Marlowe self- weaned at about 16 months. Here she proves old habits die hard. Zoo Atlanta May 2011 (Photo courtesy Andie Freeman Photography)
During our recent trip to Zoo Atlanta (we used our Family Pass), Marlowe really surprised us all by latching a statue. Marlowe self-weaned because, I assume, I was about 4-5 months pregnant with her brother. In the begining I had been preparing for a tandem nursing experience, including a couple of visits to my local LLL chapter. Once she decided she was done, I fully expected an interest in resuming after her baby brother arrived and began breastfeeding also. That never did happen. So, her display with the Mama gorilla was that much more shocking. We all thought it was adorable, and were even able to catch a couple of shots like the one you see above.
Since then, she has gone through a few different emotions regarding her brother’s continued nursing. Sometimes she likes to help by squeezing (compressing) my breast for me as Zephyr eats. Other times she screams and flails that “…he doesn’t neeeeeeed Mommy milk!”. And still, she surprised me, yet again, when she asked if she could have some Mommy milk, too. Of course, I said ‘yes’. So, she puts her mouth on my breast (kinda like a kiss), and proclaims “I can’t taste it!”. Ha Ha!!
