Yup, that’s what I did. Well, technically 14 months and three days if you’re really counting. And yup, this really is a post about breastfeeding, so feel free to skip it (you know, if you’re my brother for example). I never thought I’d be writing about it. But I actually get a lot of questions on the subject. And since I blather on about other random things (like cloth diapering) and this blog is really just a way for us to remember things that we might otherwise forget (like paint colors and vacation happenings), I figure that something I did for so long (around 425 days straight) deserved a post about the range of emotions that it elicited. So here we go.
My first emotion: grateful. I was just so thankful it worked. I was acutely aware that some moms try extremely hard but it’s just not possible. I was also pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t as painful as I expected. I’d heard a lot about cracked and bleeding nipples (yes I just typed that) but thanks to genetics or a good latch (or some other random happening) I didn’t really have much pain at all (in the interest of TMI, I also never had sore boobs while prego, so maybe those things go hand in hand?). And I know the whole lack of pain thing might make you want to punch me (it annoys the heck out of my BFF) but I had a pretty frightening birth experience so I guess it’s always something (and not always the same thing) that throws you for a loop as a new mom.
Speaking of the whole birth thing, I was initially really stressed about Clara “taking” to breastfeeding because, due to our complications, I couldn’t nurse her until eight whole hours after she came into this world. I heard trying as soon as possible was the way to go, and I guess the whole scary birth experience had me fearing the worst (there was no baby-on-my-chest-to-snuggle-and-nurse-right-away occurrance, which is definitely what I pictured). But the sweet nurses pretty much just said to give it a try and it was miraculous. Clara got it right away. Such a relief.
As far as emotions go, after “grateful” and “pleasantly surprised” I moved into “exhausted and overwhelmed” territory. Clara was blissfully sleeping for 12 hours each night pretty much from the beginning, waking up for just one or two feedings most of the time (after we got the ok from the doc to let her sleep instead of waking her up to feed every 3 hours since she was steadily gaining weight).
But that meant that during the day she was feeding every two hours like clockwork (I fed her on demand, and at almost exact two hour intervals she screamed and wasn’t happy til she was nursing). So I really couldn’t get much done without having to stop and feed her. Which I actually loved for the bonding and the sweetness and the self-imposed break that it gave me from housework, blogging, and all that other stuff – but it was definitely exhausting and sort of all-encompassing in those bleary I-have-a-newborn months. I always joke that she let me rest at night, but during the day she made me work for it.
And when we went on a week-long family vacation when Clara was just six weeks old I remember sitting upstairs alone with Clara feeding her in a bedroom while everyone else was downstairs having fun together and thinking “I’m going to have to excuse myself and do this about eight times a day while everyone else hangs out – which adds up to 56 feedings that I’ll be doing over the next seven days.” That’s an overwhelming thought. At least it was to me. It was times like this that I actually wished feeding in public (or at least in front of your extended family) was more widely accepted. I tried to use a nursing cover but Clara wouldn’t have it. So up in my room I sat (with occasional visits from John who sweetly recognized that I’d rather be with the group and dropped in to keep us company). Back in these days feedings were pretty slow going (around 15-20 minutes per side for a total of 30-40 minutes spent sequestered). But we still managed to fit in some fun in the sun (or shade since she was so tiny).
I should mention that 1) pumping didn’t agree with me and 2) Clara never took to bottles (or pacifiers for that matter). You win some and you lose some. So every time she fed for the past 14 months it was directly from the source. Which was ok with me since pumping just didn’t work out and thankfully I have a job that allows me to be home with her. But it’s definitely sort of crazy as a concept because for over a year I was never away from my daughter for more than an hour or two. Ever.
But with a face like this, I was ok with that:
Around three months in I really got into the groove though. That’s where I’d characterize my feelings as “content and accepting.” I was happy to still be able to breastfeed and glad that it seemed to suit Clara. She seemed to enjoy it and I knew how to do it effectively and easily enough (in a parked car? check. in a dressing room? check). I even managed to sneak in a taping for the Nate Berkus show, nursing Clara in the green room right before we went on and right after (thankfully it was only a two hour process – or we might have heard her screaming for another feeding from on stage).
