End of Breastfeeding

I just ended breastfeeding on the 29th with my twinkies (10 month old). I probably could have continued doing one session in the early AM but I just felt that I needed to have some sort of monumental cut off. I think (I am pretty sure I know) I miss it more than the kids. My breasts have been a little confused and I have been tempted to nurse them again but just feel I should stick with the date cause then I have to pysch myself out for another 3 weeks again. I think he could maybe still have the desire to nurse. But I am sure once you offer a bottle...he is okay. And I don't know if they can remember it...I think it was just instinctual. Have a good day!

L.,

I felt the SAME way. I stopped BF when I went back to work, but continued to pump exclusively until Jacob was about 7 months or so. We planned a trip to Vegas (without our son) in March 2006, and I did NOT want to be dragging the pump with me. Not to mention, my supply was so low that I couldn't have produced enough to freeze for when we were gone. Instead of giving him the shock of switching to formula cold turkey, I slowly changed over.

I still remember how guilty I felt when I was no longer giving him breastmilk. After a few days, I even tried to start up again because I felt so bad, but it didn't work. I remember sitting there in my bedroom crying with my Pump-in-Style pumping away to no avail. For 7 months, I was the main source of food for our son and I suddenly felt so, "useless", I guess.

It did pass, though and was replaced with the freedom of not pumping at work, when we were out, etc.

I'm pregnant now with a second baby and I plan to do the same thing I did with Jacob. I'm very happy with our decision to BF as long as possible.

Good luck.

T.

I think it's common to feel that way after weaning. I think you will feel better about your decision once your hormones regulate, which can take a few months.

I wanted to respond about your recurring plugged ducts probelm. If you end up nursing another child, you can take a supplement called Lecithin. Here is a link about it from kellymom: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/lecithin.html

Your feelings are normal I do believe. And yeah, he can still remember it. I breastfed my last child till he was 14 mths and that was the longest for me, and it was so hard when I stopped. I felt sad, but it got better. Good luck!

S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

L. -

I just went through this 3 weeks ago. I had to wean at 7 months for medical reasons and I did not want to do it! I felt like a terrible mom, even though I knew it would be best for him and for me. While he still nuzzles in my breast now and again, he has adjusted really well (probably easier then me!) and now I just make sure that I spend quality time snuggling and singing to him like I always did while he nursed and he is doing just fine! I definitely have felt the sadness . . . but it does go away!

S.

L.:

I am sorry that you had such breastfeeding difficulties.... please talk to an IBCLC ( internationally board certified lactation consultant) next time so this does not happen again.

It is not unusual to be sad with weaning... your hormones are once again in flux....

Yes, your son remembers... this was a place of comfort and security... and yes, he may still desire to nurse.... remember
breastfeeding is not just about "feeding" it is about nurturing...

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

It is a big disappointment especially if you had a string desire to breastfeed.It is also what may seem like an end for that special bond that the two of you had. As for the breast grabbing...I think it takes them a while....it's been about 3-4 weeks for me and he still occasionally tries to grab there (but he also reaches for my mother in law...I think its just a boob thing) It may also be a comfort factor that he was so used to you being readily accessible, and some use you for a pacifier.

Hi Leigh,

I felt/feel the same. I stopped breastfeeding for the most part about a month ago. In the beginning I felt like I was neglecting her in some way. She would turn her head toward me and there wasn't anything I could do but distract her with a toy or something. I THINK I still have a short supply. If she wakes up in the middle of the night I will breastfeed her. I guess this part is me. I LOVE the fact that the entire house is quiet and we are the only two awake. It's just the way they look at you makes your heart melt. It's still a bond you have that noone else does. It makes me sad becasue she sleeps pretty much through the night and she won't need me that way anymore.

BUT, you have more free time (although I did like feeding her, it forced me to sit still for a few minutes ;-). I returned to work when she was just 10 weeks old and pumped while I was there. That's was one of the hardest things to do.

Every little bit of breastfeeding counts.

You are not alone.

You can relactate if you want. Yes- he can still have a desire to nurse.

I'm so sorry about the plugged ducts. The best remedy for them is nursing though. Did you talk to a lactation consultant? There may be other ways of dealing with that other than weaning.

If not, please don't feel inadequate. Focus on the time and benefit you have given your son by nursing as long as you did.

Grieving the end of breastfeeding is a normal thing. Give yourself a hug.

It is our special connection with baby we miss the most when we stop breast feeding. I still feel guilty about not breast feeding anymore and my son is 28 months old. He still grabs at my breasts and wants to nurse occassionally and he has been weened for atleast 8 months. Whether they remember or it simply is just a natural reaction to being near mom I think is unknown but you can not feel guilty. You gave your son a good start by breastfeeding at all and you should be proud of that. To try and fulfill that missing connection take and spend one on one time with your little angel doing something he will enjoy and it will help. I spend time teaching my son things and talking to him. Everyone is amazed that is vocab is what it is and how he can hold an adult conversation for the most part and it also helps build his memory.

At your sons age what I started with is books with lots of pictures and explained to my son what the pictures were and what they did. They don't remember everything you tell them and maybe not even most at first but it encourages learning and they do pick things up much quicker this way. I would encourage my son to look at the pictures and show me where the tree was or the ball and start moving up to the names of the characters until he just started naming everything on his own. It gave us lots of close time to spend with each other and he has learned lots too.