breastfeeding

Michelle asks:  How is breast feeding going with Claire? How long do you plan to bf her? Do you find it harder to bf with an active toddler running around?

Answer: It's going really well.  The first week was a little tough - I experienced sore, cracked, and bleeding nipples.  I had to pump for a couple days so that she wouldn't ingest the blood and also so that my nipples could heel.  Pumping was hugely inconvenient but it helped tremendously that Kevin was home with us at that time. 
By the time she was one week old she was a pro and we haven't had any problems since.   
It's definitely harder to BF with an active toddler running around, but it's not as hard as I thought/heard it would be.  If we're home I am still able to interact/play with Trent while I'm nursing, but generally he either wants to play by himself, sit next to me and read or torment play with Maggie (who is on the couch as well), or look out the window.  If we're out front playing, I will sit on the porch and nurse while Trent plays. 

One thing I haven't talked much about is the fact that I "wear" Claire.  I'm sure you have all seen one style carrier or another; it's not uncommon to see moms and dads using carriers at the mall, zoo, etc.  The most popular "main stream" carrier is probably the baby Bjorn.  After doing some research I decided to get a wrap-style carrier.  The Moby Wrap came highly recommended from other moms of 2 under 2; they claimed it was a life saver, and I'm finding that they are right.  Essentially all it is is a long piece of fabric that you wrap around your baby and your body in special ways to carry them.  Long story short, I recently went to a "babywearing meeting" (yes, thats a real thing) and learned how to nurse while wearing Claire (yes, this is a real hold and yes it's safe).  I've only done it a few times but it's been a great help. 
It would be unfair of me to drag Trent home when he's in the middle of playing at the playground - or to "make" him sit still when we're at the zoo, for example - so that I can nurse Claire.  Instead, everything continues on, practically uninterrupted, and I nurse Claire while she's in her wrap. 
Here's a picture of me nursing Claire while at the zoo a few weeks ago.  It takes most people a second to realize I have a baby in the thing, so I think most people are oblivious to the fact that I'm breastfeeding......although, now that I look at this picture it's pretty obvious to me.  Either way, I try not to care what strangers think of my actions...(don't worry fellas, it's safe to look).

Here's a picture of Claire's first time in the wrap.  She was 3 days old.

Now, back to your question:  I think I'll probably breastfeed Claire for a year.  As of right now I see no reason to stop any sooner than that.