Friday Thoughts
- It’s been a tough week for me. We weren’t busy but it’s been hot and my Husband and I started a new diet. This diet is going to help me break my addiction to sugar, but it’s been pretty cold turkey and I’m struggling. The diet has also got me back in the gym, so that has been a great side effect.
- I got my haircut this week! It’s been so overdue. My ends were so fried! Hair is one of those things that makes a huge difference in how you feel on a day-to-day basis. As you know, my motto is “when you look better, you feel better, and you do better”. If it’s coloring your hair at home or finding a Groupon for your cut, do what you need to do! Loving your hair is a necessity!
- It’s world breastfeeding week and I’m on a mission to let the new moms out there know that if they are struggling, they aren’t the only ones! Breastfeeding is SO HARD for so many of us. I had no idea how hard it was when Cora was born and it made me feel inadequate and depressed. I didn’t understand why something so natural was so difficult for me. I felt like a failure. I felt so alone and too embarrassed to tell my Lactation Consultant what was really happening. The second time around I knew better, and we figured out the reason I struggle is due to Reynaud’s Phenomenon. It will always be a struggle for me but now I have the knowledge of how to make it work for me.
- Oh, Sh*t! This one is for all the cursing Mama’s out there! Last week my oldest, 2 days in a row, said: “Oh my, holy sh*t, what is this?”. HA HA HA! Hubby and I did everything we could to keep a straight face the first time, serious poker faces. When she said it again the next day I knew I had to talk to her. Now she knows to use shoot instead. If only mommy could learn because this week Bexley dropped the TV remote and the batteries popped out. “Sh*t”, she said in the cutest little toddler voice you’ve ever heard! I can’t be mad. Oddly I was almost proud! They both used it in the correct context. Ugh! How do you swearing mommies deal with the parrots? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
- Bexley has graduated from her crib to a big girl bed. Now Cora wants to sleep with her instead of us, which is so super sweet and makes my heart melt, but it hasn’t been going very well. If I put them down at the same time they play and get out of bed. Neither of them used to get out of the bed ever. I don’t want to start a new trend. When I try to sneak Cora in there we are successful most of the time, but she likes the door open and if I forget to close it she ends up coming out of the room almost sleep walking. If you have any advice on transitioning them to sleep together I’d love to hear it! Comment below, pretty, pretty, please!
Favorite MUST HAVES for the Nursing Mama
- Milk Snob covers are the BEST! I give them to all my friends for gifts. They can be used in so many different ways. Check out their Instagram!
- Hand Pump and Pumping bra are essentials if you are going to be pumping. I loved having a hand pump in the car. If we were traveling for a long period of time I could give her a bottle as we drove and nurse when we arrived.
- Water Bottle! You have to stay hydrated when you are nursing to keep your milk supply up. I’d keep some snacks handy too, I had a tendency to skip lunch and would get a little hangry. Or a lot… depends on who you ask.
- For your boobies, you need a Nipple Shield, Hot/Cold Compress, and some Nipple Butter. These will help prevent raw nipples, engorgement, and mastitis. Trust me, you NEED them!
- If you are nursing Baby #2, you absolutely need to learn to breastfeed in sling or carrier. I would highly recommend it for first-time babes too. It gives you a free hand and you don’t have to stop whatever you are doing when you are on the go. I also recommend some special toys or books so the sibling has something special to do while you and baby feed. It can help with the jealousy.
