I read an interesting post on our local La Lehe League Facebook page that lead to this discussion: gaining weight while breastfeeding. Everything you read says breastfeeding will melt the pounds off of you and get rid of your pregnancy weight. Did that happen to me? Um, no. We're almost 22 months in with breastfeeding. I left the hospital at 152 pounds, my pre-pregnancy weight. I started a weight loss challenge with my department 2.5 weeks ago. My initial weight was 180. Almost 30 pounds heavier! As a Police Officer, physical fitness is a priority. So what happens when you gain so much weight instead of losing it, and why?
The post was filled with moms who had the same experience as me. Weight gain. Lots of it! I read an article that said your body stores up fat to be able to provide for breastmilk. Okay, that makes sense. When KH was younger, I remember feeling ravished all the time. All. The. Time! I couldn't eat enough calories to make her or me happy. I ate anything and everything I could because I had to. I would shake from hunger on a regular basis. I found myself eating things with sugar in them because I knew I would get instant gratification and it would hold me over for a few minutes.
In the weight loss challenge, I'm down almost 10 pounds. I decided to do a combination of the paleo and whole 30 programs. Why do I think this is important? Both of the programs are artificial sugar free and involve eating fresh foods. I've learned that I eat less and am hungry less often. It has caused my body to require less food in meeting the nutritional requirements. Win! I've also drank a lot more water. Several times I have scarfed down a normal portion and still felt hungry. The kid wouldn't allow for me to get another plate so I would drink a glass of water and take care of her. I knew I could always eat after. Funny thing, after a few minutes, I was full. A lot of times hunger pangs are associated with dehydration. It's not always the case, but I've noticed a big change in myself.
I'm happy with my success but know there's no way I would have had the time for the meal preparations I'm doing now in my early parenting stages. No way at all. In fact, I barely had the chance to heat up a can of ravioli!
So... What are y'all's experiences? I'm curious to know. I'm on birth control so I wonder if hormones are a factor. That's the only thing different in my life. It's at least something to think about. Let me know if anyone has any ideas or similarities!
Until next time!
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Thursday, August 20, 2015
What's the one thing every female cop loves the most about summer patrols? The vest! It's so cozy, comforting, and breathes extremely well, right? Clearly you understand the sarcasm in that statement... I went back to patrol over the summer and back to the 12 hour shifts. Texas is known for it's cool temps and low humidity during the summer months. No. Not ever. EVER! This summer was absolutely brutal! We had above average rain before the summer hit so the humidity was absolutely horrific. The temperatures in my area hit the 100s for the first time in almost 2 years. What does that mean? Sweat. All day. Before the sun came up, the humidity was at high percentages. It wasn't unusual to wake up to temperatures in the high 70's with "feel like" temperatures in the high 80's and 90's. I started my shift at 7 am. I started sweating around 7:01 am. My shift ended at 7 pm. That means I stopped sweating for the day at approximately 8 pm. Do the math. That's 12 hours and 59 minutes of constant sweating!
What does that mean? A lot! #1: Everyone knows you need to stay hydrated to keep producing breastmilk. I drank water. Water. Water. And more water. There were times I felt I was going to float out of my car and into traffic. However, I sweat so much, I only peed 3-4 times in 12 hours. Do the math. That's not a lot. Since I was 18-19 months in, I decided to pump once during shift. During my 8 hour shifts, I gave up on pumping. 12 hours was too long. I decided 2 pm would be my lunch/pump time. I pumped anywhere from 2.5-4.5 ounces, depending on my hydration level. I say that to reiterate the fact that breastmilk highly relies on hydration. If you're breastfeeding your baby, DRINK WATER!
My other problem I had is one that's gross. At least it was gross to me. After the first week on patrol, I developed a rash. I though it was a heat rash so I brushed it out of my mind. I would clean it more, try to keep it cool/dry whenever possible, etc. I tried Aquaphor, Gold Bond cream, and baby powder to dry it up. Nothing worked. I didn't seek medical help because it only bothered me when KH scratched it. When that happened, holy shit! I decided after a month and a half of the persistence that I would go see a doc. The diagnosis: fungal infection. Gross. Seriously? I thought it was heat rash? Apparently the heat, humidity, and closed vest with no air movement was the perfect environment for that fungus to grow. Gross. I shutter still, just thinking about it! I got on an antifungal prescription and it cleared up in no time. It's still gross, though. Bleh!
