The past couple of months have provided me with quite the learning lesson. Not just as a mother, but also as a certified lactation counselor.
If you read my previous post Unhappy Boy, you know that Colden did not adapt well to my pregnancy. I wasn't entirely sure if it was related to my drop in milk supply or something unrelated. I nursed Olivia until I was seven-months-pregnant with Lila and she never flinched. Then again, my milk supply didn't diminish quite as quickly and when it did, she naturally weaned, not willing to spend more time on the breast, waiting for a let-down that wasn't going to come.
Early last week, however, Colden came around. He started to ask for more food, stuffing his face as often as possible during the day. He eats so much, he has up to four bowel movements a day! With the increase in appetite came a happier boy. It was then that I realized he had been nursing quite often during the day and probably was receiving a tremendous amount of needed calories through breast milk. When that stopped flowing as freely, he panicked. Even when I offered him water and more food, he refused, patiently waiting for the milk to come back. The poor boy was heartbroken and so confused!
He now has it all figured out. He eats well, drinks plenty of water and gets drops of mama's milk (and lots of cuddles that come along with nursing) when he does nurse, which is up to three times a night and about three times during the day. He's happy again at his German kindergarten, he once again plays with his sisters and even independently at home. He's back to singing and dancing. I missed him so much!!
It's so nice to have him back and it's good to know that nursing toddlers can be greatly upset at the onset of a new pregnancy. I didn't learn about this in lactation classes (so far) and I haven't found any information in my books. Learning it first hand was beneficial, however. I will surely never forget this invaluable lesson and will be able to help reassure and guide moms of nursing toddlers through this tough time in the future!
It's good to hear Colden is adjusting! It's so tough for a mom to watch but it's important even at this age for kids to start to experience tough circumstances and learn that there are ways to adapt and adjust to them. I applaud all your efforts at and desire for attachment parenting! You are a great mom. This was not a parenting fail for you but valuable life experience for Colden. Now he still knows you love him AND he is learning that he can be creative and find other ways to get what he needs and wants.
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