Today's post is long overdue..Momma has been taking a writing break. Call it writer's block or mommy busy time, or whatever you want - but finally I'm making my way back into the blog world.
As most of my readers know I have survived my little ones first year on planet earth. Among other goals, one of the "buzz word" goals I have heard all year is breastfeeding your child to the one year mark. From the start I always took the mantra of breastfeeding as long as it worked for both myself and my son and now that he is past the one year mark - it is still working. This decision is mine alone and I am very comfortable with it but there are (as always!) issues with it in my world and in the social world around me.
I can deal with the issues in my world. Basically I can strip them down to some sharp teeth and attention shifting. He sometimes nips me, rests his chompers while suckling and pops off without warning to follow a sudden sound or sight. Those things I have adjusted to. It's the outside things that I struggle with.
Is it just me or is there a negative connotation associated with breastfeeding a baby to a certain age by most of the general public? And is it just me or does the media perpetuate this? Time magazine had a 'controversial' cover a few months back of a little boy standing on a stool so he could feed while his mother was standing and posing for the cover of the popular magazine. I've seen it on news reports, magazine articles - how long is too long? When is the "right" time to wean? Many movies make fun of it by having children who can walk and talk sidle up to their mothers and help themselves to some milk amidst judgemental and harrowing glances from the other characters present - poking fun at this in an extreme way. The sad part is, before baby I was inclined to side with this "disgusting" view of it. Funny how being in the situation has shifted my views, as is usually the case with everything.
At this point in mine and my son's life I am still comfortable feeding him from my breast. The number of feedings, the times of these feeds and when he eats other foods are up to us and we are happy with where things are. I FEEL that stigma that I should have started weaning by now though and I know I have to rise above it, but it can be tough.
My motto - what works for me right now may not work for anyone else now or ever. I am not causing any harm to anyone (other than the occasional bite for myself....haha) and the message I would like to send - you never know how you would react to a situation until you are actually in it. Before you can walk in someone else's shoes, you must first remove your own.
I plan on getting back in the blogging game more regularly now. Stay tuned for some new post 1 year old baby topics :)
Showing posts with label milk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label milk. Show all posts
Saturday, June 01, 2013
Monday, November 12, 2012
Breastfeeding - The Older Baby
I have discussed benefits and pitfalls of breastfeeding a newborn, now I relay my experiences of breastfeeding a 6 month old.
I feel very lucky to have been able to continue breastfeeding my son beyond the six month mark. Despite many close calls, I have maintained my milk supply and my love for this task, and I am happy to keep doing it for the next few months at least. Having lasted this long there have been both increased benefits and some new challenges.
The benefits of breastfeeding an older baby start with it's ease. My child has a radar for finding a latch in pitch dark better than a plane honing in on a runway. He has no trouble latching or getting a thorough feed at this stage. The feeding time is very quick and efficient, no longer have I got the worry of him falling asleep or spending a lot of time re-latching. It is also still convienent for going out and not requiring any feeding equipment. Blocked ducts have ceased, there are rarely any leaks, and I can wear whatever I want to bed now without worrying that I will wake up covered in milk. Basically we have found a rhythm with feeding that is nothing like the frustrations of getting breastfeeding established in the earlier days. However, there are a few new challenges that have developed.
For one thing, he is a much bigger guy now than at his newborn and earlier stages - therefore a lot stronger. He tugs on my breast sometimes while sucking, and pulls himself off abruptly, taking part of me with him. He has also taken to pinching me while feeding with his fingers..OUCH! He also has two teeth, coming up more every day. I can feel the tips of these razor sharp biters while he feeds and constantly fear a potential bite. Another new issue - he is very easily distracted now. If someone new comes in the room and talks to me, my son launches himself off and attempts to roll over in the direction of the visitors voice. A lot of times I can't even watch TV while feeding him anymore, the noise and bright screen are things he simply can't ignore. Funny those things were recommended in the beginning while breastfeeding to help keep him awake during his feed. He is also very fond of the breast, and sometimes I worry that it will be tough to fully wean him. Sometimes when he is fussy, uncomfortable or tired he wants to nurse to pacify and it is hard to both recognize every instance of this and to avoid doing it. He can be very persuasive, haha. Another side effect of breastfeeding a slightly older baby is opinion of some. I know it is ultimately my decision, but it doesn't stop the uncomfortable feeling. I am in the company of some people who feel that six months is long enough and believe that once a baby has teeth and/or can eat solids, they no longer need to be nursed. I struggle with this one because it is my body, my baby and my choice. I am doing my best not to let this be a factor in my decision, but it is rough to tune it out.
