feeling sad, think stop my last nighttime BF in 12 1/2 month old and a rant about something else too!

[clothaddict]

Sorry- long and 2 issues really in one post

I'm feeling sad, I have breastfed for 12 1/2 months and dropped the day feeds to keep just bedtime BF which I was really happy and keen to keep going. I was pleased to be down to one feed as I felt made life bit more flexible, my periods returned (which I wanted to think about ttc) and I had reached the year on BF alone (with solids obviously). Started introducing cows milk (which previously was intolerant too, and that all went ok). But now on that last feed I feel there is little milk left. He feeds for ages as if trying hard to get a drink. My boobs have significantly shrunk down so I think not much there. Also this past week he has woken up or not settled to sleep without another drink of water or cows milk so he is still thirsty.

I feel sad about it ending and know is normal. Kind of happy to just let that be as he is over year now but part of me wanted to keep it up. Should I try feed him more again in day? Or just let it be?

Second issue/rant: Also adding to my sad feeling is I just heard there is a breastfeeding morning today at GP(which knew nothing of)- another Mum who stopped BF at 6 month and child now 12 months was asked to go along. Just feel a bit miffed I fed to year and am still going (although as above might stop) and yet I never knew about it. I do not know others still feeding at year in RL- they all seem stop at 6 months so feel a bit sad that the new mums at the group (it's a one off thing) will not hear about continuing BF. I certainly never. Rant over!! I get frustrated at the HV as she used to kind of gently joke at me "still feeding that big baby"- at 9/10 months! and I woulnd't take her advice on adding FF wheras all the other mums would - probably why she never invited me. Wants a skewed portrait of feeding and how do it to 6 months with FF as well and then you stop as older than that they are too big. Paa..

clothaddict, commiserations! 'Tis sad, when it comes to an end, ins't it? Although for me was a relief as well - I have just stopped BFing DS3 at 13 months and am glad/sad, often at the same time. He of course is not at all bothered, but I had been warned about that: baby will not remember last breastfeed, you are much more likely to!
From what you are writing, if you do want to keep going, it sounds like you may have to increase frequency of feeds again. Decisions is yours to make... I think I had it easy, because I never thought I'd make it to 1 year, so feel well chuffed, he was not keen on feeeding anymore, never asked for it, it was always me who offered, and stopping gradually over about 2 -3 weeks (last feed 1 week ago) was physically easy.

As to HCP rant, disclaimer first: I am GP in another life, and I certainly new NOTHING about BFing until I had kids and wanted to BF. 2 out of 3 HVs I work with had babies in the last couple of years and neither of them BF at all! Obviously up to them, but not great in terms of promoting it. I live where I work and had many astonished comments about BFing DS3, at times in public, from patients.
On the other hand, DSs1 and 2 are clearly on board as far as BFing goes as they give their favorite soft toys regular breast feeds - and we have the photos to prove it ! It is all a matter of just making it more the "done thing", rather than the exception.

Is it too early for a very small medicinal sherry? Or chocolate? - hands over KitKats...

clothaddict, have a biccy

my ds weaned himself at 18m and I remember how sad I was (tbh, still am a wee bit) at it finishing, even though it was entirely and very clearly his decision (later found out I was entering 2nd trimester, didn't know at the time!, so must've been my milk changing).

I never had any grief about bfing so long but then never had anyone to talk to about it. It's been very interesting having dc2 in Australia - they are way better about bfing here and to see the kind of promotion it gets here makes you realise why so few ppl know about it in the UK.

well done you keeping going for so long

phdlife, interesting, your Australian experience.
A LLL leader told me that BFing rates in Oz used to be dreadful and that the whole thing was turned around with a v sustained Public Health Education campaign aimed at HCP and the public about 10 years ago.
Apparently they now have the highest BFing rates in the "delevoped" world.
So it can be done!

Ok chocolate and glass of wine (tonight obviously not now!)

I do feel great having done it this long and will probably just call it a day.

huh, that is interesting Mummyfor3! As dh says, cool, and good on 'em (Aussies that is)