When to Wean (and a Medela Pump +Accessories Giveaway)
francesca is a bit over two and i am starting to wonder when we will wean. she likes to nurse in the morning and evening and i still love these quiet moments together. however, i am aware that this time is fleeting and i will likely wean soon as she ventures out into the world a bit more each day. tonight, when i put her down, i sang her
and she pat pat patted my chest while being slowly lulled to sleep. i closed my eyes and tried to trace the moment so that i could etch it in my heart. i feel like i've grown so much as a mother over these past six years and it's interesting to think back on this breastfeeding journey. i love thinking about the cocoon of the newborn days and the sleepy naps on my chest. the sweet smell of milk and baby coos. i am also reminded of harder moments which i am also grateful for and would like to share with you.
when elodie was four months old i went back to work full time at a job i really, really disliked. if i quit then i would be responsible for paying the company i worked for thousands of dollars as they had moved my husband and i across country from new york city to los angeles. our plan was for me to work there for the two year contract and hopefully have a baby sometime after. of course, babies come when they are ready and i found myself pregnant a full year earlier than anticipated. i had four months with elodie and then headed back to work. i packed up my medela pump, a little photo of elodie, and headed to the office. every day was emotional, especially when it came time to sit in the tiny room within the bathroom that was the only private place to pump. i would get worried if i didn't get enough ounces or if i forgot to pump and became engorged. but pump i did. i was committed to breastfeeding elodie exclusively until she was at least one year old and was happy when i made that goal. there were hard times along the way with both girls. i was prone to mastitis and engorgement. i remember receiving comments from family members who couldn't believe i was still breastfeeding after a year. the connection that elodie and i had was so beautiful and i thankfully ignored any voice other than my own. i don't really know why i felt so strongly about breastfeeding elodie (i weaned her when she was a little over 2 1/2 years old) but i did. it saddens me that in this day and age there are so many conflicting voices over a mother's choice whether it is to breastfeed or not. a woman is the only person who should decide what is best for her and her baby.
in honor of international women's day (which was this past sunday but, really, every day should be women's day!) i am giving away a Medela care package which includes:
A Medela Freestyle Breast Pump
Medela Accessories:
Medela Quick Clean Soap
Medela Quick Clean Bags
Medela Quick Clean Wipes
Medela Pump & Save Bags 20ct
Medela Lanolin
Medela Disposable Bra Pads 30ct
Medela Shoulder Bag (Medela double pump kit, cooler and ice pack)
Medela Breastfeeding University Card
to enter, leave post a comment on
Medela post with a nursing or pumping moment (funny, sweet, hard, whatever) that you remember and tag/follow
.
alternatively, please post a comment below with a nursing or pumping moment (funny, sweet, hard, whatever) that you remember and follow
on Facebook. if you are commenting here, please make sure you leave your email address as well. this giveaway is open to US residents only. i will be announcing a winner on friday march 13th.
Medela has recently launched
. the recycled pumps (moms can ship their old pumps back to Medela) support the initative which donates new, hospital-grade multi-use breastpump and supplies to Ronald McDonald House charities, to provide moms with the same high quality equipment they use during their hospital stays. With nearly 40% of the families served by RMHC caring for babies in the NICU, this offering supports breastfeeding mothers. more info on how to recycle your pump
.
Medela gifted me similar products and i will be donating them to a local mama in need. i wanted to do this post because i am a whole hearted advocate of nursing and think that breast pumps can help in so many situations. please support women in your sphere of influence with whatever choice they make. we are all in this together.
