Are you breastfeeding a toddler?

[TinkerbellMama]

Since I'm sticking my nose back in here, thought I'd update...

My son is almost 27 months old and still breastfeeding!
I would be SHOCKED if he is not still nursing, at least at nap/bedtimes, when we return to WDW in September. He is really attached to his "boohbah"!
Right now he nurses first thing in the morning, at naptime, bedtime, and after meals to wash the food down. He also comfort nurses when he is very upset or hurt. I have no intentions of promoting weaning; I figure he will stop when he stops and that would be best! I don't plan to TTC #2 until next Spring, so there is plenty of time to learn more about tandem nursing and weaning during pregnancy, etc. I wouldn't be surprised to spend our 2008 WDW vacation pregnant and nursing a toddler!

 

[lil mermaid]

I am happy to find this thread. About two months ago, I weaned my DD (you can see her age in my signature.) The main reason I did it was because my breasts were so sore due to pregnancy that it was really painful.

Well, after she was about 18 months old or so, I never told anyone that I was still nursing. I know that most people I know would think it was weird, or gross, or whatever. The only one that knew was DH. Pretty sad, huh?

A month or so after her second birthday, my DD came down with a horrible stomach virus. She had horrible diaharrhea and vomiting. She really couldn't keep anything down, and was refusing to drink Pedialyte. I nursed her around the clock, and I am convinced that nursing was the only thing that kept her from becoming dehydrated. So, for those who say that breastfeeding has no nutritional value beyond the age of one year, I beg to differ.

The last few months, we really hardly nursed at all, and didn't even do it every day. It was mainly a comfort thing for her.

Anyway, just wanted to lend my support to y'all!

 

[brymolmom]

I am honestly not picking on you, truly...
But the fact that you, an obviously intelligent and thoughtful mother, could still have these questions in your mind...it makes me incredibly sad.
It is NOT your fault, but breastfeeding education in this country is PATHETIC. ABYSMAL. TOTAL CRAP. So many people assume formula is "as good as" breastmilk. Not by a long shot! And we all suffer for that ignorance.
I would suggest you check out www.kellymom.com or www.lalecheleague.org and you will find many links to many journal articles, scientific studies, and resources/links for breastfeeding information.
Again, I am NOT picking on you. I am just disgusted that our society would leave us so bereft of this vital information.

THank you for providing this information and I'm sorry that I make you sad. Of course I still have questions in my mind - almost all the literature I found while pregnant (and, I suspect, in the links you provide although honestly I haven't taken the time to look there yet) always said 'breastmilk is best' and I was totally unable to get real research.

And do not worry about our society not giving enough breastfeeding encouragement - I was practically forced to do so in the hospital (which, ultimately was likely one of the things that turned me against it). When I was told about the health benefits to the baby and I asked the question about whether or not the moms/babies studied had any other similar factors that might have contributed, I was given 'breastmilk is best'. When I asked for statistics of how long the nursing would continue for certain levels of benefit, I was told 'breastmilk is best'.

So I tell you this as a proud bottle feeding mom, if you would like others like us to gain a better understanding...you need facts, not just slogans. The lactation consultants at hospitals should provide literature with facts and studies and the types of questions that I, and others like me would like to know to make our choice. I think that, in my experience, those 'in the know' about breastfeeding did not actually have a lot of knowledge about specific facts. Oh - everyone can list the 'benefits' - all of us can. But when I asked questions digging deeper - they were at a loss - even when I asked where i could find the additional information with my own research.

Anyway - I know some of you posters don't care about trying to change anyone else. But you seem saddened by my own situation and genuinely seem to want to change some of society's views - so I thought I'd tell you how I might have been changed when I was in those shoes.

 

[bless7ings]

AMEN! I don't know why these kinds of threads bring out the "I-couldn't-breastfeed-don't-you-dare-judge-me" posts. Sheesh! If you're happy with your decision to bottlefeed and your child is healthy, smart and well-adjusted, that's all that matters!

To those who see a BF support thread as an affront to their parenting choices, here's some advice: It's not always about you.

And to the other EN on the board, keep on doing what you're doing. It's healthy for baby and you!

I just happened upon this thread. I read the last page only, so I don't know what went on before. I don't usually like this kinda stuff where everyone gets mad at each other and starts slamming each other, but I laughed over your post Juliet25!! And I liked the comment "It's not always about you."! I liked what you said.

