BIOBaby: Held Hostage
June 2, 2009 by nina
Filed under Blog It Out, Baby
I’m not one of those Moms that never has a bad thing to say about motherhood because I think doing so somehow makes me a bad Mom. I’m all about keeping it real. And on the realness, some aspects of motherhood, like everything else in life, sucks.
So, allow me to vent a bit about an aspect of breastfeeding that is wearing on my already-frayed nerves. Oh, and before you all go getting your lactating panties in a bunch, I realize that this is probably a small problem and one of my own making. I take full responsibility, but I get to vent because it’s my website and that’s how I roll.
Laying down nursing and co-sleeping are a dream for a lazy ass like me, but there are times where I feel held hostage by the routine I’ve nurtured. Take the other morning for instance. Saturday morning I woke up bright and early, but could not leave the bed because Jack was still sleeping. I thought about having Donny come upstairs and stay with him so that I could maybe take a shower, have a cup of coffee, workout, etc., but then I heard the lawnmower start and knew that Donny was busy.
But even if he wasn’t, Donny wouldn’t have been able to offer up the boob like I could any time Jack stirred. That has become the routine. Jack sleeps through the night, but some nights he stirs and will pull at my nightshirt until I whip one out and let him suckle himself back to sleep. I cannot move until he’s done and being done isn’t always so easy to determine. Just cause he stops sucking, doesn’t mean he’s finished. If I go to remove it, he suddenly cups the boob with both hands and start sucking away like, “Where do you think you’re going?”
Usually, it’s a double-edged sword because I don’t want to lie there for an hour so being a human pacifier, but I also don’t want to do anything to wake him up because 1. he needs his sleep and 2. when he’s sleep and I finally pry myself away, I might be able to actually get shit done.
Last night we moved the pack-n-play right next to our bed and Donny lowered the mattress. We tried putting him in there, but he woke up both times and looked at us like, “Um, no. I belong up there with you two and don’t even think about tryna get busy because I don’t need any other siblings.”
Yes, Jack is a cockblocker.
He’ll be ten months old in two days and I planned on nursing for 18 months, but now I’m thinking, “hell to the naw!” Eight more months is a really long time. That’s a whole ‘nother pregnancy.
Also, I kinda want my boobs back. They’ve become family entertainment. Last night I was sitting on the couch wearing a nursing nightgown. Jack crawled up into my lap and started tugging at it. I pulled out a booby and instead of him laying my lap in the cradle position, he faced me and rested on his knees. Then, with the boob still in his mouth, he stood and plopped back down on his knees blowing air out of his mouth as he went. This resulted in a farting noise.
Donny and Kali laughed. Ever the ham, and realizing he was on to something, Jack continued to do it over and over again. They all laughed, including Jack. You ever see a baby laugh with a titty in his mouth? It’s pretty damn cute.
But that’s not the point. The point is that I’m wondering if one year might be my stopping point. I’m trying to gauge what feels right for both Jack and I. As I type this, he’s in my lap, sucking away and sleeping. It’s beautiful and makes me think that 8 months ain’t so long after all.
Now to the good stuff. Pictures and videos!
Jack ripped up my $20 game guide for Animal Crossing so I had to get another one. He’s now allowed to rip the old one to shreds if he desires. What does he do? Turns the pages like a civilized reader!
Still with the tongue
The below video is kinda dark, but I didn’t want to risk moving to turn on the light and then he’d stop “reading” the book.
“Reading” with better light
Nina is a 34-year-old mother, wife and writer who spends her days blogging, studying, changing diapers and watching ridiculous amounts of TV. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, two children and three TiVos.
He is just so adorable! I don't know that I could make it 18 months nursing. I had a hard enough time getting my boy weaned at 12 months, and he would still get revved up if I was showing cleavage weeks later. Of course, this particular child is 3 1/2 now and FINALLY sleeping through the night. Beware! Beware! (sorry, we are watching Scooby Doo right now)
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LikeGirl... my son Tye was damn near two when I stopped... pros--- I feel like he's smarter than other kids, lol, and we are so close...
Cons-- be careful, most of his baby teeth went rotten and he had to have a minor surgery. They don't explain to you the sugars in breast milk. Luckily, he has a brand new beautiful full set. All is well.
JACK IS CUTE AS PIE!!!!!! OHMEEEGGGGOODYNESS!
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LikeCUTE!
