Moving on

Yesterday, I read on Meagan's Musings that it was the end of World Breastfeeding Week, and I realized, it was quite fitting.  World Breastfeeding Week ended on August 7, and I haven't nursed Riley since August 6.  Good timing, I guess.  

I nursed Gavin until he was 16 months old, and since Riley is most likely my last baby, I had planned to nurse her just as long, if not longer.  But, let's face it....she hasn't made things easy this last year.  I loved breastfeeding my babies.  That time for me to drop everything and snuggle them up and gaze into their eyes was magical.  But....not being able to leave the house at all without feeling stressed that she'd just be here screaming and crying was wearing on me.  So, it's bittersweet, but I decided when she was one I'd start weaning her.

Well, Riley took to her cup of whole milk way better than I expected.  She loves her milk!  So, the week before her birthday we were down to just three feedings a day (midday, before bed, and about 4:30am).  Last Friday, we were out at dinner time, and Riley fell asleep on the way home.  I just transferred her to her bed, and she stayed asleep.  So, we eliminated our bedtime feeding then.  Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning she woke up around 3 instead for 4:30ish and I nursed her, and she went back to bed.  And that was it....  Tuesday morning she slept until 6:30 and never woke up for an early morning feeding.  So, we went with it.  And that easily, we're finished nursing.  

I have to admit, I'm pretty proud of myself.  I remember being pregnant with Gavin and thinking about how I didn't want to breastfeed.  It just wasn't what I was used to, since I hadn't been around anyone that had nursed their babies.  Then, the frugal part of me decided it made sense to at least try it...formula is expensive!  I remember telling Jarrod my goal was 6 weeks, and if it didn't work and I gave up, he had to be supportive.  Little did I know how much I'd love it, and cherish that time.  My six week goal turned into a cumulative 28 months of breastfeeding.  And yes, at times it was way difficult, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  

I remember how sad I was when I decided it was time to wean Gavin.  It was strange, and something only a breastfeeding mom would understand probably, but I felt like it was the end of an era.  I remember asking Jarrod to take a picture of me nursing him on what I knew would be one of our last days, and I love that picture.  Of course, I wanted the same photo this time around, but Riley had different plans.  We never got one before our bedtime feeding dropped, and I obviously couldn't get one at 4:30am when she was nursing in the dark.  So, we don't have that ending photo.  And that's ok...because I'll always have this beginning photo....