March 30, 2009

Adventures in Tandem Nursing

Well, the HUGE news now is that I'm pregnant -- about 14 weeks along. It's so funny to me how I followed my pregnancy numbers so meticulously with Kapono and now with our second, everything is guess-timated. I'm *about* 14 weeks along, due *around* late September, and the baby is *about* the size of an apple these days (I think -- I knew this stuff down to the centimeter with the K-man!)

Anyway, I decided to start up this blog again because I wanted a venue to share some of my adventures in tandem nursing (breastfeeding during pregnancy). The reason for this is because of the general lack of awareness (and accuracy!) and support from mainstream culture for breastfeeding, let alone encouragement to continue breastfeeding beyond infancy and into subsequent pregnancies. When we found out that we were expecting, I had decided that I would wean Kapono because I kind of felt like that was what I had to do, like that was just what mothers did. I hadn't *planned* to get pregnant while still nursing, but after a little bit of trial and error with the parent-led (vs child-led) weaning, I further investigated tandem nursing and made the much more informed decision to continue nursing during this second pregnancy. Since making that decision, I feel happier and Kapono feels happier which also makes Emiliano (and baby) happier :-)

The American Academy of Pediatrics Breastfeeding Policy recommends "Exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months and support for breastfeeding for the first year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother and child."

The American Academy of Family Physicians has an identical recommendation that "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired."

And the World Health Organization advises "continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond."

Even before getting pregnant with our second, people started to question our decision to continue breastfeeding Kapono, who turned two last month. I really wonder why so many people feel so affronted by continued breastfeeding? That being said, I also need to acknowledge the many people who have supported (and praised) our decision and/or, even if they were unfamiliar with tandem nursing, were very open-minded and, what I most especially appreciate, willing to learn something new.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Kim. I've been reading your blog and kept hoping you'd post more. I don't know what the pressures are like when you work and then come home to be with family, but I'm sure they are many.

I'll especially keep an eager eye out for your posts now that you're pregnant again. Congratulations! I, too, nursed through my pregnancy and find myself now nursing my two kids. Based on the title of your post I'd have to guess you've read or know about the book, Adventures in Tandem Nursing by Hilary Flower. It's good but it doesn't make up for people support. That's to say, I'm here for ya. I keep saying that things are more manageable when you have the right support. love!

Lacey said...

So awesome, Kim, congrats!! And like Leila, I'll be reading your blog to learn more about your adventures in tandem nursing. I love the fact that you are nursing as long as you want to. It is funny to me how people are so eager for me to stop breastfeeding Navab. I get "You're STILL breastfeeding?!" a lot. I wonder what the people at work will say when I'm still pumping milk when she's 2.5 or 3. Hahaha. I figure we'll just nurse until she's ready to stop!

Good luck to you and you can consider me your cheerleader! GO KIM!!

Sholeh said...

yay another adorable baby! Congrats! :-)

Eriko said...

This is great! You know I'm with you 100%. You are going to be a great encouragement for a lot of mothers who want to listen to their heart -- their maternal instinct --and do what feels right. You know how glad I am that I listened to my heart and let my kid nurse as long as she wanted to and wean on her own timetable, which turned out to be at age 4 years & 9 months.

Scott and Kim said...

Hey Kimyi! I am proud of you for speaking up on this. I'm not nursing Bryce anymore, but he and I both miss it, so I am going to try to tandem nurse when Paige is born. He'll be two, but I think he'll want it. I had to stop for medical reasons (long, long, sad story), which I will tell you later, but it has affected our mommy-son relationship. I am looking forward to it :)

Kim said...

Kimbie, I wish the very, very best to you, Bryce and Paige (and Scott) in your own tandem nursing adventures (I can't wait to meet your little ones!!!) Hilary Flower's "Adventures in Tandem Nursing" (book) is great and my local La Leche League groups have been *amazing* for their encouragement and support.