Why Breastfeeding Moms Are Annoying

Breast is best but breast feeding moms are sometimes way too much to take

I know what you're thinking. "Paige, that's a little "mommy war-ish of you..." I get it. But actually, what I have to say about annoying breast feeding moms is the opposite of mommy war. Hear me out! I promise to put my mom-war gun down. *waves a white flag*

Breast feeding moms, you need to chill the heck out for a minute, ok? And I feel like I can have this heart to heart with you because I am one of you. Yes, I EBF Otto. And no, I'm not one of those annoying moms. Here's why.

At the six week mark of breastfeeding Otto, I almost called it quits. I was sick of being dairy and caffeine free and when I would try to pump, I'd get an ounce or two. If I couldn't pump enough for a bottle, I couldn't leave Otto for more than an hour, and that just wasn't going to work for me. So I joined a facebook group of La Leche League women to seek some help. They were indeed helpful, and I got both some helpful tips as well as encouragement that made me push through the "hump." But Lord have mercy... Those La Leche-ies are INTENSE. And frankly, most are "those" annoying breastfeeding moms.

First, they have a badge system to reward moms for how many months they've breast fed. Ok. Kinda strange. (What, you want a prize for feeding your kid?! Are there badges for formula moms? No? Are there badges for everyday you keep your kid alive? Do you want a cookie with that badge? Get serious.) Women are free to post their questions, which as I mentioned, was very helpful to me. But they're also free to post whatever they want and reply to those questions/statements with whatever they want... One day, I was crusin' Facebook and saw a thread pop up from my La Leche League group with a mom who was WORN OUT from breastfeeding and seeking help. I read the comments/replies she got, because I've been there myself.

All of the respondents, and I mean ALL of them, told her she needed to "stop feeling entitled to sleep." Excuse me, what? Entitled to sleep? Is that a joke? Sleeping is a basic human need! If you don't sleep enough, you're more likely to get sick, to age faster and to gain weight, not to mention suffer depression, be irritable and hate your life. But a breast feeding mom isn't entitled to it because she "should be up with her baby all night, meeting his nutrition needs"? Hell no. Nope. Not even a little bit, La Leche League. That is some backwards advice. But don't mention that to those League ladies; they'll bite your head off if you mention sleep training or formula supplementing - even when the mom is facing a mental breakdown.

Breastfeeding moms, if you're that close to the brink, it's ok to offer formula so daddy can take a feeding for you to sleep. Sleep training is good too, and if you don't like cry-it-out you can do a gentle night wean. You don't need to be so hardcore about your boobs or "breast is best." Back it up, La Leche sisters. Don't lose your sanity for breast milk. That makes you annoying.

The other thing about the La Leche-ies is that they looooooove to commiserate together. Misery loves company, right? All too often, a photo would pop up in my feed of a mom breastfeeding her toddler (which I'm totally cool with, btw - both the breastfeeding pic [see mine above] and breastfeeding the toddler) The pic features a dumb caption like, "My 34 month old just bit me and told me he wants to wean! What can I do to keep him latched and not biting?" Several things about this: A) stop it with the month count after your child has hit 2 years. You wouldn't say "my child is 134 weeks old!" and you shouldn't say "my 67 mo old..." NO. It's your two year old, your two and a half year old or your three year old, etc. B) Sounds like YOU'RE the one struggling to give up breastfeeding. Sounds like you're the one struggling to not be "needed" in that way anymore.

When you push your needs to breastfeed over that of your toddler (who's old enough to communicate he's no longer interested), you've become an annoying breastfeeding mom. Stop it. And the fact that you're publicly complaining about it, making it about your child as opposed to what it really is (an issue with yourself)? It makes you a mommy martyr, the most annoying mom of all.

Then I was on one of my blogging groups when the question was asked, "What are some topics you absolutely won't discuss on your blog?" I anticipated most people to say politics and religion. Standard. But I was shocked and disgusted when one of the first commenters said baby formula. She often discussed breastfeeding on her blog, and went out of her way to mention she's turned down paid work because she "would never discuss formula and discourage breastfeeding moms."

Hold on, lady! Since when does talking about formula mean that you're discouraging breastfeeding?! They aren't mutually exclusive. Talking about the benefits of one doesn't mean that you're dissing the other. In fact, that would make you more inclusive of all moms. The fact that she won't discuss it as an option is annoying. But hey! I've made a great income working with a few formula brands, so if she wants to continue to be an annoying breast feeding elitist, more opportunities for brand partnerships for me. I'll be over here supporting ALL moms.

Here's the thing, breastfeeding moms: I get that it's a ton of work. I get that it's tiresome. I get that it's the best nutrition on the planet for a baby. I get it because I do it myself. But what I don't get, and why breastfeeding makes you annoying AF, is your sense of superiority over those who either can't or don't want to breast feed. You shouldn't put yourself in a loony bin over feeding your baby. You ARE entitled to sleep! Formula is not the devil and you are not a better mom because you didn't give any to your baby. Knock it off, breastfeeding moms.

