World Breastfeeding Week

This week - as I just discovered on Pinterest of all places - is official World Breastfeeding Week. And being knee-deep in leaking boobs and sore nipples as we speak, I figured it was an interesting topic to touch upon.

I have - and have had since baby no. 1 - an ambivalent relationship with breastfeeding. I KNOW that in terms of both mummy and baby's health, breast is best. I know it is by far the cheaper option. And my God; at 3.30 a.m. I am even more happy about my perseverance to breastfeed, because I get to stay in bed and just latch little L on - as opposed to getting out from my very warm and comfortable duvet and having to tip-toe downstair to heat a bottle.

But trust me, it has not been an easy ride. Not with Nahla, and in no way more so with little L. We are talking blood, sweat and tears. By the bucket-load. Nipple-shields. Every nipple-protection and treatment cream on the market. Ice-packs. Cabbage leaves. Sea-shells (I swear; old wives tale!). With Nahla I had mastites twice - an experience I wouldn't even wish on someone I really can't stand, that's how sore it was.

After Nahla finished breastfeeding at about 8 months; I must admit I breathed a sigh of relief. And all through my pregnancy this time I kept having internal debates on whether I would do it all again. Because much as I in a way loved the intimacy and cuddle-time; it really did not come as easy for me as it seem to do for some. But then a newborn Luca as put on my chest. All naked and new and vulnerable. And suddenly that mother-instinct of wanting to provide your baby with the best, healthiest and most amazing food there is kicked in. Food that is tailor-made for just your baby. Full of vitamins and good fat and anti-bodies and everything a newborn needs. And just like that I found myself back there again. Tears and bloody nipples and breast-pads.

And here we are, nearly 9 weeks down the line. The first 6 were - in terms of feeding - horrific. I cried my way through feeds. I worried and fretted and struggled. And have had to do what I also did all the way with Nahla: Give bottles alongside my boobs. Which is fine. It makes life a little easier. It means Luca is still getting my breastmilk, he is just being topped up with formula when I don't have enough myself. It means I stress less and it gives my clearly overly sensitive boobs a little rest. And now I find myself enjoying our feeds. I love the nearness of it all. The skin on skin. In fact; I find myself looking down on his little face and trying to force myself to remember these moments. Which I know I tried to with Nahla too.

My point is: Try breastfeeding. Don't give up when you can't get it right to begin with. It will hurt. But it does get better. Ask for help - and don't delay doing so. Carve out time for feeds - because breastfeeding is time-consuming. Delegate the house-work and other chores for the first few weeks or even months. Try to remember why you are doing it. Know the immense favor you are doing your baby. Don't be afraid to sneak in a bottle of two for feeds throughout the day - it is not a defeat, it is simply being clever. And most importantly: Don't beat yourself up if you can't get it right and find yourself unable to breastfeed. Babies grow up all over the world on formula - and they are perfectly fine and healthy and great. A mum who is relaxed and confident and happy is the most important thing you can do for your baby, far more important than whether their milk comes from a boob or a bottle.

Here's to healthy happy babies and healthy happy mums!

Aden + Anais

I know I have mentioned it before, that part of the fun of expecting no. 2, is that you get to buy all the stuff you never got around to buying with number 1! Crazy, I know, but I mean; how cute are baby things?? I can't get enough. My latest find? These AMAZING muslin swaddles from Aden + Anais. Not only just amazingly practical as you can use them for anything from a blanket to a pram cover, to wrapping one around yourself and baby while breastfeeding, but if I tell you they are also a total celebrity must-have?! I am hooked. And have hence ordered up half their website. Only problem: I have to order more colour specific ones when bump arrives and we discover if pink or blue is needed! In the meantime: Enjoy:

I ordered these star ones. Very uni-sex and utterly gorgeous. 

These would be perfect for a little princess. Why oh why did I not know about these with Nahla?!

