Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Potty Mouth Toddlers & Babies Who "Snack" While Nursing...

My sweet pea three year old has been surprising us over and over with his expanding vocabulary and proper usage.  Most recently, however, he has been including a few not-so-child-friendly words in his palaver.  (love the big word, LOL)  As he plays with his toys by the kitchen table I hear "Bull Sh*t. Bull Sh*t. Bull Sh*T."  Uh, where the heck did he hear that?!?!?!

So I ponder where such language came from.  And how do I erase it from his lips?

I talk to my mom about it.  Who uses that phrase?  I know I don't (or at least I'm pretty sure I don't).  My mom is confident that she has heard that come out of the hubby's mouth.  Oh, yeah... he does use that phrase when he talks with certain people.  I think Daddy is to blame for this one.  We'll have to have a chat...

But I can't be too hard on the guy.  A few weeks back I was cleaning my office/scrap room out when I messed something up.  Just as quick as a whip the big F-bomb rolled off my lips and sounded in the air.  Next thing you know I hear Alex practicing saying the word: "F*ck. F*ck. F*ck."  In my mind I'm thinking I'm in trouble.

So rather than making a big deal over it thereby fueling Alex's desire to encourage my reaction, I let it slide for the next few minutes.  Then Lola (i.e. grandma, my mom) has enough.  She tells him that if he says that bad word again, he will be in big trouble.  She also explains that it is a word that even grown-ups shouldn't use (yes, I'm sitting right there!).  What can I say, my mom is right.

So how do you fix the potty mouth?  We're trying better to lead by example.  Somehow these things will find there way into the mouths of the little ones, whether now at home or later in school.  Anyone have tips?  Help!?!

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Then there is the baby.  He's an eater.  Or more accurately, he's a drinker.  This infant can nurse frequently and for extended periods of time.  Which is why I worry now that he seemingly in an instant switched over to a "snacking" baby.  I hate to be explicit, but my breasts can't handle that!

I've tried the tips and tricks every mom is taught - strip him down, let him get super fussy, tickle him, rub his cheek/jaw/bottom of feet.  He just turned snack-ish.  What stinks (and you breast feeding moms can attest) is how this causes me to become engorged.  So I use the fancy dancy Medela Freestyle Advanced (thank you Cecille!) to pump and store, but the reality of the issue is that I don't want to be stuck doing both feeding and pumping.  I would like to exclusively feed.  The little guy only gets his milk from the breast - no bottles have been introduced.  Nor do I plan on providing a bottle until sometime in February, and at that only at one every day or two.

I have a goal - breast feeding until I start back with my nursing courses this fall.  Since I am home until then, it is the least I can do.  But before I digress too far into my personal nursing goal, I need to go back to my question at hand - how do I get this baby to stop the snacking before it becomes a bigger issue?  It's only been a day and a half, but this needs to be nipped in the butt now.  Moms, nurses, docs... what are your tips and tricks?  Help a fellow mommy out!

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If you have any insight for either the potty mouth problem or the nursing issue, please send me a message or comment.  I really appreciate your help!

As always, thanks for reading!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Do not provide any bottles (which is what you are doing), no pacifiers (such as actual pacifiers and having him suck on adult fingers), attempt correct latching and positioning(if you feel that it isn't correct, take him off and reposition...be strict b/c babies can become lazy breastfeeders and tear up your nipples....at first I had to reposition Luke anywhere between 40-60 times each breast to get the "right" most comfortable position. Also work those nipples out! Pull and tug at them (after they get a chance to heal) to make them pliable or pump 2 mins before a feeding each breast. "Snacking" can lead to more snacking b/c the fat in breastmilk comes towards the end of the feeding. If you feel his latch is not adequate, try a bf consultant or having his mouth checked out (if any issues with anatomy, tongue-tie, high palate, tight frenulums, etc). I wish you luck. Breastfeeding is the HARDEST thing I have done in my life! that includes everything including the 2 natural births I have endured.