Okay, so, I weaned her. Almost 3 full years of nursing, and I am finally done. We went back and forth a few times over the past week and a half...three days cold turkey, a day or two of giving in...and then, in the last three days, she just quit asking. Hasn't asked once. She moved on.
I am an emotional wreck...happy, joyous, and as sad as I think I have ever been! I'm glad I was able to do this for her, given all her health conditions, but at the same time I wanted to be done and move on. AND at the same time, I am grieving the worst loss I have ever faced...that connection with my child. She generally doesn't want to be touched by anyone else, hugged, kissed, or held...but she's always allowed ME to do those things...will it change now? I don't know.
AND...drum roll please...she slept through the night for the last two nights. First two nights in her life that she hasn't woken up at least twice. OH my gosh, did I just get seven straight hours of sleep?
And if we're really done...do I get to finally eat a real pizza? Subway? A piece of bread? A cookie? A....dare I say it...beer?
I am such a mess, but you all have been so supportive and so helpful I just wanted to share with you and hope you can encourage me through this strange, wonderful, awful, fantastic time!
I, personally, couldn't have those things while nursing because my child has Celiac disease.
Thanks so much, mamas, for the support. She hopped up in my lap today and showered me with beautiful kisses, so I'm feeling a bit better!
Congratulations! I would absolutely celebrate this evening with a beer and a pizza with extra garlic, pepperoni and sausage!
Wow! I know it was difficult but just think how much more rested you both will be! Congratulations on a self sacrifice above and beyond!
I'm glad that you have ended one journey and started another. Celebrate with that pizza!
Find new ways to connect with your child. I promise that there are many more snuggles to come.
Congrats! Focus on the good parts - 7 hours of sleep, enjoying some forbidden foods and keep the special bond with your daughter!
A deep bow to you and your daughter. I hope the future holds many hugs and cuddles for you both.
Congrats, to you and your daughter!!
Don't worry about the connection. Your connection to your daughter, is NOT your breast. It's you MOM. As hard as it is, you want her to be well rounded and bond with others. She may find herself open to learning to be affection with others close to her. Growing up is sometimes brutal to watch, but always amazing to see.
YAHOO!! CONGRATS!!! L.!!
I know that feeling!! happy ...sad...relieved...miserable...all these things rolled into one!!! HUGS To you!!!
I don't think it will change. All is good, mama!! She's getting older!! How great that you nursed for so long!!! My youngest self-weaned at one year...i was heartbroken!! He literally woke up one morning and said "no". I bawled like a baby!! :) he's still a love bug!!!
Congrats on the weaning!!
Congrats on the seven hours of sleep!!! YAHOO!!
Congrats on weaning and it's okay to be an emotional roller coaster right now. Three years is a long time to dedicate your body to another person!! Celebrate and have a beer...or two!
That is soooo great!!
I would go with the forbidden fruit, beer or wine...
My youngest weaned him self while fighting a bad cold.
They never tell us how emotional attached the mom gets to breast feeding.
I miss the closeness that we had.
I dont miss being a human udder though:)
Congrats on starting a new path in mommy-hood.
I wish you the best in this transition. And allow yourself to miss it for a little while. In no time, you will enjoy it as a fond memory:) You it to encourage your daughter to nurse when she has her own children some day!!!
Congrats on all counts!
Don't worry - motherhood is about being there for them through the inevitable transitions and being intentional about staying close through engagement, lots of love and affection. You won't lose her here. You have cultivated a tight bond that will stay strong. It's so cool to see things grow and change this way.
I'm glad I nursed my son 2yrs bc the relationship changed several times with each milestone, etc and it was such a joy to experience. I'll never forget it and I pray I can experience the same with my daughter-on-the-way. Same for you...you'll always have such awesome memories of this time. Now, it's time to create new ones with new rituals!
Enjoy!!
Congratulations on doing a fine job. Both of you have hit many milestones together. This is the beginning of new things to explore and learn.
The ending of nursig is a bit bittersweet because you have done it for so long and now it is over and you feel a bit lost. Your body becomes yours again. Your breasts change shape again and look funny for a bit but they will plump back up however they might not become perky as before. Oh and the cleavage you will have for the low cut dress or blouse wow!
Don't beat yourself up. Enjoy the seven hours of solid sleep and enjoy your child as she grows. See life through her eyes and remember how you felt with the discoveries.
the other S.
Yes, Congratulations!!! I know it was so hard for me with my last. My first two, never made it to even 3 months, my last one, 3.5 years and it was HARD to stop, I think I had all the same feelings as you. I knew he was my last too, I had my tubes tied. Maybe I was holding on, he loved and he's six and still loves mommy's boobies.
Time heals all things, you'll enjoy not breastfeeding the longer you go without doing it. You did the best for her and now you can have your boobies back!
Congrats, mama!
Grieve the loss of this phase, and at the same time welcome in the next. That's the thing about raising kids - you just go from one great thing to the next!
I doubt she'll give up her physical closeness with you - the hugs, kisses and snuggles. If she does, you will find a way to keep the closeness. Now that she's three and more verbal, revel in all the wonderful things that are going to come out of her mouth. You will REALLY be able to see how her mind works and how wonderous childhood discovery is by listening to her words and really thinking about what must be going through her mind. It's fascinating to see how their little minds work.
When I raised my daughter as a single parent, I was so stressed out that I kind of missed the wonderous childhood discovery period. I have gotten a second chance raising a grandchild and it truly is wonderous!
You mean I can't drink beer or eat pizza while nursing?
Congrats! It's hard to wean, really bittersweet.
Congratulations to this mama and all the amazing other mamas who offered her such unconditional and loving support when she needed it. You all ROCK!
