I received product and compensation from Mead Johnson Nutrition to create this post written by me. All experiences and opinions expressed in this post are my own and not those of Mead Johnson Nutrition. You can contact Mead Johnson Nutrition with product related questions or comments toll free at 1-800-BABY-123 (1-800-222-9123).
Motherhood is the most beautiful and rewarding experience I’ve ever been a part of. To say it’s all rainbows and sunshine, though, would certainly be a dose of fiction that I don’t ever want to serve to my readers. Of course there is an ample amount of those glorious sunshine moments, but so often I find myself in the trenches of motherhood doing all of the really hard things that are never really acknowledged or shown on social media.
Visit Enfamil online to learn more about NeuroPro™ and request a free sample.
Before I decided to stay at home when my first child was born 3 years ago, I couldn’t yet see the emotional effect becoming a stay-at-home parent would have on me. Sure, I am absolutely thrilled to be able to experience every milestone with my girls, and I wouldn’t change my decision to be right here with them at all, but when each day comes to a close and I realize that I’ve been wearing spit-up covered pants and that my hair can’t possibly hold one more ounce of dry shampoo because I had no time for myself to take a proper shower, I start to feel a little heavy-laden.
Raising my children is the most important job I will ever have, and my love for them knows no bounds. For these reasons, I pour so much of myself into being a mom. But giving it your all isn’t always the best for your mental health and clarity. Motherhood is a 24/7 gig. There are no holidays, no paid vacation, no sick days and no breaks. As you pour yourself out for others, it’s crucial that you make sure you are being filled back up. I’ve learned that you cannot pour from an empty cup, and a failure to make time for myself means that my girls aren’t getting the mom that they deserve.
When I feel like I’m nearing the point of a crash-and-burn, I find a way to give myself grace and refuel. Don’t fall for the lie that self-care is selfish. Self-care is vital for our health and well-being, and a change of scenery can make all the difference in the world when it comes to reviving your spirit and all-around mood.
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I’ve found that to be very true. On the days that I need to give myself a little bit of space, I seek out someone to help with keeping the girls. A few weeks ago I marked off a whole day in my calendar to dedicate to a mom’s day out for myself. I had no particular place to be and no particular time to get there. When the day finally arrived, I dressed myself up, put on full makeup, turned on my favorite playlist and hit the road. I had no schedule I had to adhere to, and I knew my children were in good hands with my sweet cousin who was absolutely thrilled to spend time with my girls! I allowed my battery to be recharged, and those few hours that I was gone were everything that I needed to help me be the best version of myself for my girls.
Getting out of the house when you have a baby can prove to be challenging, and it’s a delicate dance when you finally get your baby on a solid sleep and feeding schedule. When our youngest daughter was 2 months old, I made the decision to begin to supplement our breastfeeding schedule with Enfamil NeuroPro™ formula. Giving my baby the best of both worlds has been extremely helpful in allowing me to receive assistance from others when I need it the most. Supplementing allows me to leave my child in another person’s care when I am not available, and therefore have the occasional mom’s day out when I need a break! Making the decision to specifically use Enfamil NeuroPro™ to help nourish my little one was definitely an easy one for me.
Enfamil NeuroPro™ formula has a brain-building fat-protein blend of MFGM and DHA previously only found in breast milk*, and is the first and only formula to add MFGM as an ingredient in amounts supported by clinical research. Because Enfamil® is dedicated to understanding the nutritional benefits of breast milk, I can rest assured that what I am giving my baby is nourishing their brain and her body in some really amazing ways! Enfamil® is backed by decades of research on breast milk and multiple clinical studies on its brain building power. It is the #1 brand of infant formula recommended by pediatricians and has been trusted by hospitals for over 25 years!
As a mother, I naturally only want to give my baby the best. During the moments that I feel I need to take a break, or even go on a mom’s day out from time to time, it’s easy for that dreaded “mom-guilt” to try to creep into my mind. Handing your baby off to someone else, even if it’s just for an hour or so, can be really difficult to do, and can often send your mind spiraling down a rabbit hole of thoughts about if you’re doing the right thing and if you’ve left your baby and their caregiver with everything they need to survive your absence. I’m so thankful to have Enfamil NeuroPro™ on my side to give me assurance that my baby is being fed with a brain-building formula that is nourishing her and helping her grow into a happy and healthy little girl!
If you, too, have a little bundle of joy in your home, you may also find yourself longing for a little break from the physical and mental demands of parenthood. That’s totally okay! Having a mom’s day out from time to time is good for you, and if you’re unsure about how to ditch the mom guilt and make sure your little one is being nourished properly in your absence, OR if you’re curious about infant nutrition and would like to learn more about the benefits of giving them infant formula, I encourage you to look into Enfamil NeuroPro™!
Visit Enfamil.com or call 1-800-BABY-123 (1-800-222-9123) for more information and to request a free sample.
*In amounts supported by clinical research. As measured by Bayley cognitive scores.
This is sponsored by Enfamil® Infant Formula.
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