Regardless of the new challenges, for me the benefits of breastfeeding are still the deciding factor. I have no intentions of stopping just yet, and hope that my supply maintains for as long as I wish to continue.
Momma's Musts
I feel very lucky to have been able to continue breastfeeding my son beyond the six month mark. Despite many close calls, I have maintained my milk supply and my love for this task, and I am happy to keep doing it for the next few months at least. Having lasted this long there have been both increased benefits and some new challenges.
The benefits of breastfeeding an older baby start with it's ease. My child has a radar for finding a latch in pitch dark better than a plane honing in on a runway. He has no trouble latching or getting a thorough feed at this stage. The feeding time is very quick and efficient, no longer have I got the worry of him falling asleep or spending a lot of time re-latching. It is also still convienent for going out and not requiring any feeding equipment. Blocked ducts have ceased, there are rarely any leaks, and I can wear whatever I want to bed now without worrying that I will wake up covered in milk. Basically we have found a rhythm with feeding that is nothing like the frustrations of getting breastfeeding established in the earlier days. However, there are a few new challenges that have developed.
For one thing, he is a much bigger guy now than at his newborn and earlier stages - therefore a lot stronger. He tugs on my breast sometimes while sucking, and pulls himself off abruptly, taking part of me with him. He has also taken to pinching me while feeding with his fingers..OUCH! He also has two teeth, coming up more every day. I can feel the tips of these razor sharp biters while he feeds and constantly fear a potential bite. Another new issue - he is very easily distracted now. If someone new comes in the room and talks to me, my son launches himself off and attempts to roll over in the direction of the visitors voice. A lot of times I can't even watch TV while feeding him anymore, the noise and bright screen are things he simply can't ignore. Funny those things were recommended in the beginning while breastfeeding to help keep him awake during his feed. He is also very fond of the breast, and sometimes I worry that it will be tough to fully wean him. Sometimes when he is fussy, uncomfortable or tired he wants to nurse to pacify and it is hard to both recognize every instance of this and to avoid doing it. He can be very persuasive, haha. Another side effect of breastfeeding a slightly older baby is opinion of some. I know it is ultimately my decision, but it doesn't stop the uncomfortable feeling. I am in the company of some people who feel that six months is long enough and believe that once a baby has teeth and/or can eat solids, they no longer need to be nursed. I struggle with this one because it is my body, my baby and my choice. I am doing my best not to let this be a factor in my decision, but it is rough to tune it out.
Regardless of the new challenges, for me the benefits of breastfeeding are still the deciding factor. I have no intentions of stopping just yet, and hope that my supply maintains for as long as I wish to continue.
Momma's Musts
- Just one today, and I'm going to repeat my above statement. It's your body, your baby and your choice. If you are among those who have managed to maintatin your milk supply and met all your previous challenges,you have the option to stop breastfeeding or to continue. It is up to you and no one else and you need to remember this main point. There is no shame in finishing up or in continuing for as long as you choose.
Sunday, September 02, 2012
Pumped about Pumping!
Once baby came and I fudged along with the first few days of breastfeeding, the nagging questions about pumping surfaced. How long? What time of day? How much milk should I expect? When should I give baby a bottle? I had no idea and no real answers to any of these questions. I asked friends with babies and a couple of public health nurses. The opinions were conflicting. One source told me that she never pumped and just breastfed, that it was better to maintain that closeness throughout the entire time of breastfeeding. To each their own, but I thought that this wasn't a good decision for the following reasons :
In short - I was confused. What was the right way to do this? Like so many aspects of having a baby I was ultimately left to my own devices to make this decision. So here's how I handled it.
About two weeks in, I started pumping whatever was left over after the feeding off my main breast. I had to do this with several feedigns about a day or so to get a few ounces and I soon learned to store roughly four ounces at a time. I stored the milk in the refridgerator (lasts for 6 days) and some more in the freezer (lasts 6 months). Picking the right time of day to get the most milk was tricky and trying not to pump too much to avoid producing too much milk was a guessing game as well. It took me over a month to have a strong enough supply and to know enough to be efficient at pumping. Now I pump first thing in the morning after my baby feeds, using the breast that baby didn't feed from. I maintain at least three 4-5 ounce bottles in the refridgerator at all times and any additional milk is stored in the freezer (unless I am anticipating a night out or another event in the near future).
