I feel like I can't stop breastfeeding until DS decides he's done.

[BunnyLebowski]

DS is 8 months and EBF. He is a big strong and very physical baby. Feeding him has become a bit of a nightmare for me. He lurches back and to the side. Constantly pinches and scratches me. Would pull off and the re-latch every 30 seconds or so.

Not all feeds are like this. When he's very tired he feeds very peacefully and it's lovely.

But I'm ready to stop. How do I even begin when he won't take any sort of bottle or cup?

He's eating lots but it hasn't seemed to reduce the amount he wants to fed at all.

DD fed till she self weaned at 2. I really dont want to do it for that long again.

Any tips? I'm sitting here in tears. I've been poorly this week with a virus and am feeling very depleted and weak.

You just stop. You follow the general weaning guidelines. Stay determined and follow through he should be off in a month. If you're a stay at home mum I'll give you less than that.

Yes Bunny I think you need to be able to decide to put yourself first. Is that something you would say you struggle with? you sound very low and clear that you want to stop. That is enough, you need no other reason.

He will take a bottle or a cup, sooner or later.

Does he feed in a set pattern, however intensive? If so, focus on dropping one feed at a time, then leaving a few days before you drop the next one.