The weaning has begun

Around early October, Ellie started making it clear that she was ready to wean from nursing a bit. Her nursing sessions were getting shorter and shorter, and a few minutes in to every single one, she lost interest and it became work to keep her latched on and interested.
When we finished our travels in October, I started the process as thankfully I had a lot of milk stored up in the freezer. I started with replacing her post morning nap nursing session with a bottle. In true Ellie fashion, she didn't miss a beat and gladly and willingly accepted it. My body had to realize what was going on, but after only a few short days, the pain was gone and it had leveled out. (I continue to be amazed at what our bodies are capable of!) We went along with that for a couple of weeks, so she was eating 5 times a day - 4 nursed and 1 bottle.

At her 9 month check up the pediatrician said that milkies 4 times a day was pretty average for babies her age, and with her just sy of 11 months and still eating 5 times a day, it got me thinking. One afternoon when I got her up from her nap, I thought maybe, just maybe if I didn't mention it, she wouldn't need her post afternoon nap milkies. So I got her up, changed her diaper, and instead of nursing her, took her down and gave her a real food snack. Didn't seem to phase her in the least, and so as of about a week ago, we're down to her eating just 4 times a day - 3 nursed and 1 bottle. 

Since we had a baby in the middle of cold and flu season, I'm going to try to continue nursing her in the morning and before bed for a few months after her 1st birthday, but soon after her 12 month check up, I'll probably try to cut the midday feed, too.

It's very bittersweet, and I feel so, so lucky that nursing was as easy for me as it was. I know so many people who struggle with their supply, or who just can't keep up pumping after going back to work. From the first time we tried when she was just hours old, E latched perfectly and other than one tiny mastitis set back when she was 10 weeks old, it's been very smooth sailing. I am trying so hard to soak in every nursing session she has now, because it's become so evident in the last few weeks how quickly this phase of our lives together is passing. It's been so, so special. 

Babies are amazing. What they are able to learn and how far they come in 12 short months is nothing short of miraculous. I've asked other moms about weaning, and most have said that they had to wean their kids - that their kids never showed interested in slowing down the nursing. Part of me wishes that E was still completely into it - that feeling of being needed is incredible. But without saying a word she articulates so much, and I have learned to listen to my little girl, even when she's telling me something I may not want to hear. She's been telling me she's ready to phase into the next chapter, and even when it stings a little, I have to listen. I love her too much not to. 

Doing A-OK her first go at a bottle instead of the boob

Another morning, another baba (but really because do you not just DIE when you see babies in skinny jeans?!