I want to finish BFing when DD2 turns 1 in July.....Can anyone tell me their experiences of stopping at that age?

[Bodkin]

Just wondering how hard or easy it is going to be to make the transition. She will take a small amount of formula from a cup before bed (only about 2 oz though, and then a good feed from me)

What does she do in terms of any milk during the day?
Weaned ds at that age - we moved feeds gradually onto cup from about 8 months, until it was only the before bed feed left. He actually gave it up with no bother (hugely to my surprise) - would occassionally scrabble for milk if upset at bedtime for a couple of weeks afterwards, otherwise nothing.

Have you got a clear bedtime routine which involves stuff other than milk? Can help I think.

At 1 I considered stopping bf dd2. Then found myself getting upset about it, which took me by real suprise

She was on a morning feed only by then (had dropped the others herself) and was happily drinking cow's milk or water when she wanted a drink the rest of the time

I decided (took some advice from here) to go with her, really... she dropped the morning feed at about 16m (I think!) and I felt MUCH happier about it

FP - she still has a lot of milk and not that much in the way of solids, so usually 4 feeds a day and then usually 1 or 2 a night. There doesn't seem to be much I can do to persuade her that solids will fill her tummy - when she's hungry, she wants milk! She does usually eat a fairly good tea, but lunch and breakfast are a bit more hit and miss.

Bedtime routine - hmm, well other than giving her a bath or a wash, clean nappy and jimjams on, not really. Then it's usually into the sleeping bag and onto the boob, but she does go into the cot awake.

NNB - I don't think i will be sad to stop (I'm almost counting the weeks tbh ) I nearly stopped when she was 7 months, but got cold feet and carried on.... I guess if she was only having 1 or 2 feeds a day and sleeping through at this stage, I probably wouldn't give a fig if I stopped or carried on, but as she's still having about 6 feeds over 24 hours, I've had enough.

bodkin I am about to do this with ds2 he has a feed morning and bedtime but is still having 2/3 a night like you I am dreading it a bit
ds1 self weaned but there is no chance ds2 wll do this my plan is to
introduce cow's milk in the morning he already has some in the afternoon as a drink let him get used to that for a week or so and then drop the bedtime feed and stop night feeding all at once
I am expecting some crying but like you I am counting the days now to stopping

I found it hard but if you are resolved it will be easier I think. I weakened my resolve as even though I was exhausted during the night and thought I would go demented, there was a little bit of mee that missed the intimacy and I had to fight it but did eventually.

Bodkin - can totally see your pov

Good luck!

Andiem - that sounds like a good plan. How old is your DS2? I'm wondering if I can give DD some cow's milk now - just one feed a day (she's 10 months) providing the majority of her feeds are still BM. Would save having to faff around with formula. Perhaps she would be more willing to take it during the day rather than just before bed.

All I can say is if you want to stop at 12 months it is alot easier than stopping afterwards when they can tantrum! I had planned to stop at 12 months but DD got very sick at 11.5 months when I had started to introduce cows milk in a cup and she wasn't well until 12.5 months. My DD wasn't really any good at solids until 13 months and it is hard to see them prefer milk to food but as long as not very low in the centiles I don't think it matters it just makes it harder to stop BF. I am still BFing my 18 month DD and I can't see many positives. She has fed alot when the molar comes through yes it provided her with comfort but knackering for me and resulted in a very grumpy mummy. Yes there are lots of health benefits to continue for both of you but I think it is harder to stop once you leave it much beyond a year. If there is a next time then I will definitely start to stop at 12 months.

bodkin he was born on the 21st June
ds1 had cow's milk in the day before 12 mths as I was back at work he always liked it
ds2 has drunk a 1/4 of a cup this afternoon so I am hopeful

I think as long as they are still having bm then at this age cow's milk in the day is fine

Thanks Tapster - that's good advice. Already she is quite capable of throwing what looks like a pretty convincing tantrum if things aren't going her way, and like you say, it will only get harder! But it's hard when they're ill and they won't eat anything - the temptation is to just keep BFing to keep fluids and their energy levels up, so I quite understand how it is easy to find yourself BFing longer than planned... and they're ill so often at this age, what with putting every miniscule piece of crap off the floor in their mouths!

Andiem - yep, I think that will be the way to go then - start on a bit of cows milk in the day and see how we get on. Do you serve yours warm or cold?!

cold bodkin to make life easier in the long run