I've finally stopped breastfeeding - feel really down.....

[Mumbojumbo]

Was going to change my name for this but haven't.
I stopped b/feeding ds2 on Thursday evening (on his 3rd birthday) and now feel really sad. I felt it was "time" to stop. I finished b/feeding his brother on his 3rd birthday too (he is now nearly 5). Managed to get ds2 to sleep last night, despite his initial protestations. Feel really mixed up - will never b/feed again, part of my life is over iyswim. I've given the last 5 years to this and it's over. I so nearly gave up with ds1 after 2 weeks with horrendous problems but stuck with it. Probably a bit irational, I mean, ds2 is not a baby is he! Not sure DH understands how I'm feeling. Just wanted to write it down, thanks for reading if you've got this far.

I felt like you when i stopped bf ds2 when he was 2 and a half

I went on and bf dd1 and stopped when i was 7 months pg with dd2 who is now 15 weeks.

I will hate giving up with her cos she is my last ever baby.

So no advice but big (((hugs))).I know just how you feel and remember you did a great thing for both your boys xx

I know just how you feel. I felt overwhelming sadness when I stopped feeding DD1 at around 9 months ( she just sort of lost interest). I had nobody to share it with at the time ( hadn't found mumsnet! - and other friends bottle fed)
I'm now feeding DD2 who is 5 months and she will be my last baby. I'm dreading stopping with her . It is such a lovely feeling of closeness.
Well done for feeding them at all, and have a hug.

Aw I feel for you. Dd gave up abruptly one day 3m ago- she was 11mo at the time. Still a bit gutted about it tbh. And hopeful I will get another shot one day

You have done amazingly well, as I am sure you know. Hope I can feed for longer if there is a next time. Well done, hard I know but try and focus on the positives.

Oh hunney.
I came on tonight to post the very same thing. I've been perscribed meds by doc which mean that I can't bf anymore.
She's my only one and 12 weeks old - and a gift from the gods as its unlikely I'll have anymore (it took 5 pregnancies to get her and she's wonderful). I had to bf + formula top-up from 6 weeks as she was losing weight and getting dangerously weak.
The last couple of weeks its mostly been formula with a few quick bf as an "aperitif!" to start. I'm really sad too that this part of our relationship is over - particularly as she's so young. But as the doc said, the new meds will be better for me and make me a better mum than the couple of oz she gets from me each day.

I can really sympathise, I hope we both feel better soon.

Mumbo,you've done fantastically and deserve a medal.
Here's to your next phase as a parent.

Thanks for all the replies, guys! DS2 is still asking for "boo-boo" at bed time but we are coping with a story and lots of hugs.

That's lovely that you carried on so long, Mumboj.