Going to Stop Breast Feeding

threemuttleys

I Have posted about this before, but I really need to be brave and do it. DS is now 11 months old, and I have decided that I really need to stop breast feeding (he has teeth, ouch, and I want my body back!)

Ive been trawling web sites looking for the best approach, and I think im just going to go cold turkey, Monday will be my last breast feed. Im not going to bother with Formula, I dont think that it is worth it for the last month, instead I will just use Organic Whole Milk. Cup/beaker in the day, and bottle last thing at night. At the same time, I am going to drop the night time feeds (I really dont think he needs them, its just habit/comfort), I am simply going offer water through the night

He eats loads through the day (3 meals, 2 with puds, and snacks) so I think he will be ok...he wont starve. I just have this mega guilt trip going on!

Any tips from you ladies who have given up?

neneromanova

How much are you actually feeding him breast wise as if you're still feeding quite a lot, going cold turkey will hurt you quite a lot.

threemuttleys

not that much tbh..one big feed in the morning, and then one late afternoon, and then once in the night.

Metranil_Vavin

I would personally try dropping one feed a week, gradually reducing to nothing.

It does get quite painful if you try to stop cold turkey as your boobs don't know what is happening!

If you have a breast pump you can try to express a little bit if they get very swollen. I gradually stopped BF'ing and still had to go to the Dr as I was in a bit of discomfort. The Dr gave me some antibiotics, but nature took it's course and the swelling/pain disappeared of its own accord.

Good luck and well done for breast feeding for nearly a year!

pinkclouds

I haven't stopped breastfeeding yet. However, a friend of mine stopped when her son was 10 months old and switched him straight on to full fat cow milk. So long as your boy is healthy and eating well, then I can't see any problem with you doing the same.

My mom has always advised me against stopping "cold turkey", as it can be painful. I've always been told the best way is to keep dropping a feed until you've stopped completely. You're only on 3 feeds a day... could you not phase them out over a week or two? I would drop the afternoon feed, then the morning one and then the night one. Good luck!

gratefulforhelp_2

I don't think cold turkey is advised, but it's what can happen when baby gives up of his/her own accord - one of mine got a cold and lost interest at 11 months and I was ok.

WELL DONE for feeding til then. Brilliant. xx

Nicki

I had to stop feeding DS2 cold turkey with no warning and I found it quite hard tbh. He was failing to thrive and quite a poorly little boy for the first few months and we took him to a new paediatrician who thought he was unable to tolerate breast milk, so we walked out of his office and never fed him again (and his health improved almost immediately).

Given a choice, I would do as others have said and drop a feed at a time. I think you could do it quicker than suggested though as your milk supply does adapt fairly quickly. Maybe stop over the course of a week, if you only feed 3 times a day anyway.

If you do decide to go cold turkey however, to make things more comfortable for yourself, you could express a tiny amount to relieve the pressure as and when you need to. Don't empty the breast as that will stimulate more milk production and try to leave as long as you can between expressing to help the supply diminish. Just a few squeezes of the pump to get rid of that full to bursting sensation will make you feel so much better. As well a good supportive bra, and breast pads at night even if you don't use them at the moment. You should find the worst of the leaking stops within 2-3 days even if you do relieve the pressure a bit, and I was completely comfortable by the end of the first week, though emotional about not still feeding for longer than that.

For baby, if no allergies I think whole milk now will be fine. Beware of early morning and late evening cuddles as he will probably try to latch on when you aren't looking, even a few weeks after feeding stops. My little one was 5 months when abruptly weaned and did this for a few months afterwards, and even now aged nearly 2 will try and play with my boobs if he gets a chance lol.

onlyroz

I personally wouldn't advise going cold turkey, or you'll be in agony with engorgement. I'd drop one feed at a time.

Also, will your baby take a cup/bottle? Some kids struggle to get started on them if they've been exclusively breastfed, so you might want to practice before giving up breastfeeding completely.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Hm - I dropped DD's Day feed but gave her night feed one week - then dropped it all completely the week after (I had to do it quick as i was due for an op - they didnt give me much notice!)

Good Luck!

hayleyc_2

It's not a very good idea to go cold turkey if you can help it. You risk infection, and it won't be very comfortable. One method a friend of mine used was not to cut down on feeds exactly, but to limit the length of the feed. Also try not offering the breast but don't refuse. As long as you keep busy most toddlers are too distracted to think about feeding unless they're tired or fall over! My daughter is 14months and I work 2 days. Although it seems like she doesn't feed much anymore, on the days I work it's suprising how full I feel by 5 o clock. I definitely wouldn't want go cold turkey if I could help it.

rachbc

My ds gave up at 11m of his own accord - went cold turkey and it was agony - plus you risk getting mastitis. With dd i stopped at 15m one feed at a time over a couple of weeks - I held on to the bed time feed fearing she wouldn't want to give up - got hubby to put her to bed one night without and never looked back - no pain, no engorgment.