I guess I had adapted more to it, and it didn’t feel like as big of a job after I got into the swing of things. And by about 6-8 months old Clara had become a lot more efficient, so feedings were only about 15 minutes total (and sometimes even ten). Interestingly enough, the introduction of solid food at six months old (which Clara loved from day one) didn’t have any bearing on her nursing. She still wanted just as much, just as often. And I was secretly kind of relieved because I worried a bit about my production slowing or even stopping if she suddenly dropped a ton of feedings. But that was not the case.
Up until Clara turned ten months old I was still feeding her every two hours during the day at her insistence (screaming until I nursed her = her insistence). That’s right, for ten months (that’s 300 days) I nursed Clara every two hours (except during the night). I was ok with it, and my doc was ok with it, but I heard from friends that only going two hours between feedings at that age was reallllly often (as in all of my friends were only feeding every 4-5 hours or so at that age). My doc explained that it made sense since Clara was such an unusually solid night sleeper (she segued from waking up for 1-2 feedings in her 12 hour span of night sleep to not waking up at all around 2.5 months in – I know, we’re insanely blessed to have gotten such uninterrupted sleep for such a long block of time). But it did mean not-as-long daytime naps and a whole lot of frequent feedings to “tank up” during her waking hours in exchange for such an awesome night’s sleep. Heck, I’ll take it.
Blissfully, after turning ten months old Clara started stretching her feedings to every three hours, which felt amazing. It’s funny how an extra hour feels like all the freedom in the world. It’s all relative I guess. At this point I was coming into the whole “I love breastfeeding” phenomenon. I still felt grateful to be able to do it, Clara was a thriving happy girl, it was saving us money, it gave me a moment to step away from the computer/paint brush/hammer and connect with the bean, and it helped me get back into my old clothes (even though I don’t think I’ll ever have my pre-baby body again, it’s fine with me because Clara’s so worth it). I should add that I’m a breastfeeding enthusiast when it comes to me and Clara, but I don’t judge anyone else when it comes to what they choose for their family. Whatever works for you & your ducklings = my mantra as a parent in general.
The next speed bump that we encountered was when Clara turned a year old we introduced organic whole milk. The problem? Clara wouldn’t drink it. She still wouldn’t really take a bottle so our doc recommended trying a sippy cup. It worked for water, but she refused to drink milk (and we tried about ten million different sippy cup varieties, tried slightly heating the milk, tried watering it down or mixing it with breast milk, etc). This is when I started fearing that she’d be 21 years old and still addicted to breastfeeding.
Next we tried almond milk at our doc’s advice, and she went for it (we think the thinner consistency seemed closer to breast milk so she was down). And slowly we mixed almond milk with whole organic milk and she made the transition to 100% whole organic milk at around 13 months. Yup, it took nearly a whole month to get her on board with it. She’s stubborn like her momma. Haha. Shockingly, that’s when her feedings dropped waaay down. From around five times a day to just two – once before bed and once in the morning. Which made me feel excited and free but sort of oddly sad at the same time. “My baby’s growing up, and she needs me less” was sort of how I felt. I know that’s not really true, but it’s the best way I can describe the feeling.
By 13 months and three weeks she just wanted a feeding in the morning when she woke up. Clara has always been the boss of this whole breastfeeding thing (since we opted to just do the “on demand” thing from day one), so who am I to argue with the girl? Just one morning feeding opened up a whole new world of evening fun for me and John thanks to his parents offering to babysit (we could see a movie or go out to dinner without Clara after over a year of not partaking in those activities – amazing!). Of course I thought about her the whole time we were out, but I guess that’s to be expected (picture me saying “I wonder what Clara’s doing right now” every ten minutes during our first movie together in over a year).
Two weeks later Clara wasn’t even interested in her morning feeding. Which was sad because that’s the one where we lie down next to each other and relax together. I know I sound crazy, but it was such a sweet way to start the day. To anyone who has yet to try it, nursing on your side while laying down = awesometown (they taught me that move at the hospital thanks to the whole c-section thing). And now it’s over. So my current feelings are sad (because I’ll miss it) but proud (because I can’t believe I breastfed for over 14 months) and grateful (because I know being able to nurse that long or even at all definitely isn’t a given).
