Everyone loves a baby

In my opinion my hardest year with my kids was defiantly there first year of life. With having to balance my new added responsibilities, breastfeeding(which I'm very proud for both children I was able to do the whole year)and Work, it was a lot on my plate. Maybe it was the adjusting to my new life (that I loved but had to get used to) I always joked that if the kids could pop out at 15 moths old, we were all set! This sounds so terrible to say but my kids are so cool now, with there little personalities, and ability to ask for what they want or at least try to communicate what they need. I have a 3 year old and 15 month old right now and am loving every minute of it. The saying is still true that "Everyone loves a baby!" But I believe it to be everyone loves a baby when they can give them back to mom and go sleep at night with no interruptions! I'm sure there are some kids out there that from the time they were born slept through the night. But not mine! It took my oldest until 2 years old to do that (just like her mom - guess payback was due) and my youngest til he was a full year until the night gods came to help our household out! So what have I learned about this part of my life when looking back? TO LAUGH... Its ok to nap during the day even though there are a few dirty dishes in the sink! And enjoy your kids they are only young once.

What happens if your baby doesn't like a bottle?

The question in my head that always got me while I was breastfeeding was... what happens if my baby never takes to a bottle. Well with my son my nightmare came true. He loved to nurse and hated the bottle. We couldn't even have it in the same room with him without him screaming at first. He made a conscious effort that the way he preferred to feed was the old-school way! (breastfeeding)And boy did he stick to his plan. It was a good 12 week struggle to get him to take a bottle. The funny thing was the first time we gave him a bottle he took it with ease. After that try number 2 thru try number 122 he could not be convinced to drink his pumped breast milk from this foreign object! Man was it frustration. Not just for me but for the entire household. Mom needs a break, Dad cant help mom in this arena...but wants to. What do you do??? Not to mention that maternity leave only last so long! What happens when you return back to work and he's still not taking a bottle.... The baby's gotta eat right???

Nope not my son... he would hold off until I was there (hours, man was he a stubborn boy... I hope this characteristic serves him well later in life! Taking it one step at a time, one little win, we'd call it was how my family got thru this challenge. Even if he'd only take an ounce to start, "Hey it was a start right!" So little by little my stubborn little prince decided to eat during the day, slow to start. I would just love to listen to people try to coach me on how to handle this situation. Everyone has a different idea, different approach. But every kid is so different, what works for one may not work for the other. I was told to buy all different types of bottle.. (what a waste of money, the one that worked was the original one we had Dr. Browns!) We were told that he'll eat when he's hungry, (Yeah then he starves all day and keeps me up all night eating because he's starving, obviously that didn't work!) But no the less there is a light somewhere at the end of the tunnel, you'll get there eventually... just keep searching for it. And every step forward is a step forward, no matter how small....

Clogged Duct

It happens to the best of us! When one of our ducts clog from breastfeeding. It can happen for a couple different reasons. One you go long periods of time with out breastfeeding and you get overfilled. Two: your not keeping the surface clean. Changing your breast pads frequently and only allowing baby to breastfeed from the nipple was one of the only ways I avoided this during my years of feeding. But once its clogged (and it does happen) how do you un-clog it? You unclog it by breastfeeding! Your pump is not strong enough. But the baby is! I know this idea seems so weird.. but until it's unclogged it will hurt. Actually a clogged duct can turn into something more serious if not taken care of or cleared out. It can cause infection so if your unsure of what is happening consult you doctor or lactation consultant and they will be able to direct you in the right way.

One bigger than the Other!

Well its been 2 -3 weeks now of weaning my son off breastfeeding. So how can one of my breast still be larger than the other? This is a potential problem with bathing suit season rapidly approaching us! As you can probably tell I'm trying to keep my humor with the whole situation. One breast has completely surrendered to the idea of not producing milk, but the other is fighting me every step of the way! It makes getting dressed a challenge. How do I not look lopsided when i'm wearing a bra that fits the larger side. (one full cup larger) So now I wear and tight tank under any shirt hopefully to deceive anyone who maybe looking. I wish I had suggestions to how to fix this, because I'd like to at least be close in size for both. I figure I'm not alone out there and other moms hopefully can laugh along with me, while waiting to be back to normal. Here's what I'm not doing: I'm not breastfeeding or pumping. So how come it keeps producing. So here is my message to my over productive, work-a-holic boob! Take a vacation and relax! You are layed-off for the time being. The product is not in demand as of right now and we will let you know when your services are needed again :) Had to have a laughable rant about this, since I'm getting frustrated about it!

