Binkies, Breastfeeding, and Balance

One of my parenting staples is something I didn't know would even be necessary: binky training. Necessary probably isn't the riht word. In fact, many would argue that it's unnecessary, or even necessary to not binky train. I've been thinking abot binkies lately because I've realized that binkies mean a lot more to mine and my babies' relationships than I'd ever considered. 

My kids have all had binkies from the start and I until I take them away around age 3. At some point along the way it becomes for naps and nighttime only, but are a comfort that helps them look forward to going to bed. When they're young babies, the binky stands in for boredom, comfort, and momentarily delayed milk.

I knew when I was planning to breastfeed my first baby that our relationship would include a binky. I was so happy to feed him with my body and knew that it would take sacrifice, but I also knew that I couldn't sacrifice all autonomy of my body and time. I had a vision of breastfeeding with bounds (set by me), and was able to achieve that with a bonded relationship and a binky. He breastfed until he turned 1, and I treasured that time with him.

The binky balance was not so ideal with all of my babies. My second and fourth were not satisfied with exclusively breastfeeding by the time they were a few months old, so we supplemented with formula and completely stopped nursing not long after. If exclusively breastfeeding had been my primary goal, this would have felt like a huge loss. But it wasn't. Balance was my primary goal, and the risk of letting go a secondary goal was worth it for me. 

Here's to loving the babies with breasts, binkies, bottles, and everything in between.