Breastfeeding Diaries (Part Seven): Change of Heart

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“Change of Heart”

I used to be one of those people who would get grossed out at the site of mother breastfeeding her toddler.  Now that I’m a mom, I take it back.  Princess is 18 months and I can’t believe we’ve made it this far!  She still loves the boob and has no desire to give it up any time soon.  She’s so hooked, I think I may have to send her to booby rehab.

The original plan was to breastfeed for a year.  Even though nursing was a bit challenging in the beginning, I was able to keep up.  Nursing and pumping came easy after a while.  I never had to substitute with formula.  I felt like I conquered the world!  Princess dined solely on my milk for the first 6 months.  At that point I began adding solids to her diet.  By 9 months she was pretty much eating 3 meals a day.  I thought she’d eventually wean herself because she loved food so much!  Boy was I wrong!
When she turned 12 months, Princess was still attached to the boob.  In fact, she still wakes up for her nightly fix.  There’s no set schedule for our sessions.  But, she randomly undresses me and reaches in for the kill.  So here’s the kicker…the other day she asked, “booby?”  I used to feel that if a kid can ask for breast milk, then it’s time to call it quits. However, now I have a completely different take on the whole thing.

I won’t lie and say breastfeeding is easy breezy.  There have been times when I’ve had to calm her cries by whipping out a boob in a random public place.  It’s been 18 months and we’re still nursing strong, and through it all I’ve learned so much.  The most valuable lesson here is to never say never.  So the next time you see a mom nursing a toddler, don’t react the way I did before.

Oh, as for boob rehab…not a chance!  I’ll be nursing until whenever.

Weather Anchor Mama

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Comments

  3. says

    What a minute! Do you have my daughter??? LOL! Dealing with the same thing over here. “Booby rehab” made me laugh! Nia first signed for milk, then started saying please around 12 months after DH taught her how to ask then just a couple weeks ago she started saying “milk.” I’m miss my body too so I’m ready to wean but going about it gently (don’t offer, don’t refuse). I’m using distraction tactics big time!

  4. says

    I know exactly what you mean! There are days when I’m like “I’m so done.” But then I feel bad. I don’t want to be selfish. But at the same time I don’t want to be nursing a pre-school. She’s getting heavy as it is.lol I nurse rarely during the day. It’s most overnight and early morning. We’ll see how it goes. She’s gonna have to call it quits at some point. lol

  5. says

    definitely in the same boat over here! Skyler couldn’t care less for it during the day, but as soon as we hit the door after school it’s fit throwing time until the boob comes out! and then there’s before bed, and the dreaded 4am re-up, and tugging on me while half asleep every hour after to get what she wants until we wake up for school because mommy’s too lazy/exhausted to put her back in the crib. all that being said, it’s still the only time she’s quiet, still, and all mine so we’ll just keep going until she’s 20 (years, not months) lol

  7. says

    That’s great! Lil J ended up weaning himself around a year after I had left him at home with Daddy for 4 days and I took off to Vegas with my gf for her bachelorette haha. I did end up pumping while I was in Vegas but when I got back, he wanted nothing to do with my boob. I continued to nurse every couple days just to see if he still wanted it but he was now quite content with regular milk.

    I also made the decision to wean him because I had gotten so skinny {almost 15lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight} and felt so weak…and this was all because I was nursing. No amount food or Ensure drinks could make me gain weight while I was nursing J.

  8. says

    Really?! I still have a good 10-15 lbs to get back to my pre-peggers bod. Even though I nurse, it can’t come off fast enough. I also plan on going away soon. I wonder if Princess will do the same as lil J when I get back.

  9. says

    Ha ha! You sounds like me – DH’s upset at how skinny I’m getting. I lost what little booty I had and am at close to my wedding day weight. I’m ready to get my booty back! LOL!

  10. Heather Fields says

    I have yet to lose 18 pounds of my pregnancy weight. :/ I wish I were thinner, but breastfeeding did not do for me what it claimed it would.

  11. says

    You’re actually right around where I was. I am estimating, but at 10 months old I had a long way to go. My daughter just turned 2 and I still have 5-10lbs. Breastfeeding didn’t help with shedding weight for me. I’m well on my way and I’m sure you are too!

  12. Heather Fields says

    Nice to know! :)I was 186 at my 6 wk postpartum appointment, and I’m actually 190-191 now. I can’t seem to get under this number either. I can actually fluctuate between 5 pounds a day.

  15. Anonymous says

    My son will be two in March and shows NO signs of weaning. Breastfeeding has helped me become half my size. I lost my boobs and behind in the process.