The Second Year
Welcome, Carnival of Breastfeeding Readers!
It’s time for another Carnival of Breastfeeding. This time Tanya Lieberman, of the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog has invited any of her readers to contribute and to ponder our New Year’s Resolutions.
Normally I don’t make resolutions but I’ve thought of a few things I promise to do on behalf of Sara Ellen. As she begins her second year, there are so many opinions on what is best for baby, in this case, no longer an infant, but still a baby. A baby comes from two parents and shares some or many of their traits. In the ideal situation both loving parents are available and enable their child to grow in whatever suits him or her best.
Our household will abide by the following:
1. We will allow her to breastfeed as long as she wants. Occassionally I may put it off until a later time and just give her snuggles instead. I have no intention of “getting her to four nursings a day. An a.m. feeding, one or two naptimes, and a bedtime” as our pediatrician “recommended”. With that in mind…
2. We will find another medical professional to monitor her growth. One with whom I feel we can communicate and one whom respects what our family does. Thankfully, I learned that another LLL mother sees the nurse practitioner who works with our ped., a woman she highly recommended. This would be so convenient because it’s the same office so no paperwork!
3. We will spend time with her, playing, learning, and exploring. I know that she will develop best when interacting with others and not forced to entertain herself.
4. We will marvel at her growth and development while allowing her to be a baby and fulfilling her needs for cuddles, suckling, etc.
5. We will not dress her to look like a big kid or adult, but appropriately for baby play and cuteness.
6. We will let her splash in mud puddles and otherwise have a good time.
7. We will find a pleasant transition for our sleep-sharing.
8. We will continue to help her build a good relationship with solid food.
9. Walking quickly will turn to running, and climbing with ensue. When she falls we will pick her up or respond without overreacting, thus encouraging her resilience. Recently we took a scenic train trip. When the locomotive approached and passed, my father said, “this child is fearless.”
10. We will be our wonderful selves and find joy in every day that reveals more of her own wonderful personality.
To see resolutions from other breastfeeding bloggers visit Jen, The Lactivist, Andi from Mama Knows Breast, Angela from Breastfeeding 1-2-3, and Sinead of Breastfeeding Mums.
I have to say I find your list utterly inspiring and eloquent
it is so nice to know that there are others out there that have similar views on the matter of raising children! I know Sara Ellen will have a wonderful childhood, with such devoted parents and such a close family structure, yay for you and your family!
I second that, the first part I mean.
Lately, when I’ve seen or heard about babies and children, whose parents choose a regimented life for them, I think “sad baby”. Everyone chooses for themself how to raise their child, but with some much support for attachment parenting, my statement is quite defended.
Nice to see another Carnival entry. I followed the links from the motherwear blog. What a lucky baby Sara Ellen is. Good luck with your New Years resolutions.
I’m reading this at 8am on New Year’s Day, and how inspiring it is. My daughter is 17 months and I’d like to think that we abide by these resolutions already – although I’m not sure that my penchant for dressing her in flare bottom jeans count as appropriate baby wear
You’ve got a lucky daughter.
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[...] ~ Get some exercise (Breastfeeding123.com) ~ Plan ahead for quality family and couple time (BreastfeedingMums Blog) ~ Work on manageable goals (drink more water, volunteer, not overextend) (The Lactivist) ~ Get organized (Mama Knows Breast) ~ Do at least three things to support breastfeeding (Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog) ~ Consider what’s best for your child first (Momma’s Angel) [...]
[...] ~ Get some exercise (Breastfeeding123.com) ~ Plan ahead for quality family and couple time (BreastfeedingMums Blog) ~ Work on manageable goals (drink more water, volunteer, not overextend) (The Lactivist) ~ Get organized (Mama Knows Breast) ~ Do at least three things to support breastfeeding (Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog) ~ Consider what’s best for your child first (Momma’s Angel) [...]