18 month old has suddenly stopped bf and I'm feeling really sad about it

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My dd has been teething very badly the past week, but was still having breast milk and seemed to have some comfort from it. She had a good morning feed 4 days ago but has completely refused to bf since. Whenever I've offered she's shaken her head 'no' and pulled my top back down.

The thing is, it's taken me completely by surprise! She wasn't reducing her feeds day/night and seemed happy to continue so I don't know why she's suddenly stopped. I've had to express some milk because it was getting uncomfortable but my boobs seem to be settling back to normal now. I'm feeling very sad about it, I just imagined she would gradually stop. I'm missing the closeness, the morning feed in bed. I understand this is her choice but can't help feeling a bit rejected too

I came on here tonight to seek advice and sympathy too. My dc2 stopped abruptly at 10.5 months because she had a cold and couldn't breathe, I was really upset but my sister told me to turn it in to a positive- where I had no choice I may as well make the most of it and managed to convince myself it were better that way than still have her hanging off me at 3 yrs old and me not managing to stop! IYSWIM. Dc3, my last baby, stopped 2 weeks ago aged 8.5months. He hadn't been a comfortable feeder for a few months, and 2 months previous he had a feeding strike because of teething. He went back on so this time I thought we would be OK but I keep offering and he just refuses. I have expressed but barely get 2 oz a day. I also didn't see this coming, I was expecting this to happen in 4 months, was enjoying most of the feeds and making the most of it as he is definitely my last baby, and now it's gone forever. I have to say I'm not as distraught as I thought I would be but I am very very sad. I probably have not helped you a great deal here but I really do sympathise!

My dd did this at 17 months, i think it was a nursing strike due to her having a cold/biting me and me overreacting. I still feel a bit sad about it three years later, but i did keep offering and she kept refusing. Despit being her being completely miserable and me knowing full well what would cheer her up... I feel for you.

Thank you for your replies. I posted here knowing someone would understand where I was coming from! My husband is pleased she's stopped bf and cannot understand why I would be feeling sad about it. My SIL just smiled and said "we'll she was going to have to stop sometime". I'm trying to see it from a positive perspective e.g. can finally get some new bras! But my dd is likely to be my last baby/ child and can't help but feel that special bond has changed now

I'm right with you I found my nice bras last week and oh my, I have a bust again that looks rather good. Trouble is they hurt like hell so I might need to buy some more you see, every cloud and all that.....

From what I can gather if its abrupt it could be a nursing strike, so you could do all the things that you'd do if it was and see if she starts again? Obviously no harm if she doesn't and at least you'll know she definitely weaned of her own accord.

My DD self weaned 2 weeks ago now. She's 26 months, but tbh I expected her to continue feeding for months/years yet. She did reduce feeds gradually, but it still happened faster than I expected. I was suprised how sad I feel about it tbh.

I'm sure it's a time of mixed emotions for everyone, not helped because generally people don't understand.