Breastfeeding in Public

I do know this topic is a controversial one. Especially with the latest Time magazine publishing the picture of mom and child breast feeding at the age of four. I think breast feeding in public as long as its discrete is totally fine. Ive only done this a few times myself, in emergency situation with my two kids. Other than that I prefere the on fort of my own home. With that being said I do not mind another woman feeding her child in public areas as long as she's not trying to display herself doing it. I'm sure I'll get mixed reviews posting this but those are my personal feelings on the matter. I feel that Time magazine did not post that picture to have people become aware of breast feeding. I truly believe they did it to draw attention and sell copies. It could have been done classier! So what is everyone else opinions on breast feeding in public?

Weaning off breastmilk

Has it come time to start the weaning process for your little one? Have you reached the one year mark? I was so excited on Monday for our little one to turn 1 years old. Its bittersweet... He's no longer a baby but emerging as a curious toddler on the go. With him entering into the toddler years, it's time for me to step out of the breastfeeding. I'm happy with my accomplishment of one full year! But whats NEXT? Now how do I get him to transition from the breast milk that he loves so much to cows milk? And more importantly how to get rid of that bottle and use a sippy cup instead?

First off we introduced a sippy cup at 10 months old. (not necessarily to drink from it, but to start the introduction process, and eventually graduate him to using it full time) It helps that his sister uses one at every meal as well. He takes more of an interest in his own to copy his sister.) Little by little he learns how to get the liquid out of it into his mouth, and then to swallow it rather than spit it out. Actually the learning process in the whole food arena is comical to me. But by one years old they are fully equip to handling water and then milk in there very own sippy cup. Don't get me wrong I still will use the bottle for his mid afternoon milk, but working towards a big boy status is always a good thing. I started the other day slowly introducing cows milk and mixing it into my own breast milk. I started by using 4oz breast milk and 2oz regular milk the first and second day. I wanted to see if my son's stomach did OK with the addition of the cow's milk. Ill be slowly changing him over to all cows milk over then next couple of weeks.

Don't tense up while pumping

I've found that when your pumping the worst thing you can do is tense up or stress out. You need to be calm collected and focused on your little bundle of joy to be able to extract as much milk as possible. I know it seems very odd to think that our mood will dictate what we pump, but its true. This can be hard when your pumping at work, because of the environment your in. Different moms use different tricks while they are pumping. Some moms, bring a picture of there child, others bring there phone with videos and picture of there loves. I do a combination of things. I find relaxing for me includes finding a way to think of my son (who i am pumping for) by either running through in my head things we did the night before, watching videos of him on my phone and just enjoying thinking of him. other times i flip through a magazine or play games on my phone. Anything that gets me to relax in a high pressure work environment. Also try not to stress on the time, it'll work against you. I find that when I'm really pressed for time, and trying to fit my pumping time in between my appointments, I pump less and I end up needed to use a emergency frozen pack for the next day. That's the most frustrating part when I work so hard to get a stash of frozen breast milk and then need to use it because I cant relax. Its suppose to be for emergency not for non relaxing pumping sessions... So I guess my point is RELAX, easier said than done right!

