Thursday, July 28, 2011
Katherine & Sammy
I tend to photograph nursing families, since that's the premise of my business, "motherhood." SO. . .a few photos snagged during a HUGE adventure of a family photo shoot (last fall we were on Antelope Island for maternity photos, before this little guy came and now we're at a train station in Ogden having a great time playing and photographing the family).
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Influential Parenting
This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about how you influence others. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
I think that influencing others goes along with nursing in public, even if public is sometimes just in front of a friend. Nursing isn't the only way that I hope I influence mothers around me, I HOPE in front of others (and usually behind closed doors, and sometimes neither of those times am I great at it) that I show mothers around me that I am sensitive to my children, that I view my children as people who are worthy of my time, attention, trust and respect. That sometimes that means bending when others may think I should hold a hard line. And all of that starts with breastfeeding, with nursing a newborn whenever she needs it, with noticing the cues of an older, busier baby who needs to nurse, perhaps when she's hurt, or worried, or feels a little anxious about the social situation. Sometimes that means nursing a bumped up newly walking tot, yeah, even one with a full set of teeth and WORDS, and an ability to tell me when she needs to nurse. . .she's actually ALWAYS been able to TELL me when she needs to nurse, and my daughters and I have built our relationships on a mutual trust that I will notice her needs and tend to them. Did you know that nursing is a NEED for small children, a need to be near mom in the early YEARS is as essential as the actual sustenance provided through nursing.
In a general sense I influence those around me to view breastfeeding as the biological norm, by my willingness to discuss it openly. I talk about breastfeeding in a way that others recognize I view it as COMPLETELY normal. . . to do and to talk about. I don't quiet my voice, I don't try to discuss it privately (unless there is a sensitive situation), I don't shy away from sharing information if someone asks. I FREELY say the word "breastfeeding" which is a little humorous, since before I had children, "breast" was a word that I HATED to use. I had a set of three words I hated hearing or using. . . that was one. Not because of any sort of sexual connotation, I just didn't like the way it sounded as a word. I digress.
I have a close friend who recently told me that I'd really influenced her as a mother, through her pregnancy, from the very rough start of her son's life and through the extra rough "months" long start of their breastfeeding relationship, but I hadn't just influenced her with regards to her pushing through some rough stuff to continue nursing, I'd also influenced her and inspired her as a mother. That is something that does any mama's heart good to hear, and any friend's too! I hope that my influence and inspiration for her, were that of listening to her own heart and following her baby's cues (I know they were). I want to be sure that I never "influence" people to do it just like me, but instead, to trust themselves.
I hope that my mothering, coupled with my natural attitude of not worrying much about what others think (though in the quiet of my own home, I do rant a bit about it), I can influence and inspire other mothers to trust themselves as mothers, to seek support for the things they already KNOW they want their parenting to be about, and to be willing to shun popular opinion, in order to continue building a relationship of trust and respect with their babies, despite what others around them might say or pressure them into, if it goes against their personal parenting philosophies.
Breastfeeding is the building block for a relationship with your child(ren). . . sure, NOT breastfeeding is also a building block, EVERYTHING is a building block. .. what kind of structure are you purposing to build? A foundation built on mutual respect and trust gives a child tools for a lifetime, but a foundation built on "my" schedule, "my" wants, "my" desires, believing a child to be something less than a "PERSON" is a foundation that does not set up our children to succeed. I hope that mothers will see the foundation my husband and I both are working to build with our children and seek to do the same.
I'm bouncing around a bit. As a wrap up I'd like to say "the proof is in the pudding." There was a time when my own family probably felt (and maybe still do) that they did not understand my parenting, my joy over cosleeping, my desire to continue nursing my child WELL past an age anyone in my family had nursed or understood nursing to be important, my hope to homeschool, not that these ALL necessarily go hand in hand, but it's a path of motherhood I never saw myself taking before children. And tentatively they have watched the story unfold, questioning me along the way, sometimes out loud, sometimes to one another, I'm sure, and as the story has unfolded, it has been revealed that my kid isn't messed up. . . so what I'm doing must be a fine job :) And my biggest hope in that, is that my own sister, as she moves into a stage of her life where she plans to have children, will consider that there might be a way of parenting outside of the scope of what she has viewed in her life as a daughter and a nanny. My hope for her, particularly, is that she will FOR ONCE, not try to take the alternate path to the one I've taken :) But instead see the benefits for a child, by considering the same route.
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
I think that influencing others goes along with nursing in public, even if public is sometimes just in front of a friend. Nursing isn't the only way that I hope I influence mothers around me, I HOPE in front of others (and usually behind closed doors, and sometimes neither of those times am I great at it) that I show mothers around me that I am sensitive to my children, that I view my children as people who are worthy of my time, attention, trust and respect. That sometimes that means bending when others may think I should hold a hard line. And all of that starts with breastfeeding, with nursing a newborn whenever she needs it, with noticing the cues of an older, busier baby who needs to nurse, perhaps when she's hurt, or worried, or feels a little anxious about the social situation. Sometimes that means nursing a bumped up newly walking tot, yeah, even one with a full set of teeth and WORDS, and an ability to tell me when she needs to nurse. . .she's actually ALWAYS been able to TELL me when she needs to nurse, and my daughters and I have built our relationships on a mutual trust that I will notice her needs and tend to them. Did you know that nursing is a NEED for small children, a need to be near mom in the early YEARS is as essential as the actual sustenance provided through nursing.
In a general sense I influence those around me to view breastfeeding as the biological norm, by my willingness to discuss it openly. I talk about breastfeeding in a way that others recognize I view it as COMPLETELY normal. . . to do and to talk about. I don't quiet my voice, I don't try to discuss it privately (unless there is a sensitive situation), I don't shy away from sharing information if someone asks. I FREELY say the word "breastfeeding" which is a little humorous, since before I had children, "breast" was a word that I HATED to use. I had a set of three words I hated hearing or using. . . that was one. Not because of any sort of sexual connotation, I just didn't like the way it sounded as a word. I digress.
I have a close friend who recently told me that I'd really influenced her as a mother, through her pregnancy, from the very rough start of her son's life and through the extra rough "months" long start of their breastfeeding relationship, but I hadn't just influenced her with regards to her pushing through some rough stuff to continue nursing, I'd also influenced her and inspired her as a mother. That is something that does any mama's heart good to hear, and any friend's too! I hope that my influence and inspiration for her, were that of listening to her own heart and following her baby's cues (I know they were). I want to be sure that I never "influence" people to do it just like me, but instead, to trust themselves.
