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My 10 month old just stopped nursing this week -- he self-weaned. It was a very heartbreaking experience for me, as it was kind of sudden. I know there are quite a few moms who are nursing, or have breastfed for a certain period. What was it like for you when it all ended? Were you relieved, happy, upset?

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I'm going to miss the little yawning stretch my baby does after nursing. I think we are at the end of the road too at almost 8 months. She doesn't want to nurse any more. Too many things going around her that she wants to look at and explore. Boy do they grow up fast.

I had such mixed feelings when my babies weaned! Bittersweet describes it.

With my first I was relieved as I was working full time and it was hard to ensure I always had enough pumped etc. I was determined to make it to one year and it was so rewarding when we made it! W/ my 2nd it was sad, the 2nd time around it was not as hard and the year just flew by! I was sad knowing that this was the end of a very rewarding experience and knowing it would be the last, as we do not plan on having anymore children.

I made it to 6 months, which I was proud of in my job. Unfortunately all the laws that protect breastfeeding in the workplace do not really spill over into firefighting... and it was extremelyt difficult to pump. But we kept at it for 6 months, mostly because I had a TON of stored frozen BM (I would get up at night whether or not she did to pump so I would have enough when went back to work.) We supplemented with formula for a week or so with half and half, and she weaned pretty easily. It was sad though, the last few times I fed her... because I loved the closeness and the cuddling.... but she is still an incredibly affectionate baby so I lucked out there! It was a huge relief to no longer need to try to pump at work though!

Oh, ha ha. I read the thread and first thought ... the end of nursing, as in the field of nursing? Well, we are done at three months. My supply never increased. But, I was glad to have done it for 3 months.

I nursed my son until he was 22 months. I decided one day I was done. No plan really just told him milky was all done. He didn't give me a problem until a couple weeks later. He started asking for it etc. I just stuck to my guns. Not an easy thing to do.

At first I didn't think it really affected me but now looking back I realize it was very emotional time for me. My son did much better than I did. But, my hormones leveled out and I got passed the emotional stuff.

My son now at 28 months tried to get me to nurse him last week out of the blue. Didn't work of course. He lays on my chest and talks about it and is very humorous about it really. I don't know how long to expect him to do it but, it's really just him being funny about it nothing really ongoing.

Nursing was everything I had heard about and expected. I didn't expect such a stuggle with quitting though. I knew he would be a child to nurse until he was five but I didn't want that. My mother nursed my sister forever. I think my positve views and experiences came from my memories of my mother nursing my sister. My mother passed away before I had my so so I could not share that wither her. She probably would have encouraged me to nurse longer. But, all things do end don't they?

Jamie, I know exactly what you mean about relief not having to pump at work. Today is my first day not having to bring it to work. I feel about 5 pounds lighter!

I nursed all three of mine until between 11 and 13 months. My last one who is 3 now was done at 13 months and I can relate to LEW that knowing she was my last was heartbreaking. Nursing was also everything they said and more. My three never had a bottle ever. They went straight to sippy cups at about 4 or 5 months for juice and water. I actually tried to get two of them to take a bottle with juice or water but they just hated them. I never really understood that because all three of them used a pacifyer and didn't mind that plastic nipple.

I was sad when it ended but kinda relieved. We had a hard time. I just never produced enough for her. I tried all that the doctors and the lactation consultant said about getting more milk to produce but nothing worked. we supplemented a lot but what milk I did produced she got I pumped and breastfeed. But I think that since it was so hard for both of us she weaned herself at three months.

I will try again with the next time around.


People were not nice to me because I had a hard time . They told me I was less of a mother and a women because I never produced enough for my daughter. The hardest was when it came from my mother-in-law and she told my husbands entire family what a horrible mother I was because I had such a hard time. I still have people look down on me and my daughter is 14 months old.

I hope people realize that it hurts you as a mother when you really want to breastfeed and it just doesn't happen the way you want it too. They almost had to hospitalize my daughter because I was committed to breastfeeding without supplementing. I gave in and we did both for three months.

My daughter got to the point at the end because she wouldn't get enough milk from my breast that she would cry when I would try to.

quote:

Originally posted by GatorMommy040707:
People were not nice to me because I had a hard time . They told me I was less of a mother and a women because I never produced enough for my daughter. The hardest was when it came from my mother-in-law and she told my husbands entire family what a horrible mother I was because I had such a hard time. I still have people look down on me and my daughter is 14 months old.

I hope people realize that it hurts you as a mother when you really want to breastfeed and it just doesn't happen the way you want it too. They almost had to hospitalize my daughter because I was committed to breastfeeding without supplementing. I gave in and we did both for three months.

My daughter got to the point at the end because she wouldn't get enough milk from my breast that she would cry when I would try to. end QUOTE

How horrible for you. One of my best friends went through the same thing and she used to get so upset because I was nursing and she was having so much trouble. I was never mean to her or degrading. I saw what torment she went through. Her mom in law actually told her that she must have subconsciously not really have wanted to breastfeed and that is why she wasn't producing enough milk. I know she wanted more than anything to be able to nurse. Her baby was not gaining weight and they even tried the lactation consultant too. Her pediatrician finally told her they needed to supplement. What is important is that your baby is healthy. Yes nursing is really great for your baby but it isn't catastrophic if you can't. There are so many other ways to bond and nurture your baby. Even while bottle feeding you can always practice bonding with your baby. Don't let the ease of bottle feeding tempt you not to cuddle your baby close just as if you were nursing.

Don't let anyone make you feel like any less of a mommy because of nursing issues. Anyone who critizes someone who is trying so hard should be ashamed.

Good luck next time around.

GatorMommy, I'm sorry you were made to feel so guilty. It sounds like you did everything in your power to successfully breastfeed your daughter, and congratulations on making it as long as you did. I hope your experience didn't discourage you from trying again. Moms should be supported whether they choose to breastfeed for one week, one month, or more than one year.

Gatormom,
I am sorry that people were so horrible to you. I wasn't able to breastfed my son for a lot of different reasons and I had enough guilt that I placed on myself, I can't imagine you going through what you did with other people saying stuff too.
I think it is absolutely horrible when people say bad things like that.