almost weaned?

I happily breastfed Ryan for almost 18 months and expected to do the same with West, however with a super distracting brother around and not enough quiet alone time to devote to it we are losing steam. I have also gotten 2 periods already which I didnt get for over a year with Ryan and my body can't make milk and ovulate at the same time I guess. I have struggled with a good milk supply for a few months and keeping him full enough on me and table food alone. 

I started adding formula which he happily took and slowly, almost without me noticing we are down to only nursing twice a day- morning and night. 

I am actually really sad about this, I wish we would keep nursing longer but I really think that our days are numbered here. I am not going to stress myself out trying to up my milk supply and just let it rides its course and try to make him cuddle with me still. But I will say here and now, I don't like it one bit!

I wish he would stay my little baby a while longer. I realized today that his birthday is almost a month away and it's time to start planning his party! I decided on a theme and I am excited to start pulling things together and share with you the fun details.

on breastfeeding. part 2

My last breastfeeding post was every informative, if you havent had a chance to read it go back and check it out. I wanted to just add to it and share my helpful tips and tricks to a successful breastfeeding relationship. In 2 years of bf I have learned a lot.

(trying to suck his thumb and eat at the same time) 

Hold your baby all the time for the first week. Dont cook, dont get dressed, dont do dishes, dont entertain guests. Your job is to hold that baby! The more skin on skin contact you two have the faster your milk will arrive. Just kindly tell your family and friends that you are both learning the art of breastfeeding and to give you both a week to get settled. No need to pass that baby around for everyone to love on just yet.

Nurse on demand. I know they just ate 30 minutes ago but they are really skilled at getting you to produce yummy milk and the perfect amount that they need. If you fight it, your supply will suffer.

Every time you sit down to nurse, drink a glass of water. It will help your let down and supply. If you notice you arent making much milk you are probably not getting enough fluids

Feed on both sides every time

Stress will make it worse. I know its super hard- oh dont stress about it! But if you are feeling overwhelmed and your baby is having hard time latching go to your room turn out the lights, and just lay with your baby skin on skin for a while.

Put a small bracelet or even a hair tie on your wrist of the side you fed on first that way you know where to start next time.

Pumping is never an accurate way to see how much milk you are making. You dont let down the same that you do with an actual baby. Also dont worry that you arent making enough- you most likely are. If your baby is happy (even if they are eating every 45 min) then you are golden. Babies are like magic they know how to regulate your supply and will make sure they are getting what they need. As long as you give them the option to eat when they want.

They will "go on strike" maybe more than once. Its rare for a baby to wean themselves before a year (le leche legue) They just get busy and distracted! Go in a dark quiet room just let them focus on the only thing going on- the boob. Daddy's are the most distracting so keep them far away! Dont give up, its hard! They might cry and fight but they will return and you will both be glad you stuck it out.

Get a Boppy pillow. If you are short like me and the arms of your rocking chair are uncomfortably high these come in so handy. I rest mine across my belly and on the arm rests of the chair. I dont even have to hold Weston.

A good latch is key. Make sure their mouth is WIDE open before you make contact. Also make sure they cover your whole nipple area with their mouth and keep them from sucking their bottom lip under. It will help you from getting cracked and sore.

If you get a painful spot in your breast it could be a clogged duct. Nurse and pump through the pain. Heating pad and have your parter massage it out for you. It has to work its self out and will only get worse if not taken care of. Feed through the pain! Nurse on that side first every time til its gone.

Establish a good nursing relationship before you introduce a bottle (if you plan on doing that) between 4 and 6 weeks old is the best time to try.

The more you pump the more you make. So if you are saying I am making SO much milk I have to pump or I explode! (I've been there) Stop pumping, yes you will get huge but your body will realize that it doesnt need to produce on over drive and will regulate. Same goes if you would like to be making more. Pump more. Boobs are supply and demand!

GET HELP. Watch youtube videos of what a good latch looks like. GO see the lactation nurses at the hospital or call Le Leche. OR heck, CALL ME. I am totally serious here. When I first had Ryan my awesome nurse told me- its the blind leading the blind. Neither of you know what you are doing. Its only natural because its coming from your body no processed in a plant. Its HARD in the beginning but its so worth it.

GET SUPPORT. Surround yourself with people who want you to succeed. It can be tedious and rough in the beginning so hearing a ton of people you love say "oh just give him a bottle" will NOT help you at all. You have to be determined.


disclaimer- I am not a medical professional, this is all just things that I found helpful for ME in MY situation!



