sadness as bf comes to an end

7 replies

nicnee · 07/12/2004 22:37

I have recently stopped breastfeeding DS after 5 months. I had been giving both breast and bottle for some months but I am going back to work soon and have started to wean onto solids so it felt like the right time, but now I feel so sad.
I miss the convenience of it, especially since DS has started to wake in the night after a couple of months of sleeping through, now I have to warm a bottle.
I am glad to have my 'old' boobs back though and am happy that now I am not the only one who can put DS to bed, (can have a social life again). However, I can't help feeling guilty that I am depriving DS of what he loved and what was good for him. Also suddenly feel v. broody!! Am I going mad? Or is this just hormones?

OP posts:

morningpaper · 07/12/2004 22:39

I think this is quite normal to feel this way... it's sad when such a nice part of your life is over, for both of you. :) Good luck with work!

AllIWantForXmasisPoo · 07/12/2004 22:41

Glad to know it is not just me! I chose to give up as he has just got his first teeth and i couldn't stop him biting. It took me weeks and weeks to decide to definatley stop though. I tried once and the thought of it being the last time made me sob! So gave it another 3 or 4 weeks until it was such a painful ordeal to feed him that I was happy to stop. I too feel a bit broody, and very nostalgic. Am sure it has somethng to do with hormones. I just really miss the way that he would gaze at me whilst sucking, then smile and carry on. [Choke] Ho hum. But am really enjoying wearing lacy bras again!

CelluliteClaus · 07/12/2004 22:44

Definitely hormonal but it is short-lived. I was SO tearful when I stopped feeding DS and wept at the sight of a nursing bra! It was the right decision for me at the time as it no doubt is for you so just go with it. Your baby will be fine (and it is nice to be able to share the workload for once!).

Original poster

nicnee · 07/12/2004 22:51

Yes, have asked DH for nice bras for Xmas, as I rooted out my pre-pregnancy ones and they are looking a bit sorry.
I did weep when I gave up the bedtime feed, even though the last feed I gave up was the first one of the day, which didn't upset me at the time. I hope I get over this broody feeling, can't cope with another baby yet!!!!!

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Flumberrysauce · 08/12/2004 09:35

Nicenee, how long did it take for your boobs to return to an acceptable shape. Mine like pendulums - but still b'feeding at 10months - ready to stop soon though.

lulupop · 08/12/2004 09:40

Feel sad for you reading this as I remember the feeling so well.

When I gave up BF my DS, it just sort of happened - he'd been having more and more bottles and one day I realised he didn't want my breast any more as there was hardly any milk there. He was about 5 months too. I cried and cried.

I also felt v broody but then a month later nearly went mad when I thought I might be PG - I knew I couldn't manage another baby at that stage! The broody feeling passed and now I am having the same thing with DD (7 months) who has all but stopped BF. I do feel ready to stop, but at the same time find it hard to imagine not having any more babies. That said, I also find it hard to imagine wanting to go through another year of no sleep!

If this is your first baby, try not to worry too much about stopping BF if there is no alternative anyway - you will almost certainly have at least one more child!

Original poster

nicnee · 08/12/2004 13:05

Flumberry sauce - as I gave up bf very gradually, my boobs shrunk back gradually too. When I was only giving one feed a day, my boobs were almost back to normal anyway. I don't think I was making much milk at this stage. I was back into my pre-pregnancy size bras within a couple of days, but I do think my boobs are a little more saggy than what they used to be, but then it is hard to remember what they were like.

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Flip