Some mornings, I really don’t want to get out of bed. I’m deeply snuggled in, the comforter wrapped around me just so, and I am 100% totally content. But, coffee beckons, my alarm is ting-a-linging, and I have to get the kiddo to school in less than 31 minutes. That delicious bundled moment is just that: a moment.
I imagine that moment as I’m wrapped in those covers is similar to the way babies feel when they are swaddled. With a soft blanket and a few folds, we mimic that safe, womb-like environment our little one was used to for 40 weeks. When swaddled, babies seem rather blissful and usually sleep better – big win for Mama and Baby, no?
Some people swaddle their babies all throughout the first months, others prefer to only swaddle at nighttime. No matter when you do it, you have to do it correctly, or else your baby will pull a Houdini and escape his or her blanket confines. How do we recreate the awesome swaddle those hospital nurses seem to be able to do in 3.2 seconds flat? Here’s the five-step guide on everything you need to know on becoming a Master Swaddler.
1. Place the blanket on a flat surface, and arrange it in front of you in a diamond shape.
2. Fold the top corner of the blanket down. It should now be a triangle shape.
3. Place your little one on the blanket, in the center, with his head right above the top folded area. The key here is to make sure that his shoulders are below the fold.
4. Starting with the left corner of the blanket, bring it across his chest, while keeping his little right arm bent at the elbow and resting it on his body. Tuck that corner of the blanket under the left side of this body (like you are making a baby burrito or sandwich wrap), and be sure it is pretty tight across his body. If it’s loose, then he will most likely escape the swaddle later.
5. Fold the bottom corner up and over his feet, and then bring the right corner of the blanket across him, tucking it under the right side of his body. Again, make sure his left arm is bent and resting on his body inside the blanket.
Bonus hint: Always choose a lightweight cotton blanket as your swaddling tool. If you are concerned about your wee one being cold, just add more layers of clothing instead of using a thicker blanket. Those fleeces or quilts are easier for him to escape from and harder for you to fold.
How many times has your baby "escaped" from his swaddle?
I remember when Kiddo was about three months old, and my husband was folding the laundry. The bed was covered with a mountain of tiny onesies and itty-bitty sleepers, with her adorable teeny-weeny socks scattered everywhere like little rainbow-colored cloth snowballs.
The task at hand: folding one of her sleepers (it was yellow with happy teddy bears all over it). The result of his attempt? A mangled pile of fabric that made those smiling bears, somehow, look quite sad. Actually, they looked depressed. How he managed that, I’m not sure. He spotted me staring at him. All he could do was shrug.
He’s not alone. I know many new moms and dads who are perplexed on the best way to fold all of the items in their baby’s new wardrobe, let alone that near-impossible-to-fold fitted crib sheet (confession: I can barely fold my full-size fitted sheet). It should be a chapter in those baby books, but it’s not. Never fear! We have your step-by-step guide on folding and storing all of those baby clothes and bedding.
Fitted crib sheets Folding this piece of bedding is a toughie for almost everyone I know. Crib size or king size, these sheets are a pain to fold, let alone have your finished product turn out to be a semi-recognizable shape. The folding pros tell us to forget the “hand in corner method” with the tiny crib sheet. Instead, lay it on a flat surface, with the finished side down. With the elastic edges facing up at you, arrange the fabric so the perimeter is relatively neat. Then just take two corners and bring them to the other two, folding it in half. Smooth it out, and then repeat the folding until it is a size to fit wherever you are storing it. The trick to this: keep smoothing after each fold.
Footed sleepers This was the piece of Kiddo’s clothing that was the hardest for me to fold, but once I got the hang of it, I grooved right along. Lay the sleeper face down, and fold the sleeves onto the back of it. Then fold the legs up, almost past the seat part. Then, fold the whole sleeper in half. It should now be in a decent rectangle or square shape.
Shirts and bodysuits Part of the issue with folding these garments is that they are just so small. Again, place it front down and bring in the sleeves, so they are lying on the back of the bodysuit. Fold it “up,” bringing the bottom to the middle of the garment, and then fold “up” again to the top of the bodysuit.
Pants This one is pretty easy. Fold the pants length-wise, so that one leg is on top of the other. Then just fold it in half. Done!
