However, I had no idea that "normalcy" would entail breast feeding in public.
Yep. I am THAT woman.
It all started with an invitation to meet Kelly and her adorable baby girl Patsy for lunch. Kelly has been such a wonderful friend and continues to provide lots of tips and advice. We ordered our food, started eating, and BAM! Layla was wide awake and looking for food. Luckily, I had my feeding smock to cover everything up, and with Kelly's help, I was able to feed her in a secluded corner of the restaurant. Twice.
I was sweating bullets, as this is NOT something I ever thought I'd do, nor was I entirely comfortable with the idea. But I suppose that once you deliver a child in front of what seems like 30 doctors, all modesty goes out the window. Oy.
Extreme close-up! Who can resist this precious face?
My little smush:)
In addition to taking Layla out in public, I've slowly started to incorporate activity back into my life. My dad and I have been on a few walks, and next week, I am going to start attending Pure Barre classes.
Luckily, there are also many holiday challenges happening right now in the blogosphere, and thanks to Katie, I stumbled across the Good Life Holiday Challenge. One of the reasons I was drawn to this challenge was that it's not just about weight loss, but about maintaining physical, mental and emotional health. Each week has a different theme (see below) and Jamie, the hostess, sends out a challenge / tips / etc. each day to follow.
I'm really excited about this challenge, as it seems totally manageable during the holiday season. I also love how the sole purpose isn't just to cut calories, but promote an overall healthy lifestyle. Anyone care to join me???
Are you staying active during the holidays?
Do you have kids? If so, how do you balance your kiddos with your interests?
Good for you!! I've yet to nurse James in public and the thought stresses me out! I've nursed in front of family and I know that nursing in public will happen eventually. I've been able to schedule things around his feedings so far but I know that won't always happen! I plan to start yoga again next week. Not necessarily to lose more of the baby weight but for my sanity! It's been so cold lately that I have no desire to bundle myself and James up for daily walks although we've been on a few. I'm ready to be active again!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are working some 'normalcy' into your life! I don't think I ever nursed in public (if I did, I blocked it out). I was not a great producer and the kids were not great nursers so I'd have to nurse then pump. Talk about a royal PIA. Keep the pics coming!
ReplyDeleteI was stressed out to nurse Kennedy in public, but honestly nobody cares or EVER notices especially when you're covered up so I'm sure you were okay! It just comes with the territory of being a mama to a newborn! Getting out of the house to go to yoga was challenging when Kennedy was a newborn because it seemed every time I tried to leave is when she would scream her head off and Greg couldn't calm her. Haha!! Hopefully you get a good schedule down. Layla is just precious!!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's because our family photo albums include pictures of my mom breastfeeding us (sometimes in public) but to me that's NBD. Obviously I have yet to do it myself though. Last weekend, we were at lunch (at a restaurnat) and Kelly was breastfeeding while our food was arriving. I commented that it's so nice that all of us - including Patsy - could eat at the same time. I hope everyone appreciated my silly joke :)
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning it's hard to have that balance. Both times I didn't feel like I got into groove until they hit 3 months. There are days I want to blog and just can't because one of them need some extra time with me. My husband is pretty great about letting me sleep in on the weekends and watching the kids so I can have some me time, but some of my interests like scrapbooking have totally been shelved until I have more time.
ReplyDeleteIt's cool that you had Kelly with you the first time you fed in public - I think I'd probably feel really self-conscious about doing it at first, so having a friend who has recently been there would probably be a huge help! Although, I see so many mom-friends and other moms feeding anymore that it doesn't really phase me, and I'm sure a lot of people don't really even notice.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you're getting back to your Barre classes again so soon! Hope those go well :) Oh, and I'm going to be staying at my in-laws over Thanksgiving - I think you may be somewhat close to them (they're in DuPage county), maybe you and your little lady would want to meet up for a walk next Friday? Totally understandable if it's too crazy with holiday/Black Friday stuff going on, just thought I'd throw that out there.
So glad to hear that breastfeeding in public went well!! It is the most challenging part of it, I think!! I'm glad that you guys are finding your new "normal".
ReplyDeleteI was so nervous the first few times I nursed in public, I felt like everyone was just staring, it was really uncomfortable. You and Layla will get used to it though and find what works for you. I finally got to the point with my second baby that I could use the cover to get her latched, then pull it off and she'd happily nurse (she HATED the cover and wiggled all around and tried to throw it off until I gave in and took it off) and nobody could tell. I hope things continue to go well!
ReplyDeleteI'll join you! That sounds fun. I just did a DietBet in hopes of losing a few pounds before the holidays. It was fun and I won - so I'll have some money coming my way soon. Also, I was never very comfortable at feeding baby in public. I did it sometimes with a cover, but mostly I would feed him in the car. It wasn't that I was embarrassed or anything - I just wasn't very good at it. I needed arm rests and lots of space and I if I was in a restaurant I just didn't have those things and my boob would always fall out or my back would be naked or something like that. I really fed Evan a lot in the car! If I was at a friend's house, that was a different story, but I tried to avoid the "public" thing as often as possible. And I still do, 14 months later - we still do nursing sessions in the car!
ReplyDeleteAww, I love that you and Kelly were able to meet up and that you are getting comfortable doing feedings in public! Layla's gotta eat! :) Hee hee.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness how sweet is she. Glad to see you are establishing some normalcy even if it includes the new chore of breast feeding in public. At least you had a cover...too many women don't.
ReplyDeleteAmber
I can't say enough how sweet & cute Layla is! I've yet to nurse in public so I'm super impressed you have. I think I just need to get over feeling nervous & anxious about it because it would make going out a lot easier & we'd be able to stay out longer.
ReplyDeleteCan you make Layla an instagram account and just post pics of her like all the time...100% serious
ReplyDeleteMeghan, she is soooo precious. You guys are doing fabulous! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are totally rocking it lady!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cutie! I'm excited to hear you're out walking and are already going back to PureBarre. I can't wait to follow your journey back into running. I know this all will help me so much when we decide to have kids one day.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing an amazing job!!!
ReplyDeleteAw, what a cute face! And I'm trying to stay active, we'll see how long it lasts lol!
ReplyDeleteI recommend nursing with the cover on at home too just so she gets used to it. I rarely used the cover at home because who cares right and then when I did try to nurse him in public with the cover he would freak out.
ReplyDeleteGood luck getting back into everything, I know you can do it!!
ReplyDeleteWe are staying active, we have a few races and we'll continue to swim, bike and run in order to get ready for Ironman training!
It was so nice meeting Layla and I am so glad that I'm able to help you out! I had lots of help and tips so I'm happy to pass on what worked for me! Breastfeeding is hard work so it is definitely nice to talk with someone else that is going through the same things! I can't wait for more play dates in the future!
ReplyDeleteSounds like things are going well... and I cannot stand how cute Layla's little smushy face is. Oh my gosh.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking lately and it seems that the holidays is the perfect time to practice moderation. I mean... if you can do it now, you can do it anytime!
ReplyDelete7% Solution
Just signed up, eep! xx
ReplyDeleteAwww, your little one is too cute! Congrats!
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