Time to Stop Nursing?

Have you started solids? Your breasts don't need to feel full to make milk, but at around your son's age they do need to eat more and 2 feedings of solid food a day will make a big difference in his mood.

R.,

It maybe your milk supply is deminishing due to your diet, so often we moms want to have it all beautiful healthy babies, an income (of our own),and our slim prepregnancy body back so we start to make changes which may or may not cut calories but we forget to drink enough fluid. Also stress and just being over tired can be a culprit.

I have four children 24 to 4 and I breastfeed them all (8> yrs in total)anyone who says it's easy is nuts, it is the most selfless time in your life... Wonderful for the kids,but let's face it your life is not your own. Please don't misunderstand I think it is the best thing you could do if you can, however, it means a lot of sacrafice. Prehaps your trying to do too much, it is totally fine to be done nursing at 6mo that is a wonderful start for Alex and you should feel great about how long you have done it.

If your completely sure your not finished then I encourage you to call your local hopital to get in touch with a laction specialist (most have them) they don't cost anything to talk to and you can get some very helpful advise.

Lastly, when you are getting ready to nurse your son get yourself a drink (h20/tea or juice)put your feet up, unplug the phone and be in the moment if that relaxing doesn't help make the phone call. But no matter what happens be proud of your self for the six months in addition to the 10mo of pregnancy you gave of yourself.

I use to breast feed my son as well, I notice if you don't drink enough fluids and keep pumping the milk in the breast will dry out, I use pump every two hours, you still could put your breast in the bottle and store in the refrigerator just heat it up with hot water and warm that way, another way that could dry up fast is drinking to much coffee, the caffeine technically makes you dehydrate, that's why nurses suggest drinking alot of water or juice...And maybe, you might not be able to produce enough..I hope this helped a little, my is 1 1/2 now and is weened off from the bottle...Good luck
E. G

Dear R.,

Maybe you could offer a bottle to him during the day to see if he takes it. I really don't know anything about breast feeding, except that it is much more complicated than people think that it is. Go on www.drgreene.com, maybe that will help, and I am sure that lots of breast feeding moms will help you. C. N.

It is only time to stop nursing if you and your baby are ready. Yes, the bottle could slow your milk supply - it's a proven psychological thing. I had the same thing and quit the bottle. My milk supply is back to normal now (my son is 5 1/2 months). Be aware that your baby could be having a growth spurt in which case you may be nursing your baby enough and frequently but not feel full. My doctor warned me that my baby would have growth spurts about every two months (2 months, 4 months, 6 months, etc) and so far it seems to hold true for us. Ultimately, as long as you nurse, there is no reason (other than personal choice) to supplement with formula. You may consider checking with your pediatrician to see if you may start feeding solids. It is a nice way to wean your baby (you nurse first, feed, then nurse again). Baby gets food that will last longer in baby's tummy and you provide nutrition, fluids, and bonding. Also, since it seems you are working part-time, you may want to pump for your baby while he is in daycare. I pump and nurse when I come home (at the same time, I get better "flow" and while I am at work). Good luck with your baby and remember, whatever you choose is right for you and your baby.

Hi R.,

At around 6 months in, your breasts will no longer feel full or empty the way they did before. This is totally normal. They've gotten into their routine, and your body had gotten used to it. Your supply is surely diminished a bit because you cut out one feeding, but as long as you are nursing him regularly throughout the rest of the day (and night?), your supply will be what you need it to be. You didn't mention whether you had started solids- his hunger may be an indication that he's ready for something other than milk.

Another possibility is that you're worried about the weening process, and it's affecting your nursing relationship. Stress affects our milk supplies quite a bit. Try and trust the system. It truely is supply and demand. You can get down to one nursing per day and still produce enough for that one feeding. You may not be able to tell you have any milk, but your baby will get it.

Good luck!
P.

Hello R.,

Supplementing with formula can affect your supply-definitely. Now exactly how much I am not sure but according to your message it sounds like baby is already affected by this choice...

I think that nursing is the best possible choice for baby. So I would encourage you to pump your breast milk-freeze it and then bottle feed baby when necessary.

Check out breastfeedingguru.com for more info.

