A Wonderful Experience

I have begun the weaning process with my 19 month old son Bobby because I am currently 16 weeks pregnant with my second child. I am definitely ready to wean Bobby, so I am not experiencing a lot of sadness over it. Instead I am just overjoyed that we breastfed for so long. Looking back and thinking about all the wonderful experiences I had with my first child, has really allowed me to look forward to nursing my second baby.

With Bobby, I loved being able to calm and soothe him almost any time. I loved that he grew happy, smart, strong and chunky on just milk for six whole months. I loved the early morning and night waking, when all was so quiet; it seemed like we were the only people in the world. I loved being the last person to hold him every night before he went to bed. I loved lying in bed feeding him, both of us warm and snuggly and dozing off. As he got older, I loved that, as busy as he was, he was always ready to take his milk break, and just sit contentedly with me for a while before going back to his very important toddler activities.

I also am so happy that my husband was a part of nursing, too. The first night we were home with Bobby, I was upset and crying because I couldn't get him to latch on. I was so worried that I wasn't going to be able to do this. I thought this tiny being would surely starve. My husband was the one who got me to stop crying and try another position, offered helpful advice he remembered from our breastfeeding class, and the book he had read.

When I nursed, my husband would often come over and sit with Bobby and me. I asked him once what he was doing, and he said, "Oh, I just like to watch this. It's so peaceful." Once I went back to work he washed pump parts and bottles as often as I did. He was amazingly supportive, and I think he was proud that Bobby and I did so well.

I only hope that this second baby and I can have as good a time of it as I did with Bobby. Nursing him has been one of the best parts of being his mom.

Rachel 34
Bobby 19 months
Baby number two on the way