I am Stephanie, the milkmaid, a Northern California girl living in Berlin, Germany, with my husband, Toffi, our 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Marie, our 2 1/2-month-old daughter, Greta, and Prof. Dr. Oko, a Border Collie mix who thinks and worries too much. I have many interests, but this blog is (mostly) about parenting and breastfeeding.
I believe firmly in breastfeeding’s benefits, both for child and mother. Although my ideal is exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months, no liquids other than breastmilk until twelve months and child-led weaning, I also believe that very few situations are ideal. I do not believe that formula is evil, and I do not believe that mother-led weaning is giving up. Breastfeeding is often hard, and parents have to take care of themselves in order to be able to take care of their children. If that means giving your nursling one bottle of formula a day or initiating weaning earlier than you originally planned, it’s t o t a l l y o k a y. I write about the joys and challenges I have faced breastfeeding and raising my daughter, who is a high-need (sometimes called “spirited”) child. I am building my own collection of breastfeeding tips, advice and resources. Occasionally, I share other mothers’ stories about their experiences, especially if I can’t speak to the topic from my own experience. And you’ll also find plenty of rants about the stupid special people I encounter in the daily life of being a breastfeeding mom.
