Reluctantly stopping breastfeeding at nine months

[AvrilH]

I am wrecked. I've had a series of colds over the past few weeks. My 9mo DD feeds around every hour and a half during the day and about every three hours at night. I've also been stressed lately and her weight gain has slowed, she is dropping centiles.

I had intended to breastfeed for much longer than this, especially after a battle to get breastfeeding established (tiny tube fed baby, recurring mastitis and thrush), and she has thrived on breastfeeding. But my very supportive DH told me last night that breastfeeding on demand is just not working for us, and for my sake, we have to change things.

So, I intend to buy a tin of formula today, and start giving her a bottle before bed. Any advice would be welcome.

America - Effie - DS2 got worse with nighttime BFs when I went back to work too. But has now, a couple of months later, settled down to 1 or 2 feeds a night which I can cope with. It does get better I promise. America - if you feel up to it pop back and see us on the Feb post natal thread as there are a few people in the same position as you.

Avril - if you're moving your DD onto formula try to get her used to the bottle first with EBM in it if you can (and if you're doing formula make sure its pretty warm - the only way I could get either of my DSes to take formula during the day when I treturned to work). 9 months is a classic growth spurt time so this may be the reason she's still feeding lots at nights - I hope it gets better for you soon.