Stopping bfing

[Becky1]

Lo is nearly 1 and I'm thinking about stopping. He was ebf to 9.5mths then formula in the afternoon. Now just 2 feeds a day - formula am and boobie at night.

I'm so torn as to what to do, I want to stop but don't want to. Any advice? How do people cope with the last ever feed?

xx

 

[Nutsyputs]

When i stopped I didn't set a day I just decided to stop on the day otherwise I would probably have never stopped. My lo barely noticed that I'd stopped feeding him. I think I was more concerned than him!

 

[mum2b410]

My son decided he'd had enough of bf at about 8 months (EBF until 6 months then combi fed until that point) so I wasn't really prepared for it! I was doing am bf and just before bed. It wasn't how I wanted it to end but it wasn't what he wanted anymore. I felt sad and was v hard not feeding him anymore but after I adjusted it was fine. If u chose to stop then at least u r in control of when it happens and get to have that last feed together happily! If u keep going u never know when LO might decide they've had enough and then it will b more of a shock!...... No right or wrong, just sharing my experience! Whatever u do you've done an amazing job feeding this long

 

[Jajis]

I just can't do it... before I had my son I assumed I'd feed him to a year at most, but he'll be two at the start of August and I'm still going - I just think I'll be too sad when I stop, and he still wants it, although it's only first thing in the morning and before bed these days. I would just say make sure you really are ready because it'd be horrible to stop it and then regret it later.

 

[wenchytoots]

I wasnt ready to stop but LO suddenly went off me at 11 months and refused to feed. Found out next day I was pregnant again. Gave him a few weeks of formula then onto cows milk and he was fine, it was me that was upset. Guess being pregnant affected the taste of my milk? or maybe he was just ready for the sippy cup x

 

[Becky1]

I'd be gutted if he just decided to stop - can't see it happening as he still seems very content. I just don't know what to do! Jajis - I only ever thought I'd make 4 weeks feeding lol! I thought people feeding over 6mths were weird - now I get it.

He's never taken a bottle so I've never not been the one to do the last feed and put him to bed. Which whilst lovely has meant I've had very few nights out (in 12mths hubby and I have been out once!) And if I have been out it's been a bit of a mission to time it right so stopping would give me a bit more freedom... Sorry I'm waffling on... hoping writing it down will help me decide!! x

 

[Jajis]

Oh I know, once I'd had my son I was convinced we wouldn't even make it to a few weeks breastfeeding, it took us a long hard slog to get it right, which I think is partly why I really don't want to give it up until we're both ready. Anyway, I just wanted to add that you can have that freedom without giving up breastfeeding if that's what you want - some examples:

A week before my son's first birthday my OH and I went to a friend's wedding and wanted to stay late so my parents came and picked up our LO and took him home, I fed him sat in the car before they took him (about 19.00) but they said he went to bed fine without boob once they got him home.

Then my first day back to work, when my LO was just over a year old, I got home way later than I had imagined (we were also doing the check out of our old rented property after work). Anyway, by the time I got home my Mum had given him a sippy cup of of cows milk and he was sound asleep (I felt terrible, but he woke up for boob a few hours later so I got my cuddles).

I'm going to my friend's hen do in a few weeks time and I won't be around at bed time so my OH will have to put our son to bed without boob... I'm sure it'll be fine, if he really fusses about it OH will just have to give him some cows milk in a beaker. I imagine he'll just be extra excited to see me in the morning

 

[dingdongbaby]

I find/found the hardest thing is letting go of the "I can give my antibodies" thing...I have to override my thoughts about catching a horrific cold/cough and how if I've let my supply go my breastmilk won't be able to help through latch-detection. Then I had to focus on how getting ill is getting ill and how bf for a year (or however long you choose) is a great start in life and will help provide a strong immune system no matter what.
I just know at 1 year I'm back at work (last time and this time) and I'm not wanting the 3 p's (pads, pumps and pain - from being due a feed and unable to stop to feed or express because of working. Hehe - I'm a teacher, so I can't just stop and say "sorry, I'm a bit uncomfortable, can I just leave you 30 children to it while I express?" lol.
I think it's always a mental battle for a mummy to stop for whatever reason, but from my and my bf coffee group experiences the little ones hardly notice!
Good luck xx

 

[BunnyN]

For mums that go back to work and still want toBF. If you only feed morning and night your body should get used to that and normally you won't need to deal with sore boobs or pumping during the day.

 

[Becky1]

By the time I went back to work (10mths) we were fine with am & pm feeds. Never get overly full boobs now, even when I stopped the morning feed. x