Breastfeeding and baby food

Breastfeeding

Since I am almost done weaning my youngest from breastfeeding I decided to write a little bit about it. I loved breastfeeding my girls. I breastfed my oldest for 16 months and my youngest for 17 months. There is such an amazing feeling knowing that you are giving your child the best start that they can have, the best food, the immunities to disease, and bonding with your child the way no one else can. 

Sometimes it is hard, going out places and getting looks from people can be embarrassing (even if you are using a nursing cover). The fact that you have to completely alter your wardrobe so your shirts and bras provide convenience to breastfeed. And lets not forget about pumping! 

Before I had my girls I had no idea that while breastfeeding I couldn't take most medicines when I got sick. While breastfeeding my oldest I got really sick and took some medicine- that disgusting pink bottle, you all know what I am talking about. Almost immediately my milk supply almost dried up! I did a bunch of research and got fenugreek pills and that brought my milk supply right back up. After that I was super careful and refused to take anything when I got sick!  

Best advice I got and have given out about breastfeeding is this- keep yourself calm. In the beginning it can be really hard, especially for a first time mom. You tense up, you worry. Relax! When you tense up and stress, so does baby. Take a deep breath and calm down. 

There are other things that help. There are teas that are supposed to help increase milk supply, fenugreek helps, and eating a lot of dark green leafy vegetables (mostly spinach). 

If you are shy, buy a nursing cover. Of if you are crafty or have crafty friend/family have them make you a custom one. My mom made my nursing cover out of left over fabric from my oldest daughter's bedding that we had made. We used this template- 

http://www.blisstree.com/2010/06/03/sex-relationships/free-pattern-to-sew-your-own-nursing-cover/

The best website about breastfeeding is www.kellymom.com! Whenever I had questions I always consulted that site. 

Baby Food

If you are like me then you like to know exactly what your baby is eating, what better way to make sure you know than making it yourself. When your baby is old enough to start eating baby food, I recommend making it yourself. No, you don't need the magic baby bullet mixer that they sell on tv and online. All you need is a blender and some ice cube trays. 

I preferred to buy organic fruits and vegetables from the local farmers market. All you need to do is cook the food, blend it up, pour it into ice cube trays, and freeze. 

I would start my girls out with one food at a time to introduce it to them. Once they got to like it, I began to blend flavors together. Strawberry banana, mango banana, carrot and peas, corn and carrot, apples and spinach, and anything else they seemed to like.

Don't forget to add in protein when they are old enough. Chicken goes great with veggies and some certain fruits like plum and apple. 

Hope this helps someone!