When did you wean?

Cooper81 · July 2010

I always said my goal was to BF for 6 months and anything after that would be great, but I really wanted to for 6 months and after the really difficult beginning and some supply issues along the way, I was really pround of myself for making it to my goal and not having to suplement once. Work has been super busy lately and I can only pump twice at work and when that happens my supply starts to dip. I've had to supplement twice this week and I was happy that John took the formula with no problems. I'm trying to decide what to do, do I work really hard to get my supply back up, or do I just naturally wean? I'm feeling really guilty about weaning.

anonsouthernbell · July 2010

First off I wouldn't feel guilty about weaning. You have given John a fantastic start! Personally, I would try to make it to at least a year. I will type more later as my son is being fussy right now...

gurzillo · July 2010

My original goal was 6 months as well. I am proud of myself for being able to last this long. It was a lot easier than I had thought it was going to be. But recently I have been having some supply issues. I'm not so sure if it supply issues as it is pumping issues. On the weekends when I am with her she eats fine and is satisfied but during the week when I pump I don't get the same amount she is eating at daycare. I hit my stash hard the past month. I was considering weaning now but I only have 1.5 months until she can start regular milk. I figure it is better to use the stash and/or substitute some formula for the next month or so when needed rather than stopping completely.

Cooper81 · July 2010

gurzillo:
But recently I have been having some supply issues. I'm not so sure if it supply issues as it is pumping issues. On the weekends when I am with her she eats fine and is satisfied but during the week when I pump I don't get the same amount she is eating at daycare. I hit my stash hard the past month.

This is how I feel, weekends are great when I can actually nurse him, but he takes about 2 to 3 six oz bottles at daycare and I just can't pump that much while at work.

curlywhirly · July 2010

Don't feel guilty! It takes a lot of dedication to do what you've already done--don't make yourself feel bad about it.

He could have formula during the day, and you could continue to BF whenever you are with him, and then continue to pump whenever you can at work (build up a stash as he'll be taking mostly formula during the day). Maybe things will slow down at work soon and you'd be able to get your supply back up? I know it's totally frustrating to pump when your supply has slowed...

KRMac · July 2010

curlywhirly:
Don't feel guilty! It takes a lot of dedication to do what you've already done--don't make yourself feel bad about it.
He could have formula during the day, and you could continue to BF whenever you are with him, and then continue to pump whenever you can at work (build up a stash as he'll be taking mostly formula during the day). Maybe things will slow down at work soon and you'd be able to get your supply back up? I know it's totally frustrating to pump when your supply has slowed...

You've done an awesome job so far! 6 months is my current goal right now, but I'd like to extend it if possible too. We'll see.

When we do start to wean, I'll probably try to do something like the above. Formula at DCP, nurse at night and on the weekends, pump when I can and not be as obsessive with it.

anonsouthernbell · July 2010

It sounds to me like he might be getting over fed at daycare. 6 ozs is a lot of breast milk! The most my son has ever had from a bottle is 4oz. Granted he doesn't get bottles that frequently but I would talk to them about how they are feeding your LO as that might be the cause of the problem. (Breast milk as a living organism changes with your LO so that while babies on formula need more ounces as they get older this is not the case for breastfed babies).

the_jackpot · July 2010

My son self weaned at 14 months. I pumped at work for about 5 months which was awful!

Don't feel guilty about weaning. You have already given your lo a great start. You can do a combo of bf and formula. I would try to make it to a year, but that was something that was important to me. GL

mrs. remy · July 2010

I officially weaned at 10 months but like you I wasn't able to pump enough at work for his daycare bottles. So we supplemented with formula from 5 months on. It worked great for us. He got one bottle of formula per day for a few months, and then eventually two bottles a day, until he was down to just one nursing session per day at the end. The long slow gradual weaning worked great b/c I had no pain or engorgement.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing a combo of BFing and formula. Don't kill yourself trying to EBF! Supply issues can be tough when you are pumping and working full time. I also felt the weaning guilt but I looked at the bright side-packing away the ugly nursing bras, not having to be so vigilant about what I ate/drank affecting him, etc etc etc.

