Well...its bittersweet but I think the time has come for Zac to be off the "boob".
When I first started BF'ing I wanted to quit w/in one week...then I wanted to quit by 3 months, then by 6 months. Now, i'm at the point where it's a bit hard to "let go" if that makes sense to any nursing moms out there. He has only been nursing once in the morning for the past few weeks. (He was nursing in the evening also, but he cut that out himself weeks back. Now he's not interested at all in the morning...I find myself trying to force him to it and that is a big hint that he is ready to be done with it.
I guess my issue is that I know my milk has been the best thing for him and has protected him against many illnesses that came his way. He has only been "sick" (with stuffiness and or fever) twice, and both times were very mild. I feel like this will be taking away some "magic potion" from him but I know that he has gotten great benefits from it. My main concern was that the whole milk (which he's been on for two months) may present a problem and I may have had to go back to breastmilk. He's been fine on it for 2 months now so I am sure that I worry for nothing. I wanted to keep some kind of supply as a "back up" but thats not the way mother nature has things worked out for us ;)
He literally takes for 1-2 minutes in the morning before he's thrashing to get out of my arms and takes bottles of whole milk gladly. I keep telling myself "one more day and tomorrow we'll start with all bottles"...and that one more day turns into another day and so on....
Well...just wanted to get my thoughts down here...thanks for listening to the ramble. :oops?

(((HUG))) Sara! I know that it will be hard to let go, and certainly an emotional time. That little boy of yours is showing a little more that he's growing up, and that's hard.

I think it is so great that you have breast fed him for so long. It is so hard and takes so much work and dedication that little Zac really has a lot to be thankful for. Everything I read says to do it for the first year and you have done that - I think if Zac is showing you cues that he is ready to be weaned then that is probably best. Dr. Sears has a great book on breastfeeding that I read that says to wean only when baby is ready, and it sounds like he is. Try not to be sad that it's over, but pat yourself on the back for doing this great thing for him for so long. Since the whole milk is going well and has been for a while, I think you'll be safe.

FYI - when you dry up, I found wrapping myself in an ace bandage to give me the most relief, and taking motrin.

I hope this helps,
Christyn

((((((hugs Sara))))) I know what your feeling!! I loved nursing. I think I loved it more than my boys as I was a basketcase and a cry baby when they began to wean themselves.... I totally understand your feelings. It is a season that is ending.... But, new ones will begin and it will get easier and hey, you will have more babies to nurse right? LOL

STill debating on that one, Erin ;)

Good luck, Sara. You've done a fabulous job.

:hug:

That is great that you have been able to stick with it for so long! Joshua never would latch...too impatient so I didn't get the chance.

Your little man is growing up so fast!

Awww Sara, I never BF but I'm sure I would have a hard time letting go of that experience too! Good for you for doing it for so long! They grow up way too fast don't they!

{{{HUGS}}}, Sara. I know you're going to miss it, but like Erin said, another season will begin someday, lol. Right? Who's Noah's baby brother/sister going to play with when we visit Florida in the future? Huh? You ever think about THAT? ROFL. I'm just giving you a hard time.

BTW- I am NOT PREGNANT. I'm talking about a future child. Seems we have to clear these things up around here, lol.

hmmm...good thing you cleared that up quick ;)
:stirthepot:

LOL Maggie...You nearly inadvertently got a rumour started about yourself. ;)

Sara, I agree you should be very proud of yourself to have BF Zac period, as sad as it may be for you he is still going to come to you for his comfort cause you are mama, the bond will not go away....

Well done Sara!!!!! You've done such an excellent job to still be BFing at 13 months!!! I never had the boys at the breast (although I expressed for them) but I do feel the same way (even though we are using bottles).... we are down to 2 a day (only 4oz each) and they ahve just learnt to hold the bottle themselves... I am dreading the day they don't want the bottle or don't want to be held to have it...... that is my total bonding time with them........
:hug: