Weaning - Step #1

Well, I just had my last pumping session. I'm a bit sad.. but not much. I've always loved breastfeeding, but haven't had that same relationship with my pump.

I plan on taking this forced vacation from work to wean. Natalie has been taking her bottles with half breastmilk and half Lactaid whole milk (she didn't react well to the plain milk) for the past few weeks. She will even take the bottle of just Lactaid. We will still nurse at nap and bedtime as long as my supply will hold out. She doesn't drink a lot at that time anyway, it's mainly a comfort thing.

My supply has been in the toilet for the past 4 - 5 months anyway. It's been a real struggle to make it to this point. I've been taking a medication that I had to buy from some Pacific rim country over the internet that induced lactation. I had to take two pills, 3 times a day. It was very expensive.

I'm so happy that I was able to make it a year. It was my long term goal. I'm not going to miss pumping at all, but it is a precursor to weaning totally. Hopefully I'll be able to last another month or so. When I quit nursing her all together, I will be very sad.

Nursing has been such a joy in my life. It's been amazing to see how big and chunky she's grown, all on mommy's milk. I treasure the quiet times we've spent nursing. There's nothing sweeter than nursing your baby to sleep after a long day. I've truly enjoyed every minute and hope someday my daughter will experience the same joy with her child.