Weaning. Is it time?

    Hope everyone had an awesome Easter. Just thought I will share my emotional journey on trying to wean my 14 month old from the good old "bobbi" as my children call it. I recently went to work out of town and before leaving I had an agreement with my support system before boarding the plane. The agreement or plea rather was not so simple. It was to bear with my 14 month old who would be extremely upset at them for the weekend because I was in the process of weaning him. This would be my very first trip without my travel partner. 

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I came back to a seemingly weaned baby until it was bedtime. Everyone who helped babysit did a tremendous job I must say. Then came bedtime. And then I suddenly realized that maybe weaning him cold turkey was not such a great idea. He cried on and off night and day for about a week. Some days I cried more than he did from the pain and headache the engorgement caused me. He will cry for long periods at a time and was completely inconsolable. It was horrible. I was tired, helpless and so angry at myself for starting the whole process in the first place. Remember there is no perfect weaning time for any baby, it's totally up to you). Yes it was time for me because my son was breastfeeding through the night which meant I was not getting any sleep. He is 14 months old and this is our first night of sleep since he was born. I mean uninterrupted 5/6 hours of sleep. Today is a special day for me. 

      As a mother I appreciate the little things. Being able to sleep uninterrupted is such a big deal. I had forgotten what it felt like. I also appreciate our siblings who are definitely the best support system my husband and I have. I know some folk wont understand what the the big deal about weaning a baby is and Its OK, however to my breastfeeding mothers please do not loose hope when its time to wean. It's almost as hard as getting your baby to latch on when you start breastfeeding. It seems like a horror story but i must add that being able to breastfeed my son exclusively for 14 whole months was the best decision I made. It was very difficult but worth it. Weaning my son was not an easy task. It was emotionally draining and very trying. When you decide to wean your baby remember that you will need a lot of patience, persistence and tons of pain medication (YES tons), and remember its totally up to you and your loved one to determine what time works best.     

      We can apply the same principle to our everyday life. You need persistence, patience and sometimes even medication to wean yourself from certain addictions and headaches. You can wean yourself out of bad habits,bad friendships,unhealthy relationships,bad business deals, and more only the minute you decide to. The first step is telling yourself you won’t give up until there is change in the right direction. 

Mothers are amazing.We overcome so much I wonder why we only have one mothers day a year. As a mother sometimes society wants to label and judge you in ways that are unbelievable. There is very little mothers cant do. We are the foundation of every community and do this effortlessly. Living life overcoming one challenge at a time. Celebrate a Mother today. Empower a Woman today.