Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2011

This week is breastfeeding awareness week, and with it being a cause so close to my heart (literally!) it would be rude not to write a few words about it!

Breastfeeding is absolutely the best thing that you can do for you and your baby. It passes on vital antibodies to your baby and protects you from breast and ovarian cancer. 

I don't want to bang on too much about it as I know that it can create very heated arguments, however I want everyone to know that once you get going, breastfeeding is easy! And please don't be afraid to ask for help, be it asking for hubby to make a cup of tea, to calling a peer supporter up for help with feeding problems.

Surestart centres have a wealth of knowledge and people like me. Peer Supporters. Peer Supporters are Mum's who have probably been through what you have and are fully trained to help with all aspects of breastfeeding.

I am now a qualified Peer Supporter, see the photo of me graduating on Tuesday! And am willing and able to provide any information needed, whether you are pregnant and deciding between your options or what not :)

Me with my certificate!

Louie and I are still on our breastfeeding journey at 17 months tomorrow, we are still going strong with no signs of stopping yet!

Achievement

I never thought that I wouldn't breastfeed my children, it was just a given. It is the most natural thing in the world. When it came to it, I was so lucky that we got on so well. I presumed I would stop at six months but six months came around and it seemed absurd to stop. My plan was to maybe feed to a year, then a year came around and again, it just didn't feel right to stop, I didn't want to, Louie certainly didn't want to so why give up on a good thing!
We are at 13 months now and I have been accepted onto a Breast Feeding Peer Support Programme.
I am utterly thrilled at the fact that I will be able to help other people, as sometimes I think it is too easy to give up, and I believe that many people regret the choices they have made.

I will keep you all posted on my progress, I cannot wait to start!

My Little Baby is One

A year ago yesterday, I gave birth to my beautiful little boy at 5:30am, Leicester Royal Infirmary by Cesarean section. He weighed 7lbs 4 ozs and was totally perfect. Although I didn't get to meet him until he was nearly 3 hours old, he fed beautifully straight away, an absolute pro.

He was so tiny, but so perfect.
How he is a big boy, walking around everywhere, interested in everything, so caring and giving. I am so proud of him, and that he is mine!

To celebrate this special day, we took Louie to the zoo. I didn't get many photos but Rachel did, and I will like to her blog when she uploads the photos which will be totally amazing!
Louie really loved the monkeys, and didn't want to leave them! They were by far his favourite. He enjoyed running around and getting all muddy and having some freedom! It was his first proper walk, and he loved it.

 Then we went home to make our dinner, and the rainbow came out again! This time it was Rachel's beautiful creation!

 And we had home made pizza for Louie's birthday tea, followed by birthday cake of course!

And yay for my 100th blog post too!

Fluffy Heaven!

Today I visited Laura, the owner of Fill Your Pants  I popped by for a natter and to buy some (boring) bits from her. Only some more wipes, solution and vest extenders! Laura is lovely, and I got to meet her husband and her little boy Walker, who is gorgeous!
It was very tempting being around all those nappies though, I did spy a Birdcage Mini La La, but I have enough... I have enough!

Went round to the breastfeeding support group afterwards. It was PACKED! 13 Mums there! I felt awful as Louie is into everything, crawling, walking and literally terrorizing everyone and everything, so we sat in a corner on our own :(. We are now the most experienced breastfeeders in the group, rocking up to 9 1/2 months and counting!

Controversial Parenting

I recently have been subjected to some abuse over the parenting styles I have chosen. I am perfectly happy in the choices I have made, and firmly believe that I am doing the best I can for my son.
I was accused of having more money than sense. This has been bothering me profoundly. How can choosing to live a more natural life possibly be more costly than a consumer based lifestyle. My collection of slings combined with my pushchair still wouldn't add up to the cost of her solitary pushchair.
I have no problems with the way other people raise their children, as they are their parents and they know their children best. I do have a problem with people being closed minded about other styles of parenting.
I used disposables for the first few months of my sons life, due to lack of knowledge about a) the nasties in disposables and b) about how easy it would be to get into them. I have been accused of being 'disgusting' and 'cruel' for using them. I would never dream of saying that about someone using disposable nappies. In my opinion, I can advise of the advantages of cloth, but would never say 'you're a bad parent for using disposable nappies' or even look down my nose at them.
I have also been abused for my opinions on breastfeeding. How I feed my son is my choice. I want to bond with my son through nursing, whilst providing comfort and love. All the health benefits are just a massive bonus. If a mother wants to formula feed from birth, thats her choice, which she is entitled to. I do believe babies are born to breastfeed, and that why shouldn't we use this fantastic resource we are given to its advantage, but if they don't see it that way then thats fine.
When I was pregnant, I planned to breastfeed but if it didn't work out, then I would give formula. Thankfully it has never come to this, and I plan to feed for as long as Louie wants. He has now dropped all his day time feeds, and just feeds through the night. I had hoped to feed him until he was three but I'm not so sure that that is what he will want. I will stop when he wants to stop.

What is wrong with following your babies cues? Or wanting to hold your baby close to you rather than push them in a chair? Or wanting to nurture them through nursing?

I don't question what is seen as 'conventional' parenting, so why should I receive such negativity about how I raise my children?

Breastfeeding a Big Boy!

We are now in our 8th month of breastfeeding and as I write this, Louie is having some milkies!
He is sat on my lap drinkin, it would probably look very bizarre to most people but Lou is comfortable and enjoying himself!
He has splatter marks all over his chest from where he has unlatched to thoughtfully lick his lips and milk hasnt stopped flowing but covered us both instead!

I love feeding my son and have no intention of stopping any time soon. He loves it and so do I :)

6 Month Milestone!

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to breast feed. There was no doubt in my mind about that, I would have a baby, and feed it the natural way.
When I became pregnant and had to make those kinds of decisions, I knew I would give breast feeding the best effort that I could, but if it wasn't working out for us, I would formula feed. I had decided to be as laid back as possible.

I am so proud to have fed my son for 6 months. It is a terrific achievement for me, especially as so many people fall at the first hurdle. I admit, Louie has had two feeds of formula, once, cup fed in the hospital as I was so poorly and exhausted that I needed some sleep, and once because we had theatre tickets and I wasn't able to pump enough milk for my boy.
And although Lou is now being weaned, his sole source of nutrients still comes from his mama and I am so proud!

He is an incredibly healthy, strong and well built little boy, and I am proud to say that it is all down to me!