(Kinda long) Please talk me through this.. Need advice/encouragement/something

CodyGH

So my ultimate goal was for DS to get breast milk until he was at least 6 months.  Well, DS turned 6 months on February 5th.  So yay me!  Well, now I don't really know what to do.  I'm transitioning to 3 pumping sessions a day (I EP).  It's going well and I'm still able to keep up with DS.  Each pumping session is slightly longer than when I pumped 4 times, but not too bad.  At the same time, I sort of want my boobs back.  It would be nice to not have to pump any more.  But at the same time, the thought of giving DS formula kinda bothers me.  I have no problem with formula in general and do not look down on people giving formula or anything like that.  It's just... how can I explain this... weird to me.  I mean, why not give him breast milk if I can, you know? So I guess I'm torn.  I was kinda hoping that I could pump until he's closer to 10 months and then use up my freezer stash until he's on cow's milk.  The problem with this is that we are going on a long trip in May and I really don't want to bring my pump along.

I don't know.  I kinda wish something or someone else would make the decision for me.  I'm so indecisive!  If I got a really bad cold or something and had to take a certain medicine that wasn't good for DS or if my supply tanked for some reason, then that would indicate to me that it's time to stop and I wouldn't feel bad.  Maybe I'm feeling a little guilty about wanting to stop?  So many thoughts going through my head and I just don't know which direction to go in.

Advice???  Can someone just tell me what to do and I'll do it??  I don't like making decisions like this for myself.  Ha!

Qmommy

I'll tell you what to do...  Go to the grocery store and see how much formula costs.  You'll want to keep pumping.

CodyGH

Qmommy:

I'll tell you what to do...  Go to the grocery store and see how much formula costs.  You'll want to keep pumping.

HA!  Perhaps I should!

AvidVertigo

I had these feelings for months before I had to go on medication and decided to stop b/c of that.  It was a very difficult decision for me.  I was afraid my DH would be mad at me for stopping, but he was supportive (I think he wants my bewbies back - sorry TMI) and I finally feel free again.  I felt bad because I don't have a freezer stash.  I have 1 bag of BM left in my freezer.  I need to give it to him.  He has been on formula for 3 weeks now and he is doing great.  I see no change in him at all.  He is very happy and I am very happy.

Just think about doing what is right for the both of you.  The right answer will come.  I made it to my first goal and a little after it.  We stopped at about 7 and a half months.

GL to you!

wille2b

i am going to tell you to keep going! what a wonderful thing you can do for him.. i adopted and i was given breastmilk and i induced lactation and gave my ds what i could, but my biggest "regret" is that i ran out and had no way to keep it up! i understand(as much as i can) about wanting your body back, but this is such a short time in the long run, you will have your boobs all to yourself for a long time! lol!

so my vote is keep it up as long as your physically able to!

BKHeightsGirl

I was the same way about giving my LO formula.  I don't think there is anything wrong with it, I just didn't want to do it.  I finally ended up having to supplement because I just couldn't keep up with her demand.  I started doing this right around her 6 month birthday.  It has actually helped me soo much.  I feel way more relieved and less stressed wondering if I'll pump enough for her to eat the next day.  I still pump about 16 oz and she eats 20 oz while I am at work, so I supplement only 4 oz per day (some days less based on what I am able to pump).  I know it's a hard decision to make but it's really ok.  Whatever is best for you is what's best for baby.

BLUEIEDHIPPY

you could always use a milk sharing site like eats on feets if you don't want to pump anymore...my choice came kinda easy i had surgery & my supply wasn't enough for his demand & his belly wasn't liking my milk anyway...so to formula we went....i donated my extra milk to a mom on the eats sight...just an idea GOOD LUCK!

snansley

Can your decision be not to decide? If you want to keep pumping, do it.  The trip in May is a while away so you could decide to wean in April and have plenty of time to do that.

If you want to be done with the whole thing, go for it.  You've done a great job.  At this point figure out what is best not just for baby, but for you as well.

kfbny

I am going through this exact thing!  I realized that my entire life revolves around pumping or nursing, and it has seriously created havoc in my relationship with DH, and my work.  I'm a complete stressball.  So, I decided to just supplement one bottle of formula a day.  I'm down to one pump at work, where I get about a bottle and a half, and sometimes I'll pump at night if I'm feeling engorged or need extra for the next day.  But I still nurse in the mornings and when I get home from work. So I feel better about this decision.  It took me about a week of talking to anyone who would listen to decide.  He's still getting the majority of his nutrition from BM, and one bottle of formula hasn't seemed to affect him at all.  I feel like I've got a little bit of my self back. I'm getting more work done during the day because I'm not pumping all day, and I don't stress about running out of my freezer stash, because I know he can take the formula if need be.  DH and I are going out for the first time on our own tonight!!  It's a tough decision, but a happy mommy makes for a happy baby.  Good luck!

VABride2008

I had originally (when I was still pregnant) said I wanted to make it to 6 months but once I started BFing I decided that I would take it to a year if my supply allows for it.  It just seems wasteful to go buy formula if BM is going well for you and baby.  I fear that it will upset her tummy or we'll have a hard time finding the right formula. Plus the cost is insane!

GreenPeaMama

I think it's pretty normal/common to feel this way when trying to make the decision to stop breast feeding. I felt the same way when I stopped. My supply had tanked and was barely producing half of what DD needed. My body was just done and I was just ready to give up. I felt terrible about it, but got over it, especially when my boobs shrank and stopped leaking at night. It's OK to stop if you are ready. You've gone a long way and no one will think less of you for it and your little one will still be a happy healthy little bean. And formula really isn't that expensive. I spend less then $20 a week. I thought it would be way worse when I stopped pumping.Give it some good thought and do what will make you happy.

BaileyDoodle2010

i know what your going through.  I also had a 6 month goal, reached that, then it was 9 months.  We just started the weaning process pretty slowly and she will probably be on all forumla shortly after she turns 9 months old. 

i got my period in december and when i ovulate and right before i get it, my supply tanks.  then it comes back.  i honestly just couldnt deal with it anymore.  also, we are going away for our 1st wknd getaway without DD at the end of the month and didnt want to be pumping the 4/5 times a day.  And, like you said, wanted my boobs back.  I know we will be trying to get prego this time next year, then boobs go bye bye for a while once again. 

it was a hard decision to make, i am SAHM and always saw it as my "job" to raise DD and giving her BM was doing my job to its fulliest, if that makes sense.  i can say i really enjoy it know, she nurses so fast and only 4x /day.  and i know, i bought a can formula for the 1st time and it felt weird.  but at this point, both her and i got all the benefits from BFing.  And now i just look forward to my next child (and next) to be able to BF them this long. 

6 months is something to be proud of, especially EP, thats hard work! 

 

eSynergy

My opinion is that if your supply is still good, then keep going. You'll know when you're absolutely ready to stop. You don't want to stop and then regret it. But, if you reach the tipping point when BFing is becoming a strain on your life, then stop. May is a long way away...you have time to decide. I'm sure it's possible to pump while on vacation but your life might be a lot easier without it.

I was dead-set on breastfeeding for a year, and I was only able to do it for 6 weeks and I was devastated (long story but DS was in the NICU for a month, my supply was horrible, and after seeing a lactation consultant daily for a month they told me I should switch to formula).

delg23

I started the weaning process because I thought it was what I wanted, but I regret it and I am trying to go back. Not to sway you, because I am a big proponent of doing what works for you. I don't think it really matters. Your post is exactly how I feel though...everything from the not being against formula but feeling weird about it, and the wanting your boobs back. I mean it was 9 months of watching what I eat & take and then another 6....so I get it!