Only one question?
What? Only one question from the meme I posted earlier Man, even anonymous people can ask me questions!
Well, here is the one question:
what are yor thoughts/feelings/plans about breastfeeding or otherwise keeping the blueberry nourished after birth?
I am planning on breastfeeding for as long as I can as a full time working mother. I say that part because I know that working full time will probably impact my ability to breastfeed. I'd like go a full year before weaning. Part of the reason I was so adamant about having 12 weeks maternity leave, is because it is suggested that you do not give a baby a bottle until 10 or 12 weeks when breastfeeding. So, I wanted to get a full 12 weeks of breastfeeding exclusively in, with the last two weeks of that, beginning to give the baby a bottle of breastmilk.
To that end I'm investing in a highly recommended breast pump, and we'll get a small stand alone freezer. We live in a small NYC apartment and our 'fridge is already only 3/4 sized - we are always out of freezer room, but we have a good spot for a small 5 cubic foot freezer and we'll use that for all the stuff we aren't able to freeze now, as well as my breastmlk stash.
There is always the chance that I won't make a lot of milk, etc. But while I am aware of the risks of that, I'm hoping that won't be the case. I like to be prepared fro the worst *and* the best. I have a lot of breastfeeding support already lined up, we are taking a class on it next week, my MW and doula will give me support, and I have the numbers of several lactation consultants already. Between all of that, I am keeping my fingers crossed we'll be OK.
Once I've exhausted those resources, if it comes to needing to do formula, than that's what we'll do. I'd prefer to avoid it if I can though. I have a lot of weird gut things as an adult, and a lot of the research on infants now points to formula as perhaps the culprit that can lead to later food issues. I wonder about that. I was formula fed myself and I wonder if there is a link between my digestive issues and that. But who knows.
Once we hit the solid foods stage, I plan on making food for my kid - just like I make food us at home (another reason for the freezer)! I am sure I will have some pre-made stuff for "emergencies" (just as I do for us as adults) but I see no reason to keep our kid from eating what we already eat, just pureed :)
I think a diverse diet from infant-hood on leads to people who have a diverse diet as children, teens and adults. I always ate what my Mom ate, and what my parents ate, and had a very diverse palate as a child which as continued to this day. midnightstation pretty much agrees with me on this, as he had a limited palate as a kid, and had to learn how to diversify as an adult.
We'll see what happens :) I can't predict what our kid will be like!
As a rule though, I don't like the notion that there is "adult food" and "children's food". Yes - most kids don't like heavily spiced things (too intense) but the notion that children WON'T eat anything that isn't a burger or a hot dog or macaroni? That's not helping anybody. Especially not kids who need to learn to eat healthy foods at a young age. The best way to accomplish this is to be parents who eat and serve healthy foods. If there isn't crap around, then the kids don't eat crap.
I was always allowed a sweet snack a day and I'll probably do that with the Blueberry too. I think if you say "NO!" all the time you set up a dynamic that makes the "bad" food taboo and therefore desirable in an unhealthy way. Like, after school I could have a cupcake and milk. And I did, and then I didn't beg for more more more. Even now, as an adult, I'll have one cupcake and some Silk and be satisfied - whereas midnightstation wants to eat the ENTIRE BOX of cupcakes!
I attribute the difference to how treats were handled in our childhoods.
Overall, I think I have a relatively healthy way of eating, and make healthy food choices, and am pretty happy with my body overall. A lot of that is that I was raised in a sane way around food, and so I intend to raise the Blueberry in the same way. Minus the formula if I can!
Whew. That was longer than I thought it would be!
Oh, and helping Mom to cook? Yes please! I always helped my Mom and am a good cook now because of it. So, the Blueberry will be learning to cook for sure. Everyone should know how to cook a meal. My ex-husband couldn't fry eggs or make toast - I had to teach him. That will NOT be happening with my son!
N.
Well, here is the one question:
what are yor thoughts/feelings/plans about breastfeeding or otherwise keeping the blueberry nourished after birth?
I am planning on breastfeeding for as long as I can as a full time working mother. I say that part because I know that working full time will probably impact my ability to breastfeed. I'd like go a full year before weaning. Part of the reason I was so adamant about having 12 weeks maternity leave, is because it is suggested that you do not give a baby a bottle until 10 or 12 weeks when breastfeeding. So, I wanted to get a full 12 weeks of breastfeeding exclusively in, with the last two weeks of that, beginning to give the baby a bottle of breastmilk.
To that end I'm investing in a highly recommended breast pump, and we'll get a small stand alone freezer. We live in a small NYC apartment and our 'fridge is already only 3/4 sized - we are always out of freezer room, but we have a good spot for a small 5 cubic foot freezer and we'll use that for all the stuff we aren't able to freeze now, as well as my breastmlk stash.
There is always the chance that I won't make a lot of milk, etc. But while I am aware of the risks of that, I'm hoping that won't be the case. I like to be prepared fro the worst *and* the best. I have a lot of breastfeeding support already lined up, we are taking a class on it next week, my MW and doula will give me support, and I have the numbers of several lactation consultants already. Between all of that, I am keeping my fingers crossed we'll be OK.
Once I've exhausted those resources, if it comes to needing to do formula, than that's what we'll do. I'd prefer to avoid it if I can though. I have a lot of weird gut things as an adult, and a lot of the research on infants now points to formula as perhaps the culprit that can lead to later food issues. I wonder about that. I was formula fed myself and I wonder if there is a link between my digestive issues and that. But who knows.
Once we hit the solid foods stage, I plan on making food for my kid - just like I make food us at home (another reason for the freezer)! I am sure I will have some pre-made stuff for "emergencies" (just as I do for us as adults) but I see no reason to keep our kid from eating what we already eat, just pureed :)
I think a diverse diet from infant-hood on leads to people who have a diverse diet as children, teens and adults. I always ate what my Mom ate, and what my parents ate, and had a very diverse palate as a child which as continued to this day. midnightstation pretty much agrees with me on this, as he had a limited palate as a kid, and had to learn how to diversify as an adult.
We'll see what happens :) I can't predict what our kid will be like!
As a rule though, I don't like the notion that there is "adult food" and "children's food". Yes - most kids don't like heavily spiced things (too intense) but the notion that children WON'T eat anything that isn't a burger or a hot dog or macaroni? That's not helping anybody. Especially not kids who need to learn to eat healthy foods at a young age. The best way to accomplish this is to be parents who eat and serve healthy foods. If there isn't crap around, then the kids don't eat crap.
I was always allowed a sweet snack a day and I'll probably do that with the Blueberry too. I think if you say "NO!" all the time you set up a dynamic that makes the "bad" food taboo and therefore desirable in an unhealthy way. Like, after school I could have a cupcake and milk. And I did, and then I didn't beg for more more more. Even now, as an adult, I'll have one cupcake and some Silk and be satisfied - whereas midnightstation wants to eat the ENTIRE BOX of cupcakes!
I attribute the difference to how treats were handled in our childhoods.
Overall, I think I have a relatively healthy way of eating, and make healthy food choices, and am pretty happy with my body overall. A lot of that is that I was raised in a sane way around food, and so I intend to raise the Blueberry in the same way. Minus the formula if I can!
Whew. That was longer than I thought it would be!
Oh, and helping Mom to cook? Yes please! I always helped my Mom and am a good cook now because of it. So, the Blueberry will be learning to cook for sure. Everyone should know how to cook a meal. My ex-husband couldn't fry eggs or make toast - I had to teach him. That will NOT be happening with my son!
N.