Weaned at One

A few months have passed since my last post. TOO LONG! Life has been busy with many changes. I weaned Abigail by her first birthday, which we just celebrated last week. My goal was to nurse, if able, until she was one. I cut her final session the day before her one year mark.

(photo compliments of sierraclubgreenhome.com)

Not only was that my goal, but the fact that we are expecting our 2nd baby in September gave me even more motive to stick to the plan.  First, I want to give my body a break before the next arrives. Second, I don't want Abigail to associate me with nursing when I hold her new brother or sister for obvious reasons.

The next issue was what to replace me with. Milk is recommended well into the 1st year. Abigail never took to formula as a baby...and I am not a huge fan of standard cow's milk from the store.  We use organic, but to go from breast milk to that seems to be skipping a step. I felt after nursing a whole year in order to give nothing but the best, I could do better. I did some, ok a lot, of research as I was debating where to get milk even purer and fresher from a local farm...and read some great things on the benefits of goat's milk such as how easily it's digested, less prone to allergic reaction, higher calcium...etc. (If interested, send me an email and I'll send you some neat links.) Long story short...I did a lot of research and phone calls and found a local, PA licensed farm that uses no fillers or additives in their goat milk and have a wholistic approach.  I personally spoke to the owner who was incredibly knowledgable about her home-grown goods. I was sold. She takes much pride in what she offers and treats her animals with the same respect and quality. She used to show her goats and had an immaculate farm. She has such demand that she heads to NYC once a week where she sells her milk, cheese, and yogurt.

Abigail took to the bottle of goat's milk with no complaints at all! Since I was down to 4 nursings a day around her meals and snacks, and my doctor suggested she get 16-20 ounces of milk a day, she in turn gets a bottle when waking, one before morning nap, afternoon nap, and before bed at night. It is so nice that my husband can equally take part in the night routine without me feeling I have to step in. (She is now starting to transition from 2 naps a day to just 1...but that is another story!)

I was more worried about my body adjusting to weaning than hers..but since I spaced it out by a week at a time, thank goodness I was fine, with little discomfort, and also benefited from more energy. Some people say they cry when they have their final session. Being that I know I have 6 months to go before I start the process all over again, it did not hit me like that. I was glad we had made it this far and that she was still a happy camper. I am just as happy to give her a bottle and have her on my lap and enjoy quiet time together. Personally, I think she loves how much milk she gets from the bottle as well ha...even if it is only 3-5 ounces. I also do warm it since it's still cool out...as warmer weather approaches...she will get used to having it at room temp or even chilled.

Some asked if she takes it from a sippy cup. While she uses a sippy cup during the day, I decided to use the bottle to transition her so that it was something still as comfort yet different. In a few months we'll make the switch to the sippy cup as we cut back on the amount of milk she takes a day. One step at a time...but we're doing well...and it's a first-time learning process for me.

Another milestone for another time is she also mastered walking in time for her birthday. She keeps busy in the house when we are home...and with spring around the corner..is juuust starting to explore the outside world from her own baby-steps perspective. Life is exciting.