Cragmama

Aug 04 2014

Anyone who has done it for any length of time knows that breastfeeding is NOT always the comfortable, natural, and peaceful activity that parenting magazines make it out to be. It can be awkward, exhausting, uncomfortable, even downright painful at times…and this is especially true when a nursing pair takes to the Great Outdoors! With my first son, figuring out the logistics for nursing on days where I camped/climbed/hiked/swam/etc was pretty tricky. There was definitely a learning curve. Thankfully I’ve been able to glean from those prior experiences these past 5 months with my daughter (and trust me, the second time around is WAY easier!) So in honor of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), here’s some tips for any nursing moms out there that might be hesitant to take their milk buffet on the ~~road~~ trail.

THROW YOUR SCHEDULE OUT THE WINDOW. Even though our family has always resided firmly in the “demand-feeding” camp, both of my children settled into their own routines pretty quickly. And both children throw those routines right out the window on weekend adventures. As young babies, both of mine nursed more rather than less on outdoor adventures – a few quick sips to quench thirst on a hot summer day, or a cozy snack to warm up on a cold morning. My daughter isn’t there yet, but sometime around 12-15 months or so, my son went the opposite direction, and began nursing LESS on adventures. I think he was just too “busy” discovering and exploring to stop and eat.

STAY HYDRATED. One of the main components of breastmilk is water, so make sure you are getting enough to ensure your milk supply stays where it needs to be. If you are active and/or it’s a really hot day, adjust your intake accordingly.

LAYER YOUR CLOTHING. While I don’t hesitate to feed my baby wherever and whenever he/she needs to nurse, I fall more on the conservative side when it comes to how much skin I’m comfortable showing (especially since most of my climbing partners are guys who have ZERO experience being around a nursing mother.)My go-to outfit is usually a nursing tank (or some other top I can pull down BELOW my breasts) worn underneath a t-shirt that I can pull up OVER my breasts. The extra tummy coverage keeps my belly from getting cold, while the t-shirt keeps me from feeling too exposed. (In hot weather I skip the nursing tank and opt for a sports bra style nursing bra.) I also make sure I have a burp cloth/receiving blanket with me in case baby is popping on and off and I want a little extra coverage. (You could also use one of those “hooter hider” things, but I personally HATE those…and so have both of my little nurslings!)

Stonewear Lyra Dress + Ring Sling = perfect nursing combination!

And speaking of clothing, here are some more specific product recommendations, based on activity…

HIKING/CLIMBING:
Stonewear Designs: Neither the Momentum, Lyra, or Tango tanks were designed specifically for nursing, but the fit is stretchy enough that the top pulls down easily. (I also recently wore the Lyra Dress to an outdoor wedding – that and a linen ring sling provided the perfect combination of comfort and discretion!)
Bravado Designs Nursing Tank: The great thing about these is that you can buy them at Target! They go far to add warmth on a cold day outside, but aren’t the most breathable when it comes to hot weather.
Motherhood Maternity Racerback Sports Bra – Though this bra definitely wouldn’t cut it for high impact activities like running, it’s a much more “athletic” option than a typical nursing bra. Works great layered under a regular old tank top.

CAMPING:
Mountain Mama: These clothes were a staple for me during my entire pregnancy with Baby Z, but I have been thrilled with how much postpartum use I’ve been able to get out of the maternity pieces that double as nursing gear! The Lumni (tank), Orcas (short sleeve), and San Juan (long sleeve hoodie) are a perfect combination for midnight nursing sessions in the tent!

BEACH/POOL/LAKE:
Bathingsuit with Halter Style Top: Nursing is a piece of cake if you’re bathingsuit ties at the neck – I simply throw on a t-shirt, and then untie the straps! (Seems like a bandeau style with straps would also work, though I haven’t tried it.) Although any brand would fit the bill, I’d like to give a shout out to Athleta – their bathingsuits aren’t cheap, but they are worth it. I have two that are currently in their FIFTH season and still going strong. Only one is a halter, so I ordered another one this season so that I’d have two to rotate through this summer (that, and because I’m tired of looking at beach pictures year after year in the same suit…)

Shady nursing break on the beach, untied but covered-up.

