15 Reasons To Call A Lactation Consultant (Today)

Breastfeeding is a mother's gift to herself, her baby, and the earth. ~Pamela K. Wiggins

A lactation consultant is a trained professional who can help women learn how to feed their babies from the breast. The title "Lactation Consultant" is not trademarked, and may be used by lactation professionals with varying degrees of experience and education. Each professional and supporter has a passion for breastfeeding, and a valuable place within the lactation community. 

 

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) has met the extensive clinical and educational qualifications for, and passed the exam given by, the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE). Because it is an international organization, the standards and scope of practice for IBCLCs are the same worldwide. IBCLCs provide evidence-based lactation support for you and your baby and are especially important if you are having significant problems with milk supply, have a baby that is preterm or has medical challenges, if you've had a previous undesireable breastfeeding experience, or if you are feeding multiple children. Essentially, if you are having challenges initiating or sustaining breastfeeding for any reason, it is a great idea to call a lactation consultant. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, certain lactation services and supplies are covered by insurance and tax-deductible. Find an IBCLC or other breastfeeding support in your area here, to address any of the concerns below: 

1. To help guide you on how often your baby should be nursing

2. To help your baby achieve a proper latch and teach you how to facilitate that latch... to avoid pain or blisters

3. To review positions and holds that are optimal for you and your baby

4. To help determine if you are producing enough milk (Spoiler Alert: You probably are)

5. To help you find ways to increase and maintain your milk supply 

6. To ask questions about prescribed supplementation or medication

7. To help navigate the world of pumping and storage

8. To help guide your food and beverage choices, as well as the frequency of your meals and snacks

9. To answer questions about nursing a baby with a cleft palate, lip tie, tongue tie, or other differences

10. To help identify the signs and symptoms of infections like thrush or mastitis

11. To provide techniques to overcome gastroesophogeal reflux (GERD).

12. To help address issues such as colic, gas, and general fussiness that may be related to nursing. 

13. To ask about feeds that are too short (less than 5 minutes), or too long (more than 50 minutes).

14. To address fussing, crying, or clicking sounds at the breast.

15. To get help with an infant who is avoiding the breast after a nursing pattern has been established. 

Also, if mom feels like something just isn’t right it probably isn’t and it’s time to call the lactation consultant.

 7 Things You Might Not Know About Lactation Consultants

Some of the less complex breastfeeding issues may be easily addressed by other lactation professionals including:

Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) has taken a 45-hour class, and has passed the corresponding exam. Successful completion of the course signifies that the learner has met the required competencies and has a firm grounding in information and counseling skills required to provide basic support to breastfeeding mothers and children. Successful candidates have demonstrated competency in breastfeeding counseling, breastfeeding assessment and support skills. 

Certified Lactation or Breastfeeding Educator has taken a 20+ hour course in order to teach breastfeeding classes, usually in hospitals and clinics. Lactation Educators may work with pregnant women and their families in community perinatal health programs such WIC. They may be employed in a “Store” or “boutique” that rents or sells breastfeeding clothes and equipment.
 

Link: Lactation Consultants Need To Diversify Yesterday 

by Kimberly Seals Allers of Mocha Manual 

WIC Peer Counselors receive a 20-hour training course that includes breastfeeding basics, counseling skills, and emphasis on the role of peer counselors in making referrals for circumstances outside the realm of normal breastfeeding. They serve as role models help new moms in their first days of breastfeeding and provide information about what moms can expect during the first days and weeks of baby’s life. They also provide follow-up counseling on the phone or in the clinic. There is evidence indicating that peer support is often more effective in helping a mother to initiate and sustain breastfeeding over time, than other lactation professionals. 

 

Breastfeeding Support Organizations like Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE)  Breastfeeding USA, and La Leche League host mom-to-mom meetings, facilitated by an experienced mother who is trained in basic breastfeeding education, counseling, support, and referrals. 

OB/Gyns, Midwives, Pediatricians, and Nurses are highly skilled in their areas, but rely on the support of specially trained lactation professionals to resolve breastfeeding issues. Ask your provider for a referral if you have questions or concerns about your breastfeeding journey. 

Birth Doulas, Postpartum Doulas, Mothers, Sisters, Friends, Husbands, and other Moms can also offer great breastfeeding support in their own way, but read this first! 

