The end of an era (nursing)

** If nursing photos make you uneasy then you have been warned! That's what this post is all about!

I consider myself a nursing champ. I mean the odds were for sure against me...a NICU baby who had to learn how to drink a bottle before they would allow her to go home makes for pretty difficult circumstances. But with the help of a nipple shield, lactation consultants, my hubby, and more we learned how to nurse. And nurse we have! We're going on 14 months here...but all good things must come to an end.

latching for the first time in the NICU

napping after nursing

I remember the nights when I would just cry. Oh, yes. Either she wouldn't latch or I was as raw as an uncooked hamburger. Oh the joys. Did I wish I could quit? For sure! I remember thinking to myself that I couldn't WAIT till she was done nursing. It was SO annoying to be alone for 45 minutes every 2.5-3 hours. Not to mention I couldn't go anywhere farther than the local grocery store without her for fear that hunger would strike again. What was even more debilitating was that the little stinker refused bottles after she figured out the whole boob thing.

zonked after her milk

post nursing bum :)

With that said I have decided it's time to be done. She could probably care less. I mean she literally rolls off of her Boppy to go play during the middle of a feeding. Up until this week she would nurse before bed and in the morning when she woke up. But one night I was going to the gym and had a commitment afterwards and forgot to nurse her before I left. Welp, I guess I'll stop the night feeding is what I hollered to my hubby on my way out the door.

if that isn't a milk coma i don't know what is...

And it's amazing how easily my body has handled each dropped feeding. No pain or discomfort which really tells me it's time. So we're hanging on to that last morning feed now but I don't even see that happening for much longer. I mean, the girl gets distracted by everything in our bedroom...the dog, M, the fan etc. I'm like hello! Boobies are out! What calls more attention than that?! Apparently many things...

dreaming about milk. clearly.

There are lots of mixed emotions going on here. It's not the walking, or 1st birthday that really made me gulp and realize my babe is a toddler. It's the memory of nursing that makes me see how fast she is growing up. At this point nursing is so easy. It's only twice a day and she is good at it and it takes 5 minutes. I could deal with that for the rest of my life (ok maybe when she's 10 that might be weird) but being a nursing mom of a 3 year old really wasn't for me. But I love the snuggling! The way she lays beside me in our bed with her tummy pushed up against me and her little feet wiggling in between my legs is so sweet! I love how she holds my hand or strokes my face (gettin' teary eyed over here!) it makes my heart sing with joy!

trying to stay awake but the milk is taking over :)

Sigh. The time has come to start eating like a regular person again too. I will miss you, extra nursing calories. Not most of all, but you are a close second. I guess one way to fix this would be to get prego again. Ha Ha. Not worth it. Not yet anyway. :)

nursing during xmas card pics. gotta do whatcha gotta do!

I know there will be more babies to nurse in my future (God willing) but I will miss nursing this baby. My first baby. My sweet little girl. Mama loves you Blair and you better give me extra snuggles at nap time and bed time!

stroking mama's face

such a sweet bean

And just for fun here are some of the raddest places i've nursed... Costco's patio furniture section, in many parking lots, laying in the grass at parks, and many more that I can't think of. What's your craziest place you have nursed?