***KNOCK ON WOOD*** The nursing strike is over!! (read here and here for the backstory)
Friday night at bedtime (after having the 2nd chiro adjustment that morning, this time a bit more aggressive of one using the activator) Q nursed, but only once he was already mostly asleep. This was the same as he'd done twice before, so while I was happy I did not expect it to mean anything. Again, twice before he'd nursed like this one isolated time, and then not again for 4-5 days.
Then Saturday morning he nursed again (still only in his sleep). And again during his nap at 11am. And a third time during another nap, at 3pm. That third time he even opened his eyes and seemed semi-awake through part of it. Could this be? I didn't want to get my hopes up, as so many times over the past 2 weeks I've become hopeful and then had those hopes coem crashing back down when the little progress we'd made completely reversed itself.
And then that night, last night, I got him ready for bed and went to our rocking chair. And he latched on. Happily, easily, willingly. And nursed to sleep. And he did that again this morning, and has been happily breastfeeding all day today, as if nothing ever happened.
Part of me is anxiously waiting for him to start refusing again. part of me is so very happy and relieved that this is finally over. And part of me wants to shake him and yell, "What the hell was all that about?!" Which, clearly, I won't do. I'll just be happy that he's come around, and I can say good-bye to that infernal pump.
(As an aside, I've always admired moms who pump, either at work or who exclusively pump for their babies at home. Then after 2 weeks of this, my admiration for those moms is about 1,000x greater. You truly deserve a medal.)
What makes me laugh is that he broke the strike on the 13th day... which is a number I've always kinda had a soft spot for, being born on a 13th. Is this his little trick on me? Who knows. I'm just glad I did keep trying. I don't think I could've done it without the support and encouragement of the lactation consultant I've been working with. Seriously, if anyone in the Sacramento area ever needs breastfeeding help, call Jaye Simpson. She's an IBCLC, and is completely amazing and really knows her stuff.
Yay Quinn!!!!! Way to not give up Marcy. Seriously. So many people would not have lasted. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI was also born on a 13th, and I totally love that number :) isn't it the best when your birthday falls on a Friday, too?
Hurray!! Yay for persistance and awareness that breastfeeding is worth doing all that for. And thank the Lord it's ended, well. Grateful for your Lactation Consultant. Give her a big hug from me. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad it seems to be over!!
ReplyDeletePumping blows. I went back to work when Kiarda was 11 weeks and pumped until after a year. I was this close to fully weaning her because I was so tired of the whole thing, but once I stopped pumping I felt much better about continuing to BF. I didn't have issues responding to my pump, but it was a hassle, lots of extra dishes every day, and a constant reminded about my pitiful supply issues. I was glad to being done with that part for SURE.
Yay! I'm so happy you're back to breastfeeding! Such a stubborn boy :)
ReplyDeleteI pumped while working from 4-11 mo and was so over the pump. Now I'm back at it and hate it even more. I mean, it does a good job and I'm really thankful for its help keeping my supply up, but seriously it sucks in more than one way!
I stumbled upon your article here because my son has been on a nursing strike for about a month now...pumping sucks. This is the first time I've read about using a chiropractor to help. Do you think the chiropractor was a big help in the nursing? I've never considered using one until now. I'm willing to try anything at this point!
ReplyDeleteI think it helped, it's so hard to say but it may be worth a try. Good luck!!
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