If you have read this blog before and are wondering if I gave up my writing endeavors, put my baby on a bottle and got a life, wonder no more. Ladies, I have returned.
My little one is now 10 months old. Cute as can be and still nursing. Between the ages of 6 and 9 months, I was sure he would wean himself, just as my others did at that same age. But to my surprise, and I hate to admit occasional frustration, he did not. We offered every bottle known to man, thinking that I was ready to make the giant leap to a non breastfeeding parent. My little man was not amused by, or interested in, taking a bottle. He did however delight me with his skill at drinking water from a sippy cup. The Avent Sippy Cup became his newest wonder baby skill, and how happy Dad and I were to see him taking fluid from something other then my breast. Yes, we now could lay our concerns to rest and feel confident he would indeed one day wean and would not require my breast to follow him along to school.
Now seriously, I never believed he wouldn't wean, but his strong will and absolute dislike for anything impersonating a breast was so admirable, one had to raise an eyebrow. He is still nursing, but taking baby food and many other solids. He drinks water out of a sippy cup like a pro, and at 12 months, he will begin his journey to Whole Milk. Babies are amazing.
I am so pleased that he is still nursing. I went through a time of false readiness for him to be done with my "girls". But I realized that my desire to wean him was born out of one thing... SHEER EXHAUSTION~
I realized that my nursing infant was not the only reason for my sleep deprived state, but rather my busy lifestyle, large number of children, and my resistance to letting others help were to blame as well. So I made a few adjustments, including one in my attitude, took a nap, sent the baby on outings with Daddy when he was home and available, and presto chango! I was once again a happy nursing mother. I also did a reality check and reminded myself that like pregnancy, this time of my life is temporary and precious.
If you are still nursing your older baby terrific! If you are not, congratulations are in order for each month you provided your baby with unparalleled nutrition!
If you are wondering when I will wean my baby, well... I just don't know. I suppose I will wait until the decision is truly mutual. I am seeing him become more and more independant every day and less interested in my breast during day light hours. I also know that with each month, he will eat more and more solids, become increasingly mobile and the amount of nursing time will decrease as a result. For now, I am going to sit back, relax, watch him grow, and revel in knowing he was given the best start at a healthy life I could give him.
Happy Nursing!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Crawling, Standing, Eating Solids, and Still Nursing...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
It's great to know that I'm not only one who feels this way. My only baby is 9 mos. She does go to a sitter but only has 1-3 3 oz bottles and lately she only has one right before I pick her up. She eats plenty of solids so she takes less from me during the day, but the nights are killer. She sleeps with us because she wakes up every two hours. Does this really change?
^^I feel your pain! I can relate w/ Lisa b/c my son will not take a bottle AT ALL! He is 6 months & goes to daycare only for 1/2 a day b/c he starves himself until I pick him up. I'm almost at my wits end, but for now I'm hanging in there.
As far as your baby getting up every 2 hours, I know where you are coming from. Hang in there b/c the rewards are sooo worth it! Have you tried giving her a warm bath & nice massage right before bed? That may help!
Post a Comment