I want to stop.

[IceBergJam]

Decided I want to stop. DD is 13 months. Im back at work and exhausted from increased night time feeds.

What do I need to do?

Do you want to stop completely or would you continue if the nights were easier? Try googling askdrsears 12alternatives.

Basically you need to stop gradually, dropping one feed at a time and giving yourself and DD a chance to adjust each time. Gradual means different things to different people, so just listen to your body. Think about the feeds she normally has in the day and either replace it with a substitute milk drink or adjust her meal pattern if that works better and offer a snack and milk/yoghurt instead. Try not to anticipate it being a anxious/difficult process as you may well find it happens easily - good luck!

I want to stop. I will have to work away at times. It is the easier option. I actually never planned on bf so am ok with this.

How long do you think it would take? Weeks or months?

She wont take milk alternatives other than some kind of fruit and yoghurt pouch from Ellas Kitchen. Would that work?

If you stop completely she only actually needs 300ml of full fat cows milk per day until she is 2 and this includes any milk used in cooking. So if she had milk in cereal and then say cauliflower cheese and banana and custard during the day it should be enough. You can always offer some calcium rich foods such as salmon and sardines.

Don't worry too much though, both of mine had a clear couple of months between stopping bfing and accepting cows milk as a drink.

I'd also give one of the bfing helplines a call, they can advise you on how to reduce your risk of mastitis. Have you got the numbers?

You might also want to try some other way of comforting her at night whilst stopping, did you read the 12 alternatives?

I shall google tomorrow! Thanks so much. I may be back.

Let us know how you get on.