Having a tough time with this weaning business

kaf7

Plan is to wean completely this week so I can start on DHEA. I am having a really tough time though. I burst into tears at the grocery store when I tried to buy formula. I left without it. I have enough freezer stash for LO to get EBM for 7-10 days but I have already postponed things enough that I need to go from 100% BF this weekend to nothing in the next few days to do this before we move. (I will still be able to pump and dump for my own comfort...just LO can't actually be on the boob). In addition, he seems to have started to get stranger anxiety in the last 48h and I think his teething is ramping up and DH has been away for a week. I just need some hugs. No one else seems to get that this is a big deal to me. DH included.

jessica_gail2

Oh kaf, huge hugs coming your way. I know it's tough. It's amazing that you've been able to BF LO for this long, and I know it has to be hard to move on from that. He will still thrive on formula and he will still bond with his wonderful mommy. I'm sorry DH and your IRL friends and family don't understand this is a big deal. Big hugs and prayers for a smooth transition.

JBDamonM

Huge hugs my friend!!! I had planned to stop BFing Aug 1 myself and have done nothing to start the weaning process. My situation is different because I don't have as many contributing factors essentially making my decision for me.....but I can certainly understand why you are having a hard time. Hugs!

PennyLane26

I could have written this post myself! I'm starting the weaning process in 2 weeks and I'm losing sleep over it. DD already gets a bottle of formula before bed and doesn't seem to mind it at all. It's ME who's having a hard time. (((hugs)))  

I make myself feel better by thinking like this: my brothers and sister are my best friends (I'm one of 5) and if giving baby formula is going to help with the process of giving her the same gift, I think it's a great trade off!

Dragonfly1226

I completely understand. I weaned so we could TTC #2. I did nurse to my goal of a year, but once I got there it was so hard to stop. I cried a lot. I felt very guilty. All I kept telling myself was that it was the right decision for our family and that I was trying to give DS the gift of a brother or sister. Now looking back I have no regrets, but it was extremely difficult. (((((Hugehugs)))))

CarrieB.

At 9 months my supply dropped and although I was still pumping and bf'ing, I had to start supplementing with formula. Any kind of weaning is going to mess with your hormones. I realized eventually that I was having PPOCD and anxiety due to the hormone drop.

Please take care of yourself and understand that weaning is very hard.

kaf7

Thanks everyone. I have such mixed emotions about it. I think part of it is this innate mother feeling that I am stopping feeding my baby and that is wrong (even though neither are the case) and that stopping feeding the baby means he's in danger...like in an animal sense.... Thanks for understanding!

PennyLane26

kaf7 said:

Thanks everyone. I have such mixed emotions about it. I think part of it is this innate mother feeling that I am stopping feeding my baby and that is wrong (even though neither are the case) and that stopping feeding the baby means he's in danger...like in an animal sense.... Thanks for understanding!

I totally agree! That's an interesting way to put it. 

Ruthie04

We had supply and latch issues and BFing was always full of pain, anxiety, and stress. However, I loved those cuddly moments with my boys and I had to take six weeks to wean and try to make peace with the process. The very last time I nursed, I was sobbing and DS1 looked up at me and patted the tears on my cheeks. Kinda like, "It's okay, Mom. I'll be just fine."

For me, BFing was the final physical tie to my boys. It was our special connection that had been carried on after pregnancy. After working so hard to get pregnant, I wanted to hold on to the last pregnancy related thing I had. Kind of like the last physical reminder that I had made it to the other side of TTC. As strange as it is, I actually love my c/s for the same reason.

It's so hard to wean, but you can do it!! Huge hugs!!

TJ1979

Big hugs. I'm feeling a lot of pressure to wean too so we can try for #2. But I'm just not ready. And I can't explain it. No one gets it for me either. You are doin a great job. And you are doing a great thing for LO by working on a brother or sister. T and P for some peace in your decision. Hugs!

mcgeeva

Hang in there! Just sounds like a lot of changes going on. Anything can make them be off a little. Just think any amount you have done is amazing for your baby.

Mrs.AmyDylan

Huge hugs. I can't imagine getting J off the boob. She would freak. Sorry you aren't getting a ton of support.

imoverit

That is a lot to take in. Huge hugs mama. Im sorry its been hard.

Pnut30

I'm so sorry kaf! I have no advice but I will be in the same boat eventually and I get it.  I hope things get easier for you. 

kaf7

I really appreciate all of the support everyone. I am in tears every time I think about it. Last feed will be tomorrow before work..l

TJ1979

Oh my gosh, last feed?! Big hugs. I can't even imagine. You can do it though, and it's for good reason. Be strong mama!