December 15, 2008 at 8:53 pm · Filed under Food And More, Helpful Information, Kids + Parenting
Here are some Great Tips on Breastfeeding that have really helped out my wife:
Get her a Poppy - It’s U shaped pillow that makes it so much easier to have the baby in the perfect feeding position. I thought it was stupid…”Why not just use a pillow” I said. I learned. Just get her one
Good Burp Cloths- When I say good I mean nice and thick. Those milk wagons really leak a lot of milk, they’ll spray all over the place, the baby’s going to spit up all the time. Get lots of them… you know that your going to need them. And remember to get thick ones that will absorb lots.
Soothes- You MUST get a few packs of these. The are the BEST for the sore nipples that you baby’s mama is sure to have. They will keep the taps flowing like wine. The Latish breast cream works o.k. but is messy and thick you don’t want the baby eating that crap do yaw? No. So buck up and get the SOOTHIES. They are the best when they’re after they’ve been in the fridge. Your lady will thank you.
Breast Pump - It really is a must. No I know that it looks really cool when your lady’s boobs get really huge and engorged… but I assure you that she is in pain. She needs to get some of that milk out, not only to relive the pressure, but it also helps the baby feed easier. With less pressure the baby will suck in less air when feeding, and less air means less gas…gas is bad. Madelia’s the best on the market.
Hooter Hider - It’s a apron for f#&!s sake. But, it really is convenient for her to whip it out anywhere. Believe me, when its time for that baby to eat, you don’t want to waste any time looking for a secluded place to feed. Get a big one, that’s thick and sturdy for better coverage. This will make it lots easier and less exposed. Besides, if anyone says anything bad about your wife feeding in public…punch em in the face.
Storage Bags - the more milk save up the better. The milk will stay good in the freeze for like 6 months or something. You know that there will be plenty of times when you are going to be by yourself when the wife is at work, shopping or something and you need to feed the baby. Save all the milk you can.
When it come to breastfeeding, don’t skimp on the supplies. Get her all the things I talked about. After all, making sure your wife’s comfortable is the best thing that you can do help her feed the baby. A full baby is a happy baby. And if your wife is unhappy, the baby will be unhappy, and you’ll be really, really…screwed.
May 11, 2008 at 11:50 pm · Filed under Kids + Parenting
For several years now, I’ve told the following story as a keynote presentation when I do speaking engagements:
When our oldest son was a toddler and teething heavily, he woke up one morning at 4 screaming and crying. My wife nudged me as a reminder that it was my turn to get up with him.
All the regular attempts to get him back to sleep did not work, so I decided to take him for a drive, which had been working for about a month or so. The problem was I was wearing only a T-shirt and underwear. My ID and pants were in the bedroom where Lauren had already gone back to sleep.
If I learned anything in that first year of parenthood, it was: Never wake a sleeping baby, and more important, never, ever wake a sleeping mom.
So, in my early-morning logic, I thought no one would see us. Driving around to get him to sleep did not work that night. To make a long story short, I got pulled over for speeding.
The officer asked to see my license and registration. I told him I’d really like to show them to him, but they were at home.
That led to the dreaded question/demand:
“Would you please step out of the car, sir?”
Looking down, I admitted I had a problem with that. He leaned over to see two skinny, pale legs sticking out of a T-shirt emblazoned with: Tallahassee Men of Integrity.
He then asked if I was naked. I replied that I was wearing underwear and would be happy to show him if necessary.
He never cracked a smile.
He walked back to his car and called in my tag number to confirm that I was who I said I was. He returned and ran down the list of many violations he could charge me with, but he settled on a ticket for driving without proof of license and insurance.
His parting parenting advice:
“Next time, sir, be sure to wear your pants.”
I can lift three principles for living from this story, all of which have to do with our choices.
1) Our choices have consequences.
My only intention that night was to get my crying kid to sleep. But a series of choices led me to a result I had not intended or expected. I was responsible for the outcome of my choices, regardless of what I had intended.
2) Every time we go out into the world, we are representing ourselves, our family, sometimes our job or profession.
Like my grandmother used to say, “Remember who you are.” I used to think she meant something about Alzheimer’s, but now I realize she was encouraging me to make choices that would represent me well.
3) We all have a story to tell, both during our lives and at the end of our lives.
Will your story be one that is worth modeling and admiring, or will it be a cautionary tale, one to avoid copying?
If you do not like the story you are telling, it’s never too late to change direction. Just don’t let the learning from your own experiences take too long.
If you have been doing it wrong for the last 10 years, I suggest that’s long enough. Our choices become our habits; our habits become our character; our character becomes our story and destiny.
Life is full of choices. Good stories or bad stories are optional. Choose wisely.
And wear your pants.
Visit ParentingYourTeenager.com for more leading edge tips and tools from parenting coach Jeff Herring.
