The Boy Can Eat

 

(After eating a purple sweet potato for dinner.)

Jude was a pretty big baby at birth but he didn't maintain that "big baby" status very long. According to the charts at our doctor's office at 6 months Jude was only in the 20th percentile for his weight. (But according to the WHO standards he's in approximately the 60th percentile.) You see, the standard charts at your pediatrician's office don't differentiate between formula and breastfed babies. Typically, breastfed babies grow in spurts whereas formula fed babies just constantly grow. Which is why so many formula babies are bigger. However, they all start to even out after they begin toddling around.

Well, then the doctor started raising concerns about Jude's weight and I got concerned that maybe he wasn't getting enough to eat. (Even though he wasn't exceptionally fussy and ate well when he was hungry) So we started giving him some solids. It started out small but quickly developed into a feeding frenzy. However, even with the addition of solids his stats weren't changing. So I decided to ignore the doctor and just go with my gut. Which was telling me everything was fine.

Now at 14 months old he's still pretty slender but eats like a horse. I attribute this to the fact that he's an active, growing boy. Not to mention his father is built the same way!

To prove that he can EAT I've recorded a sample of his daily menu. (All you moms of boys let me know if this is about average for a 14 mo old.)

Breakfast
1/4 cup of Cheerios
1 Whole Banana
1 Waffle

Nurse

Lunch
1/4 cup chicken
1/2 cup cut up grapes
1/4 cup avocado
1/4 cup pears
1 graham cracker

Nurse

Snack
1/4 cup Earth's Best Organic Banana Smiley Snacks

Dinner
1 Whole Baked Sweet Potato
1/4 cup chicken
1/2 cup strawberries
1 small yogurt for dessert

Nurse



In addition to all of this he usually ends up eating a few bites of whatever Joe and I are eating.  I am no longer concerned about his weight but I am concern about our grocery budget!!!!

Breastmilk - Never Recalled

One way we saved a ton of money is by breastfeeding. (12 mos of BFing saves approximately $1,433) Jude has been breastfed for 14 months. My initial hope was to BF for 1 year and then consider weaning but now that we're here it makes me sad to think of quitting. I'll admit it was really hard in the beginning with extreme pain, mastitis and latching issues but after 2+ months of struggling we finally hit our stride. I didn't like breastfeeding at first. It hurt. It took a look time. I always had to pee during. It consumed me, literally. But I knew it was best for my son and my only reasons for wanting to quit were selfish. Honestly we couldn't afford formula so I had to tough it out. I'm so glad I did. (It's amazing what you can do when you have no other options)

Jude exclusively breastfed for 6 mo. and then we started introducing solids. He loved him some solids but he also loved some milk. Now at 14 mo we basically only BF before sleeping. (naps and nighttime. occasionally in the morning or if he's grumpy)

I read an article today about recalled formula and then saw someone comment with this list of slogans for breastfeeding and thought they were pretty awesome.

Here are my Top 10 Breastfeeding Slogans:
1. I breastfeed because I couldn't produce enough formula.
2. Breastmilk: Never Been Recalled.
3. I drink until I pass out.
4. If breastfeeding in public disturbs you, please feel free to put a blanket over your
face.
5. My baby does not like to eat in the bathroom, do you?
6. Yes, I am still breastfeeding; get over it.
7. Formula-$10. Paci- $2. Breastfeeding - Priceless.
8. Don't be a weaner. Breastfeeding is for toddler's too!
9. When you feed your children in a bathroom, I will too.
10. Instant Happy Baby: Just add breastmilk.

Plus:
"Breastfeeding: A Moveable Feast".


I will be sad when we end our breastfeeding adventure but who knows when. I have no idea when or how to even start weaning.

At what point did you completely wean your baby if you breastfed?
How did you do it?

The Sleepy Liebs

We've learned that you are supposed to sleep when the baby sleeps but what do you do when the baby never sleeps? For the past two nights Jude has spent 5+ straight hours awake wanting to eat. I'd feed him until he unlatches/falls asleep... thinking he was done I'd put him down and 5 minutes later he's awake crying and rooting around to nurse more. I know there's more to breastfeeding than supplying Jude with food but it's hard on Joe especially since he has to get up to go to work each morning. (Obviously, he's not feeding Jude but it keeps him up and he wants to help me.) After about 6am Jude sleeps pretty well and will wake up and nurse for about an hour and go back to sleep until about noon. I think if we can adjust his current habit so his 6am trend moves more toward midnight we'd be ok but it's impossible to keep him awake when he is sleepy.
Oh Jude!

Advice from Breastfeeding Moms

Jude is working on his 3rd week of breastfeeding and it's been a challenge. I knew it would be work but I'm learning it's more work than I thought. I think once Jude and I sync up and get this breastfeeding thing down our life will be alot easier but for now it's a constant challenge.

At first he had trouble latching on, then he wasn't getting enough until my milk came in... then we had a few good days and I had an over-supply of milk and he basically had to learn how to breastfeed all over again. Now, he's latching on but it's extremely painful.... I'm hoping it is only a transitional phase but I don't want to get him used to nursing improperly. According to all my research I think we're doing everything right but who knows.

I realize most moms don't initiate much less continue with breastfeeding. I want to defy the odds and give Jude the best nourishment possible.

If any of you knowledgeable moms have any advise please share your secrets with me..... I know Jude will appreciate it and me too!

he's so smart

so i've seen these shows on tv while breastfeeding about women having multiples.... I cannot image what that would be like... one is challenging enough. I can't imagine trying to breastfeed twins... I'm guessing breastfeeding anymore is next to impossible.
jude has hit a few rough patches along the way but seems to be adjusting very well. I'm so proud of him.