How long do you plan on nursing ?

I Have recently been asked about my plans when it comes to Emmaleigh and nursing on two occasions. The first time I was actually told I should get her off, cause she is too old. So that I could go off and do things, get a job ect. Emmaleigh was born almost 8 weeks early and is doing remarkable well. I don't agree with weaning her for my own selfish needs or furthermore for the selfish or misunderstanding of what a child needs of others.

The 2nd time I went to the doctor. He wasn't a wear of the fact that Darin had been fixed and he started pushing on the birth control issues and wanted to know when I planned on stopping breastfeeding and kept on telling me If I do decided to stop come back and we can do some birth control. What I don't understand is I don't feel it's a plan for me or even my decision. I feel like Emmaleigh nursing is as much as her right as it is my right to breathe. I don't have a answer for how long I plan on nursing because it is a joint desion between both me and my daughter and since she can not speak and tell me mom I think I want to quit at this age and I can not see the future and neither can she I can not answer that question. It's like me asking you what will you be having for dinner on October 12, 2018. Can you tell me ? The end of breastfeed is not a "magical" day where her and I will say yesterday was the last day. What I see happening on how our nursing will come to a end is a day where we may have nursed 15 times and then we may start nurse less and until we come to a day where it's a rare thing and before I know it. It will have been a week then two and she will not ask to nurse anymore and I will know I did my job. I will be sad that she will be done but I will know she no longer emotionally or nutritionally need my milk anymore. Most of my family and friends have been around as I nursed the others and know that I am much different than others and I don't not quit cause they have reached that 235 day of life. I sorry but When I look at my baby she has not changed in those 24 hours and this is something I trust in my body and hers to know she needs it or she wouldn't do it. We have this amazing demonical bond.

Many moms wonder if there is a reason on benifit to nurse past that first birthday. Breastfeeding provides much more than just nutrition. Toddlers really enjoy nursing -- they don't nurse for milk alone. Breastfeeding soothes your child. It comforts him when he is tired, sick or hurt. Nursing is your baby's way of touching base with you as he busily explores his world. Parents often worry that their child will become clingy and dependent if they are nursed for an extended period of time. Providing your little one with this loving and secure base actually helps him to become independent. The health benefits of breastfeeding do extend throughout the entire time you nurse. A longer duration of breastfeeding has been found to be directly associated with not only fewer infant illnesses, but subsequently, fewer toddler illnesses. Mothers also benefit from extended nursing. You continue to benefit from the hormones of breastfeeding. The "mothering hormone," prolactin, relaxes you, while oxytocin stimulates loving , nurturing behavior. As mothers of nursing toddlers know, this can be very important to your mental and well-being. Life with a toddler is not always easy! You also benefit from the intimacy that nursing provides. Taking time out of a busy day to cuddle is as important to moms as it is to their babies.

The natural time of weaning will vary from child to child. In cultures where children are allowed to nurse as long as they want it has been found that natural weaning takes place between three and four years of age. Extended nursing seems to be the human norm.

So why is it that I have a 18 month child who is the size of a 12 month old and I'm already getting those looks and stars ? She not even 2. Yes she has teeth. Yes she can ask when she wants it in her own way. I ask you what is wrong with that ? If I'm thirty can't I pour myself some water ? If I'm hungry can't I make myself a sandwich ? If I would give her a cup of juice when she asked would there be a problem. I think not. IF I were to bring her favorite teddy bear for her hug when she was sleepy no one would think twice they properly thing it was quite adorable. if she needed a special blanket then she was sad or hurt there would be a problem there either. Can I help it if I'm super mom. When she is hungry, tried, hurt, or just sad my arms wrap around her little body and some warm milk in her tummy makes all that was wrong okay. You know I am okay with that cause I feel I am doing what I was meant to do. IF my baby was only meant to nurse for 1 year I would have dried up on her birthday. If I wasn't meant to nurse at all my breast wouldn't have made milk. SO I know I am doing when is best for both of us and we are happy with that and if you don't support my choice that is your own problem. you don't have to agree with my choice, but you don't have the right to try and tell me I am wrong and you are right or try and make me feel like I'm doing something wrong cause I'm not and I think nursing a baby is more beautiful than a baby drinking from a cup or hugging a blanket or a bear and I very thrilled with the hard time we have over come not many premature babies are nursing when they are released from the NICU must less there first Birthday or even by the time they are 1 1/2 so for me this is a wonderful millstone and I looking forward to the next and one after that and the one after that until my job is done. So in the answer your question. How long do I plan on nursing ? until my job is done.

