When I was pregnant, I imagined Sprout nursing until she was a year old. As her first birthday approached, it seemed pretty evident that she wasn't going to be stopping any time soon. Sometime shortly after that, I recall saying to Jen that I was fairly certain she'd self-wean by age two. Her second birthday came and went more or less as her first did: with no end to her nursing days in sight. I've learned from my past experience, so with her third birthday around the corner, I'm making no assumptions about when she will wean.
I always feel a bit anxious when posting even a sentence or two stating that I am still nursing. Will readers think I'm crazy for breastfeeding for so long? Will those who haven't breastfeed their babies feel judged? Maybe it's best to begin with this post by stating that I am firm believer that people need to do what feels right for them and their families and their babies when it comes to nursing. I understand that some people can't or just don't want to nurse their children or decide to wean after a certain point. It's a personal decision. Still, I feel judged. I know there are many people who think it's (beyond) time I stopped nursing Sprout. I always feel like I need to justify our nursing relationship --it's only around sleeping times. It's not in public. Etc. Etc.
All that to say, I've had this post floating around in my head for a while. It's just been hard to actually write and publish it.
I am fortunate in that nursing was never a big challenge physically for me. Sprout latched well. I produced enough milk. One of the most difficult things in those early days, and still a hard part of it now, is the forced stop of all other activity. I've never been one to read on my phone or really do anything at all while nursing except for, well, nurse. Sitting still is not one of my strong suits. I have had to make a concerted effort to be in the moment. To watch Sprout's face and feet and hands while she nurses. To do my best to commit those moments to memory. To take a minute to rest.
I never imagined myself nursing a child for this long. And for me, in this moment, it does feel like it's been a long time. I am both grateful for my ability to do so and exhausted by it. If we hadn't night weaned her after her second birthday, I may be losing my mind by this point. Fortunately, one of the biggest differences between nursing an infant and nursing a toddler is that the toddler can understand when you say you've had enough. They might not like it, but they understand. In addition to night weaning, setting limits to where and when I nurse has gone a long way towards making me feel comfortable with nursing a toddler.
Without saying when I think she will wean, I do feel like the end to our nursing days is drawing closer. I know I'm no longer producing a lot of milk. Sprout's nursing sessions have become increasingly shorter. It's obvious that the main goal of the nursing is now comfort. As she snuggles in I can often feel her body relax. Her breath slow. Her eyes close. For a toddler that doesn't like missing the action, I like that nursing gives her the ability to slow down and disengage when she needs that break. And the weight of her sleeping body in my arms. I will miss that.
I was concerned that when Jen and I went away this summer that Sprout would be done nursing upon our return. When we got back and she asked practically first thing to nurse, I breathed a sigh of relief. A week long vacation that she had no say in was not how I wanted things to end. But, after that "reunion" nursing session I also knew that I would be (mostly) okay with things coming to an end soon. I am ready to have my body back to myself. To not have to feel guilty about leaving her around naps or bed time. To have a back that doesn't ache from positioning awkwardly in a chair. I've questioned Sprout on whether she is ready to stop. (No.) Or if she will be soon... perhaps when she is three? (Yes. But then no.) If not then, when? (Never. Stopping nursing? Why? What a ridiculous thought!)
Sprout's attachment to me is very strong. Sometimes as a person who needs their alone time it can be overwhelming. I joke about Sprout being a "Mama's girl", but the truth of it is that she is. I feel like a lot of that has to do with our nursing relationship. And while I am glad that she feels close to me, I also feel guilty that she doesn't have that same relationship with Jen and that she will reject Jen in favour of me. The Bean didn't do this. I think I would have been heartbroken if he did. He also weaned before a year old. While Jen seems to take things in stride and keep the perspective of this as being a short term thing, sometimes I wonder if breastfeeding Sprout for this long has been the fair thing to do in terms of Jen's relationship with her.
Though there are reasons I am ready to stop, I know I will miss nursing Sprout. Maybe that's why I'm not forcing things at this point. I like to think I'll be able to let weaning happen on it's own. Almost certainly before she is four... right?
Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Monday, February 23, 2015
Night Weaning
So, it's been about a week since we decided in earnest to night wean Sprout.
This has been a long time coming. I know I've written many times about our difficulties with Sprout and (lack of) sleep. Whenever it's gotten really bad we've been able to turn things around so that they're good enough to be acceptable.
Well, the other week, when she started waking at 4:30am to nurse and then wanted to be up for the day at 5am we decided it was time to try to do something about it (again).
