On Breastfeeding a Two Year Old

They're a bit more willful than a baby, and therefore just a bit more frustrating to deal with. Also, there's that factor that I'm only doing it because my husband pushes me too. It seems like all my life, I'm propelled by one thing or the other and I just make myself content with it.

Here's why I think it's not a good idea. It's not all about falling for anything just because I might not have conviction, but it's all about letting someone dictate to me. I think I'm starting to resent it, but I'm just too lazy enough to not do anything about it. Besides, I get muscled into my position easily. Strange, but I'm not really angry about it, although sometimes, bile seem to rise from my stomach.

Holy Cow! Or should that be - I'm a Cow!?

I'm sitting here, having a headache. It's not one of those boulder-on-my-forehead headaches, nor even one of those elephant-sitting-on-my-shoulder headaches. I have the jabbing-pins-and-needles headaches.

This type of headache usually tells me it's time to schedule an appointment and see my optometrist. My eyes are grading up or down again. I do not want to go to a doctor. First, I really love my glasses now. Second, because I have a pair of Guess glasses which I love, which my DS3 helpfully snapped one earpiece. Third, I do not have the time, or want to make time.

Late this afternoon, my husband woke up from his nap, and was changing his clothes to pick up our dinner from Chipotle. Again.

As he was dressing, he pulled on a pair of black pants. You see, majority of my DH's pants are black. This particular pair of pants though, was a tad tight, and a whole lot shorter. He was hopping about wondering how badly this pair shrunk.

It was my pair of pants. I can't believe it! My husband, who is 6-foot tall, can pull my pants up! I would have sat down and cried if I didn't find the whole thing hysterically funny! I laughed so hard, it's a wonder I didn't pee in my pants. In another pair of pants. Or more like a pajamas really.

Way back when...15 years ago, I was double-0 size. Size 3 is baggy on me. Now I just bought a pair which my husband can pull over his luscious butt! Holy Giraffe! It's not what I planned at all after having 5 kids.

I wanted so bad to strapped on my pair of running shoes and run. Just pound on the concrete, sweat away, and chant in my head "pounds-off, thinner thighs" and all other mantras I can think of when I am running. I'd even welcome that burning feeling in my muscles. I missed pushing myself just a tad harder, go a little faster, finishing my laps earlier. I missed huffing until I get into my zone. I plain missed everything about running.

I wanted to run so bad, my foot itched with longing. I suppressed the urge, grabbed my baby and we danced around the room. When my baby smiles and grabs my face and bubbles, I know I am making the right choice.

Here is my reason for holding back. He's seven months, a champion crawler and a pro-milker. It's why I hold off on the running. It's hard, but this baby comes first.

Even though my husband, who once upon a time could span my waist with his two hands, could now almost fit in my pants, my running shoes is just going to be for walking. Time will fly, and before I know it, DS4 will be all grown. For now, we're just going to concentrate of being his Moo-Mommy, with my feet walking on the ground. Pants and all.

Have you ever have this happened to you? How embarrassing and mortifying was that?

Thursday Thirteen #5 - Breastfeeding Facts, Myths and Trivia

Thirteen Things about Shoshana This week I thought I'd collect 13 facts and trivia about breastfeeding. It seems like fun and interesting. Even if we don't all agree about it, it would still be a good read. Yeah? 1. Pinkeye (conjunctivitis)? A small amount of breastmilk applied to the affected area can actually relieve and treat some common eye irritations. 2. Early Initiation Research has shown that in the two hours following the birth, infants are in a state of alertness, which is accompanied by a strong sucking reflex. These early feeds have an imprinting effect and help to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Although breastfeeding without delay is best, it is not a bad thing if circumstances don´t allow it. Many moms whose babies have gotten a delayed start at nursing have gone on to establish a very successful and rewarding nursing relationship. I'm one of those Moms. My baby didn't get to really breastfeed until the 5th day of after birth. I had bad delivery complications. 3. The diet for a breastfeeding mother should include the following: -Fresh fruits and vegetables, any types cooked the way you like them, but not fried. -Whole grains, rice, wheat, corn, and barley. Whole grains are much healthier for everyone; not just nursing mothers. -Lean proteins, chicken, turkey, dairy products and eggs. -Limit fat intake Foods for nursing mothers should be fresh, unprocessed and have little additives in them. Drat. I gotta give up my second true love now. French Fries. 4. Practice makes perfect, even while breastfeeding If you are afraid to breastfeed in public for fear of showing some skin, try nursing in front of a mirror to perfect your "technique." Try different shirts, even slings or blankets until YOU are comfortable. And remember, if some gets offended because you are doing it...WTF are they doing staring long enough to figure that out? Perves! 5.You need not nurse in the restroom! You have every right to nurse your baby anywhere you and your baby have the right to be. Do not hide in an unsanitary bathroom unless YOU want to. Truthfully, less people will know you are nursing if you are relaxed and confident Not ready to come out? If you truly are uncomfortable nursing in public, there are alternatives to sitting in a public restroom. A fitting room, a secluded table in a restaurant, or any other quiet area can offer privacy without the smells and sounds of the bathroom. 6. What is a nursing strike? Nursing strikes occur most often in babies older than 3 months of age. Typically the baby has been nursing well and then suddenly will refuse to nurse for no apparent reason.A nursing strike usually lasts just a few days but may persist for a week or two. Even though a lot of mothers do choose to wean during a strike, most babies can be coaxed back to the breast with some patience and determination. The following may result in a strike: teething, illness, sores in the baby´s mouth, a change in the taste of the milk, prolonged separation between mother and baby, the frequent use of bottles or the pacifier, low milk supply, etc. 7. LLL is free, unlike an LC Some people confuse LLL (La Leche League) with an LC (Lactation Consultant). LLL is a not-for-profit organization considered the utmost authority on breastfeeding. LLL is mothers helping mothers and there is no cost to attend a meeting or talk to a leader. 8. MYTH-Breastfeeding babies need other types of milk after 6 months Breastmilk gives the baby everything there is in other milks and more. Babies older than 6 months should be started on solids so that they learn how to eat and so that they begin to get another source of iron, which by 7-9 months, is not supplied in sufficient quantities from breastmilk alone If the mother wishes to give milk after 6 months, there is no reason that the baby cannot get cow´s milk, as long as the baby is still breastfeeding a few times a day. Most babies older than 6 months who have never had formula will reject it, because of the taste. 9. MYTH-Pumping is a good way of determining how much milk the mother has The amount of milk that can be pumped depends on many factors, including the mother´s stress level. The baby who nurses well can get much more milk than his/her mother can pump. Pumping only tells you how much you can pump. I can never pump anything much, except for during those times when I simultaneously breastfeeding too. 10. Weight Loss Breastfeeding moms tend to lose weight more easily. Only if Mommy is not scarfing more than her share of calories...which this Mommy is! 11. Endometrial Cancer Breastfeeding reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. 12. Fertility Extended nursing delays the return of fertility in some women by suppressing ovulation. As long as menstruation is not present. Sometimes, it shows up quite early, then this thing doesn't work anymore. 13. The WHO´s View of Extended Breastfeeding The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond. Nutritional Content of Breastmilk in the Second Year In the second year of life, 500ml of breastmilk provides: 95% of Vitamin C requirements, 45% of Vitamin A requirements,38% of protein requirements,31% of energy requirements. More nutritional Benefits of Breastmilk in the Second Year Breastmilk remains a valuable source of protein, fat, calcium, and vitamins well beyond two years of age. Calorie Content of Breast Milk Breastmilk is calculated as having 20 calories per ounce. Various studies have concluded that the caloric content of human milk varies from mother to mother. And there we have it. There's so much more, but this is T13. :)