Gorgeous mama Camilla Alves has little Livingston wrapped up in his Aden + Anais swaddle when snapped out and about in Austin, Texas.

I also ordered these same one Alessandra Ambrosia uses to keep little Noah shaded from the hot Californian sunshine. I LOVE the middle one with the peacock pattern!

And as for the ever fashionable Kourtney K; off course she uses an Aden + Anais swaddle to keep little Penelope from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. 

Told you; utter baby must-have!

Bye-Bye Breastfeeding

Having fed Nahla myself only before bedtime and if she woke during the night for the last couple of months, it was inevitable that milk supplies would come to an end at some point. And now that my little girl is loving her solids and on 4 meals a day, porridge for breakfast, baby yoghurt or fruit for lunch, vegetables with pasta or rice for dinner and porridge again for evening meal, the levels of milk she required was slowly subsiding as well. And not only that; having been a combination baby, boob AND bottle, since birth, lately Nahla seemed to prefer having her bottle, truly loving being cuddled up either in the nook of someone's arm or on the ground on her own, and drinking her milk. And at that cue, I decided enough was enough and officially ended breastfeeding two days ago.

And while in many ways this feels perfectly fine, it wasn't without a hint of sentimentality I packed away pads, shields, (the oh-so-unsexy) nursing bras and the (equally unflattering) tops and tee's designed for feeding in public. I mean; it is the end of one of our many new eras. I am so grateful that I was able to feed Nahla myself for the first 6 1/2 months of her life. It was an amazing- although in the beginning very painful- experience. A bond stronger than anything I have ever known. I remember looking down at her little face in the middle of the night when she was feeding and trying to will myself to always remember that moment and the feeling of contentment, gratefulness and total love.

But as most things in life that is clearly good for you- and your child, it does not come completely easy. I struggled at first, and vividly remember crying on the bathroom floor both times when I had mastitis, which is the sorest thing I have ever experienced. Cracked, bleeding nipples, exhaustion, a fear of exposing myself in public, fear that Nahla wasn't getting enough; the list goes on. But in the end, we got the hang of it, and learnt to- in most parts- love it. Here are some of the pro's and con's I found:

CONVENIENCE: No bottles, no mixing, no measuring, no warming! You can't beat breastfeeding for convenience, especially in the middle of the night. I mean; who wants to fix a bottle at 3:00 am?!

HEALTH BENEFITS: No one can disagree that breastfeeding is best for babies. Even formula makers admit to this. It boosts immunity and contains many things that scientists just haven't been able to duplicate. I know of many breastfed toddlers who have never been sick. However, I also know of other breastfed babies who have had many ear infections and several sets of tubes. While breastfeeding does not guarantee perfect health, if you don't at least give it a try, you won't ever know what could have been.

PUBLIC BREASTFEEDING: I HATED this! It was something I never really got comfortable with, splitting my time between Norway where it is the most common thing ever and Ireland, where it is, if not uncommon, then at least a tad less common than home. Even with my cover-up thing, I always felt self-conscious. Since Nahla always has been getting some formula alongside her mummy milk, I started to rely on bottles when out and about- and loved the freedom it gave me!

BONDING: I do believe that breastfeeding helped Princess and I bond, there is nothing as amazing as knowing your baby is feeding from your own body and the feeling of skin-to-skin contact that you get with breastfeeding is one of a kind.

COST: I saved a ton of money breastfeeding! Seriously; formula is expensive!

My final thoughts on the subject is that I am happy I did it. I am grateful I had an amazing support network in the form of my mum, my family, my friends and last but not least the amazing health station I attend with Nahla. I could call in whenever with the most random of questions and queries, and there were always someone who helped me. It made everything so much easier. I always found it of great help that Nahla had been getting used to both boob and bottle from the beginning, meaning she had no problem taking either. It gave me the freedom to be able to pop out and have someone mind her for a couple of hours, and as I never really got the hang of pumping and did not really have enough milk, I needed formula for this. (I use HIPP Organic) Also, I think BF/Daddy, as well as other family members, enjoyed being able to give Nahla her bottle, it is a very intimate and lovely experience.

