how to stop?????

[margobambino]

I have been breastfeeding since the beginning although I have always had low milk supply. Now my baby is 18 months and I really need to stop breastfeeding as I need to take antidepressant medication otherwise I am not able to do anything because of low energy and poor motivation. I am stuck here, don't know what to do and how to do. Over the last 2 weeks my ds has become obsessed with breast, wants to feed almost every 2 hours like a newborn. I don't want to affect his psychological development negatively by stopping it now thinking that he wants it because he needs it/me.
Please help. Any advise, any experience will be appreciated.

Everybody is sleeping I guess. Nevermind,I'll bump this tomorrow some time.

Margo can you distract him or failing that unlatch him after a minute and do a fun activity together?

Insomnia here tonight , though hopefully you're now asleep.

Some tips here on coping with really intense phases and more here on what to expect from toddlers of this age. My 16 month old is really clingy at the moment and driving me spare, so you're not alone. I know from experience with my first that it will pass in time, but it is hard going.

Several antidepressants are fine while breastfeeding. See this factsheet

If you want to cut back on the feeding, then there are various options described here. I hope you start to feel better soon. Do you have some good support around you?

There are AD's that are compatible with breast feeding. Sertraline, for example.

Thank you very much ladies for your responses. MatNanPlusTinsel, I am trying dirstraction but haven't been very successful yet, but will continue trying.
Greedle, thanks for the links, I had a glance at them, they look quite good and will carefully read them tonight. Working fulltime doesn't help either by the way.
Jacksmama, I tried Sertraline for the postnatal depression when ds was 5 months and took it for 1.5 months but did not work much unfortunatelly. Having had previous depressions I know that Fluoxetine (Prozac) works for me but they don't advise it during the breastfeeding.
Another point is, I do like breastfeeding, if I was feeling a bit better I would continue until he is 2. Stopping it is such a trauma for me too.
This morning I was late to work as first I tried to distract him etc and at the end I had to breastfeed for 15 mins.

Any other ideas? Anybody had similar experience to share with me?
One of my friend said go somewhere for a few days and he would forget. Do you think it would help, be more traumatic?

Does he drink cow's milk at all?
If so, then I'd just give him millions of that and immediately reduce to 1 feed in morning and 1 at bedtime with as many as required during the night.
Then after a few days, stop another feed and so on.
There's no easy way that I know of I'm afraid but they soon forget...

Do take a look at the BfN factsheet. It suggests that fluoxetine may be ok in mothers of babies aged over 4 months. However, their prescription would be off-licence and at the discretion of the GP. some mums find taking the factsheet along helpful to talk over the options with their GP. Health Professionals can also phone the BfN drugs in breastmilk line 0844 412 4665 to talk to the pharmacist who runs it about the various options and any concerns.

Oh and, yes, abrupt weaning often is traumatic for both mother and child. In fact, it's probably even less advisible if you're feeling low, as many mums find that after stopping breastfeeding they feel very low and weepy anyway for a while because of the changes in hormones -breastfeeding hormones actually lift mood.

If you expect you would feel sad about stopping, then perhaps finding some ways to cope with the aspects of breastfeeding that you are finding challenging at the moment, rather than stopping might be a better option for you? Would you feel able to call the national bf helpline 0844 20 909 20 to talk to someone about it?

Thanks again ladies. Sasamax, yes he drinks cows milk and I think I can try that method. However, I have realized today that actually I am not quite ready to wean yet. A very interesting thing happened on my way to home this evening,I was listening Slipping Through My Fingers in the Mama Mia Movie Soundtrack and suddenly started crying. It was maybe the first real cry I had this year. No matter how depressed I had felt I had not been able to cry for quite a long while. It was refreshing, moving and good actually. After cry/driving for 30 mins,I came home and my ds gave me a huge hug first and then asked to breastfeed. I breastfed him whilst looking at his beautiful brown eyes. No! I am not ready.
Thank you very much Grendle,your posts have been very helpful. I have read all those links after he slept. I will see my GP on the 5th to discuss antidepressants and will call BF helpline tomorrow.

Have a giant virtual ((((hug)))) It sounds like you need it. I'm really glad you feel like you're making progress. Things will improve and getting some support is the best first step.

Our toddlers can be very empathetic, even at such a young age. I had a miscarriage when ds was about that age. He came upon me crying once, and snuggled in for a cuddle and feed. It was like he was saying "it's OK Mummy". It was moving, reassuring and all sorts of things I can't put into words. We communicated with each other without words and both felt warm and smiley afterwards. That's the uniqueness of the loving bond through breastfeeding. I am really glad your ds is a comfort at such a difficult time for you.

(((((()))))))

Thanks girls, I really needed these hugs.
Love
Margo