Now it's time to say goodbye...

to breastfeeding the baby :(

A few weeks ago I had my first prenatal appointment for the new baby.  Everything went great.  They did an ultrasound so we got the baby's first picture.  Everything seems to be progressing nicely.  The doctor did make my due date October 30 because the baby measured in at only 7 weeks gestational but other than that little shocker things went almost exactly as we expected.  I should add about the date change that the doctor said that is entirely normal for breastfeeding mommas of young kids.  Since that makes menstruation and ovulation sporadic sometimes counting from the last normal period doesn't work so great. 

And then he told me to wean.  He said that he doesn't want the breastfeeding to cause uterine contractions once I am in to my second trimester.  By the time he sees me again Will needs to be completely weaned.  Now, Will was 11 months at the time.  Honestly, we were coming up to the time when I was considering weaning anyway.  At his 9 month check up his pediatrician said he could start drinking cow's milk when I was ready to give it to him.  And, considering I have never before been able to breastfeed one of my babies, I am pleased as punch that I had this experience with him.  BUT somehow I am still sad to think of forcing him to stop.  I expected him to say, "No thanks Mom, I think I'll have an apple juice instead."

That has yet to happen.  I am diligently cutting down on the breast milk availability.  He is down to twice a day.  He can have it once during the day and once near bedtime.  He doesn't nurse himself to sleep but he does fill up on it a little before he gets ready for bed to help him sleep well.  And every time I give him access to them he looks like he just found his lost best friend.  It is so sweet and bittersweet.  I love how happy something I alone can do for him makes him but I hate that soon that will be gone for him.  Soon his daytime feeding will go away.  And then his night feeding. 

I feel so blessed to be pregnant again.  And I am going to do, as always, everything I can to keep this little one inside me growing and developing well.  This time it just kind of makes me sad as well.  But hey, maybe for a few months my boobs will belong to me again!