Another question - what kind of pump to get? I bought my pump knowing only that I believed electrical pumps were better. The one I ended up getting was a 3-in-1 - electrical, battery operated and manual all in one. I used the electrical part exclusively for about 4 months. It took roughly 30 minutes to get between 4 and 5 ounces and was tricky. Sometimes the slightest movement would make me lose suction and I would be back to the start - trying to trigger let down again. Then the pump sort of died about 4 months in - the suction dropped suddenly and it went to a snail's pace. I was upset, I needed a new pump. They are not cheap, nearly $200 for the one that I wanted. In desperation I dug out the manual attachment just to try it. Not only did it work, it was better and faster than the electrical component. I could get my required 4-5 ounces in under 10 minutes. It was so much more efficient. Had I known this in my pre-pumping days I would have just bought a manual pump for a much lower price, they run between $50-$100.
Finally - when to give baby his first bottle? I thought six weeks was too long to wait, no matter what "they" said. I also thought that nipple confusion would be more likely the longer I waited. So just before baby turned three weeks old, he had his first bottle from daddy. It took awhile for him to figure out what to do with the nipple but we had success! After that I made sure he got a bottle at least once a week so he wouldn't forget how to take one. Now at 4 months old he usually has 3-4 bottles a week with no problems and he has not shown a preference to the bottle over the breast which was something else I was concerned with.
Momma's Musts :
- One - What happens in an emergency situation when you are unable to be there and your baby refuses a bottle because you waited too long? What then?
- Two - What about having a life outside baby? It is important for mommy to have some time alone away from baby and it is also important for baby to get used to being away from mommy.
- Three - My husband wanted to play a role in feeding our baby and it wouldn't be fair to hog this responsibility totally.
In short - I was confused. What was the right way to do this? Like so many aspects of having a baby I was ultimately left to my own devices to make this decision. So here's how I handled it.
About two weeks in, I started pumping whatever was left over after the feeding off my main breast. I had to do this with several feedigns about a day or so to get a few ounces and I soon learned to store roughly four ounces at a time. I stored the milk in the refridgerator (lasts for 6 days) and some more in the freezer (lasts 6 months). Picking the right time of day to get the most milk was tricky and trying not to pump too much to avoid producing too much milk was a guessing game as well. It took me over a month to have a strong enough supply and to know enough to be efficient at pumping. Now I pump first thing in the morning after my baby feeds, using the breast that baby didn't feed from. I maintain at least three 4-5 ounce bottles in the refridgerator at all times and any additional milk is stored in the freezer (unless I am anticipating a night out or another event in the near future).
Another question - what kind of pump to get? I bought my pump knowing only that I believed electrical pumps were better. The one I ended up getting was a 3-in-1 - electrical, battery operated and manual all in one. I used the electrical part exclusively for about 4 months. It took roughly 30 minutes to get between 4 and 5 ounces and was tricky. Sometimes the slightest movement would make me lose suction and I would be back to the start - trying to trigger let down again. Then the pump sort of died about 4 months in - the suction dropped suddenly and it went to a snail's pace. I was upset, I needed a new pump. They are not cheap, nearly $200 for the one that I wanted. In desperation I dug out the manual attachment just to try it. Not only did it work, it was better and faster than the electrical component. I could get my required 4-5 ounces in under 10 minutes. It was so much more efficient. Had I known this in my pre-pumping days I would have just bought a manual pump for a much lower price, they run between $50-$100.
Finally - when to give baby his first bottle? I thought six weeks was too long to wait, no matter what "they" said. I also thought that nipple confusion would be more likely the longer I waited. So just before baby turned three weeks old, he had his first bottle from daddy. It took awhile for him to figure out what to do with the nipple but we had success! After that I made sure he got a bottle at least once a week so he wouldn't forget how to take one. Now at 4 months old he usually has 3-4 bottles a week with no problems and he has not shown a preference to the bottle over the breast which was something else I was concerned with.
Momma's Musts :
- Pumping is personal.....but. If you don't pump you may not have a back-up plan in case of emergency (trust me, it can happen), you will never get much time off and you will not be able to share feeding your baby with his/her other caregivers. I am no expert, but I highly recommend pumping.
- Manual is best - that's what I think! Fancy electrical pumps cost more and are actually less efficient both in how much milk you get and how long it takes. Go green too - pump using your muscle power!
- Don't wait. Give your baby his/her first bottle before the six week mark and make sure to keep giving at least a bottle a week to keep baby familiar with the mechanics of bottle feeding.
- Experiment - It may take you a month or two to find out your best pumping time and strategy to get the most for your efforts. Ask around to your mommy friends or the local nurses. Can't hurt to have lots of advice to choose from.
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