We cannot say this enough! Motherhood is not a one size fits all, it is tailor made by your choices considering what’s best for you & your baby! Who decides what is best for the two of you? YOU DO! Because Moms Know Best!
To dive into breastfeeding, its best if we hear from the moms who have been there, done that! Asking all the experienced moms one simple question:
“I did A LOT of reading before giving birth to Miraaya. Personally, I would have liked to feed her till she was 1.5 years minimum. Unfortunately, she self-weaned much earlier. I do think the logic is - breastmilk gives the child nutrition, good immunity & comfort. They undergo so many changes till they are 2-2.5 years old. Breast milk gives them that connect with their mom & helps them sail through it.”
“Back in my days, it was all so different. There were no breast pumps. Or at least I wasn’t aware that they existed. So, all feedings were direct, every hour every single night for both my boys and I now realize that it was such a taxing process. Anyway, coming to the question. I had to painfully wean off Prabhir, my elder one a little before he turned one & half. The transition wasn’t easy for Dev either, though he switched around the 8th month. I feel women who are birthing in this time and age are blessed. Ignorance is not always bliss. I had terrible nipple cuts both times in the first few weeks. I would bleed while feeding. Now I know from my younger sister who delivered a baby girl around a year back, that the cuts and bleeding happen if baby doesn't latch properly. So, as much as it's a beautiful experience; if you aren't guided correctly, breastfeeding can be very traumatic.”
“My feedings to Kush had one basic rule: no feed without his need. This is the very rule that kept me sane from all the anxiety related to breast feeding. Like when to stop? We stopped when he was 2 and a half years old. Because that’s when he naturally moved away from breastmilk to other foods. A lot of people including my family expressed their concerns over the feeding going on for longer than normal. But because I had my rule embedded in my head, I decided to go with the flow & I think it was the best decision for both me and Kush.”
We are overwhelmed to know how mothers have such distinct journeys! So, here’s what we learn from their beautiful experiences:
Did you naturally let your baby wean when they were ready or did you stick to a pre-determined timeline to stop breastfeeding? What were the challenges you faced during the transition? Share with all the fellow moms in the comments below.