“No biting Mama.” I thought those three words would be the end of my breastfeeding journey. But I write to you with an umpteen-month-old, molars and all, who asks to nurse. With words — not grunts.
If the mom I was before I had a baby could see me now! I promised her I wouldn’t be caught in public with a toddler lifting my shirt. But breastfeeding became my way of nurturing him even from a distance when custody orders separated us.
Providing breast milk was the only consistency I could offer my baby. Pumping gave me purpose for the days he was away. I couldn’t comfort him, but the milk could. My hope was that by continuing to nurse, he’d have a better chance of developing a secure attachment.
Thanks to prayer and an angel (aka lactation consultant), Lindsay Gustafson, I met my goal of breastfeeding for a year and then some — and have kept going for half a year beyond. As that second birthday nears, I’m shopping for a gift not just for my son, but for me. There’s got to be a bribe or reward for surviving weaning, amen?
Preserve Nursing Moments
Write down special moments and snap a photo of those sweet, big eyes gazing up at you. If your breastfeeding journey has been especially meaningful, you may even want to commission your favorite nursing picture to be painted.
Record the sucking and breathing of your little one, latched, or record yourself singing a lullaby. These memories are for you to treasure.
It’s not only the sweet times. I don’t want to forget the laughs either — like when I accidentally sprayed him with oversupply, his playful raspberries on my belly mid-latch. Or that time when, while in the stage of learning to blow on “hot” table food, he puffed at my nipple before latching.
Treat Your Cravings
Raise a toast to your success! The days of pumping and dumping have come to an end.
Beyond alcohol, for some mamas, breastfeeding comes with the unique sacrifice of dietary restrictions. If you’ve been dairy-free, weaning will feel carefree! And your idea of a perfect gift may be ordered off a menu.
Plan a date night with your man or meet up for brunch with your girlfriends to celebrate motherhood milestones.
Wear Your Liquid Gold
Order a piece of milk pearl jewelry to commemorate your experience. You can trust Trinity, mom of two and owner of the Etsy shop Milk for Baby, to turn your liquid gold into a keepsake. After purchasing a necklace, ring or earrings, you’ll receive a milk preservation kit. Less than an ounce is required. Once you send it in, Trinity will fashion your breast milk into a pearl and set it into your chosen design. The finished piece will ship to you right from Garden City.
For a more traditional route, browse the selection of mothers rings at KC jewelers like Joslin’s (Overland Park) and Lilliane’s (Leawood).
Reclaim Your Body
There is something so precious about growing and nourishing a baby … and there are days and sleepless nights of feeling like nothing more than a human pacifier. Besides that, nursing toddlers tend to practice gymnastics when latched. Take it from someone who’s avoided a high kick more than once and regularly has her teeth counted.
Maybe you’ve felt like your body’s been in demand since the first trimester. In that case, weaning means getting your body back! What better way to reclaim it than at the spa?
Book the Treat Yourself Package ($240) at the Spa at Briarcliff (Kansas City, Mo.) or arrange a soak in a rejuvenating coconut milk bath ($65) at the Spa on Penn (Westport). Or, celebrate (more than once) with the man who supported your breastfeeding journey, kept you hydrated and cared for you while you tended your little one by investing in couples massage training ($300) from Suzanne Schaper Massage (Lenexa).
Refresh Your Closet
Some mamas come out of breastfeeding more blesseDD than others. Others feel like they’ve traded style for sweats. Either way, weaning is an ideal time to cull and cultivate your next look. Don’t just find something that fits — select pieces that flatter with the help of color science.
Local experts like Beth King at Lead Through Style (Lee’s Summit) offer color analysis to help you fashion your wardrobe with the best colors and metals to highlight your beauty. Opt for a budget-friendly virtual analysis ($175) or spoil yourself with a private session ($325+) at House of Colour Kansas City or Radiant Color Studio, which includes makeup and a draping analysis.
You can even consult with a free AI chatbot such as ChatGPT. Be prepared to upload three to five photos of yourself makeup-free in natural lighting. Use the prompt: “Analyze the attached images and identify the primary color palette, including main, accent and neutral tones.” Don’t forget to follow up with questions about makeup and jewelry.
With the knowledge of your most complementary palette, head to Clothes Mentor (Overland Park and Lee’s Summit), a resale boutique where racks are not only organized by size, but also by color.
Get Away for an Overnight Trip
Plan a mini vacation with your love or your ladies. For ideas that won’t take you too far from home, check out KC Parent’s monthly Date Night feature by Hannah Berry. Each issue for 2026 will highlight day trips and overnight adventures.
If this baby is your last, consider selling your baby gear and breastfeeding supplies for a little extra pocket change to splurge while you’re away. If not …
Begin Again
Instead of dreading an ending, consider it a new beginning. Start trying for another baby, and perhaps by this time next year, your longing will be filled, and your arms will be full.
Every baby — and every boob, lopsided or not — brings its own lessons and memories. Whatever your breastfeeding journey looked like, honor this milestone in the way that feels right for you.
Nichole Parks had a 9 lb., 8 oz. push present. She resides in Overland Park with a toddler who has a secure attachment and has not yet lifted her shirt in public.