I saw an article today on Facebook that alleges our obsession with infant growth charts may be fueling childhood obesity.

This is an interesting point. I felt recently like I needed to feed my youngest more because she weighed at 18 months what my oldest weighed at 9 months! Both were exclusively breastfed by me, so why the difference?! Because they’re different babies on different curves with different needs: and both ate because (and when!) they were hungry!

I’ve got so many friends and family who have recently had babies or are expecting soon, and they are either currently breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. I wanted to compile a brief list of lessons I’ve learned along the way. I just celebrated my 3-year anniversary of CONSECUTIVE nursing: my sweet Claire weaned herself with some gentle coaching from me on New Year’s Eve. Together we chanted “new year, new you!” She had nursed for 33 months by that point. When she was 33 hours old, I wondered if I was going to make it to 6 weeks, let alone 6 months (my initial goal)…