Nursing Ellie: Weaning with a purpose

I've always wondered what weaning Ellie was going to look like.  What age?  Would it be because of her or because of me?  Would she cry a lot?  Would she tell me when she was ready?  What will this look like?

this looks means "I should be laying on my tummy in my crib!"


Back in May I wrote a post about nursing Ellie.  A few things have changed since then, but not a whole lot.  You see, I had a plan A on what weaning her was possibly going to look like.  Then I had to go with Plan B.  Not because of her or me, but because we lost our babies.  I had put some thoughts together when we were expecting.  I had thought to help Ellie adjust to "sharing" Mommy I would nurse her small amounts during day if she needed and once before bed.  I would slowly get rid of those feedings and have Jon put her to bed to have some bonding.  Our first two would have been less than 14 months apart.  Then when we lost that baby we got pregnant again and the next age difference was going to be around 18 months.  I figured Ellie would possibly not be interested in newborn milk and prefer the big girl milk.  So that would also help the weaning process.  I was expecting almost anything because I didn't know what she would think when it came to sharing attention or just that special bonding nursing gives.

Ellie 20 months


But when that wasn't going to happen I had to go to plan B.  Weaning my first born but still nursing a newborn was going to be easier on my milk supply.  However Ellie only nursing right NOW for comfort and the routine.  She is so much like me when it comes to routine.  (So at least I understand her having to process this all.)  The issues I'm having are: I wanted her to tell me when she was ready but she doesn't seem like she's going to come out and say "Hey Mom I'm done with nursing."  She is still saying Momma nigh-nigh (which means bed time and nursing time).  However she is not emptying me completely on one side.  Which could cause some discomfort (and it has), but these past few weeks makes me really ponder weaning her sooner rather than later.  Because of this lack of being emptied, I have gotten mastitis twice.

Ellie 20 months


Mastitis is not something I want to have a third time.  It brings on a lot discomfort (like close to labor pains but in different location), fatigue, nausea, body aches, fever, and little sleep.  As soon as I get this mastitis taken care of I'm going to start weaning Ellie.  It's weird to think of the moment she's completely done with nursing, but it has plenty of health benefits.  Here's to hoping she adjusts well.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I was raised by a strict purity culture, and my father is a narcissistic sex addict

Image
  I would like to imagine life without hidden secrets or agendas.  If my desires could be brought to life my childhood would have been completely different.   ~~~~~ Until recently, I had never heard of the term "purity culture."  When I learned more about it, everything began to come clear to me.  The harsh feelings of betrayal stood out in my life countless times upon investing in space to process all the areas purity culture has entered into my way of thinking.  Purity culture is gender expectations based on a strict stereotype.  Men are expected to be strong, "masculine" leaders of the household, church, and society.  Women are expected to support them -- to be pretty, "feminine," sweet, supportive wives and mothers.  Before I go on into more detail, I can't help but notice things from that stereotype that has definite red flags.  Never once did it mention men are to be fathers, but it surely intended on making clear to state about women becoming su
Read more

Every Voice Matters

Image
  I was raised in a household where my voice wasn't heard.  My opinions didn't matter, and my questions were not respected.  The space around me was filled with chaos and noise that didn't make sense to me.  I was surrounded by dictatorship in my own home.  I had dominate people directing me and pushing me to do what they wanted me to do.  Meanwhile a few of us sitting back in agony and confusion of why this was able to occur.  This led to my silence, social anxiety, and self doubt.  The voice inside my head never stops.  It takes on overwhelming pressure to make decisions.  It's confusing when I make a boundary.  Growing up the boundaries were constantly broken, and yet I had no clue what was happening.  Especially because of the fact I didn't know boundaries existed.  The voice inside my head wanted to scream and run and yet I had nothing to say that would make them listen. The lack of confidence in every thing I do is portrayed by my ability to fill my living spa
Read more

Things that change with a baby....

Image
Two months of changes: Use alarm clock to check length of feedings and not to wake you up. Prepare to have outings take "that much" longer. Lean over to cuddle with hubby and realize he has already left for work. (added later) Husbands call their wives Mommy, and Husbands are called Daddy Touch cold zipper and think you have spit up on you. More poop, more smiles. Perspectives change: dirty diapers a good thing because it means a healthy baby Realizing the amount of junk you eat, because it goes to the baby also Clothes are hardly ever clean and once you get the chance to do a load--she wets or blowouts on more! You get delighted to hear a burp, especially when it finally comes out after one of those middle of the night feedings. Your free-time becomes getting another snack or meal, changing a load of laundry, taking a shower, or updating your grocery list and meal plan. Watching TV/Netflix, checking up on Facebook, or watching a movie takes the p
Read more