 

[bless7ings]

Good question, why would a mom who bottlefed even read this thread? It's almost as if they were looking for comments where we put down bottle feeders so they could say "AHA!" But even though that did NOT happen, the thread was still crashed by bottle feeding moms who thought we were implying that we were better simply for talking about BF. But we're the ones who are defensive?

I also liked yours Chobie!! You've both given me a good laugh before bed. Good responses!

BTW I have nursed all seven of my babies. I started with just a year, becasue at those times I had heard only the first 12 mths are nutrional and that after that its for the baby. The 4th baby was almost 2 yrs, 5th I think 16 mths or year and a half? The 6th over 2 years- I lost track, it didn't matter we just did what we felt we needed to, what happend, when we both were ready to give it up. It's not a big deal anymore, it's what feels to be the best at the time with a def. 12 month minimum!!!!!!!! Oh, the 7th is only 11 weeks old.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I also liked yours Chobie!! You've both given me a good laugh before bed. Good responses!

BTW I have nursed all seven of my babies. I started with just a year, becasue at those times I had heard only the first 12 mths are nutrional and that after that its for the baby. The 4th baby was almost 2 yrs, 5th I think 16 mths or year and a half? The 6th over 2 years- I lost track, it didn't matter we just did what we felt we needed to, what happend, when we both were ready to give it up. It's not a big deal anymore, it's what feels to be the best at the time with a def. 12 month minimum!!!!!!!! Oh, the 7th is only 11 weeks old.

Wow, you are my hero! I can't found the worship smily or I would use it!

Welcome.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I know what you all mean about feeling like some kind of freak! I nursed my older son until he was 22 months, and my younger son is 16 months and still going strong. Many people are really nice to my face about it, but I know they have their opinions behind my back. Then there are those that believe they have the right to give me their opinion right to my face! My mom has even had to defend me to people.

What's the big deal, really? I'm proud of my decision to continue breastfeeding despite people's opinions and the lack of support we receive when we make this decision. I will admit to being defensive, but that's because I feel uncomfortable having to defend myself about something that I feel is perfectly natural.

And I will admit to being a stay-at-home mom, and maybe that does make this choice simpler, but the truth is, I have chosen not to work so that I can do things like nurse for longer, make my own baby food, and all that other fun stuff! I realize that not everyone can choose to stay home and do those things, but I am proud to say that I made the choice when I could! (And in response to the post that asked is there are moms that nurse while working a lot, I will say that I know of at least one of my friends who religiously pumped while teaching during her breaks and her daughter nursed for 13 months)!

Congrats to all of you that have kept going despite the judgement and the pain and the long nights when they just don't want to stop nursing! I always tell people that my favorite time to nurse is when the babies get past the 1 year mark...it's so much more relaxing and entertaining! I feel like it's my pay-off for those first few months!

Courtney

=)

 

[TinkerbellMama]

THank you for providing this information and I'm sorry that I make you sad. Of course I still have questions in my mind - almost all the literature I found while pregnant (and, I suspect, in the links you provide although honestly I haven't taken the time to look there yet) always said 'breastmilk is best' and I was totally unable to get real research.

And do not worry about our society not giving enough breastfeeding encouragement - I was practically forced to do so in the hospital (which, ultimately was likely one of the things that turned me against it). When I was told about the health benefits to the baby and I asked the question about whether or not the moms/babies studied had any other similar factors that might have contributed, I was given 'breastmilk is best'. When I asked for statistics of how long the nursing would continue for certain levels of benefit, I was told 'breastmilk is best'.

So I tell you this as a proud bottle feeding mom, if you would like others like us to gain a better understanding...you need facts, not just slogans. The lactation consultants at hospitals should provide literature with facts and studies and the types of questions that I, and others like me would like to know to make our choice. I think that, in my experience, those 'in the know' about breastfeeding did not actually have a lot of knowledge about specific facts. Oh - everyone can list the 'benefits' - all of us can. But when I asked questions digging deeper - they were at a loss - even when I asked where i could find the additional information with my own research.

Anyway - I know some of you posters don't care about trying to change anyone else. But you seem saddened by my own situation and genuinely seem to want to change some of society's views - so I thought I'd tell you how I might have been changed when I was in those shoes.

