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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Last breastfeed

14 replies

Purplestarballoon · 26/02/2023 21:58

Hi all,

I’m in the last stages of weaning my DS. He eats a lot during the day, has some formula in the day and then a breastfeed at night (if he wakes, or first thing in morning if he sleeps through). I was fortunate that he didn’t bat an eyelid at switching to bottles during the day and the night feed still did the trick to comfort him.
However now I’ve noticed that my milk has really started to dry up and I’ve found that the night feed doesn’t comfort him as much and he would prefer just a cuddle.

After a real struggle to get going with breastfeeding I’ve come to really love it and am not looking forward to stopping however it does feel like the time is right to now.

He is 1 in a few weeks so I thought it might be a good idea to do the last feed the night before his birthday. Does anyone have any suggestions of other ways to “mark” the last feed? Or have people found it’s easier not to notice when the last one was?

Thanks

OP posts:
Flittingaboutagain · 26/02/2023 22:26

Personally I was devastated when my milk suddenly dried up at 20+ weeks pregnant when my little one wasn't even 18 months as I had wanted her to self wean. She was so upset and crying asking for mumma milk. I kept thinking about the last feed and being glad I didn't know it was the last one. Thankfully my milk has returned for the newborn and she's so happy about it! Which makes me happy too.

Things I have known people do to commemorate everything that bf entails: write a letter documenting your breastfeeding journey (that you may never share), commission some breast milk jewellery or get a local photographer to do a bf shoot.

CrispAppleStrudels · 26/02/2023 22:35

DD was basically down to one feed a day when i decided to stop (a run of blebs, thrush etc just making it a bit of a miserable experience). It was around this time of year actually, so i picked a specific day when i would, which i decided would be the Mother's Day.

I did the last feed in bed with her at breakfast time and then DH brought me breakfast and a bucks fizz in bed.

We'd had a really difficult feeding journey - DD was in NICU so i was hand expressing for a week before we could even attempt bfing, then we were triple feeding as she wasn't gaining weight, i combi fed the whole time and to top it all she had horrible reflux. So i was really proud to still be feeding her at 9months old and it was a really really lovely way of stopping and a lovely memory to have😊

SleekMamma · 26/02/2023 22:43

Oh Crisps wow that's a journey and a half. What a lovely ending. Taking control, when the start sounds to have been a very difficult time.

I was ill. Had tonsillitis, was quite ill and definitely dehydrated. Had no idea how to stop. So it all worked out ok.

CrispAppleStrudels · 26/02/2023 22:47

SleekMamma · 26/02/2023 22:43

Oh Crisps wow that's a journey and a half. What a lovely ending. Taking control, when the start sounds to have been a very difficult time.

I was ill. Had tonsillitis, was quite ill and definitely dehydrated. Had no idea how to stop. So it all worked out ok.

Thank you - that was exactly my intention :)

jamsandwich1 · 26/02/2023 22:52

First time, I think my milk dried up at around 16 weeks pregnant and DS just wasn’t interested anymore. He was about 16 months then so it felt a right time. I didn’t know it was going to be the last feed but I knew it was coming. Second time, DD self weaned around 13-14 months and again I knew it was coming but didn’t know it would be the last time. I felt happy it was her decision and think that I preferred not knowing it was the last feed.

RidingMyBike · 26/02/2023 22:56

I only know when the last feed was because I was still using the BabyTracker app! Mine dropped to one BF a day by 18mo and it was a few times per week from 2.5 years. The last one was at 3.5 years. I didn't mark it (as it didn't occur to me for a while we'd stopped as it was so infrequent by then!) although I remember a colleague asking and assuming I'd be upset to stop and being very taken aback when I admitted I'd hated BFing!

mishmased · 26/02/2023 23:03

With my first he stopped breastfeeding at 2years and 3 months and I was 7 months pregnant. One morning he latched on and said the milk was finished and that was it. It worked well because I wasn't sure how or when we were going to stop but I was delighted that there wasn't any tears.
Second child stopped at 2 years 5 months. Last feed was Christmas Eve 2017, was so happy with Henry Hoover for Christmas that he forgot to feed and when he wanted to feed I told him Santa took the milk and brought Henry instead. He was happy but I felt a bit down for a while, was ok later.
Five years on I'm feeding my 21 month old, not sure how or when to stop but this baby is not as boob crazy but very determined when she needs milk.
Congrats on your journey, you'll never forget it and it was the thought of how fleeting breastfeeding is that kept me going this time as for the first time ever I had bleeding nipples. Well done you and your baby 👏👏

Flittingaboutagain · 27/02/2023 08:07

Ah it makes me so emotional reading all your stories. Well done to all of you. I hope I can get to the end and celebrate it one day rather than mourn. I still have the unopened perfect prep machine in the cupboard from when I was pregnant in 2020 and quite set on not breastfeeding. I hope to be feeding another two years. It's funny how things work out!

MrsBunnyEars · 27/02/2023 08:15

I didn’t really mark it because I’m not sure when it was - BFing tailed off after 2, but DD was latched on constantly when she was ill in hospital at about 2.5.

Now at 3 and a bit I occasionally find her latched on if we’re co-sleeping (usually if she’s a bit under the weather), but I’m fairly sure it’s habit and there’s no milk.

I think I would have found the ‘last breastfeed’ a bit too much pressure to make it special. But weaning is a milestone.

PaulaPaola · 27/02/2023 08:18

I breastfed for over 4 years of my life; it was such a big thing for me and I'm full of regret that there is not a single photo of me doing it. So take photos before you stop, definitely.

PurBal · 27/02/2023 08:27

DS self weaned so I didn’t know it would be the final feed. I was actually really proud of him for making that decision (at a little over 12mo). We still have lots of cuddles.

mondaytosunday · 27/02/2023 10:54

My baby was down to one feed just before bed. Then the very night before her first birthday she just looked at me then stuck her thumb in her mouth and that was it! Phew!
I think you just stop. Don't make any deal about it. Give yourself a big glass of wine and look forward to the next stage of your child's growth.

Original poster
Purplestarballoon · 27/02/2023 14:22

Thank you so much each and every one of you for sharing your stories. It’s such an emotional time and it’s really amazing to hear how everyone has found it. ❤
However we finish, I’ll look back on this time with so much gratitude for what we shared together. And even when it ends, it won’t take away that bond we have.

OP posts:
Somuchgoo · 28/02/2023 09:36

I don't remember the last feed. I know if was around late December/early January, because I wondered whether we'd make it to Christmas or new year and just about did. She was 2y 8m, and just cut down gradually, and started not having it every day etc, and then I suddenly realised we hadn't for a few weeks.

I'm glad she weaned when she did because less than a month later she became very ill, and logistically I'd not have been able to feed her if she was still seeking that for comfort, because if surgery, wires etc. I'm glad she weaned first so bI didn't have to say no.

I didn't enjoy bf, I didn't want to do it, but I did enjoy seeing how much it meant to her.

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