Wednesday, August 24, 2011

reflections on mat leave (in haiku)

one and a half weeks
are left before i start school
it's gone by so fast!

these past seven months
have given me so much time
to get to know her.

we've bonded so well
breastfeeding's second nature
no formula here!

i cook all her food
nothing comes out of a jar
beets on the stove now.

i've also had time
to enter contests online
i've won many things!

four kinds of diapers
designer sunglasses, too
books and household things.

at first i thought that
daycare would give formula
i will pump instead.

leaving will be hard
harder for me than for her
but, we'll be ok.




Monday, August 08, 2011

guest post: Nava Leah

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Wednesday, August 03, 2011

World Breastfeeding Week

I have been dreading today.  Today is the day I start eliminating nursing sessions so Pickles can get used to having formula, and so my body can get used to less feedings.  I really don't want to do it and I've been putting it off.  And off.  And off.

But now I have to do it.  I'm going back to school in a month, and I need to eliminate 3 nursing sessions.  I've read that it will take about a week for my body to adjust to each eliminated feeding.  So, it's time.

I never thought I would like breastfeeding so much.  I figured I would do it because it's good for the baby, but I would be flexible, and use formula. Like most women, I didn't love it at first.  I felt like I was nursing all.  The.  Time.  I also didn't like that I had to think about what I could wear in order to be able to breastfeed (silly, I know).  But, here we are 6 months later (and in World Breastfeeding Week) and I don't want to stop.

There are so many reasons why I value breastfeeding:
1.  It's best for Pickles.
2.  There are health benefits for me, too.
3.  It's free!
4.  I don't have to shlep formula with me when I go out.
5.  No sterilising bottles.
6.  No preparing bottles.  When she's hungry, the food is always ready.  And it's always the right amount and right temperature.
7.  Her little hand over my heart while she eats (I *had* to add something mushy).

As much as I love and value breastfeeding, I don't want to pump while I am at school.  That would be much too complicated and I don't enjoy feeling like a cow.  I will still nurse in the morning, evening and night.

Ok, the time has come.  Did I mention she doesn't take a bottle?  Here we go....