Jen, wonderful wife and brave soul that she is took on the bulk of the responsibility. We decided that when Sprout woke up at 4:30am to come into our room that she would take her back into the kids' room and put her back to bed, staying beside her in a sleeping bag on the floor to ensure that she stay in her bed.
We prepped Sprout that day, telling her several times before bed that she wouldn't be nursing again until the sun was up. She seemed to understand. She nursed as usual before going to bed. She went down as usual. At 4:30am she woke up and wandered crying "nurse, nurse" into our room. Jen picked her up and took her back into her room. Even with the sound machine on I could hear her crying. It lasted about half an hour, but then she slept until 6:30am. Not so bad.
The next two nights were even better. She still woke up around the same time, but settled back to sleep more quickly and with fewer tears. She slept a little later.
The following night we had a bit of a setback and she woke up around midnight. I was discouraged, but Jen was a trouper and slept on the floor beside her bed for the remainder of the night.
Last night was better again.
And that's pretty of where we are now. We'll see what the next week or two brings. We bought a ridiculously overpriced clock that shows a sun image when the child can get out of bed. We'll see if she buys into it. And we still have to deal with The Bean who was taken to sleeping in a "nest" of blankets beside our bed when Sprout wakes up and disturbs his sleep, or you know, when he wakes up and decides to come over.
Sleeping five or six hours all in a row is pretty awesome. I kinda' miss the cuddles though.
This has been a long time coming. I know I've written many times about our difficulties with Sprout and (lack of) sleep. Whenever it's gotten really bad we've been able to turn things around so that they're good enough to be acceptable.
Well, the other week, when she started waking at 4:30am to nurse and then wanted to be up for the day at 5am we decided it was time to try to do something about it (again).
Jen, wonderful wife and brave soul that she is took on the bulk of the responsibility. We decided that when Sprout woke up at 4:30am to come into our room that she would take her back into the kids' room and put her back to bed, staying beside her in a sleeping bag on the floor to ensure that she stay in her bed.
We prepped Sprout that day, telling her several times before bed that she wouldn't be nursing again until the sun was up. She seemed to understand. She nursed as usual before going to bed. She went down as usual. At 4:30am she woke up and wandered crying "nurse, nurse" into our room. Jen picked her up and took her back into her room. Even with the sound machine on I could hear her crying. It lasted about half an hour, but then she slept until 6:30am. Not so bad.
The next two nights were even better. She still woke up around the same time, but settled back to sleep more quickly and with fewer tears. She slept a little later.
The following night we had a bit of a setback and she woke up around midnight. I was discouraged, but Jen was a trouper and slept on the floor beside her bed for the remainder of the night.
Last night was better again.
And that's pretty of where we are now. We'll see what the next week or two brings. We bought a ridiculously overpriced clock that shows a sun image when the child can get out of bed. We'll see if she buys into it. And we still have to deal with The Bean who was taken to sleeping in a "nest" of blankets beside our bed when Sprout wakes up and disturbs his sleep, or you know, when he wakes up and decides to come over.
Sleeping five or six hours all in a row is pretty awesome. I kinda' miss the cuddles though.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Sprout is Nineteen Months Old!
Today Sprout is nineteen months old!
Maybe I say this every month, but this past month has really flown by. After the last update I thought it would be a good idea to write some of the changes in Sprout's development down as I noticed them. I was a bit neglectful... six bullet points is as far as I got. Of course, there have been many other changes. I will do my best to remember and make note of them here...
-I said about her knowing her own mind --two notes in that regard
1) She really wants to figure out this potty thing. Often when I take off her diaper she will go sit on the potty. She likes to stay naked on the bottom and run back and forth to it, sitting for a few minutes, then getting up to play. She gets quite upset when I try to put a diaper on her in this situation. However, she has yet to have a "successful" potty trip and really is not aware that she has to pee until it is happening /has happened.
2) She is determined to dress herself. This can be such a battle when I am trying to get us out somewhere, but mostly I am trying to just let her figure it out or help her to the degree which she deems acceptable. The result is often waist in the leg hole of her shorts, things on backwards, etc. but she's one and a half and we're at home, so what does it matter? Right?
Maybe I say this every month, but this past month has really flown by. After the last update I thought it would be a good idea to write some of the changes in Sprout's development down as I noticed them. I was a bit neglectful... six bullet points is as far as I got. Of course, there have been many other changes. I will do my best to remember and make note of them here...
