As a mom feeding a kid, I try to do all the “right” things.
When I was pregnant with Hoot, I read book after book about breastfeeding and what the benefits were and how it worked. I was hell-bent on breastfeeding her, and I have nursed this kid from the get go, even when it was hard. Even when having a person clinging to me several times a day and night was driving me batty and even when it hurts or I want to give up, I tell myself just one more day. I in no way look down on or judge mamas who choose formula. I just know that the boob is what is “right” for us. J And in truth, I occasionally envy you all when in the middle of the night, I am awakened from a dead sleep by Hayden crying and I look over at Garrett and he is snoring and I know that the only person that can solve Hayden’s problem is me and my boob… Don’t get me wrong, I love nursing my baby and I am not ready to stop, and I take great pride in being almost 9 months in and still going strong. Because in my “mom mind” it is the “right” thing to do, I want to make it to a year.
When we started solid foods, I wanted to do that “right” too. I made all of our baby food. I had a regular baby food factory going on in my kitchen. I waited three to four days in between new foods. I offered the veggies first, followed by veggies. I bought organic. I did a ton of reading and research about feeding babies and small children, allergies (we have none, but you know, just in case), baby-led weaning, and a million other related topics. I feel like I should have a Ph.D. in feeding babies.
Now we are 9 months old and not feeling the baby food anymore. Hoot no longer wants the mushed up crap of her younger days. She wants the real stuff. So, I try to feed my kid organic fruits and veggies several times a day, I offer for a wide variety of things with a wide variety of flavors and textures, and I offer her things she didn’t like on the first try several more times to see if she will eventually decide she likes them. (This has been the case with several things like cherry tomatoes. It has also failed to be true with other things, like ground beef, cucumbers, green beans, and melon. LOL Ya win some, ya lose some.)
I realize that “right” is not the same for everyone. It is a totally objective thing. Also, I realize that while I have just spent 15 minutes writing the last three paragraphs about how I “do the right thing” when it comes to feeding my kid, the real point of my story is this:
This messy little imp is my daughter eating pizza for breakfast this morning. That is right pizza. For breakfast. At nine months old. And no - it isn’t homemade, organic, whole grain, or free of fat and sugar. It is regular old leftover pizza.
Go ahead, judge me. I fed it to her. I am a naughty mommy. But isn’t she cute? J
Hahaha, bad mommy! No way. Ophelia (8 3/4months) ests what we eat for every meal and has for a long time now. While pizza for every meal would be BAD pizza every once in a while is life at it's best. Your lil' Hoot is super cute.
ReplyDeleteEff no you aren't a bad mommy are you kidding me??? You are an inspiration, honestly! I'm so glad that I can come to you when I need stuff, you really are a pro!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! I envy (in a good way) moms who breastfeed and/or pump for the first year. I wasn't able to do it. I tried and tried, but it just never worked, so I pumped and realized quickly that wasn't for me. We started giving Maddie table food pretty early, and whole milk by 11 months (doctor approved). There really isn't a right or wrong way, and gosh--pizza for breakfast just proves you are truly a mom!!! You are awesome girl! I am so glad to still call you my friend today!
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say that if I had to pump I would have a formula fed baby right now. The thing that makes breastfeeding so great for me would be totally lost if I had to pump. I hate pumping with a passion and it has a lot to do with why I am so reluctant to leave her with other people for more than a couple of hours. I think nursing is the hardest thing i have ever loved doing, so all of the hard parts of it are worth it.
ReplyDeleteI think we are all just moms trying to do our best and it is what is right for our kids and for us. And that is what makes us "Super Moms".... Some of the best mom-wisdom that was ever given to me is that everyday is a new day. Every morning you get another chance to succeed. LOL So tomorrow, maybe we'll have oatmeal and fruit for breakfast! haha!