When Paige turned 13 months old I decided that it was probably time to start weaning her from nursing. At that time, she was still nursing five times a day (I know that was a lot, but I have always been obsessed with making sure she gets enough to eat...I guess having a kiddo in the third percentile for weight will do that to you!) Anyway, I started taking away one daytime feeding each week and she didn't even seem to miss them.
After doing this, I definitely believe that weaning is a lot harder for the mom than the baby/toddler (ha!). I know this is the first of many things that I will have to "give up" as my little girl gets older. Of course, this is very minor compared to what she will want (or will have) to do without me as she grows...like go to kindergarten, or go on a date, or go to college!!
Wow, isn't it funny that parents strive to teach kids how to be independent and yet it is really hard to let them be independent when they are ready. For example, it took months for Paige to learn to drink out of a sippy cup (so she wouldn't be dependent upon me for her milk), and now it is heartbreaking to know that soon she will never nurse again. Don't get me wrong...I like not having to nurse her five times a day...but my baby has grown so fast! I am sure this is how a lot of mothers feel...it's so bitter sweet!!
Anyway, for about the last week or so, Paige has only been nursing in the morning and at night. So, on Wednesday I decided it was time to take away her nighttime feeding. This was definitely the hardest one for me, so I wanted to nurse her one last time (at night) and "take it away" on Thursday. I am pathetically pitiful, because I relished every moment watching her while she nursed last night. I cried a little and smiled when she reached down to grab my hand that was laying next to her. (She sometimes holds my hand when she is nursing, so I was glad she did it for her last time.) I am really going to miss the quiet time that we have together each night, but I believe that this is a good time to let go of the nighttime nursing...we will still have morning snuggles!
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