Recently there's been A LOT of controversy over breast-feeding vs formula feeding, I've stayed out of these arguments because honestly, no one can win, no one person is right or wrong. Like I said in my previous post My 10 Survival Tips for Expecting Moms, you MUST do what is right for your child and you and only you can make those decisions, you can't let what's the new hype or popular argument keep you from doing what is best for your family.
For me personally, I come from the family of the Big Breast Club, breast feeding was not something that came easily to me even the slightest bit. With Hannah I tried breast feeding probably 3 weeks while supplementing with formula. Then when I was having problems with my milk production I tried pumping. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I tried or what I did, Hannah was losing weight, she was constantly hungry and my body just couldn't give her what she needed. So as much as I wanted to be a breast-feeding mommy (cost above all other reasons) I had to make the RIGHT choice for her and me and put her on formula. I experienced the same thing with Savannah but my milk was even worse off, barely producing 1 oz a day, so Savannah went onto formula much faster than her sister. Formula was much easier for both girls, they eat well, they are more than healthy and happy and even when Hannah was in daycare it was easier to handle for her provider.
I still remember being in the hospital with Savannah and a family member came to visit, I was feeding Savannah a formula bottle and she said "well, breast is best, that's what I'm going to do when I'm a mom" and I just so wanted to snap and say "well, when your a mom and you realize it's not as easy as it looks, you'll see", but instead I said "research and studies have shown that children on breast milk or formula don't grow any different, they are getting the correct nutrients and that's all that matters". Regardless of her words or any other opinion both my girls are perfectly healthy, in their correct height and weight percentages for their ages and great eaters, they even sleep better than about 50% of the breast fed babies I know.
I personally believe that formula was the best decision for me, my girls and my husband. He loves being able to feed Savannah and I love watching him interact with her during those feeding times. Having his help made sleeping so much easier as well. I would get up one time, him the next, because of formula we were able to share the responsibilities of feedings rather than it falling solely on me because of breast-feeding. Him being able to help with feedings also allowed me to not build resentment or be overly tired and get grumpy which is overall healthier for the entire family....trust me, me and grumpy don't go well together!
Again, this is my own experience and what worked for me and my family, it might not work for you and you might be great at breast-feeding and I applaud that 1,000% but don't feel like formula is the enemy or that you have to exhaust yourself and possibly hurt your child just to not get looked at wrong because you aren't breast-feeding. Just like picking out the diaper that works for your baby, not everyone likes Pampers Swaddlers but I do, some prefer Huggies but I don't, I feel this debate can go either way, but I don't think there's a right or wrong way to make sure your child is getting everything he or she should be getting nutrition wise.
Not a sermon, just a thought (I've always wanted to put that in an post!!! eeekkkk!)
These girls are my everything. They are what I live for everyday. Everyday as a SAHM isn't the easiest or the most pleasant and some days I just want to escape but whether I'm gone for 5 minutes, 5 hours or 5 days there is a whole in my heart only they can fill until I'm back with them. I'm proud to say that not everyone can do my job, it's hard work but it's the most rewarding job I've ever had!
First and foremost, any and everyone you know can give you advice, you don't have to take it and every story and experience is different for each person based on their situation so anything I have to share is definitely based purely on my own experience both as a first time mom and a 2nd time mom.
Tip #1: Expect the Unexpected! I can't stress this enough...no one and I do mean no one, not even the doctors can tell you exactly what's going to happen from your labor and delivery to your first days, weeks, months even years as a parent. Again, each person experiences something different. Be okay with adapting in the moment and taking each day as brand new, babies have a memory of seconds, not minutes, hours or even days. Every day you get a clean slate to try again.
Tip #2: Do what you believe is best for your child. You and only you know your baby, your bond is stronger than anyone else. I received a lot of flack for a long time about not breast feeding my children however I KNEW that I couldn't give them that type of feeding so I went with what I KNEW would give them the nutrition they deserved and needed. You have to do what's best for you and your baby and stand firm on it, don't let anyone tell you you are doing it wrong.
Tip #3: Take lots of pictures! They are only this small once in their lives, no matter how annoying it might seem to everyone else around you, you will want those memories and one day your baby will thank you for that snap shot (or hate you) but either way they will also have that memory on print.
Tip #4: Don't Invest in Expensive Clothes. I mean besides your nursery furniture and car seat don't go crazy on outfits or shoes or blankets. Clothes will get dirty (or outgrown very quickly), so while they are cute they aren't always worth the pricey investment.
Tip #5: Take help! I mean this one in the most serious manner...if someone offers help, take it! Let your family and friends be there as a support. I can't tell you how many days I was so exhausted I could barely keep my eyes open but ignored hubby's requests to take a nap while he watched the baby....man I wish I could get those hours back. Let people cook and clean and help all they can, because when the newness wears off they will back off and you'll be wishing you had those helping hands.