Are there any breastfeeding tips you have to share or something you couldnt have lived without?

on breastfeeding. part 1

I guess I should start this off with- feed your baby however you choose. Breastfeeding is only best for baby if its also best for Mom. The whole phrase "if mama aint happy, no body's happy" is true even with feeding your infant. Of course I would love to see ALL babies breastfed but it doesnt always work out that way. I am not judging anyone here. The reason for this series of posts (its going to be a series) is simply to educate. I have 2 years of bf experience under my belt so far and have a lot to share. With all the information and help out there it makes me sad when moms still dont understand bf and the difference's with that and formula and the likes.

This is taken word for word from The Alpha Parent. Timeline of  Breastfed Baby. The next in the bf series will be my own advice and suggestions but this article is AMAZING and really should be printed, laminated, and hung on the fridge of every new mom who has a desire to breastfeed.

All babies reach milestones on their own developmental timeline. A multitude of factors influence the rate of each baby’s individual growth such as genetics, form of delivery, gestation at delivery, medical issues, effectiveness of the placenta prior to delivery, and so on. 

However there is a persistent and understandable demand from first-time mothers for information on what is considered ‘the norm’. This is particularly so with breastfeeding, as understanding breastmilk intake is more complex than looking at the oz mark on a bottle. This is a topic rife with large-scale confusion, especially as breastfeeding mothers are in the minority and can often find themselves, and their health workers, comparing their baby with formula-fed babies. 

Breastfed babies are not the same as formula fed babies. One is fed the milk of its own species; the other is fed the milk of an entirely different species, so it is unsurprising that stark differences can be observed.

What follows is a timeline detailing the journey of the average breastfed baby. I hope it will prove to be a useful and reassuring tool for new mothers.


At Birth:

• Given enough uninterrupted time skin-to-skin, your baby may move towards your breast and begin feeding without assistance.
• The first feed helps to stabilise baby’s blood sugars and protect baby’s gut (NCT).
• Most babies will nurse better at this time than they will for the next couple of days. Take advantage of this. “A full-term healthy newborn's instinct to breastfeed peaks about 20 to 30 minutes after birth if he is not drowsy from drugs or anesthesia given to his mother during labour and delivery” (La Leche League). Breastfeeding in the delivery room or the recovery room after a caesarean section lays the hormonal groundwork for your future supply of mature milk.
• If you experience greater than expected blood less while giving birth or have retained placenta inside your uterus after birth, this can lead to milk supply problems.
• Make sure that the midwives are aware that no formula is to be given to your baby unless strictly necessary and not without your consent.
• Your baby will be weighed following his birth.
• At the moment, and for the first few days after birth, your breasts are producing small quantities of colostrum (about 3-4 teaspoons daily). This is a concentrated clear yellow secretion which is high in protein, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals, as well as antibodies that protect your baby from bacterial and viral illnesses.
• Your newborn should not go longer than three hours between feedings. However you may find that he is very sleepy for the first few days and may not be interested in feeding. If this happens, you will need to wake him up. Undressing him and giving skin to skin contact will help wake him up and encourage him to feed.
• As you feed, the hormone oxytocin will help your uterus regain its tone after birth. This process also protects against excessive bleeding as you recover from childbirth. You may feel mild menstrual-like cramps whilst your uterus shrinks.

Day 1:

• Over the next 24 hours, your baby will begin to increase their hunger so they are having eight to twelve feedings per 24 hours. Many babies will feed more frequently than this and it may seem as though your baby is insatiable. This is because his stomach is so small it gets full very quickly and empties very quickly. Feeding frequently is also essential to build up your milk supply, so feed on demand rather than clock watching. To understand why your baby loves to suckle so often, read this beautifully written article by The Leaky Boob.
• Expect at least one or two wet nappies each day for the first few days after birth. It may be difficult to tell if a nappy is wet at this early stage, and it is normal to find pink crystal-like stains. If you are finding it difficult to judge if your baby’s nappy is wet, try putting a cotton ball in the nappy. When your baby urinates, the cotton ball will feel very wet.
• During this period, your baby’s mouth is acutely sensitive to any stimulation. A dummy, bottle, or sucking on your finger stimulates your baby’s mouth differently than your nipple. A newborn can easily become accustomed to this overstimulation of the tongue and hard palate. “Confusion can occur after just one exposure to a bottle or dummy” (Rubin. S). Therefore try to avoid or delay your baby’s contact with non-breast suckling until he is at least 6 weeks old.

Day 2:

• Most babies (whether breastfed or not) will have a small amount of jaundice, which starts after the first 24 hours of birth, reaches a peak around day 3 or 4, and then gradually fades over the next week.
• Frequent breastfeeding or pumping during these crucial days after birth awaken receptors sensitive to the hormone prolactin, a key player in the production of mature breast milk. If you become separated from your baby or your baby is unable to breastfeed, then pump your breasts with an electric breast pump every three hours. Pumping will send your body the message that you intend to breastfeed.
• You may have heard the mantra: "If it hurts, you're doing it wrong". Whilst agonising pain indicates a problem and should receive immediate attention, a moderate level of discomfort is normal during these early days as your breasts adjust to being suckled.

Day 4:

• By now you will have given your baby his first - and easiest - "immunisation" (antibody-rich colostrum) and helped to get his digestive system running smoothly.
• Your baby will be weighed again around this point, probably at home by your midwife. He may lose between 8 and 10 per cent of his original birth weight, as he adjusts to the sudden loss of his beloved placenta. Breastfed babies, who have consumed only teaspoons of colostrum, generally lose more than bottlefed babies (Murkoff. H). This weight loss is quite normal and expected, and you should see your baby start to gain weight soon. Remember also that in the first few days your baby may be weighed on several different sets of scales, which can all give subtly different readings.
• Also around this time, your milk will ‘come in’ and you may find yourself with the infamous ‘melons’ – aka your breasts swelling and becoming engorged and warm. Overabundance at this time is normal as your body learns to predict exactly how much milk your baby needs (note that if you had a c-section or are diabetic, your milk may come in a few days later than this). The engorgement usually settles down within 24-48 hours. As your baby starts to feed regularly your body will adapt to producing the right quantities of milk to nourish him. Engorgement is more uncomfortable for some women than for others and is typically more pronounced with first babies. With subsequent babies, engorgement may occur sooner. You may wish to apply chilled cabbage leaves to ease engorgement, however limit use to 20 minutes, no more than 3 times per day, as cabbage can decrease milk supply.
• It is important once your milk does come in that your breasts are regularly emptied in order to stimulate and ensure a good supply of milk. Also check your breasts for blocked ducts which are more likely to occur around this time. Try to avoid wearing a bra during this short engorgement phase if possible as a bra may compress your breasts and make swelling worse.
• The colour of your early milk will gradually shift from yellow to white. At the moment your creamy transitional milk contains high levels of fat, lactose, vitamins and more calories than the colostrum. The photo bellow shows colostrum on the left expressed on day 4, and on the right is breastmilk expressed on day 8.

• On average, feedings will take about 15-20 minutes on each side, although variations are normal. Your baby may take only one side at a time but it is wise to offer both.
• If you are not happy with how things are going, get help early. It's easier to correct problems early than to be re-building a milk supply next week. I recommend speaking over the phone with a La Leche League leader or attending a La Leche League meeting.
• As a result of your milk coming in your baby will start passing soft mustard-yellow stools (or orange and even green can be normal). At this stage at least one nappy per day should be full of poop and a mess to clean up. This ‘explosive poo’ phase will continue for a few more weeks.
• Whereas in the past few days it may have been difficult to tell that your baby’s nappy is wet, now his nappies should be undeniably wet, however the urine should have no strong colour or smell.
• You may now be feeding around a dozen times over 24 hours. Soon, you will build up to around 20 minutes per feed every two to four hours. Fear not. This frequency is only temporary, and as your milk supply increases and your baby gets bigger, the breaks between feedings will get longer.

Day 5:

• Feeling tired? Night time waking is the result of healthy biology. During these early weeks breastfed babies are hungrier at night than during the day. Your newborn’s hunger naturally corresponds to the rise of your breastfeeding hormones after midnight. These late-night feedings serve to help you to build a strong milk supply. Over time, the situation will evolve, and your baby will sleep more at night and be awake for more hours during the day.
• Some nipple soreness can be present at this time but should resolve itself by day 10. Pain that makes breastfeeding intolerable and /or cracked and bleeding nipples are never normal and needs immediate attention from a health professional familiar with breastfeeding management.
• During these early days you may find relatives and other well-wishers offering to “take the baby off you while you rest/ buy groceries/ get on with the housework”. What would be more helpful however would be to hear: “let me do some housework for you while you get on with nursing and bonding with your baby”. For a not-so-subtle hint, print THIS and put it on your fridge or in another prominent place.

1 Week Old:

• Your baby will tend to gain weight steadily as your mature milk supply is established. Once your baby is regularly gaining weight, it is no longer necessary to wake them to breastfeed. Simply follow your baby’s lead.
• Expect your baby to now gain around 4-7 ounces (112-200 grams) per week for their first month.
• At this point your breasts may feel full but soft. You may frequently leak breast milk and begin wearing breastpads. However note that leaking has no relationship to how much milk you’re making.
• Young babies, both breast and formula fed, are often fussy. This fussiness starts at around 1-3 weeks, peaks at around 6-8 weeks and is gone by 3-4 months. "They want to be 'in arms' or at the breast very frequently and fuss even though you attempt to calm them. They often seem 'unsatisfied' with their feedings and even seem to reject or cry at the breast" (Mother to Mother). It is not unusual for fussiness to happen during the late afternoon and evenings, and is usually NOT due to hunger, wet/dirty nappy, or anything that you can remedy. It is usually NOT related to milk supply, although some mothers worry about this.
• By the end of this week your transitional milk will have turned into mature milk which is thinner and contains more water. It consists of 90 percent water and 10 percent of carbohydrates, proteins and fats necessary for both growth and energy. There is more watery high-protein milk at the start of a feed, gradually gaining higher levels of fat as you go through the feed.