So that’s my breastfeeding journey. Off to cry now (and I can’t even blame breastfeeding hormones for the tears). I know, I know, someone with a nickname that won’t stick like $herdog shouldn’t be such a wuss. But it was an awesome/exhausting/amazing/tiring/surprising journey that I’m grateful to have experienced. Love you baby girl. Even if you’re over me my boobs.
Beth H. says
I love that you share things like this. I wish that breastfeeding was more widely accepted, its stupid that it isn’t. But when I was a new mom too I felt like I had to leave the room. I was able to use a cover, but I think next time around I’ll just be more brave, or less private haha.
Linda says
How wonderful to read this… And so happy breastfeeding was so uncomplicated for you- after the traumatic birth you went through you really had more than your share of pain… With my second baby I`ve had literally every breastfeeding problem in the book (and then some, actually) and out of 5 months of breastfeeding I have had cracked and sometimes bleeding nipples for nearly 3 months… But all good now, finally… )And I intend to keep up for a while now..) But to make up for it I had the quickest, easiest birth… (60 minutes of (well, intense) pain is nothing compared to what you went through)…
I live in Norway, and here it`s completely accepted to breastfeed in public… I try to be discreet about it though and prefer to sit in a part of the room where we`re not being stared too much at…
Amanda Wells says
That is so impressive! I was only able to nurse my babies for around three months and was devastated when I couldn’t anymore. It’s the best bonding experience ever. Such sweet moments. My husband thinks I’m insane when I say – I just want to nurse a baby again! He’ll never get it.
http://www.amandadovewells.com/?page_id=45
Maureen says
Congrats, Sherry – that is awesome! And such an appropriate post since I always read your blog during my pumping breaks at work. It makes my “sequestered” time much more bearable so, thanks!:)
Sarah says
What a sweet story! Thank you for sharing!! I am super pumped (pun intended!) to boobfeed future babies, God willing! My mom is a MILITANT breastfeeding advocate and growing up I got way more “You will breastfeed your babies!!!!” lectures than drugs or the usual stuff!!
Way to go!! : )
Salena Santos says
This may sound weird and kinda stalkerish but I was just thinking the other day if you were still nursing and you posted this. Way to go! Breast feeding was one of the hardest things for me to enjoy when my daughter was first born. I was one of those woman who had cracked and bleeding nipples. With lots of encouragement from my husband I kept with it and did it for 10 months. It was one of the best things I did:) Here I am 7 1/2 months prego again and I am looking foward to the experience again.
Jessica Z. says
Sherry, I am totally crying with you right now. My little Bug is 11 months old, and we are still going strong with the breastfeeding. Like Clara, my girl wouldn’t take a bottle after the first few days when it was necessary due to some birth complications I had (my milk didn’t come in for a crazy long time). So, I’ve never strayed away from her for long. As we approach a year, I start to think about when she will wean, and it makes me sad. Like you, we’ve done on-demand feeding so I will follow her lead as to when she’s done. The feedings have already dropped down as she’s eating more solids (we are also doing BLW). But I cherish our morning and evening nursing sessions and know I will mourn them when they are dropped. So HUGE hugs to you.
(And thanks for the tip on almond milk; I have a feeling whole milk may not go over too well with our Bug when we try it with her. It sounds as if you got the sippy cup thing resolved but we’ve found that our girl does better with a straw cup — probably because she was never a bottle fan.)
YoungHouseLove says
Yess! Ours is a straw sippy! It’s all she’ll take!
xo,
s
Erin @ AroundTheFarmhouseTable says
Wow! I am impressed. I’m hoping that my journey (minus the scary birth) goes as well. I’m currently in high anxiety mode because d-day is just around the corner.