Oh, YOU don't make me sad. NOT AT ALL! As for the "support" you received in the hospital...yuck! I completely understand how that was not helpful to you and in fact turned you off to breastfeeding. Like I said, crappy support is NOT the new mother's fault! I very much appreciate your viewpoint as to what would have helped you breastfeed and/or make decisions based on FACTS. I completely agree that in order to make decisions, set goals, etc...women need REAL information and not just platitudes and slogans. I really do thank you for your posts. I have to believe that if more mothers were as thoughtful as you, the world would be a nicer place, in general--regardless of how their babies were fed!

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

This thread reminds me of a woman I used to work with. I remember her telling us that her son was still breastfeeding in first grade. She made it sound so normal - which I think is just plain sick! Now her son is in his 20's and sits on her lap quite often. I seriously believe there is a correlation betwen that and breastfeeding him at age 6!

 

[AngieWin]

For some families that is normal. In some countries bfing does continue to age 6 and past that! It is definitely not the norm here but I know of several moms that have come close to nursing to that age.

Will I nurse that long, probably not, I didnt think I would nurse past a year until I did it... twice! DS2 is 18 months next week with no signs of stopping. When both of us decide it is time to stop we will.

 

[annie1995]

This thread reminds me of a woman I used to work with. I remember her telling us that her son was still breastfeeding in first grade. She made it sound so normal - which I think is just plain sick! Now her son is in his 20's and sits on her lap quite often. I seriously believe there is a correlation betwen that and breastfeeding him at age 6!

Ok, now I breastfed all of my kids. The first two until they were around 3ish. My 3 is still nursing, but 1st grade? I think that tends to be a little long . Sheesh, pump it and put it on cereal if you really want them at that age to have breastmilk. Can you imagine him going to school and wanting mommys milk ?

 

[justhat]

This thread reminds me of a woman I used to work with. I remember her telling us that her son was still breastfeeding in first grade. She made it sound so normal - which I think is just plain sick! Now her son is in his 20's and sits on her lap quite often. I seriously believe there is a correlation betwen that and breastfeeding him at age 6!

While I personally wouldn't ever go that long, my MIL bottle fed my BIL and he's now 19 and would sit on her lap without a problem. My husband, never. Wouldn't even cross his mind and if anyone suggested it he'd think they were insane. But his littler brother just has a different personality, much more of a jokester, and a different relationship with his mom and he'd think nothing of that.

 

[toesmom]

Now I am one of those strange moms whose children nursed for a long time. Before I had my dd, I read an excellent book called Nursing Your Baby by Karen and Gale Pryor (Pocket Books 1991). I am going to relay some of the information that helped me make an informed decision to nurse and then extend nurse my first dd. BTW, my dd continued nursing sporadically until she was probably 6.

Now at 8 she thinks it is disgusting, so go figure. She did it when she felt she needed to and I never publicized it to anyone. When my ds was born and she was 5, she still wanted to do it sometimes. Again, she thinks it is gross now. But ds3 still loves it.

So here is what I learned: human milk is composed of many substances, but MOST IMPORTANTLY (vs formula) it is made up of living cells (not manmade liquid) and many antibodies that promote best brain development and build up baby's and todder's antibodies to protect against illness.

components of breast milk:

Living white cells which protect baby against disease become less abdundant after the first few weeks.

but, enzyme lysozyme (also antibacterial) increases 100 fold in first 3 months and stays at that high level throughout breastfeeding (1 year or 5 years!!)

first six months, good levels of minerals ie zinc (optimum muscle growth)

breast makes special milk for premature babies (has 2x as many fatty acids, needed for nerve and brain growth as milk of full-term babies, and 70% more of certain easily digested lipids for evergy and general growth. Preterm milk also contains more protein and higher levels of some vitamins and minerals.

Many components of human milk are substances that are destroyed by heating; thus they cannot be pasteurized, powdered or canned (ie formulas). In some cases, they are factors that can't even be duplicated in a chemistry lab, ingredients that no artifical milk (ie formula) will ever contain.

biggest difference between human milk and formula (synthetic) milk is that HUMAN MILK IS ALIVE!!!! It is full of healthy cells and is desgined to stay alive for a long time.

The white cells in human milk are leukocytes and are primarily neutrophils, which take action on the surface of the baby's insides and macrophages, which can penetrate into tissues and attack bacteria there.