My advise would be to give breastfeeding a fair try. Seek help if you need it. Take it one day, or one feeding, at a time and be patient. Even if you eventually go with formula, you will at least have make an educated decision. And remember it does get better! Both Nahla and Mummy are happy we did it, and are now ready for new foods and new adventures!

Milk, Meals and Heels!

When to cut out breast-feeding? This is a much debated topic- especially in Norway where not only 99% of ALL WOMEN choose to breastfeed their babies, but where also most continue to do so- supplemented by solids after a while off course- until their babies are approaching one. I have to admit I am torn. I really don't think I would like to keep going that long, but part of me also know I will miss it when we finally call it a day. In fairness, seeing as Nahla has been getting both boob and bottle since she was born, it will more than likely be an easier transition for me than for many, but it is more me I am worried about than her. As it is, she doesn't really breastfeed during the day at all anymore, just early morning and then at night before she goes to bed. And it is as much for the closeness and comfort I think as her genuinely being hungry. Especially now that she is eating 3 meals a day, supplemented by a couple of bottle-feeds as well. My little cupcake now has fruit at 11 AM, usually pureed apple and pear, or bananas, or whatever else I think to combine. Then at 2.30 PM she has her "dinner", which at the moment consists of pureed organic carrots and potatoes. And before bed, at around 6.30 PM, she has porridge or baby rice. And she loves it all! Which makes me so happy! This whole weaning thing, which seemed like such a huge milestone, just kinda slipped right in and it now works so perfectly well with our routines for the day. Phew!

God, it makes me think of the first few weeks after Nahla was born; I felt like such a rookie-mum! And now, almost five months down the line, I feel like i was meant to do this all along! So to answer the first question; I don't think we are quite ready to give up on mummy's milk yet, neither mummy nor baby. Those moments when it is just me and her, the world sort of melts away, it feels like the closest bond anyone can ever have, and I feel blessed to have been able to experience it. Too soon it will be just memories of my little princess cuddled up close to my skin and being fed, so we are going to keep these nighttime and morning cuddles for just a tad longer!

Oh. and the heels part? Ordered the most AMAZING pair from Net a Porter last night! Too. Fab. For. Words! Paris: Here We Come!

Mastitis. Again. F**K.

Last night as we went to bed I must admit I breathed a not-so-small sigh of relief. First set of vaccinations were behind us, and Nahla seemed to not have gotten any nasty side-effects from them. No fever. No crying. No fussing. Nothing. My little lioness, so little and yet so brave. And so I thought: "Yeah, all is good, Easter holidays, Ireland and BF/Daddy; here we come!" And as we are leaving EARLY Thursday morning, I had every intention to spend today packing. I used to be The Best Packer in the World. Seriously. For a girl I was AMAZING. I could get away with packing nothing but hand-luggage even for 2 week breaks in the sun. City weekends, family holidays, work trips; you name them, I could pack for them. And pack well. Organized, thought out and efficient. That was until Nahla came along. Now, having to pack for us both, I feel hopeless. I over-pack. I pack and then unpack, trying to figure out what we really need. I mess up my outfits, bring too much for us both; all in all am pack to packing square one. So believe me; I needed today.

And then disaster struck. For the second time. I woke up around 7 am with a now familiar ache in my right boob. And I mean ache. My whole breast was red and hard and full of lumps. I knew without even checking that I had a fever. I felt horrible. And then upon getting out of bed, I felt both dizzy and sick. So with Nahla on her playmat on the bathroom floor, Mummy took a long hot shower accompanied by her breast pump, then got sick into the toilet with the pain of it all. Not a great morning. Then Mummy reluctantly popped a paracetamol and took Nahla and went to bed for another couple of hours. Then rang GP for my second antibiotic prescription in two months. One word: YUCK.

