Okay so yesterday I planned to stop by the bank, go to my mom's eye appointment and then go to the grocery store. That doesn't seem too difficult. I planned to feed the baby in the car once during the trip.
So we leave the house, go to the bank and then arrive at the eye doctor at 1 p.m. I go to Target next door with the baby while mom gets her eyes check. At 2 p.m. I head to the car and feed Jazzy. My mom calls and says they need to do an additional test that will take 45 minutes longer. I say okay and then go into the doctor's office after I finish feeding. The girl starts squirming, so I take her out of the car seat. She begins to wail, so I bounce her up and down and then go outside for her to get some fresh air. I can't get her to calm down, so I take her to the car and change her diaper. Still no peace. I am at wits end at this point and the additional 45 minutes is now 2 hours! I feed her again and then my mom is finally done with the eye check up. I was ready to cry, but I didn't. I feel like such an amateur when she wails and I can't calm her down.
So yesterday it was warm during the day, so it was kinda uncomfortable feeding her in the car. What is it going to be like in the summer of Houston? Tell me your secrets, so I can get closer to the title of super-mom versus clueless mom.
I know! I breastfed for 6 months and going anywhere is just hard! I tried to run any errands for the day at one time and leave immedietly after feeding her so i could try to be home again before the next feeding. I did get this breast feeding cover that I could not live without. It is called Bebe au lait. It is kinda expensive but it is breathable, no one can see what you are doing, and the best part is the top is arched so you can peek down at your baby. check out www.bebeaulait.com
ReplyDeleteit is well worth getting!!
Marianne,
ReplyDeleteTrust me that breastfeeding at times is much easier than bottles down the road! The nursing blanket/throw/shawl is a great idea (above). I nursed both of our kids many times in the car. I just sat in the passenger seat, turned on the Classical station (to calm both baby and myself) and left the car running for the AC/heater. There were other times that I used the back seats of our car/van for protection from the sun. Down the road, as you and Jazzy get more practiced at nursing, you might feel comfortable going into a store/restaurant, etc. and nursing. Just a head's up, talk with Jeremy about how he feels about that.
My heart goes out to you when you said you feel like an "amateur". Oh sweetie - You are. And that's ok. You can't be expected to know everything and be the perfect Mom when you just started down that road. God's grace is big enough - for just this step and the next - not more, not less. As you become a student of your daughter, you will get more information to work with and make better decisions. You will get more confident!! One thing that Bert and I did was we made a list of all the options for why our children would be crying - i.e. dirty/wet diaper, missing paci, hungry, tired, etc. And we would go down the list and rule out everything that we could. There are times when little ones just need to cry - and some do that more than others.
Don't lose heart, dear one!!
(Sorry this is SO long!)
Marianne,
ReplyDeleteI first want to recommend fitting rooms. They are great because they're air conditioned and you don't have to worry about being discreet when you're still learning the whole breastfeeding in public thing. Kohls was a favorite for me. You don't have to ask an attendant if you can use the room. You just walk in and plunk down. I have also changed diapers in fitting rooms because some bathrooms are just to nasty for our precious little babies. Then I found out about the Hooter Hider. It works well, but it does still take some practice. Plus, Tyler didn't like having something on his head and he kept trying to pull it off rather then eat. I use it when I have to, but I will still pick a fitting room first if I can. You could also pack some bottles in an insulated bag with ice packs. It's more work beforehand, but sometimes it's nice to not have to worry about feeding in public. Good luck on your next trip out!
I want to encourage you that a few months down the road when you have more of a "schedule" this all works itself out. I nursed for over a year, and the only time I nursed in public was in my car during trips to other towns (and playgroup, but I don't count that as public). I always just did my errands right after a nap and feeding - like the other comment.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite places to nurse when on a road trip were, the back of a mall parking lot, school or church parking lots, and an abandoned gas station. In the summer, I always looked for shade, or park the car so the part you are in will be away from the sun. Oh, and lots of those places have a dumpster that you can toss the dirty diapers in too.
you WILL both get the hang of it--don't be discouraged. lots of great tips already.
ReplyDeletei just wanted to add to the advice about the list of what could be wrong when the baby cries--when they're this little, crying is also exercicse. if quieting her is the goal, you'll get frustrated. making sure everything is okay with the baby INSPITE of the crying is what'll make you a great student of your sweet girl and a great mom.
It was difficult at first to "slow my roll" as Greg would say, but I quickly learned to limit ourselves to one major outing per day.
ReplyDeleteI am a self proclaimed "nap nazi" and Carson really needed quality rest on his schedule. It seems hard at first when your whole world revolves around your wee one's naps, but before long, you'll be longing for the catch up time that naps allow!
As for nursing in public, I'm with Michelle, dressing rooms provide quiet, comfort and privacy ~ we visited them all!
A key thing is for you not to get stressed out about your location where you have to feed her. You stress-she stresses.
ReplyDeleteBlankets for me didnt work with Katie. She would just pull them off. A poncho is a great idea-light weight crochet. As for Houston summer--a/c is a great friend! hehe.