I hope that my mothering, coupled with my natural attitude of not worrying much about what others think (though in the quiet of my own home, I do rant a bit about it), I can influence and inspire other mothers to trust themselves as mothers, to seek support for the things they already KNOW they want their parenting to be about, and to be willing to shun popular opinion, in order to continue building a relationship of trust and respect with their babies, despite what others around them might say or pressure them into, if it goes against their personal parenting philosophies.
Breastfeeding is the building block for a relationship with your child(ren). . . sure, NOT breastfeeding is also a building block, EVERYTHING is a building block. .. what kind of structure are you purposing to build? A foundation built on mutual respect and trust gives a child tools for a lifetime, but a foundation built on "my" schedule, "my" wants, "my" desires, believing a child to be something less than a "PERSON" is a foundation that does not set up our children to succeed. I hope that mothers will see the foundation my husband and I both are working to build with our children and seek to do the same.
I'm bouncing around a bit. As a wrap up I'd like to say "the proof is in the pudding." There was a time when my own family probably felt (and maybe still do) that they did not understand my parenting, my joy over cosleeping, my desire to continue nursing my child WELL past an age anyone in my family had nursed or understood nursing to be important, my hope to homeschool, not that these ALL necessarily go hand in hand, but it's a path of motherhood I never saw myself taking before children. And tentatively they have watched the story unfold, questioning me along the way, sometimes out loud, sometimes to one another, I'm sure, and as the story has unfolded, it has been revealed that my kid isn't messed up. . . so what I'm doing must be a fine job :) And my biggest hope in that, is that my own sister, as she moves into a stage of her life where she plans to have children, will consider that there might be a way of parenting outside of the scope of what she has viewed in her life as a daughter and a nanny. My hope for her, particularly, is that she will FOR ONCE, not try to take the alternate path to the one I've taken :) But instead see the benefits for a child, by considering the same route.
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
- Renee @ Just the 5 of us!-You Can Do It!
- Sylko @ Chaotic Mama-Breastfeeding Carnival: Day 14 Final Day
- Timbra @ Bosoms and Babes-Influential Parenting
- Judy @ Mommy News & Views Blog-Helping Moms to Breastfeed
- Claire @ The Adventures of Lactating Girl-Knowledge is Power
- Laura @ Day by Day in Our World-Influencing Others on Their Breastfeeding Journey
- And of course the guest poster on the Breastfeeding Cafe’s blog today is Shelly Poole-Breastfeeding, The True Story
Who Wrote the Book of Love?
This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about your favorite parenting books. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
I have SO little time to read anything new these days. I'd prefer a SOUND book recommendation from someone who knows me, so I don't have to waste my LITTLE reading time on something that just doesn't fit.
Here are some of my personal favorites and very empowering books that didn't make me feel like "I'm reading a book in order to learn how to parent my children," but instead these are books that either 1)validated or 2)empowered me.
A MUST have for ALL breastfeeding mothers, the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Had it not been for almost accidentally purchasing this book before my first daughter was born, I would not be the mother or lactivist that I am today. I read this book cover to almost cover in the five weeks before my daughter came. I had a hard time relating only because I knew a girl was on the way, but the whole book refers to "he," this is so that mom and baby are never mixed up in the context and it's apparent. I also didn't buy into any of the "beautiful relationship" stuff. . . until I had that baby. And I'm just so thankful I read this book. When we moved back to the US very suddenly, I was like a fish out of water, since we didn't move back to the hometown we'd been in before. I decided I was in a place in my life where I wanted to find other people who were like-minded in their parenting (or could help guide me even further in the parenting I desired to give my baby) as well as in the same stage of their lives. I went to an LLL meeting not quite two months after moving to UT and I've never looked back (and I have made ALL of my best friends here in UT through LLL). If you don't have the time or patience for Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, use it as a resource guide, flip around to topics you like.
Other fabulous reads, as a supplement to Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, I also love the simplicity of Martha Sears' Breastfeeding Book, particularly the beginning section on the deficiencies of formula. I've probably read a pretty outdated version, but love it nonetheless and the principles hold true.
I read a couple of chilbirth books, but none come CLOSE to the amazing and empowering writing of Ina May Gaskin. . . This book, read in the middle of my second pregnancy, was the most empowering book with regards to body image, birth, and just being a woman. I will give it as a gift to ANY woman soon to give birth, because her words are SO empowering that I could never even THINK to come close to giving someone the same type of image of themselves as women, so I'll just let her speak.
Your Amazing newborn is beautiful if for nothing else, lots of photos of BRAND NEW babies! But the information is also stellar.
Adventures in Tandem Nursing and Mothering Your Nursing Toddler are two books I'd never want to find myself without. Mothering Your Nursing Toddler gave me so much support within myself in moments when those around me have given a glance, an eye roll, or even a comment that questions my decision not to FORCE independence. One of my favorite (and this is a paraphrase for sure) sections of the book refers to children who are allowed to choose their natural rate of becoming more independent, and how they become secure adults, however, the converse is true for children who are forced to detach from their parents. This book reminded (or maybe brought to light to me for the first time) that I am raising PEOPLE, not just "children." Adventure in Tandem nursing is just a great read for ANY pregnant mother who is still nursing an older child, and maybe just for any mother who has nursed and is pregnant. . . tandem parenting is equally as difficult, it not more so, when you no longer have the tool of nursing, particularly a toddler, when a newborn comes on scene.
When it comes to parenting, I probably need to reread "how to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk". . . I read it when the principles didn't quite apply to the age my first daughter was, but I think I've lost sight of some if it, in the insanity of having two kids who run to embrace one another upon wake up ONE morning and then start kicking each other, whining and crying upon wake up the very next day! :) By the same authors "Siblings without rivalry" is an even better read. The five love languages of children is a MUST READ for all parents who are interested in gentle parenting of their children. And my current read (I don't have a lot of time for reading, so I could be reading this until my 5 year old goes off to high school) is "Hold on to your kids." I hear my own words resonating back to me from the pages, things I've observed about our culture, particularly our local culture here in UT, but wasn't able to really put a social phenomenon with, so again, it's just a reminder that I'm not crazy, that I'm raising PEOPLE, who I want to see into responsible and beautiful and independent, secure adulthood, and still have our relationship FULLY and lovingly intact.
