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Parenting

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Original poster

When did you stop breastfeeding?

112 replies

Jummynbean · 22/04/2019 11:54

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, got a little one on the way and was curious to find out when you all decided to stop breast feeding and also why? Most places online recommend anywhere between 6 months and upwards of 2 years which is pretty vague. If you can also add some pros, cons and whether you think you should have done it differently, keen to learn from your experiences.

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JulieMack · 28/04/2019 07:43

Was meant to say OUTDATED advice.

LostInAction · 28/04/2019 18:10

4.5 yrs with #1
3 years with #2
2.5 years #3
4.5 years #4
Still bf 15 m old #5

nespressowoo · 28/04/2019 20:55

16 months. Thought it would make him sleep through. It didn't, wish I hadn't stopped.

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Battenburg11 · 28/04/2019 21:29

18 months with my first
2 years 5 months and still ongoing. DD doesn’t want to stop and I’m not sure whether to let her self wean or my putting a stop to it.
Does anyone know if it’s still beneficial breastfeeding in the toddler years besides the bonding element?

Camomila · 28/04/2019 23:37

DS turned 3 a few weeks ago and is still bf in the mornings and before bed.
I work full time, he's been potty trained for a long time, and he's one of the older children in his nursery room so I think he likes having one 'baby' thing left if that makes sense.

Were going to TTC soon so I imagine the milk will run out when (touch wood) I get pregnant.

CrumpetyTea · 29/04/2019 02:19

2 1/2 (I think) I actually can't remember why I stopped- I'd carried on through going back to work , week long work trips without DS etc so it wasn't triggered by anything- I don't think DS would ever have stopped and it was very easy by the end and just the bedtime feed.

It took us ages to get a bedtime routine that worked after finishing though

Its funny how important breast feeding felt and yet now I can remember very little about it.

voxnihili · 29/04/2019 06:21

I tried and failed for 3 days - I had inverted nipples and baby couldn't latch. I spent a month trying to express but produced less than 1 ounce per day. The failure to feed and schedule that was suggested to me for expressing was extremely damaging to my mental health. I stopped when baby was 1 month old. I was referred to a breastfeeding specialist but 8 months on and I'm still waiting for my appointment.

I hated going out with baby when she was tiny because I felt like other people were judging me for using formula. I hated that I couldn't join in with all the chat with my NCT group about feeding. I hated that I felt like I wasn't doing the best for my baby. My mental health suffered to the point I was having suicidal thoughts.

I've read this thread as even now, months later, I still beat myself up about the fact my DD wasn't breast fed. I feel like I failed her.

I just thought I'd post as the majority of people on this thread have successfully fed for a significant period of time, which is great. If I'd read this thread in the early days it would have tipped me over the edge. If anyone else feels like I did - you're not alone, but please get help.

cricketmum84 · 29/04/2019 06:29

4 months with DS, 6 months with DD. Wish I had done longer but I stopped when they got teeth! It was a real effort with both and I found it hard work.

ImogenTubbs · 29/04/2019 06:31

I stopped at 9 months. She was eating well and it just felt like the right time for us. We switched on to formula gradually over the course of a few weeks and then she went on to cow's milk at a year.

VaselineOnToast · 29/04/2019 13:24

[b]voxnihili[/b] I'm so sorry you didn't receive the support you needed when you needed it - it's indicative of a healthcare system that doesn't know what effective breastfeeding support looks like. You most certainly did not fail.

SallyWD · 29/04/2019 13:33

6 months with my first and 7 months with my second. I could have carried on but it felt like a good time to stop. They were both eating solids buy this point and eating well. I was pleased I'd managed to do for 6 months and felt like I'd given them a really good start. I was just ready to finish it and get my body back if that makes sense. As soon as they tried formula at 6/7 months they seemed to prefer it.

SoHotADragonRetired · 29/04/2019 13:41

Fed first to 2y8m, at which point I was 4 months pregnant with #2. I gently encouraged weaning, which had naturally tapered anyway.

Still feeding #2 at 14mo. Not sure when I will wean - it's so incredibly useful. Not until 2 unless he self weans before then

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