Friday, December 31, 2010

Teeth!

Aya's smile will never be the same!  She has teeth!  I was a little worried about how nursing would go after her teeth came in, but it has been smooth.  I usually don't feel her teeth at all while I nurse.  It is only at the very end of feedings when she has fallen asleep or is ready to be done, that I sometimes have to be ready to take her off my breast or reposition her if she begins to clamp down. 
Really, I had more discomfort nursing Aya before her teeth pushed through.  She clamped down often and pulled.  I now think she did this because it made her gums feel better.  It was a relief that once her teeth came in I actually felt a lot better.

Friday, December 24, 2010

The Perfect Gift

My friend and I were talking the other evening about nighttime feeding.  Although it is usually not my favorite thing to do, and I'm still quite certain I'd prefer not have to get up at all at night, we both decided there are some special things about feeding our babies in the wee hours of the night. 

First, babies' eyes are beautiful in the dim light.  They are honest, pure and beautifully vulnerable. 

Secondly, we as nursing moms really have the perfect gift to give our little ones when they wake up needing comfort.  It is a special gift, made uniquely for them at that exact time and place.  We are lucky to be bearers of that gift. 

Lastly, for me, as a working mom, it feels important for me to be able to give my baby something that no one else can.  I know there are things that our caregiver does better than me--things that only she can give to Aya...but only I can nurse our little daughter and that makes me feel like her mom more than anything else.