I feel like this is the ENTIRE list of books I've ever read on the subject of birth, breastfeeding and parenting. . .I really feel that getting a good recommendation on a book, from someone who knows and understands your desires (birth, breasfeeding or parenting) helps to weed out a bunch of stuff that doesn't apply and will waste your time and energy by reading through it. I hope these recommendations pique your interest and give you some good food for thought. Happy Reading. Can't wait to read other recommendations.
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
I have SO little time to read anything new these days. I'd prefer a SOUND book recommendation from someone who knows me, so I don't have to waste my LITTLE reading time on something that just doesn't fit.
Here are some of my personal favorites and very empowering books that didn't make me feel like "I'm reading a book in order to learn how to parent my children," but instead these are books that either 1)validated or 2)empowered me.
A MUST have for ALL breastfeeding mothers, the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Had it not been for almost accidentally purchasing this book before my first daughter was born, I would not be the mother or lactivist that I am today. I read this book cover to almost cover in the five weeks before my daughter came. I had a hard time relating only because I knew a girl was on the way, but the whole book refers to "he," this is so that mom and baby are never mixed up in the context and it's apparent. I also didn't buy into any of the "beautiful relationship" stuff. . . until I had that baby. And I'm just so thankful I read this book. When we moved back to the US very suddenly, I was like a fish out of water, since we didn't move back to the hometown we'd been in before. I decided I was in a place in my life where I wanted to find other people who were like-minded in their parenting (or could help guide me even further in the parenting I desired to give my baby) as well as in the same stage of their lives. I went to an LLL meeting not quite two months after moving to UT and I've never looked back (and I have made ALL of my best friends here in UT through LLL). If you don't have the time or patience for Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, use it as a resource guide, flip around to topics you like.
Other fabulous reads, as a supplement to Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, I also love the simplicity of Martha Sears' Breastfeeding Book, particularly the beginning section on the deficiencies of formula. I've probably read a pretty outdated version, but love it nonetheless and the principles hold true.
I read a couple of chilbirth books, but none come CLOSE to the amazing and empowering writing of Ina May Gaskin. . . This book, read in the middle of my second pregnancy, was the most empowering book with regards to body image, birth, and just being a woman. I will give it as a gift to ANY woman soon to give birth, because her words are SO empowering that I could never even THINK to come close to giving someone the same type of image of themselves as women, so I'll just let her speak.
Your Amazing newborn is beautiful if for nothing else, lots of photos of BRAND NEW babies! But the information is also stellar.
Adventures in Tandem Nursing and Mothering Your Nursing Toddler are two books I'd never want to find myself without. Mothering Your Nursing Toddler gave me so much support within myself in moments when those around me have given a glance, an eye roll, or even a comment that questions my decision not to FORCE independence. One of my favorite (and this is a paraphrase for sure) sections of the book refers to children who are allowed to choose their natural rate of becoming more independent, and how they become secure adults, however, the converse is true for children who are forced to detach from their parents. This book reminded (or maybe brought to light to me for the first time) that I am raising PEOPLE, not just "children." Adventure in Tandem nursing is just a great read for ANY pregnant mother who is still nursing an older child, and maybe just for any mother who has nursed and is pregnant. . . tandem parenting is equally as difficult, it not more so, when you no longer have the tool of nursing, particularly a toddler, when a newborn comes on scene.
When it comes to parenting, I probably need to reread "how to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk". . . I read it when the principles didn't quite apply to the age my first daughter was, but I think I've lost sight of some if it, in the insanity of having two kids who run to embrace one another upon wake up ONE morning and then start kicking each other, whining and crying upon wake up the very next day! :) By the same authors "Siblings without rivalry" is an even better read. The five love languages of children is a MUST READ for all parents who are interested in gentle parenting of their children. And my current read (I don't have a lot of time for reading, so I could be reading this until my 5 year old goes off to high school) is "Hold on to your kids." I hear my own words resonating back to me from the pages, things I've observed about our culture, particularly our local culture here in UT, but wasn't able to really put a social phenomenon with, so again, it's just a reminder that I'm not crazy, that I'm raising PEOPLE, who I want to see into responsible and beautiful and independent, secure adulthood, and still have our relationship FULLY and lovingly intact.
I feel like this is the ENTIRE list of books I've ever read on the subject of birth, breastfeeding and parenting. . .I really feel that getting a good recommendation on a book, from someone who knows and understands your desires (birth, breasfeeding or parenting) helps to weed out a bunch of stuff that doesn't apply and will waste your time and energy by reading through it. I hope these recommendations pique your interest and give you some good food for thought. Happy Reading. Can't wait to read other recommendations.
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
- Renee @ Just the 5 of us!-I Love Books
- Timbra @ Bosoms and Babes-Who Wrote the Book of Love?
- Laura @ Day by Day in Our World-Favorite Books to Help on the Breastfeeding Journey
- Amy @ Anktangle-Book Review and Giveaway: The Nursing Mother's Companion; Five Winners! {8/30, Worldwide}
Breastfeeding Rocks
Welcome to The Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival!
This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about the importance of breastfeeding. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
This topic is so wide open. There are all the answers I know now, as a support person for breastfeeding mothers. But why was breastfeeding important to me when I made that decision before having a baby? It was really completely utilitarian. And then I had a baby, and I realized, for her, it was all but utilitarian. I loved watching her fatten up, living solely on mommy's milk. Even the night I ate something that kept her up all night, I love that I became aware, immediately, that the foods I choose, effect her. . . and eventually, when she was no longer reliant on my milk for her sole nutrition, I still had to carry the responsibility for choosing foods that would add to her wellness and quality of life. Nursing made me sensitive to my baby's needs and it reminded me to stop and hang out with her a while. I've always been a woman on "the go" and a little reminder from an itty person every 90 minutes or so, to sit down, relax, take in a show, take a nap, nurse a baby, hold her close. . . those were reminders I needed :)
I try to search my memory for anyone who encouraged me to breastfeed, but it was sort of a non-issue, I wasn't looking for reasons not to. I went to a group of ob/gyns in CA and before we were able to see our doctor, I had to go to a "class" with others, all expecting babies about the same time as ours. This class was to give us a rundown of how often we would see the doc, what each appointment would be about and of course to create a payment plan. One of the things that happened during that "class" was that there was an offer to get a free parenting book THAT day, if we were willing to sign up on a mailing list. . . I think it was an Emfamil list. I think we got a book along with a packet of coupons, a little bag and a can. I saved that little can, I took that can with me to Fiji, but by the time my little girl was born, I'd read all of Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and realized that I wouldn't be needing that can, and that I'd just pump if I needed to leave milk behind for any reason. It was few and far between that this was needed, the pumped milk, but it was really easy enough.
