Planned C sections

Planned C/S... they cause a lot of scrutiny and controversy. Personally I see no issue with them as long as the baby is at term. From what my Dr. told me C/S are more dangerous in the sense of it being surgery for the mother, it is actually less dangerous for the baby.

I remember a story of a woman who's husband was going to Iraq (at the peak of this war)and would be leaving a week before the baby was due. She wanted to have a planned C/S so at least her husband could see the baby in case the worst happened, and he ended up dying in this war. She did get a lot of support, but there were some people who insisted a baby's time to be born should not be planned, regardless of the circumstances.

You also hear about celebrities who "plan" when they have the baby to avoid pain, stretch marks, fear, whatever... they usually can get what they want, because they are celebrities. Personally, I think if you can pay for it, and the baby isn't at risk, I see no issue. I know many do, and I have always wondered why. Sure, its shallow...but will it hurt anyone except the mother who made that choice? I remember how fearful I was before my first son was born...who's to say I would not have done the same thing if I had the money? (I did end up having C/S's) I am not a Dr.. so I am not sure, I am just going by what my Dr. said about a term baby. I kind of feel like I should mind my own business before I stick my nose into others...but is that sticking my head in the sand?

Any insight?

I love my cats

My cats were my first babies... they are now my oldest babies and I still love them more than I can express. Here is GiGi... my special, sweet and crazy boy!



I am always surprised and frankly disappointed in people who as soon as they have children (of the human variety...ssshhhhh don't let my cats hear me say they are not human LOL) and then they drop their feline babies like a hot potato... all because the cat wants to have some attention, or he OMG... he is DIRTY AND HAIRY... what did we expect? Babies are not so fragile that a little cat hair is going to hurt them... at least it never hurt my sister and I as well as our own very healthy children. Cats are one of the few pleasures in life that don't make you fat, drunk, or irresponsible! They are cuddly balls of fur that make you feel better, even when they knock over your favorite vase... or scratch your couch... or wake you up at 4 AM wanting to be pet... or cry incessantly for food... WAIT... did I say they were worth it?????????
YES! I did, and they are. They are comforting, they love you despite the fact that you are inferior to them and when they cuddle next to you... oh...the cuddles... it makes you feel like the luckiest human in the whole world.

So yes, I have two beautiful human children, I love them with all my heart and my soul... but my 3 feline children are also important to me. Barring my children being deathly allergic to them, I would never ever abandon them. I chose to be their mother and I take that responsibility siriusly. The benefits to having them far outweigh the drawbacks... same as with my human children... and I would never give them away either!

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Breast Feeding and Formula Feeding... Why so heated?

Well, answer me why? I wish I knew. I am an advocate for Formula Feeding...so of course I am going to blog about my experiences from this POV. I never wanted to BF (this will stand for Breastfeeding and FF for Formula feeding) tried 2 times with my first born (due to pressure) and decided to FF. I KNEW this was right for me, I didn't get to the ripe old age of 36 not knowing what I wanted to do, or what would work for myself and my hubby. I am a decisive person, usually not easily influenced by anyone... but the pressure is so heavy towards BF, that I caved. I felt hounded, resentful and I felt like I was being judged... because I was. I got looks, I got comments when I bought formula... the lack of manners and kindness was appalling. I was a new mother, struggling with PPD (and didn't realize it) no sleep, and the uncertainty of having a new baby was overwhelming, even though I have the most helpful and accommodating husband around. I felt bad enough without other mothers putting me and my choices down.

Lets face it, there are SOME BF mothers that give off and have this attitude that they are better mothers for having BF. (I am aware of a BF forum that has bashed FF moms and said "No matter what those FF moms say, they are not bonded to their babies like WE are" Um... excuse my language but that's Bull Shit. How would they know how other moms bond? How can they be inside the heart and soul of FF mothers (or any other mothers for that matter) and "know" this is true. Its sad, and immature. I love my children with an intensity and love that I never dreamed of feeling... how could anyone feel "more" love. Its simply ridiculous. And yes, Ive heard all the benefits of BF (although the immunity thing, and baby being less sick I never understood... my babies were rarely ill, and all the while I saw many BF women's babies get illness after illness... I came to the conclusion that we are just pre-disposed to getting sick more than others), and I made an educated desision about it, and I did what was right for myself, my family and my baby.

I also find it sad that women who cannot BF, or had a hard time with BF, feel the need to explain their choices, to explain why they couldn't or didn't BF, its like you have to have a good excuse or the extreme advocates will tell you why you should have tried harder and why you made the wrong choice and why you needed to work it through... as mothers lets STOP defending every choice we make... as long as we don't hurt our babies (and no matter how many studies that are made none have shown a baby will perish or be an imbecile because of FF) Lets just be happy and be strong in our convictions and stop wanting or needing the approval of others to do what we feel is right for us.

Of course many BF and FF mothers do not bash the other side, but the ones that do are contributing to making the gap between the two sides so much wider. Out the window the compassion, the understanding, the kindness go...to be replaced with superiority, smirks, and judgement.

I know many, many BF advocates... they are kind, decent women. This post is about the ones who are not. And maybe, just maybe some of the other BF women will realize how WE are judged, how we are treated unkindly and maybe, just maybe mothers, all mother BF, FF or whatever... will start worrying about their own choices and stop worrying about someone elses and the choices they made for themselves and their family.

This is not meant to bash, this is meant to show how we FF are treated... you hear so much about BF mothers, how they are treated, how they are discriminated against, and I think its wrong... but here is another side of the story, and here is what many mothers may feel, but are too afraid to say. Because FF moms have the same issues, we face discrimination, censure and unkindness as well. Just because we don't talk about it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I wish it would stop from both sides... how can we as a nation, a world get along if we continually refuse to see or tolerate anothers POV or choices?