Nursing: the Afterword

It's true. I'm officially finished nursing. I couldn't squeeze out a drop of milk if I wanted to. How's that image for you?
I'm still having conflicting feelings about this. What's done is done at this point, but now's the time where I analyze my choices until I'm blue in the face. So, without further ado, final (really deep!) thoughts on nursing my first baby.

--I can't wait to nurse my second baby. First of all, I'll know what I'm doing, secondly, I'll know what I'm doing, and third, I'll know what I'm doing so I can just relax and enjoy it.

--I am going to miss the closeness. The constant clamping/suction of my nipple, pain from engorgement when she skipped a feeding, not so much. But I'll miss her lying there, grabbing my face. I'll still have that with bottles, but there's an intimacy that comes from knowing you alone are nourishing your child... And that is what I am sad to give up.

--On the other hand, exhibits A, B, and C are a happy, healthy Finley who is steadily gaining weight, sleeping better at night, napping more consistently, and laughing more than ever.

--Formula is not the F word. I would never be judgmental towards any mother who chooses to either nurse or to formula-feed. On the other hand, the soda pop in bottle moms? I have a problem with you.

--I still can't help but feel a little disappointed and guilty. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively nursing for at least one year. The World Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing for at least two years. I only made it seven months, which was not my goal at all. I wanted to go for at least one year.

--It's hard not to feel rejected by the little pink meatloaf who once wanted you to nurse her, but now wants to hold her own ba-ba and watch the ceiling fan while she eats and falls asleep. Her independence is precious but hard to cope with.

--Weight now will (hopefully) come flying off, as my body isn't requiring a massive hold on all my poundage in case of famine.

--No hope for a Grapes of Wrath situation (thank goodness, actually).

--But I can finally get that drinking problem I've always wanted.