I've said it a few time here, but breastfeeding has always just sort of been part of the scenery. It's always been part of the story of my life, woven in here and there. There weren't people who had to talk me into its benefits. If anything, there are probably a couple of people in my life would like to now talk me OUT of the benefits of extended nursing and all the other parenting decisions that have come along with my embracing of who I am and have chosen to be, as a mother. I've heard it before, and I think it's the right answer for me too "Breastfeeding is so important to me, because it's so important to her." (Both of my "hers.")
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about the importance of breastfeeding. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
This topic is so wide open. There are all the answers I know now, as a support person for breastfeeding mothers. But why was breastfeeding important to me when I made that decision before having a baby? It was really completely utilitarian. And then I had a baby, and I realized, for her, it was all but utilitarian. I loved watching her fatten up, living solely on mommy's milk. Even the night I ate something that kept her up all night, I love that I became aware, immediately, that the foods I choose, effect her. . . and eventually, when she was no longer reliant on my milk for her sole nutrition, I still had to carry the responsibility for choosing foods that would add to her wellness and quality of life. Nursing made me sensitive to my baby's needs and it reminded me to stop and hang out with her a while. I've always been a woman on "the go" and a little reminder from an itty person every 90 minutes or so, to sit down, relax, take in a show, take a nap, nurse a baby, hold her close. . . those were reminders I needed :)
I try to search my memory for anyone who encouraged me to breastfeed, but it was sort of a non-issue, I wasn't looking for reasons not to. I went to a group of ob/gyns in CA and before we were able to see our doctor, I had to go to a "class" with others, all expecting babies about the same time as ours. This class was to give us a rundown of how often we would see the doc, what each appointment would be about and of course to create a payment plan. One of the things that happened during that "class" was that there was an offer to get a free parenting book THAT day, if we were willing to sign up on a mailing list. . . I think it was an Emfamil list. I think we got a book along with a packet of coupons, a little bag and a can. I saved that little can, I took that can with me to Fiji, but by the time my little girl was born, I'd read all of Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and realized that I wouldn't be needing that can, and that I'd just pump if I needed to leave milk behind for any reason. It was few and far between that this was needed, the pumped milk, but it was really easy enough.
I've said it a few time here, but breastfeeding has always just sort of been part of the scenery. It's always been part of the story of my life, woven in here and there. There weren't people who had to talk me into its benefits. If anything, there are probably a couple of people in my life would like to now talk me OUT of the benefits of extended nursing and all the other parenting decisions that have come along with my embracing of who I am and have chosen to be, as a mother. I've heard it before, and I think it's the right answer for me too "Breastfeeding is so important to me, because it's so important to her." (Both of my "hers.")
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
- Renee @ Just the 5 of us!-Reasons
- Sylko @ Chaotic Mama-Breastfeeding Carnival Day 11
- Ashley @ Adventures with my Monkeys-Breastfeeding Carnival Day 11: Importance of Breastfeeding
- Timbra @ Bosoms and Babes-Breastfeeding Rocks
- And of course the guest poster on the Breastfeeding Cafe’s blog today is Jasmine Jafferali, MPH-Why is Breastfeeding Important to Me
Baby Wearing 5 years strong
Welcome to The Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival!
This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is Wordless Wednesday: Babywearing Photos! Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
July 06. . . 4 weeks old. . .Fiji
Oct 06. . . first Trip to the US. . . 4 months
Back Home Oct 2006 . . .one time wonder, daddy does the carrying
June 07 (My sister carrying my daughter, day after her first birthday). . . Gardner Village 
July 07. . . Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Book Release Party
March 08 FINALLY got my mei tai. . .21 months 
Tried it out in OK
April 08 WA
July 08. . . 25 months. . . Steve Miller Band Concert (awesome to be wearing her especially after dark) 
November 08. . . .UH YEAH. . .NKOTB concert
November 08 Seattle. . . Just shy of 2.5 years. . . totally asleep
There was pregnant baby wearing in between
September 09 . . . . 4 weeks old. . .my view of a nursing babe in a mei tai
at the Zoo same trip. . .
Who says the Moby has a suggested weight limit? October 09. . . 3 years 3 months and 34lbs 
Special Ladybug Mei Tai made by my friend Heather . . . custom for my halloween costume
January 2010. . . Carriage Ride in SLC
Water "moby" 
Two Girls. . . two mei tais. . . 50lbs of pure L-O-V-E (3.5 years and 5months) 
And the babywearing rubs off. . .Summer 2010
October 2011. . . Gallivan Center Monster Block Party
December 2011 Lights on Temple Square
April 2011 Whitney Gardens, WA
Baby Wearing Flash Mob practices Summer 2011 :)
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is Wordless Wednesday: Babywearing Photos! Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
July 06. . . 4 weeks old. . .Fiji
Oct 06. . . first Trip to the US. . . 4 months
Back Home Oct 2006 . . .one time wonder, daddy does the carrying
June 07 (My sister carrying my daughter, day after her first birthday). . . Gardner Village July 07. . . Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Book Release Party
March 08 FINALLY got my mei tai. . .21 months Tried it out in OKApril 08 WA
July 08. . . 25 months. . . Steve Miller Band Concert (awesome to be wearing her especially after dark) November 08. . . .UH YEAH. . .NKOTB concert November 08 Seattle. . . Just shy of 2.5 years. . . totally asleep
There was pregnant baby wearing in betweenSeptember 09 . . . . 4 weeks old. . .my view of a nursing babe in a mei tai
at the Zoo same trip. . .
Who says the Moby has a suggested weight limit? October 09. . . 3 years 3 months and 34lbs Special Ladybug Mei Tai made by my friend Heather . . . custom for my halloween costume January 2010. . . Carriage Ride in SLCWater "moby" Two Girls. . . two mei tais. . . 50lbs of pure L-O-V-E (3.5 years and 5months) And the babywearing rubs off. . .Summer 2010
October 2011. . . Gallivan Center Monster Block Party December 2011 Lights on Temple Square April 2011 Whitney Gardens, WABaby Wearing Flash Mob practices Summer 2011 :)
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
- Amy @ Toddler in Tow-Wordless Wednesday Babywearing!
