*Baby Corner*

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

Stef, i use to the gerber cups. Zaid has used a sippy cup since 5 months and he started on those and is doing great, he is even off the bottle and formula now completely.

[Nessa 23]

pumping is supposed to.

[Carolyn 1]

As of last week, I think I've given up on pumping. I hate it. No, hate isn't a strong enough word. I despise it. I think my body has adjusted. I'm producing more milk in the afternoon, evenings and early morning. I hope this doesn't dry up my milk supply entirely, as I do like breastfeeding.

Don't get me wrong, new mommies, I'd pump again if I had another baby. I did it for 6 months, but as a teacher it was really hard to fit in pumping in my work day, so I would have to get up at night (sometimes twice) just to pump enough milk for the next day. So to me, pumping = sleep deprivation + stress. I think it would be much easier if you had your own office and a more flexible work schedule.

8 month old Ilyas is changing so much so fast! I can hardly keep up with him--he's busy, busy, busy from the moment he wakes up. He officially started crawling on Easter Sunday (one week ago) and has already moved on to pulling himself up on things . I'm realizing how non-child-friendly my house is: nearly every room has some sharp edges/painful corners/dangerous steps, etc. I guess that's what you get for buying a 100 year old house (I bought it when I was single with no children in sight).

It's so much fun to read about and see pictures of the new babies! They are all so beautiful! And happy birthday to all the one year old bambinos!

Edited April 19, 2009 by Carolyn

[Angel7422 0]

Stef, i use to the gerber cups. Zaid has used a sippy cup since 5 months and he started on those and is doing great, he is even off the bottle and formula now completely.

Sorry for butting in....but Kelly you have a beautiful family. Great family portrait. How did you get Zaid to pose and smile for that?

[sara535 15]

I like the Nuby sippy cups because the spout is soft.

I also had a wipe warmer that someone gave me, I probably wouldnt have bought one myself but I loved it.

Happy Birthday all you big one year old babies!!

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

Aww angel thx. Zaid is a chipper child. The minute he sees a cam he smiles.

[tnh9479 1]

I can't believe all the babies who are about to be one! Happy birthdays babies!

[chnst 6]

@Sara: OMG I can't believe how big your girl is already! Seems like yesterday when you had that picture of her on the boppy pillow in your signature!

Thanks for all the advice on sippy cups!!!

@Carolyn: holy cow, you made it through 6 months of pumping?????? WOW. I pumped for 1 week when I had to be readmitted to the hospital after Ben was born and I absolutely share that feeling of despise towards the breast pump. What a sacrifice. I give you so much credit for sticking with it for so long!!!

@Nessa: if you keep having trouble with engorgement (I had the worst pain for the first 6-8 weeks and almost gave up bf but I couldn't) - try cold cabbage leaves in your bra. I know it is weird, but it helps reduce engorgement and lowers milk production. Ben was sleeping 4-5 hour stretches after a few weeks, but I had to get up and pump because I was so engorged it was more pain than actual labor. Try to feed him on a schedule and don't pump if possible - the more often you feed/pump the more milk is produced and the more engorged you will be.

@Kelly: where do you have your pictures taken? They are soo cute.

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

jcpenney, believe it or not

[Anna C. 4]

@ chnst: My SIL loves Klean Kanteen sippy cups http://www.kleankanteen.com/. We have a born free, but Jona just plays with it as he of course rejects everything but my breast. I bought some Doidy Cups and he plays with them to get the idea. (Amazon has Doidy cups)

@ Nessa: I second the cabbage leaves. For me it helped to gradually pump less (instead of 5oz per breast each 3 hours, I did 4oz, then 3oz etc), using ice packs and patience. It hurt really bad and I looked obnoxious. You can also hand express, it stimulates milk making less than pumping. It's best to do in a hot bath as heat stimulates milk output.

Jona is such a butt-scooter. He moves forward on his butt. So funny!

[chnst 6]

@Anna: ahh MIL gave me a kleankanteen cup a while ago... I know it's somewhere... I just thought that would be for bigger kids because the spout is plastic. I should go find it and give it a try.

aww that's so cute, Jona is getting big!

@Kelly: thanks, how long did it take for you to get the pictures? We did most pics at sears but they are ridiculously expensive. They charge us $130 for just the CD with the pictures.

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

stef, there are coupons you can print from their website that are 3.99$ a sheet plus a free 8x10 and no sitting fees. if you order enhanced pics they are obviously more but the price is good. it usually takes like 10 days to get the pics back and they will email them to you at no charge and you can download them on to your computer for free.

[chnst 6]

wow, that sounds great, thanks for the tip!!

[sara535 15]

@Sara: OMG I can't believe how big your girl is already! Seems like yesterday when you had that picture of her on the boppy pillow in your signature!

nothing makes time fly more than watching our little ones grow up, does it? I cant beleive she is almost 18 months but I know none of us mommies can beleive the rate at which the pregnancy becomes a baby, becomes a toddler, etc etc. Its wonderful but kinda sad sometimes too, I already miss my squishy cuddly little baby.... but I love this funny little running around busy girl

chnst - i LOVE that pic of Ben on the left where he is laughing - sooooo cute

Edited April 20, 2009 by sara535

[Nessa 23]

i was doing the cabbage leaves but it wasnt doing anything. i remember the lactation lady telling me to leave it on my breasts for 10 min, but i dont remember how many times a day. they're way better today. oh, also she said pumping helps.