Stay Calm, Keep Your Cool... It's Just a Growth Spurt.

This is a new thing for me; having to recognise and deal with bubba's growth spurts. Seeing as Drayven is an exclusively breastfed baby, the idea that growth spurts would cause such furore in this house, or to my sanity, did not occur to me. And by "furore", I do mean constantly crying, wailing, flailing, spluttering, screaming, kicking and shaking the entire foundations of my already dithering existence.

In fact, I was not even aware of this very significant stage as both of my children were exposed to some formula and did not experience the same torment during these stages of growth. Either that, or I simply do not recall such tyrannical episodes.

So far, we have survived one spurt and have now embarked upon our first day into the second. Sometimes, I feel as though I'm about to pull my beautiful hair out, but I must remind myself that it is the little fella who is in really agony... and whatever my pain or distress; this period of anxiety shall pass as did the last. I just have to survive the next two days or so.

Most exclusively breastfed babies experience at least five growth spurts within his/her first year alone. It is in my own experience that, for what ever reason, formula/mixed feed babies' growth spurts are not nearly as excruciating in experience compared to that of a breastfed baby. Perhaps it has something to do with the composition of breastmilk being so entirely different from that of formula - I mean, come one, one is produced from the same species and the other from a completely different species/source.

So, when DO babies have their growth spurts?

Really, a baby can have growth spurts at any time during the first year, but in general and in Dray's case, he has correlated with the general rule of  a spurt between 1 and 3 weeks, 6 and 8 weeks, then one at 6 months, and again at 9 months.

Just when Dray had settled into feeding every three hours or so, he suddenly (at around two weeks old) wanted to feed off of me non-stop - I mean constantly, all day and all night long. He would just howl and yell until he was put to the breast and once there he would latch on and suckle vigorously for a while and then yank his head back, still clamped on tight... OUCH! He would continue with this charade of latching on and attempting to latch off; it was almost as if he wasn't getting enough milk to satisfy himself. When my cranky boy want milk; he wants milk - now!

I will admit, it was frustrating. The next day, I got a call from a breastfeeding counsellor as a routine check-up. She advised me of all the useful titbits of information that made the previous few days and nights make absolute sense. It was like a shining beam of knowledge which made everything all better - growth spurts.

The BF counsellor was great! She explained to me that the more baby feeds, the more milk I will produce... so keep feeding him, even if I felt that he wasn't getting enough. Eventually, it will boost your milk supply and baby will be sated. And you know what, it worked. Bubba is getting plumper and rounder than ever. I can only hope for more.

Sleeping Babe: Finally back to his 'normal' sleep patterns, complete with his much loved skull blanket.

Now, my advise for all of you breastfeeding mothers out there...

"I know it's one of the most trying experiences in the world...But keep going!"

During these hard and strenuous times - don't be disheartened and certainly don't give up breastfeeding now because you have already come so far! It truly is awesome; the things our bodies are capable of - I totally love and appreciate mine. I grew a human... and now, I keep that little human alive and nourished. He is happy and getting bigger, gaining weight and producing more and more filled diapers for me each day. So I know I am doing a great job... What is even greater is that when he feeds, he smiles up at me with this perfectly joyful little smile. It is a visual reminder for us mums; a kind of quiet, peaceful recognition and appreciation of our efforts that is given to us in the most profound and momentous way. A perfect smile.

Remember, breastfeeding for six weeks means that your baby is less likely to have digestive problems, or get sick; he now has less risk of chest infections up to seven years. Breastfeeding for at least one month alone gives your baby significant protection against food allergies for up to three years, as well as respiratory allergies until seventeen years of age. Now it is my turn to smile.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7564787

Serious 24 Hour Viral Infection

Here is a short tale of where and how this pesky virus sneakily found its way into the wild and always vibrant Storm strong-hold. This virus really hit us hard and it was on the saturday that the first victim was claimed by an assault which was both swift and merciless.

That morning, unbeknownst to any of us, it had already infiltrated our camps and silently laid in wait as its symptoms festered. Quietly, it plotted to take us down, one by one. It had set its sights upon the fair and jovial Eden. My eldest daughter, who at the tender age of three, had mastered many great milestones before expected, brought home with her an invisible and malevolent passenger from nursery. Now, I am not lying when I say that she can adapt to any given situation; whatever obstacle is thrown her way, she will make the most of and overcome. But this was just too much for the poor girl.

She woke up that morning trying to make light of a throat complaint, which as it seemed then, could not keep her from bouncing off the walls or hopping about the place like a bunny-rabbit because a rabbit can't possibly be a rabbit without first being called a bunny.

