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.
Laura says
VERY happy you shared this story.
Lauren says
My baby girl was the complete opposite! HATED the boobs and LOVED the bottles! I pumped for 2 months (supplementing with formula) until my supply dropped too much, then decided for both our sanity I would do only formula. All I can say is WAY TO GO for giving your girl such a great gift! You should be very very proud. Noone tells pregnant women that breastfeeding is not always a “natural” and easy thing!
Also, I want to give you some sort of trophy for the EVERY 2 HOURS thing! OMG! LoL!!! I would have had a breakdown ;-)
Amanda says
I needed this post today. We have been in the hospital with baby girl for 4 days. Part of her issues are feeding related which has caused my supply to go down. I am working to get it back and over come her feeding challenges. Hopefully we can get back at it and keep going as long as you did. Inspiring!
YoungHouseLove says
Thinking of you and your baby girl! Hope everything goes swimmingly!
xo,
s
liz @ bon temps beignet says
I loved this post! I’m always impressed with moms who bf for the 1st year (although it kinda creeps me out when you hear about the 6 year old who is still bf-ing). I’m 14 weeks pregannt with my first and *praying* that the girls will work when lil baby beignet arrives!
Rachael says
Good for you for blogging about this–seriously, we need more pro-breastfeeding things out there. :-) I wish I’d read something like this before my first baby, because I was so terrified and frustrated with nursing!
I also wanted to say one neat thing I’ve noticed myself and in talking to other mothers–your body gets better and better at it with every baby. I really struggled with supply with my first–she would take almost an hour to nurse and finally weaned herself at six months–but I nursed my next two until 13 months, and the nursing sessions get shorter and shorter with each baby as your body gets more used to it! My fourth baby is two months old now and nurses about 6 minutes per feeding, total, so I magically have so much more time! (he weighs 15.5 lbs at 2 months, so he’s definitely eating!)
So…just wanted to tell you that hopefully with your next baby you won’t be hanging out for 40 minutes in the upstairs bedroom while the fun happens downstairs. :-)
Erica Martin says
I am sitting at work, reading this blog post (and the one about Clara’s birth) and I have to tell you I’ve cried twice already. Once because your birth story was so scary (coming from a new mom – 4 mths) and twice because I love breastfeeding too! 14 mounths is amazing! I just started back to work full time, 8-5, and it’s been especially difficult for me. I drive home every lunch break just to feed the little guy (mostly to snuggle), even though I know he could go the whole day eating his BM from a bottle from by Grandma. Breastfeeding is such a wonderful, glorious way to bond with your babies. Clara is a doll and I am very happy you both enjoyed it so much.
Warm thoughts coming your way,
Erica
Lisa says
Thank you and very impressive, Sherry! I’m a pediatrician and will be a first time mom in a month, so it’s great to read about someone else’s experience. I really hope breastfeeding goes as smoothly for me! Clara is one lucky little girl.
Danica Allen says
Nice work! 14 months is a long time especially since she didn’t take a bottle but as you said… It’s so worth it. You’ve given Clara a great start on a healthy life. Oh and you CAN still blame your tears on the hormones! ;) For me it took over a month after nursing to return to “normal”
Lynne Wesenberg says
I’m with you on this. I breastfed both of my kids for about 14 months and have never regretted it. Mine wasn’t as smooth as yours but still an overall positive thing. Neither one would do bottles or pacifiers, so I was always there at feeding time :)
I know the feeling of losing the snuggle time, so the way I did it was to just snuggle without the breastfeeding. We would lay in my bed in the morning and talk (aka babble!)and snuggle before getting up to eat breakfast, get dressed, etc. This was such a good experience for all of us. When my son was in kindergarten and the mothers all came for a Mother’s Day Tea in May, the kids had each drawn a picture of “I love my Mom best when…” and they got up and read them (with the help of the teacher) to us. My son’s was “I love my Mom best when we are in bed together.” Needless to say, I turned bright red and tried to explain our morning snuggle time — which was me, my son and my daughter who was 3 at the time. I will always remember that rather embarrassing moment fondly, as it made me feel good that he enjoyed that time as much as I did. I, too, do not judge others on their decisions, but am truly thankful that I was able to breastfeed as long as I did and had happy healthy kids because of it. That year of inseparableness (not a word, huh?!) goes so fast so it is so worth it!
