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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

What to do after 6 months? - Everything going so well!

38 replies

BBW · 15/12/2008 22:04

Hi,

My little girl is 17 weeks and ebf. She is demand fed, and found her own little routine.

She goes down every night without fail at 7.30, I dream feed her at about 10.30/11pm, then she sleeps right through the night.

I LOVE feeding her, and while it was uncomfortable at the start it has developed into a really lovely thing.

I have never needed breast pads, or had shooting milk etc. It has been a breeze.

I am starting to get nervous about after 6 months. Family have already started to say they would expect her to go on to formula, as I've 'done my bit'.

My husband has also said he wouldn't mind her to be bf, but I would probably be better to express, not to feed her myself ??!!. Think he wants my boobs back !!.

MIL I think wants to feed her, which is why she says 6 months no more.

I would like to feed her longer, but know this will be met with problems. I feel a bot sad that even though I probably have the perfect situation that I am not getting the support.

What do others think?, and what were your experiences?

OP posts:

noolia · 17/12/2008 09:47

Well done op on 17 weeks of lovely milk for your LO .
I felt the same as you - 6 months as a kind of target and everyone else assumed I'd stop. I even went to look at formula but just didn't quite get round to buying any, it just seemed daft to stop something so good for all the hassle of powder mixing etc. And it is so useful when she's feeling off colour. If people challenge me now (MIL actually not people) I just squirt her with booby milk do an airy 'Oh but it's so good for her and free'.
DD is 9 months now and the bf takes a lot less time in the day - 10 mins after lunch rather than an hour. So you'll probably be doing less of it anyway.

pudding25 · 17/12/2008 09:52

Tell all the interfering busybodies to butt out! It is none of their business. If you want to carry on feeding after 6 mths, then it is up to you. -and tell your MIL just that!

pudding25 · 17/12/2008 09:52

Tell all the interfering busybodies to butt out! It is none of their business. If you want to carry on feeding after 6 mths, then it is up to you. -and tell your MIL just that!

gokwancarr · 17/12/2008 10:00

well done, enjoy it because it is soooo special. i totally relate to your situation, there was a thread on MN about who had recieved negative comments re:BF from strangers, and i posted on there that i have had more flak from relatives than strangers....dd is 7months and all my rels and inlaws think i should stop.....i am currently mix feeding her which i must admit is a bit of a relief but i still cherish our twice daily bf sessions, but am starting to feel it is a guilty secret almost!!! bllody ridiculous isn't it. in our society there s this huge pressure to bf as it is best for baby, then it's almost regarded as though all the benefits magically disappear as soon as they turm 6 mnths.

MamaHobgoblin · 17/12/2008 10:15

You're doing so well! Sounds as if you've both got it completely cracked, so why would you change anything? Perhaps tell your family about all the benefits to you and the baby (in the news today, yet another article about childhoos obesity and how it's well-established by 5 years, so it's habits really young children get into in the earliest years that influence obesity. BF babies are better able to regulate their food intake than bottle-fed babies.).

My MIL has been making the 'when are you planning to stop?' comments since DS was 5 months. I think people absorb the guideline of 'at least 6 months' and choose to see this as 'for 6 months'. I also think that like your own MIL, mine would like a chance to feed ds herself! I know she thinks my dh should have the odd go too, but he gives ds bottles if I have to go out, and feeds him solids too.

You said that they're saying 'you've done your bit' which I think is very telling. Sounds as if they think that it's been very taxing and less than pleasant for you, and are patting you on the back for sticking it for so long. Don't be afraid of telling them how much you and your baby enjoy it, and what it means to you!

If you want support, here's where you'll find it even if your family aren't giving you any.

MamaHobgoblin · 17/12/2008 10:17

childhooD.

SnowOfHands · 17/12/2008 10:22

Oh carry on. Absolutely. Well done. You haven't appreciated half of the joys of bfing yet and I bet it's already a complete joy.

When your lo is tired and fractious after trying desperately to crawl/walk/articulate needs, bf is a wonderful way of comforting them, picking them up after a fall etc. When they're poorly or teething and can't manage solids, bm is comforting and brilliant nutrition.

You don't need to justify your decision at all. You do what's best for you, your baby and dh to some extent.

And the guidelines are on YOUR side. Why, you've 18 months to go...

I'm still feeding my 19mo and entirely happy with my decision. A milky cuddle at the end of a long day is a wonderful thing.

Darkmere · 17/12/2008 14:09

Hey BBW I think you must do whatever YOU feel is right.

My DD is 6 months and I had such problems at the start the very idea of lasting this long and then going beyond it was unthinkable!

But as others on here have said the six month mark came and went and I didn't even consider stopping. I go back to work when my DD is one and I hope by then I am still giving her a night and morning feed until we are both ready to stop.

Good luck with whatever you decide... it should be your decision but its hard when other people who care about you have opinions too. Be strong!

VeryHungryKatypillar · 17/12/2008 15:51

What on earth has it got to do with anyone else other than you and possibly your DH? If you love it, carry on woman!

sunshine75 · 17/12/2008 21:19

I thought the same and believed that I would give up soon after 6 months......BUT it got soooooooooo much easier.

Dd was weaned at 5.5 months when she was having 5bf through the day and 1 through the night.

Now at 7.5 she only feeds 4x and sleeps 7-7. I get a good 4 hours between feeds and they take less than 5 mins. I never thought I would get to this position. It's sooooo easy that I'm scared to go onto the hassle of bottles!!!

Alibear1 · 18/12/2008 16:08

I don't understand why people are so keen to hurry babies onto formula once they're 6 months.

It's no-one's decision but yours, and surely your DH can share your boobs? If you are happy then carry on

thisisyesterday · 18/12/2008 16:11

keep going! it's lovely feeding them, and if you're enjoying it then carry on.
there are huge benefits to your child if you carry on breastfeeding. WHO recommend babies are breastfed until 2, so 6 months is noithing really :D
and think of the money you'll save by not having to buy formula.

i am feeding my 14 month old and it's fab :D

lizzytee · 18/12/2008 16:55

BBW

When you choose to/feel ready to wean your dc is yours and your dc's choice, not your extended family's. I agree maybe there is a discussion to be had with your DH - perhaps about sharing. (You may find this to be a frequent topic in the toddler years ahead ) It sounds like you enjoy and value what bf gives to you and your daughter, so why give up something that is precious to you? (Motherhood is not all about sacrifice. Heh heh.)

My personal experience was that I enjoyed bf much much more once dd was on solids. It also meant that for us the process of stopping bf was very gradual, gentle and natural.

And rather than saying that bf/bm is "free", I like to say it's beyond price.

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