Socks Yes, stores sell those little clips to keep those pairs together, but I never found them very helpful. Simply place one sock inside the other and make a little ball. Not only is it simple, they can be used as playthings for Baby, too.
Storage Tips Now, when placing the folded clothes in those drawers or bins, you may want to rethink the usual one on top of another stack. Instead, place the folded shirts and onesies into the drawer like files, so you can see all of them, not just the ones on top of the pile. This “filing method” is much easier, and helps you to be sure are using all of those clothes, not just the same few over and over again.
What types of baby clothes give you the most folding woes?
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Without support, many moms wouldn't be able to breastfeed. It's that encouragement and help that allows so many of us to overcome issues and obstacles so we can nurse our babies. A true breastfeeding advocate isn't anti-formula -- we understand it is needed and necessary (though we do want better formula for our kids). Still, despite the fact breastfeeding advocates are there to help, there are many names and negative stereotypes attached to those who support breastfeeding moms. Here are 16 things not to call breastfeeding advocates.
1. Breastapo. Clever; I'll give it that. But our intentions are pure and this name isn't reflective of that.
2. Overzealous. When using "over" as part of this word, it sends an air of negativity, and that's the exact opposite feeling of breastfeeding advocates. We are passionate, yes, and are there for support.
3. Breast Police. Nope, we don't write tickets to formula feeders.
4. Know-It-Alls. We know some stuff, but not all the stuff: That's why we band together in a group of moms with the same mission -- to support breastfeeding moms. Together we know a lot, and we are always learning.
5. Teat Witch. Sounds like a fun Halloween costume, doesn't it?
7. Cows. *silence* Mooooooo. *chews grass* While sometimes I will admit I felt like a milked animal when I was pumping, but a cow, I am not. Though all mamas are udderly amazing.
8. Nipple Nazi. These name-callers just went overboard. Perhaps we can call them overzealous.
9. Overly attached. Attached, we are. In the emotional, mental, and physical sense, but when it comes to our children, we don't feel that breastfeeding and support for moms to breastfeed isn't "overly" anything.
10. Too dedicated. This one is my favorite -- if I had to choose to be called one. Dedication is a good thing. I'm just going to overlook that "too."
11. Attention seekers. We wouldn't have all this attention if it weren't for the naysayers giving us all these ridiculous names and labels.
12. Militant. It's true we'll march in our local towns and Washington to bring attention to the much needed and deserved rights of breastfeeding mothers, but we do not have the rigidity of militants.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Two components of breastfeeding that can be as vital as supply are support and inspiration. There are times many moms need a little help to continue, and if you need inspiration you need to know about Ohio mom Brittany Yankowski -- a breastfeeding mom whose photo has been going viral on Facebook. Brittany and her husband already had two daughters when they found out they were having triplets. A family of seven! Brittany also did what too many doctors think is impossible -- she birthed them vaginally.
Her triplets Addisyn, Bentley, and Connor are now 8 months old, and as Brittany said in her now viral post on the Facebook page Yankowski Triplets for her blog 'Til You Triplets, "It's been almost 8 months. It's hard, it's a commitment, it's a sacrifice. I've been frustrated, I've wanted to give up. I've been told I can't do it. I've been asked why I don't just give bottles. But I've gained more than I've given. I've gained one on one time I wouldn't have otherwise gotten. I've given them the best I could. I've learned how strong I am. I debated sharing this photo, but this is my life. This isn't vulgar, this isn't sexualized. This is hard work, dedication. Let's normalize breastfeeding."
Brittany spoke with The Stir about doing your best and her inspirational photo:
Did you know you wanted to breastfeed when you were pregnant with triplets? My older two children were breastfed, so I knew 100 percent I wanted to breastfeed. I just had no clue how I would do it. I didn't know if I could do it, if it was possible, or how it would work in my life. I spent a lot of time looking for other triplet moms who had nursed, support groups, anything that could show me it was at least possible. Once I found that it could be done, I was excited to at least try, because it was one of my favorite things with my singletons.
What challenges were you worried about the most? I was mostly worried about how I would be able to nurse them all, sleep and eat, plus make time for my other kids. My biggest fear was how the triplets arrival was going to change my relationship with my older girls and how it would impact their lives. Even though I couldn't have ever imagined having triplets, I felt very selfish in how bringing three newborns into their lives would affect them and I thought if I tried nursing them it was even more selfish because they might get even less of me.
