btdt question for mom's who stopped bf'ing and pumping...(sorry, long!)

so, I am so silly...I have hated pumping for the longest time now (so much time attached to the freakin thing!) and looked forward to dd turning one year so she could start milk and I would be done...i was never a "flaunt it" bf'er, (in fact most people just assumed she was a formula baby b/c I am so body concious and shy,but we were lucky enough to be able to give her bm the whole time) but for some reason, its so tough to give up....

and so now, here it is she is 13, err...soon to be 14 mos old and I am struggling with the idea still...we just had her 1 yr checkup (don't ask, they rescheduled us like three times ) and started her with reg milk and a mix of bm and she deos awesome, but I can't fully let go....my baby is growing up and it makes me sad that we will soon lose our special bonding time in the morning...plus I guess I am scared she will get sick (dh and I think it was luck and bfing that helped her stay healhty until a little cold when she was 13 mos old!) - am i some weirdo or what? I want her on milk, but i keep finding excuses too....in fact, here i am right now pumping and typing

so I guess my question is - how do i cut the cord (or literally tube??) lol...and can i still feed her in the morning but give her milk during the day - or will my supply be gone? has anyone done this...dh and i were consdiering it for the winter at least to help keep immunity up....

sorry to babble, I am tired and have a cold...but hopefully this made some sense!

Re: btdt question for mom's who stopped bf'ing and pumping...(sorry, long!)

Don't feel like you HAVE to give it up because she's just over a year. Society gives breastfeeding pressures in the United States. In fact, many other countries don't wean til after 3 years of age. Do what you're doing. Start mixing in other things. Don't pump as much. Your supply will begin to decrease and you'll be able to feed a few times a day for the bonding you both need.

Re: btdt question for mom's who stopped bf'ing and pumping...(sorry, long!)

Posted by waterspout4

Don't feel like you HAVE to give it up because she's just over a year. Society gives breastfeeding pressures in the United States. In fact, many other countries don't wean til after 3 years of age. Do what you're doing. Start mixing in other things. Don't pump as much. Your supply will begin to decrease and you'll be able to feed a few times a day for the bonding you both need.

Re: btdt question for mom's who stopped bf'ing and pumping...(sorry, long!)

Posted by halisa

Posted by waterspout4

Don't feel like you HAVE to give it up because she's just over a year. Society gives breastfeeding pressures in the United States. In fact, many other countries don't wean til after 3 years of age. Do what you're doing. Start mixing in other things. Don't pump as much. Your supply will begin to decrease and you'll be able to feed a few times a day for the bonding you both need.

i totally agree. somehow, everyone hears that a baby is 1 and automatically that means they should be finished with bfing. you have to do what's right for you and your baby. as long as you are still happy and she still wants to, then that's great!! enjoy the time!!

Re: btdt question for mom's who stopped bf'ing and pumping...(sorry, long!)

I say throw your old plans out the window of stopping and keep it up!

Re: btdt question for mom's who stopped bf'ing and pumping...(sorry, long!)

if you and DC are still benefiting from it, why give it up? i say keep going as long as you are both happy.

Re: btdt question for mom's who stopped bf'ing and pumping...(sorry, long!)

Posted by alexlynn7

if you and DC are still benefiting from it, why give it up? i say keep going as long as you are both happy.

Re: btdt question for mom's who stopped bf'ing and pumping...(sorry, long!)

Ds turned 1 last week and I have no intention of stopping BF -- why give him cows milk when I can give him human milk designed specifically for him?

There's very little research on BF past a year, but here's what is known -- BM continues to supply essential nutrients and immunities and it does NOT pyschologically harm children (silly, but some people think that). So continue nursing -- it's the best thing you can do for your baby!

I am going to stop pumping at work in the next couple of weeks, though (so he will get a little cows milk in sippys 3 days a week).

Re: btdt question for mom's who stopped bf'ing and pumping...(sorry, long!)

Posted by nbc188

Posted by halisa

Posted by waterspout4

Don't feel like you HAVE to give it up because she's just over a year. Society gives breastfeeding pressures in the United States. In fact, many other countries don't wean til after 3 years of age. Do what you're doing. Start mixing in other things. Don't pump as much. Your supply will begin to decrease and you'll be able to feed a few times a day for the bonding you both need.

i totally agree. somehow, everyone hears that a baby is 1 and automatically that means they should be finished with bfing. you have to do what's right for you and your baby. as long as you are still happy and she still wants to, then that's great!! enjoy the time!!

Agree all around. Do what you want for you and your baby. There is NOTHING wrong with you still breastfeeding if you want, nothing!

Re: btdt question for mom's who stopped bf'ing and pumping...(sorry, long!)

I BF Damien till he was 22 months. When he was a year old he did start to get reg milk in a sippy cup and I cut out the daytime nursing when I was at work. He continued to nurse at night and would sometimes do it during the day on weekends. I had no supply problems at all and it worked great for us. I had planned to do it till he was two but he self weaned two months before. I plan on doing the same with Jaidyn. I say if you are both not ready then keep it up. Once you stop pumping and just do it at night it will be even easier.

Re: btdt question for mom's who stopped bf'ing and pumping...(sorry, long!)

I plan until 2 years old but can't wait until I can stop pumping! 6 weeks and counting...

Some people think I'm strange but he shows no signs of weaning at 10 1/2 months.