RUNNING:
Finding something supportive enough to handle high impact sports AND nursing-friendly is a tall order, but I found a winner with the nursing/maternity Orange Zest Sports Bra from Cake Lingerie! The flexible underwire provides plenty of support without being uncomfortable and restrictive, while the moulded, drop-down cups provide an actual shape other than the dreaded uni-boob…and the fabric is thick enough to dim the headlights, but thin enough to still be breathable. The straps are hefty duty, and the closure in the back has SIX options so that it can grow with you during pregnancy and throughout your breastfeeding journey. The bra can be worn as a “regular” bra or a racerback – I found the racerback to be most supportive. The best thing about it is that it is so comfortable that I usually end up wearing on rest days too! The price tag is not cheap ($79), but it’s worth it for the active mama!

So whether you’ve nursed one baby or ten, for one day, one year, or beyond, congrats on giving your child(ren) the best comfort and nutrition available! Celebrate what your body can do this week! And for the veteran nursers out there, feel free to leave your beset “adventure tip” for any moms out there that may be struggling to figure out the logistics!

5 Ways to Have Fun With a Cheap Plastic Pool

Miscellaneous.

No Comments.

Jul 31 2014

Here’s a throwback pic of our first season w/this pool, summer 2011!

You know the ones I mean – they sell them at Wal-mart for 10 bucks or so. At first glance they appear to be far too small for anything bigger than a small one year old child to enjoy. But before you toss it after just one summer, think outside the box a little bit – you might be surprised at what you can do with it! We used ours for Big C the summer we moved to Charlotte – he had just turned 1, and we hadn’t explored the local pool options yet. We used it for a couple of months, then moved it to the attic, where it had previously been collecting dust for the past three years. But this summer our creative juices (and sweat glands…) have been flowing, and we’ve brought it back to life. And I daresay we’re having even more fun with it now than we did before!!!

WATER TABLE – Our “pool” fits perfectly onto the round table on our back patio, which goes into shade by mid-afternoon. Fill it up with a few inches of water, toss in some toys, and voila! A sensory experience that will entertain the kiddos as well as keep them cool. Big C likes floating his lego men around in boats (aka bowls), while Baby Z likes when the water from the bowls spills onto her legs. (Just a fair warning, if you’re kids are anything like mine, they will most likely end up IN the water table before it’s over, so dress accordingly.)

Just chillaxin’ by the pool.

ACTIVITY MAT – Speaking of getting IN the pool, Baby Z has discovered that tummy time is twice the fun when it’s done in a couple of inches of water. Plus the threat of getting a face-full of water is a great incentive to keep her head up (totally kidding…it should go without saying that this one should only be attempted for a few minutes at a time and under very close adult supervision!!!) But you don’t have to stop at tummy time – once baby can sit up independently, park him/her in the pool with a few toys. Your child will have fun exploring how the toys interact with the water!

Tummy time!

SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS – There are all sorts of science experiments that involve water. (For some ideas, check out here and here.) It can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. With a 4 year old (and a 4 month old), we tend to go for impromptu teachable moments rather than following the Scientific Method to a “T.” For example, there were a few afternoons last week in the upper 90’s, which meant the water that was nice and cool from the hose earlier in the day had elevated to hot tub status. Our solution was to grab a giant bucket full of ice cubes and watch them melt. Another favorite at our household is grabbing a bunch of toys and predicting “Sink or Float?” WARNING: Unless you want your pool to become a birthing center for female mosquitoes and quickly needing an ongoing backyard mosquito treatment, I suggest you don’t experiment with leaving the same water in the pool for more than 24 hours…

The budding scientist in our “Sink or Float” experiment.

