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.
Angie Webb says
Way to go! I nursed my daughter for 16 months (after a very shaky start where I thought I might not be able to) and I am so thankful for every moment. I cherish (and miss) those quiet, tender moments. Now my daughter is 5.5 years old and too busy to sit quiet and let me rock her anymore. They grow up so quickly.
em says
I just wanted to thank you for going out of your way to not judge/preach to those moms who did not breastfeed! And, if any new mom is reading this depressed because they are not having the same success as Sherry, don’t worry- your kids will be fine too! (I have 2 examples of healthy, happy, smart kids who were fed nothing but formula). Thank you for acknowledging that we are all doing the best we can, and usually that is enough.
Danielle says
Wow! Way to go. I weaned my daughter at 12 months, and I was much more sad about it than I expected. It such a great bonding time with baby, and I’m excited to do it again.
Sarah says
For those who think it’s “weird” to bf for 2-3 years, be careful not to judge! If you breastfeed on demand and have children who are strong-willed/bad sleepers, sometimes it’s the only thing that works, thus leading to a longer nursing relationship. None of them go to Kindergarten nursing (or very few anyway!!), so it’s all good in the end!!
Jessica says
hahaha! This post cracked me up :) You’re so cute! I’m 21.5 weeks along with my first baby girl and so this very helpful and uplifting as far as the “Yes, I can do this!” aspect of breastfeeding :) Thanks for the giggles and the insight!
Courtney says
Way to go, Sherry! I never expected to love nursing as much as I do, but it has been amazing for me. Truth be told, I love that my son (7 months old) loves to nurse, and that he can only get that from me.
And side-laying nursing definitely = awesometown. My two favorite feedings with my son are first thing in the morning and last thing at night – in the morning he’s happy to see me. He smiles, coos and is just generally precious. At night, he’s super calm and sleepy and falls asleep nursing. I always take at least 15-20 minutes after he finishes just to lay next to him and snuggle and watch him move his lips and sigh deeply, smiling in his sleep.
He still wakes every 3-ish hours at night to nurse, and it’s tiring, but I know it’s a short phase in our lives and I’m happy I can provide that comfort for him. : )
Jennifer says
Congrats! 14 months is amazing. When i first got pregnant that was everyone’s first question “are you breastfeeding?”. i told everything i was hoping to. i would love to make it six months, but if i don’t i won’t be disappointed. at 5 months she got a frusterated with the nursing cover (she is really a social eater) and we adapted. we are now at 8 months and i am having some supply issues and as actually just doing to reading online about how many ounces she needs a day…. when i saw your blog post.
thanks for posting your story. it reminds me that i am not the only one with hard days of Breastfeeding.
decaturmamaof2 says
Thanks for your sweet post – your Clara is a sweetie pie! I loved reading this, since it brought back memories of when I and #1Son weaned (at about 25 months)… I bawled after “the last nursing”. Now I’m on nursling #2 and hope to still have a good long time with her (she’s 8 mo old), but I know it will be sad when she weans also… a big stop for little ones.
Deidra says
Breastfeeding is about as DIY as gets!
My 3 month old can get the job done in 5 minutes (when she takes 8 I start wondering what’s up). Even from very early she took about 20 minutes total to be done nursing. Sometimes I wish she’d take her time so we’d get to snuggle more often. Hooray for motherhood! It’s amazing how different, but beautiful, different experiences can be.
Tatiana says
Awesome post…
Jennifer says
Wait! How did you get in my head and write this?! There are a few differences (I worked outside the home in a corporate enviro that was not pumping friendly, my baby didn’t sleep until 11mo, and I nursed/pumped for 15 mo). We also switched to a sippy and did the night/am nursing and then just am. I also had to leave the room at 15mo when baby #1 wanted to nurse and “we” were done nursing. I started trying to wean at 12 mo. My husband would distract him and I would leave the room in tears. But it was time. You would think with him having to take a bottle with me at work, the transition would have been easy?! Baby #2…when it wasn’t offered, just stopped nursing. Easy peasy! By far my favorite mothering thing to talk about!
But I loved how you pointed out that you would have liked to be downstairs enjoying some family time and were nursing instead. Amen for keeping it real sister!!
