Do you remember ever thinking what it would be like to be a parent? And you thought about how you would do things... and how you wouldn't do things? And if you are a parent now... how different the experience is?
Before we thought about children, I promised myself that I would stay-at-home with my children. And we would just have to wait til we were financially ready to do that. Well, I guess that did come true, some what. I mean, I am home with Baby Noodle, but we're struggling. But, I am so glad that I did make that promise to myself. I don't know what life would be life without my son by my side 24/7. I did childcare for about a month, and it was pure hell. That was the month that I decided to stay home... just living out my 2 weeks notice. I feel like with my being home, I can tend to his every need. I can explain everything to him... I can take the time he needs. Also, I know that he is in the best hands.
Breastfeeding was another thing I wanted to do. I didn't know much about it, just that it was the best for the baby. I had a friend at work that nursed her son for about a year, and a friend from college that nursed her little girl for 14 months. Now, I thought that my friends that nursed for 14 months was very patient, and brave to do it for that long... and I'll admit, a little weird. I knew that it was recommended for at least a year, so that was my goal. Well, when BN was born, we had our time with it. We had latch problems, and sore things... but we managed to make it through. Then, I got mastitis, which is like the "flu" for the boobs. It's medication is to continue to nurse as much as possible, which is painful, very painful. And you get to take a antibiotic 4 times a day. Even if that means you have to wake at 3 in the morning... keep them equally spread apart, or you'll pay later. So, we made it through that. Then we did fine, had a few plugged ducts and a bit of biting from BN, but it wasn't near worth weaning. Then before I knew it, it was a year! I thought that it would take forever for a year to roll around, and now that it was here, neither one of us wanted to stop. So, we didn't. Why should we?
I get looks from people when I say that we're still nursing. I don't care. That is one thing that I have learned is that BF mother's need to build a thick skin. You know that breast milk is the best thing for your baby, and that it changes for the needs of your child. Many countries nurse their children til they are 3 or 4. They have no other options. Well, we have options, and this is the best for us. Now he is 17 months and we still are nursing. I don't care what people say, I don't care what they think... he is my child and he is healthy as can be. It is recommended by the WHO to nurse until 2 years or as long as both parties are happy. Believe me, BF mom's learn their facts. You have to arm yourself with them to educate people.
Along with nursing my BN, I also donated almost 700 ounces to the Mother's Milk Bank in Austin from when he was born until December '07. I just made so much. What better to do that donate it to babies that need it. If you have every nursed, or lived with a woman that has, you know how precious that milk is. It's liquid gold! I am proud to have helped those needy babes.
The past week BN hasn't been nursing very much. Until this started happening, I had just taken it for granite that he would nurse until 2... or later, depending on what he wanted. Well, it hit me that maybe he was weaning. I became so upset. I wasn't ready! There is this bond that you form with your child. It's the most wonderful feeling... even if you're awake at 4 in the morning.
