Apparently I gave birth to a budding little activist. I did watch Gandhi while nursing him in September, but at 1 month old, I really didn't think he was paying attention.
I was wrong.
Noah's on a hunger strike.
I should have seen the signs in November when he first started refusing a bottle, or in January when he stopped nursing if anyone else was in the room. But now we're in February, and he has my attention. Two weeks ago, he stopped eating cereal (rice or oatmeal) or taking any bottles (breastmilk or formula, hot or cold). That fact alone is sort-of sweet and sort-of difficult when I'm home with him. But it is downright troubling when it means he goes all day at daycare without any sustenance.
Originally, I thought we'd push through it. A 30-year-old woman should be able to win a battle of the wills with a 6-month-old. Right?
Again, I was wrong.
The strike has worked. The boss has caved. I'll be working from home from now on so that 1) his periods in daycare are shorter, or 2) I can visit him there to nurse him. I just can't handle my little baby going hungry all day long when I don't actually think he's old enough to realize what he's doing.
I'll keep experimenting with tricks to get him eating. Apple juice. An open cup. Different formula. Different childcare. And I'll let you know if something works.
In the meantime, I can't help wondering if this particular trait comes from his father, who often forgets to eat lunch and would rather talk than eat anyday. Wish I could say that for his mother...
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