I’ll miss using the big green pillow
Breastfeeding has officially ended for us at 6 months. I started the weaning process in May in preparation for my 5 day trip to Aspen without the boys. We had started feeding them cereal and introducing various fruits and veggies, so it seemed like a good time. The boys are also very easily distracted and that made them less likely to breastfeed but for some reason it doesn’t seem to be an issue with the bottles. It’s been a smooth process without a single hitch or upset from the boys about taking a bottle. They had been given bottles occasionally in the months previously but had often protested and made it hard for Dad(s)/Grandma. Maybe it was the natural progression of introducing solids that made it easier. I’ve gone slow and switched over one feeding at a time with at least a week in between, which also helped me physically. I’ve never been uncomfortable from swelling and engorgment. Even now as I “dry up” from the last two feedings of about 16 ozs a day on each breast, it’s not that bad.
I miss it. I miss them laying one on each side of me on the soft light green pillow - that I’d noticed recently they are too big for. The pillow that could hold both their bodies so easily for the first few months. I miss them holding hands and reaching out to each other with eyes closed as they drift off into “milk comas”. It’s one more part of the realization that they are “growing up fast.” I miss that special connection and those special moments that we shared. I even caught myself looking back with fondness to the late night feedings. Getting up every three hours with Brad and singing Depeche Mode songs and making jokes and random conversation in the sleep deprived state of new parent bliss. Yes, “look back with fondness” is a better way to say it then “I miss it.” Because I am glad to be able to go shopping or get my hair done, and not worry that Brad is having a hard time. I’m glad to be able to take the boys to Grandmas or Dusty’s for the night and know that they are eating well while enjoying special family time.
And now I’ll have to go back to watching what and how much I eat because I invested a whole lot of money in new size 8 jeans and can’t afford to buy all new ones because I went back to size 12 again!
The cost of formula is insane but we are now officially down to about 28 ozs a day for each and I’ve found that Enfamil is my favorite formula. It uses less powder then others and mixes really well with water. The boys also seem to stomach it better then Good Start. I never realized how different formulas can be for the babies but they have been for us. Thank goodness for all the Randalls coupons for Enfamil.
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i almost started crying while reading your post! you should feel so much pride and joy in your accomplishment of breastfeeding your beautiful boys for 6 months - woo hoo! i can only imagine what you’re feeling now that they are weened…i know it’s just around the corner for us. i’m going to try for one year and we’ll see how it goes. the boys and i can’t wait to have another playdate! maybe when you get back from aspen we can brave the pool together. our neighborhood pool has a great shaded wading area.