I’ve blogged about my decision to night wean and what “method” I planned to use for night weaning, but I never shared what ended up working for us. Kolt has successfully been night weaned for about 5 months. Was it easy? No. It was down right tiring and challenging. But, was it the best choice for Kolt and I? Absolutely, yes.

I really wanted to use Dr. Gordon’s method for night weaning. But after trying if for a few nights, I realized it just wasn’t going to work for my munchkin. More than anything, it just confused him. Since he really has no sense of time, he didn’t understand why he could nurse when he woke up one time, but not the next. I guess you could say, I kind of modified Gordon’s method. I quickly learned that is was easier for Kolt to understand that he was able to nurse when it was light out. He understood when I told him it was nighttime out and we could nurse in the morning. Did he go along with it at first? No freakin way!

He cried. He screamed. He kicked. He objected this change of routine with pretty much everything inside of him. Most of the time not even fully awake. I’ve always been against letting Kolt cry it out. But had to keep reminding myself that I wasn’t letting him alone in a room to cry until pure exhaustion. I was with him every step of the way. Holding him. Rocking him. Rubbing his back. Giving him something else to “love on” during the night. Telling him it was okay. Reminding him that he could have milk in the morning. Reassuring him that I knew it was hard, but I was there for him.

And eventually…it got better. At first, his protests lasted 30-45 minutes and he needed rocked to go back to sleep. Eventually, it was just 5 minutes and a simple pat on the back. It was a difficult process, but well worth it for both of it in the end. He sleeps better and so do I!

I can’t believe that it’s been almost a year that I have been co-hosting the weekly Breastfeeding Blog Hop. I have so much enjoyed meeting so many other wonderful ladies that are also passionate about breastfeeding. Not only that, but I have learned SO much from reading their experiences.

Over the past year we have grown a great group of bloggers from all walks of life, each with vastly different experiences who have been supportive of each other in their nursing journey in more way that you can imagine. And we’d love to have you join! Check back each Thursday and Friday and link up your posts related to the weekly topic!

It’s a great way to put the Support with Integrity Breastfeeding Pledge into action! This week’s topic is Support with Integrity. If you haven’t taken the pledge I hope you will.

This post was written as part of the weekly Breastfeeding Blog Hop, hosted by Slacker Mom, The Gnome’s Mom, and ME! Want to join in? Read the rules here and link up below!

I don’t know where I would be without my mom and dad. They have been my number one source of support over the past 4 months. I’m sure the last thing they expected for this next stage in their life was having their 24 year old pregnant daughter move home with her 2 year old son. Say goodbye to an empty nest! But nevertheless, they have welcomed Kolt and me with open arms. They have adjusted their plans to make room for us.

I’m not sure how I would have made it through this pregnancy without them. They have been a huge help with Kolt in the evenings when I’m worn out from the day. And my mom has made an effort to attend as many of my prenatal appointments as possible. I love hearing my dad talk about how excited he is to meet “that special little girl.” I’m so grateful for that they share in my excitement.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have such a great support. I don’t even want to think about where I would be if I didn’t have my parents. They don’t ask how long I’m staying. They don’t ask when I can start paying rent. They don’t complain about the mess of toys or crumbs of goldfish on the floor. They don’t mind sitting and watching Bob the Builder when it’s time for bedtime. They simply love us and make the best out of the situation.

Of course, this isn’t my ideal situation. I don’t like that I can’t support and provide for Kolt and baby girl. I don’t like that I’m 24 and back home “living off” my parents again. I hope and pray that one day the three of us can have a nice little place to call our own. That Kolt and Baby Girl will be proud of how hard I work to give time the best life I can. But until then…

Thank you for letting us live here.

Thank you for showing us unconditional and unwavering love.

Thank you for giving me time to heal.

Thank you for opening your home no questions asked.

Thank you, Mom and Dad.

Have you ever heard of reverse cycling? Reverse cycling is a term that is used to describe the nursing pattern of a baby or toddler who nurses a lot in evening and/or night time hours rather than the “normal” daytime hours. This can happen for a few different reasons. Most mothers probably complain about newborns reverse cycling. Newborns may reverse cycle in the early days or weeks simply because they have their days and nights mixed up.

However, reverse cycling can certainly happen to older babies and even toddlers. Babies reach an age where they easily become distracted. And we all know how easily distracted toddler are! Even mom can get busy and if baby is not overly assertive about nursing or mom doesn’t make herself sit down and take time to nurse the baby, baby misses nursing sessions. Baby may simply compensate for the lack of daytime nursing by waking up more at night to nurse and receive the much-needed closeness to mom that was missed during the day.

Kolt and I struggled with this. He is a VERY busy toddler. He would easily get busy playing and making messes that he wouldn’t ask to nurse. Then nighttime would come around. And he would want to be attached and nursing the whole night long. This is one of the reasons (along with the sore nipples due to pregnancy) that encouraged me to night wean.

Please keep in mind that their other ways to deal with reverse cycling, especially if your baby is under one year of age…

For newborns:

• During the day, keep the lights on and go on with your normal daytime activities — don’t keep things dark and quiet where baby is sleeping. Play with and talk to baby during waking times. Wake baby to nurse every 2-3 hours.
• During baby’s night wakings, keep everything calm, quiet, and dark (if you need a light to breastfeed, try using a smaller light like a nightlight or closet light). At some point you may want to begin a bedtime routine (such as bath, story, breastfeeding) to signal that nighttime has begun.

For the distracted baby:

• Nursing in a quiet, darkened, boring room often helps.
• Try to catch your baby when he’s more willing, such as when he’s just waking up, already a little sleepy, or actually asleep.
• Older babies may nurse better if you try different and novel nursing positions in which they have more control – baby standing up, sitting on your lap facing you, etc.

Make sure you make time to nurse and give your child some one-on-one time to breastfeed and reconnect.

This post was written as part of the weekly Breastfeeding Blog Hop, hosted by Slacker Mom, The Gnome’s Mom, and ME! Want to join in? Read the rules here and link up below!

This past weekend, Kolt and I, along with my mom, dad, and sister, headed to National Harbor in Washington, D.C. for a weekend away. It was fun to get out of the house, do a little shopping, eat some yummy food, and explore some fun activities with Kolt.

WARNING: PICTURE OVERLOAD!

We went into Gaylord National Resort and watched a really amazing fountain show with lights and music. Kolt loved watching the water, getting a little wet, dancing to the music, and playing with the other kids.

We also went to Oxon Cove National Park. There is a beautiful farm on the land called Oxon Hill Farm. It is a really neat place. You can milk the cow, feed the chickens, collect eggs, and pet all the animals…all the while learning about life on a farm in 1812.

We also went to Build a Bear. Kolt made a kitty for Baby Girl and a dog for himself. They are so cute. Their hands are magnetic so they can hold hands! He loved helping stuff, putting in their hearts, picking out clothes, and making their birth certificates.

We took advantage of the indoor pool, watched Finding Nemo, and took a bubble bath in the huge tub!

I think Kolt has such fun weekend! If you’re ever in the DC area, I highly recommend checking out National Harbor. Not only is there lots to do but it’s absolutely beautiful!