-Perhaps one of the biggest changes is that Sprout is now spending (most of) her nights in a crib in the kids' room. This feels life-changing. And while I miss having my baby right beside me during the nights, the truth is that I think we are both/all sleeping better now. I felt like I was never falling into a proper sleep, always listening to her toss and turn and wondering if she was going to wake up and want to nurse, or be held, or whatever. After spending a few days away in a hotel, we were able to test out how the kids did sharing a room. Sprout's nighttime cries didn't seem to wake up her brother, so rather spontaneously (if you can call something you've waited over a year to do spontaneous) we decided to put her in the crib in the kids room at home. She was really tired the first night, so it went really well... she didn't wake up until 5:30am, at which point I brought her into our room and I nursed and cuddled her until a more reasonable wake-up time. Since then she's been waking once or twice before we go to bed, but settling back down fairly easily, and then waking up any time after 4am to join me in our room. She still naps in our room because she's a frequent nap waker and I really, really don't want her disturbing her brother's naps. That time is too precious to me.
-As I mentioned, we went away for a few nights. Jen's parents treated us to a stay at an indoor water park out their way. It was very fun and solidified Sprout's love of the water. She may have said "splash" more than she said "mama" while we were there, and that is a lot. ;)
-She's continued to add new words and sounds into her vocabulary. Ball, man man (for Spiderman), hop, and cluck come to mind. She's also started putting two words together, sometimes three even. No examples are jumping to mind immediately, but things like "more milk" and "hot blow" (the food is hot, blow on it) and "baby in" (put the doll in the stroller) come to mind.
-She definitely knows her own mind. She often requests "help" or "hand" when she wants you to do something. As I think I mentioned last month, "no" is another big word. "Mm Hm" is her usual affirmative response. And when you ask her a question, she will adorably tap her chin and say "Hmmm." I have no idea where she picked it up, but I love it.
-I said about her knowing her own mind --two notes in that regard
1) She really wants to figure out this potty thing. Often when I take off her diaper she will go sit on the potty. She likes to stay naked on the bottom and run back and forth to it, sitting for a few minutes, then getting up to play. She gets quite upset when I try to put a diaper on her in this situation. However, she has yet to have a "successful" potty trip and really is not aware that she has to pee until it is happening /has happened.
2) She is determined to dress herself. This can be such a battle when I am trying to get us out somewhere, but mostly I am trying to just let her figure it out or help her to the degree which she deems acceptable. The result is often waist in the leg hole of her shorts, things on backwards, etc. but she's one and a half and we're at home, so what does it matter? Right?
-Like her brother, she's been getting really into dancing to music. It's pretty adorable as she tries to copy many of his "moves." We took her to a couple of live shows this past week and she had such a good time running around and dancing.
-She can jump! She actually gets airborne for a half a second. She loves it. She's also taken to leaping onto the couch from our ottoman. I'm just waiting for a crash. Hopefully we can avoid any ER visits.
-She is still totally obsessed with her babies.
-She also LOVES airplanes. She'll point and bounce and call out "pane! pane! up! fi!" when she sees one. Which is often. We live relatively close to an airport.
-Her favourite books are Welcome Summer and other touch and feels, Zoe's Snowy/Windy/Sunny/Rainy Day, The Carrot Seed, and Hop on Pop which she calls Hop Pop. She listens to a lot of The Bean's longer books since I read to both of them together before naps, but she seems to prefer the books meant for younger ones. Which makes sense, but I still find notable.
-She is both a shy, snugglebug and an outgoing silly billy. I had to use the above photo for this month's update because it shows what a goofball she can be. She has the best, best smiles, but mostly saves them for those she's the most comfortable with. She's also a big joker. We get a kick out of her.
-I know many of you don't know her name, or her many nicknames, but she will point to herself and say her name, and she will also call herself "B", which is a part of one her nick names... the one The Bean most often calls her. I think it's adorable. (Of course, I think about 95% of what she does is adorable, so maybe I'm not the best person to comment on this!)
-She is still a frequent nurser. It's been a while now that she just nurses before going to sleep or when she wakes up, but she sometimes asks in between those times. Often I distract her, occasionally I nurse her. I'm so, so happy to have this relationship with her. It's exhausting, but it is also so nice to be able to hold her and stare at her and feel her little body relax as her breath changes and she calms down and falls to sleep. It's a privilege. Though I sometimes think that it would be nice for my body to be my own again, and to get a full night's sleep would be oh so amazing, I am not wishing away these moments.
