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April 17, 2003
Something has been weighing on my mind heavily for the past two days. If you all can believe this one....I have been stressing over my nursing relationship with little Sarah.
For the first year of life, it is drilled into your head...."Feed on demand, offer breast before solids, nurse, nurse, nurse, nurse. That is ALL they need for the first year of life." Now, suddenly, I have this breastmilk addict. We nurse (and I am counting correctly, no exaggerating) on the average of 20 times a day. Sarah eats like a bird, and after a whole year the previous mantra going through my head, I must reverse it now. "Limit feedings, offer solids BEFORE nursing etc...." So, I've got one booby baby on my hands, and concerned mommy. Should I have pushed solids more? Offered more? Started earlier? Nursed less?
Ah, my mind is swimming. I am commited to nursing Sarah, and am not thinking about weaning, but, my mind set goes something like this at the moment......How would I feel about giving a child a sippy cup or a bottle 20 times a day? Surely, I would offer more solids, snacks, and the like, for twenty drinks a day does seem excessive!
I had a visit with my good friend yesterday. She is pg with #3, a total AP, breastfeeding Momma, both her sons weaned at around a year old. Basically, she is pretty crunchy and all, but even she was a little shocked at Sarah's boob demands, and said "maybe it's time to do something about it". She did surprise me though. I have done so much research on nursing, even nursing past one year, and do still firmly believe right now that weaning is something the child will do, NOT something the mom does to the child. Sarah is also a total comfort nurser and the relationship is so special to both of us, but, I do think I should start setting some guidelines? Today, I offered her a snack, or got involved in a game when she yanked at my shirt. More than half to the time, it worked. A few times though, nothing else would do, and I don't want to frustrate her.
*Sigh* Who would've thought? Breastfeeding Woes at 15 months?
I want to add in a very informative article that a doctor posted on a website I frequent. Even I was shocked. I am going to print it and hand it out to everyone who questions my "craziness!"! :-)
May I also point out that breastmilk IS whole milk. It's whole human milk, not whole cow milk, but it is whole milk (meaning it has the full fat content in it and has not been skimmed like 2% or skim milk.) It also contains antibodies, has anti-bacterial properties, and is supplied to baby in a way that is comforting and nurturing.
You can certainly make sure baby has access to the breast whenever she's hungry or thirsty, you can also encourage her to eat higher calorie solids when she is eating solids, but it doesn't make good sense to add cow's milk solely for the purpose of gaining weight.
Whole cow's milk is around 19 calories per ounce. Breastmilk averages 20 calories an ounce. Breastmilk is 50% fat by calories, as is whole cow's milk. Cow's milk contains no iron, and is not a significant source of vitamins or other nutrients, except vit A and D, which it is fortified with. Breastmilk contains many other nutrients. So simply adding cow's milk to put on weight doesn't make good sense.
See you soon!
Tricia :-)
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