2 Weeks Old:

• Most babies have regained their original birth weight by this age. If this is the case, the frequency of weighing should reduce. Note that there is no compulsory requirement to get your baby weighed. UK Government guidelines state that weighing can occur "if parents wish, or if there is professional concern" (see here).
• If your baby has yet to regain their birth weight, try not to worry, “it can take up to three weeks” (La Leche League). Encourage your newborn to breastfeed frequently during the day as well as during the night. Also wait until your baby has finished feeding from the first breast before offering the second. This way, you can be sure that your baby is getting to the rich, fatty hindmilk.
• You are likely to also notice your baby’s first growth spurt around this time. This means that your baby will actively return to the breast many times for closely linked ‘cluster’ feedings. Typically, this pattern occurs during the late afternoon or evening hours. Growth spurts generally last 2-3 days, but for a few mothers they can last a week or so. This is normal, healthy behaviour and NOT a sign that you have an inadequate milk supply.
• By now at least one nappy per day should be thoroughly soaked.
• Although sucking is a newborn reflex, the mechanics of effective latching on aren't. It usually takes a couple of weeks, and sometimes longer, for mothers and babies to get really good at nursing.

3 weeks old:

• You have reached the stage where your baby will probably have a little neck control and a decent latch which makes this the perfect time to practice the lying down breastfeeding position. Once mastered, this position will greatly aid night time feedings as you can snooze whilst your baby helps himself.

1 month old:

• Your baby’s weight will probably start to slow down a little from his previous rapid gain. Expect your baby to gain an average of 1-2 pounds (1/2 to 1 kilogram) per month now until 6 months.
• Your baby will grow in length by about an inch per month (2.5c.m.) until 6 months.
• Also your breastfed baby may not have many dirty nappies now. Some only pass a stool once or twice a week. Other breastfed babies may pass several per day. It depends very much on the individual. Infrequency is not a sign of constipation. Hard, difficult-to-pass stools are. Constipation is very rare in breastfed babies.
• By exclusively breastfeeding for at least 1 month you have given your baby significant protection against food allergy at 3 years of age, and also against respiratory allergy at 17 years of age (Saarinen. UM and Kajosaari. M).

6 weeks:

• Your baby’s second growth spurt will occur around this time.
• At this point you may start to notice that your breasts stop feeling so hard and full before each feed, and stay much softer, but fear not, they are actually producing more and more milk for your growing baby. Don’t assume you’re running out because your breasts are softer between feeds: your body is simply becoming more efficient. It is unfortunate that this change often occurs at the same time as the 6 week growth spurt, which naturally leads mothers to be unnecessarily concerned about their milk supply. 
• It’s common at this point to notice that one breast is producing more milk than the other or is easier for your baby to latch onto.
• Leaking is likely to have diminished or ceased altogether now, although some mothers experience leaking longer than others.
• You may no longer feel your letdown reflex or the feeling may have diminished in strength. Some mothers never feel let-down at all, but they can tell by watching their baby's pattern of suck and swallow when their let-down is occurring.
• It is not recommended that you start expressing until you have had a chance to build up a good milk supply. This usually happens at around 6 weeks. If you decide to start pumping, be aware that pumping only small amounts is not an indicator of a low milk supply.
• Likewise, this is the earliest you should introduce a dummy. However refraining from dummy-use altogether is preferable.
• By now you will have eased your baby through the most critical part of his infancy. Newborns who are not breastfed are much more likely to get sick or be hospitalized, and have many more digestive problems than breastfed babies. Also breastfeeding for 6 weeks means that your child now has less risk of chest infections up to 7 years old (NCT).

2 months:

• Your baby may now spend less time at each nursing session because he has become more efficient at the breast and therefore requires less time to milk it effectively. He may also only need to nurse one side per feeding, rather than both sides as he may have done before. Always offer the second side but don't worry if your baby doesn't seem to want it or need it.
• At this point, most babies, whether breast or formula-fed still need to feed once or twice during the night.
• From now until 4 months old, your baby should nurse at least 6 times per 24 hour period.
• If you choose to get your baby vaccinated they will have their first vaccination around now. By breastfeeding you are enhancing your baby's antibody response, strengthening the effectiveness of the vaccine (Silfverdal. SA et al). Nursing during the vaccination process will also offer your baby a unique level of pain relief (Tansky.C and Lindberg. CE).
• By breastfeeding exclusively for 2 months, your child now has a lower risk of food allergy at 3 years old  (NCT).

