Preggie Pals

bond

Nursing and the Military

March 26th, 2013 by Julia Young

Nursing in public. NIP. It’s a pretty controversial topic as of late. All over the country women are being shunned. They are being kicked out of store after store. Restaurant after restaurant. Shamed for covering. Shamed for not covering. Asked to nurse in bathrooms.

Federal Law states:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a woman may breastfeed her child at any location in a Federal building or on Federal property, if the woman and her child are otherwise authorized to be present at the location.

This doesn’t state that the woman is only allowed to nurse in bathrooms. Only allowed to nurse with a cover. This doesn’t state that the woman is only allowed to nurse the way others deem appropriate. (more…)

Reverse Cycling: Be Careful What You Wish For!

February 22nd, 2013 by Anita Story

When I went back to work part-time at my baby’s three month birthday, I’d hoped that he would resort to reverse cycling in order to maximize our time together. I wanted him to need me. And yes, I wanted him to make up for lost time by nursing all night long. And he did exactly as I wished. Wow, we have such a special bond. He instinctively knows how to maximize his time with me. I just can’t get enough of this baby!! (more…)

How Breastfeeding Changed My Life

October 7th, 2012 by Shannon Stubbs

When we first discovered I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to breastfeed.  To be honest, I’m not sure why I knew that, but using formula never occurred to me.  When my daughter was born, we jumped on the breastfeeding train.  But we hit some bumps along the way.  A huge bump – like a struggle with low supply.  I remember sitting there for those first few days when we were home bawling my eyes out!  My sweet little girl was losing weight – over a pound.  They told me, breastfeed her, pump, feed that to her, offer her formula.  This consumed my day, not to mention exhausted me!  But I would do anything to get her to gain weight.

John kept telling me, it’s not a big deal.  Who cares?  Just give her formula.  He didn’t get it!  As if my hormones weren’t already off the chart, I couldn’t stop crying.  I mean, how could I be a good mom if I couldn’t even make enough milk to feed my baby?  This poor girl had no chance because I was failing already!  That is when it really hit me – I didn’t just want to breastfeed my baby, I had to breastfeed my baby!  If it didn’t work, I felt I was failing.  So we nursed, and pumped and offered her formula. (more…)

Confessions of a Distracted Mommy

July 2nd, 2012 by Lauren Sweeney

When I hear other new mothers talk about breastfeeding, they often say things like “I just love gazing endlessly into my baby’s eyes,” or “It’s such a wonderful way for us to bond.” I usually smile and nod in knowing agreement, all of us aglow with the joy of being an Attentive Mommy, but on the inside I feel a wave of shame wash over me because that is not at all how it goes down at my house. There are no Madonna and Child loving gazes here. See, I have a confession to make: I am not an Attentive Mommy…I am a Distracted Mommy. (more…)