Was It Tough for You Too to Stop Breastfeeding?

I also find it tough, with my first I breastfed for 4 months, I had returned to work and was exhausted so I felt I had to do it, but everytime I tried to stop I just did one more day and then another day, my little boy was fine with a bottle but I felt so sad, I finally stopped on New Years Eve but I was upset, I now have a 5 month old and am a stay at home mom so I still breastfeeding, I plan on doing it as long as possible. I don't have any advice but that is great that you could nurse him for so long, he's lucky since alot of mums don't nurse anymore..

Hi, E.. I had to stop breastfeeding without any warning when my son had just turned 1 year old because I had to go on medication that could have harmed him. We actually made a fairly smooth transition, although it was hard for a little while. Basically, the day that I found out I had to stop immediately, I sat down with my little son who was used to crawling up to me and happily latching on. I told him gently, "No, we can't do this anymore," and I wouldn't let him nurse. He cried for a while as I soothed him -- I gave him a little time to express his confusion and hurt feelings -- and then I offerred him a bottle, which I gave him while I held him close and soothed him. He made a quick transition to the bottle because I was still holding him close while he drank from the bottle, and he didn't lose any closeness with me. I felt awful at first, but I would have felt much, much worse if I'd allowed him to drink my breast milk full of medicine that would have harmed him.

I think if you have been giving him relief bottles up to this point as well as breastfeeding, he will make a better transition. And if it's for your health, please don't allow yourself to feel guilty about it because if you don't take care of yourself, Honey, you won't be able to take care of your son, either.

Peace,
Syl

My son is 15 months and I think he is weaning. I think it has to do that I am pregnant again. I am sad , I am not ready. But he has cut back to 1 or 2 times during the day. And twice at night.

Here are some tips on weaning.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/weaning_faqs.html

It was hard.
We were both 'ready.'
I breastfed both my sons until they were 15 months old.
I found the before-bed nursing easier to stop than the first-thing-in-the-morning time...
so when I was down to just 2x a day, I stopped the night one first- I found rocking/singing/ worked fine :-)
You'll figure out what works best for you two...

It IS sad, but you can still be close to your baby. Just hold him, rock him, sing to him, say prayers together :-)

I still look wistfully at nursing babies/mamas...
But it's a nostalgic feeling, *not* one of "oh this is painful & I want another baby..."

hang in there!

Hi E.:)
Remember me:)
What I did to wean my daughter is take away 1 feeding every 1 to 2 weeks. The first one I did was the before bed one. The last one I did was at nap time. (I just looked her in the eyes; covered my breast and said "I am sorry. Mommy can not do this anymore". and that was it). In between offer other things in replacement...for example water, juice, playtime, movie, tickle time. It is not the easiest thing to do...I understand. Your emotions may also trigger his desire to nurse so you may want to try zinc to balance your estrogen. Evening Primrose or Dong Quai root may also help. They sell it all at Whole Foods. After you wean completely you will see that you will develop a totally different and wonderful relationship with him. By the way at My Gym they have unlimited classes this month and August too...Gymsters would be the class for your boy and I am going there for that class too...it's every day except Wed., but Wed. there is a show at Aventura mall. Let's get together.
Great Luck!!!
L.

Hi E.! Hey, what happened...are you ok? Last time we emailed, you didn't think there was an end in sight for you guys? I'll tell you, that I tried to wean her off of at least 1 feeding and it was terribly difficult. We were successful for about 3 weeks, then we "fell off the wagon." Are you having a hard time letting go emotionally or physically, or is it that your baby is making it difficult?