Online Support Groups, Breastfeeding Hotlines, Local Coalitions, and Books can also be a source of breastfeeding support, or stress relief.

We celebrate everyone who makes breastfeeding accessible, manageable, and sustainable! 

How were you most supported along your breastfeeding journey? 

 

How have you helped to support another mom on hers?

Dr. Seuss On Breastfeeding And Other Things!

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. ~Dr. Seuss
 

Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss was the first book that I read by myself. I read it to my father. This  experience has always been a vivid memory for me. I have no recollection of where my mother was at the time, but as a mother myself now, I'm certain that she was probably the one who patiently put in all of the work to get me to the point of reading independently, then shooed me away to my father, while she completed 1000 other tasks before bed... but I digress. 

 

 

I have always been a fan of Dr. Seuss, and regularly give his incomparable Oh! The Places You'll Go! as gifts to friends and family members who are approaching a transition. Imagine how excited I was to find a mini version of the book, especially for the baby growing inside of me, while I was pregnant. I read Oh Baby! The Places You'll Go in utero! almost nightly to my unborn child. 

We continue to enjoy many silly Seuss classics today, but as mom who breastfed for three years, I have to say that there are some pretty hilarious Dr. Seuss parodies, inspired by breastfeeding. Here are a few of our favorites. 

 

Has This Author Been Revealed?

 

 Link: Dr. Seuss in Pictures!

 

PhD in Parenting

That friend of mine!
That friend of mine!
I do not like that friend of mine!

Do you like to nurse in public?
I do not like it, friend of mine. I do not like to nurse in public.
Would you like it here or there?
I would not like it here or there.

I would not like it anywhere.
I do not like to nurse in public.
I do not like it, friend of mine.

Would you like it at the mall?
Would you like it on a hill?
I do not like it at the mall.
I do not like it on a hill.

I do not like it here or there.
I do not like it anywhere.
I do not like to nurse in public.
I do not like it, friend of mine.

Would you do it on a plane?
Would you do it when in Spain?
Not on a plane.
Not when in Spain.

Not at the mall.
Not on a hill.
I would not do it here or there.
I would not do it anywhere.
I would not like to nurse in public.
I do not like it, friend of mine.

Would you? Could you?
With your friends?
Try it! Try it!
Do it now.
I would not, could not with my friends.
You can do it.
You will see.
You can do it by the sea.
I would not, could not by the sea.

Not with my friends. You let me be.
I do not like it when in Spain.
I do not like it on a plane.
I do not like it on a hill.
I do not like it at the mall.
I do not like it here or there.
I do not like it anywhere.
I do not like to nurse in public.
I do not like it, friend of mine.

A sling! A sling!
A sling! A sling!
Could you, would you, with a sling?
Not with a sling. Not by the sea.
Not with my friends. Now let me be!
I would not, could not, when in Spain.
I would not, could not on a plane.
I will not do it at the mall.
I will not do it on a hill.
I will not do it here or there.
I will not do it anywhere.
I do not like to nurse in public.
I do not like it, friend of mine.

Say!
On the Web?
Here on the Web!
Would you, could you, on the Web?
I would not, could not on the Web.
Would you, could you, at DQ?
I would not, could not at DQ?
Not on the Web. Not with a sling.
Not with my friends. Not by the sea.
I do not like it, don't you see?
Not on a hill. Not when in Spain.
Not at the mall. Not on a plane.
I will not do it here or there.
I will not do it anywhere.
You do not like to nurse in public?
I do not like it, friend of mine.

Could you, would you, with a goat?
I would not, could not, with a goat!
Would you, could you, on a boat?
I could not, would not, on a boat.
I will not, will not, with a goat.
I will not do it at DQ.
I will not do it in a sling.
Not on the Web! Not by the sea!
Not with my friends! You let me be!
I do not want to when in Spain.
I do not want to on a plane.
I will not do it on a hill.
I do not want to at the mall.
I do not like it here or there.
I do not like it ANYWHERE!
I do not want to nurse in public!
I do not like it, friend of mine.

You do not like it. So you say.
Try it! Try it!
And you may.
Try it and you may, I say.
Friend of mine!
If you will let me be, I will try it.
You will see.

