Co-Sleeping Babies

Yesterday night I put my daughter's crib together. It was bitter sweet because I'm used to her sleeping with me, but I know she needs her own bed. The Hubbs has never been ok with either of our kids sleeping with us. With my son he never let it happen, but with my daughter he was a bit more accepting due to the fact that I breastfeed her, which makes it more convenient for me.
When I had my son I agreed on not wanting him to sleep with us because I was afraid of crushing or suffocating him at night. You hear so many horror stories about parents co-sleeping with their children that as a new parent it terrifies you, but I was also the judgmental parent that looked down on parents who co-slept with their kids. I couldn't believe how these parents could be so selfish as to put their children in danger that way, it was beyond me. Then you hear a bunch of opinions from parents who don't think the practice is right and it heats up your head even more. However, once I began co-sleeping with my baby girl I realized why a lot of parents do it. It is definitely a different bond that you get with your child, it is almost a need to have them there next to you to protect them at night. Do I regret not doing it with my son, not necessarily, but I do wish I hadn't been so quick to judge other parents who did it.
More than anything, this has thought me to not be so judgmental on things I haven't tried myself or understand. Everyone has a right to their opinion and more so to do whatever they feel is better for their child. For now my daughter will alternate during the night between her bed and crib, I'm not ready to completely wean her from my bed. She does however seem to like her crib more than I thought she would and much to my dismay, but alas they have to grow up some time.

What they don't tell you about Breastfeeding

A little over a year ago I had this awesome idea to breastfeed my baby girl. I didn't have the opportunity to do it with my son for too long because he was born premature and the hospital nurses got him used to a bottle (story for another time). Therefore, with my daughter I was determined to breastfeed no matter what, I wanted that "special" bond every nursing mother talks about. It started off rough for both of us, but I wanted to succeed, especially since nobody around me supported the idea and I'm a bit of a "I'll show you" kind of gal. All was great until around the 4th month when I got a clogged duct and omgoodness let me tell you that SUCKS! I was in so much pain and the remedy was probably more painful than the actual situation, but I got over it. I continued to nurse, a little apprehensive, but continued none the less and around the 9th month I got an infection on the other side. Needless to say I was over this breastfeeding idea.
 Look it's true that you build a great bond with your child that can't be put into words, but what they forget to mention is the other side of nursing. The possible clogged ducts, the infections, the bites once these munchkins get the first little teeth, how super attached they get to you and not to mention the whole part about plan your schedule around breastfeeding so your boobs aren't engorged and hurting.
My daughter is a year now and she still wants to nurse non-stop, every time I attempt to wean her it's a crying session and she won't take the bottle at all. I feel bad about not feeding her so I give in after a while. I want to wean her desperately because I'm completely over breastfeeding, but I feel guilty at the same time. Some people tell me that she will give it up once she's ready, but I'm ready now! I never imagined this would turn into such a headache. I'm all for that special bond and if I could do it again with my daughter I would in a heartbeat, but you better believe I will not do it again if we have another kid.