As you know from the ticker at the top of the page, I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant. What some of you may not realize is that Laurel is still breastfeeding. Before the stones come out, I assure you that it is perfectly safe to do during a low-risk pregnancy and I've not had so much as a Braxton-Hicks contraction at this time. But right now I'm facing a dilemma and I'm not sure what I want to do or what the best decision is.
When I first found out I was expecting again, I contemplated tandem nursing (nursing a toddler and a newborn at the same time). After reading and talking to a few mamas who had been down that road, I decided it was not the best choice for our family.
Right now, Laurel is only nursing once or twice a day (mostly at bedtime). On weekends (when we're together all day) she will also nurse for naps. She has seemed much less interested lately as my milk supply has greatly diminished. Up until two weeks ago she had never gone to sleep without nursing at night. We nightweaned about two or three months ago and have just cuddled with her when she wakes up during the night, but she doesn't get nursies (she did surprisingly well with that). We cosleep, so the cuddling is pretty easy to do when she does wake up, which I can thankfully say is pretty rare now and for usually only a couple minutes!
There have been probably 4-5 nights in the past two weeks where she will go to bed with me and be happy to just cuddle to go to sleep without asking for or needing nursies. There have been a couple instances where I have told her nursies have already gone night-night when it's a particularly late night. She seems to be doing the cuddling to sleep very well.
Initially I had hoped to nurse her until she was two years old (as per the WHO recommendation). Her birthday is Jan. 29th, but I'm afraid that I'll miss a "prime-time" for complete weaning if we keep doing what we're doing for another month and a half just to hit that milestone.
My biggest fear is that while waiting for the next six weeks, she will become reattached to nursing, and we will have to start this weaning process all over again. I want to make this as easy as possible for her (and me), but I was also previously pretty set on nursing to two years old.
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Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Nursing Dilemma
As you know from the ticker at the top of the page, I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant. What some of you may not realize is that Laurel is still breastfeeding. Before the stones come out, I assure you that it is perfectly safe to do during a low-risk pregnancy and I've not had so much as a Braxton-Hicks contraction at this time. But right now I'm facing a dilemma and I'm not sure what I want to do or what the best decision is.
When I first found out I was expecting again, I contemplated tandem nursing (nursing a toddler and a newborn at the same time). After reading and talking to a few mamas who had been down that road, I decided it was not the best choice for our family.
Right now, Laurel is only nursing once or twice a day (mostly at bedtime). On weekends (when we're together all day) she will also nurse for naps. She has seemed much less interested lately as my milk supply has greatly diminished. Up until two weeks ago she had never gone to sleep without nursing at night. We nightweaned about two or three months ago and have just cuddled with her when she wakes up during the night, but she doesn't get nursies (she did surprisingly well with that). We cosleep, so the cuddling is pretty easy to do when she does wake up, which I can thankfully say is pretty rare now and for usually only a couple minutes!
There have been probably 4-5 nights in the past two weeks where she will go to bed with me and be happy to just cuddle to go to sleep without asking for or needing nursies. There have been a couple instances where I have told her nursies have already gone night-night when it's a particularly late night. She seems to be doing the cuddling to sleep very well.
Initially I had hoped to nurse her until she was two years old (as per the WHO recommendation). Her birthday is Jan. 29th, but I'm afraid that I'll miss a "prime-time" for complete weaning if we keep doing what we're doing for another month and a half just to hit that milestone.
My biggest fear is that while waiting for the next six weeks, she will become reattached to nursing, and we will have to start this weaning process all over again. I want to make this as easy as possible for her (and me), but I was also previously pretty set on nursing to two years old.
When I first found out I was expecting again, I contemplated tandem nursing (nursing a toddler and a newborn at the same time). After reading and talking to a few mamas who had been down that road, I decided it was not the best choice for our family.
Right now, Laurel is only nursing once or twice a day (mostly at bedtime). On weekends (when we're together all day) she will also nurse for naps. She has seemed much less interested lately as my milk supply has greatly diminished. Up until two weeks ago she had never gone to sleep without nursing at night. We nightweaned about two or three months ago and have just cuddled with her when she wakes up during the night, but she doesn't get nursies (she did surprisingly well with that). We cosleep, so the cuddling is pretty easy to do when she does wake up, which I can thankfully say is pretty rare now and for usually only a couple minutes!
There have been probably 4-5 nights in the past two weeks where she will go to bed with me and be happy to just cuddle to go to sleep without asking for or needing nursies. There have been a couple instances where I have told her nursies have already gone night-night when it's a particularly late night. She seems to be doing the cuddling to sleep very well.
Initially I had hoped to nurse her until she was two years old (as per the WHO recommendation). Her birthday is Jan. 29th, but I'm afraid that I'll miss a "prime-time" for complete weaning if we keep doing what we're doing for another month and a half just to hit that milestone.
My biggest fear is that while waiting for the next six weeks, she will become reattached to nursing, and we will have to start this weaning process all over again. I want to make this as easy as possible for her (and me), but I was also previously pretty set on nursing to two years old.
4 comments:
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nanny fain said...
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You're such a good Mommie, I'm sure what ever decision you make will work out fine for all.
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December 17, 2010 at 8:37 PM
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Beth Bare said...
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Hey Sarah, just wanted to say how awesome I think it is that you are still nursing Laurel. I'd say just do whatever feels natural for you and Laurel and don't get too hung up on a date. If weaning now feels right, a couple of extra weeks won't matter in the end. You know whats best for her..she is very obviously a happy and healthy little girl! You have a beautiful family!
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December 19, 2010 at 4:18 PM
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Sarah said...
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Thanks to both of you! I've been very low key about weaning, no big announcements or official decisions. When she asks for nursies I try to distract her, and so far that has worked beautifully. She hasn't nursed since Friday, so while I won't say we are "done", we are definitely a step closer. It is bittersweet though...
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December 22, 2010 at 9:48 AM
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AutieRene said...
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I agree, don't make it about a specific date. Sounds like you are doing a great job, and essentially you've reached the 2 year mark. I always think you've got to do what works for you and your family and not worry about hitting a date, just for the sake of reaching a date. Hope that makes sense.
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December 22, 2010 at 1:57 PM
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4 comments:
You're such a good Mommie, I'm sure what ever decision you make will work out fine for all.
Hey Sarah, just wanted to say how awesome I think it is that you are still nursing Laurel. I'd say just do whatever feels natural for you and Laurel and don't get too hung up on a date. If weaning now feels right, a couple of extra weeks won't matter in the end. You know whats best for her..she is very obviously a happy and healthy little girl! You have a beautiful family!
Thanks to both of you! I've been very low key about weaning, no big announcements or official decisions. When she asks for nursies I try to distract her, and so far that has worked beautifully. She hasn't nursed since Friday, so while I won't say we are "done", we are definitely a step closer. It is bittersweet though...
I agree, don't make it about a specific date. Sounds like you are doing a great job, and essentially you've reached the 2 year mark. I always think you've got to do what works for you and your family and not worry about hitting a date, just for the sake of reaching a date. Hope that makes sense.
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