Say!
I can nurse in public!
I can! I can do it, friend of mine.
And I would do it in a boat.
And I would do it with a goat. I would do it at DQ.
And on The Web. And in a sling. 
And with my friends. And by the sea. 
It is so easy, so easy, you see.
So I will do it when in Spain.
And I will do it on a plane. 
I will do it on a hill. 
I will do it at the mall. 
And I will do it here and there.
Say! I can do it ANYWHERE!
I do so like to nurse in public.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Friend of mine.

Finally, check out this awesomely relatable book, perfect for any mom who breastfed for even a day. The Places You'll Feed 

There's milk in your boobs.
Your babe needs to eat.
It's time to get topless,
and offer a teat!

 

~Lauren Hirshfield Belden

What was your first or favorite Dr. Seuss Book?

Is there a fun parenting parody that we missed?

A Heart For Success: Learning From My Child With Developmental Delays

With a child's heart
Go face the worries of the day
With a child's heart
Turn each problem into play
No need to worry no need to fear
Just being alive makes it all so very clear... With A Child's Heart, Stevie Wonder

Sometimes, it takes a child to demonstrate what real strength, courage, determination, and success look like. Please enjoy this perspective from Ashley Martin about her son Rex, who was born with multiple heart defects and other developmental delays:

“How old were you when you took your first steps?,” he asked me.

Pausing, I said, “I don't know.”

“Exactly,” he said, “The fact is that you learned to walk. No one cares how old you were.”

As the mother of a child with developmental delays, this conversation with my pastor has popped in my head through every bump in the road and with every achieved milestone. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” and it has been stealing the joy of parents for years. We fight it, but eventually, it finds each one of us. It can show up in the child at library story hour who is half your child's age, double his size, and running circles around him. Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Crossing The Finish Line In The Kerrington's Heart 5K Fundraiser
2014

My first child hit every milestone on time and sometimes early. People were always commenting on how advanced her speech was for her age and how smart she was... and is. My son hit none of his milestones and took months to master things my daughter just did naturally. With many hours, weeks, and months of hard work, children who have delays will eventually achieve the same goals their peers likely achieved much sooner, but the celebration is much sweeter. If you are the parent of a child who some might describe as “behind,” hang in there. Keep working with her and know she isn't “behind” anyone because she isn't competing with anyone, but herself. Children arrive in their own time and they can't be rushed.

 

 Children's Books about Inclusion

Benchmarks definitely have their place, but when they become the measuring stick for a child's (or parent's) “success,” they lose their value. Success is defined as: the correct or desired result of an attempt. Do you notice something missing from that definition? “...by a certain time or age.” WE put these specific parameters on our children and redefine “success.” I can list the many successes, the added pressure from well-meaning grandparents, other parents, and especially from ourselves is unnecessary and, in many ways, can be unhealthy. 

I should probably clarify that. As a parent, you should be aware of a typical development timeline so you know when your child may need therapies to help them get on track. Just as it isn't good to be overly comparative, it is equally bad to be in denial of possible challenges. 

I am so grateful for the doctors and therapists who gently clued me in to my son's need for therapy. I confess that I was so overwhelmed with all he already had going on that I was oblivious. He had his first heart surgery at 13 days old and just seemed to have uphill battles from the beginning. At four months old, he was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and began aggressive treatment that involved a harness and later a brace that was to be worn for an unknown period of time (ended up being 15 months). So, when he wasn't rolling over by 6 months old, I blamed the brace. I told myself, “Of course he can't roll over; his hips are restricted 12—24 hours a day!” It turned out that he also has low muscle tone which meant rolling was going to be a challenge, with or without a hip brace. So, he began weekly physical therapy sessions. His physical therapist noticed that he only used his right hand...so, he began occupational therapy. Some months later, that same physical therapist (who became like family) mentioned my son's speech and how he might benefit from therapy in that area. 

Rex Sleeping In His Hip Brace

For 2+ years, he received a combined total of 10 hours of therapies a month. My life revolved around his therapy schedule and there were times when I just didn't think I could do it any more. Now, as I see my son run, climb, turn door knobs, and speak in full sentences, it was all worth it. He attends preschool 4 half-days a week where he receives weekly therapies in all areas and he still gets speech at home. He loves school and everyone there loves him! He can tell you all of his teachers' names, and is quick to tell you who is best friend is, too. He even went "peepee" in the potty for the first time EVER at school. Oh, and the way his big sister has grown into a “mini therapist” has been amazing to watch. She used to put his favorite toy on top of our ottoman to “make him work for it.” Next to me, she is his biggest advocate and cheerleader and he, of course, thinks she hung the moon.

