Read Part 1...
Continue readingRead Part 1...
Continue readingIf you recall, we had gone to the hospital on the evening of September 29, only to be sent back home because I was only 1cm dilated and showed no signs of progress. And while I had been getting regular contractions, they tapered off by about 4am on the morning on September 30, leading me to believe that I had, in fact, experienced false labor. Disappointed, I closed my eyes once more, determined to get some sleep. That, it turns out, was a great idea because I would require as much rest as possible for the approaching day...
Continue readingMotherhood: The Most Difficult Journey Yet (Part 1) Motherhood: The Most Difficult Journey Yet (Part 2) Motherhood: The Most Difficult Journey Yet (Part 3) Motherhood: The Most Difficult Journey Yet (Part 4) Do what works best for you and your family. I repeat: Do what works best for you and your family. Books, articles, and internet forums are great sources of information and advice. But don't drive yourself crazy trying to follow everything to the teeth. Because as soon as I decided to take my mother's advice and cut down on my marathon pumping sessions, I actually started producing MORE milk. Additionally, I was better-rested, less stressed, and gave my nipples a chance to heal. I gradually cut down my pumping sessions from every 2 hours to every...
Continue readingMotherhood: The Most Difficult Journey Yet (Part 1) Motherhood: The Most Difficult Journey Yet (Part 2) Before I begin, I wanted to thank everyone for the supportive and helpful comments and advice. It really is encouraging to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. At the same time, I couldn't help but notice that not one person has stepped in to say, "It's okay to formula-feed. Not breastfeeding your child does not make you a bad mother." Isn't it funny the tremendous pressure and guilt-trips put on new mothers these days to breastfeed? There is a whole generation of people who were formula-fed, and they seem to be doing fine. I personally know many babies, children, and adults who were...
Continue readingMotherhood: The Most Difficult Journey Yet (Part 1) Breastfeeding. I always knew I wanted to breastfeed. "Babies are born to be breastfed," La Leche League tells us. Breastmilk is chock-full of nutrients and antibodies that can't be replicated with formula. It is linked to less health problems for the baby later in life. It helps the mother bond with the baby, ward off post-partum depression, and even assists in post-partum weight loss. It is free. It is natural. Breast is best. Breastfeeding came naturally and relatively easy to my mother, and since so many of my pregnancy symptoms had mimicked hers — in addition to the fact that I have her body type — I had figured that it would come easily to me...
Continue reading