Mario Nurses With Ease—but Peach Still Needs Her “Milk Lady”

Bella Feeds Mario, but Princess Peach Still Waits for Her Turn

Mario walks up to Bella and begins to nurse. A few steps away, Princess Peach is still looking for her chance.

Katie has watched this happen more than once. Bella stands for her boys, Mario and Luigi, but when Peach tries to nurse, Bella often turns her away. Sometimes Peach has managed to sneak a little milk. Often, Katie has seen Bella push her back.
It is hard to watch because Peach still follows her mother. After taking a bottle from Katie, she goes back outside and tries Bella again. Mario feeds nearby while his sister keeps looking for an opening.
Mario is simply doing what a hungry baby goat does. Bella’s reason for treating Peach differently is not clear. Katie has wondered whether raising three vigorous kids has become overwhelming for her, but she has not claimed to know exactly why it is happening. What she does know is that Peach needs dependable chances to eat.
That is why Katie became the “milk lady.”
At first, Peach was reluctant to take a bottle. Bella’s milk was familiar, and Peach continued trying to nurse whenever she returned to the goats. Katie kept offering bottles, helping her latch and paying attention to how much she drank. At the triplets’ eight-day weigh-in, Peach had gained weight, but less than her brothers. Katie decided to keep a close watch on her growth.
Then, during a recent second lunch, Peach gave Katie a reason to smile. She drank three ounces in one sitting, the most Katie had gotten her to take at once. In another feeding, she stood and drank without Katie having to hold her head in place. These are small moments on a busy farm, but for Peach and Katie, each one is progress.
The bottle has changed part of Peach’s day. It has not taken away the rest of it. She still goes outside with Mario and Luigi. She still climbs, plays, and spends time near Bella. After that three-ounce lunch, Peach returned to the chairs where her brothers were playing, her belly full and her energy ready for the game.
That is the part of the story that stays with me. Peach can be turned away at feeding time and still run toward her family afterward. Katie can be frustrated with Bella and still leave Peach outside to play with her mother and brothers. And Mario can have an easy meal while Katie makes sure his little sister gets one too.
When Katie calls, Peach now seems to know that a bottle is coming. She comes to the person who has been patiently helping her learn. Later, she will go back among the goats and look for Bella again.
Katie cannot make Bella feed Peach. She can keep showing up with lunch.
For now, Princess Peach has both parts of her day: time beside Mario and Bella, and a bottle from the “milk lady” who is watching over her. Her next weigh-in will tell Katie more about how she is growing. Today, the sight of Peach drinking, then hurrying back to play, offers a moment to hold onto.
What are you hoping to see next for Peach: another good bottle, more weight gain, or a peaceful moment beside Bella and Mario?