Rachel @ We Heart Minnesota says
Thanks for sharing Sherry. You are one inspiring mama. It’s really nice to hear such an honest description of the whole process. If we are ever blessed children, I hope to breast feed, but I realize it’s a huge commitment. So it’s nice to see how other people make it work.
Beck's Chic Life says
Awesome! I had a similar nightmare of labor and delivery with my little girl, and couldn’t breastfeed her until 13 hours later. It took lots of hard work and dedication in those early days at the hospital, but now 12 weeks later she is exclusively on the boob, and like Clara won’t take a pacifier, nor a bottle. It is great hearing encouraging stories like yours, and I hope I am able to do this for 14 months! That is amazing!
Iomay says
I breastfed for six months and it was pretty trying at the end. My milk supply was seriously tanking which is what made it so painful in the end for me and what made my decision for me really. I cried because it’s something I had wanted to do for so long and because the “she needs me and only me” feeling was over. One of my friends left me a balloon at my doorstep while I was out one day and let me a note reminding me that the fact that I had cared to try should be enough. My goal is at least a year with the next child! We’ll see :) Also, the hanging out upstairs on your own totally not unfamiliar territory for me. That was a downside for sure.
Becky says
Ahh! Way to go! I know how you feel! I nursed all 4 of my baby girls, my first was 14 months as well. It is a blessing I’m glad I could give that to my girls. Also a little sad when it was over. But definately loved the feeling of freedom as well. :)
Shauna says
What a sweet post. Kudos to you for making it so long. Clara is one lucky gal.
Lisa says
Thanks so much for this post. Congrats on 14 months of breastfeeding! I am with you-whatever works for the mommy and baby. I breastfeed and bottlefeed our 8 1/2 month old son. I work full-time, so I was pumping until a little over a month ago. Now he nurses just in the morning and before bed, but those are still very precious bonding times for us. And looking back to those early days when he was on the boob every two hours, I get misty. Even though at the time I felt like I wasn’t doing anything else but nursing, I wouldn’t trade that in for anything else.
Shannon says
Hi Sherry,
Since we have three kiddos, and each kids is completely different, breast feeding was different for all of them. :) Some good, some not so much. And for us it’s been awhile…our “baby” is 6! I miss the necessary rests during the day that nursing brought.
Oh and I’m going to tell you something no one told me…about a month after my last munchkin stopped breastfeeding…I started to gain weight. No breastfeeding = excess fat and calories not being “sucked out”. So from one mom to another, careful with the diet and such. :)
Shannon
Linda says
Thank you for writing this post! I’m only on month 3, but I totally know how you feel and hope to be as successful for as long as you. And hearing about you tearing up made me even tear up just thinking of the transition with my boy, it’s just so crazy how fast they grow up! :)
Rebecca says
Thanks for sharing! i think breastfeeding isn’t talked about enough and there are a lot of really judgmental people out there who can make new moms feel really horrible if they can’t/decide not to breastfeed. everyone has their own story and i think it’s such an amazing blessing that you were able to nurse Clara for so long! i never had enough milk for either of my daughters and BF was a constant struggle for both myself and my babies for 6 months and BOTH of my girls were happier and healthier when we gave up breastfeeding but …the judgement i received from some people was just awful so i appreciate your openness and kindness :)
Danielle says
Way to go! Unfortunately, I was unable to breastfeed my peanut (she was born at 24 weeks) but I became best friends with my pump! I pumped for 8 months (8 times a day) and then threw it out the window..haha..just kidding but I wanted to!
hillary says
Congratulations on creating and nourishing a human being with your own body! It’s pretty awesome to be able to do something like that, even though about half the people in the world also have the capability to do so. An everyday miracle, I guess.
