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December 2010 Moms
lulu8109
member
How do you decide it's time to wean?
lulu8109
member
For those who have weaned completely, how old was your LO and what made you decide to wean?
Is there anyone who has weaned to the point where they formula feed during daycare, but nurse at home??
I have struggled with supply issues for most of LO's life. There was maybe a month or two where my supply was fine. I'm at the point where if I pump 3x at work, I'm lucky to get one 6 oz bottle for LO. And he usually gets 3 6-oz bottles at daycare. I'm trying to decide when to wean. I've off-and-on thought about weaning, either completely or wean so that I don't have to pump during work. I've always talked myself out of it, but it always creeps back into my head. So please share your stories. TIA.
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Re: How do you decide it's time to wean?
Thanks, mamaholmes! Good luck with making your decision too. You've made it a long way and I don't think you should feel guilty if you choose to stop.
I, too, have decided to start weaning. We have been supplementing with formula for quite some time, and I quit nursing him around 4.5 months. (It just wasn't working all that well). I have been EPing since then (so just about 4 months, now). Although I know that it's best for my LO, I feel like I want my body back, too. Right now I'm pumping 3x a day, getting about 15 oz total, which is about 70% of his daily intake.
It's a process for me, both physically and emotionally, so I'm taking my time. I'm making very short term goals right now (like, my current goal is to make it to 8 months).
Just know that you have done a great thing for your LO, and that LO will be perfectly happy and healthy whether he is BF or FF from here on out.
Thanks, kelcaryn! Good luck with weaning. Kudos to you for EPing for so long! I tried it for a month and grew to hate pumping.
With DD, I had the same problem you are having.I ended up only nursing her at bed time and first thing in the morning for a couple of months, and we were both happier. On the weekends, She got formula for her middle of the day feedings and nursed at her normal times. It was great to no longer be strapped to a pump. It wouldn't have been so bad if I was actually getting anything worthwhile, but I was lucky to get 4-6 oz by the end of the day. Eventually I only nursed her before bed, and then I switched that session to formula when I noticed she was waking up more at night.
With Asher, I knew my supply was tanking, but this time I didn't even bother pumping. It felt like the same thing we went through with DD. I am a SAHM this time around, and I didn't have the time or patience to pump through the day to up my supply. We have the terrible twos going on here, and the last thing I wanted was to be strapped to a pump and having her ask me a bazillion questions the whole time... or try to quash Asher... or try to "run away" because she "wants to see grammy". lol! I started out nursing him first thing in the morning, before bed and for his middle of the night feeding. He became less interested in the day time feedings, and the middle of the night feedings only lasted about a week. He weaned himself and started STTN.
With DD I felt like a complete failure, and it was really hard on me emotionally. Once I saw how much happier she was and how much less stressed I was about my supply, I realized it was the best decision for us. This time around, I still felt bad, and I really miss the cuddle time, but he's like a brand new baby since he's finally being fed enough.
It's a tough choice to make. Try to keep your emotions out of it, and look at it objectively. Whatever you decide is the best choice IS the best choice. If it makes you both happy, then you are doing the right thing. If you choose to wean, know it will be sad for you, but I promise it gets easier once you see you are not hurting him in any way. I always wanted to BF for at least a year, but apparently my body and my babies have decided otherwise. I've just come to accept that. Good luck with your decision!
Tabby - Thanks so much for your response! It really helps to hear it from another mama who did it. I know I'm really going to miss the cuddle time when I do wean, but that's more for me than it is for LO so I'm trying to not let that drive my decision. Thanks again
With DD, I didn't really have to give up any cuddle time. I think that would have been the sad icing on my miserable cake. She still snuggled up against me like she was nursing. She would only do it with me, too. Now Asher... ugh! He is just waaaay to nosey. He insists on sitting on my lap facing out when he drinks his bottle. Heaven forbid he misses a single move his super awesome sister makes! haha! That boy is way in love with DD! So the lack of cuddle time may not be as bad as you are afraid of if there isn't a whole lot going on to distract him during bottle time.