Tip #6: Take care of your health. I know this is important in pregnancy but it's vital as a new mom too. Eat well, get sleep (revisit Tip #5) and take care of yourself because if you aren't okay then baby won't be okay. This little person depends on you for everything so you have to be at your best to give them whatever they need.
Tip #7: Get out at least once a day. I don't care if it's a walk or just sitting on the porch but get out. Being cooped up in a house is very hard and I know so many new moms are scared to bring their baby out into the world but trust me you have to do it sooner or later so definitely try sooner. This will also help you with feeling good and positively taking care of yourself.
Tip #8: Find a mommy and me group. I can't tell you how vital this one was for me. None of my friends had kids when I did so I felt really alone in everything I was dealing with, once I reached out to a mommy group it was an amazing feeling to finally have other people who knew what I was dealing with.
Tip #9: Be in the moment. Enjoy those moments at bath time or even those little gas smiles after a feeding, you'll never get those back.
Tip #10: Make time for you and your significant other. SO IMPORTANT! Not only are you both new parents but you are still partners and your bond needs to remain strong. It's easy to get wrapped up in all things baby but make time for dates or even small gestures of romance. You'd be amazing at how much easier it is to make it through a rough night of a colic-ridden baby when your partner is there to support you through it rather than upset because he/she isn't getting attention they need as well.
Overall I would say that my biggest tip is just to go with the flow, enjoy it, be in the moment and relish this time, it flies by so quickly, you'll blink and it's gone. This is sometimes hard to do as a new mom but I know you can! I hope these tips helped and if you need any additional tips or have questions about anything I'm just an email, tweet or Facebook post away! :)
I LOVE Instagram...my husband doesn't understand my fascinations with the old school filters but I just love it...today's favorite moment is my girls at my mom's house today, we were having lunch at her place and randomly both girls started licking the windows on her porch doors and making faces...probably the funniest thing I've seen them do together in a couple days! I love these 2 crazy kids to the ends of the earth and just felt compelled to share their silliness :) Enjoy!
I'm SUPER excited about this, last week Amber over at The Bold and Fab Mom and I traded 10 questions and surprisingly everyone loved the idea, so this week we are adding 6 other bloggers into the mix! This is so great, I'm super excited to see what everyone's Questions and Answers are!
To make things a little easier we paired everyone up and also instead of mentioning everyone there will be links below for each blogger to add their questions and answers from their respective blogs. This is how the line up goes:
The Vanilla Housewife swapping with Mrs. AOK: A Work in Progress
Get Fit, Healthy Life swapping with Southern Mess Moms
and of course...
I am swapping with the wonderful Mrs. Tee: Love, Life, Laughter
Can't believe this many wonderful ladies wanted to participate in this and I'm so thankful for each and every one of them and their support!
Now onto my questions from Mrs. Tee:
1. Who was your favorite female character/heroine as a kid? I guess I would have to go with Super Woman...I mean she was just so cool and pretty much the only one that wasn't a blonde!
2. What was your favorite cereal as a kid? Is it weird that I didn't really eat cereal? But I guess if I had to pick one it was probably Cheerios...as an adult I like the Multi-Grain Cheerios now.
3. Were you the sporty girl or a book worm in high school? If I had to pick one I was probably sporty, I never DID any sports but I was a team manager with the JV and Varsity Football teams. When I was a freshman I joined just so I could get to know all the cooler kids haha how lame!
4. Did you walk, take the bus or get a ride to school? The 1st 2 years of school while I lived with my mom I used to get a ride of her or one of my football player friends. When I moved with my dad my junior and senior year I had a car so I was cool beans :)
5. Did you ever have a beeper/pager as a teenager? Oh yeah, do you remember 143 and 911 and 411 and all your friends had a different pager code so you knew who to call back?
6. What was your first job? I was a service cashier for a car dealership, I remember hating going to work but it got me out of school 3 times a week earlier and I had my own money and didn't have to borrow from my parents as much.
7. What's a weird fact or quirk about yourself that people may be surprised by? Maybe I've seen too many horror movies but to this day I will NOT look up into the mirror if I'm using it in the dark at nighttime, I'm paranoid to look up and see some gruesome face.
8. What's your favorite color? It's probably purple, although my husband would tell you black cause I wear a lot of it but I do love purple.
9. Have you ever done an extreme hair style change? OMG, yes and never again! February (not this past one but 2012) I did the pixie cut...big mistake. Oh well hair grows back and now it's back at my shoulder so I'm happy but NEVER AGAIN!
10. Would you ever go bungee jumping? I'd probably jump out of a plane before bungee jumping but given the opportunity and my husband was with me I'd probably do it...it's on the bucket list but I'm too scared to die and leave my kids mom-less.
Great questions! Thanks Mrs. Tee!
Please check each and every one of these awesome ladies out! They are so amazing!
I guess I'm getting in the mood for our anniversary and finally taking the honeymoon we never got...this is still one of the happiest days of my life and becoming Mrs. Chevalley is single-handily the best thing that ever happened to me! Love you babe!
