Extended breastfeeding - I think I want to stop now...

[Maitri]

DD has been bf for 22 months now and shows no sign of wanting to stop. She's had a recent period of illness and I have been reminded how wonderful bf-ing is as it's the only thing that would settle her. But I'm tired. Very tired.

I think I'm getting ready to stop now as she's about to move into her own room and I'm getting fed up with her pulling at my clothes round the clock for a feed (I tend to refuse and try to keep bf-ing to an evening and morning feed only, apart from when she's not well.) I'd also like to "separate" from her a little and encourage her to look to DH more when she needs soothing.

The problem is that this is my last baby and I feel as if I'm saying goodbye to bf-ing with a heavy heart. I'm also well aware of the health benefits to both her and me of extended bf-ing and I treasure those quiet moments when it's just the two of us having a snuggle and a feed. I'm wondering whether I should wait for her to self-wean but fear that I might be waiting a VERY long time! Does anyone have any advice or stories about how they managed to stop feeding?

Watching with interest as DD2 (14 months) is likely to be our last DC. I have to admit I'm not actively stopping her either, especially as she's cows milk intolerant.

You may be waiting a long time if you decide to let her self-wean but your choices are not wean now or hang on until the bitter end- how about reviewing how you feel in a month or 6 months for example? Self-weaning is not like some commitment that you have to stick to, you can change your mind whenever you like :)

How much time do you get to yourself? Will things change very much re the amount of childcare you do if you stop breastfeeding?

If you do want to stop then stopping gradually will be easier on you both. The bedtime feed is usually the last to go. Changing your morning routine rather than just cutting out the feed from your normal routine might help.

I'm also watching this thread with interest...was about to start a similar thread. DC3 is 15months and now BF just morning & evening, apart from a few weeks ago when she had a tummy bug that she just couldnt shake off - lo & behold it went within 24 hours when I decided to exclusively BF for 24hours. Breast milk really is magic stuff! (but then I was full to the brim with milk for a while & slightly leaky & uncomfy! plus DD thought all her Christmases had come at once!)

But I too am tiring of it - she will only be comforted by me (regardless of whether she'll get a feed or not), hates my poor husband cuddling her if she wakes at night or is upset, and I do link this to the BF attachment - my other 2 were the same until I stopped nursing them.

I have no idea 'how' to stop BF tho', never done it for so long before, & my other 2 happily took bottles so no boob didnt bother them too much.....DD only drinks water from tommee tippee in day so I worry if I drop both the BF's then she'll be dehydrated as she doesnt drink a huge amount of water.

I love BF I really do, but the time has come when I am happy to bid farewelll to it....so any bright ideas about how to stop would be much appreciated!