A Sad Goodbye To Daytime Nursing

Tomorrow Munchie will have his last ever daytime breastfeed.

A combination of new job, returning to work and Munchie's refusal to take milk from anything other than me means its time to drop his only daytime feed.

He will continue to have his early morning feed and bedtime feed from me but in the day he will now survive on food.

My feeding journey has been very emotional. Initially I worried whether I would manage to feed this time. I then counted time as an ascending amount of time, 7 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, 1 month. 

However, this ascending time soon began to feel like a burden, tied to Munchie for every feed, unable to leave him for any substantial amount of time and the only person who could tend to him during the night. I soon moved to counting down until when I could stop feeding altogether. 

My aim to feed until 6 months was extended to 12 months. Its rewarding, its beneficial, its one of my favourite times with Munchie but it is also hard and draining and your body is not your own. 

I have been counting down for so long that I am surprised to find myself feeling sad and emotional about dropping his last daytime feed. 

I will miss our public day time feeds, no longer do they make me nervous, I feel confident, liberated and embrace the public feeds. I have surprised even myself. We have fed in parks, on beaches, camping, in theme parks, cafes, restaurants and in a tent in the middle of "Go Outdoors". 

However, it is time. Time to begin to reclaim my body, time to teach him to feel safe away from Mummy, time for us to start a new chapter together. For him to begin to appreciate mummy for her tickles and smiles and stories and not for what he can take from my body. 

So, tomorrow afternoon I will snuggle on our bed with my baby boy and we will share our final daytime breastfeed.

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Nine Months

Munchie is 9 months old today.

He has changed so much already in his 9 months with us. He is no longer my newborn baby boy. he is now a little adventurer learning new things every day. 

We had waited so long for him to enter our lives, dreamed of the time we would one day become a family of four. We had imagined a future together but never had we understood that the most special person in his world would be his big brother Snaffles.

Their brotherly bond makes my heart both melt with love and swell with pride. It is hard to picture one of them without the other.

Hearing Munchie's first vocal expression of the morning be directed to his big brother.

Hearing Snaffles footsteps across the landing as he goes into Munchie's room each morning to see him. Footsteps which used to head to us have been replaced with a new path each morning.

Watching Munchie turn to his big brother when we collect him from school.

Watching Munchie crawl down the hallway each morning as Snaffles and daddy leave for school and work.

Watching Munchie crawl into Snaffles bedroom to seek him out.

Watching Snaffles look out for his little brother as he is playing, passing him toys he has dropped.

Watching Snaffles patience with Munchie when he is taking toys from him which he shouldn't.

Watching Snaffles sing and pull faces at Munchie in the car when he is upset.

My boys, so very different children yet both the apple of the others eye.

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Miosolo - The Verdict

First here are a few facts about reusable nappies that struck me the most; 

• On average a baby will use 5000 disposable nappies compared to only 48 reusable nappies,
• Reusable nappies can save you up to £700 on your first child and up to £1000 for subsequent children, 
• By swapping just one nappy to a reusable per day you would save approximately 912 nappies,
• The average cost of washing reusable nappies for 2.5 years is £102.19
• A child is 5 times more likely to suffer with nappy rash if wearing a disposable nappy,
• Councils across the UK often offer cash back incentives. (My council offers 50% cash back, up to a total of £50)

Despite numerous challenges I have failed to find fault with the Miosolo. It has also impressed everyone who has seen it this week and even swayed Mr C more towards reusable. Munchie's bum clearly does not agree with chemicals and the lack of wipes and disposables has his cute little bum rash free again. 

Obviously the environmental, financial and rash free benefits are fantastic but they also make Munchie look even cuter than he did already.

Would I recommend the Miosolo? Well, the proof is in the purchase. I have now ordered a batch of Miosolo's and will be converting to reusable nappies on my 3 days off and also on the day my Mum has Munchie should she choose to use them.  

If you are looking at purchasing the Miosolo's then there is a fantastic offer on until the 22nd January 2012. You can purchase the Miosolo with 25% off, a free nappy cleanser and also free delivery. Simply enter the discount "challenge" at the checkout.

