Breastfeeding Support - 6 months and beyond!

[Shiv]

Well if you insist - here is my "little" chubster!

 

[Eve]

Adorable!! Just gorgeous!!

 

[Eve]

If anyone wants to ad me to FB it's www.facebook.com/evelynkatheline

 

[Kaybee]

Beautiful Shiv. Thank you.

 

[AnnaBanana9]

If anyone wants to add me to FB, I'm Anna Pasechnick Ridley - only one!
x

 

[polaris]

Gorgeous photo Shiv! Making me feel broody LOL.

 

[AnnaBanana9]

Shiv, she's utterly perfect So beautiful.

xx

 

[florabean1981]

she's beautiful! How was the homebirth? i'm planning a water birth (in a midwife led unit) this time so any tips for staying calm and safe and preferably unmedicated would be gratefully received!!!!

 

[AnnaBanana9]

Awwwww Shiv, Cora is a week old already!

 

[polaris]

Hi girls. I am feeling so sad about Thomas having weaned (about three weeks ago), even though it was what I wanted. It breaks my heart to think that he will never breast feed again. I didn't expect to feel so sad about it. Especially seeing that I wanted him to wean and was pleased that it had happened without me having to encourage it apart from doing 'don't offer don't refuse'. But I do feel so sad. I find that I am spending more time lurking in the breastfeeding forum now than I did when he was still feeding. I know there are no answers but I just wanted to get it out. Thanks for listening.

 

[Shiv]

Hi girls. I am feeling so sad about Thomas having weaned (about three weeks ago), even though it was what I wanted. It breaks my heart to think that he will never breast feed again. I didn't expect to feel so sad about it. Especially seeing that I wanted him to wean and was pleased that it had happened without me having to encourage it apart from doing 'don't offer don't refuse'. But I do feel so sad. I find that I am spending more time lurking in the breastfeeding forum now than I did when he was still feeding. I know there are no answers but I just wanted to get it out. Thanks for listening.

Aw I know how you fee, it is a happy/sad milestone and one that it will take you a few weeks to get over. What helped me was knowing that whenever my little one gave me cuddles post weaning, it was because they loved me and not because they wanted milk. You did a great job and should be very proud. You will feel better about it but you just need to have some time to grieve that loss of something that you have had for nearly 2 years

 

[Shiv]

she's beautiful! How was the homebirth? i'm planning a water birth (in a midwife led unit) this time so any tips for staying calm and safe and preferably unmedicated would be gratefully received!!!!

The home birth was brilliant - I can't quite believe I did it! 6 months ago I wouldn't have even considered it. It was very relaxed and surreal at the same time. Everything went to plan (but then I didn't really have a plan ). It was weird when it was all done and the midwives left and we just sat on the sofa thinking well this weird everything is exactly how it was before, except we have a new baby. There is no transition unlike when you are at hospital and then go home. But it was lovely to go to bed in my own bed!

I had Sophia in a birth centre in a pool and it was also a great experience (if I still lived local to it I would have had Cora there). Waterbirth is amazing. the water is a great pain relief and great at relaxing you. My top tip for staying calm would be to not make too many plans. I think I a lot of people think that by planning their birth meticulously they will stay calm. But you CAN'T plan a birth, your body will do what it needs to do and you just have to go with it. Hope for the best but don't say I will definitely do this as if it starts to not go that way you will get upset and stressed.

For me I tried to hold off using gas and air for as long as possible, I think you get the best from it then. I was over 7cm when I started using it with Cora and boy did I need it, but had I started using it earlier I wouldn't have appreciated it as much. The same goes for the water, I beleive the pain relieving affect kind of wears off, so if you get in as soon as you are in active labour I reckon by the time you are getting to the really painful stage the affect of the water will have worn off (I have no evidence to back this up, just a feeling).

you will find that the midwives in the MLU will be more relaxed than at a hospital because they actively want you to have a med free birth.

You will be great

 

[Shiv]

Oh and I can't believe Cora is a week old already, it makes me a bit sad.

Feeding is going well, breastfeeding really is great!

 

[Eve]

Polaris- I know how you feel... I am still not *over* K weaning and I really do miss breastfeeding.. I feel she didn't get as much as she could have etc... as well, since she weaned too early. again...

 

[polaris]

Shiv, your home birth experience sounds beautiful! I think you are so right about not having too many plans about the birth though. You explain it really well. I remember when I was pregnant, a work colleague (who is a midwife) said something very similar to me and it always stayed with me.

 

[AnnaBanana9]

I miss BF too; still can't believe Alyssa self-weaned at 27 months and never really looked back! I miss those snuggles.... I know Pip will be here in a few weeks shock but that is a whole new BF journey. I miss the one with A.

xx

 

[Quartz]

Polaris I know how you feel to (I think they pretty much self weaned at the same time) and I get very sad - it kind of feels properly like my baby has grown up as it not a baby anymore but a proper toddler. I also find myself looking at the breastfeeding forum now more too.

 

[Miss_Bump]

Im goinng to be sad when Evie weans but also happy!

Anna your 31 weeks!? That has gone SO quickly!

 

[Dragonfly]

I dont think william will ever wean the way he goes on still.

 

[Miss_Bump]

How much does he feed in the day anneka?