Know your stuff! Healthy People 2020 initiative

There has been a huge push for creating healthy individuals for the United States. The idea is if we start out a human from the first breath as a healthy person, this should carry over throughout there entire life! That's where the idea to promote breadfeeding to the public from many different professional started. There are many different benefits to both the baby and the mother when you choose to use breast milk as a source of nutrition for your child. The antibodies in breast milk help fight any virus, or bacteria that may enter into the babies body. By far babies who are breastfed have less illnesses, and are hospitalized less as well! How could you not consider this choice with all those benefits to your youngster. But It gets even better moms also have benefits associated with choosing to breastfeed. You return to your pre-pregnancy weight faster, along reducing the risk of osteoporosis, and studies have also shown that it decreases the chances of breast cancer. With all this good , what are the down falls to breast feeding and why do people choose not to do this? One may be the Time commitment! Its a lot.... of time and dedication. Here are a couple great links to refer to: http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs73.pdf and http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/breastfeeding-state-laws.aspx

How to transition to cows milk

After the one year mark, pediatricians ok you to start transitioning from breast milk or formula to cows milk. I can only hope that my son will make this transition easy. Thinking back to when I started to integrate this into my daughters schedule, she drank whole milk like a champ. But then again she never fussed about taking a bottle either. I'm a little worried that my son will be different. He refused the bottle for 8 weeks straight a very stressful time because I was returning to work. So with this upcoming transition I'm anxious about this whole thing! Here's how I slowly transitioned my daughter.
I would start with only adding a 1/4 - 1/2 of an ounce at first and slowly increase it after a couple of days. Then go to 1 - 1 1/2 ounces so on a so forth. I'd much rather do it slowly than cold turkey for the babies. Also you have to think of what temperature you've been giving the milk at. Because if your child is like mine, he likes his milk very warm.... so the coldness of the cow milk might shock the system!
I'm interested to learn if any other mothers have tips or ideas for the transition?

New Stuff!

I'm excited to share a new blog I'm starting that I hope many of you will follow as well.
Today's Working Mom
www.todaysworkingmom.blogspot.com
You can link over to it right from this page!
here's a little snip it of whats to come:
On a side note: this week has been one to put into the books for our household. This was the first time that all four of my family members (this is including me) were sick all at the same time. Both my husband and I trying to still work and juggle the kiddos sick was a challenge in its self. After our bedtime routine and both kiddos fast asleep finally we fell into bed to start it all over again in the morning. (well at least for my husband, for me I still have to get up for my youngest feeding time at night.) But some how we survived! I'm sure we lost some part of our sanity this week to lack of sleep, or energy!

The inventor of the pump should be kissed!

I have to say even though I despise pumping after months and months of doing it at work, the inventor of the pump should be thanked! This is an irreplaceable item, that allows us working moms to continue to breast feed our children and work. Many of us today don't have the choice to be a stay at home mom. There are more and more families ever year that need two incomes, and that's nothing to beat yourself up over! The pump allows us working mom's to relieve some of our guilt of not staying home with the ability to feed our babies breast-milk.
So what exactly are the options of pumps to choose from:
There are two main sources of pumps. One being electric or battery-powered and the other one being manual. With those you can either single or dual pump. Its all in what you prefer. There is a bra online that actually holds the pump to make it hands free too. (such a great invention!)
Here is a great resource to help you figure out the in's and out's of picking out and using a pump.
www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-feeding/PR00002

Crazies...

Do people ever comment on your choice to breast feed. Sometimes I wish they would keep there opinions to themselves!
Yes: I do breast feed
Yes: My baby is almost one
No: I don't think its weird!
No: I don't care about the sacrifices I make to breast feed my child....
If your ignorant to the benefits of breast feeding and make comments without doing your research, please keep them to yourself! I hope this hits home with other moms experiencing the same thing. Its our choice, and personal preference to breast feed. Not to mention the benefits to the baby, the amount of money you'll save. I don't know how many times I've been asked, Isn't your son too old to still be breastfeeding, isn't it weird for you, aren't you getting tired of pumping. Well the answers are no hes not too old since my goal was to do it for his first year of life. No its not weird hes my child, I created him. And Yes I am tired of being hooked to a pump, but Ill do it until we've reached our goal!
So this is to all those mommies looking, needing support.... You've got it here.

Inching towards that one year mark!

I will be celebrating when my son crosses over the one year mark and is still breastfeeding! To me that was my goal I set out the day he was born. Inn actuality its probably a little longer than that, to transition him to cows milk, but all in all I'll be a happy camper!