3 months:

• Another growth spurt, hang in there. Don’t be tempted to give formula (or even worse, solids) to appease your baby’s appetite, because a decrease in the frequency of nursing would reduce your milk supply, which is the exact opposite of what your baby is ordering.
• Even after the growth spurt has passed, a baby between three and four months old should be feeding at least every four hours during the day.
• Your breastfed baby will tend to need much less burping now.
• You’ve probably heard the delicious fact that breastfeeding uses up the fat stores you laid down in pregnancy. The greatest weight loss is seen in the three to six month period (Moody et al). You’ve just hit the start of this uber fat-burning period.
• By breastfeeding for at least 3 months you have given your baby a 27 percent reduction in the risk of asthma if you have no family history of asthma and a 40 percent reduction if you have a family history of asthma (Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-Based Practice Center).
• By this stage you have also given your baby between a 19 and 27 percent reduction in incidence of childhood Type 1 Diabetes (Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-Based Practice Center).

4 months:

• By giving nothing but your breastmilk for the first four months you have given your baby strong protection against ear infections and respiratory tract diseases for a whole year (American Academy of Paediatrics; Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-Based Practice Center; Duncan.B et al).
• By breastfeeding for at least 4 months you have reduced your baby’s risk of cot death (Mother & Baby).
• By now you have overcome early obstacles such as engorgement, sore nipples, and marathon cluster feedings. Nursing is becoming so much easier than bottle-feeding.
• Around this time teething may cause your baby to begin drooling, sucking on his fingers, or chewing on objects. This need to suck or chew on things can easily be misread as a sign that your baby is still hungry after a feed and ready to wean. Also, bear in mind that reaching for food is NOT asking for it. Babies reach for everything, and they like to mimic as well, so doing mouth movements also does not indicate a readiness for solids. Likewise, some of your friends, baby food manufacturers and even health professionals may suggest that you introduce solid foods around now. The UK Department of Health, WHO and Unicef all recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months (meaning only breastmilk). This is because your baby’s digestive system is unlikely to be sufficiently developed to cope with solids before then. Also contrary to what some health visitors may contend, starting solid foods before 6 months of age will not increase your baby's caloric intake or provide a health advantage to your baby. Breastmilk has a higher concentration of fat and other essential nutrients than any solid food.
• From now until 7 months old, your baby should nurse at least 5 times per 24 hour period.
• Some babies will want to nurse more often while teething while others may nurse less often, some even refusing to nurse completely, often referred to as a nursing strike. If this happens you will need to pump your breasts frequently to prevent blocked ducts and maintain your supply. A nursing strike will usually last between 2-5 days although can last longer.
• You may notice a further slowing of your baby’s weight gain around now. Between four and six months, breastfed babies tend to gain weight slower than their formula-fed peers, although growth in length and head circumference are similar in both groups (Moody et al).
• Some babies nurse very quickly at this age (3-5 minutes) and may become distracted at the breast, maybe even pulling off the breast after only a few sucks. Feeding in peaceful surroundings can help. Night waking may begin again or become more frequent as your baby tries to make up calories missed during the day (read more about sudden night wakings at 4 months here).
• By breastfeeding for 4 months you have given your child a lower risk of developing eczema and asthma (NCT).

5-6 Months:

• You have greatly reduced your baby’s risk of developing allergies by waiting until at least now to introduce solids, this is particularly the case if you have a family history of allergies.
• Over the next weeks and months, your milk production will adjust as your baby eats more solids and breastfeeds less often.
• At around 6 months your baby will experience another growth spurt. Although you have solids to give, remember to offer the breast first as breastmilk is more nutritious. If your baby has been sleeping through the night you may find that he begins to wake for a midnight feeding during this growth spurt.
• After the first six months, breastfed babies tend to be leaner. Compared to their formula-fed friends, breastfed infants gain an average of one pound less during the first twelve months. The extra weight in formula-fed infants is thought to be due to excess water retention and a different composition of body fat. (Dewey. K). Expect your breastfed baby to gain an average of one pound (1/2 kilogram) per month from six months till he is one year old.
• Your baby will grow around one-half inch per month from six months to one year.
• Keep an eye on your baby's fluid intake during this time. If too many nursings are replaced by solid feedings too quickly, he may not be getting enough fluid which can lead to constipation (evident in small pellet-like stools). Putting your baby to the breast frequently should alleviate the problem.
• A lot of childcare manuals suggest that your baby should have doubled their birth weight by now, but remember that each baby is unique. When evaluating your baby’s overall growth pattern, your baby’s birth weight, length, gestational age, and parental size need to be taken into account. It has been noted that, “by the time they are ready for solids breastfed babies are often gaining less than many of the growth charts say they should” (Lim. P). The complex nature of a harmonious breastfeeding relationship cannot be weighed, measured, or plotted like scientific data on a chart. If you receive overreaction about your baby’s weight from family or health professionals, direct them to this article: ‘Look at the Baby, Not the Scale’.
• By breastfeeding for 6 months you have given your baby significant protection against eczema during their first 3 years (Chandra et al).
• You have also given your baby a 19 percent decrease in risk of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia and a 15 percent decrease in the risk of acute myelogenous leukemia (Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-Based Practice Center).

