Alicia, I too breastfed all of my babies. I had an emergency with my toddler and had to go to a hospital quite a distance from my house. My newborn son was breastfeeding, but I had no choice but to leave him in the care of a trusted friend, with bottles of breastmilk to feed him until my husband and I returned. Not once did he have a problem with the bottle or with returning to breastfeeding, so I don’t think he went through any nipple confusion. I did what I had to do to take care of both my children and everyone turned out happy and healthy. It’s great to have organizations dedicated to helping women with the breastfeeding experience. But, nothing is carved in stone and there are many ways to correctly raise a child, with each family doing what’s best in making practical and responsible decisions. Life throws us curve balls sometimes and our rules go out the window. I think if I had gone to pieces over leaving my son with a bottle of milk, once I resumed breastfeeding he would certain have picked up on my tension and anxiety. My negative emotions would have affected him more detrimentally than the change in nipples. But because I was confident in doing what was best for both my children, I think they could tell that everything (although our pattern unexpectedly changed) was being handled confidently and they felt security in that and were just fine. Everyone has opinions on just about every aspect of childraising and we need to be as respectful and nonjudgmental as possible regarding these issues. After all, our children are watching us and are learning by our example.

I never said she was a bad mom! Goodness. All I said was that I think it’s sad that she left her newborn child for hours at a time. It is not something I would do. In no way does that make her a bad mother.

As for the breastfeeding thing, I am only going by my own experiences. At six days postpartum, my son was wanting to nurse every hour to two hours, and I could not get a sufficient amount with a pump as my supply was not yet well established. As someone who had (and still has) a VERY hard time with nursing, my view is probably quite skewed. Sorry for that. I was just calling it like I saw it.

Also, La Leche League recommends not introducing a bottle until six weeks old to prevent nipple confusion, which is detrimental to the nursing relationship (which is their choice of words, not mine, by the way). That is where I get my information regarding that.

oops that was BTW!

Did she say that the baby was there or not there with her? Could he have been in the hotel or wherever she was staying?

BYW she does looking fabulous!

Alicia,
I breastfed my daughter for 14 months, and never (bar day 4 after she was born and I was hospitalized with a fever of 104) did she have to have a bottle. She did fine for hours at a time (although I don’t know what makes you think that they had to give baby Henry a bottle). I am sure that Heidi knows what she is doing (second child and all), and took care of Henry first!!-The nursing “relationship” does not depend on her being attached for hours at a time! Newborns are alot “tougher” than we think, and I am sure that the little one was healthy and happy when his mama took a little time out. Doesn’t make her a bad mom…taking take time do your thing makes you a more relaxed mom sometimes. Wish I had that kind of support system-my husband and I BOTH live far away from our families.

PS. I have many friends who work cause they HAVE TO, and give their babies bottle (of breastmilk) only when they are not there. The nursing relationship, as you put it, is THRIVING still.

I really want to hurt her right now for looking so fabulous. Not really. But she looks great, even if she doesn’t look like the Heidi from a few days ago with the belly out to there.

I can’t wait to finally see little Henry.♥

I still think it’s a little sad. Not to mention horrible for the nursing relationship, especially if she truly wants to breastfeed and they already introduced bottles to the baby while she was gone.. but that’s a whole new can of worms.

Alicia, she didn’t leave him all night. She was there for the red carpet and left after her category was announced. 3 hours max. I’m sure she left Henry with Seal or her mom. Plus it’s her second child, so she’s probably more relaxed about things like that.

Heidi is so gorgeous!!! A week before, she still had big belly… Now she doesn’t seem like 2 child mom which one is less than a week old!!! Heidi is great all the time!
But more rest is needed for her. After giving birth, women need more rest for the body.

Looking forward to see Herny’s pics!!

I wanna know what kind of pad she’s wearing. 6 days after?! You’re still bleeding like a stuck pig!! LOL