Still breastfeeding, still none of your business.

I've breastfed both of my children, and am very passionate about the fabulous benefits breastfeeding provides for both mum and baby. The World Health Organisation guidelines recommend breastfeeding until 2, and the worldwide average age a child weans from the breast is 4.

Moobles breastfed until she was 19 months and I was 6 months pregnant with Velcro Boy. Lots of people were shocked that I was breastfeeding while pregnant, convinced that I was causing harm to my unborn baby or that it was just plain wrong, and weren't afraid to tell me so! Eventually the time came when Moobles and I were both ready to stop and gradually she asked less and less and I stopped offering, until one day she didn't feed at all.

Velcro Boy is 16 months old and still breast-feeding lots. He feeds when he's hungry, when he's tired, when he's upset, when we've been apart for a little while and just when he fancies it generally. We feed at home, and while we're out and about, although lately VB has taken to impersonating the Cirque Du Soleil whilst feeding, so discretion is a bit tricky at the moment. Breastfeeding is so much more than nutrition, it's a fabulous bonding tool and a way of calming and reassuring him when he needs it. I'm aiming to breastfeed him for as long as it works for both him and me, hopefully beyond 2 years.

I'm not too worried about being discreet, I think it's a good thing to feed in public, to show people that it's normal and that it's perfectly possible to breastfeed and carry on with life. When VB was small, I was feeding him in a shop, sitting on the pouffes they provide for trying on shoes when I finished a mum with a tiny baby asked me she was allowed to feed in public, as she'd just seen me do it. She also told me that she hadn't been leaving the house for fear that she'd need to feed her baby in public and was considering switching to formula so she could get out more. I quickly put her straight, and sent her to the nearest Starbucks, with instructions to buy coffee and cake and find a comfy chair.

I'm not sure why people think it's okay to question my parenting decisions, or comment on them at all really. But next time someone asks if VB is *still* being breastfed, I'm gonna say "Yup, we're still breastfeeding, and it's still none of your business!"

Tropical fishies

Out of all the slings I own, I think my wraps are my favourites. They're basically long pieces of woven fabric which can be worn in a wide variety of ways to carry a child.

They're very comfy, and obviously more importantly totally beautiful! I have a few, in different lengths and colours for different carries and different moods.

One of my favourites is by Didymos and it's called Deep Sea Fish, it's a dark, denimy blue with fish woven into it. It's lovely to wrap with, and very comfy but a little bit boring. So, last night, I cracked out the fabric paints.

You can see the results in the photo, the fish on the left are in their original state, and the ones on the right have been painted. I'm really pleased with the results, I've just got to finish it off and then iron it to make it permanent!

Help! I have a Threenager!

Today has been one of *those* days. I think most parents will know what I mean, the kind of day that no-one warns you about pre-children, when it feels like someone has set your childs volume control to LOUD AND WHINGEY.

Moobles is three, she's always been, erm, strong-willed but since turning three it seems she's decided to up her game. This morning mostly consisted of her following me around the house whilst crying, or throwing a strop, or jumping on Velcro Boy. This meant that VB was even more velcro than usual thanks to his stroppy sister, which wound Moobles up even more and resulted in even more wailing.

*SIGH*

Thankfully, Super Gran made an unexpected visit which perked everybody up a bit and gave me an excuse to escape the wailing for a few minutes as Super Gran needed tea and all the milk was off (I don't drink the yucky stuff, so was oblivious to it's cheesiness when I used it to make the kids breakfast, which might explain why they didn't eat it - whoops!)

They're both in bed now, Moobles is asleep, VB is rolling round in his cot poking his legs through the bars and talking to his blanket. The house is a pit, nevermind, tomorrow is another day!

(ps) the photo is not from today, but it reminds me that generally, she's lovely!

Thank goodness for Dr Sears!

Moobles wasn't a particularly difficult baby, she just puked a lot and fed a lot. We mostly got round the puking by keeping her vertical as much as possible and always having at least three muslins within arm's reach. The feeding wasn't a problem, I happily spent hours pinned to the sofa munching junk food and watching films, afterall, I had nothing else to do, the housework could wait (it's still waiting!).

Aside from the puking, which didn't bother her greatly she was a fairly happy baby, very independant and sociable.

Velcro Boy was a bit different. The clue is in the name really, he was a placid little fellow for the first six weeks of his life, I even remember gloating smugly at him falling asleep in his crib and going 2-3 hours between feeds. Then something happened and he began to cry. All. The. Time. Seriously, unless he was feeding or sleeping he was screaming. There wasn't anything obvious wrong, nothing we tried worked except holding him and singing. So we held him and sang, for about 6 weeks, until gradually he stopped crying quite so much and even smiled occasionally!

VB is still very much a Velcro baby at 16 months, he's happiest when he's being cuddled, he's not particularly adventurous and he's still prone to frequent tears. So we still carry him a lot, he still breastfeeds whenever he wants and we soothe him when he's cranky.

It's been tough, I had Moobles to consider and sometimes VB had to wait while I made lunch or put her to bed, or counted to 10! But generally we've managed ok, mainly thanks to co-sleeping, breast-feeding and a large collection of slings!

So, imagine my delight when I flicked through the Sears "Attachment Parenting" book to discover that VB isn't miserable, spoilt or manipulative (as suggested by some well-meaning baby gurus) he's simply high-needs. And guess what? These babies don't need strict routines, or to be left to cry, they need comfort and cuddles.

So, yay! It wasn't me who broke my boy at six weeks, he's just high needs and he needs extra attention from us all.

So, to summarize; Dr Sears rocks. Babies cry - it's normal and sometimes you won't know why. You can't spoil a baby with love, carry them, cuddle them, sleep with them, feed them, do these things as often as possible. You won't make any kind of rod for your back, you'll just create a happy child who knows they're loved and is secure in that love.