The Challenges with Breastfeeding

I knew it would be hard.

But I didn't really think about these challenges...

Connor has no problem latching on or eating and I'm very grateful for that. He's a natural with anything that has to go in his mouth!

But I never really thought about how difficult it would be to keep your life in 2-3 hour intervals. And how annoying it would be to find somewhere to feed him. I'm constantly having to plan our outings around feedings and where he can be fed. I've been Googling places that have nursing or family rooms where it might be a little more comfortable to feed him.

Our first bad experience happened last week when we went over to the Toys R Us/Babies R Us in Lombard. I planned to feed him in the family room since all the stores have a nice little room with a couch. When we walked in, I couldn't find it anywhere. Umm, they didn't have one. WTF? I thought all of them had a family room! The girl working there suggested we go in a handicapped stall in the bathroom. What do I do? Sit on the toilet for 30 minutes? So I had to feed you in the car.

Then this week we went to Northbrook Court and I kept reading about how nice the family nursing area was. When it was lunch time, I walked over to the bathrooms that were recently redone. There was a sign next to one of the stalls that said "Nursing Room." But when I went to open the door, it was locked! There's really only one stall in the whole mall? I could have to wait for awhile and that wasn't going to work. I walked around the whole area again to make sure I didn't miss another family area. I even went to the directory to make sure I was in the right place. The map showed that place and one on the entire opposite side of the mall. I could walk all the way over there and that one could be locked too. So I ended up dragging him into the Macy's juniors section while crying. I grabbed a couple shirts to make it look like I was going to try them on and ran into the big fitting room. The chair was actually pretty comfortable and it worked out pretty well. Someone walked in on us AGAIN, but they just opened the door slightly, saw the stroller, and left. When I got home, I looked at the mall map online and saw that a lot of people were talking about a large family room on the other side of the mall that we didn't make it to. Oops. Now I know for the future!

It's funny that I have to think about where to breastfeed at every place we go. I'm really shocked at how inconvenient it is for moms. I could also feed in public if I had to, but I don't really want to. It's already hard enough to hold him up while he eats so I don't need people watching me. I really hope that businesses get better about making areas for feeding to make it easier for moms...and me!

Week 5 & First Jewish New Year

People are constantly commenting on your long skinny fingers (just like mine), so I tried to get some nice photos of our hands together.

Week 5 had some ups and downs. Most of the work week was really rainy, so we spent a lot of time inside trying to keep busy. The clouds and darkness made me really tired. Every time I saw a little peek of sun come out, I got excited! We fit in a couple walks between showers. Luckily, the weekend was beautiful with lots of sun. We had so much fun taking you to your first pumpkin patch! There were so many great photos that it's going to be on its own post.

Touchdown pose!
This hand-me-down "night gown" from your cousin Grady is pretty big, but the sleeves hanging off your arms are so cute! I was avoiding using these because I thought your feet were getting too cold. But I started to notice that some of your socks are fitting better now! Good thing you have big feet (and skinny ankles)!

You've been spitting up a LOT so I started letting you hang out in your diaper more often. It's a lot easier to clean you up with no clothes on!

I wrapped you up in a blanket one morning so you wouldn't get cold. It was adorable when you fell asleep!

A little smile?

Tongue sticking out! It took me 5 weeks to catch it on camera!

And then getting a little grumpy!

Psycho baby!

This week was your first Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year. We went over to Grandma & Grandpa's house for the occasion.

One of your biggest fans is your great-grandpa. He absolutely loves you more than anything and always talks about you. He says every day that he gets to see you is one of the best days of his life. He finally decided he was ready to hold you. Everyone gathered around to take photos & videos as he sang you a lullaby.

As usual, everyone wanted to take turns holding you! Here's Aunt Julie and you before dessert.

Grandpa & you

Great-grandma & you after dessert
You didn't spit up on anyone either! Good boy!

Since we were celebrating Julie's birthday and your first new year, you got some carrot cake with your name on it.

Happy birthday, Aunt Julie!

I didn't get any photos, but we also went to visit Daddy at work for the first time this week. As soon as the first person went to hold you, you spit up all over Daddy's desk! Luckily, you only hit a couple pieces of paper and nothing too important! I took you around the office and you met a lot of Daddy's coworkers. All the girls loved you!

My other mission this week was to find you a winter hat. Turns out, it's a lot harder than I thought to find one that fits your little head! I've been dragging you from store to store to try on hats and find one that fits. Mommy loves looking at baby clothes so I don't mind all that shopping!

Maternity leave is now about half over and I can't believe it. I don't really feel like I'm ready to go back to work yet and deal with all that drama. It's so fun to watch your grow every week!

Retired

I'm a little sad that we had to retire the first outfit. It was always a little short even when Connor was just a few days old. But now it's way too short and his feet get cold in it. It made me feel a little better when I realized it was a preemie size for 0-5 lbs! He's always been bigger than that!
I'm already starting to see how his clothes fit him differently as he grows. They aren't as big as they used to be. The sleeves I used to have to roll up he can now wear normally. The pants are starting to get a little short on his long legs. I tried on a couple 0-3 month pieces on him just to see, but they're still HUGE, so he's definitely not there yet. On the other hand, we have some newborn onesies that are so wide that they make me crack up when I put them on him. I won't even let him wear them out of the house because they look so ridiculous!

I can't believe how fast he's growing. I really get it when people tell me how fast they grow and to enjoy every second!