Evidently there is something magical about 12 months where everyone assumes you will stop nursing. When we got into this I was committed to six months. After I got past the first month, I committed to 12 months mainly because it had been such a hassle to get there. At nine months we almost stopped when she was cutting 4 teeth at once.
Now here we are at 13 months and neither of us is interested in stopping. And yet, I’m getting tired of people asking when we will. The answer is, I don’t know. At some point either LJ or myself won’t be enjoying it anymore and so we will stop. I do not totally subscribe to child led weaning because I admit that occassionally I will see a mom and tot nursing and feel weird about it (the kindergardener?) But really who am I to judge if it works for them.
This week she named it… she calls it nummies. She comes over and signs more and then says nummies. Seriously. She also responds to “wait” if I am busy or don’t want to nurse in public. After we are done she sighs very hard and then gives me a kiss on my hand or cheek.
I love the increase in communication it just reminds me that there are reasons why the two of us are still nursing. I know it doesn’t work for everyone – but LJ and I are doing just fine.
8 Comments
November 3, 2009 at 6:17 pm
I am so encouraged to hear this! I feel like I’ve only been hearing stories of the 6 month stop. I too hope to nurse until we’re ready to ttc #2 and wean then. I’m so proud of you both and love the sweet interaction breastfeeding has brought to your life. xo
November 3, 2009 at 6:18 pm
That just made it sound like we both plan to nurse until ttc #2. I didn’t mean that. I just meant past a year. More long term. (When did more than 12 months become long term?) Gah. Sorry for the confusion.
November 4, 2009 at 9:57 am
That’s pretty much me the first time around…planned on 6 mos, then 12, and then…well, I just continued as long as I wanted. At around 2 1/2 yrs I started feeling bitter about it, sort of like a mama cat. I decided it was better to stop rather than feeling upset with my little nurser. Sometimes I regret stopping, especially now that my 2nd can’t nurse, but it was the right time for me then.
Best to your little one! She’s adorable.
November 4, 2009 at 11:21 am
yup, we’re at 16 months and are getting questions about when we’ll stop more and more. my daughter clearly takes tons of comfort from it and i don’t yet feel like a bitter mama cat (though can certainly imagine it). enjoy the numminess. it’s a great thing.
November 4, 2009 at 8:27 pm
My daughter is just over 6 months and we are already getting asked all the time when we will stop. I nurse her at lunch at her daycare every day and sometimes I feel like they are all surprised that I am still nursing. Won’t they be even more surprised when she is 11 months and I am still coming by at lunch time?
I hope to keep nursing until she is 2. That is the plan. I will do what I can to keep it going until then. After that, we will do what works for our family, even if that means it’s time to stop.
Awesome post. I love this.
November 6, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I am not the nursing mom in my family, but i loved this post. my partner had a really hard time in the beginning for about 4 months, maybe less. She is still nursing, and this past week, when our son was very sick with croup, it was the one thing that sustained him. He wouldn’t eat or drink, but he would nurse. He is 20 months old.
November 7, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I think that your last line, “but LJ and I are doing just fine,” is what matters most. I’m glad you’re able to determine what that means to both of you and hope you can continue until the time is right.
November 12, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I’m in a similar boat. I knew I wanted to get to 12 months of exclusive breastfeeding (even if it meant pumping 3 times a day at work!) but then figured I’d follow my daughter’s lead if she lost interest. Ha! My daughter will be 18 months next week and she LOVES her nursing time (as do I!) We’re ttc #2 right now, so I night weaned, but now I’m facing people saying “You’ll never get pregnant while nursing.” Sigh. People will always have comments.