Time truly flies as it feels like not too long ago that I had problems breastfeeding in the first couple of months after delivery. And now, the little baby has become a happy, contented, cheerful toddler - still little though. :P
Breastfeeding a toddler is really different from breastfeeding an infant.
In the first few months (after Alicia learnt to latch), she was not very proficient and always needed help with finding the nipple and latching. Not to mention all the gagging whenever the letdown came as I had overactive letdown reflex. She only managed to overcome that after she turned 5 mths or so... and ever since then, I think she's been looking forward to those gushes of milk!
After 5 months, it became harder to nurse her in public as she was so easily distracted and unless I wanted to risk exposing myself, I thought it wise to nurse her somewhere private - even if that meant the toilet cubicle at times. She didn't mind and I thought it was a far better option compared to flashing my boobies at someone. :)
Before I knew it, she turned one and I blogged about my breastfeeding journey and here I am again, moving on to the third year of nursing.
I can only say, nursing has gotten more fulfilling, not just for her, but for me.
Can you just imagine your toddler telling you 'thanks' after a milk feed and that your milk's 'nice nice!'? It's something that I've been so looking forward to - after all, it is a little boring to feed an infant who hardly knows how to appreciate your milk, except to show you that contented look after she finishes nursing... not that I didn't enjoy those moments with her... it's just... well, different, now that she's older and growing more appreciative. :)
Well, I do feel truly blessed to be able to breastfeed for these two years and how God has blessed me a bountiful supply of milk all along to meet Alicia's demands, and how He gave me the strength to overcome my breastfeeding problems in the beginning. Only after surviving the ordeals have I come to treasure breastfeeding so much - something probably most people would never understand.
So here comes the question, which I get asked ever so often: when am I gonna ever stop breastfeeding?
My answer is simple.
When she wants to stop.
And when will that be? Who knows?
One thing you can be sure though, I'll be happily nursing her till then.
