Bfing....to end it or not

We are 11 days away from his b-day...I don't know if I want to go on any longer.

Pregnancy was a b!tch...MS, heartburn, and sciatica.

BFing was also a b!tch since he was allergic to everything.

The thought of giving him milk from a fridge excites me more then anything.

He is not a big solids eater at all. I think if I continue to nurse, BM will continue to be his main food source.

I am thinking of giving him milk in a cup during the day...then nursing at night till we are ready to end it.

I am currently a 36EE. I still have to wear the pads. I am tired. It is making me feel trapped now. There are no weekend getaways...

any thoughts?

encouragement to make it to his 2nd b-day is also fine. I am torn.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

First of all, good job on making it a full year!

I am personally an advocate of breastfeeding for at least two years, and I did just that. My daughter self-weaned just after her 2nd birthday. With that said, I think the decision about whether or not to continue is a personal one. After my daughter's 1st birthday, she was still nursing frequently. I started pushing solids a bit more after her first birthday and I stopped the nighttime feedings. By the time she was 18 months, she was eating mostly solids and nursing mostly when she was cranky or tired. From 18 months on, she gradually weaned herself.

I know it's tough. There were times where I felt like I would be nursing forever. As long as your comfortable, try getting him to eat more solids and drink cow's milk during the day & nurse at night/ whenever you feel comfortable doing so. Good luck!

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

thanks danielle. I want to be part of the age 2 club , but I worry that he is on this liquid diet. Especially now that he asks for it....I tried explaining to him today that he needs a new hobby

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

First off, I wanted to let you know that reading your posts was and has been very inspirational to me and has helped me to continue breastfeeding.

I had a hard time breastfeeding in the beginning and needed to pump and dump for a week or so due to being on an antibiotic when my DS was 2.5 weeks old. I would read your posts and those of other ladies on this board and it inspired me to keep going. So I wanted to thank you for that inspiration

That being said, breastfeeding is hard work. I think it is the hardest thing I have ever done. It is such a huge commitment, both emotionally and physically and you have dealt with so much more then the "normal" obstacles.

The thought of having your body and boobs back after more than a year of pregnancy and nursing is understandable. DO what is most comfortable for you.

Giving your DS milk in a cup during the day, then nursing at night sounds like a nice compromise until you are both ready to stop. I think that is the ruote I will go when it is time.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

I agree with the above poster, you HAVE been inspirational and encouraging to me too!

I think your idea to do the cup during the day and nurse at night is perfect. Then you take it from there. Baby steps.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

colleen! you made me cry!!

it is the hardest thing I have ever done!

but I think getting him off of it is going to be heartbreaking for him. I think that is what I am going to do...introduce milk in a cup and still nurse at night.

I think what this really means is that I am going to be throwing out as much milk as I currently do with food.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

well, i gotta tell u....i planned on BFing til her first bday, and i did....

and i regret stopping so early....



i miss it....and it isnt like i can barely remember the feeling of her feeding from me, u know???

with her sister, i plan on going til about 2, but probly with JUSt the nighttime feeding...id like to keep one feeding a day for at least 2 years....

so, coming from someone that regrets cutting her off, i say wean him til hes down to one feeding a day- do what works for u....ill be working days, and always be home at nite, so nite time will work for me....maybe youd like to keep the first thing in the morning feeding...??

and head up- weaning is a lot easier than i thought it would be....i weaned real slow...i took about a month to wean one feeding, then another month to wean out another feeding...and so i started weaning about 10 months, and when she was 12 months, she was done...

so dont cut it out....u may regret it like i did..and do....wean to one feeding...youll be happy u did....

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

I would love to be BF Julia still, I did it for 11 months, then she didn't want to nurse anymore when she got her ear infection, I was so upset. I'm all for BF for as long as the child wants to do it. I'm no help, cause I would tell you to continue till he's 2.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

Again, good for you for keeping it going for so long. I think the milk in a bottle in the day and nursing at night sounds like a win win situation. You get a break in the day and you get that lovely comforting closeness at night...

I hope you find your happy medium!

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

For me the decision to stop when I started to regret it. I never wanted it to be a negative experience for him or I, so when I felt like you I stopped.

BUt to you for doping it for a year

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

I just want to say GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!

It's such a personal desicion and no matter what you decide, you have done the absolute BEST you can for your baby.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

thanks everyone.

so I have a game plan.

