Dear M.,
I breastfed my only child, a son, for 15 months. I don't endore that excessive amount of time, but it was rewarding. When I weaned him, I had been on birth control pills that perhaps reduced the amount of milk I was producing for him. He was also drinking whole milk at the time. I sent my son and his daddy to my mother-in-law, a four hour drive away from here, at a time the Farmer's Almanac had suggested as a good time for weaning. LOL. It all went very well. But I think there is a touch of resentment in my son for weaning him. I think I nursed him too long.
I am puzzled by your letter. Why are you pumping and putting your milk in a bottle?
Also are you keeping the pump clean, and rinsing it super-well, for the flavor of your milk may change simply because you are pumping instead of out-right nursing?
It is now nationally recommended that you nurse for a year. But I don't think that should be a motivating factor in how long you nurse. I think it has to be mutually satisfying for both the child and the mother. If one wishes to stop nursing, then nursing should stop.
In the meantime, sage reduces lactation production, as do lots of other herbs. Handy to know when you are weaning. Handy to know if you like those herbs and are trying to nurse. So when you really want to wean, make some chicken or turkey dressing a touch heavy on the sage.
A little about me:
I am an older mom (46) with an only child, a son, age 6.