These living cells in human milk are extraordinarily vigorous. In one now-famous experiment, which has been duplicated successfully several times, biologists took a sample of fresh human milk and counted the bacteria in a portion. They then left the milk sample, uncovered, on a table in a warm room for 36 hours (perfect setting for culturing bacterial growth typically). When they came back and tested the milk sample again, the bacterial count had actually gone down. The macrophages and other protective mechanisms in the milk had been doing their job (NOW CAN YOU ALL UNDERSTAND WHY BREAST MILK IS BETTER THAN FORMULA?????)

These living cells (macrophages) provide protection in the stomach and throughout the intestine. As if every swallow of mom's milk contains a pacman army gobbling germs in its path.

Antibodies that come through mom's milk are absorbed by baby. The newest evidence shows that these and other immune factors offer protection not just in first days or weeks, when baby needs it most, but throughout lactation from the first sip to the last swallow of human milk, and in some cases even after weaning and into adulthood (touch wood, but my dd rarely has even had any type of infection that I can remember).

Some other components of breastmilk:
LYSOZYME
BIFIDUS FACTOR AND OTHER NUTRITIOUS PROTECTORS
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENTS

my hand is getting tired. Anyone wanting more detailed information can try to find this book. I hope I've enlightened some moms out there and encourage you all to do what is best for baby.

 

[hannahsmomma]

toesmom- Thank you for putting into words, what I do not have time to do. I did a research paper on EN for school when I was nursing dd (2 at the time) so I knew most of that stuff, but I have a hard time dealing with facts when I feel I am being attacked. My emotions tend to take over. I think this info is what a lot of the moms wanted to see(pure) scientific data, or what a lot of them don't want to see, because they feel guilty that they didn't or couldn't nurse. Thanks!

 

[toesmom]

Little guy is sleeping so here's more information and facts about human milk (aka breast milk):

A nursing mother can provide her baby, through her milk, with antibodies to many organisms to which she has been exposed in the past. If mom is exposed to new pathogen during lactation (new variety of cold virus), antibody production sites in her lungs and intestines go into action. The new antibody types are packed into special white cells that actually home in on the mammary milk glands, where they start secreting the new antibody into the milk, within 2 or 3 days of the mom's exposure. By the time mom is coming down with the cold, baby is already getting protection (neat huh?). That is one reason for a phenomenon many nursing moms notice: when everyone in family catches a cold, baby often has lightest case or escapes altogether.

Baby may catch a cold away from home and mom has no antibodies for that pathogen (ie daycare programs etc). Other protective factors in the mom's milk will operate to make the cold briefer and less severe than it might otherwise be.

Breastfeeding shelters the baby long enough for the baby own immune system to get into gear. By the time of weaning, the baby's body has usually encountered most of the common pathogens in its environment, and has developed a constellation of antibodies of its own.

About the enzyme Lysozyme: it reduces inflammation, but when it comes in contact with certain bacteria, it dissolves their cell walls, which kells them. It is a sort of natral disinfectant. It performs that function in our eyes and noses, as well as inside the mammary gland where it is produced in quantity.

Human milk contains 300 times as much lysozyme as cow's milk (formula). This enzyme is designed to withstand the acid s of the stomach and acts throught the baby's digestive system. This enzyme can be produced artificially, but cannot be added effectively to synethic (formula) milks because like most enzymes it is destroyed by the heat necessary for canning and sterilization.

Human milk is composed of many things including foraging white cells, immunity-inducing antibodies, and natural antiseptic enzymes. Many of the substances in human milk - fats, sugars, proteins, vitamins - that are perfectly good nutrients, also do double duty as protectors.

Bifidus Factor : because of this component, bf infant's intestinal tracts are even more resistant to the grown of other, invading organisms. No one has succeeded in manufacturing a product that will do the same job in bottle-fed baby.

Lactoferrin, a protein - makes up 1/3 of protein in human milk. More digestible than cow's milk protein, it also has the unusual property of being highly absorbent of iron molecules. Many pathogens, such as E.Coli (scary one) and the bacteria that cause infectious diarrhea, require free iron molecules for their own metabolism. With lactoferrin mopping up all the loose iron in the baby's intestines, these pathogens (E. Coli and other really harmful and sometimes fatal ones) simply cannot grow in breast fed babies. (NOW DO YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BREAST MILK AND FORMULA??)