I have to get this kid on a schedule, I will feel less trapped.

4 feedings a day. Morning, 1st nap, 2nd nap, then night.

eventually, give milk for the 2 feedings and keep morning and night.

my boobs are going to explode and I am afraid I will feel guilty. But I don't remember what it feels like to be hydrated anymore, so this plan should help.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

It's really up to you, but I'm all for extended breastfeeding if you're up to it. DS turned 1 in early November and I really didn't feel like he was anywhere close to weaning. To me, the thought of giving him cows milk was silly since I can give him human milk made especially for him.

He's not the greatest eater, so it makes me feel much better to know that he's getting the nutrients he needs through breastmilk. He does get cows milk 3 days a week when I work (I still pump 1x a day at work so he does get 1 bottle of breastmilk still). I think continuing to breastfeed is really important during cold and flu season, too.

If you want encouragement to continue, I'll gladly give it to you. But I certainly don't want to give you guilt for stopping. You have done such a great job despite obstacles and I think you are a great example to others who are struggling.

Check out Kellymom for some great info on extended nursing. And remember, it doesn't have to be all or nothing You can still breastfeed a few times a day and supplement with cows milk.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

I tried to stop when my DS was a year and he basically had other plans. I did stop pumping at one year though. So here we are 18 months tommorow and still BF. At this point, I'll be happy if he's weaned by Pre-K. But the frequency is way down and it is defiinitely not his main food source. Sometimes twica a day, sometimes more. I do know that I will miss it when he stops. I guess I'm becoming a proponent of self weaning. But do whatever feels right.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

well sucess. only 4 feeding sessions today.

he ate a yogurt, fruit, peas, and pasta.

it was sad though, he kept asking for it, we just had to keep busy. He can't seem to sit on my lap without it.

4 times a day I can definitely do.

And you are right, it doesn't have to be all or nothing.

I think I am just getting an itch. I have company coming, finally babysitters....a way out

thanks for the applause, kind words, and encouragement.

it seems like now with him turning 1 combined with the allergy thing over with, everyone expects me to wean. I feel like I am holding him back-but today was a sucess. food went in him, 4 peaceful sessions, 2 naps...

thanks again.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

I would only consider weaning if he started to get all the nutrients he needs from solids.

I understand the feeling of wanting your body back, but I missed nursing when I weaned DC.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

Posted by Janice

well sucess. only 4 feeding sessions today.

he ate a yogurt, fruit, peas, and pasta.

it was sad though, he kept asking for it, we just had to keep busy. He can't seem to sit on my lap without it.

4 times a day I can definitely do.

And you are right, it doesn't have to be all or nothing.

I think I am just getting an itch. I have company coming, finally babysitters....a way out

thanks for the applause, kind words, and encouragement.

it seems like now with him turning 1 combined with the allergy thing over with, everyone expects me to wean. I feel like I am holding him back-but today was a sucess. food went in him, 4 peaceful sessions, 2 naps...

thanks again.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

I weaned at a year. Although I missed it, it was nice to finally, after almost 2 years, get my body back. I was very happy I did and with my next one I may wean a few weeks earlier.

Now there are other special things that DD and I do that are just ours. Of course its not the same as nursing, but its still special.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

personally I think BF for one year is more than enough. I can't imagine nursing a 2 year old JMHO

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

I cant add any more than everyone else has said but I wanted to say congrats on making it a whole year!!

I've nursed the older 2 till 2 1/2 yrs and 18 months (would have continued but was pregnant) and Lukie will go till he stops (or age 3 whichever comes 1st). It is a huge commitment and you've done a fabulous job!!

Message edited 12/8/2007 11:13:32 AM.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

We're right behind you!

He shows NO sign of stopping so we're doing whole milk during the day and starting to introduce in 2 weeks and then nurse AM and PM.

I'm down to pumping once a day and SOOOOO excited to put that phase behind me

Nice job making it to a year and do what you feel is best, you're the mommy

Message edited 12/8/2007 4:15:07 PM.

Re: Bfing....to end it or not

thanks everyone!

I read my dr sears bfing bible today for encouragement

so far so good....4 feedings today.

he ate a ton of fruit, a pancake, pasta, peas, yogurt, and crackers.

we kept busy so that he would not ask for it all day. I cleaned out 2 closets and tried out my new jogging stroller.

I am almost embarassed to say it, but I swear last week we were up to 12-15 feedings a day. This is much better.