What I Wish I Knew....

It's been a while since I wrote a post on breastfeeding, and since this comprises much of my life, I should probably write more about it! I had plenty of time to think this morning at 5:30am when Gray was hungry and didn't quite wanna go back to sleep. The rocking chair is a good place for quiet thinking.

I made the decision to breastfeed Gray a few months before she was born. I didn't know anyone (except my grandparents) who had done it, so I was lacking guidance. Hubby and I took a class at the hospital and I read everything I could possibly find in my baby books and on the internet, which I now know is a great place to get really confused.

I wish I would have had a concise list of things I needed/didn't need and needed to know. So I'm making my own list and including the reasons why I'm including them.

What I Wish I Knew

Things you will need

Double electric breast pump (if going back to work)
Manual breast pump (for making bottles on the go)
Reusable nursing pads (don't get the disposables...they don't work great)
A few extra packs of bottles to pump into (This saves on the washing every night)
Extra set of pump flanges (also saves on the washing)
Lots of freezer bags (be optomistic that you'll  have a freezer stash)
Cleaning wipes (to help with cleaning parts at work)
2 nursing covers (one to keep in the diaper bag, and one for the car)
Gel soothies (for when you're dying from pain in those first few weeks)
Lanolin (there's nothing more painful than dry and bleeding skin)
Extra coolers and ice packs (just nice to have when traveling and pumping)

Things you will not need

Disposable nursing pads (they suck)
Nursing Bras (too much of a pain, just pull your normal one down or wear a sports bra)
Nursing Pillow (If you're small chested, you have to hold your baby. The pillow isn't high enough)
Extra covers for the nursing pillow (because you won't use it anyways)

And finally....my advice

Don't let people get you down. No matter how many people tell you formula is easier, do what's right for you and your baby. Formula is not easier...it's just more expensive.

Drink tons of liquids. I didn't and had a hard time for a few weeks. I now know the more I drank the better off I was in feeding Gray.

Don't freak out if you forgot pump parts or bottles on a shopping trip or outing. You have two built in bottles. Don't be afraid to use them in public.

Keep your nursing cover with you. I never nurse in public without it and have never gotten the side-eye from anyone about feeding my baby.

If it's hurting, readjust your baby and see if that helps. If not, switch sides. If you're not comfortable, chances are...they aren't either.

Gray has just started biting. If I had a dollar for everyone who told me that I would stop nursing when she got teeth I could quit my day job. Yeah...it hurts, but we are working through it. She's not used to having teeth either.


And finally....if anyone ever tells you that you should go to the bathroom to feed your baby....tell them that THEY can go to the bathroom and you'll stay right where you are. Thanks.

Open for Business!!!

I am so excited to announce that Grits and Giggles' "Teething Pearls" are now being sold in Downtown Greenville! Grayson and I went for a stroll in downtown this week when we came across Natural Baby. I had never heard of this store, but it is a toy store for Mommies!!!! I love their slogan: "Pure, Simple, Smart."

The shop is simply gorgeous and full of everything you need to keep you and your baby trendy, natural and happy. They carry everything from cloth diapers, diaper supplies, nursing supplies, baby carriers, clothing, gifts, and soooo much more! I spent so long in there just looking at and touching everything because it was so soft and wonderful! I struck up a conversation about cloth diapering with the owner and we talked for a while. She noticed Gray chewing on her Teething Pearls and asked about them! I asked her if they ever sold from local people and she said "Absolutely!"

I have taken some of the most popular colors to the store and I have my fingers crossed that the people of Greenville love them as much as we do! They are on the same display as "Sophie the Giraffe"...and if you have a baby, you know that this is a BIG deal. I hope this is the start of a wonderful business relationship where people can have a more natural and trendy alternative to the plastic teething toys.

On my first trip there I picked up a couple of new diapers (couldn't help myself!) because I felt sure that Gray needed them. I have enough self control to limit myself to two at a time. When I went back to drop off the Teething Pearls, I saw a display of products from a company called Babee Greens, from Ashville, NC. I picked up a pack of their organic cotton/hemp doublers, and once I felt how soft they were, I knew I had to have them.

It's so nice to know that there are companies so close to home that are responsible for creating these wonderful, organic, good for baby products! I held them the whole way home because they were just too soft to put down. I wish they made "big people undies" out of this stuff. I'm sure I'll be picking up many more products from this company, especially once we decide to have another little one. They make organic nursing pads and I'll bet they're just as soft and squishy. Check them out HERE if you would like to learn more.

If you, or someone you know has a baby make sure to check out Natural Baby in Greenville! Pick up some Teething Pearls while you're there! If you can't quite make it to Greenville, visit us on Etsy!

Boobs are for Food

I realized I haven't written a post about breastfeeding, which is weird because it has been a HUGE part of my life for almost 10 months now! I was thinking about the things I love and hate about breastfeeding, and decided to share a top 10 list of the thngs that I love...and hate. We'll start with the negative:

Top 10 Reasons I Hate Breastfeeding

10) I haven't worn a cute top without a very thick bra in a LONG time
9) I don't love waking up to soaking wet sheets because Grayson slept a little 
    longer than usual
8) I would much rather be working than lock myself in my boss's office to pump
     twice a day. It's not a "break" no matter what others may think
7) I have to plan my outings around when Gray will eat, or when I need to pump
6) My cup size changes 7 or 8 times during the day....this makes bra fitting very
     problematic
5) I cannot stand the question "How long are you going to nurse?" followed by "That
     long???" Yes...that long....
4) I'm not happy that I'm still losing weight because of all of the extra burned calories.
     I need some meat on my bones.
3) I absolutely cannot stand people telling me "You can just feed her in the
    bathroom." How about this....Why don't you go eat in the bathroom, and I'll stay
     right here. Thanks!
2) I hate pumping...with a passion.....

1) And finally...I HATE pumping!!! (I know...I already said that.) But it's a necessary
    evil. I will burn that pump when I'm done with it.


Now...for the things I LOVE about breastfeeding

10) It's FREE! Come on...I had to include that one.
9) It can be very convenient. No bottles to warm or formula to mix. It's ready to go!
8) You don't have to "plan". It's ready when baby is and you won't run out!
7) I know my baby girl is much healthier because of it! She got her first runny nose at 9 months...I don't think it's a coincidence!
6) It can be a nice excuse to have quiet time when you're feeding your baby
5) It's the perfect food for baby and nothing she doesn't need!
4) I love to look at her face while she's nursing and she looks at me like she's saying
    "Thanks Mommy"
3) There's a special bond with my baby girl that no one else can have
2)I know that she needs me! (I know she needs me anyways...but eating is a little
    more urgent!)

1) Just because! I just love feeding my daughter and sharing that bond with her!

I didn't have a lot of support when I decided to breastfeed Grayson, but after seeing how well she has done people have really started to be more open-minded! I had a lot of learning to do myself, and I really enjoy talking about it to others.

 It has become very important to me to share the benefits to mommy and baby and let people know how much I love it! I know it's not for everyone, but I wouldn't have it any other way for Gray and me!

Linked at the Breastfeeding Blog Hop. Check it out for more great Breastfeeding Topics