-She is still totally obsessed with her babies.
-She also LOVES airplanes. She'll point and bounce and call out "pane! pane! up! fi!" when she sees one. Which is often. We live relatively close to an airport.
-Her favourite books are Welcome Summer and other touch and feels, Zoe's Snowy/Windy/Sunny/Rainy Day, The Carrot Seed, and Hop on Pop which she calls Hop Pop. She listens to a lot of The Bean's longer books since I read to both of them together before naps, but she seems to prefer the books meant for younger ones. Which makes sense, but I still find notable.
-She is both a shy, snugglebug and an outgoing silly billy. I had to use the above photo for this month's update because it shows what a goofball she can be. She has the best, best smiles, but mostly saves them for those she's the most comfortable with. She's also a big joker. We get a kick out of her.
-I know many of you don't know her name, or her many nicknames, but she will point to herself and say her name, and she will also call herself "B", which is a part of one her nick names... the one The Bean most often calls her. I think it's adorable. (Of course, I think about 95% of what she does is adorable, so maybe I'm not the best person to comment on this!)
-She is still a frequent nurser. It's been a while now that she just nurses before going to sleep or when she wakes up, but she sometimes asks in between those times. Often I distract her, occasionally I nurse her. I'm so, so happy to have this relationship with her. It's exhausting, but it is also so nice to be able to hold her and stare at her and feel her little body relax as her breath changes and she calms down and falls to sleep. It's a privilege. Though I sometimes think that it would be nice for my body to be my own again, and to get a full night's sleep would be oh so amazing, I am not wishing away these moments.
-Food is about the same. Sometimes she's a bit finicky. I think she gets pretty significant pain with teething, and although I haven't noticed any new teeth trying to push their way through, I wouldn't be surprised if sometimes when she doesn't want to eat if it's because she's in pain. Again, knowing that she'll nurse and get the nutrients and calories she needs makes me much less concerned about missed meals.
I think that's pretty good for now. Hopefully I keep up on all the progress over this current month a little better than I have been. Mostly she continues to be a loving, silly, joyful little bug. It's so wonderful to be her family.
I think that's pretty good for now. Hopefully I keep up on all the progress over this current month a little better than I have been. Mostly she continues to be a loving, silly, joyful little bug. It's so wonderful to be her family.
Friday, December 20, 2013
{this moment} 359 days
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
Inspired by SouleMama.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Sprout is Four Months Old!
Today Sprout is four months old!
Look at this sunshine baby!
-Sprout continues to be an overall happy and easy going baby. I think we're getting pretty good at reading her tired cues, and we try to be respectful of them, putting her down when she asks. Really, we're all happier this way.
-She will still fall asleep in the Ergo when we're out and about if the hood is up, but she is getting to the point where she doesn't want to miss anything. This is also starting to cause some difficulty nursing when we're out. She gets very distracted wanting to look around rather than eat until her tummy is nice and full.
-Her schedule hasn't changed much over the past month. She usually wakes up around 6:30/7:00am and naps for about 45 minutes every 1.5-2 hours. We put her to be around 7:30/8:00pm, but she wakes up every 2 or 3 hours overnight and nurses. It's tiring and I totally get jealous when people talk about their similarly-aged-children sleeping 4 or 5 hours or even through the night (inconceivable!) but at least I know what to expect.
-We've tried to give her a pacifier (two different kinds) to see if that would help her cycle for longer sleep times, but she won't take them. She ends up chewing on them or just pushing them out of her mouth with her tongue.
-She also won't take a bottle, but we're trying to give one to her more often (well, Jen is) in the hopes that she'll get the hang of it. I've started pumping some evenings to build up a stored milk supply.
-She is very obviously thriving. She weighed in at 16.3lbs and is 25.4in. Top percentiles again.
-She is now in 3-6m tops and 6m pants (cloth diaper bum!). There are some exceptions since baby clothing sizing is terribly inconsistent but overall these sizes seem to be working. Disposable diapers are size 3.
-Her looks haven't changed much. Her hair is growing in more, so the hawk is not always as noticeable. Her hair colour is a dark auburny-brown. Her eyes are still light and look bluish but may go green. It's hard to tell. Her skin is pale, but she has nice rosy cheeks.
-And oh those cheeks! They are so lovely and round. Especially when she smiles. And she is full of smiles for people talking to her and being silly with her. She loves it when we "run" her legs, give her kisses on her neck, sing to her (The Grand Old Duke of York is a new favourite), or hold her up and shake her.
