Stopping breastfeeding cold turkey at 12 months

[Welcometotheocbitch]

Has anybody done this? And how did it go? Little one is night weaned since about a month ago, wakes once or twice and will settle without the boob. I know the advice is to be gentle and drop a feed at a time. Babe usually has 3 feeds a day, am, afternoon at some point and before bed. I’ve tried to drop the daytime feed but she’s trying to get to my boob and it feels harsh refusing, because surely it’s confusing for her? In my mind it will be gentler to stop entirely? I’m hoping to stop in about a month (I will pump and taper to avoid clogged ducts) any advice welcome!!!

I did this (although I was down to 2 feeds at that point, not 3). It went much better than I expected! I just stopped. I didn't even need to pump or anything - I think probably he wasn't taking much milk from me by that point.

I've not done it, hope it works

This is really good to hear!

I did it at 13 months. Can't remember the details apart from it was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

You’re right she will be confused as to why you’re refusing. So I wouldn’t go cold turkey.
Do you need to stop the day feeds for a particular reason?

Just thought I’d update incase anyone searches the topic in future! Last breastfeed was Friday am and we’re now Sunday afternoon - she’s not cried for me once! She’d never taken a bottle before always refused, but is taking one for her dad in a snoozed half asleep state when she would usually have a breastfeed first thing in the morning and at bedtime. I’m in shock how well it’s gone as I’d been so worried about depriving her, but it turns out she wasn’t that fussed. Also I’m pumping twice a day but not getting much more than an ounce out of each boob, so potentially baby wasn’t taking too much? One is feeling achey today though which I’ll keep an eye on. In terms of the weaning though, it’s gone great!

That’s great. Glad it went ok! You can always give her the expressed milk in a sippy cup as it’s advised to wean off bottles from 12 months - so then you don’t have two things to stop! :)