A lot of people have been telling me I should consider giving up breastfeeding, and I understand why you would say that. I really do. If you think I don't want Hula Hut and cookie cake for my birthday tomorrow, you're crazy! I miss chocolate, and I crave cheese in a way I didn't think possible! The thing is, I have no intention of stopping. Ava has never had so much as a drop of formula, and that's something I'm really proud of for us. While I would never want to make a decision that would harm my little girl, I do think that the occasional dairy oversight that leads to a blowout diaper is a small price to pay for being able to offer her nature's most precious, well-balanced, perfect food. While it's difficult for me to find things to eat sometimes, I am more than willing to do so (and hopefully better my own health in the process) for her. That doesn't mean I won't complain about it sometimes, but I know that it's worthwhile. Not to mention, soy formula is expensive!
The doctor had told us that with her allergy, we should test out her dairy tolerance occasionally to see if she had a tolerance for it. If not, to try again a month later. If she's continuously exposed to it (besides those tests), her allergy can get worse and potentially not be outgrown, which is why the reaction seems to be more intense the more she's exposed to it. I just need to be more careful.
Anyhow, I'm not meaning to sound like I'm judging anyone elses choices, because I'm not. I'm just trying to do what I feel is best for my own little one in our particular situation. I love nursing, and so does she. I mean, she really, really loves it. She looks confused each and every time she gets a bottle, which is not often, kind of like she's being deprived of something. We frequently curl up together on the couch and I nurse her lying down, and she falls asleep with her arms around me. And I would feel so deprived of feeling her little hand and fingers tapping on my back while she nurses. Neither of us are at a point where we're ready to toss in the towel :)
I so love nursing P laying down. It's so sweet, and I especially love the hand tapping too! Good for you, Momma!
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! I do believe that breastmilk is the best thing for babies, especially in the first 6 months. I made a comment earlier asking whether or not you were considering stopping, and I was only wondering if that was an option for you. I hope you didn't take it any other way. I think it's great that you are able and willing to make the necessary sacrifices in order to continue breastfeeding. I also LOVE nursing Jack (and I'm pretty sure he's a sucker for it too-haha) and would do whatever I could to continue. I'm having a bit of an issue with pumping enough for him for daycare, but so far, so good!! I am now 'okay' with the idea of giving him half formula in his bottles if needed, but I'm trying hard to not have to do that. I've said it before- Ava is a lucky little girl!!
ReplyDeleteCute pics of her in the exersaucer too!!
Have you tried the organic isle in the grocery store/trader joe's for vegan chocolate and other foods? They would be free of all animal by products - eggs/dairy/etc
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean any offense by my suggestion. I just don't want you or her to suffer due to her allergy...if you're fine with giving up stuff, then that's your choice. As long as she seems to be okay with almost-totally-dairy free, than that's fine for her. I meant the formula as a supplement, for those days Mommy wants to binge on Mommy foods, without causing Ava tummy upset.
ReplyDeleteI only suggested it as an alternative not just because you want to eat what you want to eat, but also because it offers you some freedom from guilt from one yogurt pretzel or one small latte.
It is very hard being on a restrictive diet...I was on one the last half of my pregnancy and it makes you depressed after awhile, no matter how worthwhile the restriction is...my restriction was for my life and for Marianne's, and I still got depressed sometimes, trying to find things I could eat to satisfy the cravings.
So please, don't take offense at my comment. I only meant to offer you a way to have some Mommy-foods without any guilt, but if you're happy about the arrangement, then that's what you ought to be doing.