For Those Nursing Mothers Considering Weaning Your Babies ~ From me to You

Everyone in your home is sleeping peacefully, including your baby. You stir, knowing that the start of the day is fast approaching. In the midst of the quiet sounds of the morning, you hear the one that warms your heart the most. It's your baby. Moving, sniffing, grunting, turning from side to side and fussing a bit. He's awake and looking for you.

You resolve yourself to another busy day and make your way to your baby. Your breasts feel full and heavy and you look forward to the relief your baby will bring. Picking him up or moving him toward you, you bear your breast, and once again, find yourself amazed at his strong instinctive need as he stretches his tiny neck, reaching for you. You assist him in finding what he needs and he begins to feed. You feel the warm sensation of your milk releasing to him, and hear him hungrily swallowing. His body is relaxed, his eyes are closed . You snuggle in with him, feeling his warm body next to yours, and for a few moments you believe you and your baby are the only two people in the world.

This is something I have experienced with all my children. And each time was just as special as the first. With my first two babies, the mornings alone with them eventually turned into busy days at work. With my new little boy, I am experiencing the luxury of my busy day within the comfort of my home. Both demanding, requiring endurance, organization and travel. Working inside or outside of the home; the key word is work.

My oldest son is now ten years old. My daughter if five. As I have told you my new baby boy is 4 months old now. I know for a fact that the early years go by so fast. The speed of light ain't got nothin' on the rate at which a child grows. I know that life gets busy, and there are many things we all must do each day. But please hear me... Cherish each and every moment, don't force your babies to grow up to fast. If you are nursing and you are considering weaning your baby, let me address a few obstacles you may be facing and see if I can change your mind.

I want to have another baby:

Well, so do I. But you know what? I just had one. And if you're baby is less then one year old, so did you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having your children close together, and if you are currently pregnant and you have a one year old or less to care for as well, this article is not written to criticize you in any way. Every baby is a blessing and they all come in their own time. But I would encourage you to eat your Wheaties.

Having said that, for the rest of you who are not yet pregnant and want to wean your current nursling because you are considering becoming pregnant, read on. It has been proven over and over again that breastmilk provides unmatched nutrition for the first year of life. The nursing relationship provides so many benefits, from good oral development, to good self esteem derived from the close relationship between mother and baby, all the way to a reduced risk of obesity later in life the longer the baby nurses. Your little one is still a baby. Enjoy him as much as you can, and think about the other darling when your first darling reaches one year of age. That way, you can nurse him for a year, get pregnant again and not feel to bad when your mature milk supply transitions to colostrum and your baby looks at you like you've lost your mind and wanders what happened to his food, and you're body will be much stronger and ready for the rigors of another pregnancy and delivery after having a full year to regenerate.

I have to work full time, and I am tired of pumping during my work day:

Now here goes nothing. Get ready to be shocked. My first two children weaned from the breast at nine months of age. That's right, me, the author of the soap box diaries, did not breastfeed her first two children for the entire first year. I intended to, I wanted to, but I did not. I had my reasons. The biggest was I had to work outside of the home. My children both decided at about six months, that the bottle was cooler because it was mobile. They could take it with them around the room while they just couldn't' get Mommy's boobies to come with them; and believe me they both tried. Over the course of about three months (between 6 and 9 months of age) they gradually weaned to the bottle.

My first two children went between bottle ad breast no problem. I had to work and sometimes my days were long. I pumped religiously, and it was worth it. But at the time, I took my babies love for the bottle as a sign they didn't need me anymore. So I stopped nursing. Looking back I wish I had continued nursing them in the mornings, evenings and on weekends. I'm not so sure now, being older and wiser if they truly were completely done with the breast, or if I just felt rejected and decided to stop altogether. (mommy guilt you know) Anyhow, if I had it to do over again, I would have continued to at least offer my breast until they were both one year old.

My little 4 month old will probably nurse until he starts college. (kidding) He just loves it and won't take a bottle at all. This time around, I don't have to work full time outside of the home so he isn't given enough bottle time to not want to nurse in favor of the bottle. He won't take it anyways, and there is no reason to force the issue.

If you are working full time and are tired of pumping, keep these things in mind. I don't know how old your baby is so I am going to cover the bases here, so bare with me.

0-3 months - If you are a mommy who has to return to work during the first three months, I know how hard this will be for you and every effort you make to breastfed your baby is admirable. Returning before your baby is three months of age is heart wrenching at times, and your body is not quite ready either so your level of exhaustion will be intensified.

If you are a mommy who is choosing to return to work before three months, please reconsider. The first three months are precious, and so critical in establishing a good milk supply, and you will never get this time with your little miracle back. It is a one time gift, that passes in what seems like the blink of an eye.

OK, pumping at work during the three months - it is critical that you pump every 3 hours and that you attempt to empty each breast. You can do this in as little 20 minutes, or if you are like me, it may take up to 45 minutes and then you still won't be sure your breasts are empty. (I was and still am a lousy pumper) I know this sounds like a big commitment, but I can't think of anything more worthwhile. Here are some tips for you...

Do not try to work while pumping. Leave your stacks of reports, emails, new hire applications, research material, or whatever you have, behind. Trying to work while pumping will keep you in the wrong frame of mind. It will take longer for your milk to let down, longer to empty your breasts, and raise your frustration level.

Do bring a picture of your baby, make a point to take several deep cleansing breaths(this really does work), put your feet up if possible, close your eyes and think about your baby. Imagine the way he feels, the way he smells, the sounds that he makes when he is hungry. Whenever you feel the need, look at the photo of your baby. *Have someone take a picture of you feeding your baby with his little face and your breast making up a majority of the photograph. This is a real mood booster for pumping*

If you have a busy, on your feet job that will not allow for two extended break periods, my suggestions are...

Take them anyways. Be firm with your co-workers and your supervisors that you will be combining your breaks periods (typically by law you are entitled to a 30 minute lunch period and 2 - 15 minute breaks during an eight hour work day. This totals the magic number of 60 minutes) and splitting them into two equal break every three hours. Provide information from the Internet if necessary supporting your argument that you are doing what is best for your baby. Do not let anyone make you feel guilty. If any of your co-workers have a problem with your decisions, oh well. There will come a time that they themselves, will need understanding, time away or something of that nature, and the very folks that roll their eyes and gossip behind your back, will most likely be the same people who don't blink an eye taking care of their own needs when the situation presents itself.

Every place of employment has the martyr who raised 12 children, worked full time, was never late to work or took a sick day. I am sure you know someone like this. But just wait until she wakes up one morning and her bunions hurt. Oh yaah, you won't be seein' the whites of her eyes for three days and when you do, it will be with a doctor's note documenting her medical emergency. (By the way, all these individuals suffer from the same incurable disease called "sofullofsh*t")

I am speaking to you from my heart, based on my own personal work experience. So if I sounded harsh - GOOD! My writing is accurately conveying my feelings on this particular subject.

If you are still convinced that you just cannot take two pumping breaks during your break, then take one. Pump as much as you can, and nurse as much as you can when you are with your baby. There is such a thing called reverse cycle nursing, and your baby may be one that takes on this behavior. If not, and your milk supply isn't quite up to snuff because of the limited pumping time during your work day, supplement if you need to without guilt. Any breastmilk your baby is getting is pure gold. And any time spent nursing is priceless. But whatever you do, don't give up!

To be Continued...