- Ashley @ Adventures with my Monkeys-Breastfeeding Carnival Day 10: Wordless Wednesday Babywearing Style
- Amy @ Anktangle-Meals On-the-Go
- Xela @ The Happy Hippie Homemaker-Wordless Wednesday: Babywearing Photos
- Timbra @ Bosoms and Babes-Babywearing 5 Years Strong
- Lauren @ Hobo Mama-Babywearing a Newborn
- Claire @ The Adventures of Lactating Girl-Pregnant Babywearing
- Renee @ Just the 5 of us!-I Miss Snuggly Sling Days
- And of course on the Breastfeeding Cafe’s blog today-Wordless Wednesday: Babywearing Flash Mob Video
Tandem Mommyhood
Welcome to The Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival!
This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about your first experience nursing in public. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
Until I began writing, I did not realize that this was more the story of my motherhood, how it surrounds breastfeeding my children. You are welcome to stay a while and read it through, it's a bit lengthy.
I guess when it comes to breastfeeding and multiples, I've done it all now. . . :) And I only have two kids. It's been a journey I never would have ever in a million years even imagined I'd have taken, I probably didn't even, in a million years, imagine it was one that COULD be taken.
The day I found out I was pregnant with my second child, I cried. I cried because, the thing that prompted me to take a test, was how sick I felt. . . I couldn't believe I didn't have ANY moments of enjoying the news without already feeling icky and I knew I'd be dealing with that for two more months. I cried because I knew everything would change. My firstborn would no longer be my only baby. I knew it was possible this pregnancy would cause her to wean (she was 2.5 at the time). I cried because things were rought in our house at the time, not necessarily between my husband and I, but because of his job, which he hated, he was always tired and mostly depressed, and I was on my own, even when he was home. . . how would I deal with 3 months of feeling like crap? AND taking care of a toddler? How would I survive months of getting bigger and bigger, and CHASING a toddler? We had so little to do when I was pregnant with my first daughter, and I knew we would not, could not, sit around enjoying this pregnancy, just watching and waiting, as we had the first time around. Everything was different, and I cried! And then I nursed my baby, because she needed it and I needed it. And I took photos of my daughter nursing, because I was afraid that would end too soon.
Little did I know, it would take YEARS for that part of our relationship to come to a close. She nursed straight through my pregnancy. About 3 weeks after I found out I was pregnant, New Year's Eve, she night weaned suddenly and I assumed it was the beginning of that transition. The night weaning was fine with me, she only nursed one time at 3:30am at this point. Okay, it happened one night and then we were back and forth for a few weeks, by Valentine's Day, she was the HARDEST sleeper I'd ever seen. This, a child who would wake to nurse any time I got up to pee or stirred her in bed and HAD to nurse back to sleep, could sleep through anything now. It was sort of a lovely little blessing. I laugh when people tell me how they had to "train" their children to sleep SO THAT they would be good sleepers when they get older. . . it actually causes the opposite affect. My kid is a FANTASTIC sleeper now, she still sleeps with us, and she nursed at night until she was 2.5.
The months went on, soon, she was not nursing to sleep anymore. For nearly 3 years of her life, this was of NECESSITY, I could count on one hand the number of times she's EVER gone to sleep without nursing off to slumber. We began having milkies for "twinkle twinkle little star" and then she'd kiss me goodnight and I'd hold her until she fell asleep. This was a surpising one for me, I'd always heard that those "favorite" nursing times were the last ones little people give up, even after they were almost completely weaned. This was another blessing for my pregnant body, it became difficult for me to nurse on my right side, because I just felt so sick at night and frantically wanted to turn to my left side. We still enjoyed sweet cuddles and I wasn't feeling crazy because she wouldn't stop nursing.
There were times it was irritating, times I'd have to ask her to relatch because it was driving me crazy or hurting me. But we'd built a relationship of sensitivity to one another's needs, between us, and she, little as she was, somehow seemed to understand, to be willing and forgiving as we paved the unwalked path.
By the end of my pregnancy, at term, I'd had stripping and cohosh twice. The second time worked well. But it was my daughter's nursing I would credit with the final move into hard labor. Around 5pm she nursed off to sleep (she was still nursing to sleep for naps and mornings, I found out, were her ACTUAL favorite nursing times, she always wanted to nurse first thing in the morning) it was then that my contractions went into full force, while she slept, I labored at home. She woke, wandered out into the living room and found her mom leaning over a huge labor ball that was on top of the couch. I tried to sweetly say hello and welcome her to the next part of the day, I scooped her up and sat her on the ball, leaned over her little legs and worked through another contraction. She didn't seem upset, maybe a little worried, she'd held my hand late at night once while I puked my guts out in the bathroom earlier in my pregnancy.
Little girl 2 came into our world just 2 hours after this. And after introductions and checking over, we all went to sleep in one big bed, I nursed one, and the other. I was thankful at this time that my little one no longer needed nursing off to sleep, that we had a good night time ritual established and she was easy with it. She would nurse and be held until sleep.
Three days into this adventure of tandem MOMMY-HOOD, my littlest one ended up in the hospital. I wasn't able to nurse her for 20 hours. I had to pump. I became very engorged that same evening, I was also separated from my toddler for the first night EVER. Four the following four days I had a schedule of seeing my older daughter sometime during the day, around the hospital, and then coming home late in the evening to shower, grab things for the next day and nurse my little girl, even if she was already asleep, with my sister in the living room, I'd take her off to bed and nurse her. We both needed it, for reconnect, and I needed it because of the relief, I was thankful she was still nursing. She would fall asleep with me, and because she was such a hard sleeper now, I would leave her, head back to the hospital and she'd wake up with daddy in the morning.
We landed in the hospital a second time four days after discharge, and went through the same schedule, except, at least this time, my older daughter could come into the room to see her sister and I. But I slept four nights away, which was rough on everyone.
For some period of time, after we were finally home and settled for good, I was able to nurse my girls at the same time together, it didn't last long, maybe 3 or 4 months. Around October (only 6 weeks in to my tandem mommy-hood) we had an incident at a friend's house where my daughter was sick (and I didn't realize it yet), she got upset during the party and asked in front of all of my friends if she could have milkies. I shot her a horrible glance, and quickly whispered in her ear not to talk about it again. These friends were already a little weirded out by my nursing so blatantly in front of everyone at the party.
