Did you feel sad when you stopped?

[CluckySC]

DS weaned himself on Tuesday at 2 years 9 months. He had a big ulcer under the tip of his tongue and it made it painful to suck so he went from 3 feeds a day to none instantly. He was really attached to the b00bies but was totally fine about stopping.

The timing is good as I was going to start weaning in about 6 weeks anyway, when his last molar came through (he really struggles with teething)... but I'm surprised how emotional I feel about the fact that it's over. I've been in tears many times.

Mainly because I had no warning that it was coming, so couldn't cherish those last feeds, I didn't appreciate that they were the end of the journey, which makes me sad. And suddenly there are no moments where he snuggles in my arms, looks up at me, strokes my face, falls asleep cradled there etc. I really miss that. We're also having to learn how to put him back to sleep at night without the thing he usually used for comfort whenever something was wrong.

And that's not even going into the sore breasts as they haven't finished producing milk yet, even though it's not needed.

Just wondering if anyone else felt sad about the journey ending? Because of his age no one seems to get that it's still a monumental thing for this amazing journey to end.

[MsMummy]

Hugs.

I would ha^e been sad if I wasn't ready.

I am trying to wean my 27mo (we're down to about one feed a day), and i don't feel sad. i feel regret and guilt though.

I suppose on the plus side at least your son wasn't upset about it. i am also enjoying being able to cuddle him to sleep without ha^ing to feed him.

I wonder if he might try again though. My son went away with my partner for two nights and I thought I could stop then, but within about 12 hours of getting home he wanted to feed.

[CluckySC]

I think that if his mouth hadn't been sore he would have gone back to it. He initially tried a couple of time saying "Maybe it wont hurt this time" but because it did he just decided he was done. Yesterday morning he told me "I used to have b00bie but I don't anymore. I still love them though" and gave them a cuddle. I'm very grateful that he's moved on easily, even though it sucks for him that he had to give up due to a sore mouth.

Would have been so much easier to wean gradually though for so many reasons... not just to have mentally prepared me (I feel silly saying that but it's true!) but because these sore breasts are driving me batty!

Good luck with your weaning journey MsMummy :)

[DanceInTheRain]

I was extremely emotional about stopping and we had a much shorter journey than you :( I wanted to bf for much much longer than I did and it was so upsetting and frustrating that it didn't work. I did feel I tried everything I could to keep going so at least that gave me some peace with it but it was and still is hard. My baby is only 7 months he should still be breastfeeding in my opinion. But at the end of the day he is such a happy and healthy little boy and we make our bond special in so, so many other ways.

I think it's perfectly fine to let yourself grieve about the end of your journey. But don't for a second think it will have any effect on the close bond you so obviously share with your son. You should be so proud of yourself, you have done an incredible job and I for one admire you!

[luvmyboys]

I breast fed both of mine for over 3 years and it was still sad giving it up, :crying: it is the end of a really close connection. We still have lots of cuddles and I do celebrate the time we did have but it's still a bit sad sometimes.

[Myztik]

My DS3 started refusing the breast at 8mnths when he was cutting two teeth and I was devastated :( still am actually. I had my heart set on feeding him for as long as possible and definitely for at least 12mnths but he had other ideas.
I was really suprised by how upset it made me too and haven't really told anyone because it seems so silly when I say it out loud iykwim. I dont think it is silly but you know.. arghh cant exaplain.

[CluckySC]

Thanks ladies. It helps to hear others felt the same.

I think it's been made worse because he's a bit sick with teething at the moment (and super grumpy with the ulcerated tongue) and the thing that always makes that (the teething) better is breastfeeding. Now that's not there, which is fine, but I have a super duper cranky little one who doesn't want a bar of me (or anyone else) half the time because he's not amused. Usually if he pushes me away and tells me he doesn't like/love me I know it's just my tired/cranky boy who's prone to drama (because he usually hugs me and kisses me two min later) but at the moment when he does it I get upset!

Must focus on the good things, which is that this will hopefully give even more energy for the new bubba we hope to conceive and that I'm sure when I have a hungry newborn on me I will thank the Gods for this brief 'alone time' with my body!!