I'll be honest. I have dreaded weaning for months and months now. It's no secret that my child was a tiny bit attached to the boobie. And by "a tiny bit attached", I mean that he nursed every 4 hours during the day and every 2 hours at night. I'm also pretty sure that when he wasn't nursing at night, he was having dreams of dancing boobies. So, I was certain that weaning was going to be a nightmare of gigantic proportions.
I was also a little worried about how I'd handle it emotionally. I remembered a few years back, when my sister was weaning one of my nephews, she was super sentimental about breastfeeding coming to an end. And I also remember nodding sympathetically while thinking to myself, What's the big deal? He's not a baby anymore. Give him a sippy cup.
But then I became a breastfeeding momma myself & I understood her sadness a few years ago. So, as Time to Wean approached, I alternated between being worried about how Camden would handle giving up his most favorite possessions, feeling sappy & emotional about this special time coming to an end, and--I'll admit it-- a little bit excited about my breasts being my own again.
Now, a month and a week since we started the weaning process, I'm happy to say we are down to 2 feedings in 24 hours. Camden has handled it like a champ, which makes me confident that he was ready. And a major plus-- he loves cow's milk. He can't get enough of the stuff.
I don't know if this is related to weaning or age (or, most likely, both), but I've found that his appetite and interest in table foods has increased ten-fold. We no longer feed him any baby food at all. He looks forward to each meal and makes this known by enthusiastically smacking his lips anytime I set foot in the kitchen. He has also taken to raiding the pantry, bringing me a selection of his choice, & smacking his lips in request.
And you know what else? I haven't weighed him since his 1 year appointment. I don't obsess over every bite he takes (or doesn't take) anymore. I'm trying out this new thing called Not Worrying About What I Can't Control. I highly recommend it.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
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4 comments:
Glad things are going so well for you guys!!!
I am so glad to hear that CAm likes whole milk, Gage is trying but he much prefers water. I'm also glad that weaning is going well for you, I didn't want to do it either but knew that it was the best thing at the time and now it feels like forever since I nursed him. I wish I could say Gage's appetite is like Camden's- I'll email you soon- I need some meal suggestions.
What wonderful news!!!! I'm sure it's sad to think about giving up breastfeeding completely. I can only imagine what a sweet bonding experience it is for mother and baby and how it would be hard to let go of that. It sounds like he is taking it super well though and that you'll be done in no time. Maybe once he's fully weaned you can take a nice overnight trip with Matt and let your parents watch him (if you feel comfortable with that). Congrats on all the wonderful progress! And I agree, worrying about what you can't control only drives you crazy! (coming from someone who does that constantly... ;))
i'm so proud of you! you're an awesome mama. love you bunches... and i can't wait to see you and camden soon!!
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