When to wean...

I have been thinking a lot about weaning lately - not b/c I am doing it, but b/c a lot of the other moms I know have babies around Brennan's age and slowly but surely, everyone seems to be weaning!

So I first have to say that I have a friend who was unable to breastfeed - and it was a trying and upsetting experience for her. I was so proud of her determination and then the process she went through accepting what was - that it was not meant to be. I give her KUDOS for honestly trying - and I can honestly say that she did not just give up without going into details of the situation. You know who you are.... I know you are reading........I think what you did and are doing is GREAT!

Besides that example, most of the moms that I interact with are breastfeeding moms. I am a part of a playgroup and our babies are all around the same age. And then I have a few other mom friends. I guess I thought we would just all nurse forever. But I was wrong. Now that our babies are hitting a year+, people are weaning (not all - there is about 1/2 of the group still nursing). And it just makes me sad. Of course, I hate being asked the question - so how long are you going to nurse? Because I honestly don't know. I just don't believe in mother-led weaning for my family. Brennan is no where near giving up the boobie - and I will indulge him in his comfort and source of nutrition. I love nursing him - it means so much to me. And I can't help but feel sad for the other babies whose moms are making a different choice. And I shouldn't judge and try not to - we all have different situations and I understand why they are making their decisions, but I still feel sad for baby. There are a variety of reasons that mom's choose to wean - teething, inability to pump at work (despite laws that protect and give the right), they hit their goal of 6-12 months, production issues, they get tired of it......whatever.

I guess b/c I never give Brennan a bottle, I don't even know how I would wean if I wanted to. It just doesn't seem like something I could or would do. And how would I? I would have the most unhappy child and I love that i have such a happy child! We'll see what happens in October when I am gone for three nights - but I will pump and at night Brennan will still get mommies milk, just from a bottle via daddy......during the day he is now getting whole milk b/c I am no longer pumping (thank goodness - I was tired of it - so I guess I can see how other mother's make that choice to stop).

Anyway - there is no right or wrong answer. I believe in child-led weaning. We all have the right to make the choice that is best for our situation, our family, our child, and ourself (which is a very important part of the equation!).

Wordless Wednesday

Getting old sucks

So pretty much, getting old sucks. Or stinks is the word my grandma used. It is so sad - my grandfather Meyer is failing. just a year ago, he was more frail than he had ever been, but for an 85 year old was in amazing shape - he had an active social life, went to the gym a few times a week and did cardio and weights with a trainer, was stimulated intellectually, and was the epitome of good grooming. And now, in a matter of weeks, he can hardly walk without the help of a walker, is not able to shave, is disheveled, cannot remember things. It sucks. Really sucks. The doctor says he has acute dimentia - so pretty much we can only expect things to go downhill. He goes from being lucid to not, and then stares off into space. In the middle of a conversation, he may all of a sudden look confused and wonder what you are talking about. The worst part is, he knows his mind and body are failing and he cannot do anything about it. He hates it. I hate it. My family hates it. My poor grandma - it is really hard on her. It is really hard on my mom and aunts too. It makes me sad.

I was fortunate enough to visit him over the weekend with Brennan. Two of my cousins also came in town - so that was good.

keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Amazing Birth Story and the Lactation Station

This about brought me to tears. I can only hope that the next time I give birth it is this amazing! http://davidandcorin.blogspot.com/2008/08/levis-birth.html

This weekend I had such a great experience! I volunteered at the Indiana Mother's Milk Bank Lactation Station at the Indiana State Fair. I am hoping to donate some milk too, but we are kinda getting to point that what I am producing isn't quite right for the new little ones. Anyway, it is such a great thing. There were three Lactation Stations at the fair for Nursing Mothers. Cracker Barrell donated nice rocking chairs and there was bottled water and a changing station and lots of information. It was a nice place to quietly nurse a baby out of the hot sun! There were some mothers that took advantage of it while I was there and lots more mothers that used the changing station (and even some dads!). I was so glad to see such an accomodation. Not to mention, what a great way to get the word out about the Milk Bank. Did you know, there are only 10 milk banks in the nation! The one in Indiana serves a lot of the midwest. The breastmilk is pastuerized and cleaned just like cow's milk (for any of you that were wondering or say ewwww) so it is safe for any infant. Mother's do have a blood test and the milk is tested again before it is used to ensure that there is nothing that would be harmful passed on. So glad I could help! Brennan joined me and was a hit with the other volunteers!

Wordless Wednesday - on Tuesdau