Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Flip

Original poster

Thinking of giving up breastfeeding after xmas...

15 replies

Blondeinlondon · 07/12/2005 19:26

Thinking of giving up breastfeeding after xmas...
DS will be a year old in Feb.
He has been mixed fed from 8 mths

Any arguments for continuing til so I hit the one year mark?

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 07/12/2005 19:27

Nothing wrong with stopping, it's entirely up to you.

The longer you feed for, the greater the benefits to you, the greater the benefits to your DS. But there's no magical age you have to do it until.

Original poster

Blondeinlondon · 07/12/2005 19:31

Just starting to feel like I want my body back - selfish I know!

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 07/12/2005 19:32

Hey, it's your body, you're allowed to want it back!

I'm happy to bf for ages, but that's my choice. I find having children forever clinging to me, wiping their noses on me, etc etc, quite hard, but the bf bit is fine.

Roobietherednosedreindeer · 07/12/2005 19:35

You're so near to the 12 month mark - if I were you I would continue to then if for no other reason than to be able to say "I bf for a year"

ISawFrannyandZooeyKissingSanta · 07/12/2005 19:42

Of course you must do what you want, but if mixed feeding is working for you, and you don't actively dislike breastfeeding, why not continue with, say, one feed a day, for as long as you both enjoy it? There are so many benefits from breastfeeding, for both of you, that unless there's a problem, it seems a shame to stop. (not selfish, though, it is your body as NQC says)

jinglinggoblin · 07/12/2005 19:50

i kept going til ds was about 14 months, just one feed when he woke up in the morning. meant i didnt have to get out of bed cos he went back to sleep!

harpsiheraldangelssing · 07/12/2005 20:08

how do you plan to stop BIL? just go cold turkey? I suppose that would be my reservation, if it would mess up sleep times/routines I would be loathe to rock teh boat.
but then I am a lazy mother

pompom · 07/12/2005 20:55

HI,
This is a slightly different problem but I am at the stage where I'd like to hear some advice/past experiences.. My daughter is 20 months, has no dummy and is still breastfeeding. She really wants it when I am around (goes to nursery several times a week and is fine) and at night wakes and demands it forcefully...We don't want the other daughter to wake so I tend to try to refuse but eventually give in most of the time although I always offer water first. She is just unconsolable if I don't give her that breastfeed, it's usually quick and then she goes happily to sleep.
I will add that she has NEVER slept through since she was 3 months! I have accepted this state but want to stop at least by the time she is 2. My first daughter was breastfed until 18 months but then only one in the morning and one at night and stopped willingly cold turkey! What can you suggest?

harpsiheraldangelssing · 07/12/2005 20:56

pompom same question why do you want to stop?
is ot the sleeping through the night?

pompom · 07/12/2005 21:03

Hi, I suppose it's mainly because I am very tired and I think there is no real bebefit to beastfeeding at this late stage. I know that it is a comfort thing but she is loved and cuddled anyway. Also it's the frequency of it that i thing is too much, three times a night is the norm! I'd love a proper sleep.. my Christmas wish...

ISawFrannyandZooeyKissingSanta · 07/12/2005 22:35

Pompom, there are still loads of benefits to breastfeeding at this age, but whether they outweigh the disadvantages for you I don't know. The No-cry sleep solution for toddlers and pre-schoolers by Elizabeth Pantley describes how to deal with sleep disturbances from older breastfed children and is a very gentle approach.

For me personally I have (mostly) got used to having less sleep, and live in hope that one day ds will wean himself from the habit, and move out of our bed too, preferably before he is having friends over for sleepovers

Mincepiedermama · 07/12/2005 22:39

I've enjoyed feeding mine into toddlerhood and they've all weaned themeselves off in their own time.

I find it an invaluable resource and have always been loath to make a point of giving up something which has worked so well for us. (Great for soothing as well as nutrition).

However, I really like it. If I had had enough and wanted my body back I would go for that option. It's great you have fed him as long as you have. It's your shout.

Original poster

Blondeinlondon · 07/12/2005 22:59

Planning to reduce down to 1st thing in the morning and the bedtime feed
Trouble is he sometimes declines his bedtime feed so I'm not sure it will be sustainable for any length of time

He has 1-2 bottles a day plus 3-5 breastfeeds

OP posts:

ISawFrannyandZooeyKissingSanta · 08/12/2005 09:15

I think at this stage, BIL, your milk is well-established and it would take a long time for your milk to dry up, actually. I know a woman who went on for a year or more on just the occasional feed, not even once a day, before her supply finally went.

OComeOliveFaithfOil · 08/12/2005 09:18

I wanted my body back after 3 months! But each to their own.

Only you can make the decision.

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread