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Original poster

Breastfeeding. How to stop!

9 replies

livelife123 · 15/12/2018 21:09

Help!
I had the perfect plan...breastfeed only until 6 months, morning and night until 1 year. And then?? Well stop! All the healthcare professionals advocated breastfeeding but no-one tells you how to stop! Tonight I put my 25month old down to sleep and as usual I fed him to sleep 😐. After 2 hours I ended up shouting out of frustration. He fell asleep sooon after. Now I feel terrible. It is driving me crazy! How can I stop!! He sleeps with no help when he is with the childminder or with his grandma. But at home.....

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Reccy2018 · 15/12/2018 21:11

Following!

I want to make the move from breastfeeding 5 - 6 times a day at 6 months to morning and evenings. Tell me how!

gallicgirl · 15/12/2018 21:14

First off, there's a huge development leap around two years which is pretty bad. Some of the frustration you're experiencing could be due to that. I felt I wanted to quit around then but it did get easier.

If you are sure you're both done then have a look at either the Dr Jay Gorden night weaning or Sarah Ockwell Smith's gentle weaning. The latter is more gentle and will take longer but I suspect it might be more successful. I've heard of a few people who have used Dr Gordens method and had to wean again some time later.
Whatever you decide, don't just stop cold turkey as you risk developing mastitis.

Best of luck in your endeavours.

gallicgirl · 15/12/2018 21:17

Reccy, your baby should be having a feed around 5 times a day at 6 months old. If you cut down on breastfeeding, you'd have to replace with formula. I think babies are much older before they drop to just two feeds a day.

MilkyCuppa · 15/12/2018 21:17

A 6mo baby needs more milk than just morning and night. Are you planning to feed formula during the day?

Slat3 · 15/12/2018 21:18

My 16 month old still feeds on demand and always has (lotsssss during the night Xmas Sad )
No idea how to bloody stop.

IsItBiggerThanTheBoxItsIn · 15/12/2018 21:27

Also following as I don't want this in my future. Only 9 months in here but it's really hard going already. You're all super heroes for surviving this long!

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 15/12/2018 21:30

I have a 3yo. Am still feeding her in the mornings, but have cut down to that over the last two years. I night weaned from 13 months using the Jay Gordon technique and it took about 6 months till I totally stopped all milk between 7 and 7.
Once DD could properly understand me, I started limiting the bedtime feed and by about 2 her bedtime routine went PJ's, story and breastfeed, teeth brushing, song in bed and lights out. DH took over from teeth onwards for several weeks till DD got used to the routine.
It's a process. Good luck.

Reccy2018 · 15/12/2018 21:41

Yes, I'd like to reduce breastfeeding to morning and evening, with formula during the day. I'm returning to work soon and my commute is 2 hours each way so don't think I can realistically express. I don't want to give up breastfeeding completely.

Sorry to hijack the thread!

Original poster
livelife123 · 15/12/2018 21:48

All of these relies made me cry! So happy I'm not the only one. I feel like I'm a terrible mum!

If anyone reads this who is breastfeeding a baby under 1 I say it made my life a whole lot easier and I have a very close bond with my boy and would do it all over again. Plus the health benefits.

I'm open to more advice but thank you I will have a read Sarah Ockwell Smith's gentle weaning. I'm not in a rush....just feel I need to start progressing somewhere!! Thanks x

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