And then, all of a sudden, during the early evening we could no longer hear crazy lyricless singing, or bouncing - not even a hop! Clearly something was affoot. I walked into the bedroom and there she was, my beautiful Eden, her rosy-cheeked complexion - gone... drained. She just lay there in her bed; so still.

The clouds out the window loomed with a heavy darkness as the last traces of light were drowned out. A bad omen I thought to myself as she said to me, "Mommy, I'm ill, I think."

I called for Kade and he came and knelt by her bedside. Placing a hand upon her head, he declared "She is burning up!" Indeed, she felt like fire. Immediately, medicinal remedies were administered to work their wonders on our ailing beauty. But, despite this, only an hour later, Eden wakes groggily from her shallow sleep and frets. Worried and startled we look in her direction and as Kade rushes to her aid, she vomits into her own lap!

The odorous smell of stmach acids fill the air and all I can do to comfort my darling girl is to tell her that it is ok, just let it out, let it out...its OK.

Eden looks up at her Daddy, right at that moment and throws him a huge adorable smile. It is one of those images that really touched me in the most emotional way... I could have cried. Even at her absolute worst; body ravaged by fever - Eden looks up at her Daddy with those immensly loving eyes and can still manage to smile.

Amazingly,she recovered the next morning, no traces of the villainous infection in sight. We were relieved. She had won and all was back to normal, or so we thought. The following day, Lydia fell prey to its evil symptoms. Sweet, gentle Lydia... and then it was I who was condemned to bed rest after being hit what seemed like the hardest and the longest 48 hours of my life. Like Eden, Lydia recovered the next day and I too recovered - albeit a day extra spent in listless turmoil.

In the end, it would seem that it was the Storm boys who were left standing strong and triumphant in the wake of this fleeting yet volatile virus.

My-Oh-My... How Time Flies.

Today, my Bubba turns one month old and already, it is plain to see, just how much he has changed since he made his début into this weird and wonderful world.

I cannot account for where the days, or weeks have gone. But they have gone; disappeared and it seems that I was not looking. One might expect a tale about poopy diapers and nights of endless wailing and feedings. However, I think I shall bore you with those another time. Right now though, it saddens me a little to actually realise, just how fast he has grown and how quickly my kids have gone from being our sweet and incapable baby-loves of delightful chubbiness, into walking, talking opinionated individuals in their own right.

Blurring Moments: Breastfeeding joy!

Although little Dray hasn't changed so entirely; he still needs closeness to drift off to sleep and still has all the basic needs of a newborn. Its just that he has lost that shrivelled, prune-like look in his face and body. All of which I absolutely love; in fact he gets better looking by the week. The fact that I see my baby boy grow and flourish before my very eyes is the greatest thing in the world.

It is the visual, physical change I see in him that reminds me in no time at all, he will be just as crazy and energetic as Eden, as independent as Lydia and out he will be to nursery. Before I even blink he'll be full grown and hanging out at bars with friends until the time comes when he is making that eternal pledge of love to his wife... Yes, I am the crazy mother who clings to all things sentimental.

For right now though, I have my baby and all that matters is my children grow into healthy and productive members of society. Alas, a part of me senses the end of our baby-moon is soon to be, upon the horizon.

The Top 10!

I have found that the first few days as a new mum are indeed the hardest and most trying of times. So, I have compiled a list of ten items, which have been essential to my survival these past few weeks with my newborn baby, Drayven.

1. Pampers Newborn Diapers - You will need lots of these! My little monster goes through at least nine dirty diapers a day (both wet and poopy ones). My Bubba is an exclusively breastfed baby, so finding a mass of of wet yellow liquid poops are not uncommon. Gone already, are the days of black tar-smeared bots (meconium aka babies first bowel movements). I miss these.

   

   Diapers: Pampers New Baby essential.
2. Cotton Balls, or Baby Wipes - For the first few weeks, using cotton balls and plain warm water to clean Dray's diaper area have been the gentlest on my baby boy's botty. It has allowed his baby soft skins PH to regulate normally. Using wipes (fragrance free and all) so early on made his skin red and sore. It is only recently, now that he is three weeks old, has he adjusted nicely to the use of wipes.

   

   Essential: Use cotton balls and warm water for the first month.
3. Muslins & Bibs - Muslins cloths are perfect for all those spill, spews, burps and if you have a little boisterous boy in particular, for catching any little accidents. Dare I say it, but I think I have mastered dodging those projectile wees at change-time. Bibs are always handy and you really cannot have too many of either of these products.

   

   Muslin Cloths: Jazz them up with rainbow muslins.
4. Baby Vests & Sleepsuits - These are really all I need for in the early days. I find its pointless spending loads on fancy and expensive brands when all they will do is get spoiled and stained with poop and spit-up on a daily basis. Plus, your babe will out grow the first sizes very quickly.

