Thoughts on breastfeeding: Weaning

I've given a lot of thought to the big decision of when to wean lately.  When I first got pregnant with Maxwell, and even before that, I knew I was going to breastfeed.  I knew that there were women that had problems with breastfeeding, but I really didn't know anything about those problems and it honestly didn't occur to me that we may experience some of them.  I just knew in my head that I was going to nurse and I just really didn't consider any other option.  I obviously now know that I really didn't know much about what I was going to be up against and that there are a whole slew of things that can go wrong and put a wrench in your plans.

Fast forward to Maxwell's birth and hospital stay and to all the challenges we faced in the first few months (separated for 2 hours after birth, nipple confusion due to pumping, thrush that lasted for over a month, mastitis that sent me to urgent care, latch issues due to a lip tie).  We really had almost every problem in the book, aside from supply issues.  My boobs were in constant pain for pretty much the first 4 months or so and breastfeeding was not totally comfortable until about 8 months...and then he started biting!

My plan was to nurse him for a year, that's just what I had always heard when people referred to an "ideal" length of time.  I didn't even know that there were women who nursed longer than that.  Even around the 8 month mark, I was planning to start weaning after his first birthday.  He had started biting me and he was just nursing SO much.  I wanted my body back and I was sooooooooo done with pumping.  But something in me said that we were not ready to be done, especially Maxwell.  When Maxwell first became very clingy, and separation aversion really kicked in, nursing really saved my sanity.  I can't imagine how I would have calmed him down some days if we hadn't had nursing.  And I think about all the moments cuddling with him I would have missed out on, because that kid will not cuddle for anything except the promise of boobs.  I don't know how long we'll continue, but I don't have plans to stop anytime soon.  If he decides to wean on his own at this point, even though I would be a little sad, I obviously wouldn't fight it.  But on the other hand, I really can't see myself nursing a 3 year old....then again, I didn't really see myself nursing past 1.  

13 Months Old

Clothing Size/Height & Weight:  I'm still a little peanut, all of my 6-9 month clothes still fit and my 12 month clothes are still too big.  The weigh in at 1 year had me at 18 3/4 lbs. and 28 1/2 inches tall.

Favorite Toy:  I love to play with blocks and my toy helicopter that my babysitter, Ally, got for my birthday.  I'm also currently obsessed with the diaper pail.  I taught myself how to put the diapers in...then I realized a lot of other fun things fit in there too.  Blocks, clothes, books, mommy's cell phone....

Newest Milestones:  I've been walking like a pro since I was 11 months old, but now I'm really steady on my feet and FAST too.  I started clapping my hands pretty recently and daddy taught me how to high five.  You all know how much positive reinforcement mommies and daddies need!  Oh, and I said mama for the first time...but I only say it when I really need something, I don't want to spoil her.

Favorite Foods:  I love bananas (but only when I get to bite off of mommy's or daddy's), strawberries, pancakes, blueberries, and sushi (avocado rolls to be exact).

Is Mama getting any sleep?  More than she was last month!  I've been going to sleep in my crib and I try to give her 3 hours or so before I take over my rightful the big bed.  Even though I know she doesn't like to, I try to get her up by 7am.  Sometimes it's necessary to wake her from her deep sleep at 5am though, it makes it easier to rouse her later.

Update: I am aware that I am a totally worthless blogger.

I know I totally skipped over Maxwell's 11 & 12 month updates, but I promise I'll do my best to catch up and post those when I can!  It's been a very hectic couple of months, mostly because of my job, but I think things are going to be more manageable very soon and I'll find some time to finish some of the posts I've been procrastinating meaning to write.

Posts you can {hopefully} look forward to:

11 Month Update

12 Month Update

1st Birthday Party

My exciting opportunities within my job

1 year postpartum update, w/ pictures

Upcoming visit to Fargo, ND to see my bestie and my first solo flight with Maxwell

How I feel about turning 25

My photography aspirations and goals for this year

James and I celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary

1st Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Maxwell!

