Help me to decide whether to stop BFing DS (18 months)

[AdamAnt]

I'm feeling really ambivalent about it at the moment, and thought it might help me to talk it through on here. I currently BF him first thing in the morning and last thing at night, plus an occasional BF during the day if he's under the weather / hurt etc

Case for giving up:

I've been pregnant and/or BFing for nearly 4 years, and have a yearning to have my body back for myself.

We are considering trying for DC3 in the summer, which makes the point above even more pressing.

I'm getting a bit fed up of feeling defensive when friends and family ask about it, (albeit usually quite kindly, but nevertheless with an element of prurient fascination).

DS tends to scrabble at my boob when he's tired/grumpy (not while feeding) and I find it really irritating. I'm hoping this might be alleviated somewhat if I stopped BFing.

Argument for continuing

I originally wanted to BF him til 2 years, in accordance with WHO recommendations.

It's such a lovely, satisfying and easy way to soothe him if he's upset.

I'm worried that I'll actually really miss it if I stop.

He's not very good at drinking cow's milk (definitely doesn't have a pint a day), and breast milk is possibly nutritionally important for him.

I know no one can decide this for me, but I'd be v interested to hear your thoughts.

bump

I certainly wouldn't stop on account of the friends and family - stuff them. Easier said than done I know, but their ignorance shouldn't make you feel bad.

From a nutritional point of view I'm sure that you could encourage your son to eat foods with more dairy in if you were worried about that, so I don't think the cows milk thing should be a problem.

I'm more interested in the fact that you seem to want to stop from a personal point of view. I don't think it is unreasonable at all - you've spent all those years bf, and can see a new baby on the horizon who might need bf for another stretch. If you want your body back for a while, go for it - you've done so much for your son, don't feel 'bad' about stopping.

I'm bf my 15 month old, and am considering ttc in a couple of months, and am half hoping that dd will stop by herself if/when I'm pg, but another part of me would like her to continue to 2 (WHO etc!)...

It is a very tricky emotive decision - if it would make you unhappy to stop, it doesn't seem worth it, but if it would help you as you prepare to ttc, then it sounds quite positive. Sorry, I'm rambling... I'm going around in circles - basically either which way, you can't go wrong, if that makes sense!

Thanks happynappies - it's helpful just talking and thinking about it.

I certainly wouldn't stop to make anyone else happy, but it would be a beneficial side effect of stopping IYKWIM

I'm already ovulating etc, so I'm fairly certain I could get pg without stopping BF. And anyway, we'd be leaving it at least til DS turned 2.

With regards to your own situation, yes I think you're probably right about your DD self-weaning when you get pg. That's what happened to me with DD. She was 10 months old when I got pg and I noticed a drastic drop in supply straight away. I persevered til she was about 14 months old, but by that stage I think my boobs were all but dry!