Many people don't understand the stress, commitment, patience and determination it takes to breast feed for a year while maintain a full time job. That's why a support system is so important. Reach out to mom's who have accomplished it already. Ask what worked for them and not.

One of the best tips I ever got was to create a "Special Bag" for my 2 year old to have when I was breastfeeding on my maternity leave. What a wonderful idea! Its a bag that is always in sight but out of reach full of toys that your child can only play with while feeding your other child. It takes the negative out of situation all together. The key to the whole thing is to make sure when your done breastfeeding the special bag goes away. I kept mine on top of our fridge...

Mommies helping everyone! Whose helping mom?

Being a mom most of the time has its rewards. But sometimes when everyone's sleeping and your the last one to sleep and the first one up, it makes you think.....whose helping me? We know that when we signed up for this job we wouldn't get the thanks deserved for a long time, or maybe never. But we don't do it for the thanks.... We do it because it's our job, and we want to do it! Whatever it takes to make our household run smooth and whatever is best for our kids. That's why we choose to breastfeed too!
How do you make pumping a quick and efficient task? A couple ideas for you are, stick to your babies schedule.
Use a double pump.
When pumping, focus on pumping.

Give yourself some mommy time too! We sometimes forget just a little time to ourselves is all it takes to have a fresh look out on the day!

Lack of support the workplace

Why is there no support for breast feeding moms who are working. Breast feeding is becoming more common every day that passes. With the hospitals no instituting lactation consultants, teaching classes, and educators on the benefits of choosing this, why haven't all employers followed suit?

Yes there may be a few companies that truly support this movement for the right reasons, but most's attitudes are just to put up with it. And that's just a shame. If companies would take the stand of building a healthy country, community and employee staff, they should realize that this is where it starts.

Breast feeding babies their first year of life has monumental benefits that out-weigh any argument. An employer should support this choice and embrace it. But for most its a daily struggle to get in pump time at work, and not feel guilty about the time. Its a hassle to remind your employer what lawfully is required to provide as a comfortable space to pump. Its an extra strain on mom's sleep habits to choose to nurse. But in the end its all worth it!

Learn your states requirements for your self and know you always have a choice

Supply getting low?

It is very normal to go through surges and dips in your milk supply throughout the time your breast feeding. We all have to realize that its our own actions as well as the food we eat to the amount of water we consume that will effect our supply. You may notice that when your baby changes sleeping habits your supply may dip or surge for a few days before auto correcting itself.
If your experiencing a large decrease in your milk supply there are a couple quick questions to ask yourself. One: am I getting lazy at pumping frequently. Skipping pumping hurts your milk production. Two: am I consuming enough water? Especially if your a person who exercises frequently. Three: have you not been sleeping? Lack in sleep will decrease your ability to produce milk. Four: are you eating enough?
Your milk supply will not return immediately. It'll take a good week to recover completely.

If your experiencing a surge in milk. Take advantage of the situation by pumping and storing the extra milk. Even though you may be greeting sore more often it's good to build a frozen supply just in case of a future dip in supply.

This should bring you back to the days in school when you talked about supply and demand. And its no truer than right here with your production of milk. The last feeding of the night your body will read what youll need to make for the next day. So try to not skip this feeding. If you need a boost in milk add another feeding in around this time to double up.

Is Pumping a Chore?

I feel like sometimes taking my pump and throwing it out the 9th floor window of my office! I love what breastfeeding does for my children. And will continue to breastfeed them til age 1. But I wish i didn't have to pump.

Maybe its not the pump that frustrates me, maybe its the constant repetition of being hooked to a machine, every three to four hours. Its very different than actually breastfeeding...but your shooting for the same result. (milk for food, and in this case your bottles for the next day) At first its not that bad... but eventually it becomes that annoying black bag, that makes that quietly annoying sound that you have to pack for work with everything else... yeah you said it, its just irritating!

In all seriousness though. How do you make your pumping time the most efficient.
First: Relax... sometimes hard to do if your in a work setting. (each state has different laws defining a comfortable setting.)

Second: Bring a picture of your baby with you to focus on the task at hand.

