And just like that… he weaned.
I knew it was coming. He’d been barely nursing, and only before bedtime, for about the past month.
When we went camping last week, we stayed over our friends’ house quite past his bedtime. He was asleep by the time we returned to camp. So I put him down without nursing. He slept through the night.
The following couple of nights he wanted to nurse. But not last night. And not tonight.
To be sure, I asked him if he wanted to nurse. He stared at me blankly (I don’t typically use that term with him). I tried again, and made the sign for milk.
He giggled. And made the sign for milk. And giggled. And continued lying in my lap, playing with his lovey blankie.
Just to be sure (because I’m a first-time mom and have no idea what weaning is really supposed to look like), I tried one more time. This time, I made the sign for milk, and said, “Do you want some milk?”
He giggled. And made the sign for milk and laughed and laughed. But just kept snuggling with me in the rocker. Gazing sleepily at me with his eyes opening and shutting slowly.
And I knew he was done nursing.
And I rocked him until long past his bedtime.
And sang to him all the songs I could ever remember singing while I’d nursed him the past 17 months.
And remembered all the crazy things I’d tried to help me continue breastfeeding this baby that I/we love so dearly.
And how I thought I’d fail at breastfeeding, but somehow, we made it.
And I tried not to cry. Unsuccessfully.
And I thought of all the times I’d cried and wished he WOULD wean. And that didn’t help.
And he lay very still for a long time, which is unusual for my non-snuggly baby. And that helped.
And I told myself that at least it will be a long time before he doesn’t need me to rock him anymore. I hope. And that helped too.
And so he weaned.
How old was your child(ren) when they weaned? Was it all at once or did it sneak up on you? Was it a happy day or bittersweet?
And because I think breastfeeding is an amazing and beautiful part of motherhood, that some women enjoy, and some don’t want to, and some wish they could, I am hosting a Breastfeeding Awareness Event next week. Kicking off on August 1st, World Breastfeeding Day. And I will be sorry to not participate with my baby, but I will be supporting all moms who want to or continue to breastfeed! I hope you’ll join me!
Crunchy Beach Mama
Friday 5th of August 2011
oh I saw the title to this post and it made me sad. We are still at 2-3 times a day and I have to tell you that it saved me a few times during the past week away from home. I think he likes the comfort/suck more than anything now. I'm about ready to be done so we'll see how long we continue to go.
Crunchy Beach Mama
Friday 5th of August 2011
oh I saw the title to this post and it made me sad. We are still at 2-3 times a day and I have to tell you that it saved me a few times during the past week away from home. I think he likes the comfort/suck more than anything now. I'm about ready to be done so we'll see how long we continue to go.
brett
Sunday 31st of July 2011
i'm teared up too. i want to wean my youngest- she turns 2 next week- but at the same time, i never want her to stop nursing, because she's my youngest and its hurting my heart to think i won't ever share this with another baby, and that's hard. really hard. she's only nursing in the morning, although if she had it her way she'd be nursing on demand around the clock...
i think its bittersweet, and a rite of passage. its also something you work for- and by work, i mean work hard- breastfeeding, when it isn't simple, is such a struggle that when you finally stop its a time of mixed emotions. with my first i sobbed for days, feeling like i'd failed her...i barely made any milk and didn't know tricks to try, etc. we only made it 6 months nursing part time. with my 2nd my milk changed when i was pregnant with #3 and i think he just kind of stopped...but i had one more kid to go ...now, faced with no more nursing ever, its harder...although its been a long, hard process with lots of hard work, but emotionally *I* am not sure i will ever be ready
you gave him an amazing gift.
and on a funny note i'm sure your husband will be glad to have them back. mine is still waiting :o)
brett
Sunday 31st of July 2011
i'm teared up too. i want to wean my youngest- she turns 2 next week- but at the same time, i never want her to stop nursing, because she's my youngest and its hurting my heart to think i won't ever share this with another baby, and that's hard. really hard. she's only nursing in the morning, although if she had it her way she'd be nursing on demand around the clock...
i think its bittersweet, and a rite of passage. its also something you work for- and by work, i mean work hard- breastfeeding, when it isn't simple, is such a struggle that when you finally stop its a time of mixed emotions. with my first i sobbed for days, feeling like i'd failed her...i barely made any milk and didn't know tricks to try, etc. we only made it 6 months nursing part time. with my 2nd my milk changed when i was pregnant with #3 and i think he just kind of stopped...but i had one more kid to go ...now, faced with no more nursing ever, its harder...although its been a long, hard process with lots of hard work, but emotionally *I* am not sure i will ever be ready
you gave him an amazing gift.
and on a funny note i'm sure your husband will be glad to have them back. mine is still waiting :o)
Darcy
Saturday 30th of July 2011
Yup.. teary eyed. I don't want my baby to wean!