Breastfeeding in public

OK not a topic I converse on often because people can get hot under the collar but something really confuses me. I mean, I am all for breast feeding. I do not agree that breast is best because Amelia is much healthier than most breast fed babies I know and it has a lot to do with the total balance she receives. But I agree and support a woman's right to CHOOSE to breast feed.

However, breast-feeding in pubic. Should it be an issue? Well...no because a baby needs to eat BUT I think it wouldn't kill anyone to wear a cover. I know, I know it's natural but so is being hairy, body odour, going to the toilet and being naked but these things aren't accepted in everyday life in the western world. I mean technically it's natural for a man to pee where ever he needs to but it's not appropriate. So is it appropriate for a woman to whip out her breast when not feeding? What if she has a purpose for taking her breast out like her bra hurts?

People say there are women walking around wearing less...true... BUT you do not agree with them dressing in that manner and you don't like seeing it. So?

Personally I feel it is SO easy to get BEAUTIFUL light covers now that don't affect anyone. I would not be comfortable showing all in public and my husband wouldn't either. Yes baby has to eat but I feel it doesn't kill me to adjust everything so I'm covered. It is natural human instinct to look at the human body. Not always in a sexual way but in comparison or what ever. Whether we like it or not breasts are sexualised. So looking at it from that way, a woman breast feeding with her breast out is doing so because it has a natural purpose. So a man standing somewhere to urinate is too natural and has a purpose. Why should women be allowed to show something that has a purpose but is sexualised when a man can't show something that has a purpose and is sexualised? I don't understand the difference. To me it's like when people give out to me about foreigners and I say well my husband is foreign and they say not THAT type of foreign. Meaning they are speaking about certain race BUT you can't define things like that. It's all or nothing.

I'm curious... How do you define natural when every other natural thing should be shielded and hidden behind closed doors?

Routine and Toddlers

Amelia is routine mad! She loves it. I have my phone set to beep to remind me of certain things through the day so I make sure and fit them in. Morning snack, lunch, dinner, bath. Amelia loves knowing what comes next. When the phone beeps she goes to the fridge for her fruit snack or asks to "peeeeeeeeas" (please) get up to the table to eat her food. She knows when story time is due and brings her books, she knows mornings after snack are usually creative times with painting or drawing. She knows after nap she has a snack and then we're outside to play for a while (when it's not pouring of course)

Amelia is very opinionated. She knows what she wants and nothing will stop that girl from getting it. God help us! I find that with a routine, she feels more in control because I never have to demand that it's time to eat or time to sleep. She knows what comes next and she'll lead the way. Her way is my way. So it works!

I've read that routine makes a toddler feel more secure, and also helps them learn because everything is repeated. I guess this is why Amelia has surprised me with the way she picks things up.

Also, routine means we get to spend time together as a family. My husband works very long hours at the restaurant and so by the time he gets home Amelia is snoring away. Being on routine means we're all up, dressed and ready to start the day at the same time and we can sit down and have breakfast and take the 3 hours we have in the morning slowly. It's the only time Amelia get with her daddy so her daily and bedtime routine helps up to keep that a morning option.

Of course there are days when routine goes out the window when we're out or have errands to run but I always try to keep some things on time. Mainly her meals because it's easy on the go. I can't exactly take out the paints and paper in the middle of ikea or something but you get the idea.

How much sleep does an infant need?

While every baby is unique, there are some average guides to how much sleep a baby or toddler may need.

The following practical information regarding nap and nighttime sleep is identified by Lavin and Glaser:

•One week – eight nap hours, eight nighttime hours
•One month – seven nap hours, eight and a half nighttime hours
•Three months – five nap hours, nine nighttime hours
•Six months – four nap hours, ten nighttime hours
•One year – two nap hours, eleven nighttime hours
•Two years – one nap hour, twelve nighttime hours
•Three years – 30 minutes nap, eleven nighttime hours

Lavin and Glaser recognise that if children as young as two years of age have a minor disruption to their sleep, this may lead to severe problems in brain functioning. Sleep deprived toddlers will likely exhibit some of the following: irritability, emotional instability, aggression, attention deficits and loss of memory function.

