I am a huge believer in the benefits of breastfeeding. To the amazement of many, I have successfully nursed three children without once buying formula. Yes, I am woman, here me roar!

I have enjoyed each one of my nursing relationships, but it appears that the era of weaning is daunting upon us (shh, don't tell Riley yet *giggle*). There is nothing more beautiful in those early months of having those quiet moments of watching your baby gleefully nurse. At the same time, you see the benefits of your milk in a healthy, happy infant. I am still amazed that I can look at each one of my children and think "Wow, for the first 4-6 mths of life, my body provided all the nourishment they needed."

To clarify and not sound like an AAP recommendation, we introduced solids at 4 mths for our oldest, Nigel but held off for 5 1/2 for little big brother, Michael and was right at 6 mths for Riley.

As the nursing relationship goes on, it takes a few twist and turns, literally (Have you ever seen a 10 mth old nurse with activity in the room???). But, the power of the nursing relationship remains paramount. It is calming, nutritive, and connection all wrapped into one loving bundle of joy.

I notice as we move into the second year, nursing begins to have a possessive aspect to it. I blurted out at my Nigel's 15 mth well baby check up "I don't think he’s EVER going to stop nursing" but within a couple of weeks, we were miraculously weaned. At the time, I was ready.

Next, came Michael. Michael was a bit different from Nigel. He LOVED to breastfeed. At four month, he refused the bottle so much that we realized, it was a lost cause. This was also the time that I realized that NIP (nursing in public) was something I had to become comfortable with. And, food, he could care less about for the most part. He really loved to nurse. Weaning was not so easy.

I had decided we would lean towards an 18 mth wean date. The thing that really motivated me, was my pregnancy with Riley. Although nursing is wonderful and two can be "twice the fun" tandem nursing was not something I desired to experience. To Michael's dismay, we gradually dropped feedings and he was weaned by 18 mths.

Of note, Michael took this very hard. Until recently he still asked to nurse, but that's a post for another day.

Now, we have Little Miss Ma'am. She is not as attached to nursing as Michael. Put food in front her, and she gleefully says, "I'll see you later mommy." But, she is not close to wanting to wean. This past week has not been a walk in the park as we work on night weaning.

With Riley, I have so many mixed emotions. My target wean goal is by her second birthday. I feel like the benefits of breast milk are something she needs for as long as she can get. I feel like this is the last time I will have a nursing relationship, so I should cherish these time (made more noticeable as Nigel settles into the "UGGGHH MOM" years better known as the tween years stage).

For now, we will continue on...............

This blog post was previously published at http://therileychronicles.blogspot.com/2008/03/breastfeeding-and-all-that-jazz.html