KH is now coming up on 20 months old. She still loves boobs. I can't pick her up after work and get into the truck without her feeding. If I try to put her straight into her carseat she screams. Loudly. With real tears. I love that she enjoys it and knows it's our time. I'm trying to think about how we will eventually wean from that. I'm back on my 8 hour schedule so life can resume it's normalcy. The long 12 hour days suck for a kid. I can't say that enough! I've been on 8 hour shifts for 2 days and she's already happier and more fun to be around. I can't wait to see what lies ahead for she and I!!
That's all I've got for y'all tonight. Until next time!
What does that mean? A lot! #1: Everyone knows you need to stay hydrated to keep producing breastmilk. I drank water. Water. Water. And more water. There were times I felt I was going to float out of my car and into traffic. However, I sweat so much, I only peed 3-4 times in 12 hours. Do the math. That's not a lot. Since I was 18-19 months in, I decided to pump once during shift. During my 8 hour shifts, I gave up on pumping. 12 hours was too long. I decided 2 pm would be my lunch/pump time. I pumped anywhere from 2.5-4.5 ounces, depending on my hydration level. I say that to reiterate the fact that breastmilk highly relies on hydration. If you're breastfeeding your baby, DRINK WATER!
My other problem I had is one that's gross. At least it was gross to me. After the first week on patrol, I developed a rash. I though it was a heat rash so I brushed it out of my mind. I would clean it more, try to keep it cool/dry whenever possible, etc. I tried Aquaphor, Gold Bond cream, and baby powder to dry it up. Nothing worked. I didn't seek medical help because it only bothered me when KH scratched it. When that happened, holy shit! I decided after a month and a half of the persistence that I would go see a doc. The diagnosis: fungal infection. Gross. Seriously? I thought it was heat rash? Apparently the heat, humidity, and closed vest with no air movement was the perfect environment for that fungus to grow. Gross. I shutter still, just thinking about it! I got on an antifungal prescription and it cleared up in no time. It's still gross, though. Bleh!
KH is now coming up on 20 months old. She still loves boobs. I can't pick her up after work and get into the truck without her feeding. If I try to put her straight into her carseat she screams. Loudly. With real tears. I love that she enjoys it and knows it's our time. I'm trying to think about how we will eventually wean from that. I'm back on my 8 hour schedule so life can resume it's normalcy. The long 12 hour days suck for a kid. I can't say that enough! I've been on 8 hour shifts for 2 days and she's already happier and more fun to be around. I can't wait to see what lies ahead for she and I!!
That's all I've got for y'all tonight. Until next time!
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Howdy breastfeeders, single parents, cops, or random person who has stumbled upon my blog. I write to you today to tell you a fun fact. KH has officially received tooth #7 at 17 months!!!
Wait. What? Why is that important? Most kids have way more teeth at this point in the game. Yes, that's very true. My kid is a late bloomer. The significance of this isn't the time frame. The significance is the teeth marks engrained on my nipple. Yeah, you read that right.
One day, breastfeeding was the same random fun it always was: acrobatics, abuse (slapping, punching, teeth grabbing), movement (arm rolls, ab strengthening, and more punching), and the loving part of 4 seconds of eye contact. The next day, I had a 7th tooth popping through the surface and an undeniable pain. I originally thought it was her fingernails as she has a habit of grabbing my boob while eating. Then, after cutting her individual daggers and removing them from my skin, I realized it was teeth.
When I mentioned my pain, people referred to it as biting. It's not at all! KH has done a lot of not-so-nice things in our breastfeeding journey. I've felt a bite or two. Trust me, there's no, "Was that a bite?" moment when it comes to breastfeeding. In our current situation, it's obviously not an intentional bite. What it is, is a.... I really don't know. Maybe a comfort thing?
When I started feeling teeth, I did like I'd always done and figured out how to fix the problem! I noticed it hurt like hell to feed her the normal side lie way. I held her upright against my shoulder while I rocked her. No teeth. No pain. It was always painful on the left side, never the right. I noticed a small sore on my nipple which was causing the continued pain. I let it airdry after feeds, then expressed a little more milk to rub on it. It's healing quickly and healing well.
So that's our current hurdle. Like everything else, it's a small one and we'll get through it. Until next time!
