Any other mamas feel a bit overwhelmed with all of the things we hear that are best to do for our baby? I've already decided to keep EPing longer than 6 months, but was excited that we are starting solids. Now I feel the pressure, though, to be a good mama and make all of his food because it's better. It just seems overwhelming to me to work all day, pump periodically, cook dinner, keep the house clean, play with baby, do night time routine including bath, reading, etc, and then make all of his food on top of that! Maybe I'm just venting but gosh I feel exhausted and like I can never do it all the right way!
BFP #1: 05/2012 DS born 12/30/12
BFP #2: 02/2014 Natural M/C 03/2014 @ 7 weeks
BFP #3: 06/2014 EDD: 02/17/2015 M/C @ 7w2d, D&E 7/15/14
Re: Mama Guilt/Stress
Personally it doesn't matter to me whether someone breastfeeds or formula feeds, cloth diapers or uses disposables, makes their own baby food or buys baby food. You are taking care of your baby. I was going to TRY and make baby food and freeze it, mostly to save money. BUT I was going to do this before I go back to work next month. Once I go back to work I have a feeling I'll be more about convenience than worrying about making my own food.
This..
..and this.
There is just too much out there and not enough hours in the day. I'd go insane if I tried to keep up on every little best thing out there. I cloth diaper most times, but I sposie overnight and on long trips for convenience. I let DS play baby games on my smartphone and laptop sometimes... always with me there talking to him about what he's doing. I breast feed, but I supplement formula without worrying about it. I started DS on solids before 6 months, but I have been lazy with the making baby food and freezing it thing so it's been hit and miss when he gets it. I figure as long as he's getting his milk it's nbd at this age.
I have tomorrow off and bought a bunch of fruits and veggies today. I hope DS cooperates with my plan to cook, freeze, and store a bunch of food so I can get on a better schedule with that. I HOPE to be able to have one big cooking baby food day a month... I think that would be manageable. There is no way I'm making a new puree after work every day. If the cooking day doesn't work out I'll look into store bought food. Like PPs said... as long as your kid is taken care of the details are just details.
The very reason it is so easy to feel mommy guilt is because there are so many different paths we can take in our parenting choices. We have to choose what works best for our own LOs and not worry about what other mommies are doing with their LOs. Don't stress over getting everything just right. Do what you want/can and let the rest go. A sane, happy mom is the best thing you can give your baby.
I go to school, clean house, cook dinner, EP, and make my own purees... sometimes it gets stressful... but I'm glad my husband is here to help me, I write everything down step by step not that he's a moron but this keeps him from asking me questions on what to do next I am coming up on 6 months of EPing and I have decided to keep going to a year... I only get 5-9 oz every 4hrs so if this means I have to give DD formula so be it. I think there is so much pressure for moms these days that the information scares them... I personally take every information with a grain of salt... I chose to make my own baby food while I was pregnant and my SIL has helped me a lot on how to make it. Sometimes pumping sucks, especially when you have to pump all day but I do it for my baby and I at least want to give her what I can... but all this information out there about formula fed babies or mixed fed babies makes me sick, simply because of scare tactics they put on moms.... I use disposible diapers and I have yet to have a blow out and I use the Target brand... I give DD rice oatmeal and I have not had any problems with her tummy hurting, we also give her other purees... I guess what I am trying to say take your time on everything, no rush...Do a couple of purees at a time, trust me it gets easier and don't be afraid to ask for help...
yes, and I do agree that TB and other chat boards make it worse because they are full of women who say one thing, but don't necessarily do it. And a lot of SAHM's with more time
You don't have to do it all. As far as purees, I plan on just making my own of the simple stuff. Like grabbing a banana or avocado because I can easily mash it with a fork. She's just starting out so 1 banana or avocado lasts 3 or 4 feedings just in the fridge. Maybe some weekend I'll puree some veggies and fruits that need to be steamed or cooked and freeze it, but if I have to buy some store bought because I don't have time, no big deal. You just have to realize that you don't have to do it all yourself to have a normal, healthy child.
Violet Mae born 1/15/13
Not that mamma guilt or stress goes away when you have a second or third baby - you just understand how to manage it a little more (I won't say better) - and I've got to tell you, whether you make baby food or buy it or have some fancy chef in NYC make it and deliver it to your door - your baby will be healthy and well - and it won't matter. It really won't.
When I asked my mom about the1 thing she would do differently if she had to raise us 3 kids all over again, she said "feed you organic food as babies/toddlers." So I decided to take that to heart and educate myself, and feed my kiddos as much organic/natural food as possible. (just as a personal decision). But I do not make it all myself. Thankfully we live in 2013 where you can invest in this at a lot of nearby stores - good quality, nutritionally dense, prepared organic food. It's expensive - but the convenience and time savings outweighs that for me. And I consider it an investment. Investing in their health now to avoid paying huge health care bills later to "undo/fix" what poor choices early in life may have contributed to. I don't go out, or buy clothes/shoes/jewelry/movies/cars - my kids just eat healthy (albiet expensive) prepared (in many cases) food. And that's my decision.
None of us get a special star from anyone for feeding our kids homemade food, or organic food, or anything - just feed your baby the best you can, and call it a day.