If you would have asked me 15 months ago, when I first gave breastfeeding a go (and when I say go...I had absolutely NO idea what I was doing- but knew it was something as a mother I wanted and needed to do) I would have never said that I would make it past a year. It was tough....learning how to do it all/all the hours you spend pumping to give your baby breastmilk for when you go back to work....no one tells you how taxing nursing is, and the attachment your baby has with you (at all hours of the night..ha) but once Henry and I got in our groove, it was like the stars aligned and we knew what we were doing. I remember once I got to 3 months, I felt relief and accomplishment that I made it that far and decided to set another goal to 6 months. Once I made it to 6 months, 9 months was my next goal. I remember the day I made it to 9 months, I had no idea how I made it this long...but neither I or Henry were ready to end our nursing relationship and I remember thinking could I possibly make it to a year??? No way. 15 months ago I would have said that would never happen, I couldn't imagine nursing a toddler! People would say "she is still nursing her 1 or 2 year old...ewww" and I would agree! SHAME ON ME! Well....we did make it to a year and I felt this sense of urgency to wean him when he turned one. The American Pediatric Association recommends nursing until at least 2 years old, along with our pediatrician who would ask me why I was in such a rush to end it when I would ask her for advice. Why did I feel this urgency to wean him????? Well that's easy....because of others opinions. Henry was not ready to wean at one, and honestly neither was I. Don't get me wrong...he's not attached to my boob all hours of the day or asking or anything like that, it's simply his comfort before he drifts off to lalaland....many others kiddos need this as well aka a pacifier or bottle or blanket or lovie. I have joined so many breastfeeding groups throughout the past year for support/encouragement/advice....and it seems every nursing mom I've come across feels the same way. Unless you have had and nurtured a nursing relationship with your baby past 1.... that person will never have any idea of the type of bond it builds and euphoria. Just as people who bottle feed say they feel judged for not breastfeeding...same thing goes for women who breastfeed...except we get the "you are STILL doing that????" jibber jabber. That's all it is to me now...jibber jabber, uneducated opinions, insecurities...etc,etc. I think back on our whole breastfeeding relationship and think Wow....I did it. Nobody praises mom's for making through the hurdles or breastfeeding and reaching your goals...no one. (I take that back...my mom did, and my mother in law as well...so thank you for that <3) I know that this journey is slowly coming to an end, and I will try not to be sad, but happy looking back on that amazing time of my life and I will never forget it.
This is an article I found on one of the facebook groups I joined about a woman ending her nursing relationship with her son. It broughts tears to these eyes.
http://www.natthefatrat.com/2013/02/on-end-of-nursing.html?m=1
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