Struggle

I've been blessed to be able to nurse my baby for his whole life - 11 months and one week (exactly, actually!).

That being said - blessings aren't always "easy." Nursing has NOT been easy.

Not only did I deal with rather common beginning nursing issues, but I had mastitis when Little Bud was a week and half old. It was the sickest I've been in my life, and I'd rather go through almost anything than do that again. (Note: I probably had some other sort of infection simultaneously too... who knows.) I've had plugged ducts since then almost every week, and mastitis probably more times than I have realized.

Today is no different. Plugged duct #548, here we go. I have my regiment of things I do (it's down to a science, really) - hot rice sock, lecithin, extra water, hot showers, extra nursing on that side, Vitamin C, probiotics, massage, rest. But my problem isn't what to do when I get them, it's how NOT to get them.

Any advice out there?

I really do not want to wean. Little Bud is not ready for that, and honestly, neither am I. I love to nurse! I would do it for years if I didn't have this issue. (Which also frustrates me - I know women who have no issues with nursing and they can't wait to wean at a year... jealousy.)

So I could use some prayers. I'm really tired of this, and I feel like I've gotten no answers that work for me. I've talked to other moms who have nursed, LLL, and researched online. I'm going to make a doctor's appt. soon, just to check stuff out. So prayers please.