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.
Adrianne says
I’m a new reader and love your blog and the sweet/funny/random details you guys share about your home and family! What an awesome post to read. I bf my baby boy for 14 months & 1 week and felt so blessed! Also I got pregnant again the moment he weaned, ha! Now we have a 4 week old baby girl and I’m nursing once again :) we lived in Hawaii until this past year, so my breastfeeding experience was strongly influenced by the BF culture there — which is seriously amazing. I nursed in public from day one (often at the beach and park… sweet deal for a Midwest girl like me!) and every mama I knew was a bf’ing supporter and do-er (?) so, loved this post and that it might encourage others! :)
Ale Flores says
I’m just catching up all the posts that I missed during my maternity leave (I focused all my energy and time to nurse my baby during 3 months) and I found this, such an inspiration! We are “on demand” too, and is amazing watch all the benefits that produces in our little girl. I’m back at work so we are combining bottles with breast milk and breastfeeding during the day. Let’s see for how long! p.s. Saludos desde Mexico!
Cara says
I’m weaning my little girl right now. She is 13 and a half months old and I am down to one pumping a day at work and she only nurses once before bed. I plan to stop pumping today and I hope she will wean herself as easily as Clara did. I am ready to wean her but I get teary thinking about it. Thanks for posting your experience.
Jill says
I came back to this post from your potty training post. I just had my baby girl via csection in January. She is 9weeks now and breastfeeding has been a hard journey for us. I’m also working and have to pump while at work so every three hours I have to drop whatever I’m doing and pump. It’s incredibly time consuming and a huge commitment but I’m glad to do it when I go home and see her smiling face with my husband! Sometimes I feel like I just have no clue what I’m doing but I just tell myself ,”hey, she’s still alive!”. I’m so glad I was able to read your story and hope that I can continue to provide for my own sweet girl.
Josie says
Wow! I’m about two years too late, BUT this hit home. This describes how breast feeding went/is going for my son and I!! Btw my boobs never hurt during pregnancy, and I never had pain BF either so I think it is related;)
YoungHouseLove says
Interesting! I bet it is! At least for some people :)
xo
s
Shannon says
This post is awesome! My little peanut is 4 months and also nurses every two hours on the mark (and sleeps well at night!). I also have a hate/hate relationship with my pump, so it’s pretty much all on me to feed her too. It makes me feel better knowing I’m not the only person to feed on demand and not be without my little buddy for more than two hours…especially when people dont understand, and tell me she should be going longer between feeds, or that need to go out and get away, etc. That’s just who she is and I’ve come to accept it. It takes dedication and I loved reading about your success story! Thanks for sharing!
Krista says
Thank you so much for this post Sherry! I loved reading about your breastfeeding journey with Clara. So beautiful. I’m currently a week away from 10 months with my little Harry and still going strong. I had originally planned to start weaning at one year (he’s a MAJOR night feeder), but you’ve got me thinking I might see if he wants to continue a little longer. You only get this time once, right?
ajira says
I have absolutely loved breastfeeding as well and as we are at the tail end, I’m starting to think of other ways we could still have some of that connecting, intimate time together. I like the idea of continuing morning snuggles and I love that our evenings are already snuggle full thanks to reading bed time stories in bed. Love the personal share, look forward to reading more. Yes, I know I’m responding to this years after it was written. :D
Sarah says
Wow, good for you, Mama! I made it til 9 months, and that was just all I could handle. I always really liked the closeness of nursing my daughter, but I just hated the pumping. Unfortunately, it was the only option while I was away from her at work. Since my career at that point was at a busy ad agency, I often couldn’t find the time to pump 2-3 times a day, and my supply suffered. I eventually realized that I’d get 2 additional hrs of sleep every night if I gave up the pumping, so for us, that was the right time. I’m wondering, did you night have a single day away from Clara until 14 months? What did you do if you were away from her for more than 2 hours?
LeeCang says
Thank you for this post. I remember reading it before I had Joseph, over 9 months ago, and completely forgot about it until I saw it again on Pinterest. It’s been 9months of joy and I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. I lover reading about someone who has gone through the same thing, makes me feel more “normal” then like a crazy mom who hasn’t had more then an hour away from her baby.