Working on Rolling Over

I wish I could tell the mom of that non-walking 2-year old to enjoy him no matter what stage of development he is in. Don't dwell on the delays or setbacks, but focus on the successes. Now, that we are potty training, I told a friend, “He peed in the potty 7 times Saturday!” I am choosing not to keep track of all of the accidents because focusing on the negative never helped anyone and certainly never ended in SUCCESS.

Running Across The Same 5k Finish Line, One Year Later

2015

Team Rex

Ashley Martin has been a full-time stay-at-home mom and part-time blogger since 2007. She is active in her community and in her church where she hosts Bible study in her home and helps lead worship. She proudly calls herself a Heart Mom and is an advocate for families who have a child born with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD). Ashley resides in Nicholasville, Kentucky, with her husband and two children.

Do you have a pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, or motherhood story that you would like to share with other Blossom Moms? Please contact us! 

Congenital Heart Defect Week: The Heart of a Warrior!

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, held February 7–14, is an annual observance to promote awareness and education about congenital heart defects (CHDs). They affect nearly 1 in 100 births every year in the United States and are the most common (and least funded) type of birth defect. 

Some heart defects can be diagnosed prenatally using ultrasound, some might be identified during newborn screening using pulse oximetry, and others might be discovered by clinical exam or when the person becomes symptomatic. An estimated 2 million children and adults in the United States are living with a CHD today. 

 

Be inspired by the amazing Heart Mom Ashley Hunt Martin, her determined Warrior Rex, and their family's CHD Week 2016. 

February 7th, How I found out: In early April, 2012, at 36+ weeks, I had stopped gaining weight and my belly had stopped growing. An ultrasound revealed my amniotic fluid was low, but, no matter how much I flipped & flopped on the table, they could not get a good, full picture of Rex's heart. After a week of bedrest (to hopefully increase my amniotic fluid), I went in for another ultrasound that showed there was a problem with Rex's heart. We were sent across town to a pediatric cardiologist who was able to tell us more about his heart, but admitted that we wouldn't have a complete picture until Rex was born. I was admitted that night and Rex was induced and delivered 2.5 weeks early the next morning, April 11th.

Ashley, Lyla, and Rex on the way!

 

February 8th, First Photo: I had a normal delivery. The NICU nurses were present just in case, but Rex was not rushed away. At this point, we still only knew what the pediatric cardiologist had told us the day before--the defect she had seen was minor and should correct itself at birth. A couple of hours later, Rex would have his first echo showing just how many defects his little heart had. Not counting the one that DID correct itself at birth, he had 3. He was sent to the NICU for monitoring, but Dr. Cottrill didn't think immediate surgery would be necessary. It wasn't until the blood pressure in Rex's legs plummeted on his 8th day that he was transferred to UK and his first surgery was scheduled.

Ashley and Rex

Kerrington's Heart Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the education, support, and encouragement of children with heart disease, their families and caregivers.

 

February 9, Emotions/Fears: Rex's surgery was April 24, 2012, but our scariest, most emotional day came two days later. There is risk of brain damage, kidney function loss, paralysis, etc the longer the aorta is clamped. Those risks increase and the "safe window" of how long the aorta should remain clamped decreases with each clamping. Rex's aorta had to be clamped THREE times during his surgery. I blogged about that day here:
 

February 10th, Hospital Stay: Rex spent his first week of life at St. Joseph East before being transferred to UK's NICU. He was moved to the P(Pediatric)ICU after a couple of days, though, because he needed a central line and was being prepped for surgery. We had a private room and some amazing nurses! In fact, I have nothing bad to say about ANY of our nurses. They were such blessings! The bottom left picture represents a huge triumph--it was the first time I was able to nurse Rex. My sister-in-law and our favorite nurse, Korinne, fought for me when I was too emotional and stressed to fight for myself. His surgery was successful and he was healing nicely, but Rex struggled to gain weight (something he would battle the first year of his life) which kept us in the hospital much longer than we expected. Lyla practically lived with Seth's sister and family during that time with other family members and friends helping to get her to and from ballet and even chaperoning a field trip. It truly does take a village! Seth and I lived with our friends, Shane and Suzanne so we could be closer to the hospital and I had breast milk in freezers all over town. Finally, as we were on our way to church one Sunday, our nurse called to tell us that Rex was going home that day! We were shocked because we had been told that patients are rarely released on a Sunday. Those were the longest 3.5 weeks of our lives, but now, they are just a tiny blip on the radar.

