I had my first attempt at nursing in public on Sunday after church. I know some people feel that it's not appropriate, but I'm not going to let that sway me. I'm determined to be able to feed my baby whenever and wherever I need to -- that's one of the conveniences of breastfeeding, right? We went to Potbelly for sandwiches and found a booth in the back. I attempted to cover myself and discreetly unbutton my shirt and proceed to nurse. Of course, Tanner chooses this feeding to be particularly difficult -- shaking his head back and forth, latching and unlatching several times, acting like I'm choking him. Jon came back from getting our sandwiches and said "you did a great job -- I only saw your boob 3 times." Great. I asked him if they offered him a free sandwich in exchange for the peep show I was putting on for the restaurant, but I guess they must not have noticed. Anyways, if any of you mothers have tips for nursing discreetly in public, please share!
My mom came on Sunday night and will be staying until Wednesday morning. I love having her here. I haven't had to do a lick of laundry and she just cleaned all of my bathrooms and vaccumed for me today. She is completely in love with her little grandson. I don't think he's been set down for three days! Today we went for a walk that was supposed to last about an hour. On the way back, we decided to stop and get lunch. Then we went to the park across the street from the restaurant (hardly anyone there), so I could nurse Tanner. It started raining just as we finished, so we had to seek shelter in the ice cream shop next to the park -- what bad luck, huh? :) We finally made our way home about 4 hours after we originally left. It ended up being such a fun day.
Here are a few pictures of Tanner from the past several days.
Tanner's First Sponge Bath
Jon puts his "Daddy Boot Camp" skills to work
Getting ready for a walk.
He loves his pacifier!
Getting ready for his second sponge bath. Isn't he adorable!
So cuddly!
"I'm not sure if I like this sponge bath business!"
Snuggling with Grammy
So happy in the mornings!
7 comments:
He is getting big. I know everyone tells you this and they told me too, but it is really true: Time Flies! Kennedy turned 3 months today and I can't believe it. We look back at pictures when she was born and she was a little peanut.
I remember the first nursing in pulbic episode. I have no problem nursing in public, but I also was scared to flash my boobs everywhere. When I know we are going to be out, I really try to wear a shirt that can easily be lifted up. I also got this great cover-up off the web. It has boning towards the top, so you can easily look down and help out Tanner and it wraps around your neck so you don't have to worry about holding it up. I have used it a ton and love it. It made things so much simpler. And if it is warm and we are outside, I can use it to get Kennedy all situated and then swing it to the back so she isn't warm under a cover-up (it is very light weight though). The website is: http://www.bebeaulait.com/
It really was a great purchase. And you can pick out your favorite design.
You will find that people will stare and look at you like you have a second head attached to your neck no matter how discreet you are. I just smile and go about my business.
Keep the pictures coming! I am totally addicted to checking your site to see if there are any updates (as if you have all the time in the world).
Give Tanner a kiss from me!
Love ya,
Michelle
He is so cute - I can't wait to see him in a few weeks! Aren't the Fagan ladies great? When Brady was born my mom was a work-horse at our house. And...I remember when I couldn't believe Brady was a week old, and he's 11 months old today! Just as everyone says - time FLIES!
You are doing such a great job as a mommy. You were born for this job!
Rachel,
I am like Michelle, I check all the time for updates. They change so quickly and he is soooo cute. I never nursed, so no advice there. My friends all did and they they just brought BIG blankets with them, but then again that was winter! You'll figure it out and really, who cares. If people see something, oh well. You'll never see them again and you are just feeding your son. Nothing wrong with that. That was a benefit to being in Europe, most people did it and without blankets or anything. A much more open culture.
You look so happy and your mom looks like she is in Heaven. Glad she can be there with you. Moms are great. I can remember that my parents did all of our cleaning and cooking and it was great! Then my in-laws did all of our ironing. Hope we have a reunion at the lake this summer so we can meet Tanner! There will be so many babies there and mine are big kids now (they grow so fast), how much fun.
Hey Rachel - I LOVE seeing all the pictures of Tanner!!! :) You guys all look SO happy!
I actually had a meeting with a client yesterday and the wife breastfed during it. I'm not sure exactly what it is - but it looked like a harness around your back, so this sling-deal holds the baby. And then she had some kind of cover (that looked like it went with it) that sort of was like an awning over him while he fed. This description really shows I'm not a mom yet, huh? But I thought it was really cool! :) Hahahaha
I'm hooked on your website as well - please tell Jon and your fam hi! I WISH YOU WERE STILL IN COLORADO!!! xoxoxoxo
Love, Linds
Rach, you are doing so great, growing the most adorable baby boy! He is just scrumptuous! I've had many-a-moment breastfeeding in public... You remember the time I tried at the coffee house where we were all having lunch. Both the boys have had a few good sprays in the face--haha! I think G would prefer I did it at home, but gosh, it is so portable and convenient, embrace the breastfeeding and do it anywhere! Investing in a cover sounds like the best idea. I've never had one, but probably would have had much less strife with one!! I've also had better success with certain shirts (i.e. low v-necks) than others, so you'll have to find your rhythm! Good luck and keep up the great work! Hugs and prayers, B :)
Rachel - this is what I've found about that woman who I was telling you about: (through her co-worker)...hehehe :)
I actually have a ton of friends with kids and have NEVER seen anyone do it the way Cathy does, so not sure how feasible it is for everyone (usually, babies nurse laying down and I think it depends on the anatomy of the mommy if you know what I mean :-)
But she basically just puts him in a Baby Bjorn carrier, ties a blanket, scarf or wrap around herself and the baby, and he goes to town.
Sorry I have no advice on breast feeding...but from what I've learned being around Jason's sisters....is to just whip it out and do work....cover what you can....but I'm totally down with the Europe idea....its natural so who cares....I was dying reading about Jon commenting on your flashing....I read it to Jason and he was cracking up! You all look so happy!! What a beautiful family you have. I can't wait to see you...I can come to Chicago if you want....or call when your in town.
Love you!
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