Introduce Yourself (please don't be afraid to join us) - Page 17

[mamashawn]

Hello! I'm Shawn, and I've got two girls. Della, 5 nursed until she was 25 months, but had to wean abruptly when my water broke at 29 wks. I had a six week hospital stay and the doctors were afraid that her nursing would trigger contractions that would lead to premature labor. Miriam, my will be turning 3 at the beginning of January and is just starting to make a move toward weaning. She now will only really nurse during the night, or early in the morning. She'll ask to nurse at other times, but won't really latch on. If she doesn't really want to nurse, but wants me to hold her, most of the time we'll do storytime. It's really neat to see how she's beginnig to step away from me.

[Sara Ann]

I'm Sara and have been nursing since May 27th, 2003.

I thought Xander weaned during my last pg at 40 months, but has nursed a few times since then, the last being about a month and a half ago. He doesn't latch on well and would ask his younger brother to bring in the milk for him.

Hayden is 2.5 and was down to once or twice a day during my pg and took to nursing sometimes more than Hanna after she was born. I don't see him loosing interest anytime soon.

I'm looking forward to a "normal" bf'ing relationship with Hanna, without an interruption from a pregnancy.

[cakes mum]

Originally Posted by charmarty

I am here but not sure exactly how I feel about the CLW these days.


time will tell.

*raising hand* Hello ladies! I'm Christy and currently this is how I feel too.

I tandem nursed as long as I could, weaned Cole at 32 months while nursing Cian, and now Cian is nearly 3.5 and I am working full-time for the first time since 2002. My hormones are going nutty and someone gently lead me to this forum, so I humbly offer myself up for advice!

[mum2corbie]

HI.I'm.Angie.29.and.I.have.no.space.bar.right.now. ...

My.experience.with.CLW.has.been.that.I.didn't.get. to.nurse.#1...But.nursed.#2.until.he.self.weaned.a t.18.mos...
He.was.never.a,comfort.nurser.and.really.was.more. interested.in.his.paci....
He.did.pick.it.back.up.a.year.later.when.#3.was.12 .mos.old.....
He.was.curious.one.day...Aasked.to.try...Liked.it. and.kept.on.until.I.was.pg.with.#4
and.due.to.tenderness.could.not.handle.tandem.nurs ing.#2.and.#3.and.asked.him.if.he'd.mind.weaning.. .
He.was.sweet.enough.to.be.more.concerned.for.my.co mfort.than.nursing..
#3.refused,paci.was/is.an.avid.nurser....Continued.to.nurse.threw.#4s. pg.even.though.I.dried.up.in.the.1st.trimester...
She.nurses.anytime.I.am.willing/avilable....#4.is.9.mos.and.going.threw.a.case.of. separation.anxiety.and.I.can't.ever.put.her.down.. .
So.#3.gets.put.off.a.lot..She.asks.often....but.on ly.ends.up.nursing.a.few.times.a.week.(she.was.3.i n.Oct)...
I.don't.mean.to.set.limits.but.it.ends.up.that.way ...I.really.love.nursing.her.and.don't.want.her.to .wean.due.to.lack.of.access.so.I.do.offer.whenever .I.am.able.to...
I.imagine.#3.and.#4.will.nurse.forever...
#2.is.5.5.yrs.and.still.asks.to.nurse.a.few.times. a.month...I.let.him...He's.a.sweetie...

I.believe,in,CLW.but.I.also.believe.mom.should.nev er.let.nursing.becomes.something.she.resents.or.di slikes....If.limitations.allow.her.to.nurse.longer ..get.through.a.rough.patch..then.I.am.all.for.lim itations..
Nursing.is.a.team.sport...It.takes.at.least.two... If.my.child.NEEDS.to.nurse.I.never.decline.....But .if.they.are.able.to.wait.and.I.need.them.to.wait. ..then.that's.what.we.do...They.know.I'm.not.takin g.it.away.forever.so.they.are.ok.with.the.limits.. .
If.they.were.not.ok.with.limits.I'd.not.force.it.. ..