We spent about a week with my older daughter being sick, but she didn't want to nurse much, something I found very strange, since nursing had ALWAYS been the thing she wanted to do constantly whenever she'd been sick. We had a talk one day about whether she'd been saying no to nursing because I'd given her that mean look at the party, she admitted that was why. I had a good cry over that. I realized I wasn't ready for her to wean and CERTAINLY not because her mommy had been MEAN to her about nursing. If she was going to wean, I didn't want the last memory between us to be how I'd shamed her in to never nursing again :( We had a good talk, but I geared myself up for this being the end, she wasn't quite 3.5.
I never thought I'd be nursing a child over the age of 3 (there were times I never imagined over the age of 6 months, a year, 2 years. . .along the journey). I NEVER thought I'd be nursing TWO children at the same stage of my life, unless I had twins, and I CERTAINLY never imagined being sad about weaning my child at this age. But, here I was, gearing up for the heartbreak of weaning and sadness of having made her feel ashamed about something that she loved so very much, that we both loved, together, so very much.
A week later we headed to CA, she was still nursing a little here and there, I'd written a couple of dear friends to tell them the story of the week past and to say I was gearing up for her possibly weaning, they assured me, loved me, said kind things and gave me good reminders about extra cuddles and creating special times. I still had a nursling. . . I still had an itty bitty baby who needed every part of me! This was a strange balance indeed. During that trip I had a little talk with my big girl one day and said "You don't need to talk with Auntie and Grannie about milkies okay?" "Okay." And an hour later, at dinner, she announces to my mom, "Mommy says we don't need to talk to Grannie about milkies". . .CAT OUT OF THE BAG. . .funny moment for all?!
Sometimes nursing two children was very frustrating, particularly because my older daughter still required nursing to sleep for a nap, and I HAD to have her napping!!! But my younger daughter was not a fan of being away from her mother for more than about 30 seconds at any given time. It seemed that whenever my eldest would be fluttering her lids, slowly letting them get heavy, that would be the time my younger would start squawking with her daddy in the livingroom and we'd have to start the whole thing over again. But those moments, those IN the moment frustratations, I stopped feeling those the second one or the other would go off to sleep, and the overall memory of being able to provide two very different, but specific needs for two different girls, is worth it. Nursing my younger was more difficult because she rarely let me put her down for a nap until she was about 11 months old. It was difficult to get in a lot of extra cuddles with my older daughter during the stage when my little one was too big to share a lap but still wouldn't sleep alone for a nap! We've made it through.
It would be another 8 months from that party incident, before I'd have to finally encourage weaning. We began pushing for the "4 year mark." Two days after this little girl turned 4, she got a horrible ear infection . . .again, glad I was nursing her and that I hadn't been "hard core" about the timeline. A friend asked me one day, online, whether that "4th birthday" was "hard and fast?" I had to rethink my feelings on the matter. I decided no, that this would be a year of weaning. For two months she didn't ask to nurse, and then over the next year, every 2 or 3 months she would request it once in a while. I noticed every time we visited family, she would come home after a week of visits and ask to nurse. Sometimes I said no and distracted, sometimes I allowed it. Even now, she's 5. . . she's nursed a couple of times in the past month since her birthday, it wasn't my plan or intention, but I've always tried to trust my child. We have had good, age appropriate discussions along the way about moving into new parts of our relationship, that don't include nursing. It's hard for her, it's hard for me to watch my baby grow up, but she will never outgrow the need for ME, because of the relationship we have established.
On the other side, it has been funny to watch my younger daughter "offer" her milkies to her big sister on occasion. They share a sweet sister relationship that I believe was set off to a good balance because the thing that was MOST important in my older daughter's life, was not "taken" from her as she journeyed into big sisterhood, she was not "replaced" by this little person. They have their sister quarrels, but there is love and honesty and respect growing between them. This was not the journey I ever expected to take, but it is the one that has fit us and served us well. I lamented to myself along the way about how my younger daughter and I, have never had an exclusive nursing relationship with one another, but I just realize that every child has a unique story, and this is hers.
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about your first experience nursing in public. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
Until I began writing, I did not realize that this was more the story of my motherhood, how it surrounds breastfeeding my children. You are welcome to stay a while and read it through, it's a bit lengthy.
I guess when it comes to breastfeeding and multiples, I've done it all now. . . :) And I only have two kids. It's been a journey I never would have ever in a million years even imagined I'd have taken, I probably didn't even, in a million years, imagine it was one that COULD be taken.
The day I found out I was pregnant with my second child, I cried. I cried because, the thing that prompted me to take a test, was how sick I felt. . . I couldn't believe I didn't have ANY moments of enjoying the news without already feeling icky and I knew I'd be dealing with that for two more months. I cried because I knew everything would change. My firstborn would no longer be my only baby. I knew it was possible this pregnancy would cause her to wean (she was 2.5 at the time). I cried because things were rought in our house at the time, not necessarily between my husband and I, but because of his job, which he hated, he was always tired and mostly depressed, and I was on my own, even when he was home. . . how would I deal with 3 months of feeling like crap? AND taking care of a toddler? How would I survive months of getting bigger and bigger, and CHASING a toddler? We had so little to do when I was pregnant with my first daughter, and I knew we would not, could not, sit around enjoying this pregnancy, just watching and waiting, as we had the first time around. Everything was different, and I cried! And then I nursed my baby, because she needed it and I needed it. And I took photos of my daughter nursing, because I was afraid that would end too soon.
Little did I know, it would take YEARS for that part of our relationship to come to a close. She nursed straight through my pregnancy. About 3 weeks after I found out I was pregnant, New Year's Eve, she night weaned suddenly and I assumed it was the beginning of that transition. The night weaning was fine with me, she only nursed one time at 3:30am at this point. Okay, it happened one night and then we were back and forth for a few weeks, by Valentine's Day, she was the HARDEST sleeper I'd ever seen. This, a child who would wake to nurse any time I got up to pee or stirred her in bed and HAD to nurse back to sleep, could sleep through anything now. It was sort of a lovely little blessing. I laugh when people tell me how they had to "train" their children to sleep SO THAT they would be good sleepers when they get older. . . it actually causes the opposite affect. My kid is a FANTASTIC sleeper now, she still sleeps with us, and she nursed at night until she was 2.5.