I was also worried about starving the babies and not knowing. I felt like if I couldn't keep up, I would be letting them down because it was something I had given to my singletons but couldn't give to them. I just wanted to be able to have some kind of normalcy amongst the chaos, and for me that was breastfeeding.
What challenges did you face and overcome? One of the challenges we faced in the beginning was that doctors didn't think we could do it, and their lack of faith had me doubting myself. Once I realized they didn't know me and I found my support, I was able to not care what they thought. As long as they were growing, I was doing it. Other people doubted me too, asked why I didn't just use formula or when was I going to give up. I really just needed to hear I was doing a good job, or they were proud of me.
Sometimes my supply would drop, and I felt overwhelmed because I need it back up but also had crying babies. We've used donor milk when needed, like when I had mastitis to help save my sanity. But I pump after as many feedings as I can so that I can have some saved up for the days when they just don't seem satisfied and I need to step away. It's really easy to lose yourself when you've got so many daily demands.
What advice would you give other mothers about breastfeeding triplets? Find a good support system, and make a lactation consultant your best friend. If you're committed, it can be done. And don't feel like it's all or nothing. If you can't give all, you can give some and you're still doing an amazing job. I know moms who nursed for a while then exclusively pumped, some who nursed two and gave formula to one and rotated ... there are so many possibilities.
The last thing any mom needs to do is beat herself up over it when our jobs are hard enough, but I want to share my story because seeing that other moms had done it is what really motivated me. So I think the more we see moms who have done it, the more we can look at ourselves and say I can do it, too!
What breastfeeding advice would you give to all mothers breastfeeding -- whether they have a singleton or more? Again, support. I think even with one if you don't have the right support it is really hard. Sometimes it's uncomfortable to just nurse your baby when we see so much how we should be doing it in private. I've actually had people come over and hand me covers, even when I was nursing one. Having a good support makes you more confident in your body, and your abilities.
And when you want to quit, push one more day. Our emotions often get the best of us. We get overwhelmed and we want to stop, then later find ourselves regretting it. I did that with my first daughter when she stopped at 9 months. A few weeks later, I regretted not trying harder and that guilt eats at you. If you really want to make it work try one more day. And if a doctor is pushing you to supplement get a second opinion from a lactation consultant.
Unfortunately doctors can be uneducated in breastfeeding (I've been told by them myself they don't know much about breastfeeding and breastfed babies) and that can really leave moms feeling like they weren't doing well. A lactation consultant is specifically trained, and is going to be your best resource. Even if you have to go a bit farther, find a good one and keep her close.
Did you ever almost give up? What inspired you to keep going? There were so many times I wanted to give up. There were times I cried because I was tired and exhausted and I just wanted my life to be "easy." But I knew how I would feel if I did. And really, I wanted to prove my naysayers wrong.
I'm so blessed to have a great support system and amazing lactation consultants who I see weekly. One of them even is a grandma to triplets! She pushed me, and I told myself if I quit she would be let down. That's probably not true, but it helped me get through tough times. I'm sure I bothered her with silly questions (many I knew the answer to but wanted that affirmation) but it helped me.
What is your reaction to everyone's excitement over your photo of you breastfeeding your triplets? I'm really blown away. I wasn't expecting it at all. I wasn't even going to share the photo until another mom told me I should because it's too beautiful not to share. I've shared breastfeeding things in the past, and nothing like this happened. At first I freaked out because they are my kids and I worried the image would fall into the wrong hands. But the more I think about it, and the feedback I get, the more I realize that we need to share our journey's because it does help other moms. It helped me! And it has really enlightened me on some of the pulls of breastfeeding vs. formula, mom shaming, and the lack of support moms are getting to breastfeed. I've been told I am shaming everyone who wasn't successful and it hurts my heart because that isn't what I want to do. But I feel so compelled to help somehow, I just haven't figured out how yet.
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I think I speak for all moms when I say that Brittany has helped so many already, just by showing it can be done, that what seems impossible is possible, and her beautiful spirit shines through her photos and her words, and that we can feel that she too supports all of us. Check out these gorgeous photos of Brittany -- including the one that's gotten all the attention in the slideshow.
Who has inspired you and supported you to breastfeed?