Stephanie says
Way to go Sherry!!! That’s awesome! I nursed my first daughter for 16 months and am going on eight months with my second! Congrats and enjoy your date nights ; )
Skye says
AIR HUGS!!! What a brilliant post – and so brave to put it all out there. I don’t understand why there is such a huge controversy surrounding breastfeeding, cracked and bleeding nipples and all that sort of thing. Don’t people realize that before Playtex bottles were invented that is how the human race survived? We would not be here if not for women baring their boobs in public places to satiate a starving baby! I applaud you through and through, both for your willingness to put it all out there and your totally relaxed attitude concerning those who choose not to. Definitely one of my top posts from you – well aside from the first-sewing-machine-experience debacle. ;)
Chelsea & Kyle says
Sherry, thank you so much for sharing your tales of breasfeeding. You are always so real and never hold back and thats why we love to read!
danielle says
congrats on 14 months! but i say that you should totally challenge the norm next time around and breastfeed around your extended family. i’m not saying to whip it out and flash everyone. i’ve breastfed my girls just about anywhere and everywhere – without a cover – and most people didn’t even know i was nursing. church, christmas at the grandparents, on the beach (okay, so i used a towel at the beach =), the park, out to dinner. and in front of just about every male member of my family – dads, brothers, uncles, grandfathers. (the whole pull up, pull down method is my routine. pull the top shirt up and pull the bottom shirt down. so the only exposure is where baby latches on.) breastfeeding in public is only taboo because people behave like it is. you see less of my breast when i’m breastfeeding than when i’m wearing a bikini on the beach. (except that i don’t wear said bikini anymore because breastfeeding boob doesn’t fit in said bikini.) =) anyway – hope i empowered you some for next time around. =)
Michelle H says
ok question – how do you deal with teeth?? My 7 month old has been breastfed from day one and we are still going strong. However he has just cut his first two teeth and he’s a biter! I gasp, I say “no” I flick his feet, but nothing. He giggles. Ah, but I still love him..
YoungHouseLove says
Clara always had this crazy-latch (immediate and strong suction) so she never thought to bite I guess. So sorry your little man is a bit more curious. Haha. Clara was all business! Anyone have tips for Michelle?
xo,
s
Donna Jean says
Whenever he bites break the latch as you give him a stern “NO BITE!”. Also, make sure that you are paying extra close attention to him while he nurses so that you have a quicker let-down. We had about a week of struggling after my son got his top 2 teeth (he didn’t really bite much w/ just the bottom 2) and now it only happens very occasionally (13 months old and 8 teeth – and cutting molars). Your son will realize that his actions are causing him to get less milk, b/c you pull him off, instead of more milk, because his biting causes you to pay extra attention (even if it is negative) causing a quicker let-down. Babies are much smarter than people give them credit for :o)
Hope that helps!
Oh, and if you have put it away, you might want to break out the lanolin cream again…
Megan says
My little girl bit me a few times too. I would usually flick her cheek (not super hard, just hard enough to get her attention and let her know that was NOT okay) and say no. I know some moms will immediately unlatch their babies when they bite. You might have a rough few days every time they get new teeth as they adjust to them being in their mouth, but you can get through it. My little girl went from 2 to 8 teeth in 2 weeks around 10 months and man, was it rough, but now we’re still going strong at 26 months and a full mouth of teeth!
Heather says
I did what Donna Jean suggested. If he continued to think biting mama was funny, I would repeat the stern “No biting!”, unlatch, and then place him on the floor at my feet for 10 seconds or so. Enough time to let him know that his actions have consequences. Of course, that made him very sad. I think I remember only having to do that a few times before he accepted that biting was not a way to get what he wanted! : )
Lindsay says
Breastfeeding has been such a challenge for me, which is super sad because I’m a postpartum nurse so I KNOW most all of the tricks of the trade to make it work! But for whatever reason, my milk supply just never came in, and at 15 weeks now, I still try and nurse her, pump, take supplements and eat oatmeal and all she gets is an ounce (at most) a feeding. I can’t even pump enough to cover her feedings :-( The worst part of this is even with supplementing her with formula (she eats far more formula than breast milk) she’s still dropping off her growth curve. I was devastated, and still am a little bit. Our pedi is starting to think that I will have to give up breastfeeding all together because it would seem Kailyn is now expending more calories getting the breast milk than she is getting – which means even more pumping for me (which is discouraging because I get so little). I’m hoping that I can continue doing what we’ve been doing for at least another 2.5 months to get to that 6 month mark. The interesting thing in all of this is that I never really thought I would love breastfeeding as much as I do, I solely wanted to do it for the benefits associated with it. Sigh.
