Thursday, October 29, 2009

My Nearly One Year Old Nursling

My little nursling is nearly a one year old little boy!

Today while walking around a department store with my Mom and spaghEddie I realized that he is growing more quickly than my fluttering heart or embracing arms can keep up with!

I tried to nurse him while walking around. With one arm. Discreetly. He had other plans.

Instead, he wanted me to cradle him completely while he pulled up my shirt to touch my collar bone. He wanted to take quick breaks to shout, "Hello!" and whip around to glance at all the passerby. When I was slow to letdown he was determined to examine and pinch my nipple. This was my cue to find a rocker and have a seat to finish nursing. This was a nice experience to share with my Mom who joined us without a flicker of uncertainty even now when I don't bother with a blanket or cover anymore. Not only that, but my almost one year old who is in the 95th percentile for height looks like a kid on the lap of a barely over 5 ft me. This makes me smile even now and I will be sure to let her know how much I appreciate her support despite her prior experience or knowledge of breastfeeding.

My little one has been extra affectionate lately. I wonder if it has to do with his sensing that his Mama wants to bank up all the baby love she can get before he turns into a big kid. This reminds me of an article I read the other day on how we focus so much on all the firsts, but rarely recognize let alone remember many of the lasts. I am glad we have not put a one year limit on breastfeeding like I had assumed everyone did early on in my pregnancy. Besides all of the known health benefits and the AAP and WHO recommendations, there really is something extra special about breastfeeding that I don't think either of us are ready to let go of just yet.

P.S. I am planning on making a monster baby for his first birthday gift! Better get started!

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