KRMac · July 2010

anonsouthernbell:
It sounds to me like he might be getting over fed at daycare. 6 ozs is a lot of breast milk! The most my son has ever had from a bottle is 4oz. Granted he doesn't get bottles that frequently but I would talk to them about how they are feeding your LO as that might be the cause of the problem. (Breast milk as a living organism changes with your LO so that while babies on formula need more ounces as they get older this is not the case for breastfed babies).

But the OP said that he is only getting 2 or 3 6 oz bottles - that's only 12-18 oz. total while she is at work. The most my 4 month old will take is 4 oz bottles at a time, but he takes 4 of them a day = 16 oz. So that seems right!

kelleymark82606 · July 2010

.KRM.:

anonsouthernbell:
It sounds to me like he might be getting over fed at daycare. 6 ozs is a lot of breast milk! The most my son has ever had from a bottle is 4oz. Granted he doesn't get bottles that frequently but I would talk to them about how they are feeding your LO as that might be the cause of the problem. (Breast milk as a living organism changes with your LO so that while babies on formula need more ounces as they get older this is not the case for breastfed babies).

But the OP said that he is only getting 2 or 3 6 oz bottles - that's only 12-18 oz. total while she is at work. The most my 4 month old will take is 4 oz bottles at a time, but he takes 4 of them a day = 16 oz. So that seems right!

I was going to say the same thing. Also, from my understanding a baby won't overeat, so if the baby wants that milk then I was told allow the baby to have that milk. I can't imagine having a talk with the dcp to say you're overfeeding my baby bm. I also know a good friend of mine and her baby drinks 6oz quite often throughout the day (ebm through bottle).

anonsouthernbell · July 2010

kelleymark82606:
.KRM.:

anonsouthernbell:
It sounds to me like he might be getting over fed at daycare. 6 ozs is a lot of breast milk! The most my son has ever had from a bottle is 4oz. Granted he doesn't get bottles that frequently but I would talk to them about how they are feeding your LO as that might be the cause of the problem. (Breast milk as a living organism changes with your LO so that while babies on formula need more ounces as they get older this is not the case for breastfed babies).

But the OP said that he is only getting 2 or 3 6 oz bottles - that's only 12-18 oz. total while she is at work. The most my 4 month old will take is 4 oz bottles at a time, but he takes 4 of them a day = 16 oz. So that seems right!

I was going to say the same thing. Also, from my understanding a baby won't overeat, so if the baby wants that milk then I was told allow the baby to have that milk. I can't imagine having a talk with the dcp to say you're overfeeding my baby bm. I also know a good friend of mine and her baby drinks 6oz quite often throughout the day (ebm through bottle).

True if he is having only 2 or 3 that does make sense overall. Just a thought though since she is having trouble keeping up with supply. A baby can overeat if not at the breast as it is easier for the baby to get milk out of the bottle. You could just broach the topic by saying I was looking at ds' bm consumption and I was wondering how are you feeding him as it is different for bf babies vs. ff babies. I wouldn't come out and accuse anyone of anything I would just ask questions. I don't see anything offensive with that but that's me.

princesscori · July 2010

My goal was 6 months with DS too because I couldn't pump enough at work. I had to suppliment around 4 months though because of pumping issues. I really want to BF for a year this time...but we will see!

weezie825 · July 2010

DD was a peemie and born before she had a suck reflex. I pumped, but my milk never really came in. At the height of my production I was only getting 2 ozs every 3 hours. So, DD was supplemented with formula from the begining. My peditrician was very supportive of me combo (breaast and formula) feeding.

Don't feel like you have to do one or the other exclusively. Any amount of breast milk is great, because they get your antibodies.

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