Third: Make sure you are hydrated... people forget that water is super important while breastfeeding.

Fourth: Match your schedule to your babies. Pumping when your babies due for a bottle keeps both of you in a routine.

Fifth: Using a double pump, can decrease time you need to take to pump. (I like only one at a time though, i believe i get more milk that way)

Time is a big deal for most! So making pumping quick, easy and efficient is the key.

Water anyone?

How many of us actually track and focus on the amount of water we are in-taking during breastfeeding?

Answer: Probably not many!

Water is so important in my experience to producing an adequate amount of milk. It also is the most overlooked! We watch what we are eating, we limit our consumption of alcohol, we watch when we eat products that contain or drink caffeine. So why not Water?
I think its just an assumed easy drink that we take for granted. I have found you should be doubling the amount you would normally be drinking in a normal day if you are breast feeding.
If you are a person who exercise, you in-take of water should increase even more!

So the Focus this weekend is WATER! So drink up!

Super mom

More likely than not your a working mom, whose trying to fit everything on your todo list for the week into just that... the week! I don't know about you but I'm barley getting everything done. from cleaning the house, doing laundry, grocery shopping, to quality time with the kids, time with the spouse, time for me, cooking dinner, actually getting my 40 hrs a week in, and I'm sure theres stuff I missed. Not to mention, having to work in pumping time for my little one. I think I'm going to give moms like me a new name.... SUPER MOM! People forget how tedious it is and how much focus you need to breasts feed for more than a couple months. You need to know your daily timing, work in pumping at work, know when and what will be needed for you baby the next day. So I think super mom is a fitting name for us moms. We are juggling everything and should be giving a title to reflect it!
So to all you super moms out there... Keep up the good work, and good job! What your doing is a selfless act for your little darling!

Any Man of Mine!

What does it take to get to one year of Breastfeeding? A lot of support and understanding from the man in your life. I have to say my husband is very good about trying to understand the in's and out's of making it to the one year mark of breast feeding. The emotional roller-coaster that I'm on... the night feedings and the lack of hormones that us as breastfeeding moms will have.
Even though they may not fully understand the inner workings its the effort and empathy that is truly appreciated. Dads sometimes don't get enough credit being the supporting role in breastfeeding? This post is dedicated to those husbands, boyfriends, spouses, partners that support us and our choice to breastfeed.

Is Working..... Working?

Many of use get to that point after we have kids that we think to ourselves is working in the workplace really worth it? Here's a couple ways to see if your on the right path... Maybe its a choice, maybe its a need -- where do you fall?
One of the biggest concerns is can we make ends meet with only one income? Learning how to calculate you debt-to-income ration is important for your household.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7226_calculate-debt-income.html

http://hffo.cuna.org/12433/article/316/html
If you follow the above links it'll walk you through the easy way to do that!

Another concern is what to do when the kids go to school and how to get back into the work field. Many people think taking off so much time, they will have to start at the bottom and work there way up.

Who will be watching your kids if you are not? In-Home or out of home nanny service, daycare, grandparents, or relative? Which is the better fit for your family. Every choice has positives and negatives attached to it.

Can you work part-time or flex time? If you've been at your position or company for a while, sometimes they will let you work a flex schedule or part time hours to accommodate your families schedule.

Can you or your spouse handle the demands of staying home? Staying home is an unpaid full time job, that never gets as much credit as it deserves!!!

Smarter than the average parent!

I feel like babies are so much smarter than us as parents! Especially when it comes to transitioning them from breast feeding to bottle feeding. If your a working mom you know the feeling of needing your baby to take kindly to a bottle. And when it doesn't happen, true panic sets in!

"Ever think about what would happen if your maternity leave runs out and your vacation and personal days are all used up, and baby will not take a bottle?" Then what???


Start the transition as soon as your infant is nursing well. Obviously you want to avoid nipple confusion, so let your newborn get the hang of it first. But don't wait to long to introduce a bottle, you might get into a tough situation. I've talked to some moms, where they never actually made the transition. They went from breast to sippy. Some babies just wont take the bottle! Where others first try and they got it.