Wait. What? Why is that important? Most kids have way more teeth at this point in the game. Yes, that's very true. My kid is a late bloomer. The significance of this isn't the time frame. The significance is the teeth marks engrained on my nipple. Yeah, you read that right.
One day, breastfeeding was the same random fun it always was: acrobatics, abuse (slapping, punching, teeth grabbing), movement (arm rolls, ab strengthening, and more punching), and the loving part of 4 seconds of eye contact. The next day, I had a 7th tooth popping through the surface and an undeniable pain. I originally thought it was her fingernails as she has a habit of grabbing my boob while eating. Then, after cutting her individual daggers and removing them from my skin, I realized it was teeth.
When I mentioned my pain, people referred to it as biting. It's not at all! KH has done a lot of not-so-nice things in our breastfeeding journey. I've felt a bite or two. Trust me, there's no, "Was that a bite?" moment when it comes to breastfeeding. In our current situation, it's obviously not an intentional bite. What it is, is a.... I really don't know. Maybe a comfort thing?
When I started feeling teeth, I did like I'd always done and figured out how to fix the problem! I noticed it hurt like hell to feed her the normal side lie way. I held her upright against my shoulder while I rocked her. No teeth. No pain. It was always painful on the left side, never the right. I noticed a small sore on my nipple which was causing the continued pain. I let it airdry after feeds, then expressed a little more milk to rub on it. It's healing quickly and healing well.
So that's our current hurdle. Like everything else, it's a small one and we'll get through it. Until next time!
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Who Knew?
This post isn't specifically breastfeeding related. Sorry, yet not sorry. This post is all about the unsolicited advice about sleeping that everyone feels you need. Boom! I got your attention back :-) The biggest question, from the day I left the hospital, was, "How does she sleep?" My response, every time, is that she is up every 2-3 hours. Response from said person who asked the question, "You should add cereal to the bottle, add an extra feed at night, read this book, let her cry...." I lo(athed)ved hearing that question. Every parent has a different parenting style. Mine is very pro-baby. If she cries, I figure out why. For a breastfed baby, it's common for them to wake up more regularly. Breastmilk leaves the body quicker because it's easier to digest. Therefore, breastfed babies tend to wake up more in the middle of the night. Cool. I get it. I know that. I made the choice to breastfeed and wake up every 2-3 hours with my kiddo. I understand. The major question is... Why can't everyone else?
Why is it that the most important question to a mom with a baby is, "How much does he/she sleep?" Why can't it be, "What is your baby doing developmentally?" That is so much more encompassing than sleep. Who cares how much mom sleeps? As long as baby is happy, healthy, and having a good time, it's no big deal. I made the decision, as a single mom, to make the breastfeeding journey. If I had a question, I asked. If I wanted advice, I asked. I was determined that my kid and I would eventually be on the same sleeping schedule and I would not push the issue. Guess what? It happened!
Today, KH is 15 months and some change on the weeks. AKA, she's almost 16 months. Guess what? She sleeps through the night! How long has that been happening consistently? 2 weeks. 2. 2 weeks. You read it right. Want to read it again? 2 weeks. That's how long my child has been sleeping through the night at almost 16 months. How do I feel about it? Well, I wake up a few times a night to make sure the monitor is still on. When my alarm goes off, I pick my boobs up and move them because they still haven't adjusted to the overnight sleeping. Frankly, it hurts. Would I change it? Absolutely not!
So my advice, to new sleep-deprived moms embarking on the journey is to ignore the advice. Enjoy your time with your baby. Enjoy your breastfeeding fiasco. Enjoy the middle-of-the-night feeds with Netflix in your background for, what seems like, hours and hours and hours. Enjoy responding to your babies cues and cries. Enjoy the bonding that no one else can experience. Enjoy being a mom. After all, your baby only gets one. You want to be the best one you can be.
Until next time!
Why is it that the most important question to a mom with a baby is, "How much does he/she sleep?" Why can't it be, "What is your baby doing developmentally?" That is so much more encompassing than sleep. Who cares how much mom sleeps? As long as baby is happy, healthy, and having a good time, it's no big deal. I made the decision, as a single mom, to make the breastfeeding journey. If I had a question, I asked. If I wanted advice, I asked. I was determined that my kid and I would eventually be on the same sleeping schedule and I would not push the issue. Guess what? It happened!