BALL TOSS GAMES – A cheap plastic pool can make a “wet and wild” version of just about any ball game. Recently we’ve been enjoying a few lively rounds of “Splashketball,” which is basically a watery combination of H-O-R-S-E and Keep-away. (At least that’s what it felt like yesterday…it’s hard playing with a 4 year old because the rules change often and without warning…)

Splashketball, anyone?

SAND/DIRT TABLE – Just because pool weather is over doesn’t mean you have to part ways with your cheap plastic pool. It can still make a great sensory table during cool weather – but instead of water, why not use sand? Dirt? Moon Dough? Throw in a few cups, bowls, garden tools, and maybe even a small dump truck or two, and you’ve got a fairly well-contained mess on your hands that any toddler will love! You could also pull out the hose and let them play with that, if you are looking to get a new hose check out these bionic steel hose reviews. The above is how we’ve been rolling with this summer, but we’re always up for other ideas! Any other “off-label” uses for a cheap plastic pool that we should know about?

Another Reason to Put Your Swimsuit On

Parenting. Reflections.

2 Comments.

Jul 28 2014

Recently I read this article encouraging moms to put aside their body insecurities, throw on a swimsuit, and jump in the pool/ocean/lake with their kids. The message was that a child will remember those carefree moments spent playing with you and couldn’t care less about how you look in a bathingsuit. The writer emphasizes that “at the end of the day, it is not about me. It is about my kids.”

Splashing around at the YMCA

I agree with those sentiments wholeheartedly. And, as someone who for a long time struggled with an unhealthy relationship with food, this line resonated with me especially: “Because when women stay on the sidelines because of insecurity, we are modeling unhealthy behavior to our children...” Amen, sister!

But I think her message about throwing on that swimsuit and throwing caution to the wind can be expanded even further. It could start with simple swimming lessons at home. We already own a pool, and recently spent a lot of time to find the right fiberglass pool supplier to get it fixed. All I need to do now is, turn on the water supply. And it’s not just body image that can keep mothers on the sidelines. Sometimes it’s the sheer effort involved in jumping into the game. Now, I’m certainly not trying to say that most moms are lazy – quite the opposite. All the logistics involved with getting X number of kids to the pool/beach/lake are daunting at best, and downright hellacious at worst. Sometimes just pulling into the parking lot with all family members in tact seems victorious enough – and at that point it’s pretty tempting just to spread out your towel on a lounge chair and relax under an umbrella with a ~~stiff drink~~ good book while your kiddos frolic in the water. Or, if your children are small enough to need constant supervision, it’s tempting to switch to auto-pilot as you relish in the opportunity to talk to ~~any grown-up~~ your child’s friends.

Throwback to beach trip 2012…

Don’t get me wrong, I definitely get it. Rest and “me-time” is important. So is adult conversation. Both will make you a better mother in the long run. It’s also good for your kids to not only play with other kids, but also learn how to entertain themselves with their own imaginations. Sitting back and just watching certainly has it’s place. But if you ALWAYS choose the role of spectator when it comes to your kids’ recreation time, you will be missing out on some awesome memories! Staying on the sidelines is not only a disservice to your kiddos, it is also a disservice to yourself! Whether it’s body image, exhaustion, self-confidence, or another reason holding your back, don’t spend the whole summer simply observing. Take some time to FULLY ENGAGE with your kids on their developmental level, whether that means taking a “Mommy and Me” swim class or screaming down a water slide together. Put down your phone, put on your bathingsuit, and make a splash they’ll always remember!

How does your family find a healthy balance between parental spectating and parental participation?

“Type 2 Fun” with a Four Year Old…

Biking.

