I think I'm done. For good.

[Mrsfrumble]

23 MO DD has refused her bedtime feed for the third night in a row. We've been down to one feed a day for ages now so I doubt I had much of a supply anyway.

I'm a little sad because I've loved nursing. I fed DS for 17 months, but didn't mind too much when he self-weaned because I was already 4 months pregnant with DD so I knew I'd be starting again soon. I pretty sure DD is our last baby so I'll probably never breastfeed again.

I don't really expect any replies. I'm just feeling a little sad and wanted to write it down.

It's ok to feel sad. Think I will feel the same one day.

Try and think of all the exciting things you have ahead to do that you haven't do e yet rather than what you are loosing.

Treat yourself to something nice as a reward for feeding them both for so long and until they wanted to stop rather than you stopping them.

Take care

I fed DD for a year & know I will be really sad to stop feeding DS when the time comes as also not planning any more DCs.

Totally understand where you're coming from. It's a wonderful stage of your life to have happy memories of though.

Totally understand those feelings. Think about the wonderful start you've given both your children. I like the idea of going out and treating yourself to something nice.

I think it's lovely that both your children self - weaned

Good luck for the weeks ahead, hope they're not too emotional for you

I stopped at 20 months (i think pregnancy changed my milk and put her off) and I was very sad. I took a picture of the last time I fed her (I kind of knew it was going to be the last time, she was not really interested any more) and stuck it in her baby book.

I cuddled her a lot the next few weeks, and cried a lot too.

Funny thing was I think I wanted to stop and was nearly ready to stop, but it was still a big adjustment. Go easy on yourself. I found the hormonal changes made me very very weepy for about 3 weeks and some friends have said the same - watch out for that and if it happens to you know that it will pass.

Think how wonderful it is that you fed her until she wanted to stop and what a wonderful start in life you've given her. xxx

I am feeding 16m old ds and he will be my last. I know I will be very sad when the time comes to stop.

Well done on a great achievement

Aww, thank you for such lovely supportive replies. I felt a bit self-indulgent posting last night and thought I'd either be ignored or told to get a grip!

Funnily enough DD woke up twice last night shouting for "booby!" (Yeah, I know! I didn't really think about the consequences of feeding a verbal toddler. Good job she hardly ever fed in public after she started talking...). I felt rather torn because a part of me really isn't ready to stop, but I didn't feed her in the end because she's been night weaned for a year and I'm not so desperate as to start feeding at all hours again!

She refused again this evening, so I've resolved to offer at bedtime until Sunday, then stop.

On a practical note, my breasts don't feel engorged or sore, just a little swollen and tingly. I'm guessing that as my supply was already dwindling I can just leave them to "dry up" without risking mastitis or anything, right? Any ideas on how long that might take, and when I can get myself measured for some proper bras?

Nice new bras will be my reward. I have 8 rather sad, grey-looking nursing bras that have lasted me through both stints of breastfeeding; 4 in a DD cup for the first six months and 4 in a C cup for when when things calm down and I deflate. I can't wait for some pretty new ones, although I have no idea what size I really am now.

I assume you fed your two back to back without stopping? I stopped at 18mo with DD when she wasn't interested anymore. Just cold turkey as she was down to one feed. There were no problem at all with mastitis.

OneLittleToddleTerror I had a 5 month break between DS stopping and DD's birth. I assumed my milk had dried up due to the pregnancy, and that's why DS lost interest. I don't remember feeling engorged of uncomfortable.

Ah I see mrsfrumble, I was confused a bit about what you did last time. It also dried up for me after I stopped, without any uncomfortableness. I think it's just because I ramped down so slowly, ie from one feed to zero.