Should I give an emotional last breastfeed or just let things be?

[anchovies]

Dd (dc3 and last baby) is 9 months and over the past few weeks has been totally refusing to feed other than at bedtime. Was trying everything to keep my supply up for if/when she became interested again but it reached the point where I decided to stop when my supply finally gave up. So looks like that time is now. Feel very emotional especially since she is my last baby and we will never have those in bed cuddles again. So should I give her an emotional last feed or give her a bottle? Bad either way as I will be gutted if I decide to try to feed her and she gets upset.

[emkana]

I would persevere in offering her feeds, I think this is a very common age for this kind of "behaviour" at the breast but if you get through it you can enjoy a good few more months of successful breastfeeding.

[anchovies]

No milk now though which has made it a vicious circle. I understand about persevering but I think we're both finding it too upsetting now.

[emkana]

www.babycenter.com/0_nursing-strike_8490.bc

[emkana]

I would be surprised if there is no milk at all, it takes a long time for the milk supply to complete dry up.

[thedolly]

Agree with emkana, the milk may still be there. Could you have a really early bedtime and try for a marathon feeding session just to get the two of you used to it again - maybe have a bath together first so that you are both relaxed?

If it doesn't work out as planned you can still have the in bed cuddles - just without the feeding.

Good luck.

FWIW I left my DCs for a few days at a time at various stages and the milk has always resumed.