Lauren says
Congratulations Sherry and Clara and thank you for posting this sweet tale! I sometimes feel like a nut because of my overabundant LOVE of breastfeeding my 6 month old son, but it’s truly such a special experience for a mother to share with her child. Not even double mastitis, clogged ducts, or a 40+ work week have deterred me. Fingers crossed for continued success in feeding/weaning like you fine Petersiks!
Pamela says
We’re just at this point now, our Libby is almost 13 months and I’m starting to slowly cut nursing down so I can go back to work next month. I totally hear you about the freedom/my baby is growing up/greatfulness. It’s amazing how emotional feeding a baby is, I never expected that. And feeding laying down has been the best thing ever, especially as she still wakes to nurse in the night, the little piglet :)
Rachel Mathai says
Sherry,
Thank you so much for this awesome and sweet post! It was a total tear jerker for me as my son is 13 mos and recently stopped nursing. I totally relate to every emotion you’ve had with breastfeeding- especially being grateful! I feel so much more free now that he drinks milk but its so bittersweet!
Ruth H. says
Way to go! I had fun reading this–it brought back such good (and a couple bad, and some really funny) memories. I’ve had four children, and their feeding experiences differed wildly. Baby #1 was like Clara in that she loved nursing and nursed frequently, but unlike Clara in that she kept it up all night long, too. (We lived overseas at the time and did a lot of travelling, so I’ve got some great breastfeeding on the go stories.) Baby #2 was completely different. He gulped the milk down fast and didn’t ask for it again for 4-5 hours, and we went on that way for almost 15 months. Baby #3 was not easy to breastfeed, but we kept at it for 10 months. Baby #4 had a serious medical condition and had to be tube fed, so I pumped milk for almost 5 months. Pumping had never been my thing, so having to produce milk that way was beyond difficult for me–not to mention how hard driving back and forth between kids at home and baby in the hospital was on top of that. My point? One of the fascinating things about breastfeeding is that it’s a totally new experience with every baby. And by the way, I’m a veteran of 4 c-sections, myself, so I agree, lying down to nurse trumps EVERYTHING.
becky says
congrats! i wish my story was your story. i weaned my first at 6 months when he got teeth on the top and bottom and decided it was funny to bite my nipple so hard i bled. over and over again, squealing with delight while i tried to not instinctively throw him off my lap in pain. i knew it was for the best though, because he never got that “baby fat” until i quit and put him on formula – 5 lbs in a month. and then my baby girl refused and i had to pump for 6 weeks and finally gave up in that i couldn’t pump more than a few ounces at a time. i just figure my body wasn’t meant for the whole process. little did we know that i had thyroid cancer the whole time and my hormones were whacked out and crazy. and in a lot of ways, it made me feel better that i had a reason – not what so many people thought, that i was just being a lazy mom. so, this time around (with all my new medicated hormones) we’re adopting and we’re contemplating the unorthodox decision to try breastfeeding with this baby…we haven’t told anyone this, but this has been such a supportive and friendly discussion, i thought i declare how much i love breastfeeding and can’t wait to get the opportunity to do it again – and maybe figure it out this time. anyhoo – lots of words…sorry for blathering on.
and again, congrats. a bit jealous on this end.
Erin says
We nursed for 27 months – I think we would have went longer, had I not gotten into a car accident and put on muscle relaxants and pain killers. By that time, he would ask for “nee nee” and that day, I told him it was gone. He said “No more milk? Milk all gone?” I said yes and he didn’t ask again after that. In the past few months, we transitioned him from co-sleeping with us to his own room in his own bed and from going to bed with a bottle (we had always nursed to sleep before that) to going to bed without a bottle. My little guy is growing up!