The months went on, soon, she was not nursing to sleep anymore. For nearly 3 years of her life, this was of NECESSITY, I could count on one hand the number of times she's EVER gone to sleep without nursing off to slumber. We began having milkies for "twinkle twinkle little star" and then she'd kiss me goodnight and I'd hold her until she fell asleep. This was a surpising one for me, I'd always heard that those "favorite" nursing times were the last ones little people give up, even after they were almost completely weaned. This was another blessing for my pregnant body, it became difficult for me to nurse on my right side, because I just felt so sick at night and frantically wanted to turn to my left side. We still enjoyed sweet cuddles and I wasn't feeling crazy because she wouldn't stop nursing.
There were times it was irritating, times I'd have to ask her to relatch because it was driving me crazy or hurting me. But we'd built a relationship of sensitivity to one another's needs, between us, and she, little as she was, somehow seemed to understand, to be willing and forgiving as we paved the unwalked path.
By the end of my pregnancy, at term, I'd had stripping and cohosh twice. The second time worked well. But it was my daughter's nursing I would credit with the final move into hard labor. Around 5pm she nursed off to sleep (she was still nursing to sleep for naps and mornings, I found out, were her ACTUAL favorite nursing times, she always wanted to nurse first thing in the morning) it was then that my contractions went into full force, while she slept, I labored at home. She woke, wandered out into the living room and found her mom leaning over a huge labor ball that was on top of the couch. I tried to sweetly say hello and welcome her to the next part of the day, I scooped her up and sat her on the ball, leaned over her little legs and worked through another contraction. She didn't seem upset, maybe a little worried, she'd held my hand late at night once while I puked my guts out in the bathroom earlier in my pregnancy.
Little girl 2 came into our world just 2 hours after this. And after introductions and checking over, we all went to sleep in one big bed, I nursed one, and the other. I was thankful at this time that my little one no longer needed nursing off to sleep, that we had a good night time ritual established and she was easy with it. She would nurse and be held until sleep.
Three days into this adventure of tandem MOMMY-HOOD, my littlest one ended up in the hospital. I wasn't able to nurse her for 20 hours. I had to pump. I became very engorged that same evening, I was also separated from my toddler for the first night EVER. Four the following four days I had a schedule of seeing my older daughter sometime during the day, around the hospital, and then coming home late in the evening to shower, grab things for the next day and nurse my little girl, even if she was already asleep, with my sister in the living room, I'd take her off to bed and nurse her. We both needed it, for reconnect, and I needed it because of the relief, I was thankful she was still nursing. She would fall asleep with me, and because she was such a hard sleeper now, I would leave her, head back to the hospital and she'd wake up with daddy in the morning.
We landed in the hospital a second time four days after discharge, and went through the same schedule, except, at least this time, my older daughter could come into the room to see her sister and I. But I slept four nights away, which was rough on everyone.
For some period of time, after we were finally home and settled for good, I was able to nurse my girls at the same time together, it didn't last long, maybe 3 or 4 months. Around October (only 6 weeks in to my tandem mommy-hood) we had an incident at a friend's house where my daughter was sick (and I didn't realize it yet), she got upset during the party and asked in front of all of my friends if she could have milkies. I shot her a horrible glance, and quickly whispered in her ear not to talk about it again. These friends were already a little weirded out by my nursing so blatantly in front of everyone at the party.
We spent about a week with my older daughter being sick, but she didn't want to nurse much, something I found very strange, since nursing had ALWAYS been the thing she wanted to do constantly whenever she'd been sick. We had a talk one day about whether she'd been saying no to nursing because I'd given her that mean look at the party, she admitted that was why. I had a good cry over that. I realized I wasn't ready for her to wean and CERTAINLY not because her mommy had been MEAN to her about nursing. If she was going to wean, I didn't want the last memory between us to be how I'd shamed her in to never nursing again :( We had a good talk, but I geared myself up for this being the end, she wasn't quite 3.5.
I never thought I'd be nursing a child over the age of 3 (there were times I never imagined over the age of 6 months, a year, 2 years. . .along the journey). I NEVER thought I'd be nursing TWO children at the same stage of my life, unless I had twins, and I CERTAINLY never imagined being sad about weaning my child at this age. But, here I was, gearing up for the heartbreak of weaning and sadness of having made her feel ashamed about something that she loved so very much, that we both loved, together, so very much.
A week later we headed to CA, she was still nursing a little here and there, I'd written a couple of dear friends to tell them the story of the week past and to say I was gearing up for her possibly weaning, they assured me, loved me, said kind things and gave me good reminders about extra cuddles and creating special times. I still had a nursling. . . I still had an itty bitty baby who needed every part of me! This was a strange balance indeed. During that trip I had a little talk with my big girl one day and said "You don't need to talk with Auntie and Grannie about milkies okay?" "Okay." And an hour later, at dinner, she announces to my mom, "Mommy says we don't need to talk to Grannie about milkies". . .CAT OUT OF THE BAG. . .funny moment for all?!
Sometimes nursing two children was very frustrating, particularly because my older daughter still required nursing to sleep for a nap, and I HAD to have her napping!!! But my younger daughter was not a fan of being away from her mother for more than about 30 seconds at any given time. It seemed that whenever my eldest would be fluttering her lids, slowly letting them get heavy, that would be the time my younger would start squawking with her daddy in the livingroom and we'd have to start the whole thing over again. But those moments, those IN the moment frustratations, I stopped feeling those the second one or the other would go off to sleep, and the overall memory of being able to provide two very different, but specific needs for two different girls, is worth it. Nursing my younger was more difficult because she rarely let me put her down for a nap until she was about 11 months old. It was difficult to get in a lot of extra cuddles with my older daughter during the stage when my little one was too big to share a lap but still wouldn't sleep alone for a nap! We've made it through.
