I have been exclusively nursing since the day my daughter was born. Now with her being halfway to 2 years old (no, I am NOT okay) and with her still nursing on demand, we are now in the extended territory. People look at me like I’m crazy when they see the amount of teeth she has, her size, and her attached to my boob at any given time. But honestly, I had this baby on my own and I’m going to nourish that little body of her until she decided that she no longer needs my milk. If you think a woman feeding her baby from her breast is weird, I’m just going to call you what you are flat out “a predator”. I do not care if your mom didn’t do it or you think its gross. Breastfeeding is natural, it’s what women we designed to do, and babies are born to do. And before the “fed is best” camp come into my comments, I didn’t say you HAVE to do and said designed. That’s why we have boobs.
Moving right along…
For the entire first year of my daughter’s life, I nursed on demand when I was home and I pumped at work. We never had any issues with her switching between bottle and breast. She took any bottle with pleasure and nursed with no issue. Well, not quite, her latch was KILLER. I mean it was like a ring of fire every time she latched on. I brought this up with my OB, her pediatrician, and a IBCLC , everyone said her latch was wide and deep. But that sh*t hurt! When she was about 2 months old, we ended up getting a referral to physical therapy because she had torticollis, since she was a very large baby and I was a very tiny woman…she didn’t have much room. This is probably why she was head down but never truly made it down the birth canal. During her first session, her physical therapist asked me how her latch was, how she took bottles, and if she used a pacifier. I told her about the pain, she took bottles but dribbled or “clicked” a lot like she did at the breast, and she hated pacifiers. Her Physical Therapist checked her for a tongue tie and referred us to a local dental clinic that specialized in oral ties.
Of course, I was like great…another issue. But I went ahead scheduled the consultation and within a week she had the procedure. It was quick and the aftercare was simple…until we had to do the stretching. But ultimately, she recovered well, her latch improved within hours, and she gained almost a pound 1 week post-op. She didn’t snore as much, she was finally able to hold a pacifier in her mouth without getting tired, and her nursing sessions/bottle feeds were more efficient! We were also matched with the world’s best lactation consultant! She was able to help me manage my supply, help with the frequent clogs I got, and offered a ton of support for nursing at work. With my lactation consultant and the physical therapist, we have been able to nurse for nearly 1.5 years and counting.
Let’s talk about pumping at work. My boss “Jane”, made it hell. But because I am surviving purely out of spite, I continued to pump at work. She complained every time I had to pump on the way to work and had to change my shirt immediately upon arrival to the office. She complained about me using the app associated with my wearable pump to track my output and times. She complained about me needing to run and get a hand pump on the day I forgot my duck bills. Let me tell you, I do not miss that job at all. I remember her pulling me into a meeting to discuss why I needed so much time to express milk. At work I had to pump every 2 hours for a min of 30 mins, to prevent clogs. It was none of her business and not my place to educate her. I seriously do not understand how that walking HR violation is still employed. She has never had children, been pregnant, or nursed. Her place was at her desk and not in my business. I ended up quitting that job right before my daughter turned 1 and I went another firm. The new firm was completely supportive and had the nicest lactation room I had ever seen. They had bags, pump soap, a spare pump (bring your own flanges, bottles/bags, and tubing), snacks, and beverages. It just sucks that it was not the firm for me long term. They didn’t offer any support for parents at all and only paid for 4 weeks of parental leave. I parted ways with that firm for other reasons. But, if you are going to pump at work please keep the following in your car, bag, or work station – 1 complete change of clothes, extra shirts, nipple cream, pump sanitizing spray/wipes, spare parts, bags, and ice packs. I forgot things a few times and I spent a lot of money on extras. I would also recommend a set of storage bottles too.
Although I live a little over 30 mins from the city, my commute could be anywhere from 1.5-2 hours each way. Keeping my milk cold was imperative, as I went back to work in the summer time. I used the Ceres chill milk chiller to transport my milk to and from work. I have both the full size and the mini because I needed both at one point. Once my supply became manageable I used my larger cooler and kept the mini in the car for back up. My work pumps were my Willow Go pumps. I LOVE THEM AND STILL USE THEM!!! I loved that I could discreetly pump at my desk, in the car, or while taking my lap around Pennsylvania Ave.
How is extended breastfeeding going? It’s going better than I thought it would. Of course she now tries to do yoga and parkour while latched on to me. She is wiggly and her hands are busy. We are working on nursing manners, she has to learn not to whip it out just because she is thirsty. Around 14 months she learned the sign for “more”, then “milk” so now she asks nicely by signing when she is ready to nurse. I truly think that nursing has not only done wonders for her health, but my health, and our bond. She knows that I am always there for her, she knows that I am her safe place, and she knows that she can always have uninterrupted time with me. While my milk is now complementary to her diet, I know she is still receiving all of the nutrients her body needs to grow. Where the food lacks, I come in and support.
As far as weaning goes, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Then that will be a post in its self. But for the Mamas out here nursing beyond 1 year, I’m proud of you.