Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Laundry in NYC

To some wives and mothers laundry is just a pesky task that needs to be done daily. For a mom in NYC laundry is avoided like the plague. If you cannot afford to just drop off and have the launderers do it for 50 cents a pound (what we usually did before our baby) then you have to do it yourself. Living in an apartment in NYC has its perks but a washer and dryer isn't one of them. With a baby that has explosive poops, drools like a waterfall and spits up like the exorcist, laundry needs to be done regularly.
I have put off this load for a week and a half and still can't get the motivation to do it. Living on the third floor of a walk up isn't helping anything. I have to bring the stroller down then the packed laundry bag. Of course I then realize I don't have any quarters for the machines, go back up to dig through the change jar (tip: make sure baby is sleeping while attempting all of this) get the detergent and the diaper bag - bring that down, hopefully no one has stolen my stroller, lug everything to the laundromat and pray that the good washer is available. After taking a walk while it's washing you have to make sure you get back in time because if not someone may have taken your clothes out. Set the dryer to hot because if not you will be there for 3 hours trying to dry your load and prepare to shrink everything. If you have taken non-dryable clothes place them damp over the stroller and wait around for the dryer to stop spinning. I sometimes fold at the laundromat so the clothes don't get wrinkled but if I have had enough of hanging out with the laundry staff I throw the clothes in the bag and head home to fold while watching Gossip Girl and dream of a day when I will have a washer dryer in my apartment. I thank the apartment gods that we found one with a dishwasher!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Cooing, 2 month milestone.


My son at 2 months vocalizing! I talk to him all the time. It is very important to talk to your baby and just tell them what you are doing even though they may not understand. The more you talk to them the more they will vocalize and make connections.

Monday, January 11, 2010

"Breast is best... but it ain't easy."

Being a breast feeding mother isn't easy.
It is the best thing for the baby and has benefits for mom but it isn't as easy as you think or as the advocates would like to say. It takes a lot of dedication, organization and time but is well worth the sacrifice. I am strictly breast feeding my son and am reaping the benefits. It is a wonderful feeling when you are nourishing your child from your breast. I was very worried when I was pregnant about how it would be and if my baby would latch on but I was fortunate enough to have it go pretty smoothly from the beginning. I was given the book "The Womanly Art of Breast Feeding" written by La Leche League at 4 months and was able to get familiar with some of the terms and possible problems that may occur when breast feeding. The hospital that delivered my son (Lenox Hill Hospital) is very breast feeding friendly and had an on call nurse available to help with any questions or issues who was available 24 hours a day at the push of a button. My milk came in 2 days later while I was still in the hospital and was engorged and a nurse showed me how to use a pump. It took patience from both my son and I to get comfortable with breast feeding but we are going 10 weeks strong now.
The other night I went out with a few girlfriends for dinner and left pumped milk for daddy to help with feedings. I've learned a few things on this journey that I'd like to share:

1. It is important to take breaks for yourself - Invest in a good breast pump.
2. Drink plenty of fluids, it helps with milk production.
3. Be patient, it may take a few minutes for baby to latch on properly. Don't get frustrated.
4. Keep trying and read up on more tips online if you are still having trouble.

Check out La Leche League for more helpful tips.