Every year, roughly 10 to 15 percent of babies end up premature or sick and head into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU. And while it's hard to cuddle your baby in an incubator, parents should thank their lucky stars that these cutting-edge facilities exist, and have evolved light years since they first opened their doors.
Check out these surprising facts about NICU and you'll come away confident that those babies are in good hands -- and hear some ways that you can make a difference during your baby's NICU stay, too!
The first "NICU" appeared at amusement parks. In 1901, Dr. Martin Couney introduced the first incubator at the World Fair in Omaha, Nebraska. From there, "incubator baby side shows" -- entire rows of incubators staffed by physicians and nurses -- toured various world fairs until 1943, and it became the longest running show at Coney Island. Fortunately, premie babies are no longer treated this way.You couldn't always see through incubators. Before the 1940s, incubators weren't clear ... which made seeing and treating the babies inside a challenge. Once transparent plastic walls were introduced, "Nurses and doctors stared at the naked babies as if they were seeing them for the first time," according to historical documents, and results improved immensely.
NICUs had a powerful advocate: JFK. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy's newborn son, born premature at 37 weeks, died due to immature lungs. This tragedy sparked awareness about premature infants and led to NICU units being established across the country.NICU survival rates have come a long way. Nearly one in 10 babies are born premature -- and 30 years ago, less than 25 percent of preemies survived. Now, almost 90 percent of preemies survive, including infants born as early as 24 weeks.NICUs can save really small babies. The smallest baby to ever survive and be discharged from NICU is Rumaisa Rahman, a twin who was born in 2004 at 26 weeks weighing just 9.2 ounces. Both she and her twin sister Madeline suffer no chronic health problems -- giving hope to parents of preemies everywhere.
NICU ain't cheap. A stay at the Ritz or Four Seasons has nothing on NICU, where the cost to care for one infant often exceeds $3,500 per day. Prolonged stays can easily top $1 million.Some NICUs are noisy. Between the beeping monitors, ringing phones, and never-ending stream of family members cooing over incubators, NICUs can be noisy places. In fact, one study found that the average sound levels in NICUs range from 54 to 61 decibels -- that's above the 50 decibel levels recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. All in all, it's amazing those babies get any sleep!Most preemies stay in the NICU until their due date. So that means if your baby was born six weeks early, he will likely stay in NICU for six weeks to help them "catch up" developmentally to full-term infants.NICU won't stop you from bonding. Sure, bonding with baby would be easier if you were hanging out at home, but the time you spend in NICU does make a difference. In one study, the more parents talked with their infants in NICU, the better their language skills at 7 and 18 months down the road.Moms can help out at NICU, too. Think only doctors and nurses can nurture the health of a fragile NICU baby? On the contrary, a handful of hospitals are allowing parents to care for their own infants for more than eight hours a day. And the results of one pilot study of 42 newborns show promise: Preemies cared for by parents in NICU gained 25 percent more weight than babies cared for by nurses; and infection rates dropped to zero compared to nurses' 11 percent. Here's to hoping more hospitals will allow parents to pitch in!
New mom Carrie Underwood has shared a selfie at the beach! Only for those of you curious to see her post-baby mombod, you're in for a surprise: The Instagram photo is from the shoulders up, titled: "Vacation selfie. #IKnowImLame."
Well, I think Carrie's decision to keep her post-baby mombod a mystery isn't lame at all. In fact, I'd say it's downright ballsy.
Because let's be frank: Most moms are shy about showing their bodies post baby, period. I sure was. But it's become such a thing these days for moms to flaunt their post-baby body, and to have it look amazing ... or awful! Good or bad, there's this subtle pressure to jump on the bandwagon and show your mombod, too.
Well, I, for one, am tired of gawking and/or applauding this parade of mombods, whether pudgy or perfect. So here's an idea: What about not showing our post-baby body at all?
Hiding your body does not mean you're ashamed of it per se. It could just mean that you don't care to share, period, and have nothing to prove.
So if you feel like keeping your mombod under wraps, go ahead! Thank you, Carrie, for bucking the trend.
Babies are so much fun. The expressions that they make when they discover something new, are surprised by something, or are amused by something, could entertain me all day long. Noises fall into the category of things that can surprise, amuse, and startle all at the same time.
