You might well have noticed that over the last year I have sporadically posted about My Medela Mum journey. I teamed up with the wonderful breastfeeding brand last year and they sent me a bundle of their products to help me breastfeed Edith, such as a pump, their calma bottle and some little bits and bobs for me like nipples cream, shields and pads to help with the early days.
We’re 13 months on now and still going strong with our breastfeeding with no signs of stopping any time soon! I’ve always been very relaxed about breastfeeding my kids. Roo wasn’t breastfed at all, and when I was first his mother I can admit – to my greatest shame now – I thought extended breastfeeding was weird, something that was a bit hippy and didn’t need to be done. Then I started to learn and when you know better, you do better. That is to say, I know better and have come to realise that (if mum and baby are happy to do so) extended breastfeeding is no weirder than popping to the supermarket. It’s a choice. Did you know the world average for stopping breastfeeding is 4 years old and the world health organisation recommend at least 2 years old for the maximum health benefits? It’s called natural weaning, and I really do want to practice this with Edith. I’m not sure I will be happy to feed to 3/4 years old, but I will take each day as it comes.
I practiced natural weaning with Toby, but he chose to stop feeding when he was only 11 months old! Which means with Edie I’m broaching totally new territory.
Little things have started to happen now that she is getting older, like she can request a feed more and often tries to lift up my shirt. I think because she is a very petite child I am quite confident to feed her out and about in public still, though as she grows and starts to ask for feeds, I’m not sure how I’ll feel.
It’s been a rocky road this time with breastfeeding. With Toby I never had much beyond the initial discomfort and pain that all women get, but this time I had a range of problems from the usual soreness, blood blisters, mastitis and engorgement! It hasn’t been easy but it has been so worth it and I genuinely do feel that I have a beautiful bond with Edie that can’t be broken. I also feel that Adam has developed a side bond with her based on their joint love of boobies which has become somewhat a running joke in our home and makes us all giggle.
My only complaint with this special bond is Edith’s total point blank refusal to take a bottle of any kind. Or a beaker. Or a cup. It doesn’t matter if it’s filled with expressed breastmilk, formula, water or juice. She will not take it and prefers to wander around using them as teethers. This means that it is very difficult for me to go anywhere without her in tow, and now she is older and mobile that is becoming much more challenging than ever before! It’s something that we have to take step by step and we only struggle with night time now, but I will be going away for a weekend with Adam in April so that will be a new challenge!
I’m not sure when or how we will stop breastfeeding, but when the time comes it will be bittersweet for sure!
Did you enjoy a caffeinated drinks or alcohol in moderation while breastfeeding? What precautions did you take? Share in the comments below.
I did. I drank caffeine and continue to do so and I also drink alcohol as and when I please. Something like 0.02% goes into your milk and would have to be extreme to have an effect. H 🙂
Great post! I gave up BF far too quickly and I regret it every single day. I am proud of what we did but I long for what might of been. X
Oh Lucy what a shame! Bless you it’s something that lots of people do isn’t it? I really feel sad I didn’t get that with Reuben 🙁 xx
I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Medela, may have to invest in some of their things for when we try for baby number two 🙂
i really do think they are fab Jenna – definitely recommend them 🙂
My friend didn’t have any success with cups or bottles until she discovered the munchkin cup. It’s a proper cup, but it is sealed round the lip with some rubber strip.
Yes, we’ve tried that too Pamela! She’s still not a fan… she’ll get there 🙂 x
I couldn’t breastfeed Lamb because he couldn’t latch, so I expressed for 4 1/2 months and bottle fed. It was so important to me that he got my milk. I’m a Medela Mum this year with baby number 2 and I can’t wait t get my bundle of goodies! I’ll be combi feeding, whether that’s breast and ebm, or breast and formula, i’m going with whatever works best with us and putting no pressure on myself. xx
Wow, Alex that is SO impressive. I’m crappy at expressing, I can do it but if I’m honest I suspect it’s more to having good products than anything else, I’m not very patient with it. I hope everything goes really well for you next time – you are so right, don’t ever sweat it and put pressure on yourself. I firmly believe that while “breast might be best” it’s not at all if it’s at the cost of the mother’s happiness and sanity! H x
Well done for reaching a year breastfeeding. That’s a big achievement for both of you! x
Thank you so much my lovely. I feel really proud of us, it hasn’t always been easy but I love it (most of the time) and I really cherish every moment! H x
I was so desperate to reach a year. My girls had other plans. Well done!
Thanks Jodie, I feel very lucky that she has stuck with it 🙂 x
I fed Rosalie for about 14 months and it was wonderful, I’m so glad I did it. I didn’t know when to stop and I thought about a year was enough. You say you should do it until they are two years old so now I wish I’d carried on. Xx
Ohh I am the same when I think of Toby Sarah, but he self weaned and was having none of it! I think the average for stopping is supposed to be 4-6 months so you got waaaay further than most! I do love feeding her but sometimes wish Daddy or my Mum could take over a bit!! x
I so miss breastfeeding. I finished breastfeeding my little one nearly a year a go and a part of me wishes I hadn’t.
I know exactly what you mean Nikki! I wish I do love that bond we have 🙂