Today, KH is 15 months and some change on the weeks. AKA, she's almost 16 months. Guess what? She sleeps through the night! How long has that been happening consistently? 2 weeks. 2. 2 weeks. You read it right. Want to read it again? 2 weeks. That's how long my child has been sleeping through the night at almost 16 months. How do I feel about it? Well, I wake up a few times a night to make sure the monitor is still on. When my alarm goes off, I pick my boobs up and move them because they still haven't adjusted to the overnight sleeping. Frankly, it hurts. Would I change it? Absolutely not!
So my advice, to new sleep-deprived moms embarking on the journey is to ignore the advice. Enjoy your time with your baby. Enjoy your breastfeeding fiasco. Enjoy the middle-of-the-night feeds with Netflix in your background for, what seems like, hours and hours and hours. Enjoy responding to your babies cues and cries. Enjoy the bonding that no one else can experience. Enjoy being a mom. After all, your baby only gets one. You want to be the best one you can be.
Until next time!
Sunday, April 5, 2015
So, since my last post, I've had the opportunity to use the Medela Lactina pump. It's in the hospital grade style so I was okay with giving it a shot. My advice to anyone who tries it? Ask for directions. I used it the first time and was completely overwhelmed! I started my hospital grade lifestyle with the Ferrari Symphony. I pushed a button and everything else worked out. The Lactina is different. You have to turn a knob and turn another thingymajig while holding the flanges up to your boobs and not letting anything fall out. Um. I... I can't! For me, I didn't even think to ask. I had the parts and figured it would all be super easy. What happened, instead, is an open sore. That's right! Somewhere in the twisting and holding, I managed to move the flange the right way to "rub me the wrong way." Ha! Get it? Rubbed me the wrong way? Okay, okay. Pun's are over. Really, though, when I got it going the way it should be, it was pretty awesome. It worked within the hospital-grade suction and my pump time was in the 10-15 minute range. Had I started with that pump instead of the Symphony, I probably would've loved it. Instead, I started with the best and switched to the, to me, mediocre. Same results within the same time. I'll take the Symphony anyday, but the Lactina is a great alternative! Ladies and gents, I'm out. Until next time!
Friday, March 13, 2015
Happy Friday night! It's been 6 days since daylight savings. I will say, at the age of 32, I officially despise the concept of daylight savings time! My schedule is screwed. KH's schedule is screwed. It's made for some long nights and exhausting days. Seriously. Who's idea was this? Clearly it was a bachelor who has no kids anywhere. Geez... Rant. Over.
KH is 14.5 months old. Yes, I still count. The weeks ran together due to exhaustion, exhaustion, work, exhaustion, and a little bit of exhaustion. I can do the math to calculate months. That's easy! We're still breastfeeding! It's still a new challenge everyday. I now work 5 days a week and she expects her boobs before I can put her in the truck. One day I showed up at the sitter and she was at the end of the hallway. She saw me, smiled, started her normal grunt that translates to "hi mom," ran right past me and straight to the loveseat I feed her on. She stood in front of it, hit the cushion, and grunted more. Gee, what could she want? I put her on the love seat with me and she tried to unzip my zipper. Seriously. No joke. She knows what she wants and how to get to it!
For about 2 weeks, everytime she nursed on the left side from a side lie position, I felt her teeth. I know I've said it before and I'll gladly say it again: TEETH HURT! I made adjustments throughout the day and made it work. Bedtime was the big problem. She didn't want to sit up to nurse, she wanted to lay down! I had to bite my lip several times and suffer through it. I tried a different position every night before putting her in side lie. Finally, after days of borderline excruciating discomfort, I felt no teeth! I don't mean my nipples got use to it, I mean she readjusted her nursing style to accomodate the position she liked. Whew! That was a huge hurdle to jump and one I'm extremely glad she did.
That's my brief insight into the current world of me breastfeeding toddler KH. Hope all is well. Until next time!
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
13 months!!!! I made 13 months of breastfeeding. I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to say I hit another milestone. The challenges don't stop. My poor kid is on her 3rd virus in 4 months. Hellllloooooo sleepless nights of worry and waking up to a crying baby. I made the comment a few days ago that I felt like I had a newborn again. I was so sleep deprived I was stupid. Like, couldn't complete a sentence. I could say it in my mind but it wouldn't come out my mouth.
