Get off the gravy train
Oliver had his nine-month check up this week (a month and a half late, I realize).
I was profoundly grateful that, unlike at CJ’s nine-month check up, the doctor did not discover a double ear infection. I was proud that, unlike at any of CJ’s or Tacy’s check ups, he barely noticed the needle being jabbed into his chubby little thigh.
And I was guiltily relieved that, when the doctor asked if Oliver was still breastfeeding, I told her that yes, he was, but that I was headed to a conference in February – and that would be the end of the mommy chow gravy train, if he hadn’t already voluntarily disembarked by then.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m awed and thankful that he has nursed this long and this well. We’ve had no issues with weight gain. He’s adopted no other self-soothing habits that we’ll have to break down the road, like thumb sucking. We’ve saved literally hundreds of dollars on formula.
But it’s a leash. Breastfeeding is a leash that keeps me tied to him (along with his stubborn refusal to accept a bottle or sippy cup). I have to consider his need for me in all plans that I make – and to be honest, I’m getting tired of it.
He went with me to Chicago in May, to San Francisco in July, and he would have come to New Jersey with me in April. Back then, he was still quite portable, even on airplanes.
Now that he’s nearly walking and much more insistent on voicing his opinions, he’s really not the greatest traveling or conference companion. So while I was able to rely on the kindness of friends to help keep Oliver occupied and give me an occasional break in both Chicago and San Francisco, now I’d have to pay them (or ply them with drinks) to chase him around.
To complicate matters, he’s not yet ready for whole milk, and I’m not willing to pump precious ounces only to put them in a sippy cup that he will almost certainly wave around and drop on the floor. No, I don’t want him to waste whole milk either (have you seen the cost of a gallon of milk these days?), but I’d rather see that hit the deck than mommy chow.
So as much as I want to attend Chicks Who Click in January, I’ve decided that I’m not prepared to start the battle quite yet.
But come January 31, 2009, there will be a gallon of whole milk in my fridge and assorted drinking implements laid out on my counter. The boy will drink milk delivered second hand, one way or another.
And I will be free. A little sad, a little wistful, but eagerly anticipating a solo trip to Houston, where I will undoubtedly hold other people’s babies and miss my own.
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December 12th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Sounds like it is time for a sippy cup round-up. It sucks but whatever it takes for them to give up the boob.
Amelia Sprouts last blog post..Open Letters
December 12th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
On The Boy’s 1st birthday he bit me rather ferociously and grinned. I grinned right back and announced, “That’s it for you!” From that moment on it was soy milk in a cup. The End.
December 12th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
It’s so hard as a mom to let go and realize they grow up so soon..however, seems like your on track not rushing it and that is so much better…kids and babies need mommy time which once gone is over…so relax make January the month to begin different patterns with baby and enjoy every one of them..
Blessings from grammy
Dorothy from grammology
grammology,com
Dorothy Stahlneckers last blog post..Message From Over Seas
December 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I’m bringing one to BlogHer for you! (A baby, not a sippy cup.)
FWIW, when I had to give back my (borrowed) pump a little before my kid turned 1, my doctor OK’d cow’s milk for him at 11ish months (1-2 servings a day–he still nursed the other times).
mayberrys last blog post..Random ‘n’ ranty
December 12th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
my 9mo is addicted to the boob. he will take a sippy for juice and occasionally a little bit of thawed breastmilk (from when i was more ambitious) or formula. but for the most part, it’s the boob. and it sucks. pun intended. march 18th 2009 will be a glorious day in this house. for me, anyways. happy birthday, kiddo. i’m taking away your favoritist thing. heh.
MommyNamedAprils last blog post..Mostly I Don’t Look Like I’ve Been Living in a Garbage Can. But Sometimes it Happens.
December 12th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
God bless you for telling it like it is. It’s so good to hear the truth and not some uber mommy fluff that every moment of mothering is unending bliss. It does get difficult towards the end of breast feeding…and that end comes for everyone at a different time.
evis last blog post..Am I Friggin Hallucinating?!!
December 12th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
It is such an individual decision on how and when to stop nursing. I’m all for the ending coming when Mom and/or baby say they are done. For me with my son it was at 14 months, for both of us. We’ll see about the baby. She still hasn’t really started solids so it will be a whole new ball of wax.
Heathers last blog post..I’m Rocking My Baby
December 13th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Yes, free, and yes, a little sad. Good luck with it.
patoiss last blog post..The Weekly Wonderings #88
December 13th, 2008 at 9:16 am
I remember being so stressed out about the milk situation…standing in the sippy cup aisle at Target and crying…but then once my little guy realized mama meant business about the cups..he went with it. It was a little sad..but after awhile..I think we were both glad to be more independent..lol.
December 13th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Gigi wouldn’t take anything – a bottle or cup for the first year and it stressed me out. The leash made me cry sometimes. But when I attended my first conference and did the weaning, I knew I’d done a great job. I missed it but the freedom balanced it out.
katie ~ motherbumpers last blog post..wordless wednesday: now with less words
December 13th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I remember feeling so free when I quit nursing, but YES, I missed that feeling of nurturing bonding that happened every time I put the babies to my breast. Nothing like it ever in the history of the world. But NOT leaking through my bra was right up there too.
Anissa@Hope4Peytons last blog post..…only when followed by the words “How much?”
December 14th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I’m there. I’m in that place where I no longer want to be someone’s chew toy and necessity every 3 to 4 hours. So I’m weaning, but it’s going faster than I thought and I know I’ll miss that bonding time with her when its all said and done.
Lindsees last blog post..Doctor’s Offices and Customer Service
December 15th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I got your back, woman. You deserve an award in my book for ten months. A BIG award. I think you’re great.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I don’t miss that leash one bit.
(Don’t kill me.)
December 16th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
My third one nursed right up to her first birthday and I was convinced she’d be a HORROR to wean since she would not take a bottle or cup of any kind . . . turns out, she was the easiest!
Hope your transition goes just as easy, easy like Sunday morning!
December 17th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I think you have done great. As we have said many times, what works for the family works for the family. It’s still hard, I know. xoxo
Aimee Greeblemonkeys last blog post..December Greeblepix Finalists
April 20th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
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