Valentine's Day !8 month old update

2-16-09

I thought I would write about Emmaleigh Valentine's Day as well as her 18 month update, which will be in a few days. Her Valentine's Day went well. Nothing super special for a 1 ½ year old little girl. I had a nice day daddy cooked for me and as much as I tried to get her to sleep early with the other kids something woke her up a dozen times so I gave up. I took some pictures of her in a cute valentine day dress I had earlier.

Now for the 18 month update. It's hard to believe she will be 18 months old in a few days that a year and a half !!! She is doing well walking and running !! she learning to climb stairs. walking hold my hand and talking she a very sweet little girl with a very hot temper. She is still nursing and doing well with it. My cycles have still yet to return with this little lady keeping me up nursing a lot too. Like I said I took some pictures of her on Valentines day. We also happen to have our first ultrasound of her on Valentine's day which was out first peek onto the womb to see Emmaleigh so it kinda of cool to see how much she changed from that little bean to a almost 6 months old baby to a walking, running toddler she is today.I don't even want to think how much she will change in the next year. I just want to treasure these moments with her and I know how blessed we are to have her in our lives she is our special miracle baby girl !! Emmaleigh Claire we love you !

Cutness

1-11-09
Emmaleigh is 16 ½ months old. ( I guess I'm doing her 17 months update a little early) She will be 17 months a week from tomorrow) She took her first steps a few weeks ago right before Christmas has taken some time but she is walking alot now and climbing doing wonderful. I see her growing up and changing right before my eyes it makes to so excited to see her grow and learn new things yet so sad how fast she is growing. It's been 2 years since I got pregnant with her. Next week will be 2 years since I found out she was on her way. She is almost 19 pounds now, which she has come a long way from her 32 week 4lbs 8oz self with a lowest weight of 3lbs 11oz. She is still breastfeeding alot to the point that she is still not sleeping through the night and still keeping my ovulation away which means no period and a happier mommy for 2 years which I have to admit is very nice. She is starting to talk as well which I think it wonderful !!!! It's soo cute to hear these little voices talk.

Two cute stories.

story 1

Daddy was having a late night snack and Emmaleigh was the only child still awake, she is on her own schedule. Daddy was giving her bites of his snack. Emmaleigh would make noises when she wanted another bite lots of ooh and ahh's. Daddy got up and went into the kitchen and left a small piece on the dinner tray. Emmaleigh walked up to the tray picked up the piece looked at it looked back at the kitchen to see if daddy was coming put it down picked it back up and looked back at the kitchen then booked at the piece and at the kitchen would not eat it. When Daddy came into the room she put it down very fast and walked off as if to play it cool. I told Daddy What she had done so he sat on the other side of the living room and would close his eyes say I'm going to sleep and pretend snore. Emmeleigh would pick it back up then he would open his eyes and say "what are you doing" ? She would put it back and Daddy and Emmaleigh would repeat this a few times until he said you can have it. Emmaleigh would not pick it up he had to hand it to her before she would eat it. If it had been any of the other children it would have been gone before you said boo !

Story 2

Emmaleigh had just learned the word baby !! which was so cute she would say it everytime she held this Dora baby she loved it. Nothing special about it. It was Bella's. it was hard and old. I thought it was so cute I wanted to hear her say baby over and over again so I would said "what's this?" and she would baby "bay bay" it was so cute the way she would say it. finally I did stop saying what's this. Emmaleigh turned around picked up the baby and turned to me and said "what's this" I couldn't help but tell her "baby" but it was soo funny that she was asking me what's this sooo sweet. She only did that a few times but I love hearing her say "bay bay".

In all I very proud of Emmaleigh and I love watching her grow and learn new things

Holiday Update

1/3/09
Emmaleigh is 16 months old now. She is walking now. We have been thought Halloween, which was nice. She went as pebbles paired up with brother Zack who was bam bam. Thangiving was fun too I made her a dress which was very hard and we had thankgiving at home. She got to see snow early in December which is a big deal when you live in lousiana. She had a wonderful christmas and new years. She didn't understand much of either. She liked some of her new toys, but was greatful or anything infact the older kids open most of her gifts for her. She has changes alot since last year. She starting to walk now and say a few wordss not alot but some, but over all she had a great Christmas and new year. so welcome in 2009 for our beautiful baby girl !!