Breastfeeding the older baby part deux

I was well prepared for feeling like a milk machine when my children were young babies. It's a given. My breasts were out more than a twenty-something and I was totally fine with that. I'm also happy with the idea of extended breastfeeding. While I couldn't do this with my sons, I WANT to nurse my daughter as long as she wants to go. However, I find that I'm not so prepared for feeling like a milk machine at this stage. 

I've searched for information on breastfeeding the older baby, to no avail. Most seem to think baby and mama will figure it out. 

Well...I'm finding myself a bit frustrated with it at this point and from what I've read from other mamas, this is quite normal. 

The part that has me most frustrated is the wee hours of the morning when Kathryn wants to nurse for hours. She is also able to seek out the breast, so while this is cool, because I don't have to sit up, it's somewhat inconvenient that I can't control when she eats. 

Of course having full, unobstructed access to the breast is key to optimal breastfeeding. 

Geez. Am I a bad mom because I want to be able to NOT breastfeed my baby like this? 

I just get so frustrated. 

She climbs on me, lies across my chest, cries when she can't find the breast RIGHT NOW, and I can't sleep! I love my sleep and darn it, I am unable to sleep. Of course part of this is that I co-sleep. 

Yea, yea, those who may actually be following this blog are probably thinking, "what about your "fool-proof method for transitioning to the crib?" Well, it DID work, but I gave in later, from my desire for sleep, and brought her to our bed in the middle of the night for feedings and that was that. Now, she starts in her crib, but always ends up in our bed from her middle-of-the-night feeding to morning. I did this with the idea that one day she won't wake in the middle of the night and this will all be a thing of the past. 

Of course it will anyway. All of it will and one day I'll look back nostalgically to the time when she laid across my belly to nurse. I know all of this, but it only helps a little to alleviate some of my frustration and feelings of treading water at this point. 

Ha! I just found this and the pics could EASILY be of my daughter! It's from Kelly Mom and makes me feel better.

 So anyway, I'm going to continue my research on how to deal with, and alleviate some of the frustrations associated with nursing the older baby. I'll pass along whatever I find.

What I know for sure is I DON'T want to follow crap I've seen on BabyCenter. I personally don't think it is a good idea to wean during a time of frustration and I would NEVER even think about simply not offering the breast and forcing baby to take a bottle or not eat (this, to me is abusive).

A FEW THINGS I'VE FOUND:

LLLI

PARENTS

MAYOCLINIC

DOCTOR SEARS - my personal favorite. Reading his information never fails to give me perspective. A good ending point on this topic.