Friday, November 9, 2012

Sad 'Lasts'




While this past year with Sophie has been filled with exciting 'firsts', it has seen us do lots of things for the last time too.  There was the last time I let her fall asleep on me on the couch at night.  The last time I put her to bed in the bassinet before her move to the cot.  The last time I dragged myself down to the nursery to feed her in the wee hours of the morning.  This time last week, it was the last time I gave her a breast feed.  After 12 and a half months of doing so, this one was a sad milestone for me, especially seeing as our family is now complete and no more babies are on the cards.

Breastfeeding definitely hasn't always been smooth sailing for the two of us though.  I had issues in the early days due to my oversupply of milk and feeding created a bit of a vicious cycle.  When Sophie was unsettled, a breastfeed was the only thing that seemed to settle her and yet unknowingly, this ‘over feeding’ was contributing to her pain with her little belly unable to cope with the huge amounts of milk. After our hospital visit at around seven weeks, we began shorter five or ten minute feeds, offering only one side at a time and things drastically improved.  Feeding was once again a peaceful experience that I cherished and while I did get the odd blocked duct here and there, I loved our little ‘milk bar sessions’ throughout the day.  However, as much as I loved feeding my girls and as much as I know I will miss it with Sophie, I know in my heart the time is right for us to stop.  

Now, Sophie’s feeds are carried out in a slightly different manner, but I still get my quota of snuggles nonetheless.  I’m trying her out on a2 milk and she drinks it from a small sippy cup by herself, usually on the go whilst playing.  However, our night time cup is enjoyed cuddled up on the couch together and is one of the few times our little wriggly worm will actually sit still. And just like in the picture above displayed in Sophie's room (an adored gift given to me by lovely Jane), after her milk, before I put her into the cot for the night, I pop her into her sleeping bag, turn out the lamp and she nestles her little head into my shoulder, wraps her arms around me and tugs affectionately on my hair. I'm happy that we can still enjoy our precious cuddles with one another just as we did throughout all those months of breastfeeding.


For those interested, the illustration above is a photo of a framed greeting card in Sophie's nursery by Anita Jeram (illustrator of the popular children's book 'Guess How Much I Love You')  This print is called 'Hold Me Tight' and is available at Two Bad Mice.

19 comments:

  1. Hello dear.
    Will still have many moments of hugs lifelong!
    I also stopped breastfeeding now.
    I love this picture
    Kissy.

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    1. Yes, it's true the hugs will continue. In fact, I'm finding Sophie is even more cuddly these days which is lovely :)

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  2. I know exactly how you feel sweets, I miss those days dearly too. xxx

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  3. I still miss breastfeeding!!!
    Those lasts are just so bittersweet aren't they?
    (lovely mail - thank you - the postcard is on my study wall now!)
    xx

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    1. So glad you liked it, I loved receiving yours too - your letter press note card was lovely!

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  4. Aww I love this post Amanda.
    Letting go is the hardest part of parenting I swear.
    Although, I can't relate fully to the breastfeeding, I can definitely relate to the 'lasts'. We too are probably done with having babies so every time Ryder moves on from a stage, I take more note of every detail, as I'll know it'll be the last!
    xx

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  5. This is such a beautiful post Amanda, lovely caring gentle images of wonderful moments. It made me want mine to be babies again too..and they're not even kids any more! Growing means stretching and has it's moments of discomfort. It is remembering the best of these moments that has got me through some of the harder times that inevitably come during the years of a child's life. They inspire me to love more and be more than I think I can at the time.

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  6. It is so hard when we have to have lasts and some of those firsts are equally as difficult too. Before I know it my first will be finished high school and off into the world, it is only but a few years away, I wish I could keep them little forever sometimes. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. xx

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    1. That makes me so sad to think of... that the childhood years are so short and before long, our daughters will be off into the adult world :(

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  7. Lately I have been thinking back on all the things I miss about having a newborn and a small baby.

    I love the picture in this post, where is it from?

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    1. It's actually a framed greeting card I have in Sophie's nursery. My friend Jane sent it over when Sophie was born so I just contacted her and after a bit of Googling have found out it is by an artist called Anita Jeram (she was the illustrator of the popular book 'Guess How Much I Love You'. Her site is here http://www.anitajeram.com/
      The card is by Two Bad Mice. Here's their website http://www.twobadmice.com/
      You can search for Anita's work on their page. After a bit of browsing myself, I'm thinking I might place a little order myself for future gifts... so many lovely illustrations...

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  8. My son just finished High school and I still remember the days when he was such a little babe.Now I am witnessing him doing new firsts..

    Pop over and visit me,I've a giveaway you may like..xx

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  9. Oh, that bunny snuggle picture is just gorgeous. xx

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  10. Have just found your lovely blog. Have loved breastfeeding my babies. Finished for the last time in January this year. I was so upset for the first week. Have a great week. Elaina

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  11. Oh my, I haven't even though of those precious "firsts" let alone the lasts!!

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  12. Being a mummy is so bittersweet, the pride and joy we feel when our babes reach a new stage is accompanied by sadness that the previous stage is over. It seems like Sophie has coped well with the transition though x x

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  13. Oh Amanda, you darling girl. A precious post - so moving and thoughtful. I relate to it all so much. Your girls are so lucky to have you as their mama. And thanks for the sweet mention. J x

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  14. Oh, this is coming up for us too I think... Oh it is an end of an era isn't it. Congratulations on 12.5 months of breastfeeding, it's a huge achievement, especially after a rocky start. (Pah, isn't a blocked duct the WORST feeling?)

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