Working Mother

I did some reflecting this weekend, in between trying to comfort a fussy, teething baby, about how I've chosen to mother my child. I'm pleased to say that I haven't had to compromise much of what I wanted for my daughter.

Originally, while I was still pregnant, I new I wanted to breastfeed my daughter as long as I possibly could. I went into her birth knowing I would, but still bought a few cans of formula "as a back-up". I tried her on formula twice in the first few weeks. Since then, she has been exclusively been breastfed or drinking expressed breastmilk during daycare. My first goal was 3 months - and it came and went, then 6. My next goal is 9 months. I broke up my goals to give me some short-term milestones to reach and to congratulate myself with. My ultimate goal is 1 year at which time I'll wean her onto cow's milk during the day and probably nursing at night and for comfort for a few more months after that (or as long as my supply lasts).

I really have no desire to nurse her into toddlerhood (although I applaud women who do), it's just really not my thing. Pumping has been very hard and very demanding and I really do look forward to hanging up my pump horns. I savor the times when I nurse Natalie, although she's more than often fussy and squirmy, which makes it hard to have that magical bonding time. We rarely have a quiet, peaceful nursing session. Through it all, though, I know I'm giving my best for my child and I haven't had to compromise my wishes and desires for her.

The same is true now with baby food. My daycare provider really started me on this one. She makes all her own baby food. I figured if I was putting forth the effort to breastfeed her because it was so much better for her, then why would I want nothing less for her once she started whole food? Again, making her food is demanding of my time, but I can see already the rewards. Natalie is learning what food actually tastes like instead of eating jarred food that tastes nothing like the real thing (everyone remember that horrid game of "guess the baby food" played at baby showers?). I'm hoping that this will help her gain healthy eating habits and have her eating a wider range of foods into toddlerhood and beyond.

I realized the demand these things take on my time this weekend. When I wasn't comforting a fussy baby I was pumping (because she wasn't eating well) or making baby food to freeze when I really wanted to just sit down and read a book. I'm exhausted, but my baby has a full belly - my milk and wholesome food in the freezer and she's HAPPY.

So... I am able be a working mother AND still be able to provide for my daughter without compromising. Are there other things I could do like cloth diapering, etc...? Sure... but I'm exhausted. I've made my list of my absolutes and I have to make peace that these things will be enough.

I'm in here... uh... busy!

Welcome, Carnival of Breastfeeding readers!!!

This is a repost from a few months ago....



This is the sign that hangs on my door when I'm pumping.

I'm lucky - I have my own office with a door and a LOCK! People shove papers under the door for me when needed and they're aware that if they call me on the phone, they will hear the rythmic gugshing of my pump in the background.

3 times a day, I pump so my little Nati has food for tomorrow. I've learned some very important things about pumping:

1. Medela Quick Clean Wipes are the best $18.00 I'll ever spend
2. Lansinoh helps keep my pump horns on by themselves so I can be hands-free
3. Leaving my pump in the office all week saves trips back and forth to my car
4. Playing online video games stimulates my let-down (so do cold pump horns)
5. Pumping makes me still feel like a Mommy when I'm at work

Pumping and Breastfeeding is hard work. Worrying about what bottles are best for her, how much she should be eating, getting no sleep at night because she's still being breastfed, getting those looks from coworkers when I close my door.

Would I do it all over again if I had the choice?

You bet your sweet pump horns I would.



Now, enjoy the following participants posts in this month's Carnival of Breastfeeding (links activated when the posts are up!):

Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog
Breastfeeding Mums
Mama Knows Breast
Breastfeeding 123
Adventures of a Breastfeeding Mother
The Attached Mother
Hobo Mama
Mike and Tonis

I'm in here... uh... busy

This is the sign that hangs on my door when I'm pumping.

I'm lucky - I have my own office with a door and a LOCK! People shove papers under the door for me when needed and they're aware that if they call me on the phone, they will hear the rythmic gugshing of my pump in the background.

3 times a day, I pump so my little Nati has food for tomorrow. I've learned some very important things about pumping:

1. Medela Quick Clean Wipes are the best $18.00 I'll ever spend
2. Lansinoh helps keep my pump horns on by themselves so I can be hands-free
3. Leaving my pump in the office all week saves trips back and forth to my car
4. Playing online video games stimulates my let-down (so do cold pump horns)
5. Pumping makes me still feel like a Mommy when I'm at work

Pumping and Breastfeeding is hard work. Worrying about what bottles are best for her, how much she should be eating, getting no sleep at night because she's still being breastfed, getting those looks from coworkers when I close my door.

Would I do it all over again if I had the choice?

You bet your sweet pump horns I would.

Bessy needs to up her game

Ok... today scared me.

Nati's daycare provider had to delve into her frozen stash I gave her. Nati ate every 2 hours today for a grand total of 18 ounces between 7:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Keep in mind, I only pump 14 - 16 ounces during this time.

*gulp*

I'm hoping I'm not spotting a new trend here. I could see this coming. Nati would be starving by the time I picked her up from daycare for the past few weeks. She's nursing ALL evening and night. My saving grace during the week would be the one day when she would take an extra long nap and not take all 4 bottles that day.

I have some freezer stash, but not enough to make up the void long-term.

I'm just praying that she backs off a bit, as formula is NOT an option.

A Mother's Dedication

Unreal. This woman is simply unreal. It makes my struggle with pumping at work seem trivial.

Long Journey for Mother's Milk

Monday's Guilty Pleasure

A blog I found months ago is calling me back. The problem is that it's not a current blog - I think it was last written in 2007. Trixie Update

My favorite part of the blog being "Milk Week", a father's view of his wife pumping breastmilk and his beyond psychotic way of tracking each and every bottle. Milk Week

Guess it worked out though, because now he has a company which develops software to track baby feeding, sleeping, changing, etc. Trixie Tracker

Aah.. I wish I were as dedicated with tracking my milk supply.