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Silent Sunday

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Miosolo - The Dad, Grandparent, Childminder Challenge

So we have already established that I am finding it hard to find any faults with the Miosolo. But, how will others feel about them? If I can gain support from daddy and nannie then we are onto a winner.

I haven't been able to find an available participant to take the challenge for an entire so instead I will pass on feedback from those who have seen the Miosolo in action this week.

First up was nannie, nannie will be caring for my little man one day per week so her opinion on matters such as nappies matters. She was impressed with the all in one, a big change from the towelling nappies. She also noticed the softness and the ease of use. Her verdict was that they are no extra work and when I said I was seriously considering using the Miosolo on my non work days she said she would be happy to use on the day she had him too.

Big thumbs up from nannie.

Next up was a fellow mum from breastfeeding group. Again, she commented on how soft they are, was impressed that one size fits all and was surprised to hear Munchie was wearing a reusable nappy as his bum didn't look any bigger than in a disposable.

All positive again.

Then there is one of my best friends, the kind of friend who will get up close and personal and be honest. The prospect of poo in a reusable nappy wad clearly putting her off. The idea of the disposable liner eased the fear a little I think. She had a good look at one of the nappies and again commented on the softness, the slim appearance under clothing and one size fits all.

She then witnessed a nappy change, she was impressed at how dry his nappy area was and that the nappies didn't have the ammonia smell you can get with disposables. Yet another positive response and had her little boy been younger I think she would be very tempted to try them herself.

Now for one of the most important people, daddy. He is impressed with the financial and environmental benefits (I shall post about them shortly). He thinks they are very well made, soft and impressed that we have had no leaks. He would choose to use them close to home but is doubtful about the practicalities when out of the house. Over all he is not as against reusable nappies as he was before we tried the Miosolo.

Overall its a big thumbs up from almost everyone. 

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Miosolo - The Washing Challenge

The washing challenge was supposed to be today but because I have used my miosolo's so much this week that I have already washed them a few times. 

 It really is easy. No need to wet pail them. Just stick them in the wash with non bio wash powder and add a scoop of mio fresh. 

You dont even need fabric conditioner and they still come out fluffy and soft on a 30 degree wash. 

They can be tumble dried but I have laid them over the radiators and they have dried within a few hours.

It's much easier than I thought and I was impressed the moo fresh removed the soil stains. 

 Another sucessful challenge.

Drying

Ready To Put On

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Tesco Baby Competition - Win £100 Of Vouchers

Tesco are launching another baby event starting on Monday 16^th Jan until the 5^th Feb offering even more promotions so you can make your budget go that bit further.

January can be a tough time so Tesco are offering one lucky follower the chance to win £100 Tesco vouchers to spend in store during the baby event – which will ensure those pennies spread that little bit further.

Some of the great offers include:

● Pampers Baby Dry Carry Pack: was £6.49 each, now £4.30 each

● Pampers Simply Dry Carry Packs was £4.50 each, now £3.00

● Johnson’s Baby Wipes 64-Pack:was £2.44 each, now 95p each

● Huggies Super Dry Economy Pack: was £9.98 each, now half price £4.99

● Aptamil Growing Up Milk 12m+ 900g: was £8.49 each, now £6.50 each

Products on BOGOF:

● Johnson’s Baby Bubble Bath & Wash, 500ml: £2.99

● Johnson’s Baby Gold Shampoo, 500ml: £2.60

● Johnson’s Baby Pink Soft Wash, 400ml: £2.98

● Johnson’s Baby Bedtime Bath, 500ml: £2.50

Half Price Buys:

● Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Electronic Steam Steriliser: was £47.99, now half price £23.99

● Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Microwave Steriliser: was £26.99, now half price £13.49

● Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Electric Breast Pump: was £99.99, now half price £49.99

● Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Freedom Breast Pump: was £29.99, now half price £14.99

Make sure you follow @TescoBabyClub for your chance to win great prizes every day during the Baby Event and keep your eyes peeled, as they have got some more great deals and prizes coming soon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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