Special group of sugars in huma milk, the oligosaccharides, fight pathogesn in the way that antibodies do, by interfering with their attachment sites. These sugars are particularly effective against certain pneumonia bacteria and E. Coli and their toxins.

Some lipids, or fats, can disrupt and kill many kids of viruses, including polio. There is evidence that fatty acids, produced during the digestion of lipids protect the baby against intestinal parasites such as Giardia lamblia and amoebic dysentry. That explains why many babies that are breast fed do not suffer from diahrrea as their bodies fight these organisms.

Human milk is not designed to produce the biggest baby possible in the shortest amount of time, as some pediatricians look for, but to foster neural and brain development and behavioral growth along with healthy body growth.

The special nutritional mix in human milk keeps babies growing at the most desirable ratye for humans, while maintaining beneficial activity levels. BF babies are physically active and show growth curves that differ in several ways from artificially fed babies.

Long term benefits of bf: studies show health benefits continue after weaning.

At oregon state university, study of cavities in 2 well-matched communities one with fluoride water and one without turn up surprising results. As it happened, both towns had high percentages of bf children, so there were many in the study. Children who had been bf for 3 months or longer had 45% fewer cavities than their bottle-fed counterparts in the non-fluoride community and 59% fewer cavities in the fluoride community. Children bf less than 3 months showed lessened protection. never mind the toothpaste ads, if you want good checkups, start life as a nursing baby!!

A well-recognized long-term drawback of bottle-feeding is the bottle-caused distortion of the infant's use of the facial muscles and the pressure on hismouth, jaws, and palate. This is considered to be a major cause of malocclusions and other facial development problems in some children, including, typically CROOKED OR CROWDED teeth that require BRACES and orthodontia in later life.

One large study shows that the effect of bf on malocclusions is dose-related: that is, the longer the baby is bf, the greater the benefit to his jaw and facial development.

Epidemiological studies in Sweden and US have shown that fully bf babies have less chance than bottle-fed babies of developing diabetes in childhood.

Perhaps the most startling, 2 recent studies have shown that as the incidence and duration of bf goes up, the incidence of childhood leukemia and other cancers (white cell-related cancers) goes down. Scientists do not understand the mechanism for this protection.

So I hope this information gives a little more credence to 'BREAST IS BEST'.

As I get frustrated by reading posts from people who KNOW NOTHING about breastfeeding benefits, I felt that I had to post some real facts about it. I'm going back to work in September when ds starts jk so i've just practiced my typing. Sorry for any errors.

P.S. Studies also show that bf protects mom from pre-menopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Same protection extends to daughters.

PPS Breast milk is a natural laxative. Lots of formula fed babies suffer from constipation. Not typical of breast fed babies.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Toesmom. Great post, thanks so much for posting it (both of them.)

I have been so amazed by my own body in being able to create another life, and then provide it the best and most amazing nutrition. I got to tell you it was like "oh that is what these things are for!"

Really the more I learn about breast feeding the more impressed I am. Really I don't like bottles or the smell of formula. Even with the hard work in the start of breast feeding over all it is so much more convenient then bottles for me (and cheaper). The more you learn about it, the better and better it gets.

My oldest is 5 years old, I can't imagine still breast feeding her. However sometimes you can't imagine something like that until you have done it. I think there is a time when it does need to stop, but it isn't a set time for each person. My body seems to run out of milk around 27 months (or at leas that is the pattern.) Lily hasn't nursed in about 5 days, so I think we might be at the end. It has been a good 30 months though.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I am breast feeding a 30 month old. NEVER though it would be me who does that, but she just dosen't seem to want to quit. She is our third, and the two boys each weaned themselves at one year, so I keep waiting for her to wean herself. I know about all of the studies and everything, but I am kinda ready to be done. Just to be able to go away and not take a pump, or have to worry about will she or won't she. I just don't want to tell her no. I'd like it to be a natural process. I have now nursed her longer than both boys combined, and just when she seems to skip a time or two, she starts back up. Definately will be done by three!!!! DEFINATELY, ABSOLUTELY NO QUESTION DONE BY THREE. (Of course I said that about Two as well)

Okay and here is some interresting stuff from my family, my sister was not breast fed and is a thin pediatric intensive care physician, who was always very healthy I was breast fed and am an over weight high cholesterol nurse, whom was sick often as a child. So please don't breast feed because you KNOW that studies say it definately does decrease obesity and provides higher intelligence. It should be done for what ever reasons you choose. I have worked as a nurse full time nights for the entire time i have been nursing this last kiddo. So don't blast stay at home moms either saying it's easier for them. Anyone can do anything if they want to badly enough. i work as a mother baby nurse so all I do is talk breast feeding and bottle feeding at work. If you want to do it you should, if not, you shouldn't. There should be no pressure either way. The worst I see is when Dad or Dad's family really pressure mom into breast feeding, and she really dosen't want to. Talk about interfering with bonding at all levels!!! Really some people just don't want to breast feed and it's okay!

