Nurse Nice or Quit

Ruby and I are still nursing.  So very badly.  Every time she nurses, I hate it.  One time out of twenty is tolerable, and even then it’s pretty awful.  See exhibit A.

Exhibit A (Warning: video contains lots of boobage.  Not nice boobage either.)

 So I’ve decided I’m making a last ditch effort.  Ruby loves to nurse.  She asks to nurse.  She cries if I end the feeding, and pulls at my shirt.  We’ve come SO FAR I don’t want to end things without giving it my full efforts.

We’re going to try to correct her behavior.  I have been relentlessly pulling her hands away and asking her to “nurse nicely.”  I’ve also made an appointment with a feeding specialist.  She’s a friend of a friend of mine, and comes with the HIGHEST regards.  She works with babies, she works with breastfeeding, and she sounds like our best chance of fixing whatever aversion Ruby has to nursing normally.

If we can fix this, we will continue nursing.  If Ruby refuses to change her behavior, my efforts to prevent her from hurting me will probably lead to weaning anyways.  People have continually told me that a mother and baby should nurse for so long as both want to continue – I don’t want to continue like this.

So we’re going to nurse nice or quit.

  • http://twitter.com/MyBottlesUp nic

    oh my friend… i know this is SO IMPORTANT to you and has been from the get-go. you are a remarkable mother, period. you have worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much to create this bond for you and ruby. you are advocating for others and helping so many with your story.

    in watching this, i just hope that you are advocating for yourself too.

    whatever happens and whatever you decide will be the best decision. you are surrounded with support and love.

  • Courtneylanctot

    Oh, Mandy…my heart (and my breasts!) hurt for you! You have tried harder and given more than most mamas would! I truly believe that! I hope that this last attempt works so that you can have the nursing relationship with Ruby that you have longed for! I will keep you in my thoughts!

  • http://janusfiles.xanga.com/ Janus

    I wish I had some advice to give. I do think that whatever the outcome, it won’t traumatize Ruby in the long run. And who knows, maybe the time Ruby is in her late teens, you’ll be able to tell this story and get some laughs out of it.

    As always, just keep telling yourself, All Will Be Well.

  • Stacyshields_05

    Wow… That hurt to WATCH! I hope you can still continue to nurse. I remember weaning Kailyn at 17 months, and at the time I was SO ready, but was soooo sad when it was all said and done. If you have to quit, know you tried anything and EVERYTHING to continue. You are such a good mama for putting up with it for so long. Most people would’ve quit a lonnnnng time ago. ;)

  • Anon Anon

    It’s like a retarded midget sucking on a snausage. blech.