Weaning

When my daughter was born, I made the decision to breastfeed her for at least six months. I had done my research and learned that six months of nursing was healthy for a baby.

When we hit six months without a single boob issue, I said I'd attempt to make it a year. More research showed that a child benefits greatly from a year of breastmilk.

As one year approached, I started preparing myself mentally for the separation. I checked books out of the library. I read every article google found. I bought sippy cups and a new non-nursing bra.

We were doing well at one point. We had cut out certain feedings. Roo seemed not to mind whole milk in a cup. Things were going smoothly. Then Roo got a cold and to comfort her, I increased her nursings. Then we moved and I fed her through that. Then she hit a growth spurt and everytime she spotted her boppy pillow she went nuts.

The next thing we knew, she was 18 months old and still attached to the boobs as the day she was born.

I know I'm the odd Mommy out in my group. Everyone with children Roo's age stopped breastfeeing months ago and occasionally lifts an eyebrow when they hear I'm still nursing my daughter. Friends without children look horrified (not all, but some) and I do catch my husband gazing longingly at my chest.

But when Roo knows it's time for a feeding, she hunts down the boppy, thrusts it in my lap and does a happy dance that resembled something a Backyardigan does. She giggles like she just hit the lottery, how can I deny her?

If this one simple thing makes her so happy, why not? How can I ever resist?

And I don't... and who knows if I ever will? I very well could be a freak for many years to come... When she's ready to stop, that will be the day I am ready.