Life has a way of getting busy and I forget about this thing. A quick update, my daughter is now 6 months old. I'm not sure how I feel about that. The other night she couldn't sleep so I took her to her room and rocked her and sang her to sleep. I ended up crying while doing so. She's growing so much, not just in age but in actions and appearances too. Her face is really maturing. And she's so independent. I'm scared for the day when she doesn't need me anymore. That's about all except I started a headband business. Let me know if you want the link for the site.
Today I want to talk about breastfeeding versus formula feeding. I chose that topic because I am breastfeeding as I type this. Lol.
First of all, I just want to remind you that this is not a debate. I am not bashing anyone who does opposite of what I do. I am not saying I am better than anyone either. I am just simply stating what I do and why I do it. So please keep the negativity to yourself.
Here goes.
I'm not sure when I decided to breastfeed. I don't remember ever even considering giving formula. I guess I had always thought that everyone breastfed and only if they couldn't for some reason did they give formula. I don't think I was breastfed. I'm almost positive I wasn't. I don't have the best health but I don't think it's because I wasn't breastfed. I just have yucky health.
The first time I was ever exposed to breastfeeding I was 4 years old. I was in my gymnastics class and a mother just pulled her breast out and started feeding her baby. I remember being interested because I was 4 years old and my mother (who was our instructor) shooing me away. Even then it in 1989 was slightly taboo.
I didn't have another breastfeeding encounter until I was around 20 or 21. I went all that time without ever hearing about it or seeing anyone do it. And suddenly I had a friend that had a baby and was doing it.
It bothers me deeply that I went that long without being around it or seeing it out somewhere. Even now after nursing for 6 months and being more aware of breastfeeding, I have yet to see another person nurse in public. It really upsets me that it's turned into something so taboo and sexual but that's an entry for another day.
There was never any other option when I got pregnant. I was breastfeeding. End of story. I was going to be dedicated and make it work. Nothing against formula, but i don't believe it is the healthiest for your child. I know they try but i have seen graphs with all the stuff breast milk has that formula doesn't and that sticks with me. I mean, i am giving my child something my body creates specifically for her needs. Why would i not want to give her that?
I never gave myself a goal like most moms do. I told myself i was breastfeeding, period. And yes, it takes some work. You have to be patient but it is only rough the first ten days or so because your nipples are so dang sore and you have to get past the initial engorgement of getting your milk in.
Breastfeeding my daughter has been the best experience. There is definitely a huge bond there (not to say formula fed babies don't bond, I swear) and there's NOTHING like having your little miracle nursing away and looking up at you with perfect content in their eyes. My angel wants to hold my hand while she eats. She reaches for it every time and i adore it.
I wanted to breastfeed at least until she turns one but have since decided to stop when she stops. Does that mean i will let her nurse til she is four? No. But i will let her go past 12 months if she wants.
I know she's only going to be little once.
Bottom line: As long as you are feeding your baby, I applaud you. No matter how. You are doing what is right for you and that makes you a good mom.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
hello again...
I've had trouble finding time to write lately. Between having a teething baby who is super clingy and won't nap unless she's in my arms and all the housework I'm behind, I just haven't had the energy to write.
The next several entries I'm going to write are going to be regarding some "controversial" topics. But then again, aren't they all? I've discovered people are a whole lot more judgemental once you're a mom. So as a disclaimer, I'm just writing what I do and what I feel is and works best for my child. I promise to be open-minded towards anyone who practices different forms of parenting as long as you promise to do the same for me. I fully support a mother's right to choose how to raise their own child. After all, if we all raised our babies the same, the world would be super boring and full of the same people.
So here are some of the topics I'm going to be writing about....
*breastfeeding/formula feeding
*CoSleeping/bed sharing
*stay at home mom/working mother
*friends and lack thereof after baby
*daycare/babysitting/going out
*baby wearing/cry it out method/attachment parenting
*disciple
And whatever else I think about. I'm sure some of these will be in the same entries. But let me state I will not apologize for how I raise my child. I worked hard to get her here. Please no negative feedback.
Love and well wishes.
-A
The next several entries I'm going to write are going to be regarding some "controversial" topics. But then again, aren't they all? I've discovered people are a whole lot more judgemental once you're a mom. So as a disclaimer, I'm just writing what I do and what I feel is and works best for my child. I promise to be open-minded towards anyone who practices different forms of parenting as long as you promise to do the same for me. I fully support a mother's right to choose how to raise their own child. After all, if we all raised our babies the same, the world would be super boring and full of the same people.
So here are some of the topics I'm going to be writing about....