   

   Starter Set: Affordable collection from Mothercare.
5. Boppy Pillow - Whether you are breastfeeding or going the bottle way, a feeding support cushion is one of those essential items that have come in handy for my own comfort and ease. I am so exhausted during night feeds, that I feel as though I cannot hold my arm upright to support my Bubba's big bobble-head. Everything seems a hundred time harder when you are suffering from sleep deprivation, which lets face it, all parents will be trying their best to battle. This pillow provides firm support with its donut-like shape and has aided me in many a sleepless night. It truly has been one of those life savers for me. It comes in a variety of colours and designs to suit your tastes.
   

   

   Supports Feeding: The Boppy Pillow.
6. Medela Twin Plus Electric Breast Pump - I've decided to exclusively breastfeed my third bundle of torture... and a devilishly hungry little demon he is too. While Drayven has  expanded our capacity to love exponentially with his precious presence; he is by far more challenging than my other kids. He is always hungry. Having an electric pump to had is very useful, especially when your milk first comes in at around day three after birth. The breasts swell up and become hard like rock. It is excruciating - the pain - all I could do to ease my distress was to get my little devil to feed as often as possible while I waited for my pump to be delivered.
   

   

   Electric Breast Pump: Medela Twin Plus.
7. Baby Björn Original Classic Carrier - This carrier has been another ingenious design and is useful for many situations. Drayven likes to be close to his mamma (at all times I might add), and for hte most part he is not far from my arms. So, being able to keep him close as well as spend time doing the housework, cooking dinner and more importantly, spending time with my daughters and my husband is very important for me.
   

   

   Baby Bjorn: Original Carrier in City Black.
8. Nap-time - It is important to take those naps whenever you baby sleeps, otherwise you will not be able to function efficiently. You will just become a stressed out mom and not be able to enjoy the early days because everything will begin to annoy you, even your babies cries. Make good use of those cat-naps, even if you cannot sleep, try to rest.

   

   Cat-naps: We all suffer from sleep deprivation (moms and dads). So, nap when you can.
9. Healthy Eating & Hydration - Adjusting to life with a newborn in the house can make looking after yourself difficult. Almost instantaneously, any idea of you comes second to everything you actually do. First you feed the baby and tend his needs and then, if there is time, you have a bite to eat yourself. The best thing I ever did with regards to nutrition, was to give up all junk/processed foods. We only eat healthily cooked whole, fresh foods in our house. It is also very important to keep yourself well hydrated, especially if you are breastfeeding - trust me, you will really benefit from at least one litre per day.
   

   

   Hydration: Keep well hydrated with, at least, 1 litre of water per day.
10. Camera - So you can capture all of those first moments because they only happen once and for me, there is nothing more important than immortalising these precious mile stones. If you are as photo-mad as I am, then invest in a good digital camera to freeze your memories in time.

    

    Canon: A great introductory DSLR for all those perfect snaps of your newborn.

There you have it; my survival list of new mom must-haves that will get you through until the first month at least. What has worked wonders for me may not always work as well for others and so my advice to you would be to find what suits you best because we all have our own individual needs. Remember not all forms of support can be bought.

I have found that, in my experience at least, the most invaluable and treasured form of emotional and physical support came from my husband. Knowing that he was there for me and always at hand to carry out any little favours; be it dropping Eden off at nursery, or making sure that Lydia ate her lunch on time, made it all the more easier for me to survive my babymoon with Drayven.

The Beginning of my Odyssey

I decided to start this blog as a collection of experiences and memories... A compilation, if you will, of all the little pieces of wisdom (my little gems), which I have accumulated over the past few years. It is in this time that I have gone on to get married and produce three beautiful children; all of whom are the absolute sum of my existence.

So, this is the beginning of my long and eventful journey into motherhood.

Baby Dray: A nursing little Bubba.

Nothing could have prepared me for the wonders of motherhood, or the sheer joy that comes with loving another. And somewhat more importantly, I have discovered a great, many things about myself. Being a mother has changed everything about the way I view life and the ways in which I conduct myself in the world. I perceive everything so very differently since having my children.

Just the other day, I said to my husband how strange it was trying to imagine life before the kids and believe me, those days were not so long ago. I cannot think of a life without them; they have been such an integral part of our lives that nothing exists outside of them. The kids are fundamental to the functioning of our day-to-day lives and our love for one another has truly cemented us as a family. In many ways motherhood has empowered me to take on the challenges in life and what I am capable of now, as a parent, is far greater than anything I thought I could achieve before I embarked upon this journey.

So, this is my journey about my own, personal thoughts and feelings as a mother, as a wife and as a conscientious thinking individual.