After a very LONG week away from our 17 month old I am happy (at least I am) to report that we are STILL breastfeeding. I finally grasped the concept of manual expression of the milk since I left town without my child and my pump! It wasn’t an easy concept to master but after a few days I became a pro!
My worst fear was that I would be reunited with the tot and she wouldn’t ever ask for mommy milk again. It took her 2.5 hours before she started to get cranky and tired – then she started to make her way back to her comfort spot. Everything works the way it did before she left – like she never skipped a beat.
It was difficult for me to decide whether this should be our weaning period or if she should continue – after all big brother weaned at almost a year. We’ve far surpassed my expectations but I want this to be her decision – at least for now. It’s not restricting me from doing anything and she does fine if we are apart. I only wish that my support system understood the connection, the bond, and the desire to continue.
On Father’s Day I’m blessed to be the wife of an awesome daddy – even if he doesn’t understand his crazy wife! In years to come you are the one she will come running to for solving lifes little problems – the daddy daughter bond is there and will be there for life! The ties that bond the mother and daughter aren’t always as strong – these are my years to be her special someone. Thanks for understanding that much. 🙂 I love you!
Ah! I can relate. Cubby has an AWESOME Daddy but he does not “…understand the connection, the bond, and the desire to continue…” as you eloquently put it. I realize that my Cubby will be a little Cub for a very short time and I cherish these moments we spend together… I was gone from Cubby for 10 days right after he turned one and I was glad that he wanted to continue to nurse when I got back even though this caused some great frustration from Pappa Bear. **HUGS** to you!