Weaning/how long do you plan on breastfeeding?

cabbicutie

My DD will be 1 in a couple weeks. I still nurse a few times a day and she also takes a bottle. I'm thinking about weaning her from the breast completely, but part of me just doesn't want to give it up! I don't want to stop, but I also know that my supply is low and she usually just nurses for comfort right now, and that is why she also takes a bottle now. How long do you plan on breastfeeding?

 Also, she has started to self wean I believe, but when she's upset it's the only thing that will calm her down. She prefers a bottle or sippy cup when she's hungy. I just don't want to give up the bond we have from it just yet! So confused!!

Kdonn15

It doesn't sound to me like you're ready to give up nursing.

I plan to nurse my dd until she's at least 6 months and then I'll talk it from there.

kds24

I kind of felt that way when we hit the 1 year mark (not that I'm that far beyond it) and posted about it on here.  I'm not ready to wean and when I "talked it out" on here basically realized that I just needed to adjust my view on what role BFing played.  You get so used to it being for primary nutrition, then supplemental nutrition and then for what I like to call emotional nutrition for your LO.  No decisions need to be made just b/c they turn 1, even though I'm a planner and felt the weight of it on me.  I know I want to do extended BFing and now I'm OK not having a set date in mind and just going with the flow and enjoying whatever time I have left nursing DS. 

AllisonLeigh

I am going to nurse until he doesn't want to nurse anymore or I run out of a supply

hopewill

going 12 months.

 

good luck with weaning.   my goal was 12 mos with oldest daughter ... it took 13

JLS0320

I plan to start weaning at a year, I will wean slowly though so probably 13 mos.

AlpacaBunny

My goal has always been 1  year, but now that that is like 3 months away, I'm not sure I'll be ready then.  They do still nurse 3 times a day and get 2 bottles when I'm at work.  I still pump twice a day at work.  But my pumping output is really bad right now.  I think I might be getting ready to give up my pumping, and just give them full on formula for the bottles they have during the day.  I just am not sure if stopping that will iimpact my supply for the other 3 feedings I am still providing them.  I need to call the LC about that.  But I can see us going beyond 12 months, as long as they are ok with it.  Caroline has recently gone on a few nursing strikes, so if they are ready to stop sooner I will.

GreenEyedBri

6 months was my first goal and I've almost made it there but now I don't want to stop.  9 months is my next but I hope to be able to go a year if my supply keeps up.

drcolleen

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, which makes it so personal.  I originally planned on at least 6 mo and DH told me he would rather I BF 12 mo-- I said "we'll see."  Well, with my freezer stash I could quit now and DD get milk until 12mo.  I can't seem to stop pumping at work though, out of fear that my supply will dwindle when home, so I will go back to day shifts next week and reduce to pump 1-2x/day likely nurse 2-3x/day and continue to pump until 1 yr then nurse until.... whenever she wants.  DH is supportive of as long as I want to BF but half jokes he would like me to wean from pumping so he can fit some food in the freezer. 

Sometimes I think DD is not interested in BF as much anymore, but then she hears the snap of my nursing tank and does this grunting thing and starts leaning over to me.... so I know it's still important and smile.

autumnbride07

My ultimate goal has always been a year, but then I think about the bond breastfeeding has given myself and DS and I'm not sure if I will stop at 1 year.

lpennie16

at least 6 months but possibly up to a year