7-8 months:

• Distraction at the breast may continue. Don't be misled into believing that your baby's temporary lack of interest in breastfeeding is a sign he is ready to wean. It is extremely rare for a child to self-wean before one year of age.
• From now until 12 months old, your baby should nurse at least 4 times per 24 hour period.

9 months:

• You have now seen your baby through the fastest and most important brain and body development of his life on the food that was designed just for him - your milk. You may even notice that he is more alert and more active than babies who did not have the benefit of their mother's milk.
• Some babies display waning interest in the breast around now. This may be due to altered taste brought about by hormonal changes during your menstrual period (if it has returned yet) or a temporary loss of appetite due to a cold or teething. Gentle perseverance is recommended. Try nursing in peaceful surroundings or when your baby is sleepy. If all else fails, pump milk to give to your baby in a cup whilst continuing to offer the breast.

10 months:

• Your baby’s increased mobility through cruising, crawling or shuffling may mean that his nursing patterns become erratic. On some days he may so ‘busy’ that he almost forgets to nurse. On such days, periodically offer your breast even if he does not at first indicate a desire to nurse. On other days, when exploration becomes overwhelming, he may nurse almost constantly.
• Even though your baby is eating solid foods, breastmilk is still the most important part of his diet, and continues to provide him with important immunities at a time when he is crawling around and putting EVERYTHING in his mouth.

1 year:

• Many of the health benefits this year of nursing has given your child will last his entire life. He will have a stronger immune system and will be much less likely to need orthodontia or speech therapy.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing for at least a year, to help ensure normal nutrition and health for your baby.
• As you have been lactating for a year, the fat and energy content of your breastmilk has significantly increased compared with the breastmilk of women who have been lactating for shorter periods (Mandel. D et al).
• Many babies nurse infrequently at this age – only once or twice a day. Others may wish to nurse more often as a form of comfort.
• The fact that most babies can tolerate cow’s milk after one year does not mean that cow’s milk should necessarily replace your breastmilk. Cow's milk does not contain the bioavailable vitamins and antibodies found in breastmilk. Also it is well documented that the later that cow's milk (a common allergen) is introduced into the diet of a baby, the less likelihood there is of allergic reactions (Ponzone. A).
• As a result of receiving your breastmilk for at least a year your child is more likely to display better social adjustment when they begin school (Kneidel. S).
• By breastfeeding for a year you have given your child a lower risk of becoming overweight in later life and lower risk factors for heart disease as an adult. Oh, and you've saved yourself at least £450 ($720) on formula! (NCT).

6 weeks and postpartum

Weston T. is 6 weeks old already! Three days ago I cried while packing up his newborn clothes, I love that he is healthy and thriving but I wish he would just slow down. I am a newborn mama for sure I love the first 6 months they are my favorite and time is slipping away just too quickly for my taste.

at 6 weeks Weston is:

wearing 0-3 month size clothes but they are still a little big

size 1 diapers

awake much more during the day but still takes long naps

insists on being in bed at 11pm sharp every night and gets very irritated if I try to cuddle him after this point

sleeps from 11 to either 4 OR 6 am then goes back to bed til 9

still sleeping in our room in his pack n play on his tummy with his pacie and tiger that plays lullabies 

loves tummy time and baths

obsessed with Ryan

SMILING and cooing a bit. I LOVE these moments

has baby acne pretty bad but it should clear up in a week or so

burps like an old man 

lets me swaddle him sometimes

loves the boobies and nursing but only eats when hes hungry unlike his brother who was a comfort nurser for sure.

enjoys the little travel swing that's for grandmas house over the big nice swing. go figure. 

getting chunky fat rolls. love

loves his soothie pacie

losing his hair in the back and sides, it looks funny.

Postpartum 

As for me and being postpartum- its interesting for sure. Completely different from things with Ryan. I felt really good coming off this pregnancy almost like a high. I was blissfully happy and I was scared that it would all come crashing down like it did before. Things were amazing for about 3 weeks but then it hit me one day in Target of all places when my mom called me and I just started sobbing right there in the little girls section while I was trying to make a B line for the baby stuff behind it.

