To want to stop breastfeeding

[wonderw]

So my little one is 6 months and he's been exclusively breastfed, I have a tattoo on my chest that has had an effect on my mental health for a long time and I want it removed. I can expect the process to take max 2 years but the clinician says the area gives me an advantage for it to be removed quicker than that. I just have to wait until I stop breastfeeding to start the process. When I said it to my mum, she said I should wait until he's at least a year old, as he's still young. He shows readiness for solids and we've been trying new things and he's fine on formula. My mum is a vegan so has strong views against formula. It's not my only reason to want to stop, I also want him to spend more time at his dads house so I can go back to work three days a week. I'm stuck in between the two, what do you guys think?

OP, you've done amazingly well (and beat the statistics!) to get to six months. If you want to stop, own your decision and stop - tell your mum that's that, you've thought about it, you're stopping, the end, nothing more to discuss

Your mum isn't the one stuck with the tattoo or with a baby glued to her breasts.

You have done 6 months which is amazing

Its OK to want your body back now. Your baby will.be crawling around soon putting all sorts in his mouth. Formula or breastmilk will be the least of your worries

Absolutely fine to stop whenever is right for you. Your mum can buy vegan baby formula for you if she feels so strongly about it!

It’s no one else’s business how you feed your baby, including your DM. Do what is best for you and baby, and remember that formula is not poison - the vast majority of babies are not bf and thrive perfectly well on formula.

I bf for 6 months and then switched to formula and DS continued to thrive.

Breastfeeding is amazing but it has to work for the mum as well as the baby. If it's effecting your mental health then it's time to stop. A happy mum is better for your baby.

Do what you want

Your mum's opinion on this is totally irrelevant.

If you want to stop breastfeeding then it's time to stop.

It's your body, your child and your choice, it had zero to do with your mother.

Well done on the amazing job btw, I managed 8 weeks and I struggled to do that!

6 months is great you've done really well. I know how you feel though, the pressure to breast feed is all consuming. I was very ill when my 2nd baby was 4 months old, I should have stopped breast feeding as I wasn't eating, but overwhelmed with guilt and on the advice of a GP I carried on. The result was it took me weeks to recover from an illness that should have taken days. When I look back I'm so angry about that advice, anyway point being, YOUR health is important too, don't feel guilty, 6 months is great.

If you're ready to stop then stop. Breastfeeding is overhyped anyway imo. Yes it has some small benefits but as long as you've got clean water then formula is fine. I breastfed DD for 18 months as it was convenient. When it was no longer convenient I stopped.

Get the tatt removed! Mum can save her opinions to herself.

Your choice to stop when you want
Tell your mother it’s none of her business

So long as your baby is still being fed what does it matter to anyone but you and your child. Your body, your choice.

I am very pro breastfeeding for any amount of time. 6 months is great, well done and stop when ever you want to, which sounds like now!

@wonderw Absolutely stop. 6 months of breastfeeding is enough for any baby. Absolutely no need to continue it beyond that.

If you want to stop, it's time to stop. Six months is fine, you've given him a great start.