Decisions Based on Laziness
I am a deeply lazy person. The baby is eating more solid food and seems to enjoy it. I could wean her. My first son nursed until he was two, so the idea is new to me, but I know it’s possible.
I just can’t figure out if weaning is worth the hassle. I mean, theoretically, the more she eats, the less she drinks and the less milk I produce. That said, I can’t figure out which is the greater physical drain on my energy: nursing, or, not nursing and letting my period return as a result.
What do you think?
Tags: weaning-babies-off-breast-milkRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Breastfeeding
6 opinions for Decisions Based on Laziness
Mama-feminista
Jul 20, 2006 at 6:28 am
A friend of mine is now weaning at 10 months because her son is eating alot of healthy foods with no problems so she is going straight to cows milk with him. Since I have a little fellow (5th percentile for wieght according to our ped.) I have been advised to mix his cereal with whole milk (organic because I’m like that)so he can have the extra fat. He eats any kind of food and eats really good so the wieght thing is purely genetic. I considered weaning him at around the same time or just going to a morning feeding and a night feeding when he starts to eat table food and I incorporate a lunch. I do have to agree though, the period thing is great but even though I’m nursing five times a day I get a period about once every two months so I don’t think I’m actually ovulating an egg. Mine will want to wean as I have to literally create a business like atmosphere for him to nurse as he is very busy. I think moms should do whats comfortable for them but refrain from feeling guilty about it. We get so bombarded with images and messages regarding how long one should breastfeed and I think whenever and for whatever reason is a fine one. I do understand the psychological aspects of it. When mine just doesn’t feel like it or is cranky and nothing will sooth him I feel a bit insecure and my mother remembers when my brother just decided he didn’t want to anymore and she was devastated so I wonder how much of it (stopping or continuing) is psychology based.
Kate
Jul 20, 2006 at 8:08 am
I think that is a great compromise. I will keep doing what I am doing until she goes right to cow’s milk so I don’t have to fuss around with formula. Even better, I will wait until she can drink cow’s milk from a sippy cup so I don’t have to fuss around with bottles either!
Twocatmommy
Jul 20, 2006 at 8:37 am
Nursing becomes part of my parenting style. It’s less and less about food and more and more about comfort and connection (not to mention those fabulous antibodies). So it’s much easier for me to nurse than not nurse (I’m assuming, since it’s been a good 4.25 years of continuous nursing and I must admit, I’m flagging a bit).
Kate
Jul 20, 2006 at 8:45 am
Breast feeding is the easiest way to cement connection after a separation. I think that’s why the early morning and bedtime nurse are so important to working women. I assume, eventually, your kids will just want to cuddle when they now nurse which is a great ritual to introduce at any point.
I worry about what would happen to your weight if you stopped nursing after all these years. Of course, that concern is based on the only episode of Desperate Housewives I’ve ever seen…
Truth be told, when I weaned B just after he turned two, I gained ten pounds seemingly over night!
Twocatmommy
Jul 20, 2006 at 9:10 am
Oooh, I do wonder about the weight thing (particularly since I gained about 5 pounds over the last couple of vacations we’ve taken, in spite of exercising). Hence, the forcing myself to jog 3 miles yesterday.
I imagine I’m still burning about an extra 500 calories per day. I never know whether I’m truly hungry or just bored. It’s not easy.
kbaggott
Jul 21, 2006 at 12:58 am
“I never know whether I’m truly hungry or just bored.”
Well, that describes me too.
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