 Please Donate to

Team Rex

February 11th, New Normal: When Rex sees the cardiologist every 6 months, he could have any combination of tests done. They always check his blood pressure which (these days) definitely doesn't go as smoothly as it did in the picture on the left. *A little sidenote: The artery leading to Rex's arm was severed and used to widen his aorta so he will never have a blood pressure reading in his left arm.* He sometimes has an echo (ultrasound of his heart, pictured on the right) and other times he has a chest x-ray. They "attempt" an EKG every time, but it's a toss-up as to whether or not he will cooperate and an EKG of a screaming child doesn't really give a very accurate picture. I am thankful that our day-to-day lives really aren't all that different from non-CHD families. Rex is only on one heart medication which feels like nothing compared to what others are going through.

Watch this video of  Rex's Miracle

February 12th, Honor Your Warrior: Rex has no idea what an inspiration he is or the impact his little life has already had on so many. This is one of my favorite pictures of him. (Taken about a year ago by my friend, Michelle Graham Shiflet.) It captures him perfectly. He has his "terrible threes" moments, but, in general, this is the face you see when you see Rex. He loves Daniel Tiger, all things music, DRUMS, to laugh, to scare people, and to help. He is wearing his Beads of Courage around this neck. Each bead represents a clinic appointment, test, or procedure he has endured. As you can see, this one is full--he has started his second one already. I am so proud this CHD Warrior calls me "Mom." He is truly a living testimony.

Wearing RED for REX! *Lyla will tell you she is wearing it for Valentine's Day. ;-)

February 13th, The Scar: This was the first bath I was able to give Rex. Rex's scar isn't where you would expect a CHD kiddo to have one. The defect that was repaired was on his aorta which is on the outside of his heart so they were able to do a thoracic surgery. They went in under his arm, between his ribs, and moved his lung to get to the aorta. Imagine that on a little 5 lb. baby with a heart the size of a strawberry. God is good.

February 14th, CHD Fact: This year approximately 4,000 babies will not live to see their first birthday because of Congenital Heart Defects.

Rex's new book, "Jeremiah, the CHD Aware Bear, and Friends" arrived! "He [Jeremiah] was a Warrior, a mighty fighter indeed." Purchase your copy Today! 

To connect with the Congenital Heart Defect Community, join the conversation on Facebook. 

 

Do you have an amazing pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, or motherhood story?

Share it with other Blossom Moms!

Breastfeeding and Weaning My Last: Reflections From an IBCLC

Friend do it this way - that is,

whatever you do in life

do the very best you can

with both your heart and mind.

And if you do it that way,

the Power Of The Universe

will come to your assistance,

if your heart and mind are in Unity.

When one sits in the Hoop Of The People,

one must be responsible because

All of Creation is related.

And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.

And the honor of one is the honor of all.

And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.

If you do it that way - that is,

if you truly join your heart and mind

as One - whatever you ask for,

that's the Way It's Going To Be.

~passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman

When you spend your days AND nights empowering moms across the country to breastfeed, while breastfeeding your own children, the want and need to stop can present a mixed bag of emotions. There is so much energy required to encourage moms to initiate and continue nursing, that moms who have nursed beyond the national and even world averages may be somewhat reluctant to lament about their desire to wean. Just as I was privately struggling with my decision to wean, my colleague Camie Jae Goldhammer, was courageously and publicly declaring the very end of her own breastfeeding journey. How did it go? Read it here for yourself: 

Jo and I are having some serious talks about weaning the last few weeks. Tomorrow morning may be her last nursing session. Emphasis on may. I've offered her $100 to stop. She wasn't interested until D told her that was enough to buy the giant box of all the princess Barbies at Target. Now she's in it to win it. Fingers crossed!

