Wean Me Gently

I came across a beautiful poem today on my midwife's facebook page. It stirred me so much that I cried and decided to share it.

Mariah turned 6mos old this past Sunday. After working all weekend, she & I had a rough night Monday. She is usually a very "easy" baby. She awakens about 3 times a night to nurse and usually just falls right back to sleep. I don't know what happened Monday, but it was not one of our usual nights. She woke up around midnight screaming. I tried to nurse her and she turned away and continued to scream. I tried the other side, but she did the same thing. Leonard got up and walked her around a little and then asked me to try again...nothing! She swatted at my breast, turned her head, and screamed. I felt helpless. I thought maybe she was in pain or something. So I stripped her down and checked her out....nothing! Maybe her gums were bothering her. So I tried to give her a piece of a frozen banana that she usually LOVES...nothing! About 45 minutes later, I asked Leonard to warm up a bottle for her (of breastmilk). He looked at me all crazy, but I didn't know what else to do. Needless to say, she sucked those 5oz down like she was starving & immediately drifted back off to sleep. I was happy that she was finally happy. But I was sad because I thought this was the beginning of the end. The end to our beautiful nursing relationship that not only nourished her, but me as well.

Wean Me Gently
by Cathy Cardall


I know I look so big to you,

Maybe I seem too big for the needs I have.

...But no matter how big we get,

We still have needs that are important to us.

I know that our relationship is growing and changing,

But I still need you.

I need your warmth and closeness,

Especially at the end of the day

When we snuggle up in bed.

Please don't get too busy for us to nurse.

I know you think I can be patient,

Or find something to take the place of a nursing;

A book, a glass of something,

But nothing can take your place when I need you.

Sometimes just cuddling with you,

Having you near me is enough.

I guess I am growing and becoming independent,

But please be there.

This bond we have is so strong and so important to me,

Please don't break it abruptly.

Wean me gently,

Because I am your mother,

Parenting with support....For My Leonard

February 2010: Love and partners: How has a co-parent supported your dedication to natural parenting — or not?

Support: to sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage, etc.) under trial or affliction

To say the least, Leonard has ALWAYS supported me.
He actually was the one who suggested an out-of-hospital birth, no vaccines, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, and cloth diapers with our first daughter, nine years ago. Unfortunately, at the time I was a little more skeptical. Why? 1. My friends weren't doing those things...I didn't want to seem "crazy." 2. I had allowed my nursing training to persuade my decisions. 3. It's just not what my Momma & sisters did either. So, my first two girls were born in a hospital attended by great CNMs. We did co-sleep & my 9 y/o just recently ventured to her own bed. And of course I breastfed my girls. Both self weaned...Hannah at 13mos & Sarah at 16mos.



So, what was different this time around? I embraced what I wanted to do & what I knew was the BEST for me, my baby, & my family. Not only did Leonard continue to support me, but I also had the support of a few good friends....and that made a big difference for me. I wasn't so "crazy" after all.



With all that said...Leonard, I thank you for:

• Always supporting me & respecting my dreams
• Encouraging me to follow my instincts
• Reading all those Bradley & Hypnobirthing books
• Listening to birthing affirmations with me & allowing me to enjoy my "Peace Sanctuary"
• Attending prenatal appointments with me & participating
• Preparing our home for the birth of our Baby Girl
• Setting up my birth pool & making sure the water was warm enough! ;)
• Attending a cloth diapering class with me
• Allowing Layla to teach you how to use a Maya Sling & letting me take your pic! ;)
• Telling me how strong I was & how much you believed in me
• Loving our girls & family
• Giving up your weekends so that I can be home with our girls all week
• Sharing your knowledge with me & the girls daily
• Accepting my pregnancy & postpartum hormonal roller coasters
• Standing by my side through it all

Leonard, I love you!