Nursing / Weaning question - responses

Here are some good (and a few not so good) responses that I got from an email list to the Nursing / Weaning questions that some people may ask. Some of these I will try to remember.

Responses to "Are you still nursing?"

No, I'm not, my mother lives too far away. My son is, though.
Of course! Nothing but the best for your grandson! (or nephew or whatever)
Yes, isn't it amazing? I am so glad he's not in a hurry to grow up.
Yes, it's really been a life-saver, it is the only liquid he'll drink when he's not feeling well.
Absolutely, isn't love a wonderful thing?
Yes! (then hold up your hand expecting the other person to high-five you)
Right now? No, he's over there playing. I need him to do it.
I was never a nurse. I don't like needles! I'm an Accountant, remember?
Yes, his doctor is so thrilled. So many moms give up due to pressures of friends and family. (hint hint)
Yes, and he's a real pro at it. I am so proud of him.
Everyone asks that, it must be because he's so incredibly healthy. (not really answering, but it gets the point across that you aren't planning on answering)
I get that question all the time. It is so great that people are looking out for him! (again, not answering)
Yes, he deserves the very best. He's such a good baby.
(for someone who continuously asks) It is funny how people ask that, but then they don't really want to know.
(for someone who continuously asks) Of course, I am glad you keep asking. It shows you want the best for him.
(and another for someone who is hounding you to no end) Do you really want to know this time? You didn't seem satisfied with my answer last time.

Responses to "When are you planning on weaning?"

I'm not. He'll wean me.
Before he graduates.
He hasn't told me yet.
I haven't asked him yet. He doesn't really make plans for the future at this point. He just does things day to day.
I don't know, I guess when my milk dries up. (confuse a person who has no clue about breastfeeding)
I hope not for a while. We're both enjoying our time together.
I don't know, when the puppies weaned, they were taken away from their mother. It doesn't seem like such a great thing to me.
(sometimes they ask, "when will you start giving him cow's milk?") Not sure maybe if he starts thinking he is a calf.
What, and get my PMS back? are you crazy?
I don't know. He seems to still enjoy it and I enjoy those extra 500 calories I burn.
It is so hard to plan anything with a baby. We're just doing things day to day.
We're in no rush, he has time to make up his own mind.
Thanks for asking. Everyone seems to need an answer for that except for me and my child.
(and another for someone who is hounding you to no end) It depends, when are you planning on asking me again?

Okay, so some of these are a little snippy and not-so-nice, but sometimes that attitude would apply. Do try and be polite to people who are simply misinformed, but be as snotty as you like to people who just won't mind their own business!

"Are you STILL nursing?"

Of course, I wouldn't dare ask someone else to do it for me!
What do you mean still? The bare minimum is two years!
Obviously. ..Are you STILL afraid of seeing a breast? (a good one for someone looking at you nursing with a disgusted look on their face)
Yep! The equipment is still in operation.
Yep! He's still my child, isn't he?
Of course! He still needs his mommy!
Absolutely! It's a great way for both of us to take a break!
Actually, he's the one doing the nursing, I just sit here.

When are you going to wean?

I weaned a long time ago, when I was two I think.
(pause) Oh, you were talking to me? I thought you were asking him...he can't answer you yet.
Weaning isn't even in his vocabulary yet.
Not sure, I hope he is allowed to nurse as long as he likes.
Oh...sometime in the future. (be vague, it gets them every time!)
I suppose whenever he stops nursing, that would be a good time.
That's funny, I was going to ask you when are you planning on going vegetarian. (or something equally as ridiculous to ask)

Isn't he a little old for that?
(while nursing) Apparently not, the equipment still works for him.
(surprised) What?! He isn't even out of diapers!
I used to think like you, but then I nursed a baby for the first time and all the rules changed.
His doctor didn't think so.
Aren't you a little old to be wearing those jeans?
Nope, he's only three, that's not very old considering he'll live to be 100 or so.
Obviously he isn't.
If I thought that way, would I still do it?
No, I don't think he is, do you? (if they say "yes" then answer, "well, then you already had your answer didn't you")

He doesn't NEED to nurse at this age!

He doesn't need his teddy bear either but we still give it to him.
Maybe not, why don't you read up on it for me. Maybe you can find out if there is an expiration date for my milk.
Only HE knows what he needs and obviously he still needs it.
(laugh) Where did you hear that?
Shhh - not in front of him, you'll make him feel bad. (then later say "I would prefer it if you wouldn't talk about nursing in front of the baby. How would you feel if someone was telling you that you were too old for something?")
He can HEAR you, you know.
And you don't NEED to eat that doughnut, but you still are.

He should be drinking cow's milk from a cup by now.

I am sure he knows how, but if you were him, which would you prefer?
Why? Are we raising him to be a cow?
He likes human milk from these cups better at the moment.
I would like to see where that "rule" is written down.
Why? Human milk is made for humans... and it's free!
And you should be OVER the whole thing by now, are you still afraid of a breastfeeding child?

