Please talk to me about weaning

pearly1 · January 2010

I recently cut back on the pumping and my supply has tanked, and I know it's time to wean. I don't think I can just go down to nursing once or twice a day because of my low supply. So, I've decided the time has come or will soon come and I want to go out on a good note, and not stop b/c of him being frustrated or biting me. He already pinches me while he's nursing b/c he learned how to do that to the bottle nipple to get the milk to come out faster.

Anyway, I want my last time to be a positive experience, but every time I start to think about my "last time" I get really sad and can't imagine not dong it anymore. How do I deal with that? When you stopped weaning was there any emotional (and/or hormonal) aftermath? I think I'm really going to miss it. How do I get through this?

IdahoGirl · January 2010

I wish I had advice for you - big HUGS!

keri1013 · January 2010

I don't have advice as we are not there yet but I know I'll be doing the same thing before I know it so I am eager to hear others' advice. I think it will be emotional no matter what, remind yourself that it's okay to feel sad about it ending. You have given J a great gift and you will continue to be a wonderful mom to him, he is so lucky to have you!

koosh ball · January 2010

Have you worked on nursing manners at all? Maybe you could try that and see if it changes to a positive experience? https://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/nursing-manners.html

WatchPot · January 2010

I barely remember weaning but it was time for us too: i stopped pumping at first and then dropped the morning feeding, then kept the night just to bond and soothe him. I finally gave that up when I went on a business trip and came back and he was not at all interested in me (sad).

I do remember being overly hormonal, losing my hair, and feeling free! So there are positives. Can you and DH go away for 1 night and use that as your excuse and then there is a positive association for you? You get a baby free night and some R&R with your DH?

greenmtbride · January 2010

Honestly, I did not have a hard time weaning because breastfeeding had become such a struggle and I HATED pumping. I actually quit breastfeeding before I quit pumping, so when it came time to quit pumping it was more of a relief than a sad thing for me. I definitely had moments of sadness about it, but no more than I do about other aspects of his growing up. It's just sad that that period was over. I REALLY try to focus on the positive and not dwell on that stuff. DS was/is thriving on the bottle and I was happier not having to supply all of his nutrition or struggle with him to accept my slow flow.

I weaned very slowly over the course of 2 months because going any faster than that HURT! I just followed my body and just tried to avoid engorgement at all costs.

Good luck!

MissLauraQ · January 2010

I quit breast feeding before pumping too. As I also hated breastfeeding.

But felt like a horrible person because I wasn't giving her any of "the good stuff" anymore.

I also would add - that maybe replacing breastfeeding with a "good thing" - like start planning and getting prepared to make your own baby food! Get all the goodies and supplies and get pumped that you are about to have your baby on the next level of great nutrition...all provided by you!

pearly1 · January 2010

Those are all good ideas.

I guess specifically I'm going to miss the closeness and the snuggle time. He is a pretty independent guy and doesn't like to snuggle much or even sit still for long, so I really look forward to that time together to bond and to satisfy my physical need for him. I know he'll be fine with the weaning. But I already ache to think about it.

greenmtbride · January 2010

pearly1:
Those are all good ideas.
I guess specifically I'm going to miss the closeness and the snuggle time. He is a pretty independent guy and doesn't like to snuggle much or even sit still for long, so I really look forward to that time together to bond and to satisfy my physical need for him. I know he'll be fine with the weaning. But I already ache to think about it.

Yeah, this is really hard. I got all excited when we flew east for the holidays 'cause it was an excuse to hold him while he slept!

Does he let you "wear" him? That helps me a lot...

massagegirly · January 2010

Pearly~ I had a really low supply as well. I am amazed I made it past a year. I had not done any night feeding since about 6 months old or pumped. So I started about a 10 months only feeding first thing in the morning and at bed time. Rather than every 3-4 hours. Then at about 12 months the feeding started getting shorter and shorter and she was not as interested so I knew it was time to stop. I thought it was going to be much harder on me emotionally than it was. I just knew in my heart that we were both done and I was ok with it. Although my boobs did not agree. OMG It hurt so bad. So definitely wean off. Or you are going to be hurting even with a low supply.

BriAndSean · January 2010

pearly1:

Those are all good ideas.

I guess specifically I'm going to miss the closeness and the snuggle time. He is a pretty independent guy and doesn't like to snuggle much or even sit still for long, so I really look forward to that time together to bond and to satisfy my physical need for him. I know he'll be fine with the weaning. But I already ache to think about it.

That was the hardest part for me too. I had DH take over putting her to bed at night. That helped a lot! The bedtime nursing was the last one to go for us. I would go take a bath while he put her down and that made it a lot easier.

I also started special cuddle & read time a few times a day with her. So we still had something special to do that promoted closeness and bonding. And finally, I started bathing with her for the same reasons.

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