Giving up breastfeeding

[camcat]

:crying: My DS is 9 mths old now and after a lot of thought and discussion I have decided to stop bf'ing as we have started trying for the next bub and I feel that it is what is right for me and overall am happy with my decision. I'm weaning gradually (ie: replacing one feed with a bottle, then once used to that another etc) and haven't had any trouble getting DS to take formula instead but I find that I'm struggling emotionally with stopping. I really enjoy the closeness that bf'ing encourages aand miss that a little when I ff DS and it makes me kinda sad to think DS is so grown up now and that even though it's my choice it's like he doesn't need me anymore. I know this is kinda silly of me but can't seem to help it. Anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this cause it really does make me feel a bit silly that I've made a decision I'm happy with but seem to be struggling with this one aspect of it.:o

[Rainbowbrite]

Its natural that you'd be feeling like this :hugs: Thats one of the reasons i cant imagine weaning MJ. She's still feeding at almost 20months & i'm pg with number 2. It can be done.

Goodluck with whatever you decide to do :hugs:

[meme]

ah, yep, i think this is what all mothers feel as their babies grow up, whether it happens sooner or later, it happens for all of us in the end.

i too have breastfed through pregnancy as it was important to me that my bub be fed for at least 24mths (as per WHO recomendations) but still felt that struggle with weaning as it was about my baby growing up.

i guess that was another reason i liked continuing to feed a little longer, they are still such babies even at 12mths. but then i look back at photos of my older girl at 6years (she is now 10) and i think she was still such a bubba even then!

if you are confident that weaning is right for you, be confident and remind yourself of why this is best for your family. wean slowly, so that you can still enjoy what you love of breastfeeding, while still achieving your goal.
it is totally normal to have mixed emotions concerning weaning, it is a bittersweet step, on the one hand our baby is growing up and on the other hand our baby is growing up!!

[Pixie]

:hugs: only do it if you're happy that's my advice you can't turn back the clock. You say you're Happy but you sound sad :(

we are TTC#2 but I won't stop feeding my DD personal choice I just don't want those emotions. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon and bubba #2 comes along soon!!

[Kizmet]

just wnt to send you some :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: I hope you feel better-I have no advice to give but some :hugs: instead

[camcat]

Thanks for all the kind posts and words. I've still only dropped one feed so far and we are doing ok. All in all I still feel as though it's right for me but maybe I'll think about not cutting out all feeds just yet. I might just drop it back to just the one before bed and ff all the rest until I'm more used to the idea that my little guy is growing up. I think the biggest thing is that he's started doing a lot more over the last couple of weeks (He's talking more, started signing when he wants milk and waving, pulling himself to standing and walking round the furniture and trying to crawl properly rather than just commando style) and it's all been in the space of about 2 weeks. It's too much happening too fast and my bubba is disappearing and becomming such a grown up little guy

[CurlyG]

:hugs: definately a tough decision to make. But just because you are moving to bottlefeeding it doesn't mean you will lose that closeness. I ended up having to bottlefeed *big sigh* :crying: but I don't feel any less close to my bottlefed daughter than my girlfriend does to her breastfed son, IYKWIM? If anything she gets a heck of a lot more cuddles just to make up for not breastfeeding.

We still do lots of skin to skin cuddles, quiet time together, etc. And if bottlefeeding does feel weird at first, still maintain that mummy-son exclusive feeding that you have had until now and only you give him bottles, until you are ready to let it go a little more. And be gentle on yourself! Take it one step at a time :yes:

[becstar]

I think its pretty normal. I was the same when I weaned DS1 at about the same age. I spent the whole time I was breastfeeding wishing I could bottle feed (we had a very hard time with breastfeeding) but when I actually made the decision to wean I found it hard. But my son never looked back and thrived and was happy on the formula (he had food allergies and one of the reasons I gave up b'feeding was because he was being affected through what I ate).

Good luck, you will come to terms with it.
Bec
xx

[MissieK]

Huge hugs. It is normal. DS1 weaned himself at 19 months when I was 5 months pregnant & I was happy, but sad at the same time. DS2 was 22 months & I felt the same - happy but sad.

It sounds like you need to take your time & wean slowly to help you both adjust.

Melissa