I don't rant often, but I'd like to rant a little today.
I can't really tell if it really is a big deal, or if I'm just so submerged in it that I can't see out of this little world, but what is the deal with breastfeeding beng so controversial? What is the deal, people?
I thought about typing out a big long blog about breastfeeding and how it is amazing for baby and mom and it is what is supposed to happen. Then I realized the people who already know that don't need to be told again, and those with issues about breastfeeding, whether it is a problem with doing it in public or whatever, are just uneducated about the facts and they can google them if they are so inclined.
What I've decided to say is this: Shut up. Everyone, shut it. Nursing in public is NO BIG DEAL. If you don't want to see a woman's boob and you are staring at her while she gets situated to feed her child then LOOK AWAY. Quit staring. And don't give me the "I can't help but look, it's right in front of me." You can look elsewhere, with your eyeballs that you control with your brain. Move them away from the mother who is breastfeeding. I PROMISE that she does not want you to stare at her boob either, she just wants to feed her kid without hiding in the car or pumping that day so that she can bring a bottle with her while she is out. Women who are brave enough to feed in public aren't doing it to make a point or make you uncomfortable, they are doing it because their baby needs to eat and they happen to be out. They do not need to work out their schedule and stress because you have nothing better to do then give mean glances. JEEZ people. Also, if there is a woman at your place of work that pumps and you see her walking to put her pumped milk in the fridge don't make a big deal out of it. We all know that you know what just happened. She sat in a room hooked up to a machine that pumped her breasts. She doesn't want to sit in that room hooked up to that machine, but she does it because she is making sure that her baby has the best possible nutrition. Pumping sucks. So don't throw out any cow jokes, don't make jokes about "drinking the milk" or "putting it in coffee" or anything along those lines. And don't make faces or say "that's gross", or "yuck". What are you, fucking 6 years old? Are you auditioning for the sequel to the movie Mean Girls?
Breastfeeding is hard enough without society downing it all of the time. It is hard, it is emotional, it is intense. If you have not breastfed a child or been around a breastfeeding mother then I do not expect you to understand. The emotional bond that comes with breastfeeding is raw and NO ONE should judge or comment on any other woman's breastfeeding relationship with her child.
Once again, I think I may just be too close to the situation. Some of my friends may read this and think I've lost my mind. But what I'm saying means something to me. So, if you have a friend, a family member, or co-worker who is breastfeeding, then be supportive. It is that simple.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
4 month checkup (18 weeks)
Will had his 4 month check up today! The time flies, doesn't it? He weighed in at 16 lbs 12 oz, 25 inches long, and size giant head. No, seriously, still in the 100th percentile for head size.
Today we talked solids. When to introduce food, what food to introduce, and how long before he can start drinking beer*.
Brent and I had lots of questions about food. Since we met 8 years ago we have been on a food journey. We have gone from being not very healthy eaters, to vegetarian, and now trying out the paleo diet which is basically eating actual food and nothing processed. Crazy, right? During the past eight years we have learned so much and are looking forward to introducing our love and understanding of food on to our kids. To not only eat variety, but to also understand where food comes from and exactly what you are eating.
Our first concern was with rice cereal. We wanted to know why it is the first choice for solid foods. We were weary because rice is not the most nutritional thing and we wanted to avoid giving Will "filler" foods. The doctor explained that it is easy on there sensitive guts and gets them used to swallowing foods. Makes sense. We then went on to when to introduce other foods. You are supposed to introduce one food at a time and feed only that food for 3-4 days to make sure they don't have an allergic reaction to it. She recommended starting with green vegetables, then moving on to other colored veggies, then fruits. She recommends fruits last because we know that kids (or people in general) will eat the sugary stuff. She then advised that around 9 months you can start giving them whatever it is that you are eating. Her kids were eating Indian food by 9 months. I didn't ask what those diapers looked like....
I am excited to start solids even though it means that Will is continuing to grow up. Dammit. We plan on starting at 6 months of age (24 weeks).
Will also got his second set of vaccines today. He cried but pulled himself together after a hug from me and a smile from dad. What a brave boy!
