My first baby was breastfed exclusively for 6 months. He has never had any formula. And had his first taste of regular cow's milk at around 18 months. He continues to nurse and will continue to do so until he is ready to wean. However, as I went back to work when he was about 3 months, he was fed expressed breastmilk (EBM) via the bottle while I was at work.
My second baby is now 3 months old and is also exclusively breastfed. I'm not returning to work for awhile, so there really hasn't been any need to introduce the bottle. The one time we had to do it was when my hubby and I went for our first date 2 1/2 months after the baby arrived. Baby didn't like it at all, and ingested only a tiny amount of EBM before falling asleep.
Somehow the knowledge that my baby didn't like the bottle gives me great pleasure. For some women, being able to give their baby a bottle represents freedom. Freedom to reclaim some part of their lives from the all consuming needs of the baby. While I dearly miss my pilates classes, I don't feel ready to give my baby up to the artificial feeder, and to the knowledge that I can be replaced! I suppose, having experienced mommy-hood once before, I am all too aware of how quickly my baby will grow and learn to separate from me. My time with the baby now is so precious. The pilates classes can wait. The bottles can wait.
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5 comments:
Aww...
I've been practicing poetry writing (yes of all things). Bought this book "The Ode Less Travelled" and it assigns poetry exercises to do! I thought you would like this particular practice poem:
Domestic Goddesshood awaits
For those who take a careful note
Of how Nigella brews and bakes
And cuts her fruit and fries her steaks.
:-)
aren't we a clever little one? :)
I'd like to see you contribute a poem for every blog entry I write!
Umm, how to say this nicely - right now that is not much of a challenge :-)
wait till i find some time on my hands! i have plenty more to say!!
I like your entries about breasfeeding. Breastfeeding for me is much the same...it's about giving your baby everything he needs naturally, and WOW it amazes me that I can sustain this little being at 17.2 lbs! The weight is falling off me and going to him! At our 4 month Dr. checkup, the Dr turned to me and asked, "what are you supplementing him with?" I just stood there with a dumb expression on my face and said, "he's exclusively breastfed." and wanted to say, "idiot!" after. She immediately thought I was using pablum because of his weight gain. Afterwards, she said, "oh...well you have liquid gold!" Of course I do!!!! :-) I'm hoping he will continue to breastfeed as long as Leah or longer (she breastfed until she weaned herself at 18 mo). thanks for the posts...they are inspiring to read. May be I will get back to my blog sometime soon.
Krista
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