The cleaning and scrubbing can wait ’til tomorrow,

For babies grow up, I’ve learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.

I’m nursing my baby, And babies don’t keep.

-Adapted from “Song for a Fifth Child” by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

 

As I cleaned out our garage today getting ready for the move, I had to sort through a ton of boxes full of old baby stuff, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t get a little emotional! Since we are downsizing so much, I have to be super cutthroat (as my husband keeps reminding me!) about what items to keep and what gets tossed or donated.

It was perfect timing, though, since I am up for the “Worth it Wednesday” slot this week and am in the position to sit back, look at my stuff, and decide what was “worth it” enough from my first baby to keep for my imaginary future babies.

Some cutesy items obviously made the cut: a precious hand-crocheted bonnet from Etsy shop MyBabyDeerByPaula, V’s Christening shoes, a few of her cutest pjs and dresses.

One thing that stood out the most as a must-keep, however, was my copy of  La Leche League‘s The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. I remember scoffing at the title when my Bradley childbirth teacher recommended it, but little did I know it would become such an important tool as V and I worked though our breastfeeding issues. I’m just sad I had waited to read it until she was already a few weeks old (luckily we had such great help from Austin lactation consultant Linda Hill whose wonderful breastfeeding tips you can find here).

So if you can ignore the embarrassing title, which they actually address in the book as being part of the La Leche League tradition, you will find chapters divided by stage, from pregnancy to birth and then to different ages: the first few days, the first two weeks, 2-6 weeks, 6 weeks to 4 months (“Hitting Your Stride”), 4-9 months (“In the Zone”), 9-18 months, and then Toddlerhood and Beyond. These sections make it so easy to hone in on the issues you will be really facing at that age, and give clear ways to work through them.

The book also contains chapters on pumping, weaning, solids, “Alternate Routes” (for preemies, special needs babies, etc.), and “Tech Support” (for issues such as nursing strikes, low milk supply, mastitis, etc.).

Now the book has definite Attachment Parenting leanings, so use caution when listening to their advice on things like sleep, and maybe see what Nicole Johnson from The Baby Sleep Site has to say instead on her great guest blog about Attachment Parenting and Sleep Training. Let La Leche League do what it is known to do, though, which is to foster and support mothers with all types of breastfeeding questions or issues. The advice is clear, informative, and sensitive, and I cannot recommend it enough. You will hopefully be helped by the loads of information as well as touched by the stories and quotes from mothers about the more sensitive and emotional sides to breastfeeding.

This is now my go-to book for any pregnant friends, and I look forward to the day when I have to crack it open again in preparation for a new baby.

IF I can remember what box I packed it in!

 

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. I am so bummed that I don’t have this book! My son is already almost 8 months old.  I will definitely pick up a copy for the rest of this child and any that follow!

  2. This is a book I am going to look into. Luckily I didn’t have problems with breastfeeding, but I am sure the info is all good to know. Plus I have lots of preggo friends right now 🙂

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