Mommy FTW

Cameron and I braved the snow and made a recent trip back to Washington, DC.  Of course, while we were there we went to the Wilson Aquatic Center (3 times!)  I learned a few new things I wanted to share.

Let's get this show on the road!

1)Babies are now required to wear swimsuits and swim diapers.  We found this out the first day from one of the lifeguards.  He allowed us to stay, but said we should get one for next time.  We were able to find an ugly, but affordable swimsuit at Feline’s Basement in Mazza Gallerie.  Problem solved!

2)The Women’s locker room – which has warmer showers than the family locker room, and is much bigger, and has a swim suit dryer – also has a diaper changing station.  So if you feel more comfortable in there (I like it better, personally) try taking your little one to that locker room instead.

3)Be sure to bring lots of Quarters for the meters outside.  If you don’t have any, you can park at the lot that services Whole Foods.  If you get your ticket stamped it saves you a few bucks.

4)While getting my ticket stamped in Whole Foods (due to all the snow we couldn’t park on the street at a meter) I also got Cameron some lunch.  They have a great salad bar, hot food bar, and soups.  Cameron ate some squash soup, fresh mozzarella balls, peas, white beans, and pesto chicken salad.  Yum!  Upstairs they have a place you can sit and eat, which has 2 high chairs.  Unfortunately I didn’t have my phone with me – so no pics – but believe me when I say, there are lots of choices for mom and baby, and plenty of seating too!

Before Cameron was born my husband and I took an extensive birthing class at Real Birth.  We learned all about the hormones that bond baby and mother, and about how important it is to breast feed.  In fact, now a days everyone says “breast is best” and there is a lot of pressure for new moms to nurse, and not use formula or bottles at all.  I was sold, and when Cameron arrived, I knew I was ready to bond with my baby, and go breast milk all the way.

At the hospital I was dead tired, and after much fretting, I allowed Cameron to be taken to the nursery, where he was given bottles with formula.  I was sure that was the end, and he would never take the breast after that!  Of course, this wasn’t the case.  Once I got over my fear of “nipple confusion” I decided I wanted Cameron to get a bottle once a day from his dad (preferably at bed time) because this is one thing my sleep book had suggested – of course, my plan had been to pump this with my Medela “hospital grade” pump that a friend had lent me.  Unfortunately, things didn’t work out the way I had thought they would.

At first, I was in a LOT of pain – like scream out in pain when Cameron latched on – pain.  I had a lactation consultant come to my home, and she certainly helped getting a good latch, but I still was having trouble producing enough milk.  I wanted to pump to alleviate my pain, but hardly anything came out – maybe an ounce or two, if I was really lucky.

One day I went over to my neighbor’s house – she also had a son who was 3 days younger than Cameron.  She showed me her freezer full of pumped milk and I felt so jealous.  Those bags I had bought for milk storage were mocking me – and I was getting frustrated.  My neigbor had a baby nurse who suggested I try drinking Guinness, as well as taking some pricey herbs which I found at Whole Foods.  Both of them helped some (maybe I got 2, or 3 ounces after a day of pumping – several times)… but I still wasn’t getting any real volume – and certainly not enough to store away.   So finally, I started giving Cameron some formula along with his breast milk.  It began as a “cocktail bottle” – whatever I could pump, plus a little formula, and then it grew from there.

I got a lot of flak from other moms and people in general.  Someone told me it was “such a shame” that Cameron was getting formula.  I was angry, and frustrated, but eventually I got over it.  In my mind, Cameron and I were getting the best of both worlds.  All the benefit of breast milk, plus the ease of formula.  Cameron weened himself around 9 months, and has been on just formula and solids ever since.  I wish he had kept nursing a little, both because of my owns selfishness (I miss it a little) as well as I think it would have helped him fend off some colds this winter.  But you can’t fight progress!  My pediatrician said this is common, and it’s a sign of independence.

Anyways – to sum up – moms out there, don’t feel terrible if you are supplementing with formula.  I’m sure you have your reasons, and I’m sure you are a great mom!