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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

trying to stop breast feeding and finding it hard

20 replies

ScarIettOHara · 22/03/2012 19:30

I'm trying to give up breastfeeding so that I can go on a strict diet and finally lose the enormous amount of weight I seem to have put on. I know its meant to burn up loads of calories but it didn't for me.

I've reduced it down to one feed a day and he takes a bottle ok. So for the last few days I have stopped altogether. Is it just me or did anyone feel a bit emotional and all over the place about doing this? I know my milk will have completely dried up soon - but in the meanwhile I'm feeling kind of sad about this and wondering if I'm making a huge mistake.

HAs this or similar happened to others and how did you manage it?

He's 8 months btw

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

sanam2010 · 22/03/2012 20:29

hey. still haven't managed to stop (DD is 17 months) - I decided a few times but then put it off by another day and another day and never happened. It sounds in your situation you are not really willing to wean yet... is it really just for the reason you give? You really don't need to wean in order to lose weight! Just eat healthy fresh food, avoid sweets and processed food and don't eat late, eat light dinners and get lots of exercise, walks in the parks etc., that should do the trick. You will find the wait will come off eventually and I doubt there's any evidence weaning early helps to lose weight. So if you feel emotional and sad about it why don't you continue? Somehow I feel in our society we feel we have to wean come 6 months and for many mums it doesn't feel right. It certainly wasn't right for me and I am so happy I didn't do it.

Original poster

ScarIettOHara · 22/03/2012 20:51

But I've had nearly 5 days without feeding - won't my milk have almost stopped? Was thinking t just might be me having a bit of a blip because it feels like such a big thing to do. Honestly I don't know what to do really.

OP posts:

Nevercan · 22/03/2012 20:51

I did feel sad when I stopped feeding but then I looked on The bright side which was that I got my body back

thisisyesterday · 22/03/2012 20:56

you know you can lose weight without stopping breastfeeding don't you?

personally i'd feed until a year at least so you don't need to waste money on formula

your milk supply will be fine if you start feeding him more again. if that's what you want to do

Original poster

ScarIettOHara · 22/03/2012 21:26

Nevercan - how long did it take your milk to stop do you remember? Did your body change at all when you stopped?

OP posts:

Tgger · 22/03/2012 21:31

Hi there. You would be able to start again if you wish, but if you're sure about giving up then just hold strong and you'll feel better soon. I think it is a bit emotional when you stop at any age- baby's that is!

kiwidreamer · 22/03/2012 21:36

I think it's probably normal to have wobbles but if you feel like you'd still like to have this connection with your baby then it's probably not too late too boost your supply up I would have thought. I have lost a stone in the past 2 months doing weight watchers pro points on the points for breast feeding with solids :) I'm never hungry, just have to spend the points wisely on food that is filling :):)

kiwidreamer · 22/03/2012 21:38

Lol relevant because my bubs is 10months :)

IHaveAFeatureWallAndILikeIt · 22/03/2012 21:43

I didn't lose proper weight until after I stopped breast feeding. I had wobbles, and if he had wanted it I would have let him, but as it was I gave him juice for the first time when I stopped BF and he never looked back! Much easier for him than me!!!

IHaveAFeatureWallAndILikeIt · 22/03/2012 21:44

(ds was 13 months)

bushymcbush · 22/03/2012 21:44

Your milk won't 'dry up' for months. Some people never stop being able to produce milk, even years after their children have weaned. If you want to start again, go for it. And yes you can lose weight whilst breast feeding - I lost 2 stones by calorie counting whilst breast feeding. I allowed myself 1700 calories a day, which is a couple of hundred more than I would allow if not breast feeding.

IHaveAFeatureWallAndILikeIt · 22/03/2012 21:44

(i planned to wean him off over 3 months, he stopped overnight!)

IHaveAFeatureWallAndILikeIt · 22/03/2012 21:46

bush, I can still squeeze a tiny drop and ds stopped bf 9 months ago!

MigGril · 25/03/2012 08:26

I didn't lose all the baby weight untill they where both well established on solids at around 10months. You took 9months to put it on it take's some women at lest that long to lose it, we are all different. (I still fed both of them long after this) You can do diets like sliming world and weight watchers while still BF.

On the feeding front you can deffantly start feeding agian if you wish to, after feeding for so long you woun't have dired up completly. A women who has lactated once can relatctate even years latter all you need is nipple stimulation.

You do know that BF long term has lots of possitive health benafits to you. Reducing your chances of overiane and breast cancer the longer you feed for.

popem · 25/03/2012 10:43

I was in the same situation always hungry lost 7lb when I stopped, 4 weeks on I still have milk but weight is coming off naturally. I know from last time with dd1 it took me 2 months for my milk to go completely, it is emotional to stop but that just hormones. If your body image is really getting you down I would stop. I know I didn't loose weight when bf but put it on but did both girls for a year. The weight will come off. Good luck.

PaigeTurner · 25/03/2012 12:59

I was happy to stop but I still cried - felt like bad PMT. it's hormones.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 25/03/2012 13:08

Mine were older when I stopped and yes I did feel emotional for a while after. It was about a month before by boobs settled down to one size.

If you want to start bfing again you may want the help of a local Bfing Counsellor, try LLL, ABM, NCT pr National Breastfeeding Helpline.

If you do decide to carry on with the bfing you might find this on bfing and weightloss helpful too.

RitaMorgan · 25/03/2012 13:17

You can diet while breastfeeding if you want.

LittleMilla · 25/03/2012 19:14

I was an emotional wreck when I stopped BF, around the same time as you. Took about three weeks to 'equalise' and I also noticed that my body has changed quite a bit. Boobs have shrunk to empty tea bags but my legs & bottom have really gone down.

I lost my final weight after stopping bf and managed to get back to (just about) my pre-pg weight. My appetite also reduced, whcih I always found hardest bf...meaning I could never diet, even if i'd wanted to!

Now on the pill which is doing all sorts to my appetite again, but that's another matter...!!

Best of luck and don't beat yourself up! x

MoonHare · 26/03/2012 20:02

If you truly want to stop then do and please be reassured that it's totally normal to feel emotional about it.

I had a little cry about it both times (9mo with DC1 and 12 mo with DC2) and felt sad about the lost connection - even though I was certain the time was right to stop both times.

I also know that all my friends felt varying degrees of the same sort of emotion about stopping too. It doesn't make you a bad person or a bad mother.

The sad feelings DO pass and very soon you'll be used to the new phase in your childs life. For me the feelings passed very quickly, you will still be connected with your baby in so very, very many ways.

Best wishes with everything :)

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