-Her dislikes are pretty limited, but loud noises and her brother falling on top of her seem to top the list.
-We've been going to a city run music class on Monday afternoons which she seems to be enjoying. I think she likes the songs and she seems pretty intrigued by the other babies. There's no class in May though, so we're going to start a different program and see how it goes.
-Most days that the weather has been nice I've been taking her for a walk in the morning. I usually strap her into the Ergo and off we go for a half hour or an hour. Sometimes we see if my sister and her son want to come along. Sometimes we pop by my aunt's and visit with her and my Nana. But a most of the time the two of us just walk around the neighbourhood chatting about the things we see.
-I try to get us out at least one other day a week. Often we just run errands, but it's nice when we see friends. I know it's really more for me that Sprout at this point, but that's okay. I need some stimulation too.
-She likes to look at herself in the mirror on her playmat and grabs for the toys that hang from it. She also holds the O-ball and tries to get it into her mouth. She's not terribly interested in many toys.
- She still can't quite roll over, but gets onto her side pretty consistently. She is increasingly tolerant of tummy time, perhaps even enjoying it on occasion. Her head control is getting better and better.
-We're okay to start trying her on food at any point now, but are holding off because she doesn't seem to have the tongue control down yet.
In other words she's doing all the usual four month old stuff. Even though we've been through it before, it is still such a joy and a wonder to see her grow, interact, and learn new things everyday!
Look at this sunshine baby!
-Sprout continues to be an overall happy and easy going baby. I think we're getting pretty good at reading her tired cues, and we try to be respectful of them, putting her down when she asks. Really, we're all happier this way.
-She will still fall asleep in the Ergo when we're out and about if the hood is up, but she is getting to the point where she doesn't want to miss anything. This is also starting to cause some difficulty nursing when we're out. She gets very distracted wanting to look around rather than eat until her tummy is nice and full.
-Her schedule hasn't changed much over the past month. She usually wakes up around 6:30/7:00am and naps for about 45 minutes every 1.5-2 hours. We put her to be around 7:30/8:00pm, but she wakes up every 2 or 3 hours overnight and nurses. It's tiring and I totally get jealous when people talk about their similarly-aged-children sleeping 4 or 5 hours or even through the night (inconceivable!) but at least I know what to expect.
-We've tried to give her a pacifier (two different kinds) to see if that would help her cycle for longer sleep times, but she won't take them. She ends up chewing on them or just pushing them out of her mouth with her tongue.
-She also won't take a bottle, but we're trying to give one to her more often (well, Jen is) in the hopes that she'll get the hang of it. I've started pumping some evenings to build up a stored milk supply.
-She is very obviously thriving. She weighed in at 16.3lbs and is 25.4in. Top percentiles again.
-She is now in 3-6m tops and 6m pants (cloth diaper bum!). There are some exceptions since baby clothing sizing is terribly inconsistent but overall these sizes seem to be working. Disposable diapers are size 3.
-Her looks haven't changed much. Her hair is growing in more, so the hawk is not always as noticeable. Her hair colour is a dark auburny-brown. Her eyes are still light and look bluish but may go green. It's hard to tell. Her skin is pale, but she has nice rosy cheeks.
-And oh those cheeks! They are so lovely and round. Especially when she smiles. And she is full of smiles for people talking to her and being silly with her. She loves it when we "run" her legs, give her kisses on her neck, sing to her (The Grand Old Duke of York is a new favourite), or hold her up and shake her.
-Her dislikes are pretty limited, but loud noises and her brother falling on top of her seem to top the list.
-We've been going to a city run music class on Monday afternoons which she seems to be enjoying. I think she likes the songs and she seems pretty intrigued by the other babies. There's no class in May though, so we're going to start a different program and see how it goes.
-Most days that the weather has been nice I've been taking her for a walk in the morning. I usually strap her into the Ergo and off we go for a half hour or an hour. Sometimes we see if my sister and her son want to come along. Sometimes we pop by my aunt's and visit with her and my Nana. But a most of the time the two of us just walk around the neighbourhood chatting about the things we see.
-I try to get us out at least one other day a week. Often we just run errands, but it's nice when we see friends. I know it's really more for me that Sprout at this point, but that's okay. I need some stimulation too.
-She likes to look at herself in the mirror on her playmat and grabs for the toys that hang from it. She also holds the O-ball and tries to get it into her mouth. She's not terribly interested in many toys.