Renae says
I breastfed my son until he was 2 months shy of 2 years old!
I did not think I’d go For that long and I got alot of looks and I’m sure people talking about me behind my back, but it was all for him and what worked for us, so I had no issues with it :) he’s now 2 years and a month old and never had an earache, been sick or anything, only had a fever a couple times due to teething. I attribute that all to breastfeeding for so long and taking him to a chiropractor. :)
I loved reading your story, bc I felt the exact same way about everything, so thank you for sharing. The c section thing too, ours slept very well from the start too.
So blessed!
Thank you for sharing!!!’
Rachel says
I just stopped breastfeeding after 33 months. While I am elated to have my body back and we are all sleeping through the night I do miss that sweet special time together. Fortunately, he is just as cuddly as ever (which I was nervous about) and seems okay without “aboo” which is what he called breastfeeding.
Kaitlin says
I came across this post from Pinterest and I am so glad I read it. My little girl just turned 10 months and she too refuses to use a bottle and I am dreading the day I will no longer nurse her. I have gone through all the same emotions you have. Thank you for validating my own emotions!
Stephanie says
I just cried as I read that. My baby is almost 11 months and I know we will be ending the breastfeeding journey soon. Plus, I know I will not have any other babies. It is bittersweet. Thanks for posting this.
Susan says
I love this blogpost (well, I love this blog in general but whatever). I have 15 month old twins that are still nursing (2x a day) but our first 11 months was broken into 3 hour increments (day and night) and strangely I didn’t hate it either. I can resonate with your beginnings too – I didn’t meet our girls until the day after they were born – they were so tiny they took them right away. Pretty miserable recovering from csection and not even having babies to look at:). It took a few days before they were able to try nursing and even then it was iffy. I always felt like i was away from everyone ( no nursing modestly for us)! I pumped and nursed and gave bottles of my pumped milk to make up the difference for two months. And then suddenly they were pros. I am so grateful and surprised that 15 months in its just easy now… My goal was to eek to a year, but here we are and no regrets). Glad little Clara and you had that special season together!
Cait says
she sounds almost exactly like my daughter scary birth, great breast feeder, no bottles or pacis, and feedings every two hours! my daughter is 15 months and just now down to 3 feedings a day. what a great story.
Cassie says
It’s nice to know I’m not doing it wrong! My baby girl sleeps and eats like yours. Friends have looked on me with pity for feeding her so often, BUT I GET TO SLEEP! We had a lot of trouble breastfeeding. The first month was excruciating. She was miserable and so was I. Turned out my baby was tongue-tied AND lip-tied. Makes for very painful, shallow and ineffective latches. So I pumped (what a relief!) until we took care of the ties. Then when we tried to breast feed again she refused me. It took a lot of tears, trying and a lactation consultant, but we are finally breastfeeding full time. It is such a blessing. Hard won, but a blessing. I don’t care about covering up now because I freaking worked hard for it! I’m not flashy or anything, but shoot. This is how human babies eat! Besides, I’m protected by the law in FL to feed her in public. I know some states still consider it indecent exposure and you can legally be asked to leave a public place.
Kelly says
You just made me cry. This is a beautiful post. I had read it before — before I was a mom — and I didn’t really get it. Now I’m in breastfeeding bliss with my 4 month old boy – never thought I’d make it this far with him in the early weeks – but now I can’t imagine what it will be like to stop. And I get it. I am AMAZED that you fed her EVERY feeding without pumping – major props. Anyway. Thanks for this post.
Patty says
Just curious, what made you decide to offer cow’s milk at 1 yr? I ask only bc I have a 14-month old and while there’s no right or wrong answer, I am just curious if you are still breastfeeding at a yr… when IS a good time to introduce cow’s milk? Naturally, if you offer cow’s milk (or any other kind of milk) then breastmilk supply will go down. So, while I love breastfeeding my son and he loves to breastfeed (and drink pumped milk in a sippy), I have to wonder when I should introduce ‘other milks’ knowing full well that it will disrupt my supply. You know, the whole extended-breastfeeding thing?
