Dog Community

Mom Stuff - So sad...an era is ending...

Posted : 8/24/2008 7:22:03 PM

I was planning on posting in a few weeks asking for suggestions regarding how to wean Riley. She is going to be 16 months and was nursing still in the afternoon when I got home from work and before bed. Well, on Friday night she turned me down all of a sudden. We were in the rocking chair and started to nurse. After about 1 minute she sat up and reached for her crib. When I went to switch sides (she gets antsy) she refused and reached again for her bed. I laid her down, turned on her crib aquarium, she laid down to watch with her blankie and that was it. Tonight, the exact same thing...nothing in the afternoon and nothing at bedtime.

I can't believe I am so sad about this. I think I am sad because it was our time. With DH at home with her during the day he has tons of alone, special time. Bath and bed time were completely mine. It was the one thing that only I could do. On occasion she would go down with a cup of milk if she was having a sleep over at my mom's but 99.9% of the time, this was our time alone. She hates just sitting there and rocking so it was the 1/2 hour each day that I got to hold her and whisper in her ear, etc.

I never thought I would be sad about this. Crying

BCMixs

Posted : 8/24/2008 7:27:15 PM

Even though my daughter will turn 17 soon, I know how you feel. I was heartbroken when she stopped nursing at 7 mos. My son was born tongue tied and couldn't nurse so I was even more determined when she came along to nurse successfully. I went away to visit a friend for a week and when I came back she was fully on the bottle and wouldn't go back. I know exactly what you mean about it being the one thing only you can do for her. It's sad when it ends.

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 8/24/2008 7:30:43 PM

Oh no, Riley is growing up!

Lisa, I'm sorry that you're sad, but I'm sure that you will think of another way to spend quiet time with her.

boneyjean

Posted : 8/24/2008 9:46:21 PM

I'm so sorry. :( I guess at least you were starting to prepare for this anyway, but you would hope it would be on your own terms. Maybe you can start a new bedtime ritual with her and read her a bedtime story or something else that she would enjoy while you rock her and love on her before bed.

mrstjohnson

Posted : 8/24/2008 10:27:38 PM

Thanks everyone. I guess I just wish she was more snuggly...in fact, she is just like me. I am either moving or sleeping...no inbetween. That's why I think I cherished our nursing time so much. It was the ONLY time during the day she would at least stay in one spot...she would still kick and move around but she would at least let me hold her Stick out tongue . We have one video of her actually tapping her feet on my forehead the entire time...such a wiggle worm.

I keep thinking about all of the little "jokes" we would play on each other while she was nursing, whether it was her trying to pinch me or me pretending to eat her hand. I loved watching her smile creep across her face when I would make her laugh. I try so hard to just get her to sit with me so I could sing to her or read to her, something. She is very impatient, so even sitting through a story is a struggle for her. She will sit still for about 5 minutes max. We still have our bath time and play time, etc.

I guess I am shocked how sad I am about this. It's weird. Like boneyjean said, I was preparing myself for it anyway, but I guess like everything you don't realize until it is over. Plus, DH just reminded me of something...I have to cut my diet back now...wwahhhhh!!!

Chuffy

Posted : 8/25/2008 5:27:14 AM

I stopped Will at 14 months because *I* wanted him to stop. I think, if I'd let him, he'd have carried on till he started school!

Persist with reading to her... that could be your alone, snuggle, sit quietly, rocking chair time and it will be GREAT for her. Pick books with very little on each page, rhyming verse and lots of colourful fun pictures. Big Smile

mrstjohnson

Posted : 8/25/2008 6:08:10 AM

Chuffy
I stopped Will at 14 months because *I* wanted him to stop. I think, if I'd let him, he'd have carried on till he started school!

Honestly, I thought that's how Riley was going to be. When I would get home from work if I didn't "deliver" immediately she would start sucking on any part of me. I had about three hickeys on my arms and one on my leg!!!! It would take her about 10 seconds!!! It was crazy!! I had no idea what I was going to do, but I guess she answered that question for me

rwbeagles

Posted : 8/25/2008 9:29:29 AM

sounds like a great time to start reading a special book to her at that time, instead...you'd still have your special time. Smile

You know the saying...when one door closes....

ewin0210

Posted : 8/31/2008 11:28:58 AM

Aw, sending lots of hugs! I just weaned Meri. I started at the end of July cutting out nursing sessions. Part of me is really happy about it since it has given me a lot more flexibility. But then the other part is really sad that she's getting older. We were down to one session in the morning and my period finally showed up after 2 years of absentia. Well needless to say my supply just sort of disappeared because of her visit and Meri wasn't that interested in nursing. So I took it as a sign to just be done with it. I haven't nursed in a week and I don't feel full at all. I just wanted to have that "last nursing" session and didn't really get that because I just never felt full enough to feel the need to do it. Kind of makes me sad, but not at the same time. Nobody told me how confusing it would be to go through this, ya know! Anyhow, just wanted you to know that I know how you feel and where you're at!