- She still can't quite roll over, but gets onto her side pretty consistently. She is increasingly tolerant of tummy time, perhaps even enjoying it on occasion. Her head control is getting better and better.
-We're okay to start trying her on food at any point now, but are holding off because she doesn't seem to have the tongue control down yet.
In other words she's doing all the usual four month old stuff. Even though we've been through it before, it is still such a joy and a wonder to see her grow, interact, and learn new things everyday!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
It's Not Him - It's You
I've been pretty honest about my feelings on nursing. Does it suck in the beginning? You betcha! Did it get better for me? Absolutely.
Until The Bean started teething, that is.
As his bottom teeth came in, little guy gave me a few good chomps. I developed the habit of nursing with one finger laying on my breast ready to shove into his mouth and pry those little choppers open. After those first two teeth popped through it got better again. Until the second set of teeth started coming through. At that point, he was biting me so much I started pumping. I do still nurse him once overnight, but otherwise I pump and we give him bottles.
At our 9-month visit we mentioned his biting to the pediatrician and immediately the doctor blamed it on a reduced milk supply. This is the second time he's indicated problems with my milk supply. The first time was months ago when The Bean went from sleeping through the night to waking up multiple times to nurse...something which Allison and I later figured out was a growth spurt.
Read: It wasn't my milk supply.
I've spoken to other moms who have had similar experiences with their peds. Nursing problem? Must be your milk supply.
As parents we are already under a lot of stress. We are pressured to live up to this ideal of a smiling mother preparing dinner with our left hand and vacuuming with our right while our little one swings from breast to breast happily sucking away. Please. And now we need to feel guilty about not producing enough milk every time there's a nursing problem?
Why is it that pediatricians automatically blame the milk supply? Seemingly without even thinking about other potential reasons for an issue.
Let's examine our recent situation.
Introduction:
Until The Bean started teething, that is.
As his bottom teeth came in, little guy gave me a few good chomps. I developed the habit of nursing with one finger laying on my breast ready to shove into his mouth and pry those little choppers open. After those first two teeth popped through it got better again. Until the second set of teeth started coming through. At that point, he was biting me so much I started pumping. I do still nurse him once overnight, but otherwise I pump and we give him bottles.
At our 9-month visit we mentioned his biting to the pediatrician and immediately the doctor blamed it on a reduced milk supply. This is the second time he's indicated problems with my milk supply. The first time was months ago when The Bean went from sleeping through the night to waking up multiple times to nurse...something which Allison and I later figured out was a growth spurt.
Read: It wasn't my milk supply.
I've spoken to other moms who have had similar experiences with their peds. Nursing problem? Must be your milk supply.
As parents we are already under a lot of stress. We are pressured to live up to this ideal of a smiling mother preparing dinner with our left hand and vacuuming with our right while our little one swings from breast to breast happily sucking away. Please. And now we need to feel guilty about not producing enough milk every time there's a nursing problem?
Why is it that pediatricians automatically blame the milk supply? Seemingly without even thinking about other potential reasons for an issue.
Let's examine our recent situation.
Introduction:
- I've been nursing fine for 9-months.
- My kid has recently started teething and biting on everything he can shove into his mouth.
- He's also recently started biting while nursing.
- Reduced milk supply. Natch.
 | |
| The Bean and I brushing our teeth VERY early in the morning. |
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Four Months Old!
Today The Bean is four months old!
Where did this past month go?!
The Bean seems to have had a growth spurt this month. I'm curious to get all his "stats" after his four month check-up on Friday.
-The Bean continues to be a social little guy. He still happily goes to anyone, but he is starting to show signs that he favours us. He adores his mommy and will smile at her and watch her walk around the apartment. He likes me too, but mommy is #1.
-He has become a real chatter box! It's hilarious when he gets going. He'll even have a "conversation" with pauses to let the other person talk.
-He loves lying on his playmat and batting at his toys, or sitting in his bouncy chair and playing with his toys. He'll reach out and grab for things, and often pull them into his mouth.
-We can now carry him facing forward in the Bjorn. He seems to enjoy looking around.
-He's really started moving this month. He can now turn from belly to back AND from back to belly! I don't think that it's intentional, but it is fairly consistent.
-As a result of all his movement, The Bean now has a ring around his head where his hair has been rubbed off. I've seen other babies with a little patch right in the back, but his goes from ear to ear. It'll grow back in eventually. I hope.