JoJo and Mama's Weaning Journey Day 1: JoJo woke up this morning and jumped right into playing with D without even asking to nurse. Tonight at bedtime she was totally fine with cuddling to sleep and "holding nukie" and just kicked me out of her bed saying she'd like to read herself to sleep "like D". She also knows that we can turn her bed into a bunkbed as soon as I no longer need to get into with her. I think she may be thinking along these lines. So, JoJo gets $5 for today toward her weaning present! I'm a little sad she didn't want to nurse this morning. I was ready to have our "Last Session" and maybe even take a picture. But alas, it was not meant to be. When D weaned it took me a month to realize she hadn't nursed. I don't remember when her last session was and at the time I didn't know it was her last either. So it looks like last night might have been Jo's last session... if all goes well the next few weeks.

Toddler Weaning: What's Your Pleasure 

Day 2 of JoJo and Mama's Weaning Journey: Last night JoJo realized she hadn't had her "last nukie" and asked if it could be this morning. I told her "We'll see." So, this morning I'm in bed and hear the girls coming downstairs and kind of jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom knowing that if I stayed in bed- one thing would have lead to another and I would have nursed Jo. Anyway, the girls waited for me on the stairs and we went about our morning. Cuddling on the couch, reading books, breakfast, etc. It was perfect. Tonight the Mr. and I saw Patti Smith (Amazing!) so I missed bedtime. So day 2 is complete and we didn't nurse! Also, when I picked D up from school I ran into the director of Jo's preschool and she told me that all the teachers were talking about how smart JoJo is and that it must be because she's still breastfed.

Camie Jae, Jo, and D

Day 3 of JoJo and Mama's Weaning Journey: Another easy peasy day. Jo still likes to hold her nukie but has not even mentioned nursing. I am even more confident in my decision seeing how much of a non issue this is for JoJo. We're only 3 days in and she may change her mind tomorrow but I will say I am pretty impressed with my sweet girl. 

I miss all these things and always will.

Day 4 of JoJo and Mama's Weaning Journey: You guys this is too easy. JoJo has not even batted an eye at not nursing. She really doesn't seem to care at all. What is so cool is that it seems to have unleashed this super big kid in her. She no longer needs or wants to be cuddled to sleep, she want to read herself to sleep at night, she wants to stop wearing pull-ups to bed, etc. It is really cool to see and just reinforces how right this is for us. 

Breastfeeding USA: Weaning- Every Mother's Journey

I've had lots of people ask how I am doing. I am doing just fine. I am excited to experience this new phase of mothering with JoJo. I'm not sad. I am proud of the little humans my body grew and continued to grow for 4 years and 4.25 years respectively. I am in awe of the protection my milk gave my babies for so many years (Not a single ear, respiratory or GI infection, ever!). I will look back on the last 6.75 years I have spend nourishing my kids with great fondness. Breastfeeding has changed my life. It has brought amazing people into my life, it has become my work, it has given me the ability to travel all over the country. I have planned conferences and created organizations. I have helped hundreds of families breastfeed. I've connected to ancestors I didn't know were there. I have loved it all and as this part of my life comes to a close forever I have nothing but gratitude. And I am so so so thankful that the day I had Dylan, laying in the OR post cesarean I decided I would give breastfeeding a "try". I had no expectations. No goals. Just a willingness to try and look where it has taken me.

Camie Jae and Baby D

Day 5 of JoJo and Mama's Weaning Journey: So this morning JoJo woke up pretty sad. I got in bed with her and she asked to nurse. She was kind of crying. She kept saying the only thing that will make her feel better was nukie. She even declared "I am too little to stop having nukie!". I continued to comfort her but told her my nukie was empty and all the milk was gone. She was sad  and crying for a good 3-5 minutes but I could tell it wasn't a deep sadness. After a few minutes Dylan jumped in a reminded JoJo about her special weaning gift and suggested we lay in bed a read. JoJo wiped her tears and agreed. So we survived our first mini breakdown without nursing. It's interesting needing to find other ways to comfort JoJo. For so long nursing has been my go to. You fell? Nurse. Your sister hit you? Here's a boob. You missed me? Have some nukie. 

Aside from going to bed pretty late Jo has settled into reading and playing to sleep. She doesn't want to lay with her at all. Her and D just do their thing and then D tells Jo it's late and time to go to sleep and she goes to sleep. Just like that. Tonight I went and checked on them and they were cuddled up in Jo's bed fast asleep. So sweet. I love their relationship and I love the way Dylan is supporting both JoJo and I during this transition. She's been a huge help.

