Week 28 postpartum: Weaning. Routine stress (again). Summer bod I have not.

Back in the early weeks it really was a conveyor belt of feeding, changing, feeding, changing. But now we've introduced solids, I genuinely don't know how I'm supposed to fit everything into one day. So I'm still to breastfeed the same number of feeds. As well as fitting in solids - breakfast, lunch, tea and naps (shudder). Don't forget about tummy time, playtime, a bit of MrTumble (why can't I get theJustin's House song out of my flipping head?) and take Rafe out in the pushchair. Fit in a baby class some days. Prepare Rafe's meals for the week. I need to spend hours making my own chicken stock apparently. Love, I don't have time to pluck my moustache - never-mind simmer down chicken bones for a child who sticks a lot of food up his nose. I'm sure I've missed something....Can you tell I'm in routine, stress hell again? And I said I was going to take up baking once baby was born. HAHA! Jog on pet.

So this week we've just went up to three meals a day. Originally was just doing breakfast and lunch - then changed to just breakfast and tea (dinner). I guess I've went for the gradual approach with weaning but to be honest, Rafe will pretty much hoover anything (except milk from a bottle) that is put in front of him. His dad is exactly the same. We're still doing a mix of purée and very basic baby-led at the moment. I think I'll venture more into finger foods in the next two weeks but at the moment I'm giving him, say chicken and veg purée (using low-salt stock cubes, sorry Anabelle) with a stick of cucumber, which he loves to have a little munch on. Or Ready Brek/Weetabix and banana and he has a bit of toast too. I don't think I'll be winning any baby weaning book awards though. 🙈 (We are using Anabelle Karmel new complete baby and toddler meal planner at the mo and just bought Gill Rapley 's baby-led weaning book.) So as well as the 'Am I feeding my baby the right foods?, Am I a bad mum for not making my own stock? (Mum guilt)' worries, my head has been boggled with when to feed Rafe. At first, I was feeding him solids around an hour and a half after his breastfeed but then that was cutting into nap time and felt really rushed. So now I've been feeding him not much longer after his booby feed. (So I normally feed 7,10,1,4, but more on demand if he wants, then after bath which is normally 5.30/45 - so he normally has breakfast 8ish. Lunch 1.45ish and tea, 4.45.) So I feel like I am literally tanking the child up to the max - especially at bedtime as it's literally milk, solids, milk. But he doesn't seem to mind. I kind of figure that when I start dropping feeds and replacing with solids - it will work itself out. I haven't a fucking clue to be honest. Anyone that says that maternity leave must be relaxing hasn't spent a morning with me. What does everyone else do schedule wise? Please tell me someone else is as confused as me. 🙈

Also. When did you start dropping feeds? I've read it's normally between 7-9 months and you need to 'let your baby guide you' but to be honest, I don't think Rafe will ever refuse the boob - or food. What feed do you know when to drop? Or at least guide them to drop?

Watching Mr Tumble....

Speaking of breastfeeding. I've kind of given up trying the bottle. I just think that once he starts dropping feeds - I'll get a bit of a break. I think I do need to maybe try again - just so I can really let my hair down one night (it's been a loonngggg time) and not worry about Rafe. But maybe I'll just never have tequila shots again. Which may not be a bad thing. The last time I did tequila shots I was doing air guitar in the middle of a pub in Arbroath while my husband watched on with his friends pretending he didn't know me. Good times.

How lush has the weather been? Although I'll never complain about the sunshine. It has brought up some challenges. Like, what do I dresss Rafe in? Will he be too hot? What about at night? Why do I look like a milk bottle? How hot will I get in my maternity leggings? I've been watching everyone post their photos on Instagram, wearing their lovely summer skimpy wardrobes - and there's me still covered head to toe. Dare not get my pasty white legs out - and plus it would take me about a day to shave head to toe so I'd rather just melt in the sun, than get my saggy postpartum body out to the world. Plus my wardrobe is either - maternity clothes - clothes I can't fit into - and going out clothes I most certainly can't wear at the moment. So I only have one option really. Maternity leggings, nursing top or baggy t-shirt and husband's socks to cover my hairy legs. Perfect summer attire. I'll be featuring in Grazia's fashion column next week.

Rafe in his favourite class - Hartbeeps!

We started a new class this week - baby yoga and massage. Which I think we will really enjoy. It's more about Rafe doing little yoga poses and the woman who does it is literally the happiest, loving life woman I've ever met so it's nice to meet someone as polar opposite to me. Jokes...

Yes Rafe!

Rafe can sit up on his own! He's been wobbly for weeks and obviously still topples over but is really quite confident now so had a proper proud mum moment. Seriously though - don't you wish you could just pause time sometimes? He's just growing so fast.

Anyway, best go, Rafe will be up from his THIRTY MINUTE nap anytime soon. Until next week....

Faye x