One major challenge with all of her current congestion is BITING. Ouch! The teeth are a new thing for her and she's not really sure what to do with them. She's so congested that she has to break her latch to catch her breath. That would be awesome if she hadn't realized that she can open her mouth and bite me to keep in the right place. She got me one day and I didn't think she was going to let go! I had to grab the back of her neck to get her to let go. Yesterday she was getting ready for bed. I laid her on her boppy, like I do every night. She giggled at me, shook her head, and bit down. She didn't even pretend to try to latch. I yelled, "Ouch!" at her and she laughed. Um, no. Mommy don't play that game! I put her in her crib and walked out of the room. She started screaming immediately. I grounded her from the boob for a minute. I've been told I need to wait a minute per year of age so a minute was all she got. I walked back in, put her back in the original position, and she ate like she was supposed to.
Everyday is a new day with her and I love them all. I hate that she's been sick, but love the great cuddles. I'm ready to see the next battle she sends me.
Until next time!
One major challenge with all of her current congestion is BITING. Ouch! The teeth are a new thing for her and she's not really sure what to do with them. She's so congested that she has to break her latch to catch her breath. That would be awesome if she hadn't realized that she can open her mouth and bite me to keep in the right place. She got me one day and I didn't think she was going to let go! I had to grab the back of her neck to get her to let go. Yesterday she was getting ready for bed. I laid her on her boppy, like I do every night. She giggled at me, shook her head, and bit down. She didn't even pretend to try to latch. I yelled, "Ouch!" at her and she laughed. Um, no. Mommy don't play that game! I put her in her crib and walked out of the room. She started screaming immediately. I grounded her from the boob for a minute. I've been told I need to wait a minute per year of age so a minute was all she got. I walked back in, put her back in the original position, and she ate like she was supposed to.
Everyday is a new day with her and I love them all. I hate that she's been sick, but love the great cuddles. I'm ready to see the next battle she sends me.
Until next time!
Saturday, January 17, 2015
After 2 weeks of working 8-4 Monday-Friday, I feel like a whole new person. Not working 12 hour shifts makes life so much easier. KH sleeps better and is less tired. She still wakes up 1-3 times every night so not much has changed there. We hit the year mark and a weight lifted from my shoulders. Whew!!! I now only pump once a day at work. I feed her as close to drop off time as possible, pump at noon, and feed her as soon as I get to the sitter. No engorgement and I pump 4-5 ounces. Not being a slave to the pump is amazing. I look at that thing and shake in fear. Well, not really, but it's definitely a hate/hate relationship. I'm still using the Symphony hospital grade pump. Even though it's nicer than the personal pump, I still hate it.
Nursing KH is "fun" now. She's finally getting teeth and I feel them on a regular basis. She doesn't bite, per se. I think her terrible latch adjusts and causes it to happen. Plus, she gets really distracted and tries to take me with her. I don't say anything to her because she's not doing it on purpose. That doesn't mean it doesn't feel uncomfortable!
I still get asked regularly how long I'm going to keep breastfeeding. Not that it's anyone's business, but I really don't know. She still likes it, it's better for her than cow's milk, and it's free. I'm not trying to make a statement. I'm simply doing what's natural and best. Maybe I'll make a few people around me realize it's okay and not abnormal to breastfeed longer. I'm only one person, but I hate the society belief that a walking baby shouldn't be breastfeeding. We make changes one person at a time, right? Okay, okay, small rant over. I'm off to enjoy my day off with my munchkin. Until next time!
Nursing KH is "fun" now. She's finally getting teeth and I feel them on a regular basis. She doesn't bite, per se. I think her terrible latch adjusts and causes it to happen. Plus, she gets really distracted and tries to take me with her. I don't say anything to her because she's not doing it on purpose. That doesn't mean it doesn't feel uncomfortable!
I still get asked regularly how long I'm going to keep breastfeeding. Not that it's anyone's business, but I really don't know. She still likes it, it's better for her than cow's milk, and it's free. I'm not trying to make a statement. I'm simply doing what's natural and best. Maybe I'll make a few people around me realize it's okay and not abnormal to breastfeed longer. I'm only one person, but I hate the society belief that a walking baby shouldn't be breastfeeding. We make changes one person at a time, right? Okay, okay, small rant over. I'm off to enjoy my day off with my munchkin. Until next time!
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