Category: Breastfeeding

Our Breastfeeding Journey: Part III

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I think its over. After nearly 11 months I think my breastfeeding journey with Jesse is coming to an end.

And yes, I am sad about it. I never really understood the emotional part of stopping until recently. But I’m also really  happy and proud that we were able to do it for this long.

When I last shared about my breastfeeding experiences Jesse was 5 months old and I was hoping to keep going for at least one more month. And here we are another 5 months later.

Breast feeds have become less and less frequent over the last few months, so about two weeks ago we decided to start weaning from night feeds and start encouraging Jesse to take a bottle through the night instead. This was mostly because he was waking up so many times during the night to comfort feed that I needed to do something. Within a few days it had worked and I was then just offering once through the day; more so because I wasn’t quite ready to stop yet. But it has now been several days since our last feed so I am coming to terms with it being over for good now.

I could feel the end was near so I made sure I treasured those few minutes a day together over the last couple of weeks. And I’m embracing the fact that my baby is no longer a baby and will soon be turning one. Oh my!

Now that I’m at the final stages, I have loved breastfeeding my son so much. It was such a special time together and often times the only thing that would soothe him. Whether it be sore gums from teething, a tummy ache or a bad dream. It was Mummy and her magic boobs to the rescue.

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But there were times when I was so tired and felt so touched out that it really was one of the most challenging parts of being a new mum. There are many things I will miss about breastfeeding but also several that I won’t. I am also really excited to wear normal bras again. Normal clothes again. And not be the only one that can get up to him through the night! Yay!

Let’s face it though, I probably still will.

So until next time, that is the end of breastfeeding for me. It has been lovely. And hard. And beautiful. And exhausting.

And I wouldn’t change a thing.

Footage Friday: 7 Month Milestones

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Okay, so it’s Saturday but better late than never right?

Jesse’s seventh month was quite eventful with two of the most adorable little teeth you’ve ever seen making an appearance as well as mastering how to sit up on his own.

We had a few hiccups whilst recording the video but hey, they do say never work with babies or animals!

Enjoy.

Footage Friday: 6 Month Milestones

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Before we got sucked into the void that was Christmas and New Year’s we recorded Jesse’s six month milestones video.

We reckon it was our hardest month yet that we’ve experienced as parents. There were tears and tantrums a plenty and that was just from us!

There was a leap, teething, bottle refusal, cluster feeds, night waking (more so than usual) and a screaming match before bed almost every night.

But, we made it through. Check out the video below.

What kept you sane during the tough months?

6 Things I Won’t Miss About Breastfeeding (and 6 that I will)

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It is probably a little taboo to talk about breastfeeding in a negative way. And I’m in no way intending to disrespect those that are unable to for whatever reason.

So let me just say I love breastfeeding my baby and feel incredibly lucky that I’ve been able to do so (read about my breastfeeding story here). But there are certainly a few things that I won’t miss when the time comes for us to move on from it.

Things like:

  1. Having to wear a bra 24/7 and being limited to nursing bras at that.
  2. Having to wear breast pads in said bras to avoid unsightly wet patches.
  3. Being limited to outfits that provide easy access to my boobs. I’m really looking forward to being able to wear the other 70% of my wardrobe!
  4. An inquisitive baby craning his neck to smile at his dad, or glimpse at his favourite TV show with nipple still in his mouth (ouch!).
  5. The 5 times a night feeds during his leaps.
  6. Being handed a cranky baby with the comment “I think he wants boob” (like its the magic cure for everything).

Having said that there are some things I definitely will miss.

Things like:

  1. That it is pretty much the magic cure for everything (from hunger to conjunctivitis…who knew!)
  2. The gentle strokes on my arm or breast or the foot that gently lands on my arm from a contented little boy as he feeds.
  3. Gorgeous cheeky grins as he looks up at me mid-feed, milk spilling from his smile.
  4. The convenience of being able to sleep whilst feeding throughout the night (we can regularly be found asleep in the nursing chair at 5am, boob out).
  5. Marvelling at how a body that once fit snug in the crook of one arm is now stretching over my entire lap.
  6. Being the only one who can provide that comforting feeling that breastfeeding brings for my son (though this can also take its toll when you feel like you haven’t left the couch in 4 days).

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I know that when that last feed happens, though I probably won’t know its the last feed at the time, that I will no doubt feel a bit sad that its over. But there is part of me that won’t mind to have my body back, be able to let ‘the girls’ roam free if I feel and be able to wear a dress again (one that doesn’t require buttons or the ability to slip down).

Milk Drunk Love Stories: Our Breastfeeding Journey, Part II

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Last week I wrote about taking part in a new project all about the ways in which we nourish our children.

Nourish: Milk Drunk Love Stories is a project curated by photographer Renee Trubai and she kindly asked if we would share our story of our feeding experiences with Jesse.

You can read our full story here on her blog.

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Renee is looking for others to share their stories too so don’t be shy if you feel you have a story to tell.

Milk Drunk Love Stories: Our Breastfeeding Journey So Far

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I was recently asked by our photographer Renee Trubai to contribute to her Nourish: Milk Drunk Love Stories project.

Renee’s vision for the project is to develop a community of parents supporting and cheering each other on by sharing their experiences on nourishing their children in whatever form that may be.

I was delighted to be asked to be involved and spent several days thinking back over our experiences with learning to feed our baby. I was reminded of just how tough those early days and weeks are. What seems so instinctive on the surface is actually a really complex and confusing issue. It is great that we have so much information and so many options available but this also adds to the complexity.

When I sat down to write our story I was taken back to a time not so long ago when I felt like I was never going to get off the couch. All those hours spent feeding our baby, helping him to grow and flourish. The days just disappeared in the repetitive cycle of feeding and pumping all the while trying to learn to read our baby’s cues and understand what he needed. Nights were even harder when we had to do it all again but this time alone, in the dark while the rest of the world slept. Learning to feed our babies often comes with a lot of frustration and tears but also a lot of beautiful moments too.

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If there is one thing I’ve learned during these past five months of being a parent it is that no matter what path we or nature might chose for nourishing our babies we should execute it proudly and without shame. A happy and healthy baby (and a happy Mama!) is far more important than how that nourishment is delivered.

Our story will be shared soon. In the meantime, head over to Milk Drunk Love Stories and check out the beautiful stories from other parents and maybe even share your own. It is an incredibly supportive and uplifting community. We are very proud and honoured to be a part of it.