Since that day I have been taking an antidepressant because I didnt want to pass it off as baby blues and struggle for the next few months. I am really glad I made the choice I did and am not ashamed of needing a little extra help. Having a baby does so much more than make your belly big for 9+ months. It affects your mind, spirit, body, and soul. Every part of you changes when you have a baby and it happens again when you have a second, third and so on. As for now I am feeling really good. I still will randomly feel like crying for no reason and if I am at home or another socially acceptable place like my car at a stop light then I will just let it out. I take it as my body's way of ridding itself of crazy pregnancy hormones I no longer need. Plus having an infant is rough no matter how easy they are or how many times you've done in in the past. Thats something to cry about right there!

Having a baby is also a wonderful thing, its life's greatest thrill if you ask me. I am sure I have new moms or newly pregnant ladies reading and my point is not to scare you or depress you about what life is like after that baby comes. I was unprepared for the emotional side of delivery and beyond the first time and I dont want anyone to be in shock like I was. So breathe a sigh of relief girls, its awesome. Trust me, I will do it again in a few years for sure and probably more after that too.

As for the bod- back down to my pre RYAN weight. 6 months before I got pregnant with Weston I was diagnosed with psuedotumor ceribri which is a really fancy way of saying my body acted like I had a brain tumor when in fact I did NOT. Scary time I never want to repeat- during that whole thing I lost a lot of weight to the point where people thought I was struggling with an eating disorder. It was just all the medication I was taking for it. So to say I want to be back to pre weston weight is not true that was not very attractive in my opinion. I like to have some hips and boobs! However I am really bad at working out which means I have ZERO muscle on this body of mine. Being a gymnast for many years I always had greatly toned muscles and I am dying to have them back. I am going to start some light weight training soon.

Breastfeeding- going amazing! I have been blessed with great boobs, good eaters, and patience to learn the art- for it truly is. I have always had an ample milk supply but the last week its been rough. Hardly any let down and I can tell Weston is really irritated after a min or so when there isnt much left and the same thing happens on the other side. So instead of filling his belly to the brim every 4 hours I am topping him off every 1.5 to 2 hours hoping to get my body to produce more again. I am also being extremely lazy relaxing, drinking lots of water, and trying to eat everything in sight. Hopefully it will get better in a few days. My nursing bras are a 34E (yeah I know..) but I barely fill out my B cups from before! Pray for me and my milk please.

If you made it through all this, mad props to you. I just want to be able to remember everything and I know from experience if I dont write it down I will forget over time. This is such an amazing time in my life I would never want to lose it.

Happy 6 weeks Weston T!

Coming up next...

Parenting the same way and getting two TOTALLY different results. To each their own in this house.

mommy in training?

This kid is amazing. He is such a loving, sweet, nurturing boy. He is the best big brother and will be the best father someday (far far away from now) he loves to play with his baby dolls, he loves to cook and clean, and help me around the house. He is awesome with Weston. For the most part he lets me nurse and change diapers without much fuss.

Pumping totally weirds him out though.. can you blame him?!

Most of the time I try to keep West otherwise occupied when I am putting Ry to bed so we can just have special time but today I baby needed to eat and Ry needed to nap all at the same time. So I just nursed him in Ryans bed while we read books. Then Ryan decided he shouldnt lay down anymore, so he sat up and told me he needed to nurse (nurse someone, not BE nursed dont freak out!) After trying to tell him he doesnt have nursies (boobs) he lifted up his shirt to show me his nipples and state in fact he DID have nursies and there was TWO of them. SEE MOM! As I was about to die laughing he grabbed his beloved taggy blanket and started "nursing" the tag part.... ummmmmmm who IS this kid and WHERE did he come from? Then he informed me that it was time for his taggy and weston to both switch sides..... WHAT?

I dont know what to do with this kid-- it was pretty epic and hilarious. So I guess later on he will have to fight it out with his wife to see who gets to breastfeed their babies.. since he's experienced and all now.

bf journey

A while ago on a facebook chat with someone I used the abbreviation B.F. long ago in my junior high days that was widely known as boy.friend. ooh la la so-and-so has cute new bf! Enter into mommyhood and the term for a cute new beau quickly changes to a term for feedings ones child.


Breast feeding.


This isnt a post about breast is best or formula is just as good. This is about me and my experience because its something I want to remember forever.


I breastfed Ryan for 16 months, 17 if count once in October when he was having a melt down in the late afternoon. It was the most wonderful, rewarding 16 months of my life. I love everything about bf. I was lucky in the beginning, he latched on in recovery after my c section. He took to it like a "pig to mud" as the country song says. My milk came flowing in when he was 4 days old. And when I say flowing, I meant it. 5 foot nothin' and DD's. Looking back I should have donated my pumped milk because I had so much I ended up tossing (he would never take it from a bottle) If I have the same go-around next time I will most definitely look into that option.