 

[Dzierzy Mierz]

My daughter weaned herself to only at wake up (or when she wasn't feeling well) at about 2 1/2, then ended it all together just after her 3rd birthday. We were living in Germany for most of her older toddler nursing stage, where is wasn't as unusual as it is in the US. I remember getting dirty looks for sitting in my car with a nursing blanket from people before moving (maybe it was just the area where we lived at the time, I don't know). Then we got to Germany, and people would ask why I was going to go hide in the car to nurse her!

Enjoy your nursing time with your little ones!!!

 

[chobie]

Oh, YOU don't make me sad. NOT AT ALL! As for the "support" you received in the hospital...yuck! I completely understand how that was not helpful to you and in fact turned you off to breastfeeding. Like I said, crappy support is NOT the new mother's fault! I very much appreciate your viewpoint as to what would have helped you breastfeed and/or make decisions based on FACTS. I completely agree that in order to make decisions, set goals, etc...women need REAL information and not just platitudes and slogans. I really do thank you for your posts. I have to believe that if more mothers were as thoughtful as you, the world would be a nicer place, in general--regardless of how their babies were fed!

ITA. On the one hand we have the platitudes about breastfeeding and the hospitals shaming/coerecing women into breastfeeding without the support that is needed. Then we leave the hospital and have to deal with a society that views BF, for the most part, as weird. And a society that does not support moms staying at home with paid maternity leaves etc. Yes, I know some women have maternity benefits at their jobs, but they are few and are only good for a few months at best.

I can totally understand why women would not want to BF and would resent the pressure to do so from some people, while facing a society at large that looks down on it.

The mixed messages are insane.

I agreed to BF reluctantly, because I felt bullied into by my doctor, but then my first one latched on like an old pro and stayed their for a 2.5 years. I really did enjoy the convienence, the closeness of BF, and how much she loved it.

Then with my second child I thought it would be a breeze, but he did not latch on right and I had bloody blisters by the end of his first day. I was sent a "lactation consultant" who literally stood at my doorway in the hospital and chucked a tube of lanolin cream at me. Thankfully, when I took my son in for a check up 3 days later, the nurse at my HMO was able to fix his lachting problem and I was fine from then until he weaned himself at 18 months.

 

[saucymb]

You mama's Rock! I am so envious of you all!

I was an exclusive pumper. Jonah would not latch on, and I have some physiological issues. So after a few weeks working with two lactation consultants, they suggested pumping. I also had very low supply, so I went on Reglan for a month. Boy, did that make a difference! I went from .5 ounce per pump, 10 pumps per day including middle-of-the-night pumps, to an average of around 70 ounces a day after 2 months! I even pumped within 10 minutes of waking up from gall bladder surgery, which was two months after I gave birth.

Jonah is now 10.5 months old; I stopped pumping two weeks ago. I expected it to be difficult, but it was no problem, I had already gone from averaging 4 pumps/55 ounces a day to 1 pump/15 ounces a day. I just tapered off by 10 minutes at the time, until one day I just stopped. At one time I had around 2500 ounces in the freezer, but now we're down to about 700.

My only regret is that I stopped two weeks ago! I know that if I had been able to successfully breastfeed, I would have continued until he was at least 2; I just got burned out with the pumping. 3-4 times a day, an hour at the time, attached to the pump is not much fun. But I was convinced it was the best thing for my family, and because of that, I would do it again and WILL do it again for any other children that we are blessed with.

Oh, and the other super side effect??? Weight loss, baby! When you take into account that lactation burns 20 calories per ounce reduced, and I was pumping at least 50 ounces a day, well, that's 1000 calories each day I burned! My baby weight melted off.


So although I am not officially "one of you", I'm with you in spirit. I will attempt traditional breast feeding next time, but if it doesn't work, I'll go the pumping route again.