So many baby toys these days incorporate the stimulation of several senses at once, because babies are using all of their senses from birth to learn and discover (and to make parents feel like they're getting more for their money, I think). It's very possible to have bright colors, different sounds, and several textures, all in one small toy.
Rattles are a classic toy that, I think, will always be popular. Although they have evolved some into butterfly wings that make a crinkling noise when touched or other things like that, the act of moving an object and causing it to make a noise is an important developmental discovery.
From a parent's point of view, I see rattles and other noise-making toys as a fun distraction in a car seat, an easy way to play a game with a baby, and sometimes, a huge headache. Babies definitely make up for the monotonous sounds when their eyes light up, though, and they smile a huge, impressed smile after causing the sound all on their own.
A rattle makes an excellent band addition while the baby and I are playing music in the kitchen with pots, pans, and wooden spoons, as a makeshift maraca and keeper of the beat. It can be a pretend phone that rings when shaken, an extra fun addition to a rousing game of peek-a-boo, or the perfect play mallet for a baby to hit his mom on the head.
I have four kids, all about two years apart, and at some point in their first year, they all started to how their unique personalities. It was such a thrilling thing to watch, and interesting to see how different or similar they were to each other.
My oldest, being the first child, hardly cried before we were there with him, getting him what he needed. He was quick to smile but didn't babble much, except to say "mama" and "dada" and a couple of other words.
My second was a girl, and she was a bit more demanding (but still happy). She wasn't as laid back as her older brother was, and had to work a little harder to get my attention with her daredevil of a toddler brother around.
My third was another girl, and she was a lot more demanding. She used her very loud voice to get what she needed, even in the middle of the night. Now almost four, she still is the opposite of "dainty" but so very sweet....when she wants to be. As a baby, she smiled when she wanted to and not a minute sooner. We had to work for her affection, but when we got it, it was so very worth it.
My youngest is a mama's boy. Even before his first birthday, he gave me charming smiles and a lot of snuggles. He would hug my neck tight, like he would never let go, knowing exactly how to melt my heart (and get exactly what he wanted).
Each of my kids used smiles, screams or cries, loud demands, and batted eyelashes to charm me, or make me run faster to get a warm bottle, or urge me to pick them up. No matter the process (pleasant or not), they were all equally effective.
From the time my baby was born, I was amazed at how well he could lift his head up. Only for a few seconds, at first, and it was never very steady, but even from the very beginning, that little smoosh of a nose would graze my cheek as he wobbled his head up and down and side to side (sometimes even with the surprise of an open mouth kiss on my face).
With the help of the much-despised tummy time, he got stronger and stronger. I actually think that the fierceness of the tummy time hatred (the crying, the throwing of the shoulders) helped strengthen those neck and back muscles even faster. I will never understand why babies are so against lying on their tummies...I would think that the new perspective would be a welcome change. But, what do I know? I'm just the woman forcing the issue.
The stronger those neck and back muscles got, though, the longer he would be able to hold his head up, and the less wobbling would occur. He even got to where he could raise his head and look around, which was a completely new and exciting occurrence. It was especially thrilling from the height of someone's shoulder as he was carried around, because he could then see the walls from many feet up in the air, or down to the ground that he spent so much time on.
Eventually, the wobble was completely gone and my baby was the one with the control and the power to hold and move his head exactly where he wanted it, so he could see what he wanted to see. It also became much easier to hold him, without the threat of an accidental head butt to the cheekbone.
The day you were born, and for months after, the only way for you to communicate with us was to cry. You developed different cries for different reasons, to be sure, like a low moaning cry when you were tired and about to fall asleep, or a high pitched cry of desperation when your tummy was empty and you needed to eat.
It took me a while to figure them out, and it was never a perfect system, but we got by as best as we could. And when I didn't know what you needed, I tried everything to make the crying stop.
At a few months old, though, we worked on something together that was almost magical to me, and made me so proud. I taught you the sign for "more", so that when you were eating and wanted another bite, or when you wanted more in your bottle, but you weren't yet able to talk, you could show me the sign and I could give you what you needed.
With my fingers and thumbs together in each hand, I tapped the tips together, each time I gave you another bite. "Do you want more?" I'd say, while doing the sign at the same time. Finally, the connection as made in your brain that for another bite, you could do the sign to let me know. Again, it wasn't perfect, especially as you learned that and other signs. It was rudimentary at first, but you got the hang of it and you used it to communicate with me.