Good Luck~

You can try pumping that feeding he is getting a bottle, but I don't see how one bottle a day would make that much of a difference. I would imagine it is much more likely that he is draining your milk rather than you not producing as much anymore. Perhaps it is a good time to start solids. I know from experience that it can be a very guilty feeling to stop nursing, but the truth is that six months is a major accomplishment and has allready done so much for him health wise! Also, you say that you just started a part time job...that CAN hinder milk supply! It does give added stress and a different type routine so it does change things, even if you don't feel stressed.

What I've been taught is we only produce the milk that our bodies think we need. So, have you tried pumping to keep up supply while at work, or did you want to stop breast milk? Bottle feeding is going to replace that "demand" for your body to produce more milk. When kids go through growth spurts, their feedings increase dramatically for a few days to perhaps two weeks. Every kid and age is different. You might have tried making this transition during a growth spurt? Are you still feeling "let downs" or when you nurse do you hear swallowing sounds or see evidence of milk? Make sure not becoming dehydrated and let your child feed when he wants. Kids this young will stop or spit up if get too much to eat. Remember they'll nurse for more reasons than simply a meal. Sometimes they just need a drink, or to check in with you to bond. Don't confuse that behavior with them feeling famished or not getting enough to eat. Check with Dr to see how many wet diapers you should get per day - don't know the age of your son to suggest a number of pees and poops. And, yes. Breast feeding is truly a commitment that can't be switched on and off with ease.

I had the same problem with my daughters. I noticed that change when I introduced solids into their diet. It is typically normal to notice a decrease in milk supply. Have you tried pumping your breast to keep a small supply on hand that you can feed to him in a bottle? That might help bring it up again. Have you introduced him to solids? That can also interfere with feeding time. Solids do fill him up a little more than milk. Have you joined WIC (Women, Infant, Children)? They have a great support system and program that can help you as well. Keep nursing until you feel it is time to stop. I hope this helps.

Yes, it could drastically affect your milk supply. So can a growth spurt for a short time. Here are a couple of great breastfeeding support sites for future reference:

www.llli.org
www.kellymom.com

Good luck!

T.
Founder
www.theparentpack.org

I was glad to read your question. I have the same problem and was curious to read all the responses.. I never feel like I fill up anymore either. The only time I feel full is in the morning. I have a 5 1/2 month old and he only eats once at night and only on one side. So the side he doesn't eat on is really full in the morning (but that's after about 12 hours). When your breastfeeding, does your baby eat on both sides? My son only eats on one side each feeding (his choice), so I pump the other breast while he's eating. That way both breasts are being emptied at the same time. I also give my son a bottle before bed. By the end of the day I don't have much left in my breats to fill him up. By pumping everytime he eats, I'm able to pump at total of 6-7 ozs to give him before bed. That way I don't have to give him a formula bottle. There are some times that I do though, like after I feed him late in the day and he's not satisfied, but I try not to. I'm already giving my son solids, so I'm hoping that is why my supply is down. About a month ago I tried taking Fenugreek and it helped a little, so you can try that. My supply also went down when I got my period at 4 months. Keep that in mind too. Thanks for asking the question. Reading your responses was helpful and just know your not alone. Good luck.

Hi there,

I breastfed my 2 children until they are 13 mo. old. I read some of the advice the moms gave you and I agree. It is normal to feel kinda empty but it is on the demand, I also took mother's milk tea to produce more. My kids never really like baby food, formula, or table food they just wanted me. I tried buying baby food and even making my own but nothing worked, they just wanted me. They are now 4 and 21/2 yrs old and they are good eater.

The formula is very expensive and I am glad my friends pushed me to breast feed. Don't stop breastfeeding your baby.

Good Luck and God Bless...

M.

I had sort of the same problem. Although I was just trying to pump to get bottles for my husband to feed and if I didn't get enough to pump my husband would use some formula and I ended up having to quit nursing at 9 months because I just couldn't get my milk supply to get back to regular even with extra nursing sessions and pumping. So I would say yes, it can throw off your milk supply. Especially since it's had 6 months to get to the point it is.

