When did you stop BF to do a FET?

dmhrn13 · February 2013

My LO is almost 4 months, and we want to have kids back to back because I'm taking time away from work & DH is 46 (maybe he'd like to retire some day

. I really love BFing. My goal was 6 months EBF, then stop to start FET cycle. But now I'm rethinking it. What if I never have another baby & this is my only chance to BF & I cut her off early for nothing? Just wondering what other experiences have been...

TJ1979 · February 2013

I wish I had an answer for you. But I'm right there with you. I don't want to stop BFing but I want to TTC 2 ASAP. GL.

Cwhitaker27 · February 2013

I stopped breast feeding at 6 months. That was originally my goal from day 1. I went back to work after 6 weeks of having DS and work in the operating room. It was hard for me to pump at work and scrub out of surgery but I made it work for 6 months. I was also training for a half marathon so my milk supply tanked hard. So I stopped cold turkey and went to formula. I remember talking to my OB about stopping and she said "don't worry he'll still go to Harvard" which I thought was pretty funny and a good way to put it. Ultimately I'm happy with the decision I made and life suddenly became so much easier. I think a lot of women put unnecessary pressure on themselves and feel guilty for stopping "early". It is super great bonding time for sure but do what works for you and your family and don't let anyone else tell you differently. Good luck with whatever you decide!

BabyKsMommy · February 2013

I have to do IUIs but same principal. I never had my cycle return so I stopped BFing at 14 months to TTC 2 and that was last September. I'm still not KU but like you said I feel bad for cutting my son off for another potential child. Maybe you can just continue through the cold and flu season.
Or maybe could you pump some and get a good stash going then supplement with some formula to make the stash last longer.

Dragonfly1226 · February 2013

It is a very personal decision. I EBF for a year. I started to wean in the month or two leading up to DS's first birthday by substituting nursing sessions with BM from my freezer stash. Once the freezer stash was gone DS started taking WCM. I had my last nursing session in February and finally made it to a FET in September, but we had a few cancellations and delays (see siggy). So one option you have is to start to add pumping sessions to build up a stash so you can wean but LO will still get BM. When I pumped first thing in the mornings always got way more than I needed for one feeding so there was extra to save. In the end, whenever you decide to wean it will be to give LO a great gift - a sibling.

I think your feeling are normal. I definitely had the same feelings even after a year. GL!

Robeano · February 2013

I know this isn't the same but my sister is currently pregnant and nursing at the same time. I remember some women on my BMB also nursing while pregnant.

In my sister's case she lessened how much she breast fed to get her cycles back but didn't stop cold turkey. That's always an option.

Dragonfly1226 · February 2013

Robeano:
I know this isn't the same but my sister is currently pregnant and nursing at the same time. I remember some women on my BMB also nursing while pregnant. In my sister's case she lessened how much she breast fed to get her cycles back but didn't stop cold turkey. That's always an option.

It would greatly depend on your FET protocol and your RE's feeling about it. My RE would not do a FET while I was BFing. I was not comfortable injecting Lupron while BFing.

oooCarrieB · February 2013

Like pp said, weaning is a really personal decision.

My goal was to bf for at least a year. I ended up going for 14 months and we just did our FET at 21 months. I also wanted to wait bc I just started a new job when LO was 7mos old.

Good luck and enjoy your time w your baby.

yodasmistress · February 2013

I BF my son until 24 months and then stopped for FET. I felt very strongly the "what if this is my only" sentiment. Also it seemed ethically wrong to sacrifice the welfare of my first child to try to have another. Premodern society the "natural" timeline between children with BF, without BCP, etc was about 3 years. Thus, in terms of maternal health, most doctors recommend 18 months from delivery until getting KU again.

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