Emma: Semi-Weaning

Day 1 - We started weaning on July 18th.  We were nursing 4 to 5 times a day. Normally 3 full sessions, and then 2 snack sessions. On the 18th I cut out the mid morning/before nap snack and she did surprisingly well. So we nursed at 7 and then didn't nurse again until 1pm. I just gave her a snack and some whole milk to replace that nursing session. She was not a fan of the whole milk and had a problem trusting me the rest of the day when I gave her her sippy full of water. 

I have still been waking up engorged in the mornings even though we haven't nursed during the night for almost 2 months now. Because of this, if she doesn't empty me in the mornings I can't make it until 1pm without nursing, even if I hand express. Well, on day 2 she didn't empty me that morning so I only made it until 11 before we nursed but I was able to cut the afternoon snack nurse out. I also mixed whole milk and breast milk instead of giving her all whole milk, and while she still wasn't a fan she drank a lot more than just the whole milk by itself. 

Day 3 she nursed really well in the morning I was able to cut out the mid morning and mid afternoon snack, but we were out and about so no whole milk. The past two days my breasts were pretty uncomfortable, but today, while uncomfortable, they were a lot more bearable. 

Day 4, 5 and 6 we were able to just nurse 3 times no problem. The doctor said not to worry about pushing the whole milk while she is still nursing, especially since she gets dairy from other sources like cottage cheese and yogurt. (Since starting daycare she now takes whole milk no problem)

Day 7 she went back to daycare and I tried to pump for the 1 pm nursing session, but I LOATH pumping so I only did it for about 10 minutes and I only got about 2.5 oz. 

Day 8 I didn't pump at 1 and waited until 3 when I picked her to nurse.

Day 9 I was back at work and I took my pump in case, but I was able to go all day without needed it. We didn't nurse that day until around 5.

Day 10 we nursed at 7am and 7pm and we haven't looked back since. I love nursing, it is good for Emma, it is good for me, I love the bond and I didn't want to give it up, but I also did not want to pump so this is great compromise. 

We have currently only been nursing in the morning and before bed for almost a month now and it is great. It is so freeing knowing I don't have to time outings around when she is going to need/want to nurse, but that we still get to have that time twice a day. I don't see this stopping any time soon. I plan to continue until she is two and reevaluate then, unless she weans herself on her own earlier, which I hope she doesn't.