To all the ladies who tried BF and could not continue for various reasons I feel your pain. I feel like a terrible mother for not being able to get his latch right and cut out dairy and soy for his allergy. I hate myself for it, but know I have to do what I have to do.
I don't BF anymore and I don't miss it at all. I still pump but don't get a lot. I kind of can't wait for the day that I don't bring the pump to work as I lug that thing around on the bus and only come home with (maybe) four fucking ounces. First thing my coworker (who has a 10 month old) did when she saw me back at work was grill me about breastfeeding. "Did you try fenugreek? Did you try lactation cookies? Oatmeal? Beer?" Etc etc etc etc. Then she came back five minutes later and dropped a box of "mother's milk" tea off on my desk. Which was nice of her. But kind of made me feel like shit because for whatever reason I haven't felt compelled to go the extra mile to BF my child. I would never call it "gross" though!
I went back to work last week (edit - I went back 2 weeks ago.. ugh the sleep deprivation is killing me), and DS also turned 12 weeks, and my perfect sleeper has turned into a terrible, nightmare of a sleeper. I've tried everything and I'm getting to the point of trying CIO.. which breaks my heart. But I'm getting desperate.
Also, I still have hemorrhoids. 12 weeks later. UGH.
We tried and tried to BF, and my boobs wouldn't cooperate. People ask me all the time if I am "still breastfeeding", and when I say that sadly no, we tried for a month and my milk never came in, every damn person becomes a critical BF expert. "Did you try (insert xyz)?" Um, how about fuck you very much! I wanna throw a water balloon at every asshole who asks if I drank enough water.
Sullivan is thriving on formula and it ended up being very good for my family but it is still a sore spot. People are tactless.
This! I EP (wouldn't latch) for 3 months and never got more than 8 oz a day despite trying EVERYTHING,. It's a very sensitive topic and can't stand when randoms critisize or offer "advice"
Thought of another one - the teachers at Aiden's daycare told DH they love that Aiden's socks match his outfits a lot of the time... OMG when did I become that mom?!!
There are days I get annoyed his bibs don't match... :-\"
When I get the question - is he breastfed? I say no, he gets formula and move on. It's nobody's damn business how or why I feed my kid the way I do. Women shouldn't have to offer any reason for their choice, but I understand why some moms throw people a bone to shut them up. But this also perpetuates the thought that women need to have an excuse not to BF. An excuse is a reason meant to defend or justify a fault or offense (thanks Google). Me not breastfeeding is neither of those things.
Sorry - rant over.
I have never once asked someone if she was breast feeding her baby. Why do people feel like it is any of their business??
MC #1 January 2013 DS born 4/06/14 MC #2 August 2015 CP November 2015 MC#3 January 2016 BFP 5/11/16 EDD 1/19/17
I just remembered a good one! I used to write people's essays for money in University. I'd make anywhere from $150-$300 per essay, it was pretty lucrative.
I love writing essays, I wish I had any kind of accent than my michigan one, and I'm pretty sure my baby is one of the most beautiful babies so thank you and you're welcome.
FFFC: this isn't really flammable, but it's a confession! The first day H and I met, we ended up making out in the girls bathroom at a hotel. It was a college game day, and I was quite the make out whore in my day!
Not sure if this is a FFFC or UO, but I'm one of those moms whose life revolves around my kid. And I have no shame about it! I may feel differently as he gets older, but for now, give me all the cuddling.
There are some days I "mourn" my crazy, single lifestyle, but then we spend a Friday night on the couch watching SOA with our pups and LO, and I realize life is good.
I just remembered a good one! I used to write people's essays for money in University. I'd make anywhere from $150-$300 per essay, it was pretty lucrative.
I am not sure how I feel about this one. It doesn't make me stabby, I just don't know if I care or not. I was an excellent writer. Maybe I still am, I don't know. I never choose to do it. My writing professor would always tell me how jealous she was of my ability and I never had the heart to tell her that I did most of it last minute. I wish I truly enjoyed writing, because it is the one thing I truly feel skilled at and don't feel nervous "bragging" about. It's like my one pride outside of my kids and housekeeping.
I could have made SO much money, but I would have hated giving lazy fuckers my work. Oh, and the whole "against school policy" thing. Yeah, that too.
March 2017 September Siggy Challenge: Favorite Fall Things
FFFC - I am such a loser that I am sitting here hoping that my baby is in the "extra cute" pile y'all are thinking about. I hope she is the most popular, gold medal, prom queen, girl in all the land. And if you say anything to huge contrary I will scratch you.
I don't know what a lot of social media is all about. Instagram, tumblr, etc? I got nothin'.
This is more of a UO but I actually love social media; it just takes so much time to keep up with. I wish there was an extra hour in the day for me to Pinterest /FB/Instagram/MFP/etc. I do not have a Twitter or a Tumblr/blog though. I feel like Twitter is redundant with the other outlets I use and I do nothing blog-worthy.
March 2017 September Siggy Challenge: Favorite Fall Things
Oh, I have an FFFC. I never know what is going on in the world because I don't watch TV or read the newspaper. It could be a major world event and I have no idea until someone comments about it on Facebook. I'll be like "wait, what happened?" I feel like I do have a responsibility to be informed but I shirk it way too often.
