Our family always gets a lot of looks when we go out. I’m sure it’s because our kids are so strikingly adorable that people can’t help but stare(!), but in all reality it’s probably because Jared and I both look too young to have four kids. And as if looking too young to have four kids didn’t attract enough attention, add breastfeeding to the mixture, and I become a one-woman freak show.

It’s one of the things that surprised me the most when we moved here because where I grew up, large families, stay-at-home moms, baking bread, scrapbooking, and breastfeeding were all normal–and not at all granola. We called it “family -centered” and “homemaking” and “self-reliance.” And, I don’t know, I’d kinda like to think I’m still a cute, hip(ish?) mom even though I have a brood of babies, make jam, clip coupons, and aspire to make dinner most nights.
So imagine my surprise when Lydia was born and my doctor and nurses were amazed that I was planning to breastfeed instead of starting her out on a bottle. That I had nursed my other three babies as well, that Lyddie latched right away, and that I fervently pumped to keep my milk supply while they had her on formula during her extended hospital stay.
It kinda seemed weird to me that I was the weird one because I thought studies were saying [when possible] “breast is best.”
Then, imagine my further surprise when a few weeks later I got a call from a nutritionist. They were looking for a “peer counselor,” preferably an “experienced” mom to serve as a testimony and an encouragement to new or hesitant moms. And would I be interested?
Hmmm. Guess being weird and standing out sometimes has it’s benefits?
So this week I’m attending a training so that if a struggling new mom needs someone to talk to–I can be a resource. I’m excited to attend the training, even if it does mean that it’s just to get a few days off housework!
Since I am, as they say, “experienced,” I’ll be the first to say breastfeeding isn’t always a slice of pie, and so this post definitely isn’t meant to preach one way or the other. Bottles and formula were invented for a reason, and by all means, if that’s works best for YOU, use them. Personally, I’ve had good success with nursing, and it’s been my preferred choice for my babies. But I know it’s not always possible, and I’ve also had struggles with poor latch and cracked nipples and low milk supply, so I hope my perspective of with both sides will be able to aid someone else.
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My recent survey (if you haven’t taken it, there’s still time!!) showed the majority of my readers are moms with young kids. So I’m curious to know, what were/are your experiences with feeding your babies? Did you try breastfeeding? Why or why not? What challenges or triumphs did you have?
Let’s respectfully discuss.
Hi! My name is Pam and I believe no matter who we are or where we come from, we all have a story to tell. My blog is the place I tell mine. My story isn’t always as organized as I’d like, but the truth is, life is full of rough drafts, isn’t it? If you think this might be a good place to hang out, why not subscribe to my RSS feed so you don't miss anything?

















































Now that Lyddie is a month old, we’re adjusting to life with another newborn, but lack of sleep is something I’m sure I’ll never get used to. People always say “sleep when your baby sleeps,” but with four kids–my baby sleeping means I’m taking care of the other kids, throwing in a load of laundry, pulling dinner out of the freezer, sweeping the floor, returning phone calls, answering e-mails, etc. Naps seem like a luxury, definitely not a necessity!
This week I ventured out to do errands for one of the first times on my own with the three girls. Essentially our shopping trip was uneventful, even to the point of patting myself on the back for getting through the store so efficiently and without a single tantrum. I loaded the groceries and the carseats and we were set to go with backseat My Little Pony entertainment when I pushed the key into the ignition and it wouldn’t turn. Not that the car wouldn’t start (as in my diesel-filling nightmare), but the key just wouldn’t budge.














I know not everyone goes crazy over McDonalds, but I thought this was a fun deal to share.


























































































































