I've been meaning to write about this. Somehow I forgot. How forgetting is possible, don't ask me. Something to do w/ raising triplets that are ALMOST TWO YEARS OLD. Ok, so let me get over that little shocker.
Ian finally weaned. Yeah, I'm one of those weird moms that went way, way past a year w/ breastfeeding but honestly, I don't feel the need to explain why. I had my reasons & am glad I stuck to my guns. He did it on his own terms. That is the way I wanted it to happen & sure, part of me was hoping it would be sooner than later but even then, the end was bittersweet.
I had seen it coming. He had chosen the slow road to weaning. Slowly but surely, until he wasn't interested anymore. He wanted to play w/ his sisters. He didn't want to sit still even though when I told him it was "booby time", he hustled on over, ready to latch on. The girls even helped by bring the 2 pillows to me when I said that. It was truly a family affair.
It is a little sad when I think about not ever nursing again. I know that is why I was ok w/ going for so long as well as knowing the benefits of the breast milk. My kids needed every advantage I could give them being that they were born at a disadvantage (being preemies).
It was a good run. I still haven't dried up completely & luckily I never felt engorged. I attribute that to Ian's slow process of weaning over 3-4 months. I will forever treasure every nursing session, every painful bout of mastitis & cracked nipples that I had to endure b/c I know I did what was best for my kids. It was THE BATTLE I chose to fight.
To all those mothers out there struggling, if I can do it...you can too!
7 comments:
Astrid, you did a wonderful job! Believe me that you are not so abnormal! Many moms nurse past one, two & even past three! I nursed Lila for 27 months and intend to nurse Clarissa for at least two years! You gave your babies a wonderful gift by breastfeeding & I often boast about "the woman I know who breastfed triplets!" <3 lucky lucky babies!
Honestly, when you have a kid that's born early and in the nicu and has issues that Ian did, the BEST thing you can do for them is to keep nursing. You did NOTHING wrong with going past a year! I would have kept nursing marcus had he not weaned at 16 mo. don't be ashamed of BFing past a year!
You are truly an inspiration! I have been pumping for my 31 weeker twins that are still in the NICU. I have been pumping for 5 weeks and keep thinking I should quit, I can't keep up with how much they eat. Then I keep thinking that you did it for almost 2 years! You are an awesome mama!
AWESOME gf! I applaude you!!!(still nursing here too btw, so I join your "weird" club and I love that we are in it!)
you are definitely not "weird." great job!
Congrats for the awesome gift you gave your 3 little ones for the year... and for Ian the 20 months... I am in the same boat... I have a 17 month old little boy that is still nursing... I have people that give rude comments... but when I talk to his doctors they tell me it is the BEST thing possible for a child that is born early and has the issues mine has... SO I will continue for as long as the little man wants it... yes I would like to have my body back to myself... BUT I LOVE my snuggle time and the connection that it brings every time he nurses! Congrats for making it so long!
Way to go Mama! It's a long road, but it's wonderful, despite the bumps along the way.
best wishes, from a still nursing mama to a 27 month old.
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