-The Bean got his SECOND haircut this past Sunday. It gets really long and wispy around his ears, so I trimmed that up as well as taking a little off in the back.
-He is now wearing all of his 0-3 month clothes and has even outgrown a few things. We have his 3-6 month stuff ready to go.
-Breastfeeding hurdles seem to be in the past and The Bean latches himself now. He still goes for around ten minutes at a time and not for those 30 or 45 minute marathon sessions that we've heard about. Maybe those are still to come?
-He got off of the overnight schedule he was on last month. We've had a couple of rough nights over the past few weeks and decided to start trying to put him on a wake-up/bedtime schedule. We're only a couple of days in so I can't really predict how it will go, but hopefully it helps.
We're enjoying watching this little baby grow. It happens so quickly, so it's nice to take this time to reflect on it.
Where did this past month go?!
The Bean seems to have had a growth spurt this month. I'm curious to get all his "stats" after his four month check-up on Friday.
-The Bean continues to be a social little guy. He still happily goes to anyone, but he is starting to show signs that he favours us. He adores his mommy and will smile at her and watch her walk around the apartment. He likes me too, but mommy is #1.
-He has become a real chatter box! It's hilarious when he gets going. He'll even have a "conversation" with pauses to let the other person talk.
-He loves lying on his playmat and batting at his toys, or sitting in his bouncy chair and playing with his toys. He'll reach out and grab for things, and often pull them into his mouth.
-We can now carry him facing forward in the Bjorn. He seems to enjoy looking around.
-He's really started moving this month. He can now turn from belly to back AND from back to belly! I don't think that it's intentional, but it is fairly consistent.
-As a result of all his movement, The Bean now has a ring around his head where his hair has been rubbed off. I've seen other babies with a little patch right in the back, but his goes from ear to ear. It'll grow back in eventually. I hope.
-The Bean got his SECOND haircut this past Sunday. It gets really long and wispy around his ears, so I trimmed that up as well as taking a little off in the back.
-He is now wearing all of his 0-3 month clothes and has even outgrown a few things. We have his 3-6 month stuff ready to go.
-Breastfeeding hurdles seem to be in the past and The Bean latches himself now. He still goes for around ten minutes at a time and not for those 30 or 45 minute marathon sessions that we've heard about. Maybe those are still to come?
-He got off of the overnight schedule he was on last month. We've had a couple of rough nights over the past few weeks and decided to start trying to put him on a wake-up/bedtime schedule. We're only a couple of days in so I can't really predict how it will go, but hopefully it helps.
We're enjoying watching this little baby grow. It happens so quickly, so it's nice to take this time to reflect on it.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Truth About Breastfeeding
Before you’re pregnant mothers tell you all about the joys of pregnancy and motherhood. Things like how wonderful they felt about the new life growing inside them, the miracle of that little body emerging from within them, and the instinctive way they care for them afterwards.
But, here’s the thing, when you’re pregnant you also have morning sickness, heartburn, an inability to sleep through the night, the inability to control when you pee (if only an eentsy bit), and hemorrhoids.
Labour. Well, labour hurts. Like a bitch on speed. And often women come out of it swollen and puffy, with stitches and incisions, with parts of their body stretched much more than it seems those parts should stretch, and well, even bigger hemorrhoids.
Somehow, mothers “forget” to mention these things to non-mothers still in their child bearing years. This is what I like to call The Deception. Before going through the experience myself, I was sure they held your baby hostage until you signed a binding legal document swearing that you’d never tell a young woman about the painful and embarrassing (like not being able to control when you pass gas) parts of pregnancy, labour, and motherhood.
Part of The Deception lies in the joys and wonders of breast feeding. Now, don’t get me wrong here, I’m a believer that breast feeding can be the right choice for a parent and their baby. I know all of the advantages yadda yadda yadda... and this isn’t an anti-breastfeeding post. I just don’t believe it’s the bestest most wonderfulest way to spend time with your new guy or gal. Because when you start out, boy is it a pain in the tit. Or, both.
You get home from the hospital tired, sore, sleep deprived and this little life that you’ve managed to keep safe and growing inside of you for the last nine or ten months again turns to you as his or her sole source of life-sustaining nutrition.
But, you know, no pressure or anything.
And if you’re like us, you have to set your alarm for every 2 to 3 hours to wake up and offer your baby the all-you-can eat buffet known as mom’s boobs. Now, this doesn’t apply to all babies, but if yours is small like our guy was (5 lbs, 10 oz) then you have to do this cheerful exercise or your little one might just keep sleeping and sleeping more and more and not want to wake up to eat at all.