Lizzy says
Sherry, that is wonderful. I am one of those mothers who tried everything with my baby boy, now six months old, and we just couldn’t make breast-feeding work. He was tongue-tied; he wouldn’t latch; he had a health scare, and the stress from it caused me to lose much of my supply; cronic, painful plugged ducts; cracked, painful nipples. I worked with a few different lactation consultants over six weeks, but I was in such pain from breast-feeding that I couldn’t be a good mother, so I very, very sadly decided to stop, and I mourned it for a few months. He is now a healthy boy, and I am just grateful for that. I hope that I’ll have better luck when I have a second child. I’m so glad it was able to work so well for you and Clara!
Lauren says
That’s great! I’m pregnant with our first and I’m so hoping to be able to breast feed.
Didn’t you recently post about the bath products you’ve used with Clara? I vaguely remember the post, but I can’t find it. I love all your baby stuff recommendations!
YoungHouseLove says
That was over on BabyCenter. Here’s that link for ya: http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/our-baby-beauty-arsenal/
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
katharine says
You know you are breastfeeding south of the mason dixon when public bf isn’t kosher and others go 4 to 5 hours bf feedings at only 9 months! Congratulations for a job well done in such a climate!
Eva says
Wow… I can really relate to this post! I also breastfed for a little over 14 months and my daughter didn’t take a bottle or pacifier. But luckily I am from a country where breastfeeding around family and friends or even in public is widely accepted so my list of places includes a bench in the park, airplane, train, restaurants, family gatherings etc etc.
Michele says
Great encouragement for new moms. I always encourage moms to give it a try. I wish everyone would stop with the horror stories. It really is way easier than sterilized bottles and the health benefits are pretty cool too. The bean is healthy and strong, so you should be proud. And if you want to celebrate with a bit a wine, you can now!
Rebecca says
I personally think more stories of it not working out is beneficial for those who aren’t able to breastfeed successfully realize they aren’t the only one. I never thought I would have to buy formula and I have been embarrassed the times I have had to feed bottles in public. It is not always easier than bottles, try bf’ing, supplementing, and pumping around the clock without much success and see how easy it is. Yes breastfeeding should be more widely accepted but you also shouldn’t have to feel horrible when it doesn’t work out.
kristin says
sherry, way to go! you are awesome! never pumping, too?! wow. superstar. i nursed my daughter until 13.5 months (she self-weaned) and am currently nursing my 7.5 month old son (going strong!). i work part-time and pump twice a day at work. i actually read this blog post while pumping, haha! my goal is for my babies to have only breastmilk until they can go to cow’s milk at a year (i know formula won’t hurt them – it’s just my personal goal). i’ve nursed at disneyland, the grocery store, on walks in the ergo carrier, at church (found a section of empty pews, haha!), you get good at being discreet, especially with the second baby. hooter hiders also help. ;)
all those mamas at the difficult beginning of the breastfeeding journey, stick with it! the first month can be the worst. ask for help from a lactation consultant if you’re having issues. once you get nursing established, it can be so wonderful.
Julie says
Walking with your little one in the ergo?!?! You are a rockstar!
Jacqueline says
Thank you for sharing Sherry.
At 8 months pregnant myself, I am currently learning as much as I can about breastfeeding and it was nice to read a real-life positive breastfeeding experience.
What happens now, does your milk dry up itself? or does it take a while and do you still feel “full” until then?
YoungHouseLove says
I stopped feeling full a few months ago when Clara dropped a bunch of feedings, so I think since milk is a supply and demand thing, my supply just slowly dwindled so I didn’t have any engorgement issues. Thank goodness!
xo,
s
Megan Foard says
Sherry! I’ve been reading your blog for quite some time (and love that you’re in Richmond! ). I live in Norfolk but frequently make shopping trips up to Richmond. Loved your post this week. I breast-fed my 2.5 year old daughter until 15 months. I consider it one of the greatest accomplishments of my life for all of the reasons you listed–bonding, healthy, cheap! Congrats to you and thanks for sharing.