This was taken from infant-toddler-health.suite101.com

I have come under "attack" several times about how much sleep Amelia gets. Right now Amelia is in bed by 7:30 at the latest, 7 if she's tired. She naps for 2 hours a day. Sometimes she will be in bed at 6:30 if she's had a shorter nap. For the most part she sleeps for 12 hours at night and then her 2 hours during the day so 14 hours all up. I also read that sleep deprivation has a serious effect on a child’s ability to concentrate and pay attention. It also lowers children’s immune systems, so they’re more prone to illness.

The last line I found very interesting because Amelia has a fantastic immune system. And NO it's not because I'm a stay at home mom and my child's not in daycare and NO it will not effect her later on. She has a great immune system because of what she EATS and the SLEEP that she gets. Amelia is super bright and way ahead of her piers. She loves to read and cook and do art projects.

This was a rant post. Just had to put it out there.

Wasp!!

I HATE wasp with a passion! With reason though. When I was stung I went temporally blind, deaf and then passed out.... fun. So I have a huge fear now. Worse more so, now that I'm a mom. On one hand I'm afraid Amelia will get stung but more afraid she'll get stung and have a reaction like mine. On the other hand, I'm afraid I'll be stung and I'll be on the ground and my 20 month old sure can't help me!

This is leading to a big problem. Obviously we want to play outside in the sun (we see so little in Ireland) but when I see a wasp I FREEZE and I do the same when it flies around Amelia. Not at all useful to her.

I have some anti wasp candles so I'm praying they work. *shiver*

Martha Day!

So lately i've been feeling very creative in the kitchen. I cook more than I eat so there is either a lot of waste OR my husband eats some and brings the rest to his staff in work!

Today for breakfast I made apple and raisin crepes, I made a veggie fish bake for lunch and got messy with Amelia when we made chocolate cupcakes. Most of my ideas involve sweet foods which is annoying because we don't really eat it! Oh well, all the more for the chefs in my husbands kitchen!

TV or not TV

Before I had Amelia I knew I didn't want her to be a child who sat in front of the tv for hours on end. Sat playing video games. It's just not what I wanted. I do let Amelia watch tv. She watches Mickey Mouse, Imagination Movers, Tigger & Pooh but only spread out across the day. Of course there are days when she's tired or not feeling well and she'll curl up for the day. One thing I make sure to do though is that at least once a week the tv is off for the whole day. I feel it's important.

Of course tv is fine for some people because it fits into their lives but it's just not for me. My reasons behind this are looking into the future. I want Amelia to imagine, create and move. I don't want her to sit in front of a screen with a remote in hand "playing" a game. Though I may be a "horrible mother" in the future for it I will not be buying Amelia video games for the tv. She will not have her own tv or her own computer until she is older. Hand held video games are fine because they can travel so I see good reason for them. Right now Amelia will happily read book after book while travelling so long may that live!

Eating Concerns

I read an article recently that basically blamed fast food chains for children being over weight. Offering toys as a reward for eating fatty foods.

I really wonder about this. As a parent I honestly think this is so stupid. How is it the fault of a fast food chain? It's the parents fault! That's right YOU! If your child is fat it's your fault. I take TOTAL responsibility for everything that goes into Amelia's mouth. Why is the blame taken from parents so easily? SAY NO! Raise children with an understanding of food. Yes I'm aware that my daughter is only 20 months old but she will choose fruit/veggie snacks over sweets, water over "fruit" juices. I don't ban these foods from Amelia BUT I do limit them and when she DOES have a treat she will eat less of it than if I put a plate of homemade dinner or fruits in front of her.

How can a fast food chain cause a child do be fat by putting a toy in a cardboard box? DO they bring the child to the restaurant? Do they buy the food? NO! Parents do. I don't understand why parents blame a food chain because they didn't want to deal with the tantrum when they say no to their child.

It's all about education!