“But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.”
Psalm 131:2
Around a year old, when my babies sprout into tantrum throwing toddlers with more than four teeth and on the verge of walking, I choose to end our nursing journey. At this point, momma’s milk supplements all the solid food and serves as comfort more than nutritional value. So, I begin a weaning process, affects me more than my babies (with a six ounces of cow’s milk they all sleep through the night). From three experiences of year long nursing and then weaning my children here are my three personal takeaways:
EMOTIONS: since nursing affects a women’s hormones, weaning also causes the weeps. I find myself way more crying and angry when losing the endorphin drop of nursing. So much like PMS, I work on breathing and not snapping on my loved ones knowing the negative strong shall pass. Also, this third round, I timed my weaning on the same week as my literally period so a double whammy of the tears and fears. Avoiding a monthly period during the week long weaning proves wise.
2. . ENORMOUS: Your wonderful girls provided free and nutritional food for your precious baby for a while, so when stopping the whole process, your breast enlarge and get heavy. Cabbage leaves, ice packs and peppermint tea help ease the case of enormous breast. Personally performing some gentle breast messages and self-expression provides relief. Do not recommend hot baths though that encourage a continuation of milk flow (ice the girls not heat them up!)
3. EVENTUALLY: Like pregnancy or labor, weaning requires a little bit of patience and physical pain. Fever, and trouble sleeping may occur alongside moodiness and irritability. Make as little decisions as possible such as not cutting your own bangs while crying in the mirror (occurred after my first) or dying your hair red (after my second). The milk shall dry up, and you shall mother your baby now toddler completely as a separate physical being. Also, please reminder to decrease the feedings to once or twice a day prior to weaning for a much easier transition. Also, cuddle your now new toddler close to continue the much needed connection.
Happy weaning to all mothers embracing the process of nurturing our precious littles within and without our physical bodies.
Comments