Emma Johnson says
Yay for a breastfeeding post! I actually did a little searchy search for any discussion, and couldn’t find much. You did mention the door in the laundry room with the everybody-can-see-me-breastfeeding problem, so I knew you were doing it, but I’m so glad you wrote about it.
I’ve struggled with breastfeeding my 4-month old and searched for encouragement everywhere. And I knew I could find it in my favorite bloggers. Thanks!
Shelley says
I breastfed my first son for 18 months and my second for 2 years! (My husband gave me a hard time about that!). But it was wonderful while it lasted and it was such a positive experience for us all. Although I must say, it was hard in the beginning with the latching on and bleeding etc but I am glad I stuck it out. Breastfeeding is such a bonding time for mother and child.
Kellye says
Yeah Sherry! I had all of your feelings when I breastfed. Even now (12 years later) I still feel a sense of accomplishment over what I did. It is a mighty big thing to be equipped and willing to provide everything another human life needs. You go $herdog!
Sara says
WOW Sherry, you’re a rock star in my book! How bittersweet for you, but how wonderful that you were able to provide for your daughter for that length of time and frequency. What a beautiful time together for you both. sj
Jennifer Muench says
Sherry… i could relate to your post 100% regarding the breastfeeding. I am 8 months into BF my little girl and my goal was to at least get to 6 months. But i am enjoying it so much i don’t even know when i’ll stop. Maybe 1 year. But our girl has never had a bottle (well except a in the hospital after c section) and no paci either. I too have been the only one to ever feed her and have not left her side longer than two hours. She is a two hour eater too. But I also feed her at night still. Anywhoooooooo . . . . congrats and i hope the sad feelings turn into a smile soon. I know i will be there as well. Love your blog. Your blog was gateway blog. I’m addicted to design blogs now.
hi-d says
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I’m finding more often now, I would rather hear the “real life events” of Mamas than read the “textbook version” of what it “should” be…which drives me crazy, because if my 5 month old doesn’t fit into that little box, it makes me feel like there’s something wrong…but whatever! I’m getting used to not trying to compare my little one to that stuff…it’s a good guideline, and every baby is different.
That is so awesome that you nursed Clara for that amount of time. We’re getting ready to introduce solid foods in a bit to our guy, and one of my fears has been that he won’t nurse as much, but nice that you had good results. I can TOTALLY relate to your feelings of sadness…I get it…maybe it’s time to have #2. haha… :)
Take care,
Heidi (hi-d)
maggi says
congrad’s. i totally believe in self-weaning. we are at 20 months and still lowering our feedings slowly.
maggi says
p.s. i once calculated how much per ounce of breastmilk i was saving by not using formula. lots of savings.
tracy a says
thanks for sharing! what a wonder mothering is, breastfeeding and all. i so related with much of what you said…i too had an all-night sleeper at 3 months, feed-like-crazy during the day baby (the 1st time around) so we did a lot of daytime feeds for nearly a year. and round 2, baby only nursed for 6 months and still (at 9months) wakes up during the night for a feed (despite my pleas for a good night’s sleep). babies are a joy and a great mystery all at once. nice to read such a personal post….
Ms. R says
Nice work, woman! Congratulations! (and just so you know, no one and no thing ever, ever replaces mom.)
Julie says
My 3 1/2 month old wakes up one or two times a night AND wants to nurse every two hours. We’ve been pumping and trying to store some up and get her going on bottles (what a nightmare) so that when I have to go back to work when she’s 5 months old the woman who watches her will be able to feed her. I do worry that my supply will drop then and she’ll wean herself (which is what happened with my first.) I’m amazed that you were able to continue once it was only once or twice a day, maybe I’ll get that lucky this time around.
Anyway, as sad as it can be to have them not want to nurse anymore, I think it would be SO much harder to have to work to wean them when they’re crying and really want to nurse! That would just break my heart!
Erin C. says
Congratulations on 14 months! That’s such an accomplishment..especially with no pumping-wow!
My 7 week old is a good sleeper too. Sometimes he goes 6 hours at night..when he wakes up, i am so engorged. Plus, I worry that the infrequent night feedings will mess with my supply..I am guessing that your supply was unaffected though?
