I received product and compensation from Mead Johnson Nutrition to create this post written by me. All experiences and opinions expressed in this post are my own and not those of Mead Johnson Nutrition. You can contact Mead Johnson Nutrition with product related questions or comments toll free at 1-800-BABY-123 (1-800-222-9123).
The baby’s room is starting to come together – at least a corner at a time. We’ve been gathering things but waiting for the rest of the furniture to really convert our bedroom into the baby’s bedroom. I don’t know if you remember me mentioning it before, but essentially we are moving every room in the house – our bedroom to office, office to basement, baby’s room to our bedroom. It is like a giant circle of moving. haha. The good thing about it all is that we are really able to go through all the stuff we own and do some major spring cleaning 😉
We are over halfway to meeting our little one so I’ve really started thinking about all the things and envisioning what it will be like to hold our baby in my arms. I’ve also been thinking a lot about breast feeding, pumping, formula and all the things you have to think of when you are carrying a baby. haha! The first part of my pregnancy I was just trying to eat enough and survive my first trimester 😉 Then I got to tell everyone and buy maternity clothes – but now in the second half comes all the planning.
The funny thing about it all is that I cannot really plan the way I normally do. I am a planner. I plan my days, our trips, what I’m going to wear, etc. But I don’t know what will happen when baby comes. I don’t know how breast feeding will go for me. I don’t know how much milk I will be able to produce. I don’t know all the details. I do know that while I am able to be a mostly stay at home mama because of my job, my mom will eventually be watching our little one for a couple days so that I can focus on Oak + Oats and get some work done. So she’ll have to feed baby while I’m away! I also know Bruce wants bonding time with our little and will be feeding the baby. And I also know that I want to make sure my baby is getting all the nutrition they need – whether or not I have to supplement with formula!
When it comes to feeding and nourishing our baby, I very may well decide formula-feeding is the best option for me & my little one. As a thirty-year-old mama, a lot of my friends & family have been parented before me. I’ve seen so many friends face choices they didn’t plan to make, and I’ve seen them work through those situations. I think it has all made me more open to all the things – especially being willing to do what is best for both me and the baby. I’m not 100% exclusive on the breast feeding vs. formula debate. So often I think the answer lies more in the middle.
Recently, I’ve discovered new Enfamil NeuroPro™ formula and it has put me more at ease about formula feeding! It has a brain-building fat-protein blend of MFGM and DHA previously only found in breast milk*. Everything begins at the brain and so as a mama who loves my baby, it is so important that their little brain is nourished!
MFGM has been clinically shown to help close the gap in cognitive development between formula-fed and breastfed infants.** And it is not just the formula ingredients that are wonderful, the brand is as well. Enfamil® is dedicated to understanding the nutritional benefits of breast milk, and NeuroPro is born of that dedicated focus. Enfamil® is backed by decades of research on breast milk and multiple clinical studies on its brain building power!
So maybe I am planning too far ahead, but it puts this mama’s heart at ease. It is so easy for me to put so much pressure on myself to do it all perfectly – grow the baby, have the baby, put the baby to sleep, feed the baby… but really so much of that is out of my hands and I just have to trust the Lord with all those details. In an unexpected way, pregnancy has made me more mellow and I think it is the Lord preparing me to get used to grace and a new way of living in His provision.
If you are like me and interested in learning more about Enfamil, visit them online here or call 1-800-BABY-123 (1-800-222-9123) for more information and to request a free sample.
*In amounts supported by clinical research. As measured by Bayley cognitive scores.
**As measured by Bayley-III cognitive score at 12 months in a different formula with MFGM added as an ingredient
This is sponsored by Enfamil® Infant Formula
It’s so great to have this mindset! I think I’m the weirdo mom who WISHES my boys had been willing to use formula/a bottle sometimes. I love breastfeeding but not having the option to have someone else feed the baby was exhausting! I’m so glad I’m passed that stage… And I’m praying the third will be at least a little more willing to use the bottle sometimes. 😉
Trusting the Lord with all the unknowns isn’t always easy {I feel ya for sure there}. I’ve been reminding myself lately {& finding comfort in what I know to be true} that He is forever faithful & trustworthy in whatever He does. You will be a fantastic mama, girl! Can’t wait to see your little one’s nursery space when it all comes together!
I think this is the healthiest place to be and will help you so much after she’s born – I’m not even talking about formula (which I’m a big fan of) but just not having expectations for yourself. We listened to Amy Poehler’s book on a road trip when I was pregnant, and in it she talks about having kids and repeating the phrase, “Good for you, not for me.” We adopted that mantra, and it really helped bring focus to so many situations. Because your style of feeding/parenting all the things – is what God equipped you with for your little girl – so trying to measure up to what someone else has done or thinks you should be doing is silly.
I love that you’re being intentional in all the choices for your sweet baby girl even before she gets here! <3
Also, WOOHOO for all the moving stuff hahah. It's going to look so great!
Thanks so much Amy!!! GAH! I am excited. IT is just so much work now! lol.
I think you have the right mindset. When I was home and around Phoenix I nursed, but when I was at work we supplemented with formula so I didn’t have to thaw and waste breastmilk incase he wanted a few extra ounces. It eased my mind because you don’t really know how hungry they might be from day-to-day!