Dropping last BF - how were your hormones?

[lisalollipop]

DS is just coming up for his first birthday and I have been gradually dropping BFs and introducing cups/bottles of formula for brekkie. The plan was that I would stop the last pre-bed BF by the time he turns 1. Apart from how he may or may not feel about this plan(!) I was wondering how big a hormone flip I am likely to get. DH left us on New Year's Day and have just discovered this week the he has someone else. So am feeling pretty wobbly emotionally anyway and don't think I could handle hormone problems on top of everything else. How were yours??

So sorry you are having such a hard time

I stopped the last BF at around 18months (having 'planned' to stop at 6months and then 12months!) and was really worried about it for myself and DS. He was fine and barely noticed although by the he understood the concept of 'all gone'! I was alot better then I thought I would be, bit sad that I had finished and it took me a couple of weeks to not think of it any more. Hormone wise I was absolutely fine.

Having said that, in your case because you and your Ds are going through such an emotional time at the moment, I would be tempted to keep it going for the benefit to both of you. Your Ds will appreciate the consistency and familiarity during this emotional time and I think it would also help you to not change something so important when you are feeling so vulnerable.

HTH

Thats true about consistency for DS, hadn't thought of it that way, thanks. I try not to get upset in front of him but I'm sure the little guy knows.

That does help, thank you MIAonline.

I stopped BF my DD2 at 6 months and was so emotional - but now everything is OK

DS1 was 23 months and I felt no loss....that said, DS2 was born 3 days later and a complete booby monster so that might have had something to do with it

I do second the consistency though. I follow the path of no avoidable major change through time of unavoidable major change iykwim!

Gosh spotty - you didn't get much of a break on the old boobies did you!

Thanks

When I stopped feeding dd at 14 months I had a definite dip in mood which I felt was a hormonal slump.

Sorry you're having a tough time.

Thanks. I won't feel like I'm chickening out of stopping right now then if you ladies have also had plans that got extended!

Thats nice though Marla to have a positive last memory.

I love Mumsnet

I planned on 12mths too wouldn't have had it any other way, didn't want to tandem and didn't want to deny him at such a crucial time so it was perfect. As for the boobies.....I plan to bf DS2 for 2 yrs but dont plan on being able to see my nipples again without surgery

i too am dropping it right now

feeling ok - dont remember any dip with the others

hope you feel ok!

I had a pretty bad reaction to be honest BUT I am very sensitive to hormones and had PND twice (which was hormone related - nothing was wrong as such).

I found that although last time I was over the PND and had stopped the anti d's, when I stopped the last feed I felt very very down (just like the PND really) for a period of two weeks. A few people had warned me about this so I decided to ride it out. It did indeed pass and I was fine again.

I dont think it was to do with missing the feeds etc, I was ready to stop and DS self weaned (was 15 months) so wasnt asking for it or anything. It was simply my hormones.

Most friends have not experienced the same thing though so it could just be my whacky hormones. Maybe something to keep an eye out for though - but most people say it does pass in a couple of weeks.

On another note, I am sorry to hear about your DH. Oh, and you are fab to have breastfed this far

Thank you