Because there hasn’t been anything posted here in over a year...

[Dark Drakan]

As I mentioned before I’m sort of dabbling in some aspects of BLW. I’ve been trying to give her bits and pieces of food that she can feed to herself. Otherwise I’ve mostly been giving her spoonfed meals. She had a homemade vegetable purée/mash thing tonight and loved it. I read your wifey’s blog and it’s very informative. I’ve taken a few notes for sure. ^_^

I find it crazy that no matter how much you read, or get told about how to parent for the most part you’re basically winging it. You can’t teach someone to ride a bike just by explaining it to them and I think it really is the same with bringing up a kid. I was totally unprepared and I’m the sort of person who likes to be very organised. I basically ticked off a list in my head of everything she would need. I thought while I was pregnant that while I was totally terrified that I had this. I could do it. And I can and have but damn is it hard. All the encouragement to breastfeed for example - no one ever really tells you how hard it is. And that your supply is literally liquid gold. Every ounce you produce is worth a fortune in your eyes. Might be TMI for some of the male/childless forum members but I don’t want to be small minded and assume I can’t talk about that sort of thing.

All I can say is that what you get back from them makes it all worth it. The love, that smile they give you when you walk into a room. Or just any smile. They poop all over themselves and then bam! They make some new sound or do something new, or even just give you that look of love and then you’re like “Damnit. I just can’t be annoyed with you.” She’s the greastest thing that’s ever happened to me. Don’t tell Scott I said that. :steve:

Though I’m sure he’d probably say the same thing. <3

Every person is different and we all have different likes, dislikes, tastes, moods and everything so something that works for one baby and parent might not work for another. You do essentially wing it until you find out what they are like and they develop their personalities, though their likes and dislikes change like the damn wind.

My wife found breast feeding hard as you could never tell how much they were getting unless you pumped it all into bottles and measured it and then checked how much was gone at the end. When she was exhausted and sore and doing it in the night and there was literally no way I could help besides prop her up with pillows and grab muslin's she really struggled. We ended up doing it as long as she could take it then changing to formula and me being able to help was a great relief to her, I did all the night feeds/changes and dealing with them when they woke randomly after that for both of mine.

 

[Quistrix]

Every person is different and we all have different likes, dislikes, tastes, moods and everything so something that works for one baby and parent might not work for another. You do essentially wing it until you find out what they are like and they develop their personalities, though their likes and dislikes change like the damn wind.

Very true. I’m well aware that babies, or just kids really can change their minds at a drop of a hat. A good piece of advice was that you try to get your kid to eat something 10-ish times and then if they still don’t like it; don’t force it. It’s so easy to create a negative relationship with food.

My wife found breast feeding hard as you could never tell how much they were getting unless you pumped it all into bottles and measured it and then checked how much was gone at the end. When she was exhausted and sore and doing it in the night and there was literally no way I could help besides prop her up with pillows and grab muslin's she really struggled. We ended up doing it as long as she could take it then changing to formula and me being able to help was a great relief to her, I did all the night feeds/changes and dealing with them when they woke randomly after that for both of mine.

Never knowing how much is going into them is definitely one of the hardest aspects. Yuna was born very small due to being quite early so her weight was a worry from day one and she had horrendous jaundice to boot. Her receiving enough fluids and nutrients was even more necessary to combat both. My supply just wasn’t playing ball. I had a c-section which has a tendency to affect the time in which your supply comes in. In the end I put my pride aside and opted to allow the nursery nurses to give her a small amount of formula in a cup while my supply came in. I was determined but I was also willing to give her whatever she needed so if that meant a little formula then so be it. She’s been combo fed more or less since birth. My supply has never been able to cut it. I’ve tried pumping and even some herbal supplements to increase supply. The herbal supplement helped a bit but not enough. She’s gone up in her centile a bit but she’s still quite small for her age. She’s definitely ‘thriving’ so to speak so that’s the main thing.

As for support I don’t have much other than when my mother can be around. Scott helped while he was here of course but night times have always been up to me. Now that he’s gone there’s just not much point ever switching to purely formula as I’d have to wake just as much. She might sleep more. Maybe. But even with the few extra bottles and now the solids she still loves her comfort feeds during the night. Or even just a cuddle. She’s still very clingy. I don’t think I could stop anyway. I’d miss it just as much as her. The bond you get from it truly is amazing.

 

[TRA Rotid]

We stopped breastfeeding at about 18 months old. Somewhat graudally as first we stopped daytime meals, then nighttime meals a bit later. My gf said it affected her a lot and was missing it, but I'd say all in all everything turned out good, because the little one ended up sleeping much better and not waking up as much.

As for foods - we tried all the usual recommendations - make it playful, offer a variety, let her eat from our plates, etc. She's still quite picky, but if her weight holds and she poops enough I'm not worried. Got to trust her to not starve herself. The gf is more worried about that, though.

 

[queenofdisco]

Currently on maternity leave myself but Mini-Scotty.

You and Scotty had a kid? Congrats!

 

[Quistrix]

You and Scotty had a kid? Congrats!

Indeed. ^_^ How I managed to conceive with a sexy Asian woman, I’ll never know! :troll:

Good to see you Herm— I mean, Rumford. :shifty:

 

[cheezMcNASTY]

I work and I game. Not much has changed.

Pot is legal because of where I live and 2019 so the world around me has changed for the better. Yay!