Of course, it was Lion King themed!  We celebrated back home in Virginia on May 19, 2013.  So many friends and family came and it was such a fun day.  We discovered Maxwell's love of balloons!  He made out like a bandit with toys and other gifts, so much so, we had to leave some of it at Grandma & Oji's house for the time being.

11 Months

Clothing Size/Height & Weight:  I can still wear all of my 9 month clothes and I won't find out how much I weigh until I go back to the doctor for my 1 year appointment.

Favorite Toy:  I love my Simba & Nala stuffed toys.  I like to play with them in my crib when I'm supposed to be napping.

Newest Milestones:  I started walking this month!  I took my first steps on April 27 and I walked across the room for the first time just 3 days later on my 11 month birthday.

Favorite Foods:  I love my Happy Baby pouches, my favorites are banana, beet, & blueberry and apple & pear.

Is Mama getting any sleep?  Not a whole lot.  I really don't like to be in my crib and I cause a fuss almost every time mommy & daddy try to put me in there.  I much prefer to sleep nice and snuggled with mama in the big bed.

10 Months Old

Clothing Size:  Still in 9 month clothing and still in size 3 diapers.  His weight gain has definitely slowed down, but that's normal and to be expected with him getting more active with crawling & cruising.

Feeding:  He's still eating breast milk for most of his meals.  He sometimes gets a snack during the day, but still only gets a solid "meal" once a day.  We just follow his lead with how much he wants to eat.  He's really starting to have fun with learning to feed himself though!  He knows how to drink from a straw and LOVES to drink water from his sippy/straw cup.

Sleeping:  Thank goodness, but I think the major sleep regression is over!  He's still somewhat difficult to put down in the crib sometimes, but we're pretty consistently putting him in the crib around 8:30-9:00pm and he'll sleep until about 11:00pm when I go to bed and he comes with me.
Milestones: We now have a mouth full of chompers!  Maxwell has 6 teeth and a 7th one is VERY close to popping through.  He is fully capable of standing by himself, but is still too scared to try it.  I have a feeling it won't be long before he's fully walking.  Not much more development in the language area, he just doesn't have nearly as much interest in talking as he does in moving!


Favorite Moments

Thoughts on the tenth month

I can't believe you're in double digits little buddy!  Your first birthday is creeping up faster than I would like!  Not that you weren't always fun, but you're in such a fun stage right now.  You learn new things every day and you're becoming such a little boy.  Pretty soon my little baby is going to be gone and will be replaced with a crazy, energetic, sweet little toddler.  I wish I could get a good picture of you with your kitty cats, your face lights up like a Christmas tree every time you see them!  I wish you wouldn't squeal at them though, they'd probably like you a whole lot better if you didn't!  You have a mouth full of teeth and you love to use them on everything!  Everything goes in the mouth these days.  You're even getting good at taking naps, which daddy & I are very appreciative of.  I can't wait for the weather to get warmer so I can see your face light up at the pool for the first time.  I know you're going to love it, you're SUCH a water baby.  You are obsessed with the bath and the shower still, you don't even care if water is all over your face and in your eyes.  I really hope we get the chance to live in Hawaii again, I know you will want daddy to teach you how to surf!

9 Months Old

Clothing Size:  We're officially out of 6 month clothing!  He's starting to round out again, so I think he's going to hit a growth spurt soon.  He just went to the doctor on March 1 and he's 18 lbs, 27 inches long.

Feeding:  We're still doing mostly breast milk, but we are just starting to increase his solid intake.  Although, we probably won't increase it too much until after his first birthday.  It's really important for me that solids are just for fun and taste, not for nutrition at this point.  He gets everything he needs from breast milk.

Sleeping:  We're going through major sleep regression right now.  He was down to waking only 2 times a night, but lately he's been waking every 40 mins or so and he is a nightmare to put down.
Milestones: He's starting to babble more and he makes a couple of sounds pretty consistently   He says "dada", "gaga", "rara", & "nana".  He just cut his third tooth as well, his top right front tooth.



Favorite Moments
Instagram first again :)

Thoughts on the ninth month

I took so long to write this that I totally missed a month :(  I'll catch up in your 10 month post.  Sorry little buddy.