When did you stop breastfeeding?

[Sunlighthouse]

DD is 10 weeks and breastfeeding seems to be going well. I'm not sure I'm really enjoying it though I find it stressful being the only one who can feed her and I don't like not knowing how much she is getting.

I had lots of trouble feeding my first DD so she was combination fed and then on formula from about 6 weeks. Honestly I think maybe I preferred bottle feeding. Or perhaps it's just that it is what I know.

How long did you breastfeed for? What is a realistic goal? I'm wondering if I could just make it to 6 months and then switch.

I went back to work full time when dd was 9 months old, and assumed the breastfeeding would drop off. But in fact we continued until just after she turned 4!

2 months exclusive then a further 4 months of combi due to a mix of really severe tongue tie and an extremely hungry baby.

I was sad to stop in some ways but we had both become much more relaxed using the bottle as he could satisfy his absurd appetite quickly (which continued with solids despite baby led weaning!) while still staying around at everything and everyone (nosey parker-itis has also continued!) and I didn't feel like I was utterly tied all the time trying to wrestle a frustrated crocodile.

I felt really sad about dropping that last morning breastfeed so I wrote him a little 'letters to my baby' note, had a little cry and never set a 'right, this is the last feed' date and just let it peter out naturally.

I loved breastfeeding for a fair bit of the time I did it and am so pleased I could but my word I feel free now! It's a cliché but it really is all about what's right for you and the baby you have.

I did 8 weeks exclusive bf and then moved to formula.

DS had tongue tie and lost a lot of weight. I also ended up back in hospital for a week with an infection which was the final nail in the coffin.

To be honest, I struggled massively with bf and was glad to give it up. Luckily I had a wonderful HV and midwife who said the most important thing for a baby was to have a happy mum. Do what's right for you and your family.