The Breastfeeding Runner

So, in spite of my attempts to wean prior to Milk Dud's second birthday, we are still breastfeeding. It isn't necessarily every day and isn't nursing like a newborn, but I was curious as to the effects of breastfeeding with long distance running.

First of all, breastfeeding requires lots of maternal fluid intake. Running does as well, particularly during the summer. If you are a breastfeeding mother who is doing any sort of exercise, you should be very aware of your fluid intake. Feeling thirst is past the point where you should be drinking. I would encourage all breastfeeding runners to carry water with them while nursing.

I could one real study on breastfeeding and running. That can be found here, but I will summarize it for you. The baby was fussy, but there was no difference in lactic acid concentration in pre- and post-run milk. The researchers concluded that more study was needed. Obviously, if they only had one sample point, the reason could be from anything. I found this great informational site from Kelly Mom where they encouraged exercise and breastfeeding. They have suggestions that if the baby refuses to nurse, you rinse off your breasts or postpone nursing for 30 minutes. I also found this great blog post where she talked about how her breast pump was her most important running accessory ;)

2004 Olympic Bronze Medalist and American record holder for the marathon Deena Kastor breastfed and started back to her training regimen during those months. You can read an interview with her here.

I amazingly didn't need to pump during my relay race, but I'm nearing the end of my breastfeeding journey. Women train and breastfeed all the time. You just have to be aware of your needs and those of your baby.

The end of being "Trapped Under a Milk Dud"

Don't worry. My blog isn't going anywhere... He is still a Milk Dud... just not a "Milk Dud." Last Monday, he asked to nurse and I put him off to walk the dog. He didn't ask again until Wednesday. I put him off then because I had just run 6 miles and needed a shower. I put him off a couple of more days because I was busy. Today, he didn't even ask. Milk Dud turns 2 on Wednesday and I guess I should be celebrating the end of an era. He nursed 10 days shy of 2 years. I am feeling guilty about not continuing. His brother only made it 17 months. My husband was weird about the fact that Milk Dud would say "I want to nurse" and then specify the side he wanted. He is my last baby, so I will never have this kind of relationship again.

I am proud of myself. Only a small percentage of mothers continue to nurse their children after a year, most aren't even nursing at 6 months (http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/NIS_data/index.htm). Milk Dud only got 10cc of formula in the hospital when his blood sugar dropped and I was too exhausted to fight the annoying nurse. My oldest never received any formula that wasn't a breast milk fortifier, even though he was in the NICU.

A few minutes after birth

A couple of weeks ago

Instead of being sad that it's over, I should be glad that I was able to do it at all considering the odds were stacked against me as a parent of a preemie who had only seen breastfeeding once in her adult life.

I'm going to be better about this... really

I'm going to be better about blogging. I mean it. I have less going on in my life right now, so it's just the family life and running... oh and Jeopardy!

My running goal for the month was 40 miles. As of today, I am at 33.46. I have over a week left. I know I can do it!

Okay, so Jeopardy... I keep putting off studying. I know I need to sit down and do it, but life keeps getting in the way. My kids have been sick. I've been sick. We had birthday party fever. It's March Madness and my Gators made it to the Elite 8.

I've been "trapped under a milk dud" for 19 months and counting! He asks for it and says "other side." I was glad of it when he has the stomach bug... twice.

Onwards and upwards!

18-months of being trapped!

I know I haven't had the blog that long, but today Milk Dud turns 18-months. He came into the world not in quite the way I intended, but was large, healthy and hungry from day 1. I am still nursing him. Although I'm getting a little tired of being pawed at constantly, I haven't put a real weaning date on him, yet.

What is your favorite way of dealing with people who are shocked that you are still breastfeeding after 12-months?

Me and Milk Dud shortly after his birth

Me and Milk Dud this morning, before he fell off a slide pretending he was 3 ;)

Benefits of Extended Breastfeeding

Extended breastfeeding is considered anything past one year. Obviously, I've hit that mark and surpassed it with both of my boys. I'm sure outside of a few in my BaltimoreMommies.com and La Leche League social circles, people think I'm nuts for continuing past a year.

Well, the World Health Organizations recommends that children be breastfed until they are THREE. Yeah, that isn't a joke... They recommend three.

Babies' brains almost triple in size from birth to two years. Breastmilk provides a good supply of DHA, which will help my child's brain develop better. He's already a smarty-pants ;) Breastmilk also contains IGA, which helps keeps kids from getting sick by coating their intestinal lining. Yeah, I know... my kids have been sick for almost a month. Milk Dud got a milk version of the thing his older brother had. I blame my breastmilk ;) Breastfeeding helps their teeth align properly and helps with obesity when kids get older. It also provides significant amounts of nutrients to their diet.

Guess what, it benefits me, too. A study showed that for every year a woman breastfeeds, she reduces her breast cancer risk by 4.6%. It also reduces your risk of ovarian, uterine and endometrial cancers. My risk of osteoporosis is reduced as well. Type 2 diabetes risks are lower, so maybe I will even out the fact that I'm at increased risk for it due to my gestational diabetes.

So, don't ask me why I am still nursing. I just am :)

Almost past where I got last time

I nursed my oldest son until he was just about 17-months old. I only weaned him because I was pregnant again and nursing made my nausea worse. Milk Dud will be 17-months in 9 days. Although he has cut down to 4-6 times a day, he shows no signs of weaning. I've offered him a cup of milk, and he often doesn't want it and responds "NOOOOO... Mommy milk!"

I love nursing, but part of me really would like to have my body back. I've been pregnant, nursing or both for the past 4 years. I would really like to get to take medicine without having to look it up in Lact Med. We have all been sick in this house for almost a month, and I have had to limit my cough syrup consumption to bedtime so that I don't hurt my milk supply too much.

I love the bond it has given me with my boys. There is nothing like it. I would really like some cheerleading for the child-led weaning, though.