[binky]

Where is the baby led weaning?

I apologize of rposting here under child led weaning but I was able to find the baby led weaning (self-feeding) thread a couple of nights ago and now cannot locate it. I am somewhat new to motheringdotcom and would greatly appreciate some tips here. I ran a search but came up with nothing. I had an unpleasant 6 month check up this afternon with the sub pediatrician while ours in on maternity leave when we explained baby led weaning and that we're letting our 6 month son explore with solids at his own pace. I'd lke to ask some questions on the appropriate thread.
Thanks

[HnKsMama]

I am VERY new to MDC and to BF. While DD is still young (almost 11 months) I completely plan to CLW. When I first decided to BF I had the intentions of starting our goal for 3 months, then the 3 months flew by and we had the best connection I could ask for. By the time she was 6 months I was dead set on CLW up to 3 yrs.
DD and Ihave a great BF bond and she is such a booby girl there is no end in the near future. Dh and I olan to TTC when she is around 2 and I SOOO want to Tandem nurse just to say that I did ( is that wrong ?) and experience the joy of it.

There is nothing wrong with nursing past 3yrs, but at the moment it jsut isnt for us. Things may very well change though so I guess we shall see !

I am so very fortunate to have such a supportive DH. He thinks that BF and CLW is the ONLY way to go and fully backs me 100%. I was so afraid that he would object but he doesnt mind at all.

[mother_sunshine]

You're further than I was mama. When my dd was 11 months, I think I would've fainted if I forsaw that dd would make it to/past 3yrs.

If your dd is to truly child-led wean, only she knows when that'll be (but won't know until that day comes).

One day at a time...

(and welcome! )

[greenmamapagan]

Hi, I thought I should introduce myself since I am intending to lurk here occasionally for the next few years
DD is only 20 months and I have been all for CLW since I made it past the first 3 month hurdle.
Wish us luck!

[Justamum]

Hi! My name is Lisa and I am a SAHM to three, beautiful girls. Kaitlynn, 14 years old; Arianna, 4 years old; and Mackenzie, 8 1/2 months. Arianna self-weaned at 40 months when my supply dropped during pregnancy. Mackenzie is still nursing strong. I've have learned so much from my children over the last fourteen years and am excited thinking about where they will take me next! I look forward to hearing about all of your stories!

[soleilspray]

Hello

Hello...I am Michelle and a mother of two. With my older son, I breastfed him till he was around one and he weened himself. My daughter who is now almost 15 months is very much a breastfeeding baby and I don't see her or I wanting to stop anytime soon. I just have some questions though.
She seems to not be to into any other types of food. We've just started her on whole grain cereal with peanut butter, banana and flax oil before bed- and we try and introduce her to new foods. She likes cheese, avocados, bananas, yogurt and Annie's soups. Sometimes she eats better than other times but mostly she seems fully satisfied with mama's milk. and has never been sick.
It would be interesting to hear from other mothers what there young ones eat on a daily basis.
Also, I developed this fear about her choking so since she has been able to try foods, I always cut everything up into about the size of her fingertips. My family thinks I'm being neurotic- my mom cannot believe she can't have a whole cracker. In my defense she does have a strong gag reflex. Am I the only one?
All in all I love breastfeeding and plan to as long as she wants to.
I look forward to hearing from other moms.
:

[Yaliina]

Hello. I'm Elise. BFing mommy to a strapping now 28-month-old DS, Nathan. I just decided to officially join this board since it looks like that's what we'll be doing. I never thought I would be BFing a 28mo and still going with no end quite in sight, but here I am. My DH is a very supportive daddy, but he thought we'd be weaned by 1 year- then he said by 2 for sure... I think he knows it's what's best for DS & he just likes to give us a hard time about it sometimes ("you can't have those ninnies, they're MINE, I got here first!") LOL!! I guess it just follows, though. We're trying to use "child-led parenting", too.

