Breastfeeding Part II

I have come to the conclusion that I love breastfeeding my son! It has taken me a long time to come to this conclusion, but that is only because we have had some challenges along the way. Since William was about 5 months old though, things have dramatically improved. Most of the nipple pain was gone by 2 months, but then the tantrums started and he became incredibly distracted at the breast. I couldn't feed him anywhere except a dark, quiet room. Hard to do when were were at a restaurant or at Target. Lately tough, the tantrums have stopped (he still doesn't like the left breast as much as the right, but at least he will eat from it with minimal fuss now), he is less distracted, and a lot of his annoying behavior has stopped. I fed him in public three different times this week! So much better than listening to him scream because hes hungry and just won't eat!

Since we have started solids however (and they are going really well), I have started thinking about the day when we will stop nursing altogether. I never really had a goal in regards to how long I would breast feed William. I figured, as long as he was interested (or until he was 2), I was willing to let him nurse. So far, we are feeding him about 3 small meals per day of fruit, oatmeal and vegetables, and he hasn't dropped any feeds, but I imagine he will start doing so at some point. Some of my mom friends describe how their babies act as though breast milk just isn't enough, and that they would rather eat solids. William couldn't be more different. He LOVES to eat solids, and just about devours anything you put into his mouth. But no solid can hold a candle to breast milk. He could have just gorged himself on oatmeal and peaches, and will STILL take a huge feed. Plus I think it is super comforting to him, so I foresee that we will be nursing, at some level, for a lot longer still.

Even though we are still nursing, just thinking about weaning him has made me all nostalgic, and I have come up with a list of my favorite things about nursing William, that I will really miss once we aren't anymore:

1). First thing in the morning, after 13+ hours of not eating, he latches onto my boob desperately, as though his mouth is glued to my boob and he will die unless he drinks his fill immediately.

2). When he is really hungry, he will latch on, and then grab either side of my breast with each hand and start gulping, like from a sports bottle. It cracks me up.

3). The way his eyes roll back into his head in sweet, sweet bliss, as let down happens and he starts gulping as though his life depends on it.

4). The way he contentedly and casually watches me from beneath his long lashes, as he eats.

5). When I am switching him from the left boob, to the right, he is so eager to start sucking again, that he starts sucking on his tongue. As though the 2 seconds he has to wait is just too long and he has to suck on something!

6). After he has quenched his thirst, and satiated his hunger, he starts playing around, while still drinking. He sings, grabs my hand, kicks the chair, plays with my hair, touches my face and smiles, all with my nipple still in his mouth.

7). When he is all finished and full, he will pull off and give me the biggest, most contented smile ever. I will definitely miss that! 

The final piece of good news about breastfeeding is that for the first time in about 6 years, I weigh less than I did when I got pregnant. No amount of diet or exercise could touch those pesky 5 pounds, and yet feeding my son has just melted them away, despite the chips and chocolate I eat!

Now that nearly half a year has gone by, it occurs to me that William is growing so fast. Every day I feel like he is less baby, and more kid. I just want to keep him little for as long as I can, so I am trying to really enjoy the closeness and strong bond that breastfeeding affords us. It really is a special time!