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Breastfeeding
We did it & an extended BF question
I never thought I'd be able to make this post on here in the early days, but I'm proud to say that DD and I made it to the 1 year EBF milestone together last week (and we're still going!)! I feel very fortunate as I never had clogged ducts, cracked nipples, mastitis, latch issues, or major supply issues that I've read so many other moms have had to go through. The first two weeks were rough and I definitely shed a few tears and bit my lip a few times from initial latch pain, but we pushed through and now I can proudly say that I EBF with no supplementation for a year. Holy crap, is she really a year old now?!
Some tidbits for those just starting out as I found them so helpful for me:
~warm salt water soaks (1tsp salt to 1 cup warm water) once a day helped me so much. Soak after one of your feedings and keep your nipples in the water as long as you can stand it. I did this for two days and it was a miracle work
~gel soothies=heaven, but they can be a PITA b/c you have to rinse off before the next feeding. I only needed one box before I was healed.
~In most cases, put the pump away! At least for the first 3-4 weeks. There is usually no need to pump in the early weeks (with some exceptions) to establish your supply...put baby to breast, it's the best way.
~If BFing doesn't work for you, it's OKAY. Take it one day at a time or even one feeding at a time, but you have to do what is best for YOU and your child in your situation.
My question to those who did extended BFing:
Did you wait to introduce cow's milk after your LO reached a year? If so, how long?
I have a freezer with 300 oz still in it I'd like to use up. I'm almost done pumping at work and DD is nursing less and less now-a-days. I'd like to continue nursing mornings and evenings and use my freezer stash during the day until it runs out. Have any of you done this?
~DD born 3-25-10~DS born 6-5-12~
This discussion has been closed.
Re: We did it & an extended BF question
I had actually introduced cow's milk a bit before a year, like around 11.5 months during the day at daycare. I slowly weaned down pumping at work and had them start to replace those bottles with cups of cow's milk.
I kept nursing morning and night only for several months with both....a gradual wean was easier on both of us
Congratulations!
DD1: allergic to eggs & dairy
c/p 4/1/11
DD2: milk and soy protein intolerant, allergic to eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, bananas
MSPI Moms Check-In Blog
Congrats! Isn't it a great feeling?
We gave her a sippy of milk once or twice, but she was not impressed. As long as you're nursing 3-4 times a day, she actually doesn't need cow's milk. I nurse DD about 4 times a day and make sure she eats cheese or yogurt with every meal. We aren't going to do cow's milk at all, as I plan to nurse 'til she's 2 (never thought I'd be saying that!).
Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
I truly hope to be telling this story someday too! What an inspiration!
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I introduced cows milk at about 12.5 months. I have a large freezer stash, but DS decided he didn't like straight frozen milk (I was DONE pumping) so he gets 50:50 frozen BM and cows milk while I'm at work. At the rate we are going through it this will continue until he is at least 2.
Once DS dropped to 1 nap around 14 months we dropped to 3 nursing sessions, morning, before work/nap and before bed. It is working for us now, but I do feel like my supply is starting to drop below his demand.