                                                                                                            Xoxo, another breastfeeding mom

The Ultimate Infant Travel System

This post was sponsored by @GBChildUsa as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received the GB Lyfe Pram Travel System to facilitate my review.

 

Check out this car seat and stroller combination if you're researching a travel system for your baby or baby registry!

One thing is for sure: When you're looking into car seats and strollers after you've found out you're pregnant and are standing in the aisle confused with your registry scanner, you definitely want a travel system. Travel systems are both a car seat and a stroller that work together so the car seat can snap into the stroller. It was a life saver with Henry and I used it with Otto before I was brave enough to bust out the double stroller with both boys! Travel systems are the way to go, hands down.

I'll admit it, too - I had never heard of GB Lyfe before they reached out to send me this stroller. But I'll tell you, this system is awesome and I wish I had had it for Henry, too! What's so great about it? The stroller transitions to multiple positions. It can be an actual pram, which is perfect for newborns. Otto can lay flat (recommended sleeping position for infants) while I push him up and down the hills of our neighborhood.

When he's a bit older, there's a seat that faces either forward or backwards. Backwards is convenient for when you want to keep an eye on them, usually right as they're able to sit up. And forwards is great for when they're old enough to want to see everything around them! I remember when Henry was finally old enough to face forward in a stroller. It was like a whole new world for him, and I finally was able to get the length of walk or run I wanted!

Otto and his paci dig laying flat!

Travel systems also have a car seat. The most important thing in an infant seat (besides safety, obvi) is that it's LIGHT. Because I'll tell you what, add a baby to that thing and you're stuck slinging around 20-30 pounds after the first month. Take it from this mama, you'll get buff arms but it gets hard! This seat was lightweight without compromising safety.

The final bonus of a travel system, and why you want one over individual car seats and stroller combos, is that the car seat can click right in to the stroller. Cars are notorious for sending your sweet little one off to slumber-land, so do you know what's awful?! Having to wake that screaming baby bundle of joy to put them in the stroller once you arrive at your destination. No. Nope. The worst, right there. But with a travel system, all you have to do is set up the stroller and click the seat into it, no need to wake your little angel. Yes! Whoever developed that concept is a genius. Seriously, give that person a Nobel Prize, from moms across the globe!

How adorable is the pram?!

If you're creating your first registry or are looking for a new travel system for your baby, check out GB Lyfe! You can easily register for it or purchase it at Babies R Us. The car seat is light and the stroller has so many position options, you'll definitely find at least one that your baby enjoys. And when you find one your baby enjoys, you're be able to maintain an active lifestyle, even after baby.

Adventurous Toddlers

As a mom, I want to continuously promote a sense of adventure in my toddler every day for healthy overall development and independence!

I'm a boy mom. I was blessed with two active, always moving and always doing boys. Some people find that exhausting, but I'm thrilled with it. And I've made a promise to always promote a sense of adventure in my kids, from being a toddler through adulthood! It's important. Here's why:

Have you ever been a caregiver to a small child, or been out with friends who have children, or perhaps you've experienced this with your own littles: "I'm bored!" No statement drives me crazier than that one! I feel like I hear it more and more and I see more and more pins with ideas on how to keep children entertained. Yikes! When did kids lose the ability to entertain and think for themselves?

I made a mother's promise to my sweet babies to always promote an adventurous spirit in them. I want them to dance fearlessly, to explore the world around them, to figure out how things work on their own. I want my sons to be autonomous and independent. I want them to be curious and thoughtful. I want my kids to use their brains and move their bodies.

I'm sure someday they'll become interested in movies and TV and video games and cell phones. Things that I personally squash an adventurous spirit if introduced too soon to children too young. I don't want Henry and Otto to learn how to sit and stare; I want them to know how to think and move! Sitting and staring will come soon enough with age. But for now, I'll cultivate my adventurous toddler and baby as much as possible. How does one achieve that though?

Even his sleep sack is an adventurous toy to Henry!

While I certainly don't have all the answers, I have a starting point. We don't spend afternoons in front of the television. We get outside and explore! Whether that's a walk to the park or just playing ball in the backyard, we're doing things. We play with blocks and puzzles, and Henry has even begun to help me cook. He's interested in developing his own games with balls and dinosaurs and helping me stir and put ingredients together. I want to keep my promise to my sons by doing these things every single day. So far, he's fearless and thoughtful and adventurous!

Pampers Premium Care diapers fit our active and adventurous lifestyle. Henry has yet to have one leak from these top tier diapers, and that's saying a lot from my little mover! They're hypoallergenic, which is important to me as a mom of two boys with super sensitive skin. Even better, they're easily available at Walmart and walmart.com. Pampers helps me help my sons have adventurous spirits by providing the best quality diapers that keep us exploring all day long.

This blog post was sponsored by Pampers Premium Care but all thoughts, opinions, text and images are my own #MothersPromise