to want to stop breastfeeding at 6 months?

[youaremychocolatecake]

My baby is 17wo and EBF, I love breastfeeding, I am very pro breastfeeding, we have an easy feeding relationship, he is a quick efficient feeder, good sleeper, no issues at all.

But I want to stop when he is 6 months. Don't judge me but I've never really fancied feeding an older baby for some reason and the thought of BF into toddlerhood just weirds me out. I don't have a problem with anyone else doing it but it's not for me.

However, as the 6 month mark rapidly approaches I'm feeling really guilty because he loves breastfeeding. My first baby was mix fed but he wasn't in love with the booby like this one is. It was a means to and end for him and he self weaned at around 6 months. This boob monster however loves laying with it in his mouth, stroking it, pinching it (ouch) it's his comfort so I feel really bad about taking it away. Also he really hates a bottle (of EBM) so I don't even know how to go about weaning him!

I'm a member of all these pro breastfeeding groups on Facebook and they're all there feeding babies until they self wean and I just feel really guilty wanting to stop? But after 40 weeks of pregnancy, 6 months BF feels enough for me. I want to wear a normal bra or be able to go out for an evening. Am I being really really mean?

I found bf painful and stressful, and stopped at six months for both of my DDs (nearly to the minute!). Wish I'd stopped much earlier as I would have been a much more relaxed and happy mother. My sister couldn't bf either of her children, and they are indistinguishable from my two in terms of health, happiness, academic performance, relationships with parents etc.(don't know what criteria you would judge this by). Completely your choice. X

OP please ignore the posters determined to take offence and make this into a political BF thread. You don't have anything to apologise for.

I will say however that you're better off posting in the Feed the World section of the forums than AIBU to avoid the bunfight.

I completely get the weirded out thing. I feed my 14 mo DS but haven't in public since he was about 10 months old - I feel embarrassed and uncomfortable about it. I KNOW it's natural and normal - it's just how I feel. I think I'll stop soon as I'm starting to fall out of love with it but I feel guilty even at this age.

It does get easier - DS started sleeping from 7.30pm until midnight or later pretty consistently aged about 20 weeks so I could go out for a good few hours. And once properly on solids it's a different story and you'll worry less about how much milk they're getting.

DS did take ebm in a bottle but went through a few periods where he refused - my advice is keep trying.

I went back to work and started wearing normal bras when DS was 9mo and I was so so glad I was still feeding him then (before & after work plus 1 expressed feed). The closeness and cuddles after a day away were brilliant and the expressing - which I did till he was 1 - made me feel less guilty about returning to my job as I felt I was spending part of the day doing something for him.

That's my story - whatever you choose to do, YANBU and choose it because it's right for you & your baby not anyone else.

I say weird about lots of things and am well over 15. I breastfed/pumped exclusively for 6 months then switched to formula in the day and finally stopped altogether at 8 months. A week later, he slept through. I found breastfeeding really hard and was very ready to stop when we did. I had to go back to work at 2 months though (single parent) so was expressing and giving him bottles when I was at work from then, so he was used to bottles.
Love minifingers comment - how judgemental is that?!!
I am in the couldn't care what anyone else does camp - parenting is such a personal thing and every baby is different.
I am sure you will know what you want to do when the time comes op.

For me it had nothing to do with not wanting to feed a toddler. I just felt it an invasive rather than bonding experience. I did it for 6 months because of the health benefits.

Our feelings in relation to our bodies don't have to be rational. I'll definitely breastfeed DC2 (due later this month) but I'll stop when I'm ready . That may be 3 years, or 3 weeks: tbh it's no one else's business.

Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone. I think I am just expecting to stop at 6 months because that's what happened with my first baby and I didn't realise he would be wanting so much less milk once we move onto solids so maybe I will just see how we go. You're all very helpful well most of you

Just take each day at a time and do what works for your family. That's the best anyone can do.

Just take each day at a time and do what works for your family. That's the best anyone can do

Good post crash that is it really OP. You have to do what works for you.