BF'ing coming to a close...a bittersweet time

Jackie - posted on 12/06/2009

That is what I was hoping for is taht my body would just regulate out at once every 12 hours. I will def. keep doing it as long as she'll stick with it. I love the bonding time it gives us...and yes..the added immunity is a huge benefit.

Debbie - posted on 12/06/2009

Just so you know you can probably go on with the morning and night feedings for quite a while. My daughter is now 16 months and I have been doing morning and night feeds (sometimes more on the weekends) since I went back to work when she was 13 months.

I even am away from her for one night (I miss two morning feeds and one night feed) every two weeks when I travel for work.

She is still quite content to have this nursning relationship and nurses happily away when we are together. She does nurse much more quickly now. It used to be about 20-30 minutes but now it is 5-10 minutes per feeding.

I plan to keep on nursing as long as she wants to and hopefully at least until the spring so I can get her through the flu season.

Jackie - posted on 12/06/2009

It is something that makes me sad just thinking about....and has for a long time. It is FANTASTIC to not have to pump at work though I will say that, and it is great to see her accomplish all of the new stuff each day. Never offered my daughter a drop of formula and I wouldn't change a second of it though ..... even knowing how sad its making me to bring it to a close.

Hannah - posted on 12/05/2009

I'm accually about to breakdown thinking about not breastfeeding. My daughter is only 3 months but i have a 2 year old boy that I didnt get to breastfeed, I have a very special bond breastfeeding my daughter. My son is very into me breastfeeding my daughter though ... he will rub her face when she is eating and ask if sissy is eating. It makes me wish i could of breastfed my son. I'll never formula feed another one of my kids. It breaks my heart thinking about it it really does...

Ramona - posted on 12/05/2009

AWWW!!! I guess this is what I should expect in the near future. I exclusively breastfeed as well and my baby is 9.5 months old. It sounds so depressing... Our babies are getting so big!!! It's such a special bonds that only we have with our babies. I am happy it worked out for you. Cherish the few more times you have left. The good part is not having to pump anymore. LOL

Melissa - posted on 12/05/2009

Hi Jackie, I know exactly what you are going through, and yes, your supply will drop off once you start nearing age 1. I think it's because our bodies know the babies are getting old enough now that they don't need it, but none the less, it is very emotional for us moms!! I really only strictly nursed for the first 2-4 months and after that I mostly pumped because like you I had to work. Which was a task in its own hey? LOL. It definitely is a sure sign that your baby isn't going to be the baby anymore. My daughter is 15 months, and I still struggle with the fact that she isn't a "baby" anymore. :) It's does get easier though, so rest assured. Even though they become less dependant on you, they do sooo many more things and learn soo fasBut on the bright side, aren't you happy to not have to pump at work anymore? LOL. I hope the change is an easy transition for you! Take care.

Jackie - posted on 12/05/2009

Melody, can't you just tell your hubby you changed your mind and want to keep going? Or do you really want to start trying again when she's one...is that what drove the agreement? I didn't get my period back either until Kaylee was about 10 mos. But yes, even though the weaning has already started it sgoing to be hard to cut the rope adn say "that's it, no more" as long as she'll still take it.

Melody - posted on 12/05/2009

I am going through the same thing......my daughter is 10mo. old and my husband and I agreed that I would stop nursing when she turned one!! That was great for me since I had only planned on nursing her 6mo........then I changed my mind. Now that she will be a year in Feb. I get extrememly emotional about weaning....I litterally break into tears... ! I nurse her 4x a day right now but I am giong to cut out one of those feedings this week and replace it with cows milk, gradually I will wean her until she is one, then I will cut her off completely.....If my husband and I hadn't already agreed, I'm sure I would continue to nurse her till she was 2...lol!! I think the fact that they are growing up so fast plays with our emotions.....that and the hormonal changes from nursing less!! One thing I have to keep telling myself is that we are ready to get pregnant again and I havent gotten my period back....so I know the sooner I wean the sooner I will get pregnant....it's still very bittersweet!!! It will really be hard when I know I am nursing her for the last time.....I told my husband I will probably be a super ball-bag that day! So...i'm right there with ya....and I think we are very normal for feeling this way!!!
........melody

Jackie - posted on 12/02/2009

Ya, the feedings have def. gotten significantly shorter. Her moning and nite feedings are about 10 minutes in total....15 at the absolute most. But like you said, even if she only gets a little its worth whatever extra antibodies i can give her. After this though I can't imagine how I'll be when its time to wean the last baby!

Terri - posted on 12/02/2009

I know the feeling Jackie, I felt like that everytime I gave up breastfeeding. You may be surprised that she will quite happily still take the morning and nite feed even though you may not be giving her much. My daughter is 11 months and 1 week and though she is still on 4 feeds a day they only last for about 4 to 5 minutes either breast.



With my last daughter I fed her until 2 years and 3 months and she would have the breast 3 times a day but it would only be for about 1 to 2 minutes either side. I think it was more of a comfort thing for both of us! lol But I like to think she got a little bit of the goodness still.



I have 4 children and she is my last so I can relate to how hard it is. But you never know she may feed for a whilst longer!



Good luck with it mate :)