Nursing Toddlers2

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Why I Nurse

My son was born premature and had to spend 2 1/2 days in the NICU. During the majority of this time (all but the last day), the Doctors had him on a sugar water IV. On day two of my son's life, they decided that I could try to breastfeed if I wanted. For the next two months we struggled to get nursing down. Jacob had difficulty latching on and staying awake. Every time I felt that it was time to give up and stop putting myself through the struggle of Jake attempting to nurse, his reaching frustration, me pumping than giving him a bottle of breastmilk, I thought that no one would fault me for giving up. I had tried my best but it was no use continuing nursing when it was interfering with bonding, right? Well, every time I decided that the next day I would tell my husband we were switching to formula, Jake would get a little better. My faith that we could do this wad renewed.

After those 2 months, he was nursing like a pro. Unfortunately, Jacob began screaming for 10+ hours a day. After several tearful trips to the doctor, she proclaimed he had colic. I didn't believe her and I don't know why. After 4 months, Jacob had colitis and was miserable. Testing revealed it was allergies. The doctor suggested that I stop nursing him and switch him to formula because it was my milk that was causing the problem. I scoffed at the idea so she suggested I omit lactose from my diet. Two weeks later we were back at her office with no improvement. Finally, I saw a specialist. It turns out that Jake is allergic to milk solids- which is one of the most common allergies in infants. The new doctor suggested I avoid everything made with milk or milk derivatives. Within two weeks, Jacob was a new boy.

A year later I still nurse Jacob on demand because we both love it. We are both vegans (vegetarians who consume no dairy) to avoid the nightmare of his allergies. Nursing meant immediately giving up my main source of protein and foods that I loved the most. It was and still is worth it. There is no greater feeling of bliss than when Jacob joins us in bed in the morning for his wake up treat and no other calm quite like him falling asleep while suckling. I am very proud to still be nursing my son because I know it is the best for us mentally, physically and emotionally. Besides, everyone said we couldn't so we had to prove them wrong.

~Becky & Jake Demling

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The image of nursing toddler is copyright 1997-2000 Lori Thompson Photography. Used by permission.
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