March 2017 September Siggy Challenge: Favorite Fall Things
Oh, I have an FFFC. I never know what is going on in the world because I don't watch TV or read the newspaper. It could be a major world event and I have no idea until someone comments about it on Facebook. I'll be like "wait, what happened?" I feel like I do have a responsibility to be informed but I shirk it way too often.
This is me. My husband will be all, "did you hear about this news story?" And I'm like, um, no, you didn't tell me about it yet.
Oh, I have an FFFC. I never know what is going on in the world because I don't watch TV or read the newspaper. It could be a major world event and I have no idea until someone comments about it on Facebook. I'll be like "wait, what happened?" I feel like I do have a responsibility to be informed but I shirk it way too often.
This is how I am too but I choose to ignore the news because all it does it give me anxiety about DH being sent off to war. So, I call it being "blissfully ignorant."
FFFC: this isn't really flammable, but it's a confession! The first day H and I met, we ended up making out in the girls bathroom at a hotel. It was a college game day, and I was quite the make out whore in my day!
The younger version of myself would make you blush.
Yes! At four days old, DD landed in the ER bc she was dehydrated. Her doctor tried to bully and shame me into FF. At that point I was hating BF-ing so much I was ready to quit. If it weren't for my mom insisting the hospital send down the most wonderful lactation consultant in the world, I'd have given up right then and there. I really don't care what other mothers and families choose to do, but I'm really grateful for my mom swooping in at that moment in the er when I was totally vulnerable. Almost three months in, I really love BF-ing and think it's so convenient!
This reminds me of the head LC the hospital when A was born. A was in danger of losing too much weight because my milk hadn't come in yet and her pedi said we should supplement with formula. When DH mentioned that to one of the student nurses who was getting ready to give A her Hep vaccine, the LC shot him a death glare and DH was all deer-in-the-headlights, lol.
If any medical professional had shot my husband a death glare as a brand new dad repeating another medical professional's advice, I would have lost it and requested they leave. Ain't nobody got time for that awful bedside manner!!!
We thought it was funny because I had no intention of supplementing A unless she dropped past the weight limit and wouldn't be allowed home. XD
A14 Siggy Challenge (November): Favorite Fall Smell
I hate when people make their southern accent stronger when they get around certain people. Per the book, I'm definetly considered a redneck or country (fishing, hunting, truck loving, live in the country, ect) but I do not fake a southern accent.
I do say y'all like it's going out of style though. Always have always will.
I don't fake a southern accent but it does get much stronger when I'm around people with strong accents or when I go home. It drives me nuts and honestly it's embarrassing and I try to stop which probably just makes me look like a crazy person going in and out of an accent. I always hope people don't think I'm making fun of them or faking it but I really can't help it.
Regarding the breast feeding thing it drives me nuts when people say they think everyone should at least try it. I knew I didn't want to and I didn't. My best friend EBF both of her boys for 6 months because she felt like she was supposed to and she never liked doing it, the only thing that kept her going was that it was free. I don't think it's gross, there's no secret trauma and most of the people I know at least tried it. I will say I've watched a lot of friends and family really struggle with it, emotionally and physically and I'm sure that had a big effect on me not wanting to. Mostly though parenting is hard enough and formula feeding seemed easier so I felt no need to make it harder on myself for something I didn't really care about.
I have something flammable. I don't understand why everyone has to post when they nursed in public. Like, good for you? This has nothing to do with my breastfeeding feels I admitted to. You're feeding your baby. Not a big deal.
I did in RTT when I did it for the first time because I was proud of myself. I didn't know I'd ever have the courage to do it. It would be the same as if I had like changed my oil by myself for the first time or something. Just bragging about an accomplishment. I don't think I would have considered it an accomplishment if I wasn't nervous to do it though, therefore wouldn't have said anything about it.
February Siggy Challenge: Favorite TV couple ~ Jim & Pam
I don't care whether anyone chooses /needs to boob or FF for whatever reason, or whether or not they feel the need to try, but I find it weird when people say FF is easier.
Maybe I'm just choosing to forgetabout the first couple weeks of pain and I'm lucky to have adequate supply, but thinking about mixing and bottling formula, cleaning bottles, heating bottles (and the wait time attached), especially in the middle of the night with a crying baby and a two storey house, FF DOES NOT sound easier.
I have something flammable. I don't understand why everyone has to post when they nursed in public. Like, good for you? This has nothing to do with my breastfeeding feels I admitted to. You're feeding your baby. Not a big deal.
I understand where you are coming from. I personally post about it because the only way we are ever going to get to the point where NIP isn't a big deal, and doesn't make people uncomfortable is to have more mom's willing to do it. The more that mom's that hear about others doing it and see others doing it, the more they will be willing to do it. It just needs to be normalized. Then it won't be a big deal.
