kim through
   the looking glass

Gil is just over two weeks old. Although in some ways it feels like he’s fit right into our little family like he was never missing, in other ways, he is still very new, as are our experiences with him.

Gil has an almost constant need to nurse. Forget every 2 hours. Forget every hour. When this boy is awake, he is stuck like glue to my breast. When he sleeps, he sleeps hard - 1 or 2 hours at a time, minimum.

Gwen seems to be taking this in stride - most of the time, anyways. She seems to realize that “baby” needs mommy and needs to nurse. In fact, two days ago, Gwen was in my room with Gil and I while I was dressing for the day. Gil was propped up on a pillow on the bed looking around and Gwen was watching him. “Mommy. Baby.” She said. In Gwen speak, this means, ‘Mommy, I want you to hold Gil.’ I told her that just as soon as I was ready, I’d pick him up. “Mommy. Baby. Sling.” She said, again. I think I’ve got a novice babywearer on my hands!

I’m trying to make a conscious effort to not say “no” to Gwen’s requests to nurse. Sometimes I need to say, “Not right now - after Baby Gil is done, you may have some milk.” Sometimes she’s okay with that. Sometimes she tries to push him off me My favourite is how she asks other people to hold him while I nurse her: “Baby. Daddy.” She’ll say emphatically while pointing to Gil and then Brad. Or alternatively: “Mup.” “Yes, the baby’s having some milk!” “Mup - Gwen?” This request is normally accompanied by a HUGE smile and big, wide eyes.

nursing both at once

The above photo was taken of the only time I’ve nursed them together. Gil was, I think, only 2 or 3 days old and Gwen really needed to nurse, so Brad helped me position them both. I don’t particularly enjoy nursing them at the same time, so I expect that will be one of very few times I will do so. Normally, Gil is handed off to someone else, or placed beside me on the couch.

Overall, it’s been a fairly smooth two weeks of tandem nursing. I’m so glad that Gwen and I are able to continue sharing our special bond while so many other things around her are changing so much and so quickly. She is still so young - still very much a baby inside a toddler’s body and mind. Although I don’t always *want* to nurse her when she asks - after all, Gil is latched on quite continuously and I sometimes feel a bit ‘touched out’ - when I see how secure and happy it makes her, I know I’ve made the right decision for us.

It’s just one more way I can stay connected to my little girl.