Going back to work and stopping BFing - getting myself in a muddle

[artifarti]

DS is 9 months old and BF. He is also on solids and eats quite a lot! He's never been a very "booby" baby but now usually feeds 3 or 4 times a day. It's only the bedtime one that he is always interested in, the others it varies. I was planning to feed him until he is a year.

I am going back to work 3 days p/w when he is 11.5 months old and he will be with a CM. Obviously this will be a strange time for us both so giving up BFing at the the same time would probably not be a good idea for either of us. So I was thinking of continuing with morning/evening feeds for a while until we are more settled. But then I am going away for the weekend a month later so won't be around to BF him then anyway.

I am probably over-thinking this but I am getting myself into a right lather! I just can't work out the best time to stop BFing. I want to cause minimum upset to DS.

Help me think straight, sensible MNetters!

he will most likely be happy to go without feeding for the weekend and take back to it upon your return. your boobs may become uncomfy and you may need to express for comfort while away.

have you thought through why are you giving up breastfeeding? from my experience, breastfeeding a toddler who is at a childminder during the day has its own unique benefits for mother and child.

Thanks, Foxy. I suppose I worry that because he BFs just before bed (although not always to sleep) then he will get upset if I'm not there and not settle for DP. TBH I'm not sure he'd even notice missing the other feeds.

I always 'planned' to BF for 6 months. But it didn't feel right for me to stop then (only just started to geot the hang of it by then!) but I do feel now that I'd like to stop soon. I've never found it very easy.

you can always take it a day at a time and see how you feel when the time comes. that is one thing motherhood has taught me. to live more for the now and worry less about what may be.

Bump

Does anyone else have experience of going away for the weekend and their DC not having the bedtime feed - are they usually bothered?

My DD is 9 months & happily goes to sleep with a cup of formula for my DH when I'm not there. However, if she can see me the formula is NOT acceptable! Pity, i was hoping DH could take over a night feed every now and then.

I work full time (shiftwork)and am still bf DS2 who's 12 months. As others have said, DS2 wants to bf loads when I'm around but when I'm not, he will quite happily drink whatever's going from a bottle/cup. I haven't left him for a weekend but I am quite often not there when he goes to bed (work evenings and nights sometimes). He quite happily takes a bottle of milk (either cows or expressed) and then goes to sleep without any bother. If I am there, there is no way he would go to sleep without being bf.

Both my DSs at this kind of age would happily go to bed without a bedtime breastfeed if I wasn't around, even DS2 (age 2) who is a total boob fiend...
Your supply is so established by 11-12 months that you could stop feeding for a week and go back to it afterwards.
I agree that it woudl be hard for your DS to go to a CM and stop breastfeeding at the same time so why not carry on and just see how it goes, no need to plan this in advance.

IME breastfeeding a toddler is easier than a young baby and is a lovely way to cuddle up, esp if you are apart during the day.