Sunday, April 25, 2010

Frustration to determination!

My perfect baby has changed to a not so perfect baby. He seems to have a preference about food and doesnt care if he sleeps all night anymore. It is hard when Ive been spoiled for 6 months. Ive tried so many different ways to feed this boy and nothing seems to be the answer. If he eats solids he doesnt nurse well and if I only nurse him he gets mad because he wants food. But not baby food. Our food which is still too flavorful for his tummy. He loves fruit but I dont want him only eating fruit either. He is such a big boy so I have been very surprised to see him struggle to eat both solids and nurse without getting too full. He'll go 5-6 hrs during the day without eating sometimes so of course in the night he wants to make up for it. That does not make me too happy. Not only has this frustrated me immensly but he has found a way to entertain himself while nursing. He has always been a puller and tugger so I have had to nurse in a position I dont really enjoy but Im able to hold his head in tightly so he cannot pull and tugg. But since growing new teeth (as Ryan would say) he has started biting me when I hold his head in. If I dont hold in his head then he goes right back to pulling and tugging. Youd think after 7 months he would know how to latch on correctly without my help!! Nope not at all! He also enjoys pinching my neck while nursing. So to add to it Im trying to hold his head in, hold his hand, and hold his strong body with only 2 arms! All this to say that I woke up this morning completely frustrated, tired, and declared I was switching to formula. For once, Scott did not say anything instead just said he was sorry it has been so difficult lately. Because of a bad night Scott stayed home with Caleb while Ryan, Bekah, and I went to church. The message was just what I needed to feel like I can finish my year out for Caleb and for myself. Steve talked about how our natural selfish person does what we "feel" like doing instead of taking up our Cross and doing what God wants us to do no matter what. He gave a handful of examples but all I could think of was nursing. Surprisingly that wasnt one of his examples (haha), but he spoke right to me. Yes I want to quit because it is getting harder than it was, but is it as hard as it ever was with Bekah? Yes I want to quit because it hurts, but its the best thing I can do for Caleb. He doesnt know he's hurting me. God has given me a great milk supply and I need to use it. This Cross Im going through right now seems so small compared to the Cross Jesus actually carried, but it is real for me right now. I had a much better day today and realized after the time of reflection that I only have 4 months to go before I can start weaning and holy cow I cant believe it! Where has time gone? I will hang in there and when I look back I will be glad I did!! God is so so good!!!!!!!

1 comment:

Andrea said...

I can relate to you with the nursing struggles. Ugh. Hang in there, Jennifer! I think besides the general parenting discipline issues, etc., breastfeeding was the hardest (and best!) thing I have ever done. Ever. You can do it, girl, but don't make yourself feel too guilty over what happens. You are a great mom and have been giving your boy such a wonderful gift by nursing him for so long! Praying for you!