Weaning with Love, Hugs and Kisses

My breastfeeding journey wasn’t easy. After attending childbirth class, I didn’t think I needed another class just on breastfeeding. But I was wrong. I was so clueless that my son and I ended up just looking at each other in the nursery, not knowing where to start. However, I was committed to breastfeed Badger no matter what. I quickly made up for my slow start by calling up breastfeeding counselors (in desperation) and attending La Leche League functions. My breasts were sore. I had clogged milk ducts. I was crying all the time, wondering why my son was hungry again after having gone through a one hour feeding marathon. However, the phrase, “this too shall pass” very much applied to my breastfeeding experience. Before I knew it, I was an expert, able to breastfeed pretty much anywhere (and even through the night). Things did get easier. Despite a hectic schedule at the office, I was able to pump and feed my son breast milk exclusively for 6 months.

When Weaning Happened Because of a Delicate Pregnancy
I breastfed my son until he was three years old. I would have gone on breastfeeding him despite my Dad’s remarks that he was “a big boy already” because I really treasured our breastfeeding bond. It had gone beyond just physical nourishment to our special time together, keeping us close despite my full time job.  However, my husband and I also planned to have another baby. When I was finally pregnant again, it turned out that my first trimester was going to be difficult. My new baby’s heartbeat was low and my doctor was preparing me for the worst. She advised me to wean so that the chances of a miscarriage would be lower.

I really was in the process of weaning Badger, actually. Our feeding sessions had reduced to just before bedtime and occasionally in the morning before I would wake up to go to work. However, given my delicate pregnancy, I had to find a way to wean in a quicker way.

The Slow (and Bittersweet) Process of Weaning
I started with briefing him about how he was a big boy already and that he was going to be a kuya soon.  I prepared a glass of fresh milk for him by the bed so that after our bedtime story, he would drink from the glass instead of breastfeeding. At first it was difficult. He would refuse the milk but then I would tell him that it was time for him to drink the milk if he wanted milk at all. If he didn’t drink then I would turn off the lights so that we could all sleep. That was really very difficult for me, especially when he would cry and ask for “mamam” (our special word for breastfeeding). But, as I learned from friends and parenting books, I had to be consistent so I wouldn’t confuse him.  I would hug him (even with my heart breaking) and explain but I wouldn’t give in. Eventually, he started drinking the milk. After a while, it grew into a habit.

Click here to read more about Justine's breastfeeding story.

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Read on to learn more about Justine's breastfeeding story.

With Lots of Hugs and Kisses
Today, Badger drinks both fresh milk and soya milk with no difficulty. He doesn’t need a glass of milk before bedtime anymore. He only drinks milk during breakfast or for snacks. At night, we settle in with a bedtime story.  Now that my pregnancy is going okay and the baby is out of harm’s way, Badger has been attempting to breastfeed but he has actually forgotten how to do it! We’re now in the process of preparing him for the arrival of his baby sister this coming November.

It’s amazing how we have both grown from the experience of weaning. I think the key is to always do it with lots of love and hugs and kisses. As a mom, I’ve found other ways to be close to him outside of breastfeeding like reading to him, playing with him and listening to him. I still miss the closeness we had as a breastfeeding pair. This time, I’m looking forward to starting all over again with the new baby.

Photo from sxc.hu