Nursing Strike – Day 10

Sadly, we have made no progress on the nursing front. I’m not really sure what else to try or when to give up pumping, but I wanted to pop in and at least give an update.

Good news is … the chiropractor helped Jemma’s ear infection! We went in on Monday and Wednesday for ear and neck adjustments to help drain the fluid. On Friday she had her 12 month wellness visit (even though she is almost 13 months) and the infection was gone. Praise the Lord! I was feeling pretty nervous about telling our pediatrician that we decided to forgo the antibiotics after our visit on Monday (we didn’t see our normal doctor on Monday, just the on-call doctor who is apparently medicine happy). Our regular doctor, Dr. Kevin, was quite supportive of the chiropractor route and even went as far as to say that often times an antibiotic cures one problem, but creates a bunch of others that are just as bad like upset tummies, bad gut flora, and diarrhea.

Jemma is finally on the growth chart at 95% for height and weight :) I do think she has lost some weight since her strike, but she is still very healthy and Dr. Kevin isn’t concerned about her strike/weaning.

JEMMA’S 12 MONTH STATS
Height – 31.5 inches
Weight – 26 pounds, 1 ounce
 
I’m still hopeful that Jemma will return to nursing. I really miss the special bonding time that only she and I can have. I’ve felt pretty sad the last few days as I’ve realized her growing independence. My little baby is gone and she is quickly on her way to becoming a little girl. Thankfully, she still needs me in many ways, so we’re focusing on making this transition as positive as we can.
 
My La Leche League leader has been super supportive and shared a few great articles with me this week. Some are more specific to young babies, where it is a real crisis during a strike since they aren’t eating solids, but all of them have sections about how emotional it is for a mama to have their little one push away from them. It’s nice to not feel so alone in the sadness of such a sudden change.
I also met a sweet mama on Twitter who recently endured a nursing strike. Her final post is here and I loved reading about her journey. I’m so happy she got her little guy back to nursing!
 
I’m kind of in limbo of what to do next. I think she could easily wean at this point or I could keep encouraging her to nurse. The experts say at her age it could go either way as well which just leaves me wondering what to do. I don’t feel like I’ll make it 40 days like the above article … but I suppose that mama didn’t either in the beginning. Like so many other parenting issues I’m just going to have to take it one day at a time.
 
Jemma still loves milk – I’ve given her a little each day in hopes of reminding her how yummy it is, but not a ton so she remembers that milk comes from mama, not sippies. I really REALLY don’t want to get tied to the pump for months as I’m already feeling sore and needing to cut back for my comfort. I think I’ll give it another week or so and see where we are at. We’re visiting my best friend and her daughter in Idaho next weekend and I’m curious if a new environment will make her seek nursing for comfort in a new place. When we get back I’ll hopefully have more of an idea of what to do in regard to weaning, offering, pumping, etc. I so wish she could talk to me and tell me exactly what she is thinking!
 
Did I mention that my cold is still hanging on and then on Wednesday night I got kicked with the stomach bug! Awful, just awful!!! I had to call my mama to rescue me on Thursday.
 
Poor Jem has had new teeth/ear infection recovery/walking/no nursies/new foods/fear from the biting episode all going on and I’ve got a jumble of emotions/cold/flu recovery/maximum busyness from checking out of life for a week. We’re kind of a hot mess. Hoping for a very healthy and peaceful November :)
 
More happy posts coming soon, but in case you were wondering if things are all sunshine around here all the time – they obviously aren’t :( Plus … next week is Wool Week and I can’t wait for all the info and giveaways. I’m pretty much in love with wool for cloth diapering and hope you will too!


You can read all my posts about our nursing strike here.

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Comments

  1. Rebekah says

    Gretchen,I'm so glad to hear about your week…happy Jemma is getting better and am hopeful for you two on your nursing journey. I've read that children in "Bible times" nursing until they were 3-5 years old. I know that is no longer the popular thing, but I know from reading your blog how important nursing is to you and your little love. I'm thinking of you and looking forward to continue reading about your life with Jemma!Rebekah

  2. 4Eighteen says

    What a tough thing you're going through. I nursed my girl until a week after her first birthday, she is 16 months now. I had a hard time too when she started nursing less and less but then I just decided that I was going to look at the positives about how we were able to make it a full year when some people can't at all. I hope you are able to get her nursing again, or if not that it can be a positive transition for you.We are new followers and found you on Mrs. T, Naturally. Have a great day!Stephanie @ http://www.4Eighteen.com

  3. says

    Oh I'm so glad she's feeling better, ear infections are the worst! I'm so sorry to hear about your nursing strike, unfortunately for me Daniel weaned himself off breastfeeding by 10 months, and I missed it so much! I hope Jemma decides to nurse again soon, try not to stress, they know what they're doing! ;) xxx

  4. says

    Keep trying mama… and know that you get mama/baby bonding in a lot of other ways if Jemma is ready to wean. You have done amazing!! All that pumped milk is great for oatmeal and snack sessions. Once my little one stopped nursing – I made sure to do 15 minutes of snuggling before naps and bedtime. Those moments are magic.

  5. ThatMamaGretchen says

    You're so right! Extra snuggles at naptime and bed have been the best lately :) ________________________________

    • Ruth says

      Hi, thanks for your blog. I know this was 8 years ago but just out of interest how did your strike end? I’m on day 10 now :(!! Thank you x

  6. ThatMamaGretchen says

    Glad you are following! Thanks for your encouragement :)I'm definitely trying to focus on all the positives these days. She is happy and healthy and feel more blessed that this is our biggest worry right now. ________________________________

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