Whenever I post, I always start with the title. It tends to set my mood for what I'm going to write. Today, I had so many possible title ideas that I couldn't decide which to use.
Release the Shackles
I'm the Milkman, and I Quit!
Free At Last, Free At Last, Thank God Almighty, I'm Free At Last
Water Balloons to Bean Bags
A Little Bit of Sadness
Persistence Paid off
This Breastaurant is Closed!
Oh Bartender....
The list could go on. I am sure it is clear what this post is all about.
As you all know, getting Mya to drink milk has been an ongoing battle. I have been VERY persistent for the last 3-4 months. I have given her a sippy or bottle of milk to look at, play with, and throw on the floor. I have gone through countless tubs of formula (which are very expensive) in my pursuit to get Mya to drink her milk. I have pumped each evening, but have only gotten 1-2 oz. total. I have given her the breastmilk in a bottle, I have given her the breastmilk mixed with formula, I have given her just formula. I have tried everything.
Over the last month or so, Mya has become more open to drinking from the bottle, yet still resistent. I usually give it to her during meals or snacks when I know she is goingt to get thirsty. The doctor told me that she should be getting AT LEAST 15 ounces a day. "Do you think she is getting that?" She asked. "Uh.... NO!" There was no way Mya was getting this much milk. I was lucky, and thrilled, if she drank 2 ounces from her bottle at one sitting. I was told to make sure she was getting calcium from other sources as well. Each meal was now accompanied with cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese- or anything else I could think of! I was even adding cheese to all of her homemade meals.
So, this week things began to take a turn. Warning- this paragraph may be a bit graphic----
Mya became more and more interested in her bottle. She would whine and reach for it at meals. With that said, she was becoming less and less interested in her morning feeding off the boobie. It was actually quite funny... and painful. She would breastfeed from each side, but on the last side, she would pull away, give a funny/confused scrunched up face, and then proceed to grab my nipple with her fingers and pull! She did this several days in a row, thinking she was pretty funny each time. I began to think..... If she isn't really interested in breastfeeding and is becoming more interested in her bottle, why not try to end this whole imprisonment.
I decided this morning to try to just give her a bottle when she awakened. I made a 3 ounce bottle thinking I was being a bit too hopeful. To my complete and utter amazement, she guzzled the entire bottle. I made another bottle with 2 ounces and she guzzled it too! WHAT?!?!!? She loved it and I loved it! She even drank an addition 2 ounces with her breakfast. She had already drank 7 ounces and it was only 8:00 am. I think we are on to something! I have officially decided to stop breastfeeding. I feel no shame. I feel no guilt. She has gotten 9 months of the most nutritous milk my body can offer. I feel proud. It's time to move on.
With all of this being said, it may appear than I am OVER THE MOON about ending this adventure of breastfeeding. Yes, I am. But, I am also a little sad. It is a bond that no one but mother and child can understand. There is a closeness one experiences when providing her child with the only nutrition she needs for a period of time. It is also, yet another reminder, that my baby is growing up. I will miss this stage in the process of motherhood. I will also miss the balloons that my boobies have been for the past 9 months. I fear they will quickly become saggy, lifeless bean bags. But, I look forward to having my body back all to myself. It's been 19 months of sharing it... I'm ready for some independence.... and a strong vodka tonic!
Cuddling in Mommy and Daddy's bed with her bottle
Proof! She is drinking from her bottle!!!!
