I feel really upset at the thought of stopping bf DS (older baby)

[notnowbernard]

He only has bedtime feed now. Never looks for a bf in the day - likes cow's, that's fine, no probs with that

But lately he doesn't seem as interested in the bedtime one. Once he's on, he has a good feed but tbh he really isn't fussed if he gets it or not (I work shifts and sometimes am not here to feed him)

I have LOVED feeding him, he's my last baby etc etc

I need to make this about him, not me. I am to admit that this makes me teary when I think about it in any depth

I was emotional with DC2 but this is worse

Don't know what I'm asking really but just wanted to say it... DP lovely and all that but doesn't really get it, IYKWIM

Oh, he's nearly 18m btw

You have loved feeding him, its your last baby - these are not stupid things to feel upset about.

Sorry I have to go to bed - my one will be awake soon but just wanted to say don't be hard on yourself, you've done amazingly to feed him so much good milk and should allow yourself to feel sad about the end if that's what it is.

Thankyou Albrecht, your post made me well up!

I am being really emotional about it, I know... there are bigger things to get wound up over, a million things I could be stressing over instead

It is so much more than feeding though, isn't it

Just weird to think I'll never do it again. Feeling all PMTish as well which doesn't help

My Mother thinks I'm barking (am 1st breastfeeder in the family since elderly relatives did it). But she knows not to offer too much of an opinion

Hugs. I fully expect to feel the same when I come to stopping BF. DS is only 4 months but we are pretty sure he will be our last baby. I already feel a bit weird and sad at the thought I will never be pregnant again and expect I will have quite a major wobble when the bfeeding ends too. Just wanted to say I don't think you are being irrational or strange in feeling like this, it's wonderful in a way that you feel so bonded with your baby I guess it's a reminder that we don't own our children, we just have them to look after for a little while before we have to let them grow up xxx

I felt very similar when I stopped feeding DD. only difference is that I was/am pregnant with DC2 so I guess I have the comfort that I will hopefully feed another baby.

DD was 18 months when she stopped feeding. She also was down to just bedtime feed, then for a couple of weeks she only wanted a feed maybe 50% of the time and the rest of the time just wanted to fiddle with my boob - not fun at the best of times, worse when pregnant!!

So I stopped offering her her bedtime feed, but always with the attitude that if she made the slightest attempt to ask for boob I would give it. But she just wasn't fussed!!

We now have a cuddle at bedtime and that suits her fine. I'm pleased that we still have lovely snuggle time at bedtime, but still miss BFing and I feel sad that I didn't make it to two years, which had been my aim.

I tell myself that very few babies get fed as long as DD did. Most are lucky to get 18 weeks never mind 18 months. We have done well by our babies I think and that's the thing to focus on.

What you have done will benefit him for the rest of his life :)

GetDownYouWillFall - " I guess it's a reminder that we don't own our children, we just have them to look after for a little while before we have to let them grow up xxx"

That just made me cry!

I am freaking out because I am worried my supply has dropped since my son (19 weeks) has just started sleeping from 7 til 7 (ish!) with dream feed at 11 and the thought of it dwindling to nothing has made me really upset. I love feeding him so much [teary emotive woman emoticon]

Awww sorry for making you cry citymonkey It's true though isn't it, I think about this quite a lot. I think people that pour everything into their children at the expense of their relationship with their partner, suffer most at the end of the day with the "empty nest" syndrome. I love my two dearly and dread the day they will grow up and leave, but as mums that's what we have to prepare them for - to live their own lives and let them be their own people. It's your marriage that endures beyond the childcare years.

thankyou all

Feel like i've been given permission to be a sap

honestly, each time i think about not feeding I well up... i picture what his little face looks like when he's feeding and I go all pathetic

Jesus, if someone had told me 10y ago i'd be thinking in this way i'd have laughed like a drain...