Michelle says
Really enjoyed this post – I’m 7 1/2 months into breastfeeding and had a very similar experience to yours, as far as the schedule and timing of feedings, etc. It was sad for me to go back to work three days per week because of my daughter Evelyn eating so frequently and I felt that she still really depended on me, but I’ve been able to pump and exclusively nurse on the four days I’m home. My goal is to make it to 12 months and your post is more fuel for that “fire.” Here is a fun blog post about how I organized my abundance of frozen breast milk: http://bit.ly/pvtvyh
YoungHouseLove says
Woah! Look at all that! What an accomplishment! I think I pumped one ounce total. Seriously, my body revolted. So that photo is amazing to me!
xo,
s
Susan says
Congrats on making it to 14 months! I nursed my twin girls for 14.5 months. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but I am grateful I was able to do it and consider it one of my biggest accomplishments!
The Chatty Housewife says
I really appreciate this post and it was great to read. Thank you for sharing!
Sarah says
Congrats, Sherry! Our babies are about two weeks apart, and I am just hitting the weaning phase after nursing for 13.5 months now. I pumped up to 4 times a day at work (yay for a supportive boss and co-workers!). I have the same feelings that you do, and am sadly anticipating the day that my son gives up his last evening feeding, but am proud of myself, and grateful, to have been able to do it for as long as I have.
Mary @ stylefyles says
Clara is going to be SO pumped to see this post when she’s a teenager =)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I bet. Just one more reason moms are embarrassing, haha.
xo,
s
Sara says
Breastfeeding is hard work! Good job!!!
Holly P. says
I LOVE the side-lying position for morning feedings. And Clara’s night sleep is uber-impressive – I have a 12-week-old who’s been hitting the midnight to 7 a.m. for about a month now (with some regression a couple of nights) and I thought that was impressive, but Clara’s off the charts there :)And bravo for sticking to those two-hour feedings all day, every day for so long. I love breast feeding but holy cow, that would grate on me after awhile. thanks for the update, I like the personal stories scattered within the home improvement focus!
Calypso says
That’s so awesome that you were able to BF for so long!! Kudos to you!!
I had a terrible time BFing. The beginning was just awful and I was hard-core with my boy only having momma’s milk. I think I made the wrong decision for us and next time I’ll just allow the baby to have the formula and not let the books and people sway my decision. I found that Mother’s Milk tea was the best!! And when that didn’t work anymore, a bottle of Guinness every night after the last feeding really helped bump up my supply. Since I was had to go back to work, I only nursed for 6 months. It was good enough even though the goal was 1 year. Weaning from BFing hurt like crazy.. But I’m really glad you had such a great story to share. Really happy for you. I think the fact that you were home and had the same surrounding all the time was key in getting that mix right. Stress really did a number on my supply.
I loved nursing in bed. It was great. For those first few months baby boy slept with us and whenever he woke up, I just turned, nursed and fell that was that. It was sooo awesome!!!
Zoe says
Go Sherry and Clara!! What a great post. It got me all teary and I am neither pregnant nor breastfeeding, but I do have a 10 month old. Can I still claim post-partum hormones after that much time? I often wonder how long I would have nursed my three kids if I hadn’t had to wean due to poor weight gain (I did 6 mos, 5 mos and 8 weeks). In any case, I am always proud of moms who nurse longer than I did, even if I don’t know them personally. Again, great job and great post.
ps is Clara taking longer naps these days? My little one went from being a 45 minute napped at 4 mos to a champion 2+ hr napped, and she sleeps through the night. Looks like we were both gifted with good sleepers.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes- finally! She usually gives us two hours in the morning and about an hour in the afternoon. It’s amazing! We still hear about kiddos who go for 3 hours plus, but we’ll take two and one since we used to get thirty minutes or so!
xo,
s
Megan says
You mentioned your body shape, so I’ll let you know that you might see your pre-baby body come back now. I was told by my doc and others that when you are bf’ing, the hormones you are releasing tell your body to keep the fat in certain places. It’s not until you wean that your hormones shift back to your “normal” and your shape will resume. Obviously this won’t help stretch marks or saggy skin, but you know what I mean.
Congrats on your major accomplishment.
Michelle says
I love that you got to breastfeed for that long. My little girl decided to call it quits at 5 1/2 months. It surprised me like crazy and hurt like crazy. She was only at one formula feeding at the time (Went back to work part time, it made it easier for Dad). I really hope that with my next one I will be able to breastfeed longer and breastfeeding laying down…. awesome! I loved that. I too had a C-section and it made all the difference.
Zoe says
Dang, I meant napper. Didn’t catch the autocorrect on that one.
Emily says
Good for you on being able to breastfeed Clara for so long. I was able to nurse my little guy for 11 months until I became pregnant and he had a reaction to my hormones changing. It’s such a wonderful way to bond with your child. Your comment on nursing Clara until she was 21 reminded me of this really funny skit on the British comedy show Little Britain. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuPBbFOiygo&playnext=1&list=PL9C62D396018AFB84
I warn you, do not drink while watching this… it’s hilarious and you’ll spit out whatever is in your mouth!! Enjoy. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Insane! Yup, I totally thought Clara would never outgrow it. And then bam. Over it!
xo,
s
Tara says
Thanks for sharing! I feel like you’re supporting me without even knowing it! I’ve been nursing our twins for almost 9 months now and it’s one of the most trying and wonderful things I’ve ever done. I actually wasn’t able to nurse for the first 36 hours after the girls were born b/c of my complications, so I, too, was worried about them really taking to it. Our first few months of nursing were filled with 1 1/2 HOUR nursing sessions. Now we’re down to 20 minutes at almost 9 months, though they still eat ever 3 hours almost on the dot. I’m really looking forward to the stretching out between times too, b/c my girls won’t take bottles either!! ahh!!
Kristen Miller says
Sherry — way to go momma! My sweet pea is now 8.5 months and we’re still at it. In the beginning it was tough, but we stuck it out, and now I’m loving it :) I totally understand all of the emotions you went through (right down to having to go into other rooms during events and wising you could just pop it out and nurse in front of everyone — and I would have if I didn’t feel like it might make them uncomfortable). But congrats to you and Clara!
Kristen
samantha says
My story is a sad one, to me. I tried so hard to breastfeed. My baby was born via stat c-section and I had to be “knocked out” because I refused the epidural way before that and would have felt it all. An hour later her blood sugar was down and they forced a bottle down her throat :( I tried not to give her a bottle at the hospital but she was so small that she couldn’t latch. I tried and it was SUPER painful for 3 months, and 2 months after it stopped hurting, she gave up completely. She screamed if I fed her, she hated it. UGH! I am still so upset about it. Oh well maybe with the next one.
YoungHouseLove says
I totally feel for you Samantha! Maybe the next one! A good friend of mine couldn’t nurse her first baby due to complications but her next one nursed for over 15 months and her supply was awesome!
xo,
s
Shanade says
Good for you! My goal is always to make it to a year. I made it with my first two and my third is seven months and still going strong. My kids would never take a bottle either, even if it was breast milk. Fortunately, they’ve always loved milk and have gone straight from the boob to a sippy full of milk.
samantha says
2 weeks I meant.
Carissa says
Thanks for posting this! As a nursing mom 6 months in, I’ve often wondered what your experience had been after your traumatic birth and how you made it work. I don’t know anyone else that breastfeeds, which makes it even more isolating at times since I’m constantly getting pressure to wean (“Isn’t it time yet??? When can we babysit??? Blah, blah, blah”). My daughter also won’t take the bottle, so she’s also always getting it from the source, every 3 hours. It’s tough, but it’s a commitment I’ve made for my daughter and I am also getting to that “I love breastfeeding” stage. I’m anxious for her to be done, but also know I’ll have the same sad feelings as you. Nice work on reaching 14 months! I hope we make it there as well.
Sarah Hamilton says
I didn’t read through all the comments, but wanted you to know that after you completely stop breastfeeding, you will again experience PMS type hormones as your body finishes returning to normal. Mine were awful, like “crazy-pregnant lady” awful, but also recognizable as being crazy and out of character. Just be prepared. I wish someone had warned me.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the warning! So far I’ve had some crazy hot flashes, but it’s hot here so it might just be the weather. Haha.
xo,
s
schmei says
Thanks for this post! I’m due with our first in October and I’m really really hoping to breastfeed, so it’s always helpful to hear another mom’s perspective on this. Congrats on a successful nursing relationship!
Abby says
Sherry- You are SO awesome! You must come visit me one day! We recently opened Richmond’s first free-standing birth center (www.ccbirthingcenter.com) and are huge supporters of all natural everything! Especially breastfeeding!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the link! We’ll have to check you guys out!
xo,
s
Sabrina says
You are an awesome mom!! That takes a lot of time and commitment. My 2 months old eats every 2 hours during the day AND at night (although he is going 3 hours at night now). He didn’t latch on well in the beginning and would SCREAM if he didn’t get milk instantly. So to make it better for everyone I pump my milk and he gets it in a bottle. I know people think i’m crazy for doing this all day long, but right now it works and I really want him to have my milk. I plan on doing it for as long as needed or until it just doesn’t work for us anymore. So anyway, good for you for sticking with it. :)
Gretchen says
Thanks for sharing your story! I nursed my older son for 14 months and my younger son for 19 months — on demand and the babies each chose their end point. Loved nursing for lots of reasons — loved the snuggle factor, loved the weight loss and I also found it very empowering (in an “I got this baby to gain this much weight all by myself” way). I think that living in NYC right when my oldest was born took away my nursing in public anxieties and I was always grateful to be able to nurse (discretely, of course) when we were out in the world. Once we moved to NoVA and people were less accepting, I was sort of over what other people thought at that point.
I worked full time with thing #2 starting at 7 months, he refused to take a bottle so I had to pump 2x a day at work to keep up my supply, then pour it out every day. UGH. Then, we’d be up 4-6x a night nursing until he was about 13 months old and cut back to first a.m. and bedtime sessions. Who knows how my job got done that year!!
Oddly enough, we were on vacation at the beach about 2 months ago and he patted my boob and asked me for a “sips” — he was asking to nurse almost a year after weaning (and no, there is no new baby around). I think it must have been because he stopped nursing at the beach last year and there was some sort of recall, but I can’t believe he actually remembers. I kind of ignored him and offered him a cup of milk, but he has done it a few times since. Very strange. Not quite sure I’m handling it properly with all of the pretending not to hear him really, but it’s a little late to begin again now…
Good job and again, it’s nice to hear your experiences! You’re allowed to have a little post-breastfeeding weepiness!
Katie says
I am having the exact same bittersweet feelings right now because I just weaned myself off the pump after pumping for 12 months and 1 week…not that I’m counting :) My daughter was born early and teeny tiny and never took to nursing. For 2 months I did the whole, attempt to nurse for 15 minutes and end up with a screaming baby, feed her breastmilk from a bottle, followed by pumping for 15 minutes…that process got old fast and I finally made the decision to exclusively pump. First I thought, if I can just get through 6 months of this I’ll be happy. Then 6 months came and went and it was such a part of my daily routine that I just kept going. I told myself, when you feel like you just can’t take it anymore-then stop. I won’t lie and say it was a breeze…exclusively pumping is like a part-time job, and luckily I’m a stay-at-home mom now so I could work it into my routine. But I have pumped anywhere and everywhere…in the backseat of the car on road trips, upstairs in people’s houses during parties (praying that someone didn’t walk in on me!), and in just about every relatives house. Some people thought I was nuts to keep going for so long but it was like a personal quest for me to prove to myself I could do it. I saw the benefits my daughter was getting from the breast milk–never an ear infection and one cold in 12 months. Not bad :) I have a ton stored up in the freezer so in the end she’ll have it for more than a year which I’m so thankful for. It was very bittersweet to wean myself off the pump…I had worked so hard for so long to keep my production up…to let it just “go away” felt so wrong! But now that I’m officially done it feels so amazing and freeing! No more planning my day around pumping times, no more washing pump parts all day long, no more dragging the pump with me if I’m going to be gone for more than 3 hours…freedom! I am so proud of myself for reaching this personal goal and I would do it again in a heartbeat. My 3 1/2 lb baby at birth is now a healthy 21 1/2 lb one year old…and she was worth the roughly 2,500 times I pumped over the last year. And yes, I did the math :)
Nikki says
Sherry, you rock! You should be so proud. I had my ideal labor and delivery experience with my little man 3.5 months ago, but alas, we had lots of breastfeeding issues. The upside is that I am able to provide him everything he needs by pumping. I have a six month goal and then will re- evaluate! This was a great post!
Amber Mc. says
ROCK STAR!!!!!!!!! Congratulations to you! Thank you so much for sharing. I am a lactation consultant and such a firm, firm believer that there is power in our stories. I’ve started a project on my blog where women submit their breastfeeding stories in 100 words or less. I would sooooooooo love if you werewilling to submit one. http://www.ambermccann.com/blog/100-words/
YoungHouseLove says
I’d love to! What a cool project. Although 100 words is hard for me- I’m such a blabber. Haha. Off to check it out!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
Woot! High fives in the 14 month club. I breastfed/pumped/worked full time for 14 months with my duaghter, now 2. I started weaning to cow’s milk at 13 months because I was so eager to be done with pumping at work. Congrats on a job well done!
Ally says
Good for you, Sherry! Congrats on an awesome milestone!
Patsy says
What a beautiful post! And what a gift you’ve given Clara, and she has given to you. I breastfed each of my four kids for several years, and their ages now are 12, 16, 20 and 24 and I can assure you that the health benefits truly extend into adulthood. Very beautiful gifts!
B says
Thanks for being a BF advocate Sherry. I’m currently expecting and I hope to BF. I keep hearing negative stories about women who are breast feeding in public being shamed. Since when is feeding a baby gross? It’s nice to hear positive things!
Also for those who judge Moms who bottle feed how do you know you are not looking at a breast cancer survivor?
Caroline says
Until quite recently, I worked at a cinema, and one of my favourite things was that one morning a week we held a parent and baby screening. We’d keep the lights a bit brighter and the sound lower, mothers could breastfeed while still watching the movie, no-one complained if a baby started crying. For once the front row was premium, as parents could just spread a blanket on the floor (don’t worry, we were a new building so the floors were nice and clean) and pop their baby and toys on it, even sit on the floor with them. It was so nice and informal and sociable, and full of cute babies!
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds amazing! John’s sister Emily brought her newborn son to the second Twilight movie (a morning screening of it with hardly any people in it) and he slept/nursed the entire time. We joke that he’s probably already into vampires and werewolves. Haha.
xo,
s
annabelvita says
Where they do this in London they call it “The Big Scream”, which I love.
Hollie says
I nursed my son on demand for two years. He didn’t care for bottles either. When I started, I was going with the flow. I was blessed to be able to nourish him for so long.
Elizabeth says
You go, girl! I mean $herdog. The whole pumping not working thing could have been the pump and not you. The most effective are the expensive ones like Medela. I tried a cheapo one with no such luck. I was lucky enough to nurse my little man for 22 months and am now nursing our second little man-only 13 weeeks. Congrats on your success. The whole on-demand thing really works best, imho.
Stephanie says
Congrats on making it so far! It is quite an accomplishment! Your journey sounds a lot like mine with my son’s… he nursed until 15.5 months. At about a year he started only nursing once or twice a day, and then it just kind of tapered off. Which was strange, because he was like Clara for most of his babyhood in that he nursed every two hours (and sometimes less) pretty much ’round the clock!
Mindy M. says
You’re an amazing momma! I don’t think many moms would have stuck with feeding on demand every 2 hours for that long without some bottle feedings to give them a little time away.
I breastfed my son until he was 11 months & my daughter until she was 13 months. I loved it! And, I loved reading this post. It brought back a lot of sweet memories – like the morning feeding, just relaxing together – we had that, too. My little one is 3 now & I still miss that time with her.
Bethie says
I am extremely impressed that you were able to be within two hours of Clara for the first 14 months of her life! Breastfeeding is an amazing thing to give your child (if you’re able) and good for you for committing to it so whole heartedly! And thanks for writing about it too. Honestly, the more we write and talk about it, the more socially accepted it will become. I, too, struggle with feeding in public and in front of family (strangely, I am more comfortable going cover-less in front of strangers). Participating in a breastfeeding flashmob helped build up my confidence though! Sitting in Paddington Station with a ton of other moms and babies and boobies was a great way to celebrate breastfeeding!
Linda says
Funny,I just finished Bosspants yesterday and one of the freaking funniest parts was on breastfeeding.
I also breastfed until my daughter for 14 months (today is her 4th bday) and I when I stopped I had to do the old cabbage leaves on the boobs trick to get my milk to stop. I couldn’t believe it worked!
Jamie says
That is wonderful! I once figured out how much time it was taking me to breastfeed my newborn and it averaged out to be about the same as having a part-time job, between 20-28 hours a week. Luckily it gets easier, but no wonder you are exhausted for the first few months. Congratulations on sticking with it for so long.