Thinking of stopping BF at 8 months - will I regret it?

[jasperc163]

Could really do with some advice/experiences. DD2 is 8+ months and was ebf til 5.5 months and about 60/40 bf/formula since I went back to work. My supply has always been hard work (been on quite high levels of domperidone since 2 months and supply plummets if i stop taking it).

DD has had a continuous cold for the past few weeks and at these times prefers bottle over breast (I had to express to feed her at some points) and this together with irregular work hours is further putting a strain on supply. She doesn't seem bothered about breast alot of the time (and is often too distracted) and I doubt she would miss it much. I can't lose any weight and would really like to start to get my body back into vague shape (need to do some serious detox!). I am also concerned about still being on these pills.

However, winter is here and I feel like I should carry on til end of winter for the health benefits (partic with sf around). So I feel guilty about the idea of stopping and worry I will regret it if i do. There is also the odd occasion that she does want to bf for comfort. However I can't quite see when I will get round to making the decision. Its very hard...

So anyone else been in this position around this age, and what did you do?

thanks

Not been in your situation exactly and don't know quite how domperidone works but....if I wanted to stop BFing mainly but wanted to keep the benefits I would cut down to one or two feeds a day, ie just morning/ evening. Don't know if this is possible if you have supply problems but I do know plenty of people that fed this way from around 8/9months.
Sorry if that's no use!
Good luck.

No advice but in a similar situation. DD will be 6 months old soon and I would like to stop bf for same reasons as you - get my body back in some kind of shape! Also would be nice if dh could feed her sometimes so that I can go out or get some sleep. However, I do worry about her immunity and I know bf offers health benefits. Doing the morning and night feed will not help my situation as I won't lose weight til I stop completely and it won't free me up to go out. Will be watching to see what you decide to do.

My Ds3 is 7 months old and he is down to one BF in the morning.

He only has 3 milk feeds now.

The lunchtime one happened when I was very poorly for a week and couldn't physically do it and when I tried to put him back on the breast he seemed to prefer his bottle then the bedtime bottle happened when I couldn't be there to feed him for 3 bedtimes so he had formula which his dad loved giving him.
On the 4th night we decided we might as well carry on with formula as he was enjoying it.

He's also on 3 meals a day.

No regrets here because it just sort of 'happened' instead of me saying no more.

I think if I had carried on with all of his feeds I would have probably have finished by now as I was beginning to want my body back.

I love our feeds in the morning and it means I can wear a normal bra for the rest of the day.

8 months is a long time and you should feel proud for getting that far.

Thanks everyone. I think my problem is that i can't just drop down to a minimum no. of feeds as supply can't cope and I have to keep taking pills to keep going so it is a bit more of a consious decision and I have to feed as much as possible (though now this is prob 2-3 x a day, with formula 2-3 times depending on whether I am at work or not). I cant decide if I would miss it or not! Benefits are being able to do some serious dieting (much needed!) and not having melon boobs during meetings when I am working. Is it likely to make much difference to her health now? Would it provide any boost to her immune system if for example she were to get sf?

Only if you were also exposed to the SF bugs and developed immunity.
TBH, my DS was ill for 6 months solid after staring nursery. He had chest infection after gastroenteritis after ear infection after cold...BFing didn't seem to afford him any protection at all. It was a great comfort to him whilst poorly but didn't stop him getting ill in the first place.

thanks hairymelons,
She was actually much keener on bottle whilst under the weather with recent cold - due i assume to amount of effort and positioning for bf.