Lynne Wesenberg says
Oh, by the way, my kids never liked milk and still do not drink it (they are 17 and 19!) so they got all their calcium, etc from yogurt and cheese, which they loved. And never had a problem with lack of anything nutritionally or dentally. So I wouldn’t worry about that if I were you. Milk is not 100% required! We did water and watered down juice in sippy cups from 6 months or so. My kids are both still really big water drinkers, which is a good thing!
Beth says
Thanks so much for the post — including details on all the emotions! I had a love/hate relationship with breastfeeding our now 20-month-old son, and it always seemed like an emotional roller coaster ride. Despite our ups and downs, I get choked up when I start to think about the very last time I nursed him. It is like an end of an era… one that seems to last forever but really goes by so quickly.
Erin says
I’m right behind you, Sherry! My little one is 13 and a half months, and we’re down to twice a day… although she seems to be losing interest in her bedtime feeding. Like you said, it’s liberating, but sad at the same time. I’m proud of my accomplishment, making it this long, because we had a really rough start (the first 6 weeks were hell, and I almost gave up entirely).
Thanks for sharing your story. Hope it inspires some other mommas to keep at it for as long as we did :)
Grace says
WTG! Congrats to you and the bean. That is such a wonderful start for her. I have 4 – all who nursed for a year (or more), some with issues others with none – you just never know. I will always treasure that time we had and was so amazed by the whole thing.
Joana says
I had a great time breastfeeding my 3 kids. I went longer with each of them, the last one was 12 months. I know what you mean about being alone in family reunions. My mother in law always wanted me to go in a room to do it and I always hated it. At one point I stopped doing it. When she suggested it I said “I prefer to be here”. Everyone just got used to it. I did it everywhere: restaurants, the bus stop, museums. No one really cares. The ones that do just stay away. And as time goes by you get really comfortable with it and if you do it naturally I don’t think people really notice it. But one thing I thought was great was wearing those tank tops with elastic straps cause you just pull it down and when the baby stops you just pull it up and take care of the baby first (burping, etc) and then you can leave the baby with daddy and go to the toilet to adjust your bra and get comfortable. Also, wearing a scarf just basically covers everything without actually covering the baby face (they hate it). If you feel comfortable, just do it. People will get used to it, specially your family.
Sonia says
A huge congratulations to you Sherry! I breastfed for 10.5 months and it remains one of my most proud accomplishments.I was thrilled to be able to stick with it given all of the incredible health benefits. I too wish feeding in public, especially in front of relatives was more widely accepted. I used a nursing cover always but I quickly came to realize how uncomfortable it made people that I was nursing even though I was fully covered. So I too was sequested alot at social events. I found it to be really boring and lonely at times but am still very happy I stuck with it.
Claudia says
congrats!!! i did a whole year with my first baby (he weaned himself the week of his first birthday) who also refused bottles, and only 8 months with my second one because i got sick and had to go on meds, but i remember it being such a sweet time. so now that clara’s off the tap, ready to have a second one? JUST KIDDING!!!
Carolyn says
You go girl! So glad to hear that breast feeding went well – you deserved it after the birth that you had! And your description of having mixed feelings about breastfeeding and stopping breastfeeding just about sums it up. I know that when my daughter decided that she just wasn’t having it anymore I was so bummed (for about 3 seconds). Then I screamed “I’m free!!” :)
Alissa says
What a great post! My daughter (now 18-months) was very similar to Clara – a great sleeper from the getgo, but she made up for it during the day! I remember marathon early evening sessions on the couch, while both she and I ate our dinner! Still, it was such a great experience (even when it was hard), and I remember how bittersweet it was to have it end. Now celebrate with a nice new bra – the girls have earned it for their hard work!
Alli says
awesome post. I hope your post inspires new Mom’s to give bf a try. Such a great experience, and one of a million decisions you make as a parent. I do laugh because I was lucky with breastfeeding, and then I had the fussiest eaters around, then they seemed to subsist on cheering and goldfish crackers. So at least they had as good a start as I could give them. P.S. They eat a well rounded diet now , so that came around as well. Love the blog.
