my jouney begins here...

busyboysmum · #1 (**permalink**) 16-10-2008, 10:16 AM

hi,
i am new to this site. i have 2 boys, and am very busy! i have been brought up in a traditional 'western' way, with my mum not breastfeeding, following 4 hourly feeding from 6 weeks, leaving kids to cry etc.
i repeated all this with my first son, but i find with my second (13 weeks) i am questioning a lot of my beliefs/values on parenting. i have always been afraid of 'making a rod for my back' by holding, feeding frequently etc, but find that after pushing my first into routines, that my instincts are different this time around, and i am researching more on parenting strategies.
i am not breastfeeding (dont like it, probably because of family upbringing/support) but i express feeds for my boy. i formula fed my first, so i am at least giving the benefits of milk, although not the close skin to skin relationship. i have no routine for my baby, just trying to follow his lead/cues. but i find that 'experts' keep saying that he should be feeding 4 hourly by now (no way!) and should be sleeping 2 hours between feeds (i wish!). i am looking forward to getting to know some real mums (who truly are better 'experts' anyway!) and maybe helping me shift my personal experiences and beliefs a little in line with my instincts.
my jouney begins here...

Dorasmum · #2 (**permalink**) 16-10-2008, 11:30 AM

Read away....we are all constantly learning too. Hope some of what we have learnt will help and you can help us with what you have already learnt! And hey, the best expert on your child is you.

Em

kadownie · #3 (**permalink**) 16-10-2008, 11:40 AM

Welcome to NP- I hope, like me, you find this forum to be an encouraging and nuturing experience

I commend you on expressing- what a committed Mumma you are! You can still give skin to skin.. just bare some of your bubs skin and your tummy.. and babywearing is also wonderful for some skin and cuddle time (effortlessly)

I, like you, have taken a different journey with subsequent babies.. I have found such relief and joy at following my babies lead- he knows what he needs=- and I trust his judgement! the 'rod' I have created has been so fufilling!!

Welcome again

**Nyree** · #4 (**permalink**) 17-10-2008, 03:36 PM

to NP! Always nice to see more Taswegians here

I wish you all the best on the journey. I know there are many parents here, including myself, who's parenting has evolved so much during their time here. It's a great place to be!

hanabi · #5 (**permalink**) 18-10-2008, 08:27 AM

Welcome BusyBoysMum. A breastfeed baby won't last 4 hours between feeds so just find your own flow knowing that you can't over- or under-feed by following baby's cues. That is such OLD HAT advice!

There is a huge archive of old, informative threads here on NP. If you need some help to conduct a forum search or track down some specific information, just call out.