Just gave DS his last breastfeed ...

[likessleep]

... I feel really teary!
He is 11 months and I am totally ready to stop feeding him, as I would like my body back for a few months, before trying for number 2 and I feel like it is time. I have cut down to one feed a day for the last few weeks.
We've done so much longer than I ever thought (particularly at around the 5-6 week mark, when 3 months would have been an achievement!).
But it just feels like the end of an era and like saying goodbye to his babyhood. We've got his first birthday coming up soon and I feel like this last year has flown by. So its more of a general down feeling really.
Anyway, does stopping b'feeding make you hormonal? Any advice on how I can make it a little easier?
Thanks.

[ummadam]

no advice but just wanted to give you a virtual hug. I never thought we would get past 3 months either and yet here we are at nearly 9 months going strong. I'm looking forward to but at the same time dreading him stopping. Would love to have my body back but the simplicity of soothing him and being close I will miss.

Give him lots of cuddles today - for both of you

[likessleep]

Thank you ummadam.

To be honest, I don't think he will notice it, as we have switched so gradually. The last week or so, I wonder how much he has been taking from me on this one daily feed, as he behaved as though he wasn't getting any. I've been giving him formula milk after his breakfast, so he is totally used to it now. He's taken to it really well.
So I think it will affect me more than him!

We've got friends visiting this w'end, so I hope a couple of glasses of well deserved Pinot Grigio might help . Either that, or I'll be so hormonal, I'll start blubbing in front of everyone (eek!).

Luckily, he's starting to give proper cuddles now and initiating these himself, so the timing is quite good!

[mawbroon]

Any time I have cut down (still not stopped, so don't know if it's different when you stop completely) i have found myself becoming extremely grumpy and hormonal, like the worst case of PMT ever.

So don't be surprised if this happens to you. But then it might not.

Well done, you have done really well feeding this long.

[likessleep]

Thank you mawbroon, I can empathise with those hormone feelings! My period returned a month ago and blimey, never known anything like it (and neither had DH!). That may have been me cutting back (she ponders).
Thanks for responding.

[muddler]

Aaah, this explains why I have been bawling and feeling like a rubbish mum since trying to cut out day feeds. Poor ds (also 11 mo) clings to me so deperately but I have to go back to work next week.
Sorry for hijack! Blame me hormones!

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

I fed DS until just before his 2nd birthday, but still felt all odd and conflicted and was I doing the right thing... However I was pg and feeling really uncomfortable, so really wanted to stop.

But it's all come right, and DS is just as cuddly as ever. Still loves my boobs tho, just says that milk comes from the fridge now.

It's another one of those milestones, and you're entitled to feel however you feel! Fantastic that you've given him such a good start

[emma1977]

I feel for you.

I gave my ds his last bf 2 weeks ago (he pretty much decided to self-wean after 2 weeks of solid biting and fidgeting on the breast). I felt so sad knowing that it was going to be the end of a special thing for us. I also had never expected to manage as long as we did (almost 9 months) and feel so proud that we did it.

For a couple of days afterwards I was teary, irritable and generally hormonal. My boobs didn't hurt at all or feel engorged which I was surprised at (maybe I hadn't been producing much towards the end).

Since then, he has been much for spontaneously cuddly with me. He loves to snuggle up in my arms with his beaker when it is milk time and frequently comes to me for a squeeze.

Stopping has not been as bad as I expected. Its just the beginning of a different type of relationship with your ds.

Well done for doing as well as you have. I suggest you treat yourself to a breastfeeding achievement award- nice bottle of wine or some pretty (non-feeding bra) undies.

[likessleep]

Thank you so much for your replies.
Muddler, I hope work goes OK next week and that hormones settle down soon!
Rhinestone - hats off to you for BF for 2 years, wow. Glad your DS is as cuddly as ever.
emma - that is so reassuring, I have been cuddling DS lots today. Definitely a nice bottle of wine as a 'well done' to me! We have friends visiting this w'end and fair to say, I have missed my Pinot Grigio! Pretty undies are also a necessary, after my old bras have huge gaps now between bra and boob ... I think I have dropped a cup size!