...And I'm back!
I've decided to give this whole blog thing here on RB another try.
So if you were following along with me before, I had my baby. Her name is Jillian, she was born at home Sept. 24 at 11:28pm. I had a very quick labor and basically got the birth experience I wanted (I do wish I hadn't forgotten all the Bradley stuff and relaxed a little more). You can read about it here and here, if you want.
Anyway, so now the baby is here and life is going pretty good. I've had a chance to get out and about more and more. Sometimes that is a little more difficult than my life pre-baby, but most of the time it really isn't. I think I'm adapting pretty well to this whole new mom thing.
Today in particular, I decided to head to Target because my clothes are falling off me. I weigh quite a bit less than I did pre-pregnancy (thanks to puking for 10 months).
Something I've discovered in the weeks since giving birth is the lack of supportive facilities for breastfeeding moms and new moms in general.
For instance, the bathrooms at my OB's office don't even have a changing table in them. About 5 days after giving birth we had to go get some lab work done there and I made this discovery. I had never really noticed it before. It was quite the task -- me still being quite sore post birth -- trying to change my daughter on the hard linoleum floor.
While Target does have a changing station, there really isn't a place for a new mom to breastfeed. And this is a store that sells more than its fair share of baby items, including nursing supplies.
I suppose if I wanted to make a statement I could have done it on the benches right at the entrance or the food court, but I'm not exactly that confident when it comes to breastfeeding. So, I wound up nursing her in a bathroom stall for a bit. Not exactly my idea of fun.
Once I thought she was done, I found my purchases and headed to the dressing room where she indicated she was still hungry. At least the second go 'round I was able to sit down and not be next to a stinky toilet.
I just wish more stores that have a women's restroom would at the very least have a bench or something where you can sit down.
And that's my two cents for today.
Comments
Congrats on the home delivery, that's amazing that you did that with your first child!! I remember walking through Coscto with both of my boys in the front carrier nursing while I pushed the cart, or sitting in the car and sweating that someone would try to steal the car while I was in the backseat (I would start the truck, turn the air on and lock the doors, but you still worry!) Good luck, it'll get easier as time goes by, then they will be 3 before you know it and no more babies!!
Hi Lisa! I'm glad to see you back on these blogs. I'm wondering how the cloth diapers are working out? I still haven't ordered any and my due date is just 3 1/2 weeks away! But we have some newborn disposables to start out with.
So glad to hear that the tear duct is unclogged and doing well! :) I was not as comfortable breastfeeding with my first in public..he liked to thrash around and they didn't have the large covers and aprons like they do now. However, once I got to the second son, I felt like a pro! He latched on and would not take a paci or a bottle....only me. So, if we were out, and he needed to eat - I found a comfy spot and he ate! I was alway discreet and felt like we had as much a right to be out in a restaurant as anyone else! I did not encounter any rude comments or disapproving looks....at least to my knowledge. I don't understand the whole issue with nursing mothers anyway....what's the big deal? I certainly understand if you are exposing yourself in public and not covered....that's one thing. However, if you are being discreet and covered, what difference does it make? If they don't want to see it - turn the other way!
Another suggestion, find a comfy chair that is on display and have a seat...if the cafe section is too crowded for you. You'd be surprised how many nursing moms will support you when they see you out and about!
The other thing you will learn....kids will always have their meltdowns when you least expect it and right after you leave a kid-friendly place! ;) I guess it just prepares you for the toddler years - and beyond!
@Cashsmommy08: It's good to know that people are generally supportive. I do have a nursing apron.
@Mom2CandC: Yeah I had actually just left BRU. Why couldn't she have her meltdown there? It was kind of warm so I didn't want to hang out in the car. The tear duct actually cleared up completely a few days after we started the treatment.
Just so you know....Babies R Us (just down the way from Target on Rosedale Hwy) has a nice nursing mothers room. I also spent many a hour sitting in the vehicle breastfeedin my son - since the stores don't really have great facilities (especially if you are not very comfortable with the whole breastfeeding in public thing, like I was. Once you get the hang of it, no problem! One thing I really needed was a comfortable chair to sit in, and a good sized blanket to keep myself covered up with! BTW, congratulations!! She is precious! How is the clogged tear duct massage going?
Congratulations! I had my son in August, he is 10 weeks old now. Enjoy every day! Anyways I bring a large light blanket with me every where I go and I just sit in the food court in a corner out of everyone's way and breastfeed. Yes I get dirty looks from people every once in a while, but mostly I meet a lot of supportive mom's who tell me I'm doing the right thing. It takes some getting used to but when my son was smaller I also used my sling to cover up while I breastfeed. I think it is a beautiful and natural thing and I find it difficult to pump. If stores were more accomedating for us that would be great in the mean time I say do what you have to to make sure your sweet baby girl gets what is best for her! Good luck and congrats again!
Congratulations! It's awesome that you were able to have the birth experience you were hoping for!
first, congratulations!!! i'm glad you had an "easy" birth, and i say that loosely because it's never easy. but, about breastfeeding...no, the rest of the world won't accomodate us. i'd say it's a tragic shame...but i've been down that road twice now and i promise its a temporal thing because once she's older she'll be able to go without boobie until you get home. the first couple of months though, you'll be getting really creative on where you feed her. i used to just go back to the car and sit in the back seat.
what's funny though, is that i remember every parking lot i fed my first born in from five years ago. so, while it seems inconvenient now, they'll still be fond memories. when you go to target in four years, you won't be able to look at the restrooms or changing rooms the same way.
congrats again!