End of BF I think & feeling sadness

[Slat3]

My 2.5 year old slept in his own bed all night last night for the first time ever. I work full time & the constant sleep deprivation has been killing me, I’ve been so exhausted as I’m also studying & have a 4 year old. Life is really hard. I was in shock this morning.

Offered him a feed this evening but after trying for 10-20 mins both sides no milk was coming so gave him a cup of cows milk & called it special milk & said he was a big boy & going back in his own bed tonight. My DH will be seeing to him tonight so won’t be having any night feeds.

DH is putting him to bed & I'm now downstairs after putting my 4 year old to bed. I feel SO sad! It’s bizarre. Have been dying to stop for a year now but he’s never wanted to wean. Now I just feel sad & anxious. I work full time & i suppose cosleeping / breastfeeding makes me feel less guilty. What is wrong with me?! I should be happy.

I felt terribly sad too when I stopped breastfeeding.
It was like we'd closed a chapter, especially in terms of 'closeness' iyswim.
I think it's all a part of a child growing up, but nevertheless the end of all of the stages they go through do tug at your heartstrings.

It is really sad op, plus there’s some hormonal stuff going on too. Even though you want to stop. All I can say is in a week or so I think you’ll feel relieved and it’s nice that he’s self weaned.

I just stopped feeding my 14 month old. I had to leave her for a week and when we got back together there was nothing there. I’ve been half heartedly trying to wean her for 4 months but felt quite sad to actually succeed. I guess it’s a bit the oxytocin drop

Just also wanted to say well done for carrying on all that time when you wanted to stop. What a selfless act for your child.

Going to bed myself now and feel like crap! Just want to cuddle him. I think I am due on as well so probably hormones from that too, but I do feel really unsettled without him. He is probably adapting better than me! (Aware I sound completely ridiculous but glad I’m not alone). I have been doing night feeds for 2.5 years though without a break so I guess I’m just adjusted to that.

eyebrows mostly laziness no I really battled to get to 1 year. That was my goal & then he became obsessed for a longggg time, so I just went with it as it would have been too upsetting for him to stop.

Ah, it's hard. I fed both of mine for 14 months. Was pregnant with DC2 when I stopped with DC1 so already knew it was the end of breastfeeding him but not breastfeeding altogether so it was ok.

With DC2 it was the right time too but it was hard. It was nearly a year ago and it was only about 2 months ago I stopped feeling like I was sometimes craving it.

It's the only thing I miss about babies. Neither of us want a DC3 but for a while I used to occassionally fantasise about an accidental one just so I could bf again!

I definitely missed it and felt sad when it finished.