Sheri says
Yay Sherry! Thank you for posting this. I bf’d my boy Jack for 13 months (now 21 months) and I am so thankful I did it and grateful that I was able to do so. I remember the parties while I was upstairs nursing and my husband Wade would do the check-ins too. I had to apologize over and over to my friends for my loud pumping sounds during our trips with our non-children friends. I think it takes a lot of courage, humility, and praise to keep up the breastfeeding. It was well worth it, and I can’t wait to do it again with our future kids! I love YHL even more after reading (and crying) over this post. :)
Meggan says
Awesome!! I always giggle when my bottle-feeding friends say “uh, breastfeeding is so much work, how do you do it!?” I think quite the opposite! Breastfeeding is so convenient and easy! I love that I don’t have to pack bottles or worry that we can’t extend a trip/outing because we don’t have enough food. I’m the source, and I’m always there:) I’m currently nursing a 9+ month old, and previously nursed my first son for 18 months. Was your original intention to EBF or was this just a pleasant change of plans? Whatever the case, you, again, did a great job!!
YoungHouseLove says
I went into it just thinking it would be nice if I could nurse for a year but I’d take it one day at a time and just do whatever worked for Clara. I think from my scary birth experience I learned that not having too many expectations was the key (since I was so shattered when what I pictured as our birth experience didn’t even come close to occurring, I didn’t want to have a ton of rigid goals in case I couldn’t meet them and was unhappy with myself, you know?).
xo,
s
Ginny says
Such a sweet story! There is nothing like it. The morning feeding was the last one each of mine gave up as well.
One thing that we used to transition our children to drinking whole milk was to mix it with some YoBaby Smoothie. By the time they were a year, they had been eating yogurt for a couple of months, so that combo was more familiar to them.
Enjoy year two! With my first child I thought that nothing could top all the excitement and many milestones of the first year, but the fun continues year by year!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a good tip! Clara loves yogurt!
xo,
s
Kelly says
Thanks so much for posting this. I am 6 months prego with my first, and I can’t wait to (hopefully) experience this intense bonding through breastfeeding!
Carla says
Oh Sherry, i’m so glad for this post! Like you, I’ve been breastfeeding my baby girl exclusively from day one. We tried to do the bottle thing and pacifier but she would not have it (she thinks the Wubanub is a toy sooo whatever, it works!). Unfortunately, she was not the best latcher and i did have an awful time in the beginning and then later had Mastitis (NOT FUN!) but we’re still at it and going into the 9 month mark. I am so worried about getting down to 2 feedings a day (she does 4-5 now) and then NONE! Scary. Why do they have to grow up so fast?! Congrats though on a job well done (does that sound weird in your head too??) – Clara is beautiful!!
I did have a question – did you discuss the milk option? i know a lot of mom’s who skip the whole milk and just do Almond milk now… just wondering what you though about the whole thing.
xo
YoungHouseLove says
We talked a lot with our doc and did some other research on our own and came to the conclusion that organic whole milk was the right choice for us. But it’s definitely one of those personal preference things. We know lots of other tots on almond milk and rice milk and soy milk and even things like goat’s milk!
xo,
s
Ginger says
I’m SO glad to read this post today! My son is just 2 weeks old and I’m in the exhaustion/will I ever be able to do anything else other than produce milk phase right now. We also had an unplanned c-section delivery where we learned that all future children will need to be born via c-section so it was a real relief & comfort when he took to breastfeeding so easily. I’m still very grateful that he is such a champ at breastfeeding but it can be very overwhelming, especially now that all of our family have went back home and my husband is back at work. Thanks for writing this post – it is very encouraging!
Laura says
Thanks for talking about it! I wish more people would try and not give up. I nursed DS for 14 mos, he is 22 now! DD for 2 years, yup 2 years! She just turned 18! I loved it with both of them, and like you it was easy. Best thing in the world for babies and I think Mommies too!
Alex says
Congratulations momma! My son is EBF at almost 6 months old now and I very much appreciate all the emotions you expressed here — especially the gratitude because it worked for us. It’s such a wonderful experience and a huge blessing to be able to keep it up! Thank you for talking openly about the “taboo” subject — maybe if we all get more comfortable with talking about it, the rest of the world will follow.
