Beans is having a little bit of trouble gaining weight, and figuring out how to manage that is pushing up against Anna’s complicated issues with food. Sara reflects on her similar experiences when attempting to breastfeed Chips. Anna and Sara discuss body image, how the cult of breastfeeding is bullshit*, and how having kids can just bring up all your Stuff.

*We may use the phrase “breastfeeding is bullshit,” by which we do NOT mean that breastfeeding isn’t awesome (when it works), only that the pressure to breastfeed at all costs can be really, really damaging to the people encouraged to do it, and sometimes it’s more important to enjoy being with your baby than it is to feed them in a particular way.

Cool Stuff

Chips is taking tae kwon do and learning how to use her body in cool ways to be stronger. Beans is learning to be brave about new textures and activities, and has explored at the beach (and Anna finds it really cool that having Beans to pay attention to makes being self-conscious a non-issue).

Resources & Information

Li’l Babies

CDC weight and size standards for kiddos
Calorie needs for chestfeeding
Tips for helping toddlers gain weight
Older Babies/Kids

Modelling Healthy Body Image
Modelling Healthy Eating Habits