He cried, a lot. So we nursed, a lot. It was the perfect situation. I was able to stay home and lay around recouping from surgery and have a nursing-cation. Something that le leche suggests if you are having a hard time with bf. It gave us time to bond and get to know each other again. At 3 months he started to teeth (yes freak baby I know) and because of that AND getting more aware of his surroundings he tried to strike. He went a few days barely eating at all and it scared me BAD. I kept telling myself that we would get through this, it had to be a phase! And thank goodness I had such a supportive husband and a great mom cheering me on because we did. He snapped out of it and kept going strong til about 9 months. This time there was no way in hell I was going to start formula now. I made it this long feeding my son for FREE. Not that he would take it anyway- we tried a few times here and there with different samples I had laying around. This strike was the hardest. He was eating table food 3 meals a day, no more mush. He was crawling and walking along the couch. He could wave and say dada. He was turning into a big boy and big boys dont have time to cuddle with their mama's for 15 minutes. After 2 weeks or so he came back around to it. He would only nurse in a dead quiet, pitch black room where daddy was FAR away from and that was fine by me. I loved the mandatory relaxation time. At this point we were down to 2 maybe 3 bf a day.


By month 11 I was feeling the pressure to wean, as seen here. I dont know why I did. I wonder if its the huge goal of all bf moms to make it to a year (sadly its now just 6 months) and I had made it that far, that was supposed to enough. Or was it that other friends of his were switching from bf or formula to cow's milk and I didnt want to be the odd ball out- though it never mattered to them what I did. Either way, for months I tried to cut out feedings, each time he would go into panic mode- it was awful. 


I cried, he cried, hubs had no idea what to do with us. Bf wasnt inconvenient anymore, it wasnt painful despite his 16 teeth, it didnt bother me one bit to lay on the couch and have some quiet time with my son. It was the only thing that was JUST OURS. Other people could read stories, do bath time, change diapers. This was just ours and I was/am selfish. I liked that. 


Everything about it was comfortable and natural so why mess it all up just because he was walking. I was in no hurry to get him off me and be free. I felt I already was. One of the best compliments came from one of my best girl friends- you just make it look so easy, it looks so natural. It was for us. She struggled with latching, infections, and mastitis, poor mama. 


At 14 months old I went away for the weekend and left him home with daddy. I thought for sure this would be the perfect time to dry up and wean him cold turkey. By day 3 I was exploding and leaking everywhere (remember I am like a cow, and still was) day 4 I caved and scooped him up and nursed him and just sobbed. I was not ready to be done and I was going to stop fighting it. Its not like I had to stop in the middle of the mall and find a lounge. This was only at home and only a few times a day and if we were gone for hours on end he survived. I learned that I was not the only mom who continued after the 12 month well baby check. I found comfort in that. Sometimes people will gauk and whisper about the mom nursing her 2 year old in public. I want to give her a high five. You go girl!


Finally around month 16 he seemed to be fine going all day without, even going to bed without nursing, it was just once in the wee hours of the morning and then he would go back to bed for a few hours or so. But I decided to cut that one out and be done. I was nearly dried up and so there wasnt going to be a big painful process. And with that, we were done. I morn the loss of my bf days. I eagerly yearn for the days of cuddling a squishy pink newborn on my chest. I cry sometimes that I stopped when I did. I wish I would have kept going til he was 2. He would have been a happy camper as well. With all his sleep issues and panic/anxiety problems (which all started around the time we stopped bf) I think it would have helped him. I wish I would have given him a little bit longer and there are many days where I feel painfully guilty for taking away the one sure thing that would make him calm and happy. I have offered a few times but he just gets all silly and laughs about it. 


It makes me happy that he has great memories of that. I dont mind at all that he might remember bf when hes older. I am so grateful we had the time that we did and that God blessed me with the persistence and patience it took to bf in those early months where I was sleep deprived and had postpartum depression so bad. I am glad I was blessed to push through clogged ducts, and cracked nipples. 


My thoughts on motherhood and baby things have changed so much. I have found interest in cloth diapering, attachment parenting, extended breastfeeding, co sleeping. They are only little for a short time and women all over the world do those things and have extraordinary lives. I always laugh when I think of the movie Babies. Ryan would have LOVED to grow up in an african village where he didnt wear clothes and got to play in the dirt with goats and bf anywhere and all the time if he wanted. I would have been pretty darn happy too. 


That doesnt mean that I will forgo wearing clothes and start taking in stray animals to re create that but I will be making some changes next time around and I am very, very excited. I am looking forward to parenting MY WAY. I had someone ask me if I will do it differently next time "ya know cause has some issues" and insinuating that bf for so long was the reason- that I made him this way. I would say heck yeah, I will probably go longer ;) 


I am also not crazy. When my child rearing days are over I will be going in for a mommy make over. I will be lifted and refilled and put back to the way I was before or darn near close to it. That was agreed upon before we got married. Next time I will also get some lovely pictures of me bf so that when I decide to write another crazy long post like this I can break it up with some photos.