YoungHouseLove says
I would just talk to your doctor about it. Ours was really helpful with that. You can also call a lactation consultant at the hospital where you delivered. And although I worried when I introduced milk that she’d be less interested and my supply would dwindle, she kept nursing for a few months beyond that.
xo
s
Chrissie says
I love this blog! Is there any way you can email me. I have a question about the weaning process. My son is going to be a year and still exclusively breast feeds with solids.
YoungHouseLove says
I’d love to help. What’s your question, Chrissie? We try to answer them all on the thread so people can read them (that way if they have the same question they can see our answer).
xo
s
Jillian says
Cute story! And seriously, I feel like I was writing this…..I think I just completely stopped nursing my daughter today and she is 14 months and 3 days old too. All the same emotions, bittersweetness, etc. I am really going to miss the closeness and what I called our “quiet time” together as she is normally such a busy girl all other times. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
Hey! I’m late to the game at reading this but wanted to chimed in and say great job, Mama! I’m still nursing my 11 month old and was relieved to hear that Clara nursed constantly for a long time too. My little guy still nurses about every 3 hours, sometimes four if we’re lucky BUT it is around. the. clock. I’m sticking it out because I love the snuggles and honestly, it has been an all out great thing for our whole family. I am not sure how we will end this relationship- him or me, but for now I’m just enjoying the stage.
Thanks for sharing!
Kayla says
I just wanted to tell you that reading this made me feel better! Our daughter is 6 weeks old, has slept through the night since she was 5 days, and nurses every 1.5-2hrs during the day and only takes short naps! Every other baby in the world seems to nurse every 3 hours so she and I seem like weirdos but I know my girl! Glad to know I’m not alone! Seriously, phew, I feel better. :D
Savanna says
First of all, congrats on the new bun in the oven!! Secondly, I want to thank you so much for posting this and for putting the link up on your most recent post. My son just turned 1 on the 13th of September and I too have been exclusively breastfeeding for the past 12 1/2 months. Like you, pumping did not work for me. Meaning my son has never had milk from a bottle or sippy cup either. Only from the source itself. I have tried giving him whole milk and watered down whole milk. He just won’t drink it! I love the idea of trying almond milk and then slowly adding whole milk to it. Thank you for the idea and for making me feel like I’m not alone in exclusively breastfeeding from the source for over a year. You don’t know how much you have put me at ease!
YoungHouseLove says
Good luck Savanna! Hope it works!
xo
s
Anna says
Ah – it’s an oldie but a goodie that I have just re-read! My little one is 11 months now and we had a really hard time getting started. She had to be bottle fed for the first few weeks, but I kind of came up with my own method of weaning her onto the boob and she was 100% BF by 3 weeks old. Then came the cracked nipple-woes, mastitis, blocked ducts, 10 days of non-BF friendly antibiotics and having to pump and dump while she drank formula again – all separate incidents occuring over the first 6 months! So I’m still going and I love it now, and starting to feel sad that she might start to need it less in the next few months. Happy happy boo boo time!
Elissa says
Hi Sherry,
Don’t know if you will read this but I remembered this post that I read a few years back. I am currently exclusively breastfeeding my 3 month son. He is now starting to sleep almost 8 hours tonight. Which is amazing but I wake myself up because I am so full and uncomfortable. You said that Clara slept 12 hours at night straight. What would you do and how did you tolerate going that long without nursing. Thanks so much for your help, if you do read this.
Also, congratulations on your upcoming arrival of a baby boy! I am so excited for you, John and Clara. You will love having a little boy around, even if you get sprayed on all the time! have been a follower since you started this blog, thanks for being such a great creative outlet for me!
Elissa
YoungHouseLove says
Ah yes, let’s get into TMI territory for a second. Haha! I was constantly engorged at night and in the morning in those early days. Sometimes I would wake up in a puddle, if you know what I mean. I started sleeping on a waterproof pad on my entire side of the bed to contain the mess, but eventually my body adjusted to it. So my advice would be not to pump or squeeze to let any milk out, because it’s all supply and demand (if you use it up or get rid of it, your body will continue to make that amount – so by just being uncomfortable but suffering through it for a few weeks my body seemed to adjust to that crazy schedule, and actually made more for the day and less at night). Good luck with everything!
xo
s
Elissa says
Thanks so much Sherry for your advice!! I really appreciate it!!! Hope this wasn’t too personal!