5 Comments.

Jul 23 2014

It started out innocent enough…

“Is this the same way you went with Daddy?” I asked with raised eyebrows as the undergrowth got thicker and taller, leaving nothing but a narrow sliver of trail beneath it. Big C nodded uncertainly, and we pressed on, pushing our mountain bikes further and further into the thicket, along what must have been a (seasonal) game trail. Then we hit the blackberry patch, or rather it hit us, in all of its thorny glory. (Why had I decided to wear Chacos for this “cas

ual” afternoon bike ride?!?) Big C got snagged a few times, but I took the brunt of it for him. After battling through briars for several more minutes, we eventually found ourselves at a dead end in a small clearing, at which point I realized that my phone was no longer mounted to my handlebars. I retraced my steps through the thorny mess and found it..but the mountain bike trail we were searching for was nowhere in sight.

Big C was putting on a brave face, but I could tell he was starting to get worried.
“Are we lost, Mommy?” he asked quietly.
“No sweetie,” I replied, “Mommy knows where we are, I’m just trying to figure out how to cut over to the real trail.”
“This is not the real trail Mommy.”
“I know, honey.”

Somehow we had inadvertently stumbled our way into the land of “Type 2” fun…

For those of you not familiar with the “Fun Scale” used by many outdoor enthusiasts (climbers, paddlers, skiers, backpackers, etc…), let me give a quick synopsis…

TYPE 1: What most people think of as just plain fun, enjoyable both during the event and as a memory. Obvious examples could be clipping bolts at the local crag’, making first tracks in fresh powder, hiking along a ridge with beautiful views.
TYPE 2: This type of fun is NOT enjoyable while it’s happening. It’s only fun in retrospect, and always makes for a GREAT story later. It often involves feelings of fear, pain, or danger, caused by getting lost, stuck, or forgetting something important. A sudden turn of events like inclement weather, a wrong turn, or a wildlife encounter can instantly morph a scenario from Type 1 to Type 2 fun.
TYPE 3: This situation is actually not fun at all, even in retrospect, and usually occurs when something has gone terribly wrong. It’s the stuff PTSD is made of.

Type 2 fun is often memorialized in pictures, usually taken after the fact...

Type 2 fun is often memorialized in pictures, this one from Big Cottonwood Canyon…

Spend any amount of time in the Great Outdoors, and you’ll soon realize that Type 2 Fun is just a fact of life (although you’ll hopefully be able to avoid Type 3, unless of course you’re one of those masochistic alpine/offwidth/ice climber types…). In fact, almost all of our pre-kiddo vacations contained elements of Type 2 interspersed with a lot of Type 1. There was that time in the Everglades that our backcountry canoe trip went awry with heavy winds, mangroves, and manatees. Or the time that we finally made it to the top of the JHCB Wall in Big Cottonwood Canyon in the broiling sun, only to botch the walk-off and find ourselves navigating thousands of feet of rattlesnake-infested death scree. I’m sure most of you have your own tales or harrowing adventure that you love to recount around a campfire.

But back to the clearing and elusive mountain bike trail with my 4 year old…

It was all smiles until we hit the blackberry patch...

Taken pre-blackberry patch…that’s why he’s still smiling.

The whole reason we were there in the first place was because we were trying a “short-cut.” (Isn’t that always how it starts?!?) You see, the whole family was at the park that day. While me and Big C were biking, hubby was relaxing at the playground with Baby Z, waiting for us to finish so we could trade out and he could take a lap around by himself. (Each time we go, we alternate who bikes with Big C and who gets to fly a solo run.) Anyway, we’d gotten a late start to begin with, which meant Baby Z would be running on fumes by the time everyone was finished (not to mention we’d probably be losing light.) In the interest of time, I’d decided to take a short cut that would shave off a more difficult section of trail that can sometimes cause Big C some trouble and slow him down. Hubby had done the short cut once before, and had described it to me as best he could, although neither of us had taken into account how much more overgrown everything would be at this point.

Clearly I had taken a wrong turn, and led myself and my son astray. Though it was beyond frustrating, we certainly weren’t in any sort of real danger, but I’m sure it didn’t feel that way to Big C. Just when I thought he might lose it, we heard some whoops and shouts on our right from about 20 yards away.

