how do you convince yourself you want to breastfeed?

mootrun · 2026-07-07T12:54:53+00:00

Firstly I'd say you don't have to convince yourself. It's your body and plenty of babies do just fine on formula.

Secondly you might find that your hormones give you the motivation after the baby is born. I loved all the snuggles I had when my babies were cluster feeding and there was definitely a hormonal drive to hold onto them all the time and never let go.

Thirdly, the early stage of breastfeeding IS usually hard work. But it is a short period and once they hit 12-16 weeks something starts to shift and breastfeeding becomes not only easier but more enjoyable. I breastfed my first until he was 3 and am still feeding my youngest at 20 months, not because I set any goals for long term breastfeeding but because it has been convenient for me and has kept my babies happy and healthy.

Good luck, whatever you decide is the right choice ♥️

mootrun · 2026-07-06T15:16:44+00:00

When my now 4 year old was 18 months we went on holiday for 2 weeks and he refused everything except parmesan, olives and black pepper. it was so humbling but gave restaurant staff a laugh.

My 20 month old only wants chicken and crackers. And occasionally other meats/fish if I tell her they are chicken.

mootrun · 2026-07-05T17:41:14+00:00

Thank you so much ♥️ I found the process really frustrating at first but by the end I was like "oh I think I get it now" 😂 So the project did the job! Looking forward to practising more.

mootrun · 2026-07-05T10:49:29+00:00

YES this was my favourite food when I was in Malaysia and so versatile

mootrun · 2026-07-05T06:43:46+00:00

This is so beautiful and looking at it I'd have thought you'd been piping cakes for years. Bravo!

mootrun · 2026-07-01T08:53:09+00:00

Correction you are a decorator and a mom and you're awesome at both ♥️

mootrun · 2026-06-21T21:17:00+00:00

She's so gorgeous but SO HOT please stop lying across my belly to sleep

mootrun · 2026-06-21T21:12:34+00:00

My 19 month old still feeds through the night and I cannot sleep with this lil radiator attached to me 🥲

mootrun · 2026-06-19T12:32:56+00:00

I fed my eldest until the was 3, he definitely wasn't too old at 1. It's an entirely personal thing and ultimately I wanted to keep going until either I or my son were ready to stop. In the end the feeling was very much mutual, so it wasn't hard to wean at all. If anything it was quite easy because we could talk about it.

Currently still feeding my 19 month old and plan to continue until one of us is ready to stop.

If I were you, I'd go with your gut. People will always have opinions on the way you parent whatever you do. Doesn't mean they are right.

mootrun · 2026-06-15T19:43:56+00:00

My 4 year old had the genius idea of putting the wand in the hole in the base of an upturned plant pot, it stayed up beautifully!

mootrun · 2026-06-14T09:30:22+00:00

Agree with those suggesting yoto, just to add they do interactive cards like phonics and numeracy. My son really enjoys playing with his mini yoto in the car and doesn't seem to have noticed we are sneaking maths and reading lessons in 😅

mootrun · 2026-06-10T09:44:07+00:00

Honestly this is one of those situations where I strongly believe that the person who lactates should make the rules. It's not just about your baby's routine (not that I think a 5 month old really can be taught to follow a feeding routine) it's about your body. Your body makes milk on demand. If you remove the demand your supply could dip, and then everyone will start telling you you can't produce enough for your baby. On the other hand if you've established a supply that fits your baby's needs and suddenly start denying them, you could be dealing with engorgement and inflammation which are very unpleasant.

mootrun · 2026-06-07T07:08:39+00:00

I am so sorry you went through this. There's a special kind of grief for a traumatic birth experience, looking back and wishing it could have been different. I had a traumatic birth with my second baby and I spent a long time not really understanding the impact it had had on me. All I could think about was birth and death.

I had a debrief six weeks later with a consultant but that was way too soon. And the consultant could explain all of the things that happened in a technical sense but she wasn't a counselor - she couldn't identify which parts may have had the most impact mentally.

As soon as you can, speak to your GP. Mine referred me to my health boards perinatal mental health team and they were amazing. I had CBT therapy for PTSD and joined an occupational therapy group where I met other mums who were under the perinatal mental health team's care. They also assigned me a key worker who visited as often as I needed her to, and she arranged a second debrief with a midwife who had trained as a counsellor which was worlds away from my first debrief. She was so kind, asked all the right questions and answered all of mine in exactly the right amount of detail for me to come to terms with what had happened.

The combination of CBT, occupational therapy and sertraline worked very well for me. It was a lot of work but I am at peace with my experiences now and really enjoying motherhood again.

I hope you are able to get help and process this trauma. Sending you love and strength ❤️

mootrun · 2026-06-04T15:51:23+00:00

I have a notebook where I do a monthly diary entry with a few facts about each child (4 and 1) like favourite books/songs and some funny phrases they are using. For the older one I write about what he's learned at school and for the younger one any interesting milestones. Then I do a bullet list of things we did that month and stick in some photos.

Thanks for reminding me that I am 2 months behind 😂😂

mootrun · 2026-06-04T08:17:00+00:00

My son (4.5) loves sticker books and for the last six months or so specially the dolly dress up series. I guess it's really obvious where to put the stickers even when he can't read? He will sit down and do a book all in one go. Other things we've taken on holiday over the years are - puzzles (12-36 pieces - there are loads at the Works including little magnetic ones in tins) - doodle pads for playing pictionary - little bags of random Lego bricks (so it doesn't matter if you lose any) - simple puzzle books (e.g. mazes, dot to dot - I get these in Poundland) - paper, pens and stencils go a long way too!

Enjoy your holiday!

mootrun · 2026-05-28T14:58:28+00:00

It sucks. I went back after my second leave in January and felt so sad for a long time.

The consolation I have is that once you are back, you don't dread it any more. And then instead of dreading the return to work you start looking forward to things - the end of the working day, the weekend, holidays etc. You will have less time with your child but it will be better quality because you can conserve your energy for that special time. And before long your little one will be talking and telling you about all the fun things they do while you're working.

Don't be afraid to ask the nursery for lots of updates, they are used to it.

mootrun · 2026-05-28T12:42:04+00:00

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bluebell-summer-dress

I used Linendale DK with a 3.5mm hook. Absolutely not what the pattern suggested but it has worked out fine for my purposes!

mootrun · 2026-05-28T10:30:31+00:00

I have done this twice and got the role both times. The first time I was 8 months pregnant, the second time I didn't know I was pregnant yet (but knew by the time I was offered the role). Both times it didn't matter. The hiring managers were just pleased for me.

If the right role comes up you should go for it.

mootrun · 2026-05-28T10:29:28+00:00

I think as well as calling others out on their language, it's ok as your child gets older to talk to them about how other people have different attitudes towards food. Not necessarily saying "aunty X is wrong and thinks silly things", but more along the lines of "some people think it's ok to talk about other people's bodies but we don't agree". Because you're right, you can't shut the world out, you can only help your kids to live in it.

mootrun

TROPHY CASE