Hooter Hiders!

Fab product, even fab-er name! This gem of a product, which I picked up from here, has now officially become my New Best Friend. As you all know I am breastfeeding my little cupcake, and sometimes this needs to take place outside the comfort of your home- when she needs to be fed, she needs to be fed, and that's just it. But I am also very aware that although in Norway the sight of a mother nursing her baby is the most common thing ever, this might not be the case other places. And as I am well aware; princess and I will do a fair bit of traveling this year, between here, Ireland, the UK, and that's not to mention other holiday destinations. As well; and I know this is quite a common "problem" as babies get older and more aware of their surroundings, Nahla is starting to get super-nosy, and may at any point tear herself away from my boob- something that is one thing when it happens at home and nobody is around to see anything, but quite another when it happens in the middle of Starbucks and the entire place gets a full view!

So when I discovered these fab nursing covers from Bebe au Lait; I was sold. Click, click and it was mine. And I have not looked back. Not only did I use it every day while in Ireland, but I have found myself always keeping it in the changing bag here in Oslo too, using it almost every time I have to feed Nahla outside the house. It covers us both, making feeding-on-the-go both warmer and more intimate for my girl and more comfortable for me as I don't have to worry about other people getting an eyeful of my boob. And for a fashion-loving mummy like me; the design of these nifty little things are quite the deal-breaker too. A total must for all yummy mums with hungry little hippos like mine!

Poop Panic!

I had never really got it. You know in books, and film- and from girlfriend having their little bundles of joy. How in the name of .... does anyone get so obsessed over their babies' bowl movements?! I mean; the discussions over color, texture, amount etc. HELLO! I would have totally gotten an in-depth analysis on the latest range of Chloe handbags. Or Rodarte clothing. Or some seriously sexy shoes. But poop??!! Eh, no thanks. Until now that is. Now I am officially as bad as the rest. If not worse. I clap my hands when she Nahla has a dirty diaper. I sing to her about being a good girl, and clever she is for doing a poop. I am a lost cause. For sure!
In my defense; the debacle over Nahla's poops have been quite exhausting. She passed her meconium in the hospital while we were still there, but then nothing since for 12 WHOLE DAYS! I was going nuts! My poor baby, was she suffering from constipation? Was everything normal with her? I rang the hospital, midwifes, pediatric nurses- everyone even remotely qualified to answer such questions. And they all just seemed so relaxed. "Don't worry, for breast-fed babies, it is equally normal that they poop 10 times a day than it is that they poop every 10 days." That did not settle my panic even the slightest. I was freaked out there was something wrong with my perfect little baby. Then again, she seemed fine. She ate. She pee'd. She slept. She was calm and cute and amazing in every way. She just did not poop. Until, off course, after 12 long days, she did. Alot. All over me. And the sofa. And herself. From her hair to her toes. I'll spare you the details of the color and texture, if you have any experience with baby-poop you'll know. It was extensive.

And now, at six weeks, she still only poops every 4-5 days. Which I have been assured by the entire medical profession is entirely normal as she is for the most part a breast-fed baby. I give her a couple of bottles of formula a day, both because she is a hungry baby and I don't have quite enough milk, and also because I find that being able to do a combination just suits us both better. She is happy and content and sleeps through the night, and it gives me the freedom of being able to let someone else feed her every now and again- which her grandparents and aunties and everyone LOVES to do, and also makes me relax knowing she is getting enough food. Breastfeeding is great and lovely and convenient- especially for us that travel as much as we do, but I enjoy being to do both. Which- I think- is one of the most important lessons I have learnt in parenting so far; to do what suits YOU and YOUR baby. Don't let people tell you what to do. Listening and learning from others is all fine and well, but at the end of the day, you have to make your routine work for your life. Happy mummy = happy baby. It really is that simple.