Decisions

I thought that writing this blog would be easy to do every day with the amount that Jake sleeps. However, it doesn't factor in the amount of time it takes to clean up around him, as well as getting some well need rest and relaxation for Kelsey and I! You end up living your life in hourly sections, so making any sort of plan is tough. As we speak, Kelsey's parents have gone out for the evening and Kelsey and Jake are napping upstairs, so I wanted to get down some thoughts while they're fresh.

The big change that's happened is that Kelsey and I have decided that we're going to formula feed Jacob. There's a whole host of reasons behind this decision, and as I've always said, as long as the decision is based on the best information you have available, it's a good decision.

Some of the factors are physical, in that Kelsey has been in a lot of pain through breast feeding and is finding it hard alongside the pain from her labour. Some of it is practical. I've always wanted to share the raising of Jake as evenly as possible and it's hard when Kelsey was the one who was up every few hours in the night. Formula feeding means that I can do it too. Last night we alternated his feeds and it meant that we each slept for around 5 or 6 hours, which has been unheard of so far. Some of them are emotional, as Kelsey has found the whole breast feeding experience difficult, she sometimes got upset when Jake wanted to feed. This way round, she looks forward to spending some quality time with him each time he starts to chew on his fingers or tries to suckle on my biceps. Some of the reasons are for health. Jake's digestive system wasn't working properly during breast feeding, but since we switched to formula yesterday morning, all systems are go, and I've now suffered the indignity that every father of a son goes through of being peed on during a nappy change.

Having given those reasons, it's an incredibly hard decision to make. All the health care professionals that we've come into contact with hardily recommend breastfeeding, so going against their advice makes me feel anxious. There's also tales from our families and neighbours about people in similar positions who pushed through, which makes us wonder if we're not being tough enough. However, it's a decision based on keeping Jake happy and healthy as well keeping Kelsey happy and healthy. As for me, if those two are doing ok, then everything is alright in my world.

P.s. For those looking for pics of Jake (and our little family) I will post some on here soon. In the meantime, go here