Elissa
YoungHouseLove says
No way! I’m an oversharer- haha! Good luck with everything Elissa!
xo
s
Angie says
I applaud you for writing this! You pretty much summed up my breastfeeding experience with my oldest daughter to a T- hopeful and unsure at the beginning, not taking success for granted, and then coming into it and enjoying it more and more as time passed. I breastfed my first for 15 months. My younger daughter will turn a year old next week and we’re going strong. I have definitely enjoyed my second experience of breastfeeding even more because of the confidence I had that I could do it. I just wanted to thank you for writing this! I also thought it was nice to add the note of support at the end for those who may not be able to breastfeed, etc.
Angie says
And p.s. CUTEST photos ever! What a little sweetie! I especially love the one on the beach hotel. :)
Jennifer S. says
I am currently nursing baby #5 and averaged 3 months – 18 months with all 5 babies. Baby #4 had nipple confusion though and weaned at 3 months which was devastating for me, I felt like a failure giving her formula and HATED buying it. I was much more careful with baby #5 and he is 18 lbs and 5 months old, a chunky monkey on all mammas milk! I hope to nurse him until 2 yrs at least, considering God gave me another chance. I LOVE nursing laying down too, so wonderful. I have to say that my kids did NOT like cows milk either and I had no problem not giving it to them. Cows milk is meant for calves in my opinion. Don’t feel pressured to give your baby cows milk at a year old. I always see these snotty-nosed kids that drink a ton of cows milk = increases mucus production = not good. Rice milk/Coconut milk/Almond milk (be careful with allergies though) is preferable to cows milk in our house any day.
Sara says
Re-read this post today and felt like commenting! It was a great read (I remember reading it before I had a baby and while pregnant!) BF didn’t work out like I planned, but I’ve been exclusively pumping for eight months! I had to go back to work anyway, at 10 weeks, so I knew I’d have to pump, but this has been quite different than I ever imagined. I’m just glad I’m able to provide milk for my son! Here’s to a year! :-) I hope you have similar success with baby #2! (And I hope I have more success when we have a second baby!) Also, we used the little foam bath mat with our son (per the post you guys did on baby gear) and it worked great for about 8 months! We’re using the inflatable duck bath (because it’s ADORABLE–like a baby Jacuzzi!) but we tell everyone about the foam bath mat!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Sara! You’re so sweet. All the best with your little one, and your eventual second baby :)
xo
s
Essie Griffin says
Hi Sherry! I just had our second child, this time a girl, and she immediately made me think of Clara (I’ll explain) so I wanted to ask you a few things. This little lady sleeps all of the time. Our son was the complete opposite of her so this feels so different. If I didn’t wake her she would just sleep all day and night! She is 4 days old. It takes a good 30 minutes to get her awake enough to nurse and thankfully she is feeding well despite being so sleepy. How was Clara those first few weeks? I know you didn’t let her sleep through the night until you got the doc’s okay, but during the day did you have to wake her to nurse? Or did she always wake up for you every 2 hours? It just feels so weird to have a child sleep so much and be so content that I feel like it’s too good to be true!
YoungHouseLove says
She was pretty alert during the day and slept a lot at night – it’s like she had her rhythm figured out pretty early (which we really appreciated) but she was super hungry all day since she slept so much at night! Meaning I was nursing her all the time (every two hours or so, all day long) and there weren’t as many daytime naps. I think you’re very lucky to have a happy sleeping girl though! Good luck Essie!
xo
s
Sarah says
Great post!
Did you have to pump at all when Clara gave you the 12 hour break at night?
Sarah says
Oops. I saw you answered a similar question above. Thank you for the info. I had a really hard time trying to nurse my first. I’m pregnant now with number 2 and trying to do lots of research!
