Weaning

Recently I have been full force into weaning Micah. Right before his surgery the doctors and I discussed his ever present need to be on formula in order to gain. While I realize his chronic, massive amounts of spit-up definitely contributed to his weight loss, I am fairly confident that my milk supply was not sufficient to meet his little body's needs. This also happened with Lo, only she didn't spit up and still lost. Clearly, something happens to my milk supply around the 7-9 month window and at that point "breast is no longer best."

However, I tried weaning but just couldn't fully get on board pre-surgery. Mostly, because I wanted to be able to offer him that comfort post-surgery and perhaps myself too. Once the surgery was over and we were home I went straight to bottles. My body seemed to adjust to no day-time nursing easily; which once again proves I had very little milk to offer.

Now, night time on the other hand is, well, a night-mare. He was nursing every 4 hours at night, thus keeping my supply up. Now we are down to waking just twice in the night at 10p and 3a. Last week I cut out the before bed nursing and this week I am cutting out the 10p nursing. But I am still hurting. I read somewhere to take sudafed D to help dry you up. Can't tell if it is helping. However, last night when I was researching it I learned that eating oatmeal boost your supply. Guess what this girl has been enjoying for breakfast lately? Yep. Oatmeal. Awesome.

Of course on top of all of that as much as I "dislike" nursing at this point, it is still so hard to break that personal bond you have with your baby. How do you say good-bye to that, especially when you know that this is the last baby you will nurse, and rock to sleep. I hate the newborn phase but it doesn't mean I don't recognize that I am saying good-bye to a lot of those sweet baby moments. Thanks hormones for making this extra difficult. I don't know how to mark a date on a calendar and say this is it, so the other day at 2a when he was still and peaceful, I rocked him extra long and said my good-byes to nursing.

I am hoping in the next couple of weeks he will be fully weaned. Thankfully, I am going through this with another bloggy friend. We actually "bonded" over weaning our daughters, went through our second pregnancies together {via the web} and now are encouraging each other through weaning pt 2. It helps to have someone know exactly how you are feeling in the moment.

Finally, you are probably wondering why I am posting about this. 1. Just for my memory. and 2. You would be surprised how many people ask me about this and the way my memory works right now I wouldn't know what to tell them. Sadly, I don't even remember how this went with Lo. Did it hurt this bad? No idea. How long did it take before I was done? No idea. I don't even remember the last time we nurse. How sad is that? Sad.

10 Months

Sigh.
10 months old.
A year ago I was big and pregnant wishing I could hold my sweet little girl in my arms.
Now she is here and making this Christmas one of the best I have experienced.

Happy 10 Months Leighton

Here are all the fun and crazy things you are up to this month:

*You are starting to say "da-da", "bye", "bah" whenever you see the dogs, and on occasion say "ma-ma"

*You "sing" along to songs. As soon as you can talk and sing I am sending you to Jendy for voice lessons :)

*You dance to music. Especially, when the pop-tart commercial comes on. You stop whatever you are doing to look up and start to boogie.

*You climb UP the stairs.

*You throw your toys and mostly importantly the ball for the dogs (as promised in this post ;) ).

*You give us your toys, food and sometimes kisses when asked.

This is your bed head. I am excited b/c you have to have HAIR for that! :)

*You still aren't walking on your own, but bolt around the furniture and on your walker like a pro. Although today you took 1 tiny step (twice) before falling. I am hoping for a Christmas miracle. It is all I want for Christmas...for you to walk!

*You had your first overnight stay with mommy and daddy for a small group retreat. This resulted in you sleeping in a tiny twin bunk bed with you just so you would sleep. You are not a fan of the pack 'n play evidently. A very tiring, long night for mommy. Although I did love waking up next to you and snuggling you all night...sometimes sleep is a tad over-rated. ;)

*Finally you are almost weaned.

Our very 1st bottle together.

This is a decision that didn't come lightly. I planned on nursing until you were a year. However, with your recent weight loss caused by my decreased milk supply I had limited choices. It was sad at first but I am loving it now.

We did go to the Dr. today to do a weight check to see if you had gained. The verdict:

Your 10 month stats are:
Wt: 15lbs 40z Ht: 26 in

So you have gained (up about 11oz)! Yay! Just another of many affirmations of my decision to wean.

It also means daddy can help more and it allows him some much needed bonding time with you. You even hold your own bottle.

*This month we celebrate your first Christmas and I can't wait.

I have never laid under the tree and looked up at all the lights? Am I weird do other people do this. It was neat and sort of peaceful. Go on try it.

We love you sweet girl. You are growing up to be a beautiful and delightful little girl. I look forward to seeing your big smile every morning. Happy 10 Months!