? re BF weaning and adding a session

Chan4dra04 · December 2012

Im down to only nursing dd at wake up and bedtime. Today, we were so excited about Christmas and presents, we skipped amBF. We are now on the way home from OOT and will be home in about an hour, so DD is asleep now and will be able to be transfered to her crib easily.

DH just asked me why don't I just skip pmBF and possibly be done altogether. Whilethat would work for tonight, I'm concerned about bedtime tomorrow. So here is my question:

How does adding a session work being so late in the game and only down to 2 nursing sessions for the past month? If I skip nursing her tonight, and try only nursing her in the am, what if things aren't going well, is it possible that I could add the pm session back and my supply come back to meet that demand? Or is it more likely that I would be out of luck?

Any info/input/guesses anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated. I know that no matter how long I nurse her, the weaning/last time will be really emotional for me. I'm going to miss it soooo much.

smilelari · December 2012

I don't have a definitive answer, but how much I nurse varies a ton from day to day and my body seems to be handling it just fine. Most work days I nurse 2-3 times, and sometimes we still do 5 or 6 on the weekends. My guess is that it would be ok and that you could add that session back in if you wanted, but it's just a guess

MC03 · December 2012

My guess is the same as smilelari. Some days we nurse two times (week days) and on the weekends it can be much more and my supply just seems to go with it. I have heard and read that at this point it takes a while to truly dry up and that our bodies have become very skilled at working on supply and demand. I would think that you should be fine. A lady at my work told me she used to go away for work trips two and three days at a time and was still able to continue nursing when she came back (she didn't pump when she was gone). Good luck!

Also just wanted to say I totally understand your feelings on weaning. On one hand I am ready to be done and really have my body to myself, but the thought of the last time also makes my really really sad!

Chan4dra04 · December 2012

Thanks, ladies!

I chickened out and nursed her last night. And I just looked at her the entire time, so thankful we were able to have this long of a nursing relationship together.

She always unlatches and looks up at me to give me a sweet, genuine, closed-mouth smile. It warms my heart and I'm so grateful for her. Idk why nursing makes me feel so nostalgic and connected, but I am surprised that I feel this way since the whole idea of BF was a bit creepy to me before having her. I wasn't uncomfortable with anyone else BFing, it was the idea of having a baby latched on to me. But, here I am and I love that it worked out for us and I have such an attachment to it.

I wasn't sure if nursing this far into the game was something that you need to keep a steady demand in order to keep up your supply and offer at every scheduled session or if it was so established that you can just take it easy and nurse when baby asks.

Thanks for the info ladies. Although every body is different, I'll be keeping this info in mind the next time we are in this situation.

Ironically, as much as I LOOOOOOVE nursing dd, the idea of having to start all over with a newborn scares the bejeezus out of me. DH wanted to start TTC in November and I've chickened out. If anyone ever asked me the hardest thing about becoming a mother was, I'd say it's the constant demand and commitment of BF. Now I think it is so convenient in a TON of ways (not washing bottles! whipping out a boob whenever/wherever), there were times that I felt very burdened and not myself, especially during the cluster feeding. That was definitely a trying time for me. I felt like it was a test of will power and strength. It seriously kicked my a$$ though. Glad we made it to the other side!

RedCamaro · December 2012

I would say that it depends on how much milk you've had lately. If you have been noticing that your supply is getting less and less, then I would say it might be very hard to get it back. If you have been 10 hours or more without nursing, typically your supply will take a hit. Now, that may not be the case if your supply is pretty good (like 4+ oz per session). When in doubt, all you can do is try.

If weaning is your goal, sooner rather than later, I would drop the AM feeding and just give her a "table food" breakfast from here on out.

Chan4dra04 · December 2012

Thanks for the add'l input RedCamaro.

Coincidentally, or not, it seems that whenever I post something about DD the answer ends up developing itself IRL.

I post about DD not having teeth 2 weeks ago, she pops the 1st tooth 2 days later.

I post about weaning and purposefully skipping sessions, and DD has now refused to nurse last night and this morning.

I swear, the bump is like magic! lol.

RedCamaro · December 2012

Well, I'm glad it's a smooth transition for you! DS looks for that skin-to-skin contact everytime I rock him before naptime and bedtime.

Chan4dra04 · December 2012

Awww, that's so sweet about the skin-to-skin.

DD has been nursing like once a day. When she is in need of comfort or really tired, she also looks for the piece of skin that she can touch, or she lifts up my shirt and rubs my side. She also likes to nuzzle things and put them right under her nose like she is smelling it. It's so dang sweet. I'm holding on to one nursing session but offering her both am and pm. Last night I went out for the first time in almost two years and didn't come home to nurse DD. DH took care of bed and he said she was tired at bedtime, got her blanket and her pacifier and came up to him and when he put her down, she did great without needing to nurse. So glad to know that it's even a little more flexible and she is able to still go to sleep without me. Progress!!

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