Please check out my guest post, Evolving Thoughts and Breastfeeding, at Alternative Mama's blog. This post circulated in my brain for a long time and I felt Alternative Mama's blog was the perfect platform to explain my current thoughts on breastfeeding my sweetest little girl.
Please check it out and, ummm, leave a comment.
You do know that blog comments are the new hug, right? Right.
13 comments:
Great post Laura! When I began bf'ing I first said a year too, then as time went on, I decided to let him self-wean. Which he did, at 19 months. I feel like he would have bf'd longer though, if I had been at home with him. However; he weaned and never looked back. So I guess he was ready. It is such a great soothing tool that will come in handy and one I wish I had now as Wyatt is going through the nightime scares and not wanting to sleep alone. :)
Thanks, Blair. I didn't realize you nursed Wyatt until he was 19 months old :)
Laura - very nice post...it wasn't that long ago that I saw you but it looks like from the picture on the guest post that you and Henry have changed alot lately!!
Lizbeth, I know! It took me a while to figure out why she put that picture on the bottom of my post.....I was too busy thinking of how every person in that picture is the exact opposite of us to see how the toddler was nursing the baby doll.
I was going to say the same thing lizbeth did! you sure look different:) I wonder what I will do with CA this time around...Great post by the way.
I wasn't able to bf my son due to a staph infection in my uterus that I picked up while in labor at the hospital. I never produced any milk. I was told my body felt it was more important to save my life than produce milk. I felt guilty about that. I gave birth to his sister last June and was able to bf her. I still feel guilty that I was able to give her my milk and he was forced to drink an array of formula since he seemed allergic to all of them. Anyway, keep doing what you do! Bf is wonderful!
Rebecca, thanks! Did I make this up or was Joe breastfed until he twoish?
Anon- I'm sorry to hear that. Having a baby is hard enough, let alone having your first baby and picking up a staph infection in one fell swoop. Your comment about feeling guilty about nursing your daughter and not being able to nurse your son makes me think of a lesson I learned from the book 'Siblings Without Rivalry'. We shouldn't have the goal of parenting our kids equally because what is right for one kid isn't necessarily what is right for the other kid. Breastfeeding wasn't meant to be for your son but it was right for your daughter and you should be proud of doing the best you can for your kids!
yep! joe was 2.5yo and had to be weaned:) his brother self weaned at 18 months.
Laura- glad you cleared that up about the picture at the end of your article, I was so very confused and at 35 wks prego I'm confused enough already! Great article, question for you- with Chesley I had a hard time producing eough milk and my doctor prescribed a medicine that really helped but which has since been pulled off the market(whoops)so I am really worried about being able to produc enough this go round with baby #2. Other than fenucreek (spelling-someone help me here?!) is there anything you have heard of that helps? I plan to try the fenucreek but have gotten mixed answers from the moms I've asked about it's effectiveness. I loved breastfeeding for just about all the reasons you listed but the lazy mom in me loves it's convenience the most!!
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, this questions always comes up at La Leche League (which I highly recommend -- our meeting place has a great toddler playroom for the kids so it is a good morning for everyone!) with new moms and pregnant women. Here is what I hear at LLL and my answer, as well:
1. Nurse on demand. Nurse. Nurse. Nurse. The best advice I received when I was pregnant with Henry was to think of nursing as my full-time job. It really helped to remind me that constant nursing is the best way to establish a good nursing relationship.
2. No pumping and no bottles (with breastmilk) until you feel confident your supply is established...and then still pump during missed feedings.
3. SKin-to-skin as much as possible and initiate nursing (whether it is successful or not) immediately after birth.
4. Drink to thirst and keep your calories up.
5. If baby has wet diapers and is content after eating, baby is getting enough milk. Even if weight gain isn't amazing, wet diapers and contentment shows that baby is *just* fine.
6. Don't judge how much milk is produced by how much you pump because baby is MUCH better at getting milk than your pump.
Okay.....I wrote a book but this is a topic dear to my heart because it kills me that so women think they can't make enough milk for their babies :(
You really should go to some LLL meetings. They are great reminders that breastfeeding is normal and best for your baby :)
Aw...I love that you're letting Lulu take the lead on this one. I'm all for full term breastfeeding. It really is best for babe and best for mama, too.
I know I didn't know you when Henry was a babe, but in the almost 10 months that we've been friends, I've fully loved watching your philosophies grow into this beautiful mama you've become. And have I mentioned that I love that one of best friends is also a very like-minded one? :) Well, I do. We can be those crazy women breastfeeding our toddlers at the park or while out eat dinner. ;)
Thanks, Mandi! I certainly did think about your and your babies as I wrote this. It is nice to have like-minded friends :)
Thanks Laura!
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