Other things that have happened this week: TEETH! The top middle teeth have finally cut through, marking the end of a tough week. These have been much more painful for him than the bottom two. SLEEP! Although we had 4 rough nights due to teething he surprised us by sleeping 3 full nights back to back. Not a peep from 8pm-8am. The past few nights he has been waking up his typical one time to nurse, but those 12 hour nights were a welcome surprise! Thanks buddy! MOVING! Will has been getting better and better at controlling his movements. He is very close to sitting up on his own and loves to stand (with help from us of course). Tummy time is now squirmy time as he kicks and wriggles trying to get away.
*turns out babies can have beer at the age of 21 years.
Today we talked solids. When to introduce food, what food to introduce, and how long before he can start drinking beer*.
Brent and I had lots of questions about food. Since we met 8 years ago we have been on a food journey. We have gone from being not very healthy eaters, to vegetarian, and now trying out the paleo diet which is basically eating actual food and nothing processed. Crazy, right? During the past eight years we have learned so much and are looking forward to introducing our love and understanding of food on to our kids. To not only eat variety, but to also understand where food comes from and exactly what you are eating.
Our first concern was with rice cereal. We wanted to know why it is the first choice for solid foods. We were weary because rice is not the most nutritional thing and we wanted to avoid giving Will "filler" foods. The doctor explained that it is easy on there sensitive guts and gets them used to swallowing foods. Makes sense. We then went on to when to introduce other foods. You are supposed to introduce one food at a time and feed only that food for 3-4 days to make sure they don't have an allergic reaction to it. She recommended starting with green vegetables, then moving on to other colored veggies, then fruits. She recommends fruits last because we know that kids (or people in general) will eat the sugary stuff. She then advised that around 9 months you can start giving them whatever it is that you are eating. Her kids were eating Indian food by 9 months. I didn't ask what those diapers looked like....
I am excited to start solids even though it means that Will is continuing to grow up. Dammit. We plan on starting at 6 months of age (24 weeks).
Will also got his second set of vaccines today. He cried but pulled himself together after a hug from me and a smile from dad. What a brave boy!
Other things that have happened this week: TEETH! The top middle teeth have finally cut through, marking the end of a tough week. These have been much more painful for him than the bottom two. SLEEP! Although we had 4 rough nights due to teething he surprised us by sleeping 3 full nights back to back. Not a peep from 8pm-8am. The past few nights he has been waking up his typical one time to nurse, but those 12 hour nights were a welcome surprise! Thanks buddy! MOVING! Will has been getting better and better at controlling his movements. He is very close to sitting up on his own and loves to stand (with help from us of course). Tummy time is now squirmy time as he kicks and wriggles trying to get away.
*turns out babies can have beer at the age of 21 years.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Perfection
After having Will I always wondered how someone could have more kids. I know, it sounds terrible, but it's the truth. The first month of his life was hard, exhausting, and overwhelming. Why would anyone want to do this twice? Or three or four or oh my goodness five times? Were they crazy?
Then things calmed down and I finally began sleeping again and I realized I could do it again. Definitely.
There are many reasons that having a baby is awesome, but let me pick just one for you.
It's that moment right before bed. That moment when you are rocking them to sleep in your arms and they are perfectly content. Everything they could ever possibly want or need is there. They are safe in your arms, with no worries or cares or problems. It is perfection. It's a happiness and love that I can't even begin to describe. This moment is so fleeting that I ache to think it will one day end. And as much as I look forward to watching him grow there is a part of me that will always long for the times where all Will wants or needs is to be in my arms.
Then things calmed down and I finally began sleeping again and I realized I could do it again. Definitely.
There are many reasons that having a baby is awesome, but let me pick just one for you.
It's that moment right before bed. That moment when you are rocking them to sleep in your arms and they are perfectly content. Everything they could ever possibly want or need is there. They are safe in your arms, with no worries or cares or problems. It is perfection. It's a happiness and love that I can't even begin to describe. This moment is so fleeting that I ache to think it will one day end. And as much as I look forward to watching him grow there is a part of me that will always long for the times where all Will wants or needs is to be in my arms.
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