfeeding

The breastfeeding class at the health department today (er...umm...yesterday) was very informative.....and empowering. I left there feeling confident in my body's ability to nourish our baby. We watched a video that featured footage of sweet tiny infants nursing at their mothers' breasts. That's something I don't see in my every day life. Well, I do "see" my friend nursing her 18 month old sometimes, but since she is polite and discreet about it, I obviously don't see a close-up view of the baby latching on to her breast in slow-motion. :)

I must say, the nursing babies in the video had the most peaceful and satisfied looks on their faces. The mothers also appeared to be very at ease and restful. I'm not saying that the video idealized the art of breastfeeding - it certainly adressed possible problems that can arise - but it was just so nice to see all those successful breastfeeding relationships......just to know that it is possible.

Now, when any friends or family come at me with negative comments about breastfeeding or try to get me to quit based on their faulty information on the subject, I will be ready with lots of great facts to throw at them.....like:

*A baby only needs/gets 1 teaspoon (if that!) of colostrum from mommy during his/her first 24 hours of life. Baby's tiny stomach is only about the size of a small marble during the first day.

* 90% of all babies who are given a bottle within the first 3-4 weeks of life have trouble going back to the breast and ultimately stop nursing altogether because of nipple confusion. If you have real reason to believe that your baby is not getting enough milk, supplement by using a spoon or a syringe to administer breastmilk to him/her while you try to work out a solution.

* A baby MUSN'T be fed on a schedule. This is a sure way to decrease your supply. Breastfeed when the baby is hungry. Crying is a LATE signal of hunger. Try to read early signs, like: lip-smacking, opening mouth wide, putting fingers in mouth, rooting, sucking.

There is so much more, but I'm unbelievably tired and don't even know why I'm still typing at this point. Long story long, I learned so many things I didn't know and also things I can use to rebuttle my friends' & family's misconceptions about breastfeeding. Maybe I'll post more on the subject when my eyelids don't feel like cement drapes.

Oh yes, and we all got a free copy of Amy Spangler's Breastfeeding: A Parent's Guide. Woot!

Labels: breastfeeding

I tried to "milk" myself yesterday. Ha! I was reading a thread on MDC in my "due date club" that was titled "Can you milk yourself yet?" and I was wildly curious.... me being a first-timer and all. Many people that replied to the post who are about as far along as I am without any previous children said that they weren't able to express anything from their boobies yet. But some admitted that they have actually started "leaking". It's my understanding that *most* first time mommas don't get any leakage until the baby is born, but again, I was curious.

So......I squeezed and a little bit of clear-ish liquid came out. Okay, now I was ultra curious. I posted to ask what the clear stuff is and someone answered that it is very early colostrum. Interesting. I'm a goof and got sort of excited about that....just knowing that my body is preparing itself to feed our precious little babe the super food that is colostrum. Speaking of which, I'm going to a breastfeeding class at my local health department tomorrow morning.

Labels: breastfeeding, pregnancy

I went and exercised with a couple friends of mine today because I didn't have to babysit. It was the first time I've done anything remotely physical in forever and it felt great! I didn't over-do it, though. In fact, I sat out during the whole last half of the pilates video because they were doing some intense stomach crunch type things and push-ups. Since I haven't been exercising and I really didn't exercise that often before I was pregnant (aside from walking and riding the exercise bike), I decided it would be a bad idea to suddenly start doing crazy contortionist moves at this stage of the game.

These two friends that I worked out with just had babies a few weeks ago. Well, one was 7 weeks ago and the other was 5 or 6 weeks ago, I think. They had their tiny little babies with them and they were so precious! One of the gals breastfed for the first 6 weeks and then decided to stop because it was really inconvenient. That made me sort of sad. But it also made me feel very blessed that I will have all the time in the world to establish a good breastfeeding relationship with my baby and give it the best shot I can. The reason it was inconvenient for her is because she owns her own business and went back to work a couple weeks ago. I'm certainly no expert, but it sounds like where she may have gone wrong is when she started feeding the baby bottles pretty early on. She would pump breastmilk so her husband and MIL could feed the baby and I think that may have messed up her supply a little. I've read that if you don't breastfeed the baby on demand, your supply can get whacked out and you may not end up producing as much that way. She said that she felt like she was pumping all day long and he ate so much that she could barely keep up. She gave up and went to formula last week. It does seem like it would be extremely difficult to breastfeed and work at the same time. I guess that's nature's way of saying that it's best for momma to stay home. Well, at least her baby did get those important momma-milk nutrients for the first several weeks of his life, so that's good. My other friend went straight to formula and didn't even take a shot at breastfeeding. Oh well. To each, their own. I need to get a bunch of crunchy hippy momma friends IRL!

It's super nice and cold here today....and cloudy...mmmm...it feels like Fall! I love it. My Autumn mood made me buy ingredients to make a couple pumpkin pies to take over to a friends house tomorrow. We live like a block away from this lady we go to church with and we never visit eachother, so we decided it would be nice to finally get together for dinner since we're neighbors and all.

As for the rest of the day, I think I'm going to sew, read a little, and maybe....just MAYBE, if I feel especially motivated, I might go out and rake some leaves. Maybe.

Labels: breastfeeding, exercise, friends

One would think that living with my DH would cause me to be well versed in the art of sarcasm. Even after 5 1/2 years of marriage there are times when I'm not sure if he is being serious or if he's joking. One time he said "I hate you" to one of our friends after she complimented his new haircut. She knows that he is (in his own words, not mine) a "sarcastic jerk", but still couldn't help but wonder if he was being seriously mean.

I said all that just to preface a story about something embarrassing I did. One of the recent posts on Daddy Types featured commentary on an article about a magazine cover that shows the bare breast of a breastfeeding mother. Some of the people interviewed in the article are disgusted by the cover and also by breastfeeding in public. One of the interviewees stated that he thinks breastfeeding is an intimate moment that should be shared privately between infant and mother. Well, I think I misunderstood the stance Daddy Types took on the issue and wrote a rather passionate comment on that particular post. Now, I'm pretty sure the Daddy Types writer was agreeing with the anti-nursing-in-public wackies in a very tongue in cheek sort of way. I totally missed the sarcasm and thought he was teaming up with their "Breastfeeding? Eeewwe gross!" attitude. You can read what I wrote here. It's the one posted by eipwek. Sorry Daddy Types, your hilariously trite sarcasm was totally wasted on me. My husband would be ashamed of me.

The thing that made me realize that the Daddy Types writer was (I hope, but still not 100% positive. Dang it!) being facecious was a comment another reader posted: "Dear daddytype think there was some sort of HTML error and you forgot to close your sarcasm tag . It might be throwing some people off." Doh! In the words of Emo Philips on Weird Al's UHF as his face was being soaked with fake blood from his severed thumb, "Is my face red!"

Labels: breastfeeding, doh