Comments on Hobo Mama: Breastfeeding and the holidays: How to take care o...

Another thought: we are taking a train (did it ear...

2009-12-22T15:18:10.777-08:00

Another thought: we are taking a train (did it earlier this month for a wedding, too) and it's a good compromise between the inconveniences of flying & driving. You can feed or change the baby while moving, even walk up and down the aisles with him, and you don't have the crowdedness and security hassles of airports and planes.

There is enough space by your feet to set down a car seat - which we needed so we could safely get some sleep (our train ride was 10 hours).

I hosted thanksgiving this year as mom of a 2-mont...

2009-12-22T14:54:08.018-08:00

I hosted thanksgiving this year as mom of a 2-month-old baby, so I can endorse some of your tips!

My mom (who has hosted before) helped me make a list of all the food and supplies we needed, and when anybody asked what they could bring, I had a ready answer. I also made sure that everybody who was bringing food also brought the dish and spoon it would require. Crock pots were encouraged.

I gave myself a week to make the two items I wanted to cook. I think I did one on Monday night and one on Wednesday night.

The night before T-day, I had my parents shop and bring over a few supplies, and they held the baby while my husband and I did some tidying and prep work.

On the day itself, I popped the turkey into the oven (no stuffing means quicker prep & less cook time) and barely had to lift a finger all day - leaving me plenty of time for no-pressure feedings of the little one.

Thankfully, I don't have to travel as our fami...

2009-12-21T18:32:03.659-08:00

Thankfully, I don't have to travel as our families both live within an hour of us and they're coming to our place. And only for, you know, the afternoon.

I have found that breastfeeding during the holidays makes things easier. I get those lovely, calming nursing hormones. It's something only I can do, so other people need to take over the heavy lifting while I nurse. And it also burns those extra calories, which comes in handy at the holiday feast. Yay for breastfeeding!

wow! this is quite comprehensive. breastfeeding h...

2009-12-21T16:48:30.730-08:00

wow! this is quite comprehensive. breastfeeding has made our plane travel a lot easier! my husband and i are travel junkies and our 2 year old has been on more than 10 plane trips. luckily, i was never kicked out from the plane in any of those trips! happy holidays!

Mmmm...fried rice. That would be a good one, too. ...

2009-12-21T11:37:11.660-08:00

Mmmm...fried rice. That would be a good one, too. Do fried rice & lasagna go together? Maybe one could be our New Year's Eve meal. :) Enjoy your new jammies!

Great tips! We are not traveling either. Our baby ...

2009-12-21T07:07:34.323-08:00

Great tips! We are not traveling either. Our baby is almost 9 months, and I think it will be fun to have our first Christmas as a family in our own home. We bought new pajamas for everyone to wear on Christmas Eve, and we have movies, snacks and meals planned (egg rolls and fried rice).

We had guests for Thanksgiving and used paper plates. It was so wonderful to not have to wash dishes after having a big meal and cooking all day, so we are using them again for Christmas.

Lasagna! Thank you! We were trying to decid...

2009-12-21T01:50:01.261-08:00

Lasagna! Thank you! We were trying to decide what to have for Christmas dinner this year. Last time was fondue. We're not much for tradition in general, I guess.

And, as to your point, I totally agree. It feels at once selfish and freeing, and it's so fun to have Christmas as a little family. With our parents in two different, distant locations, we had to wonder if our holidays would keep us pulled in different directions, feeling all frantic, unless we decided from the start that we would just stay put and begin our own family celebration.

We aren't going anywhere this holiday season a...

2009-12-21T00:37:11.761-08:00

We aren't going anywhere this holiday season and are enjoying our time as a new family. Living in Vancouver, which can be a transient city, we felt selfish at first as all our friends planned their trips - but we're so glad we stuck to our guns. We get to start new traditions this way - scrap the turkey...it's gonna be a lasagna Christmas, baby!