Hi,
I have 3kids and have bf both boys and doing so with my baby girl. At 6mo you should start solids to help keep him fill his tummy. If you are just starting solids you can squeeze milk from your breasts to add to cereal. your milk may have diminished from more than just reducing 1 feeding. You can try stimulating your breasts if you are really concerned about it (massaging or pumping). You can also talk to your pediatrician or OB; also la leche leage or a WIC office might help

Yes it can dimminish it because it causes more time between feedings and your milk supply goes down thinking that the baby doesnt need that much anymore. I was able to get mine back up again at one point and pumped more, but if you are ready to wean then you just may wean faster than not. I myself would keep nursing as long as the teeth don't get in the way becasue its so much less expensive (and better for them.) I was able to nurse just morning and night toward the end and didnt have a problem weaning at all. Good luck with whatever your decision is!

Hi R.,

I agree with the other moms that at around 6 months your body goes to more of a supply and demand system - the more you nurse, the more you make. That one bottle probably isn't making that much of a difference though. You might also consider that your son might be going through a growth spurt and so he is naturally trying to increase your milk production. If you are happy breastfeeding I would really just try to ride this out and introduce solid foods before you switch over to bottles completely. You can also try nursing, feeding cereal, and giving him a bit of water in a sippy cup or bottle. Make sure you nurse before each of his solid food meals, so he gets a full serving of breastmilk.

It is funny, because I was thinking of asking a really similar question on this message board. My son is a year this week and up until last week I have been pumping during they day (I work full time), but I have decided it is time to stop pumping. I am going to begin nursing just in the evenings and in the morning and give him milk bottles during the day, even on the weekends. He also is really tough to nurse since he scratches and pinches me all the time, so I was considering weaning completely. After reading the responses to your request, I think I will try and stick it out for at least another few months. He usually doesn't pinch at night - just during the day when he is more active.

Good luck!

R.,

Introducing a bottle and formula can be a really slippery slope toward weaning completely. The answer is yes, one bottle of formula a day can drastically reduce your milk supply. Your milk supply is supply and demand. The less your babe nurses, the less milk you will make. And since formula takes longer to digest than breastmilk, giving one bottle likely has replaced 2 nursing sessions. If your babe is nursing more often, he is likely hungry and if you want to continue nursing, you should let him nurse as much as he wants. He's signaling your body to make more milk. Many women notice a big drop in their milk supply around 5-6 months because the hormone boost that you get postpartum to help with milk production quits about that time and you go to true "supply and demand" production. That said, it isn't unusual at all to stop feeling engorged. In the begining your boobs make milk like crazy and you feel full all the time. But as your get further postpartum, again the hormone driven milk production quits and it goes to supply and demand so the amount of milk you produce evens out to the amount of milk your babe is consuming. If you want to keep nursing and you want the convenience of being able to give him a bottle regulary, invest in a good breastpump, pump and give him your milk that way. That at least frees you up to be able to leave the house without him starving while you are gone. Anyway, milk supplies are touchy and some women stuggle more than others. Since you are 6 months postpartum and you are giving some formula, I would be surprised if your period is getting ready to come back. That can temporarily lower your supply too. The cure is to nurse more frequently. So the answer is that it is up to you. You can nurse more, you can keep doing what you are doing and see how it goes, or you can wean entirely. It is really up to you.

T.

Hi! I know you got a lot of responses already, but I just had to say that the same thing happened to me every time I dropped a feeding. My breastfeeding book says that your milk supply can drop down at any less than 6 feedings. Well, it really was my supply going down, and he was acting very hungry. But I just took Fenugreek for a week or so, and it bounced right back up to where it needed to be. I had to do that twice, and it always balanced out just right. Good luck! It's so worth every extra month for them.

It's a supply and demand thing. You will stop producing some but you should still be producing enough to feed him. If you really feel that there's not enough for him go to your local natural food store and pick up some "nursing mom tea" or something called "more milk plus" and it will increase your supply. I had to use it when my son was tiny and I wasn't producing enough. It really helped. I nursed until he was 18 months and let him ween himself - he pretty much stopped cold turkey. My 2 year old is my only child so far - and let me tell you - you will learn SO MUCH! I never thought I'd have this mommy stuff under control!

Take care!
H.