I've often wondered

if I am the only one who felt that when those little teeth comes, my baby ain't such a baby no more. Like they've grown up a little, and now I could start to yearn for another little one.

I was feeding D4-the-baby tonight when I made a mistake of grabbing my new Sherilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter book. It's a really good book, so I take every opportunity to read it here and there. I am halfway through it. Anyway, my baby noticed right away that my gaze have drifted away.

First he complained by crying that pitiful sounding cry. It will make your heart ache listening to him. Except for the fact that there's no tears falling, of course. So I did what any self-respecting mother would do. I pretended to have stopped reading, and keep on reading anyway at a slightly different angle. Ah, the eye-strain I suffer for books I like!

Then I felt it...those sharp little needles, the angry look, and the strong impression of someone trying really hard at something. My first thought as a mother, I am proud of him for trying whatever. He's only 5 months, but he knows to try. Then a millisecond later, ouch! He's biting me!

Here he is soothing his gums because it's very traumatic when teeth first comes in. I am not sure yet if he's realized that now, he can really enforce his "rules" He now has joined the "soft voice, with a big stick" league. I am afraid of teeth. I mean, I've been bitten quite a few times obviously, and I am scared of it.




I feel like I must make no sudden movements, don't show fear. I am happy and sad all at once that my baby is growing older by another month. Pretty soon, he'll be bringing home the girl of his dreams, letting me met his future bride. Oy vey!

Fight Club Rules of Breastfeeding

I noticed that with each child, my breastfeeding experience are never the same. For example, my daughter would refuse to look at me, even as she breastfeed off me, if I am late to bring her dinner. I kid you not! Imagine a 4 months old baby snubbing you. She was so displeased with me, she absolutely refused to look at me. It's pretty funny. I can still picture it.

My first son would pinch me if I am loud while feeding him. My second son would make a fist and hit me if he's unhappy with the taste of my milk. My third son would bite me if I hum while he is eating. They did other things, but those were unique to each of my children.

My fourth son has now set the laws of breastfeeding. He's 5 months old, getting ready to sit up. He can now support himself on both hands and on his knees. I might have to lower his crib so he doesn't get any brilliant ideas like jumping off the crib when my back is turned.

I have noticed that I am not supposed to read a book while he's eating. When he's feeding, I am to only look at him in the face, exchange smiles and grins. The moment my hand creeps to pick a book to read, he stops eating, look at me and cry really loud. Below is the first warning look I get if I so much as pick up a book to read it.

When you're a mother, you can start to tell what kind of cry your baby gives you.There a cry for pick-me-up-I'm-bored-here, put-me-down-I-don't-want-to-be-held, or I'm-hungry-come-already, or I-don't-want-that-person-near-me. There is a special cry for everything. When I am breastfeeding him and I pick a book, I get the don't-even-think-about-it cry.

That is rule number 1. No reading while I am feeding his royal-diaperness. That's him below, asleep on the floor while playing. I let him sleep there longer because he's so cute asleep.

I am also starting to notice that another rule is emerging into the picture. No talking, or looking at TV. Even when he's asleep and I look up the TV to catch up on my Grey Anatomy, he'll wake up long enough to glare at me.

Also, another big thing. I must never recline while feeding him. This would make him so unhappy he couldn't possibly eat. All those above, plus no one must stand near his head while he eats or he stops eating and cry instead.

These rules were set down recently, and all by a little baby who couldn't say a word. That's power for you!