It would be another 8 months from that party incident, before I'd have to finally encourage weaning. We began pushing for the "4 year mark." Two days after this little girl turned 4, she got a horrible ear infection . . .again, glad I was nursing her and that I hadn't been "hard core" about the timeline. A friend asked me one day, online, whether that "4th birthday" was "hard and fast?" I had to rethink my feelings on the matter. I decided no, that this would be a year of weaning. For two months she didn't ask to nurse, and then over the next year, every 2 or 3 months she would request it once in a while. I noticed every time we visited family, she would come home after a week of visits and ask to nurse. Sometimes I said no and distracted, sometimes I allowed it. Even now, she's 5. . . she's nursed a couple of times in the past month since her birthday, it wasn't my plan or intention, but I've always tried to trust my child. We have had good, age appropriate discussions along the way about moving into new parts of our relationship, that don't include nursing. It's hard for her, it's hard for me to watch my baby grow up, but she will never outgrow the need for ME, because of the relationship we have established.
On the other side, it has been funny to watch my younger daughter "offer" her milkies to her big sister on occasion. They share a sweet sister relationship that I believe was set off to a good balance because the thing that was MOST important in my older daughter's life, was not "taken" from her as she journeyed into big sisterhood, she was not "replaced" by this little person. They have their sister quarrels, but there is love and honesty and respect growing between them. This was not the journey I ever expected to take, but it is the one that has fit us and served us well. I lamented to myself along the way about how my younger daughter and I, have never had an exclusive nursing relationship with one another, but I just realize that every child has a unique story, and this is hers.
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
- Xela @ The Happy Hippie Homemaker-How Tandem Nursing Saves My Sanity!
- Ashley @ Adventures with my Monkeys-Breastfeedng Carnival Day 9: Breastfeeding and Multiples
- Sylko @ Chaotic Mama-Breastfeedng Carnival Day 9
- Natasha @ Natural Urban Mama-Our version of "Milk Sharing"!
- Timbra @ Bosoms and Babes-Tandem Mommyhood
- Christina @ From One Momma to Another-Breastfeeding and Multiples: Breastfeeding Cafe
- Claire @ The Adventures of Lactating Girl-How Breastfeeding Through Pregnancy Helps ME
- And of course the guest poster on the Breastfeeding Cafe’s blog today is Heather Simpson-Breastfeeding My Toddler Through Pregnancy
Part of the Scenery
Welcome to The Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival!
This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about your first experience nursing in public. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
Wow, I can't even remember the first time I nursed in public. I loved being able to wear Alani from about 3 weeks on, because I could easily nurse her without anyone even knowing. It was always a little tricky, but I felt stealth :) I lived in Fiji when she was born, and mothers there complemented me on my ability to nurse her while holding her in my lap, sitting down on the ground, cross legged. I think they liked that an American woman would nurse her baby just the same way they did. I also think that doing it in front of others was important for them because it was like we were all equal, not a mindset that they have frequently. Sometimes I would head out to the porch to nurse her while others were gathered inside, just because I was new at it.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I felt uncomfortable about nursing my first daughter in public after about the age of 1, except in certain circumstances, but became MORE comfortable about it again when she was between the ages of 18 months and 2 years, due to the support of those around me. And now, with my second daughter, I don't even bat an eye at the thought of nursing her in public at 23 months old.
I don't remember the first time I saw someone nurse a baby in front of me. I'm SURE I saw my mom nurse my sister, I was 4 when she was born. It's possible I watched my aunt nurse my cousin, I was 11 at the time. It's likely that I witnessed it with ladies at church in my teen years. It wasn't really on my radar. Or maybe it just wasn't impressionable because I never thought to feed a baby a different way and those who did nurse in front of me, didn't pause or hesitate, they just weaved it into their lives, so it didn't stand out as something uncomfortable or different. Which brings me back to why it's so important to nurse in public. . . no glitches, just weaving it in. Then it becomes, to those around, especially the small people, part of the scenery, part of the assumption that this is the way things are, this is normalcy. And they look back through their lives thinking "When WAS the first time someone nursed in front of me? Hmm, I can't remember, it seems like it's just always been!"
I know that I must have witnessed babies being nursed, or at least it being talked about, because in my mind there was no other way that I thought it would be for me, it apparently has always been part of my scenery, I just don't remember when that became the case.
Here's the new bottom code:
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about your first experience nursing in public. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
Wow, I can't even remember the first time I nursed in public. I loved being able to wear Alani from about 3 weeks on, because I could easily nurse her without anyone even knowing. It was always a little tricky, but I felt stealth :) I lived in Fiji when she was born, and mothers there complemented me on my ability to nurse her while holding her in my lap, sitting down on the ground, cross legged. I think they liked that an American woman would nurse her baby just the same way they did. I also think that doing it in front of others was important for them because it was like we were all equal, not a mindset that they have frequently. Sometimes I would head out to the porch to nurse her while others were gathered inside, just because I was new at it.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I felt uncomfortable about nursing my first daughter in public after about the age of 1, except in certain circumstances, but became MORE comfortable about it again when she was between the ages of 18 months and 2 years, due to the support of those around me. And now, with my second daughter, I don't even bat an eye at the thought of nursing her in public at 23 months old.
I don't remember the first time I saw someone nurse a baby in front of me. I'm SURE I saw my mom nurse my sister, I was 4 when she was born. It's possible I watched my aunt nurse my cousin, I was 11 at the time. It's likely that I witnessed it with ladies at church in my teen years. It wasn't really on my radar. Or maybe it just wasn't impressionable because I never thought to feed a baby a different way and those who did nurse in front of me, didn't pause or hesitate, they just weaved it into their lives, so it didn't stand out as something uncomfortable or different. Which brings me back to why it's so important to nurse in public. . . no glitches, just weaving it in. Then it becomes, to those around, especially the small people, part of the scenery, part of the assumption that this is the way things are, this is normalcy. And they look back through their lives thinking "When WAS the first time someone nursed in front of me? Hmm, I can't remember, it seems like it's just always been!"
I know that I must have witnessed babies being nursed, or at least it being talked about, because in my mind there was no other way that I thought it would be for me, it apparently has always been part of my scenery, I just don't remember when that became the case.
Here's the new bottom code:
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
- Ashley @ Adventures with my Monkeys-Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival Day 8: First Nursing in Public Experience
- Renee @ Just the 5 of us!-In Good Company
- Sylko @ Chaotic Mama-Breastfeeding Carnival Day 8
- Timbra @ Bosoms and Babes-Part of the Scenery
- Claire @ The Adventures of Lactating Girl-My Nursing in Public Journey
- Shelly @ Lousy Mom-My First Time Breastfeeding in Public
- And of course the guest poster on the Breastfeeding Cafe’s blog today is Hailey Maloney-First Experience Nursing in Public
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