Marla says
Awe, such a bittersweet post. I had similar experiences with my kiddos – eventually. For the babies who don’t catch on quickly like Clara, it will work. Often babies keep their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths when sucking, which means no latching on, no milk coming out, frustrated baby and lots of pain for mom. My lactose consultant (loved her) put her gloved finger in the babies mouth forcing babies tongue down and quickly put the baby in place on me (replacing finger w/ nipple). Wow, that helped. I used that trick many times until it became natural. Just wanted to point that out for any exasperated moms/moms-to-be who’s babies aren’t initial champion nurses. And Lansinoh saved my life!
Jennifer S says
Congratulations! 14 months is awesome, and you’re totally right about the awesomeness of relaxing and BFing lying down!
I’m happy/afraid to say that my now 3 yo is still addicted to “mama milk” though only before naps and night-time, but we’re not sure when she’s ever going to give it up or if we’ll have to force her (which would make me sad even though it’s been forever).
katie b. says
I cried, and cried and cried when my daughter (only a few days older than Clara) quit nursing cold turkey at 11 months old. Crrriiiied. So, I get it. But, I also have to say that she was the same way C was–she did the whole every-two-hours thing FOREVER. People thought I was crazy, but whatever, she was the boss. Its always nice when they self-wean though, because at least you arent dealing with a 4 year old groping at your chest in public (a-la “grownups”), right??
Sarah says
What a sweet post. Thanks for sharing!
Michele says
Congratulations!! So much of what you wrote really resonated with my experience — the ups, the downs, the bittersweet feeling that comes when the number/frequency of feedings finally starts to decrease. My son is almost 20 months old and still loves to nurse and like you, I’m trying to follow my child’s lead on this as much as possible. So on we go. :)
Suzanne says
Love this post…WHERE is did you get that one-piece red bathing suit from in the pool pic? I love it.
YoungHouseLove says
Target! I think it was $12 on sale about three months ago?
xo,
s
Christine says
As a mom of three with 6+ years (and counting) breastfeeding experience, I’m always happy when this subject comes up. I have encountered almost everything on my breastfeeding journey, from sore, cracked nipples & a breast infection, to post c-section nursing, to pumping my milk for a 26 week-old preemie until she could nurse on her own. It took TONS of perseverance and patience but I am so grateful to have provided such a wonderful gift for my little gifts. Congratulations on this big accomplishment, Sherry! I’m proud of you. :)
Laine says
This post brought tears to my eyes. My baby is 11 months and I love nursing him. I think it will be hard when he doesn’t want to anymore because of the intensity that he needed/needs me in that way. I don’t know how we will transition. Our baby is a great night sleeper but like Clara, would spend so much of the day nursing. I have gone through so many emotions over it. Feeling isolated, so intensely tied to and in love with my baby, heartsick/guilty when we had nursing issues, and so many more. You should definitely feel proud. Way to go, mama!
Kate says
ok now it’s time to start a baby blog.
Bethany says
You are so amazing that I read every word of this, and I don’t even have children! Heck, I haven’t even been around a baby since last Christmas. I don’t blame you for feeling sad, I can imagine it was a wonderful thing to share with your daughter, and a small sign that she’s growing up! Congratulations on making it 14 months! :)
DJ Bizness Cash’yall
Jessica says
Aww so sweet! I did not breastfeed…only because the whole idea of it creeped me out, but I give moms that can do it props all the way! Go $herdog! lol! Do your boobs hurt now?? Because right after having the baby, since I did not breast feed….my boobs were so swollen and sore….yikes!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Nope, luckily no pain now at all! I think I was fortunately that Clara went down two two feedings and then one so my body adjusted to the demand so I wasn’t engorged or anything.
xo,
s
Julie says
Good for both of you!! That’s a great accomplishment! I wonder if 8 years from now, Miss Clara will react the way my youngest did when we had a discussion about her not taking a bottle or a paci. Her eyes were SAUCERS when she realized she was THAT attached to me! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- that’s pretty funny. I’m sure she’ll think I’m embarrassing for so many reasons when she’s bigger. Haha.
xo
s