Public Breastfeeding is Disgusting??

fellow facebooker posted THIS today... initally hit a nerve... then I finished reading it. So true, so true!

When to call it quits...more on extended nursing.

I've previously discussed in my blog my feelings on "extended nursing" ... or nursing past 1 year. I haven't really thought much more about it until Lucy amped her sessions from twice a day up to 3 or 4 times a day. I'm not sure what prompted the change.. perhaps she is going through a growth spurt, needing more comforting... learning to ask by signing has certainly opened up our communication. If you're not familiar with my views... I believe that each family, circumstance, parenting, nursing relationship... yadayada is different... I don't judge any mother's desire (or lack there of) to have a nursing relationship. My first two children weaned at just past a year... and I believe personally about a year too soon. But really, when is the right time to draw the line? Like I said... I support every mother's good intentions... but it seems that there are a majority of judgemental mothers out there that shutter at the thought of nursing past a year. The general impression is that somehow the need or want to extended nurse... suddenly goes past feed and nurture... and right onto a path of malintented perversion. What?? What changes suddenly in a nursing mother child relationship that makes for a drastic need to change what was previously wonderful and comforting?? I just don't get it?? I asked a new friend recently... Do you have a cut off date?? As she is still nursing her almost 2 year old. She said that she did not... but couldn't imagine nursing someone as old as say... Max who has just turned 5. I in fact know several people who still have active healthy nursing relationships with their preschooler. I look at my son and cannot wrap my head around nursing him... BUT ...I believe that I don't have this vision... (not because I'm being judgemental) but because I haven't experienced this with him in 4 years. Now... if I had not ever stopped... and its a part of our day to day life... how could I possibly feel that nursing him was abnormal or perverted. Max recently asked to try nursing again... I had to decline him just for that reason... we've not been there in 4 years... and I was just not willing to back track just for curiosity's sake.

What is your take on this???

Please don't take my boob away!!!

What do you mean the boob fairy isn't real???, originally uploaded by RGonzalezPHOTOGRAPHY.

So I spoke with a lactation consulatant on the phone yesterday... she suggested a few things to help... lansinoh cream... I was using already... a prescription nipple ointment... pumping at a lesser strength suction so that I didn't bleed or cause more damage... (this was to help get my left side milk production back up). Or because she is such an excited nurser... start on the Left side... until she calms down, them move over to the damaged side now that she isn't so agressive. I've been doing the last option + loading up on lansinoh ointment. And so far...so good!! No bleeding at all today!

I haven't even concidered quitting. I know certianly its an option at this age... but we both still love it and I would wan't to because of "readiness" not because of this circumstance or another roadblock.

Anyway, thank you so much for your links and suggestions!!!!!

More Milk Please!...Extended Nursing?

I have never really had an issue with low milk supply...except toward the end of the day. I hear that's pretty normal but I always feel guilty watching my babies work extra hard for every last little drop before I put them down for the night. I find myself tempted sometimes to give them a bottle just to help satisfy them (knowing full well that doing so is a complete contraindication to my overall supply)

Today a friend of mine offered me some "Organic Mother's milk" tea...as a kind gesture during a play date at her house...and she sent me home with a handful of teabags. I gratefully accepted and did not think anything of it again until my infant gulped herself to sleep tonight. (for the first time in months I might add!) I had a full supply of milk this evening, with nothing different done other than a cup of this yummy tea around 1pm this afternoon.

I must say that I am still skeptical...could one cup really work such magic??? I will have another cup tomorrow afternoon around the same time and see if still yields the same results.

On the topic of nursing, I have put a lot of thought into the "how long??" question. I feel my first two quit me long before I was truly ready. Max was almost 14 months and Katy was 13 months when they moved on to the sippy cup and left me high and dry...I felt myself really missing the experience.

It always seems to be a tough topic to share with most. There are so many strong opinions on whats really best...and when to say "enough is enough". One comment I've heard often as a spectator is. "that's disgusting, when they can pull your shirt up and get it themselves...its time to call it quits!"

WHY???? It makes it hard for a woman to have this extended and completely natural experience with her child when almost everyone who encounters you doing it will shun you like a child molester. Not even close people!

I am not a nipple Nazi and certainly respect that mothers have there personal cutoffs. I for one don't have a set number in my head for when I will wean my child and I embrace being able to hold on to that special nurturing tool for as long as I can. And I hope to find acceptance as I go on this nursing journey.

Do you have a nursing cutoff? If so, please tell me why :)