[raindaisie]

Hi. I'm Jeannie, mama to Violet, who is 6 months old. When I got pregnant, I didn't put much thought into whether or not I would breastfeed -- I just always knew that I would. I was a formula fed baby (didn't meet my birthmom till I was 18) and so I wanted to have that special nursing relationship with my child.

I didn't really think much about CLW. Honestly? The thought of mamas nursing toddlers/ children used to creep me out. I thought it was weird. Same with co-sleeping. But then I had a baby... and started to breastfeed... and cosleep... and I realized recently that I'm going to nurse dd much longer than one year, as originally planned.

I have a very supportive husband, but not a very supportive extended family. My parents live out of state, so that helps. They already think I'm kind of weird/different though, so no loss there. My MIL and SIL live close by, and they are supportive of breastfeeding, but not of extended breastfeeding. They tell me all the time that "once they can ask for it, it's time to stop!" Before I had dd, I kind of agreed, but now I whole-heartedly DISAGREE. So I know I'll be dealing with their reactions in the coming months/years. One thing that I love about motherhood thus far is that I am growing much more confident than I ever have been. I'm learning that I'm the Mama, I make the decisions, and I know what's best for my baby, my family, me. That's a great feeling.

In any case, I LOVE this board. I'm happy that I found it! I've been reading through old posts and I know that I will be on here often in the years to come!

[donnaintheuae]

Hi! I am here too

My name is Donna and my son is 18 mths now. I always planned to breastfeed as long as my child wanted to, though I imagined this would be to about 3 or 4 years of age. I see from reading here that some children feed for longer then that .

It will be interesting to see how our journey unfolds.

I imagine I will be needing some support as we plan on TTC next year and I hope to tandem feed as my son will still be quite young.

I look forward to getting to know you all

[ElliesMomma]

hi, i'm nancy and i think in for this, too. my DD is 23 months and i can't imagine weaning her when she turns 2. it seems so cruel. besides i don't mind BFing her and in fact it is enjoyable most of the time.

we had Easter dinner/easter egg hunt at my parents with my brothers and their families. i managed to hold DD off on nursing till towards the end when most of the people had left. my brothers' wives weaned their kids early, before 1 year. my parents saw me doing it, so far no comments, though, happily.

[tubulidentata2]

I'll add myself. Two years was my absolute minimum, although my hope has always been to CLW. DD is 22 months now. If I get pregnant some time later this year, I worry that DD may wean, but since she is a big comfort nurser, I could see her continuing even if I lose supply.

[HappyHelpmate]

Hi, I'm Sarah. My DS Jeremiah is almost 14 months, and although my mom CLW'd ME I've been having crazy feelings about possibly weaning, so I wanted to start getting on here to get some support on the issue. I've had support all around for BFing until one year, but since then my In-Laws have made a few gentle comments, and I know for a fact from previous conversations (before I had DS or was even pg) that they think it's really weird/gross to nurse past 12-18 mo's or so. That wouldn't normally bother me, but we just moved into my MIL's house last month, so although I have support on one side (my mom & DH & my side of the family), there's pressure on DH's side of the family not to nurse TOO long.

My heart's desire really is to CLW, but I've just been feeling like I need more space lately, so now that I've been reading on here, I think possibly trying to night wean may be an option. Of course, since now I'm taking action about trying to deal with my feelings, I'm realizing the best thing may be to re-evaluate MY behavior, and I'm seeing where I'm not being as attached and sensitive to DS as he may still need me to be, which is causing his unwanted behaviour, which makes me pull away more...... Hopefully with this forum's support I'll be back on the right track in no time!

