Stopping breastfeeding

[WestYorkshireGirl]

My DD is 13m and over the last few weeks as she's been cutting 4 new teeth, I've been struggling a bit with her grazing my areola. She doesn't bite and the latch is good, it just seems to be where the teeth rest and worse on one particular side. After some useful comments to my post a few weeks ago, I had a bit of relief via Kellymom tips and when my local B/F Cafe suggested trying some other positions, but ultimately, it seems to be getting worse and extremely painful and sore.

She's only been on 2 feeds a day now for about 2 months and so this morning I gave her a beaker of cow's milk and she happily took it from me and didn't look for Mummy milk. I'm going to see if just feeding her at night makes it a bit easier, but was just wondering if that too becomes too bad, what's the best way to stop?

I've read that you need to sop gradually, but if I'm only feeding once a day already, does anyone know what I do - do I reduce the length of the feed or just stop altogether one day? I don't want to stop so hope it won't come to this, but it's good to be prepared!

Thanks!

I stopped quite gradually using a 'don't offer but don't refuse' technique. Agonised for ages how I was ever going to get DS1 off the boob, having agonised for ages about how I'd carry on breast feeding etc etc!! It's quite simple - look to replace the bedtime feed with a story, a cuddle, milk in a cup or beaker and then bedtime. If they look for a feed, offer it, but maybe keep it short. My DS would go a couple of evenings without, then feel particularly snuggly and want a feed the third night (my milk supply never seemed to be affected - he was around 15mo so I guess it was well established?) Gradually he asked for it less and less, and then we were done. I felt it was a lovely way to stop as it never felt like i denied him anything (and it cuts out the emotional 'this is my last feed' thing for you too.One day you'll realise it's been a week, and that's that)
I think it's way harder than you expect, There seems to be a lot of advice for starting to feed and very little about stopping what has become such a big part of your life!
Good luck x

I stopped at 11 months when I went back to work and DD was only asking for a bedtime feed anyway. So one night (after I'd been doing once daily feeds for about 3w) I just didn't offer a BF at bedtime but gave her a beaker of cows milk (I know a bit early ) - I remember been a little put out by the big grin on her face. I put it down to her just finding it funny rather than actually being pleased to see it.

Anyway she had a tiny bit for a couple of nights and then just pushed it away so I stopped offering it. Don't know if I was lucky but it was way easier than I imagined (Was actually dreading this).

I don't think she was feeding much at the end though because I never even got the slightest bit of discomfort or engorgement.

Good Luck