Advice- Would like to begin to wean- Not sure how/Am I selfish

melfunk25

I would like to within the next month or two begin to wean my LO- She does not supplement however and I was wondering what the next step is. Should I be introducing formula to her? I am really struggling with this decision as at times I think it is only for selfish reasons. I was not lucky enough to lose while BF, in fact my body is holding on tight to an extra 25 pounds. I watch what I eat and exercise 4-5 per week.

 I am looking to get my "body" back- both in how I look and to stop BF-

Am I being selfish in this decison- I am really gonna miss those night feedings

emilys629

While I think weaning is a totally personal decision that you should make in the best interest of yourself and your family, I guess I would just ask myself that if I *didn't* lose that 25 pounds, how would I feel? I'm not doubting your diet or exercise, but I'm not sure all that weight is attributed to BFing.

I haven't really lost weight because of BFing either. I'm jealous of those who have! 

LexGator

Like pp said, this is a personal decision. What is more important to you: continuing to breastfeed or losing the weight? Personally, I'd hold on to some extra weight to breastfeed, but that doesn't mean that's necessarily the right choice for you. And, what if you wean but don't drop the weight? Will you be upset that you weaned?

Everyone has different goals for breastfeeding and chooses to wean for different reasons. There's no right or wrong choice, but I'd assess the overall situation and decide what is in the best interest of your family.

BosMama626

I agree with the two posts above.

I also don't think you're being selfish.  You need to do what you feel is best for you and you're family.

Have you thought about partial weaning?

AlyciaandRich

BosMama626:

Have you thought about partial weaning?

This. You can always keep then bedtime/night feeding if you want to.  

hepcats

AlyciaandRich:

BosMama626:

Have you thought about partial weaning?

This. You can always keep then bedtime/night feeding if you want to.  

While your hormone levels will stabilize a little bit from partially weaning, I would think that you wouldn't see the full effect of weaning if you only partially did it.  WW asks you specifically if you're supplementing or not in order to determine how many points you're supposed to get, so I would guess that's why.

Personally, I don't think you're being selfish at all. You did more than a lot of people (myself included) and you're still feeding your kid so why worry about it? And to answer your question about how, some people find it easier to slowly trickle in the formula by supplementing 1/4oz per bottle for a couple days, then 1/2oz, etc.  But some LOs take to the formula right away and don't need a gradual transition. GL!

kas80

You need to do what makes you happy, and if weaning will do that then weaning should happen.  Worry less about what other people think and more about how you feel, if you are reading to stop you are ready to stop.  There's no guilt in that.

I had planned on weaning at 6 months and my plan was transition to all bottle feedings with breastmilk.  Then in a few days mix one oz formula with BM, then in a few days one oz more, and so on until her bottles were all formula with me pumping less and less.  I figured that would help not clog me up and get horribly engorged and ease her into it.

 

AlyciaandRich

Good point hepcats! I only suggested it because she said she would miss those feedings. GL with whatever you decide. 

Sunidaze

If you aren't having to supplement at all, why wean?  I ended up quitting breastfeeding all together at less than 4 months because she was getting more formula than breastmilk and pumping during the day was turning into a huge PITA.