YoungHouseLove says
Oddly enough I didn’t! I was engorged for a little while but the nurses told me not to pump since it tells your body to keep making it at night. So I held out and my body adjusted to know to make more during the day and chill out at night.
xo
s
Sheralyn says
I am SO glad I read this now! 9 months into BF with our first. Totally encouraging to read your experience. Aside from Clara loving solid foods (our girl is just developing a liking for them) my experience has been very similar, including thoughts like ‘I’m going to be doing this forever!’ AND the almond milk/whole milk idea I am definitely going to try. So grateful, yet so looking forward to the transition off the boob ;)
Callie says
Since your new little one is coming soon, I wish you all the best of luck with breastfeeding, round 2! I found these tips helpful:
http://gentleparentinfo.com/BadassPublicBreastfeeder.html
Mary says
Oh the memories of this! It’s been 39 years since my first breast fed baby and 34 since the last. I will never forget the wonderfulness of it. That first little smile, when the milk trickles out of the side of their mouth…oh, my heart goes pitter-patter as I type this. If only mother’s could understand the special bond this brings. I know some just can’t, but I do think that sometimes you have to just “try a little harder” and work through some of the issues…sorta like working through the pain of exercising! The benefits outweigh the pain! Thanks for printing this…it brought such special memories flooding and even at the age of 66, I would still have another one if I could breast feed it (and then give it to a younger mom to raise..hee, hee~).
Laura says
At 3 months, my LO is still going every 2 hours – day AND most nights! And he nurses for 45 min to an hour. I can barely get anything done!!
Joan says
I feel like I could’ve written this post myself! I recently stopped nursing my now 14 month old son and it is so bittersweet. He too did not take to bottles or pumping, so it was all me for 12.5 months. The freedom I now feel is great, but I so miss the bonding that we shared. Thanks for sharing your story. It’s nice to know that we’re all together on this crazy ride called motherhood. :)
MaryMichele says
Great story! Wondering why you introduced cows milk right at a year old? It is recommended to breast feed for two years. I’m in no way trying to put you down! 14 months is great, I just wonder why women always try to stop at a year especially if they don’t seem interested in cows milk?
I hope you feel more confident with this new babe to be able to nurse around your family. Happy birth vibes your way!
YoungHouseLove says
Must be a regional thing. In the US it’s one year, so we were following the doc’s recommendation :)
xo
s
Chesley says
I just found this post after searching “eggs” trying to get some Easter inspiration. I hope your breastfeeding experience is as great or better with bambino #2. What an amazing gift!!
Jane says
Wow, Sherry.
You posted a link to this post in today’s (4/25/2014) post, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. My baby is 1 today, and I am still nursing on demand, and wondering how much longer I get to do this.
I almost cry thinking of this morning’s feeding (I so feel you on the “awesometown” of this time), but also feel excited at watching this little girl of mine grow up (but not too fast, please).
Thanks for sharing this experience…going to go cry now. :)
Brooke says
I know you’re super busy with the new baby. And I sort if remember you doing a post in this before, but when I searched, this came up. Do you have any tips/ advice for a beach trip with baby. We will be going on a fam beach vaycay and our little boy will be 4 months old. How did you make it work for Clara when she was so little??
Hope BFing is going so well this time around. Congrats on the sweet boy.
YoungHouseLove says
We were at the beach when Clara was 6 weeks old (crazy now that I think about it) and I just nursed her under one of those gauzy swaddle blankets and we kept her in the shade of an umbrella/tent. She did really well. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Kalyn says
Great first hand account of nursing. I’m going on 8 months with our son Oliver. And I wouldn’t change it for a thing in the world. I have noticed that my milk has dramatically slowed down. But there’s a huge part of me that is not ready to give it up! Hearing your story gives me so much motivation and hope to continue beyond a year with Ollie. So happy for you!
Elise says
I hear you! I have almost exactly the same nursing story down to the 2 hour feedings and refusal of cow’s milk. I’m still in the thick of it, my little guy turns 1 on Saturday, but I’m glad to hear there’s light at the end of the tunnel. I’ll try the almond milk and see if that does the trick! I haven’t read your birth story yet but I’m heading over to do that now, I have a feeling ours will be similar as well (emergency C-section for me, baby in the NICU, I didn’t get to see him/nurse him until 10 hours after he was born!)