Weaning is complete!

I started weaning Jacob from breastfeeding on Friday night. He has not had any breast milk since Saturday morning. I have been ready to wean, or so I thought. As the days pass, the tears keep falling. It could be pregnancy hormones, or it's the simple fact that I miss "MY" time with Jacob. When he nursed, it was just him and I and it was our time to bond and snuggle. Every time I think about my little guy turning 2 in 6 months it makes me so sad. He's not my baby anymore. It has been harder on me than him to wean. He still tries to tug at my shirt and wants the comfort of the boob when he's sleepy or upset but I have to remind him that Jacob is a big boy now, not a baby and Mommy has a baby in her belly that needs the milk so he's going to have to drink his big boy juice (cow's milk or Crystal Light). He gets it and understands but is also acting out a bit. I just have to make sure that I am giving Jacob my all and make sure that I make up for the comfort and security of nursing with regular everyday play.

It's so hard to imagine having another child. I am so excited and feel so blessed to have been able to have one child let alone two, but I am hoping that Jacob will adapt and adjust in a good way. There are big things going on in the Estrela household.....Jacob is weaned, working on getting him to go to sleep on his own, buying a house, and having another baby. I don't think we know how to ease in to things, we just jump in body first.

It's time

With baby #2 on the way it's time to make some big transitions for Jacob. So far I am still breastfeeding and still rocking him to sleep..........basically. I can't imagine breastfeeding and being pregnant or rocking one child to sleep, then the next. I would like for Daddy to be able to put him to bed and that would be a lot easier if I'm not breastfeeding. Jacob is only breastfeeding for nap time and bed time and so far I have been able to cut his breastfeeding down drastically. He has only nursed twice in two days. We are also on day 3 of putting him in his crib and letting him semi cry himself to sleep. I just need to keep telling myself that he's not in pain and that he is learning a life lesson of self soothing. He's a big boy now so I've been telling him that "Mama has a baby in her belly and that Jacob is a big boy now and doesn't need milk". I think he's getting it but I think I really miss the comfort and bonding time we spend when we nurse. I am trying to keep him busy and snuggle and comfort him without the breast. I have some nervousness that Jacob is going to have a hard time with the new baby. I want him to feel like he's still our big boy and we don't love him any less just because there's a new baby in the house. I know people do it everyday but I am still a little concerned for my big boy.

We have a night of success..........

As I have previously posted I had a HUGE HUGE problem with the CIO Method. I felt it was torture and I would never ever put my son through that again. I have been sooooo tired lately that when Jacob cries in the middle of the night, I will get up the first time, nurse, and put him back to bed but from then on I let him cry. I have the baby monitor on and as any Mommy knows what cries mean business, I sleep with one ear open and listen to see which way it will go. So for about a week now we have done the first feeding and then let him cry the rest of the times he wakes up. Don't get me wrong, not the bad cry but the whiny kind. So tonight I was nursing Jacob for nigh nigh time and he just was not in to going to bed. I laid him in his crib as usual to let him put himself to sleep and all he wanted to do was play with his monkey that goes nigh nigh with him. I was building with frustration because I am SUPER sleepy so I thought it might be a good night to try and leave the room before he falls asleep. He cried for a few minutes then stopped; a few minutes passed and he cried again for a few minutes, then stopped. This went on for about 10 minutes and then all was silent. Jay and I went in to check on him and there he was peacefully sleeping on his back with his monkeys butt on his face. Super cute and sleeping peacefully. So lets see if we can keep this up. Next step is the weaning process. He is at the stage now where he will tug on my shirt and bra when he's hungry and wants to nurse and there is no telling him no. He's very persistent. Let's hope that will be a smooth transition. I know it won't be easy for either of us. We enjoy our Mommy and Jacob time but I am looking forward to when Daddy can put him to bed.