I've done it in a bathroom stall, the backseat of a car, on a park bench, a movie theater, and of course I've done it on a recliner and my bed. Breastfeeding is not for the faint of heart, or the particularly modest. Before my son was born the very thought of baring all in front of friends and family was unfathomable, then suddenly you are popping them out in your living room with your father-in-law sitting right beside you. Especially early on, when this child was hungry, he was HUNGRY and his needs trumped my need to cover-all. These days I just don't give a crap.
Now I know why formula became such a popular choice when I was a child. You really can't go anywhere when you are breastfeeding. I'm sure that wasn't a problem before cars and malls, but these days staying at home all day, every day is just not happening. Well isn't that the very definition of "stay-at-home mom," you ask? Not for this mom anyway.
While it has gotten easier, there really isn't a good public place to nurse your child. You just have to find the least conspicuous spot and go for it. I feel great that I have been able to breastfeed my child, but to those that have been permanently scarred from my over-exposure, I am sorry. Ah, whatever, they'll get over it.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
You May Think it's Funny, but it 'Snot...
Now I know why parents let their kids walk around with dried, crusty boogers in their noses.
Before for my son was born, I used to be appalled by the countless children I saw with either crunchy, crusty nostrils or full-fledged, two-canal faucets that ran straight from their nose to their mouth. I could not understand for the life of me why their obviously neglectful parents wouldn't do something about this.
Enter Colin's first runny nose. With every sneeze or wheeze I was there with tissue in hand despite his inevitable protest. A nasal aspirator might be useful for clearing out amniotic fluid when a baby is born, but just try to get that thing up a 4-months old's nose without a major showdown that eventually you will lose. I even splurged on 'Boogie Wipes' which are basically glorified wet wipes made with saline. You would think he would be thankful to get that crap out of his nose, but the truth is, babies HATE getting their noses wiped. He doesn't care that he will breathe better and look cuter, one wipe is all it takes for a colossal meltdown.
By the time Runny Nose #2 came around, I tried my best but was definitely far less diligent. My outbursts to my husband of, "Quick, Quick, get me a Kleenex!" had become fewer and fewer. I still experience pangs of guilt as my son rolls around with a snot string stretching from his nose to his mat, but between the drool and the snot, I would have to have a bucket and a box of tissues attached to me at all times. That's just not going to happen. And I have a feeling he is just fine with that.
Before for my son was born, I used to be appalled by the countless children I saw with either crunchy, crusty nostrils or full-fledged, two-canal faucets that ran straight from their nose to their mouth. I could not understand for the life of me why their obviously neglectful parents wouldn't do something about this.
Enter Colin's first runny nose. With every sneeze or wheeze I was there with tissue in hand despite his inevitable protest. A nasal aspirator might be useful for clearing out amniotic fluid when a baby is born, but just try to get that thing up a 4-months old's nose without a major showdown that eventually you will lose. I even splurged on 'Boogie Wipes' which are basically glorified wet wipes made with saline. You would think he would be thankful to get that crap out of his nose, but the truth is, babies HATE getting their noses wiped. He doesn't care that he will breathe better and look cuter, one wipe is all it takes for a colossal meltdown.
By the time Runny Nose #2 came around, I tried my best but was definitely far less diligent. My outbursts to my husband of, "Quick, Quick, get me a Kleenex!" had become fewer and fewer. I still experience pangs of guilt as my son rolls around with a snot string stretching from his nose to his mat, but between the drool and the snot, I would have to have a bucket and a box of tissues attached to me at all times. That's just not going to happen. And I have a feeling he is just fine with that.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
New Year, New Blog
Now I know why people say, "Just wait until you have kids."
There is truly no way to explain the windfall of emotion and change that occurs when you are no longer just responsible for yourself. I joined the ranks of disheveled mommy on June 10th, 2011 by the arrival an adorable six pound cone-head named Colin. All you have heard is true: you fall in love and instantaneously develop a tiger-like defense over your little one (did that nurse give him BRUISES under his arms from taking his temperature?!) And I'm sure you have heard about how hard it is in the beginning; the adjustment it takes to realize the baby will not go to sleep just because a new episode of House is on. But nothing can actually prepare you for what is ahead.
Nearly seven months later, although I am certainly more comfortable in my new role, I am learning everyday how to be the best mommy to my little man, mostly through trial and error, the advice of family and friends, and some occasional OCD googling (okay A LOT of OCD googling).
So now when I hear people express how they can't wait to have kids, I bite my lip to keep from saying the age-old cliche, because as scary and intimidating as it may seem, becoming a parent is the best thing I have ever done.
There is truly no way to explain the windfall of emotion and change that occurs when you are no longer just responsible for yourself. I joined the ranks of disheveled mommy on June 10th, 2011 by the arrival an adorable six pound cone-head named Colin. All you have heard is true: you fall in love and instantaneously develop a tiger-like defense over your little one (did that nurse give him BRUISES under his arms from taking his temperature?!) And I'm sure you have heard about how hard it is in the beginning; the adjustment it takes to realize the baby will not go to sleep just because a new episode of House is on. But nothing can actually prepare you for what is ahead.
Nearly seven months later, although I am certainly more comfortable in my new role, I am learning everyday how to be the best mommy to my little man, mostly through trial and error, the advice of family and friends, and some occasional OCD googling (okay A LOT of OCD googling).
So now when I hear people express how they can't wait to have kids, I bite my lip to keep from saying the age-old cliche, because as scary and intimidating as it may seem, becoming a parent is the best thing I have ever done.
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