...you are burnt out, tired of the mental tug-of-war between all of the "shoulds" in your mind (and the unsolicited advice from family and friends).
You don't even know anyone who has breastfed for this long and your parenting style is different from how you were raised so how are you supposed to suddenly become a mind reader - and all the distractions and redirections in the world don't seem to stop your little one from pulling on your shirt the second you sit down.
Right now, you have reached the point of pure mental and physical exhaustion.
You are hungry for space and separation, but even thinking this fills you with guilt.
And if you are honest (like really honest), you kind of regret breastfeeding this long in the first place.
It really seems like parenting in general would just be easier without breastfeeding, right?
And let's not get started on the chorus of friends and fam who have a lot to say about "why" you are still nursing.
AND your kiddo is very assertive about their desire to breastfeed... they have a tantrum until the breast appears, so you often just give in, cause you're tired and don't want to listen to it.
And all of these challenges you never saw coming.
And all of these challenges you never saw coming.
You cannot continue on like this. Something needs to change. Your back pain is increasing, the latch is making your skin crawl and you are both losing sleep...
You cannot continue on like this. Something needs to change. Your back pain is increasing, the latch is making your skin crawl and you are both losing sleep...
Keep reading, mama, because I *DO* get it, and I have more to share.
I've spent the last 7.5 years breastfeeding. (3.5 of those years breastfeeding 2 kids at the same time!)
But it has not always been easy.
...actually, far from it.
After overcoming newborn breastfeeding difficulties with my oldest (she didn't latch at all for 3 days, tongue and lip tie revisions, reflux, colic etc...) I thought I knew it all.
By the time she was 18 months, I was actively supporting other moms to breastfeed and dreaming about what the future would hold.
And then I got pregnant.
The aversions began, the epic meltdowns when I would say "no" to a breastfeed (that would last for *hours*), not being able to leave her with my husband for even a minute without a tantrum... and the worst part was the internal chaos I felt trying to find my footing and a pathway forward.
But, my passion for learning and creating emotional wellbeing in my home kept me looking for answers.
I DUG DEEP, SEARCHED OUTSIDE OF THE CONVENTIONAL TODDLER BREASTFEEDING ADVICE AND DISCOVERED THE KEY INSIGHTS I HAD BEEN MISSING ALL ALONG.
My child has a diagnosis: |
My child is breastfeeding a million times a day: |
I’m so busy: |
I’m pregnant and breastfeeding, but I don’t think I want to wean: |
I’m only breastfeeding once a day: |
I practice attachment, conscious, positive, (etc.) parenting : |
I learned how to better meet the needs of myself and my daughter and implement boundaries while working through big emotions. I developed my self-compassion and leaned into my intuition allowing me to be a happier, more confident mom.
After building this foundation in OYBS, I was able to transition from co-sleeping and nursing my 2-year-old daughter constantly at night to moving her into her own room and night weaning with few tears. I still can't believe I was able to do this, let alone have it be such a positive experience."
After the very first module had a huge breakthroughs and I felt like Jenna gave words to things I knew to be true inside, but didn't know how to express. From just the first couple of modules, my daughter already started sleeping through the night without me having to implement any big changes.
Not only did my breastfeeding relationship (and sleep!) improve dramatically, but what I learned had big impact in so many other areas of my life too."
Place one hand on your heart, and the other on your belly.
Inhale a big, deep breath in through your nose, feel your hand rise with your belly and the cool air coming in through your nostrils.
Exhale out nice and slow and feel your belly fall.
Consider right now what level your emotional pain is. How badly does your heart hurt when you think about the future of your breastfeeding relationship with your kiddo?
Out of 10, what would you say it is?
How long can you keep on with that pain inside of you? How is that stress weighing on and straining your relationship everyday?
Even if you eliminated breastfeeding completely right now, would the feelings of inadequacy and worry disappear too? Or would they just find a new place to pop up?
Notice your breath again, mama.
Deeeeeep breath in.... and a nice sloooow breath out.