The Toothless Bandit

A new mom said to me today "I just am not sure what I am doing is right" in referring to how she is feeling as a new mom.  I told her I've been a mom for 9 months now and I still feel this way.  You read books, people give you all kinds of advice and opinions (most unwanted) and you still feel uncertain that you are doing the right thing.  For example, my child still has no teeth.  I refer to Anna as "The Toothless Bandit".  She currently is eating baby food three times a day and bottles in between.  I look at the recommended guidelines and this is perfectly acceptable but other people feel free to tell me what their kid ate and basically insinuate that the way I am feeding Anna is all wrong.  UGH!  Please tell me how I am suppose to give my child meat when she does not have any teeth in which to chew said meat?!  Yes, please I would love my child to choke!

I am pretty strict on what I introduce and feed Anna.  Excuse me but I do not want my child eating crap food.  I am trying my best to instill in Anna good and healthy eating habits so that she might carry this with her throughout life.  I have learned that I need to lay off on all the orange veggies (carrots, squash, sweet potatoes) because Anna is looking a little jaundice.  I thought only carrots caused this but I found out today otherwise! (See pic of her orange nose at the bottom of post!) I'm not a perfect parent nor will I ever be.  I am just trying my best and that is all I can do.  I told new mom what I believe:  every child is different, every parent is different and different isn't wrong.  Hey if you want to give your child sugar and disgusting processed meat, go ahead I don't care.  Just please don't judge me because I don't do things the way you do.  I am fully aware that I am OCD when it comes to my daughter and I'm ok with that.  I told Dave before we had Anna that I was going to be overprotective of her because that is just how I am.  Anyone who knows me knows that I fully research each and every product we ever buy for Anna(bottles, swing, food, etc.)  I'm just like this and although to some it may seem extreme, I don't really care.

On my birth board, breastfeeding was always a hot topic and everyone was judging.  I wanted to breastfeed but unfortunately I was very sick after I had Anna and that combined with being put on medication that affected my supply, I couldn't.  I was crushed and became very depressed that I could not breastfeed.  I also felt like everyone was judging me because I wasn't breastfeeding even though I wanted to but couldn't.  I know on my birth board there were ladies that chose not to breastfeed and boy did they get beat up.  Yes, breastmilk is best but if the mother does not want to do it she shouldn't get slammed for it.  I'm just happy if the child is getting fed regardless if it is by breastmilk or formula.

I just hate all the judgement that comes along with being a mother.  As a mother you do what is best for you and your child but unfortunately everyone has an opinion about what you are doing.  I told new mom today that you just have to let everyone's opinions and judgement slide off your back.  Love your child, that is the most important thing after all.