I was so happy that you could "talk" to me in this way, long before you could speak the words. You were a smart little cookie, and every once in a while, "more" would get you another cookie, too.
Post by Alina Adams. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Congratulations, it’s a boy! Now, while you’re still groggy and exhausted and very, very sore, decide quickly: Do you want him circumcised? Everyone from your partner to your grandma to strangers with no (fore)skin in the game have an opinion. But what do you think? Time is of the essence. The longer you wait, the more risky (and painful) the procedure becomes. Before making one of your first, major decisions as a mother, take our quiz and find out just how much do you really know about circumcision?
Congratulations, it’s a boy! Now, while you’re still groggy and exhausted and very, very sore, decide quickly: Do you want him circumcised? Everyone from your partner to your grandma to strangers with no (fore)skin in the game have an opinion. But what do you think? Time is of the essence. The longer you wait, the more risky (and painful) the procedure becomes. Before making one of your first, major decisions as a mother, take our quiz and find out just how much do you really know about circumcision?
Post by Judy Dutton. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Babywearing has been around for centuries, but slipping your youngster into a sling or carrier so you can tote your baby around hands-free has gained new popularity in recent years as moms (and dads!) realize there's more than just convenience to be gained by strapping baby to your body. But before you step out with your little one on your chest, do you know what it takes to wear your baby safely and comfortably? Check your babywearing IQ with our quiz!
Babywearing has been around for centuries, but slipping your youngster into a sling or carrier so you can tote your baby around hands-free has gained new popularity in recent years as moms (and dads!) realize there's more than just convenience to be gained by strapping baby to your body. But before you step out with your little one on your chest, do you know what it takes to wear your baby safely and comfortably? Check your babywearing IQ with our quiz!
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Maybe it's your second or third child so you skipped the baby shower, or you just want to introduce your newborn to all close friends, family members, and neighbors in one fell swoop. No need to throw another baby shower: baby sip and sees are a great party for every new mom.
Sip and sees, while still not as popular as baby showers, are gaining traction as a fun party for new moms. Two or three months after a baby is born, parents and families throw a party where guests get the chance to meet the new baby, and congratulate mom on a job well done.
Rarely do moms request presents, nor do guests bring them, but the whole event is meant to give everyone a first-time sneak peek at the little one in one place, so Mom doesn't have to clean the house and deal with a constant flow of visitors.
With some drinks, light finger foods, and of course, the baby, you'll have all you need for the party.
Here are 14 ideas to help you pull off a fool-proof baby sip and see:
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Don't forget #5! Would you have thought to do that?
Let's be frank: Newborn babies can make the most hilarious faces! Which is understandable -- being out in the world is a lot to take in. To highlight the full range of funny faces a baby might pull, check out these photos of babies taken mere minutes after they're born.
Some of these infants look downright grumpy, others thrilled to be in mama's arms. Some can't stop sticking their tongues out, while others seem to be all but preening for the camera. While it's impossible to know what they're really thinking, the photographers who shot these pics took their best stabs at a guess ... and we'd say they're probably pretty on target!
Doesn't the newborn in #12 look like the spitting image of Dr. Evil?
There are few things as beautiful as a mother breastfeeding her baby. But a mom nursing two kids at a time? That's a true feat. Juggling two wiggly bodies, getting both to latch on without kicking the other one in the face ... yet when it all works out, the peace and tranquility that descends on the threesome is too wonderful for words.
That's why we've decided to show photos of moms tandem nursing twins or sibling pairs, and hear the stories behind them through the words of the moms and the photographers who snapped these shots. All we can say is, hats off to your ladies for figuring this out -- and showing us how beautiful tandem breastfeeding can be.
Plenty of pictures highlight the beauty of breastfeeding ... but bottle feeding? It's much photographed -- but rarely celebrated. Photographer and mom of three Nikke Whitman thinks it's time that changes -- which inspired her to begin a photo series called Bottle Feeding is Beautiful Too.
Let us be clear: She is not bashing moms who breastfeed, not by far. She just feels that bottlefeeding has been getting a bad rap and needs some positive PR.
