As you could probably guess from my last post, I am really hoping that nursing works out better the second time around. But if it doesn't, for whatever reason, I know that Maggie will be just fine with formula.
Before Claire entered the world, I had a lot of preconceptions about what motherhood looked like. I wanted to have a big family, give birth naturally, and nurse exclusively, of course. Her arrival and first few months of life knocked all of those plans out the window. I was {and still am} a big planner when left to my own devices, but God has really knocked me down a few pegs.
Now I know what being a good mother is really about - doing everything you can to get your kids to heaven. And the last time I checked, the qualifications for sainthood don't go quite like this:
- demonstrate heroic virtue
- perform two miracles
- have been exclusively breastfed
Was the soon-to-be canonized JPII breastfed? Somehow, I don't think it's ever come up...
Was the soon-to-be canonized JPII breastfed? Somehow, I don't think it's ever come up...
I really hope things go well this time around, and I think that with your experience and knowledge it really will go better. But thank goodness for the fact that we live in a world where formula is clean, safe, and easily accessible. I can't imagine what women must have done back in the olden days when they had issues nursing their babies! Wet nurses aren't exactly a common occurrence anymore...
ReplyDeleteExactly! I just wanted to remind myself in a light-hearted way that formula is far, far from the end of the world and, actually, really a blessing.
DeleteI am definitely hopeful and fairly confident that things will go better this time, but I'm finding it so easy to worry about everything in my emotional, eight-months pregnant state!
I always have to remind myself that my biggest responsibility is raising Margot (and any other of my children) up to be saints. It's so easy to get caught up in the little decisions of motherhood- as if God cares whether we buy organic crackers or not! I do pray you all have an easier go of things this time around. It's remarkable to me how well you dealt with the challenges of Claire's birth and first few months!
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of grace! Thanks so much for your prayers. I'm trying my best to remain hopeful and positive that things will go better this time {because there's a pretty good chance they will} but I'm finding it very easy in my hormonal and largely pregnant state to feel anxious about everything.
DeleteSo, I just wanted to remind myself in a hopefully funny-ish way that the most important thing we can as do as parents to set babies on the path to holiness is to show them that we love them and care for them, just as God as. And I think I can manage that!
You’re so right! In the grand scheme of eternity, what does it matter? But I'm also pretty sure I've never met a Catholic mom, including myself, who thought that nursing her baby would help it get to heaven.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if you're really serious about wanting to nurse this baby for the various health and other benefits I think you would really profit from some help from a local nursing support group or a birth center. There are some really well known natural birth centers in Seattle and it should not be hard to find a good midwife or lactation consultant to help you. Have you thought about looking into some more resources? It might be really helpful to you to do your own research and not rely solely on the hospital nurse’s advice.
You may find that you need more than going into the experience of trying to nurse a second baby with the attitude of "who cares" to set you on the path for success. It is definitely hard work to commit to nursing a baby and I wish you the best of luck!
My attitude is far from "who cares." I just wanted to remind myself in a hopefully light-hearted way to not take things too seriously.
DeleteMy oldest daughter was premature and spent a few weeks in the NICU, so I have plenty of experience finding and asking for help.