Breastmilk Woes

So, here's what's going on in the Alligood house. Jon's work, per usual, is busy, but this rotation is slightly less demanding than the last one. (hip hip hooray!) He's learning about pharmacy informatics, which is basically how to utilize computers in the world of pharmacy. It all goes over my head! I am on my last week rotating at Walgreens and will be at the hospital doing critical care for the next five weeks. My bright spot in this is that I will get to see my hubby on occasion during the day! Jonathan will be nearby soon, because we got good news that he's now #4 on the waiting list for the hospital daycare! I have so enjoyed him being with Sandi and will be kind of sad when he's done there. But I'm sure she'll be ready to get her crew down to just four kids instead of five. :)

Playing on his new car playmat from his great-grandmother Mimi.

My current Mommy Dilemma is what to do about Jonathan's food. He is three months old and has been exclusively breastmilk-fed up until this past weekend when we had to give him a formula bottle. Thankfully he didn't seem to mind one bit and gulped it all down. But all the books and articles and opinions ("Breast is best!") produced a small amount of mommy guilt. I've not been able to pump as much milk at work as before, and it was getting more difficult and stressful to have enough for him while I'm away. I've started pumping more frequently to try to increase my supply, so hopefully that will help a bit. I have to say, though, that while I felt sad that he was eating something other than my milk and that I wasn't able to make enough for him, it took some pressure off of me to know that I can scoop that smelly stuff out of the can and he wouldn't be hungry. It was definitely putting a strain on me and my time at home with my boys to feel like I always needed to be attached to a pump. So for now, I am pumping and getting as much milk as I can, and doing the rest as formula.

The next decision to make is when to start "real" food for Jonathan. Several friends have recommended starting with a little bit of rice cereal in a bottle. The only drawback to this, in my opinion, is that I wouldn't be able to nurse him at night (which is apparently the ideal time to give it him so he'll sleep like a rock!). Moms, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. When did you start cereal/food? And what types of food did you start with?

The kid will obviously eat anything!

Lastly, I just want y'all to know what an encouragement it is to me to read your comments. As we go through life in general, but especially as mothers, community and building each other up is so important. And sometimes that means a deep spiritual conversation or prayer time together, but other times it's just nice to know that other people get pooped on too! :)