Breastfeeding coming to an end

[inquisitiveinga]

Am I being unreasonable? I'm aware that everything changes and nothing lasts forever... I'm just so upset that my breastfeeding journey is coming to an end.

My milk is drying up (I've attempted to remedy it), so am just accepting it for what it is. I managed to feed my son for 2 months and have managed just shy of 7 with my daughter, but I'm just so sad that I couldn't do more as it's been so magical and wasn't ready for it to end!

What makes you think your milk is drying up? Your supply should be well established after feeding for seven months. Very strange for it to suddenly dry up now.

Firstly, why do you think your milk is drying up? Has your baby lost interest? My boobs are sadly very flat and saggy but my 18 months old still gets milk out of them.

For it to suddenly dry up, have you taken decongestants? That's the main thing that can cause a sudden dry up. But you should be able to get it back with regular feeding.

We've had a huge bereavement in the family, and are having to sort everything funeral/estate wise due to little/no family so is incredibly full on/stressful. Also trying to move house so as much as I'm trying to meditate/be super zen, I think the stress and emotional turmoil has caused it.

Sending a big hug. I just finished breast feeding and even though it was my choice and I was so ready for it to end I still found it really emotional. Your hormones will also be changing rapidly which will affect your moods. Plus you have all these other stresses! Go easy on yourself as much as you can.

Go easy on yourself x your body is clearly stressed and this is a sign that your body needs a rest x

It's OK you've done what you can. Ignore all the naysayers- formula is fine

I'm sorry for your loss

I agree with the other comments, why do you think your supply is drying up?

I would just keep feeding your baby if that's what you want to do

Weird comment

The OP says she's sad and wants to carry on bf. I'm sure she knows formula is fine, she says above she bf her first 2 months I presume she fed her first formula.

My DIL breast fed her second, decided to go with formula after 5 months. Baby wouldn’t settle so she pumped. We read that you can continue with breastfeeding a few months after you’ve stopped (if that makes sense) our bodies are a miracle! Anyhoo, do what’s right for you and your baby

Because she's been on the boob quite a while over the last few weeks and then when eventually offered a bottle she's begun to chug it - used to totally refuse it! She's also been quite constipated with the transitioning to solids and now I think about it, I wonder if its due to her not having as much milk as she should've been having alongside the solids.

Thank you all for the kind comments. I think I just need a good cry!

This is really good to know - thank you. Perhaps when life has calmed down a bit it'll be something we can return to 💞

So sorry for your loss and that things are so tricky.

Can you pump a few times a day so you can see how much you are producing? Then you may feel reassured if it’s actually a decent amount and your little one is just going through a hungry phase!

So both of my kids were exclusively breastfed and still got constipated (including the boob mad 18 month old). So I wouldn't worry about that as a sign. At this age it's easier to watch wet nappies - have they decreased? How is your baby's weight gain? Are they still following their centile curve? I don't think your breastfeeding journey is over if you don't want it to be. You've had a hideously stressful time, and this won't be helping, but it sounds like you and your baby are still keen to feed so if you need to top up for a couple of weeks (although I'm still not sure you do to be honest from what you've said) then that's not the end of the world ❤️

I didn't have a choice in stopping either, I was admitted to hospital and my daughter was sent home to dad so I could start new medication.
Stopping today doesn't detract from your achievement. You have done amazingly. It sounds like a tricky time for you at the moment too so make sure you look after yourself too. The first days and weeks are hard but it will get easier. What ever you feel is ok, try not to bottle it up and talk to people.
Breastfeeding wasn't an easy journey for me but stopping wasn't easy to. Take care

Pumping isn't a good indication of supply. Some people don't respond well to pumps but baby can get milk just fine.

There's really no need for you to stop or decide that it's over. Your milk supply might be temporarily hit if you're stressed but it'll bounce back. Just keep feeding; you can supplement with formula if you feel the need.

I agree with all of this. My eldest was breastfed and very prone to constipation.

Remember also that babies feed for comfort as well as food. She may be picking up on the stressful situation and just wanting her safe place.

It sounds like you are having a really tough time. Look after yourself OP. And whatever happens with breastfeeding be proud that you have already given your little one a great start in life. x

Agree with the PPs - if you enjoy the breastfeeding and your DC is happy to do it, that's enough of a reason to keep going even if they're not getting much nutrition out and need to increase either solid food or formula intake.
I bf my DC until they were 4. I doubt they really got much milk for the last 2 years of that! But they were happy to carry on and so was I.

Thank you for such a lovely message. X

Keep it going! Don’t supplement with formula if you avoid it, and your supply will replenish. I massively regret stopping BF at 12 months with mine. I did it because I went back to work, but if I could go back, I’d pump at work to keep the supply going.

If you want to continue the best thing you can do is just feed her. Your body will respond to how much or how little milk is taken from it. The more you give bottles the less it will produce. I wonder if, with everything that has been going on you’ve not been feeding as much which has diminished your supply. But, you can definitely increase the supply again just by feeding more. I too could still get milk out of myself for a long time after DS weaned.

Do whatever works though. There is no right or wrong time to stop, it’s just what works for you and your family. Don’t beat yourself up for not being able to feed for longer.

Can you take some time out for skin to skin? (Safe) co-sleeping?

I only breastfed mine once a day (or pumped once) for 7 months and had a 2 week gap and supply was still OK.