Look ma, no nummies!

Well, nay-sayers, prepare to be proven wrong. All of you snarky mamas who glared at me nursing my 3 1/2-year-old on the NYC subway, prepare to be amazed. And to all of my family and friends who wanted to chastise me about nursing a walking, talking, thinking, laughing little man named Fred, thanks for holding your tongues.

Because we did it. Fred isn’t going to nurse on his way down the wedding aisle or at his high school graduation. I didn’t need to break him of a “habit” and teach him “who’s in charge.” I didn’t need to set boundaries you thought I should have set when I didn’t want to set them.

Because we did it: Fred weaned.

Fred weaned this past Thanksgiving, exactly a year from his night-weaning Thanksgiving of 2011, which I initiated reluctantly–and as gently as I could, and days before I released the public statement that I was getting divorced.  Read the rest of this entry →

• Posted in Uncategorized
• Tags: divorce, extended breastfeeding, featured, fred, weaning

Fred is no longer nursing at night.

About six months ago, I wrote a post for Kveller about my 3-year-old’s nursing patterns. I suggest you read it before reading this one, but here’s the recap:

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• Tags: breastfeeding, extended breastfeeding, featured, weaning

If you know anything about Mayim Bialik, chances are you know she’s a huge proponent of breastfeeding. And not just breastfeeding, but extended breastfeeding. As a certified Lactation Educator/Counselor, she’s more than comfortable with taking the scientific approach to the matter, and throughout her time writing for Kveller, she’s shared plenty of her stories and opinions. Here are some of our favorites:

1. I Breastfeed My Toddler. Got a Problem with it?

In which Mayim tackles the common questions from naysayers, like, “If he’s old enough to ask for it, isn’t he too old to have it?” and, “What does your husband think?” and, “Do you even have any milk anymore?”

2. It May Be Time to Wean My 3-Year-Old

In which Mayim discusses Fred’s shifting demand for milk, her “no ask no refuse” policy, day-weaning, Elimination Communication, and how it’s not actually time to wean her 3-year-old. Photo of Mayim nursing on NYC subway included.

3. New Moms Don’t (Usually) Need Breast Pumps

In which Mayim recommends new moms to stay away from the breast pump if there is no pressing need for it, for reasons including the science, the sensibility, and “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

4. Mayim Bialik Not Done Defending Attachment Parenting Yet

In which Mayim assures you that breastfeeding is the recognized best way to feed and nourish your baby, and giving “an ounce or two” of formula statistically leads to more formula, less demand, and eventual weaning.

• Posted in Uncategorized
• Tags: attachment parenting, breastfeeding, extended breastfeeding, featured, weaning