Hello
I’ve been breastfeeding my daughter for nearly 1 year and for a few weeks, if not months, I have felt ready to stop.
I breastfed my son for 3-4 months but it was an easy transition from breast to bottle as he took to bottles instantly, I did combi-feeding for a few months.
With my daughter, she uses my nipples for comfort AND milk. She will not accept a dummy and while I’m glad in a way.. I also wish she would take one just to soothe herself to sleep rather than using me.
I love breastfeeding and find it so convenient but it’s starting to wear me down a bit now and for me personally,
I would like to phase it out. My daughter is very attached to me which can be quite draining. Their dad is always there to support and help as much as he can but it can be really frustrating knowing that when she is crying, I am the only one who can really soothe her.
I should also mention that I’ve co-slept with her since day one. I am single so it’s just us in the bed. She is quite a good sleeper but will always find her way on to me during the night. She will initially go to sleep in her cot now (after crying solid for 10 mins) but she usually wakes around midnight so I take her into bed with me and stick her on for a feed/to soothe her and she’s instantly back to sleep, so I admit I also find it convenient in ensuring we both get a good night sleep. However she is at an age now where I feel confident leaving her to cry it out to sleep all night as I know she will get enough during the day from food and drinks. (I had to do this with my son who didn’t sleep through the night once until he was the same age and involved me leaving him to cry it out until he fell asleep).
Anyway, what I want to know is any tips or advice to stop breastfeeding? I should mention that she is very very reluctant to take a bottle and doesn’t eat much solid food. She isn’t great with sippy cups and we have tried a few different teets.
I’m worried about how often I should be hand expressing to prevent mastitis, without encouraging more milk production. I know it will take at least a few days (weeks?) to phase out breastfeeding but I wondered if anyone had any similar experiences!
Sorry if that is all a bit muddled and doesn’t make sense entirely. I’m writing it with a 3 year old in my ear and a baby climbing on me! :)
Thanks