Why you should make your baby's food - Suite101.com gives some instructions: When the food is softened, transfer to the appliance of your choice. I have used a blender and a food processor with success both times. Add a little bit (1-2 tbs at a time) of the liquid of your choice, and puree. The consistency should be smooth -- like the food you see in the baby food jars at the grocery stores! Serve immediately, or freeze in individual servings. To do this, transfer the puree to an ice cube tray (each cube should be a generous tablespoon). Wrap in freezer wrap and freeze. Then pop the food out of the ice cube tray and place in a freezer bag with a use-by date (you can freeze them for up to three months, but if you used formula or breastmilk, only freeze for six weeks).

How to Make Homemade Baby Food
France's Recipes for Teething Biscuits, Cookies, Crackers and Rusks
Baby Food Cookbook - A Practical Mother's Guide

Making rice cereal

According to the author of the article The low-down on making baby cereal - Suite101.com "Super Baby Food" is the best source for information on making baby cereal. To make rice cereal, the book recommends you buy whole-grain rice and put about 1/4 cup of it in your blender and blend for 2 minutes (a full 2 minutes) so that it is a full powder, with no big chunks. Then, boil 1 cup of water and slowly add the powdered rice while stirring and turn down the stove to the low. Cover the pot and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid scorching. It should look like cereal when it is done. This makes three to four servings, depending on the appetite of your baby! And it will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can also adjust the thickness by adding more water (or breastmilk before serving) or using a bit more powdered rice.

2 more shots

It was not as traumatic for either mother or son this time. I nursed DS while he got his shots (the last of his "2 month" and the first of his "4 month" doses). During the first one he hollered then looked at the nurse as if saying, What are you doing to me? After she finished he went back to nursing and didn't even stop during the 2nd shot.

Okay, I have probably gone a little overboard with vaccine links, but here are some of the pages that I read today while trying to decide what to do at DS's 6 month checkup today:
Vaccination Links
Summary of rules for childhood immunization - This one has a lookup by state and a clear chart of what is required by law for licensed Day Care, Head Start, and K-12 public schools.
Vaccine Education Center-Resources for Healthcare Professionals
NIP: Pubs / Six Misconceptions about Vaccines
NIP: Pubs / Parents-Guide / Parents Guide to Childhood Immunization
NIP: Publications / Pink Book / Normal Format
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
NIP: Vaccine / Public Chart
NIP: Vaccine / Health Care Professionals Chart

ImmunizationEd.org's Shots 2002 program for Handheld computers (PDAs).

Manna

One of the ladies on the pumpmoms email list compared mother's milk to manna... God will supply the right amount for the day. I sure like that analogy! I will remember it when the low supply days come and I have to use bottles from my freezer stash (which is now up to a whopping 5 bottles with 2 oz each). That is the most since we used up the ones from when DS came home from the hospital, and only 2-3 weeks ago we had none.

New tooth

... mine, not DS's. :-) I chipped a tooth last week and got it fixed today. Usually they just file the rough spot down, but since this was a lower incisor, filing would have made it much shorter than the other lower incisor. My dentist added some material and bonded it to my tooth, so now they are almost the same size again, and the repaired one is even slightly smoother than the other one on the back side.

Feeding At A Glance: Birth - 24 months
Starting Solid Foods
Making Your Own Baby Food
FAQ's
Books by Bill and Martha Sears

I'm up late (early a.m.) surfing for two reasons: 1) DS is asleep and I can, and 2) DH is not home yet and I want to wait up for him even though he said I didn't need to. XOXoxo

We got a reminder card from DS's DCP that they need information about his immunizations. (He turns 6 months next week.) We are "two months behind" but are actually not even sticking to all of the recommendations late either. This page, YOUR CHILD'S IMMUNIZATIONS, is from Dr. Sears. It talks about all of the standard shots, has a common schedule, and has suggestions for spreading out the shots and decreasing the number of injections. I told the head DCP that DS has an appointment next Friday, which is true, but I implied that he would be getting all of his shots then, and he probably won't. I need to find all of the information again and really examine it and my motives.

This article, Growth Spurts, supports my theory that DS is at the end of a growth spurt.

9 hours

DS slept 9 hours straight last night! I'm pretty sure that is a record.Based on his eating and sleeping habits and how his clothes fit, I think he is finishing up a growth spurt. A week ago he was sleeping 2-3 hours at a time at most and eating like crazy, so I could barely keep up. Now I am double pumping, so my supply is up, but he seems to be eating less and sleeping more. Plus he is now sitting up alone for long periods of time and catching himself when he starts to tip over sometimes. His 3-6 month size clothes are almost all too small, too.

Mike and Deanna Patterson from For Better or For Worse had their baby October 10... FBorFW Fix - Official website for Lynn Johnston's comic strip family... Thursday's shows Deanna breastfeeding.

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzz

I sure had fun at the pumpkin patch yesterday morning, but boy was I tired at the end of the day! I missed my morning nap (except for a little in the car), and mommy took me to Sweet Adelines so I was up very very late (but I did eat and nap while they watched the tape of last Saturday's show). I slept "all night" last night and was still in my cradle instead of the big bed when mommy's alarm started making noise. Mommy was very happy when she picked me up to feed me this morning. :-)

I tried to eat the pumpkin yesterday because my friends at daycare get to eat squash. It was pretty much just like any other big hard thing I get my mouth on, though. Mommy said I'll like it better if I let her cook it and smash it and feed it to me with a spoon.