Stopping breastfeeding

9 replies

Wishywashy · 07/10/2004 23:03

Well DS is offically 5 months tomorrow and I'm going back to work in one week.
Reduced down to 2 BF either end of the day and the other 3 feeds are formula. DS is also being weaned and on 3 solid feeds.

Alls going well and DS is doing well but I should have dropped the next BF feed to a formula but I'm suprised to feel that I'm gonna miss it and I'm reluctant to drop these feeds....

I've gone on longer than I've expected BFing and I guess I enjoy the closeness.
We've had our ups and downs and worked through some horrible times and have suprised that all my inhibitions disappear when I have to feed DS in a public place.
I'm not sure whether to stop BF before I go back to work or continue the 1-2 feeds either end of the day up to 6 months....

I guess the bottom line is that I feel that if I stop now and change too much it's gonna be hard especially when DS goes to Nursery...

Has anyone else felt like this or am I just being selfish?

Cheers
Wishywashy

OP posts:

Levanna · 07/10/2004 23:36

Hi wishywashy. Personally I'd hang on to those last couple of feeds for as long as it's possible to do so. Why on earth would it be selfish for you to continue for as long as you and your DS are enjoying it?! I can't think of a better start and end to a day . I fed DD1 for 14 months, despite originally having no particular intention of doing so. Now, with DD2 and currently encountering those heart wrenching problematic days, although it has crossed my mind to stop, I know I'll really hold on for as long as I and she, can.

Pagan · 07/10/2004 23:37

As I didn't return to work I can't speak from my point of view but a couple of pals did and they continued with the morning and night b/f with no bother.

80sMum · 07/10/2004 23:37

Hi WW. If you enjoy the closeness, don't stop just yet. See how it goes. Maybe you could keep giving just a bf at bedtime? Your supply will get less as demand falls, so hopefully you won't find yourself leaking at work! I hope all goes well at work. Good luck.

marthamoo · 08/10/2004 00:02

As you are enjoying it, I would keep going as long as you can - morning and evening feeds shouldn't be a problem, even when you go back to work. You are absolutely not being selfish!

Whatever you do, don't just stop cold turkey - I did with ds2 at 8 months and I was in AGONY. Wean yourself off gradually (if you do continue, you will probably find that ds drops the morning feed after a while and just has a little comfort bedtime feed - that's what ds1 did, finally stopping of his own accord at 12 months).

Good luck.

mears · 08/10/2004 00:29

I would continue these feeds wishywashy - why stop?

Chuffed · 08/10/2004 11:05

wishywashy am going through exactly the same thing. dd 6mths and at nursery from 8.30-5.30. I'm doing an am feed after her breakfast in the morning and then a bf around dinner time. Apart from the original agony cutting out the daytime feeds I haven't had any problems at work so far. (Been back a week).
Not sure how I'm going to drop another but am hoping that she will do it by herself. I think in a way it has helped her transition as it is something that you can spend 'quality' time doing.

aloha · 08/10/2004 17:07

Why stop now if you don't want to? YOu can feed morning and afternoon and at weekends for months and months if you want to.

dinosaur · 08/10/2004 17:22

Do continue if you want to. I carried on feeding DS2 until he was 15 months old and we only stopped when he lost interest!

dinosaur · 08/10/2004 17:23

Should have explained that I was working four pretty long days a week - but it was nice to carry on feeding him in the evenings.

Flip