{Embrace} the Camera

My baby is one hundred percent breastfed.

No really! No beer was involved the the fattening of this baby!! Only milk! (I discovered this on my camera while downloading my ETC pictures this morning. Bad, bad husband. I will kick you later. When you are awake.)

Anywho.

Joseph is 5 months and is still exclusively breastfed. It's worked really well for us and I enjoy it. I love the downtime to snuggle! We'll start him on some purees next month, but for now it's the boob for him. He tells me that he's ok with that.

Since I spend a lot of my time feeding the ravenous horde of one, I decided that I should definitely take some pictures for my future self. First, I think nursing is beautiful. Second, this way, I can look back, remember, and coo about it. It has absolutely nothing to do with totally grossing out and embarrassing my son when he's all grown up. I would never do something like that.

Don't worry. I was careful not to flash (ha!) the camera. We wouldn't want anyone's retinas to get singed.

Please be advised that I just woke up and have fuzztastic bed head in this picture.

All three of us have icky colds this week, so we're taking it slow this morning. It's the first time Joseph has ever been sick. Score 1 for boobs! He's been very chipper overall, but he can't figure out why he's unable to breath through his little nose. Poor guy. I had to use the bulb sucker on him and he was non-plussed with the fact that his own mother would betray him. Lots of back arching and head turning and complaining during which time I was the meanest mother ever. Then he immediately forgot that I can't be trusted around his nose and smiled and gurgled at me.

Side-lying hold is my favorite position for breast feeding. Cradle hold is my second favorite, but side-lying is the most comfortable for me. Especially in the morning because it is so wonderfully relaxed. I live in nursing tanks. They are super comfy and very practical. I highly recommend them.

Joseph loves to touch my face while he's nursing. Maybe to reassure himself that I'm not going anywhere? Maybe my chin and cheeks have a really cool texture that I'm unaware of? Who knows, but it's very sweet. I always feel like he's hugging the boob while he's eating.

I never would have thought it, but I've become remarkably unconcerned about exposing my boobs to my family and friends. I use an Udder Cover in public, but breastfeeding is so ingrained in my daily life that I could really care less about who sees or doesn't see my boobs. The Hooter Hider is solely for the sake of the boob shy public (Thank you, Jamie!!).

Funny story - I was eating dinner at an Indian restaurant with my sister-in-law Theresa. Joseph was hungry, so I popped him under the udder cover and undid my nursing tank. He was very excited to see his meal ticket and was grinning/hyperventilating as he latched on. Amused by his boob addiction and forgetting that I wasn't at home, I shouted "Boobies!!!" really loudly. Awkward. Theresa couldn't stop laughing at me.

Now, I need some advice from you mothers with breastfeeding experience. Joseph has started teething and, of course, wants to chew on everything.

Including my nipples.

NOT COOL.


There are no teeth yet, but it still hurts like the dickens! He chomps down and grinds his little gums together and then yanks back. I know his gums hurt and chomping feels good to him. I really sympathize with the whole teething pain thing, but if he loves his mother, his boobies, and his food, he's got to stop before he gets any teeth. My mom says he has to join the "breast feeding baby mother boobie respect society."

Any suggestions for discouraging boob chompage?? My breasts need your help! SAVE THE BOOBIES!!