Nursing Positions & Latching

I learned in my breastfeeding class that women learn how to breastfeed by watching other moms.  Well, sometimes it's difficult to get together with other moms and watch them.  I learned a lot from videos.  It helps to see what latching looks like and how the baby is suppose to respond.  This one has great information!

Week Night Shepherd's Pie

Wondering what to make for dinner when you've used up all your go-to's and want something new? Try my version of Shepherd's Pie. It is made with a homemade gravy - no canned soups! And... it's topped with ranch flavored mashed potatoes. Yum!!

 

 

Drizzle of olive oil

1/2 cup minced onion

2 gloves minced garlic

1/2 cup chopped carrot (I use julienned)

1 lb 93% lean ground beef

1 can green beans

Salt & Pepper to taste

 

For Gravy:

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour 

1-2 cups beef broth (eye ball it)

1 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp of worcestershire sauce

Few dashes of McCormick Montreal Steak Grill Mates Seasoning

(secret ingredient... 1 tsp bacon grease - optional)

Mashed Potato Topping:
4 large russett potatoes, boiled to fork tender
1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2-1 cup milk
2 tbsp of ranch dressing mix

Heat oven to 350 degrees. 

Start of pot of water boiling for the potatoes.  Peel the potatoes and chop into cubes.  Also, chop the carrots into bite sized pieces.  Boil the potatoes until fork tender.  Meanwhile, in a large skillet add the olive oil, onion, garlic, and carrots together and cook until soft.  Add the ground beef and cook thoroughly.  Salt & pepper to taste.  Add the green beans. 

In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour to make a roux.  Gently wisk in the beef broth to make a gravy.  When the gravy forms, wisk in the tomato paste, worcestershire sauce, and grill seasoning.  Add the gravy to the beef mixture and combine well (you may need to add more broth).  Add mixture to baking dish.

Drain the potatoes and add them back to the pan.  Mash together with the butter, milk, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, and salt liberally.  Top the beef mixture with the mashed potatoes (as seen in the picture).  Bake the dish until the potatoes are brown, approximately 20-30 minutes.

For a yummy touch, serve with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls :-)

A mom's job is never done

It's so true!  A mom's job is never done.  Another meal to cook.  Another diaper to change.  And... laundry, laundry, laundry!  It is easy to get caught in the never ending tasks.  How do we cope as mothers?

I invite you to see the video below.  Erin Davis has written a book titled "Beyond Bath Time" which illustrates the sacred calling of motherhood.  In her book, she is brutally honest and shares all angles - the good, bad, and ugly.  I encourage you to read Erin's book.

 

Toddler/Baby Food Recipe

Here's a great recipe for Toddlers.  I discovered this pasta called Ditalini.  It's in the perfect shape for little eaters.  Easy to pick up.  Easy to chew and swallow.

Here's my homemade recipe:

2 cooked chicken breasts, cut in small pieces
2 cups of uncooked Ditalini pasta
1 small can of peas & carrots

For cheese sauce:
1 cup milk
1/2 cup of blended shredded cheese
1/4 cup of parmesan
2 slices of muenster
2 slices of american

Cook the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.  Cut the chicken into very small pieces.  Cook the pasta in boiling water for 10-15 minutes.  Make sure the pasta is cooked well.  While the pasta in draining in the colander, melt all of the cheeses with the milk in the pan.  Add the pasta, chicken, and vegetables.  Add salt and pepper to taste and mix well. 

Yields: 2 ice cube trays for freezing

Pacifiers & Bottles

During my breastfeeding class I learned that if you introduce a pacifier or bottle too early it can interfere with latching. This is what I understood. Well, I was determined to breastfeed so I didn't let a pacifier or bottle near my baby for 2 weeks! 

Every baby is different, but mine didn't have a problem and she took to breastfeeding right away.  She always latched fine and she never refused to nurse.  During her 2nd day, I remember allowing her to nurse as long as she wanted.  She nursed a total of 45 minutes on one side!

Even though I was so happy that we were on a good path of nursing, when I finally introduced her to a pacifier or bottle - she refused it!  I tried and tried, but nothing worked.  I even dipped the pacifier in Karo syrup, and she still didn't want it.

From my experience I suggest introducing either a pacifier or bottle sooner than 2 weeks.  If you are wanting to pump and feed, a bottle is the only way you'll be able to feed your baby.  Also, a pacifier can come in handy.  Especially in public when you need to "pacify" your baby until you can nurse them.  We never had this option.  On the bright side, we won't have to take it away from her.  Take it from me, introduce what you plan to use early.


Here she is with a pacifier.  I think this is the only time we took a picture with it in her mouth.

Yogurt for babies

Yogurt is a great snack and addition to a baby's diet.  You can start introducing yogurt after 6 months of age.  My little one loves it!  However, it's best to pay attention to the labels.  Some yogurts are packed full of sugar!

Always check the labels.  Gestational diabetes caused me to check all my labels so I am very used to it.  Watch out for aspartame.  It's very sneaky!  The package will say "light" or "sugar free" and aspartame is lurking in the ingredients. 

There's a lot of controversy about aspartame.  Personally, the endocrinologist told me not to ingest it during pregnancy.  She said that it was not healthy for my developing baby.  If it's not okay for an unborn baby, then I'd assume it's not okay for a growing baby.  I encourage you to do some research and make the decision for yourself. 

My husband and I eat Yoplait, but if you check the label it has 25 grams of sugar!

Stonyfield's YoBaby has only 12 grams of sugar.  It's also made with whole milk that is best for growing babies.

I recommend the brand Stonyfield.  They have yogurts called YoBaby, YoToddler, and YoKids.  Please visit their website for more information.  Fortunately, my community is organic friendly so my local grocery store carries Stonyfield.  If you cannot find it at your local store, you may want to try a health foods store.

Traveling with an infant

I've always been told that traveling with an infant isn't easy.  I thought that meant just packing the car, stopping for diaper changes, and being extra tired.   What I didn't realize is that there's a lot more to traveling with an infant than the obvious.

Children respond well to routine.  Their routine revolves around their environment.  They are used to their crib, room, toys, etc.  When you are traveling, all of these elements change.  They'll probably take their nap in a car seat rather than their crib.  They will be sleeping overnight in a portable crib rather than their own.  All of these elements shift their routine and ultimately their mood.

My little one takes her naps and goes to bed at the same time every night.  Sometimes we have to change those times to accomodate our schedule when we travel.  Unfortunately, changing her sleep patterns affects everything.  She's a little bit more cranky than usual and ultimately that affects my trip.

She has many distractions when we're away from home.  It's difficult to get her to sleep for her naps, and at bedtime if she's going down at a later time.  Hotels (or other homes) have different sounds and smells that contribute to her distraction.

Make sure to bring as many familiar items from home to make your little one feel comfortable.  Bring favorite toys and books.  Make sure to pack their favorite foods too.  I know it's difficult to stick to their routine, but it helps to try to keep it as close as possible.

Click this checklist for suggestions of what to pack when traveling.