What happens when you stop BF?

[MrsMong]

The end is in sight!! DD is now 14 months and we are very close to the end of our BF'ing relationship. Since around 9 months we dropped from 4 feeds, to 3, to 2 and for the last month or so have only done one morning feed. (There is no comfort feeding, or night feeding etc going on). All this has been without any hassle, engorgement etc. DD is becoming less interested in her morning feed. When offered she will suckle, but loses interest relatively quickly. I'm ready to stop, and I'm happy she is too.

So (experienced MNers), what happens?

I know you're supposed to stop gradually, but I guess I've already got that covered by only feeding once a day.

How long before my boobs stop producing milk? How long before they shrink away? How will I know when they have finished shrinking (don't want to end up buying two lots of nice bra's in different sizes, but also don't want to wear nursing bras that are mostly empty of boob!)

Anything else I should be prepared for?

xxxxx

I finished BF at 14 months too and did exactly what you have done. I remember her last feed too.
She wasn't even upset and didn't look for it the next day. Since i was only feeding once a day they never swelled up afterwards. Took about a week to dry up and stayed relatively the same size but i'd still wait until about a week after the milks gone to buy new bras. My boobs were always small anyway so i don't know how different sizes change.

I admit i think i missed it more than DD ever did once we stopped. She never asked for it again. I was sad it was over and she wasnt a "baby" anymore i suppose. Just prepare yourself mentally and you'll be grand/.

Good luck huni xo

I was only doing one feed a day and tbh didn't feel any engorgement - just stopped and that was the end! Bust fell to one cup size above my pre-pregnancy size probably a few months after stopping.

It took about a year for my milk to completely dry up - but nothing that caused any problems - no leakage or anything.

I also missed the emotional bond during feeding - I felt that she didn't 'need' me so much - I guess that happens at every life stage doesn't it?!

Thanks. I am a bit sad about it ending, BUT she is a fully fledged toddler now, not a little baby, so I feel my job is done. And well done, even if I say so myself.

DD has had a wee bit of disruption this week, and only settled at nursery 3 weeks ago, so am planning on doing last feed this Friday (nursery day) and then letting DH get up with her on Saturday morning while I lie in my bed

My only headache is that she refuses to drink cows milk, or formula (or juice for that matter - it's water, BM on nothing!), so I will probably be obsessed about getting dairy into her via cheese, cheese sauces etc. Any helpful hints on other non-milk dairy sources?
xx

I struggled to get dd to eat dairy - she was allergic for a few years but even after then she couldn't get used to the taste. I think as it tastes so different from bm it takes a while for the palate to change.

I can occasionally 'hide' the taste of milk in milkshake and hot chocolate.

Don't forget yoghurts as well.

what about ready brek made with cow's milk or formula? i've just started weaning ds (six months) and he LOVES it!

Weetabix has just gone out of favour, but hoping this is temporary!! Fromage frais also seems to be out of favour, but can usually manange half a petit filous (altho I do think more ends up in the hair than the belly!).

I tried strawberry crusha in her cows milk (with the intention to reduce the quantity until she was on pure milk), but she was having none of it!! Fussy madam!

My friends DS (3.5 years) won't touch dairy, much to his mothers despair, but is otherwise healthy, tantrum-y and everything else you would expect of an older toddler!

I suppose I just have to persevere and not worry - there are much worse things I could have to worry about than a bit of dairy!

xxx

You could try the soya yoghurts - they have added calcium in them too. DD likes the soya milkshakes too.

I agree - don't worry about the dairy - as long as the rest of her diet is balanced then she'll be getting a wide range of nutrients from different sources.

My son did this on me too and i completely forgot about it.

She might not be off it forever but just take a while to get used to.

I remember how frustrating it was. Took me about 3 months to get him to take cows milk afterwards.

I just treated like the vegetables he "doesn't like" by just giving him a cup with his meal and asking him if he wanted to try a little. (i add a spoonful of veggies to his plate too until he came around and tried them).

I think i remember reading in a baby mag at that time that said kids have to try foods 10-15 times before they can decide whether or not they like the taste of it. So always persevere but don't force.

GL and hope it works out X