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Austin Babies
How did you know it was time to stop bfing?
I'm wondering if I am there...I keep missing pumping sessions since work has been crazy busy, so my supply is way low (like just pumped only 1.5 ounces total at my last pumping session here a few minutes ago). DS doesn't really want to nurse after school (wants a bottle, guessing since it is easier and he's tired) so he's only really nursing in the morning now. I don't want to think it's all or nothing and that even a few ounces is better then none, but I'm wondering if it's time to give it up.
I'm also thinking I'm uber hormonal since I'm feeling very sad about this. I think it's also because we don't plan on having more kiddos so I know this is it. DS is almost 8 months, so I am happy I have kept it up so long....
Love your thoughts and advice.
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Re: How did you know it was time to stop bfing?
I think 8 months is a great accomplishment! Especially with all that pumping, that is tough (at least for me).
I stopped when I felt like I was ready to be done, if that makes any sense. Charlie still nursed a few times a day without any problems, but I wanted my body back to myself. For us that was 13 months.
I think that if you are just really not feeling it anymore, it's perfectly fine to stop now. But if you are sad because you want to continue...keep going! Even if it's just that morning feeding, I think it's worth it to keep it around for awhile if it's important to you.
Ditto Rach. My goal was always to make it to a year. With my first, I was really done at 12 months but kept pumping at work for another month and nursed morning and night. With my daughter, it was 14 months and both she and I were done. I didn't offer, she didn't ask. My youngest is going on 15 months and still nursing. I am about done so I'm slowly weaning him and we are down to morning and night.
If you are tired of pumping, just drop that and continue to nurse for as long as you can. Your supply might dry up quick or you might still be able to nurse for a few months at just once or twice a day.
Whatever you decide, you have done great!! I fully think that when nursing isn't beneficial/enjoyable to BOTH mom and baby then it's time to stop!
Oh, this is so hard!
I think you should do whatever feels best for you and DS. Maybe that means you stop pumping and he just nurses in the morning? It's definitely not an all or nothing thing and nursing is a wonderful bond. You might be able to continue the morning nurse for a long time.
I stopped BFing when DS was 22 months old because I just couldn't nurse him and support my pregnancy. I have insanely sore boobs during the first two trimesters and I was nearly in tears at each nursing session (3x/day) from the pain. I went from loving it so much to just dreading it terribly. Also, my milk dried up pretty much completely. I slowly weaned him over the course of about 6 week and I have to say, it was really hard on both of us. It took about 2 months for him to come to terms with it. I still feel sad about having to end it--I wish that we could have stopped nursing on our own terms and instead I feel like I was forced to (for the most wonderful reason possible--more children--but still). It's something I shed a lot of tears over, and I'm not a crier.
Anyway, I'm rambling and probably not helping. Just wanted to say great job for going this long and do whatever feels best for the two of you, even if it's just 1x/day.
With DS#1 I stopped about nine months because I couldn't get him to focus on eating when we BF...he didn't protest, but definitely preferred the bottle. With DS#2 I went to 13 months, but the only reason we went that long was because I stopped pumping and just nursed at wakeup and bedtime. I had enough of pumping, he was fine drinking milk during the day, but I still liked our sleepy nursing sessions. I wished I'd thought to try that with DS#1.
Like PP said, 8 months is a great accomplishment so there's no need to feel guilty. But I totally get it being an emotional decision if you think this is your last baby. Really I don't think there's a wrong answer to this question, just whatever's best for you.