Milo is 18 months and will be 19 on the 22nd - still breastfeeding. I have a love/hate relationship with it as well. Somedays I think, I never want to stop. Other days, I can't wait to be done with it. I decided to allow him to wean himself - figuring that should happen around 2 years. He shows NO SIGNS of wanting to give it up. In fact, I think I'll need help weaning him cause he probably won't wean himself. Two years is my cut-off. I want my life and body back. We can't have a night or weekend away from him. He still wakes at night to nurse. I haven't slept THROUGH the night (more than 5-6 hours at once) in over 18 MONTHS! I'm looking forward to having my breasts and body back.
You're right - the cutest thing ever is a little giggle as he has a titty in his mouth. I make Milo laugh while nursing cause it is so freaking adorable.
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LikeJack is so damn cute!! I am also having the same problem with my don who will be 2 in July. I am definitely his pacifer!! I cant seem to break him!! And to make matters worse, I am pregnant due in November. Anyone have any ideas?
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LikeI would say begin wheaning out the nursing from his schedule. I would start with either the morning or night time feeding. Those two seem to be the hardest to eliminate. Also, get him on a consistent schedule where he knows he only nurses at this time. Once you get that time, cutting the rest of the nursing should come easier. You will learn even as he gets older he is no longer interested himself and may even wean himself.
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LikeHOW EFFING ADORABLE is it that he loves to crawl on his sister? awwwww the love, the love. :)
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LikeI know you are already well aware of this, but he's a cute kid.
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LikeI only made it 15 months with both my daughters and 9 months with my son. The weaning process can be stressful. It was different for all three of my children, but we survived it.
My suggestion would be to implement a schedule for him with nursing. That may change how you're feeling and give you the courage to continuing nursing until 18 Months. Good luck with whatever you may choose.
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LikeAww girl I know its going to be hard but you should start gradually weaning him. Its only going to get harder to do so as he gets older.
My cousin has a son who is going to be either 3 or 4 in a few weeks and that boy is literally tied to the tit lol only thing is he does run the show. just cuz she tries to discipline him does not mean he listens... UGH i love my cousin but im sorry to say i cant stand her son.
PS Can I marry Jack? He is so cute, adorable and handsome. I think Im in love with your son =)
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LikeDoesn't Jack take a pacifier? That would free up your boobs some. Especially at night or if you wake up early and want to sneak away.
All our kids were co-sleepers. As a matter of fact, our 3 year old and our 10 month old sleep with us now. Yeah, it sucks sometimes....okay, alot of the time. But really we wouldn't have it any other way. I think all of us sleep more safe and sound this way.
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LikeThis is the first blog of yours I got around to! I love your writting style. You are too much fun! Now that I figured out how to do this from my phone, ill be back!
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LikeI highly recommend pumping and bottle feeding. Binkies (pacifier) at night.
Letting him use you as a pacifier is the hardest habit to break.
I nursed 3 of mine.
I am in awe that you have done so well.
Seriously breaking the habit is 3 nights of pure freakin HELL. I do promise that is all it is though.
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LikeI have no clue about breastfeeding, thankfully. But you do make pretty babies!!!
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LikeMy nephew sticks his tongue out just like that.
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Likeim so stalking you today ahahaha
Dei stopped herself at 7 months mainly because she had gotten a taste of solid food and booby juice wasnt as interesting any more...
I think that breastfeeding is the best things for BABIES...but I think once a child is able to eat solid food it isnt as critical and once your kid starts opening your clothes to get what he/she wants then its time to start reclaiming your boobs...imho
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LikeHe is absolutely adorable. Do what you feel is right as far as the breast feeding is concerned. You might want to start slowly but surely prying him off the breast. Kinda like you can suck on it during these times but not during these. That's what friend of mine did, it worked for her. She had a really hard time letting go, because she felt that the minute she would stop breast feeding that part of their bond would be gone. The kid is now 12 and is still a momma's boy ;)
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LikeThat is EXACTLY why I told your ass to stop at six months and then move the milk into a bottle with a pump. He's going be difficult to wean at 1 year because he's being doing it literally his entire life. You're in for trouble my dear. Don't even think about going to the 18 month thing.
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LikeI stopped nursing at 14 months because my back hurt from propping myself up to let the kid nurse at all hours of the night. I often fell asleep on my side with my hand holding up my head, and I was always in pain the next day. Weaning was not fun. She is now 2 and a half, still sleeping with me, and I severely miss breastfeeding. I wish she still nursed. Honestly. :(
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LikeYou really DO make the prettiest babies!
Not having kids yet, I have no advice on the breastfeeding... I'll be curious to know what you decide, though.
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