The Joys of Breastfeeding

Warning - candid post.  Not gross or anything, but candid.  And long....

I'm probably going to jinx myself here, but I just thought I'd share the fact that I am truly enjoying being able to nurse Tyler.  I didn't get to do it very long with Kayla because at about 6 or 7 weeks she started coughing and choking and whatnot when I tried.  She did much better on the bottle.  I have no idea what the problem was.  Maybe it was too much milk?  Maybe not.  I didn't push it because it made me nervous and I'd be going back to work soon anyway so she'd be on the bottle most of the day. 

But, with Tyler we're at 15 weeks and still going strong.  I haven't had any problems whatsoever with him nursing.  Nothing hurts (anymore), there's plenty of milk, he doesn't take too long... it's all gravy!  That last point - it doesn't take too long - is such a blessing!  Five to ten minutes and he's done!  Probably why he spits up so much though.  Slow down dude!  No, don't.  :-)  That short time is so great with a toddler in the house.  Kayla nursed for 30 minutes to an hour!  What in the world would I do if Tyler did that?  (I have a friend who's newborn nursed for upwards of an hour and a half - I have no idea what she did with her 2 year old during that time.)  It doesn't allow much time for bonding but he has figured out a way to bond in that short time.... by taking shots and then smiling up at me.  Yep, I said it.  My son takes shots of milk!  Seriously.  He'll drink a little bit and then smile up at me, then drink some more, then smile up at me.  It's super cute!   Guess his little shots o milk make him a happy boy.  Shots sure make me a happy mama.  :-)

It saves on money that's for sure!  I keep saving up all the formula coupons.  I debate buying some, just in case, and to use those coupons because at some point we will need the formula.  I'm hoping to make it to 6 months just nursing him, but when we start on rice cereal in a few weeks I might need to use the formula instead of milk to mix it with since I don't pump much.

Oh, right, pumping.  I haven't had much luck pumping with either kid.  When I went back to work I could barely pump anything so after just a few weeks back she was on formula 100% of the time.  Now, with her running around there's not a whole lot of time to pump.  I tried pumping while he nursed, which was awesome because I could pump a lot that way (funny how the body works) but that didn't last long because it's awkward and because then I have to be stationary and can't run after Kayla.  Then I pumped mainly when she was asleep - naptime and bedtime which worked for a little while.  But then, one day, she pulled out the tubing to bring to me (because she likes to be helpful) and now it doesn't work as well.  (It's complicated to explain, just trust me.)  So, now I pump only if he doesn't nurse for long at one feeding and that's about it.  So, it takes me a few days to get enough pumped for one feeding, but I'm not too worried about it.  I do what I can, we have about 20-25 bags of milk (3-4 oz per bag), frozen, and I'm not afraid to use formula. 

What I will miss when we go on formula - the hormone surges!  I know, you're thinking "that's weird" but it's true.  When you nurse your body releases the oxytocin hormone that makes you super happy!  I'm talking, giddy, can't help but smile, makes you love your kid(s) more than you ever thought possible... for just a few seconds.  Then you're snapped back to reality.  No, I'm kidding... sorta.  You can't be happy like that all the time - it's not healthy.  But daily shots (there it is again - who knew a post on breastfeeding would include talk of shots) of it here and there is fantastic.  In the beginning I got my dose of it at EVERY feeding.  It's slowed down (much like other things related to breastfeeding like engorgement and let down pain) but it's still there.  And it's just one of the best parts of my day.  I grab my little babies and squeeze the crap out of them sometimes.  Wikipedia said it's sometimes referred to as "the cuddle hormone", boy is that the truth!

One last point I'd like to make - Kayla has gotten herself involved in the nursing.  No, she doesn't try to breastfeed from me, or try to breastfeed Tyler if that's what you're thinking.  But when I'm getting ready to nurse him she says "milk" and may do one of the following: point at my chest, pull down my shirt, or try to pick up Tyler (to bring him to me).  I cannot count the number of times she's pulled at my shirt or stuck her hand down the front of it.  Luckily never in public.  Though she does try to pull the cover off that I use in public - kinda defeats the purpose, dontcha think.  I read some books and websites that said if your toddler expresses interest in trying to breastfeed - let them.  What?  No.  I don't think so!  And, lucky for me, she hasn't tried to.  I know that it's becoming more popular to breastfeed your kid for years - I'm just not into it.  One of my friends at Stroller Strides still breastfeeds her girl who is 1 week younger than Kayla.  I just cannot even imagine.  But, to each their own.  I'm just glad Kayla hasn't tried.  She is actually very good while I'm feeding him... now.  She plays by herself or I'll turn on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for her.  She doesn't get jealous of his time with me or do anything really.  She just kinda goes on about her business.  At the beginning I think she had some jealousy issues, but to be honest, I can't remember real clearly those first couple of weeks.  I just thank my lucky stars right now that she makes it easy for me.  Sometimes she does try to get in my lap while he's eating, which didn't used to be a problem but lately Tyler has decided he doesn't like to be interrupted - no climbing, no touching, no loud noises, etc while he's eating or else he can't do it.  Which is weird since that's been the norm for 15 weeks now!  But, for the most part she's good about leaving him alone while he's eating. 

The only thing I wish would change is that he'd eat every 3-4 hours instead of every 2.  Pretty much on the dot - 2 hours.  Except at night.  At night he can generally go about 4 hours without eating.  I feed him around 11pm and then not again until 3 or 4 (on good nights.  Bad nights he's up every 2 hours but that's mainly because he found his hands, and his hands find his mouth!  Went back to the swaddle this week to help with that situation.)  But during the day it's 2 hours.  Since it only takes 5-10 minutes it's not a big deal, but it does make scheduling some things hard.  But I guess I'll deal with it. 

So, that's it.  My breastfeeding story with Tyler.  We'll see how much longer it lasts.  For now, I'll keep enjoying it.

(aren't you glad I didn't include pictures for this post?  :-)   Well, here's one for you just because...)