*breastfeeding/formula feeding
*CoSleeping/bed sharing
*stay at home mom/working mother
*friends and lack thereof after baby
*daycare/babysitting/going out
*baby wearing/cry it out method/attachment parenting
*disciple
And whatever else I think about. I'm sure some of these will be in the same entries. But let me state I will not apologize for how I raise my child. I worked hard to get her here. Please no negative feedback.
Love and well wishes.
-A
Monday, March 17, 2014
Introduction
It's been a long time since I've blogged. My passion is writing and I barely find the time to do so anymore so I figured I'd take advantage of naptime and such. So here goes nothing:
My name is Amanda. I'm 28. I love to read and take hot bubble baths. But this blog isn't about me. I'm a first time mom. My daughter is 5 months and 3 days old. Her name is Sophia and she's the best thing that's ever happened to me. But this blog isn't exactly about her either.
It's more about the journey but then again isn't it always? Life is one big journey to a destination to be determined. I don't know what my child will do when she's grown. Will she be a teacher? A mother of three? A lover of cats? I can honestly say I've never thought about those things until this moment. Even now I pack those thoughts up neatly and places them in the back of my mind. It doesn't matter right now. Maybe it won't for years. What I worry about and what I want most is her happiness. Every parent says that. And I'm sure they mean it on some level. But it is my greatest hope. You see, I didn't have a happy childhood. My mother was ripped from my life when I was 13 and it all went downhill from there.
For the longest time I let that mold me. It shaped my life in the darkest ways. But the moment I laid my eyes on this beautiful girl asleep in my lap, my world shifted. The sun became a little brighter. The sky a little bluer. Even the birds sang a little sweeter. Life just became grander.
Enough of the mushiness. I'm sure there will be enough of that at a later date. But for now, a quick recap.
Sophia was born October 14th at 5:05pm. 6lbs, 11oz. 18 inches long. We had a rough go at first with her jaundice and failure to gain weight. Then we had a stay at Children's hospital when she was under a month old. We never could find out what was wrong with her, they just were assuming it was a stomach virus or something. The rest of her short life has been healthy. She's almost 16lbs now. The past 5 months have flown by but she's advancing right on schedule, quicker than I'd like. She's rolling over back to belly and belly to back. Sitting and standing with assistance. She was exclusively breastfed until yesterday when she tried carrots for the first time. She likes to go swimming. She talks A LOT. She prefer to be outside and the color red is her favorite. Oh, and she has an obsession with ladybugs. There isn't much that she doesn't like besides wind. She's pretty awesome.
Stay tuned for more entries. They'll be random. Some will be funny. Some I'm sure will be full of venting. But most of all they'll be a way for me to document these beautiful, spectacular days.
My name is Amanda. I'm 28. I love to read and take hot bubble baths. But this blog isn't about me. I'm a first time mom. My daughter is 5 months and 3 days old. Her name is Sophia and she's the best thing that's ever happened to me. But this blog isn't exactly about her either.
It's more about the journey but then again isn't it always? Life is one big journey to a destination to be determined. I don't know what my child will do when she's grown. Will she be a teacher? A mother of three? A lover of cats? I can honestly say I've never thought about those things until this moment. Even now I pack those thoughts up neatly and places them in the back of my mind. It doesn't matter right now. Maybe it won't for years. What I worry about and what I want most is her happiness. Every parent says that. And I'm sure they mean it on some level. But it is my greatest hope. You see, I didn't have a happy childhood. My mother was ripped from my life when I was 13 and it all went downhill from there.
For the longest time I let that mold me. It shaped my life in the darkest ways. But the moment I laid my eyes on this beautiful girl asleep in my lap, my world shifted. The sun became a little brighter. The sky a little bluer. Even the birds sang a little sweeter. Life just became grander.
Enough of the mushiness. I'm sure there will be enough of that at a later date. But for now, a quick recap.
Sophia was born October 14th at 5:05pm. 6lbs, 11oz. 18 inches long. We had a rough go at first with her jaundice and failure to gain weight. Then we had a stay at Children's hospital when she was under a month old. We never could find out what was wrong with her, they just were assuming it was a stomach virus or something. The rest of her short life has been healthy. She's almost 16lbs now. The past 5 months have flown by but she's advancing right on schedule, quicker than I'd like. She's rolling over back to belly and belly to back. Sitting and standing with assistance. She was exclusively breastfed until yesterday when she tried carrots for the first time. She likes to go swimming. She talks A LOT. She prefer to be outside and the color red is her favorite. Oh, and she has an obsession with ladybugs. There isn't much that she doesn't like besides wind. She's pretty awesome.
Stay tuned for more entries. They'll be random. Some will be funny. Some I'm sure will be full of venting. But most of all they'll be a way for me to document these beautiful, spectacular days.
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