Chase was born 4/23/2011
Carlene was born 4/18/2014 A14 siggy challenge: Junk Food
I hate washing bottles and if I was ff I would definitely have twenty dirty ones in the sink at all times. Or maybe I would actually use my dishwasher. I think breast feeding in the winter is going to be much harder because what to wear when nursing will have to be thought out a little better. Right now I pretty much just wear tank tops or stretchy blouses because that's all I have that fits anyway
Why do my boobs look so good? Then I peed on a stick...
I don't care whether anyone chooses /needs to boob or FF for whatever reason, or whether or not they feel the need to try, but I find it weird when people say FF is easier.
Maybe I'm just choosing to forgetabout the first couple weeks of pain and I'm lucky to have adequate supply, but thinking about mixing and bottling formula, cleaning bottles, heating bottles (and the wait time attached), especially in the middle of the night with a crying baby and a two storey house, FF DOES NOT sound easier.
My kid is deprived and doesn't drink heated up bottles. We pre-measure out bottles and water to be mixed up when he's hungry, and we keep a few on hand pretty much all the time. Bottles honestly aren't that much different than keeping up with dishes, I toss them in sterilizer bags once a week or so. Waaaay less work than pumping, no leaky boobs, DH can help...
The choice of bras and clothing is an excellent point - I HATE nursing bras. I have a feeling though that even when I eventually wean, leaks will probably still happen :S
I don't care whether anyone chooses /needs to boob or FF for whatever reason, or whether or not they feel the need to try, but I find it weird when people say FF is easier.
Maybe I'm just choosing to forgetabout the first couple weeks of pain and I'm lucky to have adequate supply, but thinking about mixing and bottling formula, cleaning bottles, heating bottles (and the wait time attached), especially in the middle of the night with a crying baby and a two storey house, FF DOES NOT sound easier.
My kid is deprived and doesn't drink heated up bottles. We pre-measure out bottles and water to be mixed up when he's hungry, and we keep a few on hand pretty much all the time. Bottles honestly aren't that much different than keeping up with dishes, I toss them in sterilizer bags once a week or so. Waaaay less work than pumping, no leaky boobs, DH can help...
Same here Jess. My kiddo takes her shit room temp! So much easier and I really don't mind washing bottles once a day.
I pre fill bottles with water and dump in the powder when she's ready to eat. No heating, ready in 10 seconds, and easy. I wash bottles by hand once a day.
I pre fill bottles with water and dump in the powder when she's ready to eat. No heating, ready in 10 seconds, and easy. I wash bottles by hand once a day.
This, except I just toss most of the bottles in the dishwasher when I do other dishes.
I BF and FF DD and I can say both have their advantages.
FF at night sucked because I was spoiled by being able to just pick her up and nurse rather than going into the kitchen to get a bottle. I also hated cleaning bottles and carrying everything around.
However, wearing whatever I wanted and being able to feed her comfortably, wherever I wanted was easier. Not to mention other people being able to feed her was nice too.
Re: FFFC
I'm still very upset by it but def happier FF
DS born 4/06/14
MC #2 August 2015
CP November 2015
MC#3 January 2016
BFP 5/11/16 EDD 1/19/17
There are some days I "mourn" my crazy, single lifestyle, but then we spend a Friday night on the couch watching SOA with our pups and LO, and I realize life is good.
I could have made SO much money, but I would have hated giving lazy fuckers my work. Oh, and the whole "against school policy" thing. Yeah, that too.
A14 Siggy Challenge (November): Favorite Fall Smell
Regarding the breast feeding thing it drives me nuts when people say they think everyone should at least try it. I knew I didn't want to and I didn't. My best friend EBF both of her boys for 6 months because she felt like she was supposed to and she never liked doing it, the only thing that kept her going was that it was free. I don't think it's gross, there's no secret trauma and most of the people I know at least tried it. I will say I've watched a lot of friends and family really struggle with it, emotionally and physically and I'm sure that had a big effect on me not wanting to. Mostly though parenting is hard enough and formula feeding seemed easier so I felt no need to make it harder on myself for something I didn't really care about.
Maybe I'm just choosing to forgetabout the first couple weeks of pain and I'm lucky to have adequate supply, but thinking about mixing and bottling formula, cleaning bottles, heating bottles (and the wait time attached), especially in the middle of the night with a crying baby and a two storey house, FF DOES NOT sound easier.
I think breast feeding in the winter is going to be much harder because what to wear when nursing will have to be thought out a little better. Right now I pretty much just wear tank tops or stretchy blouses because that's all I have that fits anyway
Then I peed on a stick...
I QUIT MY JOB TODAYYYYYYYYY.
SAHM life here I come.
FFFC -- I am super jealous. I won't say that tomorrow without a drink in me.
Edit: quote fail.
Ha. I've mostly been feeling slightly freaked out about the whole thing, but after two high octane IPAs I'm finally starting to feel festive.
I still have about 5 weeks before I'm truly finished, but the notice has been officially given!
FF at night sucked because I was spoiled by being able to just pick her up and nurse rather than going into the kitchen to get a bottle. I also hated cleaning bottles and carrying everything around.
However, wearing whatever I wanted and being able to feed her comfortably, wherever I wanted was easier. Not to mention other people being able to feed her was nice too.
I still thought BF was easier overall.