Weaning guilt

Kim72508

I feel like I'm going crazy!!!  I'm not sure what I'm looking for...a vent, advice, encouragement....I don't know!  

We quickly went through my freezer stash and I'm pumping 1x at work (2-3oz).  DS is doing fine on rice milk and drinks it with no problems.  I'm nursing first thing in the morning and then at night.  I'm thinking about ditching the pump this week.  I'm so sick of pumping at work.  I feel like it's "ok" to stop pumping but then I feel so guilty about wanting to stop.  It's making me nuts!! 

MrsRichardson915

This is such a personal decision! If you are ready to stop pumping, and you think he is fine with the rice milk, then stop. He is still getting bm twice a day...and you have done great making it this far!

Molly self-weaned in literally three days a couple weeks ago. That was hard for me b/c she was still nursing 4x a day, and she just stopped cold turkey. I hadn't even thought about weaning her yet, but I guess she was done! It was such a change from Chelsea, who weaned very gradually from about 12-15 months.

I totally understand the guilty feelings...but just remind yourself what a gift you have given him by nursing for this long!!!!

xKimx

I am a crazy extended nurser, and even I stopped pumping for both boys on their first birthdays. I loath pumping. I have friends that continued for 18+ months, but my boys & I were fine with a different kind of milk when they were away from me and then nursing when with me or at the normal times (bedtime, etc.)

Kim72508

xKimx:

I am a crazy extended nurser, and even I stopped pumping for both boys on their first birthdays. I loath pumping. I have friends that continued for 18+ months, but my boys & I were fine with a different kind of milk when they were away from me and then nursing when with me or at the normal times (bedtime, etc.)

Did your supply completely drop when you gave up pumping?  I'm thinking that I'd still like to nurse him as long as he's interested on the weekends when I'm home.  I fear that ditching the pump will result in my supply tanking.  Will my body just adjust?  Why is this so difficult!?!?!? 

MrsRichardson915

Kim72508:

xKimx:

I am a crazy extended nurser, and even I stopped pumping for both boys on their first birthdays. I loath pumping. I have friends that continued for 18+ months, but my boys & I were fine with a different kind of milk when they were away from me and then nursing when with me or at the normal times (bedtime, etc.)

Did your supply completely drop when you gave up pumping?  I'm thinking that I'd still like to nurse him as long as he's interested on the weekends when I'm home.  I fear that ditching the pump will result in my supply tanking.  Will my body just adjust?  Why is this so difficult!?!?!? 

Your body will adjust! With Chelsea, toward the end, I was only nursing her when she woke in the morning, and then at bedtime. It was fine!

xKimx

It will adjust

I never noticed a major difference on the weekends when he would nurse more either. Or at least he never complained! 

kac0807

xKimx:

It will adjust

I never noticed a major difference on the weekends when he would nurse more either. Or at least he never complained! 

Kim is right. You're body works on supply and demand with nursing. I know how you are feeling. I had a really tough time stopping both pumping and nursing. I was a complete basket case the morning that I knew she had weaned herself from nursing. In fact my Mom sent me flowers that day at work from T saying that she loved me and that I was a great Mommy...which made me cry more! Hahaha I was an emotional wreck!

I think I stopped pumping around 15 months and stopped nursing around 18/19 months. After I stopped pumping I was just down to 1st thing in the morning and bedtime nursing sessions. During the day (even on the weekends) she wasn't interested anymore.

I would still just make sure you are getting enough water, calories, sleep, etc....to make sure your supply stays as good as it can. You could even start drinking some of the mother milk tea (if you like it).

Kim72508

Thank you for all the encouragement and suggestions!