So there you are, sleep deprived and holding a brand-new tired baby who’s head is equally bobbing and flopping. His head is bouncing around trying to find your nipple. Your nipple is so sore that if your spouse makes direct eye contact with it you will threaten them with grievous bodily harm. Your boob is now larger than your new kid’s entire head and you need to fit said giant boob into their teeny-tiny mouth. Your nipples are chapped if not bleeding. Your hormones are sending you on more ups and downs than a sugared up kindergarten class on a school yard-sized trampoline. At this point your baby is probably latching and falling off. Or not latching properly. Or getting those uncontrollable tiny hands aligned directly on your nipple and grasping it as if her very existence depends on her ability to grab that sucker and squeeze it as hard as those newborn reflexes will allow. At this point, the baby is hungry, famished even, to the point where that little head starts flailing and your cute new tot starts to make the smacking and snorting noises that prior to this very event you thought only pigs in heat could make.
And then, somehow the universe aligns, the mouth opens, the boob goes in, the baby gets several really good sucks...and then falls asleep.
But, somehow, you make it through the feeding.
It has taken an hour, but you’ve done it.
And you get to start all over again in one more hour.
Allison says it wasn't that bad.
I say it was close.
But, here’s the thing, when you’re pregnant you also have morning sickness, heartburn, an inability to sleep through the night, the inability to control when you pee (if only an eentsy bit), and hemorrhoids.
Labour. Well, labour hurts. Like a bitch on speed. And often women come out of it swollen and puffy, with stitches and incisions, with parts of their body stretched much more than it seems those parts should stretch, and well, even bigger hemorrhoids.
Somehow, mothers “forget” to mention these things to non-mothers still in their child bearing years. This is what I like to call The Deception. Before going through the experience myself, I was sure they held your baby hostage until you signed a binding legal document swearing that you’d never tell a young woman about the painful and embarrassing (like not being able to control when you pass gas) parts of pregnancy, labour, and motherhood.
Part of The Deception lies in the joys and wonders of breast feeding. Now, don’t get me wrong here, I’m a believer that breast feeding can be the right choice for a parent and their baby. I know all of the advantages yadda yadda yadda... and this isn’t an anti-breastfeeding post. I just don’t believe it’s the bestest most wonderfulest way to spend time with your new guy or gal. Because when you start out, boy is it a pain in the tit. Or, both.You get home from the hospital tired, sore, sleep deprived and this little life that you’ve managed to keep safe and growing inside of you for the last nine or ten months again turns to you as his or her sole source of life-sustaining nutrition.
But, you know, no pressure or anything.
And if you’re like us, you have to set your alarm for every 2 to 3 hours to wake up and offer your baby the all-you-can eat buffet known as mom’s boobs. Now, this doesn’t apply to all babies, but if yours is small like our guy was (5 lbs, 10 oz) then you have to do this cheerful exercise or your little one might just keep sleeping and sleeping more and more and not want to wake up to eat at all.
So there you are, sleep deprived and holding a brand-new tired baby who’s head is equally bobbing and flopping. His head is bouncing around trying to find your nipple. Your nipple is so sore that if your spouse makes direct eye contact with it you will threaten them with grievous bodily harm. Your boob is now larger than your new kid’s entire head and you need to fit said giant boob into their teeny-tiny mouth. Your nipples are chapped if not bleeding. Your hormones are sending you on more ups and downs than a sugared up kindergarten class on a school yard-sized trampoline. At this point your baby is probably latching and falling off. Or not latching properly. Or getting those uncontrollable tiny hands aligned directly on your nipple and grasping it as if her very existence depends on her ability to grab that sucker and squeeze it as hard as those newborn reflexes will allow. At this point, the baby is hungry, famished even, to the point where that little head starts flailing and your cute new tot starts to make the smacking and snorting noises that prior to this very event you thought only pigs in heat could make.
And then, somehow the universe aligns, the mouth opens, the boob goes in, the baby gets several really good sucks...and then falls asleep.
But, somehow, you make it through the feeding.
It has taken an hour, but you’ve done it.
And you get to start all over again in one more hour.
Allison says it wasn't that bad.
I say it was close.
Friday, March 4, 2011
{this moment} Feet
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
Inspired by SouleMama.
Inspired by SouleMama.
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