 7 Things I Will Miss About Breastfeeding My Son

Days 6 and 7 of JoJo and Mama's Weaning Journey: Man, putting a kid to sleep without the boob kind of sucks. I really have prided myself on being the world's laziest parent (this is why I breastfed and bedshared for so long :) ). But seriously, the last 2 nights Jo has had a really hard time going to sleep. She has cried, wanted to play, needed water, another book, a banana, another banana, blah, blah, blah. Last night she fell asleep around 10:30 (got in bed at 8:30). Had I nursed her she would have been out in about 5 minutes. But I didn't nurse her. I won (or did I lose since I layed in a twin bed all night?)! Anywho... Really, though, JoJo needs to know that she doesn't "need nukie" to go to sleep just as much as I do. Her first 5 nights were super easy and I figured it was too good to be true. But we are persevering. I have officially gone one whole week without nursing a kid and JoJo is half way to her Disney Princess delux pack. Yeah us!

 I Miss Breastfeeding. Did I Just Say That?

Day 8 of JoJo and Mama's Weaning Journey: Well we made it another day but tonight was another rough one. Seriously, nursing kids to sleep is soooooooo much easier than this. I taught tonight and expected the girls to be asleep when I got home at 9:30 but they were both wide awake. JoJo just did not want to go to sleep and told me "These are three choices you have for me to go to sleep. You read me a book, you let me play myself to sleep or you give me nukie." What a stinker. She was also adamant that I was the reason that she was sad. After about 30 minutes of her crying and yelling and trying to negotiate she stood up in bed and said "Here comes the snugglefest!" and belly flopped on top of me and was asleep within 5 minutes. I've never been one to stress about bedtimes but these kids just can't be going to sleep at 10:00 on a school night. Hoping as we settle into things it gets easier. But another day has passed and it is really nice not nursing.

What I Will Miss About Nursing 

Days 9 and 10 of JoJo and Mama's Weaning Journey: The last few nights have gone a little better. We've nailed mornings. Jo doesn't even ask to nurse. She doesn't ask to nurse at night either. She has just been having a hard time settling down at night. Last night Eric turned her bed into a loft/bunk bed and she was pretty happy about that... knowing that once it is flipped over that means I will no longer lay down with her. Tonight Eric sang to the girls and they fell asleep by 8:45 or so! Much better than the 10:30 the last several nights. I had to express a little milk today as I was finally feeling a little full and even felt like I was getting plugged duct. But not much to report otherwise. We are moving along and I am still loving it!

Day 14 of JoJo and Mama's Weaning Journey: We are officially done! 6 years, 8 months and 17 days straight of breastfeeding (47 months for D and 52 months for Jo with them overlapping 16 months) and I am done forever. JoJo has rocked the last two weeks and today we celebrated an end of an era with hot chocolate, sprinkle donuts and princess Barbies.

Did you have a special celebration when your child weaned?

A Note From Blossom:

Weaning from breastfeeding begins when 2nd foods are introduced to an infant. It is complete when the child is no longer using the breast for nutrition or comfort. The process to complete weaning may be a long one, and is recommended after one year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics; after two years, according to the World Health Organization; or whenever the mother and child mutually agree to end this phase of their relationship. Weaning is a personal decision that should not be influenced by pressure from other people or obligations. The decision to wean is complex, and just as the body made adjustments to prepare to nourish a child, there are physiological, hormonal, emotional changes that occur during weaning. Talk to your care provider, a lactation professional, or a mental health professional, if you or someone else notices that your mood has shifted throughout the weaning process or beyond.  

Camie Jae Goldhammer lives with her husband, Eric, and 2 daughters in Seattle, Washington, where she is a social worker and an outspoken breastfeeding advocate, especially for the Native American Community. She is a breastfeeding educator and an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). She is a public speaker and founding member of three important organizations: Native American Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington, Collaborative for Breastfeeding Action and Justice, and National Association of Professional and Peer Lactation Supporters of Color (NAPPLSC). Her work focuses on the effects of historical and complex traumas on American Indian/Alaska Native families, inequity in breastfeeding support, breastfeeding justice, and food/tribal sovereignty through breastfeeding.