“Bikers!” I told Big C. “That’s where the trail is!”

One last bushwhack (no thorns this time, but apparently a few chiggers) led us to the main trail, even further up than where I was expecting to come out. Big C and I high-fived and caught our breath. I was proud of him for not panicking.

“Mommy I love you,” he said as he downed half of my water bottle.
“I love you too,” I said, and we hopped on our bikes.

Though he was a little timid at first, the rest of our ride went great. We pretended we were on motorcycles trying to escape from bad guys just like we always do. We made it back to the playground with nothing more than a few extra scrapes and bug bites as souvenirs of our epic adventure.

As I recounted what had happened to my husband on the way home, I couldn’t help but feel guilty about my mistake, and wondered if I had ruined mountain biking for my son. But when I snuggled with Big C that night before bedtime, he looked up at me and said, “Mommy next time we bike let’s not go the Lost Way.” I breathed a sigh of relief!

And I also smiled, as I secretly realized that this was the first of probably many Type 2 experiences we’d have with each other over the course of his life. After all, in the words of the great alpinist Mark Twight, “It doesn’t have to be fun, to be fun.”

Pic from typetwofun.com

Cragmama’s Featured #KidCrushers Issue 3

Climbing.

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Jul 21 2014

Last month’s edition of #Kidcrushers (found here) featured lots of bouldering crushers, some budding crack climbers, a newbie multi-pitcher, and even one head injury! Three lucky winners were chosen to win a prize pack from Flapjacked. This month the bar has been raised, and we’ve got some kiddos featured that can climb harder than many grown-ups I know! We’ve also got a great prize from our friends at Clif, so without further adieu, here’s #KidCrushers, Issue #3…

Here’s 13 year old Cathy K. tackling her FIRST TRAD LEAD (Cave Route, 5.4, at Table Rock, NC.) She was part of a summer climbing camp with Fox Mountain Guides (more info here.)

Photo: Karsten Delap

Sophie (age 6) and Ian (age 8) keep it all in the family on a summer day on Sunset Slabs near Anacortes, WA.

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Another brother/sister duo, Noah and Zoe pull down on an early morning bouldering session in Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT.

9 year old sponsored athlete Victoria G. demonstrating the “kid beta” for Iron Man Traverse (V4) in the Buttermilks (CA.)

Merit S. from Ohio is cranking it out at Scioto Audubon Metro Park, the largest (man-made) outdoor climbing facility in the US.

Meanwhile, Caden M. is a dirtbag climber in the making!

This crusher hails from Peak Experiences Climbing Gym in Midlothian, VA.

Here’s a crusher (“Abs”) from fellow #outdoorfamilies blogger The Kid Project – I’m jealous that they spend their summer evenings playing in Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT.

As always, Crag-Daddy, Big C, and myself each chose our favorite picture, and those three folks will receive a prize. This time around the winners were: Cathy, Sophie, Caden! This month’s #KidCrushers sponsor was Clif, and each winner will receive a sample pack of Clif Shot hydration mixes! We like the ingredients in these better than Gatorade, and they taste just as good! As a parent, my favorite part is that it comes in powder form, which means I can dilute it to make it last longer (otherwise Big C would have downed his before he even got to the crag…)

As always, if you know someone who isn’t featured here, but SHOULD be, let me know! Email me a picture and caption at infoATcragmamaDOTcom, or simply tag your instagram photos using hashtag #Kidcrushers. Photos received by August 18th will be featured in a post at the end of the month – and I’m thrilled to announce that Bearded Bros Energy Bars has already stepped up to sponsor the August Issue! Yum! So grab your camera and do some family crushing!

Cragmama "Not all who wander are lost…" JRR Tolkien

Tips for Breastfeeding on Outdoor Adventures

5 Ways to Have Fun With a Cheap Plastic Pool

Another Reason to Put Your Swimsuit On

“Type 2 Fun” with a Four Year Old…

Cragmama’s Featured #KidCrushers Issue 3