[mother_sunshine]

Hi Sarah,
It sounds like some of your conflicted feelings of wanting to wean might be coming from being around your dh's family constantly? Maybe they are making you doubt yourself? If so, try to remember that you are the only one (with your child) who has the right to decide whether or not to continue nursing. Nursing involves the two of you only. Nobody else knows what it's like to be in your position, and they don't have your (or your child's) instincts. Do what feels right to you. Listen to yourself and your ds. You'll never get this time back (and it passes all too quickly).

Michelle

[dkapdblack]

Originally Posted by raindaisie

I didn't really think much about CLW. Honestly? The thought of mamas nursing toddlers/ children used to creep me out. I thought it was weird. Same with co-sleeping. But then I had a baby... and started to breastfeed... and cosleep... and I realized recently that I'm going to nurse dd much longer than one year, as originally planned.

Lol, that was me too. When I was pregnant, the thought of a toddler asking for the breast was a little much for me. Now, I'm thrilled that "boob" was DS's second word (and one of his favorites, and his word for me for awhile!)
DS is currently 20 months, and when he was born, I thought, 2 years. My mother BFed me until I "weaned myself" at 8 months (coincidentally when she got pregnant with my brother!), and she weaned by brother at 18 months. So after reading the AAP's and WHO's guidelines, it seemed normal to go to 2 years. Now, I'm hoping for five!
So, I'll be here for awhile! (And then there's the next baby, who we plan to have in a few years, after school!)

[dkapdblack]

Originally Posted by soleilspray

Hello...I am Michelle and a mother of two. With my older son, I breastfed him till he was around one and he weened himself. My daughter who is now almost 15 months is very much a breastfeeding baby and I don't see her or I wanting to stop anytime soon. I just have some questions though.
She seems to not be to into any other types of food. We've just started her on whole grain cereal with peanut butter, banana and flax oil before bed- and we try and introduce her to new foods. She likes cheese, avocados, bananas, yogurt and Annie's soups. Sometimes she eats better than other times but mostly she seems fully satisfied with mama's milk. and has never been sick.
It would be interesting to hear from other mothers what there young ones eat on a daily basis.
Also, I developed this fear about her choking so since she has been able to try foods, I always cut everything up into about the size of her fingertips. My family thinks I'm being neurotic- my mom cannot believe she can't have a whole cracker. In my defense she does have a strong gag reflex. Am I the only one?
All in all I love breastfeeding and plan to as long as she wants to.
I look forward to hearing from other moms.
:

My experience was similar- DS seemed to enjoy only tasting foods until he was around 15/16 months, and even now, at 20 months he eats relatively little, though we do make sure to feed a little bit of what we're eating at every meal (he does flip over bananas when he sees them at the grocery store, and has been known to eat 2 in a row! )
Regarding food size- my DH was very worried about that too (or one could say, paranoid - not saying that you are! ) The crumbs he gave DS were smaller than DS's fingernail! After awhile, DS definitively let us now that he wanted bigger food, so don't worry and just follow your DD's cues. She'll tell you when she wants more, and bigger, food!

[sweetpeppers]

Hi, my name is Cheryl. I'm a single mother to an almost 14 month old. When I first got pregnant, I knew I would breastfeed, because that's just what you did with babies. But I also assumed you gave them bottles as well. I figured I would nurse for as long as I could, but I figured that it wouldn't be that long because I was planning on returning to work as I didn't see any other choice. After reading more, I moved on to thinking I would definitely nurse for a year. After reading more, I was on to probably two years. Now I'm hoping for at least four, preferably six or seven.

As far as solid foods go, I made sure no one gave him food before six months, but I let my mom give him banana on his six month birthday, because she was so excited about feeding him. He wasn't interested in food at all, and I was mildly concerned about it. After reading more (story of our life), I stopped worrying about it and just waited til he grabbed the spoon out of my hand at nine monthsish and started eating my oatmeal. I wish more people knew about child led weaning. It's nice to have a name for what you're doing and know that other people care about it too.