That is what I've been asking lately. When will I wean Henry? He is 10 months now and sleeps well through the night (thank you, Lord!) He's eating 3 solid meals but I'm still nursing him several times during the day (but not nursing him to sleep any longer now that the paci has reappeared in our lives).
I always had the idea of nursing until Henry was one in my head but one is quickly approaching. It just kinda makes me sad to think about not nursing him any longer. AGH! Am I becoming thatwoman that I never thought I'd be? That crazy la leche woman (no offense).
Oh, what to do...what to do.
11 comments:
My mom is one of those crazy La Leche women..........I mean CRAZY. I won't tell you how long my brother was nursed. No wonder he is such a baby. :) JK. You do it as long as you feel in your instinct to do it.(like I even know) I plan on it for a year but to tell you the truth, I really don't feel like it at all....BUT I will. Maybe I will feel different when he's born.
Thankfully Tristyn decided that she was done at 11 months and I didn't have to try to make the decision, but I think it's ok to go a little past a year if you want/need to!
Hey Camille- Congrats on breastfeeding this long- its quite a commitment and as far as I'm concerned you are officially supermom!
Here are what the professional say, but I think the most important part is that as long it is mutually beneficial to you and little H.. go for it!
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies be breastfed exclusively - that is without pacifiers, formula, solid foods or other liquids - for the first six months of life and that, after solid food is introduced, breastfeeding should continue for a minimum of the first 12 months of life and, thereafter as long as is mutually beneficial to Mother and Child. They also suggest that "there is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychological or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer" (AAP 2005).
The American Academy of Family Physicians issued a position statement on breastfeeding which recommends: "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2001)
Both of my children decided on their own that they were done around one year. I was nursing my daughter one day and she just sat up, looked at me, crawled off my lap, and that was it!
I obviously don't have ANY experience in this area but I think it is wonderful that you have gone this long. I've always heard 6 mo- 1 year is great!
We are going through the same thing right now! Definately more emotional than I thought. It seems like C is starting to become less interested in her daytime feeds, but still needs morning and evening. I'm not sure when to start the transition! You guys seem like nursing has worked well for you both; so i say keep it up as long as it still works and you want but don't feel guilty if it is time to shift. you have done great!
Camille
i have zero insight for you, because my babies drink from a bowl, but this made me laugh... hahahahahaha la leche woman!
Camille,
I always said a year, but at around 11 months Addy just started wanting a bottle and it was easy at 12 months to just give her whole milk in a bottle (I know...no more bottles after a year, but it didn't harm her!) I cried when I stopped nursing and I still sometimes wish I could nurse her!! I want another baby so I can have that cuddle time again!!! It is really convenient though and Addy was never sick while I was nursing her and that definitely changed when I stopped. I would try to continue it through cold and flu season just so he has a better immune system...But...you will know and if it is a little over a year it is fine!!! When she started pulling off my shirt in public I also knew we needed to stop!!!
Hey Camille! I've never commented, but I'm one of your blog stalkers! (Found you through Casey Weigand) I was at Baylor when you were but unfortunately we didn't run in the same circles... too bad b/c I think you're hilarious!
I have a 13 (almost 14 month old) named Caden and I nursed him until he was 12 months old. And to be honest I don't really know why I stopped at 12 other than it was always my goal. (And that my hubbie became a little disturbed by my doing it any longer!) The last month he was only nursing one time day (in the mornings before breakfast) and eating three solid meals and a snack. At 9 months I think we went from 3 nursings a day to 2 and did that for 2 months! And even when I was nursing him twice a day he was eating 3 solid meals and a snack. (I think?! I'll have to look back at my blog to be sure!)
When we stopped I think I missed it far more than he did and there are times when I still wish we had that time together BUT I will probably still feel that way when he's 4, and that really would be a whole other story!! Ha!
All of this to say, CONGRATS on your breastfeeding success and good luck trying to figure out what is going to work for you and your lil man. I didn't have any friends that breastfed longer than 6 months and my mom did it with me for 9, so I was in uncharted territory as far has how to progress to the one year mark too! I just made it up as we went along and followed Caden's lead!
It is hard to give it up, it really is and I know you probably feel like the crazy La Leche woman (I did too!), but you're not alone... I too am a crazy La Leche woman! :)
PS: Henry is adorable!! And sorry for the marathon "first" comment!
Have I ever told you that I'm glad you ask these things so I don't have to? :) We're still nursing, and I keep trying to figure out how the next few months should go, but I've been at a loss! I LOVE this time, and I love that she has been so healthy...I have heard that it can be hard on your body to wean, so I guess taking it really slow is good? I don't know...will do more research and let you know if I find anything extra enlightening! I love these comments...very helpful!
Hey Camille,
I am going to post something soon on my blog about this whole weaning thing (like, how to do it!), and I thought I remembered you had posted something. Sure enough, I found that post. So glad you posted this, because reading others' responses to you have already been helpful! Just wanted you to know that. :D
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