"Both breastfeeding and bottlefeeding are incredibly beautiful, but I felt in photography the bottle side had not been portrayed that way," says Nikke, who lives in Graham, Washington. "I wanted to help change that, as well as educate people on why a mom would choose to bottlefeed."
By photographing gorgeous images of babies bottlefeeding, Nikke hopes to curb the disappointment moms may feel in a society where they constantly hear the message "breast is best."
"I don't want a mom to feel shame for nourishing her baby via bottle," Nikke says. "My hope is that as moms and a culture we would encourage one another in doing what is best for our babies. Whether bottle or breast, it comes down to doing what works for baby and mom."
And the heartfelt response she's gotten from these photos has made her efforts all worth it. "I have had such amazing positive feedback and it has blessed me tremendously," says Nikke. "Many moms have shown me their own beautiful pics of bottlefeeding their sweet babies. The stories are countless out there, and those stories matter. I see so many moms that bond with their babies in various ways."
Photo #4 reveals a surprising benefit of bottle feeding we'd never thought of before!
Baby's first birthday is a BIG deal -- and that means you'll want to snap plenty of photos to commemorate the occasion! Only amid the hubbub of hosting the party, it can be easy to forget a few shots you'll regret not having down the road.
To make sure all your bases are covered, check out these 11 first birthday photos every mom should make sure to get. From that precious birthday outfit to the cake smash and beyond, these are pictures you'll be glad you took for decades to come.
Photo #7 is a surprisingly great idea! What would your baby be doing?
We know, we know -- they grow up too fast. Everything from first words to first fights to first "I love yous" are crammed into those first ten years of your kids' lives. There's no way your brain is big enough to remember all that ... but that's what cameras are for, right?
There are some shots you know you have to get because they're the same ones your mom took of you, but there are some that you might miss without a little prompting. But we've got you covered: Here are 25 moments that'll happen before your kids turn 10 that you can't forget to capture.
There's something about having your baby look at you in the eyes. It's a magical moment. And, the older he gets the longer he can hold his gaze. What is he thinking? What is he feeling? All I know is that felt was love - the biggest boldest love one could ever imagine and one you can only feel if you are a mother yourself.
As he looked at me, I looked at him and wondered so much. Was he going to have his father's eyebrows? What did he think about my face? Did he find it calming? Was he feeling sleepy or just hungry again? What kind of personality would have? What would the world be like when he was my age? Did he know that I was his mama? Would he keep his full head of hair or would it fall out and grow back anew? What in the world was he thinking about? Did he dream?
On the flip side I thought about some comical questions that he might have for me. Why is this lady looking at me so much? Can she hurry up and feed me? Also, a diaper change would be nice? Would you mind putting me down so I can stretch out a bit? I wonder if she knows she still has spit up on her shoulder? Did she mean to forget to brush her teeth?
As thousands of questions floated around in my head, I realized that he was still steadily looking at my face. He like it, and the way I smelled and the way I sounded. We were connected from the moment we first saw each other - probably longer than that - and our bond was unbreakable.
What do you think when you look into your baby's eyes?
As babies near their first birthday, their mobility increases and becomes much more creative. Rolling can get an infant all the way across the room moments after you've set him down on his play mat and turned your back to pick something up. Scooting on his bottom can come soon after he has gained the balance to sit up on his own, and that toy on the other side of the floor becomes far too enticing to be left alone.
Not long after he learns to stand, he will probably start creeping. Creeping, in this case, is not a bad thing like it is when you're older. It just means that a baby will take steps while holding onto something, like a piece of furniture. My babies' favorite way to get around was holding coffee tables and chairs, because they were so stable. Couches were okay, but too squishy to get a really good hold on the cushions. Unless, of course, there were people sitting on the couch, then knees were excellent stabilizers (as long as feet could be maneuvered around)!
Creeping isn't foolproof. A piece of furniture would always end eventually (the ones with corners made for longer walks, but didn't result in much distance covered). But, my babies were able to crawl or scoot before they learned to stand up and guide themselves along a table, so when the table ended, if they wanted, they could sit down and get back on all fours to move the rest of the way to their destinations.
The bad thing about creeping, though, was that those coffee tables no longer served as places to set things you don't want baby to get. He will creep around and around the table until he is able to reach a pair of glasses, a cup of water, or the remote control. Babies are relentless that way.
How old were your babies when they started to "creep" or cruise?
