Here we are, Molly is six months old...and she is still exclusively breastfed. To me--that's a BIG milestone.
I was over-the-moon happy when she latched on for the first time minutes after delivery...
...then when we left the hospital without having given her any formula...
...then when we made it a week breastfeeding...
...then a month, two months...
...and now, six months!
If somebody had told me I would breastfeed Molly this long while I was pregnant with her I would have had my doubts. You see--the breastfeeding road with Emma wasn't all unicorns and butterflies. It was hard...so I was going to take anything I could get when Molly arrived. I prepared myself as best I could before her arrival...and once she arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was for us.
...Six months in to it and we're still going strong. I see how natural it is--for a mother to provide for her baby. This is the way God intended it to be (I formula fed my first born--I know sometimes circumstances dictate a mother to not be able to breastfeed and I am completely cool with that). Molly is growing and thriving all because of what my body is providing for her. I can't help but be amazed by the whole process (and I can't help but think of all the money we're saving by not having to buy formula!).
At 6 months Molly nurses every 2-4 hours with breastfeeding sessions lasting anywhere from 10 minutes to 25+ minutes. She still nurses several times at night. I'm okay with that. Probably because after the first feeding I keep her in bed next to me and feeding her after that is easy. I don't feel like I'm lacking in sleep at all. I am working part time so I pump when I'm at work (I have an awesome employer who is very accommodating with my pumping needs) and I send bottles to Mooma's house on days she watches Molly. We have slowly started to introduce solids. She has had a bit of oatmeal which we mix with breast milk. She seems pretty neutral on the whole solids subject. Not overly excited but doesn't hate them--so--we go slow.
She isn't a tiny, still, newborn anymore. She fills up the Boppy pillow and moves her arms a legs while nursing. She loves to grab her feet--and nursing doesn't stop her! I have been kicked and slapped in the throat, chest and face--ha! If it wasn't for my nursing cover (which I wear around my neck), nursing in public would prove difficult. I don't see myself staying covered up with a blanket. She would throw that thing off of her in two seconds flat!
At night time we nurse in bed laying down. She is way more calm at night (thank goodness) and knows to get to business and go back to sleep. We do still have the occasional, quiet, nursing session during the day. Those are the ones that last 25+/- minutes. Those must be the times that she needs some extra mama snuggles and she knows that is a guaranteed way to get them. It's usually those ones where she will look up at me with her big eyes and smile so HUGE or stick her tongue out and go "aahhhh" or blow bubbles--and then quickly latch back on and keep nursing. A monkey I tell you! She's a silly monkey!
I love what our breastfeeding relationship has grown into. I am getting way more than I even hoped and prayed for and am so thankful we have made it 6 months. My goal is to make it a year--and we're halfway there!
Next up--teeth!
...then when we left the hospital without having given her any formula...
...then when we made it a week breastfeeding...
...then a month, two months...
...and now, six months!
If somebody had told me I would breastfeed Molly this long while I was pregnant with her I would have had my doubts. You see--the breastfeeding road with Emma wasn't all unicorns and butterflies. It was hard...so I was going to take anything I could get when Molly arrived. I prepared myself as best I could before her arrival...and once she arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was for us.
...Six months in to it and we're still going strong. I see how natural it is--for a mother to provide for her baby. This is the way God intended it to be (I formula fed my first born--I know sometimes circumstances dictate a mother to not be able to breastfeed and I am completely cool with that). Molly is growing and thriving all because of what my body is providing for her. I can't help but be amazed by the whole process (and I can't help but think of all the money we're saving by not having to buy formula!).
At 6 months Molly nurses every 2-4 hours with breastfeeding sessions lasting anywhere from 10 minutes to 25+ minutes. She still nurses several times at night. I'm okay with that. Probably because after the first feeding I keep her in bed next to me and feeding her after that is easy. I don't feel like I'm lacking in sleep at all. I am working part time so I pump when I'm at work (I have an awesome employer who is very accommodating with my pumping needs) and I send bottles to Mooma's house on days she watches Molly. We have slowly started to introduce solids. She has had a bit of oatmeal which we mix with breast milk. She seems pretty neutral on the whole solids subject. Not overly excited but doesn't hate them--so--we go slow.
She isn't a tiny, still, newborn anymore. She fills up the Boppy pillow and moves her arms a legs while nursing. She loves to grab her feet--and nursing doesn't stop her! I have been kicked and slapped in the throat, chest and face--ha! If it wasn't for my nursing cover (which I wear around my neck), nursing in public would prove difficult. I don't see myself staying covered up with a blanket. She would throw that thing off of her in two seconds flat!
At night time we nurse in bed laying down. She is way more calm at night (thank goodness) and knows to get to business and go back to sleep. We do still have the occasional, quiet, nursing session during the day. Those are the ones that last 25+/- minutes. Those must be the times that she needs some extra mama snuggles and she knows that is a guaranteed way to get them. It's usually those ones where she will look up at me with her big eyes and smile so HUGE or stick her tongue out and go "aahhhh" or blow bubbles--and then quickly latch back on and keep nursing. A monkey I tell you! She's a silly monkey!I love what our breastfeeding relationship has grown into. I am getting way more than I even hoped and prayed for and am so thankful we have made it 6 months. My goal is to make it a year--and we're halfway there!
Next up--teeth!
5 comments:
I think that is awesome! And you can do it!!!!! I felt sad when I weaned mine because that special little bonding time meant so much to me. Just soak her up, take it a day at a time, and know that she loves it as much as you do. :)
Love this post! So, so glad she is still nursing well. I hope she will be gentle when her teeth come in. So far, so good for us (and there are 4 now!).
Way to go!!!
Congratulations! I loved BFing! Everyone said it would be more work, but it never felt that way to me. I can't wait to do it again!
Oh, I nursed Abigail till 12.5 months and she had 8 teeth, only bit me once (it hurts!)
Congratulations!!! That year will be here before you know it!! As much as you and Molly enjoy nursing, that goal may get extended. :) My goal with Neen was 12 months, and she didn't wean until she was two! Great job Mama!
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