At least I hope so.
I’ve said before that Zack is now 9 months old. Today, was a depressing day in the world of nursing.
He used to nurse for about 20 minutes in the morning (whether it be 5am, 6am or 7am), and then for 7-10 minutes 3 times during the day and then 20 minutes at bed time. The day time feedings have been dwindling to 5-7 minutes each, even skipping one. The big feedings (morning and night) have been dropping to 15-17 minutes.
Today was sad. He nursed for 15 minutes, but after a few pop-offs. Then, that was it. I kept offering today, but he would just arch his back and cry. I, myself, tried not to get discouraged (at least I didn’t get bit). Then finally, tonight, he nursed for 17 minutes.
He eats 3 solid meals a day. Fruit and yogurt for breakfast, veggies and grains for lunch, meat and veggies for dinner (puffs for dessert while David and I eat our dinner). Water for liquid in between. So maybe he’s getting enough in the way of solids.
I really hope this is just a strike and he’ll regain his thirst for mama. I really hope this is not the beginnings of a self-wean. My friend was right – she said that when nursing comes to an end, it’s sad. She said although its very freeing not to have to worry about nursing or pumping, it’s also depressing. She pumped until a week or two after his birthday. Her son is a bundle of energy and it was difficult to nurse him for any length of time – he always wanted to be on the move.
I’ll admit, a part of me can’t wait until I’m free from having to worry about juicing my boobs all the time. But the majority of me is in it for the long haul. If I have to only nurse in the morning and/or evening and even if I have to pump (I’ll clean dust off of my pump in case it comes to it), Zack will get breast milk until he turns 1.
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