Babyfeeding Update

In case anyone is actually interested in this thrilling saga...

Breastfeeding has improved since our visit to the clinic. I've only had to give Andrew bottles a handful of times. My nipples are very painful, however. My right nip in particular feels like it's on fire while he nurses. I think it's just because he's very rough with them these days. I had to stop nursing in the glider because he was pushing his legs against the arms, causing him to jerk on the nipple. Ouch!

For the past week I've been attempting to feed him solids twice a day. Along with the mashed banana, he's now tried homemade applesauce, mashed potatoes, mashed rice, and a bit of shredded chicken. Tomorrow he'll try carrots. So far he hasn't seemed to particularly like anything. I think he's still trying to figure out what to do with the food and how to swallow. Most of the food ends up on his bib. This is normal, right?

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Okay, Seriously...

I have been using my baby as an excuse for five months now and I guess it's getting a bit ridiculous. I hear about women going back to the gym within a few weeks of childbirth and I feel deeply ashamed of myself. Not only am I not exercising beyond the occasional stroll, I am also not eating particularly well. In fact, after holding steady for about three months, the scale has started to creep upwards. I am now about 16 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight. I still can't fit into most of my old clothes.

Anyone know where I can find a little motivation to get in shape?

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Five Months Old and Babyfeeding Update

My sweet little boy is five months old! I say it every month, but I have to say it again — I can't believe how quickly time is passing. How has he gotten so big? He has rolled in both directions but is not yet doing either regularly. He's finally big enough to start really enjoying his exersaucer. He loves blowing raspberries. I love our little "conversations." So much fun.

On Tuesday we went back to the breastfeeding clinic we went to when he was tiny. I was not a fan back then, but this time I actually left feeling much, much better. Of course when we breastfed there, he ate quite well and displayed none of the issues we've been having. Little stinker. I pretty much knew what they were going to say: (a) he's frustrated with the slow flow from the breast; and (b) it's time to start solids.

Their advice for starting solids is a little unusual, I think. They say to skip baby cereal altogether. Don't puree anything; fork-mashing is good enough. Don't bother giving him one new food at a time; go ahead and try three new things in one day if that's what I want to do. If I still need to supplement with formula, I should give it to him in a cup — a real cup, not a sippy cup — instead of a bottle.

They assured me that it's going to be a lot of fun. This is our first attempt at mashed bananas:


He wasn't impressed. He pushed most of it out of his mouth with a confused "yuck" face. LOL I hope he gets the hang of it soon!

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Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2008



Thanksgiving 2009



It's not hard to guess what I'm most thankful for this year!

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Just Eat, Baby!

We're still struggling. I went ahead and made an appointment with the breastfeeding clinic, but it's not until October 20. We'll have to muddle along until then and hope the problem doesn't become irreparable in the meantime. Ughh, why can't he just eat? So much of my time and energy is devoted to feeding him that I feel like I'm missing out on just enjoying him.

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Rough Patch

We're going through a very rough patch. Things improved long enough for our trip, which was nice, but went sharply downhill upon our return home. What's up with that? For the first time I'm seriously contemplating quitting breastfeeding. I'll give it another couple of days, and then, if things still suck, I'll make an appointment with the dreaded clinic, and then, if they can't help us, I'm done. I just got teary-eyed typing those two little words. I never imagined it would be this difficult for this long. I always planned to breastfeed for a year.

I'm sorry. I'm not expecting sympathy or even advice; I just need to put it out there. Maybe posting this will help me get used to the idea that I might have to stop — that stopping might even be for the good of the baby.

Argh.

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