When there's a wean, there's a way

By Amber

Prior to having my son Bode, my goal was to nurse him for six months. This was lofty given my negative experience feeding my daughter who, after three months of resisting, finally went on strike and I dried up forever. I was happy. She was much happier. And I dreaded ever having to do it again.

But this time around was much different with my "boob man" Bode. For some reason, I am reluctant to admit that I have enjoyed nursing him. Though I won't miss being constantly attached at the hip (or rather, boob), there is a part of me that will miss the way he grins like he's in nursing nooky nirvana every time he dives in.

We're taking a cruise without the kids at the end of January, but that still seems so far away and I wasn't planning to start weaning until after New Year's. My husband Jamie has been pressuring me lately to start now. I honestly thought it would be a breeze because Bode eagerly takes one bottle a day from Jamie prior to bedtime.

I was wrong.

My plan last week was to replace one feeding session with a bottle. Unfortunately, I discovered that though Bode is delighted to take a bottle from Daddy, accepting one from me is a completely different story.

I settled in on the couch and he geared up for his flashing session. But then came Bottle. He took it, grinning, as if to say, "You're messing with me, right?" After a few minutes, he realized, "Holy crap... this is some sick joke, and where is mama's manna?"

Then he wailed and wailed -- a revolt dedicated unto every kid who's ever had his mom's breast unceremoniously taken from him.

I finally gave in and nursed him. The waterworks immediately turned off, his devious smile returned, and he gazed at them lovingly as if to say, "Don't ever leave me again."

In a word: it is not going well. OK, so that's five but who's counting?

I informed Jamie about my failure and he started giving me tips on weaning.

"Jamie, how do you know all this?" I asked.

"I've been reading up on it lately," he said.

It was somewhat disconcerting to think my husband knows more about this than I do. And it doesn't make sense that he is pressuring me to stop doing something that could potentially save him loads of money every month in the cost of formula.

But then I discovered his memo:

     Dear Bode,

     I want my boobs back.

     Sincerely,
     Your Father

Suddenly, it's all making sense...

Amber is a former adventure-travel writer turned adventurous unraveling mother to two-year-old Hurricane Hadley and baby Bode.

Comments

[maria]

any excuses for a trip? that's how I weaned both of mine - going away for a one week business trip cured them (tho take your pump - I wasn't prepared the first time and it was miserable!)

[Stephanie]

Ohhhh, I remember weaning so well. It's no fun if baby doesn't want to do it. Both my kids were pretty resistant to it but did finally get weaned.

Best of luck to you!

[Jeni]

I am weaning in March after 9 wonderful months nursing. I envision this easy transion from boob to bootle, but I doubt it will really be so easy. Your post hits home!