Congrats again. Clara is a lucky girl to have such a loving and devoted mama.
YoungHouseLove says
For a week or two I was majorly engorged since Clara went so long during the night between feeds (definitely needed a waterproof mattress pad!). Then my supply seemed to self-adjust so I wasn’t getting engorged anymore and just started producing more during the day and less at night to meet the demand. It was miraculous!
xo,
s
Julie says
Wow, Sherry. My daughters are long grown up and breast feeding did not work out for me (preemie twins right out of the gate) but I really enjoyed reading that post. You are a gifted writer. Thank you for sharing.
Sandra says
Sherri, you’re so awesome! I’m proud of you, breastfeeding sister! I also breastfed my daughter until she said “when” and
I can commiserate with the feeling of “the end”, but remember, you and she have come full circle! I’m glad you and Clara had such a great experience (I know not everybody does) and I remember the pain-in-the-buttness of not feeding in public (I once fed her in a ladies room bathroom stall, don’t remember exactly why, but yeah, it was weird!). I just didn’t like exposing myself in public, or in front of my family, either. Again, congratulations! Yay!
Sandra says
UGH! Don’t know why I spelled your name like that – please forgive me??
YoungHouseLove says
No worries! Honestly I don’t even notice it! I blame my mom for giving me one of those three-ways-to-spell-it names. Haha.
xo,
s
Erin M says
Congrats on a successful breastfeeding relationship. I’m three months into breastfeeding my little one, and hope to make it as far as you. Thanks for sharing!
Shannon says
I couldn’t wait to read this post! I breastfed for about 14 months and was lucky enough to have frozen milk for over a month after that! I pumped during the day at work and nursed when I was home. I was VERY lucky to have such a large supply and like you I never had painful cracked nipples that I have heard so much about. I like many others in the comments wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. I LOVED IT! And I know that it’s not for everyone, but the bonding experience is so incredible and my baby is 18 months and I still miss it. My daughter rarely gets sick even with being in daycare and I truly believe it’s because of the breastmilk.
Congrats to you!
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
I’m glad you could breastfeed her for so long! I made it about 6 months with our little man. It’s HARD. very very hard, and I had ZERO idea of the time/energy that it would take, wow!
I’m sad that you didn’t feel comfy breastfeeding in front of extended family, but it was like that for me, too. so many people who don’t know anything about nursing run away at the first sign of a boob. *sighhh* My son was on an every 90 mins to 2 hours schedule during the day, and when I sat down to feed, some people who were visiting would say “OK WELL I GUESS I”LL GO NOW!” I’d beg and plead “please don’t go, I promise you won’t see anything, if you go now you’ll NEVER see us b/c he’s always eating!”
geewhiz, it’s just a BOOB. lol
Laura says
Thank you so much for writing about your breastfeeding journey!! I am 2 1/2 months into mine so I can totally empathize with how great it is but also how isolating it can be. I almost emailed you a few weeks ago to ask how long you fed your little one, but then I reminded myself that we don’t actually know each other and it might not be appropriate to ask about what can be a personal issue :)
Ashley D. says
Sherry, that is such huge accomplishment for you and Clara! You should be so proud of yourself! Although I don’t have any babies of my own yet, I am a Dietitian and have considered getting my lactation consultant certification. I’m a total “Lactivist” after learning about all the benefits. Great work!
Courtney says
I’m so glad to read this! My baby boy sounds like Clara. (good sleeper–hungry during the day) I’m currently on my 12th month and it seems like we’ll go just a little longer like y’all. It’s good to see baby will wean off in his own time. It will be sad too, I have loved it way more that I ever thought I would.
I feel totally the same way you did about morning feedings. It’s the best starting the day snuggling with him!:)
Sarah says
I’m going through this right now with my 9 month old. So sad- I think I enjoy it more than she does.
charity says
I, too, wish BF was more socially accepting. I am NOT a LLLer, but I do try to nurse in public (w/o a cover, we hate them!) as often and modestly as possible.
Thank you for making it a positive topic!!! Let’s here it for 14 months! (we’re currently on 4 exactly today :))