::Guest Blogger:: Baby Lately

J and I have jetted off for the week to visit family!  While we're sizzling in the heat, some of my favorite bloggers and/or people have honored me in their willingness to guest post.  Please visit these bloggers,  and follow their blogs.  They inspire me!

Christy, from Baby Lately, is one incredible momma.  Marriage in 2010 resulted in just about the sweetest baby boy, Jackson (another baby J!) in 2011.  Jackson was born on April 17 (literally 4 weeks to the day from my Baby J) and has grown to be one of the cutest little chunks this side of the Mississippi.  Another bonus?  This momma had a natural birth!  She's tough.  

Enjoy!

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Hello Jet’s Journey Readers! When E asked me to be a part of her guest-blogger week, I must say that I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough! My name is Christy, I am a first-time mama to a really squishy almost-4-month-old giant named Jackson. He was 9 lbs at birth and is rounding out 18 now! I blog over at babylately.com, and welcome any of you to stop by at any time! Now, down to business:

When it comes to having babies, everyone has an opinion. No really, everyone. The opinions start flying, practically, from the moment you see two pink lines on that test. People give (many times unwarranted) advice to expectant mothers on the best ways to take care of themselves, what kind of exercise to do, what kinds of exercise NOT to do, what to eat, what NOT to eat, how to sleep, what to name your baby, what kind of delivery to have, on natural childbirth, on medicated childbirth, on what to name your baby, on what trauma your baby have if you give it the name you have chosen, and the list. goes. on. Throughout my entire pregnancy I grew frustrated, weary of the unwarranted opinions of the friends, family, and strangers (yes, strangers) that were sure to be hurled my way each day. I kept thinking, with all my naiveté, that if I could only bite my tongue until I actually gave birth, and then it would all be better.

Well, I was wrong.  The opinions just keep coming! Now it is a matter of what vaccination schedule I should follow, why it is better to worse to cloth diaper, when I need to start solids, and so forth.  While I do not mind the opinions and sweet advice from my close friends and family, I get easily agitated by the ‘advice’ perfect strangers have for a  new mother. One of the first questions I get when I meet a stranger is ‘are you nursing?’ My first thought – ‘Why do you care what I am doing with my breasts and my baby?’ That seems a little invasive, no? Of course, I let them know that I am, and they breathe a sigh of relief and say ‘oh, gooood.’ This confuses the you-know-what-out of me! I love breastfeeding, it is a great decision for my family, but I realize that it does not work for everyone. Not long ago, formula-feeding was the norm, not the exception.  Some people have actual issues with low supply, a premature baby that won’t latch, a non-premature baby that won’t latch, or a personal preference for bottle-feeding. The same goes with cloth versus disposable diapering, natural versus medicated childbirth, and so on. I think what I am trying to get at here comes down to this: How dare any person have the audacity to question a stranger on personal decisions over their child’s well-being? Most of these strangers are women. Mothers themselves. Do they not recall a time in their experience, as a new mother, where they second-guessed their decisions, researched what would work for their family, and plead with the universe not to catch judgment from others, especially those who know nothing about us? Now don’t get me wrong, questions are fine – just leave the judgment to yourself. And of course, I adore people who gush over my little mister and let me know how beautiful he is (I know, I am enamored with him myself, but I still love to hear it). However when it comes to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting, maybe we should embrace a ‘to-each-his-own’ sort of attitude. There is enough pressure to do things right as it is.

I am proud to say that I am a natural childbirth, breast feeding, formula supplement giving, disposable diapering, imperfect to some, but perfect for him mommy! All of those decisions are working for me right now, and my baby is healthy, happy, way adorable, and more perfect than I could have ever hoped for in my wildest dreams. All of the judgment and opinions aside, I know one thing for certain: I love that kid, madly. (I mean, do you see his face!?)