Just prior to leaving for California, I acquired my eighth Mastitis infection. It was at that time I decided that it's probably time for me to say goodbye to breast-feeding for now. So, I'm now committed to the process of weaning. It's going well, though the emotional ramifications of the process are more intense than I had expected them to be. When I was telling this to Chris, he said "I don't get it- it's just breast-feeding. I guess I can't understand because I'm a guy."
That's right. You will never understand. There's something about cradling your baby and knowing that she's fully dependent on you. Not only for food, but that's a place of comfort. And mother-led weaning is especially difficult because she still craves that comfort when she's sleepy or scared. I am thankful that she has always been good with bottles, and is doing well in the transition. As usual, it's been much harder on me. :)
As my time nursing comes to an end, I can't help but feel like I'm letting go of that "newborn" stage, and giving my daughter the green light to grow up. I know, I know, she'll do it whether or not I stop nursing. But it's heartbreaking how fast they grow...I get choked up, too, when I go through her closet and take out the clothes she no longer fits. Just the beginning of a long string of those "moments" throughout her lifetime.
Mommies out there, how did you deal with the transition from nursing? Any words of wisdom?
13 comments:
I stopped nursing when G was around 14 months old. For some reason, it felt like the right time for both of us. Weaning was very easy, especially on him. However, now that he's a toddler, going a mile a minute, I miss the times where it was just the two of us, snuggled together. He's not much for cuddling now, which makes all the nursing totally worthwhile. He is growing up much too fast, and I too have times where I tear up at the dumbest things that no one else cares about. I guess that's part of being a mother and loving your child so completely.
As a mama who was only able to have a "nursing relationship" for a few days (thank you poor latch and stubborn baby), know that not nursing will not change the fact that she will still look to you for comfort! there's something about that mama/baby bond that is unshakable!
I totally cry when folding up his clothes as they become too small...Alex actually packs them away so I only have to cry once!
oh and sorry I don't have any words of wisdom...I'm behind you in this journey :)
jAMIE YOU NOW KNOW SOMEWHAT I felt after a few daysof trying to breast feed your dad, at the same time supplementing feeding with bottle. At the same time was so frustrated that I couldn't beast-feed him completely, and the doctor finally said I needed to puthim on the bottle completely, as I did'nt have enough milk and the more nervous I got, being so depressed I because I could'nt feed him the way I wanted to I did as the doctor told me. Iwas so sorry I missed out on the closeness of that. I cried my heart out. So I fully understand.
Please excuse all the mistakes in the above message. I sent it before I edited it. Love you
When I stopped nursing Luke at 4 months (mainly because he wasn't gaining weight), I was also really emotional (much more than I thought I'd be). However, I still cuddle him close when I give him his bottles, especially before he goes to bed at night.
I will say that for me, after the initial sadness passed, it was sooooo nice to feel like I had my own body back. However, the resulting "reverse boob job" was kind of a disappointment. :) I will also say, despite what others say, it's a heck of a lot more convenient for me to mix a bottle when we're at a restaurant or on a road trip than it was to try and schedule a food stop or hide out under the nursing cover.
You've done an amazing job sticking it out for this long!!! Good luck with this transition!
I was much more emotional than I thought I would be, too. I found that taking away 1 feeding a week worked for us. Only once she was fully weaned would she drink milk out of a sippy cup. After sifting through the emotions, I did find a freedom that I really enjoyed.
I've had three different experiences with weaning. David stopped nursing just shy of 1 year, and I wasn't ready for it at all. It was physically (going from nursing every 4 hours to nothing = engorgement)and emotionally hard.
I had to wean Timothy at 12 months because I was leaving for a few days, and figured it was time. It was a much better experience. I slowly cut one feeding and introduced a bottle for other feedings. Both boys only had a bottle for a few months.
Amy was yet another story. I was done with nursing and she wanted to continue - but only at night - very frustrating, but it was a whole lot easier to nurse her back to sleep - she never took a bottle - not once. It wasn't until I was scheduled for surgery when she was 15 months that I realized I just had to do it, and she would be fine. I was also hesitant because she wouldn't drink milk at all.
Of course all my kids are happy and healthy, and still just as different today. But I understand the emotions you go through. I wish you the best! Wow that was a long comment :)
I bought 2 anatomically correct & infant sized dolls (Ted thought I was crazy). I put each one away with the infant clothing. Amelia and David to this day have these dolls with their own baby clothing, which was theirs to begin with. When David was small, he loved Pablo so much, the doll took on a personality for all of us. He still has him; so does Amelia, but we can't even remember her doll's name. :) Rosa
Also watch out! You know when you nurse it helps you lose baby weight and keep weight off. Well, when you stop nursing you don't have that working for you anymore. So watch out for that.
On a side note, I love your haircut in this pic! :)
I have to chime in here. After nursing 4 babies for a year each, I understand. At the time I was glad to get my bod back, but now when I see a new baby I miss it terribly. In fact my niece had a baby 2 weeks ago and I went to the hospital to see her. It almost killed me, I wanted to nurse that baby so bad. Weird, I know, but I still miss it.
P.S. I struggled with mastitis every time, too. I think I had it at least 6 times with every baby(6x4=24!!!! YIKES). Mastitis is of the DEVIL!
I'm suffering from matitis right now so I feel your pain. I would just enjoy every cuddle moment you can have with her because pretty soon she will be squirming out of your lap to play. It happens very fast. I love to rock my babies to sleep and still remember rocking our older boys (now 10 & 8).
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