Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The Wonderful World of Breastfeeding!

* This is a picture of Zarion after a good nursing session! :)



Yes, I’ve decided to embark on the “milky” way of breastfeeding: It actually ended up being more smooth than expected, although I did hit a couple of bumps—er, curdles—in the road. For instance, I found out firsthand that breast milk really does last for just about 90 minutes in a baby’s tummy, compared with bottled formula, which has a tendency to last a few hours instead. Both types of milk have their pros and cons, so my attitude is: Why not make the most of both worlds—or, "milky way" galaxies, if you will?

During Zarion’s first week of life, I nursed him 100%. Anytime he was hungry, I brought him to the milk buffet: It was a perfect opportunity for me to enjoy some skin-to-skin bonding time with him while giving him the nourishments he needed from the colostrums and subsequently flowing breast milk. In addition, it gave him the opportunity to practice latching on correctly and helped us both to get used to each other in the nursing process.

Now that it is Week 2, I am still nursing him during the daytime while giving him a couple of bottles at night—each containing 50% breast milk and 50% formula. My hubby (Pete), Zarion’s pediatrician, and I decided to do this because the formula allows him to sleep for longer periods at night, which means that we all get our much-needed rest. In addition, it gives me a break (hubby can help with the feedings, too), and it gives my body a break (I am not as sore, and also, I allow my milk to collect overnight so that breast pumping is more effective during the day). At the same time, Zarion still receives the benefits of the breast milk overnight. Furthermore, combining the two decreases the chance that he will experience the stomach issues that can result from transitioning from straight breast milk to straight formula.

During the day, I still choose to nurse because the breast milk is so healthy: It protects the baby from a plethora of illnesses, prevents him from developing allergies and colic, protects him from obesity, boosts his intelligence, lowers his risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), reduces the mother’s risk of some types of cancer, and reduces the mother’s risk of postpartum depression and stress level (Baby Center).
However, even if I am not directly nursing Zarion, my hubby or I still feed him pumped breast milk from a bottle. Again, this gives hubby time with the baby, and pumping saves me time when I am busy running our house and my home business. Nursing can take a couple of hours at a time—sometimes longer when he is cluster feeding (periods when he breastfeeds for 3 to 5 hours or so)—while pumping usually takes less than an hour. Plus, your insurance company likely now covers the purchase of your breast pump at 100% thanks to the new healthcare legislation, so why not take advantage of this benefit?

As we navigate the wonderful world of feeding a newborn, we certainly see the benefits of both breast milk and formula and realize that they both are advantageous in their own ways and both have a place. Any new mother must do what is best for her and her child, and with the guidance of a pediatrician, she should be able to establish a plan and schedule that works best for the entire family unit—and especially baby. :)


Zarion Arrives! :)

Zarion made his debut on March 2, 2013, at 11:09 p.m. He was a healthy 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 19 inches long!

We absolutely love our little bundle of joy; my heart just melts every time I see him breathe, hiccup, coo, and stare at me with his beautiful brown eyes--especially when I am nursing him! How exciting parenthood is!






This is a picture of Mommy and Daddy holding Zarion :)


Monday, February 11, 2013

Baby Zarion Maternity Photos :)

Here are some photos that my husband, Pete, and I took when I was 33 weeks: We are so excited to meet our little Baby Zarion Shemaiah King :)








Baby Zarion's Third Trimester 4-D Ultrasounds! :)

Here is a glimpse of Zarion at 33 weeks! I can't wait to pinch his cute little chubby cheeks! :)










Friday, November 2, 2012

21 Weeks Pregnant -- in 3-D :)

Here are some lovely 3-D images of Baby Zarion King (followed by his 21-week ultrasound)! He is so handsome!










20 Weeks Pregnant! (Banana Week)



How far along? 20 Weeks (Wednesday, October 19, 2012) 

The baby is the size of a: Banana

New baby developments this week: "He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery)" BabyCenter.

Total weight gain: It looks like it's about 12 pounds :)

Maternity clothes? Nope, but a larger size is definitely more comfortable now...lol

Stretch marks? A thin, faint vertical line is still on my belly :)

Sleep: Yep; I just have to switch from one side to the next a bit more frequently lol

Best moment this week: Still relishing in the idea of having a handsome little king!

Miss Anything? Not much--but I do miss bleu cheese and cold salami :)

Movement/Feelings: I'm feeling a little bit of fluttering, and I'm more sure it's the baby now! :)

Food cravings: Still, anything salty :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Symptoms: Just a little pain where the ligaments of the uterus are stretching more :)

Gender: It's a BOY!!!!

Labor Signs?: Nope (thankfully)

Belly Button in or out? An outie! :)

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Watching Baby King grow some more and finally feeling his kicks!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Baby King is a BOY!! :)

Baby King is a BOY!!!

We are extremely excited about the opportunity to welcome this little king to the world, possibly sometime around March 8 or 9.

We have decided to name him: Zarion Shemaiah King (Zarion means "Angel of God," and Shemaiah means "That Hears or Obeys the Lord")


Baby King at 19 Weeks (this is his cute little foot) :)


Baby King at 19 Weeks (these are his cute little arms) :)



Hubby Pete and me enjoying early parenthood (me at 18 weeks) :)