Guilt about breast feeding/formula

[Scrunchies]

I think i need to stop breast feeding, My baby is 7 months, and i just feel done. I want my body back, i want to be more than just a giant boob to her, i want her to not cry for boob all the time when i hold her, and go more than 2 hours without a feed.

However whenever I've given formula before, she's got really constipated, Im worried about upsetting her tummy, and i worried if i stop our relationship will change. she's just obsessed with boob and its all she wants. how will i soothe her without it?

has anyone been in a similar position? other stories I've read people seem to stop early because its not working, or carry on until they self wean. Not deliberately stop because they are fed up.

I wonder if there is another brand of form that wouldn’t give her constipation.

You have done really well for 7 mths and if you want to stop, then stop. My second daughter stopped by herself at 8 mths. My first I stopped at 6 mths and she went on formula without any problems.

Hope you get sorted 💐

Perhaps speak to your health cisitor about different brands?

God yes. I stopped at 6 months as I was done. Wanted to get back to 'me', wine, not wearing stupid feeding tops and clothes, wanting a break.

I first did SMA but after a week HV recommended Hipps as it's softer on the tummy, did the trick.

Didn't affect our bond at all, she's 19 months now and like a mini shadow.

Please don't feel guilty! 7 months is fabulous. Perhaps try a different formula? Some make some babies windy, constipated etc. x

Never give up on a bad day!

I'm almost seven months in too, and feeling a bit fed up, but I'm going to push through for another few months. She's having less milk from me now that we're weaning, and it's just so much more convenient not to have bottles and sterilisers to deal with.

@SenecaTrewe

Never give up on a bad day!

I'm almost seven months in too, and feeling a bit fed up, but I'm going to push through for another few months. She's having less milk from me now that we're weaning, and it's just so much more convenient not to have bottles and sterilisers to deal with.

OP has said she wants to stop. Please respect her wishes and don’t guilt trip her into continuing.

OP I stopped around the same time - I think the trick is to buy a few types of bottles (MAM worked best for us) and have someone else give it to her so she knows you are not an option - do you have a partner around?

It’s much easier to do at this age as they forgot within a couple of weeks. It’s just a tough couple of weeks!

@SenecaTrewe

Never give up on a bad day!

I'm almost seven months in too, and feeling a bit fed up, but I'm going to push through for another few months. She's having less milk from me now that we're weaning, and it's just so much more convenient not to have bottles and sterilisers to deal with.

she didn’t ask for your story, or advice on ‘not giving up’, it’s very clear she wants the opposite

If you want to stop breastfeeding then stop. Your bond with your baby will continue to be just fine. Don't feel guilty for even a minute, you've done 7 months and that's great. You are allowed to stop when you've had enough. I stopped at 9 months and 8 months and was happy I'd done my bit, but I was ready to stop. I didn't enjoy breastfeeding a baby with teeth, quite honestly. Try a different formula if you are worried about constipation.

Thanks everyone. She already takes a bottle so I know that’s not a problem. In truth she is an absolute ganet and gulps down whatever is in front of her.

@SenecaTrewe I do appreciate the offer of support, and that’s what I was hoping to happen with weaning however unfortunately my baby has started taking more milk from me since and it’s exhausting. I feed her before and now after solids so we are doing extra feeds compared to before. She’s eating as much solids as her tummy can handle (constipated) so it’s not like I can fill her up on those any more.

I’ll give the hipp a go for 1 feed a day and see how she takes it.

Those that stopped, did you baby forget soon? I hate the thought of her reaching for boob and getting upset

@Wondermule please would you mind sharing what that couple of weeks after stopping was like? Very whingey/ upset?

[quote Scrunchies]@Wondermule please would you mind sharing what that couple of weeks after stopping was like? Very whingey/ upset?[/quote]
Of course. I have a bottle from day one (expressed) so there wasn’t too much drama. It was mainly my painful boobs! I just hand expressed a bit when they got too bad, but wasn’t leaking after a couple of weeks.