Babies: 6 - 9 Months
Anyone BF for only 6 months? Also on 3-6
Also on 3-6 month board
I feel really confused about what to do. I am currently ebfing my 5 month old son. I've been lucky (knock on wood) to have had a wonderful bfing experience with very little problems.
I am however condsidering weaning or starting to wean him at 6 months. I feel like it takes time away from my 2 1/2 year old DD. I havent put her to bed since DS was born since they both have the same bedtime so I nurse DS while DH reads and puts DD down.
I also do not feel comfortable bfing in public so if we ever go anywhere I have to pump before we leave the house, ina ddition to pumping 3 times at work.
I feel so guilty stopping at 6 months, but its somehting that I am really considering. Anyone do this?
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Re: Anyone BF for only 6 months? Also on 3-6
I did it.
Like you it was a time management issue. Then I started having supply issues.
I just told myself, I did it, I tried, I succeeded, that's good enough.
My kid is happy, healthy and thriving, why should I feel guilty about that? It's how I look at it.
I actually felt more guilty that it was starting to stress me out and I had time for nothing else, kwim?
You have to do what's best for you and there's no shame in that.
I also stopped a few weeks shy of 6 months. Going back to work was a struggle for me and it just started giving me extra stress. You should be proud of 6 months if stopping now is what is best for you and your family.
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6 months is great! I am a huge advocate for happy baby, happy mommy, happy family. If it's stressing you out, it's only going to make things worse.
What about seeing if you can FF during the day, and nurse morning and night? That'd be the way to start weaning, and you can see how it would work for you and your LOs. You could also continue to pump (maybe just once?) at work, and have that milk in the freezer you could give once a day or so after you wean. That way, DS would still get some breast milk if that's what you want.
Honestly, formula is there for a reason. If it's what would work best for your family, there's nothing wrong with that.
I did. I too had a great experience with bf, and had set my goal of 6 mos. Once 5 mos came, DD was becoming interested solids so I took that cue to begin weaning.
I first took away my work pumpings (3 also and had been doing those since going back to work at 7 weeks). Then was down to bfing in the morning and before bed, which was a relief in itself. I finally finished this past weekend, took about a month to completely wean.
DD has handled the transition like a champ and is enjoying more solids too. I felt guilty/selfish too, I think it's a mother thing
You need to do what is best for you and your family.
You did 6 months! That is awesome! My goal for both boys was 6 months. I made it to 9 with DS1 (I ep'd) and plan to do the same now with DS2 (I ebf). The only reason I did longer than my original goal was b/c I am too cheap to buy formula. Plus, nursing is so much easier than going to the kitchen to get formula. I hear you on the not going places thing. We do go places, but I have not mastered the nursing in public thing, so I rarely do it. I go to a bathroom or my car.
Come to think of it, most of my friends nursed for 6 months and then weaned. You should feel great about it.
Go Phils!!
I only made it to 4 mo. but was grateful I lasted that long! Even though I had an awesome supply, I honestly never had a relaxing BF experience with any of them--I EP'd for DDs since one DD wasn't getting it and I figured it would be best for me to do it the same way.
For DS, I had hoped to EBF but then found I was pumping out of familiarity but more so b/c my 2 y/o DDs were always at my side or getting into things while I was trying to nurse. I saved up a huge freezer stash for DS though and I reminded myself that there was no magic #s or rule that said I had to BF X amount of months. All my kids are thankfully healthy and so I just stopped when I felt it is was time. I found myself happier with that transition.
As for nursing in public, have you tried nursing in a carrier? People often just think DD is sleeping if I have her in the Ergo with the hood up. Have you tried nursing in your car?
As for the bedtime routine, I would considering trying to adjust one of the bedtimes before I gave up breastfeeding, but that is just me.
Good luck with your decision.
Exactly this. Do what feels right, breast milk is great for you and your baby, but formula is ok too. You will be a wonderful mommy either way:) Only wonderful mommy's worry about things like this:)
I am also too cheap to buy formula. I made it to 6 with my first and I still bf my DS2. But I also am a sahm so it's just easier.