To Jody and the Pregnant Mama!Pregnant Mama: I just want to say that I can totally relate. When I was pregnant, I knew that breastfeeding was best, but when I thought about actually doing it I was really uncomfortable. I was always so se*ually sensetive in the breast area that I really thought it would be twisted of me. Interestingly enough, once my daughter was born, I didn't even think about it. I just nursed her. Only later did I think about it and when I did it still seemed odd. But, in the moment, when she was needing me, nursing was the most natural thing in the world and I never felt dirty or weird while nursing her. I wasn't one of those people who got lots of warm-fuzzy feelings about nursing. I had and still have warm-fuzzies about my daughter, but not the breastfeeding part. In some ways it was like going to the bathroom. I won't get gross, just follow me. If you think about the technical stuff of going to the bathroom, it can be really gross. But, in the moment when you need to go, you're not thinking about that and you don't feel dirty or weird. I don't have a particular fondness of going to the bathroom - it is just a natural, healthy part of my life. That was the way nursing was for me. However, intellectually I knew how good it was for her and how emotional it was for her and so I fought really hard for it (<A href="http://www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama/nursing_victory">www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama/nursing_victory</A>). It was only after my prolactin levels dropped that I realized what an emotional stabilizer nursing had been for me. I had been so much more relaxed, peaceful and even-keel. Tought stuff happened, but I was able to deal with it really well without getting anxious. It also really helped my daughter (besides health benefits). She has been really independant and secure. She's been a really good sleeper and eats a huge variety of things. In observing my friends' kids I have noticed that kids who have been breastfed on-demand by a mother who stays with them are mush more independant and secure and empathetic (not playgournd bullies). Kids who have been exclusively breastfed longer also have better developed taste-buds for different kinds of foods. Many kids who are nursed a long time exclusively, avoid the toddler tendency to refuse all but a handful of foods (that may or may not be good ones). Since having made the decision to breastfeed I have learned of many benefits YOU experience because of nursing. Even if your baby would be just as healthy consuming formula, the benefits to you are worth it (<A href="http://www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama/breastfeeding">www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama/breastfeeding</A>). Be assured that the benefits to your baby don't even stop at optimum health, security and a healthy appetite. Breastfeeding from the breast also helps develop the facial bones and muscles optimally and helps develop the jaws for optimum dental development. We're really not talking about good versus bad with regard to breast or formula feeding. It is a case of breastfeeding being optimum. Formula has come a very long way and truly is the best choice for certain circumstances, but the technology employed will always be playing catch up with the latest findings about the ingredients and merits of breastmilk. Only your milk will meet the exact and changing needs of your baby optimally. La Leche League is a wonderful resource that pulled me through LOTS! It was really helpful also to be exposed to nursing moms ahead of time so that I wasn't clueless when it was my turn. There are lactation consultants at the hospitals and most midwives are trained in the establishment of nursing, but it still helps to at least have a vague working idea going into it. Those first few hours are so precious, it is wonderful to not need them interrupted unduly. Also remember that a HUGE advantage of breastfeeding is that it is FREE. This can be a really big deal when you have a baby with a chronic illness that costs money to treat. There was a thread here recently called "Allergic to Formula" which ended up getting lots of good info on breastfeeding on it. That would be a good one to look up. You can see a lot of these moms tell of their experiences with breastmilk and formula and their babies. That may help you make a decision. Just keep in mind that many of the best choices in life are NOT emotional ones. They may become emotional at some point, but rarely are having certain emotions a good reason for making decisions. Sorry that got so long. I guess I had more to say than I originally thought. That happens a lot. Hmmmmm.Jody: I just want to offer some empathy. I know that my mom still grieves and struggles with feelings because of and about my CF. You may always have those, but I think you do gain perspective/context over time. I think that depending on the stage of weaning and the impetus it can be more emotional or less. Though I had grown attached to nursing ( I stated above that I was not warm-fuzzy about it) because of the relationship my daughter and I developed, when she weaned at 2 1/2 years of age, we were both ready and there were no tears. We have just traded our "nummies" for snuggles. Nursing is nice because you don't have to really worry so much about their diet - you know that they are making up for any solid food deficits with the complete nutrition of your milk. Most kids experience a bit of withdrawal upon weaning. By withdrawal I mean that they get more runny noses and colds for a while as their immune system adjusts. All babies go through this adjustment, just at different times. If you formula-feed then your baby makes that adjustment immediately whereas if you nurse for an extended period, he might make that adjustment at 2 1/2 or 3. We were able to avoid this with our daughter by supporting her immune system with supplements - we chose Reliv because of how much it had helped me (<A href="http://www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama/Reliv">www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama/Reliv</A>). We started the supplementing when she began to drink from a cup and take solid foods, since technically that is the start of weaning. You can encourage him to keep nursing by continuing to offer and by keeping the pattern of your days similar. If you've been nursing at night, keep it up - even if you have to make adjustments to the sleeping arrangements (we played musical beds for a while before we found what worked for toddler nursing - I'm happy to elaborate if you wish). Also, if you are together he is more likely to nurse. If he is one who avoids nursing when too much is going on then you might try to keep your schedule simple and home-centered. If he is one who likes to snuggle up to you away from stimulation, then perhaps making a small outing regularly will encourage it. Just remember though, that child-led weaning is just that and he MAY lead sooner than you are ready. Continue to keep solids to a minimum. Our daughter didn't eat (wasn't interested in) solids regularly until 13 months, aside from a brief foray at about 9 months.Again here, La Leche League is a wonderful resource for toddler nursing as well. If you aren't already in a group, now is a great time to start going. You could offer lots of encouragement/wisdom to new or expectant moms from your experience as well as get suggestions and support for yourself. It is so obvious that you want to do what is best for Ben! How blessed he is to be your son!Toddlerhood is awesome! You start to see more and more of their personality and physical make-up. You find out whether your baby is adept or clutzy (though they all go through less-coordinated phases), long and lean or short and compact, active or pensive.They begin to share their thoughts and observations with you, likes and dislikes. It is such a cool thing! Every stage is the best stage. Write things down and make lots of memories that you can keep for him until he's old enough to share them with you.
