Friday, October 18, 2013

Cosleepin’, Breastfeedin’, Cloth Diaperin’ Mama? Part one : Breastfeeding.

Yes, that’s me! I don’t like to give myself titles, but that sounds like a very fun title for this post. And the funniest thing is, some people plan ahead how they expect to parent and do certain things. That is not how it happened for me. I had different thoughts in my head, but all in all I just asked questions, listened to some advice and pretty much followed my instincts.

Let’s start with the most basic and obvious thing here. Breastfeeding. Yes, this I knew I wanted to do and in all honesty this shouldn’t even be discussed. I feel very strongly about this topic and probably can go on and on about this. But let’s try to keep it short and sweet.

Breastfeeding- It’s what you are supposed to do!!! I apologize in advance if I offend anyone with my opinions here. After all this is my blog and I think I can freely voice my opinions on here. If you don’t like them no one is asking you to continue reading- just sayin’! Anyway… yes- it is what you are supposed to do! I DO NOT understand those moms who just decide to put their kids on formula because it is easier for them or because they don’t like it or whatever other reason. Really? You don’t like it? I don’t think anyone particular LIKES to be in labor, but it is what you are supposed to do to have a baby right? And in all honesty, I think the minute you become a parent, your own personal likes and dislikes should not be number one if they don’t coincide with your babies needs.

I understand those moms whose supply drops or for whatever reason they aren’t able to breastfeed. I understand that. I especially have sympathy for those who try everything they can to keep their supply up and to breastfeed their babies as long as possible. Yes! This is what mamas are supposed to do!

When I was pregnant people would ask me if I would breastfeed or not. Seriously that questioned always baffled me. That society has come to the point where moms actually have a preference nowadays. And even when I would answer of course… some people would say “ well, you never know, your baby might not latch on.” I think my breastfeeding journey started out very easy. Compared to some incidences I have heard. Kassiyan was able to latch on immediately, he is eating very well and happy and so far my supply is flowing (literally)! But if for whatever reason let’s say Kassiyan wouldn’t have latched on, I would have pumped and gave him bm. And tried again with the breast. And again and again if needed. I would have done everything I could have to give him the milk that he needs as a baby as opposed to jumping to formula right away. Bottom line is- breastfeeding is the way to go and for moms who think otherwise, I just simply do not understand you.

Breastfeeding in public. I think this is personally not that big of a deal, who does what… it depends on personal comfort levels. I think in the very beginning I was very shy of feeding in front of people or in public. Instead of putting myself in an uncomfortable position to go into the car or find a place to feed I sometimes (this is in the way beginning, I don’t even remember the last time I pumped) pumped milk to bring with me. In all honesty, it is truly just beyond simple to go with the flow with everything. He’s hungry- you pull out a boob, no bottle nothing. If I’m at a zoo, I’m at a zoo! If I’m at the park, well then I’m at the park! I think the only place that I don’t really have this “I don’t care” attitude is in church. And honestly it’s because it is a monastery and there are monks there. We have a dress code as is to wear a head covering and a dress/skirt below the knees. As pro breastfeeding as I am , this is more about respecting my religion as well as the monks. So in that case I would go to the car to feed, or the downstairs church in a little corner where no one is around.  I’ve come to learn to wear a tank top underneath and then can wear another t-shirt on top or whatever and be able to feed without showing much.  Fast and convenient. I think if I don’t stress then no one else stresses. And so far I have not come across any rude or obnoxious people that have said anything otherwise to me feeding. Then again, I don’t go out much, I stay home all the time :)

That pretty much sums up my little breastfeeding rant! I am all for it and honestly don’t see it any other way!


I also don’t see a time frame on feeding. I will feed until I have milk. If this means 2 years then it is 2 years, if this means more that means more. Although I think by then we may have another baby on the way so things may work out on their own ;) But if I have to “tandem feed” a term I actually only heard of yesterday- then so be it! This is the good stuff and might as well use while you have it!

4 Month Update

Wow this girl still remembers how to blog? Believe me, I’m shocked myself. I believe my last post was at 6 weeks post partum? And today my little man is 4 months old. WOW. Talk about being a procrastinator. I guess things are different now… pretty much how I expected them to be when I was pregnant.

When I was pregnant it was just pretty much me and my big growing belly. Every day would drag. I would look at the calendar, count the days, hours and minutes even… til he would be here. There wouldn’t be much to do other than wait and be on the clock with my blog posts. Now, Kassiyanchik is here and my whole world is a lot more interesting!

In my head I have pretty much posted 10 different blog posts about different thoughts, feelings and topics. But of course, that doesn’t count does it?

I don’t even know where to begin. Let’s just sum up where we are today. I am officially now not working and my days are spent solely concentrating on my son. Co-sleeping, breastfeeding and cloth diapering my little baby. Both of us can’t possibly be happier :)

I was originally working at 3 weeks pp, yeah that soon, ha. But I was able to do it from home. I was doing bookkeeping stuff for the store that I worked at. It was nice, since I only made trips to the store 1-3 times a week to pick up and drop off more paperwork. Sometimes my boss would even make the trip himself. Sounds like the perfect solution to work from home, huh?

I thought I could handle it. Some might consider me a wuss, but it was just not worth it. The summer was very busy and doing paperwork for 5-6 stores I was just not keeping up. Every free moment I had… instead of taking a nap or cooking dinner or just cuddling with my boy I would rush to get some paperwork done. And I would not get everything done. Slowly things would just add on and add on and YIKES!

So pretty much I was stressing about getting everything done as soon as possible, stressing & stressing and all for what? For about $30-$50 a week. In all honesty, I rather give up that extra $30 a week for a nap and to feel somewhat human after a long night. Now that the pressure is off I am sincerely happy and feel somewhat set free!

Kassiyan is so big now. Watching him grow and change every day is so interesting! He just doesn’t cease to amaze me with new things everyday. He is 4 months old today, fitting into 6-9 months clothing, and has been very vocal lately. It is SO adorable.

We actually started up a “family” youtube channel recently. My previous ones were absolute fails, but now we are trying once again. Not much on there but slowly I have been posting my own videos of our son and my husband just posts some random videos on his own there. So check it out if you’d like. I will post a link to one of Kassiyan’s videos below.


There is so much more I want to say but I think making separate posts for them would be much appropriate. In that case I will sum up this post by posting of course an adorable picture of our little munchkin! <3