the boob debate

As most of my close friends and family know...

I nursed Kie for awhile.

No, not 3 years...(obviously, since he is not even 2 yet)

But, I nursed him past my goal of one year.

In fact, we went 19 months.

A lot of my friends quit nursing a bit earlier and some c r a z y moms are still nursing their toddlers.

Actually, I should clarify, I say it's crazy to nurse toddlers because their wild. They have a MOUTH full of little, pearly white shark teeth--and they're rough.

Ok, at least in my experience, MY toddler is.

Basically, I had to make a choice...

Was I wanting to have two boobs to nurse my future children? Or was I going to let them get bit off by my first child?? 

(Maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but to moms that have been there then maybe you understand this is a valid question.)

I did like to nurse. In fact, I loved the quiet times Kie and I had on the couch.

Plus, as a nursing momma with a baby in her arms, it gives you a good excuse to SIT DOWN and rest some.

However, Kie was 16 months when I found out we were expecting another one.  I was wondering if I was going to have the energy to still nurse or if I was going to be asked by my doctor to quit.  I've had a lot of friends who had to stop nursing their babies because they were pregnant again and their bodies couldn't sustain both the nursing baby, the baby in the womb and their own energy.

Me, well I felt fine!

Yes, I was tired...

and I was sick.

And mainly, that was the biggest issue.

Kie would nurse and he would be laying across my stomach in some way that would NOT HELP my morning all day sickness.  Still, I pushed on.

We nursed right through the first trimester. 

Deemed the roughest.

But, then I realized how big Kie was.

It never occurred to me how BIG he had been getting.

His teeth were sprouting up,

he was learning to push and kick and resist...

and he was rough.

I mean, he's a boy.

He's pretty rough....

So I made the decision to wean him at 19 months.

We went a few weeks into the month and eventually we stopped.

There are times Kie pulls my shirt up or over...and asks to "nuuuuuu" 

Which in his language, translates to nurse.

He even says "boooobie."

In fact, he TRIED to nurse yesterday.

But, I'm glad we're done.

I've gotten a small break before I'll be nursing around the clock again.

And mothers, who've had c-sections know that nursing with a big incision is not easy or comfortable.

It took me weeks until I felt good about certain nursing positions.

I guess my next worry is how Kie will do with a new baby nursing.

Considering I know he still WOULD nurse if I allowed him to, I don't know what he'll think about a baby getting to nurse.

For now, the excuse to him is, 

"Their broken."

Broken is one of his favorite words.

In fact, I use this word a lot when he wants to turn on and off a lamp a million, billion times.

I guess we'll pass that bridge when it gets here.

Until next time,

-HK-

stray thoughts thursdays

Have I mentioned that Kie isn't eating solids yet?!

::gasp!!::

"But he's on his way to be six months old! He SHOULD be eating solids!?"

Nope. Kie isn't eating solids.

I have tried...but he's just simply not interested.


First I tried cereal (two times to be exact).  I originally started the cereal because I thought it would help him sleep longer.  Nope, didn't work.  --And how selfish of me! I still feel bad for doing this.  <----Mommy guilt at it's finest!

I waited a few weeks later, tried again.  As Daddy J was starting to feed him, I got sad and pulled the spoon away.  "This isn't what I wanted to do," I thought.

JUST because other moms started their babies on cereal, didn't mean we had to do so.

Then my friend shared this with me Eat a bit better.

I was glad I wasn't feeding Kie the cereal.

So, then I started making my own baby food.

Fresh, delicious, organic baby food.

How about a little avocado?
Kie readily shoved the spoon in his mouth.  (He's a brilliant baby who knew exactly what to do, even after only eating ONCE from a spoon.)
Nope not that interested.  Sure, he ate it but I could tell he wasn't really IN to eating it. I'm his mother, I know these things.

How about a little sweet potato? (Days and days later.)

Once again, he opened wide.  Ate it.  But still, same reaction....not that interested.

Hmmm...

I offer him the boob.

His excitement in his eyes and eagerness to eat his favorite food was written all over his sweet, chunky baby face.

Ahh, this is where WE both feel comfortable.

My lil man is a boob man.

He thrives off his momma's milk.

He's 5 months and 2 weeks......and 19 pounds (by our home scale).  ::He was born 6lbs, 10 oz::

So yes, I (WE) love the breast feeding.  And the bonding.  Because I know these days are short lived.   I feel proud I can fulfill and satisfy Kie's appetite and his taste buds.  (My diet is pretty healthy and varies to give Kie a preview of foods for WHEN he's ready.)

Will I be the mom nursing after he's one years old?

You bet! If he'll have me (and the girls.)

I feel blessed I'm able to nurse. Regardless what it's done to the ladies! lol

And his doctor said he's in no rush for Kie to start weaning.  He said if Kie wasn't growing like he was, then solids may be necessary.  In fact, his words were "to keep doing what we're doing."

I will still introduce him to other solids down the road.  But, as for now.  Kie is strictly breast fed.

And that's the way we both like it!