Being Real & Open About What It's Like to Nurse a Toddler...

This post is not a debate of breastfeeding versus formula feeding, or when a child should or should not be weaned.  I am sharing my experience with you all as an extended nursing mama. Please keep comments respectful and kind. Thank you.

Extended breastfeeding.

Toddler nursing.

Breastfeeding past one year old, two years old, three years old...

It really isn't talked about much, is it?

Just like nursing in public, it is also often seen as a taboo topic of discussion.

But I have found that when I do talk about it, quite a few mamas come out and say, "Hey, me too!" or... "I am still nursing my two year old..." or... "I wish my son/daughter had breastfed past a year." or..."I nursed my now 18 year old until he was 3."

So many mamas out there silently nursing their one, two, three year olds... But we never talk about it.  And because we do not talk about it, I do not think we realize just how normal and common extended breastfeeding really is.

But today I am talking about it.

Milkmakers Cookies It's A Mix! Review {& a Giveaway}

*The opinions below are strictly my own.  Yep, all 100% me, myself, and I.  I was provided a product in exchange for an honest review, and was not compensated for my review in any other way.  If you are interested in having me review an item, please see my Sponsor Page for contact information.

Milkmakers is at it again!  This time with a lactation cookie mix! :)

I jumped at the opportunity to give the new milkmakers It's A Mix! cookie mix a go. Recently it seems like baby girl may be hitting a growth spurt, and I have been a bit concerned about my slightly dwindling breast milk supply.  Once again, here is milkmakers to save the day! :)  

I actually only made half the mix and am saving the other half to bake again soon.  It was super simple to make- I poured half the cookie mix into a bowl (about 2 cups of the mix), added the egg, butter, & water and mixed and then baked!  In less than 20 minutes, I had 9 fresh baked & gooey Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.  (The mix claimed that half the cookie mix would only make 6 cookies, but I easily got 9 out of my batch.  Maybe even 10 if I hadn't snagged a little of the cookie dough before baking. ;) )

The milkmakers Lactation Cookies It's A Mix! also comes in Oatmeal Raisin.  Both mixes can also be ordered in gluten free versions, and you can easily bake up either mix dairy free by substituting the butter for coconut oil. 

My love for milkmakers isn't anything new to my long time followers.  Some of you may remember my review and giveaway of their mom-on-the-go Cookies earlier this year.  And then my review and giveaway of their regular milkmakers lactation cookies in the fall of last year.

Okay, and here is the fun part. :)  Milkmakers wants to give one of my readers a bag of their Milkmakers Lactation Cookies It's A Mix in your choice of flavor!  Just enter using the Rafflecopter below...

*This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.  All entries for the winner will be checked and verified, so please make sure you are doing what you are claiming in the Rafflecopter or all your entries will be voided.  No funny business, folks. ;). By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. One winner will be selected. Entries must come from your MAIN social media accounts, not accounts that have been set up separately just for entering giveaways.  Entries from these types of accounts will be disqualified.  Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Please see the Rafflecopter widget below for additional Terms & Conditions.  Good luck, all! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Still My Baby...

Baby girl is still... well, my baby.  I know "technically" she is now considered a toddler since she is nearing 15 months, but just look at her. 

I still see more baby than little girl or toddler right now. :)

I am in no rush for her to grow up too quickly.  

No, I am not naive or delusional.  I know I will wake up one morning much too soon than I am ready for and where there once was a chubby baby girl there will be a beautiful little girl who will insist on doing everything all by herself.  *tear*

I know this...

But she is more than likely my last baby.  

In my heart, I know I will probably never be pregnant again.  Or nurse another baby.

Or spend sleepless nights rocking a tiny person.  

She is my last sweet little one.

So yes, I am and still will be nursing her.  It feels natural to us.  It feels right, and I know I won't look back on this time in my life with her 15 years down the road and wish that I had followed my mother's heart and intuition and not listened to the naysayers.  She is my baby nursling, and will be until the time to close that chapter of our bond has come. 

I fight back tears thinking of that day... and yes, I know that too will come quicker than I will be ready for.

Despite my best efforts to slow her roll and the claims by some that I am spoiling her, she insists on becoming boldly independent.  

She doesn't hold my hand when we walk (not yet).

If she wants to climb on something, she will no matter how many times I redirect her.

She will feed herself her own food.  Keep that spoon away. 

She is a fighter- she stayed in there with me when we struggled with breastfeeding in the very beginning.  She will fight you tooth and nail if she doesn't want that diaper on yet.  She fights sleep sometimes like she is afraid she will miss something while she is dreaming...

She is